Chardon church of Christ

CSI - Evidence From Ten Lepers

Luke 17:11-19

One day, a man was driving on a mountain road when his car suddenly broke down. He got out of the car and tried to fix it, but to no avail. Feeling frustrated, he looked up at the sky and said, "God, please help me out of this mess!"
Just then, a tow truck pulled up behind him. The driver got out and said, "Hey, looks like you're having some car trouble. Need a tow?"
The man looked up at the sky again and said, "Never mind, God. I've got it covered."

Roy Larson thought the most difficult part of his day would be maneuvering the unfamiliar stick shift on a “loaner” electric wheelchair as he ventured into downtown Glen Ellyn, Illinois, for a haircut. But his day was about to become much more difficult.
As he was crossing the railroad tracks on Main Street, one of the chair’s wheels became lodged in the track. As Larson struggled to free the wheel, something went wrong with the chair’s electrical system, and the chair refused to move.
Suddenly the lights began to flash, and the signal bells started to ring. The gates in front of Larson and behind him began to lower.
The first person Larson saw as he frantically looked for help was Mark Bade. Bade had been running an errand when he saw that Larson was in trouble. He sprinted to Larson’s side and began to struggle with the chair.
At almost the same moment, Don Burgeson had stopped his car at the gates and saw what was happening. He jumped out of his car and helped Bade wrench the chair free from the track and drag it out of harm’s way. The three men looked up, just in time to see the train was less than 20 yards away.
“After the train went by, I just said thanks,” Larson said. “The only reason I am here today is because these two guys saved my life.” Jesus Christ came to save our lives. We also need to say thanks.
In the miracle of Jesus healing ten lepers we notice that one of them did return to say thanks to Jesus. But what we learn is that he experienced far more than just healing of his body. He in fact experienced the salvation of his soul as well!

Let’s read about Jesus cleansing ten lepers in Luke 17:11-19
11 And it came to pass, [a]as they were on the way to Jerusalem, that he was passing [b]along the borders of Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, who stood afar off: 13 and they lifted up their voices, saying, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. 14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go and show yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, as they went, they were cleansed. 15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, with a loud voice glorifying God; 16 and he fell upon his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. 17 And Jesus answering said, Were not the ten cleansed? but where are the nine? 18 [c]Were there none found that returned to give glory to God, save this [d]stranger? 19 And he said unto him, Arise, and go thy way: thy faith hath [e]made thee whole.
In today’s text Luke noted that Jesus was “on the way to Jerusalem”. While on his way to Jerusalem, Luke recorded Jesus performing five miracles (11:14; 13:12; 14:4; 17:14; 18:35). This is the fourth of five miracles. What is significant about each miracle is the teaching that follows.

In the fourth miracle, Jesus healed ten lepers. One of them returned to Jesus to give praise to God and thanks to Jesus.
The healing of ten lepers in our text shows us two signs of saving faith.

First, let’s look at the request of the ten.
Let’s begin by observing the circumstances.
Luke said in verse 11 that while Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. Galilee was in the north, and Judea, with Jerusalem as its capitol, was in the south. Sandwiched between Galilee and Judea was the region of Samaria. The people of Samaria - Samaritans – were a mixed race of Jews and Assyrians. The Jews had no dealings with Samaritans, and they would go out of their way so as not to travel through Samaria.
This was not true of Jesus. We remember his well-known encounter with the woman at the well in Samaria. Also, one of Jesus’ best-known parables was about a Good Samaritan. Jesus loved all people, including Samaritans.
Luke said that as Jesus entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance. The Mosaic Law forbade lepers to get close to anyone. That is why they stood at a distance. Leprosy was a dreaded disease in ancient times.

One description of leprosy:
Leprosy, or Hansen’s disease, is known from ancient writings from China, India, and Egypt, and from mummified remains from Egypt. It was common enough in Israel to warrant extensive regulation in the Mosaic Law of those suffering from it and related skin diseases. The disease is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae, discovered by the Norwegian scientist G. H. A. Hansen in 1873 (it was the first bacterium to be identified as the cause of a human disease).
The bacterium was communicable through touch and breath.
Leprosy attacks the skin, peripheral nerves and mucus membrane. It forms lesions on the skin, and can disfigure the face by collapsing the nose and causing folding of the skin. Contrary to popular belief, leprosy does not eat away the flesh.
Due to the loss of feeling (especially in the hands and feet), people with the disease wear away their extremities and faces unknowingly. The horrible disfigurement caused by leprosy made it greatly feared, and caused lepers to be outcasts, cut off from all healthy society, for protection.
These poor lepers were social outcasts. They were cut off from their families, from society, and from worship. They were in a most pitiable condition.

Second, observe the cry.
It is likely that the ten lepers had heard about Jesus. They had heard marvelous stories of the countless number of people he had healed. So, when they heard that Jesus was in their vicinity, they went to him and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us” (17:13).
Imagine the following scene of this occasion:
On the outskirts of an unnamed village on the borderlands of Samaria and Galilee, ten leprous men stood before Jesus in various stages of decay,
their clothing torn in perpetual mourning, their skeletal heads uncovered, their lips unveiled as they warned others, “Unclean, unclean!”

They looked as though they had climbed out of the graves. But they were alive, sensitive human beings, living in the hindmost world of society’s fringe while they rotted away. So, from a safe distance they shouted the traditional plea, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” (v. 13). They were loud and persistent. “Have mercy on us!” “Master, have mercy!” “Mercy please!”
The important point to note here is that Jesus is the right one who is able to answer every need. When we have any need, we should take it to Jesus, just as the ten lepers did.

Third, look at the command.
Jesus, ever merciful, responded immediately to their cry for help. But, this time he did not touch the lepers.

When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests” Verse 14.
Jesus commanded the ten lepers to do what a cleansed leper would do, namely, to show themselves to the priests, as required by the Law (Leviticus 14). If they were cleansed of their leprosy, they would joyfully undergo the required eight-day ceremony, and then be reunited with their families, society, and worshiping community.
Jesus’ command is interesting. At this point, the lepers were not yet healed. They must have looked at themselves and saw that they still had leprosy. What would they do?

And fourth, observe the cleansing.
Luke simply noted in verse 14 that as they went they were cleansed. They were healed!
It has been stated, “Help meets men in the path of obedience.”
I wonder how often God does not work in our lives because we are not walking in the path of obedience? We struggle because we think of God as a genie. He is there to do for us what we want and when we want.
However, as some scholars believe, if the lepers had acted in this way, they would never have been healed. We must read the Scriptures diligently. We must pray. We must attend worship services with a reverent heart. All these are duties which Christ requires at our hands, and to which, if we love life, we must attend, without asking vain and petty questions. It is in the path of unhesitating obedience that Christ will meet, heal and bless us.
And second, notice the return of the one.
First, look at why he came.

There are two reasons why the leper, now cleansed of his horrific disease, returned to Jesus.
First. To Praise the Father (17:15)
Luke said in verse 15 that one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. Only one of the ten returned to praise God the Father.
The interpretation we have heard again and again is that although Jesus healed ten lepers, only one of them was grateful.
The passage can be interpreted in different ways, but one common message is the importance of recognizing and acknowledging the blessings in our lives and expressing gratitude for them. The Samaritan leper is a model of faith and gratitude, while the other nine lepers are an example of taking blessings for granted and not expressing gratitude.
Overall, Luke 17:11-19 is a powerful reminder of the importance of gratitude and the role that faith can play in our lives. It encourages us to be mindful of our blessings and to express gratitude for them, recognizing that doing so can have a profound impact on our well-being and spiritual growth.

But, for a moment this morning I would like to consider the following thought.
If we have any understanding what a leper went through, we would know that not even the most corrupt and thoughtless sinner could fail to be grateful for healing. When these lepers saw that their flesh had been restored, that this marvelous healer, Jesus, had done his work, no doubt they began leaping for joy and couldn’t wait to go home to be reunited with their families…
That would be the normal thing to do. So, nine out of ten went straight home. But one of the ten healed lepers delayed going to the priest to rush back to Jesus. His meeting with the priest could wait while he fulfilled a deep desire to praise God for his healing. His spiritual desire took priority over his ceremonial duty.

And second, he came to thank the Son.
Luke said in verse 16 that he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Notice that he prostrated himself before Jesus: he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet.
It has been said, “The worst moment for the atheist is when he is really thankful and has nobody to thank.

The converse of this proposition is also true. . . . A strong Christian may be said to interlink all their thoughts with thanks.

Next, notice who he was.
The astonishing thing about this healed leper is that he was a Samaritan verse 16. I have already noted that Jews had no dealings with Samaritans. The two ethnic groups did not get along with each other at all. And yet, the Samaritan, and not the other nine who were presumably Jews, returned to praise God and thank Jesus for his healing.
The lesson here is that Jesus makes no ethnic distinctions between people. He was equally willing to heal Jews as he was to heal Gentiles. And Jesus still deals today with people from every ethnic group.

Third, look at what he found.
Jesus asked three questions, all filled with sadness, in verses 17-18, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”
At one level we understand that the nine were so glad to be healed that they went at once to the priests to begin the ceremonial process of being declared healed so that they could return to their families.

BUT, There is a problem here –
God was not the center of their gratitude. . . .
Only the foreigner, the Samaritan, gave praise to God!
The other nine were so earthbound, so like the shrewd manager and the rich man of the preceding parables, that they missed the spiritual dimension altogether. Vague gratitude to divinity was not an adequate response to what had happened.
Christ wanted their hearts! By failing to glorify God and returning to thank Jesus, they missed the greatest possible moment of their existence.

An old-time minister stated the following regarding ingratitude:
Our biggest problem in the church today are “hit and miss” Christians who claim to have known the Master’s cure and who return not [at other times] to thank Him by presence, prayer, testimony and support of His church.
In fact, the whole Christian life is one big “Thank You,” the living expression of our gratitude to God for His goodness. But we take Him for granted ... and what we take for granted we never take seriously.
And second, he found salvation from Jesus.
Jesus said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well” (17:19). The second part of the verse is literally, “Your faith has saved you.”
“Jesus’ words were clear: only the Samaritan who returned to praise God and offer thanksgiving to Christ himself had saving faith. Indeed, his gratitude and praise to God were signs of his saving faith.”

Conclusion:
Therefore, having analyzed the healing of ten lepers we should praise God and give thanks to Jesus for our salvation.
Luke is not teaching that salvation is granted to those who have a thankful attitude. Rather, he is teaching that two signs of saving faith are praise to God and thanks to Jesus.
Are you living your life through the example, words and work of Jesus? If so, then give praise to God and thanks to Jesus for his work of salvation in your life.

Hebrews 3: 12-15
12Take heed, brethren, lest haply there shall be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in falling away from the living God: 13 but exhort one another day by day, so long as it is called To-day; lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin: 14 for we are become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our confidence firm unto the end: 15 while it is said, To-day if ye shall hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.

Invitation. 

His Apostles

Mark 3:13-19

Intro: Good morning church. Scott Foster, a 36-year-old accountant, hadn’t played a hockey game in over a decade, but because of his background as a goalie for Western Michigan University, he’d been designated as an “emergency goalie” for the Chicago Blackhawks, an honor that usually just results in free food in the press box. At a game in 2018, the goalie, Anton Forsburg was injured, and then in the 3rd period the rookie substitute goalie Collin Delia was also injured. Foster who was sitting in the stands was told, “Put your helmet on”. Foster went on to stop all seven shots attempted, earn the team belt (an honor reserved for the game’s best player), and set the media ablaze with tweets and posts from fans and analysts who could not believe he had never played professionally. Imagine getting tapped on the shoulder for a life-changing assignment, one for which you’re not prepared.

A few weeks ago, in Mark’s lesson from Mark 3:7-12 we read that “…a great multitude, when they heard how many things He was doing, came to Him.” Today we will continue using the third chapter of Mark’s gospel and begin to read at verse 13. In Mark 3:13-19 the bible says that Jesus; “… went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons: Simon, to whom He gave the name Peter; James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, to whom He gave the name Boanerges [boa-ner-gees], that is, "Sons of Thunder''; Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Canaanite; and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. And they went into a house.” [NKJ]

In Luke’s account of this event he says simply; Luke 6:13 - “he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;” Twelve men charged with the most awesome responsibility with which men could be charged. Luke’s account and Matthew’s account of this event gives us a little bit more information than does Mark's gospel record. In fact, if you notice here, Mark does not even refer to the twelve by the name apostle. Yet, later in his gospel Mark does refer to them with that name. It is Luke who calls these men the apostles. Of them he chose twelve and he named them apostles.

We remember the names of some of these people for the involvement they had in establishing the Lord's church. We see them in scripture as being active in that way. Yet there are others of these names which are not all that familiar to us. We have very little reliable information about some of them. I recognize that there are many traditions which have grown up around the names of some of these men. And we need to be careful when hearing of traditions. Often that is just what they are - traditions, with no credible historical information and certainly no scriptural information to support them.

What I would like for us to do today is just briefly consider what I would call this “landmark” event in the earthly ministry of Jesus.

I. THE CHOOSING OF THE TWELVE IS PRECEDED BY PRAYER - There are some events that are very significant to Jesus’ purpose and what He is going to do. So significant that they can only be seen as – landmarks. This is certainly one of those.

A. I invite you to turn in your Bibles to the gospel of Luke 6:12. What I want to note here is something that is so telling, and so like Jesus. Prior to the call of these twelve people, in verse 12 it says: Luke 6:12 - "Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God."

1. Notice that prior to this “landmark” event for appointing the apostles, Jesus is found apart from everyone else in a night of prayer.
2. Before this very important event we find Jesus in prayer, and then immediately upon the coming of the day, He calls to Him His disciples and of them He chooses 12. There must have been more than 12 disciples for Him to choose 12. The 12 He calls or names “apostles”. It is typical of Jesus that before significant occasions, we find Him in prayer. The most significant of those times of course is the night before He is crucified. He is in the garden of Gethsemane and there He is praying alone. Praying alone is also typical of Jesus.

B. I mention this because I want us to draw a lesson from it. The lesson is in this question: should we not, you and I, more actively follow this example of Jesus in the matter of significant events or occasions in our lives?

1. Is it not true of us, many of us, that we rush into decisions and into significant events without sessions of prayer?
2. Perhaps we have become such a do-it-yourself society that, even in these matters, that’s exactly what we tend to do. We do it ourselves, and we do so, I fear, because we say; I am independent; I do not need help. I'm going to do this myself – without accessing the incredible resources of prayer. We rush headlong into events whatever they may be, with our human wisdom as the only wisdom we are using.
3. Here is the son of God, about to choose the 12 men with whom He is going to entrust the proclamation of the gospel and the establishment of His church. This is the son of God, and I wonder; should He have needed to pray? He is Jesus, He is the Christ. Then I realize just how beautifully and how well He teaches us by the illustration of His life. And this is one of those illustrations. It is my belief that we need to use this example in our own lives more often. I know I need to use it in mine.

II. WHAT WOULD BE THEIR PURPOSE? - He chose the 12… and what would be their purpose?

A. Consider for just a minute, the words apostle and disciple. If you look in Luke’s narrative the sixth chapter, you read this at verse 13; " And when it was day, He called His disciples to Him; and from them ( that is, the disciples) He chose twelve whom He also named apostles;" Think of the words “apostle” and “disciple”

1. The first thing we can say is that apostle and disciple are not interchangeable terms. The word disciple means a learner, a pupil, a follower, and all those from Acts the second chapter who were baptized into Jesus Christ we call disciples. Remember in the 11th chapter of the book of Acts at verse 26, the disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
2. The name disciple is not apostle, it is different from apostle. Apostle means ambassador, one who is chosen and sent on a specific mission. A commissioner of Christ having miraculous powers. We know that in our own country we have ambassadors from various countries in the world. They come to Washington DC, and they present their credentials. Not just everyone can be an ambassador. That person must be chosen by the Head of State and he is entrusted with a specific mission, given particular credentials and sent.
3. That is exactly the nature of these 12 men. They had to meet certain qualifications. If you turn in your Bibles to the book of Acts, chapter 1, at verses 21 and 25 here’s what we read about the manner of the apostles as they replaced Judas. “Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, "beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.'' And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, "You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.''”

i. They had to meet certain qualifications and the actual choosing is left to the Lord. Notice the qualifications. Beginning from the baptism of John, now let me ask you: are any of us qualified? We may be righteous people. We may be good people. We may be knowledgeable people, but is any one of us qualified based on that one thing?
ii. Of course, there are in the religious world today, those groups who have their “apostles” as they call them. Folks, based on scriptural qualifications, these people are not apostles like the 12. Wearing the name doesn’t mean you’re an apostle. If you don’t have the credentials, you’re not an apostle as they were.

