06-21-20 “My Father is an Overcomer!”

Scripture        John 16:29-33

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."

          31 "You believe at last!" Jesus answered. "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. 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."

SONG:  Click here for song: Overcomer

 Why Does Jesus Promise ‘In This World You Will Have Trouble’ in John 16:33?

There isn’t a father anywhere who has not faced a million troubles from: how to put the bike together on Christmas Eve, to how he will ever pay the bills with so little income. From how can I protect my family from Covid 19 to mass shooters with a gun? From how do I balance time at work and time with family and how do I balance my checkbook and still give generously to the work of the Lord?

 There isn’t a human being alive on this planet who isn’t acquainted with troubles. (We sing about it: “No body knows the trouble I’ve seen…” “Like a bridge over troubled water…)  Times of difficulty arrive unexpectedly, often remain indefinitely, and the sorrowful memories they produce take deep root in the mind. It is no wonder, then, why Jesus’s promise in John 16:33 also takes deep root in the minds and hearts of so many Christians: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” 

This comforting verse is found John-Chapters 13-17 = the Farewell Discourse. These are Jesus’s final words of reassurance, comfort, and encouragement to his disciples in the upper room before his betrayal, arrest, and crucifixion. 

In chapter 16, he speaks to them of his impending death and departure, as well as their desertion. In John 16:32, Jesus tells them, "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. Certainly, this must have been disconcerting for the disciples to hear, which is why Jesus immediately followed up with his comforting words in 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.” 

In this verse, we see two certain realities:

1) the followers of Jesus will suffer great troubles, and

2) Jesus has already won the victory. (Not I might, or I will – rather I HAVE!)

He didn’t want his disciples to be under the delusion that their future ministry would be full of ease and comfort, and he doesn’t want us to think that either.   

Following Christ would find opposition and victory.

 In Which Bible Version Does Jesus Say, ‘Take Heart, I Have Overcome the World?’

The specific phrase, “Take Heart, I Have Overcome the World,” is found in the NIV. Other versions say, (Greek: tharseite) “take courage” (NASB) or “be courageous” (CSB). The word “overcome” (Greek: nenikeika) could also be translated “conquered” (CSB, NRSV). 

Jesus’s claim of victory over the world is in reference to his death, burial, and resurrection. Earlier, in John 12:31, Jesus stated that his crucifixion would conquer and cast out the “ruler of this world.” Hebrews 2:14-15 says, Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death — that is, the devil.

The finished work of Christ removes the teeth from suffering. By entering into our world and suffering alongside of us, Jesus offers certain hope that transcends the temporal sorrow and suffering this world throws at his followers. 

Therefore, we are not called to overcome the world ourselves because Jesus already did. He provides his children with a certain future — a “living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” and “an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade” (2 Peter 1:3-4). It is because of this reality that we can “take heart” and “be of good courage.”  

 How Are Christians Invited to Live in Light of John 16:33?

The apostle Paul stated bluntly in 2 Timothy 3:12, “Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” Anyone who claims that believing in Jesus brings financial prosperity, physical health, and perfect relationships hasn’t read his Bible. Life is tough and the Christian life is often tougher. The Bible, far from dodging this fact, acknowledges it and embraces it. Jesus himself guaranteed it. And instead of promising to eliminate trouble from our lives, Jesus instead promises to give peace and comfort in the midst of trouble. 

Proverbs 13:12 says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” Could it be that troubles and trials make our heart sick because we are placing our hope in that which does not satisfy—a job, a relationship, a position? Christ calls us, not to place our hope in temporal, uncertain things, but in his eternal victory over sin and death on the cross of Calvary. As one commentator states, “It is the victory of God that the Christian celebrates, knowing that all enemies (past, present, and future) have already been defeated, even death itself”

This is why Jesus exhorts us to “store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matt. 6:20-21)

         What Are the Two Principle Lessons of John 16:33?

1)    Count on trouble.    2) take courage in Christ’s victory.

We should never be shocked or surprised when trials come our way. As the Apostle Peter says, “Don’t be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.” (1 Peter 4:12) 

We are called to take heart, not in our own abilities or will power, but in the finished work of Jesus. 

