AUDIO LINK:
HOW WILL YOU BE REMEMBERED?
PROVERBS 13: 22
22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.
A story is told of the red marbles. A man was in the country store in Idaho where he grew up when he saw a boy admiring a basket of picked peas. The boy was clean, but obviously poor. He was very thin, bare footed, his cloths were well worn, and at best hand-me-downs. Mr. Miller, the owner, spoke to the boy by name.
“Hellow Berry, how are you today?”
“H’lo, Mr. Miller, thank ya. Just admirin’ them peas. They sure look good.”
“They are good, Berry. How’s your mother?”
“Fine. Gittin stronger alla time.”
“Good. Anything I can help you with?”
“No sir. Jus’ admiring them peas.”
“Would you like to take some home to your ma?” asked Mr. Miller.
“No sir. Got nuthin’ to pay for em’ with.”
“Well, what have you got to trade me for some of those peas?”
“All I got’s my prize marble.”
“Is that right? Let me see it” said Mr. Miller.
“Here tis. She’s a dandy.”
“I can see that. Hmmmmm, only thing is this ones blue and I sorta’ wanted a
red. Do you have a red one like this at home? Mr. Miller asked.
“Not zackly but almost.”
“Tell you what. Take these peas and next trip this way let me look at the red
Marble” Mr. Miller told Barry.
“Sure will. Thanks Mr. Miller.”
Mrs. Miller had been standing and listening, came over to help the man. With a smile she told him there were two other boys like Berry in their community. All three are in very poor circumstances. “Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever” said Mrs. Miller. “When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn’t want a red one after all and sends they home with another bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, when they come on their next trip to the store.
He left the store with a smile thinking what a kind man. He was impressed. Years passed and he moved away, but he never forgot this man that bartered for marbles.
Several years later he was visiting friends in that Idaho community and was told Mr. Miller had died. His friends were going to the viewing and he asked to go along. Upon arrival at the funeral home he got in line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer what words of comfort he could.
Ahead of him in line were three young men. One was in his Army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark blue suites, white shirts, and ties. They approached Mrs. Miller, standing with a smile next to her husband’s casket. Each one hugged her, kissed her cheek, spoke briefly, and moved to the casket.
She watched, misty eyed, as each young man stopped and put his own warm hand on the pail cold hand in the casket. Each left quickly while wiping their eyes.
Our turn came to greet Mrs. Miller. He told her who he was and he was reminded of the story of Mr. Miller’s bartering for the marbles. Mrs. Miller took my hand and we stepped closer to the casket.
She said, “The three young men that had just left were the boys she had told me about. They just told her how much they appreciated the things Jim traded them and now at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size...they came to pay their debt.”
“We never had a great deal of wealth of this world,” she said, “But right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho.”
With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her husband and there, underneath, were three shinny red marbles.
It is said:
We will not be remembered by our many words, but by our kind deeds…Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath…
It’s not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived.
HOW WILL YOU BE REMEMBERED?
I. Proverbs 22: 1 Will You Leave A Good Name?
1 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.
Your gold and silver cannot buy a good name, not even in Washington
A. Ecclesiastes 7: 1 Solomon says A good name.
1 A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.
A good name will follow you through eternity.
B. Matthew 12: 35 – 37 A good man brings good things.
35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
Our deeds, our words, redeem us or condemn us.
C. Revelation 20: 12 and 15 Are you written in the book of life?
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Have you obeyed Christ that he might add you to the book of life?
II. Hebrews 11: 6 Will You Leave A Faith To Live By?
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
You must not only have faith, but you must share that faith that others might see God.
A. Romans 10: 12 – 17 Paul to the Romans teaches faith.
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
You cannot leave a faith you do not have. You cannot have faith without the knowledge of the Bible. Faith works good and is seen in the life of the believer.
B. 2 Timothy 2: 15 Paul told Timothy to study the teachings of Christ and his resurrection.
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
In studying God’s word we have nothing to be ashamed of and we can know the truth and understand it.
Do we have a Godly faith to leave behind?
III. Ephesians 6: 1 – 9 Will We Leave A Deep Love For God, His Word, His Son, His church ? Paul writes:
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.
This is Christian love. A love that never fails. A love that endures forever.
A. James 4: 7 – 10 Obey God and the devil will run.
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
You cannot resist the devil without Christ. Christ is our strength and our savior. Christ will lift you up. Will we be remembered for obeying God and Christ?
B. Luke 10: 25 – 29 Jesus ask a lawyer what the law of Moses said.
25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tempted Him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said to him, What is written in the law? How do you read it? And answering, he said, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself. And He said to him, You have answered right, do this and you shall live.
29 But he, willing to justify himself, said to Jesus, And who is my neighbor?
Jesus told him the parable of the good Samaritan. How much less should we love the Lord? If we love him with our all it will certainly effect people left behind when we are gone.
C. Romans 8: 38 – 39 Paul says he is persuaded not to be separated from the love of God.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Is there anything that separates us from God’s love.
Should we not change that? Now we know we should, but when will we?
How we are remembered depends on us.
God has provided His only son.
Jesus died for our sins and arose again, overcoming death.
He has gone to heaven to prepare a place for the faithful.
Are we faithful to God? Are we living a life pleasing to God?
Are you a Christian today?
Are you a faithful Christian today?
Will you one day be remembered for your faithful, obedient, and God like life that you lived? Will there be memories like that of Mr. Miller?
Do you need to come to Jesus?
Will you obey Him tonight?
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
WORKING TOGETHER
AUDIO LINK:
WORKING TOGETHER
1 SAMUEL 17: 12 – 18: 9
12 Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehemjudah, whose name was Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man went among men for an old man in the days of Saul.
13 And the three eldest sons of Jesse went and followed Saul to the battle: and the names of his three sons that went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and next unto him Abinadab, and the third Shammah.
14 And David was the youngest: and the three eldest followed Saul.
15 But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Bethlehem.
16 And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days.
17 And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched corn, and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to thy brethren;
18 And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge.
19 Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines.
20 And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and took, and went, as Jesse had commanded him; and he came to the trench, as the host was going forth to the fight, and shouted for the battle.
21 For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army.
22 And David left his carriage in the hand of the keeper of the carriage, and ran into the army, and came and saluted his brethren.
23 And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the armies of the Philistines, and spake according to the same words: and David heard them.
24 And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid.
25 And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father's house free in Israel.
26 And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?
27 And the people answered him after this manner, saying, So shall it be done to the man that killeth him.
28 And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.
29 And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?
30 And he turned from him toward another, and spake after the same manner: and the people answered him again after the former manner.
31 And when the words were heard which David spake, they rehearsed them before Saul: and he sent for him.
32 And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.
33 And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.
34 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:
35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.
36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.
37 David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.
38 And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail.
39 And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.
40 And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.
41 And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him.
42 And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.
43 And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.
44 And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.
45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.
46 This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.
47 And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands.
48 And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.
49 And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.
50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.
51 Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.
52 And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines, until thou come to the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even unto Gath, and unto Ekron.
53 And the children of Israel returned from chasing after the Philistines, and they spoiled their tents.
54 And David took the head of the Philistine, and brought it to Jerusalem; but he put his armour in his tent.
55 And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said unto Abner, the captain of the host, Abner, whose son is this youth? And Abner said, As thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell.
56 And the king said, Enquire thou whose son the stripling is.
57 And as David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand.
58 And Saul said to him, Whose son art thou, thou young man? And David answered, I am the son of thy servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.
18 : 1 And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.
2 And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father's house.
3 Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.
4 And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.
5 And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul's servants.
6 And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick.
7 And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.
8 And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?
9 And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.
David had amazed Saul. Saul had never seen a youth like this. He took him in as his own son. Soul’s son Jonathan accepted him and loved him. All was well till Saul became jealous of David’s fame.
What does David show us that we can learn from?
1. David was an obedient son.
a. 1 Sam. 17: 14 David was the youngest of eight sons.
b. 1 Sam. 17: 20 David was a shepherd.
1. A shepherd kept his sheep safe.
2. A shepherd slept with the sheep.
3. A shepherd would die for his sheep.
4. 1 Sam. 17: 20 David did not leave his sheep unattended.
c. David loved his brothers.
1. David was put down by his brothers.
2. David was treated as the youngest brother.
3. 1 Sam. 17: 28 Eliab, his oldest brother makes fun of him in front of everyone.
a. Why did you come?
b. Who did you leave the sheep with?
c. You had to come see the battle.
d. David was used to this. He said, “what have I done?.”
d. David took food to his three brothers as his father told him to do.
2. David believed in God.
a. 1 Sam. 17: 23 David heard the giant Goliath.
1. David saw the fear of the people.
2. David asked twice what would happen to the man that killed the giant.
b. Do we have the faith of this young shepherd?
1. Heb. 11: 6 One must have faith to please God.
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
2. Mt 17:20 How much faith must I have?
And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
3. Lu 17:6 The grain of a mustard seed?
And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.
3. David had respect for authority.
a. 1 Sam. 17: 31 Saul sent for David and he went.
b. Saul told David that he could not fight against this giant.
1. David was a youth.
2. The giant was a man of war from his youth.
c. When we accept the discouragement of others we have defeated ourselves.
d. Too often we defeat ourselves.
1. I cannot teach a class.
2. I cannot lead a prayer.
3. I cannot tell someone about Jesus.
4. I do not have to attend worship on Sunday night or Wednesday night.
5. What little I have to give would not make a difference.
6. Bible class is for the young people so I do not attend.
7. I cannot set for two hours at worship, but I can set all day at home.
e. 1 Sam. 17: 26b David ask who this Philistine thought he was, defying the army of the living God?
for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?
4. David believed God had taken care of him and would do it again.
a. 1 Sam. 17: 34 David had killed a lion and a bear protecting his sheep.
b. 1 Sam. 17: 37 David said God had delivered him.
37 David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.
c. Do you believe God has delivered you. Do you believe he will continue to deliver you?
d. David took five stones and a sling to face the giant with a sword, a spear, and a shield. David had God.
e. The giant disdained David. He scorned him, made fun of his youth, his reddish and fair appearance.
d. 1 Sam. 17: 46 David boldly said:
46 This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.
47 And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands.
e. The giant came forward and David ran toward him.
f. With one stone and God, David slew the giant.
1. Philippians 4: 13 Paul had faith like David. He says:
13. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
2. What can you do?
3. Do you have Christ?
4. Do you have faith as a mustard seed?
5. Are you obeying God today?
David worked together with God, his father, Saul, Jonathan, and many others in his life.
David was victorious because he not only obeyed his early father, he obeyed God.
David had a faith that caused him to believe and obey God.
Do you have that faith?
Have you obey Jesus Christ in baptism?
You can overcome your giants in life with God and Christ.
WORKING TOGETHER
1 SAMUEL 17: 12 – 18: 9
12 Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehemjudah, whose name was Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man went among men for an old man in the days of Saul.
13 And the three eldest sons of Jesse went and followed Saul to the battle: and the names of his three sons that went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and next unto him Abinadab, and the third Shammah.
14 And David was the youngest: and the three eldest followed Saul.
15 But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Bethlehem.
16 And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days.
17 And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched corn, and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to thy brethren;
18 And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge.
19 Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines.
20 And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and took, and went, as Jesse had commanded him; and he came to the trench, as the host was going forth to the fight, and shouted for the battle.
21 For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army.
22 And David left his carriage in the hand of the keeper of the carriage, and ran into the army, and came and saluted his brethren.
23 And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the armies of the Philistines, and spake according to the same words: and David heard them.
24 And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid.
25 And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father's house free in Israel.
26 And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?
27 And the people answered him after this manner, saying, So shall it be done to the man that killeth him.
28 And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.
29 And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?
30 And he turned from him toward another, and spake after the same manner: and the people answered him again after the former manner.
31 And when the words were heard which David spake, they rehearsed them before Saul: and he sent for him.
32 And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.
33 And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.
34 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:
35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.
36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.
37 David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.
38 And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail.
39 And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.
40 And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.
41 And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him.
42 And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.
43 And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.
44 And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.
45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.
46 This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.
47 And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands.
48 And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.
49 And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.
50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.
51 Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.
52 And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines, until thou come to the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even unto Gath, and unto Ekron.
53 And the children of Israel returned from chasing after the Philistines, and they spoiled their tents.
54 And David took the head of the Philistine, and brought it to Jerusalem; but he put his armour in his tent.
55 And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said unto Abner, the captain of the host, Abner, whose son is this youth? And Abner said, As thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell.
56 And the king said, Enquire thou whose son the stripling is.
57 And as David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand.
58 And Saul said to him, Whose son art thou, thou young man? And David answered, I am the son of thy servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.
18 : 1 And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.
2 And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father's house.
3 Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.
4 And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.
5 And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul's servants.
6 And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick.
7 And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.
8 And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?
9 And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.
David had amazed Saul. Saul had never seen a youth like this. He took him in as his own son. Soul’s son Jonathan accepted him and loved him. All was well till Saul became jealous of David’s fame.
What does David show us that we can learn from?
1. David was an obedient son.
a. 1 Sam. 17: 14 David was the youngest of eight sons.
b. 1 Sam. 17: 20 David was a shepherd.
1. A shepherd kept his sheep safe.
2. A shepherd slept with the sheep.
3. A shepherd would die for his sheep.
4. 1 Sam. 17: 20 David did not leave his sheep unattended.
c. David loved his brothers.
1. David was put down by his brothers.
2. David was treated as the youngest brother.
3. 1 Sam. 17: 28 Eliab, his oldest brother makes fun of him in front of everyone.
a. Why did you come?
b. Who did you leave the sheep with?
c. You had to come see the battle.
d. David was used to this. He said, “what have I done?.”
d. David took food to his three brothers as his father told him to do.
2. David believed in God.
a. 1 Sam. 17: 23 David heard the giant Goliath.
1. David saw the fear of the people.
2. David asked twice what would happen to the man that killed the giant.
b. Do we have the faith of this young shepherd?
1. Heb. 11: 6 One must have faith to please God.
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
2. Mt 17:20 How much faith must I have?
And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
3. Lu 17:6 The grain of a mustard seed?
And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.
3. David had respect for authority.
a. 1 Sam. 17: 31 Saul sent for David and he went.
b. Saul told David that he could not fight against this giant.
1. David was a youth.
2. The giant was a man of war from his youth.
c. When we accept the discouragement of others we have defeated ourselves.
d. Too often we defeat ourselves.
1. I cannot teach a class.
2. I cannot lead a prayer.
3. I cannot tell someone about Jesus.
4. I do not have to attend worship on Sunday night or Wednesday night.
5. What little I have to give would not make a difference.
6. Bible class is for the young people so I do not attend.
7. I cannot set for two hours at worship, but I can set all day at home.
e. 1 Sam. 17: 26b David ask who this Philistine thought he was, defying the army of the living God?
for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?
