Jesus, the Way to God

Posted by David on December 4, 2005 under Sermons

John 14:1-10 “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way where I am going.” Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.” Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works.”

This evening, I want John to take us on a journey of the last days of Jesus’ life. I want you to see the turmoil among the Jewish people because of Jesus.

1. Sometime after Jesus gave his lesson on being the good shepherd, Jesus went to the Jewish religious Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem.
   1. By that time Jesus was such a divisive, controversial figure that some wanted to kill him by stoning him (John 10:31).
      1. Some were especially enraged at Jesus because he openly affirmed his relationship with God the Father.
      2. When they tried to kill Jesus by stoning, he asked, “For which of my good works are you stoning me?”
      3. When they tried to capture him and kill him a second time, Jesus eluded their grasp.
   2. Because the danger to his life was quite real, Jesus went to an obscure place near the Jordan River to stay.
      1. He stayed in the place until Lazarus died.
      2. The disciples knew why he left Jerusalem, knew the reality of the danger to Jesus, and understood why they were in such an obscure place.
      3. When Jesus announced that for the sake of Lazarus he was returning to the Jerusalem area, the disciples did not think that was a good idea.
         1. They said, “The last time you were there they tried to kill you by stoning you!”
         2. Thomas, also called the Twin, said “Let us go back with him and die with him.”
   3. When Jesus returned to Bethany (only two miles from Jerusalem), Lazarus already had been dead for 4 days.
      1. John 11 describes how Jesus in public sight raised Lazarus from the dead.
      2. John 12 describes how Jesus attended a supper at Lazarus’ home.
         1. It was at that time that Mary anointed Jesus’ feet with an expensive perfume and dried his feet with her hair.
         2. It was at that time that the greedy, thieving Judas Iscariot bemoaned the fact that this was a waste of money–the perfume should have been sold and the money given to the poor.

2. It would be difficult to exaggerate what a controversial figure Jesus was at that moment.
   1. Listen to John 12:9-11:
      The large crowd of the Jews then learned that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He raised from the dead. But the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death also; because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and were believing in Jesus.
      1. Part of them want to see Jesus or Lazarus out of curiosity.
      2. Part of them believed in Jesus.
      3. Part of them want to kill both Lazarus and Jesus.
   2. A large number of Jews came to the feast because they heard Jesus would be there and some wanted to see both Jesus and Lazarus.
      1. This was a moment of great popularity for Jesus.
      2. It was the time of the triumphal entry.
      3. It was a time of deep concern of the Pharisees for their ineffectiveness and Jesus’ popularity (12:19).
      4. Jesus told his disciples that the time had come for him to be glorified (12:23), but what Jesus meant and what the disciples expected were distinctly different.
   3. Those who disagreed with Jesus in the multitude turned against him.
      1. Jesus hid from those who did not believe.
      2. Many who believed were afraid to declare their faith.
   4. It was a time of confusion for the disciples.
      1. They did not understand what was happening.
      2. However, they viewed Jesus as invincible–he had returned to Jerusalem without being killed and seemed untouchable.
      3. This was the time of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet and stressing the way to God was through service, not through position and ruling.

3. Focus on some things from our reading in John 14.
   1. Jesus knew the disciples did not know what was happening.
      1. Basically, he told them, “Trust me. You trust God; trust me with the same trust.
         1. “I am leaving, and you cannot go with me.”
         2. “But it is okay–you know the way to where I am going.”
         3. “I am coming back for you.”
      2. Thomas: “We do not know the way!”
         1. Jesus: “You know me, and I am the way.”
         2. Jesus: “I am the way to the Father.”
      3. Philip: “Show us the Father, and that will be enough.”
         1. Jesus: “Have you not understood anything?”
         2. Jesus: “If you know me, you know the Father.”
         3. Jesus: “I do not speak or act for myself, but for the Father.”
   2. We understand the key thought is found in his statement in John 14:6:
      Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
   3. Let me call some things to your attention.
      1. The key is not in eliminating all our confusion; the key is in trusting Jesus.
         1. The disciples were truly confused, and Jesus knew it.
         2. They expected the wrong things to happen.
         3. That was okay if they trusted Jesus.
         4. Too often we want to replace trust with our understanding.
      2. The key is not being perfectly correct; the key is trusting Jesus.
         1. The disciples were not correct in their expectations.
         2. They were going to be extremely confused.
         3. If they trusted Jesus, it would be okay.
      3. The key is not in “being shown,” but in trusting Jesus.
         1. It is not a matter of trusting what we see and experience; it is a matter of trusting who Jesus is and what he did.
         2. It is not a matter of figuring it out; it is a matter of trusting Jesus when we cannot figure it out.
   4. What did Jesus mean by declaring He was the way, the truth, and the life?
      1. If you want to understand God’s purposes and priorities, look at Jesus.
      2. If you want to understand how to get to God, look at Jesus.
      3. Life is found in Jesus, and no where else.

4. Allow me to make some observations.
   1. We tend to be a people who place great faith in ourselves.
      1. Often we have confidence because of our knowledge.
      2. Often we have confidence because of “our stand.”
      3. Often we have confidence because of our explanations.
      4. Often we have confidence because of our history.
      5. Often we have confidence because of our purposes and objectives.
      6. Jesus told the 12, you need to have confidence for one reason–you know me.
   2. We tend to replace faith in Jesus with faith in ourselves or our accomplishments.
      1. We are not the way to God; Jesus is.
      2. We are not the truth; Jesus is.
      3. We are not the life; Jesus is.
   3. We all need to seek correctness, but we never need to put our trust in ourselves.
      1. It has never been about what we do for God.
      2. It always has been about what God did for us in Jesus’ cross and resurrection.

There is nothing as important as trusting Jesus. Only he is the way to God. Only he is the truth about relationships with people and God. Only he is the source of life.

Knowing God Changes Me

Posted by David on December 1, 2005 under Bulletin Articles

Centuries later Jesus declared in Mark 12:31, “The second is this, ?You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” This response was given to a question from a scribe about God’s most important commandment.

