The Gift of the Spirit

Posted by Chris on March 4, 2007 under Sermons

The Mystery of the Spirit:
1. How does one have a relationship with the Holy Spirit?
  1. It is vitally important that the Holy Spirit be operative among us and in us if we call ourselvesGod’s children. (Romans 8, Ephesians 1)
2. The details are mysterious
  1. Scripture does not go into detail about the particulars
3. The effect spirit is clear
  1. Scripture tends to focus on the effect of the spirit
  2. Electricity: Unseen and not completely understood, but the effects are obvious.
The Spirit in the Old Testament:
1. Three Functions:
  1. Creative –
    1. The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life. – Job 33:4
  2. Prophetic –
    1. Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke with Moses, and he took of the Spirit thatwas on him and put the Spirit on the seventy elders. When the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied,but they did not do so again. – Numbers 11:25
  3. Empowering – God’s work to save and sustain His people
    1. Where is he who set his Holy Spirit among them, who sent his glorious arm of power to be atMoses’ right hand, who divided the waters before them …? – Isaiah 63:12
2. God and Spirit are the same
  1. This same Spirit of God is what the NT calls the Holy Spirit (among other names) …
The Spirit in the New Testament
1. Old Functions, New Functions:
  1. Creative – Not the creation and sustaining of the present world, but of the new reality, theKingdom of God.
    1. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured outon us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior – Titus 3:5
  2. Prophetic – Communication of the new Word of God, the Gospel of Christ.
    1. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened – Ephesians 1:18
  3. Empowering – This is a new work in Jesus Christ and his disciples.
    1. The Spirit was active in a new way in the ministry of Jesus Christ
      - The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it iswritten: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release theoppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” – Luke 4:17-18 (Isaiah 61:1)
    2. Just as God worked by the power of the Spirit, now Christ does too (cf. The Spirit of Christ, Theother Comforter):
      - Ephesians 3:14-19 – Power, love, knowledge. See also 2 Timothy 1:7
      - Now Christians, filled with the spirit of Christ, continue his work …
2. Baptism in the Spirit:
  1. A New Way of Life:
    1. Romans 8 –
    2. Hope of Eternal Life (8:11) If the spirit lives within us
      - It dwells within us – it marks us as God’s people.
  2. Seal or Deposit. Assurance of what is to come …Present experience of the eternal reality.
    1. Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit,guaranteeing what is to come. – 2 Corinthians 5:5
  3. This is clear, but “indwelling Spirit” has actually been neglected/feared because of uneasiness over …
3. Gifts of the Spirit:
  1. Abilities given by Christ through the Spirit (A. W. Tozer: “The power to do”).
  2. Understanding the Gifts:
    1. Always focused on Christ: (This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit thatacknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does notacknowledge Jesus is not from God. – 1 John 4:2. cf. 1 Corinthians 12:3)
    2. Given as the Lord sees fit: (All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives themto each one, just as he determines. – 1 Corinthians 12:11; But to each one of us grace has been given asChrist apportioned it. – Ephesians 4:7)
      - Distributed variously and not all the same
      - God’s prerogative, even in the Old Testament: Eldad and Medad in Numbers 11
    3. Always for the good of the church: (Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given forthe common good. – 1 Corinthians 12:7; … to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that thebody of Christ may be built up. – Ephesians 4:12; Each one should use whatever gift he has received toserve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. – 1 Peter 4:10)
  3. Kinds of Gifts:
    1. Speech – apostles, prophets, teachers, evangelists (Eph 4)
      - This does not mean hype. Paul had gifts of speech, but he was sometimes regarded as a “weakspeaker.” (1 Corinthians 2:1-5; 2 Corinthians 10:10)
    2. Discernment – wisdom, prophecy
    3. Leadership –
    4. Service/Ministry – miracles, healing, giving
      - These are confirming because they display the power of God, not man.
  4. Gifts of the Spirit need not be strange, but having spiritual gifts must not be confused with having the spirit …
4. Fruit of the Spirit:
  1. These are to be common to all Christians (These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. -Titus 3:8)
  2. Contrary to Sin
    1. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentlenessand self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucifiedthe sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with theSpirit. – Galatians 5:16-25
    2. These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. – Jude 19-20
  3. Contrary to the World
    1. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we mayunderstand what God has freely given us … The man without the Spirit does not accept the things thatcome from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, becausethey are spiritually discerned … But we have the mind of Christ. – 1 Corinthians 2:12-16
  4. Christ-Like Character and Christ-Like Church
    1. Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? If anyonedestroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple. – 1Corinthians 3:16
      - The Corinthians were still worldly (3:3-4)
      - The “You” in verse 16 is plural. As individuals we show the fruit, but must also as a group.
      - As a group we must also show a spiritual unity …
5. Unity of the Spirit:
  1. The Spirit holds us together as a body
    1. The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they formone body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized with one Spirit into one body–whether Jews orGreeks, slave or free–and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. – 1 Corinthians 12:12-12
  2. We have a sensitivity to one another, a spiritual bond
    1. 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 = The body analogy
      - Held together despite our differences (which are important!)
      - Strong and Weak are balanced, and the hurting ministered too.
    2. When we fail to show concern and sensitivity to one another as a group, it is because we aregetting out of step with the Spirit of Christ.
Spirit of Love:
1. The context in which the spiritual gifts operate and have their power
  1. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. – Colossians 3:14
  2. Without love, they are meaningless. “If I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” – 1 Corinthians 13:2
2. A fruit of the Spirit
  1. The greatest of “the greater gifts.” – 1 Corinthians 12:31; 13:13
3. The Key to Unity
  1. The best sort of unity
    1. Barton Stone spoke of Fire Union
      - It makes us uneasy, because we want unity on our terms!
Challenge: The Spirit of the Age, or the Spirit of Christ:
1. All: Walk in the Spirit
2. Church: May we live as God’s temple!
3. Acts 2: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgivenessof your sins; and you will receive the Holy Spirit as a gift.” … “Be saved from this corrupt generation.”