4. David believed God had taken care of him and would do it again.
a. 1 Sam. 17: 34 David had killed a lion and a bear protecting his sheep.
b. 1 Sam. 17: 37 David said God had delivered him.
37 David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.
c. Do you believe God has delivered you. Do you believe he will continue to deliver you?
d. David took five stones and a sling to face the giant with a sword, a spear, and a shield. David had God.
e. The giant disdained David. He scorned him, made fun of his youth, his reddish and fair appearance.
d. 1 Sam. 17: 46 David boldly said:
46 This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.
47 And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands.
e. The giant came forward and David ran toward him.
f. With one stone and God, David slew the giant.
1. Philippians 4: 13 Paul had faith like David. He says:
13. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
2. What can you do?
3. Do you have Christ?
4. Do you have faith as a mustard seed?
5. Are you obeying God today?
David worked together with God, his father, Saul, Jonathan, and many others in his life.
David was victorious because he not only obeyed his early father, he obeyed God.
David had a faith that caused him to believe and obey God.
Do you have that faith?
Have you obey Jesus Christ in baptism?
You can overcome your giants in life with God and Christ.
ORDINARY PEOPLE DOING AN EXTRA ORDINARY JOB
AUDIO LINK:
“ORDINARY PEOPLE DOING AN EXTRAORDINARY JOB”
MATTHEW 10: 2-6
Intro:
I hope everyone has enjoyed this weekend. Our purpose in coming together in this setting is to get away from all the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and spend time with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
However, we also had a secondary reason for coming here. We wanted to think about ways in which we might work together more effectively. In the Lord’s Church, for whatever reason, we have a hard time working as one. This weekend, we are attempting to remove the walls which keep us from accomplishing more for the Kingdom.
If you will, I want to ask you to look at Matthew 10: 7. There Christ is speaking to his newly called disciples, and he instructs them saying: “And as ye go, preach, saying, the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” The command is to go and preach. What I need you to see is that Christ here is addressing this group as a whole, and not them as individuals. They are all to go and preach. They are to work together to carry out this very important mission.
This weekend, we have heard three lessons from Stephen, John, and Wayne describing the character of three of the apostles. The amazing thing is that they were each assigned the same task, but they were all very different individuals.
One of the most common reasons given for why we don’t accomplish more in the church today is that we are all too different to get anything done. We are often overheard saying: “I just cannot work with that person.” This morning, as we come to the final hours of our 2nd annual recharge, I want to tie our three lessons into a bow for you. I want to suggest to you that if the twelve apostles could work together despite their differences, then we can and should learn to labor alongside one another today.
What I would like to do is share with you the reasons why they should not have been able to coexist together, and then point out what it was that enabled them to stand as one.
I. THE APOSTLES: WHY IT SHOULDN’T HAVE WORKED, AND WHY IT DID
1. First, owing to their backgrounds, they should not have worked together.
A. They were fishermen, Preachers, Government Employees, Fanatical Jewish Nationalist, and Laborers.
B. Their past occupations should have dictated that they could not possibly work successfully together.
C. Keep in mind that these different jobs would have necessitated differing educational levels as well.
2. However, it wasn’t just their backgrounds that could have prevented success, they each had different temperaments.
A. John 18: 10 there were those who were loyal.
B. John 1: 41there were those who were evangelistically minded.
C. Luke 9: 51-56 there were those who were zealous.
D. John 20: 28 there were those who were skeptical.
E. Matt 9: 9 there were those who were looking for a change.
F. Matt 26: 14-16 there were even those who were sneaky and conniving.
3. Despite all these differences, the twelve apostles worked together to achieve some amazing results.
A. Acts 2: 41 because of their efforts, 3,000 sols were saved.
B. Acts 6: 1-7 because of their efforts needs were met.
C. Rom 15: 25-26 because of their efforts, the household of faith expanded.
4. How did they do it?
A. Acts 1: 14, 2: 1 they accomplished great things because they were, “all in one accord.”
B. Their differences didn’t matter, because their bond was stronger.
II. US: WHY WE HAVE TROUBLE WORKING AND WHAT SHOULD HELP US
1. As With the apostles, we are from vastly different backgrounds.
A. We come from different occupations.
B. We come from different educational backgrounds.
C. We were born in different generations.
D. Not to mention the fact that some of our number were not raised in the church.
2. Let’s Acknowledge the fact that we all also bring different temperaments to the congregational table.
A. There are some of us who are..well..opinionated.
B. There are others of us who are content to allow others to make all the descisions.
C. Some of us are laid-back, while others are “uptight.”
3. With all these differences, how can we possibly hope to work together?
A. Ephesians 4: 4-6 we must be united!
B. If there is one body, spirit, hope, Lord, faith, baptism, God and Father, then those who believe in this oneness must be united as one as well!
“ORDINARY PEOPLE DOING AN EXTRAORDINARY JOB”
MATTHEW 10: 2-6
Intro:
I hope everyone has enjoyed this weekend. Our purpose in coming together in this setting is to get away from all the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and spend time with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
However, we also had a secondary reason for coming here. We wanted to think about ways in which we might work together more effectively. In the Lord’s Church, for whatever reason, we have a hard time working as one. This weekend, we are attempting to remove the walls which keep us from accomplishing more for the Kingdom.
If you will, I want to ask you to look at Matthew 10: 7. There Christ is speaking to his newly called disciples, and he instructs them saying: “And as ye go, preach, saying, the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” The command is to go and preach. What I need you to see is that Christ here is addressing this group as a whole, and not them as individuals. They are all to go and preach. They are to work together to carry out this very important mission.
This weekend, we have heard three lessons from Stephen, John, and Wayne describing the character of three of the apostles. The amazing thing is that they were each assigned the same task, but they were all very different individuals.
One of the most common reasons given for why we don’t accomplish more in the church today is that we are all too different to get anything done. We are often overheard saying: “I just cannot work with that person.” This morning, as we come to the final hours of our 2nd annual recharge, I want to tie our three lessons into a bow for you. I want to suggest to you that if the twelve apostles could work together despite their differences, then we can and should learn to labor alongside one another today.
What I would like to do is share with you the reasons why they should not have been able to coexist together, and then point out what it was that enabled them to stand as one.
I. THE APOSTLES: WHY IT SHOULDN’T HAVE WORKED, AND WHY IT DID
1. First, owing to their backgrounds, they should not have worked together.
A. They were fishermen, Preachers, Government Employees, Fanatical Jewish Nationalist, and Laborers.
B. Their past occupations should have dictated that they could not possibly work successfully together.
C. Keep in mind that these different jobs would have necessitated differing educational levels as well.
2. However, it wasn’t just their backgrounds that could have prevented success, they each had different temperaments.
A. John 18: 10 there were those who were loyal.
B. John 1: 41there were those who were evangelistically minded.
C. Luke 9: 51-56 there were those who were zealous.
D. John 20: 28 there were those who were skeptical.
E. Matt 9: 9 there were those who were looking for a change.
F. Matt 26: 14-16 there were even those who were sneaky and conniving.
3. Despite all these differences, the twelve apostles worked together to achieve some amazing results.
A. Acts 2: 41 because of their efforts, 3,000 sols were saved.
B. Acts 6: 1-7 because of their efforts needs were met.
C. Rom 15: 25-26 because of their efforts, the household of faith expanded.
4. How did they do it?
A. Acts 1: 14, 2: 1 they accomplished great things because they were, “all in one accord.”
B. Their differences didn’t matter, because their bond was stronger.
II. US: WHY WE HAVE TROUBLE WORKING AND WHAT SHOULD HELP US
1. As With the apostles, we are from vastly different backgrounds.
A. We come from different occupations.
B. We come from different educational backgrounds.
C. We were born in different generations.
D. Not to mention the fact that some of our number were not raised in the church.
2. Let’s Acknowledge the fact that we all also bring different temperaments to the congregational table.
A. There are some of us who are..well..opinionated.
B. There are others of us who are content to allow others to make all the descisions.
C. Some of us are laid-back, while others are “uptight.”
3. With all these differences, how can we possibly hope to work together?
A. Ephesians 4: 4-6 we must be united!
B. If there is one body, spirit, hope, Lord, faith, baptism, God and Father, then those who believe in this oneness must be united as one as well!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
TROUBLESOME TIMES ARE HERE
AUDIO LINK:
TROUBLESOME TIMES
PSALMS 23
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
David did not say , I think the Lord is my shepherd, nor did he say, I hope the Lord is my shepherd.
David did not say, Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I am fearful that thou aren’t with me.
David did not say, I hope to dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Romans 8: 31 Paul says to believe in God’s power to provide for us.
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
David said, The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
David said, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me.
David said, Surely, goodness, and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
What do we say?
I. Why Me Lord?
A. James 1: 13 James says God tempted no one.
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
Why do we blame God? Because we have heard it all of our lives.
1. Matthew 5: 43 – 45 Jesus says you have heard.
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
God does not bring evil on anyone. Bad things happen to all people. Sometimes the result of their own doing and sometimes from the doing of others, and sometimes because of no one. Sometimes bad things just happen. We cannot blame anyone and never God.
2. Matthew 7: 24 – 27 Jesus says the wise are doers of the word. The foolish do not.
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
Just because it rains on you does not mean you are wise. You may not be wise enough to come in out of the rain. To disobey God or blame God for your problems is foolish. If your life is not built upon God you will fall and great will be the fall.
B. 1 Corinthians 10: 6 – 13 Why Is It So Much Worse For Me?
6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
We often think we are the only one suffering when we are not. We think our problems are greater than anyone else when they are not.
1. 2 Corinthians 4: 15 – 16 Physically we die a little ach day, but spiritually we are stronger each day, if in the Lord.
15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
Faint not, never give up in the Lord.
2. 2 Corinthians 4: 17 – 18 Paul calls it a light affliction.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
We are human. We can see the temporal things much easier. Paul says look to the eternal things.
3. 2 Corinthians 11: 23 Paul says he knew what suffering was.
23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
He list the afflictions he had endured.
II. Philippians 4: 11 What Should I Do? Paul says learn from your suffering.
11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
If we can learn from our suffering to be content we can be an example and teach others that are suffering.
A. 1 Timothy 6: 6 – 8 Paul tells Timothy contentment is great gain.
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
Learn to be content but never become complacent. Never become self satisfied with ourselves.
1. Galatians 5: 26 Paul says do not envy one another.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
We are not in competition with one another for salvation. We are to help, encourage, and strengthen one another in the Lord.
2. Hebrews 5: 12 – 6: 3 We need to be careful not to go backwards and become weaker, but to go forward and grow in the Spirit and knowledge.
12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
3 And this will we do, if God permit.
Let us strive to do better, let us never give up, and all can be done if God permit.
3. Philippians 4: 13 Paul reminds us of what we can do for the Lord.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
That which we do in the service of the Lord is eternal.
III. 1 Peter 4: 15 – 19 Peter concludes by saying continue in well doing.
15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
Keep on keeping on in the Lord.
A. Ecclesiastes 12: 13 – 14 Solomon is given credit for the conclusion of the matter.
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
God knows the secret things of our life. We will not fool God in the judgment.
Are you right with God? You know and God knows. Troublesome times are less troublesome if we obey God and keep his commandments. Do you need to come to Jesus?
TROUBLESOME TIMES
PSALMS 23
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
David did not say , I think the Lord is my shepherd, nor did he say, I hope the Lord is my shepherd.
David did not say, Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I am fearful that thou aren’t with me.
David did not say, I hope to dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Romans 8: 31 Paul says to believe in God’s power to provide for us.
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
David said, The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
David said, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me.
David said, Surely, goodness, and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
What do we say?
I. Why Me Lord?
A. James 1: 13 James says God tempted no one.
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
Why do we blame God? Because we have heard it all of our lives.
1. Matthew 5: 43 – 45 Jesus says you have heard.
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
God does not bring evil on anyone. Bad things happen to all people. Sometimes the result of their own doing and sometimes from the doing of others, and sometimes because of no one. Sometimes bad things just happen. We cannot blame anyone and never God.
2. Matthew 7: 24 – 27 Jesus says the wise are doers of the word. The foolish do not.
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
Just because it rains on you does not mean you are wise. You may not be wise enough to come in out of the rain. To disobey God or blame God for your problems is foolish. If your life is not built upon God you will fall and great will be the fall.
B. 1 Corinthians 10: 6 – 13 Why Is It So Much Worse For Me?
6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
We often think we are the only one suffering when we are not. We think our problems are greater than anyone else when they are not.
1. 2 Corinthians 4: 15 – 16 Physically we die a little ach day, but spiritually we are stronger each day, if in the Lord.
15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
Faint not, never give up in the Lord.
2. 2 Corinthians 4: 17 – 18 Paul calls it a light affliction.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
We are human. We can see the temporal things much easier. Paul says look to the eternal things.
3. 2 Corinthians 11: 23 Paul says he knew what suffering was.
23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
He list the afflictions he had endured.
II. Philippians 4: 11 What Should I Do? Paul says learn from your suffering.
11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
If we can learn from our suffering to be content we can be an example and teach others that are suffering.
A. 1 Timothy 6: 6 – 8 Paul tells Timothy contentment is great gain.
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
Learn to be content but never become complacent. Never become self satisfied with ourselves.
1. Galatians 5: 26 Paul says do not envy one another.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
We are not in competition with one another for salvation. We are to help, encourage, and strengthen one another in the Lord.
2. Hebrews 5: 12 – 6: 3 We need to be careful not to go backwards and become weaker, but to go forward and grow in the Spirit and knowledge.
12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
3 And this will we do, if God permit.
Let us strive to do better, let us never give up, and all can be done if God permit.
3. Philippians 4: 13 Paul reminds us of what we can do for the Lord.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
That which we do in the service of the Lord is eternal.
III. 1 Peter 4: 15 – 19 Peter concludes by saying continue in well doing.
15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
Keep on keeping on in the Lord.
A. Ecclesiastes 12: 13 – 14 Solomon is given credit for the conclusion of the matter.
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
God knows the secret things of our life. We will not fool God in the judgment.
Are you right with God? You know and God knows. Troublesome times are less troublesome if we obey God and keep his commandments. Do you need to come to Jesus?
Friday, March 5, 2010
THE PEDESTRIAN POINT OF VIEW
AUDIO LINK:
“THE PEDESTRIAN POINT OF VIEW”
(2 CORINTHIANS 5: 5-7)
INTRO:
This past week I received a really cool gift. It was a new Cain. This one is 62 inches long, and has a telescoping extension, with a marshmallow tip. I’m certain that most of you have seen someone using a white cane. However, you might not know some of the history behind the blind traveler’s best friend.
