Scripture Reading (click to download audio) – Luke 1:46-55
Mary: A Faithful Worshiper of God
This morning we are looking at Mary, the mother of our Lord. It seems as though throughout history the world has kind of romanticized Mary. There are paintings of her that exalt her like an angel or something.
There are churches that lift her up as being a co-redeemer with Christ in Heaven. They have termed her Queen of Heaven believing she is a sinless lifelong virgin, and so on.
The problem with these claims is the fact that none of them can be backed up with scripture. Scripture tells us that Mary was pretty much a common young girl, from a working class family. The only thing that we get from Scripture that makes her different is her extraordinary faith.
We read this morning Mary’s hymn of praise, traditionally known as the Magnificat. There is no doubt about it, this is truly a hymn of joy. This is true worship of God. We are going to evaluate Mary’s worship here this morning.
First, the proper attitude of worship is internal. We worship God from the heart, not because we think we need to put on a good show or anything like that. Look at how Mary starts in verse 46 and 47, she says, “My soul exalts the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.”
The soul and spirit refer to internal things. They speak of the mind, the emotions, and the will. These are all feelings of the heart. Worship of God is more than just being impressed by a nice looking church or listening and singing moving, emotional hymns.
Real worship occurs when our internal state is focused on God. We praise Him. We thank Him. We think of Him. We speak of Him. He is our life. That is true worship of God. Having our hearts, our lives focused on Him. Giving Him the honor and glory.
This is an intense focus. Mary had that focus on God. She was not a hypocrite. She didn’t say these things just to sound good. She truly felt them and had a heart filled with joy. Now, this wasn’t just a one time event. Mary continued to praise God throughout her life.
Mary also recognized her humanity. She was a humble person. Often times people let pride get in their way of worshiping God. They are more focused on themselves than on God. That is not true worship.
Mary is focused not on herself, but on God. In verse 48, Mary did acknowledge herself. And when she did she realized her spiritual unworthiness. This doesn’t mean she was ungodly or unrighteous. She was simply acknowledging that her blessings came from God, not from anything that she did.
Mary worshiped God because He is the only true object of our worship. Nothing else, nothing more, nothing less. Mary worshiped God because she knew He was her Savior who would redeem her from her sin.
In verse 48-49, Mary recognized what God was doing for her. She says, “For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; for behold from this time on all generations will count me blessed. For the mighty One has done great things for me; and holy is His name.”
She was so thankful and blessed to have the opportunity to raise the child that would be the Savior.
Mary also recognized what God will do for others. Verse 50 says, “And His mercy is upon generation after generation toward those who fear Him.”
She knew she was not the only person to be blessed by the birth of Christ. She knew everyone who came to Christ would find salvation. God’s saving mercy is granted to those true genuine believers who come to the Lord in love and fear.
Finally, in verses 51 through 55 Mary worships God because of what He has done in the past. She was simply listing, speaking, and remembering the things that God has done for her people in the past.
Think about what God has done for us. Not just us individually, but us collectively as a nation. We have the freedoms we have today, because people stood up for what was right. There have been many soldiers that fought and died to preserve our freedoms.
We should never take any blessing for granted, but accept it as a gift from God. Thank Him and worship Him appropriately. The trouble with thanking God for our blessings is not figuring out what the blessings are, but finding the time to thank Him for all of them.
It is obvious that Mary was extremely thankful to God for all that He had done, was doing, and will do, not only for her but for all of humanity. Mary is a wonderful example of a true worshiper of God.
There will be many times when we don’t understand what He is doing or why He is doing it. It is during those times, that we need to remember the things God has done for us and others and trust in His plan for what is happening now and in the future.
Mary is also a good example of that trust. She had confidence in God’s actions. She knew that what God would do with her and through her would work out just as He had planned. She knew God was righteous, faithful, and true. She believed and trusted.
How can we be like Mary? When we get into those situations that seem to make us say, “Why me, God?” remember Mary’s response. She worshiped God for what he had done, what he was doing and what He would do in the future.
Mary’s worship was from the heart. Is yours? She worshiped God for who He was and what He had done. Not because she wanted to get something from Him. She had the right heart attitude.
As we prepare to start a new year, do you have the right heart attitude. Are you prepared to truly worship God for what He has done, what He is doing, and what He will do?
Closing Prayer
Lord, we thank you for providing us with the example of Mary. She was indeed your humble servant. Thank you for blessing her with the care of your son. Thank you for providing her with the right attitude toward you and the work that you would have her do.
Help us to manifest that same attitude in our lives today as well. Help us to humbly serve you with out lives. Give us the strength and courage that we need to carry out your will here on earth.
AMEN
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
The Birth of Christ
Scripture Reading (click to download audio) – Luke 2:1-20
Our Scripture this evening is very well known to each one of us. God sets his plan in motion by using the human government to accomplish His will. Caesar orders a census and Joseph and Mary must travel to Bethlehem. This of course is where it was prophesied many years before that the Messiah would be born. God controls all history.
They arrive at the village and look for a place to stay. But the village is full and there was no room for them at the inn. Mary gives birth and lays the child in the manger. Mary and Joseph were obeying God’s plan for their lives.
This once again shows that even when we are doing exactly what God wants, it doesn’t mean we will be given an easy or even comfortable life here on earth. But we are promised that God will take care of us and there is a purpose to God’s plan.
Meanwhile, out in the nearby field there were some shepherds watching over their flock. Suddenly, an angel appears to these shepherds and announces the birth of Christ.
Shepherds were the outcasts of society. Because of their occupation, they were unclean people, both in a religiously ritual way and probably in a sanitary way as well. But we see the birth announced to these people first.
This is God’s way of telling us that his mercy, love, and salvation is available to all. Suddenly, a host of angels appear, singing praise to God. They sang, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
Peace on earth does not mean some type of universal peace among nations, rather it is peace among God’s people. He is pleased with them, not because of anything they have done, but because He sent His son into the world to save the world from their sins.
Our peace comes from Jesus Christ, not from anything we do. God is pleased with us because of Jesus Christ, not from any good work we attempt.
After seeing and hearing the angels, the shepherds head to Bethlehem. Sure enough they find the child laying in a manger, just as the angel described. They spread the word around town and everyone was amazed.
These Shepherds were really the first evangelists. They heard the word and believed. Then they spread the word.
Mary treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart. She has a lot to think about and trying to put it all into perspective would be very challenging. At this point in time, Mary probably has the most complete picture of the entire story.
From the angel Gabriel she was told that this Child will be great. He will be the Son of the Most High and would sit on the throne of David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will have no end. He is the holy One, the Son of God.
She remembers, Elizabeth’s words calling her the “Mother of my Lord.” She thinks back to Joseph telling her about his dream. That this Child would be conceived by the holy spirit and would save the people from their sins. His name will be called Immanuel, for God is with us.
And now the Shepherds come and call him their Savior. What wonderful things to think about.
Christmas is the time that we too think about the birth of Christ. But we must not stop at his birth. This baby grows, lives, dies, rises, and ascends to Heaven for us. One day He will come back, as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
He will rule the world and judge all people according to their decisions about Him. The Good News about Jesus is that He is available to all who come to Him. Whoever you are, whatever you do, you can have Jesus in your life.
Closing Prayer
Lord, we thank you for coming to earth as a child and living like we live only without sin. Help us to be more like you in our lives. We thank you for that sacrifice that you made for us. Strengthen us, so we may carry out your will here on earth.
Lord, I ask that if there is anyone here who hasn’t been living the life that you want, that you would convict them of it tonight and change their hearts so that they may faithfully serve you with their lives.
Prepare our hearts, minds, and souls for our Communion together with you this evening. AMEN.
Our Scripture this evening is very well known to each one of us. God sets his plan in motion by using the human government to accomplish His will. Caesar orders a census and Joseph and Mary must travel to Bethlehem. This of course is where it was prophesied many years before that the Messiah would be born. God controls all history.
They arrive at the village and look for a place to stay. But the village is full and there was no room for them at the inn. Mary gives birth and lays the child in the manger. Mary and Joseph were obeying God’s plan for their lives.
This once again shows that even when we are doing exactly what God wants, it doesn’t mean we will be given an easy or even comfortable life here on earth. But we are promised that God will take care of us and there is a purpose to God’s plan.
Meanwhile, out in the nearby field there were some shepherds watching over their flock. Suddenly, an angel appears to these shepherds and announces the birth of Christ.
Shepherds were the outcasts of society. Because of their occupation, they were unclean people, both in a religiously ritual way and probably in a sanitary way as well. But we see the birth announced to these people first.
This is God’s way of telling us that his mercy, love, and salvation is available to all. Suddenly, a host of angels appear, singing praise to God. They sang, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
Peace on earth does not mean some type of universal peace among nations, rather it is peace among God’s people. He is pleased with them, not because of anything they have done, but because He sent His son into the world to save the world from their sins.
Our peace comes from Jesus Christ, not from anything we do. God is pleased with us because of Jesus Christ, not from any good work we attempt.
After seeing and hearing the angels, the shepherds head to Bethlehem. Sure enough they find the child laying in a manger, just as the angel described. They spread the word around town and everyone was amazed.
These Shepherds were really the first evangelists. They heard the word and believed. Then they spread the word.
Mary treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart. She has a lot to think about and trying to put it all into perspective would be very challenging. At this point in time, Mary probably has the most complete picture of the entire story.
From the angel Gabriel she was told that this Child will be great. He will be the Son of the Most High and would sit on the throne of David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will have no end. He is the holy One, the Son of God.
She remembers, Elizabeth’s words calling her the “Mother of my Lord.” She thinks back to Joseph telling her about his dream. That this Child would be conceived by the holy spirit and would save the people from their sins. His name will be called Immanuel, for God is with us.