Dedication of Elders

Posted by Chris on under Sermons

Three purposes of service:
1. Profess that Christ is the head of this congregation and that He appoints leaders for the church.
2. Praise God for providing leaders for the sake of the church.
3. Petition God for His blessing on the relationship of the new shepherds and the congregation.

“Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”

¹ Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me ever to adore Thee,
May I still Thy goodness prove,
While the hope of endless glory
Fills my heart with joy and love.

² Here I raise my Ebenezer;
Hither by Thy great help I’ve come;
And I hope by Thy good pleasure
Safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wand’ring from the fold of God;
He to rescue me from danger
Interposed His precious blood.

³ O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness like a fetter
Bind my wand’ring heart to Thee.
Never let me wander from Thee,
Never leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.

An Ebenezer Moment: Witnessing to God’s Help and Guidance
“Thus far with your help, O Lord, we have come!” It seems we have been building to this moment for quite some time. I can recall meetings and gatherings over a year ago that were preparing us for today. Perhaps it is right to say that God was guiding us to this day.We began the year by studying God’s word and immersing this congregation in the spirit of God’s teaching about leaders, elders, overseers, and shepherds. We have paid careful attention to the example of Christ Jesus; and even as we affirm additional leaders we also affirm that Christ is the only Lord of this congregation and ultimately it is Christ who bestows upon all leaders the privilege of serving.
Our process of identifying and naming new leaders began on Jan. 28. This congregation was asked to serve as God’s instrument for recognizing men who could lead as shepherds. I am a witness to the fact that our elders gave serious consideration to your input. With much prayer and discussion they continued the process of discerning what God intends. On Feb. 18 the elders offered the names of four men whom you named and who were willing and able to accept this sacred trust: Ron Belote, Russ McConnell, Larry Todd, and Jim Wilson. The elders again invited us to be a part of this process of discernment and the pledge of support for these four men was a resounding yes.
We believe that God has been our guide and help in this process. We believe that he has graciously spoken through the church to identify leaders full of the Holy Spirit and Wisdom. We affirm this mystery: that this was done through the church, but it is all by God. God worked through the church openly, through members and elders, to lift up new leaders. This has been his way with his people and we are blessed in that way when we humbly submit ourselves to it.

A Pledge of Servant Leadership: Commitment of the Elder Candidates
[Benjamin will ask the four candidates to step up on the lower stage and face the congregation]

God has spoken graciously through his church calling you to tend his sheep. You are being asked to assume the responsibilities of shepherd, overseer, and elder.

Will you serve Jesus Christ as your Lord?
Will you teach and model the gospel of Christ?
Will you ensure the healthy teaching that strengthens the Lord’s people?
Will you guide us patiently and prayerfully?
Will you lean on the Spirit of God as you equip the church for acts of faithfulness?
Will you mentor and shepherd the other leaders God gives to the church?
Will you lead us rather than appease us, resolving to keep us focused on God’s purposes?
Will you pray for us when we are sick, minister to us when we are hurting, and rejoice with us when we are blessed?
Will you work in harmony with your fellow shepherds and with the church?

Will you be great among us by serving as Christ did?

Response: With God’s help we will.

Read aloud John 13:1-17

[The current elders will now join them and present them with the “servant towels”]

As a reminder of the Lord’s example of servant leadership, we offer you this small symbolic token of this day for your encouragement. This is a towel embroidered with the words of Jesus. We hope it serves as a reminder of Christ’s grace to you, your commitment before God and our support of your oversight.

A current elder will lead a Prayer of Blessing and offering additional comments (something that affirms that they are indeed shepherds, elders, and overseers for this congregation)

During the prayer, the “current elders” will be laying their hands on the “candidates” as a gesture that demonstrates the sharing of God’s spirit and their affirmation as elders.

[After the prayer, the men assembled on the lower stage may return to their seats.]

A Pledge of Support: The Commitment of the Congregation

Church, our worship today confesses our belief that God has called these men to shepherd our congregation. Our actions from this point forward ought to reflect that belief and it requires commitment on our part.
So, I will remind all of us of these instructions from the preacher to the Hebrews (13:7, 17) – “Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith … Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls and will give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy and not a burden – for that would be of no benefit to you.”

Brothers and sisters …

Will you follow these men in service for the sake of Christ?
Will you be respectful of their leadership and imitate their faith?
Will you support them in prayer and serve them in peace?
Will you “lift up their arms” even as they care for our souls?

Will you do all of this knowing that it pleases the Lord and shows the world the perfection of His ways?

If you so agree and pledge, then I ask you to affirm by saying “With God’s help we will!”

Prayer of blessing for the church:
[A representative of the congregation will ask God to help the church live up to this commitment.]

Invitation to Life in Christ
[Followed by Song for Responses]

The Woman With the Issue of Blood

Posted by David on March 1, 2007 under Sermons

When you study the lives of New Testament people, there is an obvious connection between faith and courage. We do not read of cowardly people being people of great faith in the Lord. People controlled by terror lost their strength to believe.

Jesus often told his followers, "Fear not," "Be of good courage," or, "Do not be afraid." There is an excellent reason for such instructions from Jesus. People controlled by terror are void of courage. People who have no courage have lost the ability to act by faith.

We need to carefully, properly understand the relationship between faith and courage. On occasions, people of faith in the New Testament were also afraid. The fact that people of faith have fears or know fear is not the issue. Faith is demonstrated in their courage (1) to face their fear and (2) to refuse to be controlled by their fear.