Scripture is filled with assurances of peace amidst trials and the courage to persist through them.

Romans 8:31-39

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

          No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[b] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

Take Heart, Christian—Jesus Has Already Won the Ultimate Victory

If you’re facing trials right now, you can have joy while your tears flow. You can be courageous even when your strength fails because your savior, Jesus, took on your sorrow, pain, and weakness. Most importantly, he took your sin and nailed it to his cross. This trial can’t remove you from his love. 

 John 17:1-5

After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:

"Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

Job is an obvious overcomer.

Noah is an obvious overcomer.

          Jairus is an obvious overcomer.

          Joseph is an obvious overcomer.

Abraham is an amazing overcomer and most closely reveals what I mean when I say “My Father is an Overcomer”

was a father who was an overcomer.

Ur to Haran (75 yo) to Egypt. (Built altars)

Ishmael born to Hagar (86 yo)

Lied twice about Sarah as sister

Isaac born (90/100)

God, the Father also had a son whom people never really believed would come – did not believe he was God’s son when he did come – and he was mistreated by his own until he allowed his son to be laid on an altar – like Isaac, he was God’s only true begotten son and yet needed to be sacrificed. The difference is why. Isaac was almost sacrificed to prove Abraham’s love for God. Jesus, the Heavenly Father’s son was being sacrificed to prove God’s love for us. 

OVERCOMER

Stay in the fight 'til the final round. You're not going under 'Cause God is holding you right now. You might be down for a moment feeling like it's hopeless. That's when he reminds you that you're an overcomer.

06-07-20 “Welcome back!”

Scripture:   John 4:19-26

We do not have to be present together to worship Jesus because we worship in Spirit and Truth. However, there is something special about coming together. At a surface level, I have always preferred Live stage shows over movies. There is an inherent interaction that you get when something is live instead of recorded or live streamed.

Beyond that surface level, Jesus said, Matthew 18:20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them. Yes, that is more about the hearts coming together than the body. And, there is a fear among some pastors that people will have decided they can stay home and “get church” instead of going “to” church. (Today you can order free deliver to your home any kind of church you want without ever getting out of a chair.)

          Let me state clearly, I did not worship as well while I was not physically present with you and I know that you did not worship as well without being physically present with your brothers and sisters in worship. We are designed by God to be physically present together in worship and ministry. But we had NO choice so we have done and are doing the best we can. Some will not return physically until a cure, a vaccine, or an eradication of COVID 19 has occurred.

          I have to tell you that I do not know how much longer I could preach to an empty sanctuary – out here it would be like preaching to the trees.

          It’s said that missionary statesman and Canadian pastor Oswald J. Smith would go out into the woods and preach to the trees. I am sure that some will say this is no different than modern preachers doing a midweek practice run in an empty auditorium, and I am 100% confident the response rate was extremely low.

          Many of you know that once I prepare my sermon notes, I go into the sanctuary and audibly preach. This is not to practice as Smith did with one exception – I do want to see how long the actual preaching is compared to what I imagine it might be. Other than that, speaking the message aloud is another part of preparation, and in that moment I do prefer to be completely alone because I am worshipping in Spirit and Truth and God uses that method to continue to speak and confirm or change the message. But, the actual preaching event is incarnational. The bible does not say, “For God so loved the world, that He sent a pre-recorded message…” No! He sent His son. Preaching and all of worship is designed to be in person for the preacher and the hearer. PRAISE GOD for the technology that has and still does allow us to reach people who are not able to worship in person. It is a next best thing…but it is not the same.

          All of that is to say, as different and crazy as all this still is, like to the prodigal son when he finally returned home, I say; “Welcome back”

          (Play the welcome back song)

 Heb 10:19-25

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

THE WORDS OF JESUS FOR TODAY

John 4:19-26

"Sir," the woman said, "I can see that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem." 21 Jesus declared, "Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." 25 The woman said, "I know that Messiah" (called Christ) "is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us." Then Jesus declared, "I who speak to you am he."

