“Into New Birth” John 3:1-17
I showed the children a picture (ultrasound) of my granddaughter. It’s a little difficult to see because she hasn’t been born yet. I’m going to get to meet her sometime about the first of May. I already love her. God loves her.
God said to Jeremiah “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5)
The psalmist wrote, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:13-14)
God loves and cares about my granddaughter (yet to be born), how much more God cares about each one of us.
Today we continue our Lenten journey from the wilderness of temptation heading to Easter. Today we meet Nicodemus on our journey.
WHO WAS NICODEMUS?
Q: What Bible character may have only been a foot tall?
A: Nicodemus, he was a ruler.
Nicodemus was a prominent Jewish citizen of Jerusalem.
- He was Jewish – he had the bloodline of one who was part of God’s chosen family (starting with Abraham, or maybe even back to Adam)
- He was a Pharisee (believed in afterlife and spiritual discipline based on God’s word)
- He was Wealthy (by nature of the position)
- He was a Teacher of the Jewish law
- He was a Member of the Sanhedrin (Jewish Ruling Council)
He shows up three times in the Gospel story told by John.
John 7:50-52 – he argued for fair treatment of Jesus.
John 19:38-42 – helped prepare Jesus’ body for burial.
John 3 is the first time we hear about Nicodemus. He comes to Jesus at night.
It’s the equivalent of a US Senator showing up at your doorstep in the middle of the night – something to worry about.
This renowned leader came at night; the theme of light vs. darkness in John isn’t lost on us. Coming at night represents that he is in “darkness,” spiritual darkness.
What was the message that this noted leader needed to hear?
Nicodemus knew: The world was not headed in a good direction, Israel needed a savior. He wanted God’s Kingdom to be established. He also knew that Jesus was in a difficult situation.
Nicodemus needed to hear the message that led him to Easter; God loved the world à God gave Jesus to the world for our good.
A FAVORITE SCRIPTURE PASSAGE
Out of this dialog came one of the most beloved verses to Christians around the world: John 3:16.
Sometimes there’s a disjunction between church language and what the world understands.
Did you ever see John 3:16 cards in end zone at football games?
(Rolland “rock n rolland” Stewart took on this project back in the 70s)
Christians know what this means, but what about others?
People were asked what they thought it meant
- It’s a distraction for kicker;
- It’s a hex on the kicker?
- Insiders subject for football?
- Is it a riddle?
- Secret message for coach
- Subliminal message
- Something to do with turning football into a religion.
In the Peanuts comic strip: Lucy thought John 3:16 referred to John Madden.
VP Al Gore made a speech during his campaign in which he stated how important his faith was to him. He also stated that his favorite Bible verse was John 16:3.
Of course, he and his speech writer meant John 3:16 but no one in the Gore camp was familiar enough with the scripture to catch the error. The most interesting thing about this story is what John 16:3 says:
" ( Jesus speaking about bad things that will happen to followers) And this they will do unto you because they have not known the Father nor Me. "
Of course, Jesus wanted Nicodemus to know how much God loved him and everyone else, and that was the reason Jesus came.
IT’S A SIMPLE MESSAGE
One of the greatest theologians that ever lived, Karl Barth, was a guest lecturer at the University of Chicago Divinity School. At the end of a captivating closing lecture, the president of the seminary announced that Dr. Barth was not well and was quite tired, and though he thought that Dr. Barth would like to be open for questions, he shouldn't be expected to handle the strain. Then he said, "Therefore, I will ask just one question on behalf of all of us."
He turned to the renowned theologian and asked, "Of all the theological insights you have ever had, which do you consider to be the greatest of them all?
It was the perfect question for a man who had written literally tens of thousands of pages of some of the most sophisticated theology ever put into print. The students held pencils right up against their writing pads, ready to take down verbatim the premier insight of the greatest theologian of their time.
Karl Barth closed his tired eyes, and he thought for a minute, and then he half smiled, opened his eyes, and said to those young seminarians, "The greatest theological insight that I have ever had is this: "Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so."
WHAT DID NICODEMSU NEED TO UNDERSTAND?
Nicodemus needed to understand the simple gospel message, a simple message of God’s love for us – a love that transforms us – that re-makes us – that gives us new birth.
Nicodemus (and his Sanhedrin friends) probably understood God’s message to humanity something like a USED CAR CONTRACT. (clauses and conditions, fine print and consequences) You will receive this beautiful 1989 Ford S-10 pick-up if you:
-Sign a contract
- make a down payment
- make payments on time
- if you miss a payment, interest rates go up
- if you miss more payments, the contract becomes void, and you lose everything.
There can be a lot of mis-trust when it comes to a used car salesman.
But the gospel message isn’t a contract, it’s a LOVE STORY.
God sent Jesus to remind us that God isn't in the business of keeping books and tallying ledgers, nor is God concerned about our status or position in life. If God were concerned about any of those things, then he wouldn’t have had to send Jesus. Giving us a contract with a rule book would have been enough. The Old Testament covenant and law would have done it.
SO WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO?
Jesus told Nicodemus, “You need to be born again.”
Nicodemus (being a good Pharisee) took Jesus’ words literally (a practice that can get us into trouble sometimes): “How can an old guy like me, go back to his mother’s womb and, be born again?”
Jesus clarified that he wasn’t speaking literally: “You can’t get into God’s Kingdom unless you’re born into it.” “You have already been physically born, now you need a spiritual birth”
Water = physical birth / baptism
Sprit = wind / spiritual (unseen, but present)
This is the only passage in the Gospel of John that talks about the Kingdom of God.
We are called to become citizens of God’s Kingdom. How do we do that?
How to become a citizen
To become a citizen of the USA
- You are Born in USA or to US Citizen.
- You Naturalize (In Biblical Times people could pay for citizenship, Acts 22:28)
Fill out forms, follow process, take test (US Government and history), appear before a judge for pronouncement.
To become a citizen of the Kingdom of God
You need to be born into God’s Kingdom. Not in the way that Nicodemus was already born into the family of Israel, but spiritually re-born.
You go through the citizenship process / the re-birth process:
1. Repent – John the Baptist called the people to repent of their sins.
2. Believe – John 3:16 – whoever believes in him shall have eternal life
3. Confess your sins – 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
4. Be baptized – as a symbol of your new faith.
IT’S A COMPLETE MAKE-OVER
Nicodemus didn’t need a continuation of life as we know it. He didn’t need to tweak a few things to get right with God. It wasn’t enough to remodel.
Nicodemus needed a complete makeover.
He needed to be born again.
Birth implies a family: Nicodemus needed a new family!
When a child is born…
… unwanted / without a family (like my son David), it’s tragic.
… into a dysfunctional family, there are problems. (Jesus was telling Nicodemus, that the Jewish family had become a dysfunctional family. It wasn’t working; it was causing more problems than it was helping)
… into a loving family, there is nurture, maturity and positive growth has the best chance of happening.
During Jesus’ lifetime, Nicodemus lived on the sidelines of Jesus’ family.
Jesus was telling Nicodemus that he needed to be fully born into God’s family.
Many say they can be a Christian without being a part of a church. Being born implies being born into a family. 1 John 3:1 “Behold what manner of love the father has for us, that we should be called children of God!”
We aren’t orphans, we aren’t alone. We are part of a family.
To be born again, implied that Nicodemus needed to change!
WE NEED TO CHANGE! GOT CHANGE?
One day on the street, a ragged fellow came up to me and asked, “Got any change, Mister?”
“Change? Of course I’ve got change. Change is what I have most.”
We live in a world where everything seems to be changing.
The only thing that is constant is the change.
Someone once said, “Change is inevitable – except from a vending machine.”
But change can be good. Without change we could not improve ourselves, have a better life or even grow. Change is the main component of our conversion experience. When Jesus told Nicodemus, “You must be born again,” he was telling him he needed a complete makeover. Start over, do it again, change completely.
The Easter Story is about change: a caterpillar to a butterfly, an egg to a chick, pain to joy, the earthly to the spiritual.
Easter changed everything changed for Jesus and his disciples. The ecstatic joy of Palm Sunday, the deep emotion of clearing the sellers from the Temple, The intimacy of a meal together in the upper room, the arrest, trial, crucifixion, burial, and, ultimately, the resurrection. What a week. You can find every emotion possible expressed at some point during that week. Change is emotional.
What changed? Jesus showed us that a life controlled by God brings new life; that change, in God’s hands, is for the good.
Did I give the beggar my change? To attend to his needs I had to change my immediate plans. I bought him a meal. We ate together. He shared his life; I shared my life.
The Gospel story demonstrates a world begging for change, and our Lord who wants to change everything for us. Jesus calls us to be “born again.”
TO THE POINT
If God knows us and loves us before we are born, while we are in our mother’s womb, how much more God knows and loves us after we are born, and before we are born again.
Who gives us life? God.
We need to let God give us new life.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Sermon Synopsis for February 17, 2008
“Into the Wilderness” Matthew 4:1-11”
Temptations come in a wide variety of choices.
Even pastors can’t escape temptation. This week I had a touch of the flu, and stayed home. I was already feeling bad, so I decided to work on my income taxes. There’s a lot of temptations (falsely) increase my deductions, misrepresent my income, lower my tax liability – “so I could give more to the church.”
Jesus said, “Give unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s”
Have you seen the commercial for a TV game show that asks a contestant, “Would you cheat on your wife if you knew she would never find out about it?”
Are they still temptations if no one knows about it? Is it still sin if no one finds out?
I remember Carnival (Mardi Gras) in Latin America – a time of debauchery, giving in to every sinful desire, wild celebration … leading to Ash Wednesday – penance, forgiveness, a chaste life. This ushers in Lent (a time of showing devotion to God by “giving up” stuff we like).
Is it possible to enter lent without going through Carnival?
After a strong sermon on sin, a parishioner told their pastor, “I didn’t know what sin was until you came.”
For Jesus, a time of temptation came just after his baptism.
Jesus’ baptism was a “high point” for him, a mountain top experience.
The heavens opened, the Holy Spirit descended.
There was a voice from heaven, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
Wow, what an experience … then God leads him into the wilderness.
When we enter the Christian life – we are not immune to problems.
The scripture tells us: We have a Savior who was tempted as we are (Hebrews 4:15), yet without sin.
During my recent trip to the Dominican Republic I tried to visit with two pastors. These were friends, I had helped disciple, who had “given in to fleshly desires” according to others. They were no longer in ministry, not in church, far from God – this was hard for me to take. They wouldn’t even see me. Giving in to temptation can bring separation; separation from God is the worst.
Today’s scripture passage is a bit troubling – the Spirit of God led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil (Mt. 4:1). Why would God do that?
The commitment of Baptism (to cast away sins, and follow Jesus) is often followed by testing. How firm is our commitment to Christ?
Jesus taught us to ask God: “Lead us not into temptation.”
That’s our desire – but when it comes – we need to be ready.
Satan was testing Jesus’ “sonship” – his relationship to the eternal God.
Imagine how hard it must have been for Satan to tempt Jesus. He had to tempt the Son of God to act totally out of character.
THE DEVIL’S FIRST TRY: Turn the stone into bread.
Physical hunger is a terrible thing. Have you looked at commercials and adds for “Food for the Hungry” or “Feed the Children” or “World Vision;” They’re difficult to watch.
Satan knew … “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.”
Israel was tested in the wilderness. They said, “We had it better in Egypt. There was all sort of food to eat; even though we were slaves, we were never hungry.”
Could Jesus have turned the stone into bread? Of course he could have.
But he didn’t – because he wasn’t thinking about himself – he was thinking about you and me.
Jesus reply to Satan came from Deuteronomy 8:3, “God’s word is more satisfying than any food we can have.” It’s better to be hungry and spiritually whole than have a full stomach and be spiritually empty.
Jesus 1 / Satan 0
THE DEVIL’S SECOND TRY: Ask God to protect you from self-inflicted danger.
Daring God … is not a good thing to do.
Have you ever purposely done stupid things?
Have you ever gotten yourself into trouble and prayed, “God you’ve got to get me out of this one.”
As a Missionary in Bolivia (doing God’s work) I went to check out an anti-American march by the coca growers. Not a smart thing; I lived to tell about it. Did I learn?
