That You May Be Saved
John 5:17-47
This entire chapter, as it may affect us, rests on this question; “Do you believe verses 17 and 18? Do you believe that the works or signs that Jesus does are the works and signs of God? Do you believe that Jesus by calling God his father was claiming that he himself was equal with God?”
But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”
18 This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
Notice that Jesus is not necessarily defending the sign that was performed, but that he is explaining who he is and why he has the authority and is able to do the sign. There are 3 truths to this and 6 witnesses or testimonies to the truths for one purpose.
I. The son can do nothing apart from the father.
a. “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord,
b. In the perfect union of God the Father and Christ the Son the Son does exactly what he has seen the Father do. And here is why Christ is dependant upon the Father; They are so perfectly united that it is impossible for Christ NOT to be dependant upon the Father.
Hebrews 1:3 (ESV)
He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
John 17:4 (ESV)
I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.
Since the God the Father is working even now, the Son also must be working. The accusation of the Jews is true and correct. He was working on the Sabbath and by saying these things Christ is saying he is equal with God the Father. This truth is what allows the other truths we will look at today to be true also.
II. Those who hear and believe him have eternal life
a. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life.
b. Belief/Faith comes through hearing
Romans 10:17 (ESV)
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
c. This truth is possibly speaking of the Jews. They were a nation that was called out from among all the nations to display the glory of God. They had the knowledge of the Most Holy One. They were supposed to know God. The covenant and promise was to their fathers and passed down to them. They only needed to hear and believe. Many scholars will put these two “Truly, truly” passages together as one truth. I believe however that when put to the rest of Scripture the promise is always presented first to the Jew, second to the Gentile. The Jews worship what they “know”. The Gentiles do not. The Jews would have considered spiritually, the Gentiles as dead. For Christ to use this language would have been offensive to the Jew who did not consider the promises to be for anyone other than the Jews. This would then let us consider that the dead who hear Christ and live would also be a reference to the Gentiles that would also believe on Him. This was also the first great debate in the Church after Pentecost. Were the Gentiles capable of not only receiving the Spirit but also not obligated to keep the law of circumcision?
III. The dead will hear Christ and live
a. “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.
Ephesians 2:4–5 (ESV)
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—
Ezekiel 37:3 (ESV)
And he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord GOD, you know.”
The Witnesses
I. Jesus’ own testimony
a. But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John
i. Conversation with the Samaritan woman (John 4:26)
b. They would not accept Christ’s testimony here but were more than willing to use it against him to kill him.
II. John the Baptist
a. There is another who bears witness about me, and I know that the testimony that he bears about me is true. 33 You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth
i. John 1:23 (ESV)
He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”,
John 1:26–27 (ESV)
John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.”
III. The works
a. the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me.
i. Matthew 12:25–28 (ESV)
Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
Likewise, our works do not bring us into right standing or favor with God the Father. They are proof and testify to who we belong to and who has sent us!
IV. The Father
a. And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me.
i. Matthew 3:16–17 (ESV)
And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
Why does the Father testify? Because no one is able to come to Him except through Christ!
V. Scripture
a. You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me,
Luke 24:25–27 (ESV)
And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
2 Timothy 3:15 (ESV)
and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
VI. Moses
a. For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me
Deuteronomy 18:18 (ESV)
I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.
John 3:14–15 (ESV)
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
Numbers 21:9 (ESV)
So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.
Your accuser will be what ever you set your hope on. Some set their hope on men, others on works, still others on knowledge. What do you set your hope on?
The purpose of Christ speaking these things to us in this passage is plain.
“I say these things that you may be saved.” v.34
This is the purpose of Christ; to save that which has been lost. Christ came to save you. Christ came to take your place and bear your punishment for your sin. In order that, as the serpent was lifted up and the people would be healed, if you would look to him on the cross and believe and follow, you too will be saved from your sin. You can ignore it and even deny it but it does not change the fact that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. This includes you and me. Notice Christ does not speak to their comfort or itching ears; he speaks in order to create discomfort so they may turn and seek him. Christ speaks to convict so that they may acknowledge and repent of their sins. Christ speaks so that they have no excuse and can not say “No one told me”. So why did they not turn and seek and believe Him? As Augustine says;
They saw the flesh, the God they knew not; they observed the habitation, of the inhabitant they were ignorant. That flesh was a temple, within it dwelt God.
There are three truths about ourselves that we must acknowledge and admit
I. We are completely and totally dependant upon the Father.
II. We hear because of the grace and mercy of the Father
III. We are dead apart from Christ but we are made alive in Christ.
Christ, and Christ only, makes salvation possible. Will you turn to him and believe?
Friday, December 3, 2010
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Sunday's Manuscript
A Father’s Plea
John 4:46-54
The very nature of Christ is astounding. Here in the pages of the Bible we find time and time again, how Christ heals the sick, the lame, the blind. To see Christ act in the compassion that only God can demonstrate is indeed something to take note of. In today’s passage, Christ is asked of an important official from the town of Capernaum to heal his son. We can assume from scripture that since the first sign in Cana of turning water into wine and also from the signs that were done while Christ was in Jerusalem, many people have heard about the great things that Christ has and was doing.
Much is made about sight by Christ. Even though many of us see, we do not see. Jesus points this out many times. In Matthew 11 Christ tells the disciples of John the Baptist to “Go and tell what you hear and see” to John. Even though John himself saw heaven opened and the Spirit descend like a dove on Christ, he did not see. Later here in Chapter 10:37-38 of John, Christ tells the Pharisees that “You do not believe me, so believe the works”. They saw the works of Christ, but did not believe his testimony. John also later explains this as he quotes Isaiah 6 and 53 in John 12:38 and 40.
Lord, who has believed what he heard from us,
and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”
“He has blinded their eyes
and hardened their heart,
lest they see with their eyes,
and understand with their heart, and turn,
and I would heal them.”
How is it that they can see but remain blind? They do not believe. What did they not believe? Did they not believe the lame man walked or the possessed made well? Of course they did. What did they not believe? “I know that Messiah is coming, he who is called Christ. When he comes, he will tell us all things. I who speak to you am he.” Jesus is Christ! Jesus is Messiah! Jesus is Lord! Jesus is Savior! Jesus is God!
After the wedding feast in Cana, other than Nicodemus, I wonder how many people truly came to Christ about spiritual things. Even those that seem to be spiritual have an undercurrent of personal gain in their requests. Even here today, an important official come to ask of Christ to heal his son. Christ’s response is that “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe”.
Now this official, being a father, is also compassionate. Some will consider this to be a very Christian act on behalf of the father. He cares deeply for his sick and dying son. He cares so much for his that he does not send the servants to inquire of Christ, but rather he himself goes to Cana to beg and plead of Christ to come to Capernaum and heal his son. He demonstrates a love that we might tend to applaud as if it is out of the ordinary for a father to do. But friends, do not mistake this as spirituality. Is this what any father would do for their child? Of course we would seek their welfare and benefit if it was in our power to do so. But as Christ explains in Luke 11:9-13
What father among you, if his son asks for£ a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
How many of us would consider this man as “noble” or of “good Christian” example? One that we should imitate in order to demonstrate our love for our children? Perhaps this is why Jesus would say “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe”. Let me ask you at what point has this Official demonstrated faith? At what point is this father calling upon the Name of the Lord? At what point is he seeking the kingdom of God? No to this man, Jesus is simply a doctor who can heal a physical sickness and is probably the last resort taken to heal the young boy. Is there any wonder why Jesus would say “Unless you see signs and wonders” to this man?
Believing in Christ was not even a thought as the man traveled to Cana from Capernaum. He simply wanted his son to recover from his illness. Jesus tells him “Go home. Your son will live”. Notice the difference between the belief found in verse 50 and the belief in verse 53. The official goes back to Capernaum “believing the word that Jesus spoke to him”. No more. No less. He, at this point, only believes that his son will live. He will be healed.
Do not neglect the infinite wisdom of God in this action. Christ sends the father away with out performing a visible sign for him. This, points us to a truth that many of us fail to realize; That the Word of God is sufficient for faith! Far too many “Christians” can not and do not stand or live as if the Word of God is sufficient in their lives. It is merely a supporting crutch that they may carry from time to time but not the building block of faith that it truly is. Too many rely on a “Christian experience”; that mountain top high; emotion that comes and goes and is mistaken for the moving of the Spirit and not on the solid meat found in sound doctrine and holy living. They do not live as part of the promises of God. They do not live as people grafted into the covenants God made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They do not even live as people of the New Covenant of Christ who purchased their redemption by His blood!
Not only is the Word of God sufficient for faith it is necessary for faith. Before Isaac was ever born, God promised Abraham that he would have a son and that the nations would be blessed through him and his offspring. Before this took place, Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6 and Romans 4:3). Abraham also believed simply the Word of God. Romans 4:21-22 says that Abraham was fully convinced that God was not only able but would do as he promised. This faith was counted as righteousness. In order to have faith we must have the promises of God to believe in. And now we have the promises of forgiveness and salvation through faith in Christ. Being justified, we now have peace and access into the grace in which the believer stands. What a demonstration of the grace and mercy of God!
Now we know that God accompanies his message with signs and miracles (Hebrews 2:3-4). However, faith comes through belief in the word first. Take note our official. He did not come looking for faith. He did, however, believe the spoken word of Christ. The next day as he approached his hometown, he was greeted by one of his servants and given the news that the day before the fever left his son at the same hour the father was speaking with Jesus. Much the same as Abraham there was a promise followed by belief in the word. Then there was fulfillment of the promise followed by belief in the One who made the promise. The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” And he himself believed, and all his household. The Word, belief in it, fulfillment, belief.
This leaves us with two questions that must be settled today. The first being “What if God did not give the signs”? The second being “Do you see the responsibility God gives in this passage”? Unfortunately, far too many of us deny the Word of God and instead seek signs only. Many of us are just like the Pharisees that are spoken of in John 10. We do not believe either the Word or the signs, yet we demand the signs time and time again. No wonder Christ says it is a wicked generation that demands signs. What if there were no signs? What if, when you prayed for healing for that family member, God’s answer was a resounding “No”? What if you were Paul and prayed three times for the thorn to be taken away (2 Corinthians 12)? Would God’s grace be sufficient for you? What if there was no emotional, life shattering experience from which you could point back to and say “That’s when Christ saved me”? What if you just knew the calm assurance that God was God and Christ is Lord and you have surrendered to him and live according to the promises found in scripture? Which is more Biblical, to jump from mountain top to mountain top? Or to run the race set before us? Enduring to the end? Persevering and having our faith proved by testing?
The second question was “Do you see the responsibility”? The father believed the promise of Christ and as a result, the entire household believed in Christ. How was it that the household came to believe in Christ? Because the father told the household about the promise of Christ! What a responsibility to lead your family to Christ! Fathers, do not neglect the spiritual well-being of your children. It is your duty to tell your children the promises of God even before the church does. The church is just to reinforce or supplement what you are supposed to be doing already. A more appropriate question would be “Do you take care of your spiritual responsibility to your children”?
I have heard many in church health circles say this; “This first generation loves the Gospel. The second assumes the Gospel. The third generation hates the Gospel.” The break down in Christian families takes place when that unfortunate generation assumes that their children will grow up “Christian”. They do not teach or follow Deuteronomy 6 on how a family is to have the Word of God central to family life. They leave much to the church in the way of teaching and hope for the best. I grew up as a part of the church that hated the Gospel. Praise God! He still speaks and works miracles and does signs that lead people to faith! The good news also found in the Gospel is that it is not too late to tell your children about the promises of God and all that he has done for you! The only question that remains is “Will you?”
John 4:46-54
The very nature of Christ is astounding. Here in the pages of the Bible we find time and time again, how Christ heals the sick, the lame, the blind. To see Christ act in the compassion that only God can demonstrate is indeed something to take note of. In today’s passage, Christ is asked of an important official from the town of Capernaum to heal his son. We can assume from scripture that since the first sign in Cana of turning water into wine and also from the signs that were done while Christ was in Jerusalem, many people have heard about the great things that Christ has and was doing.
Much is made about sight by Christ. Even though many of us see, we do not see. Jesus points this out many times. In Matthew 11 Christ tells the disciples of John the Baptist to “Go and tell what you hear and see” to John. Even though John himself saw heaven opened and the Spirit descend like a dove on Christ, he did not see. Later here in Chapter 10:37-38 of John, Christ tells the Pharisees that “You do not believe me, so believe the works”. They saw the works of Christ, but did not believe his testimony. John also later explains this as he quotes Isaiah 6 and 53 in John 12:38 and 40.
Lord, who has believed what he heard from us,
and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”
“He has blinded their eyes
and hardened their heart,
lest they see with their eyes,
and understand with their heart, and turn,
and I would heal them.”
How is it that they can see but remain blind? They do not believe. What did they not believe? Did they not believe the lame man walked or the possessed made well? Of course they did. What did they not believe? “I know that Messiah is coming, he who is called Christ. When he comes, he will tell us all things. I who speak to you am he.” Jesus is Christ! Jesus is Messiah! Jesus is Lord! Jesus is Savior! Jesus is God!
After the wedding feast in Cana, other than Nicodemus, I wonder how many people truly came to Christ about spiritual things. Even those that seem to be spiritual have an undercurrent of personal gain in their requests. Even here today, an important official come to ask of Christ to heal his son. Christ’s response is that “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe”.
Now this official, being a father, is also compassionate. Some will consider this to be a very Christian act on behalf of the father. He cares deeply for his sick and dying son. He cares so much for his that he does not send the servants to inquire of Christ, but rather he himself goes to Cana to beg and plead of Christ to come to Capernaum and heal his son. He demonstrates a love that we might tend to applaud as if it is out of the ordinary for a father to do. But friends, do not mistake this as spirituality. Is this what any father would do for their child? Of course we would seek their welfare and benefit if it was in our power to do so. But as Christ explains in Luke 11:9-13
What father among you, if his son asks for£ a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
How many of us would consider this man as “noble” or of “good Christian” example? One that we should imitate in order to demonstrate our love for our children? Perhaps this is why Jesus would say “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe”. Let me ask you at what point has this Official demonstrated faith? At what point is this father calling upon the Name of the Lord? At what point is he seeking the kingdom of God? No to this man, Jesus is simply a doctor who can heal a physical sickness and is probably the last resort taken to heal the young boy. Is there any wonder why Jesus would say “Unless you see signs and wonders” to this man?
Believing in Christ was not even a thought as the man traveled to Cana from Capernaum. He simply wanted his son to recover from his illness. Jesus tells him “Go home. Your son will live”. Notice the difference between the belief found in verse 50 and the belief in verse 53. The official goes back to Capernaum “believing the word that Jesus spoke to him”. No more. No less. He, at this point, only believes that his son will live. He will be healed.
Do not neglect the infinite wisdom of God in this action. Christ sends the father away with out performing a visible sign for him. This, points us to a truth that many of us fail to realize; That the Word of God is sufficient for faith! Far too many “Christians” can not and do not stand or live as if the Word of God is sufficient in their lives. It is merely a supporting crutch that they may carry from time to time but not the building block of faith that it truly is. Too many rely on a “Christian experience”; that mountain top high; emotion that comes and goes and is mistaken for the moving of the Spirit and not on the solid meat found in sound doctrine and holy living. They do not live as part of the promises of God. They do not live as people grafted into the covenants God made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They do not even live as people of the New Covenant of Christ who purchased their redemption by His blood!
Not only is the Word of God sufficient for faith it is necessary for faith. Before Isaac was ever born, God promised Abraham that he would have a son and that the nations would be blessed through him and his offspring. Before this took place, Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6 and Romans 4:3). Abraham also believed simply the Word of God. Romans 4:21-22 says that Abraham was fully convinced that God was not only able but would do as he promised. This faith was counted as righteousness. In order to have faith we must have the promises of God to believe in. And now we have the promises of forgiveness and salvation through faith in Christ. Being justified, we now have peace and access into the grace in which the believer stands. What a demonstration of the grace and mercy of God!
Now we know that God accompanies his message with signs and miracles (Hebrews 2:3-4). However, faith comes through belief in the word first. Take note our official. He did not come looking for faith. He did, however, believe the spoken word of Christ. The next day as he approached his hometown, he was greeted by one of his servants and given the news that the day before the fever left his son at the same hour the father was speaking with Jesus. Much the same as Abraham there was a promise followed by belief in the word. Then there was fulfillment of the promise followed by belief in the One who made the promise. The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” And he himself believed, and all his household. The Word, belief in it, fulfillment, belief.
This leaves us with two questions that must be settled today. The first being “What if God did not give the signs”? The second being “Do you see the responsibility God gives in this passage”? Unfortunately, far too many of us deny the Word of God and instead seek signs only. Many of us are just like the Pharisees that are spoken of in John 10. We do not believe either the Word or the signs, yet we demand the signs time and time again. No wonder Christ says it is a wicked generation that demands signs. What if there were no signs? What if, when you prayed for healing for that family member, God’s answer was a resounding “No”? What if you were Paul and prayed three times for the thorn to be taken away (2 Corinthians 12)? Would God’s grace be sufficient for you? What if there was no emotional, life shattering experience from which you could point back to and say “That’s when Christ saved me”? What if you just knew the calm assurance that God was God and Christ is Lord and you have surrendered to him and live according to the promises found in scripture? Which is more Biblical, to jump from mountain top to mountain top? Or to run the race set before us? Enduring to the end? Persevering and having our faith proved by testing?
