December 21, 2008
Get Excited: The Story of The Shepherds
Luke 2
THE SHEPHERDS AND ANGELS
8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep.9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terrified,10 but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger."
13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,
14 "Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased."
15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "Let's go to Bethlehem! Let's see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger.17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child.18 All who heard the shepherds' story were astonished,19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.20 The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.
A small boy was told he was too young to wear a watch. But he continued to plead for one, until the whole family grew weary of his begging. Finally, his father, after explaining that he could have a watch when he was older, forbade him to mention the subject again.
The next Sunday, the children in the family – as was their custom – repeated Bible verses at the Sunday breakfast table. When it was the boy’s turn, he astonished them with a rendering of Mark 13:37: “What I say unto you, I say unto all: watch!” (Brian Bauknight, Devotions to Leave You Smiling, p. 20.)
The shepherds were keeping watch in the fields near Bethlehem. What was about to happen couldn’t have been imagined in their wildest dreams. Heaven interrupted their same-old-same-old. An angel burst onto the scene! The whole field lit up – bathed in the glory of God.
The shepherds were beside themselves – sheer panic set in. Then the angle spoke, “Don’t be afraid! I bring you good news.” What a way to bring good news. I love God’s way of delivering good news. He got the shepherds attention!
The good news first came to social outcasts - #1 on our outline. The occupation of shepherd was looked down on in Jesus’ day. It was on the low end of the Totem Pole. The work of a shepherd made the shepherd ceremonially unclean. In addition, shepherds were considered by many to be untrustworthy. And yet God interrupted earth’s busy schedule by appearing first to the shepherds – the least among humanity. What would lead God to do that? God was blowing away our preconceived notions about status and privilege. The good news came first to the undeserving and the under-privileged. God turned our elitist views on their ears. The savior who was coming was for all people – even the least of those among us!
The angels gave the shepherds a clue – a sign; when they find a baby lying in a manger wrapped in swaddling clothes – little wraps of cloth – they will have found God’s chosen. Just then, a great army of angels joined the one angel, composing a tremendous heavenly choir. They began to praise God.
The shepherds watched the angels return to heaven. What a sight that must have been. When the light dimmed, the shepherds spared no time racing into Bethlehem to see the very thing that the angels had announced. They found Christ just as the angels had said. The shepherds were on the go again – not back to the fields – but to the homes and along the byways of Bethlehem.
This leads us to #2 on our outline: The good news is meant to be shared. The shepherds instinctively knew that they must tell someone. As a matter of a fact, the shepherds told everyone that they had come across about what had happened in the field and the special reason that the child had come. The shepherds must have been bursting at the seams to share this good news. Nothing had ever happened like it before. They were full of joy. It oozed right out of them. No doubt the look on their face alone must have given away the notion that something incredible had happened. These shepherds were the first evangelists – the first heralds of the good news.
In both the Old and New Testaments, shepherds symbolize those who take care of God’s people. This news – no ordinary news – would make a huge impact upon the outlook of all the residents of the Holy Land. The Jewish people were an occupied people. A foreign army was in charge. Life was at times very brutal. Hope was coming. It would make their day!
The shepherds of Luke 2 just might symbolize all the ordinary, everyday people who joyfully receive the good news and, as a result, become lay-pastors. They gained an appetite to take care of the spiritual needs of God’s people! And it worked! Let’s take a look at #3 of our outline: The good news produces results.
All who heard the shepherd’s story were astonished. Just as the shepherds were taken by surprise by the angels, the townspeople were taken by surprise by the shepherds. Wonder and amazement filled the village. People who were sleeping were woken up. Those at work left their post. The sick and the hurting found something to look forward to beside their painful circumstances. The whole town was a buzz!
Not only did the sharing of the good news astonish those who heard, it also did something for the shepherds who shared. The shepherds finally told everyone that they could and then went back to their flocks. But they were different. The sharing of the good news changed them. They went back to the fields glorifying and praising God. Even their lowly work would never feel the same again. The sharing of the news elevated them to a new spiritual level.
The reason for existence is to make a difference. When you see the effect, it creates praise and glory. Excitement is stirred. The beauty of such behavior gives wings to the work of ministry.
“How can I ever repay you?” asked a friend of a friend who had done him a great favor. “I shall forever be indebted to you for your kindness.” “Not necessarily,” answered the friend. “If you really want to repay me, keep your eye open for somebody who needs help as badly as you did, help him, and tell him what I told you: ‘I did it on behalf of Christ my Savior.’ If you are willing to do this, I shall be fully repaid for I shall enjoy the warm feeling that someday – through you – I shall have helped a fellow I didn’t even know.” (adapted from James Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited, p. 178)
What do we, who are so far removed from this original story, do to get excited? Is it possible? Yes. We must hear the stories of how the good news is making a difference. And we must pray for the ability to share the good news, too. It is in the hearing and in the sharing that excitement builds.
Secondly, what do we do to maintain the excitement? A quick suggestion: we must sow, grow and go! We must be placed in fertile soil. We must sow deep into the word of God where we learn all about the good news – like Elijah who prayed down fire to burn up wood doused in water, like Joshua who marched Israel around Jericho and brought the walls down, like Mary Magdalene who found forgiveness at Jesus’ feet, like Peter whose shadow healed a sick man – all episodes recorded in the Bible. Then we must grow spiritually by making sure that we are Christ’s and that we nurture that relationship by having a regular conversation with him through prayer and worship. Finally, we must go – asking God to open the door in sharing the good news of what Christ has done and is doing. We have something that the shepherds did not have – the very presence of the Holy Spirit living inside of us. The saved are plugged in to the power of heaven!
Lost on a back road in Alabama, a motorist asked the way to Montgomery. An old farmer sitting on the fence looked down the road, scratched his head, and gave explicit instructions. Half an hour later, after carefully following the farmer’s directions, the motorist found himself back at the starting point. The farmer was still sitting on the fence in placid contemplation of the landscape.
“Hey, what’s the idea?” the motorist demanded. “I did just what you told me, and look where I a wound up!” “Well, young feller,” the farmer explained, “I didn’t aim to waste my time telling you how to get to Montgomery until I found out if you could follow simple directions.” (Brian Bauknight, Devotions to Leave You Smiling, p. 15.)
It just may be that God won’t disclose more until we learn to follow His simple directions. When we show Him we are capable of carrying out the little things, He will give us so much more!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
December 14, 2008 Advent
Doing the Right Thing
Matthew 1
THE BIRTH OF JESUS THE MESSIAH
18 This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit.19 Joseph, her fiancé, was a good man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement* quietly.
20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. "Joseph, son of David," the angel said, "do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit.21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus,* for he will save his people from their sins."
22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord's message through his prophet:
23 "Look! The virgin will conceive a child!
She will give birth to a son,
and they will call him Immanuel,*
which means 'God is with us.'"
24 When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife.25 But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus
There is a beautiful chorus from a song by Christ Tomlin called Jesus Messiah:
Jesus Messiah
Name above all names
Blessed Redeemer
Emmanuel
The rescue for sinners
The ransom from Heaven
Jesus Messiah
Lord of all
Take a look at number one on our outline:
1. Jesus is Messiah; Messiah means: anointed or chosen
Jesus is Messiah. He was anointed or chosen. To do what? To save us!
Let me tell you a story. In a remote village stood a beautiful church. It was so beautiful, in fact, that it was known as the Mountain Valley Cathedral. The church was not only beautiful to look at – with its high pillars and magnificent stained glass windows – but it had the most beautiful pipe organ in the whole area. People would come from miles away – even from far off lands – to hear the lovely tones of this organ.
But there was a problem. The columns were still there – the windows still dazzled with the sunlight – but there was an eerie silence. The valley no longer echoed the glorious, fine-tuned music of the pipe organ.
Something had gone wrong with the pipe organ. Musicians and experts from around the world had tried to repair it. Every time a new person would try to fix it the villagers were subjected to sounds of disharmony – awful, penetrating noises which polluted the air.
One day an old man appeared at the church door. He spoke with the pastor and after a time the pastor reluctantly agreed to let the old man try his hand at repairing the organ. For two days the old man worked in almost total silence. The pastor was, in fact, getting a bit nervous. Then on the third day – at high noon – the valley was once again filled with glorious music. Farmers dropped their plows, merchants closed their stores – everyone in town stopped what they were doing and headed for the church. Even the bushes and trees of the mountaintops seemed to respond as the glorious music echoed from ridge to ridge.
After the old man finished his playing, a brave soul asked him how he could have fixed the organ, how could he restore this magnificent instrument when even the world’s experts could not. The old man merely said it was an inside job. “It was I who built the organ 50 years ago,” he said, “I created it – and now I have restored it.”
That is what God is like. It is He who created the universe, and it is He who can, and will, and is in the process of restoring it. God’s perfect plan was an inside job. He came and lived inside a man named Jesus Christ – God’s son. It was God’s perfect plan to live with us and to die for us. So, even though the world is not so perfect, and even though we aren’t so perfect, God is still perfect in doing His work of salvation. If we believe in Jesus and follow his teachings in the Bible, we will be saved. And someday, he will give us a new heaven, a new earth, and a new body – all will be perfect again.
Let’s take a look at the second point on our outline.
2. Joseph was a good man because:
a. He was willing to put his own interests last
Let’s put this in perspective. It was a terrible disgrace in this day to be pregnant out of marital union. Remember, the Jewish folk of this time were given to one another but not officially married until the wedding ceremony, which lasted a week. Mary and Joseph did not yet have their ceremony. A pregnant Mary would have been a very big problem. Either Mary committed a type of adultery or he and Mary had sexual relations before they were supposed to. Either situation was disgraceful and by the letter of the law was punishable by death.
A lot of people don’t mind making others look bad in order to save their own reputations. In that day, it is probable that most men would have implicated their fiancé and very publicly broken off the engagement. But Joseph was not willing to protect his own interests at the expense of Mary. He wanted to quietly break it off – no public announcement denouncing her.
In his dream, he discovered the will of God – he was to keep Mary as his wife. Such a move was actually an implication that he was the father. If folks noticed the pregnancy, everyone would have assumed that he could not control himself. The risk was now much larger. But Joseph, a godly man, was willing to take the risk rather than disobey God. So Joseph put his very reputation on the line. He put himself last at a great cost to his own status.
Richard Baxter was a minister in the Church of England in the 18th century. He wrote these words:
Lord, it belongs not to my care
Whether I die or live;
To love and serve Thee is my share,
And this Thy grace must give.
If life be long I will be glad,
That I may long obey;
If short--yet why should I be sad
To soar to endless day?
Christ leads me through no darker rooms
Than he went through before;
He that to God's Kingdom comes,
Must enter by this door. Richard Baxter
Richard himself faced much persecution, but he was willing to do so for the Mater’s sake. So was Joseph. This passage does not record any words spoken by Joseph. But this passage shows that Joseph did the right thing.
Andrew Murray was a pastor in South Africa during the 19th century. He wrote these telling words about humility:
Humility is perfect quietness of heart. It is for me to have no trouble; never to be fretted or vexed or irritated or sore or disappointed. It is to expect nothing, to wonder at nothing that is done to me, to feel nothing done against me. It is to be at rest when nobody praises me and when I am blamed or despised. It is to have a blessed home in the Lord where I can go in and shut the door and kneel to my Father in secret and be at peace as in a deep sea of calmness when all around is trouble. It is the fruit of the Lord Jesus Christ's redemptive work on Calvary's cross, manifested in those of His own who are definitely subject to the Holy Spirit. Andrew Murray
Joseph was also a good man because
b. He took his time with big decisions.
The hardest thing to learn in life is which bridge to cross and which to burn. David Russell.
Joseph had a great idea. He slept on it. This is good advice to all of us! When we are facing big decisions, don’t be too rash. Sleep on it. This slowing down made time for the Holy Spirit to penetrate Joseph’s heart. The Holy Spirit spoke to Joseph. When you know God is calling you to do something, you can go forward, for all the power of heaven is behind you. Take your time, but don’t take too much time.
Former president Ronald Reagan once had an aunt who took him to a cobbler for a pair of new shoes. The cobbler asked young Reagan, "Do you want square toes or round toes?" Unable to decide, Reagan didn't answer, so the cobbler gave him a few days. Several days later the cobbler saw Reagan on the street and asked him again what kind of toes he wanted on his shoes. Reagan still couldn't decide, so the shoemaker replied, "Well, come by in a couple of days. Your shoes will be ready." When the future president did so, he found one square-toed and one round-toed shoe! "This will teach you to never let people make decisions for you," the cobbler said to his indecisive customer. "I learned right then and there," Reagan said later, "if you don't make your own decisions, someone else will." Today in the Word, MBI, August, 1991, p. 16.
Prayerfully consider what God wants you to do! Take some time – not forever – some time. Read scripture. Talk to others (God speaks through other people, too). Pray some more, and then do what you feel God is leading you to do.
Last, on our outline, Joseph was a good man because:
c. He obeyed the will of God.
Peter T. Forsythe was right when he said, "The first duty of every soul is to find not its freedom but its Master". Warren W. Wiersbe, The Integrity Crisis, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1991, p. 22
Roger Staubach who led the Dallas Cowboys to the World Championship in '71 admitted that his position as a quarterback who didn't call his own signals was a source of trial for him. Coach Landry sent in every play. He told Roger when to pass, when to run and only in emergency situations could he change the play (and he had better be right!). Even though Roger considered coach Landry to have a "genius mind" when it came to football strategy, pride said that he should be able to run his own team.
Roger later said, "I faced up to the issue of obedience. Once I learned to obey there was harmony, fulfillment, and victory." Source Unknown.
Imagine, if you will, that you work for a company whose president found it necessary to travel out of the country and spend an extended period of time abroad. So he says to you and the other trusted employees, "Look, I'm going to leave. And while I'm gone, I want you to pay close attention to the business. You manage things while I'm away. I will write you regularly. When I do, I will instruct you in what you should do from now until I return from this trip." Everyone agrees.
He leaves and stays gone for a couple of years. During that time he writes often, communicating his desires and concerns. Finally he returns. He walks up to the front door of the company and immediately discovers everything is in a mess--weeds flourishing in the flower beds, windows broken across the front of the building, the gal at the front desk dozing, loud music roaring from several offices, two or three people engaged in horseplay in the back room. Instead of making a profit, the business has suffered a great loss. Without hesitation he calls everyone together and with a frown asks, "What happened? Didn't you get my letters?"
You say, "Oh, yeah, sure. We got all your letters. We've even bound them in a book. And some of us have memorized them. In fact, we have 'letter study' every Sunday. You know, those were really great letters." I think the president would then ask, "But what did you do about my instructions?" And, no doubt the employees would respond, "Do? Well, nothing. But we read every one!" Charles Swindoll, Living Above the Level of Mediocrity, p. 242.
One step forward in obedience is worth years of study about it. Chambers, Our Daily Bread, March 4, 1993.
Doing the Right Thing
Matthew 1
THE BIRTH OF JESUS THE MESSIAH
18 This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit.19 Joseph, her fiancé, was a good man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement* quietly.
20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. "Joseph, son of David," the angel said, "do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit.21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus,* for he will save his people from their sins."
22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord's message through his prophet:
23 "Look! The virgin will conceive a child!
She will give birth to a son,
and they will call him Immanuel,*
which means 'God is with us.'"
24 When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife.25 But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus
There is a beautiful chorus from a song by Christ Tomlin called Jesus Messiah:
Jesus Messiah
Name above all names
Blessed Redeemer
Emmanuel
The rescue for sinners
The ransom from Heaven
Jesus Messiah
Lord of all
Take a look at number one on our outline:
1. Jesus is Messiah; Messiah means: anointed or chosen
Jesus is Messiah. He was anointed or chosen. To do what? To save us!
Let me tell you a story. In a remote village stood a beautiful church. It was so beautiful, in fact, that it was known as the Mountain Valley Cathedral. The church was not only beautiful to look at – with its high pillars and magnificent stained glass windows – but it had the most beautiful pipe organ in the whole area. People would come from miles away – even from far off lands – to hear the lovely tones of this organ.
But there was a problem. The columns were still there – the windows still dazzled with the sunlight – but there was an eerie silence. The valley no longer echoed the glorious, fine-tuned music of the pipe organ.
Something had gone wrong with the pipe organ. Musicians and experts from around the world had tried to repair it. Every time a new person would try to fix it the villagers were subjected to sounds of disharmony – awful, penetrating noises which polluted the air.
One day an old man appeared at the church door. He spoke with the pastor and after a time the pastor reluctantly agreed to let the old man try his hand at repairing the organ. For two days the old man worked in almost total silence. The pastor was, in fact, getting a bit nervous. Then on the third day – at high noon – the valley was once again filled with glorious music. Farmers dropped their plows, merchants closed their stores – everyone in town stopped what they were doing and headed for the church. Even the bushes and trees of the mountaintops seemed to respond as the glorious music echoed from ridge to ridge.
After the old man finished his playing, a brave soul asked him how he could have fixed the organ, how could he restore this magnificent instrument when even the world’s experts could not. The old man merely said it was an inside job. “It was I who built the organ 50 years ago,” he said, “I created it – and now I have restored it.”
That is what God is like. It is He who created the universe, and it is He who can, and will, and is in the process of restoring it. God’s perfect plan was an inside job. He came and lived inside a man named Jesus Christ – God’s son. It was God’s perfect plan to live with us and to die for us. So, even though the world is not so perfect, and even though we aren’t so perfect, God is still perfect in doing His work of salvation. If we believe in Jesus and follow his teachings in the Bible, we will be saved. And someday, he will give us a new heaven, a new earth, and a new body – all will be perfect again.
Let’s take a look at the second point on our outline.
2. Joseph was a good man because:
a. He was willing to put his own interests last
Let’s put this in perspective. It was a terrible disgrace in this day to be pregnant out of marital union. Remember, the Jewish folk of this time were given to one another but not officially married until the wedding ceremony, which lasted a week. Mary and Joseph did not yet have their ceremony. A pregnant Mary would have been a very big problem. Either Mary committed a type of adultery or he and Mary had sexual relations before they were supposed to. Either situation was disgraceful and by the letter of the law was punishable by death.