The origin of the white cane can be traced back to a man by the name of James Biggs. Mr. Biggs was an artist who lived in Bristol. After he had lost his sight owing to an accident, Mr. Biggs decided that he would need some method of traveling about his neighborhood safely. One day, while walking around his home, he realized that the dark colored walking stick which he was using would be difficult for others to see. So, he had the idea to paint his stick white so that it would be more visible.
The idea finally came to the U.S. in the early 1930’s. The Lions Club began to encourage the use of the white cane as an identifier.
On October 6, 1964, a joint congressional resolution was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. The resolution proclaimed October 15 as White Cane Safety Day.
Many of you have mentioned that you have spotted me walking around town with my cane. I have been using a cane since high school. In that time, I have been able to make a couple observations.
Last week, as I was walking to work, something occurred to me. It hit me that some of the same observations which I have made in regards to pedestrian travel are also applicable to our spiritual life.
Today I want us to examine these observations, and see how we can use them to help us in our Christian walk. The thing I want you to keep in mind is that just as I walk to reach my physical destinations, we are all engaged in a spiritual walk. I want to help you to see two things that, if applied, will assist you on that walk.
I. IT IS DANGEROUS OUT THERE
Let me start by pointing something out to you concerning the wording on this point. Notice I said, “It IS Dangerous Out There.” It is not a maybe, or a could be, or even a possibly: no I am telling you as a child of the living God that it is dangerous out there. As a blind person, I want to let all of you drivers know something. I’m fairly certain that I can drive better than the majority of you. I have bore witness to some of the most head scratching things while walking around different cities. I’ve seen drivers on sidewalks, cars speeding through stop signs, people ignoring the real law on making a right on red and just going whenever they want to go. Needless to say, each of these situations presents danger to pedestrians. The question which we need to ask and answer is, “What are the dangers which pedestrians face in their walk?”
The first danger which we need to address is a lack of preparedness. When I set out from the house, or work, or a store, or anywhere else, I need to be prepared. Now, some of that preparation took place years ago. As a student at the Tennessee School for the Blind, I received what is known as Orientation and Mobility training. IN layman’s terms, those who conduct this training are there to help people with disabilities learn to function independently as a mobile person. In the course of the training, we were shown how to use a cane, travel on city buses, call for taxis, and even shop with confidence in many different types of stores.
Here’s what you need to understand. Before I attended TSB, I had no clue how to function as a blind person. I was thirteen when I went there to school, and up until that point, I was perfectly happy to allow others to work for me, rather than doing things for myself. However, thanks to men such as Wayne Soben and Frank Alexander, I am now prepared for almost every conceivable situation which I will face as a blind traveler. Without that training though, the danger factor is ratcheted off the charts.
This same idea holds true for our Christian lives. When you and I step out into the world, danger is all around. Consider the fact that Paul pointed out the alarming concept that we are in a war. (Ephesians 6: 12) Think about the fact that Peter warns us to be sober and vigilant, for our enemy the Devil is looking to devour us. (1Peter 5: 8) Folks, we are walking around in a world that stands in opposition to almost everything that we believe, and everything that the Bible teaches. If we aren’t prepared to deal with what’s out there, then we will go down!
Let’s think about Paul’s words to Timothy in 2Tim 2: 15. There Paul states: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Here Paul encourages the young evangelist to prepare himself for the work which lay ahead. If Timothy wanted to be approved, then Timothy needed to be prepared.
The danger for us is that many of us simply don’t want to take the time to study, to learn, or even to listen. We won’t read for ourselves, nor will we take the time to truly listen to that which others have studied and prepared to present to us.
Brethren, if we hope to fend off part of the danger which lurks out in the world, then we must be prepared.
The second danger which exists in terms of our walk through this world is distraction. When I’m walking, I need to be totally focused on what’s going on around me. If I’m on the phone, or listening to headphones, or even daydreaming, it is the same as thumbing my nose at the danger all around me. When I take the kids with me they understand that there are certain times when they must be completely quiet. As we are crossing a street, or standing waiting on a traffic light to change, they know that I need them to be both still and quiet, so that we can be safe.
Again, this lesson is also to be seen in our spiritual life. If you and I are not focused on what’s happening around us, then we are likely to be caught up in the sin of this world. Let’s look at a couple of Biblical examples of those who became distracted by the wants, ways, and wishes of this world.
First, think about the account of Sampson. One of The last judges of Israel, Sampson is one of the more memorable figures in the Old Testament. Chosen to lead the nation of Israel out of the hands of the Philistines, Sampson was a Nazarite.
If we were to attempt to classify this man, we would find that he doesn’t fit into our mold of a “Godly Man.” During his time, he killed thousands, sought to deceive many, and displayed a nasty temper. Yet the Lord chose him to be a deliver of his people.
Sampson, a man of remarkable strength, was fine until “she” came along. The “she” in question was a woman by the name of Delilah, a Philistine. She, after prompting by the lords of the Philistines, began to strive to find out the secret of his strength. Sampson, though he tricked her a few times, eventually allowed himself to become distracted from his real goal. This of course led to his capture, disfigurement, and imprisonment. Every one of Sampson’s problems can be traced back to his lack of focus.
Secondly, I want you to notice Aaron, the brother of Moses, and the spokes person for the Lord in Egypt. From all accounts, Aaron was a good man. While in Egypt, he followed the commandments of God. He did as instructed, and served the Lord well. In my eyes, the problem really arose when Moses went up into Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments.
In Exodus 32: 1, we see that the people become panicked over the fact that Moses hasn’t returned. They decide that he will not be coming back, so they go to Aaron, and insist that he make them a new god to worship. Much to our surprise, in Exodus 32: 2, Aaron agrees. He is distracted from the mission given to him by God. Moses and Aaron were to be out front, leading and setting the example for the Children of Israel. I’m not certain what distracted him. Maybe it was the fact that he was getting all the attention, or perhaps it was that he too was thinking that Moses wasn’t coming back. Regardless the reason, the fact of the matter is that he took his eyes from the goal, and fell from the path.
Folks, the same exact thing can and will happen to us if we become distracted. We are no different than Sampson and Aaron in the since that we lose our focus. There are those times in life when we simply fail to stay on task.
In fact, John warns of certain things which can and will distract us in this world. 1John 2: 16, “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” When we allow pride, lust, and a desire for “stuff” to distract us from that which God has told us to do, we put ourselves in serious danger. Just so we are clear, let me state for you the reason for our existence.
Ecclesiastes 12: 13, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”
There it is spelt out in very simple words. When you go out into this world, and the distractions start, you now know where your focus should be. We are here to serve God.
I want to encourage you to keep in mind that there is danger out there, but if you stay focused, and see to your preparation, you can overcome our enemy.
II. THERE ARE GOOD PEOPLE OUT THERE
As I’ve already mentioned, I have been a walker for a while now. I have traveled sidewalks in Nashville, Louisville, Columbus, Minneapolis, ST. Louis, Gainesville, Orlando, Dyersburg, and the booming metropolis of Bartow Florida. With this experience to pull upon, I can tell you without hesitation that there are some really good people in this world.
I cannot count the number of times that I have in countered people who were willing to help me as I travel around. There have been those who have helped me across big roads. There have been those who have held up traffic in order to help me across. There have been those who have pulled over to offer me a ride on cold days, rainy days, hot days, and sunny days. In each of these cases, there aid and assistance has been greatly appreciated.
There are two things I want you to know concerning these good folks. The first is that there are some good people out there who are misled. There is a common problem which I face. The problem occurs when people in cars try to stop and let me go across, not understanding that when their car is running, it prevents me from hearing. Therefore I cannot decide if it is clear both ways. I appreciate them stopping, but their attempts to do good are a little misled.
I want to say something that might make a few people mad. I never like making folks mad, but I do want to help people think about their actions. Church, we have a problem. Somewhere along the way we have forgotten the admonishment found in 1Corinthians 16: 14. There we are told: “Let all your things be done with charity.” Have you noticed that when we correct someone, or attempt to help them to see the truth, that we no longer do it in a spirit of love? We do it with pride, and arrogance, and a need to be seen as spiritually superior!
Brethren, let me speak openly with you for a moment. I’m talking about those in the denominational world. I’m talking about good people, earnest people, devoted people, God-fearing people who are trying to do the right thing: but have been misinformed as to the truth of God’s word. Now, rather than going to them and offering them loving correction, we want to argue, debate, and prove to them that we are right and they are wrong.
The amazing thing is that we are given an example in scripture of how we can and should correct those good people who have been misled.
In Acts 18: 24, we find a man by the name of Apollos coming into the city of Ephesus. What I want you to see is the character description given to us of this man. Verse 24 reveals to us that he was well-spoken, and that he was “mighty in the scriptures.” Furthermore, in verse 25, Apollos is said to be instructed in the way of the Lord, fervent in spirit, and speaking and teaching diligently the things of God.
However, there was a problem. As good as he was, as diligent as he was, as fervent and devoted as he was, he didn’t know the whole truth. How do we know this? We know this because he only knew the baptism of John, not the redemptive baptism of Christ.
It is at this point where a decision had to be made. Those who knew the truth could choose to do nothing, they could choose to ridicule him, they could choose to hold a debate, or they could go to him and offer loving correction. Fortunately there were two servants of God who chose this latter option.
Aquila and Priscilla, friends of the Apostle Paul, did provide us an example for helping good people find the truth. IN verse 26, we read that they “took him unto them and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.” What a great example. They simply brought him in, and taught him the truth.
Folks, there are some very good people out there who just need the word taught to them more perfectly. I want to encourage you to be their Aquila and Priscilla.
Finally this morning, I want you to understand that there are also good people out here who will help you. There have been so many moments when I needed help, and help was provided in the form of a good person.
Here’s the catch. Sometimes I had to ask for that help. I have gone into stores, restaurants, churches, classes, colleges, and many other places where I did not know where to go or what to do, but when I asked someone to help me, help was provided.
We as Christians are in the same boat. We often need help, and there are those who are willing to help us. It might be help understanding the scriptures, or someone to pray with us, or a shoulder on which we can lean, or many other things. The good news is that help is there, we just need to humble ourselves and ask. Did you catch the key word? Yeah, I said you would need to humble yourself. Often we allow pride to come between us and the help we need. We would do well to remember that, “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16: 18)
Let’s consider the example of Jairus. Luke 8: 40 we find Christ in a certain city, and as usual there is a crowd around him. Out of this crowd comes a man whom we would not expect to ask for help. He is a “ruler of the Synagogue.” This would indicate that he was a man who didn’t often say “I need help.” In this case, he didn’t hesitate.
We are told in Luke 8: 42 that Jairus had a daughter, and she was very sick. I want you to see what he did there in verse 41. He laid himself at Jesus’s feet, and admitted that he needed help.
I know we try to make this hard, but really it is that simple. You need to look at your life, decide what you need, and ask for the help of your brothers and sisters. After all, we are told to, “Pray one for another.” (James 5: 16)
“THE PEDESTRIAN POINT OF VIEW”
(2 CORINTHIANS 5: 5-7)
INTRO:
This past week I received a really cool gift. It was a new Cain. This one is 62 inches long, and has a telescoping extension, with a marshmallow tip. I’m certain that most of you have seen someone using a white cane. However, you might not know some of the history behind the blind traveler’s best friend.
The origin of the white cane can be traced back to a man by the name of James Biggs. Mr. Biggs was an artist who lived in Bristol. After he had lost his sight owing to an accident, Mr. Biggs decided that he would need some method of traveling about his neighborhood safely. One day, while walking around his home, he realized that the dark colored walking stick which he was using would be difficult for others to see. So, he had the idea to paint his stick white so that it would be more visible.
The idea finally came to the U.S. in the early 1930’s. The Lions Club began to encourage the use of the white cane as an identifier.
On October 6, 1964, a joint congressional resolution was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. The resolution proclaimed October 15 as White Cane Safety Day.
Many of you have mentioned that you have spotted me walking around town with my cane. I have been using a cane since high school. In that time, I have been able to make a couple observations.
Last week, as I was walking to work, something occurred to me. It hit me that some of the same observations which I have made in regards to pedestrian travel are also applicable to our spiritual life.
Today I want us to examine these observations, and see how we can use them to help us in our Christian walk. The thing I want you to keep in mind is that just as I walk to reach my physical destinations, we are all engaged in a spiritual walk. I want to help you to see two things that, if applied, will assist you on that walk.
I. IT IS DANGEROUS OUT THERE
Let me start by pointing something out to you concerning the wording on this point. Notice I said, “It IS Dangerous Out There.” It is not a maybe, or a could be, or even a possibly: no I am telling you as a child of the living God that it is dangerous out there. As a blind person, I want to let all of you drivers know something. I’m fairly certain that I can drive better than the majority of you. I have bore witness to some of the most head scratching things while walking around different cities. I’ve seen drivers on sidewalks, cars speeding through stop signs, people ignoring the real law on making a right on red and just going whenever they want to go. Needless to say, each of these situations presents danger to pedestrians. The question which we need to ask and answer is, “What are the dangers which pedestrians face in their walk?”
The first danger which we need to address is a lack of preparedness. When I set out from the house, or work, or a store, or anywhere else, I need to be prepared. Now, some of that preparation took place years ago. As a student at the Tennessee School for the Blind, I received what is known as Orientation and Mobility training. IN layman’s terms, those who conduct this training are there to help people with disabilities learn to function independently as a mobile person. In the course of the training, we were shown how to use a cane, travel on city buses, call for taxis, and even shop with confidence in many different types of stores.
Here’s what you need to understand. Before I attended TSB, I had no clue how to function as a blind person. I was thirteen when I went there to school, and up until that point, I was perfectly happy to allow others to work for me, rather than doing things for myself. However, thanks to men such as Wayne Soben and Frank Alexander, I am now prepared for almost every conceivable situation which I will face as a blind traveler. Without that training though, the danger factor is ratcheted off the charts.
This same idea holds true for our Christian lives. When you and I step out into the world, danger is all around. Consider the fact that Paul pointed out the alarming concept that we are in a war. (Ephesians 6: 12) Think about the fact that Peter warns us to be sober and vigilant, for our enemy the Devil is looking to devour us. (1Peter 5: 8) Folks, we are walking around in a world that stands in opposition to almost everything that we believe, and everything that the Bible teaches. If we aren’t prepared to deal with what’s out there, then we will go down!
Let’s think about Paul’s words to Timothy in 2Tim 2: 15. There Paul states: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Here Paul encourages the young evangelist to prepare himself for the work which lay ahead. If Timothy wanted to be approved, then Timothy needed to be prepared.
The danger for us is that many of us simply don’t want to take the time to study, to learn, or even to listen. We won’t read for ourselves, nor will we take the time to truly listen to that which others have studied and prepared to present to us.
Brethren, if we hope to fend off part of the danger which lurks out in the world, then we must be prepared.