The second question was “Do you see the responsibility”? The father believed the promise of Christ and as a result, the entire household believed in Christ. How was it that the household came to believe in Christ? Because the father told the household about the promise of Christ! What a responsibility to lead your family to Christ! Fathers, do not neglect the spiritual well-being of your children. It is your duty to tell your children the promises of God even before the church does. The church is just to reinforce or supplement what you are supposed to be doing already. A more appropriate question would be “Do you take care of your spiritual responsibility to your children”?
I have heard many in church health circles say this; “This first generation loves the Gospel. The second assumes the Gospel. The third generation hates the Gospel.” The break down in Christian families takes place when that unfortunate generation assumes that their children will grow up “Christian”. They do not teach or follow Deuteronomy 6 on how a family is to have the Word of God central to family life. They leave much to the church in the way of teaching and hope for the best. I grew up as a part of the church that hated the Gospel. Praise God! He still speaks and works miracles and does signs that lead people to faith! The good news also found in the Gospel is that it is not too late to tell your children about the promises of God and all that he has done for you! The only question that remains is “Will you?”
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Sunday Notes
The Food of Jesus
John 4:25-45
Jesus is not simply another character in the Bible. He is not like David or Sampson. He is not like Abraham or Joseph. He is not even like Paul or Peter. Jesus is God and far too often I sometimes think that we slip into a mindset of reading the viewing the stories of Jesus very much the same as the other people in the Bible. You might be wondering, isn’t that what the Bible stories are? How do you read one story different than another? Let me answer that by saying you already do read different passages different than others. We do not read Old Testament historical the same as we do the Poetry; which we do not read the same as the Prophetic or the Epistles. But why should we read the Gospel accounts of Jesus different than the rest of the people we read about in the Bible? Simple, he is God! Stop and think about this for a moment. In many of our Bibles, the words of Jesus are in red. Those are the very words of God! They should impact our life more than the rest! God is speaking.
What are the dangers of reading the stories of Jesus the same as say someone like David? First, we diminish the importance of the teachings of Jesus. We put them on par with the other people and teachers in Scripture. You might say that since all scripture is God-breathed how can this be? Aren’t all the words of scripture God’s? Yes, but do you treat them as such? Do you treat what Abraham says the same as Paul the same as Gideon the same as Jesus? What about passages where say Habakkuk is conversing with God? Do you treat the words of Habakkuk the same as God? I believe most people do because we do not study the Bible as God’s revelation of Himself to man. We gloss over it in order to check the box of reading our Bible if we actually read our Bible.
Second, if we read them the same, we diminish the deity of Christ. Is Jesus fully man? Yes. But he is also fully God! This actually should be the first danger because it is the greatest danger that leads to all the others. If Jesus is not read or viewed as God, his words carry the same weight as everyone else’s. Then they weigh the same as any man’s. The same as any theologian. The same weight as any pastor. The same weight as any believer. This is why we hear so many say Jesus was a good person, good teacher, prophet, but not God. Friends, we have established that Jesus is God at so many points through out this study already. Let us never move away from the fact the Jesus is Christ, the Son of God Most High. He and the Father are One. Let us read scripture the same. Jesus is God.
Third and last this morning, if we diminish Jesus and his teachings, we elevate our selves. Here’s how this one works. Since we don’t consider Jesus as God, his teachings aren’t authoritative. Since his words aren’t authoritative, they are not relevant in my life. They don’t apply to me. Sure they are nice sayings or even if you do put some weight to them, they are words to live by but I can pick and choose the ones I want to live by. The passages where Jesus points out sin don’t apply to me. I do enough to warrant a little slack. I’m good enough. He is talking to those sinners across the room here today. We put ourselves into the position of judge and jury which is actually putting ourselves in the position of God which is sin. Let’s keep these in mind this morning and every time we open up the Bible. Jesus is the word. Give him proper honor and glory as such. I really only want to focus on two parts of this passage this morning, Verses 25 and 26 and then verses 34-38.
I who speak to you am he.
1. If Jesus is God what should that mean to your life?
2. If Jesus is God how do you serve him?
a. The disciples wanted to feed him. How often do we try to serve with only the obvious?
b. Jesus tells how to serve.
My food is to do the will of him who sent me
1. John 17 – accomplish the work of him who sent me
2. Food? We are here to be fed? Is this true? How should we feed ourselves?
3. The fields are white. They are already planted and are ready for the harvest.
John 4:25-45
Jesus is not simply another character in the Bible. He is not like David or Sampson. He is not like Abraham or Joseph. He is not even like Paul or Peter. Jesus is God and far too often I sometimes think that we slip into a mindset of reading the viewing the stories of Jesus very much the same as the other people in the Bible. You might be wondering, isn’t that what the Bible stories are? How do you read one story different than another? Let me answer that by saying you already do read different passages different than others. We do not read Old Testament historical the same as we do the Poetry; which we do not read the same as the Prophetic or the Epistles. But why should we read the Gospel accounts of Jesus different than the rest of the people we read about in the Bible? Simple, he is God! Stop and think about this for a moment. In many of our Bibles, the words of Jesus are in red. Those are the very words of God! They should impact our life more than the rest! God is speaking.
What are the dangers of reading the stories of Jesus the same as say someone like David? First, we diminish the importance of the teachings of Jesus. We put them on par with the other people and teachers in Scripture. You might say that since all scripture is God-breathed how can this be? Aren’t all the words of scripture God’s? Yes, but do you treat them as such? Do you treat what Abraham says the same as Paul the same as Gideon the same as Jesus? What about passages where say Habakkuk is conversing with God? Do you treat the words of Habakkuk the same as God? I believe most people do because we do not study the Bible as God’s revelation of Himself to man. We gloss over it in order to check the box of reading our Bible if we actually read our Bible.
Second, if we read them the same, we diminish the deity of Christ. Is Jesus fully man? Yes. But he is also fully God! This actually should be the first danger because it is the greatest danger that leads to all the others. If Jesus is not read or viewed as God, his words carry the same weight as everyone else’s. Then they weigh the same as any man’s. The same as any theologian. The same weight as any pastor. The same weight as any believer. This is why we hear so many say Jesus was a good person, good teacher, prophet, but not God. Friends, we have established that Jesus is God at so many points through out this study already. Let us never move away from the fact the Jesus is Christ, the Son of God Most High. He and the Father are One. Let us read scripture the same. Jesus is God.
Third and last this morning, if we diminish Jesus and his teachings, we elevate our selves. Here’s how this one works. Since we don’t consider Jesus as God, his teachings aren’t authoritative. Since his words aren’t authoritative, they are not relevant in my life. They don’t apply to me. Sure they are nice sayings or even if you do put some weight to them, they are words to live by but I can pick and choose the ones I want to live by. The passages where Jesus points out sin don’t apply to me. I do enough to warrant a little slack. I’m good enough. He is talking to those sinners across the room here today. We put ourselves into the position of judge and jury which is actually putting ourselves in the position of God which is sin. Let’s keep these in mind this morning and every time we open up the Bible. Jesus is the word. Give him proper honor and glory as such. I really only want to focus on two parts of this passage this morning, Verses 25 and 26 and then verses 34-38.
I who speak to you am he.
1. If Jesus is God what should that mean to your life?
2. If Jesus is God how do you serve him?
a. The disciples wanted to feed him. How often do we try to serve with only the obvious?
b. Jesus tells how to serve.
My food is to do the will of him who sent me
1. John 17 – accomplish the work of him who sent me
2. Food? We are here to be fed? Is this true? How should we feed ourselves?
3. The fields are white. They are already planted and are ready for the harvest.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Sunday's notes
Inconsistency of Man
and the Consistent Mercy of God
John 4:1-26
This past week I finished a book entitled “Knowledge of the Holy” by A.W. Tozer. This wonderful book dealt with how unchangeable God is in all his characteristics and actions. God is God. To be less or different in any one area would mean that He would cease to be God. Maybe it is because I have spent much time meditating on the consistent being of God that I have also become aware of the horrible inconsistency of men, and therefore have become almost over burdened by the inconsistency of myself in spiritual things. I think that for most people our inconsistency come from a rather innocent place. We pay attention to details. In fact, we pay such close attention to the details that we often times become trapped or enslaved by them. We come to depend upon such trivial things that it often time clouds our judgment, our thought processes and our belief systems. We accept a+b=c, but can’t deal with the possibility of e-d=c.
Now step into the world of religion. Not only are we, by our very nature as sinful beings, inconsistent but we are prideful in it. Not only do we try to force a+b but we shun anything other than a+b. We pay such close attention to so many of the wrong details we become the very people we once swore we would never become. Details enslave us and create such a mess of red tape for so many churches and people is there any wonder that we don’t know or understand what it means to “walk in the Spirit”? Details become rules. Rules become idols. Idols move us away from God. But of course, these rules only apply to others, not ourselves.
Details also have a tendency to blind us form what is really going on, especially in Scripture. Our passage today is a passage that many of us probably know or have heard preached. While it is important, the message is not about how Samaritans were viewed by Jews. The message is not about how many husbands the woman at the well had. Here’s what the details do to us when we focus too much on them; “Thank you for not making me like that sinner over there”! What the message is about is how consistently merciful God is towards sinful people, regardless of the details.
Now to prove how inconsistently human I am, there are some details we must discuss that will show us the “Inconsistency of man and the consistent mercy of God”.
1. The Pharisees
a. Jesus left when they heard he was baptizing more than John.
2. The Disciples
a. Went to buy food in Sychar. v.8
b. Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. v.9
c. They want to question both Jesus and the woman. v.27
3. The Samaritan Woman
a. Can’t be pleased. v.9
i. The number one complaint Samaritans had was how Jews treated them. Now here is one who is treating her well and she seems upset by it.
b. Disbelief v.11
c. Nationalistic not spiritual. v.12
d. Her response to both the Word and sign is in religious pride. v.19-20
It is at this point we must acknowledge how inconsistent we truly are. How many of us will admit what scripture says is true, but we find all sorts of reasons not to do it, or why we can’t do it, or reasons someone else should do it? Perfect example, “Do not forsake the gathering of saints”. In other words, “DON’T SKIP CHURCH!!!!” Oh the excuses we come up for this simple, simple command in the Bible. To remove a coal from the fire is to guarantee that it will be extinguished. It will no longer be useful for anything. But not us, we will be the exception. Friends, I bring this up because it may more clearly illustrate the path that the three groups of people are on. The core of all three is what we brought up last with the Samaritan woman, religious pride. No matter what level of spirituality we may be on, it is there.
This pride leads to a cheap/false belief or religion. Notice that her request is not to know, receive, or to follow the One who gives this water, but rather it is to benefit herself in an earthly materialistic manner because she knows. She’s smart enough to have figured this out. Friends if you do not move past this elementary way of thinking it leads to quiet judgmentalism like the disciples displayed, which leads to loud legalistic religion like the Pharisees. All while missing the consistent merciful heart of God.
Consistency of God
1. The Gift
a. Do you know Jesus? If you ask, he will give. v.10, 14
2. God points out sin.
a. We really like a God who forgives but doesn’t hold us accountable don’t we. v.16-18
3. God seeks true worshippers not vain worship that is dependant on time and place and ceremony. v.23,24
4. Jesus reveals himself to someone who needs Jesus.
a. The first person Jesus says he is the Christ to, is not even a Jew. v.26
and the Consistent Mercy of God
John 4:1-26
This past week I finished a book entitled “Knowledge of the Holy” by A.W. Tozer. This wonderful book dealt with how unchangeable God is in all his characteristics and actions. God is God. To be less or different in any one area would mean that He would cease to be God. Maybe it is because I have spent much time meditating on the consistent being of God that I have also become aware of the horrible inconsistency of men, and therefore have become almost over burdened by the inconsistency of myself in spiritual things. I think that for most people our inconsistency come from a rather innocent place. We pay attention to details. In fact, we pay such close attention to the details that we often times become trapped or enslaved by them. We come to depend upon such trivial things that it often time clouds our judgment, our thought processes and our belief systems. We accept a+b=c, but can’t deal with the possibility of e-d=c.
Now step into the world of religion. Not only are we, by our very nature as sinful beings, inconsistent but we are prideful in it. Not only do we try to force a+b but we shun anything other than a+b. We pay such close attention to so many of the wrong details we become the very people we once swore we would never become. Details enslave us and create such a mess of red tape for so many churches and people is there any wonder that we don’t know or understand what it means to “walk in the Spirit”? Details become rules. Rules become idols. Idols move us away from God. But of course, these rules only apply to others, not ourselves.
Details also have a tendency to blind us form what is really going on, especially in Scripture. Our passage today is a passage that many of us probably know or have heard preached. While it is important, the message is not about how Samaritans were viewed by Jews. The message is not about how many husbands the woman at the well had. Here’s what the details do to us when we focus too much on them; “Thank you for not making me like that sinner over there”! What the message is about is how consistently merciful God is towards sinful people, regardless of the details.
Now to prove how inconsistently human I am, there are some details we must discuss that will show us the “Inconsistency of man and the consistent mercy of God”.
1. The Pharisees
a. Jesus left when they heard he was baptizing more than John.
2. The Disciples
a. Went to buy food in Sychar. v.8
b. Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. v.9
c. They want to question both Jesus and the woman. v.27
3. The Samaritan Woman
a. Can’t be pleased. v.9
i. The number one complaint Samaritans had was how Jews treated them. Now here is one who is treating her well and she seems upset by it.
b. Disbelief v.11
c. Nationalistic not spiritual. v.12
d. Her response to both the Word and sign is in religious pride. v.19-20
It is at this point we must acknowledge how inconsistent we truly are. How many of us will admit what scripture says is true, but we find all sorts of reasons not to do it, or why we can’t do it, or reasons someone else should do it? Perfect example, “Do not forsake the gathering of saints”. In other words, “DON’T SKIP CHURCH!!!!” Oh the excuses we come up for this simple, simple command in the Bible. To remove a coal from the fire is to guarantee that it will be extinguished. It will no longer be useful for anything. But not us, we will be the exception. Friends, I bring this up because it may more clearly illustrate the path that the three groups of people are on. The core of all three is what we brought up last with the Samaritan woman, religious pride. No matter what level of spirituality we may be on, it is there.
This pride leads to a cheap/false belief or religion. Notice that her request is not to know, receive, or to follow the One who gives this water, but rather it is to benefit herself in an earthly materialistic manner because she knows. She’s smart enough to have figured this out. Friends if you do not move past this elementary way of thinking it leads to quiet judgmentalism like the disciples displayed, which leads to loud legalistic religion like the Pharisees. All while missing the consistent merciful heart of God.
Consistency of God
1. The Gift
a. Do you know Jesus? If you ask, he will give. v.10, 14
2. God points out sin.
a. We really like a God who forgives but doesn’t hold us accountable don’t we. v.16-18
3. God seeks true worshippers not vain worship that is dependant on time and place and ceremony. v.23,24
4. Jesus reveals himself to someone who needs Jesus.
a. The first person Jesus says he is the Christ to, is not even a Jew. v.26
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Sunday's Sermon notes
He Must Increase
John 3:22-36
Last week we ended by asking the question “How do you know you are born again?” As you have heard me say time after time, the answer to many of our questions can usually be found in the passage immediately preceding or following the passage we are currently reading. I hope and pray that this week we will not only know, but understand this question and more importantly the answer. How do you know you are born again?
This week’s passage opens up with Jesus leaving with the disciples and going out into the countryside and baptizing people. John the Baptist is also baptizing people at Aenon near Salim. The reason they are baptizing here is because there is much water here. One doesn’t need much water if you’re only sprinkling, do you? But it is here that a discussion breaks out between a Jew and some of the disciples of John. It is a very important discussion, one more of us should engage in. It is a discussion about purification. How is one made pure? Here is what we have read about purification so far in John.
1. The first sign of Jesus was turning water into wine. The water was held in purification jars.
a. These were used for ceremonial washing as you would enter the house.
2. Jesus “cleansed” or purified the temple of the money changers and oxen and goats and pigeons.
3. Jesus says that one “must be born of water and Spirit in order to see the kingdom of God.” Rev. 21:27 says nothing impure will enter it.
4. What is John doing?
a. Baptizing, ceremonial washing, symbolic of the washing away of sin.
5. What did Jesus just get done explaining to Nicodemus?
a. You must be born again.
Here is what we must know and understand;
We can “cleanse” and “purify” ourselves on the outside all we want, it does not and can not cleanse and purify what is in the inside. Only when what is inside has been cleansed and purified, do the outward actions have any meaning. Here is an example;
Facebook – We can put all the little status updates we want about how much we love Jesus, but when we also put up the pictures of what we did last weekend or we also have our tarot readings, or the last time we went to church to worship Him whom you claim to love, it diminishes the significance of your claim. My favorite lately is how when we carry out Bible Satan cringes in fear, etc. Sadly for many, Satan laughs at you. Outward works do not purify inwardly. They are filthy rags. How about we try this; Husbands set yourself to make Deut. 6 real in your life and in your family’s life. Wives, Proverbs 31. Acknowledge Christ and strive for these.
John’s disciples missed this truth. I find it interesting though how a discussion that began about purification turns and breaks down and becomes about how Jesus is gaining more popularity. He is stealing the crowd or sheep if you want to sound more Biblical. This disciple is outwardly focused. John is Christ focused.
John’s Response
1. John 3:27-29; Even the crowds are a gift from God.
2. John 3:30; Christ must be exalted, man must be humbled.
3. John 3:31; All things are under Him and He has all authority.
4. John 3:32-34; His word is TRUTH. Jn. 3:11-12, 17:17
5. John 3:35; All things have been given to Christ. He has all, not everything but…..
6. John 3:36; The inward work of Christ and the spirit is shown through the outward. True belief is demonstrated in the obedience to the Son.