Worship in spirit can mean two things – 1) Our worship must come from the heart, not from formalized ritualistic routines. It must come from the center of who we are. 2) Worship in the Spirit can mean in the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:26-27 We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. It is the Spirit who leads us in worship. So, to worship in spirit and truth first means we worship from our heart as guided by the Holy Spirit.

But then we worship in truth. Our worship must be rooted in and tethered to the realities of biblical revelation.  Worship is not meant to be formed by what feels good, but by the light of what’s true.  Genuine, Christ-exalting worship must never be mindless or based in ignorance. It must be doctrinally grounded and focused on the truth .

Some people worship in spirit without truth – it is only about feelings and emotions. If I walk away having gotten an emotional high then that was good worship.

Some people worship in truth without the spirit – it is only about the bible and church doctrine. If I walk away having learned something or confirmed what I already believe then I have worshipped.  Strong affections for God rooted in truth are the bone and marrow of biblical worship.

Genuine, Christ-exalting worship, after all, is the fruit of both heat and light. The light of truth shines into our minds and instructs us about who God is. Such light in turn ignites the fire of passion and affection and the heat of joy, love, and gratitude.

          Let’s see an example of worshipping in spirit but not truth.

Luke 4:15-30

Jesus taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him. He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed,   to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." 20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. "Isn't this Joseph's son?" they asked. They were so in the spirit – “this worship feels good.”

But then Jesus gave them some truth.

23 Jesus said to them, "Surely you will quote this proverb to me: 'Physician, heal yourself! Do here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.' I tell you the truth, no prophet is accepted in his hometown. I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah's time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon. And there were many in Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed — only Naaman the Syrian." All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him down the cliff. How did they go from praise and adoration to being ready to throw him off a cliff? It happens today – people love to worship Jesus in spirit but not when the truth is hard.

          Good news: v30 But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.

          Here is an example of worshipping in spirit and truth from the Old Testament:

          Nehemiah 8:1-6

…all the people assembled as one man in the square before the Water Gate. They told Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded for Israel.  2 So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. 3 He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.  4 Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform built for the occasion. Beside him on his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah and Maaseiah; and on his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam.  5 Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up. 6 Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, "Amen! Amen!" Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.

Justin the Martyr was executed for his faith around A.D. 165. His writings and leadership helped shape and influence countless believers. He has given the oldest non-biblical description of Christian worship we have. He wrote, “On the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place (a spirit is present), and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read (truth is present) as long as time permits.

 

The communion table is the perfect combination of worshipping in spirit and truth. It is the truth that Jesus went to the cross so that we could be forgiven and cleansed of our sins and it is the spirit as we come to Jesus with a broken and contrite heart to receive that cleansing.

 Wash Your Hands After Dealing with Death

Consider that in 1818, Ignaz Philip Semmelweis was born into a world of dying women. The finest hospitals lost one out of six mothers to the scourge of “childbed fever.” A doctor’s daily routine began in the dissecting room where he performed autopsies. From there he made his way to the hospital to examine expectant mothers without ever pausing to wash his hands. Dr. Semmelweis was the first man in history to associate such examinations with the resultant infection and death. 202 years later we find ourselves in the midst of a global pandemic and the single most effective thing we can do to combat it is “wash our hands”. As we worship Jesus through communion, we come to spiritually wash our hearts and our heads the seat of spirt and truth.

05-31-20 “How to Preach, for the non-preacher!”

