Something New

Revelation 21:1 – 5

Everything New

The story is told at one Presbyterian General Assembly, the moderator announced; “The next number will be an address by Rev. James McCosh, chancellor of Princeton University. Subject: “the immortality of the soul.” Time allotted: 15 – minutes.” (Joke)

Three (3) things will change in eternity.

A. The physical stuff will change!

1. There will be NEW heaven and a NEW earth.

2. Romans 8:19 – 22

a. “Eager expectation” for the sons of God to be revealed.

b. “Subjected to frustration” as the result of sin in general....

c. “Bondage to decay” (everything deteriorates).

3. Physically we al have an appointment with death and the judgement.

(Ill.) Cathedral of Milan – three archways, entrances have marked on them:

1. “All that pleases is but for a moment.”

2. “All that troubles is but for a moment.”

3. “That only is important which is eternal.”

***** Some have suggested we give a 100 year test: “Will this matter in 100 years?” *****

B. The relational stuff will change!

1. God dwelling with us. (Not just as the Holy Spirit, but also as Father and Son)

2. 2 Corinthians 5:14 – 17

a. Eternal destiny CHANGED = “Convinced”

b. Lifestyle CHANGED = “live... no longer for themselves...” (For Jesus)

c. Mind CHANGED = “from a worldly point of view” (not focused on the flesh)

c. Believes = new creation.

(Ill.) Traveler in China in Kwelin noticed a sign that read “Eternal life for sale.” Looking in the building he saw row upon row of black caskets. It was a coffin/casket factory.

(Ill.) Irishman passing a cemetery on day paused at a startling inscription on a tombstone. It read; “I still live.” After scratching his head in puzzlement the Irishman muttered; “If I was dead, I’d be honest enough to own up to it.”

***** We are born in sin and dead to God by nature. Life is lived for the self. We think like everyone else thinks.

Jesus changes all that! “The old has GONE, the new has come!”*****

What happens is God has initiated an EXCHANGE (see 2 Corinthians 5:21). EVERYTHING we have (sin, death, hell) for EVERYTHING Jesus has (righteousness, life, and abundant and eternal life).

C. The emotional stuff will change! [Revelation 21:1 – 5]

1. The ultimate cure for emotional pain? [God]

a. “EVERY tear” (God will wipe them away.)

b. No grief – no death.

c. No crying (there will be no cause or need to cry)

d. No pain (emotional, physical, spiritual)

2. Problem is we are living in “the society of the victim.”

a. Everybody wants to portray themselves as the victim. Why?

1.) Victims get sympathy and attention. (Explain “slavery”)

2.) Victims get bad behavior excused (and the innocent blamed).

b. The only “victim” in the universe is God.

1.) God owns the world, BUT we rebelled.

2.) God gave us directions and instructions (law) BUT we broke them and are on a path of self-destruction.

3.) God the Father sent God the son (Jesus) to demonstrate His love AND we crucified Him.

4.) God freely gives us His grace offering us love and restoration, BUT we continue to reject Him.

***** God does not want our sympathy, attention or His behavior excused. God DOES want to heal us from our sin, unrighteousness, and pain. *****

D. What now? The person, here, now, and later...

1. The body will die, then be resurrected to one of two eternal destinies.

2. The soul will live in eternity with or without Christ.

3. The spirit (mind) will either glory or suffer now and then later.

(Ill.) There is a rock that is 100 miles by 100 miles. Imagine that once every 1,000 years one little bird comes to sharpen its beak on the rock. When the rock is warn away by a single bird sharpening its beak every 1,000 years... then a single day of eternity will yet to have gone by.

***** God wants you to spend eternity with Him. *****

1. Resurrected to eternal “heaven.”

2. To be eternally with you.

3. To wipe away every tear.

“being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” [Philippians 1:6]

***** What happens in eternity starts now. *****

Sin... failure is the common problem. It causes physical death. It causes spiritual death.. It creates emotional turmoil, chaos, and pain.

What you must do... “A,B,C’s”

Acknowledge the sin in your life. Accept personal responsibility for your actions and attitudes.

Believe in Jesus. Believe in a way that makes a difference in your behavior.

Choose new, abundant, and eternal life in and through Jesus by confessing with your mouth “Jesus is Lord.”

“The Almost Christian”

Matthew 22:36 – 39
“The Almost Christian”

[John Wesley’s 2nd “Standard Sermon.” I have modified the sermon...]