During a visit to the Chapare (Cocaine region), first the Bolivian army detained me (took most everything – they left me with about a gallon of gasoline). Next the American DEA stopped me (they took everything else – I got my documents back at the Embassy a few weeks later). Finally the Drug Lords caught up with me; I didn’t have anything left for them, after some harassment, they send me on my way. All day long I was praying, “God, get me out of this mess.”
Could Jesus have thrown himself off the highest point of the temple and expected God to protect him? Of course he could have.
But he didn’t – because he wasn’t thinking about himself – he was thinking about you and me.
Jesus 2 / Satan 0
THE DEVIL’S THRID TRY: Worldly power, authority, prestige, etc.
Most everything looks good from a distance:
During my trip to the DR, everything looked peaceful and tranquil from the airplane. But when you get down to things – there are problems, and troubles, and sickness and sadness. These are things you can’t see from the mountain top.
Satan was trying to mask Jesus’ main reason for coming to the earth – to save us from our sins, to get close to us. We may look OK from a distance – but close up, you can start to see the flaws, the failings, the “undesirableness.” That’s where Jesus needs to be – close up, in relationship with you and with me.
A SHORT CUT
There are five words that almost always get me into trouble: “I know a short cut.”
My daughters would say, “Oh no, not one of Dad’s short-cuts!”
Inevitably I would get lost, it would take longer, and everyone would be upset with me. Why didn’t I learn ….
The Messiah will have all the things Satan was offering … but he must first go through the suffering for our sins. Satan was offering Jesus a short-cut to full messianic authority.
Who is Lord of Lords? Satan wanted that place and the only way he could have it is if he could put Jesus under his domination.
Jesus knew that the only way to being the messiah is to follow the way God laid out for him. There are no true short-cuts.
It reminds me of the passage in Matthew 27:40, where one of the thieves crucified with Jesus said to him, “If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”
I’m sure Jesus was tempted to do that – he could have, but he stayed there for you and for me. When tempted, Jesus thought of us (his mission to save us) and not himself. He is the Son of God, but he didn’t abuse that relationship.
Jesus 3 / Satan 0
What do you think about when you’re tempted? Do you think about yourself or about others? Do you think about the effect your giving in to sin will have on them?
JESUS DIDN’T TRY TO AVOID TEMPTATION, HE MET IT HEAD ON
Every time Jesus was tempted, he went to the Word of God (Bible) for help and direction.
Specifically, Jesus quoted from Deuteronomy 6-8.
These words came to Israel when they were “In the Wilderness.”
Israel received salvation (deliverance from slavery in Egypt) and then was led (40 years) in the wilderness to be tested. There they received the word of the Lord – the Law. They didn’t realize it at the time, but all of this was necessary as preparation for them to go into the Promised Land.
We have God’s promise: 1 Cor 10:13 “And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.”
Satan was testing his sonship – his relationship to the eternal God.
Imagine how hard it must have been for Satan to tempt Jesus. He had to persuade the Son of God to act totally out of character.
And yet it is exactly the same when the Evil One tempts you. He tries to inflict you with a desire to do something utterly contrary to your nature. The real you is Christlike.
From the moment you were born again, Christ took up residence inside you. You took on his goodness, his holy character, his purity of motives, his inexhaustible love. All the sins of your former life are forgiven. Certainly you still commit sins. But, every time you commit that sin, you are acting out of character. Satan will muster all his brainwashing skills to try fooling you into thinking that sinning is your real nature.
Social Workers tell us that rape victims often believe it’s their fault, it affects their self image. Victims of child molestation, often have their self worth affected to where they cannot enter into healthy relationships.
When you give into sin, you will be like a rape victim plagued by a wrong self image. This is more than just unpleasant; keep believing that false self image, and you will end up acting as if it were true. It’s just not you; you’re like Jesus, a child of God (1 John 3:1)
Jesus cleans us from all unrighteousness – and helps us to stay that way.
So do not despise yourself when evil thoughts come to you, or when you find yourself longing to do wrong. It simply means that, like God’s holy Son, and all his saints, you have been spiritually molested. And like the most despicable child molester the, the Evil One tries to make his innocent victim feel guilty for his crime, and for feelings he induces.
It’s only if you cease trying to resist those evil thoughts and urges, that the harassment could touch your purity. And even if you totally gave in, you would have no rational basis for continuing to imagine you are impure, because the instant you return to your Savior with genuine regret, you are again spotless in the eyes of the Holy One.
Are you going through a wilderness period in your life?
Where do you go when you’re tempted?
Go to God / God to God’s word.
It’s the only way to have victory over temptation.
When Temptations come to do things we shouldn’t do – we need to ask God for help.
We need to remember: “I can do all things through Christ, who gives me the strength.” (Phil 4:13) “Greater is the one who is in you, than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)
Our wilderness experiences are to help us draw closer to God.
Temptations come in a wide variety of choices.
Even pastors can’t escape temptation. This week I had a touch of the flu, and stayed home. I was already feeling bad, so I decided to work on my income taxes. There’s a lot of temptations (falsely) increase my deductions, misrepresent my income, lower my tax liability – “so I could give more to the church.”
Jesus said, “Give unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s”
Have you seen the commercial for a TV game show that asks a contestant, “Would you cheat on your wife if you knew she would never find out about it?”
Are they still temptations if no one knows about it? Is it still sin if no one finds out?
I remember Carnival (Mardi Gras) in Latin America – a time of debauchery, giving in to every sinful desire, wild celebration … leading to Ash Wednesday – penance, forgiveness, a chaste life. This ushers in Lent (a time of showing devotion to God by “giving up” stuff we like).
Is it possible to enter lent without going through Carnival?
After a strong sermon on sin, a parishioner told their pastor, “I didn’t know what sin was until you came.”
For Jesus, a time of temptation came just after his baptism.
Jesus’ baptism was a “high point” for him, a mountain top experience.
The heavens opened, the Holy Spirit descended.
There was a voice from heaven, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
Wow, what an experience … then God leads him into the wilderness.
When we enter the Christian life – we are not immune to problems.
The scripture tells us: We have a Savior who was tempted as we are (Hebrews 4:15), yet without sin.
During my recent trip to the Dominican Republic I tried to visit with two pastors. These were friends, I had helped disciple, who had “given in to fleshly desires” according to others. They were no longer in ministry, not in church, far from God – this was hard for me to take. They wouldn’t even see me. Giving in to temptation can bring separation; separation from God is the worst.
Today’s scripture passage is a bit troubling – the Spirit of God led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil (Mt. 4:1). Why would God do that?
The commitment of Baptism (to cast away sins, and follow Jesus) is often followed by testing. How firm is our commitment to Christ?
Jesus taught us to ask God: “Lead us not into temptation.”
That’s our desire – but when it comes – we need to be ready.
Satan was testing Jesus’ “sonship” – his relationship to the eternal God.
Imagine how hard it must have been for Satan to tempt Jesus. He had to tempt the Son of God to act totally out of character.
THE DEVIL’S FIRST TRY: Turn the stone into bread.
Physical hunger is a terrible thing. Have you looked at commercials and adds for “Food for the Hungry” or “Feed the Children” or “World Vision;” They’re difficult to watch.
Satan knew … “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.”
Israel was tested in the wilderness. They said, “We had it better in Egypt. There was all sort of food to eat; even though we were slaves, we were never hungry.”
Could Jesus have turned the stone into bread? Of course he could have.
But he didn’t – because he wasn’t thinking about himself – he was thinking about you and me.
Jesus reply to Satan came from Deuteronomy 8:3, “God’s word is more satisfying than any food we can have.” It’s better to be hungry and spiritually whole than have a full stomach and be spiritually empty.
Jesus 1 / Satan 0
THE DEVIL’S SECOND TRY: Ask God to protect you from self-inflicted danger.
Daring God … is not a good thing to do.
Have you ever purposely done stupid things?
Have you ever gotten yourself into trouble and prayed, “God you’ve got to get me out of this one.”
As a Missionary in Bolivia (doing God’s work) I went to check out an anti-American march by the coca growers. Not a smart thing; I lived to tell about it. Did I learn?
During a visit to the Chapare (Cocaine region), first the Bolivian army detained me (took most everything – they left me with about a gallon of gasoline). Next the American DEA stopped me (they took everything else – I got my documents back at the Embassy a few weeks later). Finally the Drug Lords caught up with me; I didn’t have anything left for them, after some harassment, they send me on my way. All day long I was praying, “God, get me out of this mess.”
Could Jesus have thrown himself off the highest point of the temple and expected God to protect him? Of course he could have.
But he didn’t – because he wasn’t thinking about himself – he was thinking about you and me.
Jesus 2 / Satan 0
THE DEVIL’S THRID TRY: Worldly power, authority, prestige, etc.
Most everything looks good from a distance:
During my trip to the DR, everything looked peaceful and tranquil from the airplane. But when you get down to things – there are problems, and troubles, and sickness and sadness. These are things you can’t see from the mountain top.
Satan was trying to mask Jesus’ main reason for coming to the earth – to save us from our sins, to get close to us. We may look OK from a distance – but close up, you can start to see the flaws, the failings, the “undesirableness.” That’s where Jesus needs to be – close up, in relationship with you and with me.
A SHORT CUT
There are five words that almost always get me into trouble: “I know a short cut.”
My daughters would say, “Oh no, not one of Dad’s short-cuts!”
Inevitably I would get lost, it would take longer, and everyone would be upset with me. Why didn’t I learn ….
The Messiah will have all the things Satan was offering … but he must first go through the suffering for our sins. Satan was offering Jesus a short-cut to full messianic authority.
Who is Lord of Lords? Satan wanted that place and the only way he could have it is if he could put Jesus under his domination.
Jesus knew that the only way to being the messiah is to follow the way God laid out for him. There are no true short-cuts.
It reminds me of the passage in Matthew 27:40, where one of the thieves crucified with Jesus said to him, “If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”
I’m sure Jesus was tempted to do that – he could have, but he stayed there for you and for me. When tempted, Jesus thought of us (his mission to save us) and not himself. He is the Son of God, but he didn’t abuse that relationship.
Jesus 3 / Satan 0
What do you think about when you’re tempted? Do you think about yourself or about others? Do you think about the effect your giving in to sin will have on them?
JESUS DIDN’T TRY TO AVOID TEMPTATION, HE MET IT HEAD ON
Every time Jesus was tempted, he went to the Word of God (Bible) for help and direction.
Specifically, Jesus quoted from Deuteronomy 6-8.
These words came to Israel when they were “In the Wilderness.”
Israel received salvation (deliverance from slavery in Egypt) and then was led (40 years) in the wilderness to be tested. There they received the word of the Lord – the Law. They didn’t realize it at the time, but all of this was necessary as preparation for them to go into the Promised Land.
We have God’s promise: 1 Cor 10:13 “And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.”
Satan was testing his sonship – his relationship to the eternal God.
Imagine how hard it must have been for Satan to tempt Jesus. He had to persuade the Son of God to act totally out of character.
And yet it is exactly the same when the Evil One tempts you. He tries to inflict you with a desire to do something utterly contrary to your nature. The real you is Christlike.
From the moment you were born again, Christ took up residence inside you. You took on his goodness, his holy character, his purity of motives, his inexhaustible love. All the sins of your former life are forgiven. Certainly you still commit sins. But, every time you commit that sin, you are acting out of character. Satan will muster all his brainwashing skills to try fooling you into thinking that sinning is your real nature.
Social Workers tell us that rape victims often believe it’s their fault, it affects their self image. Victims of child molestation, often have their self worth affected to where they cannot enter into healthy relationships.
When you give into sin, you will be like a rape victim plagued by a wrong self image. This is more than just unpleasant; keep believing that false self image, and you will end up acting as if it were true. It’s just not you; you’re like Jesus, a child of God (1 John 3:1)
Jesus cleans us from all unrighteousness – and helps us to stay that way.
So do not despise yourself when evil thoughts come to you, or when you find yourself longing to do wrong. It simply means that, like God’s holy Son, and all his saints, you have been spiritually molested. And like the most despicable child molester the, the Evil One tries to make his innocent victim feel guilty for his crime, and for feelings he induces.
