05-29-22 “Now Recruiting: The Holy Resistance”

Scripture   Ephesians 6:10-18

 

Ephesians 6:10-18
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
 
As a pastor, Attacks against me or my position have rarely, if ever come from external sources. Most attacks against the church and/or its leadership come from within. Satan uses those on the inside which is far easier and more effective than attacking the church or pastors with weapons outside the church.
          As a person, though, I can point to external forces that have affected my spiritual growth; still, the majority of my spiritual battle is from within…myself!
 
          With Paul, I preach Jesus crucified and risen from the dead. No sermon have I ever preached that is not based on scripture. Sometimes, contemporary stories or a drama best illustrate the scripture and its application to life. Sometimes, straight exegesis of the text is best. Today, let us just settle in with the text and see what it is saying to help us know Jesus crucified and risen from the dead.

 

Ephesians 6:10-18
Finally, (Paul gave a clear understanding of the gospel – what it means to believe in Jesus crucified and risen from the dead. He prayed for the believers. He gave instructions on how to live as a Christian, as the church and within our personal households. If we practice those things, he knows for a fact that we will be attacked and tells us what to do to be ready for those attacks.) be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. (Our power [mental, physical, or spiritual] is not enough to fight off the forces that will come against us. We can only be strong if we access the Lord Jesus and His mighty power – that is the power of creation, the power over disease, the power over the elements, the power over Satan.) 11 Put on the full armor of God (This may be the most important sentence in this entire passage of scripture. First, the armor of God does us no good if it sits on a shelf – the bible, prayer, worship, fellowship do no good if they are merely ideas instead of actions, if they are just platitudes instead of practices. Likewise, God’s armor does us no good if we don’t wear it. Secondly, wearing or using only parts of the armor do us little good as well. Paul is clear – put on the FULL ARMOUR OF GOD! Every part and piece is important and all parts work together to provide complete protection. Remove one part and you become vulnerable to the enemies attack! – WHY do we put on the full armor of God?...) so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. (Now we know who we are fighting – the Devil, and that he is always scheming against us. He is making plans to keep us as far away from God and his ways in our life as possible. WHY? Because he is the unequal but opposing force toward God. This world is where he is given permission to reign. At every point God enters the world, the Devil loses property and authority – He become less of an owner and less of a king. Wherever God finds entrance into a human being, Satan will doing everything and anything to stop God’s progress.) 12 For our struggle (the Greek for struggle refers to hand to hand combat – wrestling where there is trickery, cunningness, and strategy) is not against flesh and blood, (remember how I said that ‘few’ spiritual attacks are from external sources – the majority are from within) but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (the heavenly realms is not the best translation because it does not mean heaven – it means the expanse of the spiritual realm which is also within us! It is the reality where life encompasses our relation to God – and to the Devil) 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, (Notice the repeating emphasis for us to put on what part of the armor of God? The FULL armor of God! WHY?) so that when the day of evil comes, (WHEN that day comes – not IF) you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. (Twice in this sentence and once earlier we have been told the goal of all this armor – so that we can stand. The person who has fallen, who is on the ground, is the person who has lost. Think of the boxer who gets knocked down, what is there sole desire at that point? To stand! If they don’t stand, the match is over and the one standing is proclaimed the victor! God wants us to be able to stand against the attacks of the Devil but also wants us to stand in victory to His glory! Here is that word again…) 14 Stand firm then, (we are now given the instructions of what each piece of armor is to put on so that we continue to stand firm.)
1)    with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, (The center piece that holds all the other pieces together. Without the belt everything else falls off. It is both God’s Truth in the Gospel = Jesus, and the soldiers resolve to live by the truth. Isaiah 11:5 Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist.)
2)    with the breastplate of righteousness in place, (The breastplate rightly covers and protects the heart from which spring the actions of right living – or God’s righteousness living through us.)
3)    and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. (Undoubtably Paul had in mind Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!" It is our feet that moves our speech and actions through the world proclaiming the gospel of peace.)
4)    In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. (The Roman infantry shield protected the whole body – 4’x2.5’ constructed of leather stretched over wood reinforced with metal at the top and bottom. When soaked in water they were effective at stopping flaming arrows. When standing side by side with other soldiers, it became an impenetrable moving wall of defense.)
5)    Take the helmet of salvation (Again Paul draws from Isaiah 59:17 He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head. Salvation protects the brain – the seat of thought where we profess Jesus as Lord and receive salvation – the ultimate protection from any foreign invader. Salvation is a battle already won and is present both now and in the future.)
6)    and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Excalliber has nothing on this sword, for this sword is powered by the Holy Spirit of God! )
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
 
THE THREAT OF DANGER EXISTS
The moment you receive salvation you are fit for heaven but you are not fit for abundant life in this world – you are given a storehouse of weapons with instructions on how to use them, but unless you show up to exercises, field trials, and classroom instruction, you will never win your battles in this world – and that cannot be blamed on God who has already won the victory and not only given you His own weapons, but has given you himself to live in you and fight with you!
          The Devil, demons and evil are real. However, do not give them more credit than they are due. They bow to the smallest word spoken from God. Evil is a rebellion against God and the boundaries and values He has designed and designated for our lives. The Bible’s ethical teachings, like the 10 commandments mark those boundaries and values placed on parents, property, life itself, the use of our bodies, facts, and other people. Evil entices us to change those boundaries, however – Satan makes his ways look very similar to the ways of God. He entices us just slightly out of bounds so we barely realize that is where we are and then he redraws the boundary line and entices us just a little further until where we are and what we are doing looks nothing like God intended.

