1:1-17HOW HAS CHRIST SENT US? - What did and did not God send us to do?
“Therefore I also said, 'I will not drive them out before you; but they will become as thorns in your sides and their gods will be a snare to you.”FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What are we to learn from the lesson of Israel?
I. OUR ENEMIES WILL BE DUE TO OUR DISOBEDIENCE!TRUTH/CONTEXT: Israel is not far from the shores of the Wilderness and yet here they are in this predicament. (READ ALOUD: Judges 2:10-11)
II. OUR ENEMIES WILL (probably) BE GOD’S TESTING OF US!A. Our Enemies Will Be Pains In Our Daily Lives!
B. Our Enemies Will Trap Us In Things We Can't Control!
Israel –That’s it; over and over Israel goes through this cycle. Even individuals are shown to exhibit the same characteristics (e.g., Samson, priests, Jephthah, the greedy Levite, etc.).1. Is instructed to obey
2. Agrees to obey
3. Disobeys
4. Suffers
5. Cries out (repentance)
6. Is judged
7. Is restored
8. Is instructed to obey
“Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.”Would you say we’ve been in that cycle here in the United States? In the world?1 Corinthians 10:11
I. OUR ENEMIES WILL BE DUE TO OUR DISOBEDIENCE!
Consider how the contemporary church has disobeyed God ...A. The Great Commandments [Matthew 22:37-38]II. OUR ENEMIES WILL (probably) BE GOD’S TESTING OF US!
B. First Things First"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”D. SacrificeMatthew 6:33Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.E. OthersRomans 12:1Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.[CHEAP WORDS] A non-believing lawyer went to a friend’s church, listened watching speechlessly to the behavior of many who he knew … especially a number whom he’d seen in court or whom he represented.Philippians 2:4
“How did you like the service?” His friend asked at the close of the service. He answered, “As a lawyer let me respond in this way: there is a world of difference between testimony and evidence.
"Words are cheap; it’s easy to give testimony for Christ, but quite another matter to offer evidence of God's purifying power in one’s life in Christ. Didn’t your Jesus say ... 'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.'” [Mark 7:6]“Now these are the nations which the LORD left, to test Israel …”Judges 3:1A. OUR ENEMIES WILL BE PAINS IN OUR DAILY LIVES!1. Entertainment industry is surely testing usB. OUR ENEMIES WILL TRAP US IN THINGS WE CAN’T CONTROL!a) Audio & video2. Political system is surely testing us
b) Prurient & voyeuristic desires
c) Gambling and pamperinga) Lacks a clear Christian national-view3. Educational system is surely testing us
b) Lacks a Christian worldviewa) Corrupting the minds of our young people
b) Anti-Americanism
c) Lying & cheating
d) Communistic & socialistic1. Our own churchesa) Mega-church growth2. Judicial system:
b) Theological conflict
c) Church splits & pastoral hostility
d) Tares & wolvesa) 9th Circuit decision this week3. Secularism-humanism
b) Kelo
c) Gay marriage
d) Destruction of the familya) Paganism
b) Drug trade
c) Pornographers
d) Materialism
e) Victim class
f) Laziness
APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: So where have we disobeyed the LORD? Remind them of the above AND it was up to God’s people to drive the enemies of Israel out but it was in fact the Lord who drove them out.
[REAL WITNESS] Let's not be like those who are seen and heard being un-Christian. People who know we are Christians will wonder greatly at our conduct.Didn’t the LORD say we were not to take His name in vain? Isn’t calling oneself a Christian but not behaving as one taking the name of Jesus in vain?
We might say, “I do this or that not as a Christian, but as a sinner saved by grace." Or we might even try, “I do this or that not as a Christian, I am at work where I may not act like a Christian.”
“But,” the observer will ask, “when the sinner or worker goes to Hell, what will become of the Christian?”
How will God judge us when we appear before His throne? Will it be for what we sang or prayed in church, or will it be for our witness before a lost and dying world?
It will be whether His Son ever knew us!
[NAME CHANGE] Once a soldier was reported to Alexander the Great for showing cowardice on a particular occasion; when the soldier appeared before Alexander the Great, he asked him his name. He said, “Alexander, sir!” Alexander rebuked him for the dishonor he’d brought upon the name and ordered him to change his name or behave in a way that honored the name.
