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Sermons from the Chardon church of Christ
Episodes
Monday Jun 03, 2024
Monday Jun 03, 2024
Luke 4:40-44
INTRO: Good morning church. Our text this morning is from the gospel of Luke 4:40-44. “40. Now when the sun was setting, all those who had anyone sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them. 41. And demons also came out of many, crying out and saying, "You are the Christ, the Son of God!'' And He, rebuking them, did not allow them to speak, for they knew that He was the Christ. 42. Now when it was day, He departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowd sought Him and came to Him, and tried to keep Him from leaving them; 43. but He said to them, "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.'' 44. And He was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee.”[NKJV] In these verses we read about the two main activities of Jesus during His ministry.
One activity was healing. - Imagine what it was like when Jesus would be in an area and people would bring their loved ones, relatives and friends to the Lord to be healed. All those people with their various diseases and afflictions coming to Him, and Jesus healed them.
The other activity was preaching. - Jesus indicated in verse 43 that He was compelled to preach the Kingdom of God. The people wanted Him to remain with them but He said, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also…”. Jesus was endeavoring to reach as many people as He possibly could and He says, “… for this purpose I have been sent.”
Earlier in this chapter at verse 16 we find Jesus teaching in the synagogue in Nazareth. There He read from the Book of Isaiah where Isaiah had prophesied about 700 years earlier that the Lord would come to accomplish certain objectives. Two of those were to preach deliverance to the captives and to heal people. (Isaiah 61) Those were the two main activities of Jesus during His ministry.
Preaching the kingdom was very important to the Lord. In Matthew chapter 4 we read of Jesus fasting in the wilderness, His being tempted, His baptism by John and then in verse 17 His beginning to preach. Matthew 4:17 “From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.''” That message was not new because John had already been preaching it. The Kingdom was soon to be established. Jesus called upon people to repent, to be ready for the Kingdom.
In Matthew 4:23 it says, “ Now Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.” Jesus preached and healed.
Matthew 9:35 says, “And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.” In Luke 8:1, “Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him,”
Jesus preached the Kingdom of God throughout His ministry.
I find this interesting in Acts 1:1-3. “1. The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach. 2. until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, 3. to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” Following His resurrection, Jesus was with His disciples for a period of 40 days during which He spoke to them of things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. Not only did Jesus place great emphasis on preaching the Kingdom of God during His ministry, but after His resurrection He continued to speak to His disciples about God's everlasting Kingdom.
As Jesus preached, He gave His requirements for entering God's kingdom. Today we will take a look at six of the Lord's requirements. It's important for us to be aware of this as we endeavor to enter the kingdom and we also need to keep this information in mind to remain in the kingdom.
I. We must be POOR IN SPIRIT – In Matthew 5 let’s consider several things that Jesus preached in His great sermon. He begins with what we call the Beatitudes and the first one is found in Matthew 5:3. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” One requirement for being in the Kingdom of Heaven is being poor in spirit. Exactly what does that mean?
A. We're fortunate to have a number of passages that explain what it means to be poor in spirit.
1. The first one is Psalm 51:17. David composed this Psalm after it was pointed out to him by Nathan the prophet, that he was guilty of adultery and murder. He had committed adultery with Bathsheba, and then he had her husband put in a position that led to his death.
a. David was filled with remorse for what he had done, and he composed this psalm. Psalm 51:1 “Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions.”
b. Now look at verse 17, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart. These, O God, You will not despise.” That's a good inspired description of what it means to be poor in spirit.
2. Next let's look at Isaiah 57:15. “For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” Notice that God is associated with those who are poor in spirit. Isaiah uses the word we have as “contrite”, ( dakā'), which means crushed, destroyed to powder, and the word “humble”. Isaiah talks of those who were humble before God, who are contrite, and who want to have their spirit revived and be in good standing with God.
3. In Isaiah 66:2 God is talking of all things in heaven and earth and says, “For all those things My hand has made, and all those things exist,'' says the Lord. "But on this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word.” This is another passage that helps us understand what it means to be poor in spirit.
B. We find indications of this in requests like David made in Psalm 19 and 139. First Psalm 19:12f “12. Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. 13. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, And I shall be innocent of great transgression. 14. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.” And in Psalm 139:23f “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Statements such as these are made by someone who is poor in spirit, someone who wants their life to be right with God.
C. Let's consider one other illustration found in Luke 18. Jesus used a parable and made a contrast of two people who prayed. One was considered to be a religious man and the other a publican or a tax collector. I’m sure you all recall the parable. As it begins in Luke 18:9 we see who Jesus is telling this parable to. “He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:” Very quickly in the parable we see that one was poor in spirit, one was not.
1. “"The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, `God, I thank You that I am not like other men extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. `I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.'” The prayer of the Pharisee was a monologue, acknowledging no need, seeking no blessing, confessing no lack, admitting no sin, and beseeching no mercy; it was as cold and formal as an icicle. It enumerated the virtues of the Pharisee and closed with an insult cast in the direction of the publican! It showed that he had a big eye on himself, a bad eye on the publican, and no eye at all upon God! Although God was mentioned, the prayer was actually with himself, presumably rising no higher than where he stood.
2. “And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, `God be merciful to me a sinner!'” The prayer of the tax collector, on the other hand, was short, informal, and warm with the earnestness of a soul burdened with sin. It confessed his sin, besought the Lord for mercy, and was attested by the sorrow and shame that smote his breast.
3. This was one of few prayers Jesus ever commended, verse 14. “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be abased, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” The prayer of the tax collector resulted in his "justification." This is a big word which shows that God had received him accounting him righteous to the extent this was possible under the law.
D. All of these passages help us understand what it means and does not mean to be poor in spirit.
II. We must EXCEED THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES - Let's look at another requirement for entering God's kingdom. Matthew 5:19-20, “"Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. "For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.”
A. In order to enter the Kingdom, we must exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and the Pharisees who were the religious leaders of the Jewish people.
1. They disobeyed certain commands of God, and they taught others to do the same. These very people had developed a set of traditions over the years that in some cases, they considered to be weightier than the actual laws that God gave through His servant Moses.
2. Jesus rebuked these people because they put so much emphasis on paying tithes even of the least materials in their homes. They were very careful to give a 10th of that unto the Lord, but they overlooked things such as judgment, mercy, and faith.
B. Let me give you one quick example of how they disobeyed the commands of God by their own traditions. I’ll be referring to what is in Mark 7:2-13.
1. These religious leaders were very quick to point out to the Lord that his disciples ate food with what they considered to be unwashed or defiled hands. In other words, the disciples had not gone through this ritual ceremony of cleansing themselves before they ate.
2. They had a tradition from the elders which said, unless you go through that ritual of cleansing yourself, you can’t eat food, can’t eat a meal. This was a binding tradition which said, if people did not go through this ceremony of cleansing themselves, then they could not eat.
3. If they did, then they were violating the tradition of the elders. These leaders came to the Lord and condemned his followers for eating food with what they considered to be defiled hands. They underestimated the wisdom of the Lord.
C. In verse 6f He said, “"Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: `This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' "For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.''And He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition”
1. Jesus continues and quotes from the law in the books of Moses that talked about taking care of parents. He said, that’s what the law says.
2. Then He tells them; but you've come up with this tradition of Corbin, which says, if you take a portion of your estate and you call it Corbin, it's dedicated to the service of God, and you if were going to use that amount to take care of your parents when they were aged, then you are no longer bound to take care of your parents.
3. That's the tradition that they had, and Jesus pointed it out to them. It was to those very people, He said, “in vain they do worship Me teaching for doctrines the Commandments of Men.”
4. That's just one illustration of how the Scribes and the Pharisees disobeyed certain commands of God that they did not like, and they taught the people to do the same thing.
III. We Must DO THE FATHER'S WILL – Jesus emphasized the importance of obedience to what He had taught. Matthew 7:21-23. “"Not everyone who says to Me, `Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. "Many will say to Me in that day, `Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' "And then I will declare to them, `I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'” Jesus indicated that in order to enter God's kingdom, we must do the Father's will.
A. Jesus preached the Kingdom of God and as He did so He revealed the requirements for being in the Kingdom. Here Jesus says that many will be lost who claim to have done great things in the name of the Lord.
1. Why are they going to be lost? Because they failed to do the Father's will. The Lord requires us to submit to the will of the Father.
2. That's a part of being poor in spirit. One who is poor in spirit wants to do the will of the Father.
B. In verse 24 Jesus says, “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man…” The key to everlasting life is in Jesus’ saying, "these sayings of Mine!" The final, ultimate and exclusive authority in true religion is the word spoken by Christ. Jesus commanded the church to teach "whatsoever I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:20). He declared that the words He spoke would judge men at the last day (John 12:48). “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God…” (2 John 1:9). "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly" (Colossians 3:16), Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” (Matthew 24:35)
IV. We Must BE CONVERTED AND BECOME AS LITTLE CHILDREN – Next look with me at Matthew 18:1-4.
A. The disciples wanted to know who was the greatest in the kingdom. That question seems to have been very much on the minds of the disciples because that issue came up on several occasions. In His teaching of the disciples Jesus dealt with it differently on each occasion. Let's see how He dealt with it here.
B. “At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?'' And Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. "Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Before Jesus answered their question in verse 4, He told them how to enter the Kingdom in verse 3.
1. Picture this scene of our Lord and His disciples. They're all grown men and they want to know who is the greatest in the Kingdom.
2. Jesus responds to that by putting a little child in the middle of these grown men. Picture in your imagination the expressions on the faces of those men. I've also thought about the expression on that little child's face and I suspect maybe the child would have been intimidated somewhat to be in the middle of those grown men. That would have been an interesting situation.
3. Before Jesus explained who is great in the Kingdom, He says to enter the Kingdom, you’ve got to be converted, (turn or change), and become as this little child.
C. What does that mean? When we think of a little child we think of humility, freedom from prejudice, teachable, lovable, trustful, faith, lack of anxiety, and innocence.
1. How do we accomplish humbling ourselves as a little child? The Lord makes us innocent when we come to Him on His terms.
2. To enter God's kingdom, we must be converted and become as little children. That is innocent in the sight of God.
V. We Must ELIMINATE THINGS THAT WILL CAUSE US TO STUMBLE - Mark 9:43-48. “43. "And if your hand makes you sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched 44. "where `their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.' 45. "And if your foot makes you sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched 46. "where `their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.' 47. "And if your eye makes you sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes, to be cast into hellfire 48. "where `their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.'” Jesus taught that to enter God's Kingdom, and to remain in God's Kingdom by the way, we must eliminate things that will cause us to stumble.
A. Jesus illustrated His point by referring to important parts of the body that we would not want to lose, including a hand, a foot, and an eye. These would be things that are very special to us.
1. The lesson Jesus was teaching is that anything that will cause us to stumble must be eliminated. Even if it's something as important as a hand, a foot, or an eye.
2. He tells us to pay whatever price is necessary to remain in the Kingdom of Heaven. Get rid of anything that will cause you to stumble, even if it is something we hold dear, something we find so desirable that it will be hard to set aside.
3. We can't help but think about the rich young ruler who came to the Lord and wanted to know about eternal life. Jesus told him the price to pay. Jesus knew the young man's problem when he came to Him. He told him to sell all that he had and give it to the poor and then “come and follow me”. He wasn't willing to pay the price, was he? That was something that caused him to stumble and he wasn't willing to give it up. It's very sad when the Bible says “he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”
B. The Kingdom of Heaven, the Kingdom of God, is very special. There are sacrifices to be made to enter and to remain in the Kingdom. The Lord wants us to pay the price, but He assures us that He'll bless us in return.
VI. We Must "BE BORN AGAIN," – Now we look at John 3:3-5. “3. Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.'' 4. Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?'' 5. Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”
A. Jesus was approached by Nicodemus. He acknowledged the Lord's greatness. In verse 2, he said, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” It would appear that Nicodemus had some questions in his mind.
1. John 2 ends with these words, “… He knew what was in man.” I believe Jesus knew what was in Nicodemus' mind when Nicodemus came to him. Jesus immediately started talking to him about the new birth.
2. As Jesus preached the Kingdom, He talked about the necessity of being born again to enter the Kingdom. Nicodemus struggled with this and after Jesus talked about the necessity of the new birth, Nicodemus asked some questions in verse 4. He was confused about the nature of this new birth.
3. Jesus explained it in verse 5 “… unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” This is a very important requirement. In order to enter the Kingdom of God, we must be born again.
4. Jesus said this new birth consists of being born of water and of the spirit. It's not possible to be born physically a second time. Jesus wasn't talking about a physical rebirth, but about a spiritual birth.
CONCLUSION:
As Jesus preached the kingdom of God, He gave His requirements for entering that special kingdom. In order to enter the Kingdom, we must be poor in spirit, exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and the Pharisees, do the Father's will, become as little children, eliminate things that would cause us to stumble, and finally, in order to enter God's Kingdom, we must be born again. That is, born of water and of the spirit.
Jesus made things very plain when He preached and when He taught. We can understand these matters if we want to. The Lord wants us to pay the price in order to be members of His kingdom. What each person needs to do is examine them self and determine if they are complying with the Lord's requirements. If we find that we're not, we need to repent and do the Father's will.
The lesson is yours. If anyone in the assembly today with the need to be buried with Christ in baptism or anyone that desires the prayers of faithful Christians on their behalf, we encourage you to come forward while we stand and sing.
# ??? Reference Sermon by: Raymond Sieg
Sunday May 26, 2024
Sunday May 26, 2024
Mark 1:28-38
Memorial Day is a time each year when we pause to remember those who laid down their lives for family, friends and freedom.
One week after the Pearl Harbor attack President Franklin D. Roosevelt said,
“Those who long enjoy such privileges that we enjoy forget in time that others have died to win them.” Freedom is never really free; it’s almost always bought with the blood of patriots.