ILLUSTRATION
R. Scott Richards, in his book, “Myths the World Taught Me,”  describes a deadly example of misplaced sincerity.  In November of 1987, fooled by the wiles of a witch doctor, Alice Lakwena, a mob of some 700 anti-government rebels attempted to overtake a Ugandan army post and airstrip.  The attackers were armed with little more than their passion, and were bare-chested and covered in oil. Calling themselves the “Holy Spirit Movement,” they marched into a hail storm of bullets fired by the defending government forces. 
When all was said and done, some 200 rebels were dead and most of the rest were taken prisoner.  The witch doctor had convinced them that the oil they smeared on their bodies was a magical concoction that would protect them from bullets.  “The battle was lost before it had begun.  No one could fault the ‘Holy Spirit Movement’ for a lack of sincerity.  One must be a true believer to face live bullets half naked.  Sincere? Yes.  But wrong, dead wrong.”
 
          That is why we must pray and be alert wearing the full armor of God. The weapons are not designed to go after the devil. They are designed to resist him. The Devil has very little patience. When we stand firm in Christ and resist him – he runs away from us! James 4:7-8 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
 
SERMON TITLE: “Now Recruiting: The Holy Resistance”
RESISTANCE = the refusal to accept or comply with something; the attempt to prevent something by action or argument.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
 
Altar Call – “In Christ Alone”
No power of hell, no scheme of man / Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home / Here in the power of Christ I'll stand

05-22-22 “Graduation Friendships”

Scripture  Ecclesiastes 4:8-12
DRAMA: Eugene Buttrix – Graduation
 
In Elementary, Jr. High. And Sr. High School, I was a horrible academician. The fact that I can say, spell, and know the definition of academician suggests that at some point I determined to learn some stuff & such. My mother was a high school teacher in a different school district from where I went to school. The fact that I NEVER came home with home work or asked for help just didn’t seem to bother her all that much. My oldest brother Rick was very smart and got great grades. My other brother Phil did ok in school. But I was that kid who got passed on from year to year, but shouldn’t have.
As an adult I learned something about my mother’s view of education and life in general. She was a teacher who did not believe in giving homework, so she wasn’t worried about me not having much. More importantly, as an adult she told me that she never worried about me not doing well in school because I was able to get along with people. She figured anyone who can get along with people can always get a job. Most employers prefer the ability to work as a team over raw talent for the job. If a person is willing to learn and gets along with others, that is way more valuable than the most talented person who doesn’t try or doesn’t get along well with others.
 
Also, I discovered that an overwhelming majority of us have fewer friends (esp. close friends) as adults than we did when we were in school. That is one of the reasons I will enjoy my 45^th class reunion in a few weeks – it will be a time to connect again with friends from high school. As we get older we are so involved with work and raising a family that we have less time, energy and or interest in developing friendships.
 
Speaking of friendships and school; congratulations to all of those who have achieved academic success and graduated from an educational institution. It seems like many who achieve degrees beyond high school, often look at that high school graduation as most special. For those who are about to graduate high school, a fascinating thing is about to happen – you have been with people for the past 4 years up to the past 12 years and more if you add in kindergarten and preschool. Many of these people you consider friends. Except for social media, the day after you graduate, you will never see a majority of them again during the rest of your life.
          What does that say about friendship? At your 10-year reunion you will have forgotten the names and even faces of some of them. Others whom you have not seen for 10 years, it will be like you were with them just yesterday. A few may be your friends for life even if you no longer live in the same city. Bryan Hitch and I have not lived near each other for decades, but I know, and he knows, if some major life event happens and we want or need each other, we will be on the next flight to be there for each other.  Proverbs 17:17   A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

 

A DESCRIPTION OF FRIENDSHIP
                     We all need a cheerleader in our lives – someone who encourages us in our triumphs and lifts us up in our failures. Someone who will point us to Jesus!
1 Thessalonians 5:11 & 15
                     Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.
There was a cartoon in a newspaper once, and the first frame showed a thief that was wearing a mask, and his weapon was pointed toward a frightened victim. The next scene the robber is holding out a sack and saying, ''Give me all of your valuables!'' In the next scene the victim begins stuffing into the sack all of his friends.
How To Make Friends
Solomon said, Proverbs 18:24 ''A man who has friends must himself be friendly.'' The friendliest people do make the most friends. “I went out to find a friend, but could not find one there. I went out to be a friend, and there were friends everywhere!”
                     On this Graduation Sunday, let’s look at one person who learned the lesson about being a friend to others.
 
