Sunday, January 28, 2007

A Woman Who Cared - Luke 8:1-3

Title: A Woman Who Cared
Date: January 28, 2007
Text: Luke 8:1-3, Mark 15:40, 47, John 20:1, 18

Introduction

- Mary was from the town of Magdala (meaning "tower"), about 3 miles from Tiberias on the west side of the Sea of Galilee - the town had a location called the "tower of dyers" where cloth was dyed, using the indigo plant
- Mary was a woman of substance, who helped to finance Jesus' ministry
- she was probably self-employed
- she travelled with other women who had received healing from Jesus, as a part of his ministry
- she had good connections and one of her friends was Joanna, the wife of King Herod's steward

1. Mary needed Jesus - Luke 8:1-3

- before God intervened in her life, Mary had had a problem
- there is nothing in the Bible to indicate that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute
- what the Bible does say is that seven demons had come out of her as a result of Jesus' ministry
- we are not told what the specifics of her problem were, but only that she had been set free
- Mary had a need that could not be met by doctors or other professionals
- Mary's problem was huge to her, it was affecting her life in a big way
- her need was deeper than anything she could meet in the physical realm, this was a spiritual issue
- Mary needed Jesus to bring healing to this spiritual problem
- Jesus came through for Mary, she was set free
- we are not told the dramatic details, just that the demons had left her
- the same Greek word sozo is used for healing as is used for salvation
- Mary needed Jesus to bring healing to her whole person, not just to some physical condition

- just like Mary, we all need Jesus
- we have all been in bondage to evil, slaves to sin
- Jeremiah says: "the human heart is deceitful and desperately wicked, who can know it" - Jer 17:9
- Isaiah tells us: "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all" - Isaiah 53:6
- we are all in bondage to sin and we are powerless to rid ourselves of this oppression
- it is only through Jesus entering our life that we can be freed from that bondage
- Jesus came with the power to save, and the power to heal
- Jesus is entirely adequate to the task of cleaning up our life, he has the power

2. Mary was devoted to Jesus - Mark 15:40, 47

- as a result of the healing she had received, Mary could now live in freedom
- while her life before had been like living in an emotional or mental cloud, now the sun had broken through for her
- Mary was totally grateful to Jesus for what he had done
- her life had been turned right side up as a result of the freedom he had given her
- so Mary had devoted her life to serving Jesus
- it was her love and gratitude toward Jesus that moved her to follow him in his travels
- this was not in some sexual relationship like is told in the movie called "the Da Vinci Code"
- our dirty minds may want us to debase an act of pure love and gratitude into something sordid
- no, her service to the Master was in the sense of using her financial resources to support Christ's ministry
- and it was not just Mary - as we read, there were other women who had joined Christ's ministry as well, with the same motivation
- Mary recognized that she was not the only one who needed Jesus
- she wanted to help make it possible for others to receive the same freedom she had been given
- and so that is why Mary and other women who had been set free and healed, joined Jesus' ministry
- they were devoted followers, and they stuck with him to the end
- Mark 15:40, 47 ". . . women looking on from afar . . . many other women . . . Mary Magdalen and Mary the mother of Joses observed where he was laid"
- they stayed with Jesus to the end, they were there when he breathed his last breath, and they stayed with him till the tomb was sealed

- are we as devoted to the cause of the kingdom, as Mary was?
- we each have a role to play in what Jesus is doing on this earth, today
- Jesus offers us a part in the ministry he is doing
- are we ready to foresake all and follow him, just as Mary did?
- so that others may be saved and healed, just as we were?

3. Mary was the first to tell of Jesus' resurrection - John 20:1, 18

- Mary was the first person to come to the tomb that Sunday morning
- to her horror, she saw that the huge boulder that sealed the tomb had been rolled away
- she raced back to the disciples and told them what she had seen
- then Mary went back and lingered at the tomb, crying
- in just 72 hours, the One she had been devoted to, had been taken away, and now even his body had gone!
- Mary was grieving her loss
- while she is in the midst of her tears, Jesus calls her by name: "Mary"
- she recognizes Jesus and he then sends her to the disciples to tell that he is not dead, but is alive, and going to His Father and their Father, his God and their God!
- Mary goes back to the disciples and tells them what Jesus had sent her to say
- Mary was the first person to tell that Jesus was not dead, but alive
- those words have resounded down through the centuries that Jesus is not dead, but alive!
- we have a Savior who is not lying in a tomb, but is alive and well, glorified, with the power to save and to heal today, just as he did 2000 years ago
- Hebrews tells us: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever" - Hebrews 13:8

