Posted by David on March 1, 2007 under Bulletin Articles
I merely wish to suggest being God is not nearly as simple as most people think it is. Christians (and many who reject God) conclude being God should be simple-especially if you possess His power and ability to order things be done. Really?
Wonder how many prayers God receives from all over the world in a 24 hour period? If those prayers were divided into requests, appreciation, and angry indictments, wonder what the percentages would be? Wonder if requests far exceed appreciation?
Wonder how often God acts powerfully, and no one sees it (Jesus’ crucifixion?)? Wonder how often God succeeds incredibly, and people wonder, “What good is that (Jesus’ resurrection?)?” Wonder how often God gives a remarkable gift (forgiveness) and people are disappointed (Mark 2:1-12)? Wonder how often a person dismisses God’s act because it does not meet his/her expectation (Habakkuk 1)? Wonder how often God’s acts are dismissed because we conclude, “God would not do that in that way!”
Wonder how often devout people plead with God to use His power in a specified way, while equally devout people plead with God to use His power in an opposite specified way? In such situations, to say, “Yes” to a believer or a group of believers is to say “No” to another believer or group of believers.
Can God use human death, sacrifice, or failure to achieve His purposes? Can He use my death, sacrifice, or failure to achieve His purposes? Are His purposes dependent on our material prosperity? Is faith the result of an adversity-free life or a life of adversity? Is my trust in God dependent on/reflected in success or adversity?
“Thank you, God, for being God all the time! Thank you for not making us dependent on our own wisdom! You love us when we do not know how to love. You have mercy on us when You should be angry with us. You forgive us when You have the right to destroy us. You endure our lack of vision. You do not disown us when we substitute our emotional desires for Your eternal intents. You are patient with us when we are arrogant with You.
“In all matters You are just, even though we do not see Your justice. When we are blinded by our own emotions and ambitions, You see honestly. You can take Satan’s worst efforts against us, and You can use those efforts for our salvation.
“Lord, we are not incredible, but You are. You are never encompassed by our knowledge, but You know us inside out. May we never forget that You never depend on us, but we always depend on You. Thank you for being our God!”
Posted by David on February 27, 2007 under Sermons
If you were determined to defeat an enemy, what would you do?
If, beyond doubt, your enemy did something guaranteeing your certain defeat, but in your hatred for your enemy you refused to surrender, what would you do?
If you preferred destruction to surrender, what would you do?
In those three questions, we describe Satan’s predicament. Satan was determined to defeat God’s work. Satan failed, but he did not quit. When Jesus died and was resurrected in submission to God’s will, Satan was irreversibly defeated. He knew it! Yet, he hated [and still does] God so much, that he refused to surrender and acknowledge his defeat.
So what did Satan continue doing? He continued resisting God [and still does] rather than surrender to God. Can Satan hurt God personally? No! Then what can Satan do to cause God pain? Satan can hurt those God loves.
Satan’s activity since Jesus’ death and resurrection has been limited to causing misery to those on earth who are dedicated to God and His will. He can do that in the lives of those who surrender to God and in congregations of Christians committed to surrendering to God’s will.
How long will Satan continue this pointless yet certain resistance? Until God destroys him by casting Satan into hell. Satan’s resistance against God and His purposes on earth will continue until God destroys Satan as a being!
1 Corinthians 15:25-28, "For He [Christ] 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."
Revelation 20:14, "Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire."
Revelation 20:10, "And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever."
Satan will resist God and His people until God destroys Satan! Satan will never surrender to God! Only by forcible removal resulting in destruction will Satan cease his resistance against God. At times he will focus his resistance against God in the life of a person, and at times he will focus his resistance in the activities of a congregation. This lesson focus on Satan’s resistance in a congregation.
- As Christians, we should not be surprised when Satan is actively at work in a congregation.
- If he could deceive Eve, he can deceive us!
- Paul warned Christians to be aware of deception.
- Galatians 6:3,4 "For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another."
- Galatians 6:7-10, "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith."
- 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God."
- 1 Corinthians 3:18, "Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise.
- For Satan, congregations of Christians always will be his first and foremost battlefront in his war against God.