And now the Shepherds come and call him their Savior. What wonderful things to think about.
Christmas is the time that we too think about the birth of Christ. But we must not stop at his birth. This baby grows, lives, dies, rises, and ascends to Heaven for us. One day He will come back, as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
He will rule the world and judge all people according to their decisions about Him. The Good News about Jesus is that He is available to all who come to Him. Whoever you are, whatever you do, you can have Jesus in your life.
Closing Prayer
Lord, we thank you for coming to earth as a child and living like we live only without sin. Help us to be more like you in our lives. We thank you for that sacrifice that you made for us. Strengthen us, so we may carry out your will here on earth.
Lord, I ask that if there is anyone here who hasn’t been living the life that you want, that you would convict them of it tonight and change their hearts so that they may faithfully serve you with their lives.
Prepare our hearts, minds, and souls for our Communion together with you this evening. AMEN.
Monday, December 21, 2009
John The Baptist – The Greatest Man
Scripture Reading/Gospel Lesson – Luke 1:68-79
John The Baptist – The Greatest Man
We continue our look at John the Baptist this morning. He is the greatest man who ever lived. In Matthew 11:11, Jesus says, “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist.”
But what makes him so great? We will be looking at some of John’s personal characteristics this morning to see what made him so great.
First of all, his ability to overcome his weaknesses.
Many people have trouble in life. Everyone runs into trouble and faces difficult circumstances. Some people give up or succumb to the temptation. However, overcoming those problems is what separates a great person from an indifferent person.
Great people fight through their obstacles in life to do what is right and honorable to God. That sounds like John doesn’t it?
Remember John was filled with the Holy Spirit from birth. He had been set apart and chosen by God to announce the arrival of the Messiah. He saw the Holy Spirit descend upon Jesus at His Baptism. He heard God the Father declare Jesus to be His beloved Son.
Yet, John had doubts about Jesus. Those doubts troubled him. He wanted to know the truth about Jesus. He wasn’t trying to protect his ministry or his popularity. He simply wanted to know the truth.
So he sent some messengers to Jesus to find out the truth. I am sure John would have gone himself, but he was in prison at the time. John overcame his human weakness to seek the truth and when he heard the truth, that Jesus is who He says He is, then John took a back seat in his ministry.
How do you deal with your weaknesses? We all have them. John didn’t ignore them. He confronted them head on. We should do the same. God will give you the strength you need, just ask Him for it.
Second, John held strongly to his convictions.
John also held very strong convictions in his life. John stood up to the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and even to Herod himself, which landed him in prison. He didn’t back down from his beliefs.
In fact, John was so strong in his convictions that some people thought he was the Messiah (Luke 3:15). John was popular and sometimes people compromise to maintain their popularity. But not John.
He had many opportunities to gain the approval of the important figures in society. But rather than compromising with the Pharisees and Sadducees who came to listen and even be baptized by him, John called them a “brood of vipers.”
He confronted their sin and hypocrisy. John knew what was right and wrong. He stood for those things that were right. Again he did this not for himself, but for the glory of God.
How about you? Do you hold to your convictions? Or do you compromise with the world? Do you stand for what is right or do your simply ignore the wrongs of society?
Thirdly, he denied himself.
John’s life could never be described as an easy life. He wore camel hair and a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey. He must have been a pretty rough, tough looking person.
He was an important messenger of God, but he didn’t live like, dress like, or talk like the other religious leaders. He wore practical clothing, but probably not comfortable clothing and defiantly not stylish clothing.
The same holds true for his food. It provided him with the physical nourishment that he needed, but it wouldn’t have been enjoyable like a nice delicious steak or Caesar salad.
The lifestyle John lived was in direct contrast to the religious leaders. They were self-satisfied, self-indulgent, and self-righteous people. John was so consumed with the calling God had placed upon him, that he denied himself and was not attracted to the enticements of the world.
His devotion to his ministry overruled all of his personal comforts and interests. Doesn’t Jesus tell us to do the same? Aren’t we to deny ourselves and follow Him? Now I am not saying we need to live like hermits, misers, or monks, but we do need to focus our life on God.
John was filled with and controlled by the Spirit of God. He was obedient to God’s word. He was self-controlled. He was humble. He courageously and faithfully proclaimed God’s word. He was faithful in leading people to Christ.
What a wonderful example for us to follow today as well. That is a pattern for all those who seek greatness, Godly greatness.
As we know, John’s message was that of repentance. “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” This is not just a change of mind, but a radical change of life. Jesus spoke of the same thing.
Repentance means turning from your sin and in faith turning to God for salvation. John taught this and he lived it.
Christmas is only a week and a half away. Are you living the life John lived? Do you overcome your weaknesses? Do you have strong convictions about right and wrong and hold to them? Do you deny yourself for God?
Those are some things to think about as we continue to prepare our lives for not only the celebration of the birth of our Lord, but His return as well.
Closing Prayer
Lord, we thank you for our time in your word this morning. We thank you for giving us an example of faith to follow in John the Baptist. Help us to live as he did.
Strengthen us to overcome our weaknesses and empower us to stand for what is right, true, and honorable in your sight. Most of all help us to deny ourselves and our worldly desires to serve you with our lives.
AMEN
John The Baptist – The Greatest Man
We continue our look at John the Baptist this morning. He is the greatest man who ever lived. In Matthew 11:11, Jesus says, “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist.”
But what makes him so great? We will be looking at some of John’s personal characteristics this morning to see what made him so great.
First of all, his ability to overcome his weaknesses.
Many people have trouble in life. Everyone runs into trouble and faces difficult circumstances. Some people give up or succumb to the temptation. However, overcoming those problems is what separates a great person from an indifferent person.
Great people fight through their obstacles in life to do what is right and honorable to God. That sounds like John doesn’t it?
Remember John was filled with the Holy Spirit from birth. He had been set apart and chosen by God to announce the arrival of the Messiah. He saw the Holy Spirit descend upon Jesus at His Baptism. He heard God the Father declare Jesus to be His beloved Son.
Yet, John had doubts about Jesus. Those doubts troubled him. He wanted to know the truth about Jesus. He wasn’t trying to protect his ministry or his popularity. He simply wanted to know the truth.
So he sent some messengers to Jesus to find out the truth. I am sure John would have gone himself, but he was in prison at the time. John overcame his human weakness to seek the truth and when he heard the truth, that Jesus is who He says He is, then John took a back seat in his ministry.
How do you deal with your weaknesses? We all have them. John didn’t ignore them. He confronted them head on. We should do the same. God will give you the strength you need, just ask Him for it.
Second, John held strongly to his convictions.
John also held very strong convictions in his life. John stood up to the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and even to Herod himself, which landed him in prison. He didn’t back down from his beliefs.
In fact, John was so strong in his convictions that some people thought he was the Messiah (Luke 3:15). John was popular and sometimes people compromise to maintain their popularity. But not John.
He had many opportunities to gain the approval of the important figures in society. But rather than compromising with the Pharisees and Sadducees who came to listen and even be baptized by him, John called them a “brood of vipers.”
He confronted their sin and hypocrisy. John knew what was right and wrong. He stood for those things that were right. Again he did this not for himself, but for the glory of God.
How about you? Do you hold to your convictions? Or do you compromise with the world? Do you stand for what is right or do your simply ignore the wrongs of society?
Thirdly, he denied himself.
John’s life could never be described as an easy life. He wore camel hair and a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey. He must have been a pretty rough, tough looking person.
He was an important messenger of God, but he didn’t live like, dress like, or talk like the other religious leaders. He wore practical clothing, but probably not comfortable clothing and defiantly not stylish clothing.
The same holds true for his food. It provided him with the physical nourishment that he needed, but it wouldn’t have been enjoyable like a nice delicious steak or Caesar salad.
The lifestyle John lived was in direct contrast to the religious leaders. They were self-satisfied, self-indulgent, and self-righteous people. John was so consumed with the calling God had placed upon him, that he denied himself and was not attracted to the enticements of the world.
His devotion to his ministry overruled all of his personal comforts and interests. Doesn’t Jesus tell us to do the same? Aren’t we to deny ourselves and follow Him? Now I am not saying we need to live like hermits, misers, or monks, but we do need to focus our life on God.
John was filled with and controlled by the Spirit of God. He was obedient to God’s word. He was self-controlled. He was humble. He courageously and faithfully proclaimed God’s word. He was faithful in leading people to Christ.
What a wonderful example for us to follow today as well. That is a pattern for all those who seek greatness, Godly greatness.
As we know, John’s message was that of repentance. “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” This is not just a change of mind, but a radical change of life. Jesus spoke of the same thing.
Repentance means turning from your sin and in faith turning to God for salvation. John taught this and he lived it.
Christmas is only a week and a half away. Are you living the life John lived? Do you overcome your weaknesses? Do you have strong convictions about right and wrong and hold to them? Do you deny yourself for God?
Those are some things to think about as we continue to prepare our lives for not only the celebration of the birth of our Lord, but His return as well.
Closing Prayer
Lord, we thank you for our time in your word this morning. We thank you for giving us an example of faith to follow in John the Baptist. Help us to live as he did.
Strengthen us to overcome our weaknesses and empower us to stand for what is right, true, and honorable in your sight. Most of all help us to deny ourselves and our worldly desires to serve you with our lives.
AMEN
Monday, December 7, 2009
John the Baptist - Preparing the Way
Luke 3:7-14
Length: 10:35
This is a message given on December 6, 2009 at the Bowdertown United Methodist Church.
John the Baptist – Preparing the Way
With the ministry of John the Baptist, the Messianic prophecies start to take shape. The mystery of God starts to be revealed, that is the Good News of Jesus Christ. As I am sure we all know, it was John’s duty to introduce the Messiah, to prepare the way for Christ.