I. What is “almost” a Christian?

A. “Heathen honesty” [Discuss Augustine’s concept on humanity’s “free will” being broken to the point where it is impossible for a human to do any good without God’s grace.]

1. Living by the rules of what is socially accepted.

2. Generally much is correct: we reject murder, robbery, etc...

3. Love and basic assistance is expected.

B. “Having a form of godliness” (but denying its power)

1. On the outside... look like a Christian.

a. Act right.

b. Use the right language.

2. Abstain from things.

a. Don’t do all the “don’ts”

b. Keep the “Golden Rule.”

3. Generous and sacrificial.

a. Involved in good things.

b. Involved in evangelism and even ministry.

4. Faithful

a. In church attendance... but not in authentic worship.

b. Seem to go through the motions... but are spiritually indifferent and listless.

5. Consistent in family matters.

a. Also private devotions.

b. “Serious behavior.”

6. A seeming sincerity.

a. Internally motived to be good and do good.

b. Yet motivated to “AVOID”

Good people avoid sin from the love of virtue (what we think is right). Wicked people avoid sin from fear of punishment.

7. A real desire to serve God.

a. There is a “hearty desire” to do God’s will.

b. There is a “wanting to serve.” (Wesley considered this a mark of a false prophet.)

The uniform practice of outward religion is a from of godliness... but all this can be empty of meaning.

John Wesley’s testimony: diligent, worked hard, serious behavior, sincerity, missionary, good intentions BUT his conscious and the Holy Spirit clearly would not give him peace.

II. What is an “altogether Christian?”

A. The love of (for) God.

1. Matthew 22:26 – 28

a. Engrosses the whole heart, fulls the entire capacity of the soul.

b. It is displayed in joy and delight.

c. It is displayed in thankfulness.

2. “Crucified”

a. “Crucified to the world, and the world crucified to him.”

b. Crucified the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eye, and the pride of life.

B. The love of (for) our neighbor.

1. Matthew 22:39

2. Reflection of our love for God.

C. Faith

1. Repentance leads to love leads to good works.

2. Trust and confidence to be saved from eternal damnation by Christ.

3. Purifies the heart.

a. From all unrighteousness.

b. Brings a love that is stronger than death... for God... and people.

III. The question for us.

A. “Are you “almost” or “altogether” Christian?”

1. Is it just the outside that is Christian?

2. Are you motivated by things other than love?

B. “Are you conscious, that you never came thus far?”

1. “You have never intended to devote all your words, works, studies, business, entertainment, to God’s glory?”

2. “You have never desired to be a living sacrifice?”

C. “Is the love of God shed abroad in your heart?”

1. “Do you desire nothing but Him?”

2. “Is He your glory, your delight, your crown of rejoicing?”

The unloved wife

Genesis 29:31 – 35
The unloved wife

A. Disturbing theological and moral things:

1. Two wives...

a. There is no Scripture guidance into how many wives a man may have.

b. However:

“The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” [Genesis 2:18 NIV]

“Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife...” [1 Timothy 3:2a also see 1 Timothy 3:12, Titus 1:6 NIV]

c. If you use example [Peter, Priscilla and Aquila, and others] then you also have to consider Abraham, Jacob, Moses, etc...

2. Married sisters...

“Do not take your wife's sister as a rival wife and have sexual relations with her while your wife is living.” [Leviticus 18:18] (Jacob lived long before the Law was given, but I wonder if the social norms were not already in place.)

3. God takes Leah’s side when God did the same thing...


"I have loved you," says the LORD. "But you ask, `How have you loved us?' "Was not Esau”
Jacob's brother?" the LORD says. "Yet I have loved Jacob, [3] but Esau I have hated...” [Malachi 1:2 – 3a NIV]

“Just as it is written: ‘Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.’” [Romans 9:13 NIV]

***** BOTH are in context to nations NOT individuals. Jacob represents of Israel and Esau represents Edom. *****

B. Leah’s plight:

“When the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren.” [Genesis 29:31 ESV] (ASV, RSV, KJV)

The NIV says, “Leah was not loved”

The CEV says, “Jacob loved Rachel more than he did Leah”

The Geneva (before the KJV) says, “Leah was despised”

1. Think about how this marriage came to be...

a. Jacob loved Rachel, it was “love at first sight.” What could be more romantic?

b. Jacob agreed to work for SEVEN years for Rachel... aaawwwww.

c. Uncle Laban TRICKED Jacob into marrying Leah. (How can you be that drunk?)

d. Jacob then agreed to work ANOTHER seven years for Rachael...

