03-22-20 “I am not alone!”

Scripture     John 16:31-33

Two people have mentioned to me how we spent an entire year emphasizing the importance of being at worship. And now look at us – we can’t even invite anyone to come.  However, that is not true and all we need to do is change one word to make that work just as well.  There is an importance of being AT worship but an even greater importance to being IN worship. We are still in worship together here.

Doing all we did to try and increase people’s presence and participation in worship then have this situation take place would be like Jesus teaching and teaching and teaching the disciples about himself and the kingdom of God and them finally getting it and believing in him and then all of a sudden everyone has to be sent away from Jesus to their own homes.

John 16:31-33

You believe at last!" Jesus answered. 32 "But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. 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.

          Here is this crazy dichotomy – we are more isolated and alone across the globe than we have ever been – yet we are also closer together. The world has a common enemy and we don’t care who finds the solution as long as somebody does. As a church, we are quarantined as much as we are able (some people continue in their jobs, but many are stuck at home), yet I am sharing 10 minutes every morning with those who are interested and here we are still gathered in mind and spirit though apart in the body. Praise God for the technology that allows us to do this.

          We are here because we believe Jesus is bigger than the Corona Virus and that Jesus alone brings abundant and eternal life. We believe! That is what Jesus just said, you believe at last!

What is it they believe? Our text is toward the end of the Last Supper Sermon (quite lengthy) and just prior to our text we read; John 16:29-30  Then Jesus' disciples said, "Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. 30 Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God."

          They believe Jesus is from God! Jesus says, FINALLY!!! You believe at last!

Then he goes on to say, Belief is first, but not all will be easy. 32 "But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. Seriously, can you imagine what it would be like to have everyone scattered to their own home? That could never happen. Imagine our current situation with NO technology NO phones NO electricity NO cars NO stores open. Imagine it like that right before Jesus goes to the cross.  He is looking for you, but you are isolated, and scared in your own home. You will leave me all alone. There is good news for Jesus. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.  Why does he tell this to the disciples? I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In other words, don’t beat yourself up, I will be ok – my Father will look after me. When you isolate yourself from me – don’t feel guilty because of what you have done to me. I am ok. When you recognize you have closed yourself off from me, that is when you can begin to receive my peace. It is the fool who doesn’t realize he has neglected me that will have no peace. You realize you have locked me out of your house like a virus you want to keep at arm’s length. It is that recognition that begins the restoration process and in that very moment I want to give you peace knowing that you are opening yourself back up to me.

          In this world you will have (the Corona Virus) trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

The Personnel Journal reported this incredible statistic: since the beginning of recorded history, the entire world has been at peace less than eight percent of the time! In its study, the periodical discovered that of 3530 years of recorded history, only 286 years saw peace. Moreover, in excess of 8000 peace treaties were made—and broken.

Duke University did a study on “peace of mind.” Factors found to contribute greatly to emotional and mental stability are:

1. The absence of suspicion and resentment. Nursing a grudge was a major factor in unhappiness.

2. Not living in the past. An unwholesome preoccupation with old mistakes and failures leads to depression.

3. Not wasting time and energy fighting conditions you cannot change. Cooperate with life, instead of trying to run away from it.

4. Force yourself to stay involved with the living world. Resist the temptation to withdraw and become reclusive during periods of emotional stress.

5. Refuse to indulge in self-pity when life hands you a raw deal. Accept the fact that nobody gets through life without some sorrow and misfortune.

6. Cultivate the old-fashioned virtues—love, humor, compassion and loyalty

7. Do not expect too much of yourself. When there is too wide a gap between self-expectation and your ability to meet the goals you have set, feelings of inadequacy are inevitable.

8. Find something bigger than yourself to believe in. Self-centered egotistical people score lowest in any test for measuring happiness.

