Luke 2:8 – 20
The Power of a Breakthrough

Charles Kuralt reported that the Livermore CA Fire department had a light bulb that was turned on in 1901 and seldom turned off. If it was an ordinary light bulb it would have burned out 852 times. However, this one was made by the Shelby Electric Company. The Shelby Electric Company went out of business because they made light bulbs the last. Nobody ever needed a new one!

Wouldn’t it be BREAKTHROUGH to have a spiritual experience that would satisfy every past, present, and future spiritual need?

Let me share one with you.

I. God broke through our human problems.

A. God broke through the doubt and fear.

1. “Do not be afraid.” (Any rational person would be terrified.)

2. Fear comes from what we think are bad possibilities.

3. Fear comes from uncertainty and lack of trust.

4. Fear is based on experience and wrong information. (Past angelic visitations required the person to do something extraordinary and were often seen as divine visitations that lead to death.)

B. God broke through the depression and monotony.

1. The “daily grind” and the “boredom” can be get to us.

2. The holiday season is a prime time for depression.

3. Some suffer self-inflicted stupidity, we chose to be miserable.

4. There are circumstances beyond our control which begin to control us.

5. The Christmas message is “good news of great joy.”

C. God broke through our lostness.

1. God provided a “Savior” because we need one. It is a delusion to think we can have “peace on earth” by ourselves.

a. Remember when the President was sending troops to Bosnia for “a year?” (They are still there.)

b. Remember the multitude of peace accords between Israel and the Palestinians?

c. Remember the “War to end all wars?” (We now call it World War I)

2. It is about time someone said, “duh.” We cannot create our own Utopia.

3. It is time we recognize our need for God. Jesus is the only way.

II. The shepherd’s action broke through to eternal change.

A. They had a break through of RECOGNIZING.

1. They recognized something was happening.

a. Recognizing God at work may be the most difficult part.

b. We have so many rational and natural explanations that it can become difficult to recognize God at work.

2. They recognized God at work... “which the Lord has told us about.”

a. They could have said, “that was just a natural thing easily explained by chance and time.” (The evolution argument.)

b. They could have said, “its just a coincidence.” (The “no God” argument.)

3. They recognized that there must be an appropriate response.

a. The message was for them (not someone else).

b. The message carried responsibility for them (not someone else).

B. They had a break though in DOING.

1. Three levels of “spirituality.”

a. knowing

b. doing

c. being

2. The hardest is to break the barrier of getting the body moving.

a. Deciding is important...

b. “Once the feet are set right, all will be right.” (C.S. Lewis “Chronicles of Narnia)

C. They had a break through in SHARING.

1. “They spread the word.”

2. This news was for “all” not just for them.

3. The broke custom and told others.

***** Do we really believe something if we don’t talk about it? We talk about what we believe in and what motivates us. *****

III. Today WE can break through the same way.

A. RECOGNIZE that God wants to break through in our lives.

B. RESPOND to God.

C. REACH out to others.

Lamentations 3:19 – 26
“The Power of Hope”

“And hope does not disappoint us...” [Romans 5:5a]

“Suffering produces perseverance; [4] perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5:3b, 4]

The first theme we will look at this Christmas season is “hope.” It is one of the missing elements in our country and church right now. Let’s make three observations about this text.

I. Life can hurt. [vv 19 – 20]

A. [v 19] There is pain given to us by other people and life.

1. “Affliction” refers to distress with mental or bodily pain.

a. Verbal abuse = mental pain, when we are told we are of no worth.

b. Physical abuse = physical pain.

2. Some people use general cruelty as an attempt to build themselves up.

3. Sometimes it is the circumstances of life, beyond our control.

B. [v 19] There is the pain we cause ourselves.

1. “Wandering” refers to the image of someone who has left home (e.g. the “prodigal” son).

a. There is the misery of being alone (sometimes even when married).

b. There is the misery of having nothing (even when rich).

c. The spiritual analogy:

“We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way...”Isaiah 53:6a
“...Therefore the people wander like sheep oppressed for lack of a shepherd.” Zechariah 10:2b

2. Chastisement is the Eastern understanding of “bitterness and gall.”

a. This is the natural result of sin.

b. It is “self-inflicted.”

c. It is God correcting us, before it is to late.

C. [v 19] There is pain give to us by sin.

1. “Bitterness and gull.”

a. “Bitterness” is the word for a bitter herb (wormwood).

b. “Gall” is the bitter secretion of the liver.

c. We get a double dose. “Bitterness” is ingested (created externally) and “gull” is produced internally.

2. Bitterness has consequences!

“See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” Hebrews 12:15

a. “Trouble” means to be disturbed. This is a lack of harmony and gives us a picture of EMOTIONAL problems.

b. “Defile” gives the idea of being poisoned or polluted. The picture it gives is of SPIRITUAL problems.

D. [v 20] Pain that accumulates.

1. “Down cast” is the image of sinking or being thrown down.

a. It is an Old Testament image of being depressed.

b It is an Old Testament image of being in despair.

The Bible says, “...heartache crushes the spirit.” [Proverbs 15:13b]
The Bible says, “An anxious heart weighs a man down...” [Proverbs 12:25a]
The Bible says, “...a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” [Proverbs 17:22b]
The Bible says, “A man's spirit sustains him in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?” [Proverbs 18:14]

2. There is a good sorrow (leads to repentance) and a bad sorrow.

a. In “Pilgrim’s Progress,” Pilgrim gets off the path and ends up imprisoned in the “Dungeon Despair.”

b. What do you want when you get to this point?

1.) The trouble is that we want relief from suffering.

2.) The cure really is in God.

***** In God there is “hope” not relief! An hope does not disappoint us. *****

II. Love can heal. [vv 22 – 24]

A. The Lord’s great love.

1. The Lord’s love protects us. It is our “heat shield.” (Ill. Space shuttle)

2. The Hebrew word is “(c)hesed” and it refers to a covenant and unfailing love. It is possibly the most important word/concept in the Old Testament because it is the basis of all that God does and requires (in the Old Testament).

3. This “loving kindness” is the foundation of the New Testament word/concept of “grace.”

4. God’s “(c)hesed” is undeserved, unearned, unmerited. It is God’s “want too.”

B. [v 22] God’s compassion:

1. It never fails, never comes to an end.

a. Even when we deserve the worst, God wants to give and do the best.

b. [v 32] “Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.”

c. Also see Romans 8:35 – 39

2. The key issue is wether we TRUST God... (Someone has said the reason we sin is because of the “sneaking” suspicion that God is not good... in other words, that we can not trust God.)

C. [v 23] God’s mercies are new every morning.

1. NOT yesterday and NOT tomorrow.

a. You cannot live today off yesterday’s lunch.

b. You can not dream of the future and fail to live today.

2. “Todayness”

Jesus said, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” [Matthew 6:34]

III. The Lord is good [vv 25 – 26] so there are three things to do.

A. [v 25] DEPEND on God.

1. “Hope” means to look for, expect. It is not “wishful thinking.”

The Bible says, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. [18] So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” [2 Corinthians 4:17 – 18]

The Bible says, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” [Romans 8:18]

2. The circumstances of right now will not last. (Ill.) A famous preacher was once asked about his cerebral palsy said, “it is life-long but temporary.”

3. Why can we depend on God? God is good, all the time.

B. [v 25] DEEPEN your relationship with God.

1. “Seek the Lord.”

The Bible says, “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. [13] You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” [Jeremiah 29:11, 13]

2. Two tools:

a. Read the Bible!

b. Pray!

C. [v 26] DEVELOP trust in God.

1. [v 26] Wait quietly before God.

a. It is good to wait quietly in contrast to our know-it-all and mindless activity. It seems everyone has an answer, but only God has the solution.

b. Salvation comes from depending on God, not our efforts for salvation (ours or others).

2. Stop thrashing! (Ill.) “Quick sand” is only about waist deep. We get in trouble when we thrash.

a. Don’t panic. Panic loses perspective.

b. Don’t fear. Fear is a weapon of the enemy.

c. Give up self-effort. Depend on God’s kindness.