Still later Paul cited the same statement in Romans 13:9 as the summation of all the Ten Commandments that targeted humans’ treatment of humans.

Christians are likely more familiar with the concept in the statement Jesus made in the sermon on the mount in Matthew 7:12: “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” This concept is related to the same lesson in Matthew 5:47: “If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles (people who do not believe in the living God) do the same?”

As a philosophical concept, most Christians would say this concept has great merit. “It would be wonderful if all people treated other people that way!” Yet, many Christians would say, “That simply is not the way our world works!”

Perhaps the irony is in this: As a concept, “love your neighbor as you love yourself,” is wonderful! As a practical way to live, the concept “just does not work.”

Speaking practically, what is the application of the concept? (1) Do you treat people who cause you hurt or whom you do not like with compassion, mercy, grace, and forgiveness? Or do you reserve those attitudes only for those you love? (2) Do you respond to people with criticism and judgment? (3) Are you quick to condemn without understanding situations and circumstances? (4) Are you thankful for insights that often deliver you from deplorable consequences and use those insights helpfully to rescue and encourage others? (5) Do you help someone who has made a mistake, or do you see that he/she pays the full price for their folly?

“Wait a minute! Wait a minute! Don’t you realize that is just not the way that people who do not belong to God act!” How true! BUT … that is the way people who know God should act! Therein always has been the contrast between the person who knows God and the person who does not know God.

The question IS NOT, “Does that kind of behavior work in a world that does not know God?” The question IS: “Do I have the courage produced by faith in God to be different-even when I am neither respected nor understood by those who do not know God?” Do you have the kind of faith in God that produces that kind of courage?

Truly, the knowledge of God makes people different. Someday those who know God will be part of a place and world where they belong because they “fit.” May your knowledge of God make you that kind of person!

Jesus: My Good Shepherd

Posted by David on November 27, 2005 under Sermons

John 10:1-18 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.” This figure of speech Jesus spoke to them, but they did not understand what those things were which He had been saying to them. So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.”

I seriously doubt that very many people of today understand and appreciate all of Jesus’ teachings in this statement. I am sure that I do not. Sheep, shepherds, security of the flock, the relationship between a quality shepherd and ancient flocks, and sheep cotes are just not a part of our background. There are some lessons in this statement that would have been quite obvious to Jesus’ audience that are not obvious to us. It simply means we have to be open and try harder to understand.

The relationship of a quality shepherd with his flock of sheep was centuries old. The image of a shepherd fit Jesus’ work and mission in many ways. I find it fascinating that Jesus did not compare his earthly mission to the work of the wealthy, but to the work of a shepherd.

1. To us, the role of a shepherd was a noble calling, but not so even to Jesus’ world.
   1. In scripture the image of a shepherd is used both metaphorically and actually.
      1. Metaphorical shepherds:
         1. God is called Israel’s shepherd stressing the truth that they were “in good hands,” had no reason to be afraid, but had every reason to be a people of faith.
         2. Rulers are called shepherds of their people emphasizing their responsibility to care for those whom they rule.
      2. Literal shepherds:
         1. For centuries in the ancient world wealth was measured in livestock–flocks and herds.
            1. There was no stock market as we know it, no banks as we know them today; no financial institutions as we know them today; no forms of investments as we know them today.
            2. A person’s wealth and financial well being commonly was measured in what he actually possessed, what was actually his at the moment.
         2. Consider the wealthy person:
            1. He might own a lot of sheep (and other livestock as well), but he could not be their actual shepherd–and likely had no desire to be.
            2. So he had to hire someone for the job, someone trustworthy he could depend on.
            3. However, he likely only knew what he was told.
            4. The key would be if the man hired had primary interest in the sheep given into his charge or in himself–would he care for the needs of the sheep, or would he use the sheep to prosper himself?
         3. Consider the common person:
            1. His flock would be small–he would not own many sheep.
            2. Yet, each sheep was critical to the family’s well being.
            3. Shepherding usually fell as a job done by a family member.
            4. While it was an extremely necessary job–the sheep had to be constantly fed, watered, and cared for–it often was a very undesirable, lonely job.
   2. Let me ask you to consider the work and life of a shepherd.
      1. First, let me ask you to consider a shepherd’s work.
         1. Remember, there are no barns, no special equipment, no pastures as we know them today, no fences–thus there are no prepared, protected places to fed the sheep in secure circumstances.
         2. Sheep, like most livestock, have to be fed and watered every day–there are no vacation days or comp days for a shepherd.
         3. Every day all in the flock need to be examined. Who is sick? Who is weak? Who needs treatment? Who needs help and special attention?
         4. Yet, the shepherd needs to know more than where he or she can take the sheep to graze and be watered; he also must be the sheep’s security.
            1. If one of the sheep gets lost, he must find a way to make the rest of the flock secure and go find the lost sheep.
            2. If the weather turns cold and wet, he must find shelter for the sheep.
            3. At night, he must find a secure place for the sheep to stay–with the only way to the sheep through him!
            4. If a sick sheep is too weak to walk, he must help it or carry it.
            5. If wild animals are near, only he stands between the danger and the death of the sheep.
            6. It was a very “hands on,” demanding, dirty, dangerous job.
            7. It was not the occupation any of us would aspire to!
      2. Second, just think about how lonely that job would be!

