Title: Washing each other's feet
Date: March 25, 2007
Text: John 13:1-17
Introduction
- last week we looked at an event that happened in Bethany
- Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, anointed Jesus feet and head with spikenard
- this was a very precious ointment, and cost her roughly a year's wages
- Jesus says that she anointed him for burial, ahead of the event that would happen 6 days later
- in that event, Jesus would die for mankind, and become a sacrifice for us
- in his death he would become the fulfillment of all the sacrifices that had been made for 4000 years since Abel offered a lamb in sacrifice
- the evening before he was taken captive, Jesus celebrated Passover with the disciples, just like Jews still do today
- at the end of the Passover meal, Jesus did something unusual
- he got up, laid aside his outer robe, and wrapped a towel around his waist
- the next thing Jesus did, has huge significance for your life
- it will change the way in which you see yourself, and is essential for your recovery
- John 13:1-17
1. Jesus washed the disciples' feet
- roads were dusty
- example of working at temple mount excavation
- it was the role of a servant to wash the feet of visiting travellers
- Luke 7:44 - Jesus rebukes Simon the Leper that his feet had not been washed
- remember they were probably lying on cushions, rather than sitting at a table
- smelly feet were as embarrassing as today!
- yet Jesus here sets an example for the disciples
- he took on this menial, not very nice job, for the disciples
- he was not too good, or too holy to take on this task
2. Jesus set an example of being a servant
- this Passover evening was not unique for Jesus
- this was not the first time Jesus had served people
- his mission was to serve others, not himself
- his first act of service was to empty himself of his divine attributes and humble himself to become a man, born as a helpless baby
- he provided dinner for 5000 people, and then another time for 3000
- he listened to the hurt and pain of a broken humanity, and brought healing and comfort
- it seems he had a house in Capernaum, yet he lived most of his ministry on the road, sleeping wherever he could
- he was called to be the Messiah, yet he did not serve himself but the people around him
- when he was attacked, he did not respond in kind
- when he was hanging on the cross, struggling to breathe, his mind was on others
- he made arrangements for John to take care of Mary his mother
- he led the thief hanging on a cross next to him, to salvation
- he prayed for those who were killing him, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do"
- and on his shoulders he carried the sins of the world, taking our burden upon himself
- in his final act in this life, his life was poured out for every man who has ever lived
- he had died to his own will, his own desires for an easy life
- instead, Jesus lived as a servant, he lived for others
- Jesus lived as a living sacrifice
3. We too have been called to be living sacrifices
- Romans 12:1 - "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service
- Philippians 2:3 - esteem others better than self
- Mark 9:41 "For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward"
- John 14:12 - we have been called to do the works that Jesus did
- Philippians 2:5 - we have been called to live, and think and act and breathe the way that Jesus did
- Luke 9:1-2 - go and preach the gospel, heal the sick, and set the captives free
- Matthew 6:33 - seek first the kingdom of God, not money, God will supply your needs
- we have been called to live for others, to be living sacrifices
- v.14-15 - we should follow Jesus' example in washing each others feet
- in today's culture, we wear shoes and socks and our feet don't become dusty, dirty and smelly like in Jesus' day
- but Jesus is telling us, if he as our Lord and Master, conducts himself as our servant, we should serve each other too
- that service extends far beyond kneeling in front of each other, and washing each other's feet
- it extends to how we treat each other, from day to day
- it means turning the other cheek when someone offends us, rather than getting our own back
- it means taking on what seem to be menial tasks in order to serve our friends
- it means laying down our life for others, both in our family and outside
4. Jesus offers to wash our feet today
- notice the short conversation Jesus has with Peter, while washing his feet
- v. 6-13
- Jesus says, if he does not wash our feet, we are not part of him
- there is a particular significance to this washing
- Peter then wants his hands and his head washed as well, but Jesus says the feet is sufficient, the symbolism is complete
- 1 Cor 6:11 "And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God"
- Heb 10:22 - "let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water"
- Rev 1:5-6 - "To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen"
- Psa 51:1-2, 7 "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin...Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow"
- Isa 1:18 - "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool"
- Jesus is saying to us, come to me all who are heavy laden, and I will give you rest
- he is saying, I came to be a servant and I am still your servant
- he invites us saying, allow me to come and wash your feet, though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white and pure as the driven snow
Conclusion
- Jesus came to be a servant to humanity
- he was a servant to the disciples, and washed their feet
- he did this as an example to us, that we too should be each other's servant
- finally, Jesus offers us a cleansing which is permanent, a parole which wipes out our record, a forgiveness that leaves us as white as snow
- are we ready to accept his offer?