It’s only if you cease trying to resist those evil thoughts and urges, that the harassment could touch your purity. And even if you totally gave in, you would have no rational basis for continuing to imagine you are impure, because the instant you return to your Savior with genuine regret, you are again spotless in the eyes of the Holy One.
Are you going through a wilderness period in your life?
Where do you go when you’re tempted?
Go to God / God to God’s word.
It’s the only way to have victory over temptation.
When Temptations come to do things we shouldn’t do – we need to ask God for help.
We need to remember: “I can do all things through Christ, who gives me the strength.” (Phil 4:13) “Greater is the one who is in you, than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)
Our wilderness experiences are to help us draw closer to God.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Sermon Synopsis for January 13 2007
“My Grace Is Sufficient” 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Maybe you’ve heard …
A college recruiter interviewed a high school basketball star. The recruiter said, "I hear you're pretty good." "The best there is," the player replied. "I averaged 45 points per game. I was the best rebounder in my high school. And I led our team to 3 undefeated seasons and 3 state championships." "That's incredible," said the recruiter. "Tell me," he said, "Do you have any weaknesses?" "Well," said the youngster sheepishly, "I do have a tendency to exaggerate."
We all have weaknesses. None of us are perfect.
That may be a difficult thing for some of us to admit. For example, 90% of men rank themselves above average in athletic ability. Men sometimes exaggerate. Some of us are “a legend in our own mind.” We all have our weaknesses.
Maybe these aren’t so bad.
JESUS’ PERSPECTIVE
Jesus often talked about changing the way we look at things, about turning things upside down: the first will be last, the mountains will be made low, the valleys brought up, the mighty will be humbled and the humbled exalted, etc. Today we hear from the Apostle Paul – “I am strong when I am weak.”
Today’s passage of scripture comes from the Apostle Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians. Paul struggled with the Christian life. He was open about his struggles and his short comings.
PAUL WRITES A SECOND LETTER TO THE CHURCH IN CORINTH
Now, as he writes this letter, Paul is trying to help the Corinthians grow in the faith. But they’re resisting. They’re questioning Paul’s power and authority. Paul’s letters may be bold, some say, but when you actually see him, he’s of no account (2 Corinthians 10:10). So, to get through to these people, Paul is forced to boast of his qualifications as an apostle, even though he realizes that when he does he sounds like a madman (verse 11:23). I’m a Hebrew, I’m an Israelite, I’ve been persecuted, Paul tells them (verses 11:21-26). He has a long list of credentials, but his greatest is this: in Paul’s own personal weakness he has the power of Jesus Christ.
Why does Paul spend so much time developing that idea? Why do the Corinthian Christians need to hear that message? Well, it seems the Corinthians fancied themselves as especially strong.
-The Corinthians thought themselves strong in worldly wisdom. (2 Cor. 8-9)
-we have indications that they’re strong in cash.
-As a large, cosmopolitan port city, we know the Corinthians were strong in Mediterranean culture.
-Unfortunately, they were also strong in the flesh (physical aspects) (2 Cor. 12:21).
-They seem to have spent too much time comparing themselves to other people rather than to God’s holiness (2 Cor. 10:17),
-and they were plagued by the presence of “super-apostles” teaching a different gospel (2 Cor. 11-12). Maybe these super-apostles were attracted to a church in a wealthy and metropolitan place.
How did Paul deal with these problems? He talks about the little flaw that makes a big difference, The little problem that causes him to question everything. He lets the Corinthians know that true Christian strength comes through weakness, because in our weakness we learn to depend on God.
WHAT ARE OUR WEAKNESSES?
Some of our weaknesses are physical, some are mental, and some are moral. Some of those weaknesses have to do with our work, some with our family life, and some with our relationship with Christ. Some of us, for example, have short tempers, others of us lack diplomacy. Some of us are too proud, others of us lack back-bone. Nobody’s perfect. Maybe that is just as well. It’s easier to be in a group of imperfect people. The perfect person has to keep up his reputation; I wouldn’t want it.
HOW DID THE APOSTLE PAUL HANDLE HIS WEAKNESS?
The Apostle Paul had his weaknesses. One in particular caused him much heartache. We don't know for certain what it was. He called it his "thorn in the flesh." Some have suggested that Paul suffered from epileptic seizures. If so, he was in good company. Two of the most powerful men who ever lived-- Julius Caesar and Napoleon--were epileptics, as have been many other great individuals. In Paul's day there was no Dilantin or Phenobarbital to control seizures. If that was his thorn, he was stuck with it.
Paul prayed that God would deliver him from his affliction. Three times he beseeched God about this matter, but God's answer to him was, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." In other words, God seemed to be saying to Paul, "Trust me, Paul. I will take care of you. But I can use your weakness to demonstrate my power."
IT’S OK TO HAVE A WEAKNESS
We can learn from Paul's experience. Paul not only learned to accept his thorn, he even began to boast about his weakness in order to show the power of Christ. Our weakness can become our strength as well. Some of us may even learn to rejoice that we are not perfect. And when we are not perfect – Jesus tells us – God’s GRACE is sufficient.
Jesus told Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
WHAT IS GRACE?
I remember the song: Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord, and it left him high and dry.
Grace is the free and undeserved favor of God; mercy, clemency, unmerited love,
Mark Twain said, “Heaven goes by favor. If it went by merit, you would stay out, and your dog would go in.”
Sometimes a financial institution gives you a grace period. “You don’t have to pay”
As Christians we are saved by grace and we should live by grace. We are people of grace.
People don’t always live up to the name. People are always going to come up short of our expectations.
The church also communicates ungrace through its lack of unity.
“Mark Twain used to say that he put a cat and a dog in a cage together as an experiment, to see if they could get along. They did, so he put in a bird, pig and goat. They, too, got along fine after a few adjustments. Then he put a Baptist, Presbyterian, and Catholic; soon there was not a living thing.” (Yancy, What’s So Amazing About Grace, p. 33)
WEAKNESS CAN BE A HELPFUL SIGN
Sometimes what seems a weakness is only a signal that we are pursuing the wrong trail. One of the most revealing lines in literature appears in the opening paragraph of A. A. Milne's WINNIE-THE-POOH: "Here is Edward Bear coming downstairs now, bump, bump, bump, on the back of his head, behind Christopher Robin. It is, as far as he knows, the only way of coming downstairs, but sometimes he feels that there really is another way...if only he could stop bumping for a moment and think of it!"
If you keep bumping your head coming down the stairs, maybe it is time you stop for a moment and think if there is another way it might be done. Sometimes our so-called weaknesses are simply warning signs to us that we are on the wrong road.
I remember some of my weakest moments (there are many):
These were times when I felt completely helpless.
Food poisoning in Bolivia left me unconscious for 3 days.
Dengue fever almost killed me.
Typhoid wasn’t a pretty experience.
Once my Landcruiser broke down in middle of nowhere in Southern Bolivia.
I said, “God, you have to take over now.” I should have prayed that sooner.
God can act in the midst of these situations – we need to trust God.
OUR WEAKNESSES CAN HELP US LEAN ON GOD FOR HELP
I can just hear the Apostle Paul boasting, can't you? "Look at me," he would say, "I once persecuted the church. Look at me, a man who has to battle this humiliating affliction- -this thorn in the flesh. Yet Christ has used me to plant churches all over the known world." Paul was a man of tremendous intellect. He was also a man of unquestionable persuasive powers.
Perhaps if it had not been for his thorn in the flesh, he would have leaned upon his own ability rather than the power of God working through him. And you and I would never have heard the name of Paul.
His weakness became his strength.
His scar became a star.
His hurt became a halo.
And the same thing can happen to us …
… if our weakness helps us to grow,
… if our weakness makes us more determined to succeed,
… if our weakness causes us to try new things,
… and if our weakness causes us to rely on God.
Paul said, “For when I am weak, I am strong”Jesus said, “My power is made perfect in weakness”
AN EXAMPLE
Bani is a bus stop on the road from Santo Domingo to Haiti in the Dominican Republic.
Alexis is a young person in the church in Bani. He witnessed to Bingo (a.k.a. Elvis, a drug trafficker) who witnessed to his fellow (former) gang members.
On evening during a prayer meeting there was a shoot-out on church steps – one dead.
Bingo told us, “That should have been me.”
Bingo, with no gun, no guards, went alone, vulnerable – to speak to the killers about Jesus.
He told them that the guy that died didn’t deserve it, Bingo deserved it.
He told them about Jesus who died when he didn’t deserve it – so that we all might live.
He told them that Jesus died in his place – and for them – and they deserved to know it.
That’s Grace in Action.
Jesus said, “My power is made perfect in weakness”
A STORY
Maybe you’ve heard the story about the church visitors. (This would never happen at Maple Grove)
One day, a man went to visit a church. He got there early, parked his car, and got out. Another car pulled up, and the driver got out and said, “I always park there! You took my place!"
The visitor went inside for Sunday School, found an empty seat and sat down. A young lady from the church approached him and stated, "That's my seat! You took my place!" The visitor was somewhat distressed by this rude welcome, but said nothing.
After Sunday School, the visitor went into the sanctuary and sat down. Another member walked up to him and said, "That's where I always sit! You took my place!" The visitor was even more troubled by this treatment, but still He said nothing.
Later as the congregation was praying for Christ to dwell among them, the visitor stood up, and his appearance began to change. Horrible scars became visible on his hands and on his sandaled feet. Someone from the congregation noticed him and called out, "What happened to you?" The visitor replied, as his hat became a crown of thorns, and a tear fell from his eye, “I took your place.”
Grace is Jesus taking our place when we deserved to be there.
That’s all there is to it, it’s enough.
Jesus tells us, “My Grace is Sufficient for you.”
Maybe you’ve heard …
A college recruiter interviewed a high school basketball star. The recruiter said, "I hear you're pretty good." "The best there is," the player replied. "I averaged 45 points per game. I was the best rebounder in my high school. And I led our team to 3 undefeated seasons and 3 state championships." "That's incredible," said the recruiter. "Tell me," he said, "Do you have any weaknesses?" "Well," said the youngster sheepishly, "I do have a tendency to exaggerate."
We all have weaknesses. None of us are perfect.
That may be a difficult thing for some of us to admit. For example, 90% of men rank themselves above average in athletic ability. Men sometimes exaggerate. Some of us are “a legend in our own mind.” We all have our weaknesses.
Maybe these aren’t so bad.
JESUS’ PERSPECTIVE
Jesus often talked about changing the way we look at things, about turning things upside down: the first will be last, the mountains will be made low, the valleys brought up, the mighty will be humbled and the humbled exalted, etc. Today we hear from the Apostle Paul – “I am strong when I am weak.”
Today’s passage of scripture comes from the Apostle Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians. Paul struggled with the Christian life. He was open about his struggles and his short comings.
PAUL WRITES A SECOND LETTER TO THE CHURCH IN CORINTH
Now, as he writes this letter, Paul is trying to help the Corinthians grow in the faith. But they’re resisting. They’re questioning Paul’s power and authority. Paul’s letters may be bold, some say, but when you actually see him, he’s of no account (2 Corinthians 10:10). So, to get through to these people, Paul is forced to boast of his qualifications as an apostle, even though he realizes that when he does he sounds like a madman (verse 11:23). I’m a Hebrew, I’m an Israelite, I’ve been persecuted, Paul tells them (verses 11:21-26). He has a long list of credentials, but his greatest is this: in Paul’s own personal weakness he has the power of Jesus Christ.
Why does Paul spend so much time developing that idea? Why do the Corinthian Christians need to hear that message? Well, it seems the Corinthians fancied themselves as especially strong.
-The Corinthians thought themselves strong in worldly wisdom. (2 Cor. 8-9)
-we have indications that they’re strong in cash.
-As a large, cosmopolitan port city, we know the Corinthians were strong in Mediterranean culture.
-Unfortunately, they were also strong in the flesh (physical aspects) (2 Cor. 12:21).
-They seem to have spent too much time comparing themselves to other people rather than to God’s holiness (2 Cor. 10:17),
-and they were plagued by the presence of “super-apostles” teaching a different gospel (2 Cor. 11-12). Maybe these super-apostles were attracted to a church in a wealthy and metropolitan place.