2. Understanding that the key question was, “How important is the sheep’s well being to me?” and understanding that shepherding was a dirty, demanding job, focus on what Jesus said in the first part of John 10.
   1. There were occasions when it was necessary to take your flock temporarily to a public sheep cote (enclosure) where several flocks might be present in order to provide temporary security for your flock while you took care of something essential.
      1. These enclosures had one way in which also served as the only way out.
         1. It had a keeper of the door (entrance) who permitted only shepherds with flocks in the enclosure to enter the enclosure.
         2. Jesus said he had a relationship with his sheep–they were not merely dumb animals he had to care for.
         3. He drew a obvious contrast–a shepherd goes in at the entrance; a thief seeks another way in.
            1. The sheep knew the difference between the unfamiliar thief and the familiar shepherd!
            2. With the thief, the sheep sense danger!
            3. With the shepherd, the sheep sense security!
      2. The sheep knew the shepherd’s voice, and would follow that familiar voice and only that familiar voice.
         1. Though the people who heard did not understand the meaning of what Jesus said, he was declaring he cared about them above all else.
         2. He was their security because of his unselfish interest in them and their well being!
         3. They had nothing to fear from him! He was of no danger to them!
   2. The analogy Jesus’ made in verses 7-10 still focused on the shepherd and the sheep.
      1. Because they did not understand his point previously, he used the same analogy with a different comparison.
         1. This time he compares himself to the door of the sheep cote.
         2. Those who came to the people of Israel before him claiming to seek the people’s best interest were not concerned about the people but their objective.
         3. These previous people who claimed to speak for God were people who exploited–but not him!
         4. He did not seek to use them, but to give them security!
         5. If the people wanted to have the security God promised, they must (a) recognize who he is and (b) approach security through him.
         6. They need to ask themselves a question and pay attention to the answer: do people who call for you to follow them want to use you or give you security?
            1. Others come to exploit you.
            2. Not me!
            3. I come to give you life in its fullest sense.
      2. The emphasis is the same–he is the source of their security and seeks to provide for their security.
   3. The contrast that follows is the contrast between a good shepherd who cares about the well being of his sheep and the hired shepherd who accepted a job, but not responsibility.
      1. Jesus was a good shepherd who would willingly die for the well being of his sheep.
         1. The shepherd who just took a job,
         2. Who had nothing personal invested in a healthy flock,
         3. Would not put his life on the line to protect the sheep.
         4. Instead, at the first sign of danger he would run.
         5. He would put the lives of the sheep in danger instead of putting his own life in danger.
         6. The sheep meant nothing to him!
         7. They certainly were not worth dying for!
      2. In contrast, Jesus is the good shepherd who is totally committed to the well being of his flock.
         1. He personally knows his sheep.
         2. His sheep personally know him.
         3. He would not hesitate to die to protect his sheep.
         4. There are other sheep in another flock that are his sheep–he had sheep among the gentiles just as certainly as he had sheep in Israel.
            1. The moment would come when he would combine flocks.
            2. He would be the shepherd over this one flock of Jewish followers and gentile followers.
      3. God loved him because he cared about all the people who belonged to God.
         1. He would die for all of them.
         2. However, his death would not be permanent.
         3. His life would not be taken from him against his will–he would of his own decision die for the good of all God’s sheep.
         4. He could choose to give his life for the security of the sheep.
         5. He could choose to live again.
         6. This would happen because of the will of God.

3. His words caused a serious division in his Jewish audience.
   1. Some said he was an insane, demon-possessed man–“These are the words of a person speaking for the devil!”
   2. Others said, “These are not the words of the devil! You certainly cannot give the devil credit for the things Jesus does to help people others reject!”

The issue for all of us remains the same for a thousand years: “Who is Jesus? Is he really alive from the dead? Did God really resurrect him from the tomb?”

I would like to close by focusing you on Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians 15:12-19:
Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.

If Jesus is who He said He is, live for Him. Only He is your security!

Jesus, the Bread of Life. Really?

Posted by David on November 20, 2005 under Sermons

Read John 6:22-42.

We see what we want to see. Unfortunately, what we see is commonly determined by our interests at the moment, not by the obvious which stares at us. As a result, we often search for something that is not there, and are completely oblivious to what is in plain view right in front of us.

Let me set a little background for the reading. Jesus took the 12 to the uninhabited side of the sea of Galilee. Mark 6 states Jesus made this trip with the intent of providing all 13 of them with some rest. Jesus had become so popular it was hard for him to find time to eat. The 12 had successfully completed a mission which both elated them and exhausted them

Thousands of people recognized them and went by foot to where Jesus and the 12 went by boat. In Mark, this huge group of people are described as sheep without a shepherd, and Jesus had compassion on these thousands of people. He spent a day planned for rest teaching and healing these thousands.

Late in the day, Jesus told the 12 disciples to fed the group. The 12 were astounded, and replied, “Two hundred days wages would not be enough to buy food for this group!” Jesus then with very little food fed the huge group all they wanted to eat, and he did it in a very orderly manner.

At dusk he told the 12 to go back across the sea of Galilee while he stayed and prayed on the mountain alone. It was that evening Jesus walked on the sea to them in windy, wavy conditions.

1. Now let me focus your attention on what happened in our reading.
   1. The people Jesus fed woke up the next morning knowing the 12 had left by boat but that Jesus had stayed.
      1. Yet, they could not find Jesus, and they were hungry again.
      2. They were totally confused as they tried to understand what had happened.
   2. Around that time small boats began to arrive at this uninhabited area.
      1. Many decided they should take the boats, go to Capernaum, and see if they could find Jesus.
      2. He obviously was not there, so the only option they had was to look for Jesus on the other side.
   3. They found Jesus on the other side.
      1. Their first question, “Rabbi (teacher), what did you get here?”
         1. Jesus’ response: “You look for me for the wrong reason.”
         2. “You are here because you are hungry.”
         3. “You are not here because you understand I have something to teach you about God and eternal life.”
         4. “Do not work for food which rots in a short time; seek eternal life from God.”
      2. Their second question: “What should we do to do God’s work?”
         1. These were people who lived in a religious nation devoted to God their entire lives.
         2. These were people who went to the synagogue every Sabbath (that is what you did on Saturday if you lived in Israel).
         3. These were people who had heard God’s laws discussed since birth.
         4. Yet they asked, “What are we supposed to do?” (Sounds too much like us!)
         5. Jesus’ answer, “Put your faith in God and me–that is God’s work!”
      3. Their third question: “If we are to place our confidence in you, you need to give us a sign. What are you going to do?”
         1. (I smell manipulation coming on!)
         2. They even had the sign they wanted him to do: “Our forefathers ate manna in the wilderness when they left Egypt–Moses gave them bread out of heaven (and gained their confidence).
         3. Jesus replied, “You need to get your facts straight!”
            1. Moses did not give them bread out of heaven.
            2. God gave them bread out of heaven.
            3. When God gives bread, God’s bread gives life.