Conclusion

- the Jesus who released Mary Magdalen from seven demons can also release you from the bondage that enslaves you
- the Jesus who welcomed a grateful and devoted Mary Magdalene into the company of the disciples also welcomes you into the body of believers
- the Jesus who sent Mary with a message to the disciples, sends us with a message to all the nations
- Matthew 28:19-20 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age"
- Mary stayed with Jesus to the end, but Jesus says he will never leave us or forsake us
- He is alive and well, and just as ready to provide healing for us today as he was for Mary Magdalene, a woman who needed help, who expressed her gratitude, and who was obedient to her calling

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Taming the Tongue - James 3:1-18

Title: Taming the Tongue
Date: January 23, 2007
Text: James 3:1-18

Introduction

- Churchgoer to pastor, "Your sermon reminded me of the love of God. I thought it would endure forever. "
- Charles H. Spurgeon was emphasizing to his class the importance of making the facial expression harmonize with the speech. "When you speak of Heaven," he said, "let your face light up, let it be irradiated with a heavenly gleam, let your eyes shine with reflected glory. But when you speak of Hell--well, then your ordinary face will do."
- Samuel Johnson once said "Your manuscript is both original and good. But the parts that are original are not good, and the parts that are good are not original."
- Bessie Braddock, M.P.: "Winston, you're drunk." Churchill: "Bessie, you're ugly, and tomorrow morning I'll be sober."
- our words get out of control
- we may start a conversation with good intentions, but it can often go directions we don't want it to go.
- people get hurt
- great power in the tongue
- the words we speak can encourage and edify the people around us
- or they can hurt and cause irreparable damage

1. Speak from a pure heart (verse 7-12)

- Psalm 24:3-5 "Who shall ascend . . . he that hath clean hands, and a pure heart . . ."
- God looks for people who live with clean hands and a pure heart - these will be welcomed into his presence
- this means our outward actions, including the things we say, mirror our pure heart
- a pure heart is one that seeks God wholeheartedly, and where sin is dealt with by asking for forgiveness and applying the blood of Jesus
- Hebrews 10:22 "let us draw near with a true heart . . . hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water"
- when our hearts are pure, the words we speak will reflect that
- Matthew 12:33-37 "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks . . . for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned"
- so if we want to have our speech cleansed, we have to start with dealing with our inside thinking

2. Speak words consistent with our actions (verse 13-16)

- Verse 13 - conversation = Gr anastrophe = "manner of life, conduct, behaviour, deportment "
- let your speech and the way you live, be consistent with each other
- we have been taught: "do as I say, not as I do" but the truth is that "actions speak louder than words"
- "it is easier to preach 10 sermons than it is to live one "
- our lives need to become totally consistent with who we say we are
- Pharisees were hypocrites, looked good on the outside but inside were a rotten mess
- when our actions do not match what we are thinking or saying, we will end up in a mess
- Verse 14-16
- this is deceitful and living a lie, with bad results for our thinking
- it may seem as though just allowing ourselves to say what we like gives some satisfaction
- but it leads to confusion and every evil work
- God's purpose for us is that we live a pure, clean, healthy life
- 1 Timothy 1:5 "Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith"

3. Speak in love (verse 17-18)

- Verse 17-18
- when we live a pure life, forgiven, cleansed from our sins by Jesus' blood shed on our behalf, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell with us
- the Holy Spirit exhibits all the attributes of God: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control
- these fruits of the Spirit will be evident in our lives too
- we won't be cutting each other down verbally, destroying each other's reputation, gossiping, or falsely accusing
- instead because we are pure and clean on the inside, we will be building others up, we will be supporting them and speaking with a positive intention
- instead of envying and strife and confusion, there will be peace and unity

Conclusion

- our words are powerful
- our words can cause incredible hurt and pain, the damage can last a lifetime
- often our words will come back to bite us
- someone said "Make your words sweet; you may have to eat them."
- on the other hand, our words can also be a tremendous power for good
- speaking positively out of a pure heart will give peace and stability, both in our life and that of the others who hear our words
- people will be blessed by our encouragement and support
- this will have good results for all involved
- for ourselves:
- Proverbs 16:24 "Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones"
- and for our environment
- James 3:18 "the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace"
- in other words, we will be peacemakers, living in a peaceful environment