He did this along the banks of the Jordan river. People from all over the area came to hear John’s preaching. John had a simple, yet profound message. The Kingdom of God is coming. In order to prepare for the Kingdom, people must repent and be baptized.
This is the same Christian baptism that we celebrate today. However, when we are baptized we look back at the cross whereas, the Old Testament saints looked forward to the cross. But we are all saved by faith, by trusting and believing in God’s promise to us.
In our Scripture, we see a quote from Isaiah here pointing to John. The idea describes the preparation made for the coming of a king or some other dignitary. When a king or some other important dignitary was coming to visit your town, the road crew would go out and fix up the road.
In a spiritual sense, John was calling the people of Israel to prepare, to clean up, their hearts for the coming of their Messiah. John did this through his preaching and teaching. He introduced many Messianic concepts as well as a baptism of repentance, which would prepare the hearts and minds of the people to follow Jesus.
John was a rough looking guy. He wore a camel haired coat with a leather belt. He ate wild honey and locusts. We would probably refer to him as a hermit or mountain man today.
John’s preaching was both practical and penetrating He was preaching to the Jews, in particular to the scribes and Pharisees. People from all over were coming to be baptized, even some of the scribes and Pharisees.
Unfortunately, their motives were wrong. What they needed was a repentance that produced fruit As we have looked at before, the word repentance means a change of mind. It is a change of your thoughts and your behaviors.
Just as faith without works is dead, so is repentance without the corresponding change in your actions. This does not mean we are sinless, it simply means that our direction in life is moving toward God in a Holy manner.
John warns them not to simply trust in their heritage. We are justified before God not because of our parents but because of our relationship with Him. Repentance is all the more important when you consider the imminent judgment against nonbelievers.
As we saw last week, the next big thing God does will be His second coming. John mentions the judgment here to the Jews as well. He says God’s ax is ready to chop down any tree that does not produce fruit.
What then should we do? Three groups come and ask John that same question. There is the Jewish crowd, the tax collectors and the soldiers.
First, John talks to the Jewish crowd. He says if you have more than you need, then share it with others. He is talking about the basic necessities of life: food and clothing. We are not to build our earthly treasures to hoard for our own selfish desires. Rather, we are to share with others the things that they need.
Second, John addresses the tax collectors. No one really liked the tax collectors, so it is likely that people wouldn’t accept basic necessities from them. Tax collectors were considered traitors and were looked upon as being no better than prostitutes and murderers.
The tax collectors were hired by Rome to collect a certain about of taxes for Rome. Anything they collected above that amount they were able to keep for themselves. So the more taxes they collected the more they were able to keep and make a profit. No wonder they were despised.
What is John response to the tax collectors? “Collect no more than what you have been ordered to.” In other words, taxes are a part of life and people are to pay them, but the tax collectors should not abuse their positions of authority.
Finally, John addresses the soldiers that were there. He tells them not to rob anyone and to be content with their wages.
The things that John tells the people of his day, still apply to us today as well. We are to show compassion, especially to the disadvantaged. We do this not because we want to look like or feel like good people nor do we do it simply because that is what we are supposed to do. We do this because the Kingdom of God is at hand. We do this for God!
God is about to show up and we better be prepared. We need to clean up our act so that when He does appear we will avoid the judgment that is cast upon the unbelieving world.
John lived a life away from distractions so he could hear God’s instructions. The purpose of his ministry was to prepare the people to accept Jesus as God’s son. When John called people to repent, he started a new way of relating to God individually.
Is change needed in your life so you can hear and understand God’s call to you? You have to admit your need for forgiveness before you can accept it. To prepare to receive Christ, repent. Denounce the world’s way of living and follow Christ.
Remember, to share what you have with others, and not just physical needs, but spiritual needs as well. Whatever job you do, give it your best and honest effort. And be content.
God has no use for people who call themselves Christians, yet don’t do anything for Christ. If others can’t see Christ in you, then maybe Christ isn’t in you.
Let’s make sure people see Christ in us, especially this Christmas.
Closing Prayer
Lord, we thank you again for our time in your word this morning. Help us to bring others to Christ as John prepared the Jews so long ago. Give us the courage and strength that we need to be your followers in this world today. Be with us this morning as we commune together. AMEN.
Length: 10:35
This is a message given on December 6, 2009 at the Bowdertown United Methodist Church.
John the Baptist – Preparing the Way
With the ministry of John the Baptist, the Messianic prophecies start to take shape. The mystery of God starts to be revealed, that is the Good News of Jesus Christ. As I am sure we all know, it was John’s duty to introduce the Messiah, to prepare the way for Christ.
He did this along the banks of the Jordan river. People from all over the area came to hear John’s preaching. John had a simple, yet profound message. The Kingdom of God is coming. In order to prepare for the Kingdom, people must repent and be baptized.
This is the same Christian baptism that we celebrate today. However, when we are baptized we look back at the cross whereas, the Old Testament saints looked forward to the cross. But we are all saved by faith, by trusting and believing in God’s promise to us.
In our Scripture, we see a quote from Isaiah here pointing to John. The idea describes the preparation made for the coming of a king or some other dignitary. When a king or some other important dignitary was coming to visit your town, the road crew would go out and fix up the road.
In a spiritual sense, John was calling the people of Israel to prepare, to clean up, their hearts for the coming of their Messiah. John did this through his preaching and teaching. He introduced many Messianic concepts as well as a baptism of repentance, which would prepare the hearts and minds of the people to follow Jesus.
John was a rough looking guy. He wore a camel haired coat with a leather belt. He ate wild honey and locusts. We would probably refer to him as a hermit or mountain man today.
John’s preaching was both practical and penetrating He was preaching to the Jews, in particular to the scribes and Pharisees. People from all over were coming to be baptized, even some of the scribes and Pharisees.
Unfortunately, their motives were wrong. What they needed was a repentance that produced fruit As we have looked at before, the word repentance means a change of mind. It is a change of your thoughts and your behaviors.
Just as faith without works is dead, so is repentance without the corresponding change in your actions. This does not mean we are sinless, it simply means that our direction in life is moving toward God in a Holy manner.
John warns them not to simply trust in their heritage. We are justified before God not because of our parents but because of our relationship with Him. Repentance is all the more important when you consider the imminent judgment against nonbelievers.
As we saw last week, the next big thing God does will be His second coming. John mentions the judgment here to the Jews as well. He says God’s ax is ready to chop down any tree that does not produce fruit.
What then should we do? Three groups come and ask John that same question. There is the Jewish crowd, the tax collectors and the soldiers.
First, John talks to the Jewish crowd. He says if you have more than you need, then share it with others. He is talking about the basic necessities of life: food and clothing. We are not to build our earthly treasures to hoard for our own selfish desires. Rather, we are to share with others the things that they need.
Second, John addresses the tax collectors. No one really liked the tax collectors, so it is likely that people wouldn’t accept basic necessities from them. Tax collectors were considered traitors and were looked upon as being no better than prostitutes and murderers.
The tax collectors were hired by Rome to collect a certain about of taxes for Rome. Anything they collected above that amount they were able to keep for themselves. So the more taxes they collected the more they were able to keep and make a profit. No wonder they were despised.
What is John response to the tax collectors? “Collect no more than what you have been ordered to.” In other words, taxes are a part of life and people are to pay them, but the tax collectors should not abuse their positions of authority.
Finally, John addresses the soldiers that were there. He tells them not to rob anyone and to be content with their wages.
The things that John tells the people of his day, still apply to us today as well. We are to show compassion, especially to the disadvantaged. We do this not because we want to look like or feel like good people nor do we do it simply because that is what we are supposed to do. We do this because the Kingdom of God is at hand. We do this for God!
God is about to show up and we better be prepared. We need to clean up our act so that when He does appear we will avoid the judgment that is cast upon the unbelieving world.
John lived a life away from distractions so he could hear God’s instructions. The purpose of his ministry was to prepare the people to accept Jesus as God’s son. When John called people to repent, he started a new way of relating to God individually.
Is change needed in your life so you can hear and understand God’s call to you? You have to admit your need for forgiveness before you can accept it. To prepare to receive Christ, repent. Denounce the world’s way of living and follow Christ.
Remember, to share what you have with others, and not just physical needs, but spiritual needs as well. Whatever job you do, give it your best and honest effort. And be content.
God has no use for people who call themselves Christians, yet don’t do anything for Christ. If others can’t see Christ in you, then maybe Christ isn’t in you.
Let’s make sure people see Christ in us, especially this Christmas.
Closing Prayer
Lord, we thank you again for our time in your word this morning. Help us to bring others to Christ as John prepared the Jews so long ago. Give us the courage and strength that we need to be your followers in this world today. Be with us this morning as we commune together. AMEN.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Be Prepared
Luke 21:25-36
Length: 18:55
This is a message given on November 29, 2009 at the Bowdertown United Methodist Church.
Be Prepared
Our Scripture lesson this morning is an unusual one to start the season of Advent. Usually at this time of year we focus on the birth of Christ and the Bible does indeed give us many details about His birth.
But we must remember that Advent means the coming or arrival especially of something important. Certainly, the birth of our Lord and Savior was important, but it already happened. We don’t have to wait for it or hope that it will happen.
So instead we as Christians await the second coming of our Lord and Savior. In fact, the bible tells the story of Jesus’ second coming in just as much detail as His birth. The most clear and dramatic revelation comes from Jesus’ own mouth to His disciples.
With the return of Christ there will be signs throughout the universe. When the world sees these signs it will be in great panic. For the true believer in Jesus Christ we are to lift our heads. The things that will occur during the final days are of great expectation, joy, and triumph for us.
Why should it be a joyful time for us? Because our redemption is near. The final fullness of our redemption. This is when the redeemed, the true believers, are reunited with Christ forever. What a day that will be.