It would not be a better thing to have fewer Christians laboring in the Lord’s vineyard but it would be to have better ones.
It would seem to me that most of what passes as Christianity today could certainly use a name change.
2:24
Link - THE TAPESTRY OF ATONEMENT - What it means to us!
TRUTH CLAIM: Growth implies increase; and in this case not a growth that is attributed to man but to God.... grow in the grace and knowledge
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Knowledge is learned familiarity, awareness, or understanding.
- Common grace is defined as “God’s unmerited favor to all mankind; He provides sunshine, rainfall, food, and clothing. (recall the Sermon on the Mount … fowl of the air, lilies of the valley) It also denotes God’s withholding of judgment (i.e., He has not been hindered from sentencing) and restraining sin (2 Thessalonians 2:7).
- Irresistible or efficacious grace is defined as divine love and mercy, bestowed freely for all people; involves God’s sovereign work in effectively calling some to salvation, those who know His voice will respond to His call.
I. GROW IN FAITH!APPLICATION/CHALLENGEGrow in the foundation grace, faith. Believe the promises of God more firmly than before; our faith should be increasing in abundance, steadfastness, simplicity in our lives.A. In abundance:1. Dimensional: a great or plentiful amount.B. In steadfastness:
2. Conceptual: fullness to overflowing: “My thoughts … are from the abundance of my heart.”
3. Practical: affluence; wealth.1. Meaning fixed or unchanging,C. In simplicity:
2. as well as, firmly loyal or constant; unswerving.1. Definition: the property or quality of being simple, plain, undefiled.
2. Attributes:a) an absence of luxury or showiness, of affectation or pretense, of sophistication or embellishment;
b) with clarity of expression.II. GROW IN HUMILITY!Thus, grow likewise in the character grace, humility. Endeavor to walk circumspectly, and know better of your own insignificance.III. GROW IN PRAYER!
The Bible says, "GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE." [James 4:6]
We cannot consider the interests of others as more important than our own if we lack humility.So grow also in the connecting grace, prayer. Christianity is a dependency relationship; being related to God and each other but unconnected is a contradiction.IV. GROW IN FELLOWSHIP!
As you grow downward in humility, try also to grow upward in prayer, gaining frequent entry to God.Devote yourselves to prayer … [Col. 4:2]
… pray without ceasing [1 Thess. 5:17]
The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. [James 5:16]
"… THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE UPON THE RIGHTEOUS, AND HIS EARS ATTEND TO THEIR PRAYER." [1 Peter 3:12]Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, “A Christian fellowship lives and exists by the inter-cession of its members for one another or it collapses.”V. GROW IN LOVE!
Thus, grow further in the social grace, fellowship. Clear communication without intimate communion becomes a business transaction rather than a love relationship.Grow also in the ultimate grace, love. Pray that your love may be enlarged, be-coming more intense, becoming more practical, influencing every thought, word, and deed.VI. GROW IN KNOWLEDGE!But now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. [1 Corinthians 13:13]If you know the love of Jesus - as the hart pants for the water brooks, so will you pant after deeper drafts of His love.
As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for Thee, O God. [Psalms 42:1]
Abide close by the Cross, and search the mystery of Jesus wounds; full apprehension of His love of us is one of the best tests of growth in grace.Moreover, grow in the practical voluntary grace, knowledge. May God the Holy Spirit make possible your growth “in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior.”
To know Him is eternal life; to advance in the knowledge of Him is to increase in happiness. Those who do not long to know more of the Savior, know nothing of Him.
And He answered [their question regarding the use of parables] and said to them,"To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted. For whoever has, to him shall more be given, and he shall have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him. Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand." [Matthew 13:11-13]The one who resists growing in the knowledge of Jesus, resists the blessings of God.
If you do not desire to know Him better, then you love Him not, for love always cries, “Nearer, nearer.” Absence from Christ is hell; but the presence of Jesus is heaven.
[UNFINISHED] A missionary in Mexico relates how all the houses in the area had rebar sticking out of the top of the first story as if a second floor had been planned.We need to be sure we can carry a greater load and that we’ve built on a firm foundation … see if there is any rebar coming out of your head.