Rachel was wanted... 14 years of hard work to get her. Leah was part of him getting conned.

2. With two wife and two concubines a “baby race” was started...

a. God took Leah’s side... [v 31] “He opened her womb, but Rachel was barren.”

b. Situation:

1.) Jealousy between the wives.

2.) Unchecked sexual appetite from Jacob (sexual relations with four women at the same time).

3.) The playing of favorites (which Jacob learned from his parents).

Wesley – “When the Lord saw that Leah was hated - That is, loved less than Rachel, ... the Lord granted her a child, which was a rebuke to Jacob for making so great a difference between those he was equally related to; a check to Rachel, who, perhaps insulted over her sister upon that account; and a comfort to Leah, that she might not be overwhelmed with the contempt put upon her.”

C. Universal husband – wife problem:

1. “The unloved wife.”

“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” [Ephesians 5:25]

a. We “love” what we value...

b. Who/what we love becomes our priority, passion, and possibly obsession.

2. “The disrespected husband”

a. Contempt is THE major relationship killer. (It is “almost” impossible to recover from contempt...)

“However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.” [Ephesians 5:33]

b. A lack of "respect" means “contempt” (Oxford University Press) and comes from:

“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.” [Ephesians 5:22]

3. What is missing:

a. Wives need their husband’s love AND husbands need their wives’ respect or the relationship breaks down into an ugly spiral that increases the lack of love and lack of respect to the point were one, if not both, check out of the relationship (in some way).

b. There is a very real sense of MUTUAL submission required!

“Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.” [Ephesians 5:21]

Or as the CEV puts it: “Honor Christ and put others first.”

D. Leah’s journey and solution:

1. She had four children... each had a different meaning.

a. [v 32] Reuben... (lit. “see a son”) “now my husband will love me.”

b. [v 33] Simon... (lit. “hearing”) “the LORD has heard I am hated.”

c. [v 34] Levi... (lit. “attached”) “this time my husband will be attached to me.”

d. [v 35] Judah... (lit. “celebrated”) “this time I will praise the Lord.”

2. What this means:

a. She starts with the desperate need of having Jacob love her.

b. She becomes bitter because her husband will not respond.

c. She gives up trying. The best she hopes for is “attachment.”


d. She praises God... something has changed.

1.) She has either become loved by her husband OR

2.) She has found her self-worth in God OR

3.) Both...

3. Jacob chose to buried with Leah... in their ancestral tomb.

“Then he commanded them and said to them, "I am to be gathered to my people; bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite, [30] in the cave that is in the field at Machpelah, to the east of Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field from Ephron the Hittite to possess as a burying place. [31] There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife. There they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife, and there I buried Leah.” [Genesis 49:29 – 31]

Conclusion:

1. Maybe our problem is that we depend to much on the other person for our emotional well being... (respect, love)

2. Since our emotional well being is rooted in the need to understand our relationship in terms of “love” we enter unhealthy downward spirals.

3. Leah’s lesson is to ground our self-worth and being in God, not others (husband, wife, children, work, church, etc...)

4. That frees us to fulfill our side of what is necessary in the relationship.

5. Result: the probability that the other person(s) will fulfill their responsibilities!

How Christians can get saved

Romans 10:9 – 10

How Christians can get saved

“Jesus is Lord”

1. Jews understood “Lord” to mean “God.” (The Jews substituted the word “Lord” for the sacred name of God, in an effort to not use the name in vain, break the 3^rd commandment.)

2. Romans understood “Lord” as referring to Caesar (proclaiming him to be a god)... this formula became a test of loyalty when Caesar issued “license” to be Christian. To obtain a license one had to swear an oath to the Roman “gods” and offer a sacrifice OR declares “Caesar is Lord.”

3. Political understanding: Declaring “Jesus is Lord” meant to make Jesus your ruler (King). As a counter measure against the Jewish leaders’ declaration “We have no king but Caesar.”

4. Ethical understanding: “Jesus is Lord” meant that Jesus controls your life... daily.

“Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says "Jesus is accursed!" and no one can say "Jesus is Lord" except in the Holy Spirit.” [1 Corinthians 12:3]

“So that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” [Philippians 2:10 – 11]

“[Confess] denotes a public declaration or assent.” (Barnes)

The Greek word translated “confess” emphasizes saying the exact words: “Jesus is Lord.”