I asked last week “how do we know if we have been born again?” Answer: If you believe and obey. There is also something present, joy. Read what John says in verses 27-29 again. It is also given. Receive it. Rejoice over it. Obeying Christ and His commands brings joy to the believer. But also, being born again is demonstrated by this; “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Christ continually becomes more prominent and preeminent in our life. If he hasn’t become more, if he hasn’t increased, what is he to you then? This also needs to be repented of. Unfortunately, if this is you, Christ will be exalted, he will be lifted up, he will honored and glorified, he will increase whether you like it or not. Scripture tells us how at His name every knee will bow and tongue confess that he is Lord. You will be humbled, brought low; you will decrease through no doing of your own.
Friend, there is one last question left to ask this morning. If you were to be convicted of sin by the Spirit and the Word, how would you deal with it this morning? Let me beg you to not simply try to wash it away on the outside. Let Christ forgive and wash the inside. Here’s what so many do; they are convicted but go away simply feeling sorry for what they have done. They feel bad. They have not confessed to God nor repented of their sin and have no intention of obeying. They are not born again. They have made up their mind that they can wash it away on their own. It is much like the criminal who only feels bad because they were caught, not because they see their crimes for what they truly are. Also do not believe that merely quitting a particular sin is equivalent to repentance. Just because you quit it does not make you pure, only the blood of Christ can make you pure. Forgiveness and righteousness can not be found outside the blood of Christ and his redeeming work on the cross. Here is the good news though; he has done it for you. Will you believe? Will you confess? Will you repent? Will you obey? Will you let him increase?
John 3:22-36
Last week we ended by asking the question “How do you know you are born again?” As you have heard me say time after time, the answer to many of our questions can usually be found in the passage immediately preceding or following the passage we are currently reading. I hope and pray that this week we will not only know, but understand this question and more importantly the answer. How do you know you are born again?
This week’s passage opens up with Jesus leaving with the disciples and going out into the countryside and baptizing people. John the Baptist is also baptizing people at Aenon near Salim. The reason they are baptizing here is because there is much water here. One doesn’t need much water if you’re only sprinkling, do you? But it is here that a discussion breaks out between a Jew and some of the disciples of John. It is a very important discussion, one more of us should engage in. It is a discussion about purification. How is one made pure? Here is what we have read about purification so far in John.
1. The first sign of Jesus was turning water into wine. The water was held in purification jars.
a. These were used for ceremonial washing as you would enter the house.
2. Jesus “cleansed” or purified the temple of the money changers and oxen and goats and pigeons.
3. Jesus says that one “must be born of water and Spirit in order to see the kingdom of God.” Rev. 21:27 says nothing impure will enter it.
4. What is John doing?
a. Baptizing, ceremonial washing, symbolic of the washing away of sin.
5. What did Jesus just get done explaining to Nicodemus?
a. You must be born again.
Here is what we must know and understand;
We can “cleanse” and “purify” ourselves on the outside all we want, it does not and can not cleanse and purify what is in the inside. Only when what is inside has been cleansed and purified, do the outward actions have any meaning. Here is an example;
Facebook – We can put all the little status updates we want about how much we love Jesus, but when we also put up the pictures of what we did last weekend or we also have our tarot readings, or the last time we went to church to worship Him whom you claim to love, it diminishes the significance of your claim. My favorite lately is how when we carry out Bible Satan cringes in fear, etc. Sadly for many, Satan laughs at you. Outward works do not purify inwardly. They are filthy rags. How about we try this; Husbands set yourself to make Deut. 6 real in your life and in your family’s life. Wives, Proverbs 31. Acknowledge Christ and strive for these.
John’s disciples missed this truth. I find it interesting though how a discussion that began about purification turns and breaks down and becomes about how Jesus is gaining more popularity. He is stealing the crowd or sheep if you want to sound more Biblical. This disciple is outwardly focused. John is Christ focused.
John’s Response
1. John 3:27-29; Even the crowds are a gift from God.
2. John 3:30; Christ must be exalted, man must be humbled.
3. John 3:31; All things are under Him and He has all authority.
4. John 3:32-34; His word is TRUTH. Jn. 3:11-12, 17:17
5. John 3:35; All things have been given to Christ. He has all, not everything but…..
6. John 3:36; The inward work of Christ and the spirit is shown through the outward. True belief is demonstrated in the obedience to the Son.
I asked last week “how do we know if we have been born again?” Answer: If you believe and obey. There is also something present, joy. Read what John says in verses 27-29 again. It is also given. Receive it. Rejoice over it. Obeying Christ and His commands brings joy to the believer. But also, being born again is demonstrated by this; “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Christ continually becomes more prominent and preeminent in our life. If he hasn’t become more, if he hasn’t increased, what is he to you then? This also needs to be repented of. Unfortunately, if this is you, Christ will be exalted, he will be lifted up, he will honored and glorified, he will increase whether you like it or not. Scripture tells us how at His name every knee will bow and tongue confess that he is Lord. You will be humbled, brought low; you will decrease through no doing of your own.
Friend, there is one last question left to ask this morning. If you were to be convicted of sin by the Spirit and the Word, how would you deal with it this morning? Let me beg you to not simply try to wash it away on the outside. Let Christ forgive and wash the inside. Here’s what so many do; they are convicted but go away simply feeling sorry for what they have done. They feel bad. They have not confessed to God nor repented of their sin and have no intention of obeying. They are not born again. They have made up their mind that they can wash it away on their own. It is much like the criminal who only feels bad because they were caught, not because they see their crimes for what they truly are. Also do not believe that merely quitting a particular sin is equivalent to repentance. Just because you quit it does not make you pure, only the blood of Christ can make you pure. Forgiveness and righteousness can not be found outside the blood of Christ and his redeeming work on the cross. Here is the good news though; he has done it for you. Will you believe? Will you confess? Will you repent? Will you obey? Will you let him increase?
Saturday, October 16, 2010
sermon notes
Cleansing the Temple
John 2:13-25
While it can be assumed that by their confessions of whom Jesus is in Chapter 1; John the Baptizer, Andrew, and Philip are not credited with belief yet here in Scripture. However, there are four times that belief is spoken of. The first is when Jesus asks Nathanael if his hearing Christ say he saw him under the fig tree was the cause of his belief. The second is when Jesus turned the water into wine at the wedding feast and the disciples believed. The third and fourth instances take place in today’s passage. The third is in John 2:22 when the disciples remember Jesus’ words and Scripture and believe. Fourth, many people see the signs of Jesus and believe. Now as my children would tell me, “Daddy, there’s a pattern!”
Look at these four moments in the early ministry of Christ. Jesus spoke; someone believed. Jesus performed a sign; someone believed. Jesus spoke; someone believed. Jesus performed signs; many believed. I would like to remind you of a passage we looked at in Hebrews not too long ago, Hebrews 2:3-4. “How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will.” We discussed at that time, how we have a tendency to expect big signs. We expect large miracles. We feel that we deserve the greater gifts. And this is all while we miss the gift of salvation in a new creation’s heart. We miss the miracle of rebirth. We miss the sign of the Spirit baptizing one of Christ’s own. But let us not forget the purposes of the signs and miracles and gifts. Let us not forget the purpose of the message through the Scriptures and Word’s of Christ. They are intended that you may believe; and by believing you may have new life, eternal life; life with God Almighty through Jesus Christ His Son.
We have spent much time discussing belief. I will admit, I have done a rather poor job of communicating this. Yes, we have the knowledge of who Jesus is. Yes, we have the knowledge of what God has done. Yes, we have the knowledge of the cross, the resurrection, ascension, and how one day Christ will return again. This is so true in the case of those who do not believe Christ. But Christians, let me ask you this morning, “Does what you believe in your mind, affect how you live during the day?” For those who have either just made this commitment to follow Christ and for those who have made that decision years ago, it ought to.
What we believe ought to affect how you live. It ought to drastically change something about us. How does darkness become light and go unnoticed? We are supposed to be a new creation. We are supposed to turn away from sin and turn towards God. We are supposed to live in the world yet separate from the world. What we believe is what sets us apart! There are things that a Christian just simply does and does not do. But for too many, when we hear God’s Word, when we hear how we ought to live as Christians, we roll our eyes. We sigh and brush it off. We get defensive and point out the sin in others. We would rather offend God than possibly hurt someone’s feelings by being Biblically honest with them. And when it comes to the Bible, it must not apply to many for they disregard what God says because it just doesn’t work that well in today’s world. Then we sit and scratch our heads and wonder why people don’t take us too serious as Christians. And as far as young legalistic, zealots like myself, evidently trying to do what the Word of God says must be a futile waste of time because so many, much wiser people have told me it is way too hard. But on the upside, it has its easy parts; let’s face it…sin is easy.
Oddly enough, the world and the people that Jesus ministered to were the very opposite. He dealt with people that instead of growing apathetic and lazy in their religious pursuits, they became overly legalistic and fell away. Many today are prideful of their lack of activity; they were prideful in their over-activity. That is very much what is going on when Jesus walks into the temple this Passover week. Most of us know the story;
I. It is Passover
a. Exodus 12, Numbers 28, Deuteronomy 16
b. Year old male lamb with out blemish.
c. For fourteen days they would take it into their home.
d. They would kill and eat it.
e. They would sprinkle the blood on the door posts of the house so the “destroyer” would pass over.
f. Ex 12:13 I am the Lord. The blood shall be a sign for you.
II. Jesus enters the temple
a. He makes a whip of cords.
b. Drives out the money changers and other vendors
c. He drives out the oxen and sheep, the object of sacrifice.
i. Rules concerning the poor and sojourner Lev. 25:35-38 Ex. 22:21
III. The Jews want a sign
a. They knew how God worked. He spoke and there were signs.
b. Jesus tells them he will tear down this temple and raise it up in three days. He was talking about his body and the resurrection.
IV. His Father’s house, the temple, the bride, the church, you are the temple.
Do you think that God is zealous for you?
Do you think that He is consumed with zeal for you?
V. Many believed but Jesus did not entrust himself to them.
a. He knew what was in man. In other words, he knew the heart of man.
VI. Our hearts are overtime working sin and idol factories.
VII. Repent
John 2:13-25
While it can be assumed that by their confessions of whom Jesus is in Chapter 1; John the Baptizer, Andrew, and Philip are not credited with belief yet here in Scripture. However, there are four times that belief is spoken of. The first is when Jesus asks Nathanael if his hearing Christ say he saw him under the fig tree was the cause of his belief. The second is when Jesus turned the water into wine at the wedding feast and the disciples believed. The third and fourth instances take place in today’s passage. The third is in John 2:22 when the disciples remember Jesus’ words and Scripture and believe. Fourth, many people see the signs of Jesus and believe. Now as my children would tell me, “Daddy, there’s a pattern!”
Look at these four moments in the early ministry of Christ. Jesus spoke; someone believed. Jesus performed a sign; someone believed. Jesus spoke; someone believed. Jesus performed signs; many believed. I would like to remind you of a passage we looked at in Hebrews not too long ago, Hebrews 2:3-4. “How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will.” We discussed at that time, how we have a tendency to expect big signs. We expect large miracles. We feel that we deserve the greater gifts. And this is all while we miss the gift of salvation in a new creation’s heart. We miss the miracle of rebirth. We miss the sign of the Spirit baptizing one of Christ’s own. But let us not forget the purposes of the signs and miracles and gifts. Let us not forget the purpose of the message through the Scriptures and Word’s of Christ. They are intended that you may believe; and by believing you may have new life, eternal life; life with God Almighty through Jesus Christ His Son.
We have spent much time discussing belief. I will admit, I have done a rather poor job of communicating this. Yes, we have the knowledge of who Jesus is. Yes, we have the knowledge of what God has done. Yes, we have the knowledge of the cross, the resurrection, ascension, and how one day Christ will return again. This is so true in the case of those who do not believe Christ. But Christians, let me ask you this morning, “Does what you believe in your mind, affect how you live during the day?” For those who have either just made this commitment to follow Christ and for those who have made that decision years ago, it ought to.
What we believe ought to affect how you live. It ought to drastically change something about us. How does darkness become light and go unnoticed? We are supposed to be a new creation. We are supposed to turn away from sin and turn towards God. We are supposed to live in the world yet separate from the world. What we believe is what sets us apart! There are things that a Christian just simply does and does not do. But for too many, when we hear God’s Word, when we hear how we ought to live as Christians, we roll our eyes. We sigh and brush it off. We get defensive and point out the sin in others. We would rather offend God than possibly hurt someone’s feelings by being Biblically honest with them. And when it comes to the Bible, it must not apply to many for they disregard what God says because it just doesn’t work that well in today’s world. Then we sit and scratch our heads and wonder why people don’t take us too serious as Christians. And as far as young legalistic, zealots like myself, evidently trying to do what the Word of God says must be a futile waste of time because so many, much wiser people have told me it is way too hard. But on the upside, it has its easy parts; let’s face it…sin is easy.
Oddly enough, the world and the people that Jesus ministered to were the very opposite. He dealt with people that instead of growing apathetic and lazy in their religious pursuits, they became overly legalistic and fell away. Many today are prideful of their lack of activity; they were prideful in their over-activity. That is very much what is going on when Jesus walks into the temple this Passover week. Most of us know the story;
I. It is Passover
a. Exodus 12, Numbers 28, Deuteronomy 16
b. Year old male lamb with out blemish.
c. For fourteen days they would take it into their home.
d. They would kill and eat it.
e. They would sprinkle the blood on the door posts of the house so the “destroyer” would pass over.
f. Ex 12:13 I am the Lord. The blood shall be a sign for you.
II. Jesus enters the temple
a. He makes a whip of cords.
b. Drives out the money changers and other vendors
c. He drives out the oxen and sheep, the object of sacrifice.
i. Rules concerning the poor and sojourner Lev. 25:35-38 Ex. 22:21
III. The Jews want a sign
a. They knew how God worked. He spoke and there were signs.
b. Jesus tells them he will tear down this temple and raise it up in three days. He was talking about his body and the resurrection.
IV. His Father’s house, the temple, the bride, the church, you are the temple.
Do you think that God is zealous for you?
Do you think that He is consumed with zeal for you?
V. Many believed but Jesus did not entrust himself to them.
a. He knew what was in man. In other words, he knew the heart of man.
VI. Our hearts are overtime working sin and idol factories.
VII. Repent
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Notes for tomorrow
“The Wedding Feast”
John 2:1-11
The Main Points of the Passage
1. Jesus, his mother, and the disciples were invited to a wedding.
2. They ran out of wine.
3. Jesus and his mother have a rather cold exchange.
4. She informs the servants to do what he says.
5. The servants fill 6 purification jars with water and when they draw some out, it is wine.
6. The master of the feast is amazed.
7. The disciples believe.
The Obvious – Water into Wine
Many of us know the passages of scripture that deal with the use of alcohol, both acceptable and unacceptable which is not the focal point of any of today’s message. But have you ever looked at the number of times wine is present during celebrations through out the Bible? Wine is symbolic of God’s blessings being poured out upon His people and is used to celebrate those blessings. Here’s what we know from this passage.
1. They had wine there at the wedding.
2. They ran out of wine which would be of great embarrassment to the bridegroom.
3. Jesus turned the water into wine. This is because He is not only celebrating this marriage, but blessing it as well. Why would Jesus bless this marriage? Because He is the one who ordained marriage.
Marriage Biblically
1. Genesis 2:18 – Man needed a helper. God gave man one.
2. Genesis 2:24 – For this helper, man will leave his father and mother and they will become one.
3. He will HOLD FAST to his wife.
a. This is why we do not covet our neighbor’s wife. Exodus 20:17
b. This is why we are to rejoice in the wife of our youth. Proverbs 5:18
4. Ephesians 5:21-33
a. Wives are to submit as the church submits to Christ.
b. Husbands love as Christ loved the church.
c. Marriage is a picture of Christ and the church.
Now I want to look at the first 7 points of this passage again.
1. Jesus, his mother, and the disciples were invited to a wedding.
a. John 3:16, Acts 2:21
2. They ran out of wine.
a. Man’s efforts fall short. Romans 3:23
3. Jesus and his mother have a rather cold exchange.
a. Jesus has left His mother for His bride. Genesis 2:24
4. She informs the servants to do what he says.
a. Mary and the servants are submitting as the church should. Ephesians 5:22
5. The servants fill 6 purification jars with water and when they draw some out, it is wine.
a. We are to be purified. 1 John 1:9
6. The master of the feast is amazed.
a. Not that Christ is shocked, but pleased. Matthew 25:21
7. The disciples believed.
a. I was amazed at the amount of times Jesus talked about belief. 51 times in the Gospels, he uses the word belief. Usually by asking “Do you believe?” or saying “You do not believe.”
Jesus is still asking “Do you believe?” Jesus is still convicting “You do not believe.” But what are we to believe? We passed over an important aspect of marriage. Yes, we discussed submission but not sacrificial giving. Jesus Christ gave himself sacrificially for you and for me. Paul in 1 Timothy 4:6 and Philippians 2:17 references how is feels as though he is being “poured out as a drink offering.” Another important function of wine in the Bible is as a drink offering. It would be poured out over the altar as yet another sacrifice to God. I can’t help but picture Christ on the cross. As the spear went through His side and the water and blood sprayed from the wound (John 19:34), He was our drink offering poured out upon the altar of the cross. He was our bridegroom sacrificing all for his bride.
According to John, this was the first of Jesus’ public signs. Sometimes this is lost as we read this passage. I have to ask, if this is the first, what is the last? Listen to what John writes in the Book of Revelation.
Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,
“Hallelujah!
For the Lord our God
the Almighty reigns.