How this could have been was a mystery since the first stories were incapable of holding up another floor.
In Mexico a house is not taxable until it is finished, the rebar is proof the house is not finished.
"And he came into all the district around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins; as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, 'THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, MAKE READY THE WAY OF THE LORD, MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT. EVERY RAVINE SHALL BE FILLED UP, AND EVERY MOUNTAIN AND HILL SHALL BE BROUGHT LOW; AND THE CROOKED SHALL BECOME STRAIGHT, AND THE ROUGH ROADS SMOOTH; AND ALL FLESH SHALL SEE THE SALVATION OF GOD.'"INQUIRY: How should we make the way ready for Jesus?
"A voice is calling, 'Clear the way for the LORD in the wilderness; Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God. Let every valley be lifted up, And every mountain and hill be made low; And let the rough ground become a plain, And the rugged terrain a broad valley; Then the glory of the LORD will be revealed, And all flesh will see it together; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken."
I. WE MUST PREPARE A HIGH-WAY FOR HIS GRACE!TRUTH/CONTEXT: The voice crying in the wilderness is demanding a way be prepared for our soon coming Lord.
II. WE MUST PREPARE A PATHWAY FOR HIS HOLINESS!
III. WE MUST PREPARE A CAUSEWAY FOR HIS SOVEREIGNTY!
IV. WE MUST PREPARE A FREEWAY FOR HIS FELLOWSHIP!
[SPURGEON] Regarding this passage Spurgeon says, “I would be attentive to the Master's proclamation, and give him a road into my heart ... through the desert of my nature.”I believe Spurgeon is right. I believe if you’re expecting Jesus to come to you in some fashion, any fashion (e.g., this morning’s healing time), you need to make ready for His arrival!
[STUMBLING BLOCKS] We have a moderate tradition in our house: dad reads to the kids at bedtime. I’m currently reading Frank Peretti’s “The Tombs of Anak” (Book 3 of The Cooper Kids Adventure Series) to my daughter Naomi.The Lord is earnestly seeking access to our hearts but at every turn, we throw something in His way.
In it, the heroes are trying to find their way to a companion who is being held in a maze of underground tombs by some unknown bad guys. At every turn, something gets in their way.
I. WE MUST PREPARE A HIGH-WAY FOR HIS GRACE!APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: Beloved, would it be this morning that the Lord would find in our heart a highway of faith made ready for His grace ... that He might make a triumphal entry through the utmost wilderness of our soul, from now till the end of our time.A. Grace and faith are forever joined at the hip.II. WE MUST PREPARE A PATHWAY FOR HIS HOLINESS!
B. Every valley must be lifted; false humilities and hypocrisies are unbecoming to our King, every mountain of pride must be torn down.
C. All doubt and despair must be removed; self-seeking and carnal living forsaken.
D. Across all ravines, gouged out by the torrents of life, a highway for His grace must be raised.[REMEMBER] In 1972, the Duke of Windsor, the uncrowned King Edward VIII, died in Paris. A television program recounted his life. Viewers watched an interview in which he answered questions about his upbringing, his brief reign, and his eventual abdication.III. WE MUST PREPARE A CAUSEWAY FOR HIS SOVEREIGNTY!
Recalling his boyhood as Prince of Wales, he said, “My father [King George V] was a strict disciplinarian. When I had done something wrong, he would admonish me, saying, ‘My boy, you must always remember who you are.’”
Our heavenly Father says the same to us every day, “My child, you must always remember who you are.” Let us constantly remind ourselves of who we are [in Christ].
A. The crooked must be straightened; wavering hearts must have straight pathways for God, with holiness for its pavement.
B. The double-minded are not welcome on this path; they’re strangers to God’s truths.
C. Heed all things honest and true; God is a heart-searching God.[OBEDIENCE] Fort Bragg, North Carolina: A clerical error sent a supply clerk with the 82nd Airborne Division on his first parachute jump without any formal training.IV. WE MUST PREPARE A FREEWAY FOR HIS FELLOWSHIP!