- If he was bold enough to come into God’s presence to accuse Job (Job 1:6-9: 2:1-5), he is bold enough to come in our midst no matter how much faith we have.
- If a congregation is active for God in bringing people to Christ, there always will be people in every stage of spiritual development in the congregation.
- If Satan can cause the spiritually immature [regardless of chronological age] to create confusion of any sort in the congregation, he can shift the focus of that congregation from bringing people to Christ to self-preservation issues.
- When that happens, Satan wins temporarily!
- He so consumes the congregation with self-interest that he distracts them from God’s concerns.
- Satan is a master at doing this, and we are masters at justifying our destructive behaviors!
- The ability of Satan to convince us we should fight us is astounding!
- Consider Paul’s warning to the Ephesian elders.
Acts 20:28-31, “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears.”
- The battle was not won!
- The victory was not theirs!
- In fact, some of the problems would be created by some of these elders!
- Consider John’s words against Diotrephes in III John 9, 10:
"I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say. For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church."
- His spiritual priorities were not God’s priorities!
- He was more concerned with what people thought of him than what people thought of God!
- He sought to advance himself at the expense of God’s people.
- Or consider Paul’s anguish about Christians in 1 Corinthians 1:10-17 and Galatians 1:6-10.
- This division is not caused by external forces that do not belong to God nor is it produced by a denominational approach.
- It centers on congregational division promoted by those who are supposed to belong to Christ.
- Paul anguished because of the self-inflicted wounds these Christians inflicted on Christians and sustained in congregations.
- Do not think for a minute that such behavior began and ended in the first century!
- Christians have been wounding themselves in all ages.
- That does not happen by accident–it is the determined work of Satan every time it occurs!
- The only way Satan can cause God pain is to cause His children to hurt others who are His children!
- Congregational division causes only Satan to rejoice!
- We never purify through division–we only destroy ourselves!
- "Can God bring this messy war to an end?"
- Of course He can!
- He could bring the judgment right now and end it all!
- However, if He did, we and not He would be the losers.
- I do not think we as Christians have ever realized how much God loves the lost.
- Matthew 20:25-28, But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
- Romans 5:8,10 "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. . .For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life."
- Galatians 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me."
- Ephesians 5:1,2 "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma."
- Incredibly, God invested the life of His own son in the lost!
- With such a personal, large investment, God is not going to abandon the lost easily!
- Thank God for His commitment to the lost, for we certainly are among them–the only way we can stand before God is through forgiveness, not through perfection!
- If God calls all humans in judgment now, those who do not trust in Jesus Christ are abandoned without hope.
- Then why does God not "cut His losses" and destroy Satan?
- I think Peter’s response in 2 Peter 3:8, 9 addresses the issue.
2 Peter 3:8,9 “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.”
- Literally, God patiently waits so more will be saved.
- Rejoice in God’s patience, and let us unite in God’s purpose.
When Satan is at work in your midst, never encourage him! Do not let Him deceive you, and do not let him use you to assist his purposes!
Posted by David on February 22, 2007 under Bulletin Articles
Recently, life has provided me different opportunities to be with people I knew in the past and had opportunity to know again. Something repeatedly “jumped out” at me in different contexts. Some people I met again changed from the person they were when I first met them and are still changing. Some people changed and reverted back to the person they were. Some people resisted change of self years ago and continue to resist any changes in self. With some, redirection was permanent. With some, redirection was temporary. With some, redirection never occurred.
Stated in another way, some found a new direction and continued in it. Some found a new direction, but also found a convenient detour route back to the old self. Some “is” what they always were, only “is-er.”
Most (not all) who found a new direction and continue in it are people who had major discouragements or powerful temptations to revert to old ways. Some who reverted or did not consider changing did not have any visible discouragements or temptations. I constantly am amazed at people who find redirection of life a helpful friend, and those who find the same redirection a feared enemy. Some passionately grow spiritually, and some passionately refuse to grow spiritually.
To me, such observations are frightening. I have no interest in judging people-I have not lived their lives. My interest is in observing. It goes in two directions: (1) Why do people have different attitudes toward personal redirection? (2) Which kind of person am I? Do I fight the need to redirect me, or do I embrace the need to redirect me?