4. The qualifications were given, and these 12 men were endowed with miraculous powers. In the 16th chapter of Mark’s gospel, at verse 20, here’s what we read: “they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs.” Not only were they endowed with miraculous powers, but here’s something else that is significant about apostles. It was they, and they alone, who could impart miraculous gifts to others.
5. I would like you to turn in your Bibles to the eighth chapter of the book of Acts and there we’re going to read of some of the things that were happening in Samaria. Beginning at verse 14, “Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them” You remember Peter and John are apostles. We read their names a while ago. “who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.: For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Then they laid” (Peter and John, two apostles) “ then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.” The apostles possessed the credentials, the appointment of the Lord, possessed miraculous power, and could pass those gifts to others. If we stop and think about that, we realize if that’s the case, then with the death of the last apostle this particular power ceased.
6. Are there miracles today? There are unusual things that certainly happen. People often call them miracles, but they are not miracles, in the sense that the New Testament uses of the word. There is providence today; but not miracles in the New Testament sense. That phenomenon ceased very naturally with the death of the last person on which the apostles had laid their hands.

B. There were 12 of them. We’re told, - of them He chose 12.

1. In scripture numbers are very significant. Numbers are not all that significant to us except as they relate to our bank accounts, or as they relate to something that we want to purchase, then numbers are very important. In the days of the New Testament, in ancient times, numbers had significance because they were part of communication. Numbers were used symbolically to represent certain things. It has been said that on average, one of every five verses in scripture contains a number. Numbers were part of the communication.
2. The number 12 is often found in scripture. One of the things that it represents symbolically is wholeness or completeness or perfection. Something that it would invariably represent in the minds of the people then, is the nation of Israel. There were 12 tribes.
3. Let’s stop and think a little bit about that—12 tribes, Israel. There are 12 apostles. What could be the significance of that? Is there any significance? I would not tell you that I know for certain that there is, but let me suggest this…
4. The church is the Israel of God — the spiritual Israel.
5. Turn in your Bibles to the sixth chapter of the book of Galatians, verse 16, here’s what the apostle Paul writes: “And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.” The writer is referring to the church, as the Israel of God. Galatians 3:7 – “Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.” And next at verse 29 – “And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

C. Something else to note. As Mark gives us his recollection of this event, by inspiration, he says of the apostles, that they should be with him, that is with Jesus.

1. One of the interesting things about the rabbis of that time was that many of them were itinerate or traveling teachers. As they traveled, they would have a small entourage of people with them. Disciples who were learning and watching. These disciples themselves might one day become rabbis I would assume. In this case it is Jesus and the 12. They would be with Him and during this period of time the 12 apostles would hear Jesus teaching many things concerning the kingdom of God.

i. This choosing of the 12 marks a very definite ending of one period and the beginning of another in the lives of these men. It is time now for them to learn of things concerning the kingdom.
ii. If you’ll turn in your Bibles to the gospel of John, chapter 14, there’s something that is said there that is, I think, significant for us. At verse 25 and 26, Jesus says: “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. We remember that Mark said that the apostles would be with Jesus. Here Jesus is referring to the many, many things that He has spoken to them while He was yet with them. Now let’s look at the next verse; "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.”

2. There’s a second thing happening as well. Not only were they hearing things concerning the kingdom of which the Holy Spirit would remind them at the appropriate time, but they were also seeing Jesus as He interacted with people from all walks of life. How did Jesus deal with real life situations? They were in effect learning “what would Jesus do”.
3. What they would learn would stand them in good stead in the years to come. If the future of the Lord’s church was going to be entrusted to these men, they would have to be well schooled in Christ.
4. Next look at Matthew 28:19-20. Jesus is ready to ascend. The last written words we have of His while He was on this earth are these: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” Then verse 20, and it is here we find why it was so important that they be schooled. And the reason why it was so important that the Holy Spirit remind them of those things in which they were taught… “teaching them (those people whom they are baptizing, people who would then become disciples of the Lord, Christians) teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you”

D. They needed to know these things because He would send them forth to preach.

1. Going back in the gospel of Matthew to the 10th chapter, let’s read together verses five through seven, just after their selection. What we’re going to discover is the preaching that they were going to do at this point in time was of a limited nature. It was limited as to the people to whom they would go. We begin to read at Matthew 10:5-6: “These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: "Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. "But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. ” At this point their preaching was limited to the “house of Israel”
2. Jesus goes on in verse 7: “And as you go, preach, saying, `The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'” Their message was to proclaim the imminence of the kingdom of heaven.
3. Scripture continues in verses 8-9: “"Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. "Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your moneybelts,” They are to go to the house of Israel, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. “You go preaching and here’s the message”. They were not yet to go to the Gentiles. That would come in time. In this part of the ministry of Jesus they were to go only to the Israelites. Their message was - the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. They were to go preaching of the imminent coming of the kingdom of God.
4. The kingdom would soon be set up. Mark 9:1 reveals that Christ promised it to be done during the lives of some of them. “Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.”
5. I imagine an image of the ripples on a quite pond which come from the dropping of a single stone into the water. The ripples begin where the stone drops in and then spread out. What we have here folks, is the message of the kingdom spreading out. You go, and you preach, and you teach. He sends ambassadors with credentials, His apostles, to accomplish the preaching and the teaching - of the coming of the kingdom.

E. There’s one more thing that Mark tells us. Jesus gives them power.

1. In Matthew 10:8 we are told that they were given the power to: “"Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons...
2. The fact they are endowed with these miraculous powers would in the minds of the people, associate them with Jesus for these were the very kinds of things that were being done by Jesus Himself.
3. There is something else that Matthew tells us. Let is continue in verse 8 of chapter 10. Jesus says to them: “…freely ye have received, freely give”.

i. Notice the thing that has immediately preceded these words; “And as you go, preach, saying, `The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons.” “Freely ye have received, freely give.” The knowledge and ability you have received you are to freely give. This would have been readily understood. A Rabbi was bound by law to give his teaching freely asking for nothing; the Rabbi was absolutely forbidden to take money for teaching the Law which Moses had freely received from God. Jesus extends this to the apostles He is sending out. They were not to charge for these services, teaching, healing, cleansing, raising the dead or casting out demons.
ii. Can you imagine the amount of money they could have raised among themselves with these incredible powers? He goes on to say, don’t provide gold or silver or brass in your purses nor script for your journey. You have received this power freely, you’ve received the message freely therefore you freely give it to others. Neither the message nor the powers with which they had been endowed were their personal property or domain…

4. I would also like you to turn, with reference to these powers, to Hebrews 2:3-4 – “how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, (and notice this) God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?” No, these miraculous gifts were not their own personal property. These miraculous gifts and powers had a very specific purpose and that was to confirm the message as a message come from God Himself.

F. What then is the purpose of the apostles? Ultimately it was to be witnesses of the risen Christ.

1. Turning to Acts 1:8, Jesus says to the apostles, by the way, if you follow the pronouns all the way back through this part of the chapter you get to the apostles. Acts 1:8 – “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” What was their purpose? To be witnesses of the resurrection of the risen Christ. Notice at verse 22 of this chapter the selection of the person who would replace Judas as they give the qualifications necessary: “beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.” The “us” refers to the 12, the apostles.
2. Then in Acts 2:32 – “This Jesus, God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.” Again, if you follow the pronouns in this passage, you’ll come back to the 12, the apostles.
3. One of the things that we hear often today is the use of this word witness, “I’m going to witness to this person. Or witness to that person.” We need to be very careful in our use of the word witness. Today the word witness is used in a way it is never found in the New Testament. I cannot witness to that which I have not seen. I just can’t do it. What I can do is tell people with my mouth of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. I can tell of the action of the gospel in my life.
4. I can teach, but I cannot witness to people as if I have seen the resurrection. I am not a witness of the risen Christ. I didn’t see Him. I can recount the testimony from scripture, but that’s a whole lot different from witnessing. The apostles were witnesses -- not me. In that respect we’re not witnesses, we are teachers.

III. THEIR NAMES

A. What were their names? Most of their names are familiar to us. We remember Peter, and his brother Andrew, James and John the sons of Zebedee, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas and Judas Iscariot. We remember those names. They’re familiar.

1. A few apostles might not be as familiar, such as Philip, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas, sometimes called Thaddeus.
2. What we want to understand is: it’s not as important to be able to list the names as it is for us to realize that the 12 came from various backgrounds. If we look at the 12, we see in these men nothing from an earthly point of view that gives them any stature. They have little if any formal education. They have no position, no wealth. They’re just ordinary people, common men. Yes, they were industrious, keen of mind, sensitive of soul, honest, perceptive, and courageous. They were — 12 very common men from very common lives, common backgrounds, and they heralded the establishment of the Lord’s church and constituted it on this earth.

B. There’s one final reminder to which I would like to call attention. In Jude at verse 17. Jude 17 – “But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ:” The challenge — remember the words of the apostles.

1. I know verse 18 goes on to give a specific illustration of the kind of thing to which Jude is referring. They were told there would be mockers in the last times, those who would walk after their own ungodly lusts. The apostles warned that would happen.
2. I want to come back to verse 17 with this: remembering the words of the apostles should be broadly viewed. Do you remember Acts chapter 2 and verse 42? The disciples, those people who had been baptized into Christ, later called Christians, the disciples continued how? Acts 2:42 – “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

CONCLUSION:
There is so much more that we could say today, but there is one last thing I would like us to remember. The role of apostle as it is epitomized, exemplified by the 12, remembering of course that the Apostle Paul was chosen as one out of due time. The role of apostles was a onetime role in the Lord’s church during its beginning days, its infancy.

Now we have the word of the covenant, which is God’s instrument in conversion, in sanctification, and in the constituting of the church. Having the word of the covenant, tells me that the apostles did their work well. Where He leads me, I will follow. I was thinking that that song is appropriate for today’s thoughts. Where the Lord leads me, I’m going to follow Him. He went through His life serving others. Where He leads me, I’ll follow. He’s going to lead in a life of service. He went through life making sacrifices as He served. Where He leads me, I am willing to go and make sacrifices.

The place where we need to go first, folks, is with Jesus into His death. And the way we do that is we go with Jesus into baptism. We are buried as He was buried, and we are raised as He was raised to walk in newness of life. Romans, the sixth chapter. Where He leads me, I will follow. Will you follow Him through His death to be raised as He was to walk in newness of life today?

While we’re singing this song would you think about that? I want us to realize that the disciples today are not folks that are distant from Christ. They are those people who have been baptized into His body. I want you to be a disciple of Jesus Christ and so does He. You can only do that if you follow Him into His death and then ultimately into His resurrection. If you need to be buried with Christ in baptism today, why don’t you make that decision? If there’s any way that we can be of service to you, we invite you to come while we stand and while we sing.

 

# 639

Reference Sermon by - Cecil A. Hutson

CSI - Looking Through The Eyes of Thomas

John 20:24-29

“Explanation Of God ”
(Written by an 8 year old)
"One of God's main jobs is making people. He makes them to replace the ones that die, so there will be enough people to take care of things on earth. He doesn't make grown-ups, just babies. I think because they are smaller and easier to make. That way He doesn't have to take up His valuable time teaching them to talk and walk. He can just leave that to mothers and fathers."
"God's second most important job is listening to prayers. God doesn't have time to listen to the radio or TV because of this. Because He hears everything, there must be a terrible lot of noise in His ears, unless He has thought of a way to turn it off."
"God also sees everything and hears everything and is everywhere which keeps Him pretty busy.”
"Jesus is God's Son. He used to do all the hard work like walking on water and performing miracles and trying to teach the people who didn't want to learn about God. They finally got tired of Him preaching to them and they crucified Him. But He was good and kind, like His Father and He told His Father that they didn't know what they were doing and to forgive them and God said O.K."
"His Dad (God) appreciated everything that He had done and all His hard work on earth so God told Jesus He could come back up in the sky and stay with Him in heaven. So He did. And now He helps His Father out by listening to prayers and trying to help people choose to be good.
"You can pray anytime you want and they are sure to help you because they got it worked out so one of them is on duty all the time."
"You should always go to church on Sunday because it makes God happy, and if there's anybody you want to make happy, it's God. Don't skip church or do something you think will be more fun like going to the beach. This is wrong. And besides the sun doesn't come out at the beach until noon anyway."
"If you don't believe in God, besides being an atheist, you will be very lonely, because your parents can't go everywhere with you, but God can. It is good to know He's around you when you're scared in the dark or when you can't swim and you get thrown into real deep water by big kids."
"But...you shouldn't just always think of what God can do for you. I figure God put me here and He can take me back anytime He pleases.
And... that's why I believe in God."

Here in our story today we find that one of Jesus’ closest followers... doubted.
In fact, his very name has become a byword for doubt.
When we encounter someone who refuses to believe something that is true we call them a “doubting.... Thomas.”

You will find the text to our sermon this morning in John 20:24-29
In today's Gospel reading from John 20:24-29, we hear about one of the most famous encounters between Jesus and his disciple, Thomas, after the resurrection. This passage provides us with an important lesson about faith and doubt.
As the story goes, Thomas was not with the other disciples when Jesus appeared to them after his resurrection. When the other disciples told Thomas that they had seen the Lord, he was skeptical and refused to believe. He famously declared that he needed to see the wounds in Jesus' hands and side before he would believe that Jesus had truly risen from the dead.
A week later, Jesus appeared to the disciples again, and this time, Thomas was with them. Jesus invited Thomas to touch his wounds, and Thomas immediately recognized him as Lord and Savior, declaring, "My Lord and my God!"
What can we learn from Thomas' doubt and eventual faith?
We can learn that doubt is not the end of the story. When we have doubts, we should not give up on our faith or give in to despair. Instead, we should turn to God in prayer and ask for his guidance and understanding. We should also seek out the support and encouragement of fellow believers who can help us in our journey of faith.
We can learn that faith is a gift from God.
We must open ourselves up to the possibility of faith and ask God to give us the grace to believe. As we see in Thomas' story, Jesus did not condemn him for his doubts, but instead, he invited him to believe.
The story of Thomas teaches us that doubt is a part of the human experience, but it is not the end of the story.
By turning to God in prayer, seeking out the support of other believers, and opening ourselves up to the faith that God’s word (the Bible) leads us to, we too can come to a deeper understanding and experience of God's love and grace.

The writer of Hebrews warns Christians to :“Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.” Hebrews 3:12
And Revelation declares: But the cowardly, [a]unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”This is the second death.” Revelation 21:8

People who have an unbelieving heart will end up in torment!
That’s not a good thing!
Now let’s step back for a moment and take another look at Thomas.
Thomas is a pretty good guy.
In fact, it helps to know that Jesus prayed all night before He selected His 12 disciples... and Thomas made the cut.

He’s a man who shows promise.
He’s a man who has the ability to believe and act on his belief.
In fact, all the other times Thomas shows up in the Gospels... he looks pretty good.

When Jesus is determined to go to Jerusalem in the midst of a dangerous situation, “Thomas said to the rest of the disciples, ‘Let us also go, that we may die with him.’” John 11:16

And later, when Jesus told His disciples that “In my Father’s house there are many rooms”... and I’m going to prepare a place for you... You know the way to the place where I am going.” John 14:4

Thomas piped right up and said: "Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" John 14:5

And Jesus responded: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
So, in Thomas we have the picture of a committed follower of Christ.

He loves Jesus.
He walks with Jesus.
He’s willing to suffer and even die for Jesus.
But then he shows up late to the party after Jesus rose from the grave.

The other disciples try sharing their excitement with him
but he’s having nothing to do with it.
You can almost sense the anger in his voice:

“Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will NOT believe it.” John 20: 25

Whoa! I WILL NOT BELIEVE IT???
Not, “I have my doubts.”
Not, “I’m having trouble accepting it.”
Not, “You’re kidding me, right?”

NO --- I WILL NOT BELIEVE IT!
The Other Disciples may have had their doubts until they saw Jesus but they NEVER said
“I WON’T believe!”

