Posted by David on October 23, 2005 under Sermons
It was early October. The first frost had not yet come, but the mornings were cool and the evenings were hot. It was that unique time of the year when you shivered in the morning and sweated in the afternoon.
A 25 year-old man who grew up on a local farm got off work on Fridays at noon. He decided he would take his .22 rifle and roam the hollows of the family farm squirrel hunting. By 4 p.m. he had not seen one squirrel, so he headed for his truck. The afternoon was hot as the sunshine beamed down, and he began to sweat heavily.
About half way to the truck, he crossed an old watermelon patch. The good melons were taken to market over a month before. All that was left were the culls that came from the late blooms.
At the edge of the patch was a large white oak tree. On impulse, he decided to lean his gun against the tree, gather 3 or 4 cull watermelons, and quench his thirst by eating the hearts out of the small melons. And that is what he did.
As he sat under the tree, he took his hunting knife, split the melons, and began to eat the sweet center out of each melon. Just as he started eating, a white oak acorn fell on his head. He looked up among the branches of the tree at its acorns, and then he looked across the watermelon patch. He immediately had two thoughts. The first thought: “I sure am glad watermelons do not grow up in trees.” The second thought: “God sure knew what He was doing when He put acorns in trees and watermelons on vines.”
I want to ask you a question: how often do you say to yourself, “God sure knew what he was doing?”
Have you ever read the fruit of the Spirit and said to yourself, “God sure knew what He was doing!”
Listen: Galatians 5:22,23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
How often have you read these two verses and said, “God sure knew what He was doing!”
- I want you to note some things about the context.
- Paul made this statement in his letter to the Christians in Galatia because they were not treating each other right!
- Some of these Christian were using their freedom in Christ to hurt other Christians.
- These people caused problems in Christian-Christian relationships, and then cried out, “I have the right to Christian freedom!” to escape the responsibility or the consequences of their acts.
- Paul declared they had freedom, the freedom to love each other–in Christ Jews could love gentiles and gentiles could love Jews.
- While they had the freedom to love each other, they did not have the freedom to be selfish.
- So they were not to use their freedom in Christ as an excuse to do ungodlike things to other people.
- Pay special attention to a significant contrast.
- It was the contrast between the values and acts of idol worshippers and the values and acts of God worshippers.
- Paul classified the acts of idol worshippers as “deeds of the flesh.”
- He classified the acts of God worshippers as “fruit of the Spirit.”
- It is amazing to note how many of the “deeds of the flesh” focused on selfish indulgence.
- It is equally amazing to note that all of the expressions of the “fruit of the Spirit” focus on the unselfishness of godly relationships.
- Paul made it quite clear to those Christians that the person who converted to God through Christ by personal choice did not think or feel like people who do not belong to God.
- People who belong to God through Christ want a lifestyle led by the Spirit.
- The lifestyle of people who are led by God’s Spirit are at war in their lives with the desires that oppose God.
- The two do not mix!
- Each is dedicated to the death of the other!
- Both forces actively oppose each other in a person’s life.
- The Christian by choice wants a life led by God’s Spirit, not a life controlled by physical desire and physical focus.
- The Christian who deceives himself into a conviction that he or she at the same moment can adopt the lifestyle of a God led person and the lifestyle of a person controlled by physical desire will likely make both lifestyles impossible.
- He or she will either totally deceive himself or herself about being a godly person and become a hypocrite as physical desires prevail and justify their expressions.
- Or, he or she will live under the constant burden of guilt as he or she violates his or her conscience.
- The person who wishes to be led by God in his or her lifestyle deliberately kills the forces in his or her life that fight against a God-led lifestyle.
- Even if it is painful, he or she kills anything in his or her personal life that opposes God.
- Even if it is a slow death, he or she kills anything in his or her personal life that opposes God.
- “Why would a person do that?” Because he or she wants to be led by God, and he or she will not tolerate any influence in his or her self that opposes God’s control of life.
- It is precisely at this point that individual Christians or congregations get themselves into difficulty with spiritual priorities.
- We decide what God wants without consulting God.
- “How do we do that?”
- We can do that in several ways.
- We can make scripture say and emphasize what we want scripture to say and emphasize.
- We make God’s word mean what we want God’s word to mean.
- We decide what is important, and we use verses to justify our conclusions.
- Or, we justify our actions, and we use verses to try to confuse the matter.
- Or, we are so ignorant of the Bible that we use the little Bible we know out of context to make our choices okay.
- For example, we say, “You know God wants me to be happy,” and use that personal conviction to justify everything from adultery, to addiction, to dishonesty.
- Or, we say, “Everyone knows there is nothing wrong with that.”
- Or, we say, “God is not concerned with such matters.”
- Or, we assume God’s purposes and make our assumptions the foundation of our behavior.
- For example, “What God really wants is for me to have that boat (or house, or car, or whatever)–as if God’s greatest purpose is focused on my wealth.
- Or, “What God really wants is for me to be healthy–as if God’s greatest purpose is focused on my physical well being.
- It comes as quite a shock to realize that God’s purposes are not defined by my physical well being.