7 Let us rejoice and exult
and give him the glory,
for the marriage of the Lamb has come,
and his Bride has made herself ready;
8 it was granted her to clothe herself
with fine linen, bright and pure”—
for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.
9And the angel said£ to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”
Revelation 19:6-9
And
Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, “Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.”
Revelation 21:9
Friends, Jesus asked many people if they believed. Do you believe? “These words are trustworthy and true…” Revelation 22:6
John 2:1-11
The Main Points of the Passage
1. Jesus, his mother, and the disciples were invited to a wedding.
2. They ran out of wine.
3. Jesus and his mother have a rather cold exchange.
4. She informs the servants to do what he says.
5. The servants fill 6 purification jars with water and when they draw some out, it is wine.
6. The master of the feast is amazed.
7. The disciples believe.
The Obvious – Water into Wine
Many of us know the passages of scripture that deal with the use of alcohol, both acceptable and unacceptable which is not the focal point of any of today’s message. But have you ever looked at the number of times wine is present during celebrations through out the Bible? Wine is symbolic of God’s blessings being poured out upon His people and is used to celebrate those blessings. Here’s what we know from this passage.
1. They had wine there at the wedding.
2. They ran out of wine which would be of great embarrassment to the bridegroom.
3. Jesus turned the water into wine. This is because He is not only celebrating this marriage, but blessing it as well. Why would Jesus bless this marriage? Because He is the one who ordained marriage.
Marriage Biblically
1. Genesis 2:18 – Man needed a helper. God gave man one.
2. Genesis 2:24 – For this helper, man will leave his father and mother and they will become one.
3. He will HOLD FAST to his wife.
a. This is why we do not covet our neighbor’s wife. Exodus 20:17
b. This is why we are to rejoice in the wife of our youth. Proverbs 5:18
4. Ephesians 5:21-33
a. Wives are to submit as the church submits to Christ.
b. Husbands love as Christ loved the church.
c. Marriage is a picture of Christ and the church.
Now I want to look at the first 7 points of this passage again.
1. Jesus, his mother, and the disciples were invited to a wedding.
a. John 3:16, Acts 2:21
2. They ran out of wine.
a. Man’s efforts fall short. Romans 3:23
3. Jesus and his mother have a rather cold exchange.
a. Jesus has left His mother for His bride. Genesis 2:24
4. She informs the servants to do what he says.
a. Mary and the servants are submitting as the church should. Ephesians 5:22
5. The servants fill 6 purification jars with water and when they draw some out, it is wine.
a. We are to be purified. 1 John 1:9
6. The master of the feast is amazed.
a. Not that Christ is shocked, but pleased. Matthew 25:21
7. The disciples believed.
a. I was amazed at the amount of times Jesus talked about belief. 51 times in the Gospels, he uses the word belief. Usually by asking “Do you believe?” or saying “You do not believe.”
Jesus is still asking “Do you believe?” Jesus is still convicting “You do not believe.” But what are we to believe? We passed over an important aspect of marriage. Yes, we discussed submission but not sacrificial giving. Jesus Christ gave himself sacrificially for you and for me. Paul in 1 Timothy 4:6 and Philippians 2:17 references how is feels as though he is being “poured out as a drink offering.” Another important function of wine in the Bible is as a drink offering. It would be poured out over the altar as yet another sacrifice to God. I can’t help but picture Christ on the cross. As the spear went through His side and the water and blood sprayed from the wound (John 19:34), He was our drink offering poured out upon the altar of the cross. He was our bridegroom sacrificing all for his bride.
According to John, this was the first of Jesus’ public signs. Sometimes this is lost as we read this passage. I have to ask, if this is the first, what is the last? Listen to what John writes in the Book of Revelation.
Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,
“Hallelujah!
For the Lord our God
the Almighty reigns.
7 Let us rejoice and exult
and give him the glory,
for the marriage of the Lamb has come,
and his Bride has made herself ready;
8 it was granted her to clothe herself
with fine linen, bright and pure”—
for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.
9And the angel said£ to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”
Revelation 19:6-9
And
Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, “Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.”
Revelation 21:9
Friends, Jesus asked many people if they believed. Do you believe? “These words are trustworthy and true…” Revelation 22:6
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Sunday's Notes
Andrew and Phillip
John 1:34-51
After the initial reading, the passage this morning appears rather blah and unimportant. I mean, all that really happens is Andrew and Phillip leave John the Baptist and follow after Jesus. Andrew brings Peter to Jesus. Phillip brings Nathanael to Jesus. Nathanael has something smart to say and gets called out for it and suddenly believes Jesus is the Son of God. That makes for a good, clean and tidy lesson. But there is far more than just this in the passage. What I would like to do this morning is to simply point out the similarities in these two passages and also point out the differences and hopefully God will reveal more of Himself to us through it.
The similarities
1. One could argue that both Andrew and Phillip were disciples of John. (John 1:35)
2. They both spent the day with Jesus. (John 1:39)
3. They both brought someone to meet Jesus (John 1:41,45)
4. Jesus has a conversation with Peter and Nathanael. (John 1:42, 47-51)
The differences
1. Andrew evidently stayed with Jesus. (John 1:41)
2. Andrew refers to Jesus as Messiah (John 1:41)
3. Peter does not question Andrew.
4. Jesus changes Peter’s name. (John 1:42)
5. Phillip left Jesus. Jesus went looking for him. (John 1:43)
6. Phillip refers to Jesus in relation to Moses. (John 1:45)
7. Nathanael questions Phillip. (John 1:46)
8. Jesus’ conversation is much different with Nathanael.
The one whom Moses wrote about?
I want to put this into the context of how Christ was portrayed to the people of Israel. Their understanding came from the writings of Moses and the other prophets. Some of us may not understand all the prophecies but they are there. I spent this past week in Isaiah and even the chapters that are not considered Messianic passages the references are all over the place. But this is specifically referring to Deuteronomy 18:15-22, “the one whom Moses wrote about.”
Can anything GOOD come from Nazareth?
Matthew 2:23
Mark 10:17-22
I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe?
What is Jesus really asking here?
Why are we so easily satisfied with just a little bit of God in our life?
John 1:34-51
After the initial reading, the passage this morning appears rather blah and unimportant. I mean, all that really happens is Andrew and Phillip leave John the Baptist and follow after Jesus. Andrew brings Peter to Jesus. Phillip brings Nathanael to Jesus. Nathanael has something smart to say and gets called out for it and suddenly believes Jesus is the Son of God. That makes for a good, clean and tidy lesson. But there is far more than just this in the passage. What I would like to do this morning is to simply point out the similarities in these two passages and also point out the differences and hopefully God will reveal more of Himself to us through it.
The similarities
1. One could argue that both Andrew and Phillip were disciples of John. (John 1:35)
2. They both spent the day with Jesus. (John 1:39)
3. They both brought someone to meet Jesus (John 1:41,45)
4. Jesus has a conversation with Peter and Nathanael. (John 1:42, 47-51)
The differences
1. Andrew evidently stayed with Jesus. (John 1:41)
2. Andrew refers to Jesus as Messiah (John 1:41)
3. Peter does not question Andrew.
4. Jesus changes Peter’s name. (John 1:42)
5. Phillip left Jesus. Jesus went looking for him. (John 1:43)
6. Phillip refers to Jesus in relation to Moses. (John 1:45)
7. Nathanael questions Phillip. (John 1:46)
8. Jesus’ conversation is much different with Nathanael.
The one whom Moses wrote about?
I want to put this into the context of how Christ was portrayed to the people of Israel. Their understanding came from the writings of Moses and the other prophets. Some of us may not understand all the prophecies but they are there. I spent this past week in Isaiah and even the chapters that are not considered Messianic passages the references are all over the place. But this is specifically referring to Deuteronomy 18:15-22, “the one whom Moses wrote about.”
Can anything GOOD come from Nazareth?
Matthew 2:23
Mark 10:17-22
I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe?
What is Jesus really asking here?
Why are we so easily satisfied with just a little bit of God in our life?
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Sunday's Sermon
John The Baptist
John 1:19-34
The Who - John 1:19-28
Few figures in scripture are as intriguing as John the Baptist. He was a prophet and according to Jesus, the greatest of prophets (Luke 7:27-28). We know that John appeared baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. He was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey (Mark 1:5-6). John had many, many disciples. Large crowds came confessing their sins and were baptized by John (Mk 1:5, Matt 3:6). He had an on going dispute with the Pharisees, Sadducees and scribes of the day over their religious state (Matt 3:7-10), John’s identity (John 3:19-24) and John’s purpose (John 3:24-28). I call it a dispute even though many came and still were baptized. However, his current situation seems odd when you put it to the rest of what we know about John.
John did not come from nothing. In fact, John came from the priesthood. John the Baptist’s father was named Zechariah. He was a priest. Listen to what Luke writes in Luke 1:5-25 and Luke 1:57-80. This, my friends, is John the Baptist. He went from the priesthood to the wilderness. How many of us would even think twice about going and listening to a man like this today? How many of us would write this man off as crazy? How many of us would try to get him locked up for not only his safety but for the safety of others?
This is the most important aspect of who John was; he was called and anointed by God! Read with me again Luke 1:76-79. John the Baptist was ordained and sent by God for the benefit of the people to have the knowledge of salvation. To give light, not be light, but to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. To guide our feet into the way of peace. What a blessed life to know what your position in the kingdom is!! But perhaps it is even better to know who you are not, and John most certainly knew who he was not!
“Are you the Christ? Are you Elijah? Are you the Prophet?”
“No! No! No! I am not.”
“Well then who are you?”
“I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord. I am not even worthy to untie the strap of the His sandal.” John knew who he was not.
The Message – John 1:29-34
The message of John was simple. First, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand (Matthew 3:2)”. Second, “Bear fruits in keeping with repentance (Luke 3:8)”. Third, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. This is He of whom I said… (John 1:29-30)”. To put it simply, “This is who is coming. This is what you must do. This is who He is.”
I do want to point out that without the Spirit of Christ dwelling within us; we can not bear fruit in keeping with repentance. It is the fruit of the Spirit. It is with the Spirit’s aid and work that sin is put under within us. It is with the Spirit that we produce love, joy, peace… (Galatians 5:22-23). So in other words, the message is “Jesus! Jesus! Jesus! Jesus is God’s tender mercy towards sinners.” Praise God!
The Result – John 1:35-39
We, as a church, must ask and be honest with our answer at this point. What should the result of our teaching and preaching be? Some will sneer at this question. We have a pretty good answer for the most part; don’t we? “To see people come to know Christ as their Lord and Savior” right? John the Baptist showed Christ to the people. John pointed them directly to Him. After hearing John say “Behold the Lamb of God” Andrew and Phillip left and followed Christ and stayed with Christ. The result ought to be seeing people reconciled to God like Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:18-21. This is the danger in which I believe we may face. We spend so much of our time talking about Jesus, but not enough pointing to Jesus.
This is how we have the list we looked at last week. Jesus is our friend, our brother, our savior, our, our, our, our, and the list goes on and on. And as a church we can easily draw to ourselves, a crowd that likes to hear about Jesus as long as we don’t make it personal. But again at the same time, there is even a greater potential danger. We actually do tell them about Jesus and point them to Jesus and then proceed to lump every rule and regulation known to mankind on them. Listen to what Paul writes in Galatians 2:18-21, 3:3, 6, 11, 15.
Friends, Jesus says if you love him, you will keep his commands. But we do so out of love of our Lord not out of an effort to find favor with God. Remember when Hebrews told us that there has been one sacrifice so that there is no longer any need to offer repeated sacrifices. Christ made that sacrifice in order that there would be forgiveness of sins.
I have one real fear of pastoring this church and it is this; we fall more in love with the message and the commands than the object of them both. We become the church of Ephesus. We lose our first love. In fact, if that happens I fear there will be many who will never be pointed to Christ and therefore will never follow Christ. Who will never know forgiveness and never see God’s face. This being so, this message will change. We will begin to preach a message about the blessing instead of the one who blesses. We focus on how we come to Jesus to get eternal life, we get forgiveness of sins, we get, we get, we get. But let me ask this morning, “What is wrong with simply getting Jesus?!?” We get Christ! Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
John the Baptist was a preacher, with a simple message and pointed people to Christ. Not himself. As many of you have heard prayed “May we decrease, that Christ may increase” you have heard a quote from John the Baptist. This came at a time when his crowds began to dwindle in size and people were beginning to follow Christ. But not everyone who was with him left to follow Jesus. I sometimes wonder about these men and women. Were there regrets for not following Jesus? I pray that you will not regret later in life that which you can do today.
John 1:19-34
The Who - John 1:19-28
Few figures in scripture are as intriguing as John the Baptist. He was a prophet and according to Jesus, the greatest of prophets (Luke 7:27-28). We know that John appeared baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. He was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey (Mark 1:5-6). John had many, many disciples. Large crowds came confessing their sins and were baptized by John (Mk 1:5, Matt 3:6). He had an on going dispute with the Pharisees, Sadducees and scribes of the day over their religious state (Matt 3:7-10), John’s identity (John 3:19-24) and John’s purpose (John 3:24-28). I call it a dispute even though many came and still were baptized. However, his current situation seems odd when you put it to the rest of what we know about John.
John did not come from nothing. In fact, John came from the priesthood. John the Baptist’s father was named Zechariah. He was a priest. Listen to what Luke writes in Luke 1:5-25 and Luke 1:57-80. This, my friends, is John the Baptist. He went from the priesthood to the wilderness. How many of us would even think twice about going and listening to a man like this today? How many of us would write this man off as crazy? How many of us would try to get him locked up for not only his safety but for the safety of others?
This is the most important aspect of who John was; he was called and anointed by God! Read with me again Luke 1:76-79. John the Baptist was ordained and sent by God for the benefit of the people to have the knowledge of salvation. To give light, not be light, but to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. To guide our feet into the way of peace. What a blessed life to know what your position in the kingdom is!! But perhaps it is even better to know who you are not, and John most certainly knew who he was not!
“Are you the Christ? Are you Elijah? Are you the Prophet?”
“No! No! No! I am not.”
“Well then who are you?”
“I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord. I am not even worthy to untie the strap of the His sandal.” John knew who he was not.
The Message – John 1:29-34
The message of John was simple. First, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand (Matthew 3:2)”. Second, “Bear fruits in keeping with repentance (Luke 3:8)”. Third, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. This is He of whom I said… (John 1:29-30)”. To put it simply, “This is who is coming. This is what you must do. This is who He is.”
I do want to point out that without the Spirit of Christ dwelling within us; we can not bear fruit in keeping with repentance. It is the fruit of the Spirit. It is with the Spirit’s aid and work that sin is put under within us. It is with the Spirit that we produce love, joy, peace… (Galatians 5:22-23). So in other words, the message is “Jesus! Jesus! Jesus! Jesus is God’s tender mercy towards sinners.” Praise God!
The Result – John 1:35-39
We, as a church, must ask and be honest with our answer at this point. What should the result of our teaching and preaching be? Some will sneer at this question. We have a pretty good answer for the most part; don’t we? “To see people come to know Christ as their Lord and Savior” right? John the Baptist showed Christ to the people. John pointed them directly to Him. After hearing John say “Behold the Lamb of God” Andrew and Phillip left and followed Christ and stayed with Christ. The result ought to be seeing people reconciled to God like Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:18-21. This is the danger in which I believe we may face. We spend so much of our time talking about Jesus, but not enough pointing to Jesus.
This is how we have the list we looked at last week. Jesus is our friend, our brother, our savior, our, our, our, our, and the list goes on and on. And as a church we can easily draw to ourselves, a crowd that likes to hear about Jesus as long as we don’t make it personal. But again at the same time, there is even a greater potential danger. We actually do tell them about Jesus and point them to Jesus and then proceed to lump every rule and regulation known to mankind on them. Listen to what Paul writes in Galatians 2:18-21, 3:3, 6, 11, 15.
Friends, Jesus says if you love him, you will keep his commands. But we do so out of love of our Lord not out of an effort to find favor with God. Remember when Hebrews told us that there has been one sacrifice so that there is no longer any need to offer repeated sacrifices. Christ made that sacrifice in order that there would be forgiveness of sins.
I have one real fear of pastoring this church and it is this; we fall more in love with the message and the commands than the object of them both. We become the church of Ephesus. We lose our first love. In fact, if that happens I fear there will be many who will never be pointed to Christ and therefore will never follow Christ. Who will never know forgiveness and never see God’s face. This being so, this message will change. We will begin to preach a message about the blessing instead of the one who blesses. We focus on how we come to Jesus to get eternal life, we get forgiveness of sins, we get, we get, we get. But let me ask this morning, “What is wrong with simply getting Jesus?!?” We get Christ! Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
John the Baptist was a preacher, with a simple message and pointed people to Christ. Not himself. As many of you have heard prayed “May we decrease, that Christ may increase” you have heard a quote from John the Baptist. This came at a time when his crowds began to dwindle in size and people were beginning to follow Christ. But not everyone who was with him left to follow Jesus. I sometimes wonder about these men and women. Were there regrets for not following Jesus? I pray that you will not regret later in life that which you can do today.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Jesus is God
Jesus is God
John 1:1-18
We have just read perhaps one of the greatest passages of scripture in the entire Bible. It speaks volumes about not only the deity of Christ, but the humanness of Jesus Christ. He was God but He lived as man also. He always has been; He is; and He always will be. He is the creator of all things. He is life. He is light.