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Sunday, March 18, 2007
The Anointing at Bethany - Matthew 26:6-13
Title: The Anointing at Bethany
Date: March 18, 2007
Text: Matt 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9, John 12:1-8
Introduction
- as Jesus travels to Jerusalem, he passes through Bethany, about 2 miles from his destination
- during this week before his crucifixion, he uses Bethany as a base and walks to and from Jerusalem each day
- Jesus had acquaintances who lived in Bethany- Lazarus, Martha, Mary and Simon the Leper
- Lazarus was the person Jesus had raised from the dead
- Simon the Leper was probably one of the lepers Jesus had healed
- today, Jesus is staying at Simon the Lepers home, it is evening and they are sitting down for dinner
- something happens at dinner, which shows us two important lessons
1. Mary anoints Jesus' head and feet
- Matthew 26:6-13
- they are at the house of Simon the Leper
- Martha was there, serving as usual, Lazarus was there at the table, and Mary his sister was there as well - John 12:1-3
- it seems that the Mary who anoints Jesus' feet was Lazarus' sister
- Matthew and Mark record that she anointed Jesus head
- John records that she anointed and wiped his feet with her hair
- when we examine the whole pictures she must have anointed both his head and his feet, or the ointment dripped onto his feet - each writer looks at the event from the way he saw it happen
- the ointment was very expensive, and was in an alabaster container, a translucent semi-precious stone
- the disciples valued it at 300 denarii, around a year's wages - some say that the spikenard came all the way from the Himalayas
- Mary brings what is probably her most precious possession, to anoint Jesus
- she breaks the container in the process, it will not be used again
- she does this in faith, having believed what Jesus was saying, that he would be taken and killed by the religious leaders in Jerusalem
- she has anointed him for burial, and he was very precious to her
- the disciples on the other hand seem to have only looked at the value of the ointment and considered it a waste, and Judas says why did we not give this to the poor
2. Stay with Jesus, keep your focus
- the disciples had been with Jesus for three years, and listened to his teachings
- they had been involved in ministry, daily, they baptized people and they were sent out to preach and to heal the sick
- Jesus had told that he was going up to Jerusalem to be killed
- they did not seem to comprehend what Jesus was doing, nor the significance of Mary's act
- the disciples were all involved in doing things, they had no attention for what Jesus was saying
- Mary, however, had an awareness of what was important
- on a previous occasion, Martha had complained that she was having to do all the kitchen work on her own, but Jesus commended Mary for recognizing what was important - listening to Jesus' words
- we too can be all involved in God's work and yet not quite get it
- I can be so involved with doing the work of a chaplain, that I miss out on the important thing that God is doing
- we can all be so involved in the physical, that we cannot see or hear the spiritual
- we can be close to the Word physically, involved in religious activity and works, and still be far, far away spiritually
- what is important is listening for what he is saying, keeping focussed on what God is doing and where he is active
3. Mary was grateful for the gift of Jesus
- Mary gave her most precious possession to prepare Jesus for burial
- she was listening to Jesus' words, and she heard the pain in Jesus' voice as he told he was going to be killed
- she had been close to Jesus for a long time, he had brought her brother back to life after he had succumbed to some illness
- she had learned from Jesus about the resurrection, she had learned about the good news of another kingdom that was coming, which would never pass away
- she believed Jesus' words
- and she was grateful
- her life had been empty, but now it had purpose
- she was single, just like her brother and sister
- but her life had a purpose and she was grateful for all Jesus had given her
- what about us?
- how grateful are we for all Jesus has done in our life?
- he has set us free and given us a new beginning, a fresh start
- he has given us a reason to live and a purpose
- do we live our life as a prayer of gratitude to him?
- Jesus commends Mary for her act of devotion
- but he rebukes the disciples for only looking at the physical aspects of ministry, Jesus himself needed ministering to at this awful time in his life
Summary
- there are two lessons for us in this story
- firstly that we should keep our focus on God and what he is doing, and not be so bogged down in things we are doing that we do not hear what he is saying to us
- secondly, we need to express our gratitude to the one who called us by name, forgave our past, and gave us a fresh start
- let's concentrate this week on deepening our relationship with God - let's set ourselves to each day consciously stop and listen to what he is doing and saying to us
- let's be thankful for all he has done for us, and show our gratitude
- Jesus gave us his all, he held nothing back
- we can do nothing in return, but offer him our most precious possession, by being a living sacrifice, dedicated to his use
Date: March 18, 2007
Text: Matt 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9, John 12:1-8
Introduction
- as Jesus travels to Jerusalem, he passes through Bethany, about 2 miles from his destination
- during this week before his crucifixion, he uses Bethany as a base and walks to and from Jerusalem each day
- Jesus had acquaintances who lived in Bethany- Lazarus, Martha, Mary and Simon the Leper
- Lazarus was the person Jesus had raised from the dead
- Simon the Leper was probably one of the lepers Jesus had healed
- today, Jesus is staying at Simon the Lepers home, it is evening and they are sitting down for dinner
- something happens at dinner, which shows us two important lessons
1. Mary anoints Jesus' head and feet
- Matthew 26:6-13
- they are at the house of Simon the Leper
- Martha was there, serving as usual, Lazarus was there at the table, and Mary his sister was there as well - John 12:1-3
- it seems that the Mary who anoints Jesus' feet was Lazarus' sister
- Matthew and Mark record that she anointed Jesus head
- John records that she anointed and wiped his feet with her hair
- when we examine the whole pictures she must have anointed both his head and his feet, or the ointment dripped onto his feet - each writer looks at the event from the way he saw it happen
- the ointment was very expensive, and was in an alabaster container, a translucent semi-precious stone