How did Paul deal with these problems? He talks about the little flaw that makes a big difference, The little problem that causes him to question everything. He lets the Corinthians know that true Christian strength comes through weakness, because in our weakness we learn to depend on God.
WHAT ARE OUR WEAKNESSES?
Some of our weaknesses are physical, some are mental, and some are moral. Some of those weaknesses have to do with our work, some with our family life, and some with our relationship with Christ. Some of us, for example, have short tempers, others of us lack diplomacy. Some of us are too proud, others of us lack back-bone. Nobody’s perfect. Maybe that is just as well. It’s easier to be in a group of imperfect people. The perfect person has to keep up his reputation; I wouldn’t want it.
HOW DID THE APOSTLE PAUL HANDLE HIS WEAKNESS?
The Apostle Paul had his weaknesses. One in particular caused him much heartache. We don't know for certain what it was. He called it his "thorn in the flesh." Some have suggested that Paul suffered from epileptic seizures. If so, he was in good company. Two of the most powerful men who ever lived-- Julius Caesar and Napoleon--were epileptics, as have been many other great individuals. In Paul's day there was no Dilantin or Phenobarbital to control seizures. If that was his thorn, he was stuck with it.
Paul prayed that God would deliver him from his affliction. Three times he beseeched God about this matter, but God's answer to him was, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." In other words, God seemed to be saying to Paul, "Trust me, Paul. I will take care of you. But I can use your weakness to demonstrate my power."
IT’S OK TO HAVE A WEAKNESS
We can learn from Paul's experience. Paul not only learned to accept his thorn, he even began to boast about his weakness in order to show the power of Christ. Our weakness can become our strength as well. Some of us may even learn to rejoice that we are not perfect. And when we are not perfect – Jesus tells us – God’s GRACE is sufficient.
Jesus told Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
WHAT IS GRACE?
I remember the song: Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord, and it left him high and dry.
Grace is the free and undeserved favor of God; mercy, clemency, unmerited love,
Mark Twain said, “Heaven goes by favor. If it went by merit, you would stay out, and your dog would go in.”
Sometimes a financial institution gives you a grace period. “You don’t have to pay”
As Christians we are saved by grace and we should live by grace. We are people of grace.
People don’t always live up to the name. People are always going to come up short of our expectations.
The church also communicates ungrace through its lack of unity.
“Mark Twain used to say that he put a cat and a dog in a cage together as an experiment, to see if they could get along. They did, so he put in a bird, pig and goat. They, too, got along fine after a few adjustments. Then he put a Baptist, Presbyterian, and Catholic; soon there was not a living thing.” (Yancy, What’s So Amazing About Grace, p. 33)
WEAKNESS CAN BE A HELPFUL SIGN
Sometimes what seems a weakness is only a signal that we are pursuing the wrong trail. One of the most revealing lines in literature appears in the opening paragraph of A. A. Milne's WINNIE-THE-POOH: "Here is Edward Bear coming downstairs now, bump, bump, bump, on the back of his head, behind Christopher Robin. It is, as far as he knows, the only way of coming downstairs, but sometimes he feels that there really is another way...if only he could stop bumping for a moment and think of it!"
If you keep bumping your head coming down the stairs, maybe it is time you stop for a moment and think if there is another way it might be done. Sometimes our so-called weaknesses are simply warning signs to us that we are on the wrong road.
I remember some of my weakest moments (there are many):
These were times when I felt completely helpless.
Food poisoning in Bolivia left me unconscious for 3 days.
Dengue fever almost killed me.
Typhoid wasn’t a pretty experience.
Once my Landcruiser broke down in middle of nowhere in Southern Bolivia.
I said, “God, you have to take over now.” I should have prayed that sooner.
God can act in the midst of these situations – we need to trust God.
OUR WEAKNESSES CAN HELP US LEAN ON GOD FOR HELP
I can just hear the Apostle Paul boasting, can't you? "Look at me," he would say, "I once persecuted the church. Look at me, a man who has to battle this humiliating affliction- -this thorn in the flesh. Yet Christ has used me to plant churches all over the known world." Paul was a man of tremendous intellect. He was also a man of unquestionable persuasive powers.
Perhaps if it had not been for his thorn in the flesh, he would have leaned upon his own ability rather than the power of God working through him. And you and I would never have heard the name of Paul.
His weakness became his strength.
His scar became a star.
His hurt became a halo.
And the same thing can happen to us …
… if our weakness helps us to grow,
… if our weakness makes us more determined to succeed,
… if our weakness causes us to try new things,
… and if our weakness causes us to rely on God.
Paul said, “For when I am weak, I am strong”Jesus said, “My power is made perfect in weakness”
AN EXAMPLE
Bani is a bus stop on the road from Santo Domingo to Haiti in the Dominican Republic.
Alexis is a young person in the church in Bani. He witnessed to Bingo (a.k.a. Elvis, a drug trafficker) who witnessed to his fellow (former) gang members.
On evening during a prayer meeting there was a shoot-out on church steps – one dead.
Bingo told us, “That should have been me.”
Bingo, with no gun, no guards, went alone, vulnerable – to speak to the killers about Jesus.
He told them that the guy that died didn’t deserve it, Bingo deserved it.
He told them about Jesus who died when he didn’t deserve it – so that we all might live.
He told them that Jesus died in his place – and for them – and they deserved to know it.
That’s Grace in Action.
Jesus said, “My power is made perfect in weakness”
A STORY
Maybe you’ve heard the story about the church visitors. (This would never happen at Maple Grove)
One day, a man went to visit a church. He got there early, parked his car, and got out. Another car pulled up, and the driver got out and said, “I always park there! You took my place!"
The visitor went inside for Sunday School, found an empty seat and sat down. A young lady from the church approached him and stated, "That's my seat! You took my place!" The visitor was somewhat distressed by this rude welcome, but said nothing.
After Sunday School, the visitor went into the sanctuary and sat down. Another member walked up to him and said, "That's where I always sit! You took my place!" The visitor was even more troubled by this treatment, but still He said nothing.
Later as the congregation was praying for Christ to dwell among them, the visitor stood up, and his appearance began to change. Horrible scars became visible on his hands and on his sandaled feet. Someone from the congregation noticed him and called out, "What happened to you?" The visitor replied, as his hat became a crown of thorns, and a tear fell from his eye, “I took your place.”
Grace is Jesus taking our place when we deserved to be there.
That’s all there is to it, it’s enough.
Jesus tells us, “My Grace is Sufficient for you.”
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Sermon synopsis for January 6, 2008
“Heavenly Lights” Isaiah 60:1-6; Matthew 2:1-23
Today is Kings Day (Epiphany). The three kings are known as the most famous trio to attend a baby shower. They brought expensive gifts too.
Do know what would have happened if they had been three wise WOMEN instead of men?
They would have asked for directions, arrived on time, helped deliver the baby, cleaned the stable, made a casserole, and brought disposable diapers (practical items) as gifts!
I asked the children how the wise men know where to look for Jesus?
Of course, it was the star.
The star reminds us …
… that God is in control of the universe.
… that God wants everyone to know about Jesus
… that God uses lights to be bring people to Jesus.
I reminded them that God wants us to be lights to bring people to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14: “You are the light of the world.”
Ephesians 5:8: “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.”
WHO WERE THE WISE MEN?
The wise men weren’t really kings.
Magi, or Wise Men, were more interested in science, astronomy & astrology than in politics. They were: foreigners, pagans (not believers in God), wealthy and most likely backed by their government.
They appeared on the scene about 2 years after Jesus was born. Most likely they brought with them a large caravan of camels and equipment for a long journey. Most notably they brought troubling news to the Jewish government, specifically to Herod, King of the Jews.
THE PROPHET SAID THEY WOULD COME
About 700 years before Jesus was born, the prophet Isaiah had a message from God to God’s people.
It was a difficult time. Syria (King Rezin) and Israel (King Pekah) attacked Jerusalem, Capital of Judah. Judah entered into a pact with Assyria (King Tiglath-Pileser III), Israel was conquered, destroyed and the people deported to be assimilated into other lands. Judah was betrayed and became a vassal state of Assyria. Isaiah told king Hezekiah of Judah that trusting in Assyria rather than God wasn’t a good idea and that when Assyria was conquered (all powerful nations are eventually conquered by others), by Babylonia, Jerusalem would be conquered as well. A dismal message … because people trusted in political alliances and earthly kings rather than trusting in God.
Isaiah was a prophet of hope. When things looked their darkest, God gave him a message that God was going to do great things, and that the people shouldn’t give up hope.
In Isaiah’s time, foreigners were coming to conquer and destroy.
Isaiah sees a time when God will bring foreigners to bless and build.
Isaiah was speaking of the wise men, and more generally of all the gentiles (non Jews) who would come to Jesus.
THE STORY
Today’s story is found in Matthew chapter 2.
Members of the congregation helped bring the scripture passage alive. They acted out the different parts and interacted with each other.
There was the Holy Family (Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus) who had lived in Bethlehem for about 2 years. Joseph probably found odd jobs. Maybe they even thought about settling down there. They had presented Jesus at the Temple, which was only about 5 miles away.
There was the angel who spoke to Mary and Joseph on various occasions. In this story he told them to go to Egypt and then, a few years later, to go to Nazareth.
There were the Magi. They came bearing gifts. The looked for the recently born King of the Jews in the logical place – Jerusalem, in the palace of the king.
King Herod was getting along in years, probably worried about his legacy. And who would carry-on his policies. He’d built one of the largest and most impressive temples in the Roman Empire – the temple in Jerusalem, many times larger and much more impressive than the temple built when the Jews returned from Babylon. He used slave labor and high taxes to make Israel into one of the places to be in the Roman Empire. He moved a mountain just 2 miles south of Bethlehem to build it into a fortress that a place to retreat when he was under attach and also as his burial place. You could see Herodian, his fortress, from Bethlehem.
There were the Chief Priests and the Teachers of the Law. These were people firmly based in the Bible, who advised Herod correctly about the prophecy. They were also fiercely loyal to Herod; he had built them a wonderful temple and put an emphasis on religious things.
There were the citizens of Jerusalem. For the most part, they liked Herod and appreciated all the public works and improvements he brought to the city. Herod put their city on the map!
Of course, there is the Star of the story, … the star. It was some sort of natural phenomenon that pushed the wise men to seek for Jesus and eventually led them to Bethlehem.
WHAT DID WE LEARN
Even when it appears that things are going wrong …
God is in Control
Herod (King of God’s people – irony noted) wanted to manipulate history. When God wants to do something – nobody can stop it. Herod, who made a major remodeling of the Temple in Jerusalem, is the same one who ordered the slaughter of all the boy babies in the Bethlehem area.
The story calls us to be in tune with God …
In the story we find people who were …
In tune with God:
Mary / Joseph
Wise men
Herod’s Advisors
In the story we find people who were ...
Not in tune with God:
Herod (the one with the apparent power)
A QUESTION FOR US
How can we be people who are in tune with God?
1. By watching for God – God’s signs (natural and supernatural)
Isaiah 55:6 “Seek the Lord while he may be found.”
Romans 1:20 “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”
2. By listening for God – God’s message (angel = messenger / Herod’s advisors – the scripture)
Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joint and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
3. By acting on what you have seen and heard.
James 1:22 “Be doers of the word, not hearers only.”
We transform from those who look for the lights and we become lights ourselves.
We become heavenly lights to those who need to find Jesus.
Today is Kings Day (Epiphany). The three kings are known as the most famous trio to attend a baby shower. They brought expensive gifts too.
Do know what would have happened if they had been three wise WOMEN instead of men?
They would have asked for directions, arrived on time, helped deliver the baby, cleaned the stable, made a casserole, and brought disposable diapers (practical items) as gifts!
I asked the children how the wise men know where to look for Jesus?
Of course, it was the star.
The star reminds us …
… that God is in control of the universe.
… that God wants everyone to know about Jesus
… that God uses lights to be bring people to Jesus.
I reminded them that God wants us to be lights to bring people to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14: “You are the light of the world.”
Ephesians 5:8: “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.”
WHO WERE THE WISE MEN?
