The War and Me (part 2)

Posted by David on February 6, 2007 under Sermons

Failed expectations are the graveyard of personal faith. When Christians look for the reasons [there are more than one!] that the conversion rate is lower than it was fifty years ago or the church is not growing as it did fifty years ago, they tend to blame everything but themselves. They see evil ghosts lurking behind every bush. They blame a society that no longer favors expressions of Christian faith. They blame changes in social views. They blame the justice system. They blame globalization. They blame radical conservatives. They blame radical liberals. They long for the past and seek to revive it.

They fear the future and the additional changes it will bring. As they cry about change and blame everything that frightens them, the one thing they never blame is themselves.

In the past Christians counted on their children becoming "the next congregation of Christians." No more.

Why? Again, the are many contributing reasons. Those reasons include: the destabilization of marriage so some parents inconsistently behave one way in private and another way in public; the disassociation of the family unit–the family rarely spends time together as they learn to enjoy each other [everyone is busy doing "my own thing"]; the desire to follow a path that produces what "I" define to be pleasure; the surrender to material ambitions; the conviction that the most powerful influence in life is money; the tendency to regard Christianity as a religion of habits rather then a life; the substitution of faith in Jesus or God for faith in a movement; the death of faith.

There are many reasons for this enormous generational transition. Those just mentioned are some of the more obvious factors. May I focus you on a cause that I regard to be in my top five reasons for so many children rebelling against the convictions of their parents. That reason is failed expectations.

Faith in God does not produce the results that Christians often say it will. When something wonderful happens, we quickly call it a miracle and cite the happening as proof of divine intervention. When something terrible happens, we often ask, "Why? Why did God refuse to act on my behalf?" We go into shock when bad things happen to people we regard as good people.

1. May we begin with Jesus at the end of his earthly life.
   
   1. Matthew 26:36-46 gives an account of Jesus’ Gethsemane prayers he prayed just before his arrest.
      
      1. Basically, he prayed the same request three times–persistence.
         
      2. His request was simple: "If there is a way to achieve Your will without my having to die, please go the other way; but your will be done."
         
      3. Please understand this is a request made by an obedient son to his Father.
         
         1. This is a request made by a son who always did as his Father requested (see John 5:19; 6:38; 8:28; 12:49, 50; 14:10; etc.).
            
         2. This is a son who also prayed a lot (see Mark 13:5; Matthew 9:18, 28 14:23; Luke 5:16; 6:12).
      4. I doubt that anyone of us would think that his or her faith in God even compared to Jesus’ faith in God.
   2. God can answer our prayers in at least one of three ways.
      
      1. He can grant our request.
         
         1. This is our preference.
            
         2. We typically regard our desire as "the best way to go" when we urgently pray about a matter.
      2. He can give us the strength to cope with the situation.
         
         1. When we cope, our lives continue as if the problem did not exist.
            
         2. We feel the irritation and inconvenience of having the problem, but our lives do not reflect the problem.
      3. He can give us the strength to endure the problem.
         
         1. When we endure the problem, the problem generates situations that change our lives.
            
         2. He gave Jesus the strength to endure his arrest and death.
            
         3. He gave Paul the strength to endure his thorn though this miracle worker asked three times for the thorn to be removed (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).
      4. Commonly, we are not wise enough to know what is in the best interest of our eternal salvation.
         
         1. Many American Christians are prone to see only the immediate rather than the future.
            
         2. Many of us react to the inconvenience of the moment thinking only of the material rather than the spiritual.
            
         3. God took the horrors of Jesus’ crucifixion and sealed the defeat of evil plus guaranteed all blessings found in Jesus–God took a crucifixion and made an eternal Savior.
            
         4. Are you not grateful for all God does through Paul’s writings?
            
         5. God did not respond as they requested, but He responded.
            
         6. Their ultimate best interest resulted from His response.
2. The irony to me is this:
   
   1. Christianity is founded upon suffering from its very beginning.
      
      1. Jesus predicted that faith in him would result in unthinkable suffering and rejection in Matthew 10:34-39.
         
         1. While Christ extends internal peace to those who struggle inwardly (Matthew 11:28-30), accepting his peace may result in external hardships!
            