Imagine if you will for a moment, you lived in the time when John penned this account of the life of Jesus. Historically speaking, you would either be Jew or Gentile. As a Jew, you would have known all the prophecies and scriptures that pointed to the Anointed One of God. So as you read this letter, you probably begin to get a little bit excited because it fits. You’ve been looking for a Messiah, but then right in the middle of it John drops the bomb on you. “The world did not know Him. His own people did not receive Him.” John is telling you, “You missed him.” In fact, “not only have you missed the Messiah, Christ, The Word, you do not even see God.”
It’s as if you are screaming “YES, YES, YES!! I know God!” and John is screaming through the letters of the page “No, No, No! You do not know God.” This is the world John was writing to. People who had grown so used to their religious traditions and practices that they (practice and traditions) became their religion and object of worship, not God. They became so self-absorbed in looking the part they lost the heart of God in their service and charity.
Friends, let me ask you this morning, “What makes us different than them?” There are major implications here in this passage that we need to take a little bit of time to discuss. If Jesus Christ walked the earth and did all he did, healed all the sick, cast out the demons, fed thousands, raised up dead people, healed lame men, and ultimately was resurrected and seen by over 500 people, and his identity was mistaken by people who witnessed these things, why do we think we won’t and don’t? Friends, let’s this morning lay aside our religious pretense and admit something right away. If the world did not know Jesus, and His own people did not receive him, you also may be mistaken about your object of worship.
So why is it we don’t see, know or receive Christ? This is the underlying question today. The answer is quite simple but often is an answer we don’t want to hear. “We are fundamentally flawed in our thoughts, attitudes, teaching, preaching, worship, praise…we are flawed in who Christ truly is!” This is why Israel did not receive Christ. Their expectations of who Christ was were flawed. It is true for many people today also. Here are just a few examples.
1. Jesus is my friend
2. Jesus doesn’t judge he only forgives.
3. Jesus is my Savior. (40 times used with “God” and or “Lord”)
4. Prophet, teacher, rabbi, good and moral man.
Now some of us may hear this and say but these things are true, and they are! That is the problem. They are true, but they are incomplete. But truth be told, many of us really only want to interact and have Christ interact with us in ways that don’t make us uncomfortable, right? We want Jesus who is a friend, but not with accountability. We like forgiveness, but not actually letting go of our sins. In other words, no holiness. We want Jesus to save us, but Him being Lord and having sovereign rule in our life is a bit much.
So then how do we correct this flaw? How do we not only deepen our understanding of who Christ is, but live a deeper life with Him? We must look, listen, study, discuss, and most importantly believe the Biblical revelation of Jesus, not in part, but in whole! We can not and must not pick and choose which attributes we like and discard the ones we don’t. The Apostle John rather bluntly reminds us we do not know Him. We do not receive him, and we do not see God unless it has been revealed to us? So how does Scripture reveal Jesus Christ?
I. Jesus Christ is God
a. He has always existed Heb 1:3
b. He is perfectly united John 17:20, Philippians 2:5-7
c. God is the Word
II. As God, Jesus is Creator
a. Gives life and shines in the darkness
i. Genesis 1:3
III. God became Flesh/Man
a. He lived among us
b. We’ve seen his glory!
This is what John writes not only here but also in 1 John 1:1. Stop and think about what he is saying! Not just glimpses of the holiness, majesty, worthiness, we’ve seen all this in one being, Jesus! We’ve seen miracles, healings, casting out of demons, feeding of thousands, the compassion and humility, we’ve seen it. We’ve seen God!
But even though we see!!!! We still do not…..
Read John 1:9-13 with me.
IV. Seeing does not make you a child of God.
a. Being born does not make you a child v. 13
b. Works does not make you a child
c. Intellect does not make you a child
d. Desire does not make you a child
V. Receiving Christ makes you a child of God
John 1:1-18
We have just read perhaps one of the greatest passages of scripture in the entire Bible. It speaks volumes about not only the deity of Christ, but the humanness of Jesus Christ. He was God but He lived as man also. He always has been; He is; and He always will be. He is the creator of all things. He is life. He is light.
Imagine if you will for a moment, you lived in the time when John penned this account of the life of Jesus. Historically speaking, you would either be Jew or Gentile. As a Jew, you would have known all the prophecies and scriptures that pointed to the Anointed One of God. So as you read this letter, you probably begin to get a little bit excited because it fits. You’ve been looking for a Messiah, but then right in the middle of it John drops the bomb on you. “The world did not know Him. His own people did not receive Him.” John is telling you, “You missed him.” In fact, “not only have you missed the Messiah, Christ, The Word, you do not even see God.”
It’s as if you are screaming “YES, YES, YES!! I know God!” and John is screaming through the letters of the page “No, No, No! You do not know God.” This is the world John was writing to. People who had grown so used to their religious traditions and practices that they (practice and traditions) became their religion and object of worship, not God. They became so self-absorbed in looking the part they lost the heart of God in their service and charity.
Friends, let me ask you this morning, “What makes us different than them?” There are major implications here in this passage that we need to take a little bit of time to discuss. If Jesus Christ walked the earth and did all he did, healed all the sick, cast out the demons, fed thousands, raised up dead people, healed lame men, and ultimately was resurrected and seen by over 500 people, and his identity was mistaken by people who witnessed these things, why do we think we won’t and don’t? Friends, let’s this morning lay aside our religious pretense and admit something right away. If the world did not know Jesus, and His own people did not receive him, you also may be mistaken about your object of worship.
So why is it we don’t see, know or receive Christ? This is the underlying question today. The answer is quite simple but often is an answer we don’t want to hear. “We are fundamentally flawed in our thoughts, attitudes, teaching, preaching, worship, praise…we are flawed in who Christ truly is!” This is why Israel did not receive Christ. Their expectations of who Christ was were flawed. It is true for many people today also. Here are just a few examples.
1. Jesus is my friend
2. Jesus doesn’t judge he only forgives.
3. Jesus is my Savior. (40 times used with “God” and or “Lord”)
4. Prophet, teacher, rabbi, good and moral man.
Now some of us may hear this and say but these things are true, and they are! That is the problem. They are true, but they are incomplete. But truth be told, many of us really only want to interact and have Christ interact with us in ways that don’t make us uncomfortable, right? We want Jesus who is a friend, but not with accountability. We like forgiveness, but not actually letting go of our sins. In other words, no holiness. We want Jesus to save us, but Him being Lord and having sovereign rule in our life is a bit much.
So then how do we correct this flaw? How do we not only deepen our understanding of who Christ is, but live a deeper life with Him? We must look, listen, study, discuss, and most importantly believe the Biblical revelation of Jesus, not in part, but in whole! We can not and must not pick and choose which attributes we like and discard the ones we don’t. The Apostle John rather bluntly reminds us we do not know Him. We do not receive him, and we do not see God unless it has been revealed to us? So how does Scripture reveal Jesus Christ?
I. Jesus Christ is God
a. He has always existed Heb 1:3
b. He is perfectly united John 17:20, Philippians 2:5-7
c. God is the Word
II. As God, Jesus is Creator
a. Gives life and shines in the darkness
i. Genesis 1:3
III. God became Flesh/Man
a. He lived among us
b. We’ve seen his glory!
This is what John writes not only here but also in 1 John 1:1. Stop and think about what he is saying! Not just glimpses of the holiness, majesty, worthiness, we’ve seen all this in one being, Jesus! We’ve seen miracles, healings, casting out of demons, feeding of thousands, the compassion and humility, we’ve seen it. We’ve seen God!
But even though we see!!!! We still do not…..
Read John 1:9-13 with me.
IV. Seeing does not make you a child of God.
a. Being born does not make you a child v. 13
b. Works does not make you a child
c. Intellect does not make you a child
d. Desire does not make you a child
V. Receiving Christ makes you a child of God
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Aware of your Surroundings
-the following story is taken from our Children's Sunday School Lesson tomorrow. We are also looking at Acts 17:16-34 in our sermon, "Aware of your Surroundings."
Did you ever wonder how we know who God is and what He is like? He is so great, and we are so small. He is so wise and knows everything, and we are so foolish and know so little. He is invisible, and we do not have eyes that can see Him or hands that touch Him. How could people like us EVER know someone like Him? Well, we could never know Him, if it was just up to us; but, it is not. God is not just great, wise,
all-knowing and invisible. He is also the God who reveals Himself to us. He wants us to know and love Him, so He reveals Himself to us so that we can. God reveals Himself to us in different ways. Over the next few months, we are gong to be learning what those ways are as we study “The God Who Reveals Himself.” Today, we will be looking at the first way in which God reveals Himself to people in their very own hearts.
Story
Our story today takes place about 2600 years ago on the other side of the world in Athens, Greece. Athens was one of the greatest cities in the world at that time. It was a city of many, many beautiful white stone temples and buildings. People came from all over to study at its great schools. People in Athens loved to think about things and they loved to worship gods. People loved to think about things and worship their gods so much, that many of them would spend a good part of each day just discussing the great ideas that came into their heads, or making sacrifices and having wild parties to honor their gods. But even though they spent so much time thinking about important things and worshipping their gods, could there really be another god…the TRUE God? Yes, there was. It was the Lord. He had made them for
Himself to know Him. Deep in their hearts they knew that He was really there.
But shh….listen…do you hear that? There is a problem in Athens today…Listen! It’s terrible! People are crying….people are dying! They are saying, “May the gods help us! May the gods help us! Who can stop this plague? Who can stop this plague?”
A terrible plague, a deathly sickness, has been spreading through Athens, killing hundreds, even thousands of people! The leaders of Athens have gathered together to figure out what to do. A man named Nicias has been called in for advice: “Tell us, Nicias, what should we do?” “I believe that our city lies under a terrible curse,” Nicias told them. “I believe a certain god has placed this curse upon us because of what King Megacles, our king, did to the soldiers of Cylon who surrendered to him. He promised to save any of their soldiers who surrenderedin the war, and then he killed them anyway!”
“Yes, yes, what you say must be true!” the others responded. “But who is the god who is angry? We have hundreds of gods as you know, and we have sacrificed to them all; yet, the plague hasn’t stopped.” Could there be another god, the TRUE God? Yes, there was! He made every person to know this deep inside their hearts.
“I believe there is another god,” Nicias said. “One that we do not know, who is angry. I do not know His name, but I know that He exists. We must make a sacrifice to Him.”
“But how can we sacrifice to a god we don’t know?” the others asked.
“We need the man called Epimenides, from the island of Crete,” NIcias told them. “He will know what to do.”
“Then go…go, quickly, Nicias! Our people are dying,” they urged him.” Every moment counts!”
Nicias hurried away down the road to the harbor and took the fastest ship for Crete. Before long, Nicias arrived back with Epimenides. As the two men entered Athens, they both noticed signs of the plague everywhere: the stench of sickness and dead bodies; the wails of people mourning over their dead, loved
ones; all of the graves. But this was not all that Epimenides noticed: “Look at all these gods!” he exclaimed, blinking in amazement. There were rows and rows and rows of idols along both sides of the road leading into Athens. Still other gods in the hundreds stood all along the hillside.
“Yes, Athens is filled with gods. Several hundred at least,” Nicias replied. “Yet they are not enough. There is one god that still is angry about King Megacles’ terrible deed. Even though I do not know his name, I know that He exists. You are our only chance to help us make an offering to him and to stop the plague.”
Could there be another god, the TRUE God? Yes, there was! He made every person to know this deep inside their hearts.
Nicias brought Epimenides to the leaders of Athens. “What must we do, Epimenides? How can we stop the plague? How can we find this Unknown God?”
“Meet me tomorrow, at the break of dawn,” Epimenides said. “Bring a flock of sheep of all different colors, stonemasons with their tools, and a large supple of stones and mortar to the grassy slope where you have put all the rest of your gods, Mars Hill. Make sure that all the sheep are very healthy and that they are very, very hungry.”
The leaders all agreed to Epimenide’s strange request: “We will do what you ask.”
The next morning, the leaders of Athens met Epimenides on Mars Hill with everything he had asked for. Many of the people of Athens also came to watch and hope.
“Very good, very good,” Epimenides said, as he looked at the sheep. The sheep were indeed hungry as Epimenides had asked. “Don’t let any of them eat until I say so.” This was not an easy job. The men had to hold back the flock, which kept trying to lower their heads and nibble the grass.
Epimenides prayed to the Unknown God: “Great Unknown God! I do not know Your name, but I know You exist. We want to make a sacrifice to You. These sheep are our offering to You to stop the plague. If You will forgive us and help us, even though we do not know You, please accept these sheep. Show Your willingness to forgive us by causing any sheep that pleases You to lie down upon the grass instead of grazing. Those You choose we will sacrifice to You—confessing that we don’t even
know Your name.”
Then Epimenides assigned a man to each sheep. He told them to watch their sheep carefully to see if they ate or lay down.
“Release the sheep!” he ordered. As soon as the shepherds released the sheep, they eagerly spread out across the hillside and began to graze.
“This is madness!” one man said. “These sheep are straining to get that grass! It would truly be an act of god for sheep as hungry as these to not eat!”
He had hardly finished speaking when someone shouted: “Hey, look! My sheep isn’t eating. He’s lying down!” Soon others were saying the same thing. All over the hillside, sheep were lying down.
“It’s sign from the Unknown God! These are the sheep to sacrifice!”
Epimenides had the stonemasons come and make a stone altar on the place where each sheep laid down. On each stone they carved the words: “To an Unknown God.” Then he had the sheep sacrificed upon them. Could there really be another god, the true God? Yes, there was: the Lord. He made all people to know this deep inside their hearts.
Within a week the plague had stopped completely! The people of Athens were overjoyed and grateful to this Unknown God. Day after day, they brought flowers and made sacrifices to him on the stone altars.
Then they prayed to Him, “Unknown God, even though we do not know Your name, we know You exist. Thank You for showing Your greatness and mercy by accepting our
sacrifices and stopping the plague.”
So Laertes wrote the story of the plague; so the stones stood in remembrance of the Unknown God. Six hundred years passed. After a while, people didn't think much about the plague nor the Unknown God who had stopped it. The people went back to worshipping their idols.
I have already mentioned our text for this morning. This passage we have read is from Diogenes Laertes, a Greek historian. Of course it has been written for children but it tells us how God will even use something that happened 600 years ago to draw people to Himself. This morning we have 6 simple truths found within this text.
I. Paul is in Athens waiting...but still actively observing.
- he observes the gross amount of idol worship
II. Paul went to the Jews in the Synagogue first.
- 1st to the Jew, 2nd the Gentile
- Religion had become an idol for most Jews
- Paul reasoned with them
III. Paul went to the marketplace.
- This is where the people went.
- We often think of the marketplace as where you get groceries, but it was a place in Athens where you also buy religious trinkets, idols for your home and items for sacrifice.
IV. Paul was preaching.
- Not as judging the sin of idol worship, but rather about the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
V. Paul's preaching gained him a larger audience.
- What if it doesn't gain us a larger audience?
IV. Several came to know and follow Christ as a result.
Did you ever wonder how we know who God is and what He is like? He is so great, and we are so small. He is so wise and knows everything, and we are so foolish and know so little. He is invisible, and we do not have eyes that can see Him or hands that touch Him. How could people like us EVER know someone like Him? Well, we could never know Him, if it was just up to us; but, it is not. God is not just great, wise,
all-knowing and invisible. He is also the God who reveals Himself to us. He wants us to know and love Him, so He reveals Himself to us so that we can. God reveals Himself to us in different ways. Over the next few months, we are gong to be learning what those ways are as we study “The God Who Reveals Himself.” Today, we will be looking at the first way in which God reveals Himself to people in their very own hearts.
Story
Our story today takes place about 2600 years ago on the other side of the world in Athens, Greece. Athens was one of the greatest cities in the world at that time. It was a city of many, many beautiful white stone temples and buildings. People came from all over to study at its great schools. People in Athens loved to think about things and they loved to worship gods. People loved to think about things and worship their gods so much, that many of them would spend a good part of each day just discussing the great ideas that came into their heads, or making sacrifices and having wild parties to honor their gods. But even though they spent so much time thinking about important things and worshipping their gods, could there really be another god…the TRUE God? Yes, there was. It was the Lord. He had made them for
Himself to know Him. Deep in their hearts they knew that He was really there.
But shh….listen…do you hear that? There is a problem in Athens today…Listen! It’s terrible! People are crying….people are dying! They are saying, “May the gods help us! May the gods help us! Who can stop this plague? Who can stop this plague?”
A terrible plague, a deathly sickness, has been spreading through Athens, killing hundreds, even thousands of people! The leaders of Athens have gathered together to figure out what to do. A man named Nicias has been called in for advice: “Tell us, Nicias, what should we do?” “I believe that our city lies under a terrible curse,” Nicias told them. “I believe a certain god has placed this curse upon us because of what King Megacles, our king, did to the soldiers of Cylon who surrendered to him. He promised to save any of their soldiers who surrenderedin the war, and then he killed them anyway!”
“Yes, yes, what you say must be true!” the others responded. “But who is the god who is angry? We have hundreds of gods as you know, and we have sacrificed to them all; yet, the plague hasn’t stopped.” Could there be another god, the TRUE God? Yes, there was! He made every person to know this deep inside their hearts.
“I believe there is another god,” Nicias said. “One that we do not know, who is angry. I do not know His name, but I know that He exists. We must make a sacrifice to Him.”
“But how can we sacrifice to a god we don’t know?” the others asked.
“We need the man called Epimenides, from the island of Crete,” NIcias told them. “He will know what to do.”
“Then go…go, quickly, Nicias! Our people are dying,” they urged him.” Every moment counts!”