And, as Christians we read in John 15:13,13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
If I asked you what your favorite part of the Sunday morning worship is, I would probably get answers like, “I like the song service, I like seeing everyone, I like the prayer time, and so on.
One minister actually asked some of his congregation that question and one person said it was the reflection time at communion that he liked most.
The minister looked at this person and was surprised.
“You mean it is not the sermon?” 😊
”Oh no, preacher. It’s definitely the communion reflection time.”
So, the minister asked what made that time so meaningful. To which the church member said it was because his whole week was so full, and so busy, and so intense. But when it came time for communion and the associated time for reflection, it was the only time all week when he could just sit back, be quiet, and be with God.
We sing song #163 titled, “Near To The Heart Of God”.
There is a place of quiet rest.
near to the heart of God.
A place where sin cannot molest,
near to the heart of God.
There is a place of comfort sweet,
near to the heart of God.
A place where we our Savior meet,
near to the heart of God.
There is a place of full release,
near to the heart of God.
A place where all is joy and peace,
near to the heart of God.
Back when I taught, I remember how much I enjoyed working in my classroom after coaching when all the other teachers had gone home. What a refreshing time it was. The hallways were quiet giving me a peaceful time to reflect on the National Board assignments I was completing.
Today, our text is from Mark 1: 28-38.
28 And immediately His fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee.
29 Now as soon as they had come out of the synagogue,
they entered the house of Simon and Andrew,
with James and John.
30 But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once.
31 So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up,
and immediately the fever left her. And she served them.
32 At evening, when the sun had set,
they brought to Him all who were sick
and those who were demon-possessed.
33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door.
34 Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him.
35 Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.
36 And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him.
37 When they found Him, they said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.”
38 But He said to them, “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.”
Most of us are simply just too busy to stop and do nothing for even a few moments each week. Most of us feel like we need to be active every minute of the day. We confuse busy-ness with being productive, successful, effective and meaningful. So, it comes as a BIG surprise to read our New Testament lesson and to find Jesus, not being so busy with life. In fact, in the midst of a very busy time in His life, He sneaks off to a solitary place and prays.
Quiet time – doing nothing but talking to God. Most of us are too busy to do anything like that! Most of us feel like we need to be busy doing something. And for some reason, prayer just doesn’t feel “busy” or “active” enough. We are a people and a society in which being busy makes us feel like we are worthwhile.
If we are not doing something, there is something within us that makes us feel like we are lazy, or that we are wasting our time.
A generation or two ago, the life of the family was going to be revolutionized by the automatic washing machine. Up until then, washing the family’s laundry literally took an entire day. People referred to one day of their weekly routine as wash day.
Then technology came through with the washing machine, and you could throw the clothes into a machine, and then leave it and go do something else. What a time saver. So, what happened?
Did we get more time to relax? No, we filled our time with other duties.
The computer was the same way. It enables us to do more work in a lot less time. But do we get off work early? No. We simply do more work. There is something within us that compels us to fill up every moment of our time. Even if we are not talking about work, our families are stretched to the limit with activities as we go from ballet classes, to soccer, to outings at the beach, to concerts, to this and to that. It is as if we are afraid of what might happen if we would just be still for a moment.
In our Passage today, Jesus is very busy. In fact, Mark’s Gospel is the most compatible Gospel there is to our current society. Because Mark gives the impression that everyone is always in a hurry – always busy. The word “immediately” appears over 50 times in Mark’s Gospel. Mark tells the story of Jesus being baptized and then he says, “And immediately the Holy Spirit sent him into the desert.”
Then Jesus encounters Simon and Andrew fishing and invites them to be disciples and Mark says, “Immediately they left their nets.”
Jesus heals people and casts out demons, and “immediately and quickly the news spread about Jesus.”
And finally, after a fast-paced beginning, Mark says in verse 35 of our text that “very early in the morning, while it was still dark,
Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”
Even in the fast paced, and very successful and meaningful life of Jesus, there was the need to sometimes retreat to a quiet, lonely place for reflection, meditation, prayer and communion with God.
This is absolutely necessary in our busy lives.
It makes our busy lives worthwhile and bearable. More than bearable – times of being in a solitary and quiet place with God enable us to do the work we are to do. Jesus doesn’t just go to that quiet and solitary place and stay there. He goes there to recharge his spiritual batteries. Being there enables him to then get up and move on to find other places to preach his message.
Wouldn’t it be nice if we could, in the midst of work, family pressures, schoolwork, just turn off the television, turn off the cell phones, and just pray.
Being still and quiet from time to time is God’s will for our lives.
ARLINTON CEMETARY – PLACE of SOLITUDE & RESPECT
Rows and rows of white wooden crosses.
Changing of Guard at Tomb of UNKNOWN SOLDIER.
The echoing sound of TAPS.
ALL CAUSES US TO REMEMBER the LIVES
Of ALL the MEN and WOMEN: PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE
Who are RESPONSIBLE for OUR FREEDOMS!
We all need times in our week when we slow down and become still and quiet because it is vital for our soul. So important is this principle, that God made the command for a day of rest, a Sabbath, part of the Ten Commandments.
There’s a story that occurred in the deep jungles of Africa. A traveler was making a long trip on foot. Natives of the area were hired to carry the loads. The first day they marched rapidly and went far. The traveler had high hopes of a speedy journey.
But the second morning these jungle tribesmen refused to move. For some strange reason they just sat and rested. When asked about the reason for this strange behavior, the traveler was informed that they had gone too fast the first day, and that they were now waiting for their souls to catch up with their bodies.
There are times when our lives move so fast, that we need to slow down and let our souls catch up with us – not literally, but figuratively.
There’s an old legend told of a preacher in biblical days in Ephesus. His hobby was raising pigeons. On one occasion a hunter passed his house as he returned from hunting.
When the hunter saw the guy playing with one of his birds, he gently criticized him for spending his time so frivolously. The preacher looked at his critic’s bow and remarked that the string was loosened.
"Yes," said the hunter, "I always loosen the string of my bow when it’s not in use. If it always stayed tight, it would lose its rebounding quality and fail me in the hunt."
"And I," said the preacher, "am now relaxing the bow of my mind so that I may be better able to shoot the arrows of divine truth."
When we have that time in a solitary place, we need to pray. That’s what Jesus did. He went to his solitary place to pray.
Prayer is not always a matter of talking to God, or giving God a list of things that we need for him to do. It is an interesting insight. Many think that prayer is just talking to God, giving God a list of things we want him to do.
“Heal me from my headache,
make my car last another week,
bring down the gas prices,
do something about these medical problems I am facing,
Help me have more finances.
Help me get a better job. ETC.”
But prayer is spending time with God.
It might involve asking for things.
It might involve thanking God for things.
It might be simply being with God.
Have you ever simply spent time with someone, and you are both just quiet? Not really saying anything. Just quietly being together.
Perhaps with your spouse. Or holding your child. Or at the bedside of your sick parent. We need more of that time spent with God. Quiet time with God. We will rarely find God in the hectic moments in our lives, but we will often find Him in the quiet moments.
The Psalmist tells us in (Ps 37:7),
"Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him."
Then in (Ps 46:10) we are told, "Be still, and know that I am God."
There come times when we need to slow down and let our souls catch up with us. The Apostle Paul said in his letter to the Thessalonians, “pray without ceasing.” (1Thes 5:17)
In our passage today, Jesus slips off for prayer in a quiet solitary place. The disciples find Him and at the end of the prayer time, Jesus gets up and gets on with life.
In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples, "Let us go somewhere else-- to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come."
At the end of your prayer, when you say AMEN, what ACTION do you do?
Do you pray for the sick and then leave it at that? Or do you pray for the sick, and then pick up the phone and call them to let them know you are thinking about them.
Do you ask if you can do anything for them? A hot meal brought to their home? Medicine they need to have picked up?
Do you pray for the poor and hope God does something about the poor? Or do you pray and ask God to use you?”
That’s the point of today’s message. Our lives are so busy. We need to stop from time to time and go to that solitary place for prayer. And then at the end of the prayer, get up and get busy with the things that are most important – the work of God
Just as Jesus prioritized prayer, we should seek solitude to connect with God and discern His will for our lives. May we follow Him wholeheartedly And trust in His unmatched power!
INVITATION
Sunday May 19, 2024
Sunday May 19, 2024
Mark 1: 14-20
Gone Fishing
Alex had a terrible day fishing on the lake, sitting in the blazing sun all day without catching a single one. On his way home, he stopped at the fishmonger and ordered four rainbow trout. He told the fishmonger, 'Pick four large ones out and throw them at me, will you?'
'Why do you want me to throw them at you?' Asked the salesman?' So that I am able to tell my wife, in all honesty, that I caught them.' said Alex.
'Okay, but I suggest that you take the salmon.' Why's that? 'Because your wife came in earlier today and said that if you came by, I should tell you to take salmon. That's what she'd like for supper tonight', replied the fishmonger with a grin.
An OLD MINISTER recalled a vacation he took to Israel:
I was walking along the shores of the Sea of Galilee where Jesus called His disciples.
I got up before sunrise and went out with my Bible to watch the same sun rise over the same mountains around the same lake where Jesus walked. After the sunrise, I saw a fishing boat chugging out to spread a net to catch fish.
I was reminded again that the story of Jesus isn’t some religious myth. It’s a real story about real people and how Jesus changed their lives.
TEXT
Mark 1:14-20.
14 Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
16 And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.
17 Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”
18 They immediately left their nets and followed Him.
19 When He had gone a little farther from there, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets.
20 And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after Him.
Jesus didn’t say, “Follow rules.” He said, “Follow me.” When we follow Jesus we want to do what He does. Jesus didn’t come primarily to heal. If that had been his focus,
He would have established a hospital.
He didn’t come primarily to teach or else He would have founded a school.
He came to seek and to save that which is lost.
When we follow Him that will be our passion as well. Fishing for men means bringing people to Jesus.
Do you know why Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James and John to be fishers of men?
Because they were already fishermen. They knew how to catch fish. When Jesus called Matthew, the tax collector, He didn’t tell him to fish for men. But Matthew went fishing anyway; he hosted a dinner so all of his tax-collector buddies could meet Jesus.
Jesus wants you to use whatever you already know to bring people into a relationship with Him. For instance, here’s what He might say to you according to your profession:
If you’re a banker or investment advisor He might say, “Follow me and you can tell people about the best eternal investment they’ll ever make.”
If you’re an Educator, He might say, “Follow me and you’ll teach eternal truth.”
If you’re a CPA He might say, “Follow me and I’ll show you how to help people balance their lives.”
If you’re a physician, “Follow me and I’ll show you how to practice spiritual healing.”
If you’re in sales, “Follow me and you can sell the world’s greatest product – eternal life.”
If you’re a builder, “Follow me and you’ll show people how to build stable lives.”
If you’re a dentist, “Follow me and you can fill the void in people’s lives.”
Whatever it is that you do, Jesus wants you to use what you know to bring people into a relationship with Him. So, what would He say to you? “Follow me and ... you fill in the blank.”
Jesus talked about fishing for people to four fishermen, so I want to share with you five fishing tips. But you can apply these to whatever field you work in as well.
1. GOOD FISHERMEN GO WHERE THE FISH ARE LOCATED
I saw a funny picture once about a guy fishing in a large pothole in the middle of the road. It had water it, but he picked the wrong place to fish because there weren’t any fish there. You’ll never catch fish until you’re willing to leave your house and go to where the fish are.
People without Christ aren’t knocking down the doors of our church to get in. We have to go out after them. That’s why the Great Commission of Jesus begins with the word, “GO.”
In Luke 14 Jesus compared the Kingdom of God to a man who threw a party. All the local VIPs were sent invitations. But they all came up with phony excuses why they couldn’t come. Jesus said, “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full.’” (Luke 14:23)
God wants His house to be full. There are thousands of people who aren’t yet in the Family of God, and God wants us to go after them and tell them that He loves them.
2. GOOD FISHERMEN UNDERSTAND HOW FISH BEHAVE
One of my favorite episodes of the “Andy Griffith Show” was about fishing. Opie was little and Aunt Bee came to visit on a trial basis. She was trying desperately to fit in so Opie would like her. She agreed to go fishing with Andy and Opie. She didn’t know much about fishing because she was holding her bait a few feet above the surface of the water.
When Opie pointed it out, Andy was quick to give an answer that saved Aunt Bee any embarrassment. He explained to Opie that Aunt Bee was such a good fisherman that she was “fly fishing.” That satisfied Opie. It was obvious Aunt Bee didn’t understand how fish act.
If we are going to reach people for Christ, we must understand their world. We need to study their culture without buying into it. You don’t have to become a fish to understand how a fish acts.
Jesus was a friend of sinners. He spent time eating and fellowship with the worst of the worst. The Jewish leaders criticized Jesus for eating with sinners. He responded that only sick people need a doctor.
The Jewish leaders were sick too; they just wouldn’t admit it.
In Luke 16 Jesus told one of His strangest parables. He also said to His disciples:
1“There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods.
2 So he called him and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.’
3 “Then the steward said within himself, ‘What shall I do? For my master is taking the stewardship away from me. I cannot dig; I am ashamed to beg.
4 I have resolved what to do, that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.’
5 “So he called every one of his master’s debtors to him, and said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’
6 And he said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ So he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’
7 Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ So he said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ And he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’
8 So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light."
Notice Jesus divided all the people of the world into two categories. There are “the people of this world” and “people of light.”
The people of this world are those who don’t know Jesus. They have bought into the values and culture of this world—that’s all they have. But we are people of the light; we’ve been shown a different way.