We don’t know when Jesus will return. There have been many claims about His exact return, but we really don’t know when. We do know He is coming soon. His return will be the next big thing that God does. He will return the same way He left, He will come in the clouds with great power and glory.
His return will surprise the world. It will destroy even the most intimate of relationships among people. So we had better be ready. Many people are afraid the world will be destroyed by nuclear war, disease, or climate change.
Indeed our world is unstable because we as people and governments make it that way. God’s word provides the stability that we can trust in. People spend so much time and energy focusing on worldly activities that they forget the eternal truth of God’s world.
We need to pray for the strength to keep alert. Rather than giving us the precise time of Christ’s return we are told to simply be ready.
How can we be ready? We are told to be faithful, watchful, be a good steward of the things we are given, expect His return, and be prepared for it. That is what we need to focus our lives on. That is what we need to do. There is no better time than today.
The first time Christ came to earth the wise men brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. What can we bring to Him today? The start of our Advent season is a great time to place the emphasis in our life on the things that God wants us to do.
We should not be misled or get confused by people claiming to know more than the Bible tells us or people speculating as to what will happen when.
We should be out in the world telling people about what we do know. We should be telling them about Christ, no matter what the consequences are. We must stand firm in our faith and not be surprised when we are persecuted for them.
We must live as though we believe the Bible as God’s Holy Word.
We are obviously in the middle of the largest, longest, most elaborate and most expensive celebration in the United States, Christmas. Nothing even comes close to it. In fact, you could collect all other holidays celebrated here, put them together and they wouldn’t even come close Christmas. More activity goes on, more events, more spending, more celebrating, more parties, more everything than with any other event.
The story of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ is probably the most well-known ancient story in the United States. It is amazing what the birth of Jesus about two thousand years ago has set in motion in terms of our society. And it seems to get bigger every year. It certainly starts earlier every year.
I gage the Christmas shopping season by Wal*Mart. October 21st is when I noticed the first Christmas wrapping paper on the store shelves. Egg Nog, which for some reason is only produced around Christmas, used to be available shortly before Thanksgiving. This year I bought the first carton on October 7th. The Christmas shopping season really does come earlier and earlier each year.
Though the main event historically is the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, that no longer is the simple reality of Christmas. The birth has been severely obscured and confused and clouded by unrelated worldly activities like shopping and partying. And mix in a few winter items and somehow you get a rather confused scenario.
But still, the reason for all of this at the heart is the birth of the Son of God. The world has literally created its biggest party around that event. Make no mistake about it there will not be a party the next time He comes.
In fact, the Bible says all enterprise business will cease when He comes. It will be the end of everything. The Bible says no more music, no more singing, no more joy, no more celebration the next time He comes.
The world is eager to embrace a baby in a manger, but not at all interested in embracing a sovereign Lord coming in power and glory out of the sky to judge the world. And yet, when our Lord was ready to leave this earth, He said, “I will come again.” Physically, literally, historically just as He came the first time. The first time He came as a baby to save sinners. The second time He comes in full deity and glory to judge sinners and to establish His Kingdom.
That is the message we need to take with us this Christmas. Be prepared.
Closing Prayer
Father, we thank You again for the wonderful truth of Your Second Coming. We can’t even think of the manger in Bethlehem and the baby without thinking about the King, the Lord of glory, the one who will come as judge, they are one and the same.
There’s no point in knowing only the beginning of the story and not the end of it, the end is everything. We thank You, Lord, that You’ve told us not only the beginning with regard to the story of Jesus, but the end as well.
Prepare us for Your return. Prepare us all to give you the gifts that You deserve when You come.
And I pray, Lord, that for those who do not know Christ, those that do not know salvation, that they might even now be rescued before this judgment comes. Save people from their indifference and from their worldly lifestyles.
Help them, Lord, to come to the only refuge, the only place where they can come and escape even to the Lord Jesus Christ who died and rose again for our salvation. Bring many sinners to Christ, we pray for Your glory, Amen
Length: 18:55
This is a message given on November 29, 2009 at the Bowdertown United Methodist Church.
Be Prepared
Our Scripture lesson this morning is an unusual one to start the season of Advent. Usually at this time of year we focus on the birth of Christ and the Bible does indeed give us many details about His birth.
But we must remember that Advent means the coming or arrival especially of something important. Certainly, the birth of our Lord and Savior was important, but it already happened. We don’t have to wait for it or hope that it will happen.
So instead we as Christians await the second coming of our Lord and Savior. In fact, the bible tells the story of Jesus’ second coming in just as much detail as His birth. The most clear and dramatic revelation comes from Jesus’ own mouth to His disciples.
With the return of Christ there will be signs throughout the universe. When the world sees these signs it will be in great panic. For the true believer in Jesus Christ we are to lift our heads. The things that will occur during the final days are of great expectation, joy, and triumph for us.
Why should it be a joyful time for us? Because our redemption is near. The final fullness of our redemption. This is when the redeemed, the true believers, are reunited with Christ forever. What a day that will be.
We don’t know when Jesus will return. There have been many claims about His exact return, but we really don’t know when. We do know He is coming soon. His return will be the next big thing that God does. He will return the same way He left, He will come in the clouds with great power and glory.
His return will surprise the world. It will destroy even the most intimate of relationships among people. So we had better be ready. Many people are afraid the world will be destroyed by nuclear war, disease, or climate change.
Indeed our world is unstable because we as people and governments make it that way. God’s word provides the stability that we can trust in. People spend so much time and energy focusing on worldly activities that they forget the eternal truth of God’s world.
We need to pray for the strength to keep alert. Rather than giving us the precise time of Christ’s return we are told to simply be ready.
How can we be ready? We are told to be faithful, watchful, be a good steward of the things we are given, expect His return, and be prepared for it. That is what we need to focus our lives on. That is what we need to do. There is no better time than today.
The first time Christ came to earth the wise men brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. What can we bring to Him today? The start of our Advent season is a great time to place the emphasis in our life on the things that God wants us to do.
We should not be misled or get confused by people claiming to know more than the Bible tells us or people speculating as to what will happen when.
We should be out in the world telling people about what we do know. We should be telling them about Christ, no matter what the consequences are. We must stand firm in our faith and not be surprised when we are persecuted for them.
We must live as though we believe the Bible as God’s Holy Word.
We are obviously in the middle of the largest, longest, most elaborate and most expensive celebration in the United States, Christmas. Nothing even comes close to it. In fact, you could collect all other holidays celebrated here, put them together and they wouldn’t even come close Christmas. More activity goes on, more events, more spending, more celebrating, more parties, more everything than with any other event.
The story of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ is probably the most well-known ancient story in the United States. It is amazing what the birth of Jesus about two thousand years ago has set in motion in terms of our society. And it seems to get bigger every year. It certainly starts earlier every year.
I gage the Christmas shopping season by Wal*Mart. October 21st is when I noticed the first Christmas wrapping paper on the store shelves. Egg Nog, which for some reason is only produced around Christmas, used to be available shortly before Thanksgiving. This year I bought the first carton on October 7th. The Christmas shopping season really does come earlier and earlier each year.
Though the main event historically is the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, that no longer is the simple reality of Christmas. The birth has been severely obscured and confused and clouded by unrelated worldly activities like shopping and partying. And mix in a few winter items and somehow you get a rather confused scenario.
But still, the reason for all of this at the heart is the birth of the Son of God. The world has literally created its biggest party around that event. Make no mistake about it there will not be a party the next time He comes.
In fact, the Bible says all enterprise business will cease when He comes. It will be the end of everything. The Bible says no more music, no more singing, no more joy, no more celebration the next time He comes.
The world is eager to embrace a baby in a manger, but not at all interested in embracing a sovereign Lord coming in power and glory out of the sky to judge the world. And yet, when our Lord was ready to leave this earth, He said, “I will come again.” Physically, literally, historically just as He came the first time. The first time He came as a baby to save sinners. The second time He comes in full deity and glory to judge sinners and to establish His Kingdom.
That is the message we need to take with us this Christmas. Be prepared.
Closing Prayer
Father, we thank You again for the wonderful truth of Your Second Coming. We can’t even think of the manger in Bethlehem and the baby without thinking about the King, the Lord of glory, the one who will come as judge, they are one and the same.
There’s no point in knowing only the beginning of the story and not the end of it, the end is everything. We thank You, Lord, that You’ve told us not only the beginning with regard to the story of Jesus, but the end as well.
Prepare us for Your return. Prepare us all to give you the gifts that You deserve when You come.
And I pray, Lord, that for those who do not know Christ, those that do not know salvation, that they might even now be rescued before this judgment comes. Save people from their indifference and from their worldly lifestyles.
Help them, Lord, to come to the only refuge, the only place where they can come and escape even to the Lord Jesus Christ who died and rose again for our salvation. Bring many sinners to Christ, we pray for Your glory, Amen
Monday, November 23, 2009
Integrity
Ruth 4:9-15
Length: 18:28
This is a message given on November 22, 2009 at the Bowdertown United Methodist Church.
Keeping Integrity
Last week we left off with both Ruth and Boaz taking risks. Ruth took the risk of going to Boaz for marriage. She could have been rejected, humiliated, or possibly even lost her life. But she took a risk out of obedience and trust.
Boaz also took a risk by accepting Ruth’s offer of marriage. He risked his reputation with this women. He risked his business. But he was a man of honor and integrity. So he would do what was right.
He knew what the law said about a widow and he also knew there was another closer relative that had the right to marry Ruth. So Boaz again takes a risk by asking the closer relative if he wants to buy Naomi’s property along with taking Ruth as his wife.
This again goes to show us how Boaz truly was a man of integrity. It wasn’t just a one time good act that he did. It was a lifetime of honesty and fair dealings that he got his well deserved reputation.
