06-12-22 “Welcome to the ‘All In’ Hall of Faith”

Scripture                                              Hebrews 11:1-12:3
          They all were all in for Jesus who would be crucified and risen from the dead for their sakes as well as ours! They were all in for Jesus who would be the truth of God revealed to the world! They were all in for Jesus Christ who would hold on to their promise so that they might receive it with us as a means to encourage us to be all in for Jesus and receive the promise together with those already in the “ALL IN” Hall of Faith!

          What is faith? There are two realities – a physical world and a spiritual world. Just as we have the sense of sight (how we predominantly interact with the world) faith is how we predominantly interact with the spiritual world. It is having a certain belief that something exist that you cannot know with the senses of the physical world (sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste). Faith can manifest itself in the physical world (Meshach, Shadrach & Abednego – not burned by fire – by faith they believed the unseen God would save them, but if God did not save them would not change the reality of His existence). Faith is manifested physically but is not a product of the physical world, its entire existence is in the spiritual/unseen world. Let me prove it. Does love exist? Of course but it too does not exist in the physical world. A hug or kiss is not love. Love manifests itself through those physical acts or by feeding the hungry but love itself is a reality in the unseen spiritual world that merely manifests itself in the physical world – just like faith. In fact, Paul said – all aspects of the physical world are finite – they will disappear but there are 3 things (in the eternal-unseen-spiritual world that will remain: FAITH, HOPE, and LOVE).                                                       

          There are things in the physical world that are unseen but still exist– like GRAVITY. So being unseen isn’t enough to prove that there is a spiritual world. Gravity is a good example to show us the reality of faith in a spiritual world. If you step off a 10-story building, what will happen to you? FALL – how do you know? Have you ever stepped off a 10-story building? NO! You have had experiences stepping off smaller things that cause you to “be sure of what you hope for and certain of what we do not see”. That is faith – it is real and though it can manifest itself in the physical world it exists in the spiritual world which is the same place you experience God who is unseen and who also manifests Himself in the physical world even though He is not a part of the physical world that will one day pass away.  

Hebrews 11:1-12:3

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
ABLE
4 By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.
 
 
ENOCH
5 By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Genesis 5:21-24     Jared (father of Enoch) lived 962 years, and then he died.
When Enoch was 65, he became the father of Methuselah [who ended up living 969 years–7 more than grandpa Jared and the longest of any human]. After Enoch became the father of Methuselah, he walked with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enoch lived 365 years. Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.
          1/3 time of father and son and God said – well done – just come on up to heaven early. Apparently, compared to others, Enoch must have been living well – how? BY FAITH!
 
NOAH
7 By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
ABRAHAM
8 By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. 9 By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
11 By faith Abraham, even though he was past age — and Sarah herself was barren — was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. 12 And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.
 
COMMENTARY INTERLUDE
13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country — a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
ABRAHAM continued
17 By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, 18 even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned."  19 Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.
FAITH WAS CREDITED AS RIGHTEOUSNESS = 1x in Genesis, 4xs in Romans, 1x in Galatians and also 1x in James - James 2:21-23  Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend.
ISAAC
20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.
JACOB
21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.
JOSEPH
22 By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions about his bones.
MOSES’S PARENTS (Amram & Jochebed)
Jochebed was Amram’s Aunt – his father’s sister
23 By faith Moses' parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king's edict.
MOSES
24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. 25 He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. 26 He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.
PRE-PROMISED LAND JEWS
29 By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.
FIRST PROMISED LAND JEWS
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.
RAHAB
31 By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.
James 2:25-26     In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?
 
 
MANY OTHERS
32 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34 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. 35 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. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. 37 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— 38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.
39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. 40 God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.                  CLOUD OF WITNESSES
12:1 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. 2 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. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
 
CONCLUSION
One afternoon author Patsy Clairmont found herself on an airplane, sitting next to a young man. She writes, "I had already observed something about this young man when I was being seated. He called me "Ma'am." At the time I thought, 'Either he thinks I'm ancient, or he's from the South where they still teach manners, or he's in the service.' I decided the latter was the most likely, so I asked, "You in the service?" "Yes, Ma'am, I am." "What branch?" "Marines." 
"Hey, Marine, where are you coming from?" "Operation Desert Storm, Ma'am." 
"No kidding? Desert Storm! How long were you there?" I asked. "A year and a half. I'm on my way home. My family will be at the airport." I then commented that he must have thought about returning to his family and home many times while he was in the Middle East. "Oh, no, Ma'am," he replied. "We were taught never to think of what might never be, but to be fully available right where we were." 
 