DRAMA: VIDEO  “Graduation 2022 Pledge and Anthem”
 
                     The following text is our about having friends in this physical material world. Listen to this description: Ecclesiastes 4:8-12
                     There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. "For whom am I toiling," he asked, "and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?" This too is meaningless — a miserable business!
                     9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: 10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
                     There is a spiritual realm that is of far greater importance and we make a choice there as to who our friend will be – Satan or God!  Consider what each has done for you. One is a deceiver and a liar and one is faithful and true. In fact listen to this description of what a great friend Jesus is.  John 15:13   Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.  Jesus has laid down his life for you.  And, John 15:15   I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

05-15-22 “From all out to all in”

Mark 10:31  But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

          Pastor Jeff will pray at the firemen’s memorial service this afternoon because he currently serves as the Oregon Fire Department Chaplain.
WHICH OF THESE IS TRUE ABOUT PASTOR JEFF?
1)    I used to serve as a hospital chaplain
2)    I used to serve as a horse race chaplain
3)    I used to serve as a police department chaplain
4)    I used to serve as a Coast Guard Reserves chaplain

 

SLIDE 2
Race Track Chaplain – tell that story as a lead in to the Kentucky Derby Video.
 
VIDEO: Rich Strike 1 (I will give obvious cue to start) 
 
PRAYER
EXAMPLES OF ‘From ALL OUT to ALL IN’
 
Gideon versus the Midianites
Can you identify with Gideon?  He would seem to be the least likely to be chosen by God to lead Israel out of their afflictions with the Midianites.  The Midianites would wait till the very moment the harvest was ripe and come down out of the mountains and steal all Israel’s harvest food!  It was devastating to the nation because the Midianites looted many of the livestock too so they were often hungry and living in constant fear of being invaded.  It was under these circumstances where God spoke to Gideon, “The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor” (Judge 6:12).  You have to wonder if Gideon looked over his shoulder and thought, “Who me?”  I say this because later Gideon says to God, “how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house” (Judges 6:15) but God reassures Gideon, “I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man” (Judges 6:16).  That’s the whole idea of God using the underdog; He receives the glory.  This was the reason that Gideon’s 300, composed of inexperienced and untrained farmers and ranchers were able to overcome the thousands of skilled, trained veteran armed forces of the Midianites.
          Gideon was a military “ALL OUT” about whom trained soldiers would have laughed. Yet, with God working through him, he won one of history’s most amazing battles ever. 32,000 down to 10,000 down to 300. (3 groups of 100 = 300 jars smashed, 300 trumpets sounded, 300 torches raised – the Midianites were so confused that they began to kill each other) All Out Gideon flew to the head of the line as one who became all in.
David versus Goliath
Everyone thought David was insane to fight Goliath.  David was a kid, a shepherd, a musician. It must have seemed incredible to those who were watching David take on a giant of man; a seasoned warrior who was as fully equipped as they lined-up for battle that day because the Philistines had the ability to make ironworks like, iron shields, armor, and spears and Goliath the Giant had them all.  The Philistine forces that observed David taking on Goliath must have thought, “It’s over…Goliath can’t lose.”  Perhaps even King Saul thought that too as well as most of the Israelite forces, however, little ALL OUT David seemed to know something the others didn’t. He knew God was with him and would fight for him.  David pleaded with King Saul and said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine” so “Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you” (1 Sam 17:37). When the time came, “David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.  This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head” (1 Sam 17:45-46a).  God did deliver Goliath into David’s hand but He also delivered Israel out of the Philistines.
 
1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things — and the things that are not — to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God — that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.   Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." Like David, like Gideon, and like Paul.
 
Before we look at him, hear what God does for those who know they are all out and those who believe they are all in by their own merit. Luke 18:9-14 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men — robbers, evildoers, adulterers — or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
 
The Apostle Paul understood going from all out to all in    (TELL HIS STORY)
2 Corinthians 12:9-10  But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
 
The great Apostle Paul, the mighty warrior David, the superior military commander Gideon – all who started out at the back of the pack with the least odds of winning ended up crossing the finish line enveloped in the power and glory of God.
 
Hebrews 11:32-40
And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
 
2 Timothy 4:7-8  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day — and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
 
Hebrews 12:1-3  Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
 
CONCLUSION
2 Kings 6:11-17
The king of Aram was furious with Israel and with the prophet Elisha. He surrounded the city of Dothan where Elisha was and was ready to take them all by force…Elisha’s servant came to him in fear when he saw they were outnumbered. When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?" the servant asked. "Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them." And Elisha prayed, "O Lord, open his eyes so he may see." Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
 
SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE CONFIDENT HORSE
Job 39:19-25
19 Do you give the horse his strength or clothe his neck with a flowing mane?
20 Do you make him leap like a locust, striking terror with his proud snorting?
21 He paws fiercely, rejoicing in his strength, and charges into the fray.
22 He laughs at fear, afraid of nothing; he does not shy away from the sword.
23 The quiver rattles against his side, along with the flashing spear and lance.
24 In frenzied excitement he eats up the ground; he cannot stand still when the trumpet sounds.
25 At the blast of the trumpet he snorts, 'Aha!'
     He catches the scent of battle from afar, the shout of commanders and the battle cry.
Watch this battle from a better view point and the way this horse moves is sometimes the way God works in us weaving us through the world to accomplish his purpose and end up victorious for him when no one thought we could do it!
VIDEO – Rich Strike 2
 
THE WHITE HORSE
Revelation 19:11-16
I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war.   His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
 
SONG: “Whom Shal I Fear?” (God of Angel Armies)

05-08-22 “Jesus is ‘all in’ for mothers.”