- God’s purposes were not defined by Jesus’ physical life–else Jesus would not have died.
- God’s purposes were not defined by Paul’s physical life–else God would have removed Paul’s thorn in the flesh.
- God’s purposes were not defined by Stephen’s physical life–else he would not have been a Christian martyr.
- What is important to God in a Christian lifestyle is the way we treat other people–wives, husbands, children, workers, neighbors, business opportunities, strangers.
- I ask you to note something in the fruit of the Spirit.
- Where are theological issues? Absent! They are important but they are not number one, with God.
- Where is passing judgment? Absent! Recognizing evil correctly is important, but it is not number one, with God.
- Where is division? Absent!
- Where is negative behavior and outlook? Absent!
- Where is criticism? Absent!
- Notice three things about the fruit of the Spirit.
- All expressions are positive.
- All expressions are unselfish.
- All expressions are relationship focused.
That leaves each of us with one question to ask self. “Is my lifestyle based on selfish indulgence or on unselfish relationships?”
Asked in another way, “Is my life all about me, or am I allowing Jesus teach me how to be a servant?”
God knows what He wants and is doing. Do I know what God wants and is doing?
Posted by David on October 20, 2005 under Bulletin Articles
There are lots of things to complain about! The world is filled with such things! Most lives have an abundance of such things! There are some people who look at the entire world as a great big dumpster! Nothing is “right”! There are no blessings! Something is wrong with everything! Mention any good thing and the complaining person responds, “That is true, but ?”
I hope you have the joy and pleasure of knowing several inspirational people. Chances are if you experience that joy, among those inspirational people is at least one person that you ask, “Why is she (he) so happy?” From all visible circumstances, she (he) has much to complain about. But she (he) does not complain. She (he) sees blessings. She (he) not only sees blessings, but makes blessings visible for others to note.
God waited patiently for thousands of years to send us His son. That son was rejected by those who were supposed to know God. Rejection-what a dumpster! Finally, the son was arrested and condemned on false charges. Injustice-what a dumpster! Then the son was executed. Execution-what a dumpster! Then the son was buried by the pitiful few who were not ashamed of him. Death-what a dumpster!
Then God raised him to life. Resurrection-what a blessing! Through his resurrection, God gave us hope. Hope-what a blessing! Through his execution, God gave us redemption. Redemption-what a blessing! Through injustice, God gave us atonement. Atonement-what a blessing! Through his rejection, God gave us forgiveness. Forgiveness-what a blessing! God’s patience persevered until we could have salvation. Salvation-what a blessing!
Which are you more likely to do-see all that is wrong with everything or see blessings everywhere? God is more likely to produce blessings! His children are more likely to see the blessings He produces!
Since evil became a part of this world’s reality, there always has been more that is wrong than is right. It always is easy to criticize. It takes special vision to see blessings. God has that vision. Let Him teach you how “to see.” You might be amazed to see all the blessings that surround you!
Posted by David on October 6, 2005 under Bulletin Articles
Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ?You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:43-48)
AND “Whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.”
AND “Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.” (Matthew 25:40)
Paul wrote, “For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:6-8)
The storms have come and gone. The horrible pictures that filled the TV screen and newspaper for days have been replaced with other concerns of the moment. Yet, much of the destruction remains. Homes are destroyed. People are displaced. Jobs have vanished. Folks, just like us, struggle every single day to survive with no income, home, or end in sight. Their material hopes are the remembrances and generosity of people they will never meet.
Hunger is hunger. No electricity is the same for everyone. No running water is disaster for anyone. No sewage system is a nightmare for any family. No gasoline-what do you mean no gasoline?
Keep your hearts open. Pray for our drivers as they haul supplies to the Gulf. Help any and every way you can. Caring for those in need is not all of righteousness, but it is definitely a huge part of it.
Posted by David on October 2, 2005 under Sermons
Reading: 1 Peter 5:1-11
Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Does it seem to you that more and more things are spiraling out of control? Six months ago ask us how America is doing and ask us now how America is doing. The answers likely will be very different. Six months ago answers were formed by the perception that we are in control of our destiny. Now answers are formed by two perceptions: (a) the conviction that we are in control is highly questionable, or (b) that it is obvious that we are not in control at all.
What has happened? The Iraqi war just is not going as we had hoped. The harder we try, the more obvious it is that we are not in control. For those of us who are older, it reminds us of a conflict when our superior technology was no match for the sacrificial determination of a people. Talk to us about the struggles in Iraq, and you are very likely to hear the statement, “There is only so much we can do.”
What else has happened? Gasoline prices are not at all going the direction we wish. We are a nation in love with our automobiles, and our automobiles are financially ruining us. I clearly remember being part of a discussion with some friends in business who said, “I cannot survive a dollar a gallon for gas.” Don’t you wish you knew somewhere accessible that sold gasoline for a dollar a gallon? When it hit two dollars a gallon, we said, “Ridiculous!” When it had $2.50 a gallon, $1.90 looked like a bargain! Did you ever dream you would spend $ 50 on a tank of gas–unless you drive a large SUV, then it is $75 to a $100 a tank.