A lot of people don’t mind making others look bad in order to save their own reputations. In that day, it is probable that most men would have implicated their fiancé and very publicly broken off the engagement. But Joseph was not willing to protect his own interests at the expense of Mary. He wanted to quietly break it off – no public announcement denouncing her.
In his dream, he discovered the will of God – he was to keep Mary as his wife. Such a move was actually an implication that he was the father. If folks noticed the pregnancy, everyone would have assumed that he could not control himself. The risk was now much larger. But Joseph, a godly man, was willing to take the risk rather than disobey God. So Joseph put his very reputation on the line. He put himself last at a great cost to his own status.
Richard Baxter was a minister in the Church of England in the 18th century. He wrote these words:
Lord, it belongs not to my care
Whether I die or live;
To love and serve Thee is my share,
And this Thy grace must give.
If life be long I will be glad,
That I may long obey;
If short--yet why should I be sad
To soar to endless day?
Christ leads me through no darker rooms
Than he went through before;
He that to God's Kingdom comes,
Must enter by this door. Richard Baxter
Richard himself faced much persecution, but he was willing to do so for the Mater’s sake. So was Joseph. This passage does not record any words spoken by Joseph. But this passage shows that Joseph did the right thing.
Andrew Murray was a pastor in South Africa during the 19th century. He wrote these telling words about humility:
Humility is perfect quietness of heart. It is for me to have no trouble; never to be fretted or vexed or irritated or sore or disappointed. It is to expect nothing, to wonder at nothing that is done to me, to feel nothing done against me. It is to be at rest when nobody praises me and when I am blamed or despised. It is to have a blessed home in the Lord where I can go in and shut the door and kneel to my Father in secret and be at peace as in a deep sea of calmness when all around is trouble. It is the fruit of the Lord Jesus Christ's redemptive work on Calvary's cross, manifested in those of His own who are definitely subject to the Holy Spirit. Andrew Murray
Joseph was also a good man because
b. He took his time with big decisions.
The hardest thing to learn in life is which bridge to cross and which to burn. David Russell.
Joseph had a great idea. He slept on it. This is good advice to all of us! When we are facing big decisions, don’t be too rash. Sleep on it. This slowing down made time for the Holy Spirit to penetrate Joseph’s heart. The Holy Spirit spoke to Joseph. When you know God is calling you to do something, you can go forward, for all the power of heaven is behind you. Take your time, but don’t take too much time.
Former president Ronald Reagan once had an aunt who took him to a cobbler for a pair of new shoes. The cobbler asked young Reagan, "Do you want square toes or round toes?" Unable to decide, Reagan didn't answer, so the cobbler gave him a few days. Several days later the cobbler saw Reagan on the street and asked him again what kind of toes he wanted on his shoes. Reagan still couldn't decide, so the shoemaker replied, "Well, come by in a couple of days. Your shoes will be ready." When the future president did so, he found one square-toed and one round-toed shoe! "This will teach you to never let people make decisions for you," the cobbler said to his indecisive customer. "I learned right then and there," Reagan said later, "if you don't make your own decisions, someone else will." Today in the Word, MBI, August, 1991, p. 16.
Prayerfully consider what God wants you to do! Take some time – not forever – some time. Read scripture. Talk to others (God speaks through other people, too). Pray some more, and then do what you feel God is leading you to do.
Last, on our outline, Joseph was a good man because:
c. He obeyed the will of God.
Peter T. Forsythe was right when he said, "The first duty of every soul is to find not its freedom but its Master". Warren W. Wiersbe, The Integrity Crisis, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1991, p. 22
Roger Staubach who led the Dallas Cowboys to the World Championship in '71 admitted that his position as a quarterback who didn't call his own signals was a source of trial for him. Coach Landry sent in every play. He told Roger when to pass, when to run and only in emergency situations could he change the play (and he had better be right!). Even though Roger considered coach Landry to have a "genius mind" when it came to football strategy, pride said that he should be able to run his own team.
Roger later said, "I faced up to the issue of obedience. Once I learned to obey there was harmony, fulfillment, and victory." Source Unknown.
Imagine, if you will, that you work for a company whose president found it necessary to travel out of the country and spend an extended period of time abroad. So he says to you and the other trusted employees, "Look, I'm going to leave. And while I'm gone, I want you to pay close attention to the business. You manage things while I'm away. I will write you regularly. When I do, I will instruct you in what you should do from now until I return from this trip." Everyone agrees.
He leaves and stays gone for a couple of years. During that time he writes often, communicating his desires and concerns. Finally he returns. He walks up to the front door of the company and immediately discovers everything is in a mess--weeds flourishing in the flower beds, windows broken across the front of the building, the gal at the front desk dozing, loud music roaring from several offices, two or three people engaged in horseplay in the back room. Instead of making a profit, the business has suffered a great loss. Without hesitation he calls everyone together and with a frown asks, "What happened? Didn't you get my letters?"
You say, "Oh, yeah, sure. We got all your letters. We've even bound them in a book. And some of us have memorized them. In fact, we have 'letter study' every Sunday. You know, those were really great letters." I think the president would then ask, "But what did you do about my instructions?" And, no doubt the employees would respond, "Do? Well, nothing. But we read every one!" Charles Swindoll, Living Above the Level of Mediocrity, p. 242.
One step forward in obedience is worth years of study about it. Chambers, Our Daily Bread, March 4, 1993.
December 7, 2008 -- Advent
PAYING ATTENTION
Little Ole was sitting at the kitchen table doing his school homework. He had a puzzled look on his face as he considered the assignment that was due--writing an essay about his origin. He turned to question his mother. "Mama, where did Grandma come from?" he asked.
"The stork brought her," answered mama Lena.
"And where did you come from?" asked Little Ole.
"The stork brought me," his mother answered.
"And where did I come from?" Little Ole inquired. "Well, son, the stork brought you, too," mama Lena replied.
With a scowl on his face, Little Ole picked up his pencil, turned to his school tablet, and began writing his essay: "There have been no natural births in our family for three generations."
Speaking of unnatural births, we are going to take a close look at the most unnatural, most amazing birth of all time. The announcement was made by an angel:
Luke 1:26-56
26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee,27 to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David.28 Gabriel appeared to her and said, "Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!*"
29 Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean.30 "Don't be afraid, Mary," the angel told her, "for you have found favor with God!31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David.33 And he will reign over Israel* forever; his Kingdom will never end!"
34 Mary asked the angel, "But how can this happen? I am a virgin."
35 The angel replied, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.36 What's more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month.37 For nothing is impossible with God.*"
38 Mary responded, "I am the Lord's servant. May everything you have said about me come true." And then the angel left her.
39 A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town40 where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth.41 At the sound of Mary's greeting, Elizabeth's child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
42 Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, "God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed.43 Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me?44 When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy.45 You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said."
46 Mary responded,
"Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.
47 How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
48 For he took notice of his lowly servant girl,
and from now on all generations will call me blessed.
49 For the Mighty One is holy,
and he has done great things for me.
50 He shows mercy from generation to generation
to all who fear him.
51 His mighty arm has done tremendous things!
He has scattered the proud and haughty ones.
52 He has brought down princes from their thrones
and exalted the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away with empty hands.
54 He has helped his servant Israel
and remembered to be merciful.
55 For he made this promise to our ancestors,
to Abraham and his children forever."
56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back to her own home.
This passage of scripture leads me to ask 3 questions. I’ll call them the questions of Christmas.
1. Are there really angels? If so, what is their role?
The Bible is full of angels. Angel or angels are mentioned 304 times!
We don't know whether every angel carries out the same tasks, or whether some of them specialize in certain areas. The Bible does speak about classes of angelic beings like cherubim (Ezekiel 1) and seraphim (Isaiah 6). We also know the names of two notable angels: Michael (Daniel 10:13; Jude 9) and Gabriel (Daniel 9:21; Luke 1:19,26).
The unnamed angels who appear most often in Scripture carry out a variety of tasks—all designed to serve God…
Worship and praise - This is the main activity portrayed in heaven (Isaiah 6:1-3; Revelation 4-5).
Revealing - They serve as messengers to communicate God's will to men. They helped reveal the law to Moses (Acts 7:52-53), and served as the carriers of much of the material in Daniel, and Revelation.
Guiding - Angels gave instructions to Joseph about the birth of Jesus (Matthew 1-2), to the women at the tomb, to Philip (Acts 8:26), and to Cornelius (Acts 10:1-8).
Providing - God has used angels to provide physical needs such as food for Hagar (Genesis 21:17-20), Elijah (1 Kings 19:6), and Christ after His temptation (Matthew 4:11).
Protecting - Keeping God's people out of physical danger, as in the cases of Daniel and the lions, and his three friends in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3 and 6).
Delivering - Getting God's people out of danger once they're in it. Angels released the apostles from prison in Acts 5, and repeated the process for Peter in Acts 12.
Strengthening and encouraging - Angels strengthened Jesus after His temptation (Matt 4:11), encouraged the apostles to keep preaching after releasing them from prison (Acts 5:19-20), and told Paul that everyone on his ship would survive the impending shipwreck (Acts 27:23-25).
Answering prayer - God often uses angels as His means of answering the prayers of His people (Daniel 9:20-24; 10:10-12; Acts 12:1-17).
Caring for believers at the moment of death - In the story of Lazarus and the rich man, we read that angels carried the spirit of Lazarus to “Abraham's bosom” when he died (Luke 16:22). Author: Dr. John Bechtle.
The book of Hebrews mentions that angels are ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:14). They are not meant to be prayed to or worshiped. Any time that worship is even remotely attempted, angels are the first to dispel such notions. They draw glory to God – never to self.
Angelic activity is not reserved just for Bible times. There is story after story - throughout history - right up to the present of people experiencing angelic visitations – here in the US and around the world. Like the doctor in Philadelphia who was awakened by a persistent knock at the door in the middle of the night to help a lady in desperate need. The child that came to get him was most convincing. He dressed, followed her, and found the lady in her home desperately sick with pneumonia. The Dr. assumed that the child was the sick lady’s daughter and complimented her on her daughter’s courage. The problem was, the sick lady did not have a daughter! The girl was not ever seen again (Hewett).
Then there was John Paton, a missionary in the New Hebrides Islands. One night hostile natives surrounded the mission station, intent on burning out the Patons and killing them. Paton and his wife prayed during that terror-filled night that God would deliver them. When daylight came they were amazed to see their attackers leave. A year later, the chief of the tribe was converted to Christ. Remembering what had happened, Paton asked the chief what had kept him from burning down the house and killing them. The chief replied in surprise, "Who were all those men with you there?" Paton knew no men were present--but the chief said he was afraid to attack because he had seen hundreds of big men in shining garments with drawn swords circling the mission station. Today in the Word, MBI, October, 1991, p. 18.
How about the pastor who was in Mexico on a preaching mission? While he was returning, his van developed mechanical problems. After jacking up the van, the pastor crawled underneath to check out the problem. The jack collapsed, and suddenly the pastor was struggling for his life. His traveling companions quickly grabbed the bumper to lift the van. They couldn’t even budge it. The pastor cried out, “Jesus, Jesus.” Within a few seconds, a young looking Mexican came running toward them. He was thin and small in stature. He was smiling. When he reached the van, he grabbed the van and lifted it. The others joined in, and the van lifted like a feather. The pastor was freed. The visitor lowered the van, waved to them and ran off in the direction from which he had come. Know one knew who eh was or where he had come from (Hewett).
I am certain that some of you may have had such a visitation – maybe so amazing that you have not told a soul. The only way that your story makes since is from the perspective of an angelic presence.
This leads me to ask a second question; it comes right out of this passage.
2. Does God play favorites?
Look at what the Gabriel said to Mary: “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you.” It would seem that Mary was shown favoritism.
A similar construction of words is used in Ephesians 1:6 – the only other place in the New Testament where the same verb is used. The grace in view here is clearly bestowed upon all believers without any merit of their own. So, God has shown His favor upon Mary and all who call upon God as their savior.
What about those who are sick and no one comes to their rescue? What about those who are threatened and not protected? What about those who are stuck and not freed? Is this fare? Let’s take this apart for a moment. First, there are many, many times that we have been rescued, protected and freed – we just were not aware of it at the time. One of the great events in heaven will be the many angelic conversations that point out the activity of an angel totally unaware to us at the time. God has interceded again and again and again.
Also, there are many, many times, that some of the great Christians arrived at the end of their earthly lives too early – people like songwriter and singer Keith Green who died in a plane crash at age 29 or missionary Jim Elliott who died at the hands of the Waodani tribesmen he was trying to reach for Christ – he was 28,
At the same time, God directs many lives to a different path – sometimes full of suffering – yet always to achieve a greater purpose – folks like Joni Erickson Tada - who at the age of 18 dived into a swimming pool and broke he neck – making her a quadriplegic. That was 41 years ago. Since then, she has authored over 30 books, traveled to 41 countries, recorded several music projects including 2 critically acclaimed albums and ministers to the disabled through her daily radio show “Joni and Friends.” Oh, did I mention that she is an accomplished painter? She paints while holding her paintbrush with her teeth.
Each of these examples mirrors the example of Mary, who said, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be as you have said.”
This leads me to the last question of Christmas:
3. How did Mary respond in such a manner to Gabriel?
Mary in essence said, “Not my will by Thy will be done.” Sound familiar? Her Holy Spirit offspring would use the same words in the Garden of Gethsemane. Mary could have been more wrapped up in her plight. She could have said, “No – not me. I don’t want the shame of being an unwed mother. Besides, I’ll lose my Joseph.”
Instead, she faced certain shame and submitted to her God. We only need to look at the song that she wrote, called the Magnificat, to see where this character was formed. In her song of praise she cited 12 different Old Testament passages. This is evidence of her deep religious roots. She knew her Bible. It was her source of strength. She met her God there. That strength would surface at just the right time! Her song of praise also shows that she understood her role in the birth of God’s son. Her faith caused her to look ahead to the great plan of God. This plan took precedence over her own plan.
One more question: there is a song that asks, “How can we further His kingdom when we are so wrapped up in ours?” This is a question for each and every one of us to answer. When things don’t go our way – when we are taken advantage of – when we are made to suffer – when we are angry and impatient – we take away from furthering the kingdom of God. One only needs to look at society to see what we have become. How sad that someone would be trampled during the Christmas season just to get into the store before others. If that is not a sign of our self-centeredness, I’m not sure what is.
But there is good news: 30 "Don't be afraid, Mary," the angel told her, "for you have found favor with God!31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David.33 And he will reign over Israel* forever; his Kingdom will never end!"
The Son of God to be born from Mary was the perfect antidote to a world in chaos. Jesus’ surrogate father, Joseph, was from the line of King David. Jesus’ earthly mother was also from the line of Joseph but also connected to the line of Levi, from whom the priests are chosen. He would be a Priest King. This is just what we needed – one who can minister to us as priest and lead us as our King. God is so amazing!
This passage of scripture has one central theme: God’s salvation! The name Jesus means “Saves.” This salvation was achieved by the Holy Spirit. If God is God, a virgin birth is not only possible but absolutely necessary. The Creator can create life any way He chooses. It was the only way that God could walk among us – born of a woman yet God - experiencing life as we do yet without sin! That makes him the perfect sacrifice for sin. God is so incredible. Pay attention to this great love that Gabriel announced. It has changed countless lives. Has it changed yours?
Ken Ramsey shared this story from his childhood with his pastor’s recently: I shouldn’t have been playing ball in the house, but I was. One wrong bounce and it crashed into a decorative statue that my mom had received as a gift. She loved that little figurine. It occupied a prominent place on her dresser and now it occupied a prominent place on the floor - broken. Mom was due home shortly and it was decision time for her kid. I tried some super glue, but it just looked worse. I felt sick. I knew how much she prized that little statue. She would be really upset. The moment of truth arrived as she returned home. By this time I had worked up a really good knot in my stomach. I led her into the room and showed her the damage. When I saw the look on her face, I broke into tears. I couldn’t even verbalize an apology. The next thing I know, she is holding me. The comfort of her hug enfolded me. I dried the tears and said, “I’m so sorry mom, I know how much you loved it. It can’t be fixed. I tried.” “Yes” she said, “I love it a lot, but remember, son, I love you a whole lot more.” She could have pointed out my failure, my brokenness or my stupidity. She could have elaborated on how much I had messed up. But she didn’t. She chose to love. On that day (and many others I might add) my mom was wearing God goggles. She saw me through the eyes of love. Love can make all the difference in the world, if we choose it. I don’t know what happened to that broken statue. But I do know what happened to that broken boy. He was healed by love.
Love is the difference. Mary proved it. Jesus proved it. God proved it! Has such a love made a difference in you?
PAYING ATTENTION
Little Ole was sitting at the kitchen table doing his school homework. He had a puzzled look on his face as he considered the assignment that was due--writing an essay about his origin. He turned to question his mother. "Mama, where did Grandma come from?" he asked.
"The stork brought her," answered mama Lena.
"And where did you come from?" asked Little Ole.
"The stork brought me," his mother answered.
"And where did I come from?" Little Ole inquired. "Well, son, the stork brought you, too," mama Lena replied.
With a scowl on his face, Little Ole picked up his pencil, turned to his school tablet, and began writing his essay: "There have been no natural births in our family for three generations."
Speaking of unnatural births, we are going to take a close look at the most unnatural, most amazing birth of all time. The announcement was made by an angel:
Luke 1:26-56
26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee,27 to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David.28 Gabriel appeared to her and said, "Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!*"
29 Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean.30 "Don't be afraid, Mary," the angel told her, "for you have found favor with God!31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David.33 And he will reign over Israel* forever; his Kingdom will never end!"
34 Mary asked the angel, "But how can this happen? I am a virgin."
35 The angel replied, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.36 What's more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month.37 For nothing is impossible with God.*"
38 Mary responded, "I am the Lord's servant. May everything you have said about me come true." And then the angel left her.
39 A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town40 where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth.41 At the sound of Mary's greeting, Elizabeth's child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
42 Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, "God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed.43 Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me?44 When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy.45 You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said."
46 Mary responded,
"Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.
47 How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
48 For he took notice of his lowly servant girl,
and from now on all generations will call me blessed.
49 For the Mighty One is holy,
and he has done great things for me.
50 He shows mercy from generation to generation
to all who fear him.