1. Not magic... instead it is a test.

2. Saying something publicly, “going on the record” is important.

CNN (the guy that took over the “Larry King Show”) asked Joel Osteen if he thought homosexuality was a sin. Rev. Osteen said “yes” because “that’s what the Bible said.” The questioner then noted this was the first time Osteen had taken a public stand on “sin.”

The prediction is this will dramatically change Osteen’s image of being “soft” on “hard” issues and his reputation for avoiding answering theological questions and concerns.

“Believe in your heart” (Heart = thoughts and feelings... the place choices are made)

1. Specifically the resurrection... why?

“(Jesus) was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord.” [Romans 1:4]

a. Jesus’ life and death are implied in His resurrection.

b. “Christ” meant “anointed one.” This was the Greek word for “Messiah.”

c. Nothing of what Jesus said and did is significant without the resurrection!

“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, [4] that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, ... [12] Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? [13] But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. [14] And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.” [1 Corinthians 15:3 – 4, 12 – 14]

2. Believe means to place confidence in... or “trust”... or “depend.”

a. Different ways to believe (something that doesn’t make a difference, something that effects us, or something that changes everything)

b. (Ill. of transferring our weight from our feet to the pew...) EXCLUSIVE!

It is with belief... in the heart... that we are “justified” (“made right” which is a legal term)

Why is this important?

1. The Jews worked out their own religious practices based on their traditions and religious teachers.

“For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness.” [Romans 10:3]

3. They depended on “the merit of their works, and by their observance of the ceremonial law.” [Matthew Henry]

4. “The moral law was but for the searching of the wound, the ceremonial law for the shadowing forth of the remedy but Christ is the end of both.” {Matthew Henry)

5. The Jewish system of the Law said, “do and live.” Sacraments replaced truth, enthusiasm replaced knowledge, membership replaced salvation.

6. The Christian system of Grace makes the same error... it creates opposite and equal imbalances. Truth replaces obedience, holiness replaces truth, and enthusiasm replaces responsibility.

7. Both leave out the confession (and outward expression of an inward reality) with the mouth... “Jesus is Lord.”

Notice there are TWO different words for “saved” in the Greek text... They are distinguished by the verb tenses in the English translations.

[v 9] “you will be saved” (sozo – save, as in to deliver/heal)

[v 10] “is saved” (soteria – rescue)

The first is a promise that will one day be fulfilled the second is the present benefit of that promise. In other words we say “Jesus is Lord” to acquire salvation, not as a result of salvation.

“The moment a sinner believes, therefore, he is justified; his sins are pardoned; and he is introduced into the favor of God.” (Barnes)

“Confession or profession is so made as to obtain salvation.” (Barnes)

Jesus on money

Jesus: on money

I. Where’s the heart? [Matthew 6:19 – 21, 24]

A. Two proverbs.

1. (v 21) Treasure = heart

a. What you value is what you choose.

b. What you choose demonstrates what you value.

DANGER… we can be ruined by earthly things and jeopardize the soul.

2. (v 24) It’s God v Money

a. What you value will be your Master. (It is the desire, craving, pursuit of that can be the danger… not the actual money)

b. The heart designed for God is degraded by being fixed on corruptible things (see Clarke)

DANGER… “proairisus” (disposition and choices). Money corrupts the dispositions and clouds the choices. The effect is to increase our sin sickness.

RESULT: We choose the temporary instead of training for the “long view.”

B. The lesson:

1. Your “treasure” determines your “happiness.”

2. (vv 33 – 34) The issue becomes worry (“anxiety”)

BONUS: Luke 16:14… Pharisee’s “loved money” so when He said this they “sneered” at Jesus. They showed contempt, and contempt is a relationship “killer.”

Luke 16:15b “What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight.” (The word “detestable” is related to idol worship.)

II. Where’s the soul? [Luke 9:23 – 25]

A. Following Jesus means right priorities.

1. (v 23) “deny himself” = “cross”

2. (v 24) This is an upside-down paradox (“life” is the Greek word for “soul”)

3. Surrender to God the will, passions, body and soul OR lose/forfeit (Greek “throw away”) the soul.

B. A cautionary tale: [Luke 12:16 – 21]

1. A man who acts “normally.”

a. Good crops, expanding business, bigger barns!

b. Enjoy life.