The essence of repentance is personal redirection. While repentance may demonstrate itself in events, repentance is not an event but an attitude that produces events. When “planted” in a person’s life, it grows until, with time, it fills the person’s life.
The attitude of repentance expresses itself in the behavior of the penitent. The person’s behavior constantly seeks to be true to the attitude. It refuses to seek self-justification.
The truth is whether you do or do not repent is not my issue. Surely, your repentance may encourage me. However, your lack of repentance never justifies me. My issue remains the same: Am I willing to redirect my life? Can I admit it when I am wrong? Can I embrace needed changes in me? Will I continuously allow my penitent attitude to reflect itself in my behavior?
The repentance of just one person causes heaven to rejoice! Does your attitude and behavior increase heaven’s joy?
Posted by David on February 15, 2007 under Bulletin Articles
I increasingly notice a concept that promises a lot but causes pain. The concept: “We can have it all!” It promises we can have everything without making choices. We can have “it all,” and no one will suffer. Values will not be diluted. Priorities will not be altered. Relationships will be blessed. Individuals will flourish. Families will remain intact. Everyone will be “happy”-whatever that is.
“Having it all” requires adjustments, but the exchanges are okay. Thus, we exchange spiritual existence for a “going to church” habit. We exchange family time for couple of weekly meals together. We exchange “My word is my bond!” for “Can I legally contest that contract?” We exchange “it is needful” for “it is pushing.” We exchange relationships for lifestyle. We redefine success: success is what you possess instead of who you are as a person.
What results from seeking it all? Parents try to prove love by giving instead of being. Lonely, suffering children turn to anything that offers escape from loneliness. Divorce is expected. Religious habits replace spiritual development. Few are trusted [even in families!]; motives are doubted [what are they up to?] Boats dry rot in garages. Credit cards are over extended. We live today on what we hope to earn next year. We work too hard to enjoy each other. The gap between poverty and the middle class increases. Those with much seek more in the fear of not having. The definition of “rich” constantly changes. Remember when rich was having a few thousand dollars?
As the transition continues, two things are striking. (1) How easy it is to become selfish is striking. The question seems to be, “Am I happy?” The answer seems to be, “No, but I will be when I get …” (2) The confidence “we can have it all” without having to make choices is striking. According to today’s reasoning, responsibility destroys happiness!
Choices are inescapable! We cannot have it all! One huge self-deceit of evil is, “We should never have to exclude anything.” Perhaps we exclude God! If so, that is sad beyond description! Following God is about unselfish choices-always! It is unselfish choices that define God’s concept of righteousness.
Posted by David on February 8, 2007 under Bulletin Articles
Fortunately my week began typically. I got my half cup of coffee, sat at my computer, and read my e-mail messages. As usual, Monday’s messages were over 75% spam. Most of them wanted one thing-money. The authors of the messages frequently promised me (whom they do not know) incredible sums of money if I give them information that allows them access to my money. Or, they promise me great monetary success if I will buy a product. Or, they challenge me to generosity that benefits them.
In most of my spam messages, people are confident that if they can stimulate my greed nerve, they can soothe (for a moment) their greed nerve.
Though I have witnessed it many times, I never cease to be amazed at the people who are convinced that money is the answer–the answer to problems; the answer to indebtedness; the answer to a desire for pleasure; the answer to significance; the answer to security; etc. Name the need, and someone thinks money is the answer [even in spiritual matters!].
Too little do we realize that money brings new problems–new forms of indebtedness that dig new, deeper holes [he or she who cannot manage little cannot manage much]; common substitutions of indulgence for pleasure that create enslaving addictions; a frequent introduction to despair.
This is not intended to be a slam on wealth! Some early Christians had wealth! Paul said to them (1 Timothy 6:17-19)–Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.
He or she who can escape greed while having money is wise. He or she who defines self by relationship with God is wise. He or she who understands how to use wealth for God’s purposes rather than allowing wealth to use him or her for its purposes is wise. He or she who lets God’s values determine how wealth is used rather than allowing wealth determine how he or she is used is wise. He or she who refuses to measure self by “what I have” is wise.