         2. It certainly did among the first century Jews!
            
         3. It also created stern reactions from first century idol worshippers! (see Acts 19:23-28)
            
         4. The peace is real and internal, but the suffering took the forms of rejection, persecution, injustice, and hostility [including martyrdom] (see Hebrews 10:32-35).
      2. Death was often the price of faith.
         
         1. Christianity is founded on the death and resurrection of Jesus!
            
         2. Stephen was martyred (Acts 7:58-60).
            
         3. James was executed with the sword (Acts 12:2).
            
         4. Historical records indicate all the apostles but John died violent deaths.
            
         5. Paul certainly anticipated execution (2 Timothy 4:6-8)
      3. Have you read 2 Corinthians 11:23-33 lately?
         
      4. Revelation indicates the Christians in Asia Minor questioned the survival of Christianity because opposition was so severe.
         
      5. The irony: how can American Christians expect Christianity to be a religion that does not experience struggle when it began and spread by Christians’ reaction to struggle?
   2. Are we more concerned about our physical desires than about our eternal salvation?
      
      1. Do we want God to yield to our material desires if it would cost us our eternity with Him?
         
      2. Do we not realize how determined Satan is to cause us physical hurt because we choose to reject him and find hope in Jesus?
         
      3. Satan is no amateur!
         
         1. None of us are a match for him if we seek to oppose him alone!
            
         2. It seems he is continually confronting us and asking, "Do you trust Jesus this much?"
      4. Though Satan opposes us, God will always be there for us.
         
         1. 1 John 4:4 (in context)
            You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.
            
         2. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (in context)
            No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
            
         3. Romans 8:28-39 (in context)
            And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, “For Your sake we are being put to death all day long; We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
            
            1. God can use anything Satan does to us for our eternal salvation!
               
            2. We are God’s property–He will take care of us eternally!
               
            3. Satan cannot accuse us as He did Job!
               
            4. Justification!
               
            5. Intercession!
               
            6. We cannot, without our consent, be taken from God’s love!
         4. 1 John 1:9 (in context)
            If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
      5. Our salvation is not without opposition, but it is ours by God’s promise if we keep our faith in Jesus Christ.
3. The how do I prepare for opposition from Satan?
   
   1. I grow in awareness of where the opposition can originate.
      
      1. Ephesians 6:12
         For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
         
      2. I do not expect life to be easy if I place it in Jesus Christ!
   2. I prepare for the onslaughts of Satan.
      
      1. Ephesians 6:13
         Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
         
      2. I expect Satan to attack me, cause me pain, and test my commitment to Jesus Christ.
   3. I am personally serious about my devotion to Christ.
      
      1. Ephesians 6:18
         With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,
         
      2. I am not in this battle alone! The rest of the family also faces opposition!
         
      3. Never is there any question of where my loyalty lies.

Expect Satan to be angry with your faith in Jesus Christ. Never blame God for the work of Satan. Never expect God to do for you what He never promised. Always know God will never abandon you. Try to constantly see God at work, and when you do not see it, never doubt that He is at work.

Back To The Bible

Posted by Chris on February 4, 2007 under Sermons

Prayer

Posted by Chris on under Sermons

Call to Worship

Jesus encourages us to pray. If we can be known for anything, then let us be known as a people who pray without ceasing. Let us pray not only for ourselves, but also for one another and for the sake of the world.

Jesus teaches us to pray. [Read Luke 11:1-4.] We call this the “model prayer” and yet how often do we conform to the model? This morning, we are modeling our worship on the model prayer. Our movements in worship are based on the petitions of Jesus’ prayer lesson. So let’s follow the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ who encourages us to ask, seek, knock, and to pray. The prayer is given to us in plural form – notice how often it says “our and us.” Let us pray this prayer together by reading it now, and let this be our entry into our service of worship …

Congregational Reading of Luke 11:1-4

#2 – “We Praise Thee, O God” (vs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
#15 – “Step By Step”

Prayer
#797 – “Lord We Come Before Thee Now” (vs. 1, 2, 3, 4)
#704 – “Bind Us Together”

Prayer
#525 – “He Knows Just What I Need” (vs. 1, 2, 3)

#357 – “Bethlehem?Galilee?Gethsemane”

All around the Lord’s Supper the humanity of Jesus Christ is obvious. His love and concern for his disciples. His anxiety over the impending crucifixion. His forgiveness and compassion even for those who mistreated him. Our Lord displays his humanity through his prayers. Jesus prays often during the gospel event. He gives thanks for the bread and cup. He prays in the garden and asks for another way, yet he submits himself to God’s way. He encourages his disciples to pray with him and for him and for themselves. He prays on the cross and intercedes for those who are caught up in the frenzy of accusation and judgment. Jesus prays. If you will read John 17 you will find that he even prayed for you and me!