2. What’s the problem?

a. God calls him a “fool” (Greek means “senseless.” Why? Vv 17 – 19 he refers to himself seven times, refers to God or others zero times.)

b. Behavior… lays up treasure for himself in this world.

BONUS: (v 19) he thinks “many years.” (v 20) God thinks “this night.”

“The soul cannot be satisfied with earthly goods.” (Wesley)

***** Life must be lived in light of eternity… as if it were your last day. Wealth can blind us and keep us from being prepared. *****

III. Where’s the reward? [Mark 12:41 – 44]

A. The story of a simple offering.

1. Rich = large amounts

2. Poor widow = two very small copper coins

3. Jesus is noticing HOW (in what way) they give:

a. Rich: giving not discreet.

b. Poor: ashamed, intimidated.

History: In the temple “treasury” there were 13 “trumpets” (offering containers). They were narrow at the top (mouth) and wide at the bottom. Nine were marked for tithes and other obligations. Four were for voluntary gifts. [source: Edersheim, “The Temple”]

B. What our English translations don’t tell us:

1. “Money” was specifically COPPER coins.

2. The rich were not throwing in bags of gold! They were giving pennies when they could afford gold.

DOUBLE BONUS:

1. Generosity is an act of worship. (Ill. When we were in the Philippines… Pastor Allan took an offering from what we would consider “poor” pastors after an emotional time of worship. I asked him afterwards why…. He said, “Because you can’t have worship without an offering!” He was right… Unless we worship God with everything, including our earthly possessions, then we are not truly worshiping God.)

2. Who did Jesus praise? Think about it… poor, maybe intimidated, trying to “fly under the radar.” Jesus points her out NOT for embarrassment but to demonstrate her love (worship) and her faith (dependence on God).

Questions:

1. Who’s praise do you want? People’s now or God’s for eternity?

2. If you could see Jesus “looking over your shoulder” as you gave your offering, would you have given differently?

The Bible vs the world

The Bible vs the world
1 Timothy 6:6 – 10, 17 – 19

A. There is a difference in what we seek.

1. World (Greek philosophy) “contentment.” [Satisfaction]

a. Anything without God is possible.
b. Everything… without God there are no limits.

2. The Bible “godliness WITH contentment is great gain”

a. Godliness understands that there are rules that go beyond selfishness.
b. Godliness imposes a certain humanity that benefits everyone.

B. Paul’s argument:

1. Observations:

a. (v 7) we brought nothing, we take nothing.
(Ill. A miserly husband made his wife promise that when he died she would put it all in his casket so he could take it all with him. At his funeral, she wrote him a check and put it in the casket….)

b. (v 9) the desire to get “rich” has consequences.

1.) “Trap” – “snare” gives the impression of something that is sudden and unexpected. It can also carry the idea of “overwhelmed.”
(Ill. How to catch a monkey: hallow out a gourd. Place food in the gourd. Secure the gourd. The monkey will reach into the gourd and be trapped because with the food in the hand it cannot get away. Even when the monkey sees you, the monkey will not let go. HUMANS, even when we know something is destructive, our pride and the blinding effect sin has on us keeps us from letting go.)
2.) “Desires” are foolish (not understanding, not using judgment) and hurtful (injurious).

2. Results of what Paul observed:

a. (v 10) Love of money = “root”

1.) A root nourishes the sin. (e.g. Hebrews 12:15 talks about the root of bitterness which leads to sexual immorality at godlessness.)
2.) Deal with the plant but NOT the root will not change the person. (It is treating the symptom but not offering a cure.)

b. (v 10) The “craving” for money is not healthy spiritually.

1.) Wandered from the faith… “stray” ignorantly or by deliberate choices.
2.) Pierced themselves with MANY “griefs.” (meaning heaviness and pain… devouring cares.)

C. The cure:

1. Attitude!

a. (v 17) “NOT be arrogant”
b. (v 17) Hope in God (sure) NOT wealth (unsure).

***** Notice there is a threat (“rich in THIS present world” as in poor in eternity) and a promise (God gives “richly”… copiously, lavishly) *****

***** Once the rood (attitude/beliefs) are dealt with (repentance, trust in what Jesus has provided through His death and resurrection); then the plant can be cured. *****

2. Action (How to be “rich”)

a. (v 18) Do good.
b. (v 18) Be generous.
c. (v 18) willing (implies pleasure) to share.

Question: Where do you want your reward?

(V 19) “lay up treasure… take hold of life… truly life”

Fasting: Golden Arches or Pearly Gates?