Scripture    Mark 4:26-34   (view online: https://youtu.be/omKQ3jYC5z8)

          “I want to do what you do” I have heard on a few occasions from well-meaning people who seemed to have no understanding of everything that goes in to becoming a pastor/preacher. And what they have really meant was preacher, not pastor. Hopefully, what I do when I preach looks effortless – I can assure you it is not. Maybe you have had a similar comment about your vocation or hobby, “I wish I could cook like you”, or “play the piano like you” – whatever it is has taken time, education and effort on your part, even though you make it look easy.        (case in point – comment on internet post about preaching teaching) [do I think every word I preach is HS inspired? NO! Do I think every sermon I preach is HS inspired? YES!]                                         

Last week I preached the difference between an Acts 2 culture that Peter preached to (one in which people generally knew some background in which Jesus could more easily be preached) and an Acts 17 culture that Paul preached to (one in which people had NO background as a starting point to share the good news of Jesus). That is the predominate younger culture today. Let’s understand that every older generation thinks the younger generations are different and more difficult to reach.  That is not what we are talking about. Every 500 years or so there is a major shift in culture, and we are in the midst of that kind of cultural shift for the first time ever in the United States. (some of you are saying – what about the 1960’s? Yes , major cultural shift in music and clothes and drugs and free a laxed sexual morality – HOWEVER, everyone still knew about Jesus – in fact it was then that we had “The Jesus Movement”) Europe has already been drastically affected spiritually by these cultural changes and we are just now beginning to experience what that means for us. The church of today is ‘the pivotal church’ that will determine what the future of the church looks like for our grandchildren’s grandchildren.

Last week I also used the great commission in Mark where we are told to go into all the world “preaching the good news.” Make no mistake, there is an office of preaching to which men and women of God are called, gifted, ordained and commissioned to proclaim the gospel. I am privileged to be a part of that group of called individuals. At the same time, there is a general sense in which every Christian is called to preach – as in the great commission. That sense of the word preach simply means: clearly presenting the good news of Jesus Christ.

          I suggested I don’t even know for sure how to reach the next generations, but have now had time to consider some of the ways we might do that. For an example I turned to the greatest preacher of all time – his name is Jesus. Here are two of his sermons – neither one more than a minute in length – and you thought a sermon had to be at least 20 minutes long.

 

Mark 4:26-34

          26 Jesus also said, "This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain — first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come." (comment)

          30 Again Jesus said, "What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade." (comment)  -

Matt 17:14-20 A man had a son who had seizures whom the disciples could not heal and brought him to Jesus: "O unbelieving and perverse generation, how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me."  Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment. Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, "Why couldn't we drive it out?" He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

          …33 With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything. (That is where Jesus went from preaching to teaching)

 

How did Jesus preach?

Here are 5 of Jesus’ preaching methods that we can all learn from:

1. JESUS TOLD STORIES

Jesus told countless parables (Mark 4:34 He did not say anything to them without using a parable.). He pulled spiritual truth from everyday life.

Think about the parable of the Prodigal Son. Jesus could have proclaimed, “God loves you so much that He will welcome you back to Him no matter how far you have wandered away.” That is definitely true.

However, Jesus instead chooses to tell the story of a boy who disowned his family, partied away his inheritance, came home to beg for mercy, but was surprisingly welcomed with open arms by his father who waited daily for his return. Which is more powerful? The facts or the facts in the midst of a story?

Think about that – the prodigal son is everyone’s story. It is Adam and Eve’s story – they were with God, they willfully walked away, and desperately wanted a way back which God promised would come through her seed. Stories can be real or made up like a parable as long as you are clear which you are telling. E.g. Acme World Library.

2. JESUS CRAFTED MEMORABLE SAYINGS

Jesus spoke poetically. He often used catchy sayings and plays on words. This isn’t always apparent in English translations. However, in the original language, Jesus made it much easier for his listeners to remember what he said.

 

For example, Jesus memorably said, “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you.” (Luke 6:37-38a, ESV). Another great example is the Golden Rule (Luke 6:31).

Make your main point easy to remember. If someone can remember what you said, they will be able to take it with them wherever they go.

3. JESUS ASKED QUESTIONS

Rather than tell everyone the answer right away, Jesus used the Socratic Method. He led His audience to conclusions by asking a lot of questions. For examples check out Matthew 16:26, or 22:20-21, or look at this resource.

Questions are a powerful teaching method, especially when teaching an Acts 17 person. Questions stimulate critical thinking. Asking good questions makes people hungry to find the answers. I sometimes ask questions and leave a pause to allow people’s brain to fill in the answer.