51 His mighty arm has done tremendous things!
He has scattered the proud and haughty ones.
52 He has brought down princes from their thrones
and exalted the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away with empty hands.
54 He has helped his servant Israel
and remembered to be merciful.
55 For he made this promise to our ancestors,
to Abraham and his children forever."
56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back to her own home.
This passage of scripture leads me to ask 3 questions. I’ll call them the questions of Christmas.
1. Are there really angels? If so, what is their role?
The Bible is full of angels. Angel or angels are mentioned 304 times!
We don't know whether every angel carries out the same tasks, or whether some of them specialize in certain areas. The Bible does speak about classes of angelic beings like cherubim (Ezekiel 1) and seraphim (Isaiah 6). We also know the names of two notable angels: Michael (Daniel 10:13; Jude 9) and Gabriel (Daniel 9:21; Luke 1:19,26).
The unnamed angels who appear most often in Scripture carry out a variety of tasks—all designed to serve God…
Worship and praise - This is the main activity portrayed in heaven (Isaiah 6:1-3; Revelation 4-5).
Revealing - They serve as messengers to communicate God's will to men. They helped reveal the law to Moses (Acts 7:52-53), and served as the carriers of much of the material in Daniel, and Revelation.
Guiding - Angels gave instructions to Joseph about the birth of Jesus (Matthew 1-2), to the women at the tomb, to Philip (Acts 8:26), and to Cornelius (Acts 10:1-8).
Providing - God has used angels to provide physical needs such as food for Hagar (Genesis 21:17-20), Elijah (1 Kings 19:6), and Christ after His temptation (Matthew 4:11).
Protecting - Keeping God's people out of physical danger, as in the cases of Daniel and the lions, and his three friends in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3 and 6).
Delivering - Getting God's people out of danger once they're in it. Angels released the apostles from prison in Acts 5, and repeated the process for Peter in Acts 12.
Strengthening and encouraging - Angels strengthened Jesus after His temptation (Matt 4:11), encouraged the apostles to keep preaching after releasing them from prison (Acts 5:19-20), and told Paul that everyone on his ship would survive the impending shipwreck (Acts 27:23-25).
Answering prayer - God often uses angels as His means of answering the prayers of His people (Daniel 9:20-24; 10:10-12; Acts 12:1-17).
Caring for believers at the moment of death - In the story of Lazarus and the rich man, we read that angels carried the spirit of Lazarus to “Abraham's bosom” when he died (Luke 16:22). Author: Dr. John Bechtle.
The book of Hebrews mentions that angels are ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:14). They are not meant to be prayed to or worshiped. Any time that worship is even remotely attempted, angels are the first to dispel such notions. They draw glory to God – never to self.
Angelic activity is not reserved just for Bible times. There is story after story - throughout history - right up to the present of people experiencing angelic visitations – here in the US and around the world. Like the doctor in Philadelphia who was awakened by a persistent knock at the door in the middle of the night to help a lady in desperate need. The child that came to get him was most convincing. He dressed, followed her, and found the lady in her home desperately sick with pneumonia. The Dr. assumed that the child was the sick lady’s daughter and complimented her on her daughter’s courage. The problem was, the sick lady did not have a daughter! The girl was not ever seen again (Hewett).
Then there was John Paton, a missionary in the New Hebrides Islands. One night hostile natives surrounded the mission station, intent on burning out the Patons and killing them. Paton and his wife prayed during that terror-filled night that God would deliver them. When daylight came they were amazed to see their attackers leave. A year later, the chief of the tribe was converted to Christ. Remembering what had happened, Paton asked the chief what had kept him from burning down the house and killing them. The chief replied in surprise, "Who were all those men with you there?" Paton knew no men were present--but the chief said he was afraid to attack because he had seen hundreds of big men in shining garments with drawn swords circling the mission station. Today in the Word, MBI, October, 1991, p. 18.
How about the pastor who was in Mexico on a preaching mission? While he was returning, his van developed mechanical problems. After jacking up the van, the pastor crawled underneath to check out the problem. The jack collapsed, and suddenly the pastor was struggling for his life. His traveling companions quickly grabbed the bumper to lift the van. They couldn’t even budge it. The pastor cried out, “Jesus, Jesus.” Within a few seconds, a young looking Mexican came running toward them. He was thin and small in stature. He was smiling. When he reached the van, he grabbed the van and lifted it. The others joined in, and the van lifted like a feather. The pastor was freed. The visitor lowered the van, waved to them and ran off in the direction from which he had come. Know one knew who eh was or where he had come from (Hewett).
I am certain that some of you may have had such a visitation – maybe so amazing that you have not told a soul. The only way that your story makes since is from the perspective of an angelic presence.
This leads me to ask a second question; it comes right out of this passage.
2. Does God play favorites?
Look at what the Gabriel said to Mary: “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you.” It would seem that Mary was shown favoritism.
A similar construction of words is used in Ephesians 1:6 – the only other place in the New Testament where the same verb is used. The grace in view here is clearly bestowed upon all believers without any merit of their own. So, God has shown His favor upon Mary and all who call upon God as their savior.
What about those who are sick and no one comes to their rescue? What about those who are threatened and not protected? What about those who are stuck and not freed? Is this fare? Let’s take this apart for a moment. First, there are many, many times that we have been rescued, protected and freed – we just were not aware of it at the time. One of the great events in heaven will be the many angelic conversations that point out the activity of an angel totally unaware to us at the time. God has interceded again and again and again.
Also, there are many, many times, that some of the great Christians arrived at the end of their earthly lives too early – people like songwriter and singer Keith Green who died in a plane crash at age 29 or missionary Jim Elliott who died at the hands of the Waodani tribesmen he was trying to reach for Christ – he was 28,
At the same time, God directs many lives to a different path – sometimes full of suffering – yet always to achieve a greater purpose – folks like Joni Erickson Tada - who at the age of 18 dived into a swimming pool and broke he neck – making her a quadriplegic. That was 41 years ago. Since then, she has authored over 30 books, traveled to 41 countries, recorded several music projects including 2 critically acclaimed albums and ministers to the disabled through her daily radio show “Joni and Friends.” Oh, did I mention that she is an accomplished painter? She paints while holding her paintbrush with her teeth.
Each of these examples mirrors the example of Mary, who said, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be as you have said.”
This leads me to the last question of Christmas:
3. How did Mary respond in such a manner to Gabriel?
Mary in essence said, “Not my will by Thy will be done.” Sound familiar? Her Holy Spirit offspring would use the same words in the Garden of Gethsemane. Mary could have been more wrapped up in her plight. She could have said, “No – not me. I don’t want the shame of being an unwed mother. Besides, I’ll lose my Joseph.”
Instead, she faced certain shame and submitted to her God. We only need to look at the song that she wrote, called the Magnificat, to see where this character was formed. In her song of praise she cited 12 different Old Testament passages. This is evidence of her deep religious roots. She knew her Bible. It was her source of strength. She met her God there. That strength would surface at just the right time! Her song of praise also shows that she understood her role in the birth of God’s son. Her faith caused her to look ahead to the great plan of God. This plan took precedence over her own plan.
One more question: there is a song that asks, “How can we further His kingdom when we are so wrapped up in ours?” This is a question for each and every one of us to answer. When things don’t go our way – when we are taken advantage of – when we are made to suffer – when we are angry and impatient – we take away from furthering the kingdom of God. One only needs to look at society to see what we have become. How sad that someone would be trampled during the Christmas season just to get into the store before others. If that is not a sign of our self-centeredness, I’m not sure what is.
But there is good news: 30 "Don't be afraid, Mary," the angel told her, "for you have found favor with God!31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David.33 And he will reign over Israel* forever; his Kingdom will never end!"
The Son of God to be born from Mary was the perfect antidote to a world in chaos. Jesus’ surrogate father, Joseph, was from the line of King David. Jesus’ earthly mother was also from the line of Joseph but also connected to the line of Levi, from whom the priests are chosen. He would be a Priest King. This is just what we needed – one who can minister to us as priest and lead us as our King. God is so amazing!
This passage of scripture has one central theme: God’s salvation! The name Jesus means “Saves.” This salvation was achieved by the Holy Spirit. If God is God, a virgin birth is not only possible but absolutely necessary. The Creator can create life any way He chooses. It was the only way that God could walk among us – born of a woman yet God - experiencing life as we do yet without sin! That makes him the perfect sacrifice for sin. God is so incredible. Pay attention to this great love that Gabriel announced. It has changed countless lives. Has it changed yours?
Ken Ramsey shared this story from his childhood with his pastor’s recently: I shouldn’t have been playing ball in the house, but I was. One wrong bounce and it crashed into a decorative statue that my mom had received as a gift. She loved that little figurine. It occupied a prominent place on her dresser and now it occupied a prominent place on the floor - broken. Mom was due home shortly and it was decision time for her kid. I tried some super glue, but it just looked worse. I felt sick. I knew how much she prized that little statue. She would be really upset. The moment of truth arrived as she returned home. By this time I had worked up a really good knot in my stomach. I led her into the room and showed her the damage. When I saw the look on her face, I broke into tears. I couldn’t even verbalize an apology. The next thing I know, she is holding me. The comfort of her hug enfolded me. I dried the tears and said, “I’m so sorry mom, I know how much you loved it. It can’t be fixed. I tried.” “Yes” she said, “I love it a lot, but remember, son, I love you a whole lot more.” She could have pointed out my failure, my brokenness or my stupidity. She could have elaborated on how much I had messed up. But she didn’t. She chose to love. On that day (and many others I might add) my mom was wearing God goggles. She saw me through the eyes of love. Love can make all the difference in the world, if we choose it. I don’t know what happened to that broken statue. But I do know what happened to that broken boy. He was healed by love.
Love is the difference. Mary proved it. Jesus proved it. God proved it! Has such a love made a difference in you?
Thursday, October 23, 2008
October 12 & 19, 2008
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR TODAY – PART 1
Exodus 20 (The Message)
1-2 GOD spoke all these words: I am GOD, your God,
who brought you out of the land of Egypt,
out of a life of slavery.
3 No other gods, only me.
4-6 No carved gods of any size, shape, or form of anything whatever, whether of things that fly or walk or swim. Don't bow down to them and don't serve them because I am GOD, your God, and I'm a most jealous God, punishing the children for any sins their parents pass on to them to the third, and yes, even to the fourth generation of those who hate me. But I'm unswervingly loyal to the thousands who love me and keep my commandments.
7 No using the name of GOD, your God, in curses or silly banter; GOD won't put up with the irreverent use of his name.
8-11 Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Work six days and do everything you need to do. But the seventh day is a Sabbath to GOD, your God. Don't do any work—not you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your servant, nor your maid, nor your animals, not even the foreign guest visiting in your town. For in six days GOD made Heaven, Earth, and sea, and everything in them; he rested on the seventh day. Therefore GOD blessed the Sabbath day; he set it apart as a holy day.
12 Honor your father and mother so that you'll live a long time in the land that God, your God, is giving you.
13 No murder.
14 No adultery.
15 No stealing.
16 No lies about your neighbor.
17 No lusting after your neighbor's house—or wife or servant or maid or ox or donkey. Don't set your heart on anything that is your neighbor's.
If College Students Wrote the Bible:
The Last Supper would have been eaten the next morning -- cold.
Forbidden fruit would have been eaten because it wasn't cafeteria food.
Paul's letter to the Romans would become Paul's email to abuse@romans.gov.
Reason Cain killed Abel: they were roommates.
Reason why Moses and followers walked in the desert for 40 years: they didn't want to ask directions and look like freshmen.
Instead of God creating the world in six days and resting on the seventh, he would have put it off until the night before to get it done.
The Ten Commandments would actually be only five -- double-spaced and written in a large font (A personal “thank you” to Jim Crim for these!).
We are going to dig into 4 commandments today – the first 4 – as these commandments address a personal relationship with God. Next week we will look at the last 6 commandments. The last 6 commandments address a relationship with others.
Commandments Addressing Relationship with God
• No other gods
• No idols
• God's name
• Keep Sabbath holy
Commandments Addressing Relationship with Others
• Honor parents
• Do not murder
• Do not commit adultery
• Do not steal
• Do not give false testimony
• Do not covet
It is really interesting that Jesus, when questioned about which commandment was the greatest, summed up the commandments in like fashion:
“ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and most important command.
And the second command is like the first: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’
All the law and the writings of the prophets depend on these two commands.” (Matthew 22:34-40) NCV
The Ten Commandments address a relationship with God and a relationship with others.
I ask you, is there any greater quest than the pursuit of a relationship with God?
When Scottish theologian John Baillie taught at Edinburgh University, he made it a practice to open his course on the doctrine of God with these words: "We must remember, in discussing God, that we cannot talk about Him without His hearing every word we say. We may be able to talk about others behind their backs, but God is everywhere, yes, even in this classroom. Therefore, in all our discussions we must be aware of His infinite presence, and talk about Him, as it were, before His face." Unknown.
Such thinking is in keeping with the first commandment: No gods beside me! God is numero uno – the one and only. The first commandment sets God up as the number one relationship to nurture. God first – this is commandment number one. There is no better place – no other place to begin.
H.G. Wells was never particularly religious, but after he had studied the history of the human race and had observed human life, he came to an interesting conclusion: "Religion is the first thing and the last thing, and until a man has found God and been found by God, he begins at no beginning, he works to no end. He may have his friendships, his partial loyalties, his scraps of honor. But all these things fall into place and life falls into place only with God." Unknown.
There are many things that we can explore in place of God. Commandment number one bids us to recognize that God is and that God deserves to be in first place in our lives.
Commandment number two is closely related: make no idols/have no idols. Worship nothing besides God. Place no one or no thing in the place of God as our object of devotion. Idols take many forms. We can idolize people to the exclusion of God – even Christian people. We can idolize things to the exclusion of God – things from money to material. We can idolize ourselves. These will never cut it as a lasting source of peace and strength.
Commandment number 3 is placed perfectly here. God first. Worship no other. Don’t misuse God’s name. The ancient Jew had an utter respect for the name of God. They had such a respect for it that they did not pronounce the name that God used to introduce himself to Moses: Yahweh. They wouldn’t say it. They would get to it and call it “the name.” There is a reverence and an honor there that goes beyond what most of us are use to. Maybe it is a bit much, but they knew that invoking the personal name of God was major business. We must always speak about God in terms of respect and honor. So many times we are capable of using His name vainly – without thought or coarse talk and even in anger. Someone so great deserves our greatest respect.
Finally, we arrive to the fourth commandment and the last commandment in the category of a relationship with God: remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. What is the Sabbath? It is the 7th and last day of the week. For the children of God, this was Saturday. It marked the day of rest after God spent 6 days creating the universe. It was meant to be a day of reflection upon the creative power of God. It was meant to be a day of rest – a stepping away of the busyness of life. On the Sabbath, the created rest in the sweet stillness of the creator’s spiritual embrace.
The early Christians moved the Jewish Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday because Sunday was the day of resurrection – the day that God completed his saving work. The question is, do we observe a Sabbath today? The issue is not so much of it should be Saturday or Sunday. The issue is – is it observed at all? If not, why not? And if we should, why?
Many of you remember the blue laws, right? Businesses by and large were closed on Sundays. Sunday was observed in our culture at one time as a day of rest. Culture no longer honors it. Christians, too, rarely honor it. In some cases, it does not even seem practical, because many people have to work on Sundays.
So, is this commandment irrelevant today? If this one is irrelevant, perhaps others are irrelevant, too. Well, let me approach it this way. The church used to persuade culture what to do. Many of you remember a time when sports never dared to interfere with Sunday services. Not true today. Now, culture persuades the church. If we could recover a sense of the Sabbath in Christian circles, where possible, imagine the profound change that would take place in our society. If we could somehow take Sunday and truly treat it as a holy retreat, WOW, we would move closer to God and greatly impact the businesses that are active on Sunday. By the way, Chick-fil-a is not open on Sundays. Never has been, and as along as Dan Cathy is the president of the company, it won’t be. Chik-fil-a’s founder Truett Cathy believed that God would bless Chik-fil-a so much that it would more than make up for the loss of business Sunday during the regular work week.
That is bold living – great faithfulness – counter-cultural stuff here. Imagine if we have a day to bath in the rest of God through personal reflection, Bible study, prayer, family gatherings, worship and discussion. Man, it would recharge us.
But Brian, is this practical. My family would never go for it. I have to work. I have to catch up on all the stuff I did not do during the week. My kids have games! I know. I’m right there living in the same circumstances. Let me suggest that everybody needs a Sabbath – and if it is not Sunday, it ought to be a day of the week. It might take massive change, but everyone deserves a day off for the sake of body and soul. Maybe, maybe it has to start as a block of time on Friday night, or Saturday morning or Sunday evening when the family knows that you are into personal time with God. Ya, that might be radical, but sometimes pursuing a relationship takes radical change. And if God is the greatest relationship to be pursued, then I would offer it is worth everything.
The 10 commandments were the forerunners to showing humanity that it had a need for God. It showed that without God, humanity was doomed to whittle away in sin and rebellion. AS a matter of a fact, the 10 commandments are effective in proving that all sin because no one keeps the commandments perfectly. That is why Christ was needed. He is the utter fulfillment of the first 4 commandments, as his death and resurrection opened the door fully to that personal relationship with God. God provided the help that we needed in Christ. His forgiveness covers our law breaking and helps us to live to please God. God had this in mind from the beginning. We got to see the full plan.
Do you know God through Christ? We talk about it all the time in church. The danger is that sometimes we become to familiar with that message and it puts a glaze in our eyes and a yawn on our face. We almost need an electric paddle to shock us awake.
God has given us that wake up call today. The 10 commandments provide that measuring stick to check out your walk. How are you doing? Is God first. Is there something that you have placed above God? Have you misused the name of God? Have you carved out some time for you and God to get to know each other better. These are the messages of the 4 four commandments – relevant 3 millennia ago – relevant today. Amen.
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR TODAY – PART 2
If you think your family has problems, consider the marriage mayhem created when 76-year-old Bill Baker of London recently wed Edna Harvey. She happened to be his granddaughter's husband's mother. That's where the confusion began, according to Baker's granddaughter, Lynn.