That’s a dangerous way to deal with God.
I mean, doubt is one thing,
BUT… telling God WHAT you’ll accept as proof is another thing entirely.
Telling God to come down and settle things on YOUR TERMS is not generally a good idea.
So, Thomas is being so unreasonable here.

But if Thomas is being unreasonable why would Jesus even bother to show up?
Why let Thomas put his fingers into the holes in his hands and his side?
Why would Jesus show mercy to him when Thomas REFUSED to believe?

You know what the answer is? (PAUSE)
I don’t have a clue.
I don’t know,
the Bible doesn’t say.

All I know is that Jesus DID show Thomas mercy.
But notice, Jesus did tell Thomas to “stop it.”
“STOP doubting and believe.” John 20:27

Jesus showed Thomas mercy but he put him on notice: DON’T PUSH IT!
Don’t walk around the edge of faith and gaze down into unbelief.
Don’t push it! Don’t take your faith for granted! Don’t do it!!!

Thomas - your very salvation is at risk here!!!
But, what was it that Thomas was doubting?
He was doubting that Jesus could do what He promised.
For weeks before this... Jesus repeatedly promised He would rise from the dead

Matthew 16:21 tells us “From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be RAISED TO LIFE.”

Then in Matthew 17:22 Jesus tells them
“The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and on the third day he WILL BE RAISED TO LIFE." And the disciples were filled with grief.

In Matthew 20:19 Jesus said it again: “(they) will turn him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he WILL BE RAISED TO LIFE!”

So, Jesus had made a promise... over and over and over again.

But Thomas REFUSED to believe that Jesus could do what He had promised.
He had NO FAITH in Jesus’ promise .
Now I want you to notice what Jesus said to Thomas after allowing him to touch His wounds:
"Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." John 20:29

You know what Jesus was saying?
He’s saying: I’m going to cut you some slack here Thomas
but you have to realize not everyone is going to get this break. People will have to make up their mind to believe in me without touching.

Hebrews teaches us: “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things NOT SEEN.” Hebrews 11:1

And it also tells us: “without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists AND THAT HE REWARDS those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

To have faith you have to be able to believe what you can NOT see.
And not only that - you not only have to believe that God exists... but that He actually DOES stuff.
One of my favorite verses in the Bible is where a Jesus heals a boy with an evil spirit.
The boy’s father brings him to Jesus and says “if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us”
“If you can?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.”
Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed,
“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
Mark 9:22-24

When the father pled “help me overcome my UNBELIEF” he was using the same word that described Thomas lack of faith:
But this time THIS man is admitting his weakness. He wasn’t saying he will NOT believe in Jesus... he’s just admitting he’s having a problem. But in spite of his struggle with unbelief he’s saying: I am making a conscious decision TO believe. “I believe – help my unbelief!”

ILLUS: Lee Iacocca (the creator of the Ford Mustang) once told a business associate, “The trouble with you is that in college they taught you not to take any action until you had all the facts. You've got 95% of them, but it's going to take you another six months to get that last 5%. And by the time you do, they will be out of date.”

Somewhere along the line in your life you’ll be faced with having to make a choice... and you’ll NOT HAVE ALL the information you’d like, but you still need to make that decision.
If you always wait till you have ALL the information, you may never make a choice!

Thomas had all kinds of information. He’d walked with Jesus for 3 years and had seen Christ heal 100s of people by just touching them, feed 1000s with just a small amount of food, and raise people from the dead.
He had far more information than you or I have, and yet because he sought that little bit extra, he almost ruined his relationship with Christ.

And at some point along the line in our faith... you and I had to make that choice about following God. We had to CHOOSE to believe.
We had to decide that we believed God actually could do things in our lives. We accepted that we couldn’t fully understand Him... but we believed IN Him.

ILLUS: An old time minister told of the time when he’d just finished a lecture a student stood and said: "Sir, you seem like a reasonable man. How can you with your sophistication really believe the Bible?"

The minister replied, "It's easy. I decided to. And, I have to explain; once I decided that I believe in it, I spent the next 35 years of my life accumulating arguments to support what I already believed.
But reason only came in afterwards. It only supported what I'd already committed myself to.
Then the minister said in response ... I got to ask you a question.
Why don't you believe the Bible? Isn't it because you've decided to? Please, don't tell me you've read it from cover to cover. Spare me that. And don't give me that jazz that it's full of contradictions because you can't name 5 (and they never can).
Somewhere along the line, you decided not to believe and after you decided not to believe you've been accumulating to support your commitment to non-belief.

The kid looked at the minister and said: "You don't understand. For me to believe in God, I have to have a God that I can understand."
And the minister replied "God refuses to be that small!"

Now here’s the deal. If your God were small enough to understand... He’d be too small to worship.
We serve a big God who goes beyond anything we can understand or explain.
We have a God who can accomplish way more than we can even begin to imagine in our minds. We need to boldly proclaim that our God can do exactly what He says He can do.

Faith can provide a sense of comfort and direction in times of uncertainty or doubt. It can serve as a source of inspiration and motivation, helping individuals to persevere in the face of challenges and setbacks.
May we all be like Thomas, open to the possibility of faith, and ready to declare with him, "My Lord and my God!"

 

INVITATION

CSI- Even the Demons Know Who He is

INTRO:  Good morning.
Imagine going into a bank, innocently filling out a withdrawal slip, and within minutes being arrested by the police. When Ron Schatz filled out a withdrawal slip in an American bank, he had no idea that handcuffs would soon be placed upon him. It took a while to straighten out the story. The teller had had pressed the silent alarm button after turning the withdrawal slip over and seeing the words, "This is a hold-up."
As it turned out, some wise guy had written "This is a hold-up" on the back of every withdrawal slip sitting on the counter. It’s was someone’s idea of a practical joke. A few words written on a piece of paper caused a terribly embarrassing chain reaction.
The gospel is a chain reaction which echoes through the corridors of eternity.
Today's gospel reading comes from Mark 3:7-12. In this passage, we see a large crowd following Jesus, and he heals many of them. The passage reads:
"Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed. When they heard about all he was doing, many people came to him from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and the regions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon. Because of the crowd, he told his disciples to have a small boat ready for him, to keep the people from crowding him. For he had healed many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch him. Whenever the impure spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.” But he gave them strict orders not to tell others about him."
In this passage, we see Jesus withdrawing to the lake with his disciples, seeking solitude from the crowds that have been following him. But even in this moment of rest, Jesus' fame has spread, and a large crowd from Galilee follows him to the lake. We are told that people have come from many different regions, all seeking to be healed by Jesus.
As Jesus begins to heal those who are sick, we see that the impure spirits recognize him as the Son of God, falling down before him and crying out. But Jesus gives them strict orders not to tell others about him. Why does Jesus do this? Perhaps he knows that his message will be misunderstood, or that people will come to him for the wrong reasons.
What can we learn from this passage? First, we see that Jesus' healing power is real and that it draws people to him. But more than that, we see that Jesus' message is not for everyone. He chooses to reveal himself to those who are open to him and to keep his message hidden from those who are not ready to receive it.
As we reflect on this passage, let us ask ourselves: Are we open to receiving Jesus' message? Are we willing to follow him, even when it means going against the crowd? Let us pray that we may be open to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, that we may be healed of our impurities and drawn closer to Jesus, the Son of God.
The chapter starts with the event of the man with the withered hand and after verse 12 goes on into the appointing of the twelve apostles.
Luke’s gospel refers to this period of time with two words, ‘those days’.
Mathew’s gospel takes a little more time to record details during this specific period then either Luke or Mark.
Remember, though, that the gospel of Mark is very different from the other two synoptic gospels. For one thing it is quite brief. Mark from time-to-time just skims over some periods with just a glance. This is one of those places in which Mark seems to be hurrying on to the next major event in Jesus’ ministry ... the appointment of the twelve apostles.
Still, there may be something of value to be learned even with this hurried overview of time. Not a great deal of detail, yet in this period of time some interesting things happen.

I. THIS SECTION BEGINS AS JESUS WITHDRAWS FROM THE SYNAGOGUE

A. The first thing I wonder in looking at this section of scripture is -- Why did Jesus withdraw from the Synagogue and Capernaum?

1. In thinking about this question, I realize it was hardly from fear of confrontation with the Pharisees and scribes. Jesus had those confrontations before and would have them again. So, confrontation is not the issue.

2. At this time opposition was becoming very serious and more focused.

3. We read in Mark 3:6 – “Then the Pharisees went out and immediately plotted with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him.”
This alliance with the Herodians shows just how serious opposition was becoming. According to many scholars the Herodians were a secular group of people, a political party. They had little interest in spiritual things. There was no common interest with the Pharisees.

4. We still see this in action today! When people today have something they want to accomplish… they don’t necessarily care who they align themselves with to get the job done. Especially if it will help them reach their goal.
So, in our text we see the Pharisees becoming allies with the Herodians.

B. Jesus did not want to have a confrontation with them that would lead immediately to His death. We are told that He withdrew Himself, from the synagogue and from the city where there were so many enemies, and went down to the seaside.

1. I would like us to note these verses in the Gospel of John:
John 2 verse 4 “Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.” –
John 7:6 “Then Jesus said to them, "My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready.” –
John 7:30 “Then they sought to take Him; but no one laid a hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come.” –
John 8:20 “These words Jesus spoke in the treasury, as He taught in the temple; and no one laid hands on Him, for His hour had not yet come.” –
In all these it says something like “mine hour is not yet come”, or “His hour had not yet come”.

2. Let’s go to the twelfth chapter of John, and read there;
John 12:23 – “But Jesus answered them, saying, "The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified.”
and then in 13:1 – “Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.” - “Mine hour is not yet come” - “the hour is come”. See the difference?

3. Between the statement “My time has not yet come” and - “the hour is come” is His earthly ministry. Jesus is finding it necessary to withdrawal rather then to engage in this intense confrontation which could lead to His death BEFORE he could accomplish what HE was sent here to do!

C. There are times when “withdrawal” is the wise course. There certainly are times in human relationships where withdrawal may be a safe and sound course of action

1. I am sure that we have seen 1st hand that; bullheaded, stubborn and confrontation seldom accomplishes much.

2. If we withdraw from the height of the confrontation or from the heat of the moment… we may be able to leave some opportunities open which direct confrontation would otherwise close.

3. This is certainly a lesson in human relationships. It is a good lesson, a useful and practical lesson. Jesus withdraws. The opposition to Him has intensified.

II. DURING THIS PERIOD, GREAT MULTITUDES FOLLOWED HIM

A. During this time Mark tells us that great throngs of people followed Jesus. As He leaves the synagogue and the city He apparently went almost directly to the familiar seaside.

1. Yes it is true, Jesus could teach in a synagogue, He could teach in the temple.

2. But more often than not his “classroom” was in a non-institutional place! Like the seaside.

3. As we listen to the teachings of Jesus we discover that many, many of His illustrations came from these kinds of settings. “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin”. In my mind I think, here is Jesus sitting on the side of a mountain and around Him are flowers growing. He is able to look out in this unconventional classroom to say “Consider the lilies...” He goes on “even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” What beautiful lessons came from these unconventional classrooms of Jesus.

B. Mark tells us the crowd was - “a great multitude”. People surrounding Him, pressing to get close to Him.

1. So great was this press that Mark notes Jesus was concerned that “they should crush him” according the NKJ.
2. Jesus made an arrangement with His disciples to provide for a small boat which according to the text was provided for safety reasons. If they should “throng Him” as the KJV says, if things should get out of hand, unruly, He could step aside in the sea by means of this small boat.
3. In the fourth chapter of Mark’s gospel at verse 1 there was the time when the small boat became his “pulpit”
We read in Mark 4:1 – “... He began to teach by the sea. And a great multitude was gathered to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat in it on the sea; and the whole multitude was on the land facing the sea.”
We can in our minds picture Jesus in this small boat put out from the land just a bit, but the multitude would be standing or sitting along the sea shore. Because of this arrangement Jesus is able to be heard by the multitude gathered there.
On the occasion described in the third chapter of Mark, it did not seem to be a “pulpit” He was seeking. It seemed to be a method of escaping the press -- if escape was necessary.

C. The people in the multitude came from many different places.

1. When reading the names of the places listed earlier, we realize that the reputation of Jesus had gone beyond the boarders of Galilee. People as far away as Tyre and Sidon had heard of Him and come to see.

2. Idumea, the area far to the south had heard of Him. People came from those places, from every quarter of the compass - from great distances. They came to hear Jesus teach.

3. When I read these verses it occurred to me that we have probably become very satisfied with the convenience and the comfort of our religion.
I think about how at that time in history there was no fast means of transportation. No convenient means. When I travel we often stay in comfortable motels with heating and air-conditioning, and comfortable clean beds. They may have had some small inns but those certainly were not like what we would enjoy today. Yet, they came from great distances to hear the Lord.
They came, they stood, and they listened. ...how interested are we in the Savior really? How interested are we in hearing about Him... really?

4. There is an old hymn which says “I love to tell the story, to those who know it best”. How interested are we?
Would we stand in the heat for the length of a sermon?
Would we gather around in the open air with no place to sit but the ground for a Bible class?
Would we be there standing and listening?
Well perhaps if it was Jesus who was here we would do that, but not just to listen to someone else talk that is certain.
Yet, it was not that many years ago people did.
Not that many years ago people would gather in the open or in tents standing and listening to hear the story.

5. What about the story? Isn’t it a story worth telling and hearing?
How convenient our faith has become, how comfortable we have become. I wonder; have we become so comfortable that we no longer concentrate and strive to learn?

III. THE NECESSITY OF HIS MIRACLES?

A. In this section of scripture we read Mark also makes reference to the miracles of Jesus. In that “he had healed many”. In the absence of a particular illustration in this section of scripture it gives us the opportunity to take the time and to ask; “why were the miracles necessary?”

1. No specific illustration is given here. Nothing like that of the man with the withered hand in the previous event in the third chapter of Mark. Yet, Mark tells us that “he had healed many”. What you notice here is that people are not waiting for some interaction or encounter, as we might call it, with Jesus.

2. They simply sought to touch Him - although there is no mention of faith here, I cannot help but think that it was the faith that made whole those who wanted to touch Him, people who Mark tells us had various afflictions.

3. We do remember another occasion over in Matthew 9:20-22 –
Here is an occasion when a particular woman just sought to touch Jesus. When she did so she was made whole, she was healed of the condition which had plagued her for many years. “... a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment; for she said to herself, "If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.''

4. Is this the sort of thing that I think the people to whom Mark is referring in chapter three thought as well? Yes, that is exactly what I think. Look as we continue to read at verse 22. But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, "Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.'' And the woman was made well from that hour.”

Here in this narrative we are told that it is her faith which made her whole. Here are these people pressing in on Jesus. Perhaps many of them were desperate to be healed just as she was. All they want to do is to touch Him, in the belief that if they could just touch Him they would be made whole.

B. That still leaves us with our question; why were His miracles necessary?

1. I invite you to turn to a passage we have doubtless read many times, but we need to read again. John 20:30-31 - “truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written and here is the purpose that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.”

With that turn with me to Acts 2:22 – here in part of the sermon that was preached on the day of Pentecost are these words; “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know ”. This same Jesus who you saw performing miracles and wonders and signs, this same Jesus “"Him, being delivered by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death;”

Why the miracles? Simply to confirm the claims of Jesus. The claim that He was indeed, that He is indeed the Son of God.

2. Incredible as it might seem to us, the miracles did not change the hard hearts of some people. Yet there were others who should have been listed among His enemies, who could not help but to come to the conclusion that there was something very special about Jesus because of the miracles that He did.

3. Listen to John 3:2 – Where we find a man named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. Now this man should have been part of the opposition.
Apparently though Nicodemus had an open heart, and an open mind.
He could add up what he had seen and what he knew and got the correct answer.

“This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; How did he know it? He goes on to explain. for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”

4. Here was a man whose heart was impressed by the miracles of Jesus. He recognized, though perhaps not at this point, that Jesus is the messiah.
He knew that there was something very, very different about Jesus.

5. Oh, there were others that were impressed, but came to a different conclusion. They accused Jesus of doing these things by the power of the Devil. Nicodemus was not one of those.

Why the miracles? As a confirmation.  Keeping with John chapter 1 verse 14, “the word was made flesh and dwelt among us”.