2. The incident they are trying to use to manipulate Jesus into feeding them is recorded in Exodus 16.
   1. The Israelites spent about 2 months in the wilderness traveling to Sinai where they would receive the Ten Commandments.
      1. They are not to Sinai, but they are quite close.
      2. They begin to complain, “We wish we had died in Egypt where we had meat to eat and could eat bread until we were full. Moses, the only reason you had for bringing us out here in the wilderness was to kill us.”
      3. God said to Moses, “I am going to give them what they want, and I am going to do it in a way to will reveal if they trust me.”
         1. “I am going to send them bread.”
         2. “But Sunday through Thursday they can gather only one day’s supply.”
         3. “On Friday they will gather two days’ supply.”
         4. “If Sunday through Thursday they gather more than one day’s supply, it will rot, stink, and will not be eatable.”
         5. “But the two days’ supply they gather on Friday will not spoil; it will still be good to eat on the Sabbath.”
      4. “I will prove again to them that I am God.”
         1. “At night they will have all the meat they want in the quail I send.”
         2. “In the morning they will have all the bread they want to eat in the manna I send.”
   2. Early in the morning, around the camp, a heavy dew fell.
      1. When the dew dried up, it left a fine flaky substance that looked like frost.
      2. When the sun got hot, it melted the manna.
      3. Note: God provided the manna, but the Israelites had to gather it.
   3. The only description of how it tasted was it was like honey wafers.
      1. Honey wafers was not the common food of slaves!
      2. Yet, Israel was to have honey wafers every morning.
      3. While they were unfamiliar with manna, they knew bread did not come from dew!
         1. The first morning manna appeared, Israelites asked, “What is that?”
         2. Moses replied, “It is the bread the Lord has given you to eat.”

3. To hear the giving of manna from the perspective of Israelites in John 6, Moses give Israel manna, and Israel exerted little or no effort to eat it.
   1. From their perspective, I hear them trying to manipulate Jesus by saying, “Now it is your turn! If we are to believe in you, show us something!”
      1. “Give us this bread that gives life!”
      2. “We are hungry (physically), and it would be wonderful never to be hungry (physically) again.
   2. Listen carefully to Jesus’ response.
      1. “I am that bread God sent.”
      2. “I am the solution to hunger and thirst.”
      3. “I am the one who can give you life.”
      4. “The problem: you do not believe in me.”
      5. “Everything God will send to people He will send through me.”
      6. “I will not lose those who come to me; I will resurrect them.”
      7. “Eternal life is believing in me and my power to resurrect.”
   3. I want you to pay careful attention to something.
      1. They did not say, “Look at what he did for us; he must be who he says he is.”
      2. “We better listen to him!”
      3. Instead, they grumbled.
         1. “He says he is the bread–that is not what we want!”
         2. “We know who he is and where he came from–how can he possibly say he is from heaven!”
      4. They only saw what they wanted, not what was!

4. Warning: Do not try to manipulate God.
   1. God’s primary purpose is not about the physical but about the eternal.
   2. Do not be so focused on physical expectations and desires that you do not see eternal realities!
   3. Do not be obsessed with what you want; be obsessed with what God wants.

May God grant us the “eyes” to “see” the permanent. May we not seek to manipulate God, but seek to surrender to God and His purposes.

You Still Control Who You Are

Posted by David on November 17, 2005 under Bulletin Articles

When he turned 40, he bought a motorcycle and all the personal gear that went with cycling. His wife decided she was not going to let him ride alone while he was having “a mid-life crisis,” so she bought herself the personal gear to ride with him. When we heard him speak, he was way past 40, past his “crisis,” and past riding a motorcycle.

As he told that story (and it was hilarious-when Ira told it, it was always hilarious), he stressed this point. Whoever you intend to be as a person (personality, attitudes, outlook, etc.), work on it seriously before you are 40. Because, “Whoever you is at 40, you will only get isier!” (Do not expect something to come along and change you against your will.)

I do not know that 40 years of age is a “lock in” age. I do know: (a) change becomes harder to handle after 40 than before 40. Before 40 we thrive on change as we seriously wonder how the world could be so stupid as not to see the value of change. (b) After 40, we are more prone to defend than to discover. What we think “should be” is obviously good. Things differing from our perspective are bad. “Do you know what that will lead to” is a good destination prior to 40, but a bad destination after 40.

My point is this: there is never a time in life when you do not need to give careful attention to (a) who you are and (b) what you intend to become. If you are a grouch the first 50 years of your life, you likely will be a grouch till you die. If you are kind the first 60 years of your life, you likely will die as an unselfish, thoughtful person. You cannot live the lifestyle of a selfish person, or a complaining person, or a contentious person for years and years and suddenly, without effort, be transformed into a different person overnight.

Yes, repentance is possible. Yes, sobering awareness is possible. Yes, conversion is possible. Yes, redirection is possible. However, those things occur because you choose for them to occur. Such things do not happen without you, but because of you with God’s strength. Ultimately, it is true of all of us-we are who we choose to be. That choice was made slowly with years of personal focus and behavior. However, in the majority of instances we make that decision (or excuse ourselves from making it).

God provides the strength. We each make the choice. If you do not like yourself, talk to yourself. If you like who you are, thank God for the strength and guidance. Avoid the temptation to judge (every person’s circumstances are different). Choose to encourage!

Remember: You have to live with you for the rest of your life. And so does everyone else! Let God through Jesus teach you how to be a joy to be around.

Who Am I?