"My mother-in-law is now my step-grandmother. My grandfather is now my stepfather-in-law. My mom is my sister-in-law and my brother is my nephew. But even crazier is that I'm now married to my uncle and my own children are my cousins." Campus Life, March, 1981, p. 31.
Human relationships are fraught with confusion and misunderstanding. Sometimes such trouble leads to terrible conflicts – even war.
The Carnegie Technological Institute has stated that 90% of all people who fail in their life's vocation fail because they cannot get along with people. Lloyd Perry, Getting the Church on Target, Moody, 1977.
Perhaps these “Ten Commandments of Human Relations” might help lower this statistic:
1. Speak to people. There is nothing as nice as a cheerful word of greeting.
2. Smile at people. It takes seventy-two muscles to frown, only fourteen to smile.
3. Call people by name. Music to anyone's ears is the sound of his/her own name.
4. Be friendly and helpful.
5. Be cordial. Speak and act as if everything you do is genuinely a pleasure, and if it isn't, learn to make it so.
6. Be genuinely interested in people. You can like almost everybody if you try.
7. Be generous with praise, cautious with criticism.
8. Be considerate with the feelings of others. There are usually three sides to a controversy: yours, the other fellow's, and the right one.
9. Be alert to serve. What counts most in life is what we do for others.
10. Add to this a good sense of humor, a big dose of patience, and a dash of humility, and you will be rewarded manifold through life. Adapted from the Bible Tract Bulletin.
Last week we discussed the first 4 commandments which address a personal relationship with God_______. The last 6 commandments address a personal relationship with others__________. This will be our focus today.
5 NOs:
No murder
Thou shalt not kill – Hebrew has 7 words for killing; if any of the 7 could mean premeditated murder, this is the word. Deliberate and intentional violence is definitely present in this verb. It is important to realize that this “shalt not” does not apply to hunting, defending one’s home from attack, accidental deaths, capital execution and war. It does apply to self-murder or suicide, all accessories to murder and to those who have the authority but fail to use their authority to punish known murderers.
No adultery
Adultery is straight forward; it applies to men and women. To intrude on another person’s spouse, even if the affection is returned, is a violation of a sacred trust. It is perhaps the ultimate in deception. It cuts to the soul. It dishonors the covenant of love.
No stealing
Originally this commandment was directed toward kidnapping. This prohibition recognizes that God owns all things, so it is up to God to give material or to take it away. When we usurp God’s role and take something for ourselves that does not belong to us or that we have no right to, we steal from God and violate our relationship with our neighbor. Jesus made it clear that all are our neighbors.
No lying
Truth telling is the very nature of the creator. God’s word is truth. When we lie, we put ourselves at odds with God, whose character is truthfulness. This applies to trials and to everyday relationships.
No coveting/lusting
The root meaning of this word is to desire earnestly or to long after. It is sin to yearn for something or someone that belongs to someone else. It is an emotional robbery. It is a selfish state.
1 DO:
Honor your mother and your father
My Dad’s Uncle Don passed away a couple of weeks ago. He was my Dad’s favorite Uncle. They both shared the same sense of humor. My Dad’s Aunt Jane told Susan and I that she knew Uncle Don would make a good husband because she watched the way he treated his mother. He took great care of her. He honored his mother..
Parents are to be revered, respected and honored in the Lord, but at no time is their word to rival or substitute for the word of God. God always comes first (see the 1st commandment!).
Remember that God gave us these commandments as boundaries. He showed us what he expected. It was a loving heart that shared them. And while there are consequences to breaking them, God’s love still reaches out to soothe the repentant heart.
As we think about these commandments in terms of our relationship with God and our relationships with others, lets think about these important words:
The SIX most important words:
"I admit I made a mistake."
The FIVE most important words:
"You did a good job."
The FOUR most important words:
"What do you think?"
The THREE most important words:
"After you please."
The TWO most important words:
"Thank you."
The ONE most important word:
"We"
The LEAST important word:
"I" Source Unknown.
When “I” is the focus, the ten commandments become a blur. When “I” is center stage, the ten commandments are broken. An exchange of “Him” for “I” and “We” for “I” goes a long way in keeping the 10 commandments, pleasing God, others, and even self. They become guidelines, a roadmap, if you will, of living out the Christian life. And remember, the Christian life is a life given to Jesus, in hopes of pleasing him and reuniting in heaven above. Amen.
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR TODAY – PART 1
Exodus 20 (The Message)
1-2 GOD spoke all these words: I am GOD, your God,
who brought you out of the land of Egypt,
out of a life of slavery.
3 No other gods, only me.
4-6 No carved gods of any size, shape, or form of anything whatever, whether of things that fly or walk or swim. Don't bow down to them and don't serve them because I am GOD, your God, and I'm a most jealous God, punishing the children for any sins their parents pass on to them to the third, and yes, even to the fourth generation of those who hate me. But I'm unswervingly loyal to the thousands who love me and keep my commandments.
7 No using the name of GOD, your God, in curses or silly banter; GOD won't put up with the irreverent use of his name.
8-11 Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Work six days and do everything you need to do. But the seventh day is a Sabbath to GOD, your God. Don't do any work—not you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your servant, nor your maid, nor your animals, not even the foreign guest visiting in your town. For in six days GOD made Heaven, Earth, and sea, and everything in them; he rested on the seventh day. Therefore GOD blessed the Sabbath day; he set it apart as a holy day.
12 Honor your father and mother so that you'll live a long time in the land that God, your God, is giving you.
13 No murder.
14 No adultery.
15 No stealing.
16 No lies about your neighbor.
17 No lusting after your neighbor's house—or wife or servant or maid or ox or donkey. Don't set your heart on anything that is your neighbor's.
If College Students Wrote the Bible:
The Last Supper would have been eaten the next morning -- cold.
Forbidden fruit would have been eaten because it wasn't cafeteria food.
Paul's letter to the Romans would become Paul's email to abuse@romans.gov.
Reason Cain killed Abel: they were roommates.
Reason why Moses and followers walked in the desert for 40 years: they didn't want to ask directions and look like freshmen.
Instead of God creating the world in six days and resting on the seventh, he would have put it off until the night before to get it done.
The Ten Commandments would actually be only five -- double-spaced and written in a large font (A personal “thank you” to Jim Crim for these!).
We are going to dig into 4 commandments today – the first 4 – as these commandments address a personal relationship with God. Next week we will look at the last 6 commandments. The last 6 commandments address a relationship with others.
Commandments Addressing Relationship with God
• No other gods
• No idols
• God's name
• Keep Sabbath holy
Commandments Addressing Relationship with Others
• Honor parents
• Do not murder
• Do not commit adultery
• Do not steal
• Do not give false testimony
• Do not covet
It is really interesting that Jesus, when questioned about which commandment was the greatest, summed up the commandments in like fashion:
“ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and most important command.
And the second command is like the first: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’
All the law and the writings of the prophets depend on these two commands.” (Matthew 22:34-40) NCV
The Ten Commandments address a relationship with God and a relationship with others.
I ask you, is there any greater quest than the pursuit of a relationship with God?
When Scottish theologian John Baillie taught at Edinburgh University, he made it a practice to open his course on the doctrine of God with these words: "We must remember, in discussing God, that we cannot talk about Him without His hearing every word we say. We may be able to talk about others behind their backs, but God is everywhere, yes, even in this classroom. Therefore, in all our discussions we must be aware of His infinite presence, and talk about Him, as it were, before His face." Unknown.
Such thinking is in keeping with the first commandment: No gods beside me! God is numero uno – the one and only. The first commandment sets God up as the number one relationship to nurture. God first – this is commandment number one. There is no better place – no other place to begin.
H.G. Wells was never particularly religious, but after he had studied the history of the human race and had observed human life, he came to an interesting conclusion: "Religion is the first thing and the last thing, and until a man has found God and been found by God, he begins at no beginning, he works to no end. He may have his friendships, his partial loyalties, his scraps of honor. But all these things fall into place and life falls into place only with God." Unknown.
There are many things that we can explore in place of God. Commandment number one bids us to recognize that God is and that God deserves to be in first place in our lives.
Commandment number two is closely related: make no idols/have no idols. Worship nothing besides God. Place no one or no thing in the place of God as our object of devotion. Idols take many forms. We can idolize people to the exclusion of God – even Christian people. We can idolize things to the exclusion of God – things from money to material. We can idolize ourselves. These will never cut it as a lasting source of peace and strength.
Commandment number 3 is placed perfectly here. God first. Worship no other. Don’t misuse God’s name. The ancient Jew had an utter respect for the name of God. They had such a respect for it that they did not pronounce the name that God used to introduce himself to Moses: Yahweh. They wouldn’t say it. They would get to it and call it “the name.” There is a reverence and an honor there that goes beyond what most of us are use to. Maybe it is a bit much, but they knew that invoking the personal name of God was major business. We must always speak about God in terms of respect and honor. So many times we are capable of using His name vainly – without thought or coarse talk and even in anger. Someone so great deserves our greatest respect.
Finally, we arrive to the fourth commandment and the last commandment in the category of a relationship with God: remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. What is the Sabbath? It is the 7th and last day of the week. For the children of God, this was Saturday. It marked the day of rest after God spent 6 days creating the universe. It was meant to be a day of reflection upon the creative power of God. It was meant to be a day of rest – a stepping away of the busyness of life. On the Sabbath, the created rest in the sweet stillness of the creator’s spiritual embrace.
The early Christians moved the Jewish Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday because Sunday was the day of resurrection – the day that God completed his saving work. The question is, do we observe a Sabbath today? The issue is not so much of it should be Saturday or Sunday. The issue is – is it observed at all? If not, why not? And if we should, why?
Many of you remember the blue laws, right? Businesses by and large were closed on Sundays. Sunday was observed in our culture at one time as a day of rest. Culture no longer honors it. Christians, too, rarely honor it. In some cases, it does not even seem practical, because many people have to work on Sundays.
So, is this commandment irrelevant today? If this one is irrelevant, perhaps others are irrelevant, too. Well, let me approach it this way. The church used to persuade culture what to do. Many of you remember a time when sports never dared to interfere with Sunday services. Not true today. Now, culture persuades the church. If we could recover a sense of the Sabbath in Christian circles, where possible, imagine the profound change that would take place in our society. If we could somehow take Sunday and truly treat it as a holy retreat, WOW, we would move closer to God and greatly impact the businesses that are active on Sunday. By the way, Chick-fil-a is not open on Sundays. Never has been, and as along as Dan Cathy is the president of the company, it won’t be. Chik-fil-a’s founder Truett Cathy believed that God would bless Chik-fil-a so much that it would more than make up for the loss of business Sunday during the regular work week.
That is bold living – great faithfulness – counter-cultural stuff here. Imagine if we have a day to bath in the rest of God through personal reflection, Bible study, prayer, family gatherings, worship and discussion. Man, it would recharge us.
But Brian, is this practical. My family would never go for it. I have to work. I have to catch up on all the stuff I did not do during the week. My kids have games! I know. I’m right there living in the same circumstances. Let me suggest that everybody needs a Sabbath – and if it is not Sunday, it ought to be a day of the week. It might take massive change, but everyone deserves a day off for the sake of body and soul. Maybe, maybe it has to start as a block of time on Friday night, or Saturday morning or Sunday evening when the family knows that you are into personal time with God. Ya, that might be radical, but sometimes pursuing a relationship takes radical change. And if God is the greatest relationship to be pursued, then I would offer it is worth everything.
The 10 commandments were the forerunners to showing humanity that it had a need for God. It showed that without God, humanity was doomed to whittle away in sin and rebellion. AS a matter of a fact, the 10 commandments are effective in proving that all sin because no one keeps the commandments perfectly. That is why Christ was needed. He is the utter fulfillment of the first 4 commandments, as his death and resurrection opened the door fully to that personal relationship with God. God provided the help that we needed in Christ. His forgiveness covers our law breaking and helps us to live to please God. God had this in mind from the beginning. We got to see the full plan.
Do you know God through Christ? We talk about it all the time in church. The danger is that sometimes we become to familiar with that message and it puts a glaze in our eyes and a yawn on our face. We almost need an electric paddle to shock us awake.
God has given us that wake up call today. The 10 commandments provide that measuring stick to check out your walk. How are you doing? Is God first. Is there something that you have placed above God? Have you misused the name of God? Have you carved out some time for you and God to get to know each other better. These are the messages of the 4 four commandments – relevant 3 millennia ago – relevant today. Amen.
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR TODAY – PART 2
If you think your family has problems, consider the marriage mayhem created when 76-year-old Bill Baker of London recently wed Edna Harvey. She happened to be his granddaughter's husband's mother. That's where the confusion began, according to Baker's granddaughter, Lynn.
"My mother-in-law is now my step-grandmother. My grandfather is now my stepfather-in-law. My mom is my sister-in-law and my brother is my nephew. But even crazier is that I'm now married to my uncle and my own children are my cousins." Campus Life, March, 1981, p. 31.
Human relationships are fraught with confusion and misunderstanding. Sometimes such trouble leads to terrible conflicts – even war.
The Carnegie Technological Institute has stated that 90% of all people who fail in their life's vocation fail because they cannot get along with people. Lloyd Perry, Getting the Church on Target, Moody, 1977.
Perhaps these “Ten Commandments of Human Relations” might help lower this statistic:
1. Speak to people. There is nothing as nice as a cheerful word of greeting.
2. Smile at people. It takes seventy-two muscles to frown, only fourteen to smile.
3. Call people by name. Music to anyone's ears is the sound of his/her own name.
4. Be friendly and helpful.
5. Be cordial. Speak and act as if everything you do is genuinely a pleasure, and if it isn't, learn to make it so.
6. Be genuinely interested in people. You can like almost everybody if you try.
7. Be generous with praise, cautious with criticism.
8. Be considerate with the feelings of others. There are usually three sides to a controversy: yours, the other fellow's, and the right one.
9. Be alert to serve. What counts most in life is what we do for others.
10. Add to this a good sense of humor, a big dose of patience, and a dash of humility, and you will be rewarded manifold through life. Adapted from the Bible Tract Bulletin.
Last week we discussed the first 4 commandments which address a personal relationship with God_______. The last 6 commandments address a personal relationship with others__________. This will be our focus today.
5 NOs:
No murder
Thou shalt not kill – Hebrew has 7 words for killing; if any of the 7 could mean premeditated murder, this is the word. Deliberate and intentional violence is definitely present in this verb. It is important to realize that this “shalt not” does not apply to hunting, defending one’s home from attack, accidental deaths, capital execution and war. It does apply to self-murder or suicide, all accessories to murder and to those who have the authority but fail to use their authority to punish known murderers.
No adultery
Adultery is straight forward; it applies to men and women. To intrude on another person’s spouse, even if the affection is returned, is a violation of a sacred trust. It is perhaps the ultimate in deception. It cuts to the soul. It dishonors the covenant of love.
No stealing
Originally this commandment was directed toward kidnapping. This prohibition recognizes that God owns all things, so it is up to God to give material or to take it away. When we usurp God’s role and take something for ourselves that does not belong to us or that we have no right to, we steal from God and violate our relationship with our neighbor. Jesus made it clear that all are our neighbors.
No lying
Truth telling is the very nature of the creator. God’s word is truth. When we lie, we put ourselves at odds with God, whose character is truthfulness. This applies to trials and to everyday relationships.
No coveting/lusting
The root meaning of this word is to desire earnestly or to long after. It is sin to yearn for something or someone that belongs to someone else. It is an emotional robbery. It is a selfish state.
1 DO:
Honor your mother and your father
My Dad’s Uncle Don passed away a couple of weeks ago. He was my Dad’s favorite Uncle. They both shared the same sense of humor. My Dad’s Aunt Jane told Susan and I that she knew Uncle Don would make a good husband because she watched the way he treated his mother. He took great care of her. He honored his mother..
Parents are to be revered, respected and honored in the Lord, but at no time is their word to rival or substitute for the word of God. God always comes first (see the 1st commandment!).
Remember that God gave us these commandments as boundaries. He showed us what he expected. It was a loving heart that shared them. And while there are consequences to breaking them, God’s love still reaches out to soothe the repentant heart.
As we think about these commandments in terms of our relationship with God and our relationships with others, lets think about these important words:
The SIX most important words:
"I admit I made a mistake."
The FIVE most important words:
"You did a good job."
The FOUR most important words:
"What do you think?"
The THREE most important words:
"After you please."
The TWO most important words:
"Thank you."
The ONE most important word:
"We"
The LEAST important word:
"I" Source Unknown.
When “I” is the focus, the ten commandments become a blur. When “I” is center stage, the ten commandments are broken. An exchange of “Him” for “I” and “We” for “I” goes a long way in keeping the 10 commandments, pleasing God, others, and even self. They become guidelines, a roadmap, if you will, of living out the Christian life. And remember, the Christian life is a life given to Jesus, in hopes of pleasing him and reuniting in heaven above. Amen.
Monday, September 22, 2008
September 21, 2008 -- "Complaining"
(Exo 16:1 NIV) The whole Israelite community set out from Elim and came to the Desert of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had come out of Egypt.
(Exo 16:2 NIV) In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron.
(Exo 16:3 NIV) The Israelites said to them, "If only we had died by the Lord's hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death."
(Exo 16:4 NIV) Then the LORD said to Moses, "I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions.
(Exo 16:5 NIV) On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days."
(Exo 16:6 NIV) So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, "In the evening you will know that it was the LORD who brought you out of Egypt,
(Exo 16:7 NIV) and in the morning you will see the glory of the LORD, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we, that you should grumble against us?"
(Exo 16:8 NIV) Moses also said, "You will know that it was the LORD when he gives you meat to eat in the evening and all the bread you want in the morning, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we? You are not grumbling against us, but against the LORD."
(Exo 16:9 NIV) Then Moses told Aaron, "Say to the entire Israelite community, 'Come before the LORD, for he has heard your grumbling.'"
(Exo 16:10 NIV) While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked toward the desert, and there was the glory of the LORD appearing in the cloud.
(Exo 16:11 NIV) The LORD said to Moses,
(Exo 16:12 NIV) "I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, 'At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.'"
(Exo 16:13 NIV) That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp.
(Exo 16:14 NIV) When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor.
(Exo 16:15 NIV) When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, "What is it?" For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, "It is the bread the LORD has given you to eat.