Satan mounts an incredible offensive using the demons of the underworld for his purposes. We know that the scriptures tell us that “the unclean spirits, whenever they saw Him, fell down before Him and cried out, saying, "You are the Son of God.''

B. Jesus consistently forbade those unclean spirits from confessing and acknowledging to the world that He is “the Son of God”.

1. Jesus certainly did not want nor need the testimony of Satan or his minions. Certainly, their acknowledgement could well cause some to believe that He was in league with them. Jesus consistently refused to let them broadcast who He was.

2. Indeed, that was one claim the scribes would make!

3. He neither needed nor wanted testimony of Satan’s world!

CONCLUSION:
The fact is, however, that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Yes, He would often refer to Himself as the Son of Man. But everything He said and did was confirmation that He is exactly Who that voice from heaven had said He is ... “my beloved son”!

The question for us is, what are we going to do with Jesus? What will we do with this fact? What will our decision be?

Because Jesus is the Son of God some of us have a decision to make about what our initial relationship is going to be with Him, whether or not we are going to be baptized into His death becoming His disciple.

Others of us have a decision to make about the extent we want our discipleship to be manifest in our lives. Do we want to be fully committed disciples?

These are all decisions that need to be made by us, based on the simple fact that Jesus is the Son of God.
He would not permit the demons to acknowledge that publicly.

It is a joy that He entrusted the acknowledgement of that fact to people like us. Earthen vessels in which the greatest message ever heard has been placed so we might proclaim it. Jesus is the Son of God.
We have to make a decision.

We learn from the New Testament how to be saved.
We need to hear the word;
believe in Jesus;
repent of our sins;
we must confess our belief that Jesus is the Son of God;
and be baptized for the remission of our sins...

If we follow these steps, the Lord adds us to His church.

Perhaps there is someone in the assembly today with the need to be buried with Christ in baptism. If you have never done these things, we urge you to do so today.

If anyone has this need or desires the prayers of faithful Christians on their behalf, we encourage them to come forward while we stand and sing.

Will Your Anchor Hold?

1 John 2:18-19

INTRO: Good morning church. I’m going to start today with some excerpts from something that I read on-line.

I don’t know if any of you are familiar with the waters of Prince William Sound in Alaska but it has very beautiful scenery. The mountains are high, the water is lovely and there are miles and miles of coastline with many inlets and channels. There is excellent sailing also… most of the time.

A couple was taking a multi-day sailboat excursion in their 35 footer. Hearing there was a big storm coming, they anchored in Bear Cove, known as a very secure anchorage on Knight Island, and set two good anchors. That night there were violent winds and sheeting rain. They scrambled outside, took down the anchor light that had blown out, and checked the anchor lines. Everything seemed secure. The depth sounder reported the same depth they anchored at, and they watched the GPS to make sure they were not dragging anchor.

In that part of the world the wind picks up speed across the open water. When it reaches the mountains a venturi effect kicks in and the wind picks up more speed as it goes up, and over smashing down on the other side. The wind gusts were hitting the little boat at over 60 mph. By 2:00 am it was impossible to sleep. All through the night and into the next afternoon the wind wailed.

Their GPS had a moving map and showed a trail of where they were being blown. By the time the wind subsided that trail on the GPS looked like a tightly wound ball of yarn. They must have spun around hundreds of times. Yet despite the terror of the night it was a very secure anchorage. The holding ground, the place where the anchors connected to the sea floor, was excellent. The anchors were invisible of course and they could only feel the violence of the wind on the surface. They were completely dependent on those anchors. If they had dragged, the boat would have blown onto the rocks and there was nothing that could have been done to stop it. Their anchors held.

I. How is your anchor holding this morning? Our text is 1 John 2:18-19 – “18. Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. 19. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.”

A. We’re not going to look at the antichrists today, but I want to focus on 1 John 2:19. From this verse we see it is plain that the "antichrists" were Christians who had defected from the truth. There are people who say that those who John said, ‘went out’ were supposedly never converted. However, this verse states quite clearly that at the time of their departure they were ‘from us’ but not ‘of us’. In other words, they weren’t faithful Christians when they left.

1. The idea of ‘once saved always saved’ is a false doctrine to the core. The word apostasy is not found in all translations, but it is found in the American Standard and some others, it means to backslide, withdraw, or what we would call fall away. The New Testament is filled with warnings about the possibility of falling away from the Lord.
2. John warns a few verses back at verse 15 (1 John 2:15) “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” That world reliance can lead to us falling away.

B. Falling away is a real possibility for all of us. In 1 Timothy 1:19-20 “having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander…” We find that Hymenaeus and Alexander rejected the “faith” and Paul says that they have suffered a shipwreck of their faith because of that rejection.

1. In 2 Timothy 2:16-18 – Paul writes “But shun profane and vain babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some.”
2. And then in 2 Timothy 4:10 Paul says that “for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world…”

II. One of the ways to help us remain faithful is to understand why some Christians ‘go out’ from among us. That’s what I want to spend the rest of the time looking at this morning.

A. Let us consider the question, “Will your anchor hold?” Drifting away is always a possibility and at times we may not even notice when we start slowly drifting from the Lord and His church. I want to suggest that it is wise for each of us to gage just exactly where we are at, with our faith.
B. I strongly suspect that many of you have seen faithful brothers and sisters in Christ over the years simply disappear into the sunset. Some are still faithful to the Lord but have moved elsewhere and some have simply drifted away. They drift away for several reasons, yet the main reason I believe is that they have allowed their anchor rope to go slack.

1. You see folks; the anchor rope must become “slack” before the anchor can be released. If the vessel maintains the “pull” on the anchor, if it is properly seated in a good anchorage, the anchor will not release.
2. Apply this spiritually and we should see that we (the vessel) must maintain the proper tightness on the anchor, which keeps us properly “moored” or connected to God.
3. When we become “slack” or fail to do as we should, we allow our anchor to drag losing its grip. When that happens, we drift just as a vessel on the water does. This could be devastating… and from a spiritual standpoint it is eternally disastrous.

C. Jesus is sharing the parable of the sower in Luke 8:5-8 where He says, – “5. "A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it. 6. "Some fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture. 7. "And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. 8. "But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold.'' When He had said these things He cried, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!''”
D. Later He was asked for an explanation of this parable by His disciples.

1. In explaining about the seed that fell among the rocks, Jesus says in Luke 8:13 “But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away.” Some versions use the word “temptation” and some the word “testing.” But really that’s what the word “Temptation” means; it means “a testing” or “trial.”
2. In the film “Shawshank Redemption”, which is about a prisoner called Andy who was convicted of crime he did not commit, we find Andy struggling to come to terms with life in prison. A friend says to him, “life in prison does strange things to a man, first you hate it, and then you get used to it until finally you learn to depend on it.”
3. That is one way sin works in your life. Maybe when you first became a Christian, you hated yourself for getting drunk on an occasion. After a few times of getting drunk, you get used to it and after a while you’re looking forward to it.
4. Maybe you hated yourself for gossiping about another member of the Lord’s church because you knew it was wrong. After a while you get used to people knowing you as the church gossip and you kind of like it.
5. Maybe you used to come to every service, and every Bible study. Every time there was something happening at the building you would be here. Then you started to miss a few of these days, and you hated it at first, but now you’re in the habit and whatever it is your doing in it’s place is just too important to you.

E. That’s how sin works, sin grows and if you don’t put a stop to it, it will end up killing you. That is what James is saying in James 1:12-16 – “12. Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been proved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13. Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God''; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. 16. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.”

1. James says that when you get involved with sin, it’s only going to lead to one thing and that’s spiritual death. We should not be fooled, this testing that James and Jesus talk about can come to us in different forms.
2. Peter warns us about one of them in 1 Peter 4:3-4 – “For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.” [para]
3. Peter is talking about the problem of our old friends coming along and testing us. We’ve all got history and we’ve all probably been involved in some ungodly activities at some point in our lives, but when we became a Christian that ungodly behavior ceased. Peter is saying, “When you meet up with those old friends, they are going to expect you to be like them, like you were before. Even though they know you’re a Christian.” They will tempt you to go back to the way you were. We need to be on our guard against that.
4. Do your non-Christians friends have more influence in your life than Jesus Christ does? Because if they do, you could be one step closer to going out from among us.

F. Another reason as to why some people go out from among us is because they pull up their anchor instead of remaining in a good anchorage.

1. Jesus in that parable” says that “some seed fell among the thorns.” He says in Luke 8:14 – “The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.” [para] I suspect that these are probably the most frequent ways of drifting, worry, riches and pleasures!
2. Christians get so tied up in this world and they get so involved in their jobs, their professions, that their love for God becomes 2nd place in their lives.
3. Christians start worrying about having enough money for this and that. They start to work longer hours, and before they know what is going on they haven’t been to church on the Lord’s Day for months.
4. I understand that some Christians need to work on the Lord’s Day to keep their employment, but if that job means that you’re missing out in worshiping God for months on end, then you need to be careful that you’re not on the slippery slope to falling away.

G. There’s a big difference between working to live and living to work. Jesus warns in Luke 12:15-21 – “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.'' 16. Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: "The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. 17. "And he thought within himself, saying, `What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?' 18. "So he said, `I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. 19. `And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.'' ' 20. "But God said to him, `You fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?' 21. "So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.''” [NKJV]

1. When blessings had been multiplied upon this man, they only served to increase his covetousness. This man failed to recognize his status, not as the true owner of his goods, nor even of his soul, which were "his" only in the sense of his being temporarily a steward of them.
2. The loan of an immortal spirit from God was about to be recalled, and the stewardship of his worldly possessions would pass, that very night, to others.

H. In Matthew 6:33 Jesus tells us “… seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” Seeking after the things of this world has caused people to fall; money has caused people to grieve.

1. 1 Timothy 6:10 – “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” It is not money but the love of money, the placing of money at such a priority in your life that God comes second, which causes failure.
2. It was the love of money that caused Judas to betray Jesus according to Matthew 26:14-16. Money caused Ananias and Sapphira’s death because they lied to God according to Acts 5. Again, Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6:33 - “… seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you”
3. Ananias and Sapphira “agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord”. Some people fool themselves into thinking they are doing it all in Jesus’ name for God’s glory. Paraphrasing Hebrews 10:25 – “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
4. If you’re spending less time with God and His people and spending more time in perusing sports and pleasures, or making money then your anchor line may be going slack for want of watching and your anchor starting to drag allowing you to drift.

III. Then there is the case of more attractive anchorage. Some people drift because they set their anchor in the anchorage of false doctrine. John warned these early Christians in 1 John 4:1 he says, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

A. John echoes Jesus’ warning to His disciples in Matthew 7:15 where He says, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.” The apostle Paul described them as being deceivers and says “… we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness by which they lie in wait to deceive,” Ephesians 4:14
B. We need to understand that the Bible wouldn’t warn us about these things if they weren’t a reality. People still teach false doctrine today. The religious world has a thousand ways to be saved. The religious world has a thousand gods. The religious world has a thousand gospels.

1. It is no wonder people are confused, no wonder Christians who don’t acquaint themselves with God’s word drift away. People would rather trust people than trust God’s word.
2. Some people would rather rely on visions of angels than God’s word. Some Christians would rather trust other Christians than trusting God’s word.
3. And some Christians rely more on the preacher’s word than the word He’s preaching from. If you find that you have become like that, then you need to make sure that you’re not starting to drag your anchor.

C. The church in Galatia was dealing with the same problem that many Christians face today in the world, false teaching. Paul said to the church in Galatians 1:6-9 “6. I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7. which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.” [NKJV]

1. How many souls have you witnessed baptized into Christ only to find out a few months later they have joined a denominational church? How many souls have you witnessed starting off on fire for the Lord only to be led astray by someone who says, “come to our church it’s livelier”. Our worship services sometimes include movies, or sometimes we have ‘entertainment groups’ visit. We have more events, festivals, and date nights.
2. It’s astonishing how people can leave the grace of Christ and turn to a different gospel which really is no gospel at all. Those who teach false doctrine have a penalty to pay… but so do those who fall away. Hebrews 6:4-6 – “4. For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5. and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6. if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.”
3. The Hebrew writer was writing to Hebrew Christians who were saved. He says that they have tasted the heavenly gift, received the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of God’s word. They saw and heard about the miraculous events, but because Christianity wasn’t their idea of what Christianity should be they wanted to go back to Judaism. What the Hebrew writer is saying is that if they went back to Judaism, they would be rejecting their salvation. When you reject your salvation, you’re rejecting that Jesus was the Christ, you have rejected the gospel.
4. The writer says it’s impossible to come back to repentance because you’ve rejected the need for repentance. People can become Christians, and then months or even years later fall away and not return, not because they can’t but because they won’t. Those who “go out” or turn their back upon the faith are in the grips of spiritual death.

D. 1 John 1:6-9 – “6. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

1. I find this is truly good news. Those Christians who fall away can return if they so desire. James 5:19-20 – “Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.”
2. There is something else we face that can lead us to drift away and that is discouragement. Many things can lead us into being discouraged but with our aging membership and the realities of the pandemic it seems more noticeable. We need the encouragement of our brothers and sisters to combat this and indeed encouragement is, by design, God’s preventative medicine to protect our hearts. Each time one of our brothers and sisters can no longer be with us, we feel a keen sense of loss. They have brightened our lives so much, and now we miss them.

CONCLUSION:
I don’t know how your anchor is holding this morning, but God knows. We are all capable of drifting from grace and suffering the shipwreck of our faith. There is only one thing more tragic than drifting away from the Lord and that is dying in that condition. It is only as faithful Christians that we have the hope of eternal salvation.

Hebrews 6:19 tells us that, “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil… ” Jesus and His Word are the holding ground, the firm anchorage in the analogy at the start of this sermon, and hope is the anchor. What then is the anchor line? I’d say it is our faith.

The couple in that sailboat talked about checking the lines and how the anchor light had blown out. Keeping an eye on the anchor lines and making sure you do not drift is so important that larger vessels have an “anchor watch”, where there is always someone assigned to this duty. Should our faith become weak, if we despair and allow strands of the line to fray, we will not be lost if we watch and repent and pray for forgiveness. Our job is to hold fast to the Lord, no matter what.

I hope that your anchor is steadfast and sure even though the billows are rolling. I hope and pray that your hope is anchored fast to the rock of Jesus Christ, grounded firm and deep in our Savior’s love.

Will your anchor hold? Are you watching the line? Mark 14:38 – “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.” If you think you’ve been drifting away from the Lord in some way, then please pray to God about it, repenting, and asking forgiveness “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9.

If you’re not a Christian this morning, then you haven’t tasted the goodness of a Christian life yet. If you’ve heard many different gospels in your lifetime then please don’t leave here today without speaking to someone about the true gospel, the full gospel, not some watered down gospel. The gospel which Paul calls in Ephesians 1:13 – “... the gospel of your salvation…”
Don’t let your faith become slack and let your anchor drift. The result of doing so is becoming separated from the Lord. If you are not anchored in Christ, obey the gospel today and then remain connected to the Lord. Seek the strength and stability in His Word so you can always be faithful.

# ???
Reference Sermon by: Mike Glover

Dig Your Well Before You Are Thirsty

Isaiah 12:1-3

 

This morning I have entitled the sermon: Dig Your Well Before You Are Thirsty. Those who are successful in life are usually those who prepare ahead of time.

There are some who may excel later in school who did not apply themselves when they were much younger, but I would suspect that the majority of those who excel later on in their schooling or college are those who prepared themselves much earlier when they were younger. They built a good foundation. There are some who may be successful at starting a business who may not have prepared themselves when they were younger to run a business. Once again, I would suspect that the majority of those who are successful in business today are owners who prepared themselves many years prior to become a successful businessman or woman. Some prepare and succeed, and some don't prepare, and they may still succeed.

In life, depending on the road that you travel, a lack of preparation could be fatal for you. When men began to explore this world, I imagine that they learned very quickly to dig wells before they got thirsty. In some parts of the world, of course, like in the great lake regions which is where we find ourselves, there is abundance of water.

We have the lakes themselves. We have rivers and contributories that fills the lakes, so there's plenty of water. In other parts of the world, water is scarce. It's not as abundant as it is here. Therefore, any experienced explorer would have not waited until their water ran out before they dug a well or before they made some type of preparation to have water sometime later on during their journey.