May this be our ambition: “Who I am is determined by God. What I have is determined by God. How I use what I have is determined by God. Only God’s will measures me.”
Careful: Money does not offer us everything. To many, money gives only an internal emptiness and coldness. To the unwise, money costs rather than gives. “God, deliver us from the deceit of our own greed. Help us listen to You instead of deceiving ourselves.”
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.
- May we begin with Jesus at the end of his earthly life.
- Matthew 26:36-46 gives an account of Jesus’ Gethsemane prayers he prayed just before his arrest.
- Basically, he prayed the same request three times–persistence.
- 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."
- Please understand this is a request made by an obedient son to his Father.
- 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.).
- This is a son who also prayed a lot (see Mark 13:5; Matthew 9:18, 28 14:23; Luke 5:16; 6:12).
- I doubt that anyone of us would think that his or her faith in God even compared to Jesus’ faith in God.
- God can answer our prayers in at least one of three ways.
- He can grant our request.
- This is our preference.
- We typically regard our desire as "the best way to go" when we urgently pray about a matter.
- He can give us the strength to cope with the situation.
- When we cope, our lives continue as if the problem did not exist.
- We feel the irritation and inconvenience of having the problem, but our lives do not reflect the problem.
- He can give us the strength to endure the problem.
- When we endure the problem, the problem generates situations that change our lives.
- He gave Jesus the strength to endure his arrest and death.
- 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).
- Commonly, we are not wise enough to know what is in the best interest of our eternal salvation.
- Many American Christians are prone to see only the immediate rather than the future.
- Many of us react to the inconvenience of the moment thinking only of the material rather than the spiritual.
- 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.
- Are you not grateful for all God does through Paul’s writings?
- God did not respond as they requested, but He responded.
- Their ultimate best interest resulted from His response.
- The irony to me is this:
- Christianity is founded upon suffering from its very beginning.
- Jesus predicted that faith in him would result in unthinkable suffering and rejection in Matthew 10:34-39.
- While Christ extends internal peace to those who struggle inwardly (Matthew 11:28-30), accepting his peace may result in external hardships!
- It certainly did among the first century Jews!
- It also created stern reactions from first century idol worshippers! (see Acts 19:23-28)
- 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).
- Death was often the price of faith.
- Christianity is founded on the death and resurrection of Jesus!
- Stephen was martyred (Acts 7:58-60).
- James was executed with the sword (Acts 12:2).
- Historical records indicate all the apostles but John died violent deaths.
- Paul certainly anticipated execution (2 Timothy 4:6-8)
- Have you read 2 Corinthians 11:23-33 lately?
- Revelation indicates the Christians in Asia Minor questioned the survival of Christianity because opposition was so severe.
- 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?
- Are we more concerned about our physical desires than about our eternal salvation?
- Do we want God to yield to our material desires if it would cost us our eternity with Him?
- Do we not realize how determined Satan is to cause us physical hurt because we choose to reject him and find hope in Jesus?
- Satan is no amateur!
- None of us are a match for him if we seek to oppose him alone!
- It seems he is continually confronting us and asking, "Do you trust Jesus this much?"
- Though Satan opposes us, God will always be there for us.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- God can use anything Satan does to us for our eternal salvation!
- We are God’s property–He will take care of us eternally!
- Satan cannot accuse us as He did Job!
- Justification!
- Intercession!
- We cannot, without our consent, be taken from God’s love!
- 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.
- Our salvation is not without opposition, but it is ours by God’s promise if we keep our faith in Jesus Christ.
- The how do I prepare for opposition from Satan?
- I grow in awareness of where the opposition can originate.
- 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.
- I do not expect life to be easy if I place it in Jesus Christ!
- I prepare for the onslaughts of Satan.
- 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.
- I expect Satan to attack me, cause me pain, and test my commitment to Jesus Christ.
- I am personally serious about my devotion to Christ.
- 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,
- I am not in this battle alone! The rest of the family also faces opposition!
- 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.
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.