First Service Intro:
A guide at Blarney Castle in Ireland was explaining to some visitors that his job was not always as pleasant as it seemed. He told them about a group of disgruntled tourists he had taken to the castle earlier in the week.
"These people were complaining about everything," he said. "They didn't like the weather, the food, their hotel accommodations, the prices, everything. Then to top it off, when we arrived at the castle, we found that the area around the Blarney Stone was roped off. Workmen were making some kind of repairs." "This is the last straw!" exclaimed one lady who seemed to be the chief faultfinder in the group. "I've come all this way, and now I can't even kiss the Blarney Stone."
"Well, you know," the guide said, "according to legend, if you kiss someone who has kissed the stone, it's the same as kissing the stone itself." "And I suppose you've kissed the stone," said the exasperated lady. "Better than that." replied the guide. "I've sat on it." (Bits & Pieces, January 9, 1992, p. 11.) I’ll let you draw your on conclusion on this one!
Second Service Intro:
A monk joined a monastery and took a vow of silence. After the first 10 years his superior called him in and asked, "Do you have anything to say?" The monk replied, "Food bad." After another 10 years the monk again had opportunity to voice his thoughts. He said, "Bed hard." Another 10 years went by and again he was called in before his superior. When asked if he had anything to say, he responded, "I quit." "It doesn't surprise me a bit. You've done nothing but complain ever since you got here." Source Unknown.
We all know a complainer when we see one. It is interesting that the complaining amongst the Israelites really surfaced in the heat of the dessert.
The same is true for us: be aware that the temptation to complain is greatest when we are in the dessert. Show me a complaining person and I will show you someone who is spiritually dry, malnourished in the things of God, melting in the heat produced from not being in the word, in prayer, in service. Many complainers may be church goers –with little else is happening spiritually.
Charles Spurgeon was, at the age of 21, the most popular preacher in London. He never went to Seminary. Thousands flocked to hear him. He once commented, “A heavy wagon was being dragged along a country lane by a team of oxen. The axles groaned and creaked terribly, when the oxen turning around thus addressed the wheels, "Hey there, why do you make so much noise? We bear all the labor, and we -- not you -- ought to cry out!" Those complain first in our churches who have the least to do. The gift of grumbling is largely dispensed among those who have no other talents, or who keep what they have wrapped up in a napkin. (Charles Spurgeon in The Quotable Spurgeon.) Someone once said, “You will find that, as a rule, those who complain about the way the ball bounces are usually the ones who dropped it.”
The Israelites dropped the ball of God’s glory. They had just crossed the Red Sea. They saw the magnificent power of God. God completely overwhelmed the most powerful army on the earth in its day. And God continued leading them in cloud by day and in the pillar of fire by night. But, we find out all the wonder, all the praise, quickly drowned. They had left what they knew for the unknown. Now they were thirsty and hungry. So, they formed a “back to Egypt committee” and aired their complaints to Moses: We would rather go back to slavery in Egypt than die out here. At least we had plenty to eat and drink in captivity.
Complainers always see things worse than they are. God was not about to let them starve to death. You would think that they would know that after the graphic display of God’s power at the Red Sea. But it is human nature to grumble when our needs aren’t met. It is human nature – but not God nature. Let’s find out what is at the root of most complaining.
Number one on our outline identifies what may be at the root of most complaining.
1. Complaining is often the result of leaving our comfort zones.
The Israelites were traveling in an uncharted land. Nothing was familiar. They didn’t know where the food was; they didn’t know where the springs were; they didn’t know who their friends or enemies were. They longed for the routines of their slavery. They wanted the comfort of what they knew even though it was not a good situation. Little wonder, then, that abused spouses stay with their abuser. Little wonder, then, that drug addicts stick with the same dysfunctional crowd. Little wonder that we settle for a safe, stale religion versus a religion that might expect something from us.
How many times have church leaders heard those infamous words, “We ain’t never done it that way before, preacher!” The fear of the unknown – will it work, how will it be received, what if it falters, what if it works and I have to do more.
We are not so different from the Israelites.
Complaining is often the result of forgetting what we learned on the way. The Israelites forgot about the power of God in Egypt, so they complained about their treatment. The Israelites forgot about the power of God in the desert, so they complained about the lack of nourishment. The same think happened yesterday at Commission Possible. Nearly 1200 people were making their way out of the parking lot after an incredible, 2-day experience. One of my colleagues carried some supplies to his car and was coming back to help clean-up, and he turned to me and said, “I can’t believe it. People are gripping and complaining about the traffic not less than a few minutes after leaving this great event. What a sad witness!” Yep. They forgot what they learned about God on Friday and Saturday as they were entering back into the world.
What does complaining do?
2. Complaining affects the leadership; ultimately, the complaint is really against God.
Complaining sinks the spirit of the leadership in any institution. It also affects the relationship between people – whether co-workers, family or friends. Those with whom the complaints are lodged get depressed, angry, frustrated, and sometimes fence themselves in as a way to protect themselves. It creates a bad mood and it renders feelings of inferiority and ineffectiveness. Before long, leaders shut-down and find ways to move on to another area to do ministry or drop out altogether. You can see how one might take it personal. The thing is, the complaint is really registered with God. Leaders are the collatoral damage. The real target is God. You know why? Look at number 3 on your outline.
3. Complaining is selfish; it also shows a lack of faith.
Complainers really are fixated on self. For a complainer, it is about number 1 and the lack of satisfaction of self. Ultimately, it shows a lack of faith in God. A complainer is really saying, “God, if you really loved me, it wouldn’t be this bad.” How could you let me down, God? I deserve better!” “You aren’t doing your job. I know better!”
Complaining is a dead give away of a dry dessert – a lack of spiritual growth: “In the desert, the whole community grumbled.” So what do we do?
1st: Pause. Ask yourself what is at the heart of your complaint. Is it due to self-centeredness or genuine concern?
Second: if your complaint is a genuine concern, bring a solution with it.
Turn your complaints into solutions: You know worship leader, the music is really loud, but I am going to try these new earplugs. You Deacon, those kids really seem to be acting up; how about I go sit with them and get to know them. You know pastor, things are getting a little messy around here; how about I come down tomorrow and do a little bit of cleaning. These are powerful responses to genuine concerns, taking us from a complaining heart to a servant’s heart.
It was Mark Twain who said, “Don't complain and talk about all your problems--80 percent of people don't care; the other 20 percent will think you deserve them.”
Third: realize that complaining has consequences. The Israelites had no food or water. God had a solution; He would supply the food. For the next 40 years, He sent quail and manna! Great, you say. Did you hear how long? For forty years. Now, I like leftovers, but after the 3rd or 4th day, I am ready for something new. Can you imagine the same old same old for 40 years?
That was the first consequence. The second began with a test of obedience. The people had to collect enough just for the day and on the 6th day they had to collect twice as much so that they could rest on the 7th day – what is known as the Sabbath rest. Some didn’t listen; they collected too much and tried to save it; the extra spoiled – a 2nd consequence. And some didn’t collect extra on the 6th day. They went hungry – the 3rd consequence.
The Israelites saw the light. They realized that God gives us what we need in His timing. When we realize this too, complaining diminishes and eventually ceases altogether. The back to Egypt committee quits. The dessert is navigated. Vison becomes clear and one can see beyond the desert - all the way to the promised land!
(Exo 16:1 NIV) The whole Israelite community set out from Elim and came to the Desert of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had come out of Egypt.
(Exo 16:2 NIV) In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron.
(Exo 16:3 NIV) The Israelites said to them, "If only we had died by the Lord's hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death."
(Exo 16:4 NIV) Then the LORD said to Moses, "I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions.
(Exo 16:5 NIV) On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days."
(Exo 16:6 NIV) So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, "In the evening you will know that it was the LORD who brought you out of Egypt,
(Exo 16:7 NIV) and in the morning you will see the glory of the LORD, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we, that you should grumble against us?"
(Exo 16:8 NIV) Moses also said, "You will know that it was the LORD when he gives you meat to eat in the evening and all the bread you want in the morning, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we? You are not grumbling against us, but against the LORD."
(Exo 16:9 NIV) Then Moses told Aaron, "Say to the entire Israelite community, 'Come before the LORD, for he has heard your grumbling.'"
(Exo 16:10 NIV) While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked toward the desert, and there was the glory of the LORD appearing in the cloud.
(Exo 16:11 NIV) The LORD said to Moses,
(Exo 16:12 NIV) "I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, 'At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.'"
(Exo 16:13 NIV) That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp.
(Exo 16:14 NIV) When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor.
(Exo 16:15 NIV) When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, "What is it?" For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, "It is the bread the LORD has given you to eat.
First Service Intro:
A guide at Blarney Castle in Ireland was explaining to some visitors that his job was not always as pleasant as it seemed. He told them about a group of disgruntled tourists he had taken to the castle earlier in the week.
"These people were complaining about everything," he said. "They didn't like the weather, the food, their hotel accommodations, the prices, everything. Then to top it off, when we arrived at the castle, we found that the area around the Blarney Stone was roped off. Workmen were making some kind of repairs." "This is the last straw!" exclaimed one lady who seemed to be the chief faultfinder in the group. "I've come all this way, and now I can't even kiss the Blarney Stone."
"Well, you know," the guide said, "according to legend, if you kiss someone who has kissed the stone, it's the same as kissing the stone itself." "And I suppose you've kissed the stone," said the exasperated lady. "Better than that." replied the guide. "I've sat on it." (Bits & Pieces, January 9, 1992, p. 11.) I’ll let you draw your on conclusion on this one!
Second Service Intro:
A monk joined a monastery and took a vow of silence. After the first 10 years his superior called him in and asked, "Do you have anything to say?" The monk replied, "Food bad." After another 10 years the monk again had opportunity to voice his thoughts. He said, "Bed hard." Another 10 years went by and again he was called in before his superior. When asked if he had anything to say, he responded, "I quit." "It doesn't surprise me a bit. You've done nothing but complain ever since you got here." Source Unknown.
We all know a complainer when we see one. It is interesting that the complaining amongst the Israelites really surfaced in the heat of the dessert.
The same is true for us: be aware that the temptation to complain is greatest when we are in the dessert. Show me a complaining person and I will show you someone who is spiritually dry, malnourished in the things of God, melting in the heat produced from not being in the word, in prayer, in service. Many complainers may be church goers –with little else is happening spiritually.
Charles Spurgeon was, at the age of 21, the most popular preacher in London. He never went to Seminary. Thousands flocked to hear him. He once commented, “A heavy wagon was being dragged along a country lane by a team of oxen. The axles groaned and creaked terribly, when the oxen turning around thus addressed the wheels, "Hey there, why do you make so much noise? We bear all the labor, and we -- not you -- ought to cry out!" Those complain first in our churches who have the least to do. The gift of grumbling is largely dispensed among those who have no other talents, or who keep what they have wrapped up in a napkin. (Charles Spurgeon in The Quotable Spurgeon.) Someone once said, “You will find that, as a rule, those who complain about the way the ball bounces are usually the ones who dropped it.”
The Israelites dropped the ball of God’s glory. They had just crossed the Red Sea. They saw the magnificent power of God. God completely overwhelmed the most powerful army on the earth in its day. And God continued leading them in cloud by day and in the pillar of fire by night. But, we find out all the wonder, all the praise, quickly drowned. They had left what they knew for the unknown. Now they were thirsty and hungry. So, they formed a “back to Egypt committee” and aired their complaints to Moses: We would rather go back to slavery in Egypt than die out here. At least we had plenty to eat and drink in captivity.
Complainers always see things worse than they are. God was not about to let them starve to death. You would think that they would know that after the graphic display of God’s power at the Red Sea. But it is human nature to grumble when our needs aren’t met. It is human nature – but not God nature. Let’s find out what is at the root of most complaining.
Number one on our outline identifies what may be at the root of most complaining.
1. Complaining is often the result of leaving our comfort zones.
The Israelites were traveling in an uncharted land. Nothing was familiar. They didn’t know where the food was; they didn’t know where the springs were; they didn’t know who their friends or enemies were. They longed for the routines of their slavery. They wanted the comfort of what they knew even though it was not a good situation. Little wonder, then, that abused spouses stay with their abuser. Little wonder, then, that drug addicts stick with the same dysfunctional crowd. Little wonder that we settle for a safe, stale religion versus a religion that might expect something from us.
How many times have church leaders heard those infamous words, “We ain’t never done it that way before, preacher!” The fear of the unknown – will it work, how will it be received, what if it falters, what if it works and I have to do more.
We are not so different from the Israelites.
Complaining is often the result of forgetting what we learned on the way. The Israelites forgot about the power of God in Egypt, so they complained about their treatment. The Israelites forgot about the power of God in the desert, so they complained about the lack of nourishment. The same think happened yesterday at Commission Possible. Nearly 1200 people were making their way out of the parking lot after an incredible, 2-day experience. One of my colleagues carried some supplies to his car and was coming back to help clean-up, and he turned to me and said, “I can’t believe it. People are gripping and complaining about the traffic not less than a few minutes after leaving this great event. What a sad witness!” Yep. They forgot what they learned about God on Friday and Saturday as they were entering back into the world.
What does complaining do?
2. Complaining affects the leadership; ultimately, the complaint is really against God.
Complaining sinks the spirit of the leadership in any institution. It also affects the relationship between people – whether co-workers, family or friends. Those with whom the complaints are lodged get depressed, angry, frustrated, and sometimes fence themselves in as a way to protect themselves. It creates a bad mood and it renders feelings of inferiority and ineffectiveness. Before long, leaders shut-down and find ways to move on to another area to do ministry or drop out altogether. You can see how one might take it personal. The thing is, the complaint is really registered with God. Leaders are the collatoral damage. The real target is God. You know why? Look at number 3 on your outline.
3. Complaining is selfish; it also shows a lack of faith.
Complainers really are fixated on self. For a complainer, it is about number 1 and the lack of satisfaction of self. Ultimately, it shows a lack of faith in God. A complainer is really saying, “God, if you really loved me, it wouldn’t be this bad.” How could you let me down, God? I deserve better!” “You aren’t doing your job. I know better!”
Complaining is a dead give away of a dry dessert – a lack of spiritual growth: “In the desert, the whole community grumbled.” So what do we do?
1st: Pause. Ask yourself what is at the heart of your complaint. Is it due to self-centeredness or genuine concern?
Second: if your complaint is a genuine concern, bring a solution with it.
Turn your complaints into solutions: You know worship leader, the music is really loud, but I am going to try these new earplugs. You Deacon, those kids really seem to be acting up; how about I go sit with them and get to know them. You know pastor, things are getting a little messy around here; how about I come down tomorrow and do a little bit of cleaning. These are powerful responses to genuine concerns, taking us from a complaining heart to a servant’s heart.
It was Mark Twain who said, “Don't complain and talk about all your problems--80 percent of people don't care; the other 20 percent will think you deserve them.”
Third: realize that complaining has consequences. The Israelites had no food or water. God had a solution; He would supply the food. For the next 40 years, He sent quail and manna! Great, you say. Did you hear how long? For forty years. Now, I like leftovers, but after the 3rd or 4th day, I am ready for something new. Can you imagine the same old same old for 40 years?
That was the first consequence. The second began with a test of obedience. The people had to collect enough just for the day and on the 6th day they had to collect twice as much so that they could rest on the 7th day – what is known as the Sabbath rest. Some didn’t listen; they collected too much and tried to save it; the extra spoiled – a 2nd consequence. And some didn’t collect extra on the 6th day. They went hungry – the 3rd consequence.
The Israelites saw the light. They realized that God gives us what we need in His timing. When we realize this too, complaining diminishes and eventually ceases altogether. The back to Egypt committee quits. The dessert is navigated. Vison becomes clear and one can see beyond the desert - all the way to the promised land!
September 14, 2008 -- "How to See God at Work"
(Exo 14:19 NIV) Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel's army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them,
(Exo 14:20 NIV) coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long.
(Exo 14:21 NIV) Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided,
(Exo 14:22 NIV) and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.
(Exo 14:23 NIV) The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh's horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea.
(Exo 14:24 NIV) During the last watch of the night the LORD looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion.
(Exo 14:25 NIV) He made the wheels of their chariots come off so that they had difficulty driving. And the Egyptians said, "Let's get away from the Israelites! The LORD is fighting for them against Egypt."
(Exo 14:26 NIV) Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen."
(Exo 14:27 NIV) Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward it, and the LORD swept them into the sea.
(Exo 14:28 NIV) The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen--the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived.
(Exo 14:29 NIV) But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.
(Exo 14:30 NIV) That day the LORD saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore.
(Exo 14:31 NIV) And when the Israelites saw the great power the LORD displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.
First service introduction:
Video clip from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back – Yoda and Luke have a discussion about “The Force” – that the force is everywhere if you perceive it. In Christian circles, we know what “The Force” is – it is God! God is everywhere! Let me ask you a question: “Is the hand of the lord obvious to you? Let me put it another way: “Do you see His work?”
Second service introduction:
A man went into the drugstore. From the shelves he selected a bottle of extra-strength ibuprofen, twelve ounces of laxative, an elastic knee support, a supply of corn plasters, some sinus medication, a vaporizer, a remedy for sore gums and a tube of hemorrhoidal cream. He took these items to the counter, where they were totaled on the register. He could scarcely believe his ears when the clerk handed him the sack of items and said, “Have a nice day!” It was absolutely obvious that this fellow was not having a nice day, was it not? Let me ask you another question: “Is the hand of the lord obvious to you? Let me put it another way: “Do you see His work?”
The children of Israel saw God at work. When they noticed, they feared God and put their trust in Him. You might say, “Preacher, who would not notice a pillar of fire by day and a cloud of light by night? Who would not notice the water of the Red Sea divided? Who would not notice God drowning the enemy of His people?” Yes, it is true; they saw God work in a mighty way. However, it could have been overlooked, or rationalized, or even denied. As a matter of a fact, it did not take the children of Israel long to complain and wish that they were back in Egypt, as we shall see next week. I think that we need to go through Basic training in order to sense God at work. But first, we have to overcome some obstacles.