Nicias hurried away down the road to the harbor and took the fastest ship for Crete. Before long, Nicias arrived back with Epimenides. As the two men entered Athens, they both noticed signs of the plague everywhere: the stench of sickness and dead bodies; the wails of people mourning over their dead, loved
ones; all of the graves. But this was not all that Epimenides noticed: “Look at all these gods!” he exclaimed, blinking in amazement. There were rows and rows and rows of idols along both sides of the road leading into Athens. Still other gods in the hundreds stood all along the hillside.
“Yes, Athens is filled with gods. Several hundred at least,” Nicias replied. “Yet they are not enough. There is one god that still is angry about King Megacles’ terrible deed. Even though I do not know his name, I know that He exists. You are our only chance to help us make an offering to him and to stop the plague.”
Could there be another god, the TRUE God? Yes, there was! He made every person to know this deep inside their hearts.
Nicias brought Epimenides to the leaders of Athens. “What must we do, Epimenides? How can we stop the plague? How can we find this Unknown God?”
“Meet me tomorrow, at the break of dawn,” Epimenides said. “Bring a flock of sheep of all different colors, stonemasons with their tools, and a large supple of stones and mortar to the grassy slope where you have put all the rest of your gods, Mars Hill. Make sure that all the sheep are very healthy and that they are very, very hungry.”
The leaders all agreed to Epimenide’s strange request: “We will do what you ask.”
The next morning, the leaders of Athens met Epimenides on Mars Hill with everything he had asked for. Many of the people of Athens also came to watch and hope.
“Very good, very good,” Epimenides said, as he looked at the sheep. The sheep were indeed hungry as Epimenides had asked. “Don’t let any of them eat until I say so.” This was not an easy job. The men had to hold back the flock, which kept trying to lower their heads and nibble the grass.
Epimenides prayed to the Unknown God: “Great Unknown God! I do not know Your name, but I know You exist. We want to make a sacrifice to You. These sheep are our offering to You to stop the plague. If You will forgive us and help us, even though we do not know You, please accept these sheep. Show Your willingness to forgive us by causing any sheep that pleases You to lie down upon the grass instead of grazing. Those You choose we will sacrifice to You—confessing that we don’t even
know Your name.”
Then Epimenides assigned a man to each sheep. He told them to watch their sheep carefully to see if they ate or lay down.
“Release the sheep!” he ordered. As soon as the shepherds released the sheep, they eagerly spread out across the hillside and began to graze.
“This is madness!” one man said. “These sheep are straining to get that grass! It would truly be an act of god for sheep as hungry as these to not eat!”
He had hardly finished speaking when someone shouted: “Hey, look! My sheep isn’t eating. He’s lying down!” Soon others were saying the same thing. All over the hillside, sheep were lying down.
“It’s sign from the Unknown God! These are the sheep to sacrifice!”
Epimenides had the stonemasons come and make a stone altar on the place where each sheep laid down. On each stone they carved the words: “To an Unknown God.” Then he had the sheep sacrificed upon them. Could there really be another god, the true God? Yes, there was: the Lord. He made all people to know this deep inside their hearts.
Within a week the plague had stopped completely! The people of Athens were overjoyed and grateful to this Unknown God. Day after day, they brought flowers and made sacrifices to him on the stone altars.
Then they prayed to Him, “Unknown God, even though we do not know Your name, we know You exist. Thank You for showing Your greatness and mercy by accepting our
sacrifices and stopping the plague.”
So Laertes wrote the story of the plague; so the stones stood in remembrance of the Unknown God. Six hundred years passed. After a while, people didn't think much about the plague nor the Unknown God who had stopped it. The people went back to worshipping their idols.
I have already mentioned our text for this morning. This passage we have read is from Diogenes Laertes, a Greek historian. Of course it has been written for children but it tells us how God will even use something that happened 600 years ago to draw people to Himself. This morning we have 6 simple truths found within this text.
I. Paul is in Athens waiting...but still actively observing.
- he observes the gross amount of idol worship
II. Paul went to the Jews in the Synagogue first.
- 1st to the Jew, 2nd the Gentile
- Religion had become an idol for most Jews
- Paul reasoned with them
III. Paul went to the marketplace.
- This is where the people went.
- We often think of the marketplace as where you get groceries, but it was a place in Athens where you also buy religious trinkets, idols for your home and items for sacrifice.
IV. Paul was preaching.
- Not as judging the sin of idol worship, but rather about the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
V. Paul's preaching gained him a larger audience.
- What if it doesn't gain us a larger audience?
IV. Several came to know and follow Christ as a result.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Notes for Sunday
Hearing
Proverbs 28:9, 30:5-6
Thirty Six times we are told or commanded to hear, listen, receive, or something that means to listen to these words of instruction and wisdom within the Book of Proverbs, thirty-six times. I’m sure that number may be a bit higher or lower depending on your particular translation, but stop and think about it for a moment, thirty-six times. Obviously, God is trying to get our attention. There is something here that He is trying to direct our attention towards. There is something he wants us to not only pay close attention to but wants us to truly know and follow. Thirty-six times we are told to stop and listen to what the Father has to say to his child. There are only thirty-one chapters in the Book of Proverbs. Several of those chapters are those very words we are to listen to. Several of the words of wisdom are repeated and I don’t think it is because Solomon forgot he said it already. We need to hear these words again and again.
Hearing plays and enormous part within scripture period, not just in these chapters we’ve been reading in Proverbs. The Word of God is meant to be spoken and read and heard by others. It is the power and glory of God in how He reveals Himself to his people. Moses spoke the law to the people of Israel. They were to listen and hear that law. Prophets like Isaiah and Ezekiel and Jeremiah spoke the Word of God to kings and queens, priests and worshippers, men and women. They were to listen and hear. Jesus spoke to crowds of thousands, Pharisees, Sadducees, disciples and those who would betray him. They were to listen and hear.
So why does scripture often make mention of both listening and hearing? If you’ve been reading along with us through Proverbs, this should be a fairly easy question to answer. Hearing is taking what we listen to and applying it. We do what it says. We write it on the tablet of our heart so we might not sin against God. This morning we will not dive into James and spend a lot of time defining and discussing the difference between listening and doing. We want to focus on the fact that we are to hear. We are to not only listen but do. We already know this. Not only are we to listen and do but we are also called to understand. Hearing is listening, understanding, and doing. This is really the mark of wisdom isn’t it? One of my favorite phrases in the Bible is this; “He, who has an ear, let him hear.” Friend, every one of us not only has an ear, we have two. Let us listen, hear, understand and do what the word of God says.
What does hearing the Word of God do for us?
1. Faith comes from hearing the Word of God.
a. Romans 10:17
2. Hearing increases knowledge
a. 1 Corinthians 1:5-7
b. Philippians 1:9
c. Colossians 1:9
Knowledge is meant to point out sin and correct it. We still mortify sin with the aid of the Holy Spirit, but we need to know what is and what isn’t sin.
3. Faith and knowledge should lead to holiness
a. 1 Peter 1:15-16 we are told to be holy in all our conduct
Holiness is acceptable and pleasing to God.
Romans 12:1
What are the dangers of not hearing or turning from the Word?
1. Even our prayers are an abomination to the Lord.
a. Proverbs 28:9
We as people have a tendency to believe that no matter what we are accepted, especially by God. But there is a strong warning in this verse. The man or woman who turns form hearing the Word of God, even their prayer is an abomination to the Lord. What does that make them? What does that make their life? Their acts of service and worship?
Isaiah 1:10-20
And that is the problem for many of us isn’t it? We are willing but we are not obedient to Christ. We are not obedient to the Word of God. As a result we are not pleasing and acceptable to Him.
Why should we hear the Word of God?
1. Every word proves true.
a. Proverbs 30:5-6
Not just some of it….ALL OF IT!!!
How then do we hear better?
1. Study it
a. Let it be an adornment around your neck
b. Write it on you heart
2. Pray for it
a. Understanding and knowledge
3. Do it.
a. There is not 5 step plan for this. Simply do it.
Proverbs 28:9, 30:5-6
Thirty Six times we are told or commanded to hear, listen, receive, or something that means to listen to these words of instruction and wisdom within the Book of Proverbs, thirty-six times. I’m sure that number may be a bit higher or lower depending on your particular translation, but stop and think about it for a moment, thirty-six times. Obviously, God is trying to get our attention. There is something here that He is trying to direct our attention towards. There is something he wants us to not only pay close attention to but wants us to truly know and follow. Thirty-six times we are told to stop and listen to what the Father has to say to his child. There are only thirty-one chapters in the Book of Proverbs. Several of those chapters are those very words we are to listen to. Several of the words of wisdom are repeated and I don’t think it is because Solomon forgot he said it already. We need to hear these words again and again.
Hearing plays and enormous part within scripture period, not just in these chapters we’ve been reading in Proverbs. The Word of God is meant to be spoken and read and heard by others. It is the power and glory of God in how He reveals Himself to his people. Moses spoke the law to the people of Israel. They were to listen and hear that law. Prophets like Isaiah and Ezekiel and Jeremiah spoke the Word of God to kings and queens, priests and worshippers, men and women. They were to listen and hear. Jesus spoke to crowds of thousands, Pharisees, Sadducees, disciples and those who would betray him. They were to listen and hear.
So why does scripture often make mention of both listening and hearing? If you’ve been reading along with us through Proverbs, this should be a fairly easy question to answer. Hearing is taking what we listen to and applying it. We do what it says. We write it on the tablet of our heart so we might not sin against God. This morning we will not dive into James and spend a lot of time defining and discussing the difference between listening and doing. We want to focus on the fact that we are to hear. We are to not only listen but do. We already know this. Not only are we to listen and do but we are also called to understand. Hearing is listening, understanding, and doing. This is really the mark of wisdom isn’t it? One of my favorite phrases in the Bible is this; “He, who has an ear, let him hear.” Friend, every one of us not only has an ear, we have two. Let us listen, hear, understand and do what the word of God says.
What does hearing the Word of God do for us?
1. Faith comes from hearing the Word of God.
a. Romans 10:17
2. Hearing increases knowledge
a. 1 Corinthians 1:5-7
b. Philippians 1:9
c. Colossians 1:9
Knowledge is meant to point out sin and correct it. We still mortify sin with the aid of the Holy Spirit, but we need to know what is and what isn’t sin.
3. Faith and knowledge should lead to holiness
a. 1 Peter 1:15-16 we are told to be holy in all our conduct
Holiness is acceptable and pleasing to God.
Romans 12:1
What are the dangers of not hearing or turning from the Word?
1. Even our prayers are an abomination to the Lord.
a. Proverbs 28:9
We as people have a tendency to believe that no matter what we are accepted, especially by God. But there is a strong warning in this verse. The man or woman who turns form hearing the Word of God, even their prayer is an abomination to the Lord. What does that make them? What does that make their life? Their acts of service and worship?
Isaiah 1:10-20
And that is the problem for many of us isn’t it? We are willing but we are not obedient to Christ. We are not obedient to the Word of God. As a result we are not pleasing and acceptable to Him.
Why should we hear the Word of God?
1. Every word proves true.
a. Proverbs 30:5-6
Not just some of it….ALL OF IT!!!
How then do we hear better?
1. Study it
a. Let it be an adornment around your neck
b. Write it on you heart
2. Pray for it
a. Understanding and knowledge
3. Do it.
a. There is not 5 step plan for this. Simply do it.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Sunday Sermon notes
The Heart
Proverbs 16:1-9
Much is made about the heart within the pages of scripture. In fact, the Bible reveals not only the heart of man but the heart of God and how he cares and loves for his creation. But it is in the study and examination of the heart that we often find ourselves confused, disturbed, upset, or at a loss. Scripture does not paint a very pretty picture of the heart of man does it? I believe this is why we tend to skim over much of scripture. This is why we don’t hold Scripture in as high a regard as we ought to. This is why our affections and devotion not just to scripture, but to God are lacking. I believe this, because in order to have a high view of scripture, to hold the LORD God uppermost in our affections we must not just understand but truly know, feel, live out, and be convicted almost daily of the state of our heart and humble ourselves and be low before the glory of God because of the realization of sin that is within us.
I want to point at the major themes of the heart this morning. You see, it is from studying the heart from a Biblical viewpoint that we find how truly merciful and gracious God’s heart is. We discover the ultimate plan and will of God. In order to understand much of what Proverbs is teaching us, because of the frequent mentioning of the heart, we must understand this or be lost in vague obscurity.
1. The heart is evil.
Genesis 6:5, 8:21 Jeremiah 17:9
The heart desires to be God. The first sin was committed by eating the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil but the root of that sin was the lie Satan told that “you will be like God.” Expound on the fruit and sin.
2. We are commanded to love God with all our heart.
6 passages in Deuteronomy tell us to love God with all our heart
Great Commandment
What does it mean to love God?
- We love our brother 1 John 4:19-21
- We keep God’s command 1 John 5:3 2 John 1:6
This poses a problem or hurdle for us to cross. How can an evil deceitful heart love God? Our heart needs to change doesn’t it.
3. God changes our heart.
Ezekiel 36:26
On my own, I can not change my heart. I can change behaviors and appearances but the core is still rotten.
Apple Tree and Orange Tree wounds=religious self righteousness
How does God change our heart? The Gospel of Jesus Christ!
- Because of His great love for us he sent His one and only Son to die for your sin.
- By being the sinless sacrifice, he took our place on the cross.
- He became not only sin in general, but your sin specifically.
- He took the judgment and penalty (death) in order that you might have life and have life abundantly in fellowship with God the Father.
- We teach and preach this message of the Gospel in order that hearts be changed and continue to be changed.
- We preach the Gospel to promote holiness, Godly living, Biblically solid/grounded families and churches.
- We preach because we once used to walk according to the sinful lusts and desires of this world.
- We preach, teach and warn others because we realize the last truth of the heart.
4. God knows, looks at, and judges the heart.
1 Samuel 16:7 – looks
Acts 15:8 – knows
Matthew 5:8 – pure in heart see God
As we go back to the passage this morning, we must acknowledge verse 4 (Prov 16:4). The Lord has made everything according to it’s purpose…
This verse makes many of us uneasy. We like to think about our freedoms don’t we. After all we are American and freedom is important to us. But remember, God knows all things and upholds all things. This includes us.
But here’s what we find. That within this purpose and plan of God, he does give freedom but he also gives boundaries. And praise God for that. How many of us with out the divine hand of God know how completely unchecked our sin would have been. But don’t be upset of sad if your boundaries seem wider than others because we all have a divine call and duty to use our past to instruct and warn others about where that road leads and how to get off that path and on the narrow path.
1. Proverbs 16:1 The answer to our searches and question is not only from the Lord, that answer is the Lord.
2. Prov 16:2 How many of us thought we made good plans and it turned out completely wrong? It seemed right in our eyes right?
3. Here is where we are weighed, stopped, broken. We are impressed upon by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. We are told that our work is not for the Lord and since His purpose will be carried out then
a. The wicked and arrogant are an abomination and will be punished.
b. God atoned for your iniquity by sacrificing his own Son. Because of Jesus,
i. Instead of wrath – propitiation
ii. Instead of punishment – justification
All because of God’s steadfast love and faithfulness.
4. Because of that work, we turn from evil and turn to God.
5. This pleases God
a. There is peace in the midst of our enemies and we find true treasure an righteousness.
6. Even as a believer, we still make our plans, but God establishes our steps
Here’s another hurdle. As believers, we still sin and fall short. We always will. What do we do about it? Can we do anything about it?
Stop making excuses, take responsibility, be accountable, help others not make the same mistakes.
Examples Paul Jacob
Proverbs 16:1-9
Much is made about the heart within the pages of scripture. In fact, the Bible reveals not only the heart of man but the heart of God and how he cares and loves for his creation. But it is in the study and examination of the heart that we often find ourselves confused, disturbed, upset, or at a loss. Scripture does not paint a very pretty picture of the heart of man does it? I believe this is why we tend to skim over much of scripture. This is why we don’t hold Scripture in as high a regard as we ought to. This is why our affections and devotion not just to scripture, but to God are lacking. I believe this, because in order to have a high view of scripture, to hold the LORD God uppermost in our affections we must not just understand but truly know, feel, live out, and be convicted almost daily of the state of our heart and humble ourselves and be low before the glory of God because of the realization of sin that is within us.
I want to point at the major themes of the heart this morning. You see, it is from studying the heart from a Biblical viewpoint that we find how truly merciful and gracious God’s heart is. We discover the ultimate plan and will of God. In order to understand much of what Proverbs is teaching us, because of the frequent mentioning of the heart, we must understand this or be lost in vague obscurity.
1. The heart is evil.
Genesis 6:5, 8:21 Jeremiah 17:9
The heart desires to be God. The first sin was committed by eating the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil but the root of that sin was the lie Satan told that “you will be like God.” Expound on the fruit and sin.
2. We are commanded to love God with all our heart.
6 passages in Deuteronomy tell us to love God with all our heart
Great Commandment
What does it mean to love God?
- We love our brother 1 John 4:19-21
- We keep God’s command 1 John 5:3 2 John 1:6
This poses a problem or hurdle for us to cross. How can an evil deceitful heart love God? Our heart needs to change doesn’t it.
3. God changes our heart.
Ezekiel 36:26
On my own, I can not change my heart. I can change behaviors and appearances but the core is still rotten.
Apple Tree and Orange Tree wounds=religious self righteousness
How does God change our heart? The Gospel of Jesus Christ!
- Because of His great love for us he sent His one and only Son to die for your sin.
- By being the sinless sacrifice, he took our place on the cross.
- He became not only sin in general, but your sin specifically.
- He took the judgment and penalty (death) in order that you might have life and have life abundantly in fellowship with God the Father.
- We teach and preach this message of the Gospel in order that hearts be changed and continue to be changed.