Our lesson picks up this morning with Boaz heading to the city gate. Apparently the city gate was the meeting place to transact business during this time period. Boaz sees this close relative and addresses him as a friend.
Boaz then goes and gets ten elders of the city. According to God’s law (Deuteronomy) only two or three witnesses were needed for judicial proceedings. But Boaz gets ten men. It is possible that this was a local custom. But it goes to show once again that Boaz is a man of integrity.
He could have just brought the required two or three men and stack the jury so to speak. They could have been people that owed him something. But Boaz got ten men so there could be no misunderstandings about this transaction.
Then Boaz informs the close relative and the elders about the situation. Naomi needs to sell the family land, because obviously as a widow she needs the money. The stipulation attached to the purchase of the land is taking Ruth in marriage.
Boaz is again taking a risk here. It is possible that this closer relative will buy the land and marry Ruth and Boaz will miss out. But Boaz is a man of integrity and does what is right. He leaves the results up to God. He has faith and trust that things will work out the way God wants them to.
Boaz not only shows respect for the close relative by calling him friend, but even with the fact that Boaz is giving him this opportunity. Boaz also shows respect for Ruth by looking out for her.
And not only Ruth, but her late husband as well. Boaz respects him and sees to it that his name will continue on. Boaz is truly a man of integrity.
At first the close relative is eager to purchase the land, but when he finds out that he will have to marry Ruth, he is no longer interested. His reason for not marrying Ruth is because he doesn’t want to have to mix in his property that will go to his sons with that of any children him and Ruth might have.
It sounds a little selfish of a reason to us, but it was God’s way of protecting Ruth. If this man would have said “Sure, I’ll buy the land and take Ruth as my wife.” It is possible that he could have treated Ruth poorly or even abusively.
So the close relative tells Boaz he isn’t interested and Boaz is free to buy the land and marry Ruth. The deal is confirmed by the act of the man giving Boaz his sandal.
Boaz exercises his right to buy the land and marry Ruth by confirming his intentions in front of the ten witnesses.
The witnesses not only confirm that they agree to the legality of the situation, but they actually give a wonderful blessing to Boaz and to Ruth.
Boaz and Ruth of course had a son named Obed who had a son named Jesse who had a son named David. This of course continues the Messianic line right down to Jesus. So they were indeed blessed by God.
Boaz did what was right even though it could have cost him. He was a man of his word. Many people today do not live by their word. They do not have the integrity of Boaz or they compromise their integrity they do have.
Usually, they do this when they are looking out for themselves or if they will gain some benefit. Sometimes, they will compromise because of peer pressure or just going with the crowd. That is very dangerous.
Integrity is being honest with others and being honest with yourself. It involves following through on your commitments, much like Boaz did. Part of integrity involves knowing your weaknesses, sharing them with others, and encouraging them to hold you accountable for your actions.
None of us are perfect and being a person of integrity means confessing when you were wrong and asking for forgiveness. Of course the opposite is true as well. Forgiving others that have wronged you.
Integrity is speaking the truth, even when it hurts. Integrity builds trust and credibility. As Christians we need to be people of integrity.
For sure, it is difficult to maintain your integrity and honesty in this fallen world, especially when the choices are tough and the consequences of our actions are huge.
But, when we are dealing with people we must as Christians do the right thing, act honestly in our dealings and be up front with our intentions. This is how Boaz was, this was how Christ was and is.
We need to trust God, ask for His help in our daily lives and guide us to the things that He wants for us. Ask Him to make you a person of integrity and ask Him to hold you accountable to it.
Think about how you can be faithful this week to do what is right and to trust God with the results.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank you for the wonderful illustrations of normal people living out their faith. We ask for your forgiveness when we do not fully trust you and try to do things our own way. Continually remind us that your way is best. Guide us as we make decisions and help us to do what is right. So that you may be honored and glorified. AMEN.
Length: 18:28
This is a message given on November 22, 2009 at the Bowdertown United Methodist Church.
Keeping Integrity
Last week we left off with both Ruth and Boaz taking risks. Ruth took the risk of going to Boaz for marriage. She could have been rejected, humiliated, or possibly even lost her life. But she took a risk out of obedience and trust.
Boaz also took a risk by accepting Ruth’s offer of marriage. He risked his reputation with this women. He risked his business. But he was a man of honor and integrity. So he would do what was right.
He knew what the law said about a widow and he also knew there was another closer relative that had the right to marry Ruth. So Boaz again takes a risk by asking the closer relative if he wants to buy Naomi’s property along with taking Ruth as his wife.
This again goes to show us how Boaz truly was a man of integrity. It wasn’t just a one time good act that he did. It was a lifetime of honesty and fair dealings that he got his well deserved reputation.
Our lesson picks up this morning with Boaz heading to the city gate. Apparently the city gate was the meeting place to transact business during this time period. Boaz sees this close relative and addresses him as a friend.
Boaz then goes and gets ten elders of the city. According to God’s law (Deuteronomy) only two or three witnesses were needed for judicial proceedings. But Boaz gets ten men. It is possible that this was a local custom. But it goes to show once again that Boaz is a man of integrity.
He could have just brought the required two or three men and stack the jury so to speak. They could have been people that owed him something. But Boaz got ten men so there could be no misunderstandings about this transaction.
Then Boaz informs the close relative and the elders about the situation. Naomi needs to sell the family land, because obviously as a widow she needs the money. The stipulation attached to the purchase of the land is taking Ruth in marriage.
Boaz is again taking a risk here. It is possible that this closer relative will buy the land and marry Ruth and Boaz will miss out. But Boaz is a man of integrity and does what is right. He leaves the results up to God. He has faith and trust that things will work out the way God wants them to.
Boaz not only shows respect for the close relative by calling him friend, but even with the fact that Boaz is giving him this opportunity. Boaz also shows respect for Ruth by looking out for her.
And not only Ruth, but her late husband as well. Boaz respects him and sees to it that his name will continue on. Boaz is truly a man of integrity.
At first the close relative is eager to purchase the land, but when he finds out that he will have to marry Ruth, he is no longer interested. His reason for not marrying Ruth is because he doesn’t want to have to mix in his property that will go to his sons with that of any children him and Ruth might have.
It sounds a little selfish of a reason to us, but it was God’s way of protecting Ruth. If this man would have said “Sure, I’ll buy the land and take Ruth as my wife.” It is possible that he could have treated Ruth poorly or even abusively.
So the close relative tells Boaz he isn’t interested and Boaz is free to buy the land and marry Ruth. The deal is confirmed by the act of the man giving Boaz his sandal.
Boaz exercises his right to buy the land and marry Ruth by confirming his intentions in front of the ten witnesses.
The witnesses not only confirm that they agree to the legality of the situation, but they actually give a wonderful blessing to Boaz and to Ruth.
Boaz and Ruth of course had a son named Obed who had a son named Jesse who had a son named David. This of course continues the Messianic line right down to Jesus. So they were indeed blessed by God.
Boaz did what was right even though it could have cost him. He was a man of his word. Many people today do not live by their word. They do not have the integrity of Boaz or they compromise their integrity they do have.
Usually, they do this when they are looking out for themselves or if they will gain some benefit. Sometimes, they will compromise because of peer pressure or just going with the crowd. That is very dangerous.
Integrity is being honest with others and being honest with yourself. It involves following through on your commitments, much like Boaz did. Part of integrity involves knowing your weaknesses, sharing them with others, and encouraging them to hold you accountable for your actions.
None of us are perfect and being a person of integrity means confessing when you were wrong and asking for forgiveness. Of course the opposite is true as well. Forgiving others that have wronged you.
Integrity is speaking the truth, even when it hurts. Integrity builds trust and credibility. As Christians we need to be people of integrity.
For sure, it is difficult to maintain your integrity and honesty in this fallen world, especially when the choices are tough and the consequences of our actions are huge.
But, when we are dealing with people we must as Christians do the right thing, act honestly in our dealings and be up front with our intentions. This is how Boaz was, this was how Christ was and is.
We need to trust God, ask for His help in our daily lives and guide us to the things that He wants for us. Ask Him to make you a person of integrity and ask Him to hold you accountable to it.
Think about how you can be faithful this week to do what is right and to trust God with the results.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank you for the wonderful illustrations of normal people living out their faith. We ask for your forgiveness when we do not fully trust you and try to do things our own way. Continually remind us that your way is best. Guide us as we make decisions and help us to do what is right. So that you may be honored and glorified. AMEN.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Trusting God
Ruth 3:1-10
Length: 16:55
This is a message given on November 15, 2009 at the Bowdertown United Methodist Church.
Trusting God
Our story of Ruth continues from last week. We left off with Ruth returning to Naomi’s house after a long day in the field. After listening to Ruth’s day, Naomi begins to realize that God is still there working in their lives. She began to understand and remember that God is loyal, faithful and merciful to His children.
Naomi knows what must be done. Encouraged by Ruth’s day in the field and meeting Boaz, Naomi instructs Ruth to seek Boaz as a provider to ensure a good future for Ruth.
Naomi knows that the crop has been harvested and Boaz would be spending the night at the threshing floor. This would be a normal activity. During the harvest season, most people would probably working late into the evening and would be so exhausted that they would just crash right there.
Not only that, but the grain had just been harvested and no doubt Boaz was spending the night there to protect it from thieves or animals as well.
Naomi instructs Ruth to clean herself up and put on her best outfit. Then head down to the threshing floor and indicate that she was willing to have Boaz as her husband by uncovering his feet. Ruth trusted Naomi and obeyed her instructions.
Now, some commentators have read more into this than there is. There was no immoral act committed here. This was simply a custom for a young women to essentially propose marriage to an older man.
Ruth was taking a great risk in doing this. She could have been rejected by Boaz. She could have been humiliated if found alone with Boaz. Her life could have even been at risk, after all Boaz was guarding his grain from thieves. But Ruth trusted in Naomi and obeyed.