Scripture   John 19:25-27

Stuff Jesus said to his mother:
1)     Luke 2:48-52     [At age 12 – Parents left Jesus in Jerusalem]   Mary said to Jesus, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you." "Why were you searching for me? Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?"   But they did not understand what he was saying to them. Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.
          At age 12 is when kids begin to know everything and parents become annoying to kids. Though Jesus likely didn’t mean it that way, it would appear to the onlooker like this is a typical parent/child relationship with a 12 year old. The strong will child stays behind even when he knows his parents are leaving – then he gives them an excuse as to why he did it.
          Each of these 3 conversations with his mother reveal a change in their relationship just like we all have. When I was a child of a single mom, she was the provider and care giver and authority. When I was a teenager she was the one who provided shelter but whom I spent little time with. As an adult I loved going golfing, boating and to going to starbucks  - I loved spending time with my mom at that age.
          No different for Jesus – at 12 he was asserting his independence. Let’s see how that relationship changed when he had become a man.
 
2)     John 2:3-5     [Wedding in Cana]   When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine." Jesus replied, "Dear woman, why do you involve me? My time has not yet come." His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." – Jesus then turned water into wine – Not only did Jesus do what she asked – it was the type of miracle he never did again. Other miracles were for healing or hunger – not for luxuries such as wine. By the way she says it, it doesn’t sound like she was thinking he could go down to the 7/11 and get a box of wine but she knew he could do something miraculous. What miracles had he been doing that are not recorded? Possibly, Mary may be the only one capable of answering that question because of how close they were and Jesus checking His identity with the person he is closest to in the world – his mother, Mary! – And just like leaving with his mother at age 12 – he leaves with her this time as well - John 2:12  After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples.
          This is now that relationship between mother and child where she knows what he can do and encourages him to be his very best and even though Jesus doesn’t think it is the right time, for his mom, he does it anyway.  The third conversation will show another sign of change and growth in their relationship. Before we get to that conversation and observation, let’s look at some other unique mom’s in scripture. They hold a very special place in history that no other women share. They are in the list of the genealogy of Jesus Christ.
 
          How many women should be listed in Jesus genealogy? -0-
Listing women in a genealogy was unheard of in the Greco-Roman culture of the first century.  Women were not to be treated with such respect and honor.  Their names should have been left off entirely.  After all, in a patriarchal society like theirs, women were seen to be so untrustworthy that they would not have even been allowed to testify in a court of law!  Therefore, to list women on a public document like a genealogy would have been a disgrace……….But not for Jesus!  
          How many women are listed in Jesus genealogy? -5-
These 5 are the only 5 listed and are therefore, unique, but each is unique in their own right.
 
5 Mothers in the genealogy of Jesus Christ:
In Matthew 1:1-17 there are five women that are listed.  All five of them are mothers.
The first is a woman named Tamar, followed a few generations down with Rahab, followed by Ruth, next is Bathsheba, and of course the Mother of Jesus, Mary. The first 4 are Old testament moms and only Mary makes the list from the New testament period.
 
Consider their being listed in Christ’s genealogy at all.  This would have been radical to the original readers of Matthew’s Gospel! 
This simple mention is an undeniable demonstration of the honor that women (in this case - mothers) were (and are!) given by Christ.  This shouldn’t be a complete surprise because Jesus aways honored women in the midst of this very patriarchal society. Women were listed as the first to know that Jesus was risen from the dead.  
The genealogical record becomes even more radical in nature when considering who these women were.  Two of these mothers, Ruth and Rahab, were from pagan religions and seen as religious outsiders in their culture.  Tamar was an incest survivor, Rahab a prostitute, and Bathsheba committed adultery with David—all moral outsiders.  Even Jesus’ own mother Mary would have been ostracized as a pregnant unwed mother.  She was a social outsider.
 