If a man waits until he drinks his last cup of water to go try to dig a well to get more water, he might die of thirst digging for that well. If we think about it, the same idea applies to us in our spiritual lives.

There are times we are spiritually thirsty, or we need to be filled spiritually. If we wait until such a time to dig our well, we may find it to be too late. Therefore, we need to be digging our wells now, as children of God. Whether you are a younger person or you're well up in years, we need to be digging our well.

We read in Acts chapter 17:30-31 because he hath appointed a day into which he will judge the world in a righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained, wherefore he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. Once again, Acts, chapter 17, verses 30 to 31. The day of judgment is coming. The entire accountable world will find themselves being judged. That means, of course, you and me.

Every person that can understand the Gospel will be there, and no one will be able to escape that judgment. The Bible says but why doest thou judge thy brother? Why does thou set at naught thy brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

For it is written, as I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. Then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Romans 14:10 through twelve.

In Second Corinthians five and ten, it says for we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that every man may receive the things done in his body according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Second Corinthians 5:10

Everyone will stand one day before the judgment seat of God, and every knee shall bow.

Of course, some people are willing to bow to Christ now. I imagine that's many of us here today. Unfortunately, most people in the world are not willing to bow to Christ, but there will be a day when they will not have a choice but to bow and every tongue shall confess. Some refuse to confess Christ today, but on that day, people will not have a choice but to confess.

Finally, before God or before Christ, we shall all give account for whatever we have done in the body, whether it be bad or whether it be good. For some it will be a day of judgment, of salvation. For others, it will be a day of condemnation, which is very sad to consider. The Scripture says then shall the king say unto them on the right hand, come, ye blessed of the Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

Matthew 25 and verse 34 says then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, depart from me, ye cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

In Matthew 25 verse 41 those on the right hand will be those blessed of the Father, and who will inherit the kingdom that was prepared for them before the foundation of the world. On the other hand, those who will be found on the left hand will be cursed and shall have to depart into everlasting fire, a place that was prepared for Satan and his angels. To wait until the judgment, of course, will be too late for anybody to dig their well. If we find ourselves spiritually thirsty or empty on that day, it will be too late.

Next, in times of Temptation the Bible says, be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. That's First Peter five and eight.

Every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed. James one verse 14.

For from within, out of the heart of men proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murder, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, lasciviousness. An evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile the man. That's mark seven, verses 21 and 23.

The Christian life, I think we can all agree, is peppered with what we would call temptations.

There are those temptations that come from without. The Bible tells us that Satan is our adversary. We often can be tempted in one way or another by those who are servants of Satan. That can be personal contacts that we have. Of course, we have media such as television, radio, movies, and now the Internet. The list goes on and on.

There are those temptations that come from within. Our own lusts or desires that come from deep down within. Therefore, temptation should not be taken lightly. No temptation should be taken lightly. Well, why?

Temptation can lead us into sin. Sin, of course, is deadly. We all should understand, as the Bible tells us in Hebrews, chapter three, verses 13 and 14, sin can deceive, and the heart can be hardened. We do not want our hearts to become hardened.

Therefore, do we have a well to quench our spiritual thirst when we are tempted? Do we have such a well?

Then there's a period of tribulation, or period of pressure or persecution or troubles. The Bible says these things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace in the world, ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world. John 16 and verse 33.

Acts chapter 14:21 and 22, it says and when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Listra and to Iconium and to Antioch, confirming the soul of the disciples and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must, through much tribulation, enter into the kingdom of God. Acts chapter 14:21 and 22.

As we know, the Christian life is not always easy. Jesus himself warned the apostles. He says, in the world, you shall have tribulation. It's like a promise, and Paul said he warned the disciples. He said to them that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. Of course, trials or tribulations that we may face can come in various or diverse forms. They're not all the same.

The Bible says, yea and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. A person simply following Christ, that person can suffer because for that. Other suffering come because we share in the frailty of life. What do I mean by that? Sometimes we get sick. There's sickness in this life. There is pain, and sadly there's death.

There are economic pressures such as recessions or a loss of job. Then there are sufferings that come from other individuals, like terrorism, wars, and then there's of course, like natural calamities like we have had across the country, such as floods and so forth. Therefore, we need to be prepared for the drought. In other words, we need our wells to be dug ahead of time before such tribulations or problems occur.

The Bible says in Isaiah, chapter twelve, verses one through three, in that day thou shalt say, o Lord, I will praise Thee, thou, though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away and thou comfortest me. Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust and not be afraid, for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song, and he also has become my salvation. Therefore, with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. Isaiah chapter twelve, verses one through three.

Let’s go next to digging our wills.

We find in First John four nine through ten. And this was manifest the love of God toward us because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world that we might live through Him.

Herein is love. Not that we love God, but that he loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. First John four nine through ten.

He said unto them, go ye into all the world, preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15.

Then we have Colossians one and 23 if ye continue in the faith, grounded, and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel which ye have heard and which we preach to every creature which is under heaven, wherefore I, Paul am a minister. Colossians 1:23.

The well for judgment. First, we must focus on what God has done. We need to focus on what God has done. What did God do? God loved us.

No one deserved the love that Christ or that God has given unto us. Neither you nor I deserve that love. God sent Jesus, of course, Jesus being his only begotten son, he sent Jesus that we might live through him and through him only. Jesus became the propitiation for our sins. After Jesus paid for our sins, of course, God sent the good news, the gospel.

The Gospel is to be preached. The Bible tells us to preach it to every creature, to every ethnic background, to every person we see. The Gospel needs to be preached. By this Gospel there is hope is brought into the world.

By this Gospel there is hope. Notice these words therefore let all the house of Israel know but surely that God hath made the same Jesus whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. When he they heard this, they were pricked in their heart and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins. And ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost or the Holy Spirit. For the promise is unto you and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Acts two, verses 36 through 39.

Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer. Behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison that ye may be tried and ye shall have tribulation ten days. But be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. That's Revelations, chapter two and verse ten.

God has given the Gospel, which gives hope. Therefore, we must focus on what we must do. We must hear the Gospel, and of course, we must listen to what we hear.

We must let it prick our heart. We must allow it to touch our heart, to move our heart. Closing our minds to what we hear, closing our heart to what we hear will not help us. Therefore, we must obey the Gospel. And having obeyed the Gospel, we need to have dug a well for the judgment by doing so.

We must remain faithful. We need to remain faithful if we don't want our well to go dry. Now a question have you dug your well for the judgment? Does it still have water?

The Scripture says that he would grant you according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his spirit in the inner man. That's Ephesians, chapter three, and verse 16.

We can find in Galatians chapter five and verse 22 and 23, it says but the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness godliness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. Against such things there is no law.

The well for temptation.

First, we need to focus on what God has done. God has given His Spirit to help man overcome. He gave His Spirit to strengthen us within our inner man, and He gave His Spirit that man might develop Christian character. That is the fruit of the Spirit.

Also, God gives us the family to support us. He is first the loving Father, First John three and one. He gives His children brothers and sisters, First Timothy five, one and two. Of course, he gives us Jesus to support us, our supporter and advocate. The Bible says be not drunk with wine wherein is excess, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord. That's Ephesians 5:18 and 19.

We read in Colossians three and 16, let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual psalms, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord. Once again, Colossians three and 16.

God sent his Spirit and placed us in his family, but what must we do?

The Bible tells us that we must be filled with the Spirit. How are we to be filled with the Spirit? We are filled with the Spirit by allowing God's Word to dwell in us richly. That's how we are filled with the Spirit. Being filled with the Spirit and letting God's Word dwell in us are one and the same. That's something we should understand. Compare, if you will, Colossians 3:16 and Ephesians five and 18. They're talking about the same thing.

Next, we need to develop and strengthen our relationship with members of God's family. The Bible says, seeing then that we have a great high priest that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God.

Let us hold fast our profession, for we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities but was at all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in times of need. That's Hebrews, chapter four, verses 14 through 16.

Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief parting you from the living God, but exhort one another daily while it is called today, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end. That's Hebrews 3:12-14.

We have First John, one and nine. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. That's First John 1:9. We need to commune with our heavenly Father in prayer. That's part of developing our relationship in good times and bad times. We should learn to pray, like the Bible says in First Thessalonians five and 17, pray without ceasing.

We should pray when things are going well, and we should pray when things are going bad, especially in times of need. We are to come boldly, (the Bible tells us) before the throne of grace that we may obtain the mercy that we need in the times of need.

We also need to commune with one another. The Bible encourages us to exhort others. It encourages us to be exhorted.

Finally, we need to repent and to confess our sins. If we have sinned in private, that is something we need to deal with in private, but if we sin in a public manner, we also need to acknowledge that sin in a public manner, before God and before his people.

The question now is how we continue to dig our wells? By staying in God's word and in fellowship. The Bible tells us rejoice in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing instant in prayer. That's Romans twelve and 14.

Then we have blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundance mercy, have begotten us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled. And that fadeth not away reserved in heaven for you who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time wherein ye are great, ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations. That's First Peter one verses three through six.

In Romans 15:13 now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace, and believing that ye may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit).

In Second Corinthians one verses three through five, bless be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforted us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the suffering of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds by Christ. Second Corinthians one verses three through five.

A few more verses, wherefore comfort one another with these words First Thessalonians 4:18.

Wherefore comfort yourselves together, edifying one another even as also ye do First Thessalonians five and eleven.

We exhort you, brethren. Warn them that are unruly. Comfort the feeble minded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. First Thessalonians 5:14.

The well for tribulation. First focus on what God has done for us. Once again God has given to us hope that gives joy that can exist even during our tribulation. That's what God has given us, a joy that can exist during problems, during troubles. This hope is not limited. We can abound in this hope.

God has given us, brethren, that can comfort us. Brethren are to comfort the feeble minded and to support the weak. First Peter, one and 13.

Go to Romans 15 and four, it says for whatsoever things were written, afore times were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures, might have hope. Romans 15 and four.

Then there's Hebrews 6:10-12. It says, for God is not unrighteous to forget your works and labor and love which ye have showed toward his name, and that ye have ministered to the saints and do minister. And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to fulfill assurance of hope until the end, that ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherited the promise. That’s Hebrews 6:10-12.

Hebrews 10:24 and 25. And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works, not forsaking the assembly of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another. And so much the more as ye see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25.

Finally, Hebrews 13 and one, let brotherly love continue.

God has given us hope and brethren. But what must we do? First, we must nurture and strengthen our hope. Basically, we nurture our hope by staying in God's word.

The hope that we have, we nurture it by staying in God's word, not when we get the time to do it, not every now and then. I would suggest the Bible would encourage us to be in God's word daily. Read Joshua, chapter one, verse eight, and Psalms, chapter one. We need to be in God's word daily to buoy our hope.

We can prepare for the tribulation by our troubles or afflictions, by nurturing and strengthening our brothers and our sisters, how well we minister to them, we help them in times of need, we support them in time of need, and we assemble together.

We exhort one another, we encourage one another, and let us remember God's law. God's law says in Galatians six and verse seven, ye shall reap what you sow. In other words, I believe when we encourage and exhort other people, that same type of encouragement is more than likely to come back to us when we find ourselves needing encouragement, or hope. What conditions are your wells in today? That's the question.

If you were to face the judgment today, how would you fare? If you were to face temptations today, would you overcome those temptations? If you were to face tribulations pressures, persecutions, trials, whatever, would you endure them today? If you would stand faithful in the judgment, will you be the one to overcome your temptations? If you are one to endure your tribulations or your trials or the pressures of life, keep doing what you're doing, but if you would not stand in a judgment, if you are not able to overcome your temptations, if you're not one that's able to endure the tribulations that come or the troubles or the pressures that come in your life, you need to come back to the Father. If you are a member of the church, you need to repent, you need to confess and make sure your well is not dry.

I can’t say if there is anyone here today who is not a member of the church. If there's anyone here today who find themselves in need to respond to the invitation this morning, I would encourage you to come forward as we stand at this time to sing this song of invitation.

CSI Jerusalem - Eyewitness Testimony

1 Corinthians 15:1-8

What does living by faith mean today? It means deciding what is the controlling principle in our lives. Is it luck or chance? A man had just parked his car at the office when a lady came up to him and said, "That’s a nice car but I wouldn’t want to drive it!" He was rather puzzled and asked "Why not?" "Well" she said, "it’s green, and what’s more the registration number adds up to 13!"
Fancy life being governed by superstition! It begs the question - what influences us? Is it fate or faith?
About 10 years ago, during a Homicide trial in Nassau County in the state of New York, the prosecution was examining their witness on the stand. In his testimony, the witness stated that he saw the victim lying on the ground, obviously dead.
When the prosecution had finished, the defense lawyer rose to his feet intent on undermining the credibility of the witness. and conducted the following cross-examination:
"Sir, are you a doctor?"
"No," replied the witness.
"Well, are you a paramedic?"
"No, I’m not," the witness stated.
"Have you ever gone to medical school?"
"Never," was the answer.
"Then tell me, sir, how do you know that the victim was indeed dead?"
"Well," responded the witness, "I went to his funeral."

APPLY: In every Crime Scene Investigation, it’s hard to beat the value of eyewitnesses
Now, it is a fact that witnesses can often disagree on some significant details of a crime, but when large numbers of eyewitnesses tell you the same thing over and over it’s a pretty good indication that what they say they’ve seen is true.
The Bible recognizes this fact.
In Deuteronomy 19 we’re told: “One witness is not enough to convict a man accused of any crime or offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.” Deuteronomy 19:15
This concept was so central to Biblical reasoning that, when Paul confronted the church at Corinth about problems they had there, he told them:
"Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses." 2 Corinthians 13:1
And so it’s not surprising to find that Jesus built His church upon the foundation of a multitude of witnesses.
After Jesus rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, the Apostles sensed a need to find a replacement for Judas. Peter cited references from the Old Testament explaining why they should do this & then said: “… it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a WITNESS with us of his resurrection." Acts 1:21-22
In other words whoever was going to replace Judas as one of the 12 had to be an eyewitness – not just of His resurrection - but of every thing Jesus had done from His baptism by John ALL THE WAY thru His ministry until His death, burial and resurrection. Only two men met that criteria. What that reveals to us is the significance the apostles placed on the importance of eyewitness accounts.
When Luke wrote his gospel he stressed how important he felt 1st hand accounts were for his book::
“Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who were from the first EYEWITNESSES and servants of the word.” Luke 1:1-2
Later, when he composed his story about the church (the Book of Acts) Luke wrote these words:
“In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. After his suffering, he showed himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.” Acts 1:3
Very subtly, Luke is telling his friend Theophilus that the eyewitnesses he’s used for his book didn’t just see the risen Jesus once… they saw him several times over a period of 40 days.
So, when Paul writes about the story of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection, you can sense that he is telling of witnesses of the resurrection that he’s already spoken to himself.
He says that Jesus “appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve.
After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.
Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.”
Essentially, Paul is saying:
“Hey, there are over 500 witnesses who saw the risen Christ. If you don’t believe me… if you have any doubts… if you have any questions… go talk to one of them.”
How do we know what these witnesses saw?
Well, a few of them wrote books.
One of those witnesses had once been a tax collector before he met Jesus.
He was an educated man who wrote down the things that he’d heard and observed, and he wrote a book we call the Gospel of Matthew.
Then there was the man who once made his living working for his father. He apparently came from a fairly wealthy family because his dad owned the boat and he had servants. This man was one of Jesus’ closest disciples and he was privy to conversations and miracles the others never saw nor heard. His was the last Gospel that was written and he told things that aren’t in the other three. His name was John… and he wrote the Gospel that bears his name.
Then there is The Gospel of Mark was written by a young man who was a friend and companion of the Apostle Peter. Because of close connection to this early leader of the church, Mark was able to write down the remembrances of that great Apostle and preacher.
And of course the Gospel of Luke (which we’ve talked about earlier) was written by a Doctor who was also a companion of the Apostle Paul. And Luke… as we’ve noticed earlier, worked very hard to interview people like…
· Mary the mother of Jesus
· Lazarus
· Zacchaeus
· Joseph of Arimathea
· And many of the original apostles.
The Gospels are all first hand accounts by eyewitnesses who actually saw and heard Jesus
Now, of late, people have tried to tell us that there were “OTHER” Gospels
Many religions have their own individual “creed book” they use as the FOUNDATION of their particular beliefs, such as
the Quran, the Book of Mormon, Sutras, Vedas, the Torah,
and some even have created “The Gospel of Judas”.