Posted by David on November 13, 2005 under Sermons

Matthew 26:57-68 Those who had seized Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together. But Peter was following Him at a distance as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and entered in, and sat down with the officers to see the outcome. Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death. They did not find any, even though many false witnesses came forward. But later on two came forward, and said, “This man stated, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to rebuild it in three days.’ ” The high priest stood up and said to Him, “Do You not answer? What is it that these men are testifying against You?” But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, “I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him, “You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? Behold, you have now heard the blasphemy; what do you think?” They answered, “He deserves death!” Then they spat in His face and beat Him with their fists; and others slapped Him, and said, “Prophesy to us, You Christ; who is the one who hit You?”

I personally think one of the most difficult things in our American lives is correctly to honor persons who deserve recognition. I am aware of Paul’s admonition to Christians in the city of Rome in Romans 13:7
Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

In context, Paul was encouraging Christians in Rome to recognize appropriate authority and show proper respect. That is much more easily said than done. In context, Paul was telling Christians that they should recognize the right of authorities to charge taxes when the authorities were idolaters and did not know the living God. He even said respect people who have little or no respect for you.

That is hard to do! In this society with all our emphasis on individual rights, our tendency is to say, “If you will not do things the way I want them done, I will not listen to you or do what you want done. If you do not know who I am and do not respect me, I will not acknowledge you or respect you!”

One of my many embarrassing moments in the past occurred at the death of someone I knew. I had gone for the visitation prior to the funeral, as had the most prominent man in the community. He was quite wealthy, a very successful businessman, and quite influential in local politics.

I had and have a tendency to get completely caught up in my own responsibilities and can be quite oblivious to everything else. My problem was this: I had never met the man, and I had no recognition of his name. Me being me, I introduced myself to him. Trying to associate his name with something I would remember, I said, “Do you live here?”

A short time later as we were leaving, Joyce said to me, “Do you know who that man was?” Obviously, I did not. So she explained it to me! ‘Open mouth, insert foot to your knee cap!’

1. Jesus truly “messed with Israel’s minds” because he just was not what they expected God’s Messiah to be.
   1. They expected God’s promised Messiah to be a prominent man in Israelite society.
      1. Jesus was not that man–he did not even move in the right social circles.
      2. He had the wrong background.
      3. He did not have the training of a prominent person.
      4. He spent much of his time with the wrong people.
      5. He spent much of his time going to the wrong places and being unashamed to be seen in those places.
   2. That is why so many people who were a part of first century Jewish upper society gave Jesus so much grief.
      1. That is why Jesus asked the 12, “Who are people saying I am?” in Matthew 16.
      2. That is why the Pharisees often followed Jesus to launch intentional criticisms.
      3. That is why Jesus was slammed for eating with the wrong people–tax collectors and sinners
   3. What was the objective of such things?
      1. Jesus’ critics said in essence, “You know God’s promised Messiah would not act like that!”
      2. “You know God’s Messiah would not come from his background!”
      3. “You know God’s Messiah would not associate with those people!”
      4. “You know God’s Messiah would not go ‘to those places’!”
      5. “You know God’s Messiah would not move in those social circles!”
   4. Yet, here was Jesus displaying incredible power almost every day.
      1. He cast out demons demonstrating power over evil.
      2. He healed the sick and calmed storms demonstrating control of the physical.
      3. He raised the dead demonstrating power over death.
      4. He fed thousands of people with almost nothing demonstrating power over physical need.
      5. All that power had to be explained!
         1. How did people explain who Jesus was?
         2. The official explanation was, “Whoever he is, he certainly is not God’s Messiah! That cannot be the explanation!”
         3. “We cannot tell you who he is, but we can certainly tell you who he is not!”

2. This debate continued right up to the last night of Jesus’ earthly life!
   1. In fact, his identity was used to convict Jesus of a death offense by Jewish law.
      1. Because of the circumstances, it was necessary for Jesus to be guilty of an offense that would carry the death penalty in Israel by Jewish law and the death penalty in the Roman Empire by Roman law.
         1. The offense worthy of death by the standards of Jewish law was blasphemy.
         2. The offense worthy of death by the standards or Roman law was rejection of the authority of Caesar.
      2. Look for a moment at the situation.
         1. Jesus was arrested at Gethsemane and escorted as a prisoner back to Jerusalem.
         2. When the arrest was completed, his 12 disciples fled into the night.
         3. Jesus was taken to the house of Caiaphas [the high priest] where the Jerusalem Sanhedrin was assembled to conduct the Jewish trial.
         4. Peter had slipped back to the proceedings to observe the outcome of the arrest and trial.
         5. The Jerusalem Sanhedrin [the highest court in Israel] welcomed perjury in their attempt to find false testimony against Jesus that carried a death penalty.
            1. This effort was unsuccessful.
            2. Finally someone said he declared he would destroy God’s temple and rebuilt it in three days.
         6. An exasperated high priest asked Jesus if he was not going to defend himself.
            1. Then the high priest administered the oath of the Jewish court [“I adjure you by the living God…] and asked him if he was the Christ, the son of God.
            2. Jesus responded, as the law required, that he was.
            3. The high priest tore his robes [as required by Jewish law when blasphemy was heard by the court] and declared Jesus was guilty of blasphemy.
         7. After conviction of blasphemy, Jesus was slapped and asked to identify the one who slapped him–the Christ should know that!
      3. Let me comment on the charges against Jesus.
         1. The accusation that he would destroy the temple was a very serious charge in Judaism.
            1. The temple was at the core of Jewish religion.
            2. A threat again the temple was a threat against Judaism [the Jewish religion].
            3. It was also a threat against God.
            4. This charge was a highly emotional accusation.
         2. The acknowledgment Jesus was the Christ was not as emotional
            1. Many claimed to be the Christ before Jesus.
            2. However, it would be understood much better by the Romans than would a threat against the temple.
   2. I want you to focus carefully.
      1. The key issue was Jesus’ identity.
      2. Only one who was the Christ could tare the temple down and rebuild it in 3 days! After all, the temple complex had been under construction for years!
      3. The highest court in the land was certain that Jesus was not the Christ!
      4. They were equally certain that the man was a serious threat to Jerusalem’s power structure and to the well being of Israel as a nation (John 11:47-50).
      5. Thus the issue was relatively simple: Who is Jesus?