There are 3 obstacles that prevent us from sensing the hand of God:
1. An untrained eye.
This has to do with seeing God at work. Where is God most apparent? The Bible tells us in the works that He has made: “For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse” (Rom 1:20). It is very difficult to ignore God when we take a closer look at His creation. The detail, the intricacy, the delicacy, and even the shear adaptability are utterly amazing – possible only because of a higher power! We must train ourselves to appreciate nature – to even study it and to praise God for it. Creation itself is a miracle. Speaking of miracles, do we believe in them, or do we explain them away or deny them. The Bible says that you have to believe God first before you can even expect to receive something from Him. Belief that God is able to do anything and everything is the key to miracle power. The creator can do anything. Step one in basic training is opening our eyes and noticing the grand works of God – both the natural and the supernatural. The second obstacle that prevents people from sensing the hand of God is
2. An untrained ear.
This has to do with hearing God speak. One Gentleman found himself with too many commitments in too few days. He got nervous and tense about it. "I was snapping at my wife and our children, choking down my food at mealtimes, and feeling irritated at those unexpected interruptions through the day," he recalled. "Before long, things around our home started reflecting the patter of my hurry-up style. It was becoming unbearable.
"I distinctly remember after supper one evening, the words of our younger daughter, Colleen. She wanted to tell me something important that had happened to her at school that day. She began hurriedly, 'Daddy, I want to tell you somethin' and I'll tell you really fast.'
"Suddenly realizing her frustration, I answered, 'Honey, you can tell me -- and you don't have to tell me really fast. Say it slowly." "I'll never forget her answer: 'Then listen slowly.'" Bits & Pieces, June 24, 1993, pp. 13-14.
We must train ourselves to listen – and to listen slowly. God still speaks. We just aren’t listening. God speaks through His word, God speaks through prayer, and God speaks through people – to name some of the ways that God communicates. We would benefit greatly if we would slow down and ask God to help us recognize His voice. As a matter of a fact, part of every prayer ought to be our request, “Lord, speak to me through your Holy Spirit.” Listen for the voice. It takes practice. It takes patience. It takes a place of little to few distractions. But, Oh, what benefit.
God speaks to us directly through the Word, through prayer, even through random, day-to-day circumstances. When something happens, ask God what you are to learn from it. Even delay at the gas pump is an opportunity to slow down and listen to God.
God also speaks to us through others. Robert Hernon shares the following: Good listening is like tuning in a radio station. For good results, you can listen to only one station at a time. Trying to listen to my wife while looking over an office report is like trying to receive two radio stations at the same time. I end up with distortion and frustration. Listening requires a choice of where I place my attention. To tune into my partner, I must first choose to put away all that will divide my attention. That might mean laying down the newspaper, moving away from the dishes in the sink, putting down the book I'm reading, setting aside my projects. Robert W. Herron, Homemade, June, 1987.
Ask yourself, what is God saying through my spouse, my friend, and my complete stranger. I was reading in the book of Judges as I am thinking about a sermon series from that book. A complete stranger appeared to the wife of Manoah, the woman who would give birth to Samson. The stranger had a word for her from God. Had she ignored him she would have missed her own birth announcement. God works through others.
Another way that God works is through testimonies. My Mom was just telling me yesterday about a man who has been coming to her church. He just shared his testimony a few weeks ago. It blew away the Bible study group that she was attending. He was near death; he was abusing drugs and alcohol and was ready to take his life. God intervened and now he is studying to be a preacher. Neat thing is, he is a preacher’s son. We should never assume that because someone is a child of a religious leader that they get it. He finally did; he is a 50-year-old Lazarus. By the way, we should be praying for Lazaruses here at church – that God would send us people who have been brought to life so that we can be encouraged and reminded about the power of God.
By the way, when God sends someone, be sure that you are listening. Here are some things to consider:
1) Since you think about four times faster than a person usually talks, do you use this time to think about other things while you're trying to keep track of the conversation? If you are, you are not listening.
2) Do you avoid listening to things you feel will be too difficult to understand?
3) When someone is talking to you do you appear to be paying attention when you're not?
4) Do certain words and phrases prejudice you so you cannot listen objectively?
5) When listening are you distracted by outside sights and sounds? Leadership, Vol.1, No. 4, p. 99.
Listening takes practice. It involves looking a person in the eye, dropping what you are doing or politely asking for a better place or time to talk, and it involves proper feedback to ensure that you have heard the words spoken. One of my favorite lines after someone speaks is to say, “So, what I have heard you say is…” Finish the line by summing up what you think you heard. Sometimes, we mishear or misunderstand. This provides a way of ensuring that we hear the person. Finally, the last obstacle to sensing God’s hand is
3. An untrained heart__. (removing the effects of Sin to sense God more clearly)
This is a deeper, more pronounced situation. This is a sin-condition. Sin – the practice of wrongdoing according to God’s plan – clogs our spiritual receptors – dampening and even preventing communication from above. God will not be in fellowship with someone who commits persistent, willful sin. God still maintains the relationship, but the fellowship is removed. Now, I know what some of you are saying. Sin leads to death – spiritual as well as physical. Yes. But I believe that a truly born-again person does still have salvation when sinning, but a severely affected fellowship with God when sinning. This is a sermon for another day. Listen: we are always gonna be God’s children through Christ. This does not mean that we are perfect or that we do not disappoint God. It does mean that we are God’s – whether a supper-Christian or a sorry-Christian.
Regular sin – persistence in doing that which we know God does not approve of, leaves one powerless and even offensive to the body of believers as well as to non-believers. It can kill a testimony and even help others turn away from the saving grace of God.
I mentioned that this was a deeper issue. It is a spiritual one. We must train our hearts to behave according to the will of God. There is a very powerful verse in James: “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” It just may be that our prayers are ineffective because we are so full of unrighteousness. We need to confess and receive the cleansing that comes from forgiveness.
When we receive basic training in all 3 areas to recognize God – eye, ear and heart – then we have a prescription for a mature, power-filled Christian. I want some of that, don’t you?
(Exo 14:19 NIV) Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel's army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them,
(Exo 14:20 NIV) coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long.
(Exo 14:21 NIV) Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided,
(Exo 14:22 NIV) and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.
(Exo 14:23 NIV) The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh's horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea.
(Exo 14:24 NIV) During the last watch of the night the LORD looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion.
(Exo 14:25 NIV) He made the wheels of their chariots come off so that they had difficulty driving. And the Egyptians said, "Let's get away from the Israelites! The LORD is fighting for them against Egypt."
(Exo 14:26 NIV) Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen."
(Exo 14:27 NIV) Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward it, and the LORD swept them into the sea.
(Exo 14:28 NIV) The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen--the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived.
(Exo 14:29 NIV) But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.
(Exo 14:30 NIV) That day the LORD saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore.
(Exo 14:31 NIV) And when the Israelites saw the great power the LORD displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.
First service introduction:
Video clip from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back – Yoda and Luke have a discussion about “The Force” – that the force is everywhere if you perceive it. In Christian circles, we know what “The Force” is – it is God! God is everywhere! Let me ask you a question: “Is the hand of the lord obvious to you? Let me put it another way: “Do you see His work?”
Second service introduction:
A man went into the drugstore. From the shelves he selected a bottle of extra-strength ibuprofen, twelve ounces of laxative, an elastic knee support, a supply of corn plasters, some sinus medication, a vaporizer, a remedy for sore gums and a tube of hemorrhoidal cream. He took these items to the counter, where they were totaled on the register. He could scarcely believe his ears when the clerk handed him the sack of items and said, “Have a nice day!” It was absolutely obvious that this fellow was not having a nice day, was it not? Let me ask you another question: “Is the hand of the lord obvious to you? Let me put it another way: “Do you see His work?”
The children of Israel saw God at work. When they noticed, they feared God and put their trust in Him. You might say, “Preacher, who would not notice a pillar of fire by day and a cloud of light by night? Who would not notice the water of the Red Sea divided? Who would not notice God drowning the enemy of His people?” Yes, it is true; they saw God work in a mighty way. However, it could have been overlooked, or rationalized, or even denied. As a matter of a fact, it did not take the children of Israel long to complain and wish that they were back in Egypt, as we shall see next week. I think that we need to go through Basic training in order to sense God at work. But first, we have to overcome some obstacles.
There are 3 obstacles that prevent us from sensing the hand of God:
1. An untrained eye.
This has to do with seeing God at work. Where is God most apparent? The Bible tells us in the works that He has made: “For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse” (Rom 1:20). It is very difficult to ignore God when we take a closer look at His creation. The detail, the intricacy, the delicacy, and even the shear adaptability are utterly amazing – possible only because of a higher power! We must train ourselves to appreciate nature – to even study it and to praise God for it. Creation itself is a miracle. Speaking of miracles, do we believe in them, or do we explain them away or deny them. The Bible says that you have to believe God first before you can even expect to receive something from Him. Belief that God is able to do anything and everything is the key to miracle power. The creator can do anything. Step one in basic training is opening our eyes and noticing the grand works of God – both the natural and the supernatural. The second obstacle that prevents people from sensing the hand of God is
2. An untrained ear.
This has to do with hearing God speak. One Gentleman found himself with too many commitments in too few days. He got nervous and tense about it. "I was snapping at my wife and our children, choking down my food at mealtimes, and feeling irritated at those unexpected interruptions through the day," he recalled. "Before long, things around our home started reflecting the patter of my hurry-up style. It was becoming unbearable.
"I distinctly remember after supper one evening, the words of our younger daughter, Colleen. She wanted to tell me something important that had happened to her at school that day. She began hurriedly, 'Daddy, I want to tell you somethin' and I'll tell you really fast.'
"Suddenly realizing her frustration, I answered, 'Honey, you can tell me -- and you don't have to tell me really fast. Say it slowly." "I'll never forget her answer: 'Then listen slowly.'" Bits & Pieces, June 24, 1993, pp. 13-14.
We must train ourselves to listen – and to listen slowly. God still speaks. We just aren’t listening. God speaks through His word, God speaks through prayer, and God speaks through people – to name some of the ways that God communicates. We would benefit greatly if we would slow down and ask God to help us recognize His voice. As a matter of a fact, part of every prayer ought to be our request, “Lord, speak to me through your Holy Spirit.” Listen for the voice. It takes practice. It takes patience. It takes a place of little to few distractions. But, Oh, what benefit.
God speaks to us directly through the Word, through prayer, even through random, day-to-day circumstances. When something happens, ask God what you are to learn from it. Even delay at the gas pump is an opportunity to slow down and listen to God.
God also speaks to us through others. Robert Hernon shares the following: Good listening is like tuning in a radio station. For good results, you can listen to only one station at a time. Trying to listen to my wife while looking over an office report is like trying to receive two radio stations at the same time. I end up with distortion and frustration. Listening requires a choice of where I place my attention. To tune into my partner, I must first choose to put away all that will divide my attention. That might mean laying down the newspaper, moving away from the dishes in the sink, putting down the book I'm reading, setting aside my projects. Robert W. Herron, Homemade, June, 1987.
Ask yourself, what is God saying through my spouse, my friend, and my complete stranger. I was reading in the book of Judges as I am thinking about a sermon series from that book. A complete stranger appeared to the wife of Manoah, the woman who would give birth to Samson. The stranger had a word for her from God. Had she ignored him she would have missed her own birth announcement. God works through others.
Another way that God works is through testimonies. My Mom was just telling me yesterday about a man who has been coming to her church. He just shared his testimony a few weeks ago. It blew away the Bible study group that she was attending. He was near death; he was abusing drugs and alcohol and was ready to take his life. God intervened and now he is studying to be a preacher. Neat thing is, he is a preacher’s son. We should never assume that because someone is a child of a religious leader that they get it. He finally did; he is a 50-year-old Lazarus. By the way, we should be praying for Lazaruses here at church – that God would send us people who have been brought to life so that we can be encouraged and reminded about the power of God.
By the way, when God sends someone, be sure that you are listening. Here are some things to consider:
1) Since you think about four times faster than a person usually talks, do you use this time to think about other things while you're trying to keep track of the conversation? If you are, you are not listening.
2) Do you avoid listening to things you feel will be too difficult to understand?
3) When someone is talking to you do you appear to be paying attention when you're not?
4) Do certain words and phrases prejudice you so you cannot listen objectively?
5) When listening are you distracted by outside sights and sounds? Leadership, Vol.1, No. 4, p. 99.
Listening takes practice. It involves looking a person in the eye, dropping what you are doing or politely asking for a better place or time to talk, and it involves proper feedback to ensure that you have heard the words spoken. One of my favorite lines after someone speaks is to say, “So, what I have heard you say is…” Finish the line by summing up what you think you heard. Sometimes, we mishear or misunderstand. This provides a way of ensuring that we hear the person. Finally, the last obstacle to sensing God’s hand is
3. An untrained heart__. (removing the effects of Sin to sense God more clearly)
This is a deeper, more pronounced situation. This is a sin-condition. Sin – the practice of wrongdoing according to God’s plan – clogs our spiritual receptors – dampening and even preventing communication from above. God will not be in fellowship with someone who commits persistent, willful sin. God still maintains the relationship, but the fellowship is removed. Now, I know what some of you are saying. Sin leads to death – spiritual as well as physical. Yes. But I believe that a truly born-again person does still have salvation when sinning, but a severely affected fellowship with God when sinning. This is a sermon for another day. Listen: we are always gonna be God’s children through Christ. This does not mean that we are perfect or that we do not disappoint God. It does mean that we are God’s – whether a supper-Christian or a sorry-Christian.
Regular sin – persistence in doing that which we know God does not approve of, leaves one powerless and even offensive to the body of believers as well as to non-believers. It can kill a testimony and even help others turn away from the saving grace of God.
I mentioned that this was a deeper issue. It is a spiritual one. We must train our hearts to behave according to the will of God. There is a very powerful verse in James: “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” It just may be that our prayers are ineffective because we are so full of unrighteousness. We need to confess and receive the cleansing that comes from forgiveness.
When we receive basic training in all 3 areas to recognize God – eye, ear and heart – then we have a prescription for a mature, power-filled Christian. I want some of that, don’t you?
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
September 7, 2008 -- "Prayer"
Worrier or Warrior?
Philippians 4:6-7
6 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
First Service introduction:
A Kindergarten Class went to the fire station for a tour and some instruction for safety. The fireman was explaining what to do in case of a fire. He said, “First, go to the door and feel the door to see if it’s hot.” Then he said, “Fall to your knees. Does anyone know why you ought to fall to your knees?” One of the little tykes said, “Sure, to start praying to ask God to get us out of this mess!” How many of us pray only when the heat is turned up – asking God to get us our of this mess? (Illustrations Unlimited, p. 428).
Second service introduction:
Two men were walking through a field one day when they spotted an enraged bull. Instantly they darted toward the nearest fence. The storming bull followed in hot pursuit, and it was soon apparent they wouldn't make it.
Terrified, the one shouted to the other, "Put up a prayer, John. We're in for it!"
John answered, "I can't. I've never made a public prayer in my life."
"But you must!" implored his companion. "The bull is catching up to us."
"All right," panted John, "I'll say the only prayer I know, the one my father used to repeat at the table: 'O Lord, for what we are about to receive, make us truly thankful.'" (source unknown). Ho many of us only pray when we are in a crisis? God wants a deeper relationship with us. God wants a consistent prayer life, regardless of the events in our lives.
Step number one on the path of peace is Prayer! A regular, persistent prayer life will tackle worry head on. It will begin the transformation from worrier to warrior. So, number one on your outline is: Pray, pray, pray! Pray in the morning, pray at night, pray before a meal, pray in the car. Pray in the break room, pray on the playground – pray, pray, pray. Learn new methods of prayer, join a “Pray the Price” prayer group, or take a prayer retreat.
Paul spent 3 whole days in prayer and look what happened:
He went from killer to kingdom-builder
He went from self-righteousness to self-less-ness
He went from law-major to grace-filled savior
I think that RA Torrey described many churches and many people when he said, “We are too busy to pray, and so we are too busy to have power. We have a great deal of activity but we accomplish little; many services but few conversions; much machinery but few results.”
One day a boy was watching a man praying on the banks of a river. When the man completed his prayer the boy went over and asked him, “Will you teach me to pay?” The man studied the boy’s face carefully. Then he gripped the boy’s head in his hands and plunged it forcefully into the water! The boy struggled frantically, trying to free himself in order to breathe. Finally, the man released his hold. When the boy was able to get his breath, he gasped, “What did you do that for?” The man said, “I just gave you your first lesson in prayer.” “What do you mean?” asked the astonished boy. “Well,” said the man, “when you long to pray as much as you long to breathe – only then will I be able to teach you to pray” (Illustrations Unlimited, p. 422).
The great evangelist, DL Moody, said, “I’d rather be able to pray than to be a great preacher; Jesus Christ never taught his disciples how to preach, but only to pray.”
So, if the desire is there, how do you pray? Number 2 on your outline tells us very simply: Tell God what you need.
An old man was quite ill, and the family called for their minister. As he entered the man’s room and sat down, he noticed another chair on the opposite side of the bed, a chair which had been drawn close. The pastor said, “Well, Donald, I see I’m not your first visitor for the day.”
The old man looked up, was puzzled for a moment, then recognized from the nod of the head of the pastor that he had noticed the empty chair. “Well, pastor, I’ll tell you about that chair. Many years ago I found it quite difficult to pray, so one day I shared this problem with my pastor. He told me not to worry about kneeling or about placing myself in some pious posture. Instead, he said, “Just sit down, put a chair opposite you, and imagine Jesus sitting in it, then talk with Him as you would a friend.’” The aged fellow added, “I’ve been doing that ever since.”
A short time later, the daughter of the old man called the pastor. When he answered, she informed him that her father had died very suddenly and she was quite shaken for she had no idea that death was so near. Then she continued, “I had just gone to lie down for an hour or two, for he seemed to be sleeping so comfortably. When I came back, he was gone.” Then she added thoughtfully, “Except now his hand was on the empty chair at the side of the ed. Isn’t that strange?”
The minister said, “No, it’s not strange at all. I understand” (Illustrations Unlimited, p. 416). Christ came to receive him. He simply reached out and took his hand. It is something so natural for one who is used to a regular appointment with God.