What else has happened? The major destruction of two large hurricanes. Because of a gulf storm called Katerina and a gulf storm called Rita, hundreds of thousands of people have no home, no work, and no connection with past generations. The devastation is so extensive it borders on being unbelievable. Those storms will not leave scars for months; they will leave open wounds for months. It will take a few months before the full impact of the tragedy is evident.
- The temptation is to find a “fall guy,” someone to blame.
- The “blame game” does not work–not anywhere: families, industry, churches, or societies.
- Blame may temporarily make us feel better by helping us escape any sense of responsibility; “It is not my fault!”
- The key word is “temporarily”–even if we are 100% correct in our blame assessment (which rarely is the case), the problem or problems still exist.
- Blame is a way to hide, not a way to fix.
- Correction is a matter of accepting responsibility rather than a matter of verbally hiding.
- Getting angry about who was responsible for causing the problem does not eliminate the problem.
- The problem exists–the issue is what are you going to do about it?
- We live among a people who love to determine “who is at fault.”
- It is almost like we believe a problem is solved if only we can determine whose fault it is.
- First, we want someone else to take care of us.
- Second, we reserve the right to get angry if their care does not meet our expectations.
- I wonder when:
- We will realize that the world was not made for us, that we do not deserve “rights” other people do not have, and that social problems are more complex than a simple political solutions.
- We will realize that having the freedom of multiple cars may not be worth the price to ourselves and our society.
- We will realize that physical damage can reach a point of expense that it is too demanding to fix.
- We will realize that freedom involves restrain instead of indulgence.
- We will realize we that there is no existence that provides opportunity without risk.
- We began our worship with a reading of 1 Peter 5:1-11; focus with me on the message of that reading.
- The letter declares that Peter the apostle is its writer.
- Who is the person who dares write about the power and usefulness of humility?
- This is the man who dared take Jesus aside and rebuke him (Matthew 16:22).
- This is the man who participated in discussions about which of Jesus’ twelve disciples is the most important disciple (Mark 9:33,34).
- This is the man who told Jesus on the night of his death, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You,” and then denied Jesus three times before daylight.
- This is the man who learned the power of humility the hard way.
- Peter clearly understood the Christian community could represent neither God nor Jesus Christ if they were not ruled by genuine feelings of humility.
- The humble God created our means of forgiveness while we were still sinners.
- The humble Jesus left heaven, became a part of that which he helped make, and gave his life for us.
- Arrogant people cannot represent an humble God and an humble Savior.
- Peter, from experience, knew that.
- Peter understood how easy it is for humans to think arrogance is faith.
- This is the admonition from the man who learned the power of humility the hard way.
- Leaders, you exist as shepherds who serve, not as men who seek to control.
- There is someone bigger than you, and you will answer to him.
- It is not your flock–it is the Chief Shepherd’s flock.
- You are just managers of his concern.
- Look after the flock willingly.
- Stay in touch with God’s interest.
- Do not serve for the sake of money.
- Be examples rather than being controllers.
- Followers, follow well as you listen to those who are made wise by experience.
- Clothe yourself in humility in your interaction with the rest of your spiritual family.
- If you expect God’s help, be humble, not proud.
- General admonitions to everyone.
- Humble yourself as you place yourself under God’s control.
- Be humble because it is your choice, not because it is someone else’s demand.
- Do not exalt yourself–leave exalting in God’s hands!
- Give your anxieties to someone who can do something about them–give them to God.
- God’s concern for you is personal!
- Be realistic!
- Never forget Satan is serious about destroying you.
- Do not let him control you with fear–resist him!
- Understand the only way you can resist him is through your faith in God.
- Never think you are the only one suffering–just look around you.
- God is bigger than your suffering and will ultimately make you triumphant.
- However, never forget your survival depends on God, not you.
- We like to believe that citizens of America are bigger than anything that might come our way.
- Only people in this nation are that arrogant.
- Other people have all kinds of problems they cannot solve.
- Most people are concerned about surviving, not about having fun.
- The key question with us is, “Are you having fun?”
- Most people in our world rarely ask that question.
- For most people, life is not about pleasure.
- Most people in the world might like to have our power, but they do not want our way of life.
- When you look honestly at our families, our values, and our addiction to materialism, you cannot blame them.
- To many people, Americans are morally a disaster.
- I would readily confess that most other people do not know us very well–their perceptions are often created by American television shows and American movies.
- I would also confess that we are a schizophrenic people.
- We are capable of great compassion as evidenced by the storms recently.
- We are also capable of great selfishness as is too frequently evidenced by our addiction to materialism and pleasure.
- I surely do not suggest that I know the answer.
- It is a huge problem.
- It is a complex problem.
- There are no simply answers.
- All I am saying is this: it is long past time that we realized that there are some things much bigger than we are.
- The world does not exist to sustain our way of life.
- We are not more important than other people.
- A hurt is a hurt, suffering is suffering, and hunger is hunger no matter where you live on earth.
- May I get very personal for a moment?
- My life has been based on prevention.
- One of our classrooms could not hold all the whole grain bread, cereal, and oatmeal I have eaten.