We must never forget Jesus wasn’t really talking about catching fish. He was talking about capturing people who are lost and bringing them into a saving relationship with Him. Jesus Himself said He came to seek and to save those who are lost.
3. GOOD FISHERMEN USE A VARIETY OF STRATEGIES
There are a lot of different ways to catch fish. You can use a net from a boat, a cast net, a trotline, or a rod and reel. When it comes to reaching people for Christ, good fishermen use a variety of methods as well. The first time I ever caught a fish I was using a bamboo pole with a cork and a worm on the hook. No two people are alike so there is no single approach to personal evangelism that will work. Different people need different approaches. The same strategy won’t work for everyone.
That’s exactly what the Apostle Paul meant when he wrote in 1 Corinthians 9:22,
“I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.”
He used one approach when he talked to Jews and another approach when he talked to Gentiles.
When he spoke to the wisest philosophers in Athens, Greece, he used an intellectual argument and even quoted one of their own poets.
4. GOOD FISHERMEN EXPECT TO CATCH FISH.
One of the funniest stories about fishing was told by the country comedian, Jerry Clower. He talked about Claude Ledbetter in Mississippi who was catching a boat load of fish when nobody else was bringing any home. A state game warden decided to ride out with Claude to investigate his fishing methods.
After arriving in the middle of the lake, Claude reached under the seat, pulled out a long stick of dynamite, lit it and tossed it into the water. KABOOM! In a few seconds, dead fish floated to the surface all around the boat, and Claude used a dip net to bring them into the boat. The game warden was enraged. He flashed his badge and said, “Bubba, that is illegal, and I’m going to arrest you. You can’t fish with dynamite!”
Old Claude didn’t say a word. He just lit another stick of dynamite and thrust it into the game warden’s hand. While the fuse sizzled Claude said, “Are you gonna’ TALK or are you gonna’ FISH?” I don’t recommend his method, but Bubba was expecting to catch fish!
Good fishermen always EXPECT to catch fish, even if they don’t. There’s a measure of faith involved because you usually can’t see the fish. You suspect they’re there, and you’re hoping that they’ll take the hook. It takes real faith to share your faith with others as well. You’re not putting faith in yourself, or your skill. You aren’t putting your faith in the person who needs Jesus. You put your faith in Jesus. You have to believe Jesus can and will help the person.
In Matthew 9, two blind men came to Jesus asking for help. Jesus said, “‘Do you believe that I am able to do this?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ they replied. Then he touched their eyes and said,
‘According to your faith it will be done to you.’” (Matthew 9:28-29)
If they hadn’t believed Jesus could heal them, they wouldn’t have experienced sight.
But their faith was rewarded with the power of Jesus. In order to be an effective witness, you have to have absolute confidence that Jesus can make a difference in the lives of the people you know. If you don’t expect people to accept Christ, chances are they won’t.
5. GOOD FISHERMEN ARE PATIENT IF THEY DON’T CATCH FISH IMMEDIATELY
Good fishermen are patient. If they don’t catch fish after the first twenty or thirty casts, they don’t load up and go home. They may move to another spot, or try different bait, but they’re going to keep on fishing.
Sometimes believers feel guilty because they don’t have a great deal of success landing fish. They hear stories of people who have led hundreds of people to Christ, and they feel intimidated. They say, “I even have a hard time starting a conversation with someone about spiritual matters.”
Jesus said, “Follow me, and I will MAKE you fishers of men.” In other words, it’s a process. The longer you follow Jesus, and the more closely you follow Him, the more He will make you into a fisher of men.
The Bible says, “Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm.” (James 5:7-8)
When you’re fishing, patience isn’t just a virtue; it’s a necessity. Not too many fish are going to jump into your boat. A fish is easily spooked and will try to get away. A person without Jesus may often resist and even resent your attempt to share Christ with them.
That’s okay. Love them, and keep showing them God’s love. Keep praying for them.
CONCLUSION
I know most of us here have been fishing, but there are probably a few folks who haven’t. Let me ask: If you have never gone fishing, raise your hand.
Now, here’s the next question: how many of you who just raised your hand have ever caught a fish?
You say, “That’s a foolish question. If they haven’t ever gone fishing, of course they haven’t caught a fish.”
That’s my point. I don’t have to ask how many of you have ever led a person to Christ.
Instead, a better question is “How many of you have ever initiated a spiritual conversation with someone?”
If you don’t ever go fishing, for sure, you’ll never catch fish.
Sometimes you go fishing and you don’t catch a thing but it’s still called going fishing because you went to where the fish were, and you wet your hook. You tried. God won’t ask you how many fish you’ve caught.
He’s more interested in how many times you’ve gone fishing. He judges us on our obedience. Our job is to share the gospel, The results are up to God. I saw a sign in front of a church recently that said: “Fishers of men. You catch ‘em; and Jesus will clean them.”
Radio commentator Paul Harvey once said, “Too many Christians are no longer fishers of men, but the keepers of the aquarium.” Based on that comment, I’ve written a short parable I call, “The Fishing Society.”
Once there was a group of people called the Fishing Society. They gathered every week to talk about the importance of fishing, but they never fished. They decided to build a big new aquarium, so they pooled their money (no pun intended) and built a sparkling new meeting hall they named “The Aquarium Center.”
Then they hired an expert who had a Doctor of Fishology to teach them from the Fishing Manual. Each week they gathered in their beautiful building and read portions of the Fishing Manual. The meetings ended with the expert dramatically casting a net in the large tank in the center of the Aquarium Center. The members rushed to the edge and were hopeful some fish would be caught. None were ever caught, of course, because there were no fish in the tank.
This led to disagreement among the members of the Fishing Society. Why weren’t there fish in their beautiful aquarium? Some said, specialization was the answer so they built smaller tanks specially designed for fish of all ages and sizes. But, still, there were no fish.
They bought the newest and most modern fishing equipment on the market. They elected numerous committees to operate the Fishing Society more efficiently. One group regulated the water in the Aquarium. Others worked to keep the glass walls polished; others sorted and arranged the expensive fishing gear.Finally, the Fishing Society decided to send a few brave members to go and live near the lakes and oceans. They called them “fishinaries.” These foreign fishinaries emailed pictures of themselves standing by the water holding their catches of fish.
Over the years, some members of the Fishing Society forgot about fishing altogether. After all, there was plenty to keep them occupied in the aquarium. Some even suggested they change their name from “The Fishing Society” to just “The Society.” After all, they didn’t want to offend the fish.
One day a bearded stranger appeared at their aquarium. This longhaired, sandaled man claimed to be the Master Fisherman. He extended His hands to ask the members
to follow him out and He would teach them how to catch fish with Him. They noticed the man had ugly scars in His palms—probably from fishing. Nobody moved.
As He turned to leave He said, “If you never go fishing, you have no right to call yourself a fisherman. I’m going fishing, and if you aren’t fishing—well, then, you aren’t following me.”
After their initial shock, the members of the Fishing Society resumed their busy activity of maintaining their beautiful hall. They were glad their beautiful hall had not been built in vain. If nothing else, it made them feel good about themselves.
Contributor: David Dykes
Thursday May 16, 2024
Sunday May 12, 2024
Sunday May 12, 2024
Mark 10:35-45
INTRO:
Good morning church. A British evangelist, Dr. George C. Morgan had 4 sons and they were all preachers. The story is told of someone visiting the whole family one day as they were all gathered in the drawing room. In conversation the visitor turned to Howard, one of the sons, and asked him: "Howard, who is the greatest preacher in your family?" Howard had a great admiration for his father and he looked straight across at him and then without a moment’s hesitation he answered, "Mother."
I’m sure we all enjoyed Mark’s lesson last week. He brought up some good thoughts and as usual he got me thinking. Open your Bibles this morning to the 10th chapter of the gospel of Mark.
First look at Mark 10:33-34 “33. "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and to the scribes, and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles; 34. "and they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.''”
That sets the stage and now let’s read our text for today Mark 10:35-37 – “35. Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, "Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.'' 36. And He said to them, "What do you want Me to do for you?'' 37. They said to Him, "Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.''”[NKJV]
Then skipping down to Mark 10:41 – “And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John.”[NKJV]
Human ambition is a fact. We do not all have the same degree of ambition, but in all of us there is to some extent a desire for advancement, and perhaps a desire for recognition. Add to that the fact that the desire for “more” is something that is characteristic from the lowliest to the highest. When ambition exists in any sort of “closed system”, it can become a divisive thing. This can be seen in job situations. It can be seen in sports teams. It can be seen in club settings, and, yes, it can even be found within the Lord’s church. As Mark said last week in his lesson the Bible does not condemn ambition. It encourages us to strive for excellence. But when ambition is uncontrolled, or when it selfishly fuels our ego, it is not good.
Lest I am misunderstood, I want to stress that being ambitious, in and of itself is not wrong or sinful. I’m not saying that, but ambition must always be tempered by other qualities.
When I was working as a manager if I had an employee whose ambition was to do the best possible job, I considered that person very valuable. On the other hand someone whose ambition was to find a job that allowed them to warm a chair all day listening to their favorite music… not so much. Unfortunately for the person with little ambition they probably would not even get in the door.
I have heard it said that ambition in life usually progresses through the following stages: to be like Dad... to be famous... to be a millionaire... to make enough to pay the bills... to hang on long enough to retire.
Our text presents us with a situation fraught with peril for the twelve. Ambition has reared its head and has been discovered by those who are being “left out” of the request that is made. The situation involves a request that is made by two brothers, James and John.
I. THE REQUEST OF JAMES AND JOHN - Mark 10:37 clearly sets out their request - “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.”
A. Let’s start with what these two men must have believed. They have referred here to - “Your glory”. Matthew in his account of this request says it was made by Salome (sal-uh-may), the mother of James and John. In Matthew 20:21, a parallel passage, we read “… Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.” Mark’s gospel is more direct and shorter then Matthew in descriptions, so for me if the request came directly from the Apostles or via their mother it is not an issue. It is still a request to secure for these two a ranking place in the Kingdom that is to come.
1. What is it that these brothers are asking? What these brothers are requesting is that they be given the greatest places within the kingdom.
2. This tells us one shining thing about them—bewildered as they might be at this point, they still believed in Jesus. It is amazing that they could still connect glory with the Galilean carpenter who had incurred the enmity and the bitter opposition of the orthodox religious leaders. There is amazing confidence and loyalty here. James and John might not understand at this point, but their hearts were in the right place. They never doubted Jesus' ultimate triumph.
3. Yet, it is equally evident that they are still concluding that Jesus is soon going to ascend an earthly throne. They think in terms of an earthly kingdom like those with which they were familiar.
4. In Luke 18:34, a passage very closely akin to what we’re reading here. Jesus is teaching them about what will happen in Jerusalem and at verse 34 the writer observes, “But they understood none of these things; this saying was hidden from them, and they did not know the things which were spoken.” It was not hidden in that Jesus did not want them to understand. It was hidden because of their reluctance to accept it.
B. It is a favor that they ask as the result of a relationship.
1. They do not grasp at this time all the things that are going on and they really do not understand the ramifications of what they are requesting, but they make the request nevertheless, because of a close relationship they have with Jesus.
2. We know that James and John were part of a kind of inner circle among the apostles. In Matthew 17:1 we see that along with Peter, James and John went with Jesus onto the mount of transfiguration. In Matthew 26:37 we find the same three went with Jesus further into the garden in the hour of prayer.
3. Beyond that, there is every indication in scripture that James and John are the first cousins of Jesus.
4. They see themselves as having a very favored earthly relationship. Out of this favored relationship comes this request. It’s almost like children, They’re asking “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” Have you had any of your children do this to you? “I want you to say yes to whatever I ask you.” “We just want you to agree to do what we want you to do.” Of course, Jesus doesn’t do that, does He? He wants to know; “What do you want Me to do for you?”
C. I mentioned this earlier and it is interesting. Was it their mother, or was it they who made the request?
1. In Matthew’s gospel it seems that it is their mother Salome (sal-uh-may), who makes the request. Mathew 20:20.
2. Perhaps Salome is the one who made the actual request. After all, a mother wants the best for her children. It may be the request was made at the behest of her sons, James and John, who perhaps believe that Jesus will give greater weight to their request if it comes from His aunt, their mother, the sister of Mary.
3. This same logic is used today by some religious people to suggest that prayer to others can intercede for us. That is not what is taught in the Bible. Jesus is our intercessor. Hebrews 7:25 – “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He ever lives to make intercession for them.” and Romans 8:34 – “It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.”
4. Strange as it may seem to us, I want to be sure that I commend again the confidence and the loyalty of James and John. Their loyalty was well placed, perhaps for a misunderstood cause, but we commend them for their loyalty to the Lord.
5. That brings us to what I call a draught line: The Ignorance of James and John.
II. THE IGNORANCE OF JAMES AND JOHN
A. We go on and read in Mark10:38 – “But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you ask. Can you drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”
1. They asked for this favor in ignorance of the nature of God’s Kingdom. That is very evident.
2. Furthermore, they were ignorant of the events that were going to transpire which would be cataclysmic… overwhelming events.
3. Jesus refers to the cup and the baptism. These are descriptive words for experiences one is going to have which are so serious and so heavy that they overwhelm.
4. I’d like you to turn in your bibles to Matthew 26:37-39. In verse 37 we see that Peter, James and John went with Jesus further into the garden of Gethsemane “and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed.”
5. Listen as we read of the weight, the seriousness, the heaviness of this cup that Jesus is about to drink, this baptism with which He is about to be baptized. “38. Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.'' 39. He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.''” Descriptive words.