During the middle of the night Boaz was startled and realized someone was there. He asks “Who’s there?” Ruth replies, “I am Ruth your maid. So spread your covering over your maid for you are a close relative.”
This response of Ruth’s shows that she was submitting to Boaz and was willing to be his wife according to the levirate custom.
Ruth demonstrated moral excellence in her standards. She didn’t engage in any acts of immorality. She did not look to remarry outside the family. She appealed to the customs and traditions of the Jewish people. The people she accepted as her own.
In all aspects of this situation Ruth showed excellence. The same can be said for Boaz. In chapter 2 verse 12, Boaz blesses Ruth by saying “May the Lord reward your work and your wages be full from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge.”
Little did he know at the time of the blessing, that God would use him to carry out and fulfill that blessing. So Boaz too is an excellent man. It is fitting then that they were perfectly matched in marriage.
Boaz is truly a kind man. A man of integrity. He too was taking a risk for Ruth. He showed compassion to her and for her.
But there seems to be a problem. Since, Boaz is a righteous man, he knows the laws and customs. It turns out that there is a closer relation than him. Boaz accepts the proposal from Ruth as long as the nearer relative was unable or unwilling to exercise his levirate duty.
Ruth spent the rest of the night laying at Boaz’s feet. Again, scripture is clear that nothing immoral happened that night. Boaz didn’t want people to think something immoral did occur, so he sent Ruth away early in the morning.
But he didn’t let her go empty handed. He gave her 6 measures of barley to take back to Naomi, while they wait for Boaz to inquiry of the closer relative. Naomi knew that Boaz was a man of integrity and would fulfill his promise with a sense of urgency. They needed to wait on the Lord to work through Boaz.
How about you? Are you willing to wait on the Lord like Ruth and Naomi?
Looking at some of Ruth characteristics, which traits would you like to increase in your life?
Ruth was a hard worker. She did what was right. She put herself out there and took risks. She trusted and obeyed. She was faithful and loyal.
There are some costs associated with obeying God today. There is always the possibility of being rejected by your friends, co-workers, or family members. More than likely you will need to forsake some worldly things and activities. Are you willing to pay the price?
Some of you have indeed made personal sacrifices in accordance with God’s will. You give of your time and money to be here or to do what ever it is you do for God. God knows what you do and you will be rewarded for your works. But we don’t do them, just for a reward.
Things don’t always turn out the way we expect them to. If we really trust God, if we really believe He loves us and has our best interests in mind, then when things seem to fall apart around us and aren’t going our way, we need not worry. Simply trust that God has it under control. Because He does.
Contentment in fact is trusting God even when things seem out of control Discontentment on the other hand is really a lack of faith and trust in God’s love and concern for us. This is like saying God has lost control or doesn’t care about us.
Paul tells us in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Verse 19, Paul continues, “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Paul trusted God completely. When things fell apart around him and it seemed as though his world was upside down and going crazy. He just kept on trusting God.
There are uncertainty’s that we face each and every day, just like Ruth did. Ruth didn’t know what was going to happen. She just trusted in God and knew everything would work out.
We too need to place our trust into God and let him handle the details. Just like Ruth did.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank you for another example of a faithful believer in Ruth. This time of her trusting obedience. Help us to be like her. Sometimes you ask us to step out in faith and we may not always be comfortable with that.
It may cause us fear and anxiety. Forgive us when we lack the faith to take the risk that you ask of us. Give us the courage and strength to trust and obey you. AMEN
Length: 16:55
This is a message given on November 15, 2009 at the Bowdertown United Methodist Church.
Trusting God
Our story of Ruth continues from last week. We left off with Ruth returning to Naomi’s house after a long day in the field. After listening to Ruth’s day, Naomi begins to realize that God is still there working in their lives. She began to understand and remember that God is loyal, faithful and merciful to His children.
Naomi knows what must be done. Encouraged by Ruth’s day in the field and meeting Boaz, Naomi instructs Ruth to seek Boaz as a provider to ensure a good future for Ruth.
Naomi knows that the crop has been harvested and Boaz would be spending the night at the threshing floor. This would be a normal activity. During the harvest season, most people would probably working late into the evening and would be so exhausted that they would just crash right there.
Not only that, but the grain had just been harvested and no doubt Boaz was spending the night there to protect it from thieves or animals as well.
Naomi instructs Ruth to clean herself up and put on her best outfit. Then head down to the threshing floor and indicate that she was willing to have Boaz as her husband by uncovering his feet. Ruth trusted Naomi and obeyed her instructions.
Now, some commentators have read more into this than there is. There was no immoral act committed here. This was simply a custom for a young women to essentially propose marriage to an older man.
Ruth was taking a great risk in doing this. She could have been rejected by Boaz. She could have been humiliated if found alone with Boaz. Her life could have even been at risk, after all Boaz was guarding his grain from thieves. But Ruth trusted in Naomi and obeyed.
During the middle of the night Boaz was startled and realized someone was there. He asks “Who’s there?” Ruth replies, “I am Ruth your maid. So spread your covering over your maid for you are a close relative.”
This response of Ruth’s shows that she was submitting to Boaz and was willing to be his wife according to the levirate custom.
Ruth demonstrated moral excellence in her standards. She didn’t engage in any acts of immorality. She did not look to remarry outside the family. She appealed to the customs and traditions of the Jewish people. The people she accepted as her own.
In all aspects of this situation Ruth showed excellence. The same can be said for Boaz. In chapter 2 verse 12, Boaz blesses Ruth by saying “May the Lord reward your work and your wages be full from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge.”
Little did he know at the time of the blessing, that God would use him to carry out and fulfill that blessing. So Boaz too is an excellent man. It is fitting then that they were perfectly matched in marriage.
Boaz is truly a kind man. A man of integrity. He too was taking a risk for Ruth. He showed compassion to her and for her.
But there seems to be a problem. Since, Boaz is a righteous man, he knows the laws and customs. It turns out that there is a closer relation than him. Boaz accepts the proposal from Ruth as long as the nearer relative was unable or unwilling to exercise his levirate duty.
Ruth spent the rest of the night laying at Boaz’s feet. Again, scripture is clear that nothing immoral happened that night. Boaz didn’t want people to think something immoral did occur, so he sent Ruth away early in the morning.
But he didn’t let her go empty handed. He gave her 6 measures of barley to take back to Naomi, while they wait for Boaz to inquiry of the closer relative. Naomi knew that Boaz was a man of integrity and would fulfill his promise with a sense of urgency. They needed to wait on the Lord to work through Boaz.
How about you? Are you willing to wait on the Lord like Ruth and Naomi?
Looking at some of Ruth characteristics, which traits would you like to increase in your life?
Ruth was a hard worker. She did what was right. She put herself out there and took risks. She trusted and obeyed. She was faithful and loyal.
There are some costs associated with obeying God today. There is always the possibility of being rejected by your friends, co-workers, or family members. More than likely you will need to forsake some worldly things and activities. Are you willing to pay the price?
Some of you have indeed made personal sacrifices in accordance with God’s will. You give of your time and money to be here or to do what ever it is you do for God. God knows what you do and you will be rewarded for your works. But we don’t do them, just for a reward.
Things don’t always turn out the way we expect them to. If we really trust God, if we really believe He loves us and has our best interests in mind, then when things seem to fall apart around us and aren’t going our way, we need not worry. Simply trust that God has it under control. Because He does.
Contentment in fact is trusting God even when things seem out of control Discontentment on the other hand is really a lack of faith and trust in God’s love and concern for us. This is like saying God has lost control or doesn’t care about us.
Paul tells us in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Verse 19, Paul continues, “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Paul trusted God completely. When things fell apart around him and it seemed as though his world was upside down and going crazy. He just kept on trusting God.
There are uncertainty’s that we face each and every day, just like Ruth did. Ruth didn’t know what was going to happen. She just trusted in God and knew everything would work out.
We too need to place our trust into God and let him handle the details. Just like Ruth did.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank you for another example of a faithful believer in Ruth. This time of her trusting obedience. Help us to be like her. Sometimes you ask us to step out in faith and we may not always be comfortable with that.
It may cause us fear and anxiety. Forgive us when we lack the faith to take the risk that you ask of us. Give us the courage and strength to trust and obey you. AMEN
Friday, November 13, 2009
Kindness
Ruth 2:8-16
Length: 19:34
This is a message given on November 8, 2009 at the Bowdertown United Methodist Church.
Kindness
So far in our study of Ruth we have see a women by the name of Naomi leave her homeland of Bethlehem with her husband and two sons because of a great famine. While staying in the land of Moab her two sons get married, but they eventually die along with her husband.
So Naomi decide to return to her homeland and tells her daughter in laws to return to their homes to marry someone from their culture and to have their own family. One daughter in law indeed returns, but the other stays. That of course is Ruth.
Ruth make that wonderful speech that we looked at last time, proclaiming her loyalty to Naomi. Where you go, I will go. Your God will be my God. Were you die, I will die. That is true loyalty. Ruth was loyal out of love for Naomi, not to gain some type of reward for her good behavior.
As we shall see today, Ruth was indeed taken care of or rewarded if you will, for her loyalty, for her kindness, and for her faithfulness.
So, we have these two widows, Ruth and Naomi, back at Naomi’s hometown of Bethlehem after about a 10 year absence. They needed the basic necessities of life. Ruth volunteered to go out into the field and glean for food.
Gleanings were stalks of grain left after the first cutting. The Mosaic law commanded that the harvest should not be reaped to the corners nor the gleanings picked up. These were to be left for the needy, especially widows, orphans, and strangers.
Ruth just “happened” to arrive in the field of Boaz. What a wonderful depiction of God’s providence for His children. Boaz turns out to be a close relative of Naomi’s. As I mentioned last week in our introduction, he was a respected man of great wealth.