3. We are “programed” to not trust.

a. We tell our children “don’t talk to strangers” (for safety in today’s world, this is important).

b. We know “don’t let the salesman get a foot in the door.” (Ever let a Kirby or Rainbow sales rep. in your house?)

c. The TV commercials blare, “don’t pay more than you have too.” (It is proven that people will complain more about a $2 burger than a $20,000 car.)

4. We have to deliberately develop trust in God.
Conclusion:

1. Life can hurt. This hurt can be given to us or self-inflicted. In God there is hope because of His love.

2. Love can heal. God’s love is unfailing/covenant love. God’s love is found in “todayness.” The healing power of God’s love comes from God’s goodness.

3. Three things to do: DEPEND on God. DEEPEN your relationship with God. DEVELOP trust in God.

1 John 2:1 – 11
“Paid in full”

The IDEAL is to not sin. The REALTY is we do sin.

Confusion: One German poet wrote, “I love to sin. God Loves to forgive sin. Really, this world is admirable arranged.”

The Effect:

1. Some people give up because they are discouraged or frustrated. They think they can never be “good enough.”

2. Some people enjoy wallowing in the guild.

3. Some people us it as a license to sin. (They feel, since it is not possible then there is no point in disciplining ourselves.)

4. Some people get stuck in a cycle. (The book of Judges demonstrates that this cycle is a downward spiral.)

Confusion: One person giving a testimony said, “I ain’t what I ought to of been. I’ve stolen hogs, and told lies, and got drunk, and was always getting in fights, and shooting craps, and playing poker, and I’ve cussed and swore, but I thank the Lord there’s one thing I ain’t never done; I ain’t never lost my religion.”

PROBLEM: we put sin on a hierarchy and say some are worse than others (we recognize there are greater social implications... say between murder and lying). However, sin is still sin.

***** So how do we deal with this spiritual conflict? *****

I. We have a defense lawyer – Jesus [vv 1 – 2]

A. The “advocate.”
1. This is an image of a court room setting, we are on trial.

2. The Father is the judge and the Son is the defense lawyer.

B. The defense lawyer has already paid the penalty.

1. KJV = “propitiation” which means Jesus has satisfied the wrath of God.

2. NIV = “atoning sacrifice” which means Jesus as made full payment for our sin by being our substitute.

***** Jesus is our substitute. He took our punishment and paid the price for our sins.” *****

II. We have a pattern for our lives – Jesus [vv3 – 6]

A. God’s Word.

1. We see God at work.

2. We see God’s love in our lives.

3. This does not mean things will not go wrong or feel uncomfortable.

***** Often it is the pressure of things not going right that motivates us to follow the pattern closer. *****

(Ill.) High School shop class, learning the jig saw. We were given templates to follow. If we did not follow the template we would have a duck with no head.

***** When we get off track – sin – we need to be able to understand that there is a pattern to follow. This pattern helps us get back to where we need to be. It gives us direction. *****

B. “Walk as Jesus did.”

III. We have a basic test – our brother [vv 7 – 11]

A. Jesus identified His disciples by saying they would love one another.

1. Remember that person you’ve had a hard time with may be your neighbor in heaven (for eternity).

2. John filled out the other side when he wrote: “But whoever hates his brother is in darkness...”

a. “Brother” is singular... one (not many) become the rule not the exception.

b. In other words, it only takes one to prove that we are a liar.

B. Notice the choice is either - or between two extremes. (Love -v- Hate)

Abraham Lincoln once said “the only ground between right and wrong is battle ground.”

It is not possible to be neutral. The problem is that we would like “gray area” where we don’t have to love the person but also feel it is not right to hate the person. So we create this neutral area were we are not responsible for pro-actively loving but we are not guilty of hating either.

Conclusion: If we sin:

1. We can be forgiven. We have the best defense lawyer BLOOD can by in the Lord Jesus Christ.

2. We can get back on pattern by obeying God’s word and by imitation Jesus.

3. We can do a gut check in our attitude and behavior toward our fellow Christians as a test to see where we are...

Matthew 5:11 – 12
Persecuted in America

I. Expect external pressure.

A. Three things Jesus mentions:

1. Insult (name calling)

a. This is childish behavior.

b. The aim is public perception.

2. Persecution (government intervention)

a. These are legal attacks.

b. There is the physical use of force. (e.g. Darfur)

3. False accusations (slander)

a. These are made up stories.

b. In reality, it is a mythology surrounding Christians. (e.g. Romans believed Christians were cannibals because of communion.)

B. The situation today in America.

1. Insult

a. Christians have been called “flat-earthers.”

b. Christians have been called “hatemongers” (e.g. a Light and Life magazine article interviewing a big name Christian author who accused Free Methodists of being “hatemongers” because we see homosexuality as a sin, along with many others.)

2. Persecution

a. Students sent to the principals office for praying (silently) before meals.

b. In CA, FL, WA, anti-Christian bias in the court system is being used in custody battles.

c. Battles over the potential of church property seized for commercial interest.

d. Judge More removed from his state supreme court for the public display of the 10 Commandments (actually a Jewish symbol).

3. False accusations

a. Dobson/Focus on the Family was sued for the tragic murder (all murders are tragic) of a gay man in Nebraska (even though the crime was committed by non-Christians).

b. Creation scientists are openly discriminated against.

c. “Value” voters are told not to vote.

d. Woman fired from library for “insubordination” for not working Sundays (which she had never done in 36 years).

II. Understand what underpins the hostility is a hatred of Jesus.

A. Anti-God behavior is historic.

1. Jesus said, “they persecuted the prophets.”

a. Jesus said, “Men love darkness rather than light.”

b. light/truth will never be tolerated by those who control oppressive systems.

2. Persecution - around the world - is accelerating.

a. It is said that more Christians have died in the last 10 years than in the history of the world. (e.g. Darfur is ignored because it is CHRISTIAN)

b. The good news is that under persecution, the church expands rapidly. (e.g. A pastor in Bagdad tells how his church has grown since 2001.)

B. The reality: persecution is not about us.

1. John 15:18 – 21, Its about Jesus.

a. The would “hates” Jesus.

b. We do not belong to the world.

2. 2 Timothy 3:12, Its about lifestyle.

a. Wanting to live godly lives makes others nervous. (If someone is able then others are without excuse.)

b. Godliness is the opposite of what is wanted.

III. How should the Christian react to persecution?

A. Jesus said to “rejoice and be glad” (Matthew 5:12)

1. The Apostles were imprisoned and beaten... their response?

“The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. [42] Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.” (Acts 5:41 – 42)

2. It has been said that the mortar that has built the church was the blood of the saints.

B. Jesus said to love and pray for them. (Matthew 5:44)

1. Christianity (and the church) is simple (not easy):

a. Love God. (Matthew 22:37)

b. Love others. (Matthew 22:38)

c. Serve in love. (John 13:34)

2. Other things Jesus said to do:

a. Go the extra mile. (Matthew 5:41)

b. Turn the other cheek. (Matthew 5:39)

c. Do to others what you want done to you. (Matthew 7:12)

Isaiah 43:16 – 28
Something Old, Something New

Two hunters flew into a remote valley in Canada to hunt elk. On the way home the pilot saw they had bagged six elk. He insisted they could only carry four. The hunters protested. “The plane last year was exactly like this one. It had the same horsepower. The weather was the same. We had six elk last year.” Hearing this the pilot agreed to try.

As they stumbled from the wreckage, the one hunter asked the other if he knew were they were. “I’m not sure but I think we’re about two miles from where we crashed last year.” [Source: Unknown]

I’m not sure if trying the same thing and expecting different results is the definition of insanity or stupidity. Isaiah looks at the past but recognizes that God is doing something new.