- I jogged for 17 years.
- I have been on an exercise program 5 days a week since 1975.
- I have been on a low fat diet since I was 40.
- I have watched my weight for over 25 years.
- I have taken flax seed oil and vitamins for years.
- I have never been a smoker or a drinker.
- Something bigger than oatmeal, exercise, and low fat diets control my physical life every day.
- I do what I can do every day, not what I want to do.
- I have been forced to realize some things I enjoyed doing I likely will never do again.
- And there is very little I can do about it–neither my physical will power nor medical science is in control of my situation.
- At best my daily situation can be temporarily improve.
- But my cerebellar atrophy cannot be fixed!
- I am not the only person who experiences a condition that cannot be fixed.
- There are two things such situations make you realize fast:
- The first is how small you are.
- The second is that the confidence that you are in control is extremely deceitful.
- The end result is a profound realization of the importance of humility.
This evening I want to affirm to you some good news. There are many physical situations bigger than you are. However, you can choose to belong to someone who is bigger than any of those physical situations.
1 Peter 5:6,7 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
Posted by David on September 29, 2005 under Bulletin Articles
For example, take the word “righteous.” In many minds the concept associated with “righteous” is “morally perfect.” Therefore a call to righteousness is a call to perfection. In some minds the word “righteous” is associated with the concept of “hypocrisy.” To these the call to righteousness is the call to insincere pretense. “Righteous” people are “hypocrites” who pretend to be something they obviously are not-morally perfect.
Luke 1:6 says Zacharias and Elizabeth both were “righteous in the sight of God walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord.” Matthew 1:19 says that Joseph was “a righteous man” because he did not wish to disgrace Mary when he discovered her pregnancy. In Luke 1:28 an angel called Mary God’s “favored one” [or richly blessed one]. Luke 2:25 referred to Simeon as “righteous and devout.”
These are not the only people who were called “righteous” or “highly favored.” In these, consider some obvious things. (1) They were extremely sensitive to God. (2) They were conscientious in devoting themselves to God’s ways. (3) Their understanding of God’s ways was flexible enough to surrender to God’s purposes rather than question His acts.
If your wife was 50 years old (used only for illustration purposes), how would you feel if she told you she was pregnant? If your fiance? was pregnant and you had never been intimately involved with her, what would you think? If an angel told unmarried you that you would be pregnant before marriage, would you say, “Behold, the bondservant of the Lord; be it done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38)? If God revealed to you that you would see His most wondrous act before death, would you recognize His act in the baby’s birth who offered hope to people regarded as your enemies (Luke 2:26-33)?
Being righteous before God is more than knowing a “thus says the Lord.” It is more than singing a cappella, taking communion weekly, and worshipping in our order. It is more than names, words, and vocabulary. It is more than “issues” and “theological stances.”
It is also expressing compassion for the victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. It is also caring about those who suffer around us. It is also seeing God at work in ways and matters we do not usually associate with God’s work. It is allowing the Sovereign God to be sovereign as He pursues His purposes. It is also being God’s servant who serves-even in the face of the unusual!
Are we righteous?
Posted by David on September 25, 2005 under Sermons
There are few things in life more meaningful than a sincere, obviously felt “thank you!” Almost everyone has a deep appreciation for genuine gratitude. When someone is sincerely grateful for a kindness we extend, that gratitude within itself is deeply rewarding. In fact, gratitude is one of the most powerful motivations we know and experience.
We as a people have contributed a lot of money to help the people on the gulf coast who lost everything through the furry and storm surge of hurricane Katrina. At first we gave because of feelings of empathy and need. Many of us realize this is not a “one gift” need. We realize there must be a lot of continued giving if these people recover from their great loss. What will determine if we continue to give? Gratitude! If our impression is that these people are genuinely grateful for our help, we will continue to give. However, if the impression is ever created that these people think we owe them, the giving will cease.
Never, never underestimate the power of gratitude!
That brings up an interesting situation. How do you feel if all you can do is say, “Thank you”? When we genuinely appreciate a kindness, we commonly want to express our appreciation with something more than words.
Back in the early 90s, Joyce and I did some follow up studies with “Let’s Start Taking” students. These were people who advanced their knowledge of English earlier by doing one-on-one studies in one of the gospels. We were working with people who showed special interest in New Testament Christianity after those studies.
Both Joyce and I worked with a number of students for about three weeks. When our time was coming to a close and we would soon leave Poland, two of my students came to me to say thank you. But those words were not enough. All they could afford to give me as an expression of their gratitude were two small carvings about 1 and 1/2 inches high. They wanted to give me something to add substance to their words.
What do you do when you have nothing to give to go with your words of “thank you”? When you feel deeply that words are not enough, but have nothing to give, what do you do?
The Christian Paul was very much in that situation. He was aware of the fact that God in Christ did so much for him, and there was nothing special he could give to God.
The man who had nothing to give found something to do.
- If you think I am exaggerating Paul’s situation, listen carefully to this reading.
1 Timothy 1:12-17 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
- The Christian Paul clearly understood the experience of totally misunderstanding God and in that misunderstanding acting against God.