When he jumped, Army Specialist Jeff Lewis, who landed unhurt, said he was just doing what any good soldier is supposed to do - follow orders. “The Army said I was airborne-qualified,” Lewis said. “I wasn't going to question it.”
A. Every mountain of self, every high-rise built by human hands must be bulldozed down.
B. The proud, the egocentric, and the self-righteousness must be leveled, to make a causeway for the King of kings.
C. The Lord has respect for the humble, He visits the contrite in heart, but the lofty are an abomination to him.
D. Implore the Holy Spirit to set you right in this.A. The rough places must be smooth; sin’s obstacles removed.
B. Divine fellowship is never offered to calloused or casual sinners.
C. All weeds of rebellion must be uprooted from the roadbed.
D. Such a great visitor must not be expected to travel muddy and stone littered alleyways when he comes to honor us with his company ... let Him find freeways of blessing and expectation.
[GRAHAM] As Billy once said, “If you were told the President of the United States would be at your house for a visit, you wouldn’t wait until you saw the presidential limousine driving down your street before you began to prepare for his arrival.” [Loose paraphrase]
How much more should you be prepared for the Lord’s arrival to meet your needs?
50:7I AM YOUR GOD - God's all sufficient essence!100:4 (1-5)NEW EACH DAY - How to avoid making Jesus trivial!CrossLinked: Spurgeon's Morning & Evening Proclaimed Series (November 5 "Evening")104:16HEIRS OF HEAVEN - The Mysterious Hand of God!CrossLinked: Spurgeon's Morning & Evening Proclaimed Series (August 13 "Morning")
1:44 [39-45]LEAPING FOR JOY - Experiencing the Lord’s Presence for Joy!
2:18WONDER OF WONDERS – Awe and Mystery In God’s Presence!9:18-20THE ONE - Just Another Senator (New 6 November 2008)18:9-14THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST – Going Down to Our House Justified!
1:21-25WORKS v. FAITH - Essentials for Christian Living!
2:11 (1:5-3:11) (31-46)SANCTIFIED LIVING - How's My Walk?
1:1-14
TOPIC: Truth; Discipleship, Joy, Labor, Love, Testimony (Witness), Walk, Work
TITLE: IF THE TRUTH HAS SET YOU FREE - Jesus is the truth! (added 31 may 2006)
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: How is the believer to relate to truth?I. WE ARE TO LOVE IN TRUTHThe elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.II. WE ARE TO WALK IN TRUTH3 John 1:1For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth.III. WE ARE TO REJOICE IN TRUTH3 John 1:3I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.IV. WE ARE TO LABOR IN TRUTH3 John 1:4Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth.V. WE ARE TO TESTIFY IN TRUTH3 John 1:8Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself; and we add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.3 John 1:12
For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void.FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What did and did not the Lord send Paul to do?
A. He didn't send him to do righteous works ... "Christ did not send me to baptize"II. HE SENT PAUL TO DRAW ATTENTION TO HIS WORDS, AND HIS CROSS!
B. He didn't send him to proclaim spiritual truths with clever words/speech ... "not in cleverness of speech"
C. Such things make "void" (i.e., make meaningless) the cross of Christ
A. He did send him that Jesus’ works would be full of meaning (ant. "void") …[WOUNDED] I'm told that during World War I the Prince of Wales (I believe Edward who later abdicated his throne) visited 36 severely wounded men in a London hospital. The Prince shook hands with the men. As preparations were made to leave, the Prince indicated he’d only seen 30 men. "Where are the other six?"B. And not made void [without meaning]!
Although he was informed the others were severe cases, he insisted he see the others. The others were soon seen. "But there are only five, where's the last?" asked the Prince. Although the Prince was told that the grotesqueness of the man's appearance would be unbearable, the Prince insisted on seeing him. They took him to the man's bedside.
The Prince stood silent for a long moment, then moved to the man and stooped to kiss him! With emotion breaking in his voice, the Prince of Wales was heard to say, Wounded for me. Wounded for me."
"Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the LORD [i.e., power] been revealed? For He grew up before [the Father] like a tender shoot, And like a root out of parched ground; He has no stately form or majesty That we should look upon Him, Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him. He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed." [Isaiah 53:1-5].