Isaiah 58:1 – 14
Fasting: Golden Arches or Pearly Gates?

When we think of fasting we think: spiritual, weird, torture. The thought of denying the appetite triggers cries of protest.

We love our taco palaces, pizza houses, burger joints. We can’t bear the idea of life without chocolate chip cookies, ice cream, baby back ribs, juicy barbequed stake.

As families we cherish or yearn for our meal times.

It is said, “If you want to pack your church; announce a feast. If you want to empty your church out; announce a fast.”

***** FASTING IS REBELLION AGAINST THE STATUS QUO *****

I. Fasting at spiritual “breakpoints.”

A. “Breakpoint” is a crisis (time of grief, disappointment, disaster)

1. Dr. says, “it’s cancer.”
2. Teenage daughter says, “I’m pregnant.”
3. Son says, “I have AIDS.”
4. Boss says, “You’re fired.”

***** When you say “I cannot” that’s when you give God a chance to say “I can.”

B. Biblical examples:

1. King Uzziah...
2. Nineveh – Jonah announced destruction, Nineveh repented with a fast.
3. Queen Ester – when Haman threatened to wipe out the Jewish people.
4. King Jehoshaphat – threatened by armies.
5. Moses – before a holy God to receive the 10 commandments.
6. Jesus – lead into the wilderness before His ministry.

C. Why fast?

1. We hunger for more than food.
2. God place in us a hunger for spiritual realities.
3. (v 5) there is a fast that God desires.

II. Fasting if spiritual “breakthroughs.” (vv 6 – 7)

***** Notice that food is not mentioned... other appetites must be brought under submission.

A. God uses fasting for breakthroughs.

1. Do you feel like you are on a religious treadmill?
2. Do you feel like you are just going through the motions?
3. Do you feel the weight of moral bondage or baggage, bad habits, selfishness, isolation?

***** Fasting breaks up our hard hearts and frees us from empty worship.

***** Fasting breaks the calluses off our deaf ears.

B. God uses fasting to break yokes (vv 9 – 10)

1. Breaks us from the unhealthy pattern of a critical spirit – “pointing of the finger.”
2. Loosens fists clenched in covetousness and materialism.
3. Gives us light to see (euphemism for perceiving God and responding to God.)

C. Things God wants to do for us.

1. Healing (v 8)
2. Righteousness (v 8)
3. The presence of God (v 8)
4. Answered prayer (v 9)
5. God’s guidance (v 11)
6. Satisfaction and strength (v 11)

BOTTOM LINE: God intends to use fasting to increase our prayer life and bring the appetites of this world under control.

How many days should you fast? How hungry are you?

III. Busting Myths.

A. The truth:

1. Fasting is NOT a diet. You diet for physical (or psychological) reasons. You fast for spiritual reasons.
2. Fasting is NOT a hunger strike. It is not to gain “leverage” with God.
3. Fasting does not oblige God. It is a step of obedience.
4. Fasting does NOT get from God what He’s reluctant to give.
5. Fasting is NOT a way of punishing ourselves. Fasting can bring sin to the surface so we can receive God’s deliverance and forgiveness.

6. Fasting is NOT just for the super spiritual. It’s for everyone who has an extraordinary hunger to see God break into their world.

***** Fasting is the fastest way to get our hearts in a place to receive from God what He wants to give all along.

B. Cautions:

1. Fasting is NOT about food. It is our heart.
2. Fasting takes on many forms in the Bible (I count 9).
3. If fasting is about breaking unhealthy appetites and behavior patterns then we need to fast from OTHER things: TV, internet, games, destructive relationships, etc...

It stinks to be you

Romans 8:18 – 30
It stinks to by you!

Some days are just like that... nothing goes according to plan, everything seems to take longer, something is just out of sync.

These are those days you think, “it stinks to be me.” As we groan and moan, I want to remind you that the Bible recognizes that all creation groans, we groan, and the Holy Spirit groans because we have a problem.

To deal with this problem God has instituted a three step program, found in verse 30. We are called, justified, and glorified. Literally, what Paul is explaining to us is not a fatalism. He insists that God invites us into relationship (called), God renders a judgment in our favor (justified), and the God makes us “excellent” (glorified).

This all is possible because of what is called “redemption.” In the ancient world “redemption” had a two-fold meaning. Redemption means ransom AND riddance. In other words, the possibility of ransom is release that comes from the payment made by Jesus on the cross. The possibility of riddance is current struggle and the future hope we have of dealing with the darkness sin has plunged the world into.