Perhaps this should teach us that we are very much like Christ when we pray. Perhaps this should teach us that we are most human when we pray. We come to the Lord’s Supper as anxious souls hungry for the bread of life. We pray, “Give us today our daily bread.” And our Father, who knows what we need, gives to us even Himself and His own Spirit.

Prayer at the Lord’s Table
Communion

Prayer for Offering & Ministry
Offering

#660 – “People Need The Lord” (repeat)
#800 – “What A Friend We Have In Jesus” (vs. 1, 2, 3) [Dismiss to Children’s Worship]

#810 – “Listen To Our Hearts” (vs. 1, 2)

Prayer

#413 – “Lord Be There”
#390 – “Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah” (vs. 1, 2, 3)

Invitation to Prayer and Baptism

A simple man once said that “Life without adversity would be … well, it might be kind of nice.” True. But adversity seems to be a part of life. Every one of us has known some form of it.

When we pray to God “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” We acknowledge that we do not live in a perfect world. We live in a broken world – sure there is still much that is good in this world, but it is not what God intends for it to be. So we live in a world where there is adversity.

Adversity is no indicator of how much or how little God loves us, even though it can seem that way. Adversity is no indicator of how righteous we are, even though our own actions can bring adversity into our lives – and yet if we are trying to find fault and blame we can get into a never-ending spiral of cause and event that would take us back to the Garden of Eden.

Rather, it is our response to adversity that ought to concern us: This week I have had many occasions to reflect on just how the Evil One works. Do you know what Satan’s name means? It comes from the Hebrew word for “accuser.” The evil one seeks to accuse us – especially in our adversity. As he tried to do with Christ in the desert, the evil one comes to us in our time of trial and aims to convict us without hope and draw out our worst and most sinful nature.

Watch out for his schemes! What shall we do with our anxiety and anger? What shall we do with our fear and sorrow? Rather than deny that we are human, let us turn to Our Father in heaven in prayer. Let us ask for wisdom. Let us ask, seek, and knock and trust that the love of our Father in heaven is greater than the accusation of the evil one.

Do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Every Sunday we offer an invitation. It is an invitation to be delivered from the evil one. Christ invites us to the waters of baptism so that we might be delivered from evil. Baptism and repentance are entwined seamlessly – if you have been baptized then understand that your baptism is a death to sin but you are alive to God in Jesus Christ (Rom. 6). If you are considering being baptized then repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins.
The invitation is also an invitation to prayer. Are any of you in trouble? Are any of you sick? Then pray and the Lord will lift you up (James 5).

#791 – “On Bended Knee” (vs. 1, 2)
[During this hymn you may meet with elders in Room 100 for prayer or come to the front and share your request for prayer or baptism]

#539 – “Higher Ground” (vs. 1, 2, 4)

Sending Out Prayer by an elder

There Is A War Going On (part 1)

Posted by David on February 3, 2007 under Sermons

In my opinion, Christians are constantly amazed at the escalating attack on Christian values and Christian views in this country. Many things that were appreciated and revered by those who did not even pretend to be Christians in the middle 20th century are under deliberate attack in the early 21st century. That which was regarded to be a part of this nation’s strength is now often considered a part of this nation’s weakness.

This process gives no evidence of coming to an end. By the year, the attacks are becoming bolder and more open.

As I begin, I want to be as clear as possible. I do not wish to make a political statement in this lesson. The concern expressed transcends politics. This is a statement that concerns the values that compose the moral fabric of a people.

I do not wish to suggest that all concerns that declare themselves Christian are in fact Christian. There are many issues that masquerade as a Christian concern that are fundamentally, in basic nature, economic or personal perspectives or group agendas.

Nor do I wish to suggest that all Christians act or express themselves wisely in the spirit of Jesus Christ. Too often those who so despise being victims of control wish to victimize others through their control. It is too rarely a concern for forgiveness and too often a desire for revenge.