Are you familiar with Evangelism Explosion? Those trained would wear a badge with two quesiotn marks to get people to say what are those for? “Glad you asked, I have two questions for you…” First contact with a non-Christian usually involves two "diagnostic" questions. First: "Have you come to the place in your life where you know that if you died, you would go to heaven?"

Second question: "If you were to stand before God and he were to ask you, 'Why should I let you into my heaven?', what would you say?"

 

4. JESUS USED OBJECT LESSONS

Jesus often used object lessons to communicate to his audience. He washed the feet of the disciples to teach servant leadership (John 13:3–17). He called a little child to him to discuss faith (Matthew 18:1–4). He described unselfish giving after watching a widow drop two small coins into the temple offering (Mark 12:41–44).

When he told the parable of the sower, there is a good chance he was standing near a field. Visually communicating truth is far more powerful than mere stated truth. If you want to preach like Jesus, use objects lessons. With the skyway bridge in view in Toledo – say, “Did you know when Adam and Eve sinned, no one could ever get back into a relationship with God – and just like that bridge to get cars from one side of the river to the other – God constructed a bridge so sinful man could cross over to a Holy God again – The name of that bridge is Jesus…!

 

5. JESUS USED REPETITION

I have always said about my preaching – I am only reminding you of what you already know. Jesus helped his audience learn His lessons by frequently repeating Himself. He taught the same major themes again and again. For example, Jesus spoke of his death and resurrection over and over again (Mark 8:31; 9:31; 10:33–34), and the disciples still didn’t get it.

Sometimes people need to hear something many times over before it fully sinks in. In addition, teachings that get repeated get remembered. If you want to preach like Jesus, repeat.

If you want to be a better preacher, look no further than Jesus. Tell stories, craft memorable statements, ask questions, use object lessons, and repeat.

The story of Jonathan OR:

 

One of the most notoriously bad characters that ever lived in New York was Orville Gardner. He was the trainer of prize-fighters and companion of all sorts of hard characters. His reputation was so thoroughly bad that he was called “Awful Gardner.”

He had a little boy, whom he dearly loved, and this boy died. A short time after his boy’s death, he was standing at the bar in a New York saloon, surrounded by a number of his boon companions. The night was sweltering, and he stepped outside the saloon to get a little fresh air. As he stood out there and looked up between the high buildings at the sky above his head, a bright star was shining down upon him, and as he stood looking at the star, he said to himself, “I wonder where my little boy is tonight?” Then the thought came to him quick as a flash, “Wherever he is, you will never see him again unless you change your life.”

Touched by the Spirit of God, he hurried from the saloon to the room where he knew his godly mother was. He went in and asked his mother to pray for him. She did pray for him, and she led him to Christ.

He went home to where he kept a jug of whiskey. He did not dare to keep it and did not know what to do with it. Finally he took it down to the river, got into a boat and rowed over to an island. He set the liquor on a rock and knelt down, and as he afterwards said, “Fought that jug of whiskey for a long time,” and God gave him perfect deliverance.

But what should he do with the jug? He did not dare break it, lest the fumes set him wild. He did not dare leave it, lest someone else get it. Finally he dug a hole in the ground with his heel and buried it. He left the island a free man.

He became a mighty preacher of the gospel. It was through listening to him preach that Jerry McAuley (a convict turned preacher and founder of the McAuley Water Street Mission) was set to thinking, and that thinking afterwards led to his conversion.

 

 

Shout to the North

05-24-20 Acts 2 vs. Acts 17

Scripture     Mark 16:15-18

(For worship and message on video go to: https://youtu.be/1uexrHqWa1Q)

          I heard something disturbing on the radio – I was listening to the comedy station – an interview between Kelly Carlin and Jeff Foxworthy. (fairness – didn’t hear it all)

          If someone said to you, tell me about who Jesus is to you and what your faith means to you…would you be able to clearly state who Jesus is and what difference it has made in your life to put your trust in Jesus?

Why should be ready with a clear description of our faith in Jesus?

Matthew records Jesus words which we are most familiar with as Matt 28:18-20   Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Mark records it this way Mark 16:15-16 (17-18)   He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."