          When your bills are paid, when the weather is great, when your marriage is good and your family is all doing well, when you are healthy, when your job is secure, when there is no war or major world threat, it is easy to be at peace. But that is cheap peace – nothing wrong with it – we all want that – but what about having the ability to have peace when your health is threatened, when your relationships are in turmoil, when your job is on the line, when your finances are taking a dive – what would it look like to have peace in times like that – and is that even possible.  Jesus said: In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

PAINTING OF PEACE

Long ago a man sought the perfect picture of peace. Not finding one that satisfied, he announced a contest to produce this masterpiece. The challenge stirred the imagination of artists everywhere, and paintings arrived from far and wide. Finally the great day of revelation arrived. The judges uncovered one peaceful scene after another, while the viewers clapped and cheered. The tensions grew. Only two pictures remained veiled. As a judge pulled the cover from one, a hush fell over the crowd. A mirror-smooth lake reflected lacy, green birches under the soft blush of the evening sky. Along the grassy shore, a flock of sheep grazed undisturbed. Surely this was the winner.

The man with the vision uncovered the second painting himself, and the crowd gasped in surprise. Could this be peace? A tumultuous waterfall cascaded down a rocky precipice; the crowd could almost feel its cold, penetrating spray. Stormy-gray clouds threatened to explode with lightning, wind and rain. In the midst of the thundering noises and bitter chill, a spindly tree clung to the rocks at the edge of the falls. One of its branches reached out in front of the torrential waters as if foolishly seeking to experience its full power. A little bird had built a nest in the elbow of that branch. Content and undisturbed in her stormy surroundings, she rested on her eggs. With her eyes closed and her wings ready to cover her little ones, she manifested peace that transcends all earthly turmoil.

Philippians 4:6-9

 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me (what they have learned from Paul would be the words of Jesus), or seen in me — put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. 

03-15-20 “Making it spread like a global virus!”

Scripture   Matthew 28:16-20

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

What has this text been named?

THE GREAT COMMISSION

What does verse 20 say? teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you! Everything I have commanded you means – teach them the red letters…the things Jesus has said. Even the greatest commission in all scripture tells us to know and teach HIS words. To share…to spread his word throughout the world. That is the task of the church, of the individual Christian and of The Gideons International.

Spread of the bible around the world as Guy is coming up

Guy Esbin share about the Gideon Ministry.

BRIEFLY RETELL THE5219 PARABLE OF THE SOIL AND THE SEED

Matt 13:3-23

Then he told them many things in parables, saying: A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop — a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. He who has ears, let him hear.

10 The disciples came to him and asked, "Why do you speak to the people in parables?"

He replied, The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. This is why I speak to them in parables: Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 6:9-10: You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them. But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.

The purpose of the parable is two-fold as there are two audiences for hearing it.

The first audience is the crowd (of whom the disciples are also a part) Jesus puts out a test to see how people will respond to his word. Are you good soil or bad soil? There are not really 4 soils – there are two – the first 3 are simply variations of bad soil and the second is the good soil. Bad soil (most of the crowd) reject Jesus and his word. The good soil (the disciples) receive and believe Jesus and His Word.

Spread of Christianity around the world

The second audience are the disciples only. Jesus explains the parable to them and now they are to follow Jesus in what he has done and begin spreading the word like the Coronavirus is spreading around the world. What an impact Jesus and His word would have if everyone infected with the Jesus disease would get out and spread what they know and have experienced.

THE SECRET RESISTANCE

During the occupation of Europe by Nazi Germany during World War II, concentration camps mushroomed throughout Europe where Jews and other minority groups were at first confined and later executed. The fear of arrest that everyday people felt turned to a paralyzing terror. Daily life was dominated by the presence of the German military.

But there arose within the terror another response – the underground “resistance” – made up of various secret diverse groups of civilians as well as armed bands of guerrilla fighters worked secretly against the occupation. Their activities ranged from publishing clandestine newspapers to assisting the escape of Jews and Allied airmen shot down over enemy territory to committing acts of sabotage and ambushing German patrols. These were brave men and women, who could not overtly resist the powerful German forces but who covertly operated to bring freedom to their people.

But the will and the ability to fight on covertly was in large measure kept alive by one abiding hope – the rumored coming Allied invasion. From the first German Blitzkrieg of Poland in 1939 to those in the successful German invasions of Belgium, the Netherlands, and France in 1940, millions of people were oppressed for years. The effort, ability, and resources of the resistance would most likely have disappeared except for that hope of the coming of liberation. As the months and years dragged on, one of the most important efforts of the resistance was preparing for and coordinating with the invasion by conveying intelligence information to the Allies. Finally, on June 6, 1944, D-Day, the Allied invasion of western Europe began.