- We preach the Gospel to promote holiness, Godly living, Biblically solid/grounded families and churches.
- We preach because we once used to walk according to the sinful lusts and desires of this world.
- We preach, teach and warn others because we realize the last truth of the heart.
4. God knows, looks at, and judges the heart.
1 Samuel 16:7 – looks
Acts 15:8 – knows
Matthew 5:8 – pure in heart see God
As we go back to the passage this morning, we must acknowledge verse 4 (Prov 16:4). The Lord has made everything according to it’s purpose…
This verse makes many of us uneasy. We like to think about our freedoms don’t we. After all we are American and freedom is important to us. But remember, God knows all things and upholds all things. This includes us.
But here’s what we find. That within this purpose and plan of God, he does give freedom but he also gives boundaries. And praise God for that. How many of us with out the divine hand of God know how completely unchecked our sin would have been. But don’t be upset of sad if your boundaries seem wider than others because we all have a divine call and duty to use our past to instruct and warn others about where that road leads and how to get off that path and on the narrow path.
1. Proverbs 16:1 The answer to our searches and question is not only from the Lord, that answer is the Lord.
2. Prov 16:2 How many of us thought we made good plans and it turned out completely wrong? It seemed right in our eyes right?
3. Here is where we are weighed, stopped, broken. We are impressed upon by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. We are told that our work is not for the Lord and since His purpose will be carried out then
a. The wicked and arrogant are an abomination and will be punished.
b. God atoned for your iniquity by sacrificing his own Son. Because of Jesus,
i. Instead of wrath – propitiation
ii. Instead of punishment – justification
All because of God’s steadfast love and faithfulness.
4. Because of that work, we turn from evil and turn to God.
5. This pleases God
a. There is peace in the midst of our enemies and we find true treasure an righteousness.
6. Even as a believer, we still make our plans, but God establishes our steps
Here’s another hurdle. As believers, we still sin and fall short. We always will. What do we do about it? Can we do anything about it?
Stop making excuses, take responsibility, be accountable, help others not make the same mistakes.
Examples Paul Jacob
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Sermon Notes for this morning
Pride and Arrogance
Proverbs 10:15-29
Words in what we would call common usage have changed over the years. For many of the words the meanings have completely changed. Any one who uses a KJV of the Bible can relate to this. While for other the definition doesn’t carry the same weight as it once did. Bill and Ted, while on their most excellent adventure, completely ruined the word awesome. A whole generation has now grown up not knowing that there is real meaning behind that word. Then we read passages about God and his awesomeness and they think that God hangs ten or is just a cool guy who we can hang out with when we have nothing else to do. That is the definition for many today.
Another word that we often use correctly but probably not as often as we should is lust. The Bible talks a lot about lust. When we discuss lust, it is most often in the form of sexual lust, which is correct. Sexual sin is lustful, but so is greed, so is distinction, so is pride, so is taking advantage of the poor. Coveting may be a good word to use in defining lust but the word lust just seems to add an extra level of vile and wicked doesn’t it? Do not covet your neighbors’ wife, servant, maidservant, ox and donkey. In reality for many of us that doesn’t sound too terribly bad. We will still shake our heads in disapproval but it doesn’t sound as bad as “Do not lust after your ….” When we say that, our noses wrinkle up in disgust. We start to squirm a little bit. We get real uncomfortable real quick don’t we? Reality is that we are lustful people and it shows itself daily. It may not be in sexual ways or sins, but it finds out what we desire and attacks us where we are weak. And where are we weakest? We are weakest in the areas where we do need certain things. The scripture we read this week deal with two specific areas of lust, sexual and money and possessions. But first let’s define what lust is.
Lust- a : PLEASURE, DELIGHT b : personal inclination : WISH
2 : usu. intense or unbridled sexual desire : LASCIVIOUSNESS
3 a : an intense longing : CRAVING -a lust to succeed b : ENTHUSIASM, EAGERNESS -admired his lust for life
Why do we lust after so many things in our life? Partly because we are made in God's image. We have from the beginning desired to be like God. Adam and Eve's sin was to fall for Satan's lie that we would become like God. Also because they are pleasurable and delightful. They fulfill the desires we have in life. What separates lust from hard-working or goal-oriented? By the definition, what separates them is the level of enthusiasm and eagerness with which one pursues. Lasciviousness appropriately can be used here and might just be my favorite word in the KJV that isn’t in many other translations. It means more than just having an intense longing, but rather an obsession that takes over ones thoughts and life and the sad reality is that lust is even deeper than this. Lust controls us. Lust controls us, especially in the areas of personal relationships and money.
Chapter 7 Adultery – Adulteress – Sexual Immorality and their pitfalls
Characterized by
Smooth talk
Wily of heart
Being loud and wayward
Seductive speech
House leads to Sheol
Chapter 10 - 11 Money and Possessions
Treasure gained by wickedness do not profit
Slack hands cause poverty
Gain of the wicked leads to sin
Riches do not profit in the day of wrath
When the wicked dies, his hope perishes
Contrast this with the wise –
Chapter 8 - 9 The Wise and Wisdom
Wisdom speaks noble things
From his lips comes what is right
His mouth utters truth
His words are righteous
The father has counsel, sound wisdom, insight, strength, and he gives power and establishes kingdoms.
You might notice that both the wicked/foolish/adulterer and the wise are marked by what they say. What then separates them? The actions that accompany and follow the words. James tells us that what comes from a man’s mouth begins where? In his heart. What ever is in a man’s heart, comes out through his speech, and is proven by his actions. Sure someone can say the right things. But in reality, their words are crooked and deceitful because their heart is crooked and their actions prove it. This is why the wise person’s words are righteous. They are blameless because there is a righteous life to go along with the words.
Now the Bible makes it clear time after time that money, possessions, sexual conquests, friends, distinction etc. That none of these things can bring a person life. In fact the only thing they can bring on their own is death. We strive after them and lust for them and lose sight of the fact that they are exactly the sins Christ came and died for. They don’t just lead to sin and death. They are sin and death. I want to take a passage this morning and really look at it for a moment. It deals with wealth and money primarily, but once we look at it, we will see that we can insert pretty much anything into this text and it becomes true. Whether it is wealth or girls or guys or cars or pretty much anything that you allow to become a lust within your life it applies here. The Bible has a word for that, it is called idolatry. Let’s read Proverbs 10:15-29.
Key Verses
Prov 10:15-16
A rich man’s wealth is his strong city
Poverty of the poor is his ruin
Wage of the righteous leads to life
Gain of the wicked to sin
Prov 10:22
It is the blessings of the Lord that make one rich
What are the blessings of the Lord? Love, joy, peace….
Prov 10:29
The way of the Lord is a stronghold
Compare these verses to Matthew 5:3
Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
A rich man is focused on his wealth and the security he thinks it will bring. What good will it do when his soul is required of him? What good will it do when thieves break in and steal? What good will it do when fire destroys? He is truly poor.
The poverty of the poor is their laziness. The wicked gain by stealing and cheating.
The righteous however, gain life and not just life, but the kingdom of heaven. When we read the descriptions of heaven we find that it is indeed a strong city, well fortified.
Relate lust to the “fear of the Lord” verses.
Prov 1:7 - beginning of knowledge
Prov 3:7-8 - turn from evil
Prov 8:13 hatred of evil
Prov 9:10-11 - beginning of wisdom and knowledge of holy one is insight
Prov 10:27 - prolongs life
Proverbs 10:15-29
Words in what we would call common usage have changed over the years. For many of the words the meanings have completely changed. Any one who uses a KJV of the Bible can relate to this. While for other the definition doesn’t carry the same weight as it once did. Bill and Ted, while on their most excellent adventure, completely ruined the word awesome. A whole generation has now grown up not knowing that there is real meaning behind that word. Then we read passages about God and his awesomeness and they think that God hangs ten or is just a cool guy who we can hang out with when we have nothing else to do. That is the definition for many today.
Another word that we often use correctly but probably not as often as we should is lust. The Bible talks a lot about lust. When we discuss lust, it is most often in the form of sexual lust, which is correct. Sexual sin is lustful, but so is greed, so is distinction, so is pride, so is taking advantage of the poor. Coveting may be a good word to use in defining lust but the word lust just seems to add an extra level of vile and wicked doesn’t it? Do not covet your neighbors’ wife, servant, maidservant, ox and donkey. In reality for many of us that doesn’t sound too terribly bad. We will still shake our heads in disapproval but it doesn’t sound as bad as “Do not lust after your ….” When we say that, our noses wrinkle up in disgust. We start to squirm a little bit. We get real uncomfortable real quick don’t we? Reality is that we are lustful people and it shows itself daily. It may not be in sexual ways or sins, but it finds out what we desire and attacks us where we are weak. And where are we weakest? We are weakest in the areas where we do need certain things. The scripture we read this week deal with two specific areas of lust, sexual and money and possessions. But first let’s define what lust is.
Lust- a : PLEASURE, DELIGHT b : personal inclination : WISH
2 : usu. intense or unbridled sexual desire : LASCIVIOUSNESS
3 a : an intense longing : CRAVING -a lust to succeed b : ENTHUSIASM, EAGERNESS -admired his lust for life
Why do we lust after so many things in our life? Partly because we are made in God's image. We have from the beginning desired to be like God. Adam and Eve's sin was to fall for Satan's lie that we would become like God. Also because they are pleasurable and delightful. They fulfill the desires we have in life. What separates lust from hard-working or goal-oriented? By the definition, what separates them is the level of enthusiasm and eagerness with which one pursues. Lasciviousness appropriately can be used here and might just be my favorite word in the KJV that isn’t in many other translations. It means more than just having an intense longing, but rather an obsession that takes over ones thoughts and life and the sad reality is that lust is even deeper than this. Lust controls us. Lust controls us, especially in the areas of personal relationships and money.
Chapter 7 Adultery – Adulteress – Sexual Immorality and their pitfalls
Characterized by
Smooth talk
Wily of heart
Being loud and wayward
Seductive speech
House leads to Sheol
Chapter 10 - 11 Money and Possessions
Treasure gained by wickedness do not profit
Slack hands cause poverty
Gain of the wicked leads to sin
Riches do not profit in the day of wrath
When the wicked dies, his hope perishes
Contrast this with the wise –
Chapter 8 - 9 The Wise and Wisdom
Wisdom speaks noble things
From his lips comes what is right
His mouth utters truth
His words are righteous
The father has counsel, sound wisdom, insight, strength, and he gives power and establishes kingdoms.
You might notice that both the wicked/foolish/adulterer and the wise are marked by what they say. What then separates them? The actions that accompany and follow the words. James tells us that what comes from a man’s mouth begins where? In his heart. What ever is in a man’s heart, comes out through his speech, and is proven by his actions. Sure someone can say the right things. But in reality, their words are crooked and deceitful because their heart is crooked and their actions prove it. This is why the wise person’s words are righteous. They are blameless because there is a righteous life to go along with the words.
Now the Bible makes it clear time after time that money, possessions, sexual conquests, friends, distinction etc. That none of these things can bring a person life. In fact the only thing they can bring on their own is death. We strive after them and lust for them and lose sight of the fact that they are exactly the sins Christ came and died for. They don’t just lead to sin and death. They are sin and death. I want to take a passage this morning and really look at it for a moment. It deals with wealth and money primarily, but once we look at it, we will see that we can insert pretty much anything into this text and it becomes true. Whether it is wealth or girls or guys or cars or pretty much anything that you allow to become a lust within your life it applies here. The Bible has a word for that, it is called idolatry. Let’s read Proverbs 10:15-29.
Key Verses
Prov 10:15-16
A rich man’s wealth is his strong city
Poverty of the poor is his ruin
Wage of the righteous leads to life
Gain of the wicked to sin
Prov 10:22
It is the blessings of the Lord that make one rich
What are the blessings of the Lord? Love, joy, peace….
Prov 10:29
The way of the Lord is a stronghold
Compare these verses to Matthew 5:3
Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
A rich man is focused on his wealth and the security he thinks it will bring. What good will it do when his soul is required of him? What good will it do when thieves break in and steal? What good will it do when fire destroys? He is truly poor.
The poverty of the poor is their laziness. The wicked gain by stealing and cheating.
The righteous however, gain life and not just life, but the kingdom of heaven. When we read the descriptions of heaven we find that it is indeed a strong city, well fortified.
Relate lust to the “fear of the Lord” verses.
Prov 1:7 - beginning of knowledge
Prov 3:7-8 - turn from evil
Prov 8:13 hatred of evil
Prov 9:10-11 - beginning of wisdom and knowledge of holy one is insight
Prov 10:27 - prolongs life
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Sermon notes for 8-15
The List
Proverbs 3-5
Proverbs 3:3, 22, 6:21
Bind them around your neck and heart
Chapter 1 and 2 give the picture of wisdom and foolishness. One is beautifully adorned and worth striving for, the other is disgrace and death. Throughout both chapters, the “fear of the Lord” is linked together with knowledge. In Prov 3:7-8 the “fear of the Lord” is now linked to turning from evil. If the “fear of the Lord” is the beginning of knowledge, it is natural then to say that this knowledge leads one to turn from evil and towards God. The question for us then is how does one turn from evil and towards God? Chapter 3 opens up with a great answer;
“My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.” Prov. 3:1-2
Teaching and commandments. We are often bombarded by people whose objection or dislike of Christianity comes down to these words…”keep my commandments.” Have you ever had that discussion with someone? I probably wouldn’t mind being a Christian if it wasn’t for all the “do this and don’t do that” lists. Have you ever found yourself saying something really dumb like “NO! They’re ‘we get to lists!”’ Sorry to say, that’s not going to win them over. They argue that doing these things takes away from all the fun we should be having, but look closely at scripture and see what it says. Prov 3:8 tells us when we turn from evil and towards God there is healing and refreshment. Likewise Prov 4:4 says “keep my commandments and live!”
We have a misconception when it comes to lists, rules, and commandments. They are made to be broken, right? After all, all they do is drag us down and keep us from having some real fun. The truth is though, many times OUR lists of wants and needs and gotta haves are far more burdensome, costly, and damaging to us in the long run. But we’re young and have plenty of time to settle down. Sadly, we slowly and with out realizing it, are shaped by our thought processes, actions and decisions. We begin down a road and before we realize it, we are no longer who we once thought we were. So what then are these commands? What makes a wise person according to the scripture we read this week? There are seven specific commands in Chapters 3 & 4.
1. Honor God with your money.
a. We put our money where our heart is.
b. Our heart follows where our money goes.
c. Every time this is brought up in scripture, a promise is made.
2. Do not with hold good Prov 3:27
a. assistance, aid, or honor
3. Do not do evil against your neighbor. Prov 3:29
4. Do not contend with or accuse a man. Prov 3:30
5. Do not enter the path of the wicked. Prov 4:4
6. Put away crooked speech. Prov 4:24
7. Ponder the path of your feet. Prov 4:26
Now these are great examples of how to show ones self as wise. Obviously, they’re Biblical. But why is it necessary then for us as Christians and Believers to do these things? Because Christ did.
1. Christ taught about how a person should view money.
a. Render to God what is God’s
2. Christ always did good by healing and casting out demons.
3. Christ defined who our neighbor is.
4. Christ was a victim of false witness when he had done no wrong.
5. Christ walked the path of righteousness for the wicked.
6. Christ did not open his mouth in defense.
7. Christ prayed not my will but your will be done.
So now we have what we should do and why we should do it. But there is still a problem. I know everything Christ did as my example. I know everything I should be doing as a Christian. What happens when I fail in one area or another? I don’t always do what I should. You don’t always do what you should. The problem we face now is knowledge of what we should do and how Christ lived doesn’t save us. Read Prov 5:21-22 with me. Sin traps people. It snares them and it is a difficult bond to break. Not only that, but sin condemns us. We need someone to rescue us from that snare and declare us not guilty. We need forgiveness. You see, it’s not the life of Christ that saves us; it’s His death and resurrection that saves us. But we continue to do foolish sinful things. Why?!? Because that sin nature is never gone. That’s why we need to mortify or kill sin daily with in us. Put to death that old man each morning as you get up. Strive and press on each and every day to be more like Jesus because his spirit lives with in you. However it takes discipline to do this. It is hard work doing this each and every day. Actually every waking breath is a battle for holiness. Don’t be fooled. The devil does prowl around looking for someone to devour. Why does the foolish man die? Because he lacks discipline.
You know, the wisest thing any of us could ever do, is to confess Jesus with our mouth and believe that God raised him from the dead. On the Day of Pentecost, 3000 people cried out what must we do to be saved. Peter answered them, “Repent and be baptized each and every one of you for the remission of sin.” That day, 3000 people were baptized. I sometimes wonder what this would have looked like in today’s “church”. Would baptismal classes and membership classes have gotten in the way of the Spirit working? Repent and be baptized. The first command given in the church. Baptism is that public profession of faith that says, “I do believe Christ is Lord and God raised him from the dead. In him and him alone there is forgiveness of sins. And by being baptized, I am saying I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus. I am not ashamed of his church. I will follow him.”
Proverbs 3-5
Proverbs 3:3, 22, 6:21
Bind them around your neck and heart
Chapter 1 and 2 give the picture of wisdom and foolishness. One is beautifully adorned and worth striving for, the other is disgrace and death. Throughout both chapters, the “fear of the Lord” is linked together with knowledge. In Prov 3:7-8 the “fear of the Lord” is now linked to turning from evil. If the “fear of the Lord” is the beginning of knowledge, it is natural then to say that this knowledge leads one to turn from evil and towards God. The question for us then is how does one turn from evil and towards God? Chapter 3 opens up with a great answer;
“My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.” Prov. 3:1-2
Teaching and commandments. We are often bombarded by people whose objection or dislike of Christianity comes down to these words…”keep my commandments.” Have you ever had that discussion with someone? I probably wouldn’t mind being a Christian if it wasn’t for all the “do this and don’t do that” lists. Have you ever found yourself saying something really dumb like “NO! They’re ‘we get to lists!”’ Sorry to say, that’s not going to win them over. They argue that doing these things takes away from all the fun we should be having, but look closely at scripture and see what it says. Prov 3:8 tells us when we turn from evil and towards God there is healing and refreshment. Likewise Prov 4:4 says “keep my commandments and live!”