Many so-called scholars claim that this newly referred to “Gospel of Judas” gives us “new” information about Jesus that we didn’t have before, but most Christians have simply scoffed at this “great” discovery.

The early church knew (and we know as well) that this so-called Gospel was NOT an eye-witness account. It was written long after Judas had died. In fact, it was written long after anyone who had ever seen Jesus had died. In all likelihood, it had been written long after anyone who KNEW anyone who had seen Jesus had died.
Then there is the recent best seller by Dan Brown called “The DaVinci Code”. Mr. Brown has touted his novel as a “historical” fiction. In other words, he is trying to convince people that his fiction is built on truth.
In his book, Mr. Brown has declared that “Constantine commissioned and financed a new Bible, which omitted those gospels that spoke of Christ’s human traits and embellished those gospels that made Him godlike. The earlier gospels were outlawed, gathered up, and burned.”
Brown went on to say that “More than eighty gospels were considered for the New Testament, and yet only a relative few were chosen for inclusion-Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John among them.”
Dan Brown was being “untruthful” and/or “deceptive.”

All of these documents were all rejected principally because they weren’t even close to being the writings of eye-witnesses… or of anyone who knew an eye-witness.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ – His death, burial and resurrection - are build the foundation of a multitude of RELIABLE witnesses. The Gospel of Judas… and the DaVinci Code… are not.

ILLUS: Years ago, two men were riding on a railroad train discussing the Gospel story of Jesus.
The first man said, “I think an interesting romance could be written about (Jesus).”
The other replied, “You are just the man to write it. Set forth the correct view of His life and character. Tear down the prevailing sentiment as to His divineness and paint Him as He was - a man among men.”
The man who made that suggestion was Colonel Robert Ingersoll - a renowned agnostic and enemy of the church.
The other man was a General by the name of Lew Wallace.
Wallace began investigating the stories of the Gospels, and the more he investigated, the more convinced he became that the eyewitness accounts were extremely truthful, and that the Jesus presented by them was indeed the resurrected Son of God.

Down thru history… many others have come to the same conclusion. Doctors, scientists, lawyers, historians all have seen the Bible as an unshakable base for their faith.
Now, as reliable as those witnesses are we need to understand something – they’re all dead now!

Granted we have their written stories, but there are many people who aren’t interested in the stories of dead men. In their minds, the witness of men and women from the past are interesting, but they don’t want to know the stories of the dead… they want to hear the stories of the living.
In other words, they don’t want a dead religion - they want a living faith.
They don’t want a history lesson… they want to know if Jesus STILL changes lives today.
They want to know if Jesus works for you.

The famous atheist Friedrick Nietzsche once said: “Show me that YOU are redeemed, and I will believe in your Redeemer.”
Now, Christians can fall into a trap when it comes to talking to others about their faith. I’ve done it myself. We’ll often focus on inviting people to our church because we have a loving congregation.
Or you might talk about how much you like your preacher. 😊
Or you might talk about how great our worship service is.
And those things are ok… but we can often allow those surface realities to overshadow the really important information. We can forget to talk about Jesus and what Jesus HAS done for us in our lives.
And then there are those who don’t share their faith in Jesus because they want to avoid being seen as a “fanatics.”

ILLUS: Bill Bright told of meeting with a leading American statesman who was supposedly a professing Christian.
Bright had just asked the man to become involved in a massive effort to share their faith with people around the world.
The man’s response shocked him: “I don’t wear my religion on my sleeve. My religion is personal and I don’t want to talk about it.”
Bright was startled and could only ask: “You are a Christian aren’t you?”
The other man replied “Yes, but I’m not a religious fanatic.”
Bill Bright thought about that for a moment… and then asked
“Did it ever occur to you that it cost Jesus Christ His life so you could call yourself a Christian?
Hebrews 12:2 Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
It cost the disciples their lives too, and millions of Christians throughout the centuries have suffered or died as martyrs in order to get the message of God’s love and forgiveness to you.
Song #222 Faith of Our Fathers
Now do you really believe that your faith in Christ is personal and private and that you shouldn’t talk about it?”
As quick as a flash the man replied, “No sir, I’m wrong. I’m sorry that I never looked at it that way before.”

CLOSE: Romans 10:17 tells us that “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of God.
It is by faith that the sinner is saved and escapes judgment (John 5:24).
It is by faith that Christ dwells in the heart (Ephesians 3:17).
It is by faith that we live (Galatians 2:20).
And, It is by faith that we stand (Romans 11:20).

Invitation:

Evidence of Jesus

Evidence of Jesus
Mark 15:33-39

 

A couple of weeks ago, in the last sermon I gave, I was trying to look at CSI’s view of evidence. Today I like to continue with that theme. I'd like to present evidence that Jesus did exist, evidence that there were factual incidences and even events that took place. There are many that try to disprove the Bible. They try to disprove that there's a God.

They try to disprove anything. In a science view, there was a big bang, we just created, and we go through life just by chance, I guess you would say by chance, and there is nothing to look forward to at the end of our lives. I like to start, first off, by looking at the centurion today. When I say THE centurion, I don't want to be misleading because there are many centurions and I'd like to reference a few of them this morning.

One, pay attention that there is more than one centurion and I'll try to describe who they are. Our text this morning is found in Mark 15:33-39 is the main text, but I will reference other verses also. In the days of Jesus, the most feared soldiers on the face of the earth were those of the legions of Rome. These men were practically invincible, from what I understand.

Obviously, I'm only going from historical accounts. I did not live during this time. I'm trying to go by what history says. It seemed that no nation of that day could stand against them. One of the reasons that they were so powerful and so feared was because of their armies which were led by men called centurions.

These centurions were seasoned veterans. They were commanders of units, approximately 100 men in force. In today's armies, they would be roughly equivalent to what I believe is a major. In Israel, two or three of these centurions would have been based in a fortress inside Jerusalem.

Most of them were stationed in a seaport called Caesarea because of the nature of the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Israel had no natural deep-water seaports for ships to enter and exit. Herod the Great built this one. It was an engineering masterpiece of the day, from what I understand. It became so important to sea trade that Rome took it over and made it their capital city.

It was the capital in Israel. The city became a jewel of the Mediterranean with a theater, an amphitheater, a hippodrome, are just a few of the attractions, from what I understand, were there. It was where most of the Roman force in the area was camped. This city was also, being the capital, the place where Pilot lived.

Now, it may shock you to learn that there are many people in this world who hate Christianity and hate our God and hate our Bible.

They want to believe their own thing, do their own thing. I remember growing up the saying, let's just do our own thing, you know, we don't have to listen to anybody else. That's how a lot of people, I think, live their religious life, doing our own thing. They hate when we try to teach the Bible.

Many of these individuals are so called scholars - scholars who challenge every aspect of Scripture. And for decades Pilate was like a gift for these critics. There was no record of Pontius Pilate ever being Jerusalem and the skeptics taught that Pilate was nothing more than a figment of the imagination of the Gospel writers who gave God's word to us. Then someone found this huge stone at Caesarea with Pilot's name on it. From what I understand, there's an actual physical stone, and it says, “Tiberium, Pontius Pilate, Prefect of Judea”

Now, why is Caesarea important in our story this morning? Well, because it's possible that the centurion at the cross came from Caesarea. You see, Pilot didn't live in Jerusalem, and he probably didn't want to live in Jerusalem. He was quite possibly about 70 miles, from what I understand, and in the suburbs, of Caesarea. The only reason he would have needed to travel to Jerusalem was during festivals such as Passover and Pentecost when many Israelites were gathered together there. The Jews hated the Romans. Rome soon learned that any time that many Jews gathered in one place, it was a recipe in their mind for disaster.

There was unrest, there were riots, and possibly even the potential for a major revolt. Pilot probably didn't like the Jews any more than they liked him, but his job was to keep the peace. That required him to display a show of force, I should say, on occasion. At these times, when Jews gathered, he would lead extra soldiers to Jerusalem. Probably more soldiers required more centurions. One of those centurions that came with Pilot could have been the one that was standing guard at the base of the cross of Christ.

Now, I'd like to focus. Who was this guy? Who was the centurion that we hear of in Scripture that was at the foot of Jesus? Well, he was part of an exclusive club. There were only 20 or 25 centurions in Israel, from what I understand, at that time. Several of the commentaries say that it was intriguing that even though the Jews hated the Romans, the New Testament writers treated centurions with respect. Examples in Matthew 8:6-13, when Jesus was ministering in Capernaum, a centurion approached him asking for help. What does he say?

Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly. Jesus says to him…what? I will come and heal him. The centurion we talked about in our Bible class this morning was a person of position, had people underneath him. He could be one of those ones that say, “Do you know who I am?”

Yet he's seeking out Jesus, isn't he? He's seeking out Jesus and says, I need you to heal my servant. What does Jesus say? I'll come. What does the centurion reply?

Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word and my servant will be healed. For I am to a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, go, and he goes, to another, come, and he comes, and to my servant, do this, and he does it.

When Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those who followed him, truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. To the centurion, what does Jesus say? Go, let it be done for you because of your belief.

The servant was healed at that very moment. Acts 10:22 tells about a centurion named Cornelius, who God sent Peter to preach to. Cornelius lived in Caesarea. Acts describes Cornelius as upright and a God-fearing man who was well spoken from the Jewish nation. You would say he's well-spoken of by the whole Jewish nation.

He was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say. Also in Acts 27, we're told of a centurion who had Paul as his prisoner, but in that passage, we're told that Julius the centurion treated Paul kindly and gave him leave to go to his friends and to be cared for, as we read Acts 27:3. Obviously, I'd just like to make a point that these centurions were highly regarded by the early Church. Why were these men viewed so favorably in scripture, you could ask.

Well, because centurions were not your common soldiers. They were a step above. They were chosen because of their level headedness and their ability to be good leaders. They were chosen because they were dependable, and they understood their men. A Greek historian said that in choosing their centurions, the Romans looked not so much for the daring or fire eating type, but rather for men who were natural leaders and possessed a stable and calm temperament. Not men who would start a battle and launch attacks, but those who would stand their ground even when outdone or hard pressed or will die in the defense of their post. These centurions were dependable, level headed leaders.

They could be cruel, though, when needed to be, and that was why the centurion was at the base of the cross. He was carrying out a common task for Roman soldiers—the crucifixion of guilty men. In that day, Rome was a nation. It was the only nation, from what I understand, that crucified people, and they did it often. One scholar noted that Romans practiced both random and intentional violence against populations that they had conquered, killing tens of thousands by crucifixion. Crucifixions were not jobs for the squeamish.

Centurions had to stand watch while men died slowly and painfully on the cross. When they crucified a man, it was a practiced that Romans would flog them first. They beat the prisoner until bones were broken and blood covered the ground. Then the prisoner's arms were tied to a crossbar, and he was paraded through the streets with a soldier walking out in front carrying a sign that indicated their crimes. At the place of execution, the prisoner's wrists were nailed to the cross bar. The bar was then lifted and placed on the stake, which was already driven into the ground, and the condemned man's ankles were then nailed to the stake.

Prisoners could remain conscious for a long period of time, struggling for breath as they hung by the nails driven through their wrist. As they hung there they experienced the pressure on their chest for having their arms suspended above them and that robbed them of the ability to inhale. They would have to push upward with their legs in order to breathe.

We know, or can't even imagine, I don't think, the invariable pain from the nails driven into their feet. They would sag and hang from their arms. Again, as they would just about lose all breath, they would struggle to reach up and inhale again. Sometimes the Roman soldiers would shorten the suffering by breaking the prisoner's legs. With their legs broken, they could no longer support the effort to push up and breathe, so they suffocated faster.

Because of the stress on their diaphragms, prisoners could take only short burst of air, which is why, as Jesus hung on the cross, some historians would say his statements were very short. It's reported that one soldier who observed the crucifixion wrote this. It is how he described it: Of all the sounds in hell, none is more pitiable than those terrible cries through the silence of midnight where crucified men hang in agony and cannot die while a breath of suffering remains in their lungs. Centurions had to oversee this entire process. They had to oversee prisoner after prisoner after prisoner. Watching men die was just part of their job description.

Jesus’ death was different. There was something different about Jesus that shook this centurion. The question is, what was there about Jesus that made His death different? We're not told exactly, but I'd like to address a few ideas. First, being a centurion made you part of a very select and exclusive club.

There are probably only about 25 of these commanders in Palestine and it's a pretty good guess that they knew each other well. When one centurion went to Jesus and begged for his servant to be healed, you can count on that the fact that story probably became known to the other centurions. Jesus spent His three years of ministry going throughout Israel, healing the sick and the lame, the blind, even bringing back to life an individual, also being feeding thousands with the small quantity of a few loaves and a few fish. This centurion had a front row seat to something that others didn't.

He was there, and I'm sure he heard the stories of what Jesus did. Then he watched as pilot tried to release Jesus, not just once, but twice. He listened as Pilot declared; I find no fault in this man. He watched as Pilate brought out the bowl of water and washed his hands, saying that you have made this conviction and trying in a symbolic sense of washing himself of the blood that they said, let it be upon us and our children. Then he watched as Pilot took Jesus and flogged him, as we see in John 19:1.

He watched as the soldiers led Jesus away into the palace and how they placed Him in a purple robe, and they twisted that crown of thorns on His head, and they called out to Him, hail, King of the Jews. Again and again, they struck Him on the head with a staff and spit on Him, falling on their knees, paying a mocking homage to Him. After they mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put Him in His own clothes, and then they let Him out to crucify Him, as we see in Mark 15:16-20. This centurion, you could say, had seen all that, and at the cross he was in command. As these soldiers (I could picture him being the man in charge of the soldiers) as they are driving the nails through Jesus’ feet and through His hands.

He was there when they lifted the crossbar and dropped it into place and watched as Jesus’ body sagged against the nails that held Him in place. As the centurion watched all of this, I'm sure he had to ponder that he knew it wasn't fair, like Pilot. It was not fair. It wasn't right. It shouldn't have happened.

It shouldn't have happened to this normal, well in man's thinking, this innocent man, but we know Jesus is more than normal. This Jesus wasn't a normal man, was He? And I think the centurion knew it. The centurion had heard stories, as I mentioned, about Jesus.

He had been kind to the weak. He had healed. He had fed thousands. He even raised Lazarus, as we know, from the dead. He showed compassion. He even cried, as it says the shortest verse in the Bible, “Jesus wept” at the death of Lazarus.

Then we read the text that we have in Mark 16:33-39 and when the 6th hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the 9th hour. At the 9th hour Jesus cried with a loud voice “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?”. Which means my God, my God, why hath thou forsaken me? And Jesus uttered aloud cry and breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn into two from top to bottom. When the centurion who stood facing him saw that in this way, He breathed His last, he said truly, this was the Son of God.

That is a statement that we as Christians can have confidence in. This man is not a Christian, this man works with the Romans. This man oversaw those that put Jesus to death nailing Him to the cross. There was an observation that was also stated. I pictured back just a few hours before this when they were saying; crucify Him, crucify Him. They're yelling to Pilate, “let his blood be upon us and our children”.

Now this man says, truly, this was. Everything that Jesus was saying, everything that Jesus stood for, the innocence that He represented, for anybody that can say well, how can God send His own Son? The centurion is answering that question. He doesn't know why, but he knows it's out of love. He knows everything that Jesus did was for the love of mankind, for you and me. The centurion is making the final exclamation mark.

Somebody that is just observing everything that took place, didn't grow up in the temples, that I know of, didn't grow up listening to all things being taught, was not guided, but made observations in the presence of Jesus. He says truly this was the Son of God. A non-Christian observation to all of us as Christians today, truly this was the son of God. There was something about the way Jesus breathed his last that shook the centurion.

He had seen other men die, I'm sure, but no mortal man had ever died like this. The story of the centurion at the foot of the cross was mentioned in three of the Gospels. There was something about the story of a pagan Roman soldier's reaction that God specifically wanted us to see, as we talked about in our Bible study this morning. Remember, John tells us that thousands of things or millions, we don't know how many, but God recorded these events. These are the ones that were written.