- The prechristian Paul did not do what he did because he rebelled against God.
- He thought he was obeying God!
- He thought he was expressing great faith in God!
- He thought he was defending God’s purposes!
- The prechristian Paul did what he did because he was ignorant.
- He was ignorant of the fact that Jesus was God’s son.
- He was ignorant of what God accomplished in Jesus’ death and resurrection.
- He was ignorant of the fact that Israel was God’s means to a specific objective, not the objective itself.
- The prechristian Paul did some horrible things that the Christian Paul would never consider doing.
- He held the robes of those who angrily executed the Christian Stephen.
- He dragged Christian Jews out of their homes in Jerusalem and took them to prison.
- He encouraged the deaths of Jewish Christians.
- He went to synagogues, found Jewish Christians, and abused them in a deliberate attempt to make them blaspheme.
- He was furiously enraged against any Jew who believed that Jesus was the Messiah (Christ) that God promised Israel.
- Paul said of himself in those days when he was not a Christian:
- “I was a blasphemer.”
- “I was a persecutor.”
- “I was a violent aggressor.”
- Though he was all those things, God showed him mercy.
- Why?
- God showed him mercy for two reasons.
- Reason one: he was ignorant of who Jesus really was.
- He was not willfully, knowingly rebelling against God!
- He just did not know who Jesus was–he did not understand God was at work in Jesus in a truly special way.
- Reason two: he would be the forever proof that if God could forgive (save) him, God can forgive (save) anyone.
- Paul understood there could not be a sinner worse than he was.
- Therefore, if God could forgive him, God could forgive anyone.
- In Paul God demonstrated His perfect patience, so God used Paul’s salvation as an example that all have hope in Jesus Christ.
- Paul dramatically, suddenly, in a moment, understood how wrong he had been. (Acts 9)
- Let’s conduct a little interview.
- “Paul, where are you going?” I am going to Damascus, Syria.
- “Syria is not a part of Israel–why are you going there?” I am going to the synagogue in Damascus–I understand there are some Jews there who think the dead Jesus is the Messiah (Christ).”
- “Why are you walking over 150 miles with these Jewish guards to find Jewish Christians in a synagogue in another country?” I am going to arrest these people and return them to Jerusalem for trial by the Jerusalem sanhedrin.
- “Why? That seems like a lot of trouble to endure for an insignificant objective.”
- Insignificant! You have to be kidding!
- These people are the enemy of Judaism–if someone does not stop them, they will destroy Judaism!
- If they are the enemies of Judaism, they are the enemies of Israel!
- If they are the enemies of Israel, they are the enemies of God!
- God’s enemies must be stopped right now!
- Then it happened as he was close to Damascus.
- A light brighter than the noon day sun engulfed him.
- The light was so bright it knocked Paul to the ground.
- Then suddenly he heard a voice calling his name and asking him by name why he was persecuting him.
- Paul did not know what was happening, but whatever was happening he knew it was time to show respect.
- He asked, “Who are you, Lord?”
- To his total astonishment, the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the man from Nazareth, the person you are persecuting.”
- Suddenly, his mind was flooded with realizations.
- Jesus was not dead–he is alive!
- The resurrection is real, not a lie!
- Jesus really is God’s son!
- Jewish Christians were not opposing God! I have been opposing God!
- Then he received some simple instructions.
- Get up!
- Go on into to Damascus!
- Go to Straight Street and stay in the home of Judas.
- He is expecting you–I gave him a vision while he was praying.
- It is at that place you will be told what you must do.
- The Christian Paul in a court appearance said in Acts 26:15-18 he was also told this:
Acts 26:15-18 And I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But get up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you; rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.’
- Paul quite willingly did as he was told to do.
- The entire ordeal was quite traumatic for Paul.
- When he got up, this self-confident, self-assured man was blind.
- The one who knew he was right was helpless!
- The leader now had to be led!
- From the time he entered Judas’ home, he prayed and fasted.
- Paul knew how wrong he had been, and Paul was terrified.
- Yet, God was merciful to Paul.
- Paul was extremely grateful for the forgiveness and mercy of God.
- But he had nothing to give God to show his gratitude.
- I want to read with you 1 Corinthians 9:1-18.
- As we read, see if you can understand Paul’s gift.
1 Corinthians 9:1-18 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. My defense to those who examine me is this: Do we not have a right to eat and drink? Do we not have a right to take along a believing wife, even as the rest of the apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? Or do only Barnabas and I not have a right to refrain from working? Who at any time serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat the fruit of it? Or who tends a flock and does not use the milk of the flock? I am not speaking these things according to human judgment, am I? Or does not the Law also say these things? For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing.” God is not concerned about oxen, is He? Or is He speaking altogether for our sake? Yes, for our sake it was written, because the plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher to thresh in hope of sharing the crops. If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? If others share the right over you, do we not more? Nevertheless, we did not use this right, but we endure all things so that we will cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ. Do you not know that those who perform sacred services eat the food of the temple, and those who attend regularly to the altar have their share from the altar? So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel. But I have used none of these things. And I am not writing these things so that it will be done so in my case; for it would be better for me to die than have any man make my boast an empty one. For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel. For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me. What then is my reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may offer the gospel without charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.