I. God has done an awesome thing. [vv 16 – 17]

A. Israel’s history – crossing of the Red Sea.

1. God delivered them out of the bondage/slavery of Egypt.

2. God destroyed the power of the enemy.

B. The Christian’s history – the death and resurrection of Jesus.

1. God delivered the believer out of the slavery of sin.

2. God destroyed the power/dominion of sin in our lives.

C. The is both a command to remember and command to move forward.

1. We need to remember because we are so quick to forget.

2. We need to “fix our eyes on Jesus,” which is to move forward.

William Bennet said, “The reason America is great is because we tend to forget and move forward. The reason America is not great is because we tend to forget and move forward.”

D. Living in the past tends to excuse us from:

1. Attempting BIG things for God today. Thus, we do not have an impact on today.

2. Expecting great things from God today. We reason they are miracles because they don’t happen often.

3. Taking responsibility.

II. God is calling us to a new awesome thing. [vv 18 – 19]

A. Israel move from slavery into the Promised Land

1. How can slaves be transformed into a nation? The Law!

2. How can slaves acquire land? The power of God!

B. The believer today.

1. The believer is now free. Now what?

a. How do we live like freed slaves? Through the power of the Holy Spirit!

b. How are we transformed into a “royal priesthood” [1 Peter 2:9]? Through the power of the Holy Spirit!

c. We have the “power of the resurrection.” [Philippians 3:10]

2. The Bible says, “because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life sen me free from the law of sin and death.” [Romans 8:2]

C. The desert and wasteland are being transformed!

1. Israel was/had become a spiritual wasteland. God intended to change them.

2. Transformation occurs by the power of the Holy Spirit. The law could teach but it could not transform.

III. God allows us to frustrate the new thing.

A. We can ignore God. [v 22]

1. “not called” (encountered)

a. They did not respond to God.

b. They did not pray.

2. “not wearied yourselves for me” (wearied = “to gasp, exhaust”)

a. They put no effort into their spiritual life.

b. They kept up the externals but not the faith. They looked like they were alive but were dead on the inside.

B. We can withhold what God requires. [v 23]

1. “not brought burnt offerings, ... sacrifices.”

a. Tithes and offerings were not brought. The first and most sure sign of spiritual decay is when God’s people stop bringing their tithes and offerings.

b. Time and ability were not used. The second and sure sign of spiritual decay is when God’s people break the Sabbath and do not put their abilities to use for God’s glory.

“This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways. [8] Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored," says the LORD. [9] "You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?" declares the LORD Almighty. "Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house.” [Haggai 1:7 – 9]

2. Meanwhile, we make all sorts of demands on God. External things have become more important than God.

C. We can disobey God. [v 24]

1. “Sin” refers to habits that are offensive to God.

2. “Offenses” means perversion with fault.

3. “Transgressions” [v 25] means rebellion.

4. “Transgressed” [v 27] means to break away from.

Eventually externals become pointless.

Even when we frustrate the work of God in our lives... God is still at work. We just keep ourselves from enjoying the blessing and the good things God wants to do for us.
To Do:

1. Rejoice in what God has done. It is the foundation of the future, not the completed work.

2. Be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit.

3. Check the steps we take away from God. The best cure is to respond to God.

Colossians 1:1 – 14
“Real Christianity”

What is a Christian? Is it someone who goes to Church? An American? Someone who has had a “born again” experience?

I. The essentials of Christian life. (Three basics.)

A. FAITH in Christ Jesus (v 4)

1. Ephesians 2:8

a. We cannot work for or earn our salvation.

b. Two things:

1.) God’s grace (kindness) reaches into our lives (God takes the initiative).

2.) We respond. This is called “faith.”

2. Romans 14:23

a. Faith is the “active ingredient” of the Christian.

b. Our response to God transforms our actions.

c. Faith becomes the line between sin and righteousness.

3. Hebrews 11:6

***** Faith, our response to God is where it all begins. *****

B. LOVE for all the saints (v 4).

1. Christ like love.

a. Unconditional

b. Sacrificial

c. Cannot be offended

d. Doesn’t keep score

2. Begins with those closest to you.

a. Home

b. Church

***** Faith and Love compel us to lead a “changed life.” They alter our sense of life, that is called “hope.”

C. HOPE comes from the “gospel.” (v 5)

1. “Gospel” means “good news.”

2. People of hope have good news for the world.

3. Transformation that:

a. Produce fruit

b. Growth

4. By God’s grace... God says that people can be changed.

***** As our lives change we realize: *****

II. The practical Christian life.

A. Intelligent Christians.

1. (v 6) Hear and understand.

2. (v 9) God will fill u s with the knowledge of His will.

a. “filled” (lit.) “to be made complete.”

b. knowledge is according to what God gives us (not a total dumping of everything).

c. “full knowledge” of God’s will.

1.) Spiritual wisdom

2.) Spiritual understanding

B. Responsive Christian.

1. (v 10) “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord.”

a. holiness, obedience

b. as Jesus would live

2. (v 10) “please Him in all respects”

3. (v 10) “bearing fruit”

4. (v 10) “increasing in the knowledge of God”

C. Strong Christians

1. (v 11) “strengthened with all power”

a. We often see ourselves as “weak.”

b. This strength comes from God’s strength

2. (v 11) “steadfastness” = endurance

3. (v 11) “patience”

4. (v 11) “joyously giving thanks to the Father.”

***** Faith, Hope, and Love are essentials so we can become: Intelligent (thinking and knowing God’s will), Responsive (living holy lives, doing God’s will), becoming strong Christians. All this gives the impression of the rescued Christian life. *****

III. The rescued Christian life.

A. From the old structures

1. (v 13) “dominion of darkness.” (lit.) “authority of darkness”

a. Darkness means we can see, wander aimlessly, run into things, hurt ourselves.

b. Darkness means we hide or sins instead of dealing with them.

c. Darkness is a general reference to being:

1.) A slave to sin.

2.) Under Satan’s dictatorship.

2. Old structures of thought that control us are broken.

B. “Transformed us into the kingdom of His beloved son.” (v 13)

1. Literally this means “moved” from one kingdom to another.

2. (v 14) “redemption”

3. (v 14) “forgiveness of sins”

There will not be a post this week.

I was away last week at the annual meeting of the Evangelical Homiletics Society. It was great to meet many of the people who write the books used to teach homiletics. It was humbling to be in the company of earnest and godly scholars. The papers presented were interesting and on the advanced edge of both education and preaching in the current American culture.

As many of you know, the EHS accepted a paper I proposed. I was an alternate presenter, (in other words, I didn't) but consider it an honor to be published at this event.

I will publish again next week. Thank you for your patience.

Mark 6:1 – 6
Surprising Jesus


Jesus is “amazed at their lack of faith.” So how could something, anything, surprise Jesus? [Theological issue: Jesus was “limited” as part of His experiencing humanity.]

What was it about these people that surprised Jesus?

1. The fact, “Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor,” is expected. Jesus noted this as if He were saying “everyone knows this...” It is quoted in all four gospels (Mt 13:57, Mk 6:4, Lk 4:24, Jn 4:44). Oddly enough, this seems to be a non-biblical proverb. Kind of like our “familiarity breeds contempt.” Its just something everyone knows. Its community wisdom observed as a truth. So their rejection of him, based on familiarity should not surprise Jesus.

2. They apparently were Jews, worshiping in the local synagogue [v2]. We get the impression that the Jews of that day were looking for a deliverer they called the Messiah. The Messiah was the promised King of Israel, who was in the line of David. These people were privileged by this expectation in many ways. While the rest of the world was ignorant, they had accurate information. Sure, many were discouraged, but there were people who were working to bring back the King. Maybe, for some, that hope was kindled when they recognized the wisdom of Jesus words and the power of His actions [v2]. Yet, privilege does not lead a person to truth. Jesus said that over and over, so it should not surprise Him that they did not recognize the King of Kings.