3. I want to suggest to us that nothing has really changed.
   1. The key issue for each of us is still Jesus’ identity.
      1. Who is he?
      2. Is he just a good man who lived a long time ago?
      3. Is he an admirable man who deserves our attention when everything is going okay?
      4. Is he God’s son who declares who we are and what God’s purpose in this world is?
      5. How each of us answers that question is extremely critical!
         1. It will determine how we live.
         2. It will determine how we act.
         3. It will determine the purpose of our lives.
   2. Let me get very specific.
      1. Every family goes through times of stress and crisis it never envisioned.
         1. Is the issue, “How do I feel in this situation?”
         2. Or, is the issue, “To me, right now, in my life, who is Jesus?”
      2. Every person goes through financial crisis.
         1. Is the issue, “Is money the answer to all my problems?”
         2. Or, is the issue, “Who is Jesus in my life right now?”
      3. Every person goes through moments when he or she tries to decide what is the right thing to do.
         1. Is the issue, “What seems to be the easy way out right now?”
         2. Or, is the issue, “Who is Jesus as I seek to decide right from wrong?”
      4. Every person has moments when he or she is powerfully tempted to do things that he or she knows to be evil.
         1. Is the issue self-gratification?
         2. Or, in my life is the issue the Lordship of Jesus as the Christ?

The basic understanding in Christian existence is this: Jesus is God’s son, the Christ. A second basic understanding in Christian existence is this: The resurrection of Jesus is God’s guarantee to me that my death is not my end, but my beginning.

We have much more than a religion. We have a Savior. His name is Jesus. He is the Christ who lives this very moment at the right hand of God’s throne.

What Does That Look Like?

Posted by David on November 10, 2005 under Bulletin Articles

Jewish Christians did not oppose people who were not Jews converting to Christ. Jews led people to the living God before Christianity existed (see Matthew 23:15). That process produced proselytes.

For example, if an idol worshipper (a) underwent careful indoctrination, (b) expressed faith in the teachings by becoming a proselyte, and (c) then became a Christian, that was wonderful. However, such a person must be a proselyte to Judaism before he/she became a Christian (see Acts 11:1-3 and 15:1-5).

When Paul wrote the book of Romans to Christians in the city of Rome, there were Jewish and gentile Christians. The background of each group was distinctly different!

In chapters 1-11 Paul stressed it always was God’s intent to save people who were not Jews (see Genesis 12:3). While that is welcome news to most of us, it was not welcome news to many first century Jewish Christians. One of their chief complaints: “How can people who did not know Who the living God was suddenly behave and function as God’s people?”

In chapters 12-15, Paul described what a gentile Christian would look and act like in the environment of Rome. Rome was then the seat of power and the center of commerce in the Mediterranean world. How would a Christian man or woman exposed to all Rome’s influences behave and act?

To me that continues as a relevant question. We often live in corrupt communities in a corrupt nation. Surely there are worse places. However, there are improvements we all would like to see here.

Sometimes Christians look so much like the part of society who does not know God, we cannot tell the Christian from the person who is not a Christian. Aside from the Christian “going to church,” they often are quite similar in behavior and goals. I am not talking about artificial differences. I am talking about godly dedication to stable marriages and homes, or not being sexually active outside of marriage, or not being greed led or power ruled.

Our society needs to “see” what a Christian looks like. Can it look at you and “see”?

It Is Time To Be Humble (part 3)

Posted by David on November 6, 2005 under Sermons

It is extremely difficult to try to teach or provide insights to individuals who “just do not get it.” When I was supposed to be learning fractions, I simply did not “get” the concept. My failure to grasp the concept of fractions was about to be a serious problem in school. So my tireless, very capable Mom took on the task my teacher could not solve. My Mom decided she would teach me fractions.

She tried and tried, without success, to show me the concept. Finally in what she thought was a way to “get” through to me, she said, “David, if five birds light on the fence, and three of them fly away, what is left?” I proudly said, “Two!”

She immediately asked me, “Two what?’

Filled with the confidence of successful subtraction, I replied, “Two birds!”

At that pointed she almost decided it was a hopeless task, but she persisted, and I finally “got it.”

Much of the life of a church leader (in any capacity) is devoted to helping people “get it.” Conversion is primarily about leading individuals to an understanding that allows them to “get it.” Loving God with all your being is about “getting it.” Loving your neighbor as yourself is about “getting it.” Spiritually maturing is primarily about “getting it.” Being good husbands to our wives, good wives to our husbands, good parents to our children, and good children to our parents is primarily about “getting it.”

Teaching others how to “get it” is a scary undertaking. (a) It means you correctly “get it” so you are qualified to help someone else “get it.” (b) It means it is correct for someone else to trust you to help them “get it,” and if that means his or her turning life around, that is truly okay. I find that responsibility a scary thought. It is even scarier when I invoke God to underscore that I correctly “get it.”

“Getting it” is a very responsible undertaking. It is a lifetime pursuit, a commitment. It requires admitting I am wrong when I am wrong. It requires being responsible when I am responsible. It requires redirecting when I need to redirect. Those are heavy challenges.

This evening I want to call your attention to a scripture most of you know well. I want you to pay close attention to who does not “get it” and the enormous effort made to help these people “get it.”

Read with me John 13:1-17. Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray Him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, got up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself. Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. So He came to Simon Peter. He said to Him, “Lord, do You wash my feet?” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I do you do not realize now, but you will understand hereafter.” Peter said to Him, “Never shall You wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, then wash not only my feet, but also my hands and my head.” Jesus said to him, “He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.” For He knew the one who was betraying Him; for this reason He said, “Not all of you are clean.” So when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.”