Peter preached in Jerusalem – Paul Preached in Athens

Acts 2 vs Acts 17

Acts 2:14-41

Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: "'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who call son the name of the Lord will be saved.'

Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. David said about him: "I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.”

29 Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, "The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet." Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.

When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"  Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off — for all whom the Lord our God will call."

With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

Acts 17:16-18:1

While Paul was waiting for them (Silas and Timothy) in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, "What is this babbler trying to say?" Others remarked, "He seems to be advocating foreign gods." They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, "May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we want to know what they mean." (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)

          Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.

The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.'

          Therefore since we are God's offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone — an image made by man's design and skill. 30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.

When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, "We want to hear you again on this subject." At that, Paul left the Council. A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.

Acts 18:1 After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. (Meaning they never heard from Paul on the subject again)

*Newsweek – death of Christian America = the birth of many gods

In 2006 in a speech called ‘Building a Covenant for New America’ President Obama said, *“Whatever we once were, we are no longer a Christian nation. At least not just. We are also a Jewish nation, a Muslim nation, and a Buddhist nation, and a nation of non-believers.”

Though we were founded on biblical principals by Christians and others who at least had a respect for the bible, we are no longer a Christian nation, and therefore, we no longer have an Acts 2 audience for the message of Christ, we have an Acts 17 audience. That means we need to figure out how to preach (proclaim/teach) to people who not only don’t know, but don’t care about what we have to say.

Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, “Engage in business until I come” (Luke 19:13).

And that means we are to be doing what God’s Word instructs:

1.     Contend for the Faith. Jude 1:3

Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.

2.     Give answers for what you believe.  1 Peter 3:15

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

3.     Preach the Gospel.  Mark 16:15

And he said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.”

This idea is not new for Ashland Church or for us as American Baptists.

Chinese Ministry – learned new language (Doris Hedler was a part of this church for 95 years)

ADONIRAM JUDSON HAD TO LEARN THE LANGUAGE

Adoniram Judson had to Left for India in 1812. Redirected to Rangoon – had a child who died – imprisoned yet worked to translate the Burmese language into the Bible 7 years before first convert. God’s Spirit finally came in the Spring of 1819, when a Burmese timber worker named Maung Nau walked into the zayat (a Burmese-style building) where the Judsons held faith meetings. Maung Nau was certainly not the first Burman to listen to what Judson had to say at the zayat, but there was something different about this man’s demeanor. He did not come to debate with Judson, something that was almost a sport among the Burmese. Instead, he listened with what Judson called “a teachable and humble spirit.” After several days of conversations with Maung Nau, Judson became very excited. On May 5, 1819, Judson wrote in his journal, “I begin to think that the Grace of God has reached his heart.”

Approximately a month later, Maung Nau formally professed his faith in Jesus Christ and applied for baptism. In his written statement, Maung Nau wrote, “I believe that the Divine Son, Jesus Christ, suffered death, in the place of men, to atone for their sins. Like a heavy-laden man, I feel my sins are very many. The punishment of my sins I deserve to suffer. Since it is so, do you, Sirs, consider, that I, taking refuge in the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ, and receiving baptism, in order to become his disciple, shall dwell with yourselves, a band of brothers, in the happiness of heaven, and grant me the ordinance of baptism.”

05-17-20 REST

Scripture  Matthew 11:28-30

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

How well do you sleep on a regular basis? Answer in the comments.

I have trouble sleeping – mostly going to sleep and I don’t sleep a lot.

I never like to go to bed before midnight because I can’t get more than 6 hours of sleep on a good night. I prefer not to go to sleep till I am feeling like I am falling asleep because if I go to bed wide awake I will lie there wondering why I can’t go to sleep.  If I wake up during the middle of the night – to go back to sleep I usually have to change locations – like the couch.

Kim is just the opposite – she could go to sleep anytime, get up for a while and take a nap or two during the day. She works hard and in on the go when she is working but when she isn’t working, she can be the queen of sleep.