6. We know that in the text of the New Testament baptism usually means an immersion in water, but baptism has a more general meaning than that, something that overwhelms. You hear in the military of “baptism by fire”. Thayer’s first definition is: Baptism is used topically of calamities and afflictions with which one is quite overwhelmed: Mark 10:38; Matthew 20:22f ; Luke 12:50. Indeed, in water when one is immersed, the water overwhelms. Here Jesus refers to something that is going to overwhelm.
7. It’s true that they do not understand what they are asking. Jesus says; “Can you drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” “And they said to Him, "We can.''”
8. They don’t really realize YET what is going to happen.
B. Jesus acknowledged that they would experience the “cup” and “baptism”. “And Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with, you will be baptized;”
1. Now I’d like us to look at what happens to James in Acts 12:1-2 – “1. Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. 2. Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword.” James was killed by Herod. I’m not sure how much time passed after Jesus told them that they would drink the cup and be baptized with the baptism with which He was baptized, but this event takes place and James was killed for his faith.
2. In Revelation 1:9 we discover that John, who apparently died a natural death, was exiled to the Isle of Patmos, and he says his exile is for the Word of God. He is in exile. He is drinking the cup. He is being baptized with the baptism which is an overwhelming experience because of his faith, for the testimony which he held.
3. At the time of their request, these two men did not seem to have a concept of, no idea of the cup of which they would later be drinking. We’re confident that we can drink the cup. We can experience the overwhelming experience that you’re going to experience.
4. They didn’t know what they were saying. They didn’t know of what they were speaking. That was something that was out there in the future.
C. We come now in Mark’s gospel to Mark 10:40 where Jesus says, “"but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared.''”
1. There is similar language to this is in chapter 20 of Matthew’s gospel, verse 23, (Matthew 20:23) – “So He said to them, "You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.''”. In other words what Jesus said is… privilege in the kingdom of God is not based on favor and friendship.
2. James and John are seeing things from the worldly point of view. They see things as if in the manner of political appointments, favors that are handed out by those who are rich and famous to those who are their friends and relatives. Don’t we see a lot of that in our world today?
3. Jesus said that’s not the way it is in the kingdom of God. Our future blessing in the kingdom of God rests upon our relationship with the Father and how we pursue that relationship. He says: It shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.
III. NIPPING THE PROBLEM IN THE BUD
A. Here’s the problem—selfish human ambition—and Jesus has to nip this problem in the bud. Let’s come back to verse 41 in Mark 10: “when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John.” The ambition of James & John threatened apostolic unity.
1. The feelings expressed by the ten apostles isn’t all that unnatural! A request has been made of Jesus. Somehow it becomes known to the other ten.
2. Perhaps there’s a lesson in that. It doesn’t matter how secret you believe the confidence you have shared may be, confidences have a way of being known, have a way of getting out and becoming hurtful to people. In this situation that’s what happened. The ten apostles who are not part of this request are hurt.
3. They’re upset, and I think we can understand why. Among the apostles neither explicitly nor implicitly was there a difference in rank. Never was it mentioned anywhere, as far as ranking was concerned. Did they have different responsibilities and roles? Yes, that happened, but as far as rank no one of them was more important than the other.
4. James and John, though they may have been the physical kin of Jesus, were not more important at this time or in the kingdom than Peter and Andrew and Phillip and the others. The situation is a threat to apostolic unity and Jesus must do something about it.
B. Jesus took immediate, appropriate action to defuse the situation.
1. We are now looking at Mark 10:42 – "Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.”" He calls the twelve and begins to solve the problem by describing the situation in the real world. You know what goes on in the world He says. People who are considered to be great have power and authority and they exercise the power and authority over others. You know how that works.
2. Then He says in Mark 10:43-44 – “43. "Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. 44. "And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.” The world has a standard, but Jesus lays down the standard for greatness in the kingdom.
i. He says: Those who are great are those who become servants of all—willing servants.
ii. Those who are going to be considered great are those who serve others. There is no place in His kingdom for power, position and pride!
C. Jesus makes one final argument. Mark 10:45 –
1. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Not only is the world view not to be the view in the kingdom, there’s not to be in the kingdom a desire for position and power growing out of pride. Not only that, even I the Son of Man, the Son of God, the Savior, I did not come to be served. I came, He says, to minister to others.
2. In John’s gospel we read in chapter 13, verse 13 through 15, verses that so clearly illustrate this lesson, the washing of the apostles’ feet. Jesus says: “13. "You call me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. 14. "If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15. "For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.”
3. Again, it’s difficult for our modern, western minds to comprehend the significance of some of these things, but we must understand that in that time when one came into a house, servants would come and wash the person’s feet. He was walking in some serious dust and his feet were dirty. It was one of the marks of hospitality for him to have his feet washed by one of the servants of the house.
4. On this occasion the Bible says that Jesus took off His outer robes, girded Himself with a towel, and begins to wash the feet of the apostles. This is the thing that we need to hear: I your Lord and Master did not come to be served. I came to serve. I came to minister. I may be Lord and Master, but I am not too good, I am not too important, to kneel to the most menial task, the washing of the feet of my disciples.
5. He adds in this final argument that He came to give His life a ransom for many. There is in that statement without doubt, His reference to His own death. His subsitiutionary death.
6. In your Bibles you might want to turn to a very familiar passage in the book of First Peter where we are currently studying. 1 Peter 2:24 – Peter writes this of Jesus; “who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness by whose stripes you were healed.” Then in 1 Peter 3:18 – Peter says; “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,”. He came to give His life a ransom for many.
CONCLUSION:
Our human nature can at times become a problem even within the Lord’s church.
Human ambition has no place among the saints of God. Zeal for the kingdom however does have a place. Repeatedly, over and over again, Jesus teaches what’s real, great and good—to please and serve others. That’s the nature of life within the kingdom.
We’re going to sing the song which was announced a while ago and as we sing if there are those present needing to take this opportunity to publically make known needs in their lives, you may step into the aisle and make your way to the front and let us know that need.
If you need the prayers of brothers and sisters, we would be glad to pray with you.
If you’ve never been baptized into Christ, your life in the kingdom has not yet begun and you need to do that.
Come believing, penitent, confessing the name of Christ, submitting yourself in loving obedience to the commandment of Jesus Christ and be baptized for the forgiveness of sin. You can do that today.
Whatever the need, we invite you to come.
# ???
Reference sermon, Cecil A. Hutson, 06 April 2008
Friday May 10, 2024
Friday May 10, 2024
Philippians 4:10-13
This is reportedly a true story about George Phillips of Missouri, who was going to bed when his wife told him that he had left the lights on out in his workshop.
George went out to turn off the lights but saw through the window that there were people in there in the process of stealing his tools.
He immediately went back into the house & phoned the police, who asked "Are they inside your house?" George answered, "No, they’re out in my workshop."
The officer replied that all the officers were busy right now, & that he should simply lock his door & a patrol car would be sent out when one was available.
George said, "Okay," hung up, stayed right where he was,
Then he slowly counted to 30, & phoned the police again.
"Hello, I called you a minute ago because there were burglars in my workshop. Well, you don't have to worry about them now because I've just shot them all." Then he hung up.
In less than 5 minutes, three squad cars, an armed response unit, & an ambulance showed up. And the police caught the burglars red-handed.
But one of the officers said to George: "I thought you told me that you had shot them!" To which George replied, "And I thought YOU told me that there were NO officers available!"
Now, I would NOT recommend trying this to get the attention of the police; but I did use this story to grab your attention this morning.
Listen to these words of the Apostle Paul written while he was in a Roman prison: “I know what it is to be in need, & I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any & every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want” (Philippians 4:12).
This verse is part of the text I will focus on this morning which is taken from Philippians 4:10–13.
Do you consider yourself a patient and content person?
Are you satisfied with your life?
Are you content with your job?
Do you get along well with others in your life?
When you get up in the morning, do you look in the mirror & say, “Oh God, I thank you for making me the way that I am"?
Or do you look in the mirror & say, “Oh God! I need help!”?
Are you happy with your income?
Do you feel you have been paid what you’re worth?
Are you aware that the average income of a major league baseball player this year is over 4 million dollars?
Of course, some baseball stars are being paid millions more than that. But other ballplayers are struggling along on the minimum salary of only $545,000 a year.
When the Apostle Paul says, “I have learned the secret of being content in any & every situation...” it seems to me that he deserves a hearing.
Paul is getting old. He doesn’t have much - yet once he was rich.
His health is beginning to decline - but once he was strong.
Now he’s in prison - but once he was free.
Yet he says, “I have learned the secret of being content.”
There are 2 major points I want us to consider this morning:
The Enemies of contentment,
& then the Sources of contentment.
I. The ENEMIES OF CONTENTMENT
A. There are several enemies of contentment, & the first is “Unrealistic expectations.”
Many of our grandparents grew up during the great depression & had very little. And when they married they had to work long & hard to get what they needed.
But today, it seems when many young people get married, and they expect to have everything from day one that it took their parents years to accumulate. The level of expectations has changed!
Again, sometimes people get married & then discover their spouse is not perfect.
Or they go to work, & discover that their boss is not perfect,
& their friends aren’t always perfect, either.
Perhaps they become Christians, thinking that Christians are perfect & that they, too, would be perfect once they become a Christian. But they find that’s not the case, either.
They’re still being attacked by temptations, & sometimes Christians do sin.
So, there is disappointment & discontent simply because of “unrealistic expectations.”
B. A 2nd enemy of contentment is “Unfair comparisons.”
When you compare yourself to others, you’re sure to find someone else more attractive, or more gifted & talented than you, someone younger or stronger. And you’ll always be discontented if you're constantly comparing yourself to them.
One of the interesting things about Paul is that you never find him comparing himself to others except once here in Philippians to make a point.
Tradition says that Paul was short. And if Paul compared himself to Simon Peter, he could have felt inferior because tradition says that Peter was big & tall.
Tradition also says that Paul had stooped shoulders, and was rather homely looking. So, if he had gone around comparing himself to others, he could have had a tremendous inferiority complex. But he didn’t yield to “unfair comparisons.”
C. A 3rd enemy of contentment is “Unnoticed blessings.”
We live in the most affluent nation in the world. We have more possessions, more freedoms, more opportunities than almost anyone else. And yet, Americans are among the most dissatisfied people on earth, & our suicide rate is extremely high.
The problem is that we take so many of our blessings for granted.
Is air-conditioning a necessity or a luxury?
“Well, here in Ohio there have been days that the temperature got pretty hot. So, we close our windows, shut our doors & turn on the air-conditioning. And we expect our homes to be delightfully comfortable. The only time we even think about it is when it breaks down & we have to sweat a bit.
What about automobiles – luxury or necessity?
Well, mom and I would still be out on the road somewhere this morning if we didn’t have a car to get here! 😊
What about television?
Well, many need a big screen, surround-sound, a DVR recorder, & so on. We want all the modern electronic devices.
Yet, Paul writes about himself & the early Christians in 1 Timothy 6:8, “If we have food & clothing, we will be content with that.”
Today we have a lot more than just food & clothing. But we tend to take most of those blessings for granted. Truly, we have many “Unnoticed blessings.”
D. The 4th enemy of contentment is “Uncontrolled ambition.” Now the Bible does not condemn ambition. It encourages us to strive for excellence. But when ambition is uncontrolled, or when it selfishly fuels our ego, it is not good. James writes, “For where you have envy & selfish ambition, there you find disorder & every evil practice” (James 3:16).
ILL. A number of years ago Time magazine reported that a mugger held up a woman at gunpoint & demanded her money. But when she only had $12.50 in her purse he became very angry. Then he saw her checkbook & insisted that she write him a check for $1000. The next day he was arrested when he tried to cash that check. That’s pretty stupid, isn’t it?
Yet, "uncontrolled ambition" can sometimes dull our thinking to the point that we aren’t thinking logically.
In Luke 12:18-20, Jesus tells about the rich farmer who had a bountiful harvest. But instead of thinking about others, he said,
“I will tear down my barns & build bigger ones, & there I will store all my grain & my goods. And I’ll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink, & be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’”
The Bible never says, “Be content with who you are.” But it does say, “Be content with what you have.” We are to be ambitious, but ambitious for the right things.
II. SOURCES OF CONTENTMENT
Now let’s look at sources of contentment.
There are at least three.
A. The 1st source of contentment is an “Attitude of Gratitude.”
All the way through Philippians Paul talks about attitude, & he is saying, “If you have an attitude that causes you to be grateful for everything God has given you, you’ll find contentment.”
The story is told of a German preacher of the 14th Century who struck up a conversation with a beggar. "God give you a good day, my friend." the preacher said. The beggar answered, "I thank God I never had a bad one."
Then the preacher said, "God give you a happy life, my friend."
"I thank God," said the beggar, "I am never unhappy." This caused the preacher to ask, "What do you mean?"
"Well," said the beggar,
When the weather is fine, I thank God;
when it rains, I thank God;
when I have plenty, I thank God;
when I am hungry, I thank God.
And since God’s will is my will,
& whatever pleases Him, pleases me,
why should I say I am unhappy when I am not?"
The preacher looked at the man in astonishment.
"Who are you?" he asked.
"I am a king," said the beggar.
"Where then is your kingdom?" asked the preacher.
And the beggar answered: "In my heart."
Isaiah 26:3 says, "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You."
Now, you can begin each day by saying,
“God, this is going to be a tough day.
I hate my life.
I hate my work.
I hate my family.
I have NO FRIENDS.
I don’t know how in the world I’m going to make it.”
OR you can say,
“God, thank you for this new day you’ve given me.
Help me to do something today that will last for all eternity.
Use this day, Father, to your glory. And use me to your glory, too.”
B. The 2nd source of contentment is to “Seek to please Jesus” & quit worrying about pleasing people.
Jesus said, “But seek first His kingdom & His righteousness, & all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)
That is a lesson we’ve never really learned. But if we do, then we’ll discover one of the secrets of being content.