          That is a great philosophy for this world. But for a person to live by faith in the spiritual world that will affect this physical world til the return of Christ, it is the exact opposite. You should look ahead to what will be when Jesus does return and calls us home to glory. That will allow you to live a righteous productive life by faith in this world till that day you join…
Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses' parents, Moses,
Pre-Promised Land Jews, First Promised land Jews, Rahab, Many others…and
Add your name to the cloud of witnesses for those who would follow after you.
And you hear Jesus say, Welcome to the “ALL IN” Hall of Faith!

06-05-22 “A Pentecostal Sermon”

Scripture                                                     Acts 2:1-42
What is the Origin of Pentecost?

Pentecost was the celebration of the beginning of the early weeks of harvest. In Palestine, there were two harvests each year. The early harvest came during the months of May and June; the final harvest came in the Fall. Pentecost was the celebration of the beginning of the early wheat harvest, which meant that Pentecost always fell sometime during the middle of the month of May or sometimes in early June.

There were several festivals, celebrations, or observances that took place before Pentecost. There was Passover, there was Unleavened Bread, and there was the Feast of Firstfruits. The Feast of Firstfruits was the celebration of the beginning of the barley harvest. Here's the way you figured out the date of Pentecost. 

According to the Old Testament, you would go to the day of the celebration of Firstfruits, and beginning with that day, you would count off 50 days. The fiftieth day would be the Day of Pentecost. So Firstfruits is the beginning of the barley harvest and Pentecost the celebration of the beginning of the wheat harvest. 

Since it was always 50 days after Firstfruits, and since 50 days equals seven weeks, it always came a "week of weeks" later. Therefore, they either called it the Feast of Harvest or the Feast of Weeks.

 

          Therefore, when the Holy Spirit was poured out – in place of Jesus presence – it was a means of providing Pentecost Wheat = Bread. Jesus was born in Bethlehem = “House of Bread”  and he said of himself, John 6:47-51 I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life. I am the bread of life. Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

 

Acts 2

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs — we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!" Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?"

Some, however, made fun of them and said, "They have had too much wine."

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 calls on 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.'

"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   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."

40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. (dismiss the crowd)

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

COMMUNION

Partake at any point while singing “Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place”

 

Now, we know what the original festival of Pentecost was about – the wheat harvest, we know it is 50 days after the barley harvest and after Easter. We know it is the day the Holy Spirit empowered the disciples. We know it was the Holy Spirit that empowered Peter to preach and that 3000 people were saved that day – the birthday of the church. We have received communion and are cleansed of our sins.

 

          Now what? Well - 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. That all has to do with personal and corporate study, worship, fellowship, and prayer. There is something else that is not specifically listed but is just assumed.  How did those 3000 come to faith in Jesus? 40 With many other words Peter warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

          I have devoted my life to preaching – 36+ years of preaching, a doctorate degree in preaching. Why? Why is preaching so important? One young man told his father-in-law he thought the sermon should be done away with because there are enough study tools available for everyone to do their own study. What is wrong with that argument? That suggests that preaching is just an intellectual exercise. Someone could argue that there are already enough really great sermons online to last you 100 lifetimes. What is wrong with that argument? That is like suggesting Jesus could have saved the world through a zoom meeting. God knew His word had to become incarnate. Likewise, there is something about incarnational preaching – coming from a living, breathing real human being – not from someone on a screen whose illustrations and stories may become quickly out of date and unrelatable.

          The sermon preached in person to those in person (BTW I am thankful for online streaming for those who are not able, for one reason or another, to be present. But those who primarily watch online will tell you it is not the same as being there). Why? Because personal bible reading goes only as far as your knowledge and attention span can go? Why, because Bible study is a conversation between you and the teacher and the class. Why? Because the sermon, and only the sermon, is a conversation between you and the Holy Spirit facilitated by the preacher.

          There are two things happening during every sermon. There is a collaborative or corporate experience – you receive the word in the midst of community – coming in and being with others who share the same core beliefs you have and so you receive the same message together. Secondly, you are not in a group discussion with people giving opinions, you are hearing the scripture preached by a person set apart for that specific task because they have proven their ability to accurately handle the word of truth and they are, therefore, assisting you in having that conversation with the Holy Spirit. And when that happens, you can each week experience a Pentecostal Sermon.

          3 things you must do to have that happen regularly.

1)    Pray for the preacher as they are preparing and delivering the sermon.

2)    Pray for yourself to come expectantly – ready to hear a word from God for your life.

3)    Be fully present during the sermon in the midst of the gathered body of believers who are doing the same as you.

Once you have done those 3 things and practice them regularly, all of a sudden, your life will become a sermon to others because you will not be able to help going out and…

Shout it! Go on and scream it from the mountains!

Go on and tell it to the masses, That Jesus is God!

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.