We have a misconception when it comes to lists, rules, and commandments. They are made to be broken, right? After all, all they do is drag us down and keep us from having some real fun. The truth is though, many times OUR lists of wants and needs and gotta haves are far more burdensome, costly, and damaging to us in the long run. But we’re young and have plenty of time to settle down. Sadly, we slowly and with out realizing it, are shaped by our thought processes, actions and decisions. We begin down a road and before we realize it, we are no longer who we once thought we were. So what then are these commands? What makes a wise person according to the scripture we read this week? There are seven specific commands in Chapters 3 & 4.
1. Honor God with your money.
a. We put our money where our heart is.
b. Our heart follows where our money goes.
c. Every time this is brought up in scripture, a promise is made.
2. Do not with hold good Prov 3:27
a. assistance, aid, or honor
3. Do not do evil against your neighbor. Prov 3:29
4. Do not contend with or accuse a man. Prov 3:30
5. Do not enter the path of the wicked. Prov 4:4
6. Put away crooked speech. Prov 4:24
7. Ponder the path of your feet. Prov 4:26
Now these are great examples of how to show ones self as wise. Obviously, they’re Biblical. But why is it necessary then for us as Christians and Believers to do these things? Because Christ did.
1. Christ taught about how a person should view money.
a. Render to God what is God’s
2. Christ always did good by healing and casting out demons.
3. Christ defined who our neighbor is.
4. Christ was a victim of false witness when he had done no wrong.
5. Christ walked the path of righteousness for the wicked.
6. Christ did not open his mouth in defense.
7. Christ prayed not my will but your will be done.
So now we have what we should do and why we should do it. But there is still a problem. I know everything Christ did as my example. I know everything I should be doing as a Christian. What happens when I fail in one area or another? I don’t always do what I should. You don’t always do what you should. The problem we face now is knowledge of what we should do and how Christ lived doesn’t save us. Read Prov 5:21-22 with me. Sin traps people. It snares them and it is a difficult bond to break. Not only that, but sin condemns us. We need someone to rescue us from that snare and declare us not guilty. We need forgiveness. You see, it’s not the life of Christ that saves us; it’s His death and resurrection that saves us. But we continue to do foolish sinful things. Why?!? Because that sin nature is never gone. That’s why we need to mortify or kill sin daily with in us. Put to death that old man each morning as you get up. Strive and press on each and every day to be more like Jesus because his spirit lives with in you. However it takes discipline to do this. It is hard work doing this each and every day. Actually every waking breath is a battle for holiness. Don’t be fooled. The devil does prowl around looking for someone to devour. Why does the foolish man die? Because he lacks discipline.
You know, the wisest thing any of us could ever do, is to confess Jesus with our mouth and believe that God raised him from the dead. On the Day of Pentecost, 3000 people cried out what must we do to be saved. Peter answered them, “Repent and be baptized each and every one of you for the remission of sin.” That day, 3000 people were baptized. I sometimes wonder what this would have looked like in today’s “church”. Would baptismal classes and membership classes have gotten in the way of the Spirit working? Repent and be baptized. The first command given in the church. Baptism is that public profession of faith that says, “I do believe Christ is Lord and God raised him from the dead. In him and him alone there is forgiveness of sins. And by being baptized, I am saying I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus. I am not ashamed of his church. I will follow him.”
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Fear God
Fear God
Proverbs 1:1-7
Book of Instruction and Wisdom
Problems with Proverbs
1. Often times read as a works based book. If you do a + b, God will do c + d.
2. Some passages seemingly don’t appear the way it is in life. The righteous live long and prosper. The poor will be exalted. Justice and wrath comes to the wicked. We don’t always see these happen. These come true in the end. These blessings are not always promised in this life.
3. Best summed up as a book of generalities and not as theological truth for this life which is in stark contrast to our instant gratification lifestyle that many of us live in. We are impatient. We want to be rewarded now.
Written from the perspective of a Father to a Son/ Parent to Child
1. Ultimately written from God the Father to us his children.
2. Reminds us of the great responsibility we as parents have in raising our children.
3. Train up a child in the way of the Lord. Children are like arrows in the hands of an archer. They fly in the direction they are shot.
4. New Christian Families and Long time Christian Families
a. Private family devotions and prayer time
b. Sunday School, Youth Group, not even church is an excuse for not following Deut 6:4, Prov 3:6 and many other passages and verses.
5. It is not too late to teach your children the ways of the Lord. Is it difficult? It is no matter what you are teaching them, but it’s never too late to make a change. Especially when it’s for the Lord.
Let’s focus on the passage for today. Prov 1:1-7
There are three important words or phrases in this verse, fear, Lord, beginning of knowledge.
We are told that we must fear. We must fear God. That fear of God, is the beginning of knowledge. Why is that?
Definition of fear
1. a reverential awe of ( fear God) - Why then when angels appeared to men like Joshua and John, did they fall on their face and tremble in fear? Why did the angel tell Mary not to be afraid? Was it simply because they were in awe of God? Hebrews says it is a fearful thing to be in the hands of God. Is it because of awe? After the death of Ananias and Saphira, fear came upon the church. Did they stand in awe of the Lord and apostles? Is that an appropriate definition? I think it falls short.
2. an unpleasant often strong emotion cause by expectation or awareness of danger.
3. implies great anxiety and usually loss of courage and adds the idea of intense aversion and reluctance to face something. Hmm…could that be because we are sinful man and he is a holy God?
Is God to be held in awe? Yes. Is he worthy of reverence and respect? Absolutely. But I’ll be honest, I fear God. Literally a fall down, crippled by it type of fear. Here’s why. I believe God’s Word. That might sound a little simplified to some but it’s true.
Reasons to fear God.
1. He created all things. Gen 1:1
2. He sets the standard or rules, by giving commandments. Gen 2:16
3. He punishes disobedience. Gen 3:16-19
4. There is eternal punishment as well. Rev 20:11-15
What knowledge has been found in fearing God? Well since the verse is about the beginning of knowledge, we should start there. Fearing God and listening to his instruction gives knowledge of
1. There is a God.
2. I am sinful.
a. The purpose of his law is to point out my sin.
b. My sinful nature does whatever it can to avoid a Holy God.
c. With my sin, no matter what I do, I fall short of the standard God set and am worthy of only discipline and eternal separation and death.
3. God’s Grace and Mercy
a. God provided a substitute, Jesus. Jesus is the way the truth the life. Jesus takes away God’s wrath (propitiation).
Does this mean that we no longer need to fear God?
Proverbs 1:1-7
Book of Instruction and Wisdom
Problems with Proverbs
1. Often times read as a works based book. If you do a + b, God will do c + d.
2. Some passages seemingly don’t appear the way it is in life. The righteous live long and prosper. The poor will be exalted. Justice and wrath comes to the wicked. We don’t always see these happen. These come true in the end. These blessings are not always promised in this life.
3. Best summed up as a book of generalities and not as theological truth for this life which is in stark contrast to our instant gratification lifestyle that many of us live in. We are impatient. We want to be rewarded now.
Written from the perspective of a Father to a Son/ Parent to Child
1. Ultimately written from God the Father to us his children.
2. Reminds us of the great responsibility we as parents have in raising our children.
3. Train up a child in the way of the Lord. Children are like arrows in the hands of an archer. They fly in the direction they are shot.
4. New Christian Families and Long time Christian Families
a. Private family devotions and prayer time
b. Sunday School, Youth Group, not even church is an excuse for not following Deut 6:4, Prov 3:6 and many other passages and verses.
5. It is not too late to teach your children the ways of the Lord. Is it difficult? It is no matter what you are teaching them, but it’s never too late to make a change. Especially when it’s for the Lord.
Let’s focus on the passage for today. Prov 1:1-7
There are three important words or phrases in this verse, fear, Lord, beginning of knowledge.
We are told that we must fear. We must fear God. That fear of God, is the beginning of knowledge. Why is that?
Definition of fear
1. a reverential awe of ( fear God) - Why then when angels appeared to men like Joshua and John, did they fall on their face and tremble in fear? Why did the angel tell Mary not to be afraid? Was it simply because they were in awe of God? Hebrews says it is a fearful thing to be in the hands of God. Is it because of awe? After the death of Ananias and Saphira, fear came upon the church. Did they stand in awe of the Lord and apostles? Is that an appropriate definition? I think it falls short.
2. an unpleasant often strong emotion cause by expectation or awareness of danger.
3. implies great anxiety and usually loss of courage and adds the idea of intense aversion and reluctance to face something. Hmm…could that be because we are sinful man and he is a holy God?
Is God to be held in awe? Yes. Is he worthy of reverence and respect? Absolutely. But I’ll be honest, I fear God. Literally a fall down, crippled by it type of fear. Here’s why. I believe God’s Word. That might sound a little simplified to some but it’s true.
Reasons to fear God.
1. He created all things. Gen 1:1
2. He sets the standard or rules, by giving commandments. Gen 2:16
3. He punishes disobedience. Gen 3:16-19
4. There is eternal punishment as well. Rev 20:11-15
What knowledge has been found in fearing God? Well since the verse is about the beginning of knowledge, we should start there. Fearing God and listening to his instruction gives knowledge of
1. There is a God.
2. I am sinful.
a. The purpose of his law is to point out my sin.
b. My sinful nature does whatever it can to avoid a Holy God.
c. With my sin, no matter what I do, I fall short of the standard God set and am worthy of only discipline and eternal separation and death.
3. God’s Grace and Mercy
a. God provided a substitute, Jesus. Jesus is the way the truth the life. Jesus takes away God’s wrath (propitiation).
Does this mean that we no longer need to fear God?
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Sermon Series on Ruth
“Pictures of Christ: The Book of Ruth”
Ruth 1:1-5
The Book of Ruth
- during the Judges
- estimated to take place between the Judges Gideon and Tola
- Moabites were descendants of Lot
- attributed to Samuel but author unknown
Crisis creates conflict. Conflict calls for response.
Crisis moments in our life come from something outside of our control. Whether it is weather related or it comes from relationships with people, there are just some things we can not control. However, these crises seem to have a way of causing us great internal conflict. We lose sleep. We become anxious. Whatever we may do, the conflict remains and it calls for a response of some sort. Here is where people show their differences. It’s in how we respond. If it was just something happening outside our control it would be easy not to respond. But we are human. We care. We hurt. We want recognition. We want peace. We want stability. Crisis attacks these fundamental desires that we have. Crisis creates the conflict. The Conflict calls for your response. I have the tendency to handle most things fairly well, but when it all quiets down, I vent. Others seem to never get worked up. Others admit to being like a duck, calm on the surface but the feet are going a million miles and hour under water, while others completely lose their minds in situations.
Here’s what we fail to understand in the midst of crisis, conflict and our response, “How we respond often has ripple effects that go far beyond our limited understanding.” How often do we take the time to really think about how this may affect our family weeks, months and years down the road? I know I seldom do. Of course, with the big decisions we think about the outcome, but what about the daily mole-hills that we make into mountains? Do you stop and think about how your response will affect your family, coworkers or neighbors? Of course we don’t and we don’t because it is so much a part of everyday life it is almost like breathing. We don’t think about it. This is how the Book of Ruth begins. There is a crisis a conflict and a husbands response.
Crisis #1 - Famine
Famine causes Elimelech to move family to Moab. As a husband and a father I can understand the decision to move where food is. It is a decision that many of us would make I believe. I understand the conflict taking place. However, let’s look at the response more closely. Why move to Moab? Did the Israelites NOT, just move into the promised land? How quickly we forget the mercies and promises of God. Was all of Israel in famine or was Moab just closer than Galilee?
Crisis #2 – Death
Elimelech dies in Moab, leaving Naomi a widow with two sons. This presents a slightly different conflict. Should Naomi return home to Bethlehem, or remain in Moab? The sons can reclaim the family land and take care of each other if they return. The response is to marry her sons to two Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth and stay in Moab.
Crisis #3 – More Death
Mahlon and Chilion, Naomi’s two sons, die, leaving three widows. Naomi tells Orpah and Ruth to return to their mother’s houses, and god’s. She is returning to Bethlehem.
Human Crisis
The reality is we are an outcome of our decisions and responses. Seldom are we shaped by one lone individual crisis. They are often compounded one on top of another. Our decisions often clearly reveal that we are indeed selfish sinful people.
Human Conflict
Someone tells us of the sin that we have. They explain why it is we do the things we do and how we can overcome that and more importantly who overcame it for us and made it possible. Just like the people listening to Peter on the Day of Pentecost, we are cut to the heart and convicted of our sin. How do we mange this sin problem? Why are my view points changing? Why do I desire to learn more about this? What do I do?
Human Response
Do you ignore the sin problem? Do you do your best to change some of your decision making processes? Do you repent and believe the Gospel?
These first five verses just clearly demonstrate life outside the promise of God. God never intended for His people to leave the Promised Land, but they did anyways.
They also illustrate the whole of humanity. How we once lived in paradise, a land flowing with milk and honey. Sin took us out of that land. It took us to Moab and death. But praise God for the rest of the book. He provided a redeemer for us to bring us back into the country. I say us as a Gentile. Not just one nation, but all nations. God used two different Gentile women who had faith, and demonstrated His goodness and sovereignty.
Friends, what crises are causing conflict in your life today? How are you responding? Is your crisis sin? Is the Spirit calling you to repent and believe and follow Christ? How will you respond?
Ruth 1:1-5
The Book of Ruth
- during the Judges
- estimated to take place between the Judges Gideon and Tola
- Moabites were descendants of Lot
- attributed to Samuel but author unknown
Crisis creates conflict. Conflict calls for response.
Crisis moments in our life come from something outside of our control. Whether it is weather related or it comes from relationships with people, there are just some things we can not control. However, these crises seem to have a way of causing us great internal conflict. We lose sleep. We become anxious. Whatever we may do, the conflict remains and it calls for a response of some sort. Here is where people show their differences. It’s in how we respond. If it was just something happening outside our control it would be easy not to respond. But we are human. We care. We hurt. We want recognition. We want peace. We want stability. Crisis attacks these fundamental desires that we have. Crisis creates the conflict. The Conflict calls for your response. I have the tendency to handle most things fairly well, but when it all quiets down, I vent. Others seem to never get worked up. Others admit to being like a duck, calm on the surface but the feet are going a million miles and hour under water, while others completely lose their minds in situations.
Here’s what we fail to understand in the midst of crisis, conflict and our response, “How we respond often has ripple effects that go far beyond our limited understanding.” How often do we take the time to really think about how this may affect our family weeks, months and years down the road? I know I seldom do. Of course, with the big decisions we think about the outcome, but what about the daily mole-hills that we make into mountains? Do you stop and think about how your response will affect your family, coworkers or neighbors? Of course we don’t and we don’t because it is so much a part of everyday life it is almost like breathing. We don’t think about it. This is how the Book of Ruth begins. There is a crisis a conflict and a husbands response.
Crisis #1 - Famine
Famine causes Elimelech to move family to Moab. As a husband and a father I can understand the decision to move where food is. It is a decision that many of us would make I believe. I understand the conflict taking place. However, let’s look at the response more closely. Why move to Moab? Did the Israelites NOT, just move into the promised land? How quickly we forget the mercies and promises of God. Was all of Israel in famine or was Moab just closer than Galilee?
Crisis #2 – Death
Elimelech dies in Moab, leaving Naomi a widow with two sons. This presents a slightly different conflict. Should Naomi return home to Bethlehem, or remain in Moab? The sons can reclaim the family land and take care of each other if they return. The response is to marry her sons to two Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth and stay in Moab.
Crisis #3 – More Death
Mahlon and Chilion, Naomi’s two sons, die, leaving three widows. Naomi tells Orpah and Ruth to return to their mother’s houses, and god’s. She is returning to Bethlehem.
Human Crisis
The reality is we are an outcome of our decisions and responses. Seldom are we shaped by one lone individual crisis. They are often compounded one on top of another. Our decisions often clearly reveal that we are indeed selfish sinful people.
Human Conflict
Someone tells us of the sin that we have. They explain why it is we do the things we do and how we can overcome that and more importantly who overcame it for us and made it possible. Just like the people listening to Peter on the Day of Pentecost, we are cut to the heart and convicted of our sin. How do we mange this sin problem? Why are my view points changing? Why do I desire to learn more about this? What do I do?
Human Response
Do you ignore the sin problem? Do you do your best to change some of your decision making processes? Do you repent and believe the Gospel?
These first five verses just clearly demonstrate life outside the promise of God. God never intended for His people to leave the Promised Land, but they did anyways.
They also illustrate the whole of humanity. How we once lived in paradise, a land flowing with milk and honey. Sin took us out of that land. It took us to Moab and death. But praise God for the rest of the book. He provided a redeemer for us to bring us back into the country. I say us as a Gentile. Not just one nation, but all nations. God used two different Gentile women who had faith, and demonstrated His goodness and sovereignty.
Friends, what crises are causing conflict in your life today? How are you responding? Is your crisis sin? Is the Spirit calling you to repent and believe and follow Christ? How will you respond?
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