The wise men weren’t really kings.
Magi, or Wise Men, were more interested in science, astronomy & astrology than in politics. They were: foreigners, pagans (not believers in God), wealthy and most likely backed by their government.
They appeared on the scene about 2 years after Jesus was born. Most likely they brought with them a large caravan of camels and equipment for a long journey. Most notably they brought troubling news to the Jewish government, specifically to Herod, King of the Jews.
THE PROPHET SAID THEY WOULD COME
About 700 years before Jesus was born, the prophet Isaiah had a message from God to God’s people.
It was a difficult time. Syria (King Rezin) and Israel (King Pekah) attacked Jerusalem, Capital of Judah. Judah entered into a pact with Assyria (King Tiglath-Pileser III), Israel was conquered, destroyed and the people deported to be assimilated into other lands. Judah was betrayed and became a vassal state of Assyria. Isaiah told king Hezekiah of Judah that trusting in Assyria rather than God wasn’t a good idea and that when Assyria was conquered (all powerful nations are eventually conquered by others), by Babylonia, Jerusalem would be conquered as well. A dismal message … because people trusted in political alliances and earthly kings rather than trusting in God.
Isaiah was a prophet of hope. When things looked their darkest, God gave him a message that God was going to do great things, and that the people shouldn’t give up hope.
In Isaiah’s time, foreigners were coming to conquer and destroy.
Isaiah sees a time when God will bring foreigners to bless and build.
Isaiah was speaking of the wise men, and more generally of all the gentiles (non Jews) who would come to Jesus.
THE STORY
Today’s story is found in Matthew chapter 2.
Members of the congregation helped bring the scripture passage alive. They acted out the different parts and interacted with each other.
There was the Holy Family (Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus) who had lived in Bethlehem for about 2 years. Joseph probably found odd jobs. Maybe they even thought about settling down there. They had presented Jesus at the Temple, which was only about 5 miles away.
There was the angel who spoke to Mary and Joseph on various occasions. In this story he told them to go to Egypt and then, a few years later, to go to Nazareth.
There were the Magi. They came bearing gifts. The looked for the recently born King of the Jews in the logical place – Jerusalem, in the palace of the king.
King Herod was getting along in years, probably worried about his legacy. And who would carry-on his policies. He’d built one of the largest and most impressive temples in the Roman Empire – the temple in Jerusalem, many times larger and much more impressive than the temple built when the Jews returned from Babylon. He used slave labor and high taxes to make Israel into one of the places to be in the Roman Empire. He moved a mountain just 2 miles south of Bethlehem to build it into a fortress that a place to retreat when he was under attach and also as his burial place. You could see Herodian, his fortress, from Bethlehem.
There were the Chief Priests and the Teachers of the Law. These were people firmly based in the Bible, who advised Herod correctly about the prophecy. They were also fiercely loyal to Herod; he had built them a wonderful temple and put an emphasis on religious things.
There were the citizens of Jerusalem. For the most part, they liked Herod and appreciated all the public works and improvements he brought to the city. Herod put their city on the map!
Of course, there is the Star of the story, … the star. It was some sort of natural phenomenon that pushed the wise men to seek for Jesus and eventually led them to Bethlehem.
WHAT DID WE LEARN
Even when it appears that things are going wrong …
God is in Control
Herod (King of God’s people – irony noted) wanted to manipulate history. When God wants to do something – nobody can stop it. Herod, who made a major remodeling of the Temple in Jerusalem, is the same one who ordered the slaughter of all the boy babies in the Bethlehem area.
The story calls us to be in tune with God …
In the story we find people who were …
In tune with God:
Mary / Joseph
Wise men
Herod’s Advisors
In the story we find people who were ...
Not in tune with God:
Herod (the one with the apparent power)
A QUESTION FOR US
How can we be people who are in tune with God?
1. By watching for God – God’s signs (natural and supernatural)
Isaiah 55:6 “Seek the Lord while he may be found.”
Romans 1:20 “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”
2. By listening for God – God’s message (angel = messenger / Herod’s advisors – the scripture)
Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joint and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
3. By acting on what you have seen and heard.
James 1:22 “Be doers of the word, not hearers only.”
We transform from those who look for the lights and we become lights ourselves.
We become heavenly lights to those who need to find Jesus.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Sermon Synopsis for December 16, 2007
“Rejoice in What God Brings” Isaiah 35:1-10; Matthew 11:2-11
It’s tough to be sad a Christmas time. Lots of people are.
The children told me that getting presents makes them happy. It’s part of the “joy” of Christmas.
The children were sad to learn that many children get no presents for Christmas; many children haven’t even heard about Christmas. They don’t know that Jesus came. That makes me sad.
Elizabeth and John the Baptist visited us on Sunday morning. (Thanks Gwen and Doug.) Elizabeth reminded us that John had the joy of announcing good news to the people – that Christmas (the Messiah) was coming. It’s feels good to make others happy.
John the Baptist proclaimed that the people needed to repent and get ready for Jesus’ coming into the world and into their lives. The Old Testament predicted that John would do that (Isaiah 40:3-5).
Jesus and the New Testament writers often quoted from the Old Testament. There are two books they quote more than any other.
Deuteronomy – calls us to understand God’s liberation from the things that bind us, and teach that the law shows our obedience after our salvation.
Isaiah – shows God’s interaction in the lives of people living the Kingdom of God, and a hope for the future – the coming Christ, the Savior, the one who will change everything – for the good, it will be better. God is going to bring a time when all our problems and difficulties will be over; and God is going to give us hope to keep going while we wait.
After the prophets, there was a long silence from God … more than 400 years … before God sent the messiah.
That’s a lot of waiting; I imagine that people were at the end of hope, near giving up.
And then it started … God’s presence and message was heard again.
It started with two pregnant women – probably cousins – a young girl and an old woman get pregnant … and all of the sudden, everything is different – the world is about to change.
The first pregnancy leads to the birth of John to Elizabeth and Zechariah.
His dad is so happy that he breaks into song (the Adult Sunday School classes studied his singing). John grows up to be a wild man (I imagine he looks kind of like what a guy looks like after he’s been hunting for a week or two).
His message: “Prepare the way of the Lord.” “Get Ready!” “Christmas is coming!”
And what does all his faithfulness to God get him? What is his earthly reward for following God? He’s thrown in prison, caught up in a political struggle and a struggle with the family of Herod, the so-called ‘king of the Jews.”
You see …, Herod the Great had 6 children by 4 women (he’s the one who had the children of the Bethlehem area killed). Herod Antipas was his 4th child and Herod Philip I was his 5th child. Herod Antipas married Philip’s wife Herodias. Philip was Herod’s half brother (Herod the Great was father of both, but Malthace was Herod Antippas’ mother and Cleopatra was Philips mother). John the Baptist criticized Herod for marrying his brother’s wife, Herodias, who stayed married to Philip even though she married Herod. Salome was Herod Antipas’ neice (and step-daughter), daughter of Philip and Herodias; Salome danced for him at Herod’s birthday party and Herod granted her one wish.
John the Baptist lost his head, because of a birthday wish (see Matthew 14:1-12). Being faithful to God got him killed. The Christmas story is full of sadness; it’s tough to be sad at Christmas time.
The second pregnancy leads to the birth of Jesus, son of Mary (and Joseph is what most of the world thought, but God is really the father). That makes Jesus the Son of God. Remember when he was baptized by John? God said, “This is my Son, who makes me happy.”
Well, our Scripture passage (Matthew 11:2-11) takes place when Jesus is starting his ministry and John is in jail. John starts doubting if Jesus is really the one he told everyone was coming. John doubted Christmas. Sad.
John send his people to ask, “Jesus, are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
So here we are … The Christmas story starts with two pregnant women.
We live in a world of pregnant expectation: Here I go with another analogy. As Christians, each of us is like a pregnant woman.
The Christ is here. But he’s in our lives, filling us with hope and joy; we have the glow of an expectant mom (after the time of morning sickness).
The Christ is coming again (and we anxiously wait for the day to arrive).
In the meantime – we live our lives in pregnant expectation.
Do you have that joyful glow?
Joyful in what God has done / joyful in what God has promised.
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
What’s going to make you happy for Christmas? Are you waiting for the advertisement to come in the mail? To be shown on TV?
We get junk mail, see billboards, hear TV & Radio adds, infomercials; everything promises that this thing, or program, or whatever will make you happy. You’ll get what you want … if only you buy.
It’s easy to get caught up in it – a coupon comes in the mail (50% off any item), “Biggest Sale of the Season,” “Nothing says I love you like Jewelry.” Etc. Consumerism drives the USA economy – retail sales is the biggest sector of our economy – Economists tell us if people stop buying, the economy is going to tank. Sad.
In the attack on the twin towers – more than 2000 people, from many countries died.
Part of the response of our government was to encourage the US population to go shopping, make purchases, don’t let this thing stop our economy – buy, buy, buy. Sad.
At Christmas time a boy decided to go over Santa’s head and write to God.
He wrote to explain to God why he should receive a bicycle for Christmas.
He wrote several drafts, explaining why his behavior and attitude merited a bicycle; each ended up in the trash. He just wasn’t good enough or special enough to merit the bike.
Finally he walks to the manger scene in front of a local church and steals the baby Jesus out of the manger.
He writes, “Dear God, if you ever want to see your son again, send me a bicycle.”
Some people think that you can hold the true meaning of Christmas hostage for some presents. It won’t work. Sad.
WHAT’S THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS?
For many, Christmas means giving and receiving gifts. You might say, in jest of course, “I enjoy your presents (not presence) at Christmas, so if you don’t bring any, don’t bother coming.”
For many Christmas is gifts and shopping … January can bring – broken toys and credit card payments.
In the midst of rampant consumerism (our culture) … the Church in 20th century America celebrates the arrival of a baby into a poor family, who flees political persecution, grows up in a poor town, has a following of a few thousand at best, is framed in a corrupt legal system, and condemned to capital punishment as a common criminal. He rises from the dead, and promises to return.
Here we are, the church in the world. It’s material goods vs. Jesus again.
We celebrate the arrival of Jesus … in the midst of rampant consumerism. It’s a tough message to bring.
So … the question remains: What makes you happy? What brings you joy?
For the world, the answer is: “Things.”
For God and his Church: “Jesus brings true joy.”
John the Baptist asks Jesus, “Are you the one?” “Is this what we’ve all been waiting for?”
Jesus replies – indirectly, “here’s what’s happening, you figure it out.”
It’s what Isaiah said would happen when the messiah appears: blind receive sight, lame walk, disease is cured, deaf hear, dead receive life, the poor get good news.
Things are changing; lives are changing. The messiah is beginning to change the old order of things.
GOD BRINGS TRUE JOY TO US
We live in a world of blindness, lameness, disease, deafness, poverty, even death itself – these are not part of God’s eternal plan for us. They’re not what God wants. They’re not part of God’s will.
They exist because we live in a world of darkness – but the message of Christmas is that “a light has come in the darkness.” God is starting to change things.
What better news do you want?
With Jesus in our lives – things change: our lives … and ultimately, the lives of those we come into contact with.
The world we know wants material things for Christmas – these will bring happiness for a short time.
God brings Jesus to the world for Christmas – Jesus brings true happiness and eternal joy.
Has Christmas come for you? Has Jesus come into your life?
What is the evidence of Jesus in your life?
A changed life brings real joy. Do you have the Joy of the Lord in your life?
GOD BRINGS JOY TO OTHERS THROUGH US
Jesus in us bringing change to a world that needs faith, hope and love.
As a church we are involved in all sorts of ministries. Why? God’s joy is gushing out of our life.
The dead are raised – every life you help bring to Christ, is saved from eternal death. The dead are raised to eternal life.
I was reading through some of our old missionary letters. I was reminded of the story of Alfonzo. My wife, Francesca, helped start a ministry in Bolivia that is now known as “Casa de la Amistad” (Friendship House). They ministered to children who lived in prison with their mothers (That’s a long story for another time).
Alfonzo’s Mother was a rough woman, in for drug trafficking among other charges.
Every year “La Casa” holds a Christmas part for the kids (they could come out of the jail). That year, it was a great party. The kids were so excited; they were jumping around, and singing and shouting – pure chaos … pure joy.