And Paul tells us, “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13)
Bill McCartney retired as the head coach of the Univ. of Colorado football team a number of years ago. His reason for retirement was not because he was unsuccessful as a coach. His teams had won the national championship. They had been in the top 10 many times.
McCartney said that he retired because he wanted to re-evaluate his priorities. And during that year, he rededicated his life & talents to Christ, & threw his efforts into founding the great gatherings of men that came to be known as “Promise Keepers.”
In 1 Thessalonians 2:4 Paul says, “We are not trying to please men but God...” And may that dedication be evident in our lives, too.
C. Here’s the 3rd source of contentment - “Love people, & show your concern for them.”
In today’s text Paul writes, “I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.” (Philippians 4:10)
Then he goes on to write in vs 11 and 14,
“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”
... “Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.” (Philippians 4:11,14)
Paul thanks the church in Philippi for being so concerned about him, not just for the money they sent, but for the fact that they really cared about him. He was in prison & he was sick. So they wrote to him, & sent Epaphroditus to comfort & help him. And he tells them, “Your love means so much to me.”
Now if you have someone who cares about you,
someone who really loves you,
someone who prays for you,
someone who encourages you,
& if you truly treasure that kind of relationship
you may soon, like Paul, be able to say,
“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”
There once was a king who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace.
Many artists tried. The king looked at all the pictures. But there were only two he really liked, & he had to choose between them.
One picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror for peaceful towering mountains all around it. Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect picture of peace.
The other picture had mountains, too. But these mountains were rugged & bare. Above them was an angry sky, from which rain fell & in which lightning played.
Down the side of one mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall.
This did not look peaceful at all. But when the king looked closely at the waterfall, he saw behind it a tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock.
In the bush a mother bird had built her nest. There, in the midst of the rush of angry water, sat the mother bird on her nest - in perfect peace.
Which picture do you think won the prize? The king chose the second picture.
Do you know why? "Because," explained the king, "peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, no trouble, nor hard work.
Peace means to be in the midst of all those things & still be calm in your heart. That is the real meaning of peace."
How about you? Do you have peace this morning? Are you content? If you are not, then learn the secrets of contentment from the apostle Paul.
INVITATION: This morning we give you the opportunity to come & confess your faith in Him, following His example & command in baptism, being raised to walk in a new life, a new relationship with Him. If you are ready to make that decision we invite you to come as we stand & sing.
Monday Apr 29, 2024
Monday Apr 29, 2024
Titus 3:1-3
INTRO: Good morning church! I was reviewing a lesson from a few weeks ago and it got me thinking. Scripture often warns God’s people about deception and evil influences. For example, in Luke 21:8, Jesus said, “Take heed that you not be deceived.” Also, in 2nd Thessalonians 2:3, the Bible says, “Let no one deceive you by any means…” In the Old Testament we read about the influence of the surrounding nations and in the New Testament we read where Paul had to warn Christians of outside influence, 1st Corinthians 6:9-11 for example. The congregation in Corinth, which consisted of Jews and Greeks, were constantly challenged by society in two ways: the first was that many of the Christians originated from a heathen background, and second, they were continually exposed to their evil surroundings.
I wondered what particular challenges that we face being a Christian in this culture, as a Christian at this time. I think it's an important question for us to ask ourselves, and it's kind of hard to see sometimes because the culture is what we're used to. That is a broad topic I know, and would take many lessons.
Since this is an election year, I thought we might look at one point. How much should we care about politics? What role does that have in our life? Often we use the term “apolitical”, which is defined as, “having no interest or involvement in political affairs”. When people hear that term some think that we don’t care about the problems people have. There are people in this country with needs, “I guess you just don't care about them because you don't want to help them”, right? No, that's not it. Christians should care about people in a deep and important way. There is a difference.
Christ teaches us to have a better perspective on this life, have a better perspective on the problems that we face. We are to see things like God sees them. God gives us better tools to help people than this world has to offer.
Need for Leadership. People throughout time tend to lean on politics. Our leaders, our officials, our police force, our military, you name it. We tend to lean on our country and those people in power when we have problems. We see there's a problem over here, and say we wish the government would fix that. We see some thing going on in our society, and say that's the government's job. The thinking is we need to encourage the government to do this or that, and that thinking feeds the idea of being political. After all they're the ones that are supposed to be “solving” everything.
Instead of thinking the government's going to solve everything, we need to realize that government may never solve those problems. The government’s action can't be where my hope lies. God gives me better tools than that to be able to help people. It's really a different way of thinking about how to help the people around us. Do we care about people? Absolutely!
Here are the three points we are going to look at this morning.
Number one: The New Testament tells us to submit to the government. That's a clear theme of the teachings of the New Testament.
Number two: An Old Testament emphasis is that God is in control over kings and over nations.
Number three: Americans care too much about the economy.
I. First let’s examine three key passages in the New Testament that speak about Christians’ relationship with the government, and our attitude toward the government. We will start in Titus 3, than look at 1st Peter 2 and finally Romans 13. What we will find is there are a lot of similarities in these passages.
A. Titus 3:1-3 – “Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.” Paul speaks of government as “rulers and authorities”. Be submissive to rulers and authorities, and in that context, the need to be obedient.
1. In his letter to Titus, Paul admonishes Titus to be a pattern of good works, to the young men especially. Here he says “be ready for every good work”.
a. He reminds Titus that we were “once foolish”. We were disobedient, led astray, slaves to our lusts, slaves to just doing what the flesh wants, our pleasures. Hating people and being hated by people.
b. Do we see that in the political world today, hating people, being hated by people, passing our days in malice and envy?
2. We are to “speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing humility to all men.” People feel free to say things about politicians without a lot of evidence, just kind of throwing out things about them or what they suppose their motives are.
a. Speak evil of no one, not being slanderous. Avoid quarreling, bickering and fighting, even on social media.
b. We are to be gentle, kind, compassionate, meek, and humble. We are to show courtesy towards all people. Being respectful, polite, and gracious. How poorly people seem to do that today!
3. When we think about today, do we have politicians and media that sound like they are not being slanderous, not quarreling, not bickering and fighting but are being gentle and showing courtesy towards all people?
a. Does what we hear from them sound like religious people? People who are claiming to be followers of Jesus? People who are claiming to be disciples of Jesus and following God's word?
b. In those religious contexts, do we see people behaving this way on social media, news outlets, and blogs? Not from my observation.
4. I suspect there is a reason. There are Christians and there are Bible believers all over this world that do behave the way Paul tells Titus to. You don't see it though because that doesn't get the “clicks”. It’s not exciting. Who wants to read a humble blog about politics?
a. What gets the “clicks” gets the views, the attention? It's the snarky comments. It's the sarcasm. It's the rudeness. You know, the shove it back at them attitude. That's what's… “newsworthy”. That's not following what God has said, that's disobedient to the gospel call.
b. What if every person who claimed to be a Christian avoided quarreling, bickering and fighting, was gentle, kind, compassionate, meek, and humble? What if they showed courtesy towards all people, were respectful, polite, and gracious in the political scene? Wouldn't things be different?
5. I fear our world is the opposite. We write and say things to slam others because we “know” that they are slamming people. It should not be that way. The world would be so much better if we always behaved the way Christ calls us to.
B. Another principle that we see, is that it's our job to work with the authorities, those rulers, those people who are over us. And working with them, (not against them), speaks of being submissive. Submit yourself to those rulers and authorities; be obedient, following the laws of the land, and doing what we should.
1. In the book of Titus we see that the way we live, the way we conduct ourselves, shows the goodness of the gospel. It demonstrates what the gospel is really all about, and that we're not about being hateful.
2. There were false things being said about Christians 2000 years ago, just like there are false things being said about Christians today.
3. Today Christians are accused of being bigots, unloving, etc., fill in the blank. 2000 years ago they said followers of Christ were atheists, rejecting the wisdom of their forefathers. They said all kinds of crazy things about Christians. That's going to happen today and we are to counter that by the lives we live.
4. Paul tells Titus in Titus 2:9-10 – “Exhort servants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.” “adorn the doctrine of God” What a great phrase. Adorning the doctrine of God, adorning the gospel. We do that by the lives we live, our lives make it look beautiful. To adorn something is to show the beauty of it. When we say make it look good it does not mean its bad so wrap it up in something fake. It means show the goodness of it. Show the goodness of the gospel. Live it out and show what God is really all about.
C. Now let’s consider something from our current Bible study in 1st Peter 2:13-17. “13. Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14. or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. 15. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men 16. as free, yet not using your liberty as a cloak for vice, but as servants of God. 17. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.”
1. This should sound familiar, not just because of our study but in comparison to what we see in Titus. The lesson is obedience, submission and not just to the highest figure but to every human institution set up by God.
2. Again, we see this idea of submission coupled with living lives that show the goodness of the gospel. Peter says, “For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men…” They may say things about Christians, but the Christians they know individually should show that that stereotype isn't true, because they really do live out the love of God towards people.
3. We show respectful behavior and that shows the goodness of the gospel. Honor all. This is the idea of showing courtesy towards all people. I’m sure we have all heard jokes and slanderous things said about people on the other side of the political aisle. That's not honoring everyone. That's not honoring the emperor, the king, the president, the representative, the mayor, the police chief… you name it.
D. Turn to Romans 13:1-7 – “1. Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority?” Would anyone want to live their life always looking over their shoulder, about to get arrested, about to get in trouble? I certainly don’t want to live that way. “Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4. For he is God's minister to you for good.” Live a righteous life and you'll receive that governor's approval, for he is God's servant. “But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain;” That is a real threat, that has real potential. “for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. 5. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake. 6. For because of this you also pay taxes,” We don't like paying taxes. They didn't like paying taxes 2000 years ago when this was written. We pay them because “they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.” Respect. Respect to who respect is owed. Honor to who honor is owed.
E. Here are the three things we keep seeing in these passages. Submit to the government. We are to obey them, do what they say, are to be respectful to them, showing honor to whom honor is due. Showing courtesy towards all people and living lives that are doing good, to show them the goodness of the gospel.
1. Are we going to do this? Are we going to submit to the government, even if things don't go our way? We have this idea in our world, I should say, in this country; it's like, well, because it's a democracy and I didn't vote for that guy therefore he's not my president. I'm not going to do what he says. If things don't go my way, I’m going to fight against the government in that.
2. What if they start taking away our “rights”? What if they start persecuting Christians? We put “rights” in quotations because it's only a “right” if the government actually gives it to us. Take freedom of speech for example in the First Amendment “Congress shall make no law… abridging the freedom of speech…” They say I have a right to free speech but what if they take that away? -- That’s my right! No, it's not if the government says it's not. The government used to allow it, now they don't. It's not your “right”.
3. We submit to the laws of the land, and however the current politicians are going to interpret the constitution, we submit to that. By the way the courts have already modified what Freedom of speech includes and what it does not include 12 times since 1943. Then in the disclaimer about the list of modification it says; “this is created by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts for use in educational activities only. It may not reflect the current state of the law.”
F. What does the Bible say? Peter says in 1st Peter 2:18f, "18. Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. 19. For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 20. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer for it, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 21. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:”
1. When we talk about submitting to the government, even when they hurt us, or take away our “rights” or push us around—that is not some side issue, some peripheral discussion of Christianity, something that the theologians talk about in dark rooms.
2. Peter says this is what you're called to as a Christian, because that's what Christ did. Christ suffered unjustly. We also may have to suffer unjustly; to this we've been called.
3. It's pretty straightforward. We are to show the glory of God instead of fighting against the government. We will submit as best we can without sinning. Of course, we can't sin if they tell us to sin.
4. We will submit and we will suffer unjustly because we're called to that. In this is the “… strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age…” in Hebrews 5:14. Some don't like to hear this but that's what Christianity is. That's what we've been called to do, follow in the footsteps of Christ.
5. Some think they are smarter than God, they think they know better. “No, here's how I’ll fix it. I'll be really sarcastic and I’ll push the buttons of the authorities.” No, you're not smarter than God. We need to do things God's way.
G. Philippians 2:14f “Do all things without murmuring and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,”. We don't grumble. We're not constantly bashing people. We are thankful. We're appreciative. That will shine as a light in this dark place.
II. Second: we will look at the Old Testament but segue back through Romans 13:1f in so doing – “1. Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves."
A. Government exists as put there by God. He says it over and over again. There's no authority except from God. Those governments that exist have been instituted by God. Paul was not the first person to say that.
B. The Old Testament emphasized that God is in control over kings and nations.
1. There is no better place to show this than in Daniel. Daniel 4:17b – “to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men.” [ESV] God is ruling over the kings of men. He puts in authority those whom He wants to rule.
2. Daniel is explaining to Nebuchadnezzar his dream in Daniel 4:25bf – “… seven periods of time shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will. And as it was commanded to leave the stump of the roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be confirmed for you from the time that you know that Heaven rules.” [ESV]
3. In Daniel 4:32b – “… They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.''”
C. If God's in control, then we have nothing to do with it, right? Does that mean Christians shouldn't vote? No, that's not what that means.
1. Think about it. In every area of our life we work with God, trusting in Him, but also doing our part.
a. Does God give us our food? Yes. Does that mean we don't have to plant crops and harvest them? Does it mean God's going to provide for my family, so I can just sit around?
b. Here is a good one, God takes care on things so if I become ill I don’t need to go to the doctor, just leave it to God, right? No, that's not how any of this works
c. How about this—God is the one in control of the souls of this world, and so I don't need to evangelize. No, that's not how it works. God is in control, but we need to do our part, whatever that part might be.
2. We live in a democracy and we're blessed to have a voice. You have a vote and you should use it as your conscience leads you. I'm certainly glad when Bible-thinking people go out and vote because I believe that is going to bless our country.