The second danger which exists in terms of our walk through this world is distraction. When I’m walking, I need to be totally focused on what’s going on around me. If I’m on the phone, or listening to headphones, or even daydreaming, it is the same as thumbing my nose at the danger all around me. When I take the kids with me they understand that there are certain times when they must be completely quiet. As we are crossing a street, or standing waiting on a traffic light to change, they know that I need them to be both still and quiet, so that we can be safe.
Again, this lesson is also to be seen in our spiritual life. If you and I are not focused on what’s happening around us, then we are likely to be caught up in the sin of this world. Let’s look at a couple of Biblical examples of those who became distracted by the wants, ways, and wishes of this world.
First, think about the account of Sampson. One of The last judges of Israel, Sampson is one of the more memorable figures in the Old Testament. Chosen to lead the nation of Israel out of the hands of the Philistines, Sampson was a Nazarite.
If we were to attempt to classify this man, we would find that he doesn’t fit into our mold of a “Godly Man.” During his time, he killed thousands, sought to deceive many, and displayed a nasty temper. Yet the Lord chose him to be a deliver of his people.
Sampson, a man of remarkable strength, was fine until “she” came along. The “she” in question was a woman by the name of Delilah, a Philistine. She, after prompting by the lords of the Philistines, began to strive to find out the secret of his strength. Sampson, though he tricked her a few times, eventually allowed himself to become distracted from his real goal. This of course led to his capture, disfigurement, and imprisonment. Every one of Sampson’s problems can be traced back to his lack of focus.
Secondly, I want you to notice Aaron, the brother of Moses, and the spokes person for the Lord in Egypt. From all accounts, Aaron was a good man. While in Egypt, he followed the commandments of God. He did as instructed, and served the Lord well. In my eyes, the problem really arose when Moses went up into Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments.
In Exodus 32: 1, we see that the people become panicked over the fact that Moses hasn’t returned. They decide that he will not be coming back, so they go to Aaron, and insist that he make them a new god to worship. Much to our surprise, in Exodus 32: 2, Aaron agrees. He is distracted from the mission given to him by God. Moses and Aaron were to be out front, leading and setting the example for the Children of Israel. I’m not certain what distracted him. Maybe it was the fact that he was getting all the attention, or perhaps it was that he too was thinking that Moses wasn’t coming back. Regardless the reason, the fact of the matter is that he took his eyes from the goal, and fell from the path.
Folks, the same exact thing can and will happen to us if we become distracted. We are no different than Sampson and Aaron in the since that we lose our focus. There are those times in life when we simply fail to stay on task.
In fact, John warns of certain things which can and will distract us in this world. 1John 2: 16, “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” When we allow pride, lust, and a desire for “stuff” to distract us from that which God has told us to do, we put ourselves in serious danger. Just so we are clear, let me state for you the reason for our existence.
Ecclesiastes 12: 13, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”
There it is spelt out in very simple words. When you go out into this world, and the distractions start, you now know where your focus should be. We are here to serve God.
I want to encourage you to keep in mind that there is danger out there, but if you stay focused, and see to your preparation, you can overcome our enemy.
II. THERE ARE GOOD PEOPLE OUT THERE
As I’ve already mentioned, I have been a walker for a while now. I have traveled sidewalks in Nashville, Louisville, Columbus, Minneapolis, ST. Louis, Gainesville, Orlando, Dyersburg, and the booming metropolis of Bartow Florida. With this experience to pull upon, I can tell you without hesitation that there are some really good people in this world.
I cannot count the number of times that I have in countered people who were willing to help me as I travel around. There have been those who have helped me across big roads. There have been those who have held up traffic in order to help me across. There have been those who have pulled over to offer me a ride on cold days, rainy days, hot days, and sunny days. In each of these cases, there aid and assistance has been greatly appreciated.
There are two things I want you to know concerning these good folks. The first is that there are some good people out there who are misled. There is a common problem which I face. The problem occurs when people in cars try to stop and let me go across, not understanding that when their car is running, it prevents me from hearing. Therefore I cannot decide if it is clear both ways. I appreciate them stopping, but their attempts to do good are a little misled.
I want to say something that might make a few people mad. I never like making folks mad, but I do want to help people think about their actions. Church, we have a problem. Somewhere along the way we have forgotten the admonishment found in 1Corinthians 16: 14. There we are told: “Let all your things be done with charity.” Have you noticed that when we correct someone, or attempt to help them to see the truth, that we no longer do it in a spirit of love? We do it with pride, and arrogance, and a need to be seen as spiritually superior!
Brethren, let me speak openly with you for a moment. I’m talking about those in the denominational world. I’m talking about good people, earnest people, devoted people, God-fearing people who are trying to do the right thing: but have been misinformed as to the truth of God’s word. Now, rather than going to them and offering them loving correction, we want to argue, debate, and prove to them that we are right and they are wrong.
The amazing thing is that we are given an example in scripture of how we can and should correct those good people who have been misled.
In Acts 18: 24, we find a man by the name of Apollos coming into the city of Ephesus. What I want you to see is the character description given to us of this man. Verse 24 reveals to us that he was well-spoken, and that he was “mighty in the scriptures.” Furthermore, in verse 25, Apollos is said to be instructed in the way of the Lord, fervent in spirit, and speaking and teaching diligently the things of God.
However, there was a problem. As good as he was, as diligent as he was, as fervent and devoted as he was, he didn’t know the whole truth. How do we know this? We know this because he only knew the baptism of John, not the redemptive baptism of Christ.
It is at this point where a decision had to be made. Those who knew the truth could choose to do nothing, they could choose to ridicule him, they could choose to hold a debate, or they could go to him and offer loving correction. Fortunately there were two servants of God who chose this latter option.
Aquila and Priscilla, friends of the Apostle Paul, did provide us an example for helping good people find the truth. IN verse 26, we read that they “took him unto them and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.” What a great example. They simply brought him in, and taught him the truth.
Folks, there are some very good people out there who just need the word taught to them more perfectly. I want to encourage you to be their Aquila and Priscilla.
Finally this morning, I want you to understand that there are also good people out here who will help you. There have been so many moments when I needed help, and help was provided in the form of a good person.
Here’s the catch. Sometimes I had to ask for that help. I have gone into stores, restaurants, churches, classes, colleges, and many other places where I did not know where to go or what to do, but when I asked someone to help me, help was provided.
We as Christians are in the same boat. We often need help, and there are those who are willing to help us. It might be help understanding the scriptures, or someone to pray with us, or a shoulder on which we can lean, or many other things. The good news is that help is there, we just need to humble ourselves and ask. Did you catch the key word? Yeah, I said you would need to humble yourself. Often we allow pride to come between us and the help we need. We would do well to remember that, “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16: 18)
Let’s consider the example of Jairus. Luke 8: 40 we find Christ in a certain city, and as usual there is a crowd around him. Out of this crowd comes a man whom we would not expect to ask for help. He is a “ruler of the Synagogue.” This would indicate that he was a man who didn’t often say “I need help.” In this case, he didn’t hesitate.
We are told in Luke 8: 42 that Jairus had a daughter, and she was very sick. I want you to see what he did there in verse 41. He laid himself at Jesus’s feet, and admitted that he needed help.
I know we try to make this hard, but really it is that simple. You need to look at your life, decide what you need, and ask for the help of your brothers and sisters. After all, we are told to, “Pray one for another.” (James 5: 16)
Thursday, February 25, 2010
YOU SHOULD NOT REGRET
AUDIO LINK:
YOU SHOULD NOT REGRET
LUKE 9: 57 - 62
57 And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.
62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
I tell you these men will regret they did not follow Jesus.
Luke believed Matt. 6:33 That Christ must be first.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
When we put Christ first in our lives we will have no regrets. We will follow him and not look back at the things he has forgiven us and remembers no more.
I. You Should Not Regret Sharing Brotherly Love in The Lord.
A. Eph. 4: 29 – 32 Be kind, forgiving, edifying as Christ has forgiven you. Have you forgiven others that have wronged you?
29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Who could regret being kind, tenderhearted, forgiving? Who could not be a better person without bitterness, anger, evil, or malice to stumble over.
B. Titus 3: 8 Even the devil knows the strength and power in good works.
8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
It is hard to regret doing good or receiving good. Maintain good works.
C. 1 Cor. 13: 4 Paul tells us True love is kind.
4 Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
True love is everlasting and seeketh not for it self, but for others.
D. 2 Peter 1: 7 As we grow as a Christian Peter says we will add brotherly kindness.
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness love.
This takes time and is often harder for some than others. Because it is hard to do does not make it less necessary. Brotherly kindness often come at a price. We have to put aside pride to be kind to one another.
II. You Should Never Regret Taking Time For Your Family in The Lord.
A. Eph. 6: 1 – 3 Children have responsibility to their parents in God’s sight.
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)
3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
Young people you will never regret that you obeyed your parents in the Lord. You will one day thank them and God, that you did. Many regret they did not, but never regret that they obeyed them in the Lord.
B. Eph. 6: 4 Fathers have a responsibility to God and their children.
4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Nurture is to nourish as with food that one might receive good from it.
Nourishing them spiritually. Nurture your grandchildren and great grandchildren.
1. Col. 3: 21 Responsible to teach and encourage them.
21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
What Christian father would discourage their child in the Lord?
2. 1 Tim. 5: 8 Fathers have a responsibility to the whole family to provide for them. Not only physically, but also spiritually.
8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
A father has never regretted he ever taught his children about God and Christ. Even one that deserts God would not think of regretting they taught their children about God. Many regret that they did not.
C. Eph. 5: 25 Husbands have a responsibility to their wives.
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
What man with a loving Christian wife could regret he loved her. Some have loved and not been loved in return, but even then it is hard to regret you truly loved them. For you were honest and sincere even if they were not.
D. 1 Peter 3: 1 – 2 Wives have a responsibility to their own husbands.
1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
You may be the only hope your husband has to see Christ in your life and want to obey the gospel. If a wife acts like the devil what kind of influence will she have on her husband.
1. 1 Peter 3: 5 – 6 A wife not only adorns herself for her husband she respects him as head of the family. If your wife does not respect you something is wrong.
5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:
6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
2. 1 Peter 3: 7 Why was Sara so submissive to Abraham? Because Abraham obeyed God, honoring her with respect and love.
7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
A wife will never regret she loved her husband nor a husband his wife if they love one another as Christ loved the church and gave himself for it. Their children as well as others will wish they had a marriage like theirs.
At Freed-Hardeman one speaker asked what husband treats his wife as he did when they were dating. I wanted to raise my hand. Vickie nudged me and said raise your hand. Hearing it from her was greater than raising my hand. I learned it the hard way, but if you do not love than more than you did back then something is wrong. A wife once told her husband when we were dating you sat right next to me as close as you could. He sat behind the staring wheel and said I never moved. Love should grow.
III. You Should Not Regret You Reverenced God.
A. Prov. 1: 7 Godly fear is the beginning.
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
To many today despise wisdom and instruction and they are most foolish. A wise person knows they learn from the wise by following their directions and example. You listen, watch and learn. A new show is on TV. It is the boss that goes undercover as a new employee to see how things are actually done. It sure opens some owners eyes.
B. Prov. 3: 5 – 6 Find favor, trust and knowledge in God.
4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
What roofer would not check the weather before tearing off a roof?
What farmer would plant his crop out of season?
Only a fool would say there is no God.
What Christian would not seek God’s direction from the Bible?
C. Ecc. 12: 13 Solomon says it is summed up in two things.
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
Godly respect and obedience.
1. John 14: 15 Jesus plainly said it.
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
What love does one show by their disobedience?
2. Matt., Mark and Luke all recorded it. Matt. 22: 37 - 38
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
3. James 1: 12 James says one is blessed if…
12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
What did we read in John 14: 15?
If you love, keep my commandments.
James said:
He shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
You should never regret you reverenced and obeyed God. One day a place in heaven will be given to you.
You should never regret you shared brotherly love with one another in the Lord. One day a place in heaven will be given to you.
You should never regret you took time for your family in the Lord. One day a place in heaven will be given.
You will regret if you disobey God for you will be lost eternally for ever and ever and ever, with the devil and his angels.
You will regret if you hate you brother for you will be lost eternally for ever and ever and ever in torment.
You will regret if you neglect your family and provide not for them far more than just material things for ever and ever and ever, for you will be lost, separated from God. You can be lost for neglecting one or all of these. But as sure as God has promised if you love him with all your heart, soul and mind you will never forsake him, your family, or your brethren the church.
Do you need to obey Christ today in baptism? Do you know you are lost in sin but don’t know what to do? Do you want to give your life to Jesus? Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God? The devil believes and is afraid. He will not obey God, will you?
Are you a Christian that needs to repent and come back home? Do you know you are once again lost in sin? Will you come back to Jesus today? Don’t regret you passed up the invitation.
Will you come forward as we stand and sing?
YOU SHOULD NOT REGRET
LUKE 9: 57 - 62
57 And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.
62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
I tell you these men will regret they did not follow Jesus.
Luke believed Matt. 6:33 That Christ must be first.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
When we put Christ first in our lives we will have no regrets. We will follow him and not look back at the things he has forgiven us and remembers no more.
I. You Should Not Regret Sharing Brotherly Love in The Lord.
A. Eph. 4: 29 – 32 Be kind, forgiving, edifying as Christ has forgiven you. Have you forgiven others that have wronged you?
29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Who could regret being kind, tenderhearted, forgiving? Who could not be a better person without bitterness, anger, evil, or malice to stumble over.
B. Titus 3: 8 Even the devil knows the strength and power in good works.
8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
It is hard to regret doing good or receiving good. Maintain good works.
C. 1 Cor. 13: 4 Paul tells us True love is kind.
4 Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
True love is everlasting and seeketh not for it self, but for others.
D. 2 Peter 1: 7 As we grow as a Christian Peter says we will add brotherly kindness.
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness love.
This takes time and is often harder for some than others. Because it is hard to do does not make it less necessary. Brotherly kindness often come at a price. We have to put aside pride to be kind to one another.
II. You Should Never Regret Taking Time For Your Family in The Lord.
A. Eph. 6: 1 – 3 Children have responsibility to their parents in God’s sight.
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)
3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
Young people you will never regret that you obeyed your parents in the Lord. You will one day thank them and God, that you did. Many regret they did not, but never regret that they obeyed them in the Lord.
B. Eph. 6: 4 Fathers have a responsibility to God and their children.
4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Nurture is to nourish as with food that one might receive good from it.
Nourishing them spiritually. Nurture your grandchildren and great grandchildren.
1. Col. 3: 21 Responsible to teach and encourage them.
21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
What Christian father would discourage their child in the Lord?
2. 1 Tim. 5: 8 Fathers have a responsibility to the whole family to provide for them. Not only physically, but also spiritually.