If (1) our model is Jesus Christ and (2) he sought no revenge for horrible injustice, (3) how do we conclude we further his objectives through vengeance and forcible control?

The things I share with you today are a personal view. I do not ask you to adopt my view. I merely seek to stimulate you to think. My hope is that by your thinking you will reflect seriously on the basic nature of Christianity. What you consider to be an appropriate expression of Christianity will affect in a basic way what you consider to be Christian values.

All I ask you to do today is think rather than react.

1. There is a continuous war going on that is a very old war, that has gone on for centuries.
   
   1. Basically that war has been and is the conflict between the source of good and the source of evil.
      
      1. The Christian understands this to be a war between God and Satan.
         
      2. The war is over in regard to which will be the victorious "side" (that was determined in Jesus’ death and resurrection), but it is not over in the sense that it has ended.
         
      3. Could God end it? Yes!
         
         1. The question is not could God end the war.
            
         2. The issue is this: is God willing to endure the cost of ending the war now?
            
         3. Thus far the answer has been, "No!"
            
         4. God is fighting the war because He wishes to rescue and regain people.
   2. Consider:
      But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.
      (2 Peter 3:8-10)
      
      1. Peter affirms these facts:
         
         1. The Lord is not concerned with time as He wages this war.
            
         2. Repentance of people is more important to the Lord than time.
            
         3. It is not the Lord’s desire for any to perish, therefore the patient Lord is providing people maximum opportunity.
            
         4. However, "the day of the Lord" will happen!
      2. Judgment (sentencing, not trial) will happen.
         
         1. However, the patient Lord will maximize opportunity for human repentance prior to ending the war.
            
         2. The Lord does not wish to destroy people!
            
         3. The Lord wants people to escape the consequences of evil by repenting.
            
         4. The primary reason for this war as far as humans are concerned is repentance.
            
         5. Had He wanted to, God could have "cut His losses" when the first human rebellion occurred in Genesis 3.
   3. The primary theme of the Bible is about divine recovery from human rebellion, not divine punishment of human rebellion.
      
      1. Surely those who willingly yield themselves to evil will endure the consequences of their choices.
         
      2. However, that is not what God wishes!
         
      3. He does not wish for human rebellion against Him to be subjected to punishment.
   4. Consider a statement Paul made about Jesus Christ and God in 1 Corinthians 15:20-28.
      But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming, then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death. For He has put all things in subjection under His feet. But when He says, “All things are put in subjection,” it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him. When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all.
      
      1. For humans, there was a time when God the Father was "the all in all."
         
         1. For us that would have been the period following creation when all things were in subjection to God.
            
         2. God reigned over this creation, including people.
            
         3. For a period nothing opposed His rule.
      2. Jesus potentially rectified all that humans perverted and made rebellious when they through rebellion perverted creation in Genesis 3.
         
         1. Jesus was the first to be permanently resurrected in the conquest of death.
            
         2. Our hope of resurrection is vested in what God did in raising Jesus from the dead.
            
         3. All who find life in Jesus will be resurrected to life just as Jesus was.
      3. Jesus Christ reigns right now, and will continue to reign until he returns.
         
         1. The objective of his reign is to defeat all the forces that oppose God.
            
         2. Through the current reign of Jesus Christ everything that opposes God being (again) the "all in all" will be defeated.
            
         3. That which Jesus seeks to defeat includes rules (reigns), authority, power, and death.
            
            1. None of these rebellious forces advance the original objectives of God.
               
            2. They result from influences of evil and its deception, not from God’s intent.
               
            3. God’s desire was not for humans to be rebellious.
               
            4. The choice of our ancient ancestors made rebellion a part of human nature.
      4. When Jesus defeats the last of the forces that oppose God being the "all in all" [the last force being death itself], he will submit everything [including himself] to God so He will be restored to the position of the "all in all."
2. Please consider two things regarding this war that opposes surrender to God.
   
   1. First, I ask you to consider this graphic.
      1. When we were created, God was the "all in all."
         
      2. Rebellion, produced by evil’s deception, perverted creation, and it began with the beings God made in His own image and likeness.
         
      3. With rebellion against God came a desent into complete evil in humans–a total rebellion against God.
         
      4. In only the first 6 chapters of Genesis people go from God’s pronouncement of "very good" (Genesis 1:31) to His disgust of rejection (Genesis 6:5-7).
         