3. Why did they “trip(ped) over what little they knew about (H)im” [The Message]? Well they went through a process described by Gordon Allport in “The Psychology of a Rumor.” In order to handle everything they were experiencing, they condensed Jesus life [v 3]. This is called “leveling.” Its always from our perspective. Notice the details are from their experience with Jesus and leave out important details that would disturb their world view. They “sharpened” the details, in essence reducing Jesus to “just” a carpenter. Then they “assimilated” it all into an idea: Jesus was not the expected King, but Jesus was acting like it. Their response, “And they took offense at him.” [v 3] One of the key things that Jesus kept saying was, “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” [Mark 4:23] So, He knew people would not always acquire, process, remember, or speak information correctly. Their faulty ability to process the evidence before them is nothing new, so this did not surprise Jesus.

(Ill.) A man who lived on Long Island was able one day to satisfy a lifelong ambition by purchasing for himself a very fine barometer. When the instrument arrived at his home, he was extremely disappointed to find that the indicating needle appeared to be stuck, pointing to the sector marked "HURRICANE." After shaking the barometer very vigorously several times, its new owner sat down and wrote a scorching letter to the store from which he had purchased the instrument. The following morning on the way to his office in New York, he mailed the letter.

That evening he returned to Long Island to find not only the barometer missing, but his house also. The barometer's needle had been right--there was a hurricane! [E. Schuyler English.]

4. If we sum up these people, it would seem they indulged in three behavioral attitudes.

They were SKEPTICAL. The communal posturing toward Jesus was the He was “just” a carpenter, nothing special.

Maybe they were being SELFISH. They were unwilling to admit that someone from their town was special, which meant that they were not...

In other words, they were STUBBORN, which comes from selfish arrogance. The bottom line is that it seemed, for the most part, they did not want anything special. Because if they admitted, that Jesus was special it would mean they could not comfortably go on with life. They would have to do something about what they knew.

A thousand years before Jesus was surprised, the prophet Samuel said to a stubborn King: “To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance (“stubbornness” = other translations) like the evil (“sin” other translations) of idolatry.” [1 Samuel 15:22b - 23a]

5. As a result, “(Jesus) could not do any miracles there...” [v 5]. Now that surprises us! How is that the Creator of the universe could not do any miracles?

Maybe to understand the answer, we need to look at the only other time Jesus was ever surprised. We find the story in Matthew 8:5 – 13.

6. Here is an officer in the Roman army who’s faith “astonished” Jesus. The Romans were an occupying force that the expected King was supposed to defeat. So, you wouldn’t think that this natural enemy would be a likely candidate for having the kind of faith that could surprise Jesus. Yet, the centurion was desperate. Or maybe we should say uncomfortable. The situation of one of his servants was desperate. He must have loved the servant to take such a big chance.

7. Here it is: the centurion’s faith (which surprised Jesus in both cases, one’s lack of and the other’s “abundance” of faith) led him to take a risk which involved humbling himself and appealing to Jesus. For all his authority, he was powerless and sought out one whom he believed had authority to heal. Maybe it was his understanding of authority that allowed him to trust Jesus. The bottom line is that he acted on this trust. One the other hand, what surprised Jesus in the first story was their lack of faith.

“Faith is not merely your holding on to God--it is God holding on to you. He will not let you go!” – E. Stanley Jones.

8. In another place, the Bible put it this way: “faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” [James 2:17b] You can say you have faith, or believe, or trust God, until the cows come home (they are not smart enough to do so on their own) but unless you act like it, it does you no good. Your faith is worthless at best and dead at worst. We are like those cows out in the field, looking silly while suffering through life. (Ill. of a bottle of medicine... or car keys...)


a. Are you skeptical or do you take faith-based risk? When was the last time you took a public stand for Jesus and laid your reputation on the line, so that something special would happen, like the centurion?

b. Are you selfish or trusting? The town’s people only cared about what they thought and saw, the centurion acted for someone else’s benefit.

c. Are you stubborn or do you really want God to do something special? If you do, what do you need to do that you cannot do yourself?

“Faith does not operate in the realm of the possible. There is no glory for God in that which is humanly possible. Faith begins where man's power ends.” – George Muller.

What is this going to look like? It will mean a public confession of faith. Have you made one or are you still in the closet? It will mean a public trusting for healing, not just asking for prayer. It will mean serious prayer, corporate prayer. Scripture (and history) seems to indicate that God scales His movement in proportion to the church’s corporate prayer life. It will mean that we just might have to get out of the comfortable, safe boat, and walk on water.

Did you notice that in the town, “He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them.” [Mark 6:5] To put this bluntly, I want to be the exception in today’s world/church. How about you?

1 Corinthians 11:17 – 32
World Communion Day

[Please note all Scripture referred to and given is NIV unless marked otherwise.]

I. Churches are diverted by division.

A. The Corinthians were divided.

1. 1 Corinthians 3:3 – “You are still worldly.” “You are still carnal.” [NKJV]

a. The Message notes that worldly/carnal Christians are “content only when everything’s going your way.”

b. The ROOT CONDITION of worldliness/carnality creates all sorts of problems.

2. 1 Corinthians 3:3 – “jealousy and quarreling.”

a. Rather than acting like Saints, these sinful behaviors indicate carnality.

b. The behavior is infantile.

3. I Corinthians 3:4 – “I follow... I follow.”

a. The symptom of the sins, which is rooted in carnality, is division.

b. What happens is the eyes are off Jesus and put on human teachers.

B. Division has a certain set of problems.

1. Division does more harm than good.

2. Division brings out the worst side of (otherwise good) people.

3. When brought to worship, division profanes the name of God and desecrates God’s church.

C. The image of the offering is important.

1. Between the Old Testament and the New Testament there is an important shift in the role of the offering and who offers it.

a. In the Old Testament the offering/sacrifice was offered as a reminder of sin and an expectation of Jesus work. It was BROUGHT BY PEOPLE TO GOD.

b. In the New Testament the offering/sacrifice was offered for permanently atonement for sin. It was GIVEN BY GOD AND IS TO BE CELEBRATED BY PEOPLE (communion).

c. In both the O. T. and the N. T. The right heart is seen in doing it the right way.

2. Malachi addressed this issue:

a. The offerings being offered were “defiled” [Malachi 1:7] because they were less than the best that could be offered. God saw this has “contemptible.”

b. The priests encouraged it!

1.) God was not the priority.

2.) Worship was second place to convenience, ease, being non-offensive, etc...

II. Churches are delivered through discipline.

A. Sickness and death are a result of sin BUT sometimes it is the result of discipline/judgement.

1. At “the Fall,” when Adam and Eve first sinned, we were plunged into “the Curse.”

a. It means we are separated from God.

b. It means that separation has physical, emotional, and spiritual consequences that are beyond our control.

2. This Curse is a mild form of relief.

a. Imagine the most evil people never dying.

b. Death has a limiting effect on the evil we are capable of achieving.

B. Discipline is a GOOD thing!

1. The Bible says, “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. . . If you are not disciplined, . . . then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.” [Hebrews 12:7a, 8]

a. Discipline can be painful.

b. Discipline is directional [God is attempting to bring change].

c. Discipline indicates ownership (the father/son relationship) and is driven by love.

2. What are the steps God uses?

a. It starts with weakness, moves to sickness, and may end in death (assuming there is no repentance).

b. God starts with a gentle nudge (weakness), then a painful reminder (sickness), and may have to take extreme measures (death).

***** We can take this to mean the individual (who celebrate communion as individuals) BUT THE CONTEXT IS CORPORATE! In other words, this process HAPPENS TO CHURCHES.

C. How do churches cycle?

1. A church becomes spiritually weakened when God is not the priority.
Jesus told the Ephesian church: “Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.” [Revelation 2:4]

2. A church becomes seriously sick when God is left out.

Jesus pleaded with the Laodicean church: “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! . . . Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” [Revelation 3:15, 20]

3. Extreme measures must be eventually taken against an unrepentant church to protect the honor of God and the true church.

Jesus warned: “Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I WILL COME TO YOU AND REMOVE YOUR LAMPSTAND FROM ITS PLACE.” [Revelation 2:5] [emphasis mine]

III. Churches will dispute this to their death bed.
A. Isn’t this really about “leadership?” [If we only had the right pastor...]