8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
A father has never regretted he ever taught his children about God and Christ. Even one that deserts God would not think of regretting they taught their children about God. Many regret that they did not.
C. Eph. 5: 25 Husbands have a responsibility to their wives.
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
What man with a loving Christian wife could regret he loved her. Some have loved and not been loved in return, but even then it is hard to regret you truly loved them. For you were honest and sincere even if they were not.
D. 1 Peter 3: 1 – 2 Wives have a responsibility to their own husbands.
1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
You may be the only hope your husband has to see Christ in your life and want to obey the gospel. If a wife acts like the devil what kind of influence will she have on her husband.
1. 1 Peter 3: 5 – 6 A wife not only adorns herself for her husband she respects him as head of the family. If your wife does not respect you something is wrong.
5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:
6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
2. 1 Peter 3: 7 Why was Sara so submissive to Abraham? Because Abraham obeyed God, honoring her with respect and love.
7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
A wife will never regret she loved her husband nor a husband his wife if they love one another as Christ loved the church and gave himself for it. Their children as well as others will wish they had a marriage like theirs.
At Freed-Hardeman one speaker asked what husband treats his wife as he did when they were dating. I wanted to raise my hand. Vickie nudged me and said raise your hand. Hearing it from her was greater than raising my hand. I learned it the hard way, but if you do not love than more than you did back then something is wrong. A wife once told her husband when we were dating you sat right next to me as close as you could. He sat behind the staring wheel and said I never moved. Love should grow.
III. You Should Not Regret You Reverenced God.
A. Prov. 1: 7 Godly fear is the beginning.
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
To many today despise wisdom and instruction and they are most foolish. A wise person knows they learn from the wise by following their directions and example. You listen, watch and learn. A new show is on TV. It is the boss that goes undercover as a new employee to see how things are actually done. It sure opens some owners eyes.
B. Prov. 3: 5 – 6 Find favor, trust and knowledge in God.
4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
What roofer would not check the weather before tearing off a roof?
What farmer would plant his crop out of season?
Only a fool would say there is no God.
What Christian would not seek God’s direction from the Bible?
C. Ecc. 12: 13 Solomon says it is summed up in two things.
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
Godly respect and obedience.
1. John 14: 15 Jesus plainly said it.
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
What love does one show by their disobedience?
2. Matt., Mark and Luke all recorded it. Matt. 22: 37 - 38
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
3. James 1: 12 James says one is blessed if…
12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
What did we read in John 14: 15?
If you love, keep my commandments.
James said:
He shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
You should never regret you reverenced and obeyed God. One day a place in heaven will be given to you.
You should never regret you shared brotherly love with one another in the Lord. One day a place in heaven will be given to you.
You should never regret you took time for your family in the Lord. One day a place in heaven will be given.
You will regret if you disobey God for you will be lost eternally for ever and ever and ever, with the devil and his angels.
You will regret if you hate you brother for you will be lost eternally for ever and ever and ever in torment.
You will regret if you neglect your family and provide not for them far more than just material things for ever and ever and ever, for you will be lost, separated from God. You can be lost for neglecting one or all of these. But as sure as God has promised if you love him with all your heart, soul and mind you will never forsake him, your family, or your brethren the church.
Do you need to obey Christ today in baptism? Do you know you are lost in sin but don’t know what to do? Do you want to give your life to Jesus? Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God? The devil believes and is afraid. He will not obey God, will you?
Are you a Christian that needs to repent and come back home? Do you know you are once again lost in sin? Will you come back to Jesus today? Don’t regret you passed up the invitation.
Will you come forward as we stand and sing?
DOES JESUS CARE?
AUDIO LINK:
sSERMONS FROM OUR SONGS
“DOES JESUS CARE?”
1PETER 5: 7
Intro:
I came across the following story this past week. I want to warn you up front, it is not pretty. It will be difficult for many to hear, but I truly feel that it will help us find our way into our subject today. As you will see, the story is told from the perspective of a 17-year-old young man. His name isn’t given, but certainly our prayers should be with him and for him, considering all that he has been through.
“For someone who is only 17 I have been through a lot in my life already. I have always had to take care of myself because my family never properly looked after me.
My dad treated me bad right from when I was a baby. It was like I was never good enough for him. He would bait me, even as a small kid he used to hit me and then say 'come on, hit me, stand up and be a man' and I would try to hit back and he'd belt me twice as hard. He used to kick or hit me if I didn't do what I was told. So I learnt to go along with whatever he said, and to keep out of his way.
The worst thing was that mom never told him off for the way he treated me. She would just yell at me 'don't get him mad, it's your fault you should do what he says. She never defended me from my dad; she acted like I deserved everything I got. I started to believe that everything was my fault.
When I was about 13 I started drinking heavily and smoking pot every day. I also used whatever drugs I could get, just to get out of it, so I didn't have to think about anything. I skipped school just about every day, until the school told my parents and my dad bashed me up real bad to punish me.
I hated school because I was always in trouble for having fights with other kids or with the teachers. But also I hated being at home. I used to stay over at friend's houses, and sometimes I would sleep out in car parks. The more I stayed away, the more scared I was of going back home; because I knew I would get A BEATING for running away. I started sleeping in the city, in doorways or wherever, and hanging out with other kids there. It still was better than going home.
After a while I went to a youth support service and they got me into a refuge. Some of the workers there are cool and you feel like someone cares about you for once. They went in to Centrelink with me and helped me get some money, and they have just helped me organize my life more. They are trying to get me into long-term accommodation. Now at least I feel like I might have a future.”
I’m not sure how this story makes you feel. If you are like me, you feel sad, angry, disappointed in your fellow man, and even happy that the boy seems to have found a life after abuse. However, the question which I have for you is how many others are there who are like this young man? Oh I’m not talking about those who are victims of abuse. There are millions throughout this world who are enduring atrocities such as these, and worse. I am talking about the countless individuals who feel as though no one cares about them.
Allow me to ask you; are you one of those people? Do you live with sadness in your heart because you feel as though you are all alone? Do you find yourself looking around and wondering, “Does anyone care about me?” Often when these thoughts begin, the next thought to come is, “Does God care about me?” We begin to question his compassion, mercy, power, and even his ultimate plan for our lives.
As we continue with our current series, we come to a song written by a man by the name of Frank E. Graeff. The song, found on page 507, is entitled, “DOES JESUS CAERE?” Mr. Graeff spent his life in service to God. Born December 19, 1860, Mr. Graeff served faithfully as a minister in Methodist churches around Pennsylvania for many years. During his time on earth, he wrote the words to 200 hymns, and even found time to write a novel.
If you were to consider all the works of Frank Graeff, without question the one which has had the most impact on those who have heard it’s words would be “DOES JESUS CARE.” Mr. Graeff was said to be a happy man. In fact, he wasn’t just happy, he was so exuberant about living life that he earned the nickname “The Sunshine Minister.” Despite his great disposition, Mr. Graeff was like all of us in that he experienced moments of great stress and suffering. It was during one of these times when he wrote the words to this song. As he sat one day studying his Bible, he came across 1Peter 5: 7. There Peter instructs us saying: “Casting all your cares upon him; for he cares for you.” After reading these words, Mr. Graeff wrote out the words to the song before us. In the main, the point of the song is to remind you that no matter your condition in life, Christ cares for you.
This morning, I want us to look at the three times of life which are found in this song, during which we are tempted to believe that Jesus just doesn’t care about us. I want you to leave here this morning knowing that you matter to God. I want you to leave here today with the understanding that God cares for you! Join me, and let’s answer the question, “DOES JESUS CARE?”
I. DOES JESUS CARE ABOUT MY WORRIES?
“Does Jesus care when my heart is pained, too deeply for mirth or song, as the burdens press and the cares distress, and the way grows weary and long?” Here in this first verse, we see one of mankind’s great enemies, and one of Satan’s most powerful tools. “When the BURDENS PRESS AND THE CARES DISTRESS AND THE WAY GROWS WEARY AND LONG.” Without question worry is one of the biggest problems that we face each day.
Well, what is worry? How can it best be defined? I came across the following on a blog of sermon illustrations. The author wasn’t known, but I think his or her idea is worth our consideration.
“Worry is faith in the negative, trust in the unpleasant, assurance of disaster and belief in defeat...worry is wasting today's time to clutter up tomorrow's opportunities with yesterday's troubles.” People don’t like to hear this, I don’t like to say this, but worry is a lack of faith. Worry is you and I looking at a given situation, deciding that God can’t, but if we ponder on it long enough, maybe we can. There is something we must keep in mind and that is, taking problems out of God’s hands is a bad thing. When we try to out think God, we will find each and every time, that he was always six steps ahead.
Let’s think about this from the Apostles point of view. Throughout their time following Christ, They had different concerns and worries which plagued them. For example they worried over who would be first in the kingdom which Christ had been preaching. (Mark 9: 30-37) Of course Christ put their minds at ease by revealing to them that in order to be great, one must be humble.
The disciples also worried over worldly concerns. Let’s think about the passage in Matthew 14: 13-21. There Christ performs one of his more awe-inspiring miracles.
Following the death of John the Baptist, Christ here’s the news, and departs into the desert. Once there, he sees that a large contingent has followed him. He has compassion on them, and heals the sick among their number. Then, in verse 15, his disciples come and tell Jesus to send the group away because evening is coming, and they need to go find food to eat. Jesus instructs the disciples to feed the multitude.
Here is where this really gets interesting. Christ tells them how to do something to allay their worries, and they find reasons as to why his commandment won’t work. However, when they obey Jesus, bring the loaves and fishes to him; they discover that he was right all along. Their worries were unfounded, because he was with them. If they would just do as he commanded, all things would work out. Sound Familiar?
How many times do you and I allow ourselves to become consumed with worry over life’s troubles? How often do we look at those problems and say: “I am in such trouble, God must not care about me!” This couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, just as Jesus offered a commandment to those first disciples, he has issued orders to us, his present day followers as well.
In Matthew 6: 24-33, we find all that we need to know when it comes to Jesus caring about our worries. There we find Christ addressing his disciples on the very subject which we’ve been speaking about.
I want to come back to verse 24 in just a moment. First, I want you to see what Jesus said in Matthew 6: 25. “Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Christ wants us to stop our constant stressing over the things of this life. We are so much more than what we eat, or drink, or ware! This doesn’t mean that we stop working, and stop using the skills which God has given us to make a living. No, what I’m telling you is that we must realize that “Your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all of these things.”
The truth is that you cannot add one dime to your bank account, one level to your house, or one car to your garage by worrying over it. I would actually argue that the only thing you do win you worry is give Satan the victory. (I bet that caught your attention!)
You will recall that I said I wanted to return to verse 24. Let’s go ahead and take a look at it now. “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Now, look down at verse 30, which states: “Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?”
What I want you to see is that we can’t have it both ways. We cannot say that we trust God, and yet refuse to give up our worries to him. He is there for us when our burdens press, and our fears distress. He indeed cares for us. But, when we refuse to let go we are without question revealing our lack of faith.
So, does Jesus care for our worries? In the words of Mr. Graeff, “Oh yes he cares, I know he cares!”
II. DOES JESUS CARE ABOUT MY FEARS?
“Does Jesus Care, when my way grows dark with a nameless dread and fear? As the deep daylight fades, into deep night shades, does he care enough to be near?”
Here in this second verse, we see a common concern. When we are frightened, we do not want to be alone. I can recall as a child, sneaking into mom and dad’s room in the middle of the night, because I heard some noise, or I thought I saw something in the corner of my room, or a million other reasons. The bottom line was that I didn’t want to be alone when I was so scared. Mr. Graeff illustrates this very idea for us by asking if Jesus will care enough to be near when those fearful moments stand at the door and knock.
Here’s what’s so interesting. Have you ever stopped to consider what fear really is? When you strip away all its layers, what is fear? I want to submit to you that fear is a lack of courage concerning that which we cannot see.
There is a story told about a boy who was in the kitchen one night while his mother was making supper. She asked him to go into the pantry and bring her a can of Tomato soup. The boy flatly refused because he was afraid of the dark pantry. The mother tried and tried to get him to go to the closet, but the boy wasn’t having any of it. He stated that he didn’t know what was in the pantry, and he didn’t want to find out.
Finally the mother told him that he didn’t need to be afraid, because Jesus would be in the pantry with him. After a moment’s hesitation, the little boy walked to the pantry door, cracked it open, and said, “Excuse me Jesus, could you hand me that can of Tomato Soup please?” See, the boy didn’t know what was in there, so he needed reassurance.
Certainly our fears are a bit more serious than a dark pantry, but they are founded upon the same premise. We don’t know what is behind that which we fear, so we cannot imagine facing it on our own. Normally fear reduces us all into small children. We want someone to come and make it better.
Think about the apostles in Mark 4: 37-39. There they were, all together, in a boat during a harsh storm. Notice what the Bible tells us that they did. “And they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?” (Mark 4: 38) These men of faith, these disciples who broke bread with Jesus every day, asked the same question which we are looking at here. “We are afraid Lord, do you care?”
It is very important that you notice Christ’s reaction. Mark 4: 39-40 states: “And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?” He eased their fears, and wanted to know what it was that they were so afraid of in the first place.
Brethren, the same thing holds true for us today. Oh don’t get me wrong. He might not come in and put an end to the storm. There are those occasions when the storm is just going to happen. However, his presents alone can provide peace. It can provide the peace which passes all understanding. (Philippians 4:7) He is with you during your times of greatest fear. He was with the nation of Israel when they coward in fear, but he told them that they could be of good courage, because he would never leave them! (Deuteronomy 31: 6) This isn’t just an Old Testament promise. The writer of Hebrews also affirmed it to us in Hebrews 13: 5.
I want you to think back to the definition which we gave of fear. We agreed that fear is a lack of courage concerning those things which we cannot see. Most of our fear in life is over the future. We cannot see what is going to happen regarding our jobs, our money, our health, our family, nor our lives, and that scares us. Here’s the great thing about the God we serve, he both knows and holds the future! (John 14: 1)
Again, we ask, DOES JESUS CARE ABOUT MY FEARS?” Again, Mr. Graeff shouts: “Oh yes He Cares!”
III. DOES JESUS CARE ABOUT MY GRIEF?
“Does Jesus care when I’ve said goodbye to the dearest on earth to me? And my sad heart aches, till it nearly breaks, is it ought to him does he see?”
Typically this is one of the more difficult points to cover. Most of us have lost someone close to us. At one point or another during the course of our loss, we have wondered “why?” Why did our loved one have to go? Why do we have to be alone? Does God care that I feel as though my heart is being torn apart?
As a minister, I have stood with so many as they mourned over that one who meant so much to them. I’ve stood beside parents as they wept at the loss of a child. I’ve stood watching, and have felt the pain myself, of children who are saying goodbye to a parent. I’ve even held the parent of a young person who made the decision to end their own life.