- the disciples valued it at 300 denarii, around a year's wages - some say that the spikenard came all the way from the Himalayas
- Mary brings what is probably her most precious possession, to anoint Jesus
- she breaks the container in the process, it will not be used again
- she does this in faith, having believed what Jesus was saying, that he would be taken and killed by the religious leaders in Jerusalem
- she has anointed him for burial, and he was very precious to her
- the disciples on the other hand seem to have only looked at the value of the ointment and considered it a waste, and Judas says why did we not give this to the poor
2. Stay with Jesus, keep your focus
- the disciples had been with Jesus for three years, and listened to his teachings
- they had been involved in ministry, daily, they baptized people and they were sent out to preach and to heal the sick
- Jesus had told that he was going up to Jerusalem to be killed
- they did not seem to comprehend what Jesus was doing, nor the significance of Mary's act
- the disciples were all involved in doing things, they had no attention for what Jesus was saying
- Mary, however, had an awareness of what was important
- on a previous occasion, Martha had complained that she was having to do all the kitchen work on her own, but Jesus commended Mary for recognizing what was important - listening to Jesus' words
- we too can be all involved in God's work and yet not quite get it
- I can be so involved with doing the work of a chaplain, that I miss out on the important thing that God is doing
- we can all be so involved in the physical, that we cannot see or hear the spiritual
- we can be close to the Word physically, involved in religious activity and works, and still be far, far away spiritually
- what is important is listening for what he is saying, keeping focussed on what God is doing and where he is active
3. Mary was grateful for the gift of Jesus
- Mary gave her most precious possession to prepare Jesus for burial
- she was listening to Jesus' words, and she heard the pain in Jesus' voice as he told he was going to be killed
- she had been close to Jesus for a long time, he had brought her brother back to life after he had succumbed to some illness
- she had learned from Jesus about the resurrection, she had learned about the good news of another kingdom that was coming, which would never pass away
- she believed Jesus' words
- and she was grateful
- her life had been empty, but now it had purpose
- she was single, just like her brother and sister
- but her life had a purpose and she was grateful for all Jesus had given her
- what about us?
- how grateful are we for all Jesus has done in our life?
- he has set us free and given us a new beginning, a fresh start
- he has given us a reason to live and a purpose
- do we live our life as a prayer of gratitude to him?
- Jesus commends Mary for her act of devotion
- but he rebukes the disciples for only looking at the physical aspects of ministry, Jesus himself needed ministering to at this awful time in his life
Summary
- there are two lessons for us in this story
- firstly that we should keep our focus on God and what he is doing, and not be so bogged down in things we are doing that we do not hear what he is saying to us
- secondly, we need to express our gratitude to the one who called us by name, forgave our past, and gave us a fresh start
- let's concentrate this week on deepening our relationship with God - let's set ourselves to each day consciously stop and listen to what he is doing and saying to us
- let's be thankful for all he has done for us, and show our gratitude
- Jesus gave us his all, he held nothing back
- we can do nothing in return, but offer him our most precious possession, by being a living sacrifice, dedicated to his use
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
The Parable of the Ten Pounds - Luke 19:11-27
Title: The Parable of the Ten Pounds
Date: March 13, 2007
Text: Luke 19:11-27
- The triumphal entry into Jerusalem is about to happen.
- Jesus has left Jericho behind and is on the road to Jerusalem and is now approaching the city.
Background
- When Herod the Great died, he left his reign in the hands of three people: Philip, Herod and Archelaus.
- Archelaus was to rule over Judea.
- There were a group of Jews that did not want Archelaus to rule because of his wickedness, ego, etc.
- Before Archelaus could take the throne, he had to be confirmed in Rome by Caesar that it was his right to rule in Judah, so he had to make a trip to Rome - 4 BC.
- There was a group of Jews that went to Rome to see Caesar to complain about Archelaus.
- Caesar let Archelaus go ahead and take his throne and when Archelaus went back to Judah, he killed all those who had complained.
- He reigned in Judea from 4 BC to 18 AD
- That is the historical background of this story.
1. Purpose of the Parable - verse 11
- people thought Jesus was the Messiah and that he was about to become king
- the Archelaus story was still fresh in people's minds, so Jesus bases his parable on this historical event
- his reign as Messiah was not immediate but would be delayed for some time
- the delay means an interval of time, so the question is, what happens during that period?
- the purpose of the parable is to refocus people's thinking away from an immediate kingdom, and more onto how they need to be living in the meantime until the king returns
2. What do the pounds represent?
- there are various measures referred to as pounds or minas, so it is hard to quantify exactly how much these pounds were worth in today's money
- my Bible margin notes that the mina weighed 12.5 ounces of silver - today's price of silver is $12.95 per ounce, so on that basis the mina may have been worth $160 in today's money
- it was enough to be able to do something with, but not a vast fortune by any means
- this agrees with verse 17 where the mina is described as being very little
- the reward that the nobleman gives for wisely using the silver, is out of all proportion to the value of the original mina
- the 10 servants all received an equal amount with which to work
- each servant, however, varied in how much they had accomplished in developing this investment
- so what does this mina represent?
- when we came to Jesus, each of us has been given the Holy Spirit, with the fruits of the Spirit as well as spiritual gifts
- we all receive a down payment of the Holy Spirit, a promise of more to come in the future when we receive our inheritance
- Eph 1:14 - the Holy Spirit is the down payment on our inheritance, a guarantee - we are all the same in this
- in that sense we all receive the same investment over which to be stewards
- the question is, how have we done with developing and using the gift of the holy Spirit in our lives?