3. Even though we vote, don't think for a second that God is not involved. God's will is going to be accomplished. Trust in God.
4. When it is in our control to do something that is fine. When we do act we will behave differently if we trust in God's guiding hand. We won't have anxiety about it. We won’t feel the need to stay up till three in the morning to find out who won.
5. We trust in God and we do our part. We pray and we trust God with the rest. Most of all we pray for God's will to be done and pray for God's blessing. That is where the power is.
D. 1st Timothy 2:1f – “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” Pray for our leaders, for government officials, for the people in this land and for other countries as well.
E. Pray that we are living in a world where people can have Bible studies, where people can have a regular job, where they live their life and can grow spiritually and not in chaos and tumult which are not helpful for people to hear and obey the gospel.
1. Pray that we can lead these quiet lives where we do our work. Pray that we will be a blessing to others around us.
2. Paul says this is good and pleasing in the sight of God.
III. Third: Here I’ll pose a question. Do we, as Americans, care too much about the economy?
A. I was looking at a Gallop poll chart about the percent of Americans who believe economic issues are the nation’s most important problems. The poll covered from 2001 through March of this year.
1. There was a spike in 2008, 2009 where 86% of people answering the poll said the economy was the biggest issue.
2. This was in the worst economic downturn in the U.S. since the Great Depression. Domestic product declined 4.3%, the unemployment rate doubled to more than 10%, home prices fell roughly 30% and at its worst point, the S&P 500 was down 57% from its highs.
B. Let me say that a different way. Of all the problems around us, the biggest one was we didn’t have enough money. It was not education, the things they're teaching in schools, the moral decline we see in areas of our world, and the acceptance of immorality around us. No, those were not the biggest problems facing us. The biggest problem was we didn’t have enough money.
1. I wondered if we were thinking money could solve all the other problems. I suspect that thinking was involved.
2. During the pandemic the percent of people thinking the economy was the most important thing dropped to 10% at the end of 2020 and the beginning of 2021, a dramatic change. Suddenly there was something more important.
3. Much more recently, this year, those saying that economy issues are the most important problems, hovers around 30-34%. Literally a third of the poll respondents say the biggest problem in our country is that our economy isn't good enough or the direction of our economy is wrong. As Christians, do we see how ridiculous that is?
C. As rich as we are, people still think the top problem is we don't have enough money. There are people in this room who have seen the growth of our nation in the years since the great depression and many of us had parents who lived through that time. We know how rich a people we are. It seems to me a little ridiculous to think that the biggest problem in our country is that our economy isn't strong enough.
1. Christians should not be thinking that our biggest problem is the economy. Do we see how worldly that is? How rich do we need to be as a nation before we stop making money our priority?
2. Remember what Ecclesiastes 5:10 said? “He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; Nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity.” It seems that it doesn't matter how much money we have, we just want more of it.
D. When it comes to voting we have likely all heard the phrase “it’s the economy stupid”. I think that phrase is what is stupid. Why do we still care so much about it? Elijah prayed it would not rain so that the people would turn back to God. It didn't rain in Israel for three and a half years. Would we be willing to say those kinds of prayers instead of praying for the economy?
E. We pray that God's will be done. Christians should not grasp and cling to our economic situation; so much that we're not willing to let it go for the sake of people's souls.
CONCLUSION:
What are we going to do in this election year? Care more about souls. Care less about politics, and the headlines, he/she said that and he/she responded this way. Care less about “this or that” person winning and pray for God's blessings. Pray for God's will to be done in this country, and then trust in Him. Be content with the life that God has given to us. Be content with what we have.
We understand there may be people in this room who are having a hard time paying their bills. We understand there may be people in this room that have a hard time getting the food they need. Of course not every person in America is sitting fat and sassy. There may be ways we need to help others financially, even people here, but we can also be content with what we have and look to God to provide for us those needful things. When we do this we'll be a light in a dark world and we'll just be different. God will be glorified.
Psalm 146:3 – “Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save.”[para] That's not who we're going to trust. That's not who we're going to look to. We're going to look to God and do His will. Pray for God's Will to be done, and look to Him. Care about souls, care about the kingdom, care about the things that are to come when Christ returns.
The lesson is yours. Perhaps there is someone in the assembly today with the need to be buried with Christ in baptism. 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.
# ??? Reference Sermon by: Jady Copeland, Lakeview church of Christ
Sunday Apr 21, 2024
Sunday Apr 21, 2024
Judges 4:1-9
I overheard the following conversation between a young lady and her friend:
“I tried to find out what my boyfriend would get me for our anniversary and he finally told me that it was something round that I’ve wanted for a long time. I was happy because I thought it was a ring, I wanted to marry him. I come home and I see A BASKETBALL HOOP WRAPPED IN RIBBONS!!!”
Then I came across this poem:
A WOMAN'S POEM
Before I lay me down to sleep,
I pray for a man, who's not a creep,
One who's handsome, smart and strong.
One who loves to listen long,
One who thinks before he speaks,
One who'll call, not wait for weeks.
I pray he's gainfully employed,
When I spend his cash, won't be annoyed.
Pulls out my chair and opens my door.
Massages my back and begs to do more.
I pray that this man will love me to no end,
And always be my very best friend.
Someone once said that “It is important for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!"
To that person's mind the term “she-roes” was a unique and eye-catching way to talk about heroines.
And I like that word.
In the Bible there are many heroes, but there aren't that many “she-roes”. But of those “she-roes” that are in Scripture, one of the most impressive is the woman mentioned in Judges 4:1-9, which is our text for today’s lesson… her name is Deborah.
4 And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, when Ehud was dead.
2 And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host was Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles.
3 And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel.
4 And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.
5 And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.
6 And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?
7 And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand.
8 And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go.
9 And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.
Now Deborah’s only mentioned in these two chapters (Judges 4 and 5) but hers is a powerful story. In these two chapters we’re actually told quite a bit about her. And amongst the things we’re told is that she’s:
• vs 4 A prophetess
• vs 5 A judge who “used to sit under the palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the people of Israel came up to her for judgment.”
• vs 6 A woman who was used by God
• then in Judges 5:7 She described herself as “a mother in Israel”
• And the entire chapter of Judges 5 is dedicated to a song of praise she sang to honor the power of God in conquering Israel’s enemy.
Now, Deborah was an extremely unique judge. She was different than any of the other judges mentioned in this book about “Judges.”
For example, unlike several of the other judges in the book of judges, there’s not a single word of condemnation about Deborah. The Bible speaks nothing but praise for her faith and actions in her service of her God.
2ndly, unlike several of the other judges in the book of judges she isn't called by God to go to war as a military commander. I mean, she does go to battle beside Barak, but she wasn't called to lead the army to war. She went as an encouragement to Barak.
And 3rd - she’s the only judge in the book of Judges that behaves even close to what we’d call a judge. All the other judges seem to be called to go to war… but not her. She’s called a judge because she acts like what we’d think of as a judge. People come to her to have her arbitrate their disagreements with one another.
ILLUS: Now, when you think of a judge, what images come to mind?
A court room.
A judge dressed in black robes. And there’s usually a bailiff or a deputy, who’s armed with a gun or Taser, and is charged with keeping order in the court.
Judges in our culture are those who can pass judgment, and have the power to impose penalties, and even to punish people by sending them to prison.
But that’s not quite how things worked back then.
In the days of the Old Testament, “judges” were more like “arbitrators”. There were no police or prisons to enforce their rulings. Often times the leading men of the city would serve as these arbitrators. And you wouldn't find them in a beautiful court room. Instead, you'd find them down at the city gates. That’s where they “held court”.
People who needed their disagreements settled would go to the city gates because that was where they’d most likely find the wise men of the community.
Now, by contrast Deborah didn't need to go the gate of the city. She sat under her own palm tree.
Judges 4:5 tells us “She used to sit under the palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the people of Israel came up to her for judgment.” (ESV)
Deborah was one of the most famous of the judges of her day.
In our culture, many of us couldn't begin to give the name of a judge in their city, but we could give the name of an advice counselor in the local newspaper. In my day it was Ann Landers, and her sister who’s by-line was “Dear Abby.”
Just as people would flock to Deborah for her advice, people in our day flock to send their letters to the “Dear Abby’s” of our culture to have them arbitrate disagreements between them. They serve the same function as the “judges” of the Old Testament.
So Deborah was a judge in Israel.
But she wasn't only a judge… she was also a prophetess.
When you think of a prophet in the Old Testament who do you think of?
Isaiah or Jeremiah or Daniel?
These Old Testament prophets were well-known because of books of prophecy they wrote. Or they were known because they would make declarations of a future event (like Isaiah, who’s known as the “Messianic” prophet because of the many futuristic descriptions of the coming of Jesus). Or these prophets were well known because they would give long sermons in which they would declare the judgment of God upon the people of Israel.
She doesn't write a book.
She make no statements about the future.
And she doesn't seem to be into giving long speeches.
So if Deborah didn't do any of those things, what is it that would have qualified her as a “prophetess”?’
What did she do that MADE her a prophetess?
Well, there was one thing that she did that was common to some prophets in the Old Testament. We don’t commonly think of this as part of a prophet’s role because it doesn't get much press in the Bible. But the Jews of Deborah’s day would have understood this action as being something prophets and prophetesses did.
She sang.
The entire 5th chapter of Judges is dedicated to Deborah’s song of praise to God.
God often used singing as a way to declare His majesty.
In fact, that’s what God did through Miriam (the sister of Moses/Aaron) in Exodus 15:21
21 And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea
Miriam’s song of prophecy was exactly like Deborah’s song in its declaration of God’s power and in its declaration that it was God who triumphed over the enemies of Israel.
So Deborah was a judge and she was a prophetess.
And the Bible wants us to clearly understand that she was a very WISE woman.
But that wasn't why she was a SHE-RO of the Old Testament.
Her being a judge and a prophetess and her being wise were not the reasons Deborah was listed in the book of Judges. Deborah is listed in Judges because she allowed God to use her for something special. She’s in the book of Judges because there was a CRISIS and she was used by God to help solve that crisis.
Vs 2 of our Text in Judges 4 tells us:
Israel has fallen back into their old ways of worshiping false gods and their idolatry and rebellion had angered God much that we’re told “the LORD sold them into the hands of Jabin, a king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. The commander of his army was Sisera...”
Now, Israel had an army of 10,000 men under the leadership of a man named Barak but they were no match of Sisera and the army of Canaan. The reason? Sisera had 900 iron chariots… and Israel didn't. Pitting Israel’s army of 10,000 against Canaan’s 900 chariots would have been like sending an army of riflemen against 900 armored tanks. They’d have been massacred.
But God has Deborah tell Barak it was time to go war and she went with Barak as he led his army into what seemed like a hopeless battle with a superior enemy.
But the story in Judges tells us that Barak had an edge in this fight.
God had promised His people that if they obeyed Him: “You will pursue your enemies, and they will fall by the sword before you. Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall by the sword before you.” Leviticus 26:7-8
With God on his side, Barak couldn't lose.
But there is an odd thing about what we’re told here.
How many soldiers does Barak have to go to war with? 10,000.
That’s a pretty good sized army.
But a few Sundays back we read about Gideon and we’re told that he had 10,000 soldiers too. But what did God tell Gideon do with his 10,000 men? God told Gideon to send most of them home. God explained: “The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’” Judges 7:2 (ESV)
So, why were 10,000 soldiers too many for Gideon and just enough for Barak and Deborah? Well, in this case, God was using Barak’s army as “bait.” In fact, that’s what God said was His intention in vs 7 of the text “I will LURE Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his troops to the Kishon River and give him into your hands.’"
I’m convinced that God intended to use Barak’s 10,000 soldiers as a way to lure Sisera chariots into the field of battle. Sisera wouldn't have committed his heavy armament for only 300 men in the field (as Gideon had under his command). Israel's army had to be force big enough for Sisera to feel it worth his trouble. But once ALL Sisera’s chariots were committed and in the field… God destroyed them.
When Deborah sang her song of praise in Judges 5:4-5 she declared “O LORD, when you went out from Seir, when you marched from the land of Edom, the earth shook, the heavens poured, the clouds poured down water. The mountains quaked before the LORD, the One of Sinai, before the LORD, the God of Israel."
You know what happened?
When Sisera was committed, God brought a storm out of the south and… it began to rain. And it rained and it rained and it rained.
ILLUS: I enjoy watching war documentaries on YouTube. And I was particularly intrigued by one of the common explanations of why Nazi Germany lost in their battle for Russia. You see, the power of the German war machine was wrapped up primarily in its tanks. These tanks were the best military machines of their time.
They had the been the key to Hitler's annihilation of the Allied forces in France. But these tanks were designed for war in on the Eastern front… not the Western one.
What defeated Hitler’s tanks was not so much the military might of Russia… it was Russia’s land. When that land got wet it got really muddy and the German tanks often bogged down in that mud and were unable to move. When that happened the German panzers became little more than huge pieces of metal that were at the mercy of the Russian forces.
And that’s essentially what happened to Sisera’s forces. The rain came down… and the IRON chariots got stuck in the mud. They could still move, but they had limited mobility.
Then, in addition to the mud, God threw in an earthquake.
Faced with the obvious reality that Israel’s God had entered the battle - and Barak’s forces weren't far behind - Sisera’s forces panicked and began to run away.
And so did Sisera.
Sisera ran away to the north into the mountains and hid in what he thought was the tent of friends. The woman there fed him and gave him milk and made him comfortable. But after he fell asleep (this is kinda gory) she took a mallet and drove a tent peg through his forehead.
And he died.
A friend of mine observed that “this is why I never sleep in a tent with a woman who has a mallet and a tent peg... just in case”
There was no mistaking the fact that God had won the victory over Sisera that day, and Judges chapter 5 is totally dedicated to singing God’s praises and it was written down a Psalm of Thanksgiving to God.