- Paul’s gift to God: he gave up some of his rights to demonstrate his gratitude to God.
- Every Christian has the option to give up some rights!
Someone says, “I am curious. What was Paul told that he must do at Judas’ house?” God sent to Paul a highly respected Jewish Christian named Ananias. He laid his hands on Paul, and Paul got his sight back. Then he told Paul, “Get up! Be baptized and wash away your sins.”
What sins? The sins of blasphemy, persecution, and opposition against God by being a violent aggressor against God’s people.
May I ask you some questions? Have you seen the light of Jesus’ resurrection? Have you responded to what God did for you in Jesus Christ? How have you said, “Thank you,” to God for giving you the living Jesus Christ? How do you now say, “Thank you,” to God in your life right now?
Posted by David on September 22, 2005 under Bulletin Articles
Because this society provides a high standard of living for so many, people in this society often forget they live in a war zone. That is not the voice of paranoia. There is the war against poverty, the war against forces that threaten the physical environment, the war against self-serving political forces, the wars against addictions, the war against suffering, etc. There are as many wars as there are injustices!
Most of those wars directly involve only a segment of society. While the wars target real problems, those real problems are perceived by only a fragment of society. While proponents of those wars shout all society is at risk, all society does not feel at risk.
There is a war that is more massive in scope than all other forms of war. It is the war between good and evil (Ephesians 6:10-12). While this war shares some things in common with other wars (for example, not all society feels threatened), there are some distinct, unique qualities about this war. (1) Even though all society does not feel at risk, it often makes immediate casualties of the unsuspecting. (2) The consequences and carnage of this war surround us on a daily basis. (3) This war is much more complex than human greed, human arrogance, human selfishness, and the lust for human power. (4) Even the finest of human efforts and intents will not and cannot end this war.
It is not fun to live in a war zone! The first casualty of war is peace. War by nature brings conflict, death, insecurity, hardship, injustice, fear, and constant uncertainty. It is because wars by their nature are destructive that people always prefer to fight them “in the other man’s territory.”
However, the war between good and evil is fought in human minds and motives. We are the battleground! When we try to make “sense” out of the “senseless” occurrences in our lives, how do we generate hope instead of despair?
(1) We accept as truth that we do indeed live in a war zone. (2) We prepare ourselves to survive the heat of war (Ephesians 6:13-18). (3) We understand God’s purposes in defending good are greater than our desires as the battleground. (4) We also realize that evil is not without its resources. (5) We understand that success is not determined by physical desire but by eternal destination.
There are some things we will never understand in this physical world. However, that is okay. Why? It is okay because we know the One who will defeat evil. When evil is defeated, the senseless will make sense-as surely as Jesus’ death NOW makes sense!
Posted by David on September 18, 2005 under Sermons
From the time of early childhood, we began asking the question, “Why?” Preteen kids ask “why” most often out of pure curiosity. To ask “why” to seek understanding is considered a good thing to be encouraged.
As a teenager, the motive of asking “why” changes. Often a teen asks “why” in search of self-justification. To ask “why” in a deliberate attempt to escape personal responsibility is not considered a good thing.
Increasingly in adult years, adults often ask “why” in an attempt to eliminate confusion. “Why did he do that?” “Why is that so important to her?” “Why do they act that way?” Often for the mature adult, asking “why” seeks an insight that brings understanding to a situation that is not understandable. It seeks to “make sense” of something that “does not make sense to me.”
To ask “why” to discover unknown information is a good thing most of the time. To ask “why” to evade personal responsibility is a bad thing most of the time. To ask “why” to seek insight, to make sense of an otherwise senseless occurrence is a good thing most of the time.
On September 4, 2005 we focused on Paul’s statement in 2 Corinthians 11:16-33. This is the passage in which Paul’s enemies forced Paul to discuss the sacrifices he made as an evangelist to the gentiles. In that particular statement, Paul stated as fact that he was in prison more than once, that he was beaten (whipped) numerous times, that he was shipwrecked three times, that he often faced dangers on his journeys, and that he endured a lot of personal hardships.
I think the question most of us would ask is “why?” For some, it might be a curiosity question. “I did not know Christians had those kind of experiences.” For some it might be an attempt to evade responsibility. “Are you trying to tell me that if I want to be a Christian I must make difficult sacrifices? I did not become a Christian to suffer! I became a Christian to avoid suffering!” For some it might be an attempt to gain an insight that makes sense out of otherwise senseless happenings. “Why would God allow His child to endure those things? What would make God’s child endure such horrible experiences?”
Fortunately, we do not have to guess “why” Paul endured such experiences. He told us “why.” This evening I want us to focus on his explanation.
- I want us to begin by focusing on a very real and very obvious contrast in Paul’s life.
- We can easily, naturally divide Paul’s life into two main divisions:
- Paul before he became a Christian.
- Paul after he became a Christian.
- Becoming a Christian was the major pivotal point in Paul’s life.