      5. Yet, God whose character includes patience and grace, refused to give up on humans even when He was sorry He made people (Genesis 6:8).
         
      6. God’s journey to (a) the recovery of His status of the "all in all" and (b) the salvation of people involved a lot of patience and a lot of time.
         
         1. First, He found a man who would trust Him enough to allow God to work through this man–that was Abraham.
            
         2. Second, He worked through Abraham to produce a nation of people who were supposed to be God’s people in this evil, rebellious world (consider Deuteronomy 7:6-11; 9:4,5).
            
         3. Through that nation God brought the Christ.
            
            1. The nation of Israel was merely God’s vehicle, not God’s destination (consider Isaiah 42:6; 56:6, 7 as an expression of God’s interest in all people).
               
            2. The Bible is not a record of all God’s acts, but a record of how God brought the Christ [His solution to human rebellion] through His work through Israel.
         4. Jesus was sent by God (Philippians 2:5-8) to serve as the world’s guide back to God (John 3:16-21; 8:19, 28, 29; 14:6, 10; 10:14-18; etc.,)
            
         5. With the judgment, God will again be acknowledged by everyone as the "all in all."
   2. Second, I ask you to focus on Paul’s admonition to the Ephesian Christians in Ephesians 6:10-13.
      Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
      
      1. We on our own are no match for Satan and the deceptions of evil.
         
         1. We must draw strength from God.
            
         2. We must wear God’s protection.
      2. Opposition to God then took and now takes many forms.
         
         1. Rulers
            
         2. Powers
            
         3. World forces of darkness
            
         4. Spiritual forces of wickedness
      3. We are not to be deceived into believing that spirituality in Christ only involves opposition physically to evil things in this world.
         
      4. There is much more involved in conquering evil than our salvation and our desires.
         
         1. It is terribly easy for us to make this struggle a very selfish consideration.
            
         2. It is terribly easy for us to focus this struggle only on us and our blessings.
            
         3. Our salvation does parallel the restoration of God to His rightful position.
            
            1. However, the primary consideration is the restoration of God’s rule as the "all in all."
               
            2. The wonderful blessings of our salvation are only in a support role in the marvelous restoration of God’s rule over everything.

The question is more than: "Do you see your need as one who has been deceived by evil?" That is important, but it is only the beginning. The essential question is this: "Have you spiritually matured enough to see the right and the glory of properly restoring God to position of the ‘all in all’?"

‘Why Would Anyone Want To Lead Me?’

Posted by David on February 1, 2007 under Bulletin Articles

“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.” (Hebrews 13:17)

I suspect every flock had some contrary individual sheep. This one tended to wander off and get lost. This one tended to fall into trouble regardless of how hard the shepherd sought to produce a safe environment. This one looked at the shepherd as an enemy, no matter how hard the shepherd tried to befriend it. This one never understood a dangerous situation. It constantly was in life-threatening situations.

Congregations are no different. This member consistently wanders off and gets lost. This member forever gets himself/herself into trouble. This member always sees any leader as an enemy. This member never sees danger.

A hard question: Does a man willing to be an elder, be a congregational shepherd, do so in spite of you, or because of you? Though never an elder, I spent a segment of my life in elders’ meetings. Once when asked to speak to a gathering of elders, I started by noting that I likely had attended more elders’ meetings than most of them had.

With that exposure, I have seen a bit of everything. A tragedy I witnessed [more than once] involved caring elders seeking to address trying members without all the facts. Congregational leaders are at a disadvantage when they know confidential things they cannot reveal. Nothing is ever as simple as it looks on the outside!

I once knew a group of men who were to be new elders. They were certain they could make needed changes in 6 months. When they became elders, they became aware of conditions they did not know. The only answer for their changes was to slaughter some sheep. Is it the role of the shepherd to destroy the flock? Thankfully, the chief Shepherd seeks to save, not destroy!

Selecting additional elders is a time for personal reflection as well as evaluating lives. It is too easy to expect others to do and be what we never intend to do or be! It is too easy to criticize and hard to be encouraging! It is too easy to discourage and hard to be a source of the joy!

We do not need to decide we, personally, will make leadership more difficult! Satan will take care of that! We need to be part of the joy! Only we can take care of that.