- There is a continuous war going on that is a very old war, that has gone on for centuries.
- Basically that war has been and is the conflict between the source of good and the source of evil.
- The Christian understands this to be a war between God and Satan.
- 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.
- Could God end it? Yes!
- The question is not could God end the war.
- The issue is this: is God willing to endure the cost of ending the war now?
- Thus far the answer has been, "No!"
- God is fighting the war because He wishes to rescue and regain people.
- 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)
- Peter affirms these facts:
- The Lord is not concerned with time as He wages this war.
- Repentance of people is more important to the Lord than time.
- It is not the Lord’s desire for any to perish, therefore the patient Lord is providing people maximum opportunity.
- However, "the day of the Lord" will happen!
- Judgment (sentencing, not trial) will happen.
- However, the patient Lord will maximize opportunity for human repentance prior to ending the war.
- The Lord does not wish to destroy people!
- The Lord wants people to escape the consequences of evil by repenting.
- The primary reason for this war as far as humans are concerned is repentance.
- Had He wanted to, God could have "cut His losses" when the first human rebellion occurred in Genesis 3.
- The primary theme of the Bible is about divine recovery from human rebellion, not divine punishment of human rebellion.
- Surely those who willingly yield themselves to evil will endure the consequences of their choices.
- However, that is not what God wishes!
- He does not wish for human rebellion against Him to be subjected to punishment.
- 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.
- For humans, there was a time when God the Father was "the all in all."
- For us that would have been the period following creation when all things were in subjection to God.
- God reigned over this creation, including people.
- For a period nothing opposed His rule.
- Jesus potentially rectified all that humans perverted and made rebellious when they through rebellion perverted creation in Genesis 3.
- Jesus was the first to be permanently resurrected in the conquest of death.
- Our hope of resurrection is vested in what God did in raising Jesus from the dead.
- All who find life in Jesus will be resurrected to life just as Jesus was.
- Jesus Christ reigns right now, and will continue to reign until he returns.
- The objective of his reign is to defeat all the forces that oppose God.
- Through the current reign of Jesus Christ everything that opposes God being (again) the "all in all" will be defeated.
- That which Jesus seeks to defeat includes rules (reigns), authority, power, and death.
- None of these rebellious forces advance the original objectives of God.
- They result from influences of evil and its deception, not from God’s intent.
- God’s desire was not for humans to be rebellious.
- The choice of our ancient ancestors made rebellion a part of human nature.
- 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."
- Please consider two things regarding this war that opposes surrender to God.
- First, I ask you to consider this graphic.
- When we were created, God was the "all in all."
- Rebellion, produced by evil’s deception, perverted creation, and it began with the beings God made in His own image and likeness.
- With rebellion against God came a desent into complete evil in humans–a total rebellion against God.
- 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).
- 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).
- 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.
- First, He found a man who would trust Him enough to allow God to work through this man–that was Abraham.
- 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).
- Through that nation God brought the Christ.
- 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).
- 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.
- 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.,)
- With the judgment, God will again be acknowledged by everyone as the "all in all."
- 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.
- We on our own are no match for Satan and the deceptions of evil.
- We must draw strength from God.
- We must wear God’s protection.
- Opposition to God then took and now takes many forms.
- Rulers
- Powers
- World forces of darkness
- Spiritual forces of wickedness
- We are not to be deceived into believing that spirituality in Christ only involves opposition physically to evil things in this world.
- There is much more involved in conquering evil than our salvation and our desires.
- It is terribly easy for us to make this struggle a very selfish consideration.
- It is terribly easy for us to focus this struggle only on us and our blessings.
- Our salvation does parallel the restoration of God to His rightful position.
- However, the primary consideration is the restoration of God’s rule as the "all in all."
- 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’?"
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.
Posted by David on January 25, 2007 under Bulletin Articles
God loves sinners! Incredible! He always has! He asked Jonah, “Why should I not love the Assyrians?” (Jonah 4:11). Isaiah said Israel was to be a light to the nations [non-Jewish people] (Isaiah 42:5-7). Jesus said there was more rejoicing in heaven over 1 sinner who repented than 99 righteous people who needed no repentance (Luke 15:7). Paul said Christ died for people while they were still sinners (Romans 5:8). God loves sinners!