- how have we used these gifts to develop in our ability to serve in the kingdom?
- one day the king will return and will ask how we have done in using the spiritual gifts God has given us.
3. The king will return - verse 15
- Jesus will return, there is no doubt about that
- when he returns, there will be an accounting of how we have used the gifts he has given us
- one person will have grown enormously, and he will be rewarded accordingly
- another person may not have done all that much in developing his gifts, and he also will be rewarded according to the effort he has put into his Christian walk
- we are all going to appear before the Bema judgment seat of Christ
- 2 Cor 5:10
- this is not a place where we will be told we are going to heaven or hell - that is decided when we accept Jesus into our life
- instead, this is a place where we will be rewarded for how we have developed in using the gifts God has given us
- this reward will be out of all proportion to what we have been given to work with
- in the parable, for having dealt wisely with $160 we receive rulership over 10 or 5 cities!
- we don't know exactly what God has planned for us when he returns and it is not spelled out exactly in scripture
- but I am sure we will be surprised at God's generosity!
- some people will have done little or nothing in developing their kingdom potential
- God says their gifts will be given to others to develop
- it does not mean they will not be in the kingdom with Jesus - they will be there, thanks to the blood of Jesus
- but they will not be rewarded the same as someone who has spent his whole life in the Lord's service, developing in his spiritual walk
4. There will be others who will not be in the kingdom - verse 27
- there is another group of people, who do not want to the Lord to reign over them
- these represent people who refuse to submit to the Lord, and accept Jesus in their life
- God will not force these people to exist forever in some kind of inner struggle, having to submit but rebelling against it inside, for all eternity
- these people have chosen not to want Jesus in their life, so they will be sent to hell and receive the fruits of their choice
Summary
- Jesus is returning, and he will return with a kingdom
- when he returns, he will bring a reward with him, which he will give to each of us, depending on how we have grown in using the gifts he has given us
- this will happen at the Bema judgment, when all believers give an account of how they have done with what God has given them
- this is not a judgment of condemnation, but a rewarding of the faithful
- believers will be rewarded according to how open they have been to allowing themselves to be molded by Jesus, and according to how much they have done in using the Holy Spirit for kingdom purposes
- there will however be another judgment, at the end of the Millenneum, when all those who have chosen not to submit to Jesus, will be granted their wish - they will be sent to hell
- this life is the playingfield upon which our eternity is being determined
- what we decide today will affect the rest of our life
Date: March 13, 2007
Text: Luke 19:11-27
- The triumphal entry into Jerusalem is about to happen.
- Jesus has left Jericho behind and is on the road to Jerusalem and is now approaching the city.
Background
- When Herod the Great died, he left his reign in the hands of three people: Philip, Herod and Archelaus.
- Archelaus was to rule over Judea.
- There were a group of Jews that did not want Archelaus to rule because of his wickedness, ego, etc.
- Before Archelaus could take the throne, he had to be confirmed in Rome by Caesar that it was his right to rule in Judah, so he had to make a trip to Rome - 4 BC.
- There was a group of Jews that went to Rome to see Caesar to complain about Archelaus.
- Caesar let Archelaus go ahead and take his throne and when Archelaus went back to Judah, he killed all those who had complained.
- He reigned in Judea from 4 BC to 18 AD
- That is the historical background of this story.
1. Purpose of the Parable - verse 11
- people thought Jesus was the Messiah and that he was about to become king
- the Archelaus story was still fresh in people's minds, so Jesus bases his parable on this historical event
- his reign as Messiah was not immediate but would be delayed for some time
- the delay means an interval of time, so the question is, what happens during that period?
- the purpose of the parable is to refocus people's thinking away from an immediate kingdom, and more onto how they need to be living in the meantime until the king returns
2. What do the pounds represent?
- there are various measures referred to as pounds or minas, so it is hard to quantify exactly how much these pounds were worth in today's money
- my Bible margin notes that the mina weighed 12.5 ounces of silver - today's price of silver is $12.95 per ounce, so on that basis the mina may have been worth $160 in today's money
- it was enough to be able to do something with, but not a vast fortune by any means
- this agrees with verse 17 where the mina is described as being very little
- the reward that the nobleman gives for wisely using the silver, is out of all proportion to the value of the original mina
- the 10 servants all received an equal amount with which to work
- each servant, however, varied in how much they had accomplished in developing this investment
- so what does this mina represent?
- when we came to Jesus, each of us has been given the Holy Spirit, with the fruits of the Spirit as well as spiritual gifts
- we all receive a down payment of the Holy Spirit, a promise of more to come in the future when we receive our inheritance
- Eph 1:14 - the Holy Spirit is the down payment on our inheritance, a guarantee - we are all the same in this
- in that sense we all receive the same investment over which to be stewards
- the question is, how have we done with developing and using the gift of the holy Spirit in our lives?
- how have we used these gifts to develop in our ability to serve in the kingdom?
- one day the king will return and will ask how we have done in using the spiritual gifts God has given us.