C. That Jesus' words would be heard1. Though foolishness to some ...
For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, [1 Corinthians 1:18a]
2. It is powerful to others ... but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. [1 Corinthians 1:18b]
But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished. [Galatians 5:11]For ...
Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. (i.e., embarrassed) [Galatians 6:12]So if we want to look good, then we must imitate Paul ...
But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.* [Galatians 6:14-15]
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. [2 Corinthians 5:17]
We have the very bad habit of getting in the way of this Good News … talking about what we think and what we know and how we interpret and understand it and what we're doing or what we've done! All of this is fine but not what Christ sent us to do.
When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. [Col. 2:13-14]
[VICTOR] A Commander-In-Chief may defeat all his enemies on the battlefield yet be unable to defeat his critics at home [Lincoln, Grant, Wilson, FDR, and Dubya].Our works and our words are offered within His authority and He has "all authority." Where do we hear Jesus saying, "Go therefore and cleverly trick them into buying what you’re selling nor are we to impress them with fancy footwork. We are to simply "go", "make", "baptize", and "teach" without worry or fear.
He may be able to control the men under him and yet be unable to control himself [Jefferson, Kennedy, and Clinton]. He may be a victorious leader in the estimation of men, yet defeated in the estimation of God [numerous recent Christian leaders].
And he may congratulate himself that no one has been able to stand up against him, yet he will go down at last before man's final enemy, death [Stalin, Mao, Ho Chi Min, Castro, etc,].
Thus, all men's victories are partial in this life. Even the victory over sin and evil that the regenerated believer has in Christ is at best incomplete. Only one Man has ever conquered sin and death completely and defeated all His enemies.
And faith in Him is the victory. And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying,
"All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." [Matthew 28:18-20]
For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. …. For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
I. THE BIBLE PRESENTS SALVATION COMPLETELY
II. THE BIBLE PRESENTS SALVATION HISTORICALLY
III. THE BIBLE PRESENTS SALVATION CONTINUALLY
IV. THE BIBLE PRESENTS SALVATION FINALLY
[CROSS] LA County has been involved in a controversy brought on by the ACLU (Awfully Corrupt Legal Union) concerning the county’s official seal. The seal has several things on it; one is the entrance to the Los Angeles Mission, showing a cross on its rampart. The county recently spent $4,000 of taxpayer money to have personal seals produced for the five supervisors. When threatened with a suit, the cowards backed down and commissioned the production of small plastic pasties to cover the offensive Christian icon; this cost the taxpayer another $1,800. The result? The County Administrative Office has ordered the seals be taken down and put in storage. Why? In spite of the $360/each cover up, the cross continued to shine through. (BIG PAUSE TO SINK IN) Ha, ha … ha!
A. In the fullest sense salvation is presented eschatologicallyII. THE BIBLE PRESENTS SALVATION HISTORICALLY
B. And is Messiah centered1. His personC. And always as the only hope for all mankind
2. His works
D. The cross continues to shine through
III. THE BIBLE PRESENTS SALVATION CONTINUALLYA. At the fall – expelled from Eden to save sinful mankind from "the tree of life"
B. At Able'a murder – Cain expelled to save the sons of God from Cain’s influence
C. At the flood – only eight saved to show the serious nature of depravity
D. At the court of Pharaoh – Joseph (type of Christ) delivered from bondage
E. At first Passover – Hebrews saved from bondage & through waters of separation
F. At the Tent of Meeting – God delivered the people daily
G. At the Day of Atonement – God delivered figuratively
H. At the Judge’s bar – God delivered time and time again
I. At the throne of man – useless deliverance revealed by human monarchs
J. At the object of salvation – pointing toward the New Covenant
K. At the Word of God – Hebrews 1:1, 2L. The cross continues to shine through!God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.