1. If anyone understood God’s purposes, Jesus did.
   1. Listen to Jesus’ statements in the same gospel of John:
      1. John 12:49,50 “For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak. I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me.”
      2. John 8:28 So Jesus said, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me.”
      3. John 5:19 Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner.”
      4. John 14:10 “Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works.”
   2. Can you imagine how frustrating it was for Jesus to spend his last night on earth as a physical man and know his 12 closest friends did not “get it?”
      1. They accepted as fact that their expectations for God’s kingdom in physical Israel were about to happen.
      2. They were certain that Jesus was physically invincible–the man could do anything!
      3. Perhaps they dreamed of their personal roles in Jesus’ administration when he took physical charge of Israel.
      4. Whatever their focus, they were so far from “getting it” it must have been discouraging–and Jesus knew they did not “get it!”
   3. All that had to be on Jesus’ mind as he made one last attempt to help the 12 “get it.”
      1. He knew in just a matter of hours he would be betrayed by one of his closest friends.
      2. He knew in the process of the betrayal his disciples would be scattered.
      3. He knew one of his three best friends would deny him.
      4. He knew he would be crucified as he endured enormous pain.
      5. He knew he would die.
      6. He knew all of God’s efforts and plans since evil invaded human life at the garden were focused on this single event.
      7. Wouldn’t you have a lot on your mind if you were in those circumstances?

2. To try to help his 12 disciples “get it” (one more time), he did something so unexpected, so dramatic that I guarantee you those 12 men never forgot what Jesus did.
   1. He did the lowest, most menial servant task that existed.
      1. He washed their dirty feet.
      2. He took his robes off, took a towel and put the towel around his waist, he poured water in a basin, and he washed and dried these 12 men’s feet.
      3. It was a strikingly inappropriate act–and Simon Peter knew it!
      4. Jesus even washed the feet of the man he knew would betray him!
   2. After this shocking event was over, Jesus’ put on his robes again and sat back down with them.
      1. He asked, “Do you know what I have done?”
         1. Of course they knew he had just washed their feet–they had just endured that shame and humiliation!
         2. The force of his question was this: “Do you understand the significance of what I have done?”
      2. Then he explained the significance of the act.
         1. “You honor me as your teacher and Lord, and that is appropriate.”
         2. “If I could humble myself to serve you in this lowly capacity, you should humble yourselves to serve each other in lowly capacities.”
         3. “This is an example (to you)–remember and follow my example.”
         4. “You are not too good to follow my example–you are not more important than me.”
         5. “Remember the blessing is in practicing, not in just knowing.”
      3. The 12 still did not “get it” at that moment, but they “got it” in about a couple of months.

3. As both congregations and as individuals, I am fearful that too often we still do not “get it.”
   1. First, think with me for a moment from the perspective of a congregation.
      1. When we give serious thought to John 13:1-17 and the “foot washing” incident, what are we most likely to discuss as a congregation?
      2. “Is this a binding example?”
      3. “Where should foot washing fit in our theological list?”
      4. “What should we think and how should we react to congregations that have a ‘foot washing ceremony’?”
   2. It is possible to have a serious discussion of John 13:1-17 in a congregation and NEVER:
      1. Discuss humility.
      2. Discuss the role of service in being God’s people.
      3. If we do not discuss humility and service when studying this incident, we simply do not “get it.”
      4. God’s kingdom is all about humility and service, not about the technicalities of judgment.
   3. As individuals, we stress the importance of many things.
      1. We talk about God’s blessings on ME.
      2. We talk about MY salvation.
      3. We talk about MY hope of heaven.
      4. We talk about MY commitment to understanding and doing what is right.
      5. We may even talk about what happens to US after WE die.
   4. Yet, it is amazing what we do not talk about.
      1. Rarely do we discuss God’s purposes and objectives for the world.
      2. Rarely do we discuss the fact that God can and does work through human disappointment and suffering.
      3. Rarely do we discuss humility and service as being God’s great priorities in being a godly person.

4. If people listen to what we discussed in private moments, they might conclude that the primary objective of salvation is human desires rather than God’s objectives.
   1. Too often we fail to see that what God has done and continues to do is focused on Who He is and not on what we want.
      1. It is not about us!
      2. It is about God!
      3. The issue is not what we think is most important to God.
      4. The issue is what God says is most important to Him.
   2. What is primary to God in Christian existence is humility and service.
      1. If we fail to understand that, we are like to 12–we just don’t “get it.”
      2. Just look at how many people think they are good, godly people, but rarely give any consideration to humility or service.

When we “get it,” it will affect the way we behave and the way we treat other people. And “getting it” will be very obvious in our own homes.

How Do You ?See’ God?

Posted by David on November 3, 2005 under Bulletin Articles

Consider your view of God. Compare what you think God is like with some of the declarations of scripture.

One time Moses asked God to show Himself to him. God explained Moses’ request was impossible because if human Moses looked upon the holy God, he would die. God did allow Moses to view His glory. In that episode, God gave this self-description: Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations” (Exodus 34:6, 7).

Near the end of his life, Moses made this statement to Israel: “For the Lord your God is a compassionate God; He will not fail you nor destroy you nor forget the covenant with your fathers which He swore to them” (Deuteronomy 4:31).

Centuries later Nehemiah encouraged a renewal of faith in God among returning Israelites. Nehemiah 9 is an “honesty session” that assumes human responsibility and declares God’s greatness. As a part of the renewal, the people confessed their sins and acknowledged the iniquities of their ancestors. In speaking of their ancestors and their God, Nehemiah 9:17 states, “They refused to listen, and did not remember Your wondrous deeds which You had performed among them; so they became stubborn and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt. But You are a God of forgiveness, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness; and You did not forsake them.”

Paraphrased: “Our ancestors who left Egypt forgot what You did for them. In their stubbornness and arrogance, they thought they could solve their discontentment by returning. They were utter spiritual failures. In Your compassion and graciousness, You forgave. You were slow to anger and filled with mercy. They failed You, but You refused to forsake them.”