Sunday, January 21, 2007

Dealing With Differences - Romans 14:10-23

Title: Dealing with Differences
Date: January 21, 2007
Text: Romans 14

Introduction

- example about offended missionaries
- during last 7 months have heard a lot of complaints
- these complaints usually concern another person's actions
- Paul wrote about a situation among the Christians at Rome
- some were judging others about their behavior
- Romans 14:1-23
- the Bible says a lot about this subject
- this morning we will examine three aspects about dealing with differences

1. Don't allow minor issues to overshadow the majors - Rom 14:17

- there are major issues, where the Bible directly speaks on an issue
- for example, there are direct commands against killing, stealing, and fornicating
- a major issue for us in the New Testament church, is to behave with love to our neighbor
- there are also less-defined issues
- these could be things like eating ceremonially unclean meat, or how much time we spend in prayer, or whether or not we go to a church or Bible study while we are here in the program
- in Romans 14 Paul is tackling some minor issues
- so consider if the issue is a major or a minor before tackling our brother

2. People report to God and not us - Rom 14:10

- it is not our position to judge our brother
- Matthew 7:3-5
- when we have sorted our own life out, we will be better able to discern right from wrong
- but even then, we are told not to judge (Matthew 7:1)
- when we see someone behaving differently from how we would do things, remember that God is aware of both ourself and our brother
- God has a lot of patience with us, shouldn't we have at least that much patience with our brother?
- how long has it taken for us to come to the place where we are today
- it took Job an awfully long time to get to the point in Job 42 where he says "I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes"
- we need to give each other the grace to allow God to bring change in our lives, in his timing

3. The strong should support the weak Rom 15:1

- whatever is not of faith is sin Rom 14:23
- if a person is convinced that their action is correct, it is not for us to try to convince them otherwise
- if we have differences of opinion about Bible subjects, this will probably be a minor issue
- in that case, don't argue the point, it is not necessary
- avoid causing a stumblingblock - Rom 14:13
- avoid pushing our view on someone when that is not welcome, we will only push them away
- like two magnets
- avoid breaking relationships for the sake of proving our point- that would be disobedience to the major issue of living in love and unity with our brothers
- if it is needed to tell someone about a problem that relates to the major issues, there are principles about how to go about doing that
- for example, doing so in humility, esteeming the other better than ourselves, winning them over rather than pushing them into it, praying for them
- but that is not the focus of today's message

4. Focus on dwelling together in harmony - Romans 14:17

- focus on the important things
- the important things are to live together in love and unity, and peace
- when we allow the Holy Spirit to do his work in us, we will react to others with love
- we will not be pushing others to do things the way we see them, but we will give them the grace to allow God to draw them to greater maturity, in his time
- just as he is doing with us - we were once disobedient, with our lives in a mess
- God was able to pick us up, dust us down, and set us on the right path
- he can do the same thing with our friend
- it does not mean we cannot say something to our friend, but only if the other is ready to hear it
- the key to living in harmony is humility
- knowing where God has taken us from, and not imposing something on our brother against their will

Conclusion

- we are all at different stages of our walk with God
- none of us is better than the other
- let's walk together in harmony, esteeming the other better than ourselves
- Philippians 2:2-3

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Prayer That Works - James 4:16-18

Title: Prayer That Works
Date: January 16, 2007
Text: James 5:16-18

- How would we like to have the power in prayer that Elijah had?
- Wouldn't it be great to be able to pray in faith, and to see the answers to your prayers?
- The book of James gives us instruction about some practical issues
- One of these is the question of praying in faith
- There was a prophet called Elijah, who under inspiration from God, told his king that there would be no more rain until Elijah said so
- This was done so that the king would see the power of God and repent
- This incident is described in 1 Kings 17 and 18, and is summarized in James 5
- James 5:16-18 "Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit"
- Let us examine what James wrote in James 5