1. Yes, when spiritual leaders look the other way while churches are being torn apart by jealousy and division.

2. Yes, when spiritual leader settle for less than the best.

3. No, these are individual decisions (made by people) that shape the corporate identity.

B. But, I am right, “they” are wrong!

1. What does it matter? Infant behavior wants its own way, adult behavior refuses to throw a temp tantrum because it was offended or didn’t get their own way.

2. Grumbling against someone else is an attempt to shift responsibility and ownership to others. This causes division because people have to take sides and sit in judgement on hearsay and fragments of information.

“Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.” [Titus 3:10 – 11]

IV. What does this have to do with communion?

A. To come to this table, you must come with a right heart. [v 27]

1. “Unworthy manner = guilty of sinning.”

2. Not doing so puts us in the same crowd that mocked Jesus at the cross.

B. To come to this table, you must examine your motives. [v 28]

1. Paul instructed, “A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.”

2. A wrong heart will never lead us to the right way.

3. A right heart will move us away from our carnality, the sin it causes, and the symptomatic problems they cause.

C. Honor Jesus. [v 29]

1. Recognizing what is happening restores “holy awe.”

2. Stop chasing the emotional high that comes from the divisive games we play with on another.

D. Accept discipline by repenting (before it is too late). [v 32]

1. God loves us to much to let us get away with destructive behavior patterns.

2. When we engage in destructive behavior patterns, we don’t just hurt each other, we dishonor God and desecrate God’s church.

The Bible says, “Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? [17] Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.” [1 Corinthians 10:16 – 17]

***** You see, in communion, we are united. Divided communion is impossible. Yet, there will be those who come to this table today who are divided. We are divided by denominational lines and theological distinctives; better known as labels. We are divided by personal likes and dislikes. We are divided by personal histories and an unforgiving spirit. Maybe that is why so many of us are weak, sick, and dying. Maybe that is why so many churches are weak, sick, and dying.

You see, in communion, we have opportunity to repent. When we repent, we set wrong thing right.
You see, in communion, we also have the release and joy of forgiveness... both asked for and given. *****

Romans 8:15 – 39
“Life on the wings of a promise”

The story is told of a plane on a long trip. At one point the pilot announces that one engine is in trouble. “Don’t worry,” the pilot announces, “the plan has three engines and we can easily fly on one if we need to, but we will be a half hour late.” It wasn’t much longer before the pilot made a second announcement, “We are experiencing problems with another engine and we will be about two hours late.” At this point, one passenger turned to another and said, “I hope we don’t lose the third engine or we’ll be up here all day!”
Some of us have been flying on one engine and its been in trouble for a long time. Paul has just taken us through a very difficult concept; sin in the believer and the necessity for sanctification. Before going on, he pauses to encourage us. [Source: Unknown]

I. The hard times we face now do not compare to what is promised.

A. Why do we face hard times now?

1. [v 20] All creation is held back by the Curse.

a. The Curse is a result of sin.

b. Around us and inside us we have “impurity, deformity, and infirmity” [Matthew Henry]

2. Individuals, by nature, are separated from God.

a. The Bible says: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” [Romans 3:23]

b. Sin is the root of EVERY problem, misery, and pain.

3. Others may hurt us.

a. We are abused by sin.

b. As instruments of sin, we abuse others.

4. There is systemic evil that drives nations, corporations, and denominations.

a. e.g. The greed for riches.

b. e.g. Pride which drives us for prestige.

c. e.g. Unwillingness to humble ourselves before God.

B. The believer has patience and confidence in hope.

1. The believer longs for full deliverance from sin, suffering, death, and decay. [v 21]

a. At the moment everything is effected.

b. At the moment we are in process. [v 22]

1.) Wesley, “Our salvation is now only in hope. We do not yet possess this full salvation.”

2.) The Bible expresses salvation in three tenses: “we have been saved,” “we are being saved,” “we will be saved.” There is a “already but not yet” quality about salvation.

3.) The ideal track is to move us from sin to salvation and into sanctification and service.

2. The believer joyfully expects to gain the promise in Jesus. [v 23]

a. [v 25] The promise of full rights of adopted children.

b. [v 25] The promise of new bodies that are incorruptible.

c. FACT: This world will not continue in depravity, misery, and meaninglessness.

II. We are not alone in our weakness. [v 25]

A. The Holy Spirit helps us. [v 26]

1. We do not know how/what to pray. [v 26]

a. It doesn’t matter!

Matthew Henry: “The Spirit makes intercession to God, and the enemy prevails not.”

Paul asked to be healed. Instead he got something else.

b. The Holy Spirit knows us and our condition. [v 27]

c. The Holy Spirit knows God’s mind and will. [v 27]
The Holy Spirit directs our prayers. BTW, not all prayers use words...

2. We do have a promise. [v 28]

a. God’s intention is for us to be in harmony with His will. [v 27]

b. Thus, God works in the circumstances of our lives. [v 28]

c. God has purpose for us! [v 28]
Rick Warren: nothing will revive/renew a person or church more than finding a purpose.

B. God the Father is helping us. [v 28]

1. He decided to shape our lives to be like Jesus. [v 29]

a. “Predestined” means God decided in advance.

b. The pattern is Jesus.

2. The idea is to RESTORE what was lost to the Curse.

a. It puts God on our side, again. [v 31]

b. In fact, God did everything for us. [v 32]

c. When God justifies, all accusations are answered. [v 34]

III. Have you noticed we still struggle?

A. God does not promise to remove us from the struggle.

1. The promise is for us to be “more than conquerors.”

a. A conqueror is some who wins the war and is celebrated.

b. A conqueror may lose many battles on the way to winning complete victory in the war.

2. The struggle is good for us.

a. It is part of the shaping process.

b. It draws us deeper into dependence on God.

c. It draws us deeper into relationship with God.

B. God does promise that NOTHING (person, circumstance, or problem) will ever separate us from His love. [vv 35, 38 – 39]

1. No human generated instance can separate us from God’s love. [v 35]

a. What about social or legal threats? [Paul spent many years in jail.]

b. What about government oppression? [Nero’s persecution.]

c. What about war and poverty? [70 A.D. Fall of Jerusalem.]

2. No spiritual related instance. [v 38]

a. What about death? [“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21]

b. What about uncertainty? [“That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.” Titus 1:12]

c. What about direct demonic attack? [“But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9]

3. No natural generated instance.

The Message put it this way: “Nothing fazes us because Jesus loves us... because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.”

IV. How does one get these things?

A. “You don’t know what you don’t know” if you are without Jesus.

1. Heaven is a free gift, it can not be earned or deserved.

2. As humans we all fall short and are unable, by our own actions and efforts, to reach heaven.

3. God follows His own rules but He also takes the initiative to wake us up so we don’t have to suffer.

4. Jesus, being eternal and Almighty God, paid with His blood to cover all our wrong, all our mistakes, all our short-falls, so we can reach heaven.

5. You have to trust what Jesus did on the cross and at the empty tomb. That means you give up any and all hope of reaching heaven yourself. Instead, you reach for Jesus and let Him take you to heaven.
[based on James Kennedy’s “Evangelism Explosion.”]

B. Use the pain for gain.

1. If you are sick, you go to doctor (or some medical person who knows what they are doing).

a. When you are hurting, go to God! [“On hearing this, Jesus said to them, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.’” Mark 2:17]

b. Like a child going to dad. [v 14] (BTW, I used to run to Mom for comfort, to Dad for solutions.)

2. Keep it in perspective.

a. There is NO comparison. [v 18]

Matthew Henry: “The suffering of the saints strike no deeper than the things of time, last no longer than the present time. . .”

b. If you are a believer (true religion of the heart), God IS on your side. [v 32].

On evil speaking as distorting reality

“Universal Process of Distortion”

Step one: “leveling”

To make the event/words easier to memorize, details are condensed or left out. Typically this changes the meaning.