Interestingly, in our view of God we stress His vengeful, exacting nature when He who is “slow to anger” was angered. We see His vengeance. In the same instances they saw His mercy and forgiveness. Who sees God the most accurately?

It Is Time To Be Humble (part 2)

Posted by David on October 23, 2005 under Sermons

It is so difficult to escape from the influences of arrogance and pride when we are impressed with our accomplishments! When we are impressed with what we have done, we feel quite significant. We may tell others about how important we are, or we just may internalize the thought, “I am really something!”

Nothing elevates our sense of importance quite like having someone else tell us how significant something we did was. When other people tell us how important something we did was, our personal sense of significance can really grow.

That is when humility becomes a matter of personal control and not an attitude. For example, it is not humble to talk about it. It is very inappropriate to say to others, “Look at what I did! I am very important!” A Christian simply should not do that! However, it is quite okay to feel it as long as we don’t say it.

To me, a powerful and quite insightful statement about Jesus is found in Philippians 2:3-7.
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bondservant, and being made in the likeness of men.

Jesus is the true example of humility. Can you imagine being in the form of God and not hanging on to that state? Can you imagine going from being in the form of God to being a human? Can you image being in the form of God and becoming a human servant?

This evening I want to focus on a story in Jesus and Peter’s life that most of you know quite well. I want you to notice how easy it is for someone close to Jesus to become arrogant. Read with me Matthew 16:13-28.
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” Then He warned the disciples that they should tell no one that He was the Christ. From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You.” But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.” Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every man according to his deeds. Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”

1. Jesus and the 12 were in an area just north of the Jewish territory of Palestine.
   1. In our words, Jesus asked, “How are people explaining who I am and what I am doing?”
      1. The first thing to note is that Jewish people who came into contact with the results of Jesus’ work or with Jesus himself had to explain who he was.
         1. I am confident that a person’s explanations were consistent with his or her personal understanding of how God works–is that not what you do?
         2. I can just hear the people — “Is he from God? Is he a prophet? Is he a past great personality who has been resurrected?”
         3. I can hear some say, “That is not the way God works!”
         4. I can hear others say, “God must be at work in Jesus–there is no other explanation!”
         5. What I want you to especially note is this: “If you came into contact with Jesus’ work or with Jesus himself, you had to explain him!”
      2. That truth has not changed.
         1. It is so easy to get distracted so that we never have to explain Jesus–we focus on all other kinds of religious things but Jesus.
         2. It is possible to be “a good little Christian” today in the church and never, never think about Jesus or discuss Jesus.
         3. The primary consideration in being a Christian is this: “What do you think about Jesus and what God did through him?”
         4. What you think about Jesus will change who you are and how you live.
   2. Then Jesus turned to the 12 and asked, “What about you? Who do you think I am?”
      1. These are the men who have been with him everyday!
      2. They had seen everything–the crowds, the acclamations, the attacks, the incredible deeds.
      3. They had heard everything–the sermons, the private teachings, the parables, the explanations.
      4. With the personal experiences they had, how did they explain him?
   3. Peter said, “This is simple–you are God’s promised Christ.”
      1. What Jesus did and what most people in Israel expected in God’s promised Christ were not the same thing.
      2. People might explain Jesus in many ways, but very few of them would explain who he was by saying he was the Christ.
      3. As incredible as Jesus’ deeds were, he simply did not fit most Jewish expectations regarding the Christ.
      4. That simply could not be the explanation for who Jesus was!

2. Jesus confirmed that Peter understood something no one else realized.
   1. More than that, Jesus said you know this because God Himself revealed this to you!
      1. That is pretty heady stuff!
         1. “You realize something the other 11 men here have not yet understood.”
         2. “You realize this because God Himself gave you a special revelation.”
      2. Because you realize this, there are some special benefits that accompany this awareness.
         1. First, I want you to understand that on this realization I am going to build my “called out” people.
         2. Second, I want you to understand not even death can keep me from doing what I intend to do.
         3. Third, I want you to understand I am giving you the keys to the kingdom I will rule.
      3. For many of us, that is an invitation to arrogance.
         1. You understand something no one has yet realized!
         2. You understand it because God enabled you to understand it!
         3. You will be in charge of opening my kingdom to others!
      4. At that moment Peter had no idea of what this awareness would cost him.
         1. He was just impressed with how important he was!
         2. Those are the kinds of things that can go to the head of a take-charge person!

3. The fact the Jesus was the Christ meant among other things that Jesus had to die.
   1. Jesus began to explain to the 12 that he would die in Jerusalem.
      1. The disciples were not to tell others that Jesus was the Christ.
      2. They were just to understand that Jesus would suffer, he would be killed, and he would be resurrected.
   2. That simply did not fit with Peter’s expectations!
      1. Peter was right about who Jesus was.
      2. Peter was wrong about what he expected to happen.
   3. So Peter took Jesus aside and rebuked Jesus for saying such things.
      1. The force of what Peter said was, “God will never let this happen!”
      2. “We will not let this happen!”
      3. “You simply must not talk this way.”
   4. Without realizing it, Peter was powerfully tempting Jesus.
      1. So the man who received a special revelation from God was called Satan.
      2. The man powerfully used by God was being used by Satan!
      3. Jesus was quite clear!
         1. “You are being major trouble to me! You are now acting in Satan’s interest, not in God’s interest.”
         2. “You are not interested in what God had in mind.”
         3. “You are only interested in human desires and expectations.”

4. Then Jesus told all the 12.
   1. Following me means self-denial and a cross.
   2. Do not think you can avoid these two things.
      1. If you try to avoid them you will lose something more valuable than physical life.
      2. God will know what you have done.
      3. God will deal with you on the basis of what you have done rather than the basis of who you say you are.
   3. You will live to see the reality of my kingdom.
      1. Jesus would not physically live to see it.
      2. However, the 12 would live to see it.

All I want you to see is how easy it is for a person devoted to God to become a very arrogant person. All it takes are two things: ignorance of God’s purposes and substituting your plans for God’s purposes.