The message title is REST not SLEEP. They are not the same. I believe rest is more important and harder to obtain, and biblically commanded.  You can get rest when you sleep but not always – people say they are a “restless sleeper” meaning you are not getting good rest while sleeping. Before I had a CPAP machine the little sleep I did get was not restful at all – in fact it was a danger to my health.

ILLUSTRATION

When my eldest son, Drew, was a toddler, bedtime was a battleground in our house. I think he felt cheated by the prospect of sleep. He hated the thought of going to bed while the rest of the world continued on. Instead of welcoming rest, Drew confronted it. He steeled himself against the prospect of sleep the way a wrestler braces himself to meet an opponent. “No night-night! No night-night!” he cried in indignation. To no avail. He was consigned to his crib by the superior force of parental authority.

One night my wife walked past his door and heard him muttering to himself. There was nothing left for him to do but mutter. “Stay awake! Stay awake!” he commanded himself. The prospect of sleep can be unnerving. While we sleep the world continues to be active. We are oblivious to our surroundings, and powerless. We are not in control during sleep but must depend on the mercy and protection of God. Our vulnerability is captured in the familiar children’s prayer: Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.

          Not a comforting prayer for a child – but reveals that when we sleep, we give up control to the world around us or to God.

JESUS SLEEPS & ALSO RESTS IN THE BOAT

Luke 8:22-37

One day Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's go over to the other side of the lake." So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!" He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. "Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples.

          In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him."

JESUS RESTED – THE DEMONIAC DID NOT

          They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee. When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don't torture me!" For Jesus had commanded the evil spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places. Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" "Legion," he replied, because many demons had gone into him. And they begged him repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss. A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into them, and he gave them permission. When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.

          When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus' feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured. Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left.

Two stories back to back – we know the differences in the stories – one is Jesus at rest while the rest of the world is in chaos around him and he brings the storm to rest – he rested the external circumstances.  But another day would see storms and then what?

          The second story is about a man out of control, not by his external circumstances, but the things that were out of control inside of him. Ultimately Jesus rested what was going on inside of him which brought rest to the man. It seems like that rest is longer lasting and vitally more important. If you are at rest on the inside, when storms and winds come, you can be like Jesus and still rest in the midst of the storm.  Isn’t that the point of our theme text – Build your house on the rock and it will stand even in the storm. On the sand – when the storm comes it will not stand.                                To rest while you sleep you have to remember to Surrender. (song Remember Surrender)

          So how do we rest internally? Let’s first understand what that means.

Have you ever had a moment when it hits you that you feel like you have a total sense of wellbeing?  You are not afraid the other shoe will drop or something bad is going to happen? You are free from anxiety and depression? It seems like an odd thing to ask but very few of us have a total sense of wellbeing - At best, we have an absence of any major life problems but that is still not a sense of wellbeing or “rest”.  You can shake out your shoulders – get a massage – take a deep breath and your body begins to find temporary rest. But I am talking about rest for your soul which affects the rest for your body and mind. And there is only one way to find that rest – in Jesus – to realize he is in the boat and you will not drown.

Original title was RELAX – an action suggestive acrostic:

R       remember who’s you are

E       envision a quieter life/soul

L       lean in to the words of Jesus

A       accept your failures

X       (e)xpect God to work so that you can rest.

                                Psalm 121

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills — where does my help come from?

2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot slip — he who watches over you will not slumber;

4 indeed, he who watches over Israel --- will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord watches over you — the Lord is your shade at your right hand;

6 the sun will not harm you by day, --- nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all harm — he will watch over your life;

8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going --- both now and forevermore.

While you sleep – God does not. When you need rest, God still works. You are tired, hungry and dirty from the daily struggles of life. You enter your home and Jesus sets you down, he has a towel on his waste and a basis of water and begins to wash your feet just before serving you a meal that represents him doing the ultimate work of offering his life – his body his blood to also make you clean on the inside – receiving that gift from Jesus alone will give you a rest for your soul you have not known before.

Matthew 11:28-30

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

05-10-20 What Child is this?