In each of these cases, there is something that I have noticed. In the situations where the family members have a relationship with the Lord, the grieving process was much more manageable. IN those cases, the family knew and understood that, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” (Hebrews 9: 27)
However, you who are here today, you are wondering, how is the Lord with me during these most difficult of times? I want to suggest to you that the Lord is with you through a promise which was revealed to us by King David during his time of grieving for his lost son.
Surely you recall the occasion to which I refer. In 2Samuel 11, David sees and possesses Bathsheba. Following their elicit union, she becomes pregnant. In 2Samuel 12: 14-18, we see that the child which was born of Bathsheba died. What is interesting is David’s reaction to the child’s illness, and his death.
Following the death of the baby, David’s servants hesitate to tell him that the child had died. According to their own account, he had been inconsolable while the child was ill; they just couldn’t imagine how hard he would take the news of the passing.
However David surprises them by cleaning up, going into the house of the Lord to worship, and then setting down for a meal in his own home. (2Samuel 12: 20) When they asked him about his behavior, David told them that he fasted and prayed for the child while he was alive because he didn’t know if God would indeed be gracious to him. However and here is where we see the proof that God is with us through his promises, David reveals why the weeping has come to a halt. 2Samuel 12: 23 says: “But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.” Did you catch it? The Lord must have shared a wonderful fact with David. The fact being that while no amount of grieving can bring the dead back to life, a life lived in service to God can result in a marvelous reunion! Folks, the promise is Heaven.
Christ remains at our side even in our times of grief by offering us the opportunity to reunite in our Heavenly home!
Brethren, the question is, “Does Jesus care about my grief?” Mr. Graeff said it best when he said, “Oh Yes he cares, I know he cares, His heart, is touched with my grief!”
CONCLUSION:
As a child of God, you should never doubt that your savior cares for you. Hebrews 12: 2-3 reveals to us that Christ knew the suffering that was before him, yet he suffered it for us! Why? Because he cares for you. (1Peter 5: 7)
sSERMONS FROM OUR SONGS
“DOES JESUS CARE?”
1PETER 5: 7
Intro:
I came across the following story this past week. I want to warn you up front, it is not pretty. It will be difficult for many to hear, but I truly feel that it will help us find our way into our subject today. As you will see, the story is told from the perspective of a 17-year-old young man. His name isn’t given, but certainly our prayers should be with him and for him, considering all that he has been through.
“For someone who is only 17 I have been through a lot in my life already. I have always had to take care of myself because my family never properly looked after me.
My dad treated me bad right from when I was a baby. It was like I was never good enough for him. He would bait me, even as a small kid he used to hit me and then say 'come on, hit me, stand up and be a man' and I would try to hit back and he'd belt me twice as hard. He used to kick or hit me if I didn't do what I was told. So I learnt to go along with whatever he said, and to keep out of his way.
The worst thing was that mom never told him off for the way he treated me. She would just yell at me 'don't get him mad, it's your fault you should do what he says. She never defended me from my dad; she acted like I deserved everything I got. I started to believe that everything was my fault.
When I was about 13 I started drinking heavily and smoking pot every day. I also used whatever drugs I could get, just to get out of it, so I didn't have to think about anything. I skipped school just about every day, until the school told my parents and my dad bashed me up real bad to punish me.
I hated school because I was always in trouble for having fights with other kids or with the teachers. But also I hated being at home. I used to stay over at friend's houses, and sometimes I would sleep out in car parks. The more I stayed away, the more scared I was of going back home; because I knew I would get A BEATING for running away. I started sleeping in the city, in doorways or wherever, and hanging out with other kids there. It still was better than going home.
After a while I went to a youth support service and they got me into a refuge. Some of the workers there are cool and you feel like someone cares about you for once. They went in to Centrelink with me and helped me get some money, and they have just helped me organize my life more. They are trying to get me into long-term accommodation. Now at least I feel like I might have a future.”
I’m not sure how this story makes you feel. If you are like me, you feel sad, angry, disappointed in your fellow man, and even happy that the boy seems to have found a life after abuse. However, the question which I have for you is how many others are there who are like this young man? Oh I’m not talking about those who are victims of abuse. There are millions throughout this world who are enduring atrocities such as these, and worse. I am talking about the countless individuals who feel as though no one cares about them.
Allow me to ask you; are you one of those people? Do you live with sadness in your heart because you feel as though you are all alone? Do you find yourself looking around and wondering, “Does anyone care about me?” Often when these thoughts begin, the next thought to come is, “Does God care about me?” We begin to question his compassion, mercy, power, and even his ultimate plan for our lives.
As we continue with our current series, we come to a song written by a man by the name of Frank E. Graeff. The song, found on page 507, is entitled, “DOES JESUS CAERE?” Mr. Graeff spent his life in service to God. Born December 19, 1860, Mr. Graeff served faithfully as a minister in Methodist churches around Pennsylvania for many years. During his time on earth, he wrote the words to 200 hymns, and even found time to write a novel.
If you were to consider all the works of Frank Graeff, without question the one which has had the most impact on those who have heard it’s words would be “DOES JESUS CARE.” Mr. Graeff was said to be a happy man. In fact, he wasn’t just happy, he was so exuberant about living life that he earned the nickname “The Sunshine Minister.” Despite his great disposition, Mr. Graeff was like all of us in that he experienced moments of great stress and suffering. It was during one of these times when he wrote the words to this song. As he sat one day studying his Bible, he came across 1Peter 5: 7. There Peter instructs us saying: “Casting all your cares upon him; for he cares for you.” After reading these words, Mr. Graeff wrote out the words to the song before us. In the main, the point of the song is to remind you that no matter your condition in life, Christ cares for you.
This morning, I want us to look at the three times of life which are found in this song, during which we are tempted to believe that Jesus just doesn’t care about us. I want you to leave here this morning knowing that you matter to God. I want you to leave here today with the understanding that God cares for you! Join me, and let’s answer the question, “DOES JESUS CARE?”
I. DOES JESUS CARE ABOUT MY WORRIES?
“Does Jesus care when my heart is pained, too deeply for mirth or song, as the burdens press and the cares distress, and the way grows weary and long?” Here in this first verse, we see one of mankind’s great enemies, and one of Satan’s most powerful tools. “When the BURDENS PRESS AND THE CARES DISTRESS AND THE WAY GROWS WEARY AND LONG.” Without question worry is one of the biggest problems that we face each day.
Well, what is worry? How can it best be defined? I came across the following on a blog of sermon illustrations. The author wasn’t known, but I think his or her idea is worth our consideration.
“Worry is faith in the negative, trust in the unpleasant, assurance of disaster and belief in defeat...worry is wasting today's time to clutter up tomorrow's opportunities with yesterday's troubles.” People don’t like to hear this, I don’t like to say this, but worry is a lack of faith. Worry is you and I looking at a given situation, deciding that God can’t, but if we ponder on it long enough, maybe we can. There is something we must keep in mind and that is, taking problems out of God’s hands is a bad thing. When we try to out think God, we will find each and every time, that he was always six steps ahead.
Let’s think about this from the Apostles point of view. Throughout their time following Christ, They had different concerns and worries which plagued them. For example they worried over who would be first in the kingdom which Christ had been preaching. (Mark 9: 30-37) Of course Christ put their minds at ease by revealing to them that in order to be great, one must be humble.
The disciples also worried over worldly concerns. Let’s think about the passage in Matthew 14: 13-21. There Christ performs one of his more awe-inspiring miracles.
Following the death of John the Baptist, Christ here’s the news, and departs into the desert. Once there, he sees that a large contingent has followed him. He has compassion on them, and heals the sick among their number. Then, in verse 15, his disciples come and tell Jesus to send the group away because evening is coming, and they need to go find food to eat. Jesus instructs the disciples to feed the multitude.
Here is where this really gets interesting. Christ tells them how to do something to allay their worries, and they find reasons as to why his commandment won’t work. However, when they obey Jesus, bring the loaves and fishes to him; they discover that he was right all along. Their worries were unfounded, because he was with them. If they would just do as he commanded, all things would work out. Sound Familiar?
How many times do you and I allow ourselves to become consumed with worry over life’s troubles? How often do we look at those problems and say: “I am in such trouble, God must not care about me!” This couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, just as Jesus offered a commandment to those first disciples, he has issued orders to us, his present day followers as well.
In Matthew 6: 24-33, we find all that we need to know when it comes to Jesus caring about our worries. There we find Christ addressing his disciples on the very subject which we’ve been speaking about.
I want to come back to verse 24 in just a moment. First, I want you to see what Jesus said in Matthew 6: 25. “Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Christ wants us to stop our constant stressing over the things of this life. We are so much more than what we eat, or drink, or ware! This doesn’t mean that we stop working, and stop using the skills which God has given us to make a living. No, what I’m telling you is that we must realize that “Your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all of these things.”
The truth is that you cannot add one dime to your bank account, one level to your house, or one car to your garage by worrying over it. I would actually argue that the only thing you do win you worry is give Satan the victory. (I bet that caught your attention!)
You will recall that I said I wanted to return to verse 24. Let’s go ahead and take a look at it now. “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Now, look down at verse 30, which states: “Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?”
What I want you to see is that we can’t have it both ways. We cannot say that we trust God, and yet refuse to give up our worries to him. He is there for us when our burdens press, and our fears distress. He indeed cares for us. But, when we refuse to let go we are without question revealing our lack of faith.
So, does Jesus care for our worries? In the words of Mr. Graeff, “Oh yes he cares, I know he cares!”
II. DOES JESUS CARE ABOUT MY FEARS?
“Does Jesus Care, when my way grows dark with a nameless dread and fear? As the deep daylight fades, into deep night shades, does he care enough to be near?”
Here in this second verse, we see a common concern. When we are frightened, we do not want to be alone. I can recall as a child, sneaking into mom and dad’s room in the middle of the night, because I heard some noise, or I thought I saw something in the corner of my room, or a million other reasons. The bottom line was that I didn’t want to be alone when I was so scared. Mr. Graeff illustrates this very idea for us by asking if Jesus will care enough to be near when those fearful moments stand at the door and knock.
Here’s what’s so interesting. Have you ever stopped to consider what fear really is? When you strip away all its layers, what is fear? I want to submit to you that fear is a lack of courage concerning that which we cannot see.
There is a story told about a boy who was in the kitchen one night while his mother was making supper. She asked him to go into the pantry and bring her a can of Tomato soup. The boy flatly refused because he was afraid of the dark pantry. The mother tried and tried to get him to go to the closet, but the boy wasn’t having any of it. He stated that he didn’t know what was in the pantry, and he didn’t want to find out.
Finally the mother told him that he didn’t need to be afraid, because Jesus would be in the pantry with him. After a moment’s hesitation, the little boy walked to the pantry door, cracked it open, and said, “Excuse me Jesus, could you hand me that can of Tomato Soup please?” See, the boy didn’t know what was in there, so he needed reassurance.
Certainly our fears are a bit more serious than a dark pantry, but they are founded upon the same premise. We don’t know what is behind that which we fear, so we cannot imagine facing it on our own. Normally fear reduces us all into small children. We want someone to come and make it better.
Think about the apostles in Mark 4: 37-39. There they were, all together, in a boat during a harsh storm. Notice what the Bible tells us that they did. “And they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?” (Mark 4: 38) These men of faith, these disciples who broke bread with Jesus every day, asked the same question which we are looking at here. “We are afraid Lord, do you care?”
It is very important that you notice Christ’s reaction. Mark 4: 39-40 states: “And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?” He eased their fears, and wanted to know what it was that they were so afraid of in the first place.
Brethren, the same thing holds true for us today. Oh don’t get me wrong. He might not come in and put an end to the storm. There are those occasions when the storm is just going to happen. However, his presents alone can provide peace. It can provide the peace which passes all understanding. (Philippians 4:7) He is with you during your times of greatest fear. He was with the nation of Israel when they coward in fear, but he told them that they could be of good courage, because he would never leave them! (Deuteronomy 31: 6) This isn’t just an Old Testament promise. The writer of Hebrews also affirmed it to us in Hebrews 13: 5.
I want you to think back to the definition which we gave of fear. We agreed that fear is a lack of courage concerning those things which we cannot see. Most of our fear in life is over the future. We cannot see what is going to happen regarding our jobs, our money, our health, our family, nor our lives, and that scares us. Here’s the great thing about the God we serve, he both knows and holds the future! (John 14: 1)
Again, we ask, DOES JESUS CARE ABOUT MY FEARS?” Again, Mr. Graeff shouts: “Oh yes He Cares!”
III. DOES JESUS CARE ABOUT MY GRIEF?
“Does Jesus care when I’ve said goodbye to the dearest on earth to me? And my sad heart aches, till it nearly breaks, is it ought to him does he see?”
Typically this is one of the more difficult points to cover. Most of us have lost someone close to us. At one point or another during the course of our loss, we have wondered “why?” Why did our loved one have to go? Why do we have to be alone? Does God care that I feel as though my heart is being torn apart?
As a minister, I have stood with so many as they mourned over that one who meant so much to them. I’ve stood beside parents as they wept at the loss of a child. I’ve stood watching, and have felt the pain myself, of children who are saying goodbye to a parent. I’ve even held the parent of a young person who made the decision to end their own life.
In each of these cases, there is something that I have noticed. In the situations where the family members have a relationship with the Lord, the grieving process was much more manageable. IN those cases, the family knew and understood that, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” (Hebrews 9: 27)
However, you who are here today, you are wondering, how is the Lord with me during these most difficult of times? I want to suggest to you that the Lord is with you through a promise which was revealed to us by King David during his time of grieving for his lost son.
Surely you recall the occasion to which I refer. In 2Samuel 11, David sees and possesses Bathsheba. Following their elicit union, she becomes pregnant. In 2Samuel 12: 14-18, we see that the child which was born of Bathsheba died. What is interesting is David’s reaction to the child’s illness, and his death.
Following the death of the baby, David’s servants hesitate to tell him that the child had died. According to their own account, he had been inconsolable while the child was ill; they just couldn’t imagine how hard he would take the news of the passing.
However David surprises them by cleaning up, going into the house of the Lord to worship, and then setting down for a meal in his own home. (2Samuel 12: 20) When they asked him about his behavior, David told them that he fasted and prayed for the child while he was alive because he didn’t know if God would indeed be gracious to him. However and here is where we see the proof that God is with us through his promises, David reveals why the weeping has come to a halt. 2Samuel 12: 23 says: “But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.” Did you catch it? The Lord must have shared a wonderful fact with David. The fact being that while no amount of grieving can bring the dead back to life, a life lived in service to God can result in a marvelous reunion! Folks, the promise is Heaven.
Christ remains at our side even in our times of grief by offering us the opportunity to reunite in our Heavenly home!