Being a person of courage does not mean being a person of exaggerated self-confidence with a huge ego. It does not mean one is a person who loves to talk about "my" accomplishments, "my" abilities, and "my" boldness. If that is a person’s concept of courage, the person has a significantly flawed concept. The shy, the quiet, the unassuming, the disadvantaged, and the abused are capable of great courage and great faith. Courage that allows faith to exist is the courage to trust God when confronting real threats.

Great courage is not found in enormous trust in self. Great courage is found in trusting God when the forces around you declare, "If you trust God, you will have increased trouble!" In a real way, our faith is not demonstrated until we are in a situation that tests the courage of our conviction.

I want us to study an incident in a woman’s life who provides us an excellent example of the relationship between courage and faith. Consider Mark 5:25-34 (read).

The background of the passage:
1. In Mark’s writing, this incident occurred after Jesus crossed the sea of Galilee to the land of the Gerasenes.
  1. There he healed a demon-possessed man who had been uncontrollable.
  2. The demons, by request, entered a herd of pigs that ran down into the sea and drowned.
  3. The people, controlled by fear, asked Jesus to leave their country.
  4. Jesus crossed the sea and returned to Galilee.
2. Upon return, Jesus encountered a multitude and Jarius, a ruler of a synagogue.
  1. Jarius begged Jesus to help his daughter who was about to die.
  2. Jesus was on his way to Jarius’ home when this incident happened.
  3. Mark said the multitude was thronging Jesus–pressing him on every side.
3. The woman in the incident had a long-standing medical problem.
  1. For 12 years she endured a slow hemorrhage that would not stop and could not be stopped.
  2. Twelve years is a long time to be sick!
  3. We know nothing else about the woman–who she was, where she came from, or who her family was.
First, note she was a truly unusual woman.
1. She was unusual because she was determined to find a cure for her ailment–though it has been 12 years, she had not stopped trying.
  1. Mark indicates she went to many doctors and suffered a lot as a result of the treatments she received.
  2. He also states she spent everything she had on those visits and treatments.
  3. However, nothing permanently stopped her hemorrhage.
  4. Even today it would be unusual to find a person with such determination–most would just accept the condition as "incurable."
    1. By our standards, her treatments were primitive and limited.
    2. When treatment resulted in pain rather than relief, she did not have our pain killers to address her suffering.
    3. Most would accept her condition as an unfortunate fact of life that one just had to accept and live with.
    4. Her persistence indicates she was an unusual person.
2. She was unusual because she was open to hope after 12 years of failures.
  1. After repeated failure and being broke, it would be easy to give up.
  2. It would be easy to become a pessimist.
    1. "Don’t get my hopes up again!"
    2. "I have no desire to get excited again only to be disappointed!"
  3. She heard [not saw!] about Jesus’ miracles, was impressed by the reports, and decided to find Jesus.
    1. Wonder how many times she "heard" about a new doctor who could do wonders?
    2. Just on the basis of what she heard, she decided to find Jesus [no small task!]
      1. Seeing Jesus was not like making an appointment with a doctor.
      2. He continually moved from place to place.
      3. She, broke, would have to guess and wait.
      4. Not even the fact that a multitude waited for him to come discouraged her!
3. She was unusual because she was bold, but unassuming.
  1. She was confident that if she just touched him she would be okay!
    1. That is an unusual confidence for a woman who saw so many doctors!
    2. A touch instead of a treatment?
  2. Her plan to touch Jesus was a decision of real courage!
    1. She lived in truly "a man’s world."
    2. Publicly, women had virtually no status at all.
    3. Women could not even speak to men [who were not their husbands] in public.
    4. For a woman to speak to a man in public was a serious matter!
    5. If her act of touching Jesus was noticed by someone in the throng of people, the least she could expect from the crowd was a strong rebuke, and Jesus’ reaction was an absolute unknown.
    6. This situation gives insight into why she planned to touch his garment and fade away.
  3. She was definitely determined!
    1. It was no simple task for her to get close enough to Jesus to touch him.
    2. Have you tried to work your way through a moving mass of pressing, pushing people who had the same goal you had–to get near the same person?
    3. She did it the hard way–she worked herself close to him from behind; she did not try to position herself when he passed by!
    4. Wonder how long and how hard she, sick, had to exert herself to get close to Jesus?
  4. She was also unassuming,
    1. She did not ask for help.
    2. She made no demands.
    3. She has no desire to call attention to herself or her condition.
    4. She did not want anyone to know what she did.
    5. She just wanted help with her need.
4. Because of these qualities, she succeeded.
  1. She would not have been healed without her determination, courage, attitude, motive, and faith.
  2. If she had not had those qualities, she would have lived as a sick woman until her death.
  3. She refused to say:
    1. "He probably cannot help me either!"
    2. "I will never make it through that crowd!"
    3. "If I am discovered, there is no telling what will happen to me!"
  4. So she persisted until she got close enough to Jesus to touch him.
    1. She touched him with faith.
    2. As a result, she was healed instantly.
    3. She felt the healing happen when she touched him.
The second thing you should notice is Jesus’ reaction.
1. Jesus was immediately aware that someone drew from his power.
  1. He knew it the moment it happened.
  2. He asked, "Who touched my robe?"
    1. Can you imagine how that question sounded to everyone around him?
    2. As Jesus passed, everyone touched him just to tell others they did.
    3. Think of how often the curious touched Jesus.
    4. Imagine the response to his question: "Are you kidding? Everyone is touching you!"
  3. The disciples voiced what a foolish question he asked–they were respectful, but they thought it was a ridiculous question.
    1. "Lord, look at the multitude."
    2. "The whole multitude is pressing against you!"
    3. "You see what is happening–so why ask, ‘Who touched me?’"
2. Jesus then looked for the person who touched him.
  1. The woman had been careful and discreet in what she did–no one said, "She did it!"
  2. The trembling, scared woman acknowledged what she did.
    1. The Jesus who healed her would surely know she was the person!
    2. Knowing how men felt about women, she had reason to be afraid.
    3. Knowing that she used Jesus’ power without asking his permission, she had reason to be afraid.
    4. She knew what she did.
      1. She knew Jesus knew what she did.
      2. She knew his power was real.
    5. In fear, she fell in front of him and told him the entire truth (do you not image when Jesus asked, "Who touched me?" that those near him backed off as if to say, "Not me!"
  3. Jesus’ response must have amazed her!
    1. "Your faith healed you–your faith allowed this to happen."
    2. "Go in peace"–what comforting words!
    3. "Be cured!"
      1. I wonder at the moment she fell before him that she had the awful fear that the disease would come back.
      2. How awful to know you found the cure after 12 years of searching, felt the relief instantly, and had the disease return.
Consider two observations.
1. There was an incredible difference in touching Jesus with faith and just touching Jesus.
  1. Many people touched Jesus that day.
  2. Many were touching Jesus when the miracle occurred.
    1. However, they did not expect anything to happen.
    2. Nothing happened.
  3. The woman touched Jesus for a reason with confidence.
    1. She wanted to be helped.
    2. She expected to be helped.
    3. She was helped.
  4. The physical act of touching Jesus was the same for everyone.
  5. The power was present in Jesus when all touched him.
  6. The difference in the result was the difference in the people.
  7. That same difference is distinguishable today.
    1. Some study the word and are changed; some read the word and nothing happens.
    2. Some pray and are strengthened; some pray and are not helped.
    3. Some worship and are closer to God; some worship and are bored and unmoved.
    4. What is the difference?
      1. The physical process is the same.
      2. The power is there.
      3. The difference–the faith [confidence] of the person.
2. The Lord’s power will not benefit a person unless the person has confidence in the Lord’s power.
  1. I must be careful not to make the wrong application.
    1. Jesus did not confine his miracles to believers.
    2. At times he healed people who did not know who he was (consider John 9:35,36).
    3. Obviously, the dead bodies Jesus raised did not have faith–it was a manifestation of Jesus’ power over death.
  2. At times, Jesus informed people that their faith allowed Jesus’ power to work in them.
    1. Jesus blessed the ignorant or unknowing on occasion, but Jesus did not bless the faithless.
    2. For the person who asked Jesus to help him/her, it was essential for him/her to trust Jesus.
  3. There is no question that Jesus can help us in ways he has promised.
    1. The power is there.
    2. The question is do we have the confidence to let Jesus help us?