We live in difficult times that are likely to become more difficult. The times create enormous concerns for us. We are more likely to demand that our leadership be more concerned about our anxieties than God’s priorities-especially when our anxieties clash with God’s priorities.
God’s priorities demand that leadership be concerned with two matters: (a) rescuing those outside of Christ and (b) spiritually preserving those in Christ. Elders should be spiritually mature! Elders should think! Elders should grow!
If elders do that by virtue of study and exposure to people problems, what will happen? If you take the most spiritually mature men in the congregation, and stimulate them to continue to mature, they often “out grow” the majority in a congregation. When a congregation confuses faithfulness to championing anxieties rather than faithfulness to promoting God’ priorities, major problems develop. That is why (a) elders never cease to communicate with a congregation and (b) constantly seek to explain “whys” for their decisions. Never make elders of men you do not trust! Always make men you can confidently follow elders! Just as in good parenting, trust issues are enormous!
It is not easy to let God be the model of concern for people! It is not easy to incorporate and involve the penitent lost in a congregation! If we grow, there will be those whose backgrounds are different, whose values are different, whose problems are “messy,” whose lifestyle is different, whose “spiritual learning curve” is challenging.
Leaders must realize what was successful 50 years ago may be irrelevant now. They must understand the difference between fads and substance. They must search for ways to help us effectively “love the unlovable”-because that is what God does!
Posted by David on January 22, 2007 under Sermons
The gospels provide us very few views of Jesus’ personal life. We are often told of him when is among the multitudes, when he had private discourse with individuals, when he is teaching his disciples, or when he is taking an initiative. Rarely do we see Jesus when he is "just being himself" as he rests from his rigorous work, or successfully escapes from the demands of the multitude, or is left along to his own thoughts.
We see Jesus in many different roles: a teacher to his disciples; a spiritual informer of the ignorant; a hope giver to the disillusioned; a defender of God and the Old Testament scriptures; a man of compassion; a man of opportunity; a patient guide to those who have lost direction. But . . . what of Jesus’ personal friends? What of the relationships that blessed and ministered to him? What of the situations when those who loved him ministered to him?
To me there is no doubt that Jesus maintained deep, personal, loving relationships as a friend to a friend to a number of individuals who loved and respected him. I imagine that in most areas that he ministered frequently there was some home, some family that forever kept the door of friendship and hospitality open to Jesus–a home that offered a refuge from the public eye and public expectations. These were the people who loved to minister to his need rather than expecting him to provide something for them. Such people wanted Jesus to rest, to relax, and to enjoy the fruits of friendship.
That at least one such home was available to Jesus is beyond doubt. The gospel of John identifies the home of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha as the kind of place. In a most unusual happening recorded in a gospel, the gospel of John provides us a unique insight into Jesus’ relationship with his friends. In narrative form, examine this incident recorded in John 11. Note the impressive lessons we should gain.
- The narrative:
- Lazarus became sick in his Bethany home.
- Lazarus, Mary, and Martha had been close, personal friends of Jesus who always kept their home open to him.
- John indicated the closeness Jesus shared with these people by stating this was the same Mary who anointed Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair.
- While that means little to most of us, it would have meant much then.
- This was outrageous, unacceptable behavior. No self-respecting Jewish man would allow that to happen to him!
- Yet, Jesus allowed it.
- Simply put, they loved Jesus and Jesus loved them in a love of mutual respect.
- The impression to me is that their relationship expected and demanded nothing from Jesus.
- This home was located about two miles Southeast of Jerusalem on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives.
- It was conveniently located when Jesus visited Jerusalem.
- The last week of Jesus’ life as he presented intensive lessons in Jerusalem’s temple area, he spent each evening outside the city (Mark 11:19).
- Matthew in 21:17 states he spent at least some of those evenings in Bethany.
- It is possible that he stayed in Lazarus’ home and was strengthened by these friendships in the last days of his life.
- When Lazarus became sick, Mary and Martha sent word to the Jesus in hiding (they knew where he was) saying simply, "Lord, behold, the one you love is sick."