We make choices on what details we remember either willfully or unconsciously.
• When we make them deliberately, it may be sin.
• When we make them unconsciously, it may be spiritual warfare (the devil interfering).
• Since we are emotional creatures we hear what we want to hear according to how we feel at the moment. (Selective listening)
• We are also sensitive to context.
• We may not have the skills to listen correctly. (Our background)

It is part of the sinful heritage of this world. The Bible says, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure [desperately wicked]. Who can understand it?”

Jesus was concerned about this! He said, “Therefore consider carefully how you listen.” [Luke 8:18a]

Step two: “sharpening”

The details that remain are made specific.

We take what we think we remember and begin to interpret.
• This is called “translation.” Since we all filter information, we must take what comes through those filters and translate it into useful information.
• When something does not make sense, we then add filler information. Typically this is judgmental. In other words, we are trying to discover or explain “why” a person would say or do what we think we remember them doing.
• This is called “projection” because the only point of view for judging another’s motives, words, or actions is our own. For instance, when we judge someone’s behavior or words to be dishonest it’s because we would be dishonest if we had done or said what we think we remember.

Jesus put it this way: “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” [Matthew 7:1]

Step three: “assimilation”

The details are changed to make sense. The idea is to interpret significance.

We take information and try to make it mean something.
• Typically this is when we begin to “generalize” what we think we remember. One becomes a representative of all. For instance, someone may have said something wrong in one instance. When we hear it in another instance, probably from a different person, we assume that it is wrong (or intended to hurt).
• These generalizations become part of how we filter information.
• Thus, significance is selective... probably constructed from selective pieces of information that we think we have remembered. In reality we have remembered selectively, shaped things to fit what we (want to) understand, then reinforced them as significant.

God commanded His people, “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live.” [Deut. 4:9a]

The three steps are from Gordon Allport “The Psychology of a Rumor”

Romans 8:5 – 15
The Spirit of Bondage and of Adoption

[Based on Wesley sermon #9]

Introduction:

1. Paul speaks to those who are the children of God through faith.

2. Those influenced by fear are not the children of God.

3. The bulk of the “Christian” world does not have either a fear of God or a love of God.

4. Three states to be in:

a. “natural” –> no fear or love of God.

b. “legal” –> under bondage of sin; fear of the wrath of God.

c. “grace” –> Spirit of love.

I. The “natural” state.

A. The person is spiritually asleep.

1. There is no desire to know spiritual things.

2. They are ignorant of God and do not have a concept of holiness.

B. The person is at rest.

1. They do not see the danger. Therefore, they do not have fear.

2. They define things outwardly but do not see the heart issue.

3. They may think Christ came to save people IN sin, not FROM sin. The result is the idea that God wants to bring them to heaven WITHOUT holiness.

C. The person has a false sense of security.

1. This is because they are “utterly ignorant” of themselves.

2. They live in a state of “self-deception” and think there is some level of understanding if they know a couple of facts.

D. The effects of the natural state:

1. There is an illusion of happiness, wisdom, and goodness.

a. Sin has its pleasure, but it is for a season.

b. Some think it is ok if the “do no harm.”

2. The “opiate of sin” creates an illusion of liberty.

a. The person is free from enthusiasm, superstition, and bigotry... so they think.

b. The person is free from holiness, “religion of the heart,” and from the mind of Christ.

3. The reality is slavery.

a. The person is not troubled by sin, feels no condemnation, and thinks sin is inescapable.

b. The person remains a willing servant of sin, content with the bondage of corruption, and inward and outwardly unholy.

4. This person may be a “scandalous transgressor” or a “reputable and decent sinner.”

a. They may have a form of godliness (but deny its power).

b. But they have never had a conviction of sin or felt a need to repent.

II. The “legal” state (“under the law”).

***** Caution: This is a TEMPORARY state. A person cannot remain here.

A. They are “awakened.”

1. They are awakened, perhaps slowly, maybe suddenly.

2. They understand the true danger and there is fear.

3. They see God as loving and merciful BUT also a “consuming fire.”

B. The meaning of the law of God shows itself.

1. They understand its also about the things they cannot see.

2. For instance, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus noted:

a. Hate was murder.

b. Lust was adultery.

C. They see self-effort as inadequate and frustrating.

1. When humans first sinned, we tried to cover our shame with leaves.

a. The exercise of religion is a poor pretense for forgiveness.

b. The excuses for sinning are miserable and wretched.

2. There is a painful awareness of sin.

a. The person knows that they deserve to be cast into the unquenchable fire of hell.

b. The things that drugged them into spiritual sleep become misery and there is remorse as fear sets into the person.

D. The desire to break loose from sin is important.

1. The person “struggles with sin, yet sins on.”

a. The freedom of the will is free only to sin.

b. The more they struggle the more the weight of guilt.

1.) There is outward sin, because we are disposed to it through our nature, customs, or circumstances.

2.) The is always some inward sin, such as an “evil temper” or “unholy affection.”

2. The person cycles.

a. They cycle between repentance and sinning.

b. This is the struggle of one under “the spirit of fear and bondage.”

***** Unfortunately, when people turn back at this point, this is the impression they get of Christianity. *****

III. The state of “grace” which includes love for God.

A. They cry out to God for deliverance.

1. They need to be FORGIVEN and FREED.

2. They find in Christ the glorious love of God.

B. The power of sin is broken at the cross.

1. Galatians 2:20.

2. The person not only fights but conquers because they do not yield as instruments of unrighteousness.

C. Controlled by the Holy Spirit.

1. They love God.

2. They are at peace with God.
Summary:

1. The “natural:”

a. neither fears nor loves God.

b. no light, no conviction, no pain of sin.

c. false peace.

d. sins willingly.

e. neither fights nor conquers sin.

2. The “legal:”

a. fears God.

b. lives in the painful light of the fires of hell.

c. no peace.

d. sins unwillingly.

e. fights with sin but cannot permanently conquer.

3. Under “grace:”

a. loves God. (It is not about what I have to do or not do; its about what I WANT TO do.)

b. lives in the joyous light of heaven.

c. true peace.

d. does not PRACTICE sin.

e. fights and conquers sin because they are yielded to God.

IV. Conclusion:

A. Sincerity is not relevant!

1. You can be sincere in sin or in fear.

2. The Bible says, “Examine yourselves, whether you be in the faith.”

a. What is the principle ruling your life? Is it the love of God? Is it the fear of God? Is it neither?

b. Do you commit sin willingly? Unwillingly? The Bible says “He that committeth (continues to practice) sin is of the devil.”

B. Reality check... there is a frequent mixing of states.

1. The natural mixed with the legal:

a. Few are so fast asleep that they sometimes are more or less awakened.

b. People can be shocked out of sleep, but not for long.

c. However, conviction is seldom allowed to sink deep into their souls because it does hurt.

2. The state of grace with the legal (in essence this is the battle ground).

a. Few who truly reach the state of fear and bondage always remain without hope.

b. God responds to those who desire to break away from sin. We cry out and God answers.

c. Either we will drop back to being asleep or we will find peace in submitting to Go.

Romans 7:14 – 8:5
Moving from Despair to Design

I. Spiritual defeat causes despair.

(NIV = “unspiritual,” KJV = “carnal,” – this happens when we focus on the flesh [v 14].)

A. Spiritually we are divided [vv 15 – 18].

1. Born with a sinful nature that continues to draw us toward sin. [Romans 8:7 states that the “carnal mind” is at war with God.]

2. Part of us wants to do right and avoid wrong, but the task is impossible.
James 1:8 talks about the “double-minded” person being “unstable.” Instability affects everything in life... even if you do not realize it.

Righteousness cannot exist with sin. It is an either or situation, not both and.

B. Sin naturally increases its domination [vv 16 – 23].

1. Sin controls its slaves.

a. [v 17] “it is sin living in me.”

b. [v 18] “nothing good lives in me.”

c. [v 20] “it is sin living in me that does it.”

d. [v 23] “a prision.”