1. Elijah was a man just like us (verse 17)

- we have all kinds of things that hold us back
- one of the biggest things is that we feel inadequate and expect failure
- Elijah was a man just like us
- he experienced highs and lows
- he became so discouraged and depressed that he quit his job and became suicidal
- yet here is a man whom God used in a huge way
- no matter how inadequate we may feel, God can use us, and is looking for people to stand up and be obedient to his call

2. Elijah prayed with purpose (verse 16)

- Elijah had a reason for praying
- he was a prophet and had to get a lesson across to king Ahab
- so he tells Ahab there is going to be a drought
- there was a purpose for what he was doing - it was a part of God's work
- God responded and answered his prayer - it did not rain for 3 1/2 years
- then God told him, God was going to send rain, and to go tell Ahab
- Elijah was obedient - he also wanted to make the most of the event, so he invited all the priests of Baal to a challenge
- we know what happened - he prayed a very short prayer, and fire fell from heaven and burt the sacrifice
- Elijah was good at praying, he prayed very specific, very short prayers

3. Elijah prayed with fervency (verse 17)

- when Elijah prayed he did so earnestly
- not a sleepy-time prayer
- when Elijah prayed he was in conference with his God
- they walked closely together and he was able to have deep contact with him
- so he did not take his relationship for granted
- when he prayed, it was in deadly earnest
- Jesus also prayed with great intensity, particularly when he prayed just before his crucifixion
- he prayed so hard that he sweated blood
- we too can learn from this, and take our relationship with God, and our prayer time, seriously
- Elijah did so and received the answers he requested

4. Elijah expected an answer (verse 17-18)

- when he prayed, he expected something to happen
- he was walking in partnership with God
- he prayed to God to withhold the rain for a time and God did it, for 3-1/2 years
- then he prayed for the rain to come, and God responded
- in 1 Kings 18 it says he went to the top of Mount Carmel to see the rain coming
- he got on his knees and asked his servant 7 times to go see what was happening
- 6 times the servant said, nothing
- but the 7th time, he saw a tiny cloud appear
- that was enough for Elijah, it meant that the answer was on its way
- he sent the servant to tell Ahab to get out of there, lest the rain stop him from getting home
- sure enough, the rains came
- the lesson here is that Elijah expected an answer!

Conclusion

1. Elijah was a man just like us (verse 17)
2. Elijah prayed with purpose (verse 16)
3. Elijah prayed with fervency (verse 17)
4. Elijah expected an answer (verse 17-18)

- our prayers can be much more than just a litany of requests
- when we pray with purpose, in accordance with God's will, things will happen
- when we pray with fervency, God listens, and things change
- when we expect an answer God will not let us down

Sunday, January 14, 2007

Our God is in Control - Isaiah 46:10

Title: Our God is in Control
Date: January 14, 2007
Text: Isaiah 46:10

Introduction

- We have many things that hit us from time to time
- we are delivered a piece of paper in the mail, suddenly a storm seems to be raging around us
- we start the program and doubts seem to mount up in our heads
- how will I pay my bills, how will I get a job when I leave here?
- maybe someone is ill, maybe someone has just heard about some legal issues
- we may be surprised by these things, but God is not!
- Isaiah 46:10 "Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, "My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,'
- my God is not surprised!
- so how can we react when these discouraging things appear on our horizon?

1. God knows all things, way ahead of time

- Isaiah 44:24-28 - "Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, And He who formed you from the womb . . . who says of Cyrus, "He is My shepherd, And he shall perform all My pleasure, Saying to Jerusalem, "You shall be built," And to the temple, "Your foundation shall be laid."'
- God told Isaiah to write this around 150 years before Cyrus was born!
- God knew, way up front!
- John 8:58 - "Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM."
- Exodus 3:14 - "And God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM."
- Jesus says he was the God who brought the Israelites out of their slavery
- Hebrews 13:8 - Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever"
- it says he heard the cry of the Israelites
- how much more will he hear our cry to him when we are going through stuff!