Alfonzo (about 13) was especially happy - he’d never had a Christmas gift before. If that wasn’t enough to make him truly happy, he told us that he received the true meaning of Christmas – he accepted Jesus into his heart. It was a happiness (joy) that could never be taken from him.
God wants to bring true joy into your lives this Christmas.
God wants you to bring his message of joy to others this Christmas.
When you have the Joy of Christmas in your life, it bubbles over into the lives of others.
Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
True joy, true happiness is found in relationship with Jesus.
It’s tough to be sad a Christmas time. Lots of people are.
The children told me that getting presents makes them happy. It’s part of the “joy” of Christmas.
The children were sad to learn that many children get no presents for Christmas; many children haven’t even heard about Christmas. They don’t know that Jesus came. That makes me sad.
Elizabeth and John the Baptist visited us on Sunday morning. (Thanks Gwen and Doug.) Elizabeth reminded us that John had the joy of announcing good news to the people – that Christmas (the Messiah) was coming. It’s feels good to make others happy.
John the Baptist proclaimed that the people needed to repent and get ready for Jesus’ coming into the world and into their lives. The Old Testament predicted that John would do that (Isaiah 40:3-5).
Jesus and the New Testament writers often quoted from the Old Testament. There are two books they quote more than any other.
Deuteronomy – calls us to understand God’s liberation from the things that bind us, and teach that the law shows our obedience after our salvation.
Isaiah – shows God’s interaction in the lives of people living the Kingdom of God, and a hope for the future – the coming Christ, the Savior, the one who will change everything – for the good, it will be better. God is going to bring a time when all our problems and difficulties will be over; and God is going to give us hope to keep going while we wait.
After the prophets, there was a long silence from God … more than 400 years … before God sent the messiah.
That’s a lot of waiting; I imagine that people were at the end of hope, near giving up.
And then it started … God’s presence and message was heard again.
It started with two pregnant women – probably cousins – a young girl and an old woman get pregnant … and all of the sudden, everything is different – the world is about to change.
The first pregnancy leads to the birth of John to Elizabeth and Zechariah.
His dad is so happy that he breaks into song (the Adult Sunday School classes studied his singing). John grows up to be a wild man (I imagine he looks kind of like what a guy looks like after he’s been hunting for a week or two).
His message: “Prepare the way of the Lord.” “Get Ready!” “Christmas is coming!”
And what does all his faithfulness to God get him? What is his earthly reward for following God? He’s thrown in prison, caught up in a political struggle and a struggle with the family of Herod, the so-called ‘king of the Jews.”
You see …, Herod the Great had 6 children by 4 women (he’s the one who had the children of the Bethlehem area killed). Herod Antipas was his 4th child and Herod Philip I was his 5th child. Herod Antipas married Philip’s wife Herodias. Philip was Herod’s half brother (Herod the Great was father of both, but Malthace was Herod Antippas’ mother and Cleopatra was Philips mother). John the Baptist criticized Herod for marrying his brother’s wife, Herodias, who stayed married to Philip even though she married Herod. Salome was Herod Antipas’ neice (and step-daughter), daughter of Philip and Herodias; Salome danced for him at Herod’s birthday party and Herod granted her one wish.
John the Baptist lost his head, because of a birthday wish (see Matthew 14:1-12). Being faithful to God got him killed. The Christmas story is full of sadness; it’s tough to be sad at Christmas time.
The second pregnancy leads to the birth of Jesus, son of Mary (and Joseph is what most of the world thought, but God is really the father). That makes Jesus the Son of God. Remember when he was baptized by John? God said, “This is my Son, who makes me happy.”
Well, our Scripture passage (Matthew 11:2-11) takes place when Jesus is starting his ministry and John is in jail. John starts doubting if Jesus is really the one he told everyone was coming. John doubted Christmas. Sad.
John send his people to ask, “Jesus, are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
So here we are … The Christmas story starts with two pregnant women.
We live in a world of pregnant expectation: Here I go with another analogy. As Christians, each of us is like a pregnant woman.
The Christ is here. But he’s in our lives, filling us with hope and joy; we have the glow of an expectant mom (after the time of morning sickness).
The Christ is coming again (and we anxiously wait for the day to arrive).
In the meantime – we live our lives in pregnant expectation.
Do you have that joyful glow?
Joyful in what God has done / joyful in what God has promised.
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
What’s going to make you happy for Christmas? Are you waiting for the advertisement to come in the mail? To be shown on TV?
We get junk mail, see billboards, hear TV & Radio adds, infomercials; everything promises that this thing, or program, or whatever will make you happy. You’ll get what you want … if only you buy.
It’s easy to get caught up in it – a coupon comes in the mail (50% off any item), “Biggest Sale of the Season,” “Nothing says I love you like Jewelry.” Etc. Consumerism drives the USA economy – retail sales is the biggest sector of our economy – Economists tell us if people stop buying, the economy is going to tank. Sad.
In the attack on the twin towers – more than 2000 people, from many countries died.
Part of the response of our government was to encourage the US population to go shopping, make purchases, don’t let this thing stop our economy – buy, buy, buy. Sad.
At Christmas time a boy decided to go over Santa’s head and write to God.
He wrote to explain to God why he should receive a bicycle for Christmas.
He wrote several drafts, explaining why his behavior and attitude merited a bicycle; each ended up in the trash. He just wasn’t good enough or special enough to merit the bike.
Finally he walks to the manger scene in front of a local church and steals the baby Jesus out of the manger.
He writes, “Dear God, if you ever want to see your son again, send me a bicycle.”
Some people think that you can hold the true meaning of Christmas hostage for some presents. It won’t work. Sad.
WHAT’S THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS?
For many, Christmas means giving and receiving gifts. You might say, in jest of course, “I enjoy your presents (not presence) at Christmas, so if you don’t bring any, don’t bother coming.”
For many Christmas is gifts and shopping … January can bring – broken toys and credit card payments.
In the midst of rampant consumerism (our culture) … the Church in 20th century America celebrates the arrival of a baby into a poor family, who flees political persecution, grows up in a poor town, has a following of a few thousand at best, is framed in a corrupt legal system, and condemned to capital punishment as a common criminal. He rises from the dead, and promises to return.
Here we are, the church in the world. It’s material goods vs. Jesus again.
We celebrate the arrival of Jesus … in the midst of rampant consumerism. It’s a tough message to bring.
So … the question remains: What makes you happy? What brings you joy?
For the world, the answer is: “Things.”
For God and his Church: “Jesus brings true joy.”
John the Baptist asks Jesus, “Are you the one?” “Is this what we’ve all been waiting for?”
Jesus replies – indirectly, “here’s what’s happening, you figure it out.”
It’s what Isaiah said would happen when the messiah appears: blind receive sight, lame walk, disease is cured, deaf hear, dead receive life, the poor get good news.
Things are changing; lives are changing. The messiah is beginning to change the old order of things.
GOD BRINGS TRUE JOY TO US
We live in a world of blindness, lameness, disease, deafness, poverty, even death itself – these are not part of God’s eternal plan for us. They’re not what God wants. They’re not part of God’s will.
They exist because we live in a world of darkness – but the message of Christmas is that “a light has come in the darkness.” God is starting to change things.
What better news do you want?
With Jesus in our lives – things change: our lives … and ultimately, the lives of those we come into contact with.
The world we know wants material things for Christmas – these will bring happiness for a short time.
God brings Jesus to the world for Christmas – Jesus brings true happiness and eternal joy.
Has Christmas come for you? Has Jesus come into your life?
What is the evidence of Jesus in your life?
A changed life brings real joy. Do you have the Joy of the Lord in your life?
GOD BRINGS JOY TO OTHERS THROUGH US
Jesus in us bringing change to a world that needs faith, hope and love.
As a church we are involved in all sorts of ministries. Why? God’s joy is gushing out of our life.
The dead are raised – every life you help bring to Christ, is saved from eternal death. The dead are raised to eternal life.
I was reading through some of our old missionary letters. I was reminded of the story of Alfonzo. My wife, Francesca, helped start a ministry in Bolivia that is now known as “Casa de la Amistad” (Friendship House). They ministered to children who lived in prison with their mothers (That’s a long story for another time).
Alfonzo’s Mother was a rough woman, in for drug trafficking among other charges.
Every year “La Casa” holds a Christmas part for the kids (they could come out of the jail). That year, it was a great party. The kids were so excited; they were jumping around, and singing and shouting – pure chaos … pure joy.
Alfonzo (about 13) was especially happy - he’d never had a Christmas gift before. If that wasn’t enough to make him truly happy, he told us that he received the true meaning of Christmas – he accepted Jesus into his heart. It was a happiness (joy) that could never be taken from him.
God wants to bring true joy into your lives this Christmas.
God wants you to bring his message of joy to others this Christmas.
When you have the Joy of Christmas in your life, it bubbles over into the lives of others.
Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
True joy, true happiness is found in relationship with Jesus.
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Sermon Synopsis for December 09, 2007
“Take Heart in God” Isaiah 11:1-10; Romans 15:4-13
Do you ever give up? Did you ever “write-off” someone or something as hopeless?
We had a visit from Isaiah. Isaiah reminds me of the time, when I was in high school, I asked a girl to go out with me. She said, “In your dreams!”
I gave up; it was hopeless. That was a dream that was probably not going to happen.
Isaiah had a dream; God gave it to him. It was about a coming time when God was going to set things straight. The world of Isaiah’s day told him (sarcasm noted), “In your dreams.”
Was it really possible that a beaten down people of God would rise again? Is a world of true peace possible? Isaiah thought so.
About 800 years later, the Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome. They were a mixed bunch of Jews and non-Jews. The thing they had in common was their faith in Jesus. The world around them was a mess; Paul wanted the Christians in Rome to have hope.
Where do we find hope? Where do we look for hope?
God wants us to be people of endurance and encouragement: The OT message was written so that we might have endurance and encouragement.
Romans 15:4 “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”
WE LIVE IN A WORLD FULL OF TROUBLES
There’s plenty of war & conflict – Iraq, Afghanistan, Darfur, Wazirstan (Pakistan), Thailand, Somalia, Palestine/ Israel – just to name a few.
There are natural disasters: earthquakes, tidal waves, fires, hurricanes, etc.
How about Hunger, poverty, sickness (AIDS, Cancer, etc.)
There are Families breaking up; divorce is up; illegitimate child bearing and teenage pregnancy is up this year – first time in 14 years we’re told.
Even Churches have fights, divisions, splits, etc.
Are you depressed yet?
BUT WE ARE A PEOPLE OF HOPE
Isaiah told the people that a day was coming when:
11:1 – There will be a return of God’s Kingdom (A shoot will return out of the stump of Jesse)
A stump is nothing more than the remains of a tree that has been cut down. It’s usually been cut down because you want to get rid of the tree. You need to get the roots out, to keep them from growing.
Once we tried to remove a stump with a quarter stick of dynamite. We had a pretty good hole to fill in. (Kids: don’t try this at home.) The next spring a shoot grew up from a root we missed.
Israel, time and time again, was cut down, but God gave new growth.
Isaiah tells us, that it will not only grow new shoots, but it will grow into a mighty tree, a tree that will bear fruit. Isaiah tells God’s people, “Don’t give up. Take heart! Have hope.” God’s people are a people of hope.
Hope comes through endurance and encouragement.
WE ARE A PEOPLE OF ENDURANCE
For all that the world does to get rid of God and his people, to get rid of Christ and the church, it will never go away.
There is a crèche on the Courthouse lawn in West Chester. It reminds me of the legal battles going on in many communities. In many ways we live in a culture that seeks to rid itself of its Christian heritage.
I don’t care so much about nativity scenes, 10 commandment plaques or even prayer in public meeting. These issues are symptoms of a much deeper crisis that the American culture is experiencing.
I do care about a living and breathing faith in a people who will take Christianity seriously in all aspects of their lives.
We shouldn’t be content to have a crèche scene on the courthouse lawn – we should seek to change this world for Christ. How can we do that?
1. Pray. Real prayer centers on God and God’s will. I had to learn not to think about myself when I prayed. Prayer isn’t self-centered; it’s to be Christ-centered. Maybe I can’t change things, but I can take them to the one who can.