Sin gives us that “out of control” feeling because spiritually we are beyond our control [Romans 8:8] and cause frustration.

2. Sin is like vines which “so easily entangles” [Hebrews 12:1]. They grow slowly around the tree, around the branches...

a. It is a slow process (for some) and we miss what is happening.

b. It creates huge complications and emotional dependence.

As a reality of the situation sets in, we begin to understand the huge cost... when we begin to suspect the eternal consequences... we understand that we are helpless.
“The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.”

C. Spiritually we are totally defeated by sin [v 24].

1. Defeat can cause despair.

a. So we try to get around sin by avoidance tactics.

1.) We “don’t care.”

2.) We “anaesthetize” (“self-medicate” with alcohol, other drugs, amusement, work, family, sex, and the next sin.)

b. We don’t want to admit defeat.

Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked (NIV “beyond cure.”); who can know it?” (The next verse says only God does.)

2. We will lie to ourselves for as long as it takes to ignore reality.

a. But it does not change the fact that we are strapped to “this body of death.”

b. In reality, we are a “wretched man.”

II. The defeated person can be delivered.

A. The source of deliverance [7:25 – 8:2].

1. Go has made two provisions:

a. Jesus Christ made “atonement.”

b. Holy Spirit gives power for every day life.

2. Important to understand we can not deliver ourselves!

Because we cannot deliver ourselves, we must depend on the one who can deliver us. This guarantees us that deliverance is done right and is enough.

B. The deliverance is enough [8:2 – 4]

1. God – the judge – has declared that we are set free from the law (control) of sin.

a. The law – our own efforts – could not set us free.

b. Something other than the law must enter the situation to set us free.

c. God sent Jesus.

2. What happened? Jesus took our place and the result is that God gave us Jesus righteousness.

C. God’s deliverance satisfies the soul.

1. God condemned sin...

2. Spiritual defeat is caused by sin and forms guilt and despair.

God has now condemned sin, freed us from its slavery, He has given us victory. We are delivered from sin but we are delivered to life.

III. God’s design is a dedicated life [8:2 – 5].

A. The purpose of the design: holiness [8:5].

1. What is holiness?

a. It is one of the descriptions of God.

b. It is the quality God asks for most (even more than love).

2. Definition:

a. It means to be separate from the world... in other words, DIFFERENT... like light and dark.

b. It means to be dedicated/consecrated... in other words, WILLING.

c. It means to be filled and used by God.

3. The reason: God wants holy people because He is holy.

God wants holiness that is real, not “projected, pretended, or professed.” (McLaren)

B. The power of the design: mind set [8:5].

1. You chose what you desire, that is a mind set.

2. The mind set of the Spirit filled Christian:

a. ...will not entertain temptation.

b. ...will not give the devil a foothold.

c. ...will not expose themselves to sin.

d. ...will have our mind set, trained with the things of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 7:1 – 12
The Law and its use.

[From John Wesley sermon 34]

The concept of the Law (of Moses, not a general legal code) maybe one of the most misunderstood subjects in theology. In the Old Testament Law, there is a moral, civil, and ceremonial code. Let’s look at what Paul was saying when he talked about the Law.

I. The origin of the Law:

A. The moral Law was established at the “beginning.” It had three components.

1. “Understanding” – The ability to discern truth from falsehood. This came from the Word of God.

2. “Liberty” – The capacity of choosing the one and refusing the other.

3. “Love” – The offering of a free and willing service as acceptable and pleasing to God.

B. The Law is a complete model of all truth.

1. It is intelligible to a finite being. It is clear an not difficult to understand, unless it is corrupted.

2. It makes provision for increasing happiness.

3. It is put in the heart of every person so everyone is “without excuse.” [Romans 1:20]

II. The nature of the Law:

A. What it is NOT:

1. The Law is not the “ceremonial code.”

a. The ceremonial code described the “how to” offer what sacrifice and when to observe what event.

b. The ceremonial code does not show us sin, it imposes a discipline as a consequence of sin.

2. The Law is not a “dispensation.”

a. Under the Law, a person is justified and lives by faith. Faith is the only dispensation (means of salvation) humans have ever had.

b. The blood of bulls and goats must be constantly repeated. This means the lack of their power.

B. The Law is the “moral code.”

1. It is an incorruptible picture of Almighty God.

a. God is manifested to His creatures AS THE ARE ABLE TO BEAR IT.

b. It is the heart of God, disclosed to us.

2. It is all virtues in one.

a. The original idea of truth and good.

b. It is unchangeable reason.

3. It is a copy of the eternal mind of God.

a. It reflects God’s divine nature.

b. It is rooted in God’s holiness.

III. The properties of the Law of God:

A. The Law is holy.

1. Holy describes the Law’s nature not effects!

2. “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all PURE; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” [James 3:17, emphasis mine]

3. It is not the cause of sin, it exposes sin.

a. It exposes sin by taking away the disguise.

b. It eliminates the excuses by insisting, “this is what God wants.”

4. Because it exposes sin, we react AGAINST it [Romans 7:7 – 11].

a. Paul notes that sin “seizing the opportunity...”

b. Sin is deceptive.

B. The Law is just.

1. The Law describes what is right.

a. It describes precisely what ought to be done, said, or thought.

b. It is suited to everyone’s circumstances.

1.) “All people.”

2.) “At all times.”

3.) “Everywhere.” [from Josh McDowell]

2. Problem: We tend to separate “God’s will” from God.

a. The immutable (unchangeable) rule of right and wrong depends on the nature and fitness of things in their essential relationship to one another.

b. The nature and relations of all things depends on God, because God created all things.

c. Sometimes God wills something because it is right in relationship (e.g. children honoring parents).

d. However, it is right (and good) in all things (e.g. “Love your enemies.”)

C. The Law is good.

1. It is good because it is a reflection of God’s goodness (character).

2. It is good because it is an expression of God’s goodness (action).

3. It is good in its effects.

IV. The uses of the Law:

A. The Law convinces the world of sin.

1. This is the work of the Holy Spirit.

2. “By this is the sinner discovered to himself.” [John Wesley]

B. The Law destroys the false.

1. False things are exposed and change is demanded.

2. The Law makes clear we are void of all spiritual life.

C. The Law points to life through Jesus Christ.

1. It serves as a “school master” to drive us by force (if necessary) to the only source of salvation... Jesus Christ.

2. Only love can tear away our confidence in the flesh.

D. The Law keeps us alive in Christ.

1. The Law prepares us for the life of God (vs the “Self-Life”).

a. It deals with the sin that remains.

b. It teaches dependence on God for strength to do what He commands.

c. It gives hope of what is yet to come.

d. It opens the door to receive “grace upon grace.”

2. It allows us to “obey.”

Romans 6:1 – 18
How to know you are sanctified

John Wesley’s five questions:

1. “Have I made a total consecration to Christ?”

***** Is there an identifiable time when you made a complete consecration of everything? This tends to be “the last straw” were the “one” area you didn’t/don’t want to commit/submit to the Lord. Or maybe it is the “one” thing you have not been able to let go that you sense is creating distance between you and God.. *****

2. “Do I have power over willful sin?”

***** Can you say there is no KNOWN and WILFUL sin your life right now? If there is a known and willful sin, then it may block your sense of “assurance.” *****

3. “Have I experienced a distinct increase in love?”

***** Has God changed your orientation toward others? There is cleansing (from bitterness, grudges, malice, ill will, envy, hate, etc...) and freedom (to actually love other people, especially those you would judges to be “unlovable”)? This love is “active love,” where you are pursuing the best for others. *****

4. “Is obedience the consuming passion of my heart?”

***** There is a problem with “perfect” (meaning “flawless”). We fall short of God’s flawless standard of performance every day. John Wesley disliked the word “perfect” because it was egotistical (which is opposite what sanctification is about). “Perfect” gives the impression there is no room for growth or continual maturity, or that the product is finished or complete. The real issue of sanctification is “who is in control.” Is the central force (not a high priority) in life obedience to God? Please note, this is a matter of submission of the will to God, not feeling. Wesley suggested the real need was “perfection of intention” so that one would have an “undivided heart.” *****

5. “Does the Spirit witness to my heart?”