2. God makes all things work for our ultimate benefit

- Romans 8:28 - "all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose"
- sometimes we don't understand why things are going the way they are
- we may sometimes wonder at the things God allows to happen
- Isaiah 29:16 - "shall the thing formed say of him who formed it, "He has no understanding?"
- because God knew all things up front, he made a plan
- Revelation 13:8 - "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world"
- that is why we can know God has a plan for those who died between Adam and Jesus, most of whom never heard about Jesus
- that is why we can trust God that he has a plan for those who have not had opportunity to come to Jesus

3. God provides a way for us to go

- Isaiah 43:2 "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you"
- when you walk through the rivers, when you go through the firestorm, God will be there with us
- Psalm 23:4 - "yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me"
- he does not desert us when times get rough
- God is faithful and sticks with us, even when man leaves us to our own devices
- Jesus experienced man's desertion when all forsook him when he was arrested, he knows what it is like
- but he shows us the way to go, when we face our crossroads
- Isaiah 48:17 - "I am the Lord . . . who leads you by the way you should go"
- he says to us, follow me and I will give you rest

4. God will get us to our destination

- Philippians 1:6 - "he who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ"
- Jesus will complete what he has started in us - we are his workmanship (Ephesians 2:10)
- when we need help we can turn to God for help
- Hebrews 4:16 - "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need"
- our journey during this time, is compared to a race
- Hebrews 12:1-2 - "let us run with endurance the race that is set before us . . . looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith"
- there is pain and hardship in this race, there are both uphill and downhill stretches
- but we are not running this race on our own
- Jesus is the author of our faith, the One whom we asked into our life.
- and he is the finisher of the race as well!
- at the finishing line the winner of a race received a laurel wreath
- 2 Timothy 4:8 - "there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness"

Conclusion

1. God knows all things, way ahead of time
2. God makes all things work for our ultimate benefit
3. God provides a way for us to go
4. God will get us to our destination

- Our God is control!
- He knows what is going on, he knows where he is taking us
- he provides all we need as we go along this path
- and he will help us make it to a victorious finish
- each of us will receive the winner's laurel wreath, because we are all winners!

Friday, January 12, 2007

My peace I give to you - John 14:27

Title: My Peace I Give To You
Date: January 12, 2007
Verse: John 14:27

Introduction

- When we lose something important in our life, it leaves a hole
- There is a vacuum which we seem unable to fill
- this vacuum makes us feel lonely, depressed, worried, in turmoil
- there was a time when Jesus was preparing the disciples for the day he would be gone
- he gave them a gift, the gift of peace

1. Jesus gives peace through the Holy Spirit

- John 14:27 - "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you . . ."
- let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid
- context of giving us peace is that he gives us the Comforter
- John 14:16 - ". . . he will give you another comforter/helper, that he may abide with you forever"
- comforter/helper = Gr parakletos = one who comes alongside to help, like a parent for a child
- the Holy Spirit is the one who gives us peace
- Galatians 5:22 - "Love, joy, peace . . ."
- peace = Gr Eirene
- - - a. a state of national tranquillity - exemption from the rage and havoc of war
- - - b. peace between individuals, i.e. harmony, concord
- - - c. security, safety, prosperity, felicity, (because peace and harmony make and keep things safe and prosperous)
- - - d. of the Messiah's peace - the way that leads to peace (salvation)
- - - e. of Christianity, the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is
- - - f. the blessed state of devout and upright men after death

2. Jesus gives the peace of a good conscience

- when we turn to Jesus, he forgives our sin
- we no longer bear the guilt and shame
- Hebrews 10:22 - "let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience . . ."
- Romans 8:1 - "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus . . ."
- however, if we choose not to ask for forgiveness, we won't find peace in our life either
- Isaiah 57:21 - "There is no peace," Says my God, "for the wicked."
- God offers sound sleep for the righteous - if we have problems sleeping, ask for God's peace to quieten the turmoil in our mind
- Psalm 4:8 - "I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. "
- Proverbs 3:24 - "When you lie down, you will not be afraid; yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet"


3. Jesus gives peace by carrying our burden

- Matthew 11:28 - "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest"
- cast your burden
- Psalm 55:22 - "Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved"
- we do not need to carry that load, whatever our burden may be
- people betray us and hurt us, but we can choose to not carry that burden ourselves
- ask Jesus to take that burden from you

4. Jesus gives peace to reign in our heart

- peace of God reigns in your heart
- Philippians 4:6-7 - "Be anxious for nothing . . . let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus"
- Psalm 121:4 - "Behold, he who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep"

Conclusion

- Jesus said he would never leave us nor forsake us
- though he went to be with the Father, he has come to dwell in our hearts through the Holy Spirit
- John 14:27 - "Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid"
- for I the Lord am with you in your going out and in your coming in
- Psalm 121:8 - "The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore"
- God is with us, people may let us down, but God tells he will always be there with us
- all we have to do is reach out to him