A. In the present – we are being redeemedIV. THE BIBLE PRESENTS SALVATION FINALLYB. Three tenses of the verb used –1. Zechariah’s prophecy – concerning his son John
2. John’s message – “repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand” - Jesus took this message up at John’s death1. Past evidence – 2 Timothy 1:8, 9C. The cross continues to shine through2. Present reality – 1 Corinthians 1:18Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity.3. Future hope – Romans 13:11The word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.Do this, knowing the time, which it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.1 Peter 1:3-5
The cross continues to shine through
My soul waiteth, not for the salvation of Gideon the son of Joash, for that is but temporal; not for the salvation of Samson, for that is transitory: but for the salvation of the Messiah the son of David, the salvation which Thou hast promised in Thy Word to accomplish for Thy people the children of Israel: for this Thy salvation my soul waiteth; for Thy salvation 0 Lord, is an everlasting salvation.[cited by Cremer, Biblio-Theological Lexicon of New Testament Greek, p. 533.]
These three phases of salvation were seen as "aspects of one great" deliverance. There is no divorce or contradiction between the historical and the eschatological, because the former, by becoming active in the present (and no mere past-and-gone event) is the matrix and type of the latter; the eschatological salvation, even now active in the present, is the final realization beyond history of that which the historical redemption foreshadowed and promised. Past, present and future constitute, not three deliverances but one deliverance. [E. M. B. Green, The Meaning of Salvation, p.34]
[HOPE] An old Indian chief constantly spoke of salvation in Jesus and what He meant to him. "Why do you talk so much about Jesus?" asked a friend.The old chief did not reply, but instead gathered some bits of grass and made a grass circle on the ground. In the circle he placed a caterpillar. He took an ember from the fire and lit the grass. They watched as the fire caught around the circle, the aterpillar crawled around rapidly, seeking an escape. As the fire advanced, the caterpillar raised up as high as it could. If the creature could speak, it would have said, "My help can only come from above."The chief’s friend said, “I don’t understand.” The old chief stooped down, he extended his finger to the caterpillar, which crawled up his finger. "That," said the chief glowing "was what Jesus did for me! I was lost in sin, hopeless. I was trapped, no escape. Then Jesus stooped down in love and mercy and drew me out of the fiery pit of sin and shame. How can I help but love Him and talk of His wondrous love for me?"
But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's." Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.”FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What two questions must be asked in order to properly understand the teachings of Jesus? (Not a trick question)
I. WHAT DID JESUS SAY?TRUTH/CONTEXT: SURVEY TIME - ask some survey questions leading up to last week's challenge:
II. WHAT DID JESUS NOT SAY?
READER: "For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst." [Matthew 18:20]
[GOD'S HOUSE] A missionary gave a sundial to a group of natives when he departed from them. They came to regard it as holy and wanted to protect it, so they built a roof over it to keep it safe. This of course, kept the sun away from it. Later they added walls.FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What two questions must be asked in order to properly understand the teachings of Jesus?
When He returned, he saw they'd rendered useless what they were protecting. They honored the image, but impeded its purpose.
That's how many regard Christianity today. It’s become something to enclose with walls and a roof. But, far worse, they've walled off the Christ of Christianity ... and in other ways they've done the same thing with their daily walk, literally saying to themselves, I walk with the Lord on Sundays, the rest of the week is mine.
If we behave this way about our walk with the Lord are we not denying Him rather than self? Will He not stay away if the testimony of our lives is, "Lord I'm too busy or distracted to pay much attention to Your stuff, leave me alone ... OKAY?" [Adapted from e-Sword ministries 2000+ Illustrations add-on]
I. NOTICE WHAT JUSUS DID SAY -APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: Someone said many of today's church people don't seem "chosen" because they're "frozen."
- notice the goal – “to come after Me” and “follow Me"
- notice the two things one must do if one wishes to achieve the goal - 1) “deny himself” and 2) “take up his cross”
- denial of self – “surrender"
Albert Barnes: Let him surrender to God his will, his affections, his body, and his soul. Let him not seek his own happiness as the supreme object, but be willing to renounce all, and lay down his life also, if required.