The resistance provides a modern illustration of the effectiveness of hidden power. It proved dramatically effective in keeping the Nazi war machine off balance, it gave inspiration to the common people throughout Europe, and in spite of its apparent helplessness the resistance drew on the promised hope of the Allied invasion to coordinate its efforts at liberation.

Nazi Germany – secret resistance – like those who spread the word -provides hope to those condemned in this world while we await the promised return and final victory of Jesus our savior.

Those who have received and believed should spread the word of God (the words of Jesus) like the corona virus trying to infect as many people as possible for the glory of God. Or like the Nazi resistance who never gave up because of a future hope that usher in a new eternal kingdom.

03-08-20 “What is it you want?”

Scripture   Matthew 20:17-34

Now as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside and said to them, We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death 19 and will turn him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!  3rd of 4 predictions of his death but the first to mention 1) Jerusalem 2) religious leader’s condemnation 3) Gentiles will carry out his execution!

20 Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him. What is it you want? he asked. She said, Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom. You don't know what you are asking, Jesus said to them. Can you drink the cup (see prediction above) I am going to drink?  We can, they answered. Jesus said to them, You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father. Points of Interest: 1) Mark has James & John asking Jesus directly 2) Salome might be Mary’s sister – Jesus’ aunt J&J his cousins  / kneeling to his divine side – requesting appealing to his earthly relationships. Based on Matt 19:28

Jesus said, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

24 When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. (Not because they had pure motives – but because J&J are using their familial position to get what they all want) 25 Jesus called them together and said, You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.  Not so with you. (Jesus is about to give them a VALUES lesson that turns the world’s concept of success upside-down) Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Servant & Slave 2 lowest positions – the difference is one is paid and one isn’t ie. ‘A seat near the throne?’)

29 As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us! The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us! Jesus stopped and called them. What do you want me to do for you? he asked.  They answered,  Lord, we want our sight. Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him. (The CROWD wanted Jesus for themselves. Jesus wanted to make those who could not follow him on their own have the ability to follow him…and they did.)

Jesus asked Salome – “What is it you want?

Jesus asked the blind beggars – “What is it you want?”

Jesus invested in people and shows us how to invest in people.

Parable of the Talents 5 - 2 – 1 (one held on and buried – 2 and 5 invested and 5 got more)

There are three things you can do with your life: you can waste it, you can spend it, or you can invest it.

You can waste it.

There are plenty of things to waste it on. You can spend it on your career, on your hobby, on acquiring certain possessions, or you can invest it. Jesus taught that the greatest use of your life is to invest it in that which outlasts it. He told a story called the parable of the talents. In it he gives seven principles for investing your life:

1. Everything I have belongs to God.
2. God has given me some talents.
3. God expects me to use those talents. Someday he’s going to ask me, “What did you do with what you were given?”
4. It is wrong to bury what God has given me.
5. Fear keeps me from using my talent. When you cut through all the excuses, it’s fear that keeps you from using your talents.
6. If I don’t use it, I’ll lose it.
7. If I use it wisely, I’ll be rewarded.

What is it you want?

I want to invest my life in people.

Charles Francis Adams, 19th century political figure and diplomat, kept a diary. One day he entered: "Went fishing with my son today--a day wasted." His son, Brook Adams, also kept a diary, which is still in existence. On that same day, Brook Adams made this entry: "Went fishing with my father--the most wonderful day of my life!" The father thought he was wasting his time while fishing with his son, but his son saw it as an investment of time. The only way to tell the difference between wasting and investing is to know one's ultimate purpose in life and to judge accordingly.

03-01-20 “Come, Follow Me!”

Scripture   Matthew 4:12-25

Matt 4:12-25

When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he returned to Galilee.