2. Live our lives according to God’s will.
I’ve had a number of interesting counseling situations when I worked for Contact Clinic on Wilshire Blvd in LA. People expected me to change things for them.
I can’t change your life. I can’t make decisions for you. I can’t make you live according to God’s plan for humanity.
I can suggest, I can encourage, I can help. But in the end – you are responsible for your own life, your own decisions.
But I can do something – I can live my life according to God’s will. I can’t change your life – God has to do that, but I can change my own life.
Even if our culture wants to take Christ out of Christmas – I don’t have to, my family doesn’t have to, my church doesn’t have to.
Sometimes we care more about having a nativity scene in the town square, than we do about having our neighbors know that the living Christ has been born into our lives.
Isaiah’s message was that you can cut Christianity down (Jesse Tree), but it will keep going: we are a people of endurance.
Apostle Paul says that this is something the church needs.
Colossians 1:11 “Be strengthened with all power according to His (God’s) glorious might, so that you might have great endurance and patience.”
This old world may seem hopeless, but Take Heart! God is in control. I know this, because he’s in control of my life.
WE ARE A PEOPLE OF ENCOURAGEMENT
Paul said that our attitude should be that of Christ.
How’s that? It’s not condemning, but encouraging.
John 3:17 – “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
Too often we think that it’s our Christian duty to condemn the world. WWJD.
I don’t think you can change the world by force – the history of the world is full of dictators and regimes that have sought to impose a political ideology.
Bolivia is notable in the history books. It’s had more governments than it has had years of existence as a country. One day there were six government changes, a series of coups, and just as one president established himself and started to set up his government, another group came in and conquered them.
Don’t forget our violent Mennonite History (I talked about this before). Jan van Battenburg tried to establish the Kingdom of God in Münster (The Münster Rebellion of 1535) … by force (It was Liberation Theology at its worst). It didn’t last long.
We can bring change in our culture simply by living our faith, by encouragement not by force.
We are a people of endurance, a people of encouragement.
OUR HOPE IS IN THE LORD
Isaiah was either right or part of the lunatic fringe.
Isaiah had a vision, a dream: God will bring a leader that will lead with justice and fairness.
The World told Isaiah, “Get real Isaiah. Welcome to the real world.”
Isaiah had a vision that dangerous animals will live together with defenseless animals (reminiscent of Noah’s Ark – Remember our visit from Mrs. Noah last week!)
Wolfs and lambs mixing together, leopards and goats, lions and calves, cows and bears.
The world responds, “Isaiah, you are out of touch with reality. The world doesn’t function that way.”
Isaiah said that a baby will play where snakes live.
The world responds, “Isaiah, don’t you know about child safety laws?” Nobody is going to send their kids to Isaiah’s preschool!
Isaiah tells us (11:9) that it will be that kind of world because “the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord (as the waters cover the sea).”
In the face of the world – Isaiah is a crazy man.
Why? Because of his faith in the Lord; because of the message that the Lord has given to him.
How about the Christmas story: Mary – pregnant out of wedlock, with a wild story about God making her pregnant …God tells her this will be the savior of the world.
The world responds … “you’re nuts” Christmas is a lot easier when it’s about trees, snow, presents, and Santa.
Near the end of his time on earth, Jesus was gathered with his closest disciples, in an upper room in Jerusalem. There was a lot of political tension; there was a lot of religious tension. He had told them he was going away – he would be killed – they would scatter – they were about to face the worst situation of their lives.
Then he said (John 16:33), “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But Take Heart! I have overcome the world.”
It starts with us – a group of disciples in a world of trouble.
We are a people of endurance in a world of trouble.
We are a people of encouragement in a world of trouble.
We are a people filled with the Spirit of the living God, the one who has overcome the world.
Take Heart! Our Lord Jesus has overcome the world.
We don’t need to try to overcome the world by ourselves; we need to have our lives firmly grounded in the one who has overcome the world.
My wish for you today is the same one that the Apostle Paul had for the church in Rome.
Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Do you ever give up? Did you ever “write-off” someone or something as hopeless?
We had a visit from Isaiah. Isaiah reminds me of the time, when I was in high school, I asked a girl to go out with me. She said, “In your dreams!”
I gave up; it was hopeless. That was a dream that was probably not going to happen.
Isaiah had a dream; God gave it to him. It was about a coming time when God was going to set things straight. The world of Isaiah’s day told him (sarcasm noted), “In your dreams.”
Was it really possible that a beaten down people of God would rise again? Is a world of true peace possible? Isaiah thought so.
About 800 years later, the Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome. They were a mixed bunch of Jews and non-Jews. The thing they had in common was their faith in Jesus. The world around them was a mess; Paul wanted the Christians in Rome to have hope.
Where do we find hope? Where do we look for hope?
God wants us to be people of endurance and encouragement: The OT message was written so that we might have endurance and encouragement.
Romans 15:4 “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”
WE LIVE IN A WORLD FULL OF TROUBLES
There’s plenty of war & conflict – Iraq, Afghanistan, Darfur, Wazirstan (Pakistan), Thailand, Somalia, Palestine/ Israel – just to name a few.
There are natural disasters: earthquakes, tidal waves, fires, hurricanes, etc.
How about Hunger, poverty, sickness (AIDS, Cancer, etc.)
There are Families breaking up; divorce is up; illegitimate child bearing and teenage pregnancy is up this year – first time in 14 years we’re told.
Even Churches have fights, divisions, splits, etc.
Are you depressed yet?
BUT WE ARE A PEOPLE OF HOPE
Isaiah told the people that a day was coming when:
11:1 – There will be a return of God’s Kingdom (A shoot will return out of the stump of Jesse)
A stump is nothing more than the remains of a tree that has been cut down. It’s usually been cut down because you want to get rid of the tree. You need to get the roots out, to keep them from growing.
Once we tried to remove a stump with a quarter stick of dynamite. We had a pretty good hole to fill in. (Kids: don’t try this at home.) The next spring a shoot grew up from a root we missed.
Israel, time and time again, was cut down, but God gave new growth.
Isaiah tells us, that it will not only grow new shoots, but it will grow into a mighty tree, a tree that will bear fruit. Isaiah tells God’s people, “Don’t give up. Take heart! Have hope.” God’s people are a people of hope.
Hope comes through endurance and encouragement.
WE ARE A PEOPLE OF ENDURANCE
For all that the world does to get rid of God and his people, to get rid of Christ and the church, it will never go away.
There is a crèche on the Courthouse lawn in West Chester. It reminds me of the legal battles going on in many communities. In many ways we live in a culture that seeks to rid itself of its Christian heritage.
I don’t care so much about nativity scenes, 10 commandment plaques or even prayer in public meeting. These issues are symptoms of a much deeper crisis that the American culture is experiencing.
I do care about a living and breathing faith in a people who will take Christianity seriously in all aspects of their lives.
We shouldn’t be content to have a crèche scene on the courthouse lawn – we should seek to change this world for Christ. How can we do that?
1. Pray. Real prayer centers on God and God’s will. I had to learn not to think about myself when I prayed. Prayer isn’t self-centered; it’s to be Christ-centered. Maybe I can’t change things, but I can take them to the one who can.
2. Live our lives according to God’s will.
I’ve had a number of interesting counseling situations when I worked for Contact Clinic on Wilshire Blvd in LA. People expected me to change things for them.
I can’t change your life. I can’t make decisions for you. I can’t make you live according to God’s plan for humanity.
I can suggest, I can encourage, I can help. But in the end – you are responsible for your own life, your own decisions.
But I can do something – I can live my life according to God’s will. I can’t change your life – God has to do that, but I can change my own life.
Even if our culture wants to take Christ out of Christmas – I don’t have to, my family doesn’t have to, my church doesn’t have to.
Sometimes we care more about having a nativity scene in the town square, than we do about having our neighbors know that the living Christ has been born into our lives.
Isaiah’s message was that you can cut Christianity down (Jesse Tree), but it will keep going: we are a people of endurance.
Apostle Paul says that this is something the church needs.
Colossians 1:11 “Be strengthened with all power according to His (God’s) glorious might, so that you might have great endurance and patience.”
This old world may seem hopeless, but Take Heart! God is in control. I know this, because he’s in control of my life.
WE ARE A PEOPLE OF ENCOURAGEMENT
Paul said that our attitude should be that of Christ.
How’s that? It’s not condemning, but encouraging.
John 3:17 – “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
Too often we think that it’s our Christian duty to condemn the world. WWJD.
I don’t think you can change the world by force – the history of the world is full of dictators and regimes that have sought to impose a political ideology.
Bolivia is notable in the history books. It’s had more governments than it has had years of existence as a country. One day there were six government changes, a series of coups, and just as one president established himself and started to set up his government, another group came in and conquered them.
Don’t forget our violent Mennonite History (I talked about this before). Jan van Battenburg tried to establish the Kingdom of God in Münster (The Münster Rebellion of 1535) … by force (It was Liberation Theology at its worst). It didn’t last long.
We can bring change in our culture simply by living our faith, by encouragement not by force.
We are a people of endurance, a people of encouragement.
OUR HOPE IS IN THE LORD
Isaiah was either right or part of the lunatic fringe.
Isaiah had a vision, a dream: God will bring a leader that will lead with justice and fairness.
The World told Isaiah, “Get real Isaiah. Welcome to the real world.”
Isaiah had a vision that dangerous animals will live together with defenseless animals (reminiscent of Noah’s Ark – Remember our visit from Mrs. Noah last week!)
Wolfs and lambs mixing together, leopards and goats, lions and calves, cows and bears.
The world responds, “Isaiah, you are out of touch with reality. The world doesn’t function that way.”
Isaiah said that a baby will play where snakes live.
The world responds, “Isaiah, don’t you know about child safety laws?” Nobody is going to send their kids to Isaiah’s preschool!
Isaiah tells us (11:9) that it will be that kind of world because “the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord (as the waters cover the sea).”
In the face of the world – Isaiah is a crazy man.
Why? Because of his faith in the Lord; because of the message that the Lord has given to him.
How about the Christmas story: Mary – pregnant out of wedlock, with a wild story about God making her pregnant …God tells her this will be the savior of the world.
The world responds … “you’re nuts” Christmas is a lot easier when it’s about trees, snow, presents, and Santa.
Near the end of his time on earth, Jesus was gathered with his closest disciples, in an upper room in Jerusalem. There was a lot of political tension; there was a lot of religious tension. He had told them he was going away – he would be killed – they would scatter – they were about to face the worst situation of their lives.
Then he said (John 16:33), “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But Take Heart! I have overcome the world.”
It starts with us – a group of disciples in a world of trouble.
We are a people of endurance in a world of trouble.
We are a people of encouragement in a world of trouble.
We are a people filled with the Spirit of the living God, the one who has overcome the world.
Take Heart! Our Lord Jesus has overcome the world.
We don’t need to try to overcome the world by ourselves; we need to have our lives firmly grounded in the one who has overcome the world.
My wish for you today is the same one that the Apostle Paul had for the church in Rome.
Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Monday, December 3, 2007
Sermon Synopsis for December 02, 2007
“Getting Ready for Christmas” Isaiah 2:1-5; Matthew 24:36-44
“Do not open until Christmas” reads the tag for the wrapped gift I had for the children. They wanted to open it, but were willing (with my insistence) that we should wait. I asked them what they wanted to receive for Christmas. There were plenty of responses that included things I had no idea about what they were.
Sometimes we receive things we really don’t want, but we find that we enjoy them. Just the same, it’s hard to wait.
Mrs. Noah came for a visit. She talked about how God asked them to build an ark, but she wasn’t convinced at first. When everything was over, she was glad that God asked them to do this, but it wasn’t what they wanted at the time.
What do you want for Christmas? Certainly not a flood.
I’m sure you’ve heard the story …
A flood was on its way, forcing everyone to evacuate. The police rowed up to the most pious woman in town and said, "Ma'am, you have to leave this house! People are dying out here!"
The woman replied, "No, I'm not leaving. God has always helped me before, and He will do it again."
So as the water started to rise, she went to the second story of her house. Another boat came by, and the captain yelled, "Ma'am, you have to get on this boat or you're going to drown!"