 
Rahab was the prostitute from Jericho who hid the Israelite spies. Look at who she was and what she did. She was a known prostitute, the Israelite men went to her apartment for housing in Jericho. But when authorities came looking for them, she hid them on the roof, then she lied to the authorities, then she told the spies the history of Israel, then she gave them intelligence about her own people, then she told them how to escape and helped them do that, she brokered a deal for her and her family’s safety and she proclaimed that their God was the true God of heaven. When Israel came to take Jericho, the sign in her window to protect her family from death and save them was a scarlet cord. Neither she nor the spies knew that they were symbolizing a foreshadowing of the protection and saving grace of Jesus Christ. She and her family integrated as part of the Israelite people and she married an Israelite named Salmon. That could have been the end of her story but it was not. She gave birth to a son named Boaz who became a farmer and was related to a woman named Naomi. And so, Rahab, the most unlikely of all women, is the 2^nd woman/mother to be listed in the genealogy of Jesus.
Naomi leaves Israel during a famine and her sons marry foreign women in Moab. Her husband and both sons die and she returns home to Israel encouraging her daughter’s in law to stay in their land, but Ruth insists on going back with her and making Naomi’s people and God her people and God. So that these single-jobless women will have food, Ruth goes to gather leftovers in the fields of none-other…than Boaz; son of Rahab. Boaz falls in love and marries Ruth and she gives birth to Obed who will become the father of Jesse, grandfather of King David and be listed as the 3^rd woman/mother in the genealogy of Jesus.
Speaking of David, he notices a married woman, Bathsheba, bathing on her roof and they have an affair and she gets pregnant. Unable to cover it up by trying to convince her husband to be intimate with her and therefore believe the child is his, David ends up having him killed in battle then they get married, and the child is born but soon dies. Later, Bathsheba gives birth to Solomon who would follow David on the throne of Israel. Therefore, Solomon’s mother, Bathsheba is the 4^th woman/mother listed in the genealogy of Jesus.
We listed numbers 2, 3, and 4 who were all within a few generations of each other. It would be more than 900 years before the next and final mother is listed in Jesus genealogy. But what about the first one mentioned. Judah (a son of Jacob) had 3 sons and had his first son marry a woman named Tamar. That son was wicked and died so Judah told his second son to get Tamar pregnant and he was wicked as well and died. Judah’s 3^rd son would have to grow up before he could take his brother’s place with Tamar and she went home to wait til he was old enough. Impatient, she heard that Judah, her father-in-law, was coming to town so she dressed up as a prostitute, Judah took the bait and was intimate with her. For a pledge of payment he gave her some of his belongings. She became pregnant by Judah and several months later when he heard that Tamar acted as a prostitute and got pregnant he summoned her to be killed and she said the man who did this gave me these as a pledge. Judah realized he was the father and didn’t have her killed. She gave birth to twins and during birth, one stuck out his hand so the midwife tied a cord on his hand and the other son was born first but the one with the cord would be considered the first born. The color of that cord tied around his wrist showing he had rights of a first born – SCARLET. This woman who pretended to be a prostitute to get pregnant by her father-in-law is the very first – of 5 – woman/mother to be listed in the genealogy of Jesus.
That brings us to the 5^th, final and only New Testament woman/mother listed in Jesus genealogy. Comparing her to the first two, she had never even been intimate with a man when she gave birth to her first child. Her name was Mary. In fact, the other 4 are listed by who they are a mother of after the Father is listed first. In this case it says: “Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus” Not only is this woman/mother mentioned in this list, she is given  a preferential listing which makes since in that Joseph is not the actual father of Jesus. She is the mother who would be witness to what the scarlet cord symbolism pointed too when her son would be crucified on a cross for the sins of the world.
 
That brings us back to our 3^rd conversation Jesus had with Mary. It takes place as he is dying on that cross.
 
3)     John 19:25-27     Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister (his aunt), Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, John took Mary into his own home.
 
          The world attacked the son of man and Satan attacked the son of God with his full might. The son of God was allowing Satan’s attack through mocking, whipping, beating, spitting, a crown of thorns, being nailed to the cross and being crucified. Receiving all that wicked punishment as he was dying for all people who would ever be born, in the midst of that, he was still the son of man, taking care of the one person who meant more to him than any other in this world – his mother Mary. Jesus can barely breath or speak through the pain, yet he utters those tender words to make sure his mother is cared for once he is gone.
 
          Is God, is the Holy Spirit, is Jesus ALL IN for mothers? Just look how Jesus honors his mother in all 3 conversations and add to that the astounding list of mothers in the genealogy of Jesus, and there is no doubt that God has an immense amount of love, mercy and grace He desires to pour out on women, and particularly to mothers.
          Moms - Have you recently been knocked down by your own short comings or that of those around you – then realize today that you can sing: Taking my sin, my cross, my shame - Rising again I bless Your name - You are my all in all. When I fall down, You pick me up - When I am dry You fill my cup - You are my all in all!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Matthew 1:1-17
A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham:
Abraham was the father of Isaac
Isaac the father of Jacob
Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers
Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar
Perez the father of Hezron
Hezron the father of Ram
Ram the father of Amminadab
Amminadab the father of Nahshon
Nahshon the father of Salmon
Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab
Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth
Obed the father of Jesse
Jesse the father of King David.
 
David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah's wife (Bathsheba)
Solomon the father of Rehoboam
Rehoboam the father of Abijah
Abijah the father of Asa
Asa the father of Jehoshaphat
Jehoshaphat the father of Jehoram
Jehoram the father of Uzziah
Uzziah the father of Jotham
Jotham the father of Ahaz
Ahaz the father of Hezekiah
Hezekiah the father of Manasseh
Manasseh the father of Amon
Amon the father of Josiah,
Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon.
 
After the exile to Babylon:
Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel
Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel
Zerubbabel the father of Abiud
Abiud the father of Eliakim
Eliakim the father of Azor
Azor the father of Zadok
Zadok the father of Akim
Akim the father of Eliud
Eliud the father of Eleazar
Eleazar the father of Matthan
Matthan the father of Jacob
Jacob the father of Joseph
Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
 
Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David
 fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon,
and fourteen from the exile to the Christ.

04-24-22 “They never stopped!”

Scripture   Acts 5:41-42

                         

The ones who never stopped were ALL IN!   Who were ‘they’?
The Apostles – that’s who: Acts 5:41-42
The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.
The Difference: Disciples (Student) to Apostles (Sent ones)
After they were trained as disciples, Jesus made them apostles when he said: “Go with my authority and make more disciples (students) baptize them into my church and teach them my way of living.”
 