Tuesday, January 9, 2007

A Tale Of Three Sons - Matthew 21:28-32

Title: A Tale Of Three Sons
Date: January 9, 2007
Verse: Matthew 21:28-32

Introduction

- what kind of family did you come from?
- happy, depressing, open, secretive, sharing, tight-fisted, encouraging, big, small, spread out, closely knit?
- perhaps it was something less than the American dream of 2 parents and 2.3 children, owning a white weatherboard house with a white picket fence in the smack-dab center center of middle-class suburbia
- Matthew 21:28-32
- Jesus here is describing his own single-parent family - a father and his 2 sons - this is God's family!
- the 2 sons represent all of us, the good, the bad and the ugly
- today, we are talking about God's family

1. The Bad Son

- first let's take a look at the bad son, the one who said he would but didn't
- he looks good, but acts bad
- he seems to be the ideal son
- dad says to him to get the hammer and nails, and he says "sure dad!"
- seems like a peaceful, happy American family
- he looks good but he acts bad
- he's a fake, a liar
- no apologies, no change in his life, he's a sham, an imposter
- he is like the Pharisees
- Jesus calls the Pharisees, whited sepulchres, beatiful graves with skeletons hanging around deep inside - read Matthew 23
- look great, say all the right words, people say, "what a great guy/boss/dad/polititian"
- but when the rubber meets the road, there is nothing there, no substance to it
- it's all a lot of baloney!
- how many of us are fakes, like this son? we gather for worship, but are we here just because we have to? is it just a show? when we pray, is it just to look good? do we smile at people to their face but then cut their livers into mincemeat behind their backs?
- how many of us are like this son?

2. The Good Son

- dad is fair - he expects both sons to go work in the family business
- he tells the other son to go and do his share of work in the vineyard
- but this son says "no, I refuse"
- he is rude and disrespectful and uncooperative
- he doesn't give a reason, he just flatly refuses
- if his dad were my dad I would by now have received a whack up the side of my head!
- but this son changes his mind
- he gets up from the TV and goes and works in the vineyard after all
- this son looks bad - everyone tells their kids, "don't be like Johnny"
- but he changes his ways
- he looks bad, but acts good
- he is like the people Jesus was teaching - the beggars, the sick, the prostitutes, the tax collectors and barkeepers, the outcasts
- these people had sinned, they had thumbed their nose at God, refused to live his way
- but they repented when John the Baptist came along, they were baptized
- when Jesus called them and said "Follow me!" they left their fishing nets and houses of ill repute, their bars and ill-gotten gains, and followed him
- these were Peter, James and John, Matthew, Mary, Batholomew and Thomas
- these were you and me when we decided we would turn around and follow Jesus
- we repented
- but repentence is more than just feeling sorry about the wrong we have done
- repentance is making a change, it is letting our feet take us out into the vineyard
- the fruits will be evident
- it means no longer gosipping, no longer whining and complaining, it means putting in a good day's work because we are working in a ministry, we are doing it for others, we are doing it for God
- are we truly sorry, or do we say "forgive me God but I want to repeat this sin tomorrow"
-This son repented, he was sorry and remorseful because he had let down his dad, who was trying so hard to provide for him

3. The Third Son

- Notice that the father does not go off on a tirade against the sons
- the bad son, who lies and cheats and tries to put on a good front
- the good son who refuses to go and do the dirty work!
- so is this dad a wimp? is there no punishment for sin, no discipline?
- no, because there was a third son
- this son is the one who is telling the story, Jesus
- it was this son Jesus who took the punishment for the other sons' wrongs
- Jesus said I'll take the punishment on their behalf
- Jesus is the perfect Son, the Son who looks good, acts good, and is good
- he is so good He dies for the sins of the other two sons, for you and I.
- Jesus tells this parable on the Tuesday before he is crucified on Friday
- in just 3 days he will die
- he will be punished for his 2 brothers, for the disrespect, the rudeness, the disobedience, the hypocrisy
- how often have I stood up for people like this?
- but Jesus did it willingly

Conclusion

- if we are like the bad son, the one who tried to put on a good show but inside was totally disobedient, let's make a change in our lives
- let's be like the son who repented, who changed his ways, who left his unwillingness to obey behind, and actually went out to work in the vineyard
- let's be appreciative of the third son, Jesus, for taking the punishment we deserved, so that we did not have to be punished for our own inadequacies

Sunday, January 7, 2007

A Message From Hell - Luke 16:19-31

Title: A Message From Hell
Date: January 7, 2007
Location: RSGM
Verse: Luke 16:19-31

Introduction

- CB radio message - Mayday - we are sinking!
- Luke 16:19-31 - Lazarus and the rich man
- Lazarus utters a cry for help from hell!