3. The king will return - verse 15
- Jesus will return, there is no doubt about that
- when he returns, there will be an accounting of how we have used the gifts he has given us
- one person will have grown enormously, and he will be rewarded accordingly
- another person may not have done all that much in developing his gifts, and he also will be rewarded according to the effort he has put into his Christian walk
- we are all going to appear before the Bema judgment seat of Christ
- 2 Cor 5:10
- this is not a place where we will be told we are going to heaven or hell - that is decided when we accept Jesus into our life
- instead, this is a place where we will be rewarded for how we have developed in using the gifts God has given us
- this reward will be out of all proportion to what we have been given to work with
- in the parable, for having dealt wisely with $160 we receive rulership over 10 or 5 cities!
- we don't know exactly what God has planned for us when he returns and it is not spelled out exactly in scripture
- but I am sure we will be surprised at God's generosity!
- some people will have done little or nothing in developing their kingdom potential
- God says their gifts will be given to others to develop
- it does not mean they will not be in the kingdom with Jesus - they will be there, thanks to the blood of Jesus
- but they will not be rewarded the same as someone who has spent his whole life in the Lord's service, developing in his spiritual walk
4. There will be others who will not be in the kingdom - verse 27
- there is another group of people, who do not want to the Lord to reign over them
- these represent people who refuse to submit to the Lord, and accept Jesus in their life
- God will not force these people to exist forever in some kind of inner struggle, having to submit but rebelling against it inside, for all eternity
- these people have chosen not to want Jesus in their life, so they will be sent to hell and receive the fruits of their choice
Summary
- Jesus is returning, and he will return with a kingdom
- when he returns, he will bring a reward with him, which he will give to each of us, depending on how we have grown in using the gifts he has given us
- this will happen at the Bema judgment, when all believers give an account of how they have done with what God has given them
- this is not a judgment of condemnation, but a rewarding of the faithful
- believers will be rewarded according to how open they have been to allowing themselves to be molded by Jesus, and according to how much they have done in using the Holy Spirit for kingdom purposes
- there will however be another judgment, at the end of the Millenneum, when all those who have chosen not to submit to Jesus, will be granted their wish - they will be sent to hell
- this life is the playingfield upon which our eternity is being determined
- what we decide today will affect the rest of our life
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Jesus and the IRS - Luke 19:1-10
Title: Jesus and the IRS
Date: March 11, 2007
Text: Luke 19:1-10
Introduction
- Jesus on his last journey to Jerusalem, on way to be crucified
- earlier this day had met Bartimaeus
- Bartimaeus was blind and only known by his last name
- Jesus healed him and everyone heard about it!
- later this day Jesus is passing through Jericho, and the IRS finds out!
- today we will examine the story of Zacchaeus the tax-collector
1. Who was Zacchaeus? - verse 2-3
- Zacchaeus means "pure"
- when he was born his mother gave him a name that reflected how she viewed her son
- she saw him as being pure, someone she could be proud of
- but Zacchaeus was "little of stature"
- often short people feel inferior and as a result get a complex of wanting to control people around them
- the way Zacchaeus did this was to become a tax collector for the Romans
- tax collectors were not liked - they were seen as traitors, as working for the enemy
- he excelled at his occupation and became the top tax collector in Jericho
- so Zacchaeus was not popular, he was firstly disowned because of his job
- another reason that tax collectors were not liked is that they would collect more taxes than necessary, and then skim off the profits for their own use
- Zacchaeus had done this too, and had become rich at the expense of his friends, so people hated him and shunned him
- we have a picture of a short guy, who was very unpopular, with a lot of skeletons hidden in the closet
- his mom had believed in him, but he had basically betrayed her and his friends, and had become a part of the Roman oppression of the Jews
- Zacchaeus must not have felt very good about all this, he must have walked around with a burden of guilt and shame
2. Zacchaeus wants to see Jesus - verse 3-4
- all his life Zacchaeus had been trapped in the bad choices he had made
- he had not wanted to oppress his friends
- he did not want to be a traitor, rejected by his countrymen
- but how was he to shed his past? - how could he turn the clock back?
- Zacchaeus heard that Jesus was coming so he hurried down to the road to see him
- he had known Bartimaeus and in some way he felt closer to him than to the rest
- their similarity was that both of them were rejected by society, one because of being blind and poor, the other because of being a traitor
- he heard that Bartimaeus had been healed and was now spreading the word about Jesus!
- so Zacchaeus wanted to see this man who had changed Bartimaeus' life
- maybe, just maybe, he would be able to help me
- Zacchaeus tries to get through the crowd to meet Jesus, but people won't let him through
- women are able to get through, people who are sick are able to get to Jesus
- but Zacchaeus is hated and people block his way
- this rich tax collector then runs ahead - this is undignified!
- he wraps his garment around him and runs ahead of the crowd till he sees a sycamore tree
- this rich tax collector then climbs up in this tree to be able to see Jesus when he comes by
- he sits there for a while, till Jesus comes around the corner and they see each other
3. Jesus stays with Zacchaeus - verse 5-7
- Jesus looks at this short, overweight tax collector who is clinging to the branches of this tree, and calls him by name
- he says "Zacchaeus, come down from there, I want to stay at your place tonight"
- he couldn't believe his ears - the only people who wanted to visit him were fellow tax collectors - he was rejected by the rest
- But if Jesus knew his name, he knew that mom had believed in him, and that he had betrayed her
- he was totally unworthy, he had sinned and cheated and betrayed his friends till today he had no friends any more
- knowing all this, Jesus still wanted to spend time with him, and was not ashamed to be seen with him
- so he came down from the tree, brought Jesus home and received him joyfully!