Acts 5:1-11 – retell the story of Ananias and Sapphira who were NOT all in!
Acts 5:12-32 – retell the story of the apostles who WERE all in with miracles and teaching!
Acts 5:33-40
When the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and wanted to put the apostles to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law (the teacher of Saul of Tarsus = Paul), who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: "Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."
          Acts 5:40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
          As if they are going to let a little flogging stop them from obeying the Holy Spirit of God.
Let me remind you of where we started: Acts 5:41-42
The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.

 

MAKE THEM THIRSTY
A young salesman was disappointed about losing a big sale, and as he talked with his sales manager he lamented, “I guess it just proves you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.” The manager replied, “Your job is not to make him drink. Your job is to make him thirsty.” So it is with evangelism. Our lives should be so filled with Christ that they create a thirst for the Gospel.
 
The apostles continually made the people thirsty. Why don’t we see more of this today? What did they have that we don’t have? We could discuss that Christianity was a new thing and excitement builds around the latest new thing. We could say they had the right people in the right places at the right time. We could come up with all kinds of reasons why the church grew ‘back then’ and doesn’t seem to experience that same growth today, or we could stop and say, what did they have that we may be missing?  It is simple.
          They had unwavering obedience to the Holy Spirit. What does that mean? It means they were not ‘just’ disciples. They saw themselves as apostles – sent by God to proclaim the good news of salvation in the name of Jesus. It was a simple formula: The Holy Spirit gave direction and the apostles followed those directions. Do you remember we used to have to ask for and write down directions or look at a map. But how many of us thought we could find a short cut. Even in the early days of GPS we would try a short cut and the GPS would shout out – recalculating. That is like not following the Holy’s Spirit’s directions – the Spirit has to shout out “recalculating”. Many things get in the way of being like the first apostles.
 
INACTION EFFECT
Joe Robinson, author of the book, DON’T MISS YOUR LIFE, makes a case that one of life’s most dogging of emotions, regret, may just have a beneficial purpose: to prod us to step out and take action. According to Mr. Robinson, "researchers have found that the biggest regrets come not from what you do but from what you didn't do." It's the course untaken, known as the "inaction effect" in one study, which produces more regret than actions that don't work out.
Other research shows there's more intensity to the regret that comes from lost opportunities and that it stays with you longer. Since we “seem to be wired to not leave possibilities on the table,” why then do so many of us fall prey to the "inaction effect?"  Robinson explains that it is “because we're wired with some other tendencies, too -- fear, procrastination, cynicism, prior disappointments."  These negative psychological agents work hard to hold us back from experiencing life to the fullest.  “Life is short,” he concludes, “regrets are forever.”

BE THE APOSTLE GOD MADE YOU TO BE
The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John Are read by more than a few, But the one that is most read and commented on is the gospel according to you.
You are writing a gospel, a chapter each day By the things that you do and the words that you say, People read what you write, whether faithless or true, Say, what is the gospel according to you?
Do people read His truth and His love in your life, Or has yours been too full of malice and strife? Does your life speak of evil, or does it ring true? Say, what is the gospel according to you?
CONCLUSION
2 Timothy 4:7-8
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day — and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

04-17-22 “A walk to remember!” EASTER

Scripture  Romans 6:3-8
(Video Countdown with Via Dolorosa to show the idea of walking the path to Jesus.)

          We just spent 7 weeks walking with Jesus. We walked from Galilee all the way to Jericho. From Jericho up to Jerusalem. We walked to the upper room. We walked to the garden of Gethsemane. We walked past the fig tree. We walked back and forth from Bethany to Jerusalem. We walked with Jesus, in detail on the Via Dolorosa – the way of suffering – the way of the cross.

That is where our walk stopped after 7 weeks, at the foot of the cross watching Jesus suffer a horrific death. That would be so sad to end our walk at the cross of death. Every religion in the world ends with the death of its leader or founder. Not Christianity. It is not a religion, it is a relationship – not any relationship – it is a relationship with the eternal living God. If we walked with him to his death, we will also walk with him in a new resurrected life.  Romans 6:3-8     Don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. 5 If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.
 