Do you have the courage to have faith? Do you use faith to express your courage?

Would You Like to be ‘God For a Day’?

Posted by David on under Bulletin Articles

I merely wish to suggest being God is not nearly as simple as most people think it is. Christians (and many who reject God) conclude being God should be simple-especially if you possess His power and ability to order things be done. Really?

Wonder how many prayers God receives from all over the world in a 24 hour period? If those prayers were divided into requests, appreciation, and angry indictments, wonder what the percentages would be? Wonder if requests far exceed appreciation?

Wonder how often God acts powerfully, and no one sees it (Jesus’ crucifixion?)? Wonder how often God succeeds incredibly, and people wonder, “What good is that (Jesus’ resurrection?)?” Wonder how often God gives a remarkable gift (forgiveness) and people are disappointed (Mark 2:1-12)? Wonder how often a person dismisses God’s act because it does not meet his/her expectation (Habakkuk 1)? Wonder how often God’s acts are dismissed because we conclude, “God would not do that in that way!”

Wonder how often devout people plead with God to use His power in a specified way, while equally devout people plead with God to use His power in an opposite specified way? In such situations, to say, “Yes” to a believer or a group of believers is to say “No” to another believer or group of believers.

Can God use human death, sacrifice, or failure to achieve His purposes? Can He use my death, sacrifice, or failure to achieve His purposes? Are His purposes dependent on our material prosperity? Is faith the result of an adversity-free life or a life of adversity? Is my trust in God dependent on/reflected in success or adversity?

“Thank you, God, for being God all the time! Thank you for not making us dependent on our own wisdom! You love us when we do not know how to love. You have mercy on us when You should be angry with us. You forgive us when You have the right to destroy us. You endure our lack of vision. You do not disown us when we substitute our emotional desires for Your eternal intents. You are patient with us when we are arrogant with You.

“In all matters You are just, even though we do not see Your justice. When we are blinded by our own emotions and ambitions, You see honestly. You can take Satan’s worst efforts against us, and You can use those efforts for our salvation.

“Lord, we are not incredible, but You are. You are never encompassed by our knowledge, but You know us inside out. May we never forget that You never depend on us, but we always depend on You. Thank you for being our God!”

The War and the Congregation (part 3)

Posted by David on February 27, 2007 under Sermons

If you were determined to defeat an enemy, what would you do?

If, beyond doubt, your enemy did something guaranteeing your certain defeat, but in your hatred for your enemy you refused to surrender, what would you do?

If you preferred destruction to surrender, what would you do?

In those three questions, we describe Satan’s predicament. Satan was determined to defeat God’s work. Satan failed, but he did not quit. When Jesus died and was resurrected in submission to God’s will, Satan was irreversibly defeated. He knew it! Yet, he hated [and still does] God so much, that he refused to surrender and acknowledge his defeat.