- Zacchaeus asked for forgiveness, made amends for his sins, and was saved!
4. Salvation is available to everyone - verse 9-10
- Zacchaeus was eligible to be saved, despite the way in which he had let down his parents and betrayed and stolen from his friends
- he too had the opprtunity of making a fresh start
- this day, Zacchaeus was able to leave his past behind him, he paid back what he had stolen and he started a new walk of life
- the reason Jesus came was to save the lost!
- where are you at today?
- have you spent your years, doing things that do not really want to see the light of day?
- have you a past of which you are ashamed? do you want to make a fresh start, today?
- Jesus came to save those that are lost
- unless you turn to Jesus, and ask him to forgive your sins, and welcome him into your house, you are lost and will die in your sins
- but you can accept Jesus and God will forgive your sins
- if you want to ask Jesus into your life today, he is ready to give you a fresh start, you can leave the past behind you, it can happen today!
Date: March 11, 2007
Text: Luke 19:1-10
Introduction
- Jesus on his last journey to Jerusalem, on way to be crucified
- earlier this day had met Bartimaeus
- Bartimaeus was blind and only known by his last name
- Jesus healed him and everyone heard about it!
- later this day Jesus is passing through Jericho, and the IRS finds out!
- today we will examine the story of Zacchaeus the tax-collector
1. Who was Zacchaeus? - verse 2-3
- Zacchaeus means "pure"
- when he was born his mother gave him a name that reflected how she viewed her son
- she saw him as being pure, someone she could be proud of
- but Zacchaeus was "little of stature"
- often short people feel inferior and as a result get a complex of wanting to control people around them
- the way Zacchaeus did this was to become a tax collector for the Romans
- tax collectors were not liked - they were seen as traitors, as working for the enemy
- he excelled at his occupation and became the top tax collector in Jericho
- so Zacchaeus was not popular, he was firstly disowned because of his job
- another reason that tax collectors were not liked is that they would collect more taxes than necessary, and then skim off the profits for their own use
- Zacchaeus had done this too, and had become rich at the expense of his friends, so people hated him and shunned him
- we have a picture of a short guy, who was very unpopular, with a lot of skeletons hidden in the closet
- his mom had believed in him, but he had basically betrayed her and his friends, and had become a part of the Roman oppression of the Jews
- Zacchaeus must not have felt very good about all this, he must have walked around with a burden of guilt and shame
2. Zacchaeus wants to see Jesus - verse 3-4
- all his life Zacchaeus had been trapped in the bad choices he had made
- he had not wanted to oppress his friends
- he did not want to be a traitor, rejected by his countrymen
- but how was he to shed his past? - how could he turn the clock back?
- Zacchaeus heard that Jesus was coming so he hurried down to the road to see him
- he had known Bartimaeus and in some way he felt closer to him than to the rest
- their similarity was that both of them were rejected by society, one because of being blind and poor, the other because of being a traitor
- he heard that Bartimaeus had been healed and was now spreading the word about Jesus!
- so Zacchaeus wanted to see this man who had changed Bartimaeus' life
- maybe, just maybe, he would be able to help me
- Zacchaeus tries to get through the crowd to meet Jesus, but people won't let him through
- women are able to get through, people who are sick are able to get to Jesus
- but Zacchaeus is hated and people block his way
- this rich tax collector then runs ahead - this is undignified!
- he wraps his garment around him and runs ahead of the crowd till he sees a sycamore tree
- this rich tax collector then climbs up in this tree to be able to see Jesus when he comes by
- he sits there for a while, till Jesus comes around the corner and they see each other
3. Jesus stays with Zacchaeus - verse 5-7
- Jesus looks at this short, overweight tax collector who is clinging to the branches of this tree, and calls him by name
- he says "Zacchaeus, come down from there, I want to stay at your place tonight"
- he couldn't believe his ears - the only people who wanted to visit him were fellow tax collectors - he was rejected by the rest
- But if Jesus knew his name, he knew that mom had believed in him, and that he had betrayed her
- he was totally unworthy, he had sinned and cheated and betrayed his friends till today he had no friends any more
- knowing all this, Jesus still wanted to spend time with him, and was not ashamed to be seen with him
- so he came down from the tree, brought Jesus home and received him joyfully!
- Zacchaeus asked for forgiveness, made amends for his sins, and was saved!
4. Salvation is available to everyone - verse 9-10
- Zacchaeus was eligible to be saved, despite the way in which he had let down his parents and betrayed and stolen from his friends
- he too had the opprtunity of making a fresh start
- this day, Zacchaeus was able to leave his past behind him, he paid back what he had stolen and he started a new walk of life
- the reason Jesus came was to save the lost!
- where are you at today?
- have you spent your years, doing things that do not really want to see the light of day?
- have you a past of which you are ashamed? do you want to make a fresh start, today?
- Jesus came to save those that are lost
- unless you turn to Jesus, and ask him to forgive your sins, and welcome him into your house, you are lost and will die in your sins
- but you can accept Jesus and God will forgive your sins
- if you want to ask Jesus into your life today, he is ready to give you a fresh start, you can leave the past behind you, it can happen today!