          A woman named Mary Barbour remembers her walk (or run) from darkness to light and life.  Mary Barbour was ten years of age the night her father awoke her and led her to the wagon which would carry them to freedom.     Before you hear her words, picture her seated on a porch in Raleigh, NC being interviewed. It’s 1935. Mary Barbour then was over eighty years old. She rocks as she thinks. Her tiny body was swallowed by the large chair. Her frail fingers tremble as she rubs her nose. Old but eager eyes stare out as if she is gazing into a land far on the horizon. You lean against the pole and listen to her story.
One of the first things that I remembers was my pappy waking me up in the middle of the night, dressing me in the dark, all the time telling me to keep quiet. One of the twins hollered some, and Pappy put his hand over its mouth to keep it quiet.
          After we was dressed, he went outside and peeped around for a minute, then he comed back in and got us. We snook out of the house and along the woods path, Pappy toting one of the twins and holding me by the hand and Mammy carrying the other two.
          I reckons I will always remember that walk, with the bushes slapping my legs, the wind sighing in the trees, and the hoot owls and the whippoorwills hollering at each other from the big trees. I was half asleep and scared stiff, but in a little while we pass the plum thicket and there am the mules and the wagon. There am the quilt in the bottom of the wagon, and on this they lays we young’uns. And Pappy and Mammy gets on the board across the front and drives off down the road.
          I was sleepy, but I was scared too, so as we rides along, I listens to Pappy and Mammy talk. Pappy was telling Mammy about the Yankees coming to their plantation, burning the corncribs, the smokehouses and destroying everything. He says right low that they done took Marster Jordan to the rip raps down nigh Norfolk, and that he stole the mules and the wagon and escaped.
Glimmerings of deliverance. Lingerings of the liberation. Seven decades later the wind still sighs in the trees and the whippoorwills and hoot owls still holler at each other in Mary Barbour’s memory. The walk to freedom is never forgotten. The path taken from slavery to liberation is always vivid. It’s more than a road, it’s a release. The shackles are opened and, for perhaps the first time, freedom dawns. “I reckons that I will always remember that walk…”
 
Who remembers there walk from darkness to light and life?
(walks related to the resurrection)
(Via Dolorosa) – Jesus walked a dark road to his death. 3 days later, he also experienced the greatest light (in the tomb) and life. John 8:12 Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
 
Joseph of Arimathea & Nicodemus walk, carrying the lifeless body of Jesus from Calvary to a garden where Joseph has a new unused tomb.
 
Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, Joanna & Salome walk in the darkness of a Sunday morning, which had been dark in their lives since Friday afternoon when their friend and savior had been crucified. They are coming to the tomb to prepare Jesus’ body for what should be his permanent resting place.
 
Peter & John, don’t walk, they run with dark thoughts that someone has stolen Jesus’ body from the tomb. John arrives first, then Peter…who enters the now empty tomb.

 

Cleopas and the other disciple on the road to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-32     Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.
He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?"
They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?"
"What things?" he asked.
"About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see."
He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?"  And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them.
When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"
Luke 24:33-36
They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, "It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon." Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you."
 
          It is amazing to look at all of these stories about taking a walk from darkness to light…from death to life. Notice how the disciples are all starting to share their stories of their encounters with the risen Lord. Imagine if people were to overhear our conversations and all we were talking about were our encounters with the risen Lord and Savior.
 
          In a church, nothing breeds new life like new life. As we hear those stories we need to rejoice and celebrate the one who has made them come true – the one who was first to rise from the dead to live forever – Jesus. These are the things we should be talking about. Our conversations must engage what it means when a person takes that walk from darkness to life and celebrate that new life and give praise upon praise to Jesus for being the light on our path to life everlasting.
Tigyne’s Story
Tigyne belonged to the Wallamo tribe in interior Ethiopia. In the years preceding World War II, missionaries carried the message of Christ to this Satan-worshiping tribe. One of the early converts was Tigyne. Raymond Davis was the missionary who knew him…and freed him.
Tigyne was a slave. His decision to follow Jesus displeased his master who refused to allow Tigyne to attend Bible studies or worship. He frequently beat and humiliated Tigyne for his faith. But it was a price this young Christian was willing to pay.
There was another price, however, he could not afford. He couldn’t purchase his freedom. For only twelve dollars his master would release him, but for this slave who’d never known a salary, it might as well have been a million.
When the missionaries learned that his freedom could be purchased, they talked it over, pooled some money, and bought his freedom.
Tigyne was now free – both spiritually and physically. He never outlived his gratitude to the men who had redeemed him.
Soon after his day of liberty, the missionaries were expelled from Ethiopia. Twenty-four years passed before Raymond Davis returned to Wallamo. During this quarter of a century, Tigyne proclaimed his vital testimony about his walk to freedom – yes from slavery to being a free man but more so from the darkness of sin to the light and life of freedom he found in Jesus Christ! He longed to see Davis again.
When he heard that his friend was coming back, he went to the mission station several days in a row to wait. Dates on the calendar or time on the clock had no significance for Tigyne, so he came daily to search for Davis.
Finally, Davis arrived, riding in a car driven by a fellow missionary.
When Tigyne saw the vehicle come around the corner, he ran to the window and took Davis’s hand and began to kiss it again and again. The driver slowed the car so Tigyne could run beside it. As he ran, he yelled to his friends, “Behold! Behold! One of those who redeemed me has returned!”
Finally the car stopped. Davis got out and Tigyne dropped to knees, put his arms around his friend’s legs, and began to kiss his dusty shoes. Davis reached down to bring him to full height and they stood with their arms around each other and wept.

 

When is the last time you told someone about your walk from darkness to light, from sin to forgiveness, from spiritual death to eternal life? My walk was a car ride from Columbus Ohio to Zanesville Ohio on Monday night Nov. 4^th, 1974, then it was a walk down the isle of the auditorium where I met Jesus through the music ministry of the Good News Circle, the preaching of Bob Laurent, and the invitation to be there by my friend Bryan Hitch. Why do I repeat that story so often? Why do I want you to know my story? Why has my facebook profile picture always been and always will be one of me from high school wearing a shirt that says “One Way Jesus”. The answer to all that is because what happened on Nov 4^th 1974 is the single most important thing that has ever happened in my life – Jesus came into my darkness – a darkness I didn’t even realize I was living in, until he showed up and a light like I had never known shown so bright I could not help but respond and walk in that light and even more so, walk into a newness of life as I walked in the foot steps of Jesus who in that moment I knew not only died for me, but was also raised from the grave to conquer death once and for all!
 