So what did Satan continue doing? He continued resisting God [and still does] rather than surrender to God. Can Satan hurt God personally? No! Then what can Satan do to cause God pain? Satan can hurt those God loves.

Satan’s activity since Jesus’ death and resurrection has been limited to causing misery to those on earth who are dedicated to God and His will. He can do that in the lives of those who surrender to God and in congregations of Christians committed to surrendering to God’s will.

How long will Satan continue this pointless yet certain resistance? Until God destroys him by casting Satan into hell. Satan’s resistance against God and His purposes on earth will continue until God destroys Satan as a being!

1 Corinthians 15:25-28, "For He [Christ] must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death. For He has put all things in subjection under His feet. But when He says, “All things are put in subjection,” it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him. When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all."

Revelation 20:14, "Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire."

Revelation 20:10, "And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever."

Satan will resist God and His people until God destroys Satan! Satan will never surrender to God! Only by forcible removal resulting in destruction will Satan cease his resistance against God. At times he will focus his resistance against God in the life of a person, and at times he will focus his resistance in the activities of a congregation. This lesson focus on Satan’s resistance in a congregation.

As Christians, we should not be surprised when Satan is actively at work in a congregation.
1. If he could deceive Eve, he can deceive us!
  1. Paul warned Christians to be aware of deception.
    1. Galatians 6:3,4 "For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another."
    2. Galatians 6:7-10, "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith."
    3. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God."
    4. 1 Corinthians 3:18, "Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise.
  2. For Satan, congregations of Christians always will be his first and foremost battlefront in his war against God.
    1. If he was bold enough to come into God’s presence to accuse Job (Job 1:6-9: 2:1-5), he is bold enough to come in our midst no matter how much faith we have.
    2. If a congregation is active for God in bringing people to Christ, there always will be people in every stage of spiritual development in the congregation.
      1. If Satan can cause the spiritually immature [regardless of chronological age] to create confusion of any sort in the congregation, he can shift the focus of that congregation from bringing people to Christ to self-preservation issues.
      2. When that happens, Satan wins temporarily!
      3. He so consumes the congregation with self-interest that he distracts them from God’s concerns.
      4. Satan is a master at doing this, and we are masters at justifying our destructive behaviors!
  3. The ability of Satan to convince us we should fight us is astounding!
    1. Consider Paul’s warning to the Ephesian elders.
      Acts 20:28-31, “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears.”
      1. The battle was not won!
      2. The victory was not theirs!
      3. In fact, some of the problems would be created by some of these elders!
    2. Consider John’s words against Diotrephes in III John 9, 10:
      "I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say. For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church."
      1. His spiritual priorities were not God’s priorities!
      2. He was more concerned with what people thought of him than what people thought of God!
      3. He sought to advance himself at the expense of God’s people.
    3. Or consider Paul’s anguish about Christians in 1 Corinthians 1:10-17 and Galatians 1:6-10.
      1. This division is not caused by external forces that do not belong to God nor is it produced by a denominational approach.
      2. It centers on congregational division promoted by those who are supposed to belong to Christ.
      3. Paul anguished because of the self-inflicted wounds these Christians inflicted on Christians and sustained in congregations.
    4. Do not think for a minute that such behavior began and ended in the first century!
      1. Christians have been wounding themselves in all ages.
      2. That does not happen by accident–it is the determined work of Satan every time it occurs!
      3. The only way Satan can cause God pain is to cause His children to hurt others who are His children!
      4. Congregational division causes only Satan to rejoice!
      5. We never purify through division–we only destroy ourselves!
"Can God bring this messy war to an end?"
1. Of course He can!
  1. He could bring the judgment right now and end it all!
  2. However, if He did, we and not He would be the losers.
2. I do not think we as Christians have ever realized how much God loves the lost.
  1. Matthew 20:25-28, But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
  2. Romans 5:8,10 "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. . .For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life."
  3. Galatians 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me."
  4. Ephesians 5:1,2 "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma."
  5. Incredibly, God invested the life of His own son in the lost!
  6. With such a personal, large investment, God is not going to abandon the lost easily!
  7. Thank God for His commitment to the lost, for we certainly are among them–the only way we can stand before God is through forgiveness, not through perfection!
3. If God calls all humans in judgment now, those who do not trust in Jesus Christ are abandoned without hope.
  1. Then why does God not "cut His losses" and destroy Satan?
  2. I think Peter’s response in 2 Peter 3:8, 9 addresses the issue.
    2 Peter 3:8,9 “But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”
    1. Literally, God patiently waits so more will be saved.
    2. Rejoice in God’s patience, and let us unite in God’s purpose.

When Satan is at work in your midst, never encourage him! Do not let Him deceive you, and do not let him use you to assist his purposes!