Sunday, March 4, 2007
Let The Walls Come Down - Joshua 6:1-21
Title: Let The Walls Come Down
Date: March 4, 2007
Text: Joshua 6:1-21
Introduction
The new pastor of a rural church dropped into a Sunday-school class and began quizzing the students to test the effectiveness of the teacher.
"Who knocked down the walls of Jericho?" he demanded of one boy.
"It sure weren't me, Reverend," the boy said.
Turning to the embarrassed teacher, the pastor exclaimed, "I suppose that's a sample of the kind of class you maintain!"
"Now, Reverend, Timmy's a good boy and doesn't tell lies. If he said he didn't to it, I believe him."
Thoroughly upset, the pastor took the matter to the chuch's board of deacons. After due consideration, the board sent the following message to the minister: "We see no point in making an issue of this incident. The board will pay for the damages to the wall and charge it off to vandalism."
- we have an example in the book of Joshua, of how God fought Israel's battles and actually demolished the walls of a city called Jericho
- many of us are facing challenges in our lives
- they seem like walls we cannot overcome
- this morning we will examine how the walls of Jericho came down, and learn how we can be successful in our own battles too
1. Israel had a problem - v.1
- Israel had been marching in circles in the desert for 40 years
- this was the first city they had seen
- the city of Jericho was immensely fortified
- it was surrounded by an inner and an outer wall
- the inner wall was 12 ft thick, and the outer wall was 6 foot thick - the walls were between 20 and 30 feet high
- there was a 15 foot wide walkway that ran along the top of the walls, and some apartments had been built there
- Israel had a problem - how to break down those walls
- we too have problems
- for one of us, it may be how to get our marriage back together, or have a relationship with our kids
- for another it may be a financial burden that we do not see a solution to
- most of us struggle with sins that keep on popping up and tempt us to give up
- Israel faced its problems in the form of the walls of Jericho
- we face our problems in the shape of things that steal our joy, that stop us from living life the way God intended for us
- so how can we tackle these things, so that our walls fall down?
2. Israel had a promise - v.2
- God tells the Israelites that he has already won the battle for them
- it was already as good as done
- Romans 4:17b - "God who calls those things which be not as though they were"
- God gives us many promises:
- a. our weapons are adequate to pull down strongholds - 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
- b. God has already determined the outcome of our battles - Rom 8:28, 2 Cor 4:17
- c. our ability to win is limited only by our faith - Phil 4:13, Eph 3:20
- d. we are promised power to win our battle - Eph 6:10,13
- e. we are promised victory - 1 Cor 15:57
- f. we are promised we will never fight alone - Heb 13:5, Matt 28:20
- g. when the war is finished and the battles won, we will celebrate the victory with Jesus - John 14:1-3
- as we face the walled cities in our lives, we can trust God to come through on these promises - Rom 4:21, 2 Cor 1:20
- we have been saved for the purpose of winning, not to go down in defeat!
- there will be trials in our life, but there will also be victory
3. Israel had a partner who told how to fight the battle - Josh 5:13-15, 6:2-5
- as we fight our battles, the same one who pulled down the walls of Jericho, is fighting on our side - Phil 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"
- God gives us weapons
- a. The Word of God - God has given us the Word (the logos) which is a vast armory of weapons for our use
- for example, Jesus quoted scripture at the enemy "man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (rhema)
- this is a specific verse for a specific situation - the exactly right weapon for a particular battle we are facing
- each time the enemy threw a temptation at him, Jesus picked exactly the right sword for the purpose, we can do the same
- this requires that we know the appropriate verses, that is why the spiritual growth plans include verses we can use for our major issues
- b. Prayer
- God promised to hear our prayers - Isa 65:24
- God promised to answer our prayers - John 14:13-14, 1 John 5:14-15
- God promised to help us pray according to his will - Rom 8:26-27
4. Israel won the battle - v.6-21
- there are reasons why Israel experienced victory at Jericho
- a. they had a Word from God - (v.2-6) 2 Tim. 2:15; John 16:13
- b. they believed God - (v.8-20) Mark 11:22; Matt. 21:21-22
- c. they acted in faith - (Heb 11:30) I John 5:14-15
- d. they did it God's way - Isa. 55:8-9
- e. God gave them the victory - (v.20-21)
- whatever situation you are in, you can win the battle - 1 John 5:4
Summary
1. There was a problem - v.1
2. There was a promise - v.2
3. They had a partner who told how to fight the battle - Josh 5:13-15, 6:2-5
4. They were able to win the battle - v.6-21
Conclusion
- what things are you facing today? - God says he is able to fight your battle for you - Ex 14:14
- do the walls look too high for you to make a dent? - God says he has given us weapons for the pulling down of strongholds - 2 Cor 10:4
- if you are marching around your walls today, have faith that God will give you victory - Mark 9:23 "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes."
- persist in marching till the answer comes - Heb 12:1 "let us run with patience the race that is set before us"
- your walls can fall down just as surely as Jesus pulled them down in Jericho
- are you going to come to him with your need, will you bring it to Jesus right now?
- Jesus is still a miracle working God today!