Brethren, the question is, “Does Jesus care about my grief?” Mr. Graeff said it best when he said, “Oh Yes he cares, I know he cares, His heart, is touched with my grief!”
CONCLUSION:
As a child of God, you should never doubt that your savior cares for you. Hebrews 12: 2-3 reveals to us that Christ knew the suffering that was before him, yet he suffered it for us! Why? Because he cares for you. (1Peter 5: 7)
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
FAITHFUL LOVE
AUDIO LINK:
SERMONS FROM OUR SONGS
“FAITHFUL LOVE”
“WHAT CAN IT DO FOR YOU?”
(SONGS OF FAITH AND PRAISE #18)
Intro:
Imagine if you will that we are all guests at a beautiful wedding. The room is a buzz with excitement, joy, and love. Everyone is in their seats in anticipation of that magical moment.
Just then, the music starts, heads turn, and the minister intones, “Please rise.” As we stand, we see her. She is a vision. A long white flowing dress, a smile that can be seen even through the vale which covers her blushing face, and a daddy who looks both happy and sad all at the same time.
As she passes by, we all marvel at her beauty. We follow her progress to the front of the church where stands a young man in a nice suit, and a smile to rival that of the bride. They meet, the traditional words are spoken, and we resume our seats, and look on with pride at these two wonderful people who have come to declare their obvious love for one another.
The minister begins, and a hush falls over the whole of the assembly. Finally, the time comes for the exchanging of rings and vows. The bride and groom are told to face one another. However, before the minister can speak, the groom holds up his hand and says that he has something which needs to be said before vows are spoken. We are all puzzled, but we expect that he is about to offer up some spontaneous proclamation of love. “Honey”, he begins, “I do indeed love you.” We reach and wipe away a tear which has formed in our eye. “I will always love you, but there’s something you need to know.” We set up straighter. What is going on? “I am going to marry you today, but please understand that it is impossible for me to promise to be faithful to only you for the rest of my life.” “I will provide for you, love you, help you in any way that I can, but faithfulness just isn’t something that I can promise.”
Well, we are outraged! Of course she will now stomp away, and she will leave that bum right where he stands. However… “Yes”, the bride replies, “That’s fine.” Talk about being shocked, you could knock us over with a feather. “In fact, I cannot promise to be faithful to you either.” “There will be times when I want to go out with someone else, or perhaps I will put my work, friends, family, or personal pleasure ahead of you.” Much to our astonishment, the wedding continues as though these ridiculous words had never been spoken.
Did you catch what just happened? The idea of committed love, everlasting love, honest love, faithful love was discarded like a dirty napkin. You hear that story, and your first reaction is disbelief. You think to yourself, yeah well that doesn’t really happen. However, brethren I am here to tell you that it does happen, and you and I are the perpetrators. We are guilty of entering into a committed, loving, trusting, honest, faithful relationship with God, but we offer very little in exchange. We want the benefits, but without all the hassle.
Tonight, we want to continue with our sermon series. You will recall that we are examining the different lessons which we can take from the songs which we sing. Tonight we come to song #18 “Faithful Love.” This song was written by Ken Young in 1994. This is one of those songs which has grown in popularity over the last several years. More and more congregations are implementing it into their worship services, and rightly so.
For the purposes of our series, I want us to closely examine the real message behind this song. As we go, I want you to remember that young couple we spoke of in the introduction of our lesson. I want you to fix them in your mind, and I want you to decide if they are representative of you. Here’s what I’m going to suggest to you tonight. As we look at the words to this wonderful hymn, we are going to learn what it is that true, honest, committed, faithful love can and will do for you. I want you to learn why you yourself need to have a faithful relationship with the savior. After all, if you look at the chorus, you can clearly see who the writer says that faithful love is. “For I’ve seen faithful love face to face, and Jesus is his name!”
I want to begin this lesson by pointing something out to you. It is absolutely impossible to simply say, “Jesus is faithful love.” First of all, that doesn’t explain anything about him. Secondly, Christ cannot be summarized in a cute catch phrase, or song chorus, or even in a sermon. However, if you take the song as a whole, you will find a much greater appreciation for who Jesus is, and what it is that he does for you and me.
Here tonight, I want us to take a few moments, and examine the words to this beautiful song. I want us to leave here tonight knowing more about the savior we have been given.
I. FAITHFUL LOVE IS A FRIEND
There is an obvious question that we must address in order to understand the point which is being made here in verse 2. That question is: “What is a friend?” In order to provide an answer, I decided to go out looking for definitions on the internet. Literally there were thousands of hits which came back to me. I finally narrowed it down to a site which provided quotes from different sources. I’d like to share with you the top ten answers which I found.
• “A friend is the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out.”
• “A friend is one of the nicest things you can have and one of the best things you can be.”
• “Friendship isn’t a big thing- it is a million little things.”
• “Only your real friends will tell you when your face is dirty.” (Sicilian Proverb)
• “The antidote for fifty enemies is one friend.” (Aristotle)
• One who multiplies joys, divides grief, and whose honesty is invaluable.”
• “One who understands our silence.”
• “A volume of sympathy bound in cloth.”
• “A watch that beats true for all time and never runs down.”
• “A friend is one who does his knocking before he enters instead of after he leaves.”
I think we can all agree that each of these definitions have merit. However, in my mind, there is one which stands out above the rest in terms of illustrating who Faithful love is in regards to being a friend. Faithful Love is the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out.
In order to see this concept in scripture, I want to invite you to turn to John 11. I’m confident that many, if not all of you, recognize this as the account of one of Christ’s most amazing miracles. Here in this passage, we see the resurrection of Lazarus. Again, I’m certain that many, if not all of us, know the account quite well. However, what I think we often miss is the wonderful example which Christ gives us on the type of friend we ought to be. I’m not saying that we should raise the dead, but I would suggest that this passage speaks to the need for friends to make sacrifices for one another.
IN order to understand this idea, you will need to back up into the previous chapter. There we find Jesus, along with his disciples, in Jerusalem. Christ has recently restored sight to a blind man in John 9: 1-, and beginning in John 10: 1, we find him addressing both the Pharisees who had heard and questioned this healing, as well as those who followed after him.
In John 10: 19, we find that there is a division among the Jews, and while some believe him, still others want to stone him. (John 10: 31) In fact, John 10: 39 reveals to us that the Jews, “sought to take him”, or as we would say, “kill him”, but he escaped from their hands.
Now, let’s return to John 11: 1. There we learn that this friend of Jesus, this man named Lazarus, is sick, and stands at the door of death. As we continue to read, we learn that these weren’t just acquaintances, but people whom Christ loved. (John 11: 5) Before Jesus reached Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, the latter passed away. (John 11: 11) The real point that I want you to see here is the discussion which takes place between Jesus and his disciples, in verses 7-10. There Christ declares that they must go to Judaea. What jumps out at us is the statement made by the disciples in verse 8. There they ask: “His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?” Wait! Where is it exactly that Christ is going? According to John 11: 1, Lazarus lived in the land called Bethany. The question then becomes, where is Bethany.
(Map will be shown on PowerPoint, not available in text version.) Here you can see the location of this small village which existed in the 1st century. Bethany was located on the southeastern slope of the Mount of Olives. For our purposes, the most important fact is it’s proximity to Jerusalem. As you can see, it was only about 2 miles from Jerusalem. That’s right, the very same Jerusalem where attempts to kill Christ had already taken place. I want you to notice the fact that Christ didn’t allow that to stand in his way. Yes, he knew of the opportunity which existed in Bethany to show the power which God had given him, that is true and we wouldn’t try to deny it. However, we must also admit that these people meant something to Jesus. As already stated, he loved them. (John 11: 5) It is in that spirit of love, that spirit of friendship that he traveled to Bethany despite the danger to his own life. Christ understood that true friendship sometimes requires sacrificial love.
In his book, “DAD, THE FAMILY COACH”, Dave Simmons relates the following story. He states that their family motto wasn’t “Love is action”, rather it was, “Love is sacrificial action.” “Love always pays a price. Love always costs something. Love is expensive.”
Mr. Simmons had taken his kids, Helen 8 and Brandon 5, to the Mall to do some shopping. When they arrived they noticed that there was a petting zoo set up outside for the children. Both children asked if they could go, and Dave gave them each a quarter, and sent them off to enjoy the animals.
As Mr. Simmons was walking through the hardware department, he found that his daughter was walking along behind him. This struck him as strange because he knew how much Helen enjoyed animals.
He asked her why she wasn’t at the petting zoo. She replied, with a very sad look on her face, that it cost fifty cents to get in, and she had given her quarter to Brandon so he could pet the animals. She then looked to her father and quoted the family motto. “Love is sacrificial action.”
Mr. Simmons concludes by saying that he had more money that he could have given her, but the lesson she learned that day far exceeded any time she might have spent with the creatures.
Brethren, from the second verse of #18, “FAITHFUL LOVE”, we see that the faithful love that we call our friend is willing to make the sacrifice for us despite the danger to himself. He does it that he might restore hope! He does it that he might be that welcome face, provide that sweet embrace, that tender touch filled with grace! Indeed and without question, Jesus, our Faithful love, is a wonderful friend! He is a friend who comes in, offering comfort, even when the whole rest of the world has gone out!
II. FAITHFUL LOVE IS ENDLESS POWER
I want to ask you to open your Bibles to Luke 8, and consider verses 43-48 with me. In the context, we find that Christ is going about the Father’s work. He has just recently cast out the Demons from a man, and cast them into a herd of swine.
Beginning in verse 40, we find that Christ has returned to the city of Capernaum. Before he can begin, a ruler in the synagogue came and begged Christ to heal his sick daughter. As Christ stood speaking with him, a very special woman approached Jesus.
Luke 8: 42-43 reveals to us that this woman had been afflicted with an issue of blood for some 12 years. She had spent all of her money going to different doctors, but had nothing to show for it except a smaller bank account.
When she came to Jesus, she approached him as he was in the midst of a crowd. She reached out her hand, touched the hem of his robe, and was instantly healed.
You are most likely wondering why I shared this story with you. There is one part in particular that I want you to see. Luke 8: 43 states: “And a woman having an issue of blood TWELVE YEARS.” There she has suffered for so long, and the truth of the matter is that all it took was a simple touch to guide her back to health.
Let me ask you something: how often are we like this woman? We wonder about looking for something to help us, yet we refuse to see that the answer to our prayers is right in front of our face?
Let me try to explain what I’m saying with the following story. A missionary was working in a foron land. He, as all missionaries worked on a limited and very strict budget.
One day, as he slipped behind the wheel of the car which his supporting congregation had provided him, he found that the car wouldn’t start. He had to make his rounds, but he knew that he would need some help. So, he went to the local school, obtained permission to use a couple of the stronger young men, and carried them around with him for quite some time. He would park and go into his studies, then when he was finished, the boys would help him push the car off, in order to get it going.
After about two years of this, the missionary fell into bad health. The church back home sent a man to take his place in the field, but asked that he stay long enough to train the new man.
As he was explaining the system for getting the car going, and keeping it going, the young missionary looked under the hood, and said, “Brother here’s your problem!” He then reached in, twisted a couple of wires, got in the car, turned the key and smiled as the engine caught on the first try.
There is a very simple lesson to take from this story. We so often over complicate our problems. We worry, fret, ponder, and stew in every way conceivable, over things that could be fixed if we simply went to the right source. Yes, brethren there is a source of power which has made itself available to us if we simply take advantage of it.
Notice the second half of verse 2: “Faithful love endless power, living flame, spirits fire burning bright in the night lighting our way.” Faithful Love, he whom we have identified as Jesus, is an endless source of power to us.
Now, the question must be addressed, what does he have the power to do? Again, I think the verse provides the answer.
He has endless power to provide endless guidance!
Look at the verse: “Living flame, spirits fire burning bright in the night guiding my way!” This always brings to my mind a camp fire set in the middle of a dark wood. All around the fire is darkness, cold, and many other things we don’t want to consider. However, in the area nearest that campfire, there is warmth, light, and safety!
Christ is that campfire. The dark wood is the world which harbors so many dangers for us. Notice what Jesus himself said in John 8: 12. “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
When we try to lead ourselves through this dark sin stained world, we will become lost each and every time! However, when we follow that living flame, that spirits fire which burns so bright for all to see: we will discover that it leads home each and every time! After all, Christ did tell us that he is “the way.” (John 14: 6)
It is because Christ is endless power, that he can provide endless guidance.
III. FAITHFULVE IS MY SALVATION
There is something special that you will find in verse 1. There we sing: “Faithful love flowing down from the thorn covered crown, makes me whole, saves my soul, washes whiter than snow. Faithful love calms each fear, reaches down, dries each tear, holds my hand when I can’t stand on my own.” Here in this verse, we see the focus of God. Notice the wording. “Makes ME whole”, “saves MY soul”, “”holds MY hand when I can’t stand on my own.” There will be some who say, “Well, that’s the author of the song taking poetic license with the song.” However, I would point out to you that these ideas are Biblical in the extreme.
First, let’s think about the fact that Christ’s faithful love can indeed make us whole. Notice Matthew 19: 16-22. If we begin at the end of the account, verse 22 tells us that this young man was wealthy. We might be tempted to think that he has all he’ll ever want. After all, according to our way of thinking money equals happiness. However, this man who “had it all”, comes to Christ in Matthew 19: 16. Why did he come to Jesus? He came because there was something missing. He came because he wasn’t whole. He came because he knew that Christ and Christ alone could make him whole. Now, unfortunately for the young man, he wanted his wealth more than he wanted to be made whole. Nevertheless, I want to encourage you to understand that faithful love can make you whole.
Second, verse 1 states that faithful love “saves MY soul.” Think about the words of Peter as he stood before the counsel in Acts 4. There he is giving a defense of Christ, and he says to them, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under Heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Peter’s statement supports this notion that faithful love can save the sin stained soul of man. In fact Peter takes it a step further, and points out that it is the only name which can save mankind.
Finally, we sing, “Holds MY hand when I can’t stand on my own.” Some of the most beautiful verses written by the Apostle Paul are found in Romans 5: 6-8. Beginning in verse 6 we are told: “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
“When we were yet without strength.” Folks, that’s speaking of that time when we were unable to stand on our own. That time when the burden of sin took us down, and held us down. This uplifting song is proclaiming to us that it was, is, and forever will be at that time when Christ will hold us by the hand and help us stand on higher ground!
Before we close, I want you to see one other thing about this first verse. We’ve shown that the focus is on our salvation. What I want you to notice as we close is that he has done all the work. That salvation, which we so desperately needed, flows down from that thorn covered crown which they forced upon his head. (John 19: 2
CONCLUSION:
Faithful love is indeed a friend, endless power, and the one and only means by which we might obtain salvation. Christ has made a commitment to you. He has pledged to be faithful to you forever. Let me ask you, have you offered him that same level of commitment? Or, are you like that couple we spoke of in the beginning, and only willing to commit when it fits your schedule? The time is come for you to commit to Christ, faithfully and forever.