Jesus Christ: Son of God, Savior

Posted by Chris on February 25, 2007 under Sermons

Jesus Christ the Son of God
1. James Cameron’s Press Conference scheduled for February 26th to announce the discovery of the tomb and body of Jesus and his wife
2. Ichthus – Ancient Christian symbol – Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior
3. Father, Son, Holy Spirit — The significance of “Son of God” is to fill out the trinity
4. But Scripture means much more when the term Son of God is used
Jesus Christ
1. Jesus – Yeshua (He Saves)
  1. Jesus of Nazareth
2. Christ – The Anointed One
  1. Messiah and Savior
The Gospel of the Son:
1. John 3:16 – Too bad it has been connected with fanatics, sports fans, and wrestling
2. Reading John 3:12-21 — I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven–the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.
The Son SHOWS us God – No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven–the Son of Man. (John 3:13)
1. The Unseen Glory of God:
  1. Exodus 33:15-20: Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?” And the LORD said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.” Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.” And the LORD said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”
  2. God is pleased with Moses, yet Moses never saw the Face of God.
2. God has revealed himself to us in his son:
  1. John 1:14, 18: The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth … No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.
  2. Hebrews 1:3: The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.
  3. Colossians 1:15: He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
3. More than a messenger or representative:
  1. The Son is God: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, `Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me.” (John 14)
    1. Recognized by his enemies — John 5:18: For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
    2. Philippians 2:6-7: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
  2. His teachings and actions are in synch with the Father:
    1. John 8:38: I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence, and you do what you have heard from your father.
    2. John 5:19: I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.
The Son is SENT from God – For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son (John 3:16)
1. God loves us, so he sends the one who can best express that love:
  1. John 14:23-24: If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
  2. John 15:9: As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.
2. Jesus is obedient and trustworthy:
  1. He is sent to do God’s will
    1. John 8:29: The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.
    2. John 12:49-50: For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.
  2. He is sent to do God’s work
    1. John 4:34 — My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.
    2. Philippians 2:8 — And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death– even death on a cross!
    3. He was sent to save the world
The Son SAVES the World – God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:17)
1. The Son Has Life and Authority:
  1. John 5:21, 26-27: For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.
  2. Who is the Son of Man?
    1. Daniel 7:13-14: In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
  3. Life or Judgment?
    1. John 3:18: Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
    2. John 12:47-50: As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it. There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day. For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”
    3. The Son, as judge, has come to “sentence us to life” through the grace of God. He would judge in our favor. But if we reject the Son sent by God to save the world, we condemn ourselves.
    4. 1 John 5:11-13: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
Savior:
1. Savior – Children of God:
  1. The Son of God has invited us into the family, set the slaves free!
    1. John 1:12-13: Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God– children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
    2. Galatians 4:4-7: But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”
  2. Why don’t we realize we are his children?
    1. The girl in Nicaragua:
      - Then I realized she was talking about God!
    2. Why are we so reluctant to live dependently upon God – like little children!
    3. 1 John 3:1: How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!
    4. This should give us …
2. Confidence:
  1. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. – 1 John 4:15-17
3. When you answered “Yes” to the confession question [“Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?”] … Do you rely on the love of God? Do you depend upon the life in the Son of God? The only other option is self-dependence, which is self-condemnation.

Welcome to the Table of the Lord

Posted by Chris on under Sermons

Review: We worship God because he created us to worship him. He equips us to worship him. In the everyday realities of time and matter, God gives us ways to worship him. The rituals and rhythms of worship have been passed on to us, but each generation must claim them and make them their own.
Throughout the ages God’s people have gathered together to praise him in song and petition him in prayer. Why? Because he made us to worship him.
They have gathered by the waters to be baptized. Why? Because he made us to worship him.
And so also, God’s people have gathered around a table. Just because God made us to worship him. There has always been some sort of Lord’s Table. Eating and drinking in the presence of God has roots that extend back through all the festivals of Israel to that simple meal of bread and wine between Abraham and Melchizedek. We shouldn’t dismiss these festivals as mere ceremony of symbolism. As I hope we can understand today, ceremony and symbolism are critical to being human and being God’s people. Worshipping God is more than a mental exercise. It is a living activity. And the symbols and practices of our worship are alive. Done rightly, they are part of our worship to God – and after all God created us to worship him.

I Corinthians 11:23-26
²³For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, ²⁴ and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” ²⁵ In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” ²⁶ For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Paul was passing on a living participation in a real event that held significance for the past, present and future. At the time he writes this to the Corinthians, the Lord’s Supper communion was already quite established in the practice of the Christian community. In fact, Paul is writing this because the Corinthians participation in the Lord’s Supper had become something of a disgrace. They weren’t paying proper attention to the symbols …

When it comes to the table of the Lord and the Lord’s supper there is much historical debate about the meaning of the elements: bread and wine. It won’t do us much good to get into all of that now. Besides, it really misses the point to try and dissect how symbols work. Why can’t we just understand how we engage and respond to symbols and the realities in which they (and we) participate …

The flag – The fabric and dye and that makes up this flag isn’t sacred, but we show reverence. We stand when it is presented. We salute and sing our anthems. And what about flag burning? The ire of multitudes is raised when the U.S. flag is burned. But when an old tattered flag is taken out of service it is burned. What’s the difference? Attitude, reverence, the way in which people regard this banner. The flag becomes an embodiment of concepts and beliefs that are particularly real and meaningful.
Wedding rings/ceremony – A lot of energy and investment goes into the wedding rings. There is a good amount of ceremony and special words that go along with the exchange of rings at a wedding ceremony. There’s nothing necessarily biblical about it, but we regard these rings as special. We even regard the ceremony as meaningful. Why? Because the ceremony and the rings embody something that we deem meaningful and important. The very fact that we show up is a witness to and participation in something we regard as more than real. At every wedding, done rightly, we are saying to everyone that marriage is a reality much larger than just this couple, but we invite them to participate in this special covenant. And the way we communicate and experience this is through ceremony and rings.
Can you see how the tangible symbols of our faith engage us in a reality much greater than us? The water of baptism becomes an embodied participation in the gospel. Songs and hymns become embodied experience of the spirit of God.
Think of the Cross. This is one of the most incredible symbols of our faith. What is it? What does it mean? The people of God did not invent this symbol. We co-opted it and changed it through and through – thanks to the work of God. It belonged to the Roman Empire. For them it was a symbol of fear and domination. But when Christ surrendered himself to the cross he exposed the corruption and depravity of human ambition and our need to be in power and in control. His sacrifice exposed our illusions and deceptions about ourselves. One of those illusions was the illusion of the cross – that it equaled punishment and power. God transformed it into a symbol of atonement. It became God’s embodied participation in reconciliation (Col. 1:20). Through Christ’s sacrifice there is peace between us and God.