If you read the entire chapter you can get a pretty good idea of what Boaz was like. From the conversation with his workers we can see that he was well respected and treated his workers with kindness.
He hears the story of Ruth and how hard she worked in the field trying to provide for her mother in law. He feels compassion for her and is generous to her by not only allowing her to glean in his field, but provided a little extra for her and Naomi.
He told his servants to leave a little extra behind and to let some grain fall from their sacks so she could have some. He let Ruth drink from the water of his workers. At mealtime, he let Ruth eat with him.
Boaz admired Ruth because of her faithfulness and dedication to Naomi. She was a hard worker and Boaz went above and beyond the required law to provide for her and to protect her.
Boaz told his servants to watch out for Ruth and not to touch her. No doubt, there were many dangers for a single woman, especially a foreigner, in those days. But Ruth prevails because God provides for her through the kindness of Boaz.
What a difference one person can make. Sometimes we think that we will never be able to make a difference in this world. Most of us will never have the opportunity to preach to a large crowd like Billy Graham. But someone had to introduce the Gospel to him right?
Most of the important things we do in life are often neither dramatic nor memorable to us. But they can make a huge difference in the lives of others. God will remember that and He knows our hearts. He knows our true reason for doing what we do.
God is faithful to His children. He was faithful to Ruth and provided her protection and the other things she needed. He still continues to provide for us today. I am sure we all have appropriate shelter, adequate food and clothing. God has provided for us.
When Ruth returns home to Naomi that evening she tells Naomi about her day. If you look back at the end of Chapter 1, Naomi is feeling a little sad and maybe a little angry or at least upset with God for all that she has experienced.
After listening to Ruth’s day, Naomi begins to realize that God is still there working in their lives. She begins to understand and remember that God is loyal, faithful and merciful to His children.
This marks a turning point for Naomi. She was empty inside, feeling abandoned by God. But now she realizes through Boaz’s kindness that God is still there. And He is still here with us today as well.
Boaz is kind. We should be kind as well. In fact, Christ was the perfect example of kindness and we are supposed to be like Christ, right?
Jesus touched the lives of the untouchables of society. Remember, the women who bled for twelve years? Not only was she ceremonially unclean, but she would have been physically unclean as well. She was an outcast of society.
But this women came to Jesus for help. She believed He could heal her. How did Jesus respond? With kindness. He didn’t yell at her or belittle her. He says be of good cheer, your faith has made you well. Go in peace.
As Christians we are commanded to love one another. Part of love is showing kindness. Ephesians 4:32 says, “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.”
Throughout the bible we are reminded how actions speak louder than words. The same holds true for us today as well. Where does kindness start? The best place is in your heart. When you have a kind heart it will reflect in your everyday life, in your home, with family, with friends, at work.
Boaz was a kind person and it shows.
Kindness is pretty easy to demonstrate isn’t it? It doesn’t take much as we can see from Boaz’s example. What small acts of kindness can you do to brighten someone’s day? How can you help someone in need this week?
Do you enjoy it when people treat you with kindness? I know I do, and I'm sure that you do, too. If you want to be treated with kindness, notice carefully the words of Jesus in Luke 6:31
"And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.”
Just think of the effect you can have on those around you if you treat them with kindness.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank you for the so many blessings you have placed into our lives. Thank you for not only providing exactly what we need, but so much more. Help us this week to be kind to others. Show us what we can do. Give us a generous heart like Boaz to share the things we have been given with others. Give us a kind heart. In Jesus Name. AMEN.
Length: 19:34
This is a message given on November 8, 2009 at the Bowdertown United Methodist Church.
Kindness
So far in our study of Ruth we have see a women by the name of Naomi leave her homeland of Bethlehem with her husband and two sons because of a great famine. While staying in the land of Moab her two sons get married, but they eventually die along with her husband.
So Naomi decide to return to her homeland and tells her daughter in laws to return to their homes to marry someone from their culture and to have their own family. One daughter in law indeed returns, but the other stays. That of course is Ruth.
Ruth make that wonderful speech that we looked at last time, proclaiming her loyalty to Naomi. Where you go, I will go. Your God will be my God. Were you die, I will die. That is true loyalty. Ruth was loyal out of love for Naomi, not to gain some type of reward for her good behavior.
As we shall see today, Ruth was indeed taken care of or rewarded if you will, for her loyalty, for her kindness, and for her faithfulness.
So, we have these two widows, Ruth and Naomi, back at Naomi’s hometown of Bethlehem after about a 10 year absence. They needed the basic necessities of life. Ruth volunteered to go out into the field and glean for food.
Gleanings were stalks of grain left after the first cutting. The Mosaic law commanded that the harvest should not be reaped to the corners nor the gleanings picked up. These were to be left for the needy, especially widows, orphans, and strangers.
Ruth just “happened” to arrive in the field of Boaz. What a wonderful depiction of God’s providence for His children. Boaz turns out to be a close relative of Naomi’s. As I mentioned last week in our introduction, he was a respected man of great wealth.
If you read the entire chapter you can get a pretty good idea of what Boaz was like. From the conversation with his workers we can see that he was well respected and treated his workers with kindness.
He hears the story of Ruth and how hard she worked in the field trying to provide for her mother in law. He feels compassion for her and is generous to her by not only allowing her to glean in his field, but provided a little extra for her and Naomi.
He told his servants to leave a little extra behind and to let some grain fall from their sacks so she could have some. He let Ruth drink from the water of his workers. At mealtime, he let Ruth eat with him.
Boaz admired Ruth because of her faithfulness and dedication to Naomi. She was a hard worker and Boaz went above and beyond the required law to provide for her and to protect her.
Boaz told his servants to watch out for Ruth and not to touch her. No doubt, there were many dangers for a single woman, especially a foreigner, in those days. But Ruth prevails because God provides for her through the kindness of Boaz.
What a difference one person can make. Sometimes we think that we will never be able to make a difference in this world. Most of us will never have the opportunity to preach to a large crowd like Billy Graham. But someone had to introduce the Gospel to him right?
Most of the important things we do in life are often neither dramatic nor memorable to us. But they can make a huge difference in the lives of others. God will remember that and He knows our hearts. He knows our true reason for doing what we do.
God is faithful to His children. He was faithful to Ruth and provided her protection and the other things she needed. He still continues to provide for us today. I am sure we all have appropriate shelter, adequate food and clothing. God has provided for us.
When Ruth returns home to Naomi that evening she tells Naomi about her day. If you look back at the end of Chapter 1, Naomi is feeling a little sad and maybe a little angry or at least upset with God for all that she has experienced.
After listening to Ruth’s day, Naomi begins to realize that God is still there working in their lives. She begins to understand and remember that God is loyal, faithful and merciful to His children.
This marks a turning point for Naomi. She was empty inside, feeling abandoned by God. But now she realizes through Boaz’s kindness that God is still there. And He is still here with us today as well.
Boaz is kind. We should be kind as well. In fact, Christ was the perfect example of kindness and we are supposed to be like Christ, right?
Jesus touched the lives of the untouchables of society. Remember, the women who bled for twelve years? Not only was she ceremonially unclean, but she would have been physically unclean as well. She was an outcast of society.
But this women came to Jesus for help. She believed He could heal her. How did Jesus respond? With kindness. He didn’t yell at her or belittle her. He says be of good cheer, your faith has made you well. Go in peace.
As Christians we are commanded to love one another. Part of love is showing kindness. Ephesians 4:32 says, “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.”
Throughout the bible we are reminded how actions speak louder than words. The same holds true for us today as well. Where does kindness start? The best place is in your heart. When you have a kind heart it will reflect in your everyday life, in your home, with family, with friends, at work.
Boaz was a kind person and it shows.
Kindness is pretty easy to demonstrate isn’t it? It doesn’t take much as we can see from Boaz’s example. What small acts of kindness can you do to brighten someone’s day? How can you help someone in need this week?
Do you enjoy it when people treat you with kindness? I know I do, and I'm sure that you do, too. If you want to be treated with kindness, notice carefully the words of Jesus in Luke 6:31
"And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.”
Just think of the effect you can have on those around you if you treat them with kindness.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank you for the so many blessings you have placed into our lives. Thank you for not only providing exactly what we need, but so much more. Help us this week to be kind to others. Show us what we can do. Give us a generous heart like Boaz to share the things we have been given with others. Give us a kind heart. In Jesus Name. AMEN.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Loyalty
Ruth 1:6-17
Length: 16:25
This is a message given on November 1, 2009 at the Bowdertown United Methodist Church.
Loyalty
The book of Ruth focuses on the life of a women, named Ruth. Throughout the scripture we see three main characters, although there is a fourth character, but they aren’t mentioned until the New Testament book of Matthew.
The first person is an older married women who has two sons, each of which have their own wives. After a while, the women’s husband dies as well as the two sons. She is left alone with her two daughter-in-laws. This women is of course Naomi.
The second person, is Ruth. She marries Naomi’s son, but then finds herself a widow in a foreign land.
The third person, is Boaz. He is a wealthy and powerful young man, who just happens to be single and who also happens to be related to Naomi. As we shall see, Ruth is loyal to Naomi. Naomi finds Ruth a husband in Boaz. And they all live happily ever after, so to speak.
The important part of the story is not just about love or loyalty. As with anything, God has a plan and purpose. That fourth character that I mentioned, she was a prostitute named Rahab. They were included in the physical lineage or Christ’s genealogy.
The book of Ruth describes several themes throughout it. First, we see what God’s grace is extended to all, not just the Jews. Gentiles can receive His blessings, His mercy, and His grace as well.
Expanding upon that idea, God’s grace isn’t just available to men either. Even though during this time was a very male-dominated society. God cares for all, both men and women.