Prayer is a simple conversation in which you honestly relate to God your true needs. Wants and needs are often two different things. This is important. God is the granter of true needs. When we learn to ask appropriate requests, God delivers. The Bible says, “You do not have because you do not ask.” It also says, “Ask and it will be given to you.” Does this mean that you will get whatever you want? No. It means when you ask for the right things, God will certainly bring it about. Well then, what about when you don’t get what you think you need? Then God intends something else – something even better; faith – rich faith – says that no matter what, good will come from above – sooner or later. It may be different than we hoped for or imagined, but it will come. At this point, the words of Adoniram Judson are instructive, “I never prayed earnestly for anything but (that) it came at some time. No matter how distant the day, somehow, in some shape, probably the last I should have advised, it came.”
Last, but certainly not least, thank God for what He has done – number 3 on your outline.
Thankfulness takes the focus off of what we are seeking and puts it on the power of God. When we remember what God has done, our faith is boosted to new heights. Giving thanks before the benefits come is a true demonstration of faith – it signifies that we truly believe that God is able and that God will deliver. In business typing we were taught not to thank someone for benefits not yet received. The opposite is true in praying to God – thank Him before the benefit comes. And thank Him after it comes. Such an environment dispels worry and sets a better mood.
Scottish minister Alexander Whyte was known for his uplifting prayers in the pulpit. He always found something for which to be grateful. One Sunday morning the weather was so gloomy that one church member thought to himself, "Certainly the preacher won't think of anything for which to thank the Lord on a wretched day like this." Much to his surprise, however, Whyte began by praying, "We thank Thee, O God, that it is not always like this." (Daily Bread, August 26, 1989.)
No matter what, there is always something to give thanks for, even if it is that it will not always be so bad! Because, someday, the heart given to Christ, will know only joy! Peace be with you today and all the way to eternity
Worrier or Warrior?
Philippians 4:6-7
6 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
First Service introduction:
A Kindergarten Class went to the fire station for a tour and some instruction for safety. The fireman was explaining what to do in case of a fire. He said, “First, go to the door and feel the door to see if it’s hot.” Then he said, “Fall to your knees. Does anyone know why you ought to fall to your knees?” One of the little tykes said, “Sure, to start praying to ask God to get us out of this mess!” How many of us pray only when the heat is turned up – asking God to get us our of this mess? (Illustrations Unlimited, p. 428).
Second service introduction:
Two men were walking through a field one day when they spotted an enraged bull. Instantly they darted toward the nearest fence. The storming bull followed in hot pursuit, and it was soon apparent they wouldn't make it.
Terrified, the one shouted to the other, "Put up a prayer, John. We're in for it!"
John answered, "I can't. I've never made a public prayer in my life."
"But you must!" implored his companion. "The bull is catching up to us."
"All right," panted John, "I'll say the only prayer I know, the one my father used to repeat at the table: 'O Lord, for what we are about to receive, make us truly thankful.'" (source unknown). Ho many of us only pray when we are in a crisis? God wants a deeper relationship with us. God wants a consistent prayer life, regardless of the events in our lives.
Step number one on the path of peace is Prayer! A regular, persistent prayer life will tackle worry head on. It will begin the transformation from worrier to warrior. So, number one on your outline is: Pray, pray, pray! Pray in the morning, pray at night, pray before a meal, pray in the car. Pray in the break room, pray on the playground – pray, pray, pray. Learn new methods of prayer, join a “Pray the Price” prayer group, or take a prayer retreat.
Paul spent 3 whole days in prayer and look what happened:
He went from killer to kingdom-builder
He went from self-righteousness to self-less-ness
He went from law-major to grace-filled savior
I think that RA Torrey described many churches and many people when he said, “We are too busy to pray, and so we are too busy to have power. We have a great deal of activity but we accomplish little; many services but few conversions; much machinery but few results.”
One day a boy was watching a man praying on the banks of a river. When the man completed his prayer the boy went over and asked him, “Will you teach me to pay?” The man studied the boy’s face carefully. Then he gripped the boy’s head in his hands and plunged it forcefully into the water! The boy struggled frantically, trying to free himself in order to breathe. Finally, the man released his hold. When the boy was able to get his breath, he gasped, “What did you do that for?” The man said, “I just gave you your first lesson in prayer.” “What do you mean?” asked the astonished boy. “Well,” said the man, “when you long to pray as much as you long to breathe – only then will I be able to teach you to pray” (Illustrations Unlimited, p. 422).
The great evangelist, DL Moody, said, “I’d rather be able to pray than to be a great preacher; Jesus Christ never taught his disciples how to preach, but only to pray.”
So, if the desire is there, how do you pray? Number 2 on your outline tells us very simply: Tell God what you need.
An old man was quite ill, and the family called for their minister. As he entered the man’s room and sat down, he noticed another chair on the opposite side of the bed, a chair which had been drawn close. The pastor said, “Well, Donald, I see I’m not your first visitor for the day.”
The old man looked up, was puzzled for a moment, then recognized from the nod of the head of the pastor that he had noticed the empty chair. “Well, pastor, I’ll tell you about that chair. Many years ago I found it quite difficult to pray, so one day I shared this problem with my pastor. He told me not to worry about kneeling or about placing myself in some pious posture. Instead, he said, “Just sit down, put a chair opposite you, and imagine Jesus sitting in it, then talk with Him as you would a friend.’” The aged fellow added, “I’ve been doing that ever since.”
A short time later, the daughter of the old man called the pastor. When he answered, she informed him that her father had died very suddenly and she was quite shaken for she had no idea that death was so near. Then she continued, “I had just gone to lie down for an hour or two, for he seemed to be sleeping so comfortably. When I came back, he was gone.” Then she added thoughtfully, “Except now his hand was on the empty chair at the side of the ed. Isn’t that strange?”
The minister said, “No, it’s not strange at all. I understand” (Illustrations Unlimited, p. 416). Christ came to receive him. He simply reached out and took his hand. It is something so natural for one who is used to a regular appointment with God.
Prayer is a simple conversation in which you honestly relate to God your true needs. Wants and needs are often two different things. This is important. God is the granter of true needs. When we learn to ask appropriate requests, God delivers. The Bible says, “You do not have because you do not ask.” It also says, “Ask and it will be given to you.” Does this mean that you will get whatever you want? No. It means when you ask for the right things, God will certainly bring it about. Well then, what about when you don’t get what you think you need? Then God intends something else – something even better; faith – rich faith – says that no matter what, good will come from above – sooner or later. It may be different than we hoped for or imagined, but it will come. At this point, the words of Adoniram Judson are instructive, “I never prayed earnestly for anything but (that) it came at some time. No matter how distant the day, somehow, in some shape, probably the last I should have advised, it came.”
Last, but certainly not least, thank God for what He has done – number 3 on your outline.
Thankfulness takes the focus off of what we are seeking and puts it on the power of God. When we remember what God has done, our faith is boosted to new heights. Giving thanks before the benefits come is a true demonstration of faith – it signifies that we truly believe that God is able and that God will deliver. In business typing we were taught not to thank someone for benefits not yet received. The opposite is true in praying to God – thank Him before the benefit comes. And thank Him after it comes. Such an environment dispels worry and sets a better mood.
Scottish minister Alexander Whyte was known for his uplifting prayers in the pulpit. He always found something for which to be grateful. One Sunday morning the weather was so gloomy that one church member thought to himself, "Certainly the preacher won't think of anything for which to thank the Lord on a wretched day like this." Much to his surprise, however, Whyte began by praying, "We thank Thee, O God, that it is not always like this." (Daily Bread, August 26, 1989.)
No matter what, there is always something to give thanks for, even if it is that it will not always be so bad! Because, someday, the heart given to Christ, will know only joy! Peace be with you today and all the way to eternity
August 31, 2008 -- "Your Testimony"
Philippians 3:4-8
4 though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more! 5 I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. 6 I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault. 7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ
A little girl went up to her mother one day while holding her stomach saying, "Mommy, my stomach hurts." Her mother replied, "That's because it's empty, you have to put something into it!"
Later that day when the Evangelist and her husband were over for dinner. The Evangelist began to feel bad. Holding her head she said, "I have such a terrible headache!"
The little girl looked up at her giving her the sweetest smile that any little child could give. Then she said, "That's because it's empty, you have to put something into it!"
Today, we are going to make a deposit into the banks of our heads and our hearts, but first, before we can gain, we need to hear about loss. Last week, we heard how Christ gave up his own prestige: “Jesus did not think that equality with God was something to be grasped but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant.” Today, we hear about what Paul gave up.
1. Paul gave up two things to be a child of God: His prestige among his countrymen (3:4-5) and his persecution of the church 3:6).
Take the first one – Paul’s prestige. He was highly respected – on the path to greatness – a rising star, so to speak. He was on the religious leader’s radar – climbing the later to more honor and more respect. He had worked hard and even might have deserved it. This was no small task to give up.
Let’s look at the 2nd one – Paul’s persecution of the church. This might be one that you would think was easy to give up. But he was so zealous for God that he could not stand anything or anyone to get in the way of what he thought was right. He was too rigid – unyielding. He would rather kill than change. I imagine he lived with the regret of his former life for the rest of his life – at least to some extent. But, he gave up his murderous threats and his own way for Christ’s way. He would never be the same again.
2. Paul gave up what he thought was important and gained the priceless knowledge of Christ (3:7-8).
This was at the heart of Paul’s giving up – his great sacrifice. He was able to admit that he was in the wrong. He gave up his prestige in order to be a servant. He gave up his “stubbornness” and opened his mind to greater things of God. He found salvation. And he really, really grew.
What about you, what are you willing to give up? What stands in the way of your growth? What must change? If we say that we love him, then I think we would be head over heels trying to learn more about him. Have you met him lately in the Word? Do you meet him often, there? What do you have to give up to pursue him?
Ask yourselves the following questions: How do you spend your time? What dominates your thoughts? Where are your priorities? What motivates you? If the most important thing in your life is Jesus, then your life will revolve around getting to know him better.
Did you hear about the two church folk having a discussion? One was a preacher. “Preacher,” said the one gentleman, “What’s the best part of your job?” “That’s easy! Celebrating the life of a brand new baby.” “So, what’s the hardest part of your job – funerals?” asked the other. “No. Trying to tell people what to do between the two.”
Perhaps Paul felt the same way. So he turned to his life story. Paul was heading in the wrong direction. Everything that he had been living for was not doing a thing to help his eternal state. When Jesus met him on the Road to Damascus, it changed everything. Paul changed teams – changed his allegiance. For that reason he counted everything else in life – his reputation, his achievements, his pursuits, his possessions worthless, so that his sole pursuit would be knowing and serving Jesus Christ. Paul placed Christ above everything else. He did so because he saw the folly of his former life.
Ken Ramsey, our new DS, tells the following story:
When I was in college I had a friend who was a student pastor with me. He drove a Chevy Nova and like me it was pretty much dirty all the time. Never had much time to wash it, and the inside was littered with hamburger wrappers, dropped french fries, and other debris. When I would get in his car I would have to brush off the seats to make a place to sit. One day we walked to the lot and I couldn't believe my eyes. His nova was shining. It was beautiful. "What happened?" "I got it detailed," he replied. I opened the door to get in and wouldn't you know it--still filthy on the inside--I had to brush the old fries off the seat to sit down. A few months later my friend was married. A few weeks after his wedding we were headed to a meeting together and he picked me up. His still nicely washed car pulled up and I opened the door to get in. Even the inside was absolutely spotless. It had been cleaned , vacuumed, the carpet shampooed--the works. "Wow," I said "what in the world happened to your car?" He smiled and responded, "Under New Management." I think of that sometimes when I am thinking about the Lordship of Christ. When he becomes Lord of our lives we are "under new management" and our lives are transformed.
The change is the evidence of that transformation. The new takes over. Focus is granted. Priorities are set and achieved, unless the world begins to come back in! Paul was not going to allow that. Will we?
Sometimes us Christians take for granted the change, particularly if the change is not as astounding as Paul’s change. His former life was a stark difference from the new. He had much to be thankful of. Sometimes we don’t see it that clearly because we’ve been around it for so long. We didn’t know any other way or it has been so long that we have forgotten our former life. Let’s get in touch with what God did in Jesus. He saved our souls. If you truly believe, think about the size of that great gift. It is everything.
A pastor was giving the children's message during church. For this part of the service, he would gather all the children around him and give a brief lesson before dismissing them for children's church. On this particular Sunday, he was using squirrels for an object lesson on industry and preparation. He started out by saying, "I'm going to describe something, and I want you to raise your hand when you know what it is." The children nodded eagerly. "This thing lives in trees (pause) and eats nuts (pause)..." No hands went up. "And it is gray (pause) and has a long bushy tail (pause)..." The children were looking at each other, but still no hands raised. "And it jumps from branch to branch (pause) and chatters and flips its tail when it's excited (pause)..." Finally one little boy tentatively raised his hand. The pastor breathed a sigh of relief and called on him. "Well," said the boy, "I *know* the answer must be Jesus ... but it sure sounds like a squirrel to me!"
We come to church expecting to talk about Jesus. But can we talk about him out there - to a hurting world that needs to hear? If ever there was a one who was worthy to be discussed beyond these walls, it is our Lord. Ask him to be your tongue, your actions, and even your thoughts – all for the one who has died to give you life. Tell them your story. Amen.
Focus:
One afternoon author Patsy Clairmont found herself on an airplane, sitting next to a young man. She writes, "I had already observed something about this young man when I was being seated. He called me "Ma'am." At the time I thought, 'Either he thinks I'm ancient, or he's from the South where they still teach manners, or he's in the service.' I decided the latter was the most likely, so I asked, "You in the service?"
"Yes, Ma'am, I am."
"What branch?"
"Marines."
"Hey, Marine, where are you coming from?" "Operation Desert Storm, Ma'am."
"No kidding? Desert Storm! How long were you there?" I asked. "A year and a half. I'm on my way home. My family will be at the airport." I then commented that he must have thought about returning to his family and home many times while he was in the Middle East. "Oh, no, Ma'am," he replied. "We were taught never to think of what might never be, but to be fully available right where we were."
Focus on the Family, July, 1993, p. 5.
God wants us to be fully available right where we are. He has placed you where he wants you. We have the hope of heaven – what will be – but he wants us to work out our salvation right now – right here!
I think that many of us, when Christ has enabled us to overcome one or two sins that were an obvious nuisance, are inclined to feel (though we do not put it into words) that we are now good enough. He has done all we wanted him to do, and we should be obliged if he would leave us alone. But the question is not what we intended ourselves to be, but what he intended us to be when he made us...
Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what he is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on. You knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised.
But presently he starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make sense. What on earth is he up to? The explanation is that he is building quite a different house from the one you thought of -- throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards.
You thought you were going to be made into a decent little cottage, but he is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it himself.
C.S. Lewis.
The keys to good self-confidence:
It must not rely on self alone – for some this is too much; for others, too little.
It must rely upon what Christ has done for you.
It must rely on God’s perception of you!
A.W. Tozer says that people who are crucified with Christ have three distinct marks:
1. they are facing only one direction,
2. they can never turn back, and
3. they no longer have plans of their own.
Tim Hansel, Holy Sweat, 1987, Word Books Publisher, p. 187.
Philippians 3:4-8
4 though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more! 5 I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. 6 I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault. 7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ
A little girl went up to her mother one day while holding her stomach saying, "Mommy, my stomach hurts." Her mother replied, "That's because it's empty, you have to put something into it!"
Later that day when the Evangelist and her husband were over for dinner. The Evangelist began to feel bad. Holding her head she said, "I have such a terrible headache!"
The little girl looked up at her giving her the sweetest smile that any little child could give. Then she said, "That's because it's empty, you have to put something into it!"
Today, we are going to make a deposit into the banks of our heads and our hearts, but first, before we can gain, we need to hear about loss. Last week, we heard how Christ gave up his own prestige: “Jesus did not think that equality with God was something to be grasped but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant.” Today, we hear about what Paul gave up.
1. Paul gave up two things to be a child of God: His prestige among his countrymen (3:4-5) and his persecution of the church 3:6).
Take the first one – Paul’s prestige. He was highly respected – on the path to greatness – a rising star, so to speak. He was on the religious leader’s radar – climbing the later to more honor and more respect. He had worked hard and even might have deserved it. This was no small task to give up.
Let’s look at the 2nd one – Paul’s persecution of the church. This might be one that you would think was easy to give up. But he was so zealous for God that he could not stand anything or anyone to get in the way of what he thought was right. He was too rigid – unyielding. He would rather kill than change. I imagine he lived with the regret of his former life for the rest of his life – at least to some extent. But, he gave up his murderous threats and his own way for Christ’s way. He would never be the same again.
2. Paul gave up what he thought was important and gained the priceless knowledge of Christ (3:7-8).
This was at the heart of Paul’s giving up – his great sacrifice. He was able to admit that he was in the wrong. He gave up his prestige in order to be a servant. He gave up his “stubbornness” and opened his mind to greater things of God. He found salvation. And he really, really grew.
What about you, what are you willing to give up? What stands in the way of your growth? What must change? If we say that we love him, then I think we would be head over heels trying to learn more about him. Have you met him lately in the Word? Do you meet him often, there? What do you have to give up to pursue him?
Ask yourselves the following questions: How do you spend your time? What dominates your thoughts? Where are your priorities? What motivates you? If the most important thing in your life is Jesus, then your life will revolve around getting to know him better.
Did you hear about the two church folk having a discussion? One was a preacher. “Preacher,” said the one gentleman, “What’s the best part of your job?” “That’s easy! Celebrating the life of a brand new baby.” “So, what’s the hardest part of your job – funerals?” asked the other. “No. Trying to tell people what to do between the two.”
Perhaps Paul felt the same way. So he turned to his life story. Paul was heading in the wrong direction. Everything that he had been living for was not doing a thing to help his eternal state. When Jesus met him on the Road to Damascus, it changed everything. Paul changed teams – changed his allegiance. For that reason he counted everything else in life – his reputation, his achievements, his pursuits, his possessions worthless, so that his sole pursuit would be knowing and serving Jesus Christ. Paul placed Christ above everything else. He did so because he saw the folly of his former life.