- They did not say, "Jesus, come quickly!"
- They did not say, "We helped you; it is time for you to help us!"
- They did not say, "Lord, we are counting on you–do not let us down!"
- The friendship was so real all they needed to do was to let Jesus know the situation.
- Personally, I find that a beautiful tribute to their relationship.
- Jesus’ reaction:
- Jesus’ reaction is unique in all the gospels.
- First, he told the disciples, “This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it” (John 11:4).
- In a distressing situation in which a friend he loved was seriously sick, Jesus saw opportunity rather than reacting with concern.
- He was fully aware of what was about to happen.
- Certainly, God would be glorified.
- However, Jesus (according to John’s use of "glorify") was referring to his crucifixion (see John 7:39; 12:16; and 12:23.)
- What Jesus would do in raising Lazarus would be "the final straw" or "the straw that broke the camel’s back."
- He knew Lazarus’ resurrection would precipitate his death, and he was ready to glorify God through his death.
- That is precisely what happened–verse 46 said some of the witnesses went directly to the Pharisees; verses 47, 48 state the counsel said they could not ignore the situation; verses 49, 50 records Cephas’ statement that it was good for one man to die for the nation’s sake; and verse 53 stated they immediately began planning Jesus’ death.
- John stated Jesus loved those three people–he was not indifferent to their need!
- Jesus delayed his departure for two days.
- I doubt that time was easy for Jesus.
- He knew Lazarus was suffering.
- He knew Mary and Martha were anxious.
- He knew all of them were anxiously awaiting his arrival.
- He knew their disappointment would increase with each passing hour.
- He likely knew some of their friends would come ask, "Where is your friend, Jesus? Why is he not here?"
- Knowing those things were happening in the lives of people he loved would not have been easy for Jesus.
- Jesus’ return:
- Jesus knew when Lazarus was died.
- He told his disciples it was time to go back to Judea.
- The disciples probably assumed Jesus did not return immediately upon receiving the message about Lazarus’ sickness due to the fact it was too dangerous to go to the Jerusalem vicinity.
- They agreed with that assessment–they knew how much the Jewish leaders wanted Jesus dead.
- They had no doubt about what the Jewish leaders would do if they were presented an opportunity.
- To them it made no sense to return after his friend was sick for two additional days.
- So they tried to discourage him from returning by reminding him of the danger.
- Jesus said, "You need to walk while it is daylight."
- Most travel then was done in the daylight (they had no forms of artificial lighting).
- Jesus likely meant his day was not ended and there was no need to fear.
- It also probably meant he had to do this before his day ended.
- He then informed the disciples that Lazarus was asleep, and he was going to awaken him.
- The disciples were relieved; sleeping was to them a sign of recovery.
- Then Jesus informed them that Lazarus was dead.
- He then made an unusual statement.
- "For your sakes, I am glad I was not there."
- "Because I was not there, you will have greater faith."
- Still, the disciples are reluctant to return.
- Thomas settled the matter.
- He thought it was inviting trouble to return.
- Yet, in resignation, he said, "Let us go die with him."
- Jesus arrived:
- When Jesus arrived, Lazarus has been dead for four days.
- At that time, in that climate, with no embalming, burial almost always occurred the day of death.
- A Jewish funeral was not a time of quiet meditation.
- It was a time of public weeping and mourning best described as a time of continual wailing.
- To us it would be a time of noise, confusion, and near hysteria.
- It typically lasted seven days and involved the community and friends.
- Commonly the home was filled with those in sympathy.
- Since they were near Jerusalem and evidently well know, sympathizers were still present four days after the death.
- Ordinarily, the sounds of mourning could be heard long before one reached the village.
- News reached Martha that Jesus was coming, and she immediately left to meet him.
- Perhaps she wanted to talk to him privately, which could not happen at the house.
- What followed was a beautiful declaration of friendship.
- Martha expressed the depth of her anguish which must have caused Jesus anguish: "Had you been here, Lazarus would not have died"–an affirmation of confidence and expression of regret.
- Some look at her remark as one of censor, bitterness, and chastisement.