The story of Ruth occurred in the days when the judges governed Israel. God used a famine in Judah to set in motion these events. The entire story covers about 11 or 12 years.
Because of the great famine, Naomi, her husband, their two sons went to live in Moab until the famine was over. While in Moah, the husband died and the two sons got married.
They lived together as a family for ten years, then the two sons died. Word came to Naomi, that the famine was ending. No doubt, Naomi was a little upset and displeased at the events she had gone through, but knew that she had friends, family, and prosperity waiting for her in Bethlehem. So she decides to return to her hometown.
Think about everything that had happened to Naomi. She lost her husband and her sons. She probably didn’t have much food or material possessions in the land of Moab. She probably felt as if God was punishing her.
When she finally did return to Bethlehem, the people barely recognized her. Probably because of the hard life she lived for the past ten years. She was in emotional pain. It was a physical struggle just to survive.
But look at what she does next.
Naomi graciously tells her two daughter-in-laws to return to their own home towns and remarry, to live their own lives. Both daughter-in-laws insist on going with Naomi. Once, again, Naomi reasons that she cannot provide for them and they would be better off with their own people. What a selfless act of love and mercy Naomi is showing her daughter in laws.
This time though, Orpah, the one daughter in law decides to leave and return to her hometown. But Ruth stays. Naomi once again pleads with Ruth to return to her hometown. This is where we see that wonderful passage of loyalty, of commitment.
Ruth responds, “Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die; I will die, and there I will be buried. Thus may the Lord do to me, and worse, if anything but death parts you and me.”
After this speech, Naomi truly saw the loyalty of Ruth. She saw the dedication Ruth had not only to her, but to God. See over the past ten years, living with this Jewish family, Ruth had been converted and believed in the true God.
What a wonderful picture of dedication. Ruth who was no longer under any commitment to stay with Naomi, does so because of her dedication and loyalty. By going to Bethlehem with Naomi, Ruth is giving up her chance to have her own life with her people.
Ruth is loyal, she is faithful, she is committed, she is trusting, she is selfless. What a wonderful characteristics to have. Can the same be said about you or someone you know?
It seems as though it is so difficult to be loyal like Ruth in our society today. Our society is self-serving and looking for instant gratification, not something that takes commitment and dedication.
We need to remember what Jesus said, we need to deny our self, take up our cross and follow Him. That takes commitment and dedication. It means being loyal. It means thinking of others first. It means doing what is right and not necessarily what is easy.
It is important for us to be faithful in our commitments because we are representatives of Christ. He is faithful, true, and loyal. We should be the same.
He gave His life as a ransom for ours. He didn’t have too. He could have escaped from the Romans or the Jews, but he obeyed the will of the Father perfectly.
Think about the blessings that you have received from a faithful friend, spouse, or parent. Think about the blessings of commitment. Think about how loyal you have been to those in your life. Think about how loyal you have been to God.
Closing Prayer:
Father, we thank you for our time in your Word this morning. Forgive us for our broken commitments and our lack of dedication to things in this life and especially to you and your Word and to the life that you want for us.
Thank you for being faithful to us, even when we do turn from you. Help us this week to show the loyalty and dedication and trust that we see in people like Ruth. In Jesus Name AMEN.
Length: 16:25
This is a message given on November 1, 2009 at the Bowdertown United Methodist Church.
Loyalty
The book of Ruth focuses on the life of a women, named Ruth. Throughout the scripture we see three main characters, although there is a fourth character, but they aren’t mentioned until the New Testament book of Matthew.
The first person is an older married women who has two sons, each of which have their own wives. After a while, the women’s husband dies as well as the two sons. She is left alone with her two daughter-in-laws. This women is of course Naomi.
The second person, is Ruth. She marries Naomi’s son, but then finds herself a widow in a foreign land.
The third person, is Boaz. He is a wealthy and powerful young man, who just happens to be single and who also happens to be related to Naomi. As we shall see, Ruth is loyal to Naomi. Naomi finds Ruth a husband in Boaz. And they all live happily ever after, so to speak.
The important part of the story is not just about love or loyalty. As with anything, God has a plan and purpose. That fourth character that I mentioned, she was a prostitute named Rahab. They were included in the physical lineage or Christ’s genealogy.
The book of Ruth describes several themes throughout it. First, we see what God’s grace is extended to all, not just the Jews. Gentiles can receive His blessings, His mercy, and His grace as well.
Expanding upon that idea, God’s grace isn’t just available to men either. Even though during this time was a very male-dominated society. God cares for all, both men and women.
The story of Ruth occurred in the days when the judges governed Israel. God used a famine in Judah to set in motion these events. The entire story covers about 11 or 12 years.
Because of the great famine, Naomi, her husband, their two sons went to live in Moab until the famine was over. While in Moah, the husband died and the two sons got married.
They lived together as a family for ten years, then the two sons died. Word came to Naomi, that the famine was ending. No doubt, Naomi was a little upset and displeased at the events she had gone through, but knew that she had friends, family, and prosperity waiting for her in Bethlehem. So she decides to return to her hometown.
Think about everything that had happened to Naomi. She lost her husband and her sons. She probably didn’t have much food or material possessions in the land of Moab. She probably felt as if God was punishing her.
When she finally did return to Bethlehem, the people barely recognized her. Probably because of the hard life she lived for the past ten years. She was in emotional pain. It was a physical struggle just to survive.
But look at what she does next.
Naomi graciously tells her two daughter-in-laws to return to their own home towns and remarry, to live their own lives. Both daughter-in-laws insist on going with Naomi. Once, again, Naomi reasons that she cannot provide for them and they would be better off with their own people. What a selfless act of love and mercy Naomi is showing her daughter in laws.
This time though, Orpah, the one daughter in law decides to leave and return to her hometown. But Ruth stays. Naomi once again pleads with Ruth to return to her hometown. This is where we see that wonderful passage of loyalty, of commitment.
Ruth responds, “Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die; I will die, and there I will be buried. Thus may the Lord do to me, and worse, if anything but death parts you and me.”
After this speech, Naomi truly saw the loyalty of Ruth. She saw the dedication Ruth had not only to her, but to God. See over the past ten years, living with this Jewish family, Ruth had been converted and believed in the true God.
What a wonderful picture of dedication. Ruth who was no longer under any commitment to stay with Naomi, does so because of her dedication and loyalty. By going to Bethlehem with Naomi, Ruth is giving up her chance to have her own life with her people.
Ruth is loyal, she is faithful, she is committed, she is trusting, she is selfless. What a wonderful characteristics to have. Can the same be said about you or someone you know?
It seems as though it is so difficult to be loyal like Ruth in our society today. Our society is self-serving and looking for instant gratification, not something that takes commitment and dedication.
We need to remember what Jesus said, we need to deny our self, take up our cross and follow Him. That takes commitment and dedication. It means being loyal. It means thinking of others first. It means doing what is right and not necessarily what is easy.
It is important for us to be faithful in our commitments because we are representatives of Christ. He is faithful, true, and loyal. We should be the same.
He gave His life as a ransom for ours. He didn’t have too. He could have escaped from the Romans or the Jews, but he obeyed the will of the Father perfectly.
Think about the blessings that you have received from a faithful friend, spouse, or parent. Think about the blessings of commitment. Think about how loyal you have been to those in your life. Think about how loyal you have been to God.
Closing Prayer:
Father, we thank you for our time in your Word this morning. Forgive us for our broken commitments and our lack of dedication to things in this life and especially to you and your Word and to the life that you want for us.
Thank you for being faithful to us, even when we do turn from you. Help us this week to show the loyalty and dedication and trust that we see in people like Ruth. In Jesus Name AMEN.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Your Faith Makes You Well
Mark 10:46-52
Length: 17:28
This is a message given on October 25, 2009 at the Bowdertown United Methodist Church.
Your Faith Makes You Well
We finish up our study of the life of Christ this morning by looking at the healing of the blind men at Jericho. This was right before Jesus Entry into Jerusalem and the final week of His earthly life.
The city of Jericho is located about fifteen miles northeast of Jerusalem. It was the last major stop for people traveling to Jerusalem for the Passover feast. This is Jesus’ only recorded visit to Jericho in Scripture.
If you look at the parallel account of this healing in the Gospel of Matthew there were two blind men healed. The parallel account in the Gospel of Luke says Jesus healed them on the way into Jericho.
The New American Standard reads in verse 46, “Then they came to Jericho. And as He was leaving Jericho.” This seems a little confusing to us. So, which was it? Were there two men or one blind man. Was Jesus leaving the city or entering the city?
If you think back to the Old Testament in Joshua chapter 6, you will no doubt remember the story.
Joshua 6:1-5
Now Jericho was shut up inside and outside because of the people of Israel. None went out, and none came in. 2 And the LORD said to Joshua, “See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor. 3 You shall march around the city, all the men of war going around the city once. Thus shall you do for six days. 4 Seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark. On the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. 5 And when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, when you hear the sound of the trumpet, then all the people shall shout with a great shout, and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people shall go up, everyone straight before him.”
After the walls fell, the city was in ruins. Rather than clean up the rubble, the city was rebuilt right next door, so you essentially have Jericho OT and Jericho NT, two cities built right next to each other.
So, Jesus leaves old Jericho and enters new Jericho or whatever you want to call it. As for Matthew mentioning two blind men and Mark and Luke only mentioning Bartimaeus, again this is no big deal. Mark and Luke simply focus on the more vocal of the two blind men which is Bartimaeus.
Bartimaeus and his friend are sitting by the roadside begging. That is about the only way a blind man could make a living in those days. These men had staked out a good place on the main road to Jerusalem.
Remember, these men are blind, not death. So they hear all this commotion as Jesus and the crowd pass by. So Bartimaeus asks someone what’s happen. Who is leading this group? They tell him it is Jesus of