The woman replied again, "No, God helped me before, and He will do it again."
The water rose even higher. This time she went to the top of the roof, where a helicopter came and hovered overhead. The pilot called into his loudspeaker, "Please climb aboard, ma'am. You are going to drown!"
The women sniffed and again replied, "God is going to save me!"
But the water rose higher, and soon she drowned to death. She went to Heaven, and there she asked God, "Why didn't you save me, O Lord?"
And God replied, "I did help--I sent you two boats and a helicopter!"
Mrs. Noah told us ….
Be ready and wait for God’s word and be listening when God speaks
Jesus told the disciples (Matthew 24:37) “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man …
People were eating, drinking and having weddings – life as normal, but they were (are) caught off guard – they were (are) not ready. Maybe it’s because we are expecting something different?
It’s not always a miraculous thing:
-not a king coming in power to liberate his people
-not headline news
-not a liberating army of angels
Maybe it’s just:
-a troubled pregnancy
-among the working class poor
-from a remote part of the world
-a baby born in a barn in an obscure town
-a grass roots movement with a few thousand followers at best
-an innocent man given the death penalty
-a small group of untrustworthy people who saw a man risen from the dead
It’s not what we expect; it’s not always what we want.
If my plan was to save the world, I’d do it very differently.
But I’ve learned that it’s not my way, but thy way, Oh Lord.
(“Thy way or the highway?”)
God’s ways are often mysteries to us.
Isaiah 55:8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Basically the Scriptures asks us:
Do I want to do things … my way … or … God’s way.
Isaiah had a vision of “the last days.”
It counteracts many of Israel’s ideas about what God wanted to do.
Isaiah 2:2 “all the nations will stream to it.” That is, the Lord’s Temple, which the Apostle Paul tells us is us, the church (1 Corinthians 3:16-17). Salvation is not just for the Jews, everyone is invited to come to the Lord.
Isaiah 2:4 “he will settle disputes for many peoples (nations)” This implies that they will be a people and place that seeks peace for all.
Isaiah 2:4 “they will beat their swords into plowshares … Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.”
Israel tried to be a tremendous war machine. They learned that God doesn’t win by might or power, but by God’s Spirit.
This was a very different vision than the people had. In Isaiah’s day, the godly king Hezekiah heeded God’s word, he had a vision of God’s eternal future, and he was able to defend Judah against the mighty King Sennacherib of Assyria – not with implements of war, but with wisdom from the Lord and trust in the Lord (see 2 Chronicles 29 to 32)
Hezekiah had a decision to make – believe in God’s word or trust the political advisors of his day.
Do we follow Jesus no matter what others say?
Let me tell you a story … a very personal story, and one of the worst times of my life.
12 years ago (November 1995), I was Director of a Seminary in Cochabamba, Bolivia. I was director because of internal strife of different ethnic groups; we had few students. Each year we send the students to “obra práctica” (field education) for 3 months. That year Bolivian missionary Santiago Flores took some of the students to the isolated countryside beyond the mountains south of Cochabamba. They were going up the mountain road from Quillacollo to Morochata in an old short-cabin land cruiser; it was burdened down with people, literature and luggage. In the early afternoon it went over a cliff (more than 500 feet – about a 40 story building). Two of the survivors climbed up the cliff, a truck stopped and took them to Quillacollo where they called me.
We organized a rescue team and went up the mountain. The motor was the largest piece of the vehicle. We recovered the bodies and began the terrible job of notifying the families. The survivors spent a long time in the hospital. I was the one who accepted responsibility for the well being of the students.
The Seminary was in a crisis, and then this happened.
I asked, “God, where are you? Why are you allowing this to happen?”
After the funerals we were faced with a grim future for the seminary. What could we do? No one would want their children or family member to study for ministry; they were a bit superstitious.
Our plan? Pray. (Not very creative)
We prayed; we encouraged other Christians to pray; we visited churches and regions throughout Bolivia to ask them to pray.
Each year we never know how many students will show-up (communication is not always the best). The first week of classes, in mid-February, over 70 new students (much more than we could handle), God responded.
Things didn’t work out like I wanted them to. I was going to turn that Seminary around but I learned that God had to do it.
ARE YOU READY FOR CHRISTMAS
How do you prepare for the Christmas holiday?
Cards? Decorations? Cookies?
Yesterday I took boxes of decorations and wrapping paper out of closet and we began our joyous journey into our annual Christmas celebration.
Matthew 24:42 tell us, “Therefore keep watch;” 24:44 “be ready.”
When God sent Jesus into the world, few were ready, few believed the message, few accepted what God had done.
How about you?
BEING READY FOR CHRISTMAS HAS TO DO WITH RELATIONSHIP
Jesus taught about the last days:
Matthew 24:40-41 “Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.”
Whether you go with Jesus or stay behind depends on your relationship with God.
We need to accept Jesus into our lives; just as God came into the world, he keeps coming into the lives of many people – it’s Christmas all over again.
It also has to do with your relationship with others.
This is the tragic part of the story to me – these aren’t just strangers, these are people we know and love.
Two men in the field – co-workers
Do your co-workers know Jesus?
Two women grinding with a hand mill – probably family, sisters or mother – daughter
Does your family know Jesus?
Are you ready for Christmas?
CONCLUSION
What are we going to choose?
What I want for Christmas? Or
What God wants for me for Christmas?
Jesus said, “Keep watch, be ready.”
We need to humble ourselves
Writer of Chronicles wrote (2 Ch 7:14), “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
We need to trust that God knows better than us.
We can get ready for Christmas by
-being humble as we approach our salvation
-Seeking God and God’s will
-being open to what God wants to say to us
“Do not open until Christmas” reads the tag for the wrapped gift I had for the children. They wanted to open it, but were willing (with my insistence) that we should wait. I asked them what they wanted to receive for Christmas. There were plenty of responses that included things I had no idea about what they were.
Sometimes we receive things we really don’t want, but we find that we enjoy them. Just the same, it’s hard to wait.
Mrs. Noah came for a visit. She talked about how God asked them to build an ark, but she wasn’t convinced at first. When everything was over, she was glad that God asked them to do this, but it wasn’t what they wanted at the time.
What do you want for Christmas? Certainly not a flood.
I’m sure you’ve heard the story …
A flood was on its way, forcing everyone to evacuate. The police rowed up to the most pious woman in town and said, "Ma'am, you have to leave this house! People are dying out here!"
The woman replied, "No, I'm not leaving. God has always helped me before, and He will do it again."
So as the water started to rise, she went to the second story of her house. Another boat came by, and the captain yelled, "Ma'am, you have to get on this boat or you're going to drown!"
The woman replied again, "No, God helped me before, and He will do it again."
The water rose even higher. This time she went to the top of the roof, where a helicopter came and hovered overhead. The pilot called into his loudspeaker, "Please climb aboard, ma'am. You are going to drown!"
The women sniffed and again replied, "God is going to save me!"
But the water rose higher, and soon she drowned to death. She went to Heaven, and there she asked God, "Why didn't you save me, O Lord?"
And God replied, "I did help--I sent you two boats and a helicopter!"
Mrs. Noah told us ….
Be ready and wait for God’s word and be listening when God speaks
Jesus told the disciples (Matthew 24:37) “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man …
People were eating, drinking and having weddings – life as normal, but they were (are) caught off guard – they were (are) not ready. Maybe it’s because we are expecting something different?
It’s not always a miraculous thing:
-not a king coming in power to liberate his people
-not headline news
-not a liberating army of angels
Maybe it’s just:
-a troubled pregnancy
-among the working class poor
-from a remote part of the world
-a baby born in a barn in an obscure town
-a grass roots movement with a few thousand followers at best
-an innocent man given the death penalty
-a small group of untrustworthy people who saw a man risen from the dead
It’s not what we expect; it’s not always what we want.
If my plan was to save the world, I’d do it very differently.
But I’ve learned that it’s not my way, but thy way, Oh Lord.
(“Thy way or the highway?”)
God’s ways are often mysteries to us.
Isaiah 55:8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Basically the Scriptures asks us:
Do I want to do things … my way … or … God’s way.
Isaiah had a vision of “the last days.”
It counteracts many of Israel’s ideas about what God wanted to do.
Isaiah 2:2 “all the nations will stream to it.” That is, the Lord’s Temple, which the Apostle Paul tells us is us, the church (1 Corinthians 3:16-17). Salvation is not just for the Jews, everyone is invited to come to the Lord.
Isaiah 2:4 “he will settle disputes for many peoples (nations)” This implies that they will be a people and place that seeks peace for all.
Isaiah 2:4 “they will beat their swords into plowshares … Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.”
Israel tried to be a tremendous war machine. They learned that God doesn’t win by might or power, but by God’s Spirit.
This was a very different vision than the people had. In Isaiah’s day, the godly king Hezekiah heeded God’s word, he had a vision of God’s eternal future, and he was able to defend Judah against the mighty King Sennacherib of Assyria – not with implements of war, but with wisdom from the Lord and trust in the Lord (see 2 Chronicles 29 to 32)
Hezekiah had a decision to make – believe in God’s word or trust the political advisors of his day.
Do we follow Jesus no matter what others say?
Let me tell you a story … a very personal story, and one of the worst times of my life.
12 years ago (November 1995), I was Director of a Seminary in Cochabamba, Bolivia. I was director because of internal strife of different ethnic groups; we had few students. Each year we send the students to “obra práctica” (field education) for 3 months. That year Bolivian missionary Santiago Flores took some of the students to the isolated countryside beyond the mountains south of Cochabamba. They were going up the mountain road from Quillacollo to Morochata in an old short-cabin land cruiser; it was burdened down with people, literature and luggage. In the early afternoon it went over a cliff (more than 500 feet – about a 40 story building). Two of the survivors climbed up the cliff, a truck stopped and took them to Quillacollo where they called me.
We organized a rescue team and went up the mountain. The motor was the largest piece of the vehicle. We recovered the bodies and began the terrible job of notifying the families. The survivors spent a long time in the hospital. I was the one who accepted responsibility for the well being of the students.
The Seminary was in a crisis, and then this happened.
I asked, “God, where are you? Why are you allowing this to happen?”
After the funerals we were faced with a grim future for the seminary. What could we do? No one would want their children or family member to study for ministry; they were a bit superstitious.
Our plan? Pray. (Not very creative)
We prayed; we encouraged other Christians to pray; we visited churches and regions throughout Bolivia to ask them to pray.
Each year we never know how many students will show-up (communication is not always the best). The first week of classes, in mid-February, over 70 new students (much more than we could handle), God responded.
Things didn’t work out like I wanted them to. I was going to turn that Seminary around but I learned that God had to do it.
ARE YOU READY FOR CHRISTMAS
How do you prepare for the Christmas holiday?
Cards? Decorations? Cookies?
Yesterday I took boxes of decorations and wrapping paper out of closet and we began our joyous journey into our annual Christmas celebration.
Matthew 24:42 tell us, “Therefore keep watch;” 24:44 “be ready.”
When God sent Jesus into the world, few were ready, few believed the message, few accepted what God had done.
How about you?
BEING READY FOR CHRISTMAS HAS TO DO WITH RELATIONSHIP
Jesus taught about the last days:
Matthew 24:40-41 “Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.”
Whether you go with Jesus or stay behind depends on your relationship with God.
We need to accept Jesus into our lives; just as God came into the world, he keeps coming into the lives of many people – it’s Christmas all over again.
It also has to do with your relationship with others.
This is the tragic part of the story to me – these aren’t just strangers, these are people we know and love.
Two men in the field – co-workers
Do your co-workers know Jesus?
Two women grinding with a hand mill – probably family, sisters or mother – daughter
Does your family know Jesus?
Are you ready for Christmas?
CONCLUSION
What are we going to choose?
What I want for Christmas? Or
What God wants for me for Christmas?
Jesus said, “Keep watch, be ready.”
We need to humble ourselves
Writer of Chronicles wrote (2 Ch 7:14), “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
We need to trust that God knows better than us.
We can get ready for Christmas by
-being humble as we approach our salvation
-Seeking God and God’s will
-being open to what God wants to say to us
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