***** This is a question of evidence. Do you know for sure, or is it wishful thinking? It’s like being in love. (See Deuteronomy 15:12 – 17) *****

Romans 6:15 – 23

I. Does sin matter?

A. We have a choice... why not sin?

1. Some acts of freedom [sin] destroy freedom.

2. Some acts of submission [righteousness] create freedom.

(Ill.) Imagine a fence. Inside the fence is a dangerous junkyard with all sorts of things that hurt, harm, cut, bruise, maim, destroy, and kill. Outside the fence is freedom and safety. Inside the fence of sin we are in captivity to lots of things that will damage us. Outside, we are free and safe.

B. Does sin matter?

1. Sin leads to death (physical, spiritual, and eternal).

2. Obedience leads to life.

II. How does it work?

A. You have two choices:

1. You can choose between impurity and righteousness [which is a choice of attitude].

2. You can choose between deepening wickedness and deepening holiness [which is a choice of direction].

B. You can choose the consequences:

1. Who and what controls you determines what you are set free from.

a. Sin makes you free from righteousness [the obligation to do right].

b. Holiness makes you free from the emptiness, shame, and eternal consequences of sin.

2. Ultimately who/what you serve determines your eternal destiny (not what you profess or say you serve).

III. What’s the other side?

A. Theological arguments:

1. “We are saved through faith alone.”

a. Yes, but faith is reflected in our behavior.

b. The Bible says, “You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.” James 2:24 [Context is the err of “faith alone” as being sufficient.]

c. WHAT WE DO REFLECTS/BETRAYS WHAT WE BELIEVE.

2. “If we are saved then sin is not a problem.” (I have heard this on many occasions.)

a. That’s what Paul is addressing... Sin is a problem.

b. What consequences do you want?

B. Worldly arguments:

1. “I don’t want to be a slave to God.”

a. It’s an illustration of who you choose to serve.

b. It’s the closest parallel:

1.) Slavery controls you.

2.) Freedom controls you.

2. “How can sin be a problem?”

a. Ultimately sin separates us from God... “wages of sin” [v 23]

b. Ultimately only God’s gift can give us eternal life. We do not earn our salvation by what we do, we reflect salvation’s change and effect by what we do.

IV. Now what?

A. Acknowledge, truthfully, where you are at now.

B. Believe, in such a way that it is reflected in your behavior, on Jesus.

C. Choose to offer yourselves to righteousness with the same energy and enthusiasm as you once did with sin.

D. Do what you know is right. If you fall down, get back up.

Romans 6:1 – 14
Because of the Resurrection

Do we have a gap between how we want to live and what we live? There are several traps we can fall into in our thinking. We can think that “God wants to make us better” or “We can change if we only had better self-esteem.” I’ve got news for you. God does not want us better or to feel good about ourselves. God wants us resurrected.

I. Because of the Resurrection... the believer is “dead.”

A. The effects of sin:

1. Sin causes conflict between people.

2. Sin brings shame, guilt, fear, and numbness.

3. Sin makes us emotionally and mentally unstable.

4. Sin separates us from God. The Bible says it cause physical and spiritual death.

Augustine admitted to praying three types of prayers in his life. First he prayed, “Lord, save me from my sins, but not yet.” Then he prayed, “Lord, save me from my sins, except one.” As he got older and more mature in the Lord, he gained understanding and prayed, “Lord, save me from my sins, and save me now!” [Source: Unknown]

B. The effects of dying to sin.

1. We “may” live a new life [v4].

a. The choice is yours, it is possible (but not automatic).

b. Possible does not make it so... God does His part and you must do yours.

2. The power of the resurrection at work in our lives:

a. Right now... spiritually.

b. Later... physically (eternally).

This leaves the question: “how can we live in it (sin) any longer?” [v 2] Answer: not well.

II. Because of the Resurrection... the believer is “free.”

A. The effect of the sin “nature” is slavery.

1. We have an “old man” [v 6].

a. The “old man” loves sin, it argues for sin and against righteousness.

b. The “old man” strains against what is right.

2. We have a “body of sin” [v 6].

a. The power of temptation over the body makes it hard/impossible to say “no.”

b. Here is a test, is there something you can not permanently do without? If so then it is an indication that something has control over you that you do not control.

B. The effect of the Resurrection.

1. The “old man” (self) is a nasty person.

a. It betrays us and sells us into slavery (of sin, things we do not control).

b. Sin becomes a brutal dictator, uglier than the ugliest because it eventually sends us to eternal hell.

2. This freedom from the “old man” (self) means:

a. Temptation is not removed or its pull over us (we may even suffer).

b. The power of sin and temptation is broken, making it possible to say no.

John Wesley said, “Sin remains but does not reign.” The problem is that we try to do this ourselves and end up with what A. B. Simpson said, “We become like the ghost who through self effort tries to die to sin and self and with the same self-effort gets back up and tries to live.”

III. Because of the Resurrection... the believer is “alive.” [v 9]

A. The effect of the end of sin’s reign in life:

1. [v 12] “do not let sin reign” (have control).

2. [v 13] “do not offer the parts of your body to sin.”

3. [v 13] “but rather offer... as instruments of righteousness.”

a. An “instrument” is a fine object, not a common one.

1.) An instrument must be maintained.

2.) An instrument must be used (played) regularly.

b. To get good at an instrument you need:

1.) Constant instruction.

2.) Constant practice.

Once there was a ship’s captain that went insane. He was replaced by the first mate. Yet the old captain roamed the ship barking out orders even though he had been stripped of his authority. The crew could obey him (but the orders were often nonsense or dangerous) but didn’t have to obey. What we need to do is replace the “old man” (self) with Jesus Christ. [Source: Unknown]

B. The effects of the resurrected life:

1. Count (reckon – deliberately reason) yourselves dead to sin but alive to Christ. [v 11]

a. This counting means we count ourselves dead to sin and we count ourselves alive to God.

b. Say, “I am dead to sin and I am alive to God.”

2. Counting is in the continual sense.

a. It starts as a one time surrender (where you chose to chose).

b. It becomes a daily commitment (where you take one day at a time).

c. The habit that develops is a moment by moment response to temptation and to God (where you take one step at a time).

“The rest of the story” of the poem “Foot prints:” the man looked back and saw the foot prints in the sand. He saw the times when he struggled to follow Jesus, he saw the times when Jesus carried him, he saw the times when his foot prints were in Jesus’ foot prints. But after those came a strange sight. Both sets of footprints were all over the sand. He asked, “Master, why are our footprints all over the sand? Was I unfaithful to you?” Jesus answered, “My child, the time that the footprints were scattered all over the sand is when we danced with joy.” [Source: Unknown]

That is the resurrected life. Because Jesus is resurrected, you can also have new life and get rid of the sin that keeps you down. You can be free from the slavery of sin and its brutal demands on your body, life, and soul.

On a personal note....

I will post next week... I'm taking my son off to Bible college, so it's been hectic around our house this week. It's a moment of sadness and victory at the same time. It is sad because a friend is moving away. It is victory because, God has done and is doing fantastic things in his life. When he was born (I remember it like it was yesterday), I went home from the hospital happily shouting in my soul "I have a son." Then I heard the still small voice remind me... "So did I."

Also, I have been chosen as an alternate for the 2006 Evangelical Homiletic's Society meeting in October. Sign up to go at www.ehomiletics.com and you can down load my paper (and many others).

For those who know I'm looking for work... I've applied at 49 different schools. So far no serious nibbles. Mostly I never hear back from the schools either way. However, there are some that are professional enough to let me know they hired someone else or that they are in process. A few have actually been rude, trust me, its better than silence. Since I don't have college level teaching experience (never mind real life teaching experience that the pulpit gives), I doubt I will be given a serious look... outside divine intervention.