1. Lazarus Is A Man In Torment (verses 23-24)

- "Torment" here means agony, intense pain, anguish, being in distress, tortured
- we don't often talk about the torment of hell, not a favorite subject. But Jesus did!
- Matthew 13:41-43 - "furnace of fire", "wailing and gnashing of teeth"
- Matthew 22:13 - "outer darkness", "weeping and gnashing of teeth"
- Matthew 25:30 - "outer darkness", "weeping, gnashing of teeth"
- Revelation 14:11 - "tormented with fire and brimstone", "smoke of their torment ascends for ever", "no rest day or night"
- this rich man had died, and was now in agony!

2. Today is the day of salvation! (verse 25)

- during your life is all the time you get, to set the course of your life
- John 9:4 - ". . . while it is day"
- Ecclesiates 9:10 - "there is no work or . . . knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going"
- 2 Corinthians 6:2 - ". . . behold, now is the day of salvation"
- Romans 2:4 - ". . . do you despise the riches of his goodness, forbearance and longsuffering . . .?"
- don't take God's patience lightly!

3. No More Rescue Was Possible (verse 26)

- when we come to Jesus we leave the kingdom of darkness
- there is a big difference between living one way, and living the other
- similarly there is a big difference between heaven and hell
- heaven is a place of blessing and opportunity, hell is a place of punishment
- once we die, it is not possible to move from one to the other
- it has been our own choice

Conclusion

- when we die we all will be believers
- the question is, where will we be?
- 2 Corinthians 6:2 - ". . . behold, now is the day of salvation"
- today, we have the opportunity to turn and be reconciled to God

Friday, January 5, 2007

The Road To Emmaus - Luke 24:13-35

Title: The Road to Emmaus
Date: Jan 5, 2007
Location: RSGM
Text: Luke 24:13-35

1. Walk Away From Your Past (Verses 13-14)

- they had just walked 7 miles, the distance from here in Reno to Sparks
- they were talking about recent past events and how they should deal with them
- Jesus gave them the answer
- Philippians 3:13 - "forgetting those things which are behind . . ."
- we also look at our past life and wonder how to deal with the issues that have arisen in our life
- Jesus has given us the answer too
- 1 John 1:9 - "if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness"

2. Walk and Talk With Jesus (Verses 15-27)

- Jesus approaches them from behind, he initiates contact
- Jesus teaches them about himself, about Isaiah 53, about how he had been prophesied
- they are able to share and talk with Jesus about the issues in their lives
- John 14:20-21 - intimate fellowship with God!
- Allow Jesus to speak to your heart
- as we just sang in the worship service, "I am a friend of God"
- John 15:14-16 " . . . I have called you friends"
- We can have the relationship Adam and Eve had available to them in the Garden of Eden - God walked in the Garden - he was so close - not just a thought downloaded from heaven, but actually walking with them - they were able to chat with him!
- Genesis 5:22 - "Enoch walked with God"
- so did Abraham, and so can we!
- share what is going on in your life, minute by minute

3. Walk and Don't Run! (Verses 15-27)

- the disciples needed to have this time with Jesus - they needed this time, walking those 7 miles, to get to know what Jesus wanted to explain to them
- Luke 12:16-21 - don't put the cart before the horse, get the spiritual side of life sorted out first, then think about physical things like getting a job, a house, a family
- don't be impatient - live in the present - this is a time in your life to get your spiritual house in order
- this year at the mission is an investment for the rest of your life - look back 12 months, was not a long time - after this period is complete you will be ready to go out and take care of the physical sides of life
- but first you need to have your spiritual side, in order
- allow the Lord to guide you step by step, day by day
- he will show the way, sometimes only the next step, but he will guide your path
- John 14:6 - "I am the way, the truth and the life . . ."