We know that if they were to try to write everything that Jesus did, the whole world couldn't contain the books. This is the snippet; this is the account when God inspired the writers of His Word. He wants us to know this Roman's reaction. God wanted us to see that. God wanted us to see the impact Christ's death had on this centurion that would lead him to recognize the truth about Christ, that truly this was the Son of God.

I want to close with a story that I have heard. I heard it's a true story. Back in 1976, there was an eight-hour TV miniseries titled Jesus of Nazareth. Some of us may have seen it. It'll probably be coming up again about this time of year, just before Easter.

Usually, the world and the TV productions put it on. It was starred Robert Powell as Jesus, Olivia Hussey as his mother Mary and Anne Bancroft as Mary Magdalene. For the role of the centurion, they picked a seasoned actor named Ernest Borgnine. Borgnine was a highly respected actor at the time, having acted in both comedies and dramas, and he took this role very seriously from what is recorded. He said that the weather for filming that day was chilly and gray, and since the camera was to be focused on Borgnine at the foot of the cross, it wasn't necessary for Robert Powell, who betrayed Jesus, to even be there to help focus him for the role. The director placed an X on some scenery behind the cameraman and told Borgnine to focus on that as if he was looking at Jesus when he spoke.

Borgnine said that for some reason he was nervous and uneasy that day, and he asked for somebody to read from the Bible the words that Jesus said as he hung on the cross. The director found a Bible and opened it to the Book of Luke signal for the cameraman to start rolling. As he began to read the text, Borgnine said that he stared up stared up at that chalk mark, trying to think about what might have gone through the centurion's mind. That faithful day as he's playing that role, he said that as he heard the words of Jesus to the one thief, verily I say unto thee, today thou shalt be with me in paradise.

Borgnine said he visualized the centurion thinking, if Jesus can forgive that criminal, then he could also forgive me. I will lay down my sword and retire to my little farm outside of Rome might have been that centurion's thought. At this point, Borgnine wrote that it happened. As I stared upward, instead of the chalk mark, I suddenly saw or visualized in my mind the face of Jesus life-like and clear. It was not the face of Robert Powell, as I was used to seeing, but it was a pain, seared, sweat stained face with blood flowing down from thorns pressed deep into the brow.

His face was still filled with compassion. He looked down as though through tragic, sorrowful eyes, with an expression of love beyond description. Then his cries rose against the desert wind. Not to the voice of the director, but the voice, possibly a voice that we can each hear through God's word of saying, “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.” He says that in awe as he watched Jesus’ head slump to one side.

He would have known, the centurion would have known that Jesus was dead, the terrible grief that would well up in him. Borgnine says he felt that he could picture in reality, if you play that role of the centurion that is what you would see. The director yelled cut. As Borgnine was seen sobbing uncontrollably. Borgnine looked over to see that the two actresses, Olivia, and Anne, were also crying.

He looked up again to where Jesus would have been. Of course, he was gone because he was never really there. Borgnine closed his comment with these words I have not been quite the same person since. I believe that I take my faith more seriously. I like to think that I'm more forgiving than I used to be.

That centurion learned 2000 or some years ago what I too have found, that you simply cannot come close to Jesus without being changed. As we sit here this morning, we have an advantage that the centurion never had. We have God's words in our hands, in our Bible. We know things about Jesus and his sacrifice that the centurion would never have considered, but sometimes we have a problem.

Sometimes we don't see Jesus. We don't understand and feel what He went through on the cross for us. We realized this morning we have that advantage. Brother Doug brought out so eloquently the memorial that we look at when we remember Jesus on the cross, why we need to do it, how we look inside, we look back and we look forward, how we move both vertically and horizontally, and how we are to continually remember this. Again, I would just hopefully lay that out here, as a CSI detective, a non-Christian, a plain, ordinary man I shouldn't even say that he went through special things. He was almost the anti in what they did against Christianity, but how moved he was. “Truly this was the son of God.” Today we know, like in the words of the last song in our book, there is a God, he is alive. In him we live, and we survive. God calls us.

God is calling the prodigal, another song that we sing. Today we are that prodigal. May we make the choice to accept God's way to repent of our sin and be buried with Him in baptism, or ask, if need be, for the prayers of the congregation as together we stand and sing our song of invitation.

Why A Second Baptism?

Acts 19:1-7

INTRO: Good morning church. In Acts 18 we find the record of Paul’s second missionary journey and near the end of the chapter after some time at Antioch in Syria, he begins his third journey. Luke next records some background material on the work at Ephesus relating to the preaching of Apollos and the further instruction given him by Priscilla and Aquila. We learn that Apollos was a man mighty in the Scriptures. Although his information regarding the gospel was incomplete, Apollos knew enough to proclaim the kingdom of God, which John had declared to be "at hand," and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, as John had done (Luke 3:3).

After receiving additional information from Priscilla and Aquila we learn at the end of chapter 18 Apollos “27. … when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace; 28. for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.”

Apollos was a devout man and a good teacher yet he inadequately taught people because he himself did not have full knowledge.

As we teach people, we often find that they have gaps in their knowledge. This is true even among Christians, for learning of God is a continual process. When we are teaching someone that maybe attended some religious group for years, we may find as they study the question arises; do I need to be baptized again?

Of course, that's a very important question, but it's a question that we only want to answer from the Bible. We certainly don't want to base it on traditions or opinions or anything else, because none of those are important. The only thing that's important is what God has said about it.

The critical point when that question comes up is simply, what was the understanding and what was the purpose of the one being baptized?

That's the critical, the really important question, what was the understanding, and what was the purpose of the one being baptized? We have an account that answers the question for us, found in Acts chapter 19, and that's going to be our text today.

I. Let's see what happens in Acts 19:1-7 – “1. And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples 2. he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?'' And they said to him, "We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.'' 3. And he said to them, "Into what then were you baptized?'' So they said, "Into John's baptism.'' 4. Then Paul said, "John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.'' 5. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. 7. Now the men were about twelve in all.”

A. Luke calls these people disciples, which means “learners”, and then Paul indicates in his question that they were believers. The people here in Ephesus that Paul encounters, these twelve men, had experienced a baptism. There were lots of baptisms in the first century, and there were baptisms in the Old Testament. The Jews considered gentiles unclean and immersed proselytes to wash away their uncleanness. There have always been baptisms.
B. When Paul wrote to the Church of Ephesus in Ephesians 4:4-6 he says, “4. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5. one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6. one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” Paul says that under the New Covenant in Christ there is only one baptism, which is Christian baptism.
C. Paul encounters these twelve men, and he asked them about their baptism. Had they been baptized? Absolutely. Then Paul wanted to know if it was a valid, acceptable baptism that saved, because Paul said there was only one baptism that could save a person. It says in this text, these men had experienced a baptism that they called what? John's Baptism.
D. This event in Acts chapter 19 is years after the death of Christ. Peter's first sermon on Pentecost was years before. All these individuals were living in the same age that we're living in—the Gospel Age, under the new covenant; the one covenant that Paul said only had one baptism.

II. The baptism these twelve experienced was what kind of baptism?

A. We read about the coming of someone in Isaiah 40:3-5 described this way, “3. The voice of one crying in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low; the crooked places shall be made straight, and the rough places smooth; 5. the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.''” In John 1:23 when he is asked who he is John said “… "I am `The voice of one crying in the wilderness: "Make straight the way of the Lord,'' ' as the prophet Isaiah said.''” It had been prophesied about John that he was going to be the voice of one crying in the wilderness.
B. We read in Luke 1:13-17 what the angel Gabriel told Zacharias about the birth of John – “13. But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14. "And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15. "For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. 16. "And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17. "He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, `to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,' and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.''” We know who John was, the forerunner of Christ.
C. He did preach a baptism of repentance. In John 3:27-30 – “27. John answered and said, "A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. 28. "You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, `I am not the Christ,' but, `I have been sent before Him.' 29. "He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. 30. "He must increase, but I must decrease.”
D. Remember that this is years before Acts 19. John was saying at that time that I'm decreasing, my role is being fulfilled. I'm not going to be around that much longer. John did practice a baptism of repentance. Now Christ was in the world, but Christ hadn't died on the cross when John was preaching this baptism. That's a critical point. Jesus was still alive when John was baptizing.
E. Back in Acts 19 these people we are reading about were sincere. There's nothing to indicate that they were not sincere. There was nothing to indicate that they had experienced this baptism in some sort of deceitful way.

1. Now obviously, there are people who don't want to know the truth. We know about the Pharisees and how they didn't experience baptism because they didn't want anything to do with it.
2. The Pharisees completely rejected the counsel of God, but there were people that the Bible talks about who needed teaching and guidance. Remember the Ethiopian Eunuch in Acts 8:30? He's reading from Isaiah, and Philip comes running along and He asked the eunuch, “"Do you understand what you are reading?'' And he said, "How can I, unless someone guides me?'' And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.” Then we are told “… Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, (that’s the one the Eunuch was reading) preached Jesus to him.”
3. Cornelius was another very sincere, very faithful, very moral person. He needed some guidance. In Acts 10 we find how he got the guidance.

F. As I said there are people who don't want to know the truth, but there are also some people who just need guidance. That's what these people in Acts 19 needed. They just needed some guidance. They needed someone there to help them understand the full truth.

III. Their baptism was right in a lot of respects, wasn't it? When you look at their baptism, you can see that a lot of it was right. A lot of it was something God wanted them to do.

A. First, it was an immersion. In John 3:23, still talking about John's baptism, it says, “Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized.” Much water. John immersed people when they were baptized. The Bible indicates immersion. In fact, the word baptize comes to us straight from the original language and its meaning is to immerse, submerge, metaphorically to overwhelm. Thayer G907.
B. These people in Acts 19, they had been immersed. They had been completely buried in water. That was right, and that was good. That was something they were supposed to do. Baptism is a burial, right?

1. Romans 6:3-5 – “3. Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4. Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,”
2. It is a burial. It's an entombment. You're entombed by water. Water is all around you.

C. What else about their baptism was right? They had been baptized as adults. In other words, they had been taught. The baptism that saves, the one baptism in Ephesians chapter four is only for adults. In other words, not for infants, not for babies, it's only for people who can be taught, can understand and assent to the grace being offered.

1. Today, if someone comes to you and while you're talking, you find out they were sprinkled or “baptized” as an infant; you know their baptism was not acceptable according to God’s word. It might be considered as a symbol, but it is not done in the faith of the person receiving it. It wasn't the baptism of Ephesians chapter 4, the one baptism of this covenant.
2. These men in Acts 19, had been immersed. They understood at least what John's baptism was, and they had understood repentance. It wasn't that they didn't know what repentance was.

D. If you will go to Mark 1:4 we're going to talk again about John's baptism. They knew about baptism and John's baptism was a special kind. “John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” The literal translation would be “John came immersing in the wilderness, and proclaiming an immersion of conversion for forgiveness of sins,”[LSV] John's baptism was a heavenly device for gathering together out of the nation of Israel a prepared people to receive the Messiah. This baptism was of God, and those who rejected it rejected God's message. Luke 7:30 – “But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.”

IV. These followers in Acts 19 knew about repentance, they understood repentance. They understood what they had been taught. They had been immersed. All of those were right things.

A. The point is their baptism was correct those regards. They were immersed. They understood what was going on. They had repented. They understood repentance.

1. Paul, after talking with them, found out that even though they had undergone all those things, experienced those things, knew those things, understood those things, that their baptism still hadn't saved them. They did what they did in good conscience, yet they were still lost.
2. That's what Paul tells them. Because that baptism, John's baptism, was not valid anymore though it had been at one time for those being prepared for the coming of Christ. It had been valid and acceptable, but not after the crucifixion and the beginning of the gospel age.

B. These men were not saved. Yes, they'd been immersed. Yes, they had repented, yet they were still lost. Maybe the most important point today is that a baptism need not be totally wrong to be essentially wrong. By that I mean that baptism can be partially correct, but partially correct is still wrong.

1. Now we understand this.
2. Mark teaches math, and when someone turns in a problem, it can be partially right, but still have the wrong answer. Even though it's partially right, it's still wrong. That's what Paul is telling these people in Ephesus. Yes, your baptism was partially right, but it's still not acceptable because it does not have the power to save anymore.
3. What did Paul mean when he said that? Notice back in Acts 19, Paul asked them some questions. This is what we must do.
4. We must ask people questions when we're talking with them about their salvation. It's our responsibility to see if they understood their baptism, if they understood what they were being baptized for or why they were being baptized.

C. Here then is a valid example in the New Testament of what we need to do. Paul asked them a very important question. "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?'' This was an important question for them because people did not receive the Holy Spirit when they were baptized with John's baptism. In God's plan of redemption, a new birth is the essential prerequisite. A birth of water and of the Spirit. Jesus says so in John 3:5 – “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”
D. When they answered and said, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit”, Paul immediately knew they had not been baptized appropriately. Because if they had been baptized as they needed to be, they would have known about the Holy Spirit. Those baptized under this new system, the New Covenant, the Gospel age, would have known about the Holy Spirit. Since they didn't, Paul immediately knew they had not been baptized correctly.

V. Well something needed to be done. They were unaware of the Holy Spirit. Notice in verse three, he says, "Into what then were you baptized?'' They replied “into John's baptism.” Paul said, okay, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him”

A. There's a second thing Paul noted about their baptism. John's baptism looked forward, looked in the future to the coming of Christ. Now when these people were baptized, Christ had already come. Christ had already died on the cross. Their baptism, John's baptism, was not the same as the One baptism of Ephesians 4. This was a critical point.
B. John's work was completely in preparation for the coming of the Messiah, for Him coming into the world and dying on the cross. Once that was accomplished, John's baptism wasn't valid anymore, wasn't acceptable anymore, and didn’t have saving power. Paul needed to get that point across to these people—those former practices, and by the way when I say former practices I might include the Law of Moses, were not valid anymore and had been supplanted by the coming of Christ and the resurrection. John’s baptism no longer applied because baptism in the Gospel age, baptism of the New Covenant, is a baptism into Jesus’ death.
C. Please read with me Romans 6:3-4 – “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”

1. Those who had experienced John's baptism after Jesus’ resurrection could not have been baptized into Jesus’ death. It was not the purpose of John's baptism. John baptized looking forward to the coming of the Messiah.
2. Verse 4 again – “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father…” Not possible with John's baptism. “Even so, we also should walk in newness of life.” They needed to be baptized into Jesus’ death and in the name of Christ.

D. This is another very, very important point. In Acts 19:5 we see their response. “When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” John's baptism was never done in the name of Christ.

1. Why was that necessary? Luke 24 is Luke's account of the great commission. Luke 24:46-47 Jesus says, “… Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” The Christian baptism, the baptism that was valid, the baptism that washed away sins, the baptism that was a burial, the baptism that produced a new creature, was in the name of Christ, in Jesus’ name.
2. John's baptism was not in Jesus’ name. Therefore, after Christ died, was buried, and rose again, John's baptism was no longer acceptable to God. Its purpose had been fulfilled.
3. There was a new baptism, the one into Jesus’ death, the one in Jesus’ name. We see that of course, in Acts 2:38 – “…Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…” That was the new baptism.
4. I’m remembering Matthew 28:18-20 – “18. Then Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20. "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.''” If that was their baptism, they would have known of Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

E. These people in Acts 19 had not heard about the new baptism, the baptism in the name of Christ. They had not heard about the baptism into Jesus’ death. Just because they had not heard and not been taught, did that make this baptism ok? No, it did not.
F. How important is that? Even though these people were sincere, even though they were teachable, even though they were honest, even though they were faithful and obedient, because they had not been baptized correctly, appropriately, they were still lost. That's a very important point. It teaches us that you can not be taught wrong and baptized right.

1. It was not completely wrong. It was sincere and right in some ways the Bible says, but it was still not acceptable. It was still wrong because it wasn't the baptism of the new covenant.
2. There in Acts 2:38 is a truth that is truly, and often deliberately, ignored; baptism must come before forgiveness. Acts 2:38 says that. “…Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…”
3. Our understanding and our reason for baptism is that it is done for the purpose of being cleansed or freed from sins by the blood of Jesus.
4. If we believe that what we have experienced is not a valid baptism, that's like experiencing John's baptism. If all we think is that it's some sort of ritual or right, that it's not explicitly for the remission of sins, the Bible says it's not a valid baptism.