But now… there’s odd twist to this story.
Before any of this fighting happens.
Before Barak leads his men out to battle.
Before the army is even assembled to fight - God has Deborah tell Barak he needs to go to battle. But Barak isn't excited about the concept.
Vs 8-9 of the text “Barak said to her, ‘If you go with me, I will go; but if you don’t go with me, I won’t go.’
‘Very well,’ Deborah said, ‘I will go with you. But because of the way you are going about this, the honor will not be yours, for the LORD will hand Sisera over to a woman.’”
What’s THIS all about?
Well, what this is all about is – men and women.
It’s all about the difference between men and women.
You do realize that there’s a difference between men and women don’t you?
How many of you realize there’s a difference between men and women?
• Men are bigger and stronger and more aggressive.
• Women tend to be more spiritual and religious.
• Men want to fix problems.
• Women want to listen to people and sympathize with their problems.
• And men, because they are bigger/stronger/aggressive, tend to dominate and mistreat women.
• And women, because they are generally smaller/ weaker than men strive for security and protection.
This all creates a conflict between the sexes.
And often, men – because they are bigger and stronger than women – win that conflict. And when that happens in a society, we call that a “male dominated” society
That’s not healthy. And it’s not Biblical.
When men DOMINATE women it proves they've taken God’s place.
Such men view themselves as being “in charge”… not God.
And thus women become their servants.
In that kind of atmosphere women are abused, misused and mistreated.
Men who create that kind environment have no place in their lives for SHE-ROS. There is no room for women to shine.
But in Matthew 20:25-28 Jesus said “the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave — just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
God hates it when His people dominate and enslave others to their will.
God hates a male DOMINATED society.
And the Bible does not teach it.
But because so many men (including supposedly “Christian” men) do dominate women, godly people react badly to what the Bible actually does teach… which is male-LED society.
The Bible consistently teaches that men were created to lead and have a position of responsibility.
That’s why the Bible says that women should not teach or have authority of adult men. Teaching and having the responsibility of making decisions for the church is the job God designed men to do. When MEN do that job, the church is stronger and better protected. When they don’t step up and do their job… the church suffers.
And wise women in the church won’t let that happen.
Wise women will always challenge their men to step up and lead. And that’s kind of what’s happening here with Barak.
Deborah understands that going to war to protect the nation is a man’s responsibility. That’s Barak’s job. It’s his job to lead men into battle. But he doesn't really want to do it. He wants to lean on Deborah/ he wants her to help him lead the army.
He’s ducking out on his job… and Deborah won’t let him do it.
She’ll go with him, but I suspect she kept challenging him to MAN UP and LEAD.
CLOSE: And that’s kind of the way Godly women have always been. Godly women (and Godly men) have always been more concerned with being servants of God and of others than they ever have of having positions of authority and influence. When Jesus said the greatest among you will be those who are the servants of all I think He may have been thinking about women like Deborah.
Someone once pointed out that women were instrumental in much of Jesus’ ministry.
• It was a woman (His mother Mary) who prompted Jesus to perform His first miracle
• It was women (Mary & Martha) who ministered to Christ during His public ministry.
• It was woman (Mary) who anointed the body of Jesus before He was crucified.
• It was the women (Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Salome) who stayed with Jesus throughout his trial and crucifixion.
• It was women (Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and others) who were the first witnesses to the resurrected Savior.
• And in today’s churches - it is women who make up the majority of the population of most congregations.
In our congregation there are many Deborah’s who are known for their wisdom and insight
In our church there are many great women of God
In our midst there are many She-ros of faith.
And we would be much weaker and poorer without them.
Do I hear an “amen?”
INVITATION… but you can’t be a woman of faith (or a man of faith) until you FIRST belong to Jesus.
1. You have to be willing to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.
2. You need to be willing to repent and turn from your sins.
3. You need to confess that Jesus will now be the Lord and Master of your life.
4. You need to submit to being buried in the waters of Christian baptism, and rise up from those waters to live a life for Jesus.
Sermon Contributor: Jeff Strite
Friday Apr 19, 2024
Friday Apr 19, 2024
Text : 2 Timothy 1 : 8– 14
Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson go on a camping trip. After a good dinner and time relaxing , they retire for the night, and go to sleep. Some hours later, Holmes wakes up and nudges his faithful friend.
"Watson, look up at the sky and tell me what you see."
"I see millions and millions of stars, Holmes" replies Watson.
"And what do you deduce from that?"
Watson ponders for a minute.
"Well, astronomically, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Astrologically, I observe that Saturn is in Leo.
Horologically, I deduce that the time is approximately a quarter past three. Meteorologically, I suspect that we will have a beautiful day tomorrow.
Theologically, I can see that God is all powerful, and that we are a small and insignificant part of the universe.
What does it tell you, Holmes?"
Holmes is silent for a moment, and then he replies,
"Watson, you idiot! It tells me that Someone has stolen our tent!"
Years ago there was a radio program whose announcer would loudly proclaim, "People do the craziest things!" Whether from stupidity, carelessness or foolishness, some things people do make absolutely no sense at all. For example, the following stories are absolutely true.
A few years ago the telephone company in Sacramento, CA., set up a very modern Service Center where customers could call in to report troubles on their line, request repairs or installation of new equipment, & inquire about their bills. There was only one catch. When it opened, the Service Center had an unlisted telephone number.
Then again, in Springfield, IL, a funeral director listened in amazement to a coffin salesman’s criticisms of a competitor’s coffins. What the salesman said doesn’t make much sense, but here it is. He said, "Our coffins are lined with real silk. But their coffins are lined with a synthetic material which may cause skin irritations."
I guess that radio announcer was right. People do the craziest things! But I am convinced that there is nothing as foolish as some of the reasons people give for their lack of commitment to Jesus.
In 2 Timothy 1:12 the apostle Paul said, "For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
Then just two verses later, Paul tells the young preacher, Timothy, “Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.”(2 Timothy 1:14)
In both of those verses the Apostle Paul uses a special Greek word, which means "a treasure or a deposit left with someone you trust completely."
There were no banks back in Paul’s day where you could deposit your money & keep it safe. So what did you do with your wealth when you went on a journey? Then again, if you were to die, who could you trust to be the executor of your estate?
How could you be sure that your family would receive what was rightly theirs? The person you ask to take care of your possessions must be someone you know very well, & whom you trust completely.
And that is what Paul is saying that Jesus is in this verse when he said, "I know whom I have believed & I am convinced that He is able to keep that which I have entrusted to Him until that day."
"I KNOW HIM!"
Isn’t it exciting when we have the occasion to say: “I KNOW HIM or HER!”
(Examples: Caitlynn Houlihan on Broadway as an actress
OR
The members of the US Olympic Swim Team because of Keenan and Kalyn Robinson (Keller).
Here in our text Paul is NOT saying, "I know about Him as an historic figure," or, "I know about Him as a name that appears in the books."
But rather, "I know Him as my Savior, as my friend. I know Him as one who walks beside me & guides me. I know Jesus, & I know “He is able to keep that which I have entrusted to Him.”
I am sure that as Paul wrote these words he must have thought back over his life & the terrible things he had done when he had persecuted the church as he persecuted the Christians who were a part of that church.
But then he met Jesus on the road to Damascus, & from that moment on his life was never the same again. Where once he had imprisoned Christians, now as a Christian he was in prison.
Sitting there in that prison cell in Rome, Paul must have remembered all the horrible things that had happened to him the suffering he had endured the times that he had been arrested & beaten & left for dead the times he was hungry & cold & lonely.
Yet, when compared to the joy that was his because of his friendship with Christ it was worth it all. So he writes, "I know Jesus Christ, & I want you to know Him, too!"
You see, the greatest news is not that Paul knows Christ or that John knows Christ or that Peter knows Christ but that we can know Jesus Christ, too. That is the greatest news of all.
We are told that when we accept Him as our Savior, repenting of our sins & are baptized into Him, that He takes our sins away, forgiving us & forgetting our sins & washing them all away.
When we keep His commandments we show our love for Him, & He becomes the Lord & the Master of our lives. We receive the gift of His Spirit to live within us & give us guidance & strength & direction for every day.
I heard of a minister from Hartford, Connecticut who was an invalid most of his life but he was never heard complaining about his circumstances or seen feeling sorry for himself. Instead, he found it as blessing to be able to preach to others about Jesus and what Jesus has done for all mankind.
In the very last sermon he ever preached he said, "I know Jesus better than I know any man in Hartford." What a wonderful thing to be able to say! "I know Jesus!" The joy of knowing Jesus!
Do you know Him? Can you stand with Paul & John & Peter & all of the others who have walked the corridors of time, marching in the army of God & say, "I know Jesus?"
That should be a personal goal for each and every one of us here this evenin!
The 2nd thing we see in this text is the power of Christ. "I know Him," Paul said, "& I know that He is able." Those are great words, "Christ is able."
Think of the might of Christ & think of all the things which Almighty God can do.
He is able to create. We read in John 1:3 that "All things were made by Him; & without Him was not anything made that was made." He created this world & this universe & everything in it. He created it out of nothing.
Man has built magnificent cities, but we have built everything out of existing materials, & one day everything we have built will return to dust.
I have felt the mist of Niagara Falls in my face. I have flown over some areas of the Rocky Mountains and have seen the purple mountains’ majesties. I have stood on the shores of the Atlantic & the Pacific & listened to the restless waves.
I have gone down to the depths of some of the Caverns in the U.S.
I have looked into the starry sky & seen the Milky Way at night. People, when we look at this world we must be over-whelmed at the creation that God has given to us.
But the greatest news is not that God is able to create, but that He is able to recreate us. God made man in His own image, & He breathed into his nostrils the breath of life.
But what God created,
Satan sought to destroy.
Satan tempted man, & man gave in to that temptation & sinned separating himself from God.
So God sent Jesus to cleanse us from all sin & bring us back to God. That is the best news that I can tell you this morning. He is able!
He is also able to comfort us & inspire us.
Over the years I have read various church papers. Some of them have a column headed with these words, "He Is Able."
Underneath are the names of those who are sick & those who are bereaved. What a beautiful promise when tears come & hearts are broken. "He is able!"
The 1st Century world marveled at the attitude that Christians had about death. They couldn’t understand how Christians could rejoice when one of their number died. But we are told that we can rejoice because Jesus has won the victory over sin & death.
Look at some of the paintings of that time. There is one that is particularly outstanding. It is a picture of Christians in the center of the Coliseum at Rome. Behind them are hungry lions ready to devour them.
In the stands are people filled with hatred, shouting at the Christians, cheering on the lions.
But on the face of every Christian there is a look of peace & life & hope, because "He is able."
Despite everything that we encounter on this earth, "He is able."
He is able to comfort us & inspire us to the greatest heights of service in His kingdom. So Paul writes, "I know Him, & I know that He is able."
"TO KEEP THAT WHICH I HAVE ENTRUSTED TO HIM"
Paul goes on to say, "I know that He is able to keep that which I have entrusted to Him." What had Paul entrusted to Christ?
Obviously, he had entrusted his life. He had committed his body & his soul & his spirit completely to Jesus.
The Bible teaches that our eternal spirit is worth more than anything else in all the world more than silver or gold. It is the most valuable possession we have, & Paul says,
"I have entrusted that valuable possession to Jesus, & He is able to keep it safe, to protect it from all the temptations of the world & to keep it that way throughout eternity."
He is also able to keep track of all that we have done.
The 26th Chapter of Matthew tells of an interesting event that occurred during the last week before Jesus was arrested & crucified. Beginning with vs. 6 it says,
“While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came to Him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume,
“which she poured on His head as He was reclining at the table.”
“When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. ‘Why this waste?’ they asked. ‘This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.’ (Matthew 26:6-9)
But Jesus didn’t think it was wasted. In fact, He commended her for what she had done. He said, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me.
“When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.”
Then Jesus said something that I think we ought especially to remember. He said, 13 Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.” (Matthew 26:10-13)
Not only did all four of the gospel writers (Matthew, Mark, Luke & John) record this event, but I am convinced that God is keeping record also.
In fact, the Bible tells us that every good thing we do for someone else every time we witnessed to the lost & brought them to Christ God is keeping record, & He will never forget.
Paul said, "I know whom I have believed, & I am convinced that He is able to keep that which I have entrusted to Him until that day."
Paul is obviously referring to that day when all the people of the world will stand before the judgment throne of God. Jesus tells us about that day in Matt. 25:33-40.
“All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
“...Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you...’
‘For I was hungry & you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty & you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger & you invited me in,
“I needed clothes & you clothed me, I was sick & you looked after me, I was in prison & you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry & feed you, or thirsty & give you something to drink?
“When did we see you a stranger & invite you in, or needing clothes & clothed you? When did we see you sick or in prison & go to visit you?
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’” (Matthew 25:33-40) What a day of rejoicing that will be!
But for others, it will not be a day of rejoicing. Jesus says that some will hear the words, “Depart from me. ... Whatever you did not do for the least of these, you did not do for me.” (Matthew 25:45)
If we are His, then on that day when God’s people stand before the throne we will hear the words, "Well done, good & faithful servant." (Matthew 25:21)
I ask you again, "Do you know Jesus?" Regardless of your needs this morning, our God is able.
He is able to forgive our sins. He is able to recreate you in the image of Almighty God. He is able to keep that which you entrust to Him your life & your eternal spirit. He will keep it & protect it & love it for all time & eternity.
People, that day is coming. No one knows when, but it is coming, & we must be ready. Again & again God tells us, "Be prepared. Be ready for that day when it comes."
Will you heed that advice this morning? If you are not ready, Christ is here to help you get ready. He invites you to come.