- Before he became a Christian, Paul could have been “the poster boy” for Jews who hated Christians.
- That would include two groups:
- Jewish people who rejected Jesus as God’s Messiah or Christ.
- Jewish Christians who rejected Paul’s evangelistic efforts and message.
- Paul who was not a Christian, in the truest sense, was the champion of Jewish people who hated Christians (most of whom were Jewish at that time).
- Our earliest introductions to Paul (or Saul) was at the Christian Stephen’s death and the events that followed.
- In a minor way, he participated in Stephen’s execution.
- Stephen’s death was a flash point for a persecution against Jewish Christians in Jerusalem.
- Acts 8:3 says of Paul:
“But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison.”
- In defending himself against false charges in court, Paul said this about himself in the years that he opposed Christians:
Acts 26:9-11 So then, I thought to myself that I had to do many things hostile to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And this is just what I did in Jerusalem; not only did I lock up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, but also when they were being put to death I cast my vote against them. And as I punished them often in all the synagogues, I tried to force them to blaspheme; and being furiously enraged at them, I kept pursuing them even to foreign cities.
- How could a man so totally opposed to Jews becoming Christians become the Jewish apostle to the gentiles?
- We are talking about 180 degree change in direction, in focus of life, in purpose of life!
- We are talking about a man who hated people who became Christians becoming a man who loved people who became Christians.
- We are talking about a man who caused severe physical suffering becoming a man who endured severe physical suffering.
- We are talking about a man who enjoyed taking lives of people he hated becoming a man who risked his life for people he one time hated.
- Consider his attitude toward Jews who rejected Christ in this statement in Romans 9:1-5:
I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh, who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises, whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.
- The question you and I must struggle with is “why?” How do we explain that transition?
- I want you to carefully consider Paul’s personal explanation of “why”.
Philippians 3:7-11 But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
- As far as the context of this passage is concerned, I ask you to remember one thing: the enemies in this context who made Paul’s life miserable at Philippi were quite similar to the enemies who made Paul’s life miserable at Corinth.
- Next, I call your attention to the explanation Paul gave for his incredible turn around.
- First, he said God did something truly unique in giving us Jesus Christ that surpasses anything God has ever done for any people.
- Second, he said nothing is as important as gaining Christ.
- Third, he said nothing is as important as being found (by God) in Christ.
- Fourth, he said nothing is as important as knowing Christ (not knowing about Christ, but having a genuine relationship with Christ).
- Fifth, he said nothing is more important than knowing the power that raised Jesus from the dead.
- Sixth, he said nothing is more important than participating in Jesus’ sufferings.
- Seven, he said all these things work together to result in actual resurrection from the dead.
- I want to call your attention to three things in Paul’s explanation of “why”.
- When you understand what God did in Jesus’ death and resurrection, everything else is garbage.
- If it is a choice between God’s gift to us in Christ and any form of human status, there is no choice.
- Nothing can compete with God’s gift to us in Jesus’ death and resurrection.
- For the religious person, there are two forms of righteousness.
- In Paul’s discussion of the two forms of righteousness, there are two basic understandings:
- There are people who are not religious–this is not a discussion of why a person should be religious.
- Nor is this a discussion about the importance of obedience–it has to do with the motive of obedience, not the importance of obedience.
- Paul was a very obedient person before he became a Christian and a very obedient person after he became a Christian.
- There are two approaches to being a righteous person, and Paul had tried both of them.
- One approach is the attempt to make yourself righteous by keeping the rules.
- When Paul helped kill Christians, he was a self-professed expert in knowing the rules and keeping them.
- One of the important reasons for Paul persecuting Christians was this: they were not keeping the rules.
- Paul knew he was right! He could show you by his understanding of the rules why he was right and why you were wrong.
- The second approach is by placing faith (total confidence) in what God did in Jesus’ death and resurrection.
- In the final analysis, it is not what I do in rule keeping; it is what God did in Jesus’ death and resurrection. (There is no power in my acts; there is incredible power in God’s acts.)
- Paul said I have trusted my obedience, and that does not begin to compare with what God did for me in Jesus’ death and resurrection.
- He said, “I want to trust God instead of trusting me.”
- There is real power in trusting God.
- God demonstrated that He could permanently raise anyone from death when He permanently raised Jesus from the dead.
- We know lots of forms of power in this nation–in fact we often describe ourselves as being the most powerful nation on earth.
- But no form of power we know can give life to a dead person who has been buried.
- Paul saw the resurrected Jesus–he knew the reality of God’s power expressed in permanent resurrection.
- God did something very special for us in Jesus’ death and resurrection.
- The forgiveness of sins is incredible!
- In forgiveness, God actually destroys guilt where guilt is unquestionably justified and appropriate.
- In forgiveness, accountability for past mistakes is erased.
- In forgiveness, the past is erased. Relationship with God is based on present human focus and desire, not past history and mistakes.
- The opportunity and the ability to become a new person who begins again is incredible!
- I do not think we realize what an incredible thing that is!
- Let me try to make it real to you.
- Example one: A really bad marriage that has destroyed all sense of credibility comes for counseling.