- I do not–I think it was and expression of sorrow and disappointment that Lazarus was dead.
- It was an expression of confidence: "If you could have been here, this would not have happened."
- Her next statement reflects the depth of their friendship: "Even now I know God will do anything you ask."
- She clearly had not lost confidence in her friend.
- He was no less the Lord because he was not there when she wanted him.
- To me, she is not trying to censor Jesus, but to say it was all right even though she was disappointed.
- From the next events, it is obvious that she did not expect Jesus to raise Lazarus.
- Jesus told her that her brother would rise again.
- She was confident he would rise in the last day.
- When Jesus said he was the resurrection and the life, she had no doubt that was true.
- The resurrection was not merely an event; it also was a power and authority–Jesus declared he was that power and authority.
- Martha returned to the house and secretly told Mary that Jesus had come and asked for her.
- Mary quickly left and went to Jesus.
- Her quick departure caught the mourners’ attention.
- It was customary to make frequent trips to the tomb to mourn.
- They assumed this is what she did, and they accompanied her.
- When Mary saw Jesus, she fell at his feet crying, "If you had been here, Lazarus would not have died."
- The resurrection:
- The whole scene and situation was too much for Jesus to keep his composure.
- Two sisters he loved in deep grief saying our brother would be alive if you had been here.
- One wailing before him in genuine sorrow and loss.
- Mourners wailing.
- John says he groaned in spirit–the words used indicate he was deeply distressed.
- John also says he was troubled.
- Jesus asked, "Where did you lay him?"
- As they went to the place, he cried.
- Some said, "How he loved him!"
- Others asked, "Could not this healer help this man?"
- When they reached the tomb, it (as usual) had a stone covering the opening (to protect the body from animals and grave robbers).
- Jesus told them to remove the stone.
- Martha tried to discourage him because enough time had passed for the body to begin to decay and release an odor.
- Jesus said, "I told you that you would see God’s glory!"
- When the stone was removed, Jesus prayed a prayer of gratitude, and asked God to respond to his request for the witnesses’ sake.
- With a loud voice, he ordered Lazarus to come out of the cave.
- Lazarus came out bound in his grave wrappings.
- Jesus told them to cut Lazarus free.
- Jesus raised him (did what they could not do); they loosed him (did what they could do).
- With that Jesus ended the grief of his friends and set in motion the events that would lead to his own death.
- After this event, Jesus avoided those who wished to kill him.
- Some brief observations:
- The purpose and objective of Jesus was not always clearly discernible even to his closest friends.
- His disciples knew him better than anyone, but they saw no purpose in his return.
- Mary and Martha loved him dearly, but they did no understand why he took so long to come.
- Though his actions were misunderstood by all who believed in him, those actions were still full of purpose and blessing.
- We do not have to see the purpose beforehand to enable our Lord to accomplish a good purpose.
- All we need to do is not lose faith in him.
- We are related to Mary and Martha: they had great faith in what Jesus could have done, but no understanding of what he could do right then in those circumstances.
- They had absolute confidence that Jesus could have healed Lazarus if he has come while Lazarus was alive.
- They had no confidence that Jesus could do anything after Lazarus died.
- Often we make the same mistake.
- We say, "If only the Lord had done such and such in the past."
- Rarely do we say, "I have every confidence the Lord can use what is happening right now."
- Instead we say, "I just cannot see how anything will work out in this mess."
- We should take consolation in the fact that we have a compassionate Lord who can weep.
- Jesus knew what he could do.
- He knew all would be okay regarding Lazarus’ death.
- Yet, Jesus could not be indifferent to the sorrow, disappointment, and concern for those he loved.
- Our Savior is not aloof, arrogant, unfeeling, unemotional, and untouched when he sees those who believe in him in pain.
- Jesus knows, cares, and feels.
- It is of enormous comfort to me to know he is touched by the feeling of our infirmities.
Of all things to be remembered in this unusual incident, the foremost is that he is the resurrection and the life. Just as he had the power to raise Lazarus, he will resurrect us. There is one big difference. He raised Lazarus to die physically again. He will raise us to never die again.