SLIDE: Zeb and Naph - Naz and Cap Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— (Jesus had to live and minister here to fulfill the OT) to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: 15 "Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned." (Jesus coming changed the significance of those particular places. Imagine living in a dark/dismal place and suddenly a bright light begins to shine – Much like the musical Godspel where 9 homeless are in the junkyard and superman shows up)

17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, (Describe repentance) for the kingdom of heaven is near." (Jesus preached someone else’s sermon – He preached exactly what JTB preached. khrussw = to proclaim as a herald. The exact word used for John the Baptist. “From that time on…” aor of to begin = meaning a fresh start or a continuous action. Jesus was starting something new or he was continuing what JTB had started. By using the same sermon notes, it appears to be a continuing of the same message. It is in fact the exact same words. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”  Matt 3:1-2  In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." However, “WHO” is preaching can make as much difference as WHAT is preached. They said the exact same words but John’s repentance was physical - Luke 3:11-14 , "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same." Tax collectors "Don't collect any more than you are required to," Soldiers "Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely — be content with your pay." John said someone else is coming who is greater than I! And yet, the one who came said the same words…but the repentance Jesus preached was spiritual – internal – a matter of the heart. Matt 15:16-20   "Are you still so dull?" Jesus asked them. "Don't you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.' For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make a man 'unclean'; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him 'unclean.'"  Luke 12:29-31  And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. NIV

JTB preached DO RIGHT – Jesus preached BE RIGHT

Matthew 4:18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."  20 At once they left their nets and followed him.

          (cont.) Matt 4:21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

          23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24 News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them. 25 Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.

Some clicked “follow” but only watch his TikTok, others look at everything he posts and follow him diligently.

Did the 4 fishermen just blindly follow? Of course not.

Why did they follow? What was it about Jesus?

Why would any of us follow Jesus?

Some followed because he was saying controversial things.

Some followed because he was healing the sick.

Some followed because he was performing miracles.

Some followed because he was the latest thing.

Some followed because they hoped he was the new military messiah.

Some followed because there was something drawing them to him.

         

NOT EVERYONE WILL FOLLOW JESUS

Matthew 8:18-22

Then a scribe came and said to Him, "Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go." Jesus said to him, The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.

Another of the disciples said to Him, "Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father." But Jesus said to him, Follow Me, and allow the dead to bury their own dead.

Matthew 9:9

          As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man called Matthew, sitting in the tax collector's booth; and He said to him, "Follow Me!" And he got up and followed Him.

DON’T WORRY ABOUT OTHERS – YOU! FOLLOW ME!!

John 21:17-23                           PETER’S RECONCILIATION

          Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. 18 I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go."  19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"

20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved (John) was following them. 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?"  22 Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me."

During the World War some Turkish soldiers tried to drive away a flock of sheep. It was on a hillside near Jerusalem. The shepherd who was sleeping was suddenly aroused to see them being driven off. But singlehanded he could not hope to recapture his flock by force. Suddenly he had a thought. Standing up on his side of the ravine he put his hands to his mouth and gave his own peculiar call which he used each day to gather his sheep to him. And his sheep heard it. For a moment they listened, and hearing it again they turned and rushed down one side of the ravine and up the other, and it was quite impossible for the men to stop them. So the shepherd was away with them to a place of safety before the soldiers could make up their minds to pursue them.

John 10:27-28

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.

“Draw Me Close” was written by Kelly Carpenter, a Vineyard worship pastor, in January 1994. Here is his story:

I had been leading worship and pastoring the worship ministry at our church for about two years. During this time I had put myself under a lot of pressure. I was new to both leading and pastoring, and although I had a lot of confidence musically, I felt pretty green in worship leading and totally overwhelmed with the people leadership aspect.

I got so busy and focused on doing the work, that my personal connection with God suffered. People wonder how this can happen to someone in ministry, but this situation is all too common for church leaders and believers in general. When we come to know Christ, we arrive acutely aware of our brokenness and praying for personal transformation. But then we get “better” and learn how to “do” church, “do” scripture reading, “do” prayer, “do" good things for others, and “do" anything that is considered a good thing for a Christ-follower to do. And sometimes living the "Christian” life becomes more focused on the doing rather than on the relationship with Christ and in being in community with others. One day I came home exhausted and tired of doing and knew Jesus was not saying “Come, and DO some more!” He was saying, “Come, follow me” and I wrote the following words:

SLIDE of the words below:

DRAW ME CLOSE TO YOU

Draw me close to you   Never let me go

I lay it all down again   To hear you say that I'm your friend
You are my desire   No one else will do

'Cause nothing else can take your place   To feel the warmth of your embrace
Help me find the way   Bring me back to you

You're all I want   You're all I've ever needed   You're all I want   Help me know you are near

OPTIONAL VERSES

Luke 9:23

          And He was saying to them all, If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.

John 8:12

          Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.

John 12:26

          If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also.