Which brings us to the Table of the Lord: In the worship festivals that God’s people have participated in throughout the ages there is often a rhythm of sacrifice and thanksgiving. Through sacrificial love God provides reconciliation and redemption. A new hope is made real and the opportunity of new relationship between Creator God and his creation is established. And that relationship is important to worship.

When we come to the Table of the Lord and eat the Lord’s Supper of bread and wine we need to understand that this is a thanksgiving meal. This is a supper of peace and reconciliation. The war has been fought. This is the table of peace. (Just as it was with Abraham and Melchizedek). God has defeated the enemy at the cross. Sin has been atoned for. Because of that, we are welcomed to God’s dinner table.

Consider what this means as we participate in these symbols that embody this very great and life-transforming reality:

The Lord’s Supper is not a funeral. It was never intended to make us suffer for our sins. The brutality of sin and shame was left at the cross. This supper is God’s way of embodying the reconciliation he so dearly desires.
So, when we exclude ourselves from the Lord’s Supper, we are rejecting God’s invitation to come and eat with him. “But doesn’t 1 Corinthians 11 say we ought to examine ourselves and not partake if are unworthy?” No, it doesn’t. It cautions us not to eat and drink in a way that is unworthy of this very special supper. [Recall that the Corinthians were turning the Supper into a drunken glut-fest]. None of us are ever worthy of coming to the table! That’s why the cross precedes the table. But to eat the bread and wine in a worthy manner is to eat with thanksgiving and gladness and in loving fellowship with one another. The cross accomplishes that – the Lord’s Supper celebrates it!

Read Luke 24:28-36.

So, welcome to the table of the Lord …

Focus on the Bread:
When those disciples at Emmaus sat down for a humble meal of bread, they recognized Christ when he broke the bread and gave it to them. God is located very near us. He is as close as the food we need to survive. The bread is the body of Christ broken for us. It embodies a reality that we hold dear and sacred. Receive this spiritual food with thanksgiving and in response to God’s desires that you share this meal with him and with one another. He is here in the breaking of the bread.

Focus on the Cup:
When those disciples at Emmaus knew that they had been in the presence of the Lord, they were moved from being downcast to being excited. This cup is a cup of thanksgiving. It is a festive celebration that our brokenness cannot keep us apart from God’s love. Receive this spiritual drink with thanksgiving and in response to God’s desire to share in this festive drink and look forward to the day that we will drink a new cup with him in the kingdom to come.

Am I the Same Me?

Posted by David on February 22, 2007 under Bulletin Articles

Recently, life has provided me different opportunities to be with people I knew in the past and had opportunity to know again. Something repeatedly “jumped out” at me in different contexts. Some people I met again changed from the person they were when I first met them and are still changing. Some people changed and reverted back to the person they were. Some people resisted change of self years ago and continue to resist any changes in self. With some, redirection was permanent. With some, redirection was temporary. With some, redirection never occurred.

Stated in another way, some found a new direction and continued in it. Some found a new direction, but also found a convenient detour route back to the old self. Some “is” what they always were, only “is-er.”

Most (not all) who found a new direction and continue in it are people who had major discouragements or powerful temptations to revert to old ways. Some who reverted or did not consider changing did not have any visible discouragements or temptations. I constantly am amazed at people who find redirection of life a helpful friend, and those who find the same redirection a feared enemy. Some passionately grow spiritually, and some passionately refuse to grow spiritually.

To me, such observations are frightening. I have no interest in judging people-I have not lived their lives. My interest is in observing. It goes in two directions: (1) Why do people have different attitudes toward personal redirection? (2) Which kind of person am I? Do I fight the need to redirect me, or do I embrace the need to redirect me?

The essence of repentance is personal redirection. While repentance may demonstrate itself in events, repentance is not an event but an attitude that produces events. When “planted” in a person’s life, it grows until, with time, it fills the person’s life.

The attitude of repentance expresses itself in the behavior of the penitent. The person’s behavior constantly seeks to be true to the attitude. It refuses to seek self-justification.

The truth is whether you do or do not repent is not my issue. Surely, your repentance may encourage me. However, your lack of repentance never justifies me. My issue remains the same: Am I willing to redirect my life? Can I admit it when I am wrong? Can I embrace needed changes in me? Will I continuously allow my penitent attitude to reflect itself in my behavior?

The repentance of just one person causes heaven to rejoice! Does your attitude and behavior increase heaven’s joy?

God the Father

Posted by Chris on February 18, 2007 under Sermons

Psalm 68:5
Malachi 2:10
John 5:17-18

God the Father:
1. Jesus came to give us the proper view of God.
2. His message: GOD IS GOOD.
  1. Lessons from Fathers: (Luke 11:11-13)
    1. If we can be good fathers, then God is much better!
The Parable of the Good Father (Luke 15):
1. Jesus is teaching about the love of this good God – his concern for the lost.
  1. He tells of a shepherd looking for a lost sheep.
  2. He tells of a woman looking for a lost coin.
  3. But the best illustration of God is that of a loving father waiting for a wayward child.
2. Tell the Story:
  1. But the elder son doesn’t look for goodness in his father! He wants DISCIPLINE and JUSTICE!
    1. Looking for these, the elder son missed out on his Father’s goodness.
  2. What do we expect from our Heavenly Father?
3. Jesus says look at this father and you understand something about God:
  1. The son asks for his inheritance. An insult! But the father gives the son what he asks for. [God is gracious when he has every right to punish.]
  2. The son squanders the money and comes to his senses. He realizes how good his father was to him [God has blessed us richly.]
  3. The son humbly returns to his father. He finds his father waiting. [God is patient.]
  4. His father, disregarding the indignity, lifts the folds of his robe and runs to his son. [God has suffered shame for us.]
  5. He receives the boy back before formal apology can be given. [God is forgiving.]
  6. The father accepts the boy back graciously. [God is love.]
4. This view of God is a challenge!
  1. What about Justice! What about Punishment! What about Trust!
    1. We can’t get soft on this foolish kid!
  2. God is Just, Holy, Disciplining, but …
    1. Justice without mercy is compassionless.
  3. God is High, Holy, Awesome, Mighty, Exalted, Unique, Powerful …
    1. but we are comforted by the fact that he is good!
THE GOOD FATHER:
1. Because God is good:
  1. He doesn’t play games with people.
    1. He doesn’t cause tragedies (fire?)
    2. He doesn’t torture and punish vengefully (angered)
  2. He can work in tragedies to bring about good. (Romans 8:28)
2. Because God is good:
  1. You can go out this week knowing that God is on your side!
  2. God is good. He is for us. Are we for him?