Ken Ramsey, our new DS, tells the following story:
When I was in college I had a friend who was a student pastor with me. He drove a Chevy Nova and like me it was pretty much dirty all the time. Never had much time to wash it, and the inside was littered with hamburger wrappers, dropped french fries, and other debris. When I would get in his car I would have to brush off the seats to make a place to sit. One day we walked to the lot and I couldn't believe my eyes. His nova was shining. It was beautiful. "What happened?" "I got it detailed," he replied. I opened the door to get in and wouldn't you know it--still filthy on the inside--I had to brush the old fries off the seat to sit down. A few months later my friend was married. A few weeks after his wedding we were headed to a meeting together and he picked me up. His still nicely washed car pulled up and I opened the door to get in. Even the inside was absolutely spotless. It had been cleaned , vacuumed, the carpet shampooed--the works. "Wow," I said "what in the world happened to your car?" He smiled and responded, "Under New Management." I think of that sometimes when I am thinking about the Lordship of Christ. When he becomes Lord of our lives we are "under new management" and our lives are transformed.
The change is the evidence of that transformation. The new takes over. Focus is granted. Priorities are set and achieved, unless the world begins to come back in! Paul was not going to allow that. Will we?
Sometimes us Christians take for granted the change, particularly if the change is not as astounding as Paul’s change. His former life was a stark difference from the new. He had much to be thankful of. Sometimes we don’t see it that clearly because we’ve been around it for so long. We didn’t know any other way or it has been so long that we have forgotten our former life. Let’s get in touch with what God did in Jesus. He saved our souls. If you truly believe, think about the size of that great gift. It is everything.
A pastor was giving the children's message during church. For this part of the service, he would gather all the children around him and give a brief lesson before dismissing them for children's church. On this particular Sunday, he was using squirrels for an object lesson on industry and preparation. He started out by saying, "I'm going to describe something, and I want you to raise your hand when you know what it is." The children nodded eagerly. "This thing lives in trees (pause) and eats nuts (pause)..." No hands went up. "And it is gray (pause) and has a long bushy tail (pause)..." The children were looking at each other, but still no hands raised. "And it jumps from branch to branch (pause) and chatters and flips its tail when it's excited (pause)..." Finally one little boy tentatively raised his hand. The pastor breathed a sigh of relief and called on him. "Well," said the boy, "I *know* the answer must be Jesus ... but it sure sounds like a squirrel to me!"
We come to church expecting to talk about Jesus. But can we talk about him out there - to a hurting world that needs to hear? If ever there was a one who was worthy to be discussed beyond these walls, it is our Lord. Ask him to be your tongue, your actions, and even your thoughts – all for the one who has died to give you life. Tell them your story. Amen.
Focus:
One afternoon author Patsy Clairmont found herself on an airplane, sitting next to a young man. She writes, "I had already observed something about this young man when I was being seated. He called me "Ma'am." At the time I thought, 'Either he thinks I'm ancient, or he's from the South where they still teach manners, or he's in the service.' I decided the latter was the most likely, so I asked, "You in the service?"
"Yes, Ma'am, I am."
"What branch?"
"Marines."
"Hey, Marine, where are you coming from?" "Operation Desert Storm, Ma'am."
"No kidding? Desert Storm! How long were you there?" I asked. "A year and a half. I'm on my way home. My family will be at the airport." I then commented that he must have thought about returning to his family and home many times while he was in the Middle East. "Oh, no, Ma'am," he replied. "We were taught never to think of what might never be, but to be fully available right where we were."
Focus on the Family, July, 1993, p. 5.
God wants us to be fully available right where we are. He has placed you where he wants you. We have the hope of heaven – what will be – but he wants us to work out our salvation right now – right here!
I think that many of us, when Christ has enabled us to overcome one or two sins that were an obvious nuisance, are inclined to feel (though we do not put it into words) that we are now good enough. He has done all we wanted him to do, and we should be obliged if he would leave us alone. But the question is not what we intended ourselves to be, but what he intended us to be when he made us...
Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what he is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on. You knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised.
But presently he starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make sense. What on earth is he up to? The explanation is that he is building quite a different house from the one you thought of -- throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards.
You thought you were going to be made into a decent little cottage, but he is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it himself.
C.S. Lewis.
The keys to good self-confidence:
It must not rely on self alone – for some this is too much; for others, too little.
It must rely upon what Christ has done for you.
It must rely on God’s perception of you!
A.W. Tozer says that people who are crucified with Christ have three distinct marks:
1. they are facing only one direction,
2. they can never turn back, and
3. they no longer have plans of their own.
Tim Hansel, Holy Sweat, 1987, Word Books Publisher, p. 187.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
August 24, 2008 “It’s All In Your Head”
Philippians 2:5-11 Attitude
5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
6 Though he was God,*
he did not think of equality with God -
as something to cling to.
7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges*; -
he took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,*
8 he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal's death on a cross.
9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
and gave him the name above all other names,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Something significant happened recently, something that gave legitimacy to the many sufferers of a chronic condition. Governor Joe Manchin presented a proclamation officially recognizing National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day. Fibromyalgia is marked by widespread aches, pains, stiffness and fatigue. An estimated 10 to 15 million Americans suffer from the condition. Before it was a recognized condition, people suffering from it were often told, “It’s all in your head.”
Often, that phrase is used to explain away a host of things that people just can’t believe really exists. Today, I want to give legitimacy to something else of great importance.
The battle for spiritual growth begins in the mind. To grow spiritually, one must first have a personal, saving relationship with Christ. You might say, “It’s all in your head.” Spiritual growth is a decision of the will.
Terry Teykl has been called by God to call the church to prayer. Susan and I attended one of his Encounter Seminars yesterday. Several of our folks attended his seminar in Weston a few months ago. We are beginning small groups based on his book "Pay the Price." It is the best thing that I have ever read on prayer. One thing he mentioned yesterday was something about Post-Fall versus Pre-Fall theology. In other words, Post-Fall theology is what we believe about humanity after Adam and Eve fell in the garden. We spend a lot of time on that, but ignore the Pre-Fall scenario – what did God intend for us to look like – to think like?
Christ’s attitude consisted of 3 things: sacrifice, humility and obedience.
Boarding the SS Dorchester on a dreary winter day in 1943 were 903 troops and four chaplains, including Moody Bible Institute alumnus Lt. George Fox. World War II was in full swing, and the ship was headed across the icy North Atlantic where German U-boats lurked. At 12:00 on the morning of February 3, a German torpedo ripped into the ship. "She's going down!" the men cried, scrambling for lifeboats.
A young GI crept up to one of the chaplains. "I've lost my life jacket," he said. "Take this," the chaplain said, handing the soldier his jacket. Before the ship sank, each chaplain gave his life jacket to another man. The heroic chaplains then linked arms and lifted their voices in prayer as the Dorchester went down. Lt. Fox and his fellow pastors were awarded posthumously the Distinguished Service Cross.
The Cross – that instrument of death – a cruel thing but for us a beautiful symbol of sacrifice. Christ gave up his place in the Godhead in order to walk the earth as a man. He came, not to live, but to die. He wanted to die because in his death and resurrection from the dead, he opened the door to our eternal life. For Jesus, our great lover, it was worth it! His equality as God was not something that he clung to. In other words, he did not approach life with a since of entitlement. Have you ever met someone with that world view – the view that says, “Life owes me something” I deserve to get what I want. I’m looking out for me”? That’s not a Christ like world view. A Christ-like world view asks, “What can I sacrifice for God and others? What can I give away? What can I give up?
Sometimes our giving up is a matter of giving up the strongholds that we have erected in our minds – places that we are going to keep that are over and above God. In other words, it is stinkin’ thinking.’ These are the thoughts that we entertain that hurt us. The mean thoughts we have about others, or those thoughts that are self-destructive like the desire for things like pornography or drugs or alcohol or food or material. Sometimes the sacrifice is replacing the stinkin’ thinkin’ with magnificent musings – the magnificent things of God. We find such magnificent things in the word of God.
Christ’s had the attitude of sacrifice. He also had an attitude marked by humility. The fastest man on earth, Usain Bolt from Jamaica, has been getting some flack over his boasting. He easily won the 100 meter final at the Olympics –beating the previous world record by 3 hundredths of a second. Ten meters before the finish line he looked toward the crowd and beat his chest.
Jesus had the right to boast, but he didn’t. He could have beat his chest and said, “That’s right. I’m God. Look out. I got the power!” No, that was not his way. He came to serve. He came to touch the least, last and lost – the smallest of society. His greatness lies in his ability to care for the lowly. Someone once said that true humility is in helping those who in no way can return the favor or help you benefit in any way.
Paul had a great prescription for humility. He said, I am the least of the apostles (1 Corinthians 15:9), I am the very least of all the saints (Ephesians 3:8) and I am the foremost of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15).
Last week I preached about the importance of Prayer, Study and Service. These are a must for every Christian. However, sometimes, when we practice them, there is a temptation to feel superior to others. Humility prevents this. Humility admits, “I am always under construction. I will not fully arrive in this life.”
Phillip Brooks made an apt comment when he said, "The true way to be humble is not to stoop until you are smaller than yourself, but to stand at your real height against some higher nature that will show you what the real smallness of your greatness is." quoted in Burning out for God, E. Skoglund, p. 11.
"They that know God will be humble," John Flavel has said, ' and they that know themselves cannot be proud." quoted in MBI's Today In The Word, November, 1989, p.20.
The door of life is a door of mystery. It becomes slightly shorter than the one who wishes to enter it. And thus only he who bows in humility can cross its threshold.
Isn’t it interesting that traditional Orientals bow to show honor and humility?
For many years Sir Walter Scott was the leading literary figure in the British Empire. No one could write as well as he. Then the works of Lord Byron began to appear, and their greatness was immediately evident. Soon an anonymous critic praised his poems in a London paper. He declared that in the presence of these brilliant works of poetic genius, Scott could no longer be considered the leading poet of England. It was later discovered that the unnamed reviewer had been none other than Sir Walter Scott himself!
Source Unknown. We get too consumed with being the best or even better than others. In Christ, we must be willing to take a back seat!
Christ’s attitude consisted of sacrifice, humility and finally, obedience.
Thomas Watson wrote, “Christ went more readily ad crucem (to the cross), than we do to the throne of grace. “
Peter T. Forsythe was right when he said, "The first duty of every soul is to find not its freedom but its Master". Warren W. Wiersbe, The Integrity Crisis, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1991, p. 22.
I mentioned to you last week that Paul wrote this letter from a Roman prison while awaiting a hearing with Caesar. It is the old choice, which still is presented to every soul; the old crisis, which reappears in every experience. Caesar, or Christ, that is the question: the vast, attractive, skeptical world, with its pleasures and ambitions and its prodigal promise, or the meek, majestic, and winning figures of Him of Nazareth?
The election remains for each of us. And the moment of the election, in the shaded and solemn "Valley of Decision," will be memorable in our history, when suns for us have ceased to shine! Source Unknown. What will it be – the ways of Caesar or the ways of Christ? Whom will we obey. The decision is critical. It marks the difference between eternal death and eternal life.
I've read that when Edward VI, the king of England in the 16th century, attended a worship service, he stood while the Word of God was read. He took notes during this time and later studied them with great care. Through the week he earnestly tried to apply them to his life. That's the kind of serious-minded response to truth the apostle Paul calls for in today's Scripture reading. A single revealed fact cherished in the heart and acted upon is more vital to our growth than a head filled with lofty ideas about God.
One step forward in obedience is worth years of study about it.
Philippians 2:5-11 Attitude
5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
6 Though he was God,*
he did not think of equality with God -
as something to cling to.
7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges*; -
he took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,*
8 he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal's death on a cross.
9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
and gave him the name above all other names,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Something significant happened recently, something that gave legitimacy to the many sufferers of a chronic condition. Governor Joe Manchin presented a proclamation officially recognizing National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day. Fibromyalgia is marked by widespread aches, pains, stiffness and fatigue. An estimated 10 to 15 million Americans suffer from the condition. Before it was a recognized condition, people suffering from it were often told, “It’s all in your head.”
Often, that phrase is used to explain away a host of things that people just can’t believe really exists. Today, I want to give legitimacy to something else of great importance.
The battle for spiritual growth begins in the mind. To grow spiritually, one must first have a personal, saving relationship with Christ. You might say, “It’s all in your head.” Spiritual growth is a decision of the will.
Terry Teykl has been called by God to call the church to prayer. Susan and I attended one of his Encounter Seminars yesterday. Several of our folks attended his seminar in Weston a few months ago. We are beginning small groups based on his book "Pay the Price." It is the best thing that I have ever read on prayer. One thing he mentioned yesterday was something about Post-Fall versus Pre-Fall theology. In other words, Post-Fall theology is what we believe about humanity after Adam and Eve fell in the garden. We spend a lot of time on that, but ignore the Pre-Fall scenario – what did God intend for us to look like – to think like?
Christ’s attitude consisted of 3 things: sacrifice, humility and obedience.
Boarding the SS Dorchester on a dreary winter day in 1943 were 903 troops and four chaplains, including Moody Bible Institute alumnus Lt. George Fox. World War II was in full swing, and the ship was headed across the icy North Atlantic where German U-boats lurked. At 12:00 on the morning of February 3, a German torpedo ripped into the ship. "She's going down!" the men cried, scrambling for lifeboats.
A young GI crept up to one of the chaplains. "I've lost my life jacket," he said. "Take this," the chaplain said, handing the soldier his jacket. Before the ship sank, each chaplain gave his life jacket to another man. The heroic chaplains then linked arms and lifted their voices in prayer as the Dorchester went down. Lt. Fox and his fellow pastors were awarded posthumously the Distinguished Service Cross.
The Cross – that instrument of death – a cruel thing but for us a beautiful symbol of sacrifice. Christ gave up his place in the Godhead in order to walk the earth as a man. He came, not to live, but to die. He wanted to die because in his death and resurrection from the dead, he opened the door to our eternal life. For Jesus, our great lover, it was worth it! His equality as God was not something that he clung to. In other words, he did not approach life with a since of entitlement. Have you ever met someone with that world view – the view that says, “Life owes me something” I deserve to get what I want. I’m looking out for me”? That’s not a Christ like world view. A Christ-like world view asks, “What can I sacrifice for God and others? What can I give away? What can I give up?
Sometimes our giving up is a matter of giving up the strongholds that we have erected in our minds – places that we are going to keep that are over and above God. In other words, it is stinkin’ thinking.’ These are the thoughts that we entertain that hurt us. The mean thoughts we have about others, or those thoughts that are self-destructive like the desire for things like pornography or drugs or alcohol or food or material. Sometimes the sacrifice is replacing the stinkin’ thinkin’ with magnificent musings – the magnificent things of God. We find such magnificent things in the word of God.
Christ’s had the attitude of sacrifice. He also had an attitude marked by humility. The fastest man on earth, Usain Bolt from Jamaica, has been getting some flack over his boasting. He easily won the 100 meter final at the Olympics –beating the previous world record by 3 hundredths of a second. Ten meters before the finish line he looked toward the crowd and beat his chest.
Jesus had the right to boast, but he didn’t. He could have beat his chest and said, “That’s right. I’m God. Look out. I got the power!” No, that was not his way. He came to serve. He came to touch the least, last and lost – the smallest of society. His greatness lies in his ability to care for the lowly. Someone once said that true humility is in helping those who in no way can return the favor or help you benefit in any way.
Paul had a great prescription for humility. He said, I am the least of the apostles (1 Corinthians 15:9), I am the very least of all the saints (Ephesians 3:8) and I am the foremost of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15).
Last week I preached about the importance of Prayer, Study and Service. These are a must for every Christian. However, sometimes, when we practice them, there is a temptation to feel superior to others. Humility prevents this. Humility admits, “I am always under construction. I will not fully arrive in this life.”
Phillip Brooks made an apt comment when he said, "The true way to be humble is not to stoop until you are smaller than yourself, but to stand at your real height against some higher nature that will show you what the real smallness of your greatness is." quoted in Burning out for God, E. Skoglund, p. 11.
"They that know God will be humble," John Flavel has said, ' and they that know themselves cannot be proud." quoted in MBI's Today In The Word, November, 1989, p.20.
The door of life is a door of mystery. It becomes slightly shorter than the one who wishes to enter it. And thus only he who bows in humility can cross its threshold.
Isn’t it interesting that traditional Orientals bow to show honor and humility?
For many years Sir Walter Scott was the leading literary figure in the British Empire. No one could write as well as he. Then the works of Lord Byron began to appear, and their greatness was immediately evident. Soon an anonymous critic praised his poems in a London paper. He declared that in the presence of these brilliant works of poetic genius, Scott could no longer be considered the leading poet of England. It was later discovered that the unnamed reviewer had been none other than Sir Walter Scott himself!
Source Unknown. We get too consumed with being the best or even better than others. In Christ, we must be willing to take a back seat!
Christ’s attitude consisted of sacrifice, humility and finally, obedience.
Thomas Watson wrote, “Christ went more readily ad crucem (to the cross), than we do to the throne of grace. “
Peter T. Forsythe was right when he said, "The first duty of every soul is to find not its freedom but its Master". Warren W. Wiersbe, The Integrity Crisis, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1991, p. 22.
I mentioned to you last week that Paul wrote this letter from a Roman prison while awaiting a hearing with Caesar. It is the old choice, which still is presented to every soul; the old crisis, which reappears in every experience. Caesar, or Christ, that is the question: the vast, attractive, skeptical world, with its pleasures and ambitions and its prodigal promise, or the meek, majestic, and winning figures of Him of Nazareth?
The election remains for each of us. And the moment of the election, in the shaded and solemn "Valley of Decision," will be memorable in our history, when suns for us have ceased to shine! Source Unknown. What will it be – the ways of Caesar or the ways of Christ? Whom will we obey. The decision is critical. It marks the difference between eternal death and eternal life.
I've read that when Edward VI, the king of England in the 16th century, attended a worship service, he stood while the Word of God was read. He took notes during this time and later studied them with great care. Through the week he earnestly tried to apply them to his life. That's the kind of serious-minded response to truth the apostle Paul calls for in today's Scripture reading. A single revealed fact cherished in the heart and acted upon is more vital to our growth than a head filled with lofty ideas about God.
One step forward in obedience is worth years of study about it.
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