- What is the chance that both husband and wife will say, “Let’s totally forget about the past and start over like the past never happened.”
- I can tell you from decades of experience that almost never happens.
- When it does on rare occasions, something always happens in which one spouse says, “You have not changed a bit or you would not have done that!”
- Example two: A teenager lives in a genuinely dysfunctional home–there is physical abuse, there is sexual abuse, there is emotional abuse.
- What is the chance that the teenager and the abusive parent will say to each other, “Let’s totally forget about the past and start over like the past never happened.”
- I can tell you from decades of experience that it never happens.
- There are so many problems created by the abuse that they cannot be forgotten even if the persons resort to repressing specific memories.
- None of us begin to realize how many mistakes we have committed against God nor how many times we have abused God.
- Yet, God is willing to do what we ourselves cannot do!
- God is willing to begin the relationship anew and allow us to grow into the relationship.
- Then, on top of that, God promises us life with Him after death.
- Dying is something every one of us will do.
- God says our relationship with Him will continue, even better, after we die.
- This will occur, but not because we deserve it.
- This will occur because God loves us.
Special gifts require a special response! How have you responded?
Posted by David on September 15, 2005 under Bulletin Articles
“David, where are you going?” To the wilderness. “Why?” Saul is trying to kill me! “Why?” I don’t know-it does not make sense to me! “How long will you be gone?” I don’t know! “Where will you stay?” I don’t know! “Will you be okay?” Surely-I am going to the wilderness; I am not leaving God. God is there, too, you know.
“Why do you look so confused, Habakkuk?” I am trying to figure out what God is doing! “What is going on?” God constantly gives me visions of horrible destruction on His people! “Ah, I understand!” I doubt it! He will use the fierce, arrogant, wicked Babylonians to destroy Judah. How can God use a people more wicked than Judah to destroy Judah. Judah surely are not angels, but they are not as evil as the Babylonians. Sorry; I must go-I have to figure this out!
“Why are you so despondent, Jesus?” I am on my way to my execution. “If you know where you are going, why go?” God wants me to go. “Aren’t your desires bigger than God’s will?” No! “Why?” Simple-God’s purposes are significantly greater than my desires. My desires focus on now. God’s purposes focus on forever as He wars against evil. My body and mind scream ?don’t die,’ but my understanding realizes God’s purposes are bigger than me.
“Where are you going, Paul?” I am going to my beating, or my shipwreck, or my stoning, or to my next dangerous journey, or my next personal struggle-take your pick. “Paul, why knowingly have any of those experiences?” Simple-I understand what God did for me in Jesus Christ. God’s gift and Jesus’ sacrifice far exceed my discomfort. Besides, everyone needs to know what God did for him or her in Jesus!
Where are you going? You don’t know? You don’t even understand why? You struggle to grasp the ?eternal’ is bigger than the ?now’-especially when ?now’ seems real and the ?eternal’ seems artificial? Don’t be distressed by your confusion or your struggle! Why? For two reasons: (1) You are in good company; (2) God is there as surely as He is here.
Psalms 139:7-12 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the dawn, if I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, even there Your hand will lead me, and Your right hand will hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, and the light around me will be night,” even darkness is not dark to You, and night is bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You.
Posted by David on September 8, 2005 under Bulletin Articles
Abraham was a nomad. Isaac was blind. Jacob lived with frustration of having two wives who were jealous sisters. Moses endured the ceaseless complaining and discontent of an entire people. Samuel knew the sting of rejection. David lived the life of a fugitive. Isaiah was to prophecy until there was total devastation. Jeremiah delivered messages no one wished to hear. Jesus died the death of a criminal.
Paul understood God is not a one dimensional God. God did the unthinkable through ways that defied believability. Though He promised Abraham that He would bring a blessing to all humanity (Genesis 12:3), not even the angels understood what God sought to accomplish in Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:10-12).
What was this incredible thing God did? He unleashed a power on earth that could allow any man or woman (regardless of culture, education, or background) to become one of the called out people of God. Any man or woman who had the courage to allow God to teach him or her the purpose and focus of life could belong to God. Those who have the courage to be “the called out for God” are to be living testimonies to God’s great wisdom and power.
Could God free slaves from one of the world’s most powerful nations? Yes! Could God make a nation from those slaves? Yes! Could God send His son through that nation? Yes! Could God provide the atonement for all the evil humanity commits through the blood of His son? Yes! Could God raise His son from death? Yes! Could God forgive anyone who accepts His sacrifice and trusts His promises? Yes! Can God forgive you? Yes!
That is the mystery God revealed in Jesus Christ! The astounding thing is not what we have done! The astounding thing is what God has done! Astoundingly, God did it through a death and resurrection!
This was not just any death. It was the death of a son totally devoted to God’s will. It was not just any resurrection (resurrections had occurred before through God’s power). This resurrection was unique. It was the permanent defeat of death. It still stands as the proof that death is never the end of the man or woman with the courage to belong to God.
No one but God can defeat OUR death. Let all human power take note-only God defeats death permanently! God demonstrated this truth in Jesus’ resurrection!