Will you come as together we stand and sing the song of invitation?
Sermon Contributed
By Melvin Newland
Friday Apr 19, 2024
Friday Apr 19, 2024
I Kings 3:5-28
Our text this morning will be 1 Kings 3:5-28. A husband and a wife in their 60s were coming up on their fortieth wedding anniversary. Knowing his wife loved antiques he bought a beautiful old brass oil lamp for her. When she unwrapped it a genie appeared. He thanked them and gave them each one wish. The wife wished for an all expense paid first class around the world cruise with her husband. Shazam. It took place. Instantly she was presented with the tickets for the entire journey plus expensive side trips dinners shopping etc.
The husband however wished he had a female in companion who was 30 years younger than him. Shazam. Instantly he became 90 years old.
If God gave you just one wish, what would it be? I know I would probably wish to get a thousand wishes, but assuming that was not the case what would you wish for?
Today in our text Solomon was given kind of that choice, and he chose wisely. The Lord appears to Solomon in a dream. He offers him whatever he asks for. I'd like to begin by reading in our text 1 Kings 3:5-9 “5. In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. And now, O Lord my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?”
You notice it says in verse five, ask for whatever you want and I will give it to you. What would you want if you were given your heart's desire as they say? What would you want? Gold? Glory? Greatness? Pleasure? Do you look for fame and fortune? Power and prosperity or longevity maybe? Personal looks? None of this was the case for Solomon. What did Solomon ask for? Wisdom. Why you may ask or you might ask what is wisdom. I have often told the grandkids if you ever get lost in a crowd, if you ever get separated from us there is one thing you must remember, find a mother with children that is walking, pushing a stroller and go ask them for help because a mother ninety-nine percent of the time will look to help you and keep you safe and you'll be OK.
Why?
Because we know of a mother's love, there is probably nothing greater than that. They know how they care for their own family and they know what it would be like if they lost their own children so they would seek the help you out. There couldn't be wiser sayings from the quotes of wisdom that I'm going to read. I would like to read just a few that I found on: What Is Wisdom.
A philosopher Cicero said the function of wisdom is to discriminate between good and evil. Good, basic.
There is a philosopher Kant says the distinction between science and wisdom. Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life.
Robert Green Ingersoll says it is a thousand times better to have common sense without education than to have education without common sense.
Sam Levinson says it is simple to be wise. Just think of something stupid to say and then say the opposite. Don’t laugh so much, I think that's how I go through life. Okay what's the first thing you would say? Now say the opposite.
Frank Whitmore said the biggest difficulty with mankind today is that our knowledge has increased so much faster than our wisdom.
We think about that for a moment. Knowledge is increasing so fast, wisdom hasn't caught up with it.
Yet another individual said you can tell whether a man is clever by his answer. You can tell whether a man is wise by his question.
Socrates the only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.
That is where we as Christians look, isn't it? By ourselves, what do we know about the creation of Earth? Nothing. We realize true wisdom is being aware that we aren’t the ones in charge. True wisdom starts with “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth”.
In the Old Testament we have examples of how God acted towards man. We see the history of the human race. We see relationships, how family got started. The goods and bads, the dos and don'ts and then we are offered Jesus coming down from heaven to be an example for each one of us.
That is what we look at today. We think about the wisdom our mothers teach us.
The mother's foresight: "Make sure you wear clean underwear in case you’re in an accident."
Mothers teach us about logic: "If you fall out of that tree and break your neck, don’t come crying to me."
Mothers teach us about maturity: "Eat your vegetables or you’ll never grow up."
Mothers teach us about religion: "You better pray that comes out of the carpet."
Mothers teach us about time travel: "If you don’t straighten up, I’m going to knock you into the middle of next week!"
Mothers teach us about contradictions: Think about this one. "Shut your mouth and eat your dinner!"
Mothers teach us about contortionism: "Will you look at the dirt on the back of your neck?"
Mothers teach us about perseverance: "You are going to sit here until you eat every last piece of that broccoli."
Mothers teach us about genetics: "You’re just like your father."
Mothers teach us finally about the circle of life: "I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."
We know most of all, the mothers teach us about love. God loved the nature of Solomon's request like a mother requesting what would be best for her family. Solomon, remember, he was just young you read those verses when he was speaking. He was young, he was a youth and the numbers of the people the multitude was humungous. He says I'm so young I'm not even sure I know the way in and out, but he sought wisdom to rule the people that he says are special. Why? Because God chose them and he asked for the wisdom to rule, as a mother would ask for the wisdom, as we as leaders or members here at this congregation. May we ask for wisdom in leading our congregation, that we always strive to do things that please God, that we are always a light to this community that we try to spread that message as best we can out to others. We see that God loved the nature of Solomon's request.
I want look at versus 10 through 14 “And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honor: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.”
We see his request, Solomon's request. It was not selfish, it was not self-centered. It showed both reverence for God and respect for God's people. Isn't that what God asked of our lives today? Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and all these other things shall be added unto you. Notice that Solomon asked not personal things. He asked for God's guidance. He asked for the wisdom to serve God.
Notice that God added things to that list because you did not ask God says I will add these things to you. God was pleased to grant this request and then God added to the request both physical and material blessings in addition. Solomon took that seek ye first that Jesus talks about.
I'd like to look at First Kings now at versus sixteen through twenty. “Then came there two women, that were harlots, unto the king, and stood before him. And the one woman said, O my lord, I and this woman dwell in one house; and I was delivered of a child with her in the house. And it came to pass the third day after that I was delivered, that this woman was delivered also: and we were together; there was no stranger with us in the house, save we two in the house. And this woman's child died in the night; because she overlaid it. And she arose at midnight, and took my son from beside me, while thine handmaid slept, and laid it in her bosom, and laid her dead child in my bosom.”
Now both women claim the living child as their own.
In essence one woman ends up by rolling on her baby. It dies. She switches or she has the baby switched. Without other witnesses or evidence Solomon must figure out a way to solve the case. He must figure out which mother is lying. What we must notice is the difference between the two mothers. We see that the false Mother's only concern is for herself. She doesn't care about the child. She's just trying it looks like to hide her sin. On the other hand the real mother is concerned about the infant. She is concerned for the well-being of her son.
It was the real mother who brought the case before King Solomon because of the love that she had or her child. We know that a real mother knows her children inside and out. It says that she had examined her son. The real mother tells Solomon when I rose in the morning to nurse my son, there he was dead but when I had examined him in the morning indeed he was not my son whom I had born. She looked at the child in her arms saw that he had no life. Imagine the panic she must have had gone through her when the realization came that her child was dead, yet she had enough sense then to examine and to realize that it wasn't her own child. She realizes because she knew everything about her son even though he was newborn and she had only known him for a short period of time. She knew every wrinkle or every crease you would say on his face everything about him. There was a unique characteristic of her son. She knew the color of his eyes. She knew probably the way he smelled. She knew the softness of his skin by touch. So it is with mothers. We know that our mothers know everything about us. Think about our heavenly father and how much more God knows. He knows our thoughts He knows our intentions we know that He knows the number of hair on our head for some of them or for some of his probably easier to count than others but we know that it says He knows the very hairs on our heads. He knows. He’s the creator of all. I love the verses that say you know when you look at the birds that fly and how beautiful they are and if He does that for the birds and the for the flowers as the rain is going to water them and we'll see them sprouting, the beauty of the fields and how much more Jesus says Our Heavenly Father will care for you than all of these.
We look at this mother that knows everything and she knew something was wrong. She knew this child was different in so many ways. Notice how strongly she felt about this before she says indeed he was not my son whom I bore. Her statement is strong and it's also emphatic. This is not my son. The real mother knows everything about her child. Likes and dislikes joys and sorrows triumphs and failures. If he's hurting she finds out why. If we're in trouble they find out why. If we're acting peculiar they investigate. Above all a real mother knows her children because she has spent time with her family, as she prays on her knees to God for them and their care. We see here Solomon needs the wisdom to decide which mother is telling the truth. We look at how would we find out things.
Often the common thing today is what the mystery of life is. How would we find out what we need to do? Do you ever wonder that sometimes you wake up and what is the purpose? Your boss might ask what is what your purpose of being here is. He's referring to the job but you think about that in a whole universal sense. What is our purpose of being here today. Why are we here?
We know that a mother loves her children. We continue reading in verses 23 to 28 “ Then said the king, The one saith, This is my son that liveth, and thy son is the dead: and the other saith, Nay; but thy son is the dead, and my son is the living. And the king said, Bring me a sword. And they brought a sword before the king.” If I were one of these mothers I'd have to start questioning, what does he need that sword for. The last thing I pictured you know, bring me a sword!
“And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other.” You are now sitting in the audience. What is your thought? I I think I would just be in awe, shell-shocked as they say.
“Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king,” I picture there was no hesitation. It doesn't say, but I picture almost immediately a response.
“for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it.” That would be fair. “Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother thereof. And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment.”
The wisdom of Solomon is seen in his solution to this problem. He says bring me a sword. They bring a sword, he says divide the living child in two and give half to each. He decides to try the case based on the woman's maternal instincts and her human compassion. Calling for a sword he orders the child cut in half. Solomon knows that the real mother is not going to let this happen to her son. From the beginning when he asked for that sword he was granted that wisdom to know the reaction of the mothers.
It makes me think about as Christians. We were talking in our Bible study today about what individual’s reactions to God's word when God says what shall we gain if we profit or gain the entire world but lose our very own souls. What shall we give in exchange? It is a question and we look at what our individual reactions are. We are told to that that a day is coming, a day of judgment but yet some say drink and be merry the reaction might be. Then we might hear the world words that we also hear in the Bible today or tonight thy soul is required of thee.
We know what Solomon's reaction or Solomon knows the reaction of the mother is going to help him make him his decision. He knows that the false mother will agree because she simply doesn't care about the child. The text says then the woman whose son was living spoke to the King. She yearned with compassion for her son and she said Oh Lord give her the living child and by no means kill him. There was a deep bond of love for her son. Rather than see him killed she was willing to let him go, to let him live.
On the other hand the false mother did not care did not have that connection with the son. We know that the contrast in the actions of these two women made Solomon's job easy. He said give of course that first woman the child. We look at what we have. We have Solomon making this judgment. We have Solomon who is viewed upon, word went out immediately. The wisdom that Solomon and then you do know what Solomon's final conclusion was.
Here is a man who prayed for wisdom. He asked for wisdom. He made a judgment this was just one of the judgments that happened in his life. The people marveled at and realized and notice it said that they realized his wisdom came from God. It came from heaven. It wasn't just Solomon that it was directed by God.
I'd like to now go to Ecclesiastes. It's really easy to remember go in numerical order Ecclesiastes twelve verse 13 and 14.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 what does he say? This wise man which we believe may be viewed as the wisest man in the world because he was directed by God says what? Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter.
He's basically says I've pondered my whole life. And if I leave one last final statement with you it is this: the conclusion of the whole matter is fear God and keep his commandments. For this is the whole duty of man.
When you ask what is my purpose? Today why are we here? Solomon wisest man asked for God's wisdom says fear God and keep his commandments for this is the whole duty of man for God shall bring every work into judgment with every secret thing whether it is good or whether it be evil .
I'd just like to swing over to the New Testament. These are Old Testament. Some people would say what does it say in the New Testament. There are many, I'm just going to look at one in Matthew 7 verse 24
In Matthew seven versus twenty four to twenty seven it says Therefore whosoever heareth theses sayings of mine (This is Jesus himself speaking.) whosoever hears these sayings of mine and do with them I will liken him unto a wise man who's built his house upon a rock and the rains descend and the floods come and the winds blow and beat upon that house and it shall not fall. (Why? Because it was founded upon a rock. What is the rock? God's truth. It is founded upon God's wisdom God's truth God's word as we read in the New Testament.) Everyone here at these sayings of mine and does them not (Now Jesus is saying okay what about those that say Oh I'm better off by myself, I don't need to worship with other people, I can do my own thing, they believe not) they shall be likened them to a foolish man who has built his house upon the sand and the rains descended and the floods came and the winds blew and beat upon that house, and (what's going to happen?) it fell and not only did it fall -- great was the fall.
I'd like to conclude with this. I would like to go back to Psalms and just the first chapter of the book of Psalms.
Psalms chapter 1 which is 6 versus long says Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Obviously from the beginning of time. Growing up you always had the good guys and the bad guys. The good guys usually wear white. The bad guys usually wear black and that's just how it's been. We think about where it started. You think about a lot of things people say. You know there's a lot of people that don't believe in the Bible but when you look at what we do in real life a lot of it all relates back to the teachings of the Bible good versus evil, God versus Satan. God talks about a place of light, brightness and light, because he and the Son will light it. Hell, destruction of Satan, outer darkness, evil being dark. We see when we grow up I was I say give you these passages just to let you realize that God is that light. God is the way the truth and the light and no man go to them.
We think about we how we need to believe we need to repent we need to confess we need to be buried with him in baptism to come in contact with the blood that Jesus shed for us. We see that is the wisdom that the Bible speaks of. Solomon prayed for that wisdom.
As Christians we can obtain wisdom just by reading God's word. God is the one that is in control and may we follow that example that love that Solomon had, the love that that mother had for her family. May we have that love for our family. May we have that love for our Christian family. May we have love for those that we've come in contact with that they can be spared and turned on to God before it is too late. That is what Jesus meant when he sent the disciples out saying go ye therefore unto all nations teaching them to observe all these things that I have given to you and commanded you. Lo I am with you always even until the end of earth. We think about what we have. Today if we are in a need of either taking the steps to become a Christian or if we have taken those steps and fallen a way and need the prayers of the congregation whatever our need is we have the chance to make it right as we stand and sing our song of invitation.