SERMONS FROM OUR SONGS
“FAITHFUL LOVE”
“WHAT CAN IT DO FOR YOU?”
(SONGS OF FAITH AND PRAISE #18)
Intro:
Imagine if you will that we are all guests at a beautiful wedding. The room is a buzz with excitement, joy, and love. Everyone is in their seats in anticipation of that magical moment.
Just then, the music starts, heads turn, and the minister intones, “Please rise.” As we stand, we see her. She is a vision. A long white flowing dress, a smile that can be seen even through the vale which covers her blushing face, and a daddy who looks both happy and sad all at the same time.
As she passes by, we all marvel at her beauty. We follow her progress to the front of the church where stands a young man in a nice suit, and a smile to rival that of the bride. They meet, the traditional words are spoken, and we resume our seats, and look on with pride at these two wonderful people who have come to declare their obvious love for one another.
The minister begins, and a hush falls over the whole of the assembly. Finally, the time comes for the exchanging of rings and vows. The bride and groom are told to face one another. However, before the minister can speak, the groom holds up his hand and says that he has something which needs to be said before vows are spoken. We are all puzzled, but we expect that he is about to offer up some spontaneous proclamation of love. “Honey”, he begins, “I do indeed love you.” We reach and wipe away a tear which has formed in our eye. “I will always love you, but there’s something you need to know.” We set up straighter. What is going on? “I am going to marry you today, but please understand that it is impossible for me to promise to be faithful to only you for the rest of my life.” “I will provide for you, love you, help you in any way that I can, but faithfulness just isn’t something that I can promise.”
Well, we are outraged! Of course she will now stomp away, and she will leave that bum right where he stands. However… “Yes”, the bride replies, “That’s fine.” Talk about being shocked, you could knock us over with a feather. “In fact, I cannot promise to be faithful to you either.” “There will be times when I want to go out with someone else, or perhaps I will put my work, friends, family, or personal pleasure ahead of you.” Much to our astonishment, the wedding continues as though these ridiculous words had never been spoken.
Did you catch what just happened? The idea of committed love, everlasting love, honest love, faithful love was discarded like a dirty napkin. You hear that story, and your first reaction is disbelief. You think to yourself, yeah well that doesn’t really happen. However, brethren I am here to tell you that it does happen, and you and I are the perpetrators. We are guilty of entering into a committed, loving, trusting, honest, faithful relationship with God, but we offer very little in exchange. We want the benefits, but without all the hassle.
Tonight, we want to continue with our sermon series. You will recall that we are examining the different lessons which we can take from the songs which we sing. Tonight we come to song #18 “Faithful Love.” This song was written by Ken Young in 1994. This is one of those songs which has grown in popularity over the last several years. More and more congregations are implementing it into their worship services, and rightly so.
For the purposes of our series, I want us to closely examine the real message behind this song. As we go, I want you to remember that young couple we spoke of in the introduction of our lesson. I want you to fix them in your mind, and I want you to decide if they are representative of you. Here’s what I’m going to suggest to you tonight. As we look at the words to this wonderful hymn, we are going to learn what it is that true, honest, committed, faithful love can and will do for you. I want you to learn why you yourself need to have a faithful relationship with the savior. After all, if you look at the chorus, you can clearly see who the writer says that faithful love is. “For I’ve seen faithful love face to face, and Jesus is his name!”
I want to begin this lesson by pointing something out to you. It is absolutely impossible to simply say, “Jesus is faithful love.” First of all, that doesn’t explain anything about him. Secondly, Christ cannot be summarized in a cute catch phrase, or song chorus, or even in a sermon. However, if you take the song as a whole, you will find a much greater appreciation for who Jesus is, and what it is that he does for you and me.
Here tonight, I want us to take a few moments, and examine the words to this beautiful song. I want us to leave here tonight knowing more about the savior we have been given.
I. FAITHFUL LOVE IS A FRIEND
There is an obvious question that we must address in order to understand the point which is being made here in verse 2. That question is: “What is a friend?” In order to provide an answer, I decided to go out looking for definitions on the internet. Literally there were thousands of hits which came back to me. I finally narrowed it down to a site which provided quotes from different sources. I’d like to share with you the top ten answers which I found.
• “A friend is the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out.”
• “A friend is one of the nicest things you can have and one of the best things you can be.”
• “Friendship isn’t a big thing- it is a million little things.”
• “Only your real friends will tell you when your face is dirty.” (Sicilian Proverb)
• “The antidote for fifty enemies is one friend.” (Aristotle)
• One who multiplies joys, divides grief, and whose honesty is invaluable.”
• “One who understands our silence.”
• “A volume of sympathy bound in cloth.”
• “A watch that beats true for all time and never runs down.”
• “A friend is one who does his knocking before he enters instead of after he leaves.”
I think we can all agree that each of these definitions have merit. However, in my mind, there is one which stands out above the rest in terms of illustrating who Faithful love is in regards to being a friend. Faithful Love is the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out.
In order to see this concept in scripture, I want to invite you to turn to John 11. I’m confident that many, if not all of you, recognize this as the account of one of Christ’s most amazing miracles. Here in this passage, we see the resurrection of Lazarus. Again, I’m certain that many, if not all of us, know the account quite well. However, what I think we often miss is the wonderful example which Christ gives us on the type of friend we ought to be. I’m not saying that we should raise the dead, but I would suggest that this passage speaks to the need for friends to make sacrifices for one another.
IN order to understand this idea, you will need to back up into the previous chapter. There we find Jesus, along with his disciples, in Jerusalem. Christ has recently restored sight to a blind man in John 9: 1-, and beginning in John 10: 1, we find him addressing both the Pharisees who had heard and questioned this healing, as well as those who followed after him.
In John 10: 19, we find that there is a division among the Jews, and while some believe him, still others want to stone him. (John 10: 31) In fact, John 10: 39 reveals to us that the Jews, “sought to take him”, or as we would say, “kill him”, but he escaped from their hands.
Now, let’s return to John 11: 1. There we learn that this friend of Jesus, this man named Lazarus, is sick, and stands at the door of death. As we continue to read, we learn that these weren’t just acquaintances, but people whom Christ loved. (John 11: 5) Before Jesus reached Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, the latter passed away. (John 11: 11) The real point that I want you to see here is the discussion which takes place between Jesus and his disciples, in verses 7-10. There Christ declares that they must go to Judaea. What jumps out at us is the statement made by the disciples in verse 8. There they ask: “His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?” Wait! Where is it exactly that Christ is going? According to John 11: 1, Lazarus lived in the land called Bethany. The question then becomes, where is Bethany.
(Map will be shown on PowerPoint, not available in text version.) Here you can see the location of this small village which existed in the 1st century. Bethany was located on the southeastern slope of the Mount of Olives. For our purposes, the most important fact is it’s proximity to Jerusalem. As you can see, it was only about 2 miles from Jerusalem. That’s right, the very same Jerusalem where attempts to kill Christ had already taken place. I want you to notice the fact that Christ didn’t allow that to stand in his way. Yes, he knew of the opportunity which existed in Bethany to show the power which God had given him, that is true and we wouldn’t try to deny it. However, we must also admit that these people meant something to Jesus. As already stated, he loved them. (John 11: 5) It is in that spirit of love, that spirit of friendship that he traveled to Bethany despite the danger to his own life. Christ understood that true friendship sometimes requires sacrificial love.
In his book, “DAD, THE FAMILY COACH”, Dave Simmons relates the following story. He states that their family motto wasn’t “Love is action”, rather it was, “Love is sacrificial action.” “Love always pays a price. Love always costs something. Love is expensive.”
Mr. Simmons had taken his kids, Helen 8 and Brandon 5, to the Mall to do some shopping. When they arrived they noticed that there was a petting zoo set up outside for the children. Both children asked if they could go, and Dave gave them each a quarter, and sent them off to enjoy the animals.
As Mr. Simmons was walking through the hardware department, he found that his daughter was walking along behind him. This struck him as strange because he knew how much Helen enjoyed animals.
He asked her why she wasn’t at the petting zoo. She replied, with a very sad look on her face, that it cost fifty cents to get in, and she had given her quarter to Brandon so he could pet the animals. She then looked to her father and quoted the family motto. “Love is sacrificial action.”
Mr. Simmons concludes by saying that he had more money that he could have given her, but the lesson she learned that day far exceeded any time she might have spent with the creatures.
Brethren, from the second verse of #18, “FAITHFUL LOVE”, we see that the faithful love that we call our friend is willing to make the sacrifice for us despite the danger to himself. He does it that he might restore hope! He does it that he might be that welcome face, provide that sweet embrace, that tender touch filled with grace! Indeed and without question, Jesus, our Faithful love, is a wonderful friend! He is a friend who comes in, offering comfort, even when the whole rest of the world has gone out!
II. FAITHFUL LOVE IS ENDLESS POWER
I want to ask you to open your Bibles to Luke 8, and consider verses 43-48 with me. In the context, we find that Christ is going about the Father’s work. He has just recently cast out the Demons from a man, and cast them into a herd of swine.
Beginning in verse 40, we find that Christ has returned to the city of Capernaum. Before he can begin, a ruler in the synagogue came and begged Christ to heal his sick daughter. As Christ stood speaking with him, a very special woman approached Jesus.
Luke 8: 42-43 reveals to us that this woman had been afflicted with an issue of blood for some 12 years. She had spent all of her money going to different doctors, but had nothing to show for it except a smaller bank account.
When she came to Jesus, she approached him as he was in the midst of a crowd. She reached out her hand, touched the hem of his robe, and was instantly healed.
You are most likely wondering why I shared this story with you. There is one part in particular that I want you to see. Luke 8: 43 states: “And a woman having an issue of blood TWELVE YEARS.” There she has suffered for so long, and the truth of the matter is that all it took was a simple touch to guide her back to health.
Let me ask you something: how often are we like this woman? We wonder about looking for something to help us, yet we refuse to see that the answer to our prayers is right in front of our face?
Let me try to explain what I’m saying with the following story. A missionary was working in a foron land. He, as all missionaries worked on a limited and very strict budget.
One day, as he slipped behind the wheel of the car which his supporting congregation had provided him, he found that the car wouldn’t start. He had to make his rounds, but he knew that he would need some help. So, he went to the local school, obtained permission to use a couple of the stronger young men, and carried them around with him for quite some time. He would park and go into his studies, then when he was finished, the boys would help him push the car off, in order to get it going.
After about two years of this, the missionary fell into bad health. The church back home sent a man to take his place in the field, but asked that he stay long enough to train the new man.
As he was explaining the system for getting the car going, and keeping it going, the young missionary looked under the hood, and said, “Brother here’s your problem!” He then reached in, twisted a couple of wires, got in the car, turned the key and smiled as the engine caught on the first try.
There is a very simple lesson to take from this story. We so often over complicate our problems. We worry, fret, ponder, and stew in every way conceivable, over things that could be fixed if we simply went to the right source. Yes, brethren there is a source of power which has made itself available to us if we simply take advantage of it.
Notice the second half of verse 2: “Faithful love endless power, living flame, spirits fire burning bright in the night lighting our way.” Faithful Love, he whom we have identified as Jesus, is an endless source of power to us.
Now, the question must be addressed, what does he have the power to do? Again, I think the verse provides the answer.
He has endless power to provide endless guidance!
Look at the verse: “Living flame, spirits fire burning bright in the night guiding my way!” This always brings to my mind a camp fire set in the middle of a dark wood. All around the fire is darkness, cold, and many other things we don’t want to consider. However, in the area nearest that campfire, there is warmth, light, and safety!
Christ is that campfire. The dark wood is the world which harbors so many dangers for us. Notice what Jesus himself said in John 8: 12. “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
When we try to lead ourselves through this dark sin stained world, we will become lost each and every time! However, when we follow that living flame, that spirits fire which burns so bright for all to see: we will discover that it leads home each and every time! After all, Christ did tell us that he is “the way.” (John 14: 6)
It is because Christ is endless power, that he can provide endless guidance.
III. FAITHFULVE IS MY SALVATION
There is something special that you will find in verse 1. There we sing: “Faithful love flowing down from the thorn covered crown, makes me whole, saves my soul, washes whiter than snow. Faithful love calms each fear, reaches down, dries each tear, holds my hand when I can’t stand on my own.” Here in this verse, we see the focus of God. Notice the wording. “Makes ME whole”, “saves MY soul”, “”holds MY hand when I can’t stand on my own.” There will be some who say, “Well, that’s the author of the song taking poetic license with the song.” However, I would point out to you that these ideas are Biblical in the extreme.
First, let’s think about the fact that Christ’s faithful love can indeed make us whole. Notice Matthew 19: 16-22. If we begin at the end of the account, verse 22 tells us that this young man was wealthy. We might be tempted to think that he has all he’ll ever want. After all, according to our way of thinking money equals happiness. However, this man who “had it all”, comes to Christ in Matthew 19: 16. Why did he come to Jesus? He came because there was something missing. He came because he wasn’t whole. He came because he knew that Christ and Christ alone could make him whole. Now, unfortunately for the young man, he wanted his wealth more than he wanted to be made whole. Nevertheless, I want to encourage you to understand that faithful love can make you whole.
Second, verse 1 states that faithful love “saves MY soul.” Think about the words of Peter as he stood before the counsel in Acts 4. There he is giving a defense of Christ, and he says to them, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under Heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Peter’s statement supports this notion that faithful love can save the sin stained soul of man. In fact Peter takes it a step further, and points out that it is the only name which can save mankind.
Finally, we sing, “Holds MY hand when I can’t stand on my own.” Some of the most beautiful verses written by the Apostle Paul are found in Romans 5: 6-8. Beginning in verse 6 we are told: “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
“When we were yet without strength.” Folks, that’s speaking of that time when we were unable to stand on our own. That time when the burden of sin took us down, and held us down. This uplifting song is proclaiming to us that it was, is, and forever will be at that time when Christ will hold us by the hand and help us stand on higher ground!
Before we close, I want you to see one other thing about this first verse. We’ve shown that the focus is on our salvation. What I want you to notice as we close is that he has done all the work. That salvation, which we so desperately needed, flows down from that thorn covered crown which they forced upon his head. (John 19: 2
CONCLUSION:
Faithful love is indeed a friend, endless power, and the one and only means by which we might obtain salvation. Christ has made a commitment to you. He has pledged to be faithful to you forever. Let me ask you, have you offered him that same level of commitment? Or, are you like that couple we spoke of in the beginning, and only willing to commit when it fits your schedule? The time is come for you to commit to Christ, faithfully and forever.
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