CONCLUSION:
What things have we learned from these scriptures? I guess the first thing is that we can be taught wrong. The incorrect teaching may come from those who deliberately intend to deceive, or that do so for unscriptural reasons, perhaps personal gain, self- glory or financial. It may also come from those who have an incomplete understanding such as Apollo did yet are truly devout. Among those are also the ones who have been taught incorrectly themselves, often by religious groups with a human based agenda.

We want to follow the New Testament example and not our own opinion or human tradition. What the Bible says is the only thing that's important. Baptism must be for the right purpose, not just because people are sincere. These people were sincere in Acts 19, but they were sincerely wrong.

We also learned those who understand the truth should teach those who need instruction. Paul told them they were wrong, he taught them they needed to be baptized correctly, and then they were. It should go without saying then that a baptism that is done without understanding, without knowing why it's being done, and the scriptural purpose the Bible says, is not biblical baptism. A biblical baptism is done with understanding, with knowledge, and the realization of what baptism is. These people had to be baptized a second time, they had to experience biblical or Christian baptism.

What else? Today we have the fullness of scripture to refer to and we bare a responsibility to ourselves. We always must go to the Bible for our answers. We can't think about what other people say, or traditions, or human wisdom, or our feelings, or anything else. None of those things are important, only what the Bible says.

The Bible has our answers, and the Bible does tell us what biblical baptism is. It's one that's based on faith. Not that Christ is going to come, but that He's already come and that He died and that He rose again. That's the basis of our faith as we have been studying. Then our faith leads us to repent and obey, not for just the moment but as a way of life.

How important is that? Turning our lives over to the Lord, confessing that we truly believe, and then being immersed, buried, entombed in water, with the understanding that before we go into the water, we still have sins. It is understanding that it is God who washes away, remits, forgives those sins when we're buried in water for the express purpose of being baptized into Christ.

If you are here and need the prayers of your brothers and sisters or if you are in need of the New Covenant baptism, the Gospel Age baptism, come forward as we stand and sing.
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Taken from a sermon by: Bobby Stafford

Fundimentals Relating to Faith

Revelation 2:10

INTRO: Good morning church.
Please turn in your Bible to the Book of Revelation. I would like us to read Revelation 2:10 to introduce today’s lesson. “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

We're especially concerned with the final words found in this verse. According to what the Lord said to the church in Smyrna, God's people must be faithful unto death to receive a crown of life.

In the Book of Revelation, chapters two and three, the Lord sent a message to each of the congregations in the area known as Asia. The Lord informed the congregation in Smyrna that they were going to face tribulation. Indeed, they were already facing tribulation, and the Lord was aware of it, but He said, you will have more tribulation.

The Lord encouraged this congregation to remain faithful, and He said if it would, then the members would receive a crown of life. Much of the New Testament is written for the purpose of helping Christians accomplish that goal, that is, to remain faithful.

Now, let’s look at some things that are written in the Book of Hebrews. The writer of this book understood that those to whom he was writing were undergoing tribulation, their faith was being tested. The letter to the Hebrews was to help these Christians, and us, be faithful unto death. These people were undergoing tribulation and it was taking a toll. They were assured that if they would remain faithful, they would receive the crown of life that the Lord also mentioned in Revelation 2:10.

We should note in a general way, that Hebrews contains several admonitions given to God's people which involve faith. Let's look at Hebrews 6:11-12 – “And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” We need to follow the example of those who received God's promises by holding to their faith with patience. From these and other scriptures we come to understand that faith is not just saying “I Believe”, it is a way of life. Not just our public life either but how we pray, handle trials, temptations and in our expression of thanksgiving to God.

From our lessons in Hebrews, we noticed how faith is involved in receiving the benefits of God's promises. The Lord told the church in Smyrna to be faithful unto death, and they would receive a crown of life. That same principle is addressed throughout the Book of Hebrews.

Next look at Hebrews 10:22 which says, “let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”
The very next verse, verse 23, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” This passage contains a very important admonition; we are to hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering.

Go down to Hebrews 10:35 and we will read through the end of the chapter. Notice the emphasis that is being placed on living by faith. “35. Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. 36. for you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: 37. "For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. 38. Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, my soul has no pleasure in him.'' 39. But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.”

God's people are to live by faith. I think it would be interesting to see how many times faith and patience are mentioned together. We just read at least two passages where those two subjects are linked. Without patience, faith is likely to falter. We understand from scripture that faith is not a one-and-done proposition, don’t we? In his second letter to those in Thessalonica Paul wrote, in 2 Thessalonians 1:3 – “We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other,”

The other day I was reading from the Gospel of Luke where Jesus talked to the disciples about their responsibility to forgive one another. After the Lord finished, the disciples responded by saying increase our faith. They knew that they needed some help in that regard. That's a good plea to make; Lord, increase our faith. Faith is linked to so many very important subjects.

The 11th chapter of Hebrews contains a detailed study of faith. It tells us about the faith demonstrated by several of the great men and women that we read about in the Old Testament. A couple weeks ago we examined five lessons from Noah's faith. Noah is just one of the great Old Testament characters mentioned in Hebrews eleven.

What I would like to do today is consider some fundamental principles that relate to faith that are dealt with in Hebrews. When the Lord said in Revelation 2:10, be faithful… do we know what the word faithful means? Of course, it means full of faith, but it also carries with it the idea of being dependable, being reliable, being trustworthy.

The Bible also says, and we've already read one verse that shows this to be the case, God is faithful. He's certainly dependable. He's trustworthy. He wants His children to be faithful as well. It's imperative that we be faithful unto death to receive the crown of life.

If faithfulness is such an important matter, and it is, we need to be aware of some fundamental principles that relate to faith.

I'm very much aware of the fact that most of you've already heard these things taught. But I'm reminded of what Peter said in 2 Peter chapter one and I paraphrase, I know that you know these things, but I'm going to remind you of them again. [para] In other words, there are certain things that are just so important that we need to be reminded of them on a regular basis, I know I do.

I. In the opening verse of Hebrews 11, we are supplied a description of faith. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” [NKJV]

A. I suggest a general definition of faith would go like this: faith may be defined as believing what God tells us in the Bible and following His instructions so that we can receive His promises. That's the classic definition of faith.
B. We notice that faith is described as substance. That word substance may also be translated assurance of things hoped for, or confidence of things hoped for. The word evidence may be translated conviction of things not seen…the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. If we're concerned about being faithful, which certainly we are, we need to know what faith is and we have been looking at faith over the past few months. Faith is the evidence of things that you don't necessarily see or experience yourself, but you believe them, you assent to them. We believe, even in the absence of first-hand experience, that these things are true.
C. Let’s consider Romans 10:17 – “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” I wonder if perhaps… that's why there's such a lack of faith today. If people don't come in contact with the Word of God, how can they possibly have any faith?

1. It is amazing the statements that some people make about the Bible. When someone makes a negative comment about the Bible, that person needs to be challenged to identify the verse under consideration. Often they can't give it.
2. I’m sure many of us have experienced that the people who make these derogatory remarks are often just repeating what they've heard from someone else. Many of us have been taught to do some thinking for our selves and not to take anyone's word when it comes to the Scriptures, but search the Scriptures and determine if what was said is right, based on what God has revealed in His Word.
3. I wish those people making the derogatory remarks would take the time to do that, but it takes effort and unless they are challenged, they are not likely to make that effort.

II. Our faith is based on the Word of God.

A. Romans 10:17 says, as we read just a moment ago, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Since our faith is based on God's word, we can understand things from the past that we have not seen. The Book of Hebrew shows this to be the case.
B. Hebrews 11:3 – “By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.” Our faith is based on Scripture, and Scriptures say in the beginning God created the heaven and the earth, with details of the creation supplied for us.

1. In Genesis 1, there were six days of creation, and on the 7th day God rested. All those details concerning the creation are revealed in this chapter.
2. With our faith based on Scripture, we can understand things from the past that we have not seen. I certainly was not present at the creation, and you were not either. How do we know that the Bible record is accurate? How do we know that God created everything in six days? The scriptures are dependable for they are the inspired word of God.
3. When the Bible says that God created everything in six days, we believe that although we were not present to see what took place. Faith is described as the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. With our faith based on the word of God, we can understand things from the past.

C. I was thinking the other day about how when people are ignorant of history; they often repeat its mistakes. It is true that sometimes history can be uncomfortable to remember, and we do not like to see reminders of unpleasant things that have happened. Monuments of past wars for example. Now it is true that some may want to glory in these things, yet they also serve to remind us of that horrible time in our history. If we are not aware of those events, I fear we're bound to repeat them.

1. We need to understand things from the past. How do we know that George Washington ever lived? He is called the father of our country. I never saw him, you didn't either. We have the historical record of his life just like we have the historical record of what happened at the creation.
2. Moses wrote it down and we're able to read it, so we could understand things from the past that we have not seen. Faith enables us to do that because our faith is based on God’s Word.

D. Now I want you to notice that faith allows us to look in a different direction as well. With our faith based on Scripture, we can understand things in the future that we have not seen. Let's look at how this is demonstrated by some of the great patriarchs in Hebrews 11.

1. Go to Hebrews 11:13-16 – “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.”
2. These great Bible people that all died in faith were looking for something. God had promised them… a city. They spent their lives looking forward to that city. Why did they do that? Because God said it, they believed it. They knew it was going to happen.
3. Faith when it's based on Scripture will enable us to know things in the future that we have not seen. That's illustrated by some of the great patriarchs.
4. Let's look at what Jesus said in John 14:2-3 where He talked about some things that we’ve never seen. He talked about things that will occur in the future. John 14:2-3 – “In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”
5. Our Lord talked about His return, and He said that when He comes back, He's going to take His followers to His Father's house where there are many mansions. The Lord has gone there to prepare that wonderful place.

a. We have never seen the Father's house. How do we know that the Father's house exists? Because the Bible says so.
b. How do we know that Jesus is coming back? Because the Bible says so.
c. How do we know that the Lord is going to take His faithful followers to that wonderful place called heaven? It's because the Bible says so.
d. We've never seen heaven, but we believe with all of our hearts that it exists, because our faith is based on the word of God… on Scripture.

6. With our faith based on Scripture, we can understand things from the past that we have not seen. We can also understand things that will occur in the future that we haven't seen.

E. If we're going to be faithful, we need to be mindful of these principles that relate to faith. We need to know what faith is, and we need to realize that it has a profound effect upon our understanding. With our faith based on Scripture, we can look back in time and know certain things that we've never seen. We can also look forward in time and know about some things that no one's ever seen except the Lord.

III. Let's look at another fundamental principle revealed in Hebrews 11. Verse 6 contains this statement: “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

A. This verse shows us that faith is essential. How do we know that faith is essential? It's because this verse says that without it, it is impossible to please God. That's stating it in a negative way. The positive point to learn from that is, through faith we can please God.
B. As we look at what the Bible says about faith, we see that it's possible to possess different degrees of faith.

1. Consider what's written in Mark 4:40. This verse shows us that it's possible to have no faith. In this verse the Lord asked a question of the disciples, after He had calmed the great storm that arose on the Sea of Galilee.

a. Remember, they were frightened, they thought that their lives were about to be lost. They asked Jesus if He cared in verse 38.
b. After Jesus calmed the storm, He asked the questions. “… "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?''”

2. These are men who had left their livelihoods and their families to follow Christ. Did they have faith? Yes, but see how they reacted to that storm. Jesus said how is it that you have no faith? It's possible then to have no faith. That's one degree of faith.

C. We find that the Bible also mentions little faith. Matthew 6:30. In this portion of His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus was talking about being filled with anxiety over things such as the necessities of life. I imagine this is something we have all experienced.

1. In dealing with that issue, Jesus said, “Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?”
2. We've already pointed out that it's possible to have no faith. Here, Jesus talked about having little faith.

D. Let's look now at James 2:17 – “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” This verse reveals another degree of faith. Here the Bible talks about dead faith. Of course, that kind of faith is not pleasing to God. We see from the Scriptures that there are different degrees of faith.

1. It's possible to have no faith.
2. It's possible to have little faith.
3. It's possible to have a dead faith.

E. I suggest that leaves one more. It's possible to have great faith. Let’s consider the backgrounds of two people who had great faith.
F. We are now looking at Matthew 8:10. Jesus made this statement about a centurion, an officer in the Roman army. He would have been a Gentile. His servant was ill. The Lord healed the servant. Notice what Jesus said.

1. Matthew 8:10 – “When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, "Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” That's quite a statement to be made about a man who was a Gentile.
2. Look also at Matthew 15:28 in reference to a Canaanite woman whose daughter Jesus healed. She was determined to have her daughter healed. Notice what is said in Matthew 15:28 – “Then Jesus answered and said to her, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.'' And her daughter was healed from that very hour.” This was a woman of Canaan, not from Israel. Jesus commended her for having great faith.

G. These verses indicate to us that it's possible to have different degrees of faith and we are concerned about pleasing God. We know that without faith it's impossible to please God, but with faith we can please God.

IV. The faith that pleases God includes believing that He is. Let's go back and look at that verse again. Hebrews 11:6 – “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is… ” It's obviously imperative that we believe God exists. We have plenty of evidence available to us to convince us that there is a God in heaven.

A. Faith that pleases God also includes believing that He will reward those who seek Him. Once again, the verse says: “… for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” That includes obeying God's will, a point that is made very clear once again in James.
B. In James 2 again let's continue at verse 18. James 2:18 – “18. But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works.'' Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe and tremble! 20. But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21. Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23. And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.'' And he was called the friend of God. 24. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only”

1. In this part of his letter, James is talking about the relationship that exists between faith and works. We've already seen from verse 17 that faith that's not backed up by works of obedience is dead. It's vain. It serves no good purpose.
2. The faith that pleases God, and that's what we're concerned about, believes that He is. The faith that pleases God also believes that God will reward those who diligently seek Him.
3. The faith that pleases God includes obeying His will, doing what He says in other words.

V. Faith is essential, but not just any faith. It is the kind of faith that God describes in His Word that pleases Him. I think God ought to know what pleases Him don’t you? He shows us very clearly in His Word the faith which is pleasing.

A. There's another sense in which we see that faith is essential. Go back to Hebrews 11:2 where it is talking about faith, “For by it (faith) the elders obtained a good testimony.” Faith will enable us to obtain a good report. That's referring to the great Bible characters from the Old Testament, and we're able to read about them.
B. This also applies to us as they are our example. We understand that faith is essential in that it will enable us to obtain a good report. That has reference to receiving that crown of life that Jesus mentioned in Revelation 2:10.

CONCLUSION: The source of our salvation is not our work or activity, but a work that has been done by someone else—Jesus. To be saved we must accept and rely upon what has been done for us. This act of relying on Jesus and His work is the very essence of faith. Salvation comes to us not through God’s law but through His promises. Romans 4:13 – “For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.”
God offers salvation through His promise; the only way to respond to a promise is by believing it and trusting in it (and in the one who gave it).

Salvation is by grace, and faith is the natural and proper response to grace. Romans 4:16 - “Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all”.

We have looked at some important fundamentals that relate to faith. We understand that it's essential that we be faithful unto death to receive that crown of life.

1. That being the case, we know what faith is.
2. We know that faith is based on Scripture.
3. We understand that there are different levels or different degrees of faith.
4. We understand we need the kind of faith that pleases God. That's the faith that we need to strive to have.
5. We also understand that faith is essential.
6. It will enable us to obtain a good report.

I love to study about these great men and women of faith in the book of Hebrews.
We can receive a tremendous amount of encouragement from studying about them.
Take the time to go back to the Old Testament as well. Read about these Bible characters and see how they faced some difficult circumstances. Yet, God blessed them abundantly.

When we go back to the Old Testament and examine these faithful people, let's remember these fundamental principles we just talked about that relate to faith.
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We learn from the New Testament how to be saved. We need to hear the word; believe in Jesus; repent of our sins; we must confess our belief that Jesus is the Son of God; and be baptized for the remission of our sins… If we follow these steps, the Lord adds us to His church.

Perhaps there is someone in the assembly today with the need to be buried with Christ in baptism. If you have never done these things, we urge you to do so today. If anyone has this need or desires the prayers of faithful Christians on their behalf, we encourage them to come forward while we stand and sing.

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Taken from a sermon by: Raymond Sieg