Shall We Gather at the River?

Posted by Chris on under Sermons

Most of the key civilizations in human history formed around rivers. The Middle Eastern nations formed between the Tigris and Euphrates – two rivers that supplied the Garden of Eden. The ancient and modern Egyptian culture is centered on the Nile River. The city of London is formed around the Thames. Midwestern civilization in our own country formed along the banks of the mighty Mississippi.

Living waters, rivers, are critical to forming a people. The river supplies many needs: it gives life, it nourishes the land, it is needed for cleansing and health, and it connects people all along the river.

The people of God are a civilization of sorts who gather around a river. There is a common river, an artery of life, which flows through our community. Did you notice it in the songs we have been singing? These are songs we often sing around baptisms, yes? Did you notice our common river flowing through the stories of the men we have recognized this morning as possible shepherds? It stretches from Encardio, California, all the way out to Carrolton, Kentucky. Along the way it winds through Fayetteville and Judsonia, Arkansas. Here are four men with different stories and from different places but united with each other and all of us through a common river – the waters of baptism.

There were all sorts of people gathered around the banks of the River Jordan that special day long ago. Sinful people were there trying to find hope and forgiveness. The poor were there because they heard that God was doing something wonderful. Tax collectors and soldiers who made their living by extorting others had gathered there – perhaps to find a way out of the life that made them victims as much as the people they victimized. Wealthy and respected religious leaders had gathered after hearing the news about a prophet claiming to announce the arrival of the kingdom of God. Of course there were probably ordinary people there just going about their business scrubbing out pots and jars and doing the laundry. Then Jesus came and submitted himself to baptism. The lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world submitted himself to the washing away of sins – and yet he was without sin. Even the baptizer, John, protested and declared that he needed to be baptized by Jesus. But Jesus insisted. Why?

Jesus knew that God’s work to save all humanity was culminating in that river. He knew that God was working in him so that all people everywhere and in all ages might gather at the river of baptism and be baptized into Christ. But how could any of us unite with Christ in baptism if he himself didn’t gather at the river with us?

When Christ is lifted out of the water, heaven breaks open. The voice of God affirms that Jesus is his son. The spirit of God descends upon Jesus. The unity of Father, Son, and Spirit is visible to all the earth at the baptism of Christ. There’s the source of the mighty river that forms our church civilization. The ancients said that when one is baptized, Christ meets them in the water. Perhaps they were building on an idea that Paul expressed in Romans 6:5 – If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.

We believe that those who are baptized are baptized into Christ. We participate in his death, burial, and resurrection. We believe that sins are washed away and the rule of death and sin in our lives is broken. We believe that Christ gives his spirit and a new humanity is formed in the believer.

We do not believe that those who are baptized are baptized into the church, but we believe that God adds them to his church. It makes sense because if we are all united with Christ in baptism then we are also united with one another, right? “One Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:5-6)

Consider what this means for us. Some of us are very much alike. We have a lot in common. We share cultural values, we know the same people, we have the same interests, we have similar experiences and we have the same needs. Some of us are very different. We come from very different backgrounds. We have different opinions. We have been through experiences that we may not even understand. But all of this similarity and difference is submerged and engulfed in the great river that flows over us and makes us one – the Baptism of Jesus Christ.

Our Lord graciously allows us to extend the invitation to all to gather at this river of life. We believe that those who are baptized into Christ are his disciples. This claim is exclusive insofar as we believe this is the way to be united with Christ. But it isn’t exclusive in the sense that we forbid any from being immersed into the baptism of Jesus. All are invited to gather at the river.

The river of baptism is branch of the river of life that flows from the throne of God. As we follow the flow of our baptismal river, we will one day find ourselves on the shores of the river of life.
Shall we gather at the river? Yes, let’s gather with all who’ve come to be cleansed of their sins
Shall we gather at the river? Yes, let’s gather with those who’ve heard what God is doing
Shall we gather at the river? Yes, let’s gather with all who are anxious for justice and hope
Shall we gather at the river? Yes, let’s gather with all who are burden by the oppression of false gods and corrupt rulers.
Shall we gather at the river? Yes, let’s gather with all who are changing their ways and have come to share what they have with those who have nothing.
Shall we gather at the river? Yes, let’s gather with all the other saints who have met followed Christ into the river and found peace by the throne of God.
Shall we gather at the river? Yes, let’s gather with Christ.

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Worship and Class Times

Archives

The Gift of the Spirit

Dedication of Elders

The Woman With the Issue of Blood

Would You Like to be ‘God For a Day’?

The War and the Congregation (part 3)

Jesus Christ: Son of God, Savior

Welcome to the Table of the Lord

Am I the Same Me?

God the Father

Shall We Gather at the River?