I. How does the Bible describe this world?

A. [v 18] “sufferings” means something that is undergone... such as a misfortune, hardship, or pain.

1. Face it, as long as were in this physical body we will have pain and other kinds of suffering.

2. Some is self-inflicted... some is imposed on us.

B. [v 19] “longing” means intense anticipation that is anxious and persistent.

1. If we are honest with ourselves, we know something is not right, unnatural, or simply wrong.

2. We know it but what do we do about it? (Face it, fight it, ignore it, attack those who talk about it.)

C. [v 20] “futility” means a lack of appropriateness. Or another way to say it “perverse” or “perverted.”

1. We tend to misuse those around us. People are turned to objects... used.

2. We tend to misuse the world around us.

“God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” [Genesis 1:28] (Have “dominion.” Wise management, not worship is required)

D. [v 21] “bondage” means slavery.

1. The fact that everything does not work out the way we want, show us that something else is happening.

2. “Law of sin and death” has the tendency to override the liberty to choose... when we choose to obey God.

Wesley – “ Adam made it liable to the sentence which God pronounced.”

II. Why is it this way?

A. We are caught between “already and the not yet.” [vv 18, 23]

1. [v 24] “For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?”

a. KJV (“saved by hope”)... We are saved but are in a state of “hope.” That means we do not have it... except in confident expectation.

b. “We do not yet possess this full salvation.” (Wesley)

2. In other words, this is a promise. Similar to the Roman practice of adoption.

a. Adoption was done privately but was not legal until the public ceremony in the forum.

b. So this salvation we have is a two step thing: We have accepted it but we wait [v 23] (the creation waits.. [v 19])

B. We are caught between freedom and corruption. [v 21]

1. Paul has already framed the context:


“As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. [18] I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. [19] For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do this I keep on doing. [20] Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. [21] So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. [22] For in my inner being I delight in God's law; [23] but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. [24] What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? [25] Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.” [Romans 7:17 – 25]

2. Jesus put it this way:

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” [Matthew 26:41]

***** However, none of this excuses our failures or sin!*****

III. Are we left to ourselves? Absolutely NOT!

(We are justified by faith... God’s legal judgement is in our favor. While the judgement is in our favor, we have an entire life to live... and grow into that favorable judgement.)

A. [v 26] “The Spirit helps in our weaknesses..”

1. The “flesh” (sometimes translated as “body”) is a word Paul uses to mean something that appeals to this world, our flesh, and our desires.

For example: “lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, and the pride of life.” [1 John 2:16 KJV]

2. “For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” [Romans 8:1]

3. This happens as the Spirit intercedes for us!

B. [vv 28 – 30] God’s plan.

1. The idea is that we are called, rendered innocent, and made excellent. (Called, justified, glorified)

2. All this is to move us to become “conformed to the image of his Son.” [v 29]

IV. Since the world (including us) is subjected to corruption [v 21], what are we to do?

A. We are required to manage it as best we can.

B. “Wait eagerly” (“expect fully”) calls us to action. (Act faithfully... belief drives action.)

Communion Duty

1 Corinthians 11:23 – 26
Duty

Theme: We have a duty to reveal our secret. It’s part of the communion service...

1. We reveal our secret when we remember.

Explanation: Once it was thought that children could not become place their faith in Christ... Founder of CEF showed otherwise. Something shifted at that point and some dark things emerged. One of them was that we abandoned evangelism to adults. James Dobson observed that 86% of our children, who make professions for Christ, walk away from the faith. He suggested it was because there is a process where faith has to mature with the individual.

What has developed was a Christianity that has no sympathy towards those who are ignorant of Christ, a Christianity given to immature emotional whims, a Christianity without voice or authority.

Illustration: Take for example the characterization of “contemporary” Christian music. Researchers claim that when a phrase is repeated three or more times with the same music... two things happen. First, the listener’s mind shuts down. Second, the listener is more likely to accept whatever is repeated as true. The study was done in relationship to violent content in music but it applies generally. It’s why the media replays sound bites and why politicians use “talking points” and why good teachers use repetition. The more often we hear something the more likely we are to believe it.

Application: What remembering does is it gets us past the shallowness of our emotional responses and helps imprint the actual facts on our brains and lives. In a sense remember, through the “Lord’s Supper” is repetition that helps us believe BUT it is also a revelation of the best kept secret of our generation.

“Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on me.”

Jesus was the one the prophets talked about in the Old Testament. No other religion has the weight of history and prophecy behind it.

“All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” [Acts 10:43]

Jesus was the physical representation of God.

“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets,
[2] but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. [3] He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.” [Hebrews 1:1 – 3a]

In other words, Jesus is exactly like God the Father in every way.

Jesus put it this way: “I and the Father are one.” [John 10:30]

The fact is that we need the mercy only Jesus can provide. Here is brutal honesty. It means we are no better off than what we would call a sinner. With sin there is no such thing as “worst” or “better.” The murder and the liar are on the same legal standing, the adulterer and the gossip share the same condemnation, the thief and the gossip are both guilty.

We reveal secret of the blood of Jesus... it is for EVERYONE.

2. The trouble is that very few understand the secret.

Explanation: Paul called God’s plan of providing salvation through Jesus a “mystery.”

“To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” [Colossians 1:27]

“My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ...” [Colossians 2:2 NIV]
“And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.” [Colossians 4:3 NIV]

“And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ...” [Ephesians 1:9 NIV]

One of the reasons that Jesus is a “mystery” is because there is active opposition to God from Satan.

“And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. [4] The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” [2 Corinthians 4:3 – 4]

Another reason Jesus is a mystery is because our minds have become dull with sin.

“For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” [Romans 1:21]

Or as Jesus put it: “And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. [20] For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.” [John 3:19 – 20]



Illustration: What this means is that we go on our merry way without thinking.

Consider this story: A man and his son are in a car accident. The dad dies instantly, but the boy is rushed to the emergency room. The attending doctor sees the boy and says, “That’s my son.” Who is the doctor?

It is amazing how many people don’t get the answer. Let’s try another...

There is a pyramid that is upside down. It is perfectly balanced on its point. Any disturbance will cause the pyramid to topple. Under the pyramid is an $100 bill. How do you get the bill without the pyramid from falling over?

Chances are you either got it or you are still trying to figure it out.

Some things are so simple but we can’t figure it out because our minds are working in another direction. That’s what happens with Jesus.

We are trained to think we are good people so it’s hard to understand we stand condemned before God if we do not trust what Jesus has done for us.

We are trained to think we can do it for ourselves that it’s hard to understand we are helpless in ourselves.

We are trained to think that our religious motions and moral effort somehow make us righteous when the Bible describes them as filthy rags.

When we were in the Philippines there was a woman cleaning a public bathroom. About half the men used the wall instead of the urinal. She was on her hands and knees mopping this up with a bunch of rags.

That’s what our religious efforts look like from heaven’s point of view.

Application: People will continue in their darkness, their ignorance, their willfulness until someone somehow somewhere helps them understand the truth that Jesus saves.

Unfortunately the number of people who understand that is shrinking because there are fewer people who know Jesus who are willing to share Jesus.

3. Yet Jesus says we have a duty to tell people.

Explanation: Jesus valued the idea that His followers would tell others...

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” [Matthew 28:19 – 20 KJV]

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” [Acts 1:9]

“...repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. [48] You are witnesses of these things.” [Luke 24:47]

The early disciples understood this... Peter said:

“He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.” [Acts 10:42 NIV]

Illustration: Our problem is that words like “duty,” “obligation,” “responsibility” rub us the wrong way... often they are used as weapons against, to “twist our arms,” force or manipulate us.

We have also become a culture that values individual freedom to the point that we no longer recognize “duty” to any group... even family. We have disconnected ourselves from being able to join something bigger than ourselves. We have isolated ourselves from any obligation that requires commitment of time, or effort or resources.

We are simply more comfortable as “free agents.”

Application: Problem... proclaiming Jesus is part of who we are... Remember sin is defined as doing things that are defined by God as wrong AND not doing things God defines as right.


Conclusion: We cannot look back at the death of Christ and then forward to His return ALONE.

Fact is that this table is a challenge. We either announce or denounce Jesus at His table. Saying nothing essentially violates the covenant we make and renew when we celebrate communion.

Remember someone told you... If you are silent... then people will continue to live in ignorance, darkness, and willfulness. If you are silent the devil will dance on our graves because of our failure. If you are silent then the message ends here, with you.

Challenge: Pick one person you will talk to this year. Pray for that person. Pray for an opportunity to talk to them. Pray for the courage to speak to them.