          As I walk through this life I celebrate my…………..Jesus!
 
Invitation: Song - “King of kings”

04-03-22 “Jesus encountered risky love on his way to the cross”

Scripture  Matthew 26:1-16

The story of Corey, Poland & Artful Eddie
What is risky love? Risky love looks like a Christian woman by the name of Corrie Ten Boom and her family who helped hide, feed and assisted in the escape of over 800 Jews from Nazi Germany. They had a hidden safe room built into their house with an alarm to alert when the Nazi’s were in the neighborhood. When seeking food ration cards, she asked for 100 and was given them which she distributed to Jewish families who were not able to obtain them. She and her family risked their lives for the sake of people from a different faith and nationality because God’s love compelled them to do so.
          How many risky love stories like hers may one day come out of Belarus, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Moldova as people in those countries help the citizen’s of their border country – Ukraine?

THE STORY OF ARTFUL EDDIE
Artful Eddie lacked nothing.
          He was the slickest of the slick lawyers. He was one of the roars of the roaring twenties. A crony of Al Capone, he ran the gangster’s dog tracks. He mastered the simple technique of fixing the race by overfeeding seven dogs and betting on the eighth.
          Wealth. Status. Style. Artful Eddie lacked nothing.
          Then why did he turn himself in ? Why did he offer to squeal on Capone? What was his motive? Didn’t Eddie know the sure-fire consequences of ratting on the mob?
          He knew, but he’d made up his mind.
          What did he have to gain? What could society give him that he didn’t have? He had money, power, prestige. What was the hitch?
          Eddie revealed the hitch. His son. Eddie had spent his life with the despicable. He had smelled the stench of the underground long enough. For his son, he wanted more. He wanted to give his son a name. And to give his son a name, he would have to clear his own. Eddie was willing to take a risk so that his son could have a clean slate. Artful Eddie never saw his dream come true. After Eddie squealed, the mob remembered. Two shotgun blasts silenced him forever.
          Was it worth it?    

RISKY STORIES FROM THE BIBLE

Now let’s look at some stories of Risky love that took place on Jesus way to the cross. We have been focusing on what Jesus was ‘doing’ on his way to the cross – today we will focus on what others were doing to Jesus on his way to the cross and see where we can find Risky love or a lack of it.

The Risky love of Simon the leper & Mary
Matt 26:1-16
When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, "As you know, the Passover is two days away — and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified."
          3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and they plotted to arrest Jesus in some sly way and kill him. "But not during the Feast," they said, "or there may be a riot among the people."
          6 While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.
          8 When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. "Why this waste?" they asked. "This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor."
          10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her."
          14 Then one of the Twelve — the one called Judas Iscariot — went to the chief priests and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.
 
Luke – earlier - feet
John 6 days before – feet                   (lamb feet 6 days before to prepare for sacrifice)
Mt & Mk 2 days before head            (lamb head 2 days before to announce ready)
 
Jesus is shown hospitality by: RISKY LOVE       Jesus is shown hostility by: NO LOVE
Woman – Perfume - mourning/not celebration Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of Silver
Simon the leper – Healed & Hosting                            Chief Priests & Caiaphas the High Priest
Lazarus – raised from dead & wanted                   Pilate washed hands & Herod looking for a miracle.
 

CONCLUSION

Like these 3 people on Jesus way to the cross, they show us Risky-ALL IN love that takes a chance. Love that goes out on a limb. Love that makes a statement and leaves a legacy. Sacrificial love.
          Love which is unexpected, surprising, and stirring. Acts of love which steal the heart and leave impressions on the soul. Acts of love which are never forgotten.
 
ARTFUL EDDIE PART 2
Back to Artful Eddie and his son: Was it worth it for Artful Eddie to clear his name that resulted in his death?
For the son it was. Artful Eddie’s boy lived up to the sacrifice. His is one of the best-known names in the world. Had Eddie lived to see his son Butch grow up, he would have been proud.
          He would have been proud of Butch’s appointment to Annapolis. He would have been proud of his commissioning as a World War II Navy pilot. He would have been proud as he read of his son downing five bombers in the Pacific night and saving the lives of hundreds of crewmen on the carrier Lexington. The name was cleared. The Congressional Medal of Honor which Butch received was proof.
          When people say the name O’Hare in Chicago, they don’t think gangsters – they think aviation heroism. And now when you say his name, you have something else to think about. Think about the undying dividends of risky love. Think about it the next time you hear it. Think about it the next time you fly into the airport named after the son of a gangster…gone good.
          The son of Eddie O’Hare.

Jesus talking to Nicodemus who at this conversation with Jesus was not willing to risk – but later, with Joseph of Arimathea, he risks caring for Jesus body after he has been crucified.
John 3:16-17
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
 
          For the one who has shown you this kind of love, what measure of love are you willing to risk for Him?