- he is greater than any obstacle, he is able to move any mountain, he is stronger than any wall you may be facing
- bring it to Him and watch Him work it out!
Date: March 4, 2007
Text: Joshua 6:1-21
Introduction
The new pastor of a rural church dropped into a Sunday-school class and began quizzing the students to test the effectiveness of the teacher.
"Who knocked down the walls of Jericho?" he demanded of one boy.
"It sure weren't me, Reverend," the boy said.
Turning to the embarrassed teacher, the pastor exclaimed, "I suppose that's a sample of the kind of class you maintain!"
"Now, Reverend, Timmy's a good boy and doesn't tell lies. If he said he didn't to it, I believe him."
Thoroughly upset, the pastor took the matter to the chuch's board of deacons. After due consideration, the board sent the following message to the minister: "We see no point in making an issue of this incident. The board will pay for the damages to the wall and charge it off to vandalism."
- we have an example in the book of Joshua, of how God fought Israel's battles and actually demolished the walls of a city called Jericho
- many of us are facing challenges in our lives
- they seem like walls we cannot overcome
- this morning we will examine how the walls of Jericho came down, and learn how we can be successful in our own battles too
1. Israel had a problem - v.1
- Israel had been marching in circles in the desert for 40 years
- this was the first city they had seen
- the city of Jericho was immensely fortified
- it was surrounded by an inner and an outer wall
- the inner wall was 12 ft thick, and the outer wall was 6 foot thick - the walls were between 20 and 30 feet high
- there was a 15 foot wide walkway that ran along the top of the walls, and some apartments had been built there
- Israel had a problem - how to break down those walls
- we too have problems
- for one of us, it may be how to get our marriage back together, or have a relationship with our kids
- for another it may be a financial burden that we do not see a solution to
- most of us struggle with sins that keep on popping up and tempt us to give up
- Israel faced its problems in the form of the walls of Jericho
- we face our problems in the shape of things that steal our joy, that stop us from living life the way God intended for us
- so how can we tackle these things, so that our walls fall down?
2. Israel had a promise - v.2
- God tells the Israelites that he has already won the battle for them
- it was already as good as done
- Romans 4:17b - "God who calls those things which be not as though they were"
- God gives us many promises:
- a. our weapons are adequate to pull down strongholds - 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
- b. God has already determined the outcome of our battles - Rom 8:28, 2 Cor 4:17
- c. our ability to win is limited only by our faith - Phil 4:13, Eph 3:20
- d. we are promised power to win our battle - Eph 6:10,13
- e. we are promised victory - 1 Cor 15:57
- f. we are promised we will never fight alone - Heb 13:5, Matt 28:20
- g. when the war is finished and the battles won, we will celebrate the victory with Jesus - John 14:1-3
- as we face the walled cities in our lives, we can trust God to come through on these promises - Rom 4:21, 2 Cor 1:20
- we have been saved for the purpose of winning, not to go down in defeat!
- there will be trials in our life, but there will also be victory
3. Israel had a partner who told how to fight the battle - Josh 5:13-15, 6:2-5
- as we fight our battles, the same one who pulled down the walls of Jericho, is fighting on our side - Phil 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"
- God gives us weapons
- a. The Word of God - God has given us the Word (the logos) which is a vast armory of weapons for our use
- for example, Jesus quoted scripture at the enemy "man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (rhema)
- this is a specific verse for a specific situation - the exactly right weapon for a particular battle we are facing
- each time the enemy threw a temptation at him, Jesus picked exactly the right sword for the purpose, we can do the same
- this requires that we know the appropriate verses, that is why the spiritual growth plans include verses we can use for our major issues
- b. Prayer
- God promised to hear our prayers - Isa 65:24
- God promised to answer our prayers - John 14:13-14, 1 John 5:14-15
- God promised to help us pray according to his will - Rom 8:26-27
4. Israel won the battle - v.6-21
- there are reasons why Israel experienced victory at Jericho
- a. they had a Word from God - (v.2-6) 2 Tim. 2:15; John 16:13
- b. they believed God - (v.8-20) Mark 11:22; Matt. 21:21-22
- c. they acted in faith - (Heb 11:30) I John 5:14-15
- d. they did it God's way - Isa. 55:8-9
- e. God gave them the victory - (v.20-21)
- whatever situation you are in, you can win the battle - 1 John 5:4
Summary
1. There was a problem - v.1
2. There was a promise - v.2
3. They had a partner who told how to fight the battle - Josh 5:13-15, 6:2-5
4. They were able to win the battle - v.6-21
Conclusion
- what things are you facing today? - God says he is able to fight your battle for you - Ex 14:14
- do the walls look too high for you to make a dent? - God says he has given us weapons for the pulling down of strongholds - 2 Cor 10:4
- if you are marching around your walls today, have faith that God will give you victory - Mark 9:23 "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes."
- persist in marching till the answer comes - Heb 12:1 "let us run with patience the race that is set before us"
- your walls can fall down just as surely as Jesus pulled them down in Jericho
- are you going to come to him with your need, will you bring it to Jesus right now?
- Jesus is still a miracle working God today!
- he is greater than any obstacle, he is able to move any mountain, he is stronger than any wall you may be facing
- bring it to Him and watch Him work it out!
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