- taking up cross - your “calling” in life according to God's will
Albert Barnes: When persons were condemned to be crucified, a part of the sentence was that they should carry the cross on which they were to die to the place of execution. ... To carry it was burdensome, was disgraceful, was trying to the feelings, was an addition to the punishment ... we must endure whatever is burdensome, or is trying, or is considered disgraceful, in following Christ. It consists simply in doing our duty, let the people of the world think of it or speak of it as they may. It does not consist in making trouble for ourselves, or doing things merely “to be opposed;” it is doing just what is required of us in the Scriptures, let it produce whatever shame, disgrace, or pain it may. This every follower of Jesus is required to do.READER: So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, "We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done." [Luke 17:10]
- notice in Matthew 10:38 that anyone who is unwilling to do this “is not worthy of” Him. Ouch!
- notice the context [vv. 21-28] - has to do with Peter being a stumbling block to the Lord
- also, after Jesus rebukes Peter (Satan; “adversary"); He says, “for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's”
- we know the context doesn't stop with v. 24, because it didn't in Matthew 10:38-39; and the context for Mark 8:34-38; Mark 9:1, the parallel passage in Mark (Luke 9:23-27, as well) clearly includes the whole of Matthew 16:24-28
- Peter loved the Lord but the disciple exhibited behavior which, if left unchallenged, would stand in the way of God's plan and Jesus let him know it
- not the first time for Peter, he did likewise in John 13:8 with the washing of the feet
- Peter was guilty of what a lot of us are guilty of, horizontal thinking or horizontal faith
- notice Jesus defines the bedrock of His statement in [v. 25] – “for My sake” leading to “will find it”
“For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it.” [Mark 8:35]
- Notice that Jesus addresses the horizontal problem of the disciples
- it doesn't work in God's system like it does in the world
- READER: “but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong” [1 Corinthians 1:27]
- there are two lives -- temporal and eternal -- try to save the former and you lose the latter, to save the latter and you must lose the former
- any profit the world offers is not worth the price of the investment, your soul
- “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” [Matthew 6:33]
- v. 28 tells us those who do not die to self, who are not baptized in the death of Jesus [Romans 6:3] will not taste real death until it is too late
- do you think it was easy for Jesus to say “and so are some of you”? It's not easy for me, why would it be easy for Him
II. NOTICE WHAT JESUS DID NOT SAY!
He did not say "you are exempt from denying yourself and taking up your cross" if you …
- are too intelligent (not smart)
- are too old or too young
- are retired or employed job
- are too poor or rich
- don't belong to a church or are a deacon in a church
- have a spouse who won't join you or one who does it all
- find it's inconvenient
- feel embarrassed or ashamed
- don't feel called
- to sincerely desire to belong to Christ – “If any man wishes to come after Me,” etc.
- to renounce one's independent spirit, and self-centered pursuits – “he must deny Himself.”
- to embrace the condition which God has appointed, and bear the troubles and difficulties he may meet while on the Christian pathway – “take up his Cross.”
- to follow after Jesus, and do and suffer all in hisspirit – “let him follow Me."
[WELCH] Years ago a young man and his bride wanted to make a difference for God in this world; they applied and were accepted as missionaries to Africa. Following their arrival in New York to prepare for oversees service mission officials determined the rigors of Africa would put the wife at risk. The agency revoked their deputation.Bottom-line, I believe this is the teaching of this passage:
The couple returned home, brokenhearted, wondering how to rebuild their shattered dream. They decided to make money – lots of money – to support missions. They figured they could make it possible to send others to share the gospel of Christ even though they could not go themselves.
The young man's father had been making unfermented wine for their church’s communion services. His son soon became involved with him. Their name was Welch. They manufacture Welch’s grape juice to this day. The company has given millions to spread the gospel through missions. Did they rebuild their dream?
Despite our human frailty - God wants to use us in a positive way in negative world. Remember who we are; we are a people of God’s own choosing, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation.
It only takes a grain of salt in a substance to know it’s there. Even though you may feel small, weak, or insignificant - you're not! We are “the salt of the earth, the light of the world.”
READER: Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. [Hebrews 12:1-2]
[FIXED EYES] The snow covered the ground, and three young boys were playing in it. A man said to them, "Would you like to try to race, with the promise of a prize for the winner?"A long time ago, another man using similar words taught the same principle. It was Paul who said, "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." [Philippians 3:13-14]
The boys agreed, and the man told them that his race was to be different. "I will go to the other side of the field," he said, "and when I give you the signal, you will start to run. The one whose footsteps are the straightest in the snow will be the winner."