Scripture:  Mark 10:13-16

Psalm 139:13-16

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. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

Jeremiah 1:4-5

The word of the Lord came to me, saying, "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."

HOW DID JESUS VIEW CHILDREN?

A baby is God's opinion that life should go on. Let me ask a question- If you were in a building that had all your family pictures, a million dollars in paper cash, a family heirloom piece of jewelry, or anything else you find of great worth; and their was also a baby – even one you did not know, and that building caught fire and had become an inferno and you knew you could only save one thing, what one thing would you save? 100% of you said the baby. Of course you did. If human life is that important to you, how important is human life to the one who created it? In other words, imagine that same scenario and it was not you but a mother and her baby and all those other things, and saving anything mean you may die in the process unless you leave everything behind, what does the mother do? – where as we had to make a split second decision – the mother doesn’t even see anything else besides her baby. If a mother feels that way about her child, how does God feel about His children?

We are looking for a dog. All the humane societies have fostered out their animals. That means they are with families temporarily – till they can go back to the humane society or till someone adopts them. That is the terminology used – same as humans – adoption. That dog will become a family member. So, they adopt the dog out for what they call – their “forever family”  That is a sweet sounding, but the dog is only a part of that family till the family or the dog dies – there is no forever. However, with humans – it is the perfect phrase for how Jesus views God’s children.

We are born into a family. We do not choose it and have no say in who our family will be. However, when we grow into reasoning human beings, we do begin to choose our family (I have had other mothers and fathers along the way who made me a part of their families) The most important choice we have is to be in God’s family. That isn’t a matter of just hanging out often, that is through the actual act of being ‘born again’. We are born into God’s family every bit as much as we were born into our earthly family.  When born physically we are also in the Spirit’s womb, waiting to be born. When we recognize that, like a caring mother, God loves us and desires to show us that love, we put our faith in Him, and we are reborn into God’s truly forever family.

John 3:1-9

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him." 3 In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." 4 "How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!" 5 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." 9 "How can this be?" Nicodemus asked.

John 3:16   For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Matt 18:1-6

The disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.

Nancy S, Joanna, Kathy, Rose, Rachel, Maria, Becky, Nancy H. Mary H. Julie, Gretchen, Kim, Susan, Tammy, Sandy

Children didn't have a lot of rights in the first century. Kids were seen and not heard. We see this in Mark 10:13-16     (Supper with the Savior)

People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.  16 And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.

In the disciple’s opinion, the Lord had more important things to do. Jesus uses this as a teaching moment - Like children, kingdom-minded people shouldn’t be jockeying for position, looking to have power over others, or worrying about how people perceive them. They should serve God by serving others.

Matt 21:12-16

Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. "It is written," he said to them, "'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it a 'den of robbers.'" The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple area, "Hosanna to the Son of David," they were indignant. 16 "Do you hear what these children are saying?" they asked Jesus, who replied, "Yes, have you never read, "'From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise'?"

Do you remember the question I asked in the beginning about being in a burning building? Would you save a baby or something else and you said a baby? Or a mother and a baby and the mother may die, and she also chose to save her baby? Luke 11:11-13  “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Jesus said, You must be born of the water and the Spirit.

          You and I know people who are in a burning building – and we see comfort, busyness, work, pleasure and often choose those over rescuing the spiritual infant. Whereas we sometimes fail and need to do better, Jesus is more like the mother, he sees everyone in the fires of hell and is willing, even at the cost of his own life, without a second thought, to make sure His children all get to safety and are adopted…NO!…are born again into God’s forever family.

John 16:21

A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.

Jesus giving birth to children has pain because his time has come on the cross; but when his child is born he forgets the anguish, because of his joy that a child of God has been born into God’s forever family.

          Thank you mom’s – For a mother’s love is a metaphor, a symbol, a representation of God’s love for us.

What child is this?

          Everyone of you was created as a masterpiece, and like a loving mother, God knows your name. And greater than a mother’s love, God knows your every thought, He sees each tear that falls, and He hears you when you call. And God’s Spirit is ready to give birth and welcome you into His forever family.