As the race commenced, the first boy began looking at his feet to see if his steps were straight. The second lad kept looking at his companions to see what they were doing; but the third boy just ran on with his eyes fixed on the man on the other side of the field.
The third boy was the winner, for his footsteps were straight in the snow. He had kept his eyes on the goal ahead of him. [Ibid.]
I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification.TOPIC: Sanctification
I. BY USING DEATH TO ILLUSTRATE THEIR FREEDOM!TRUTH/CONTEXT: Paul apologizes to his Roman audience for using slavery as an illustration; slavery had a specific meaning in Roman times … a citizen of the Roman Empire could not, by law, be enslaved to anyone!
II. BY USING LIFE TO ILLUSTRATE THEIR FREEDOM!
III. BY USING SLAVERY TO ILLUSTRATE THEIR FREEDOM!
IV. BY USING MARRIAGE TO ILLUSTRATE THEIR FREEDOM!
[MASTER BUILDER] A master shipbuilder steps out into his yard and looks around him. There are vast skeletons of ships in the process of completion; there are others nearing completion. But there is nothing in the scene to satisfy, nothing is as he envisions. The big hulls are at present good for nothing. A thousand hammers pounding a thousand rivets into place like a thousand woodpeckers from hell. The yard is strewn with scrap and jigs. [Continue reading ... ]
Sanctification is both the inauguration of and the process of the life in fellowship with God, as well as that life’s objective … an ultimate state of permanent and perfect sanctification. It’s my opinion that the whole kit and caboodle are in view in verse 19, though the process seems to dominate.Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. [1 John 3:2]
A. If indeed we died to sin “how shall we … still live in it?” [v.2]II. LIFE TO ILLUSTRATE THIS NEW FREEDOM! [6:5-14]
B. Our baptism is a baptism into Christ Jesus’ death [v. 3]
C. So we’ve been buried with Him (with our unrighteousness, and the Law that enslaved us) [v. 6]
D. Thus, we’re free from sin by our death in Christ [v. 7]
A. If we're like Him in His death and His burial, how is it that we will not be like Him in His resurrection? [v. 5]III. SLAVERY TO ILLUSTRATE THIS NEW FREEDOM! [12-23]
B. We will live again ... this should motivate us to a new kind of life [v. 8]
C. Death is no longer a master over Christ [v.9] and (by our baptism into His death [v. 3]) it no longer is masters us
D. The life He now lives He lives to God [v. 10] “so consider yourselves to be dead to sin” and “alive to God in Christ” [v. 11]
A. I’m glad Paul used slavery as a type of commitment to God for sanctification … today’s culture insists on itIV. MARRIAGE TO ILLUSTRATE THIS NEW FREEDOM! [7:1-6]
B. Paul says because of our intentional slavery to sin we are morally defective [v. 19]
C. Therefore, we must, in the same way, intentionally submit ourselves to righteousness, so sin might not, like death, “reign in [our] mortal body so that [we] obey its lusts” [v. 12]
D. This, he says will lead to sanctification (aka: holiness) [v. 19]
E. This goal demands and deserves this new master “for sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace” [v. 14]
F. So obey this new Master [v. 16] for “you became slaves of righteousness” [v. 18]
G. What benefit is there in those “things of which you are now ashamed?” [v. 21]
H. You are now free from all that and are “enslaved to God” which results “in sanctification” and the benefit? Life eternal! [v. 22]
I. The wage of sin is death, but God in Christ gives us life everlasting [v. 23]
A. In this sin fallen world, if one is alive, the Law, by default, reigns over him [v. 1]APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: When we accepted Christ as Lord we discovered
B. But if we’ve died to sin and born-again to God [v. 11] the law no more reigns
C. Paul’s example: the Law binds a woman to her husband as long as he lives (don’t get any ideas women), but when he dies, she is free to marry again [v. 2]
D. by dying to sin and the law you’re now free to join with another [v. 4-6]
E. Remember, Jesus said we can't serve two masters [Luke 16:13]
F. “so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter” [v. 6]
We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. [Romans 8:28]So we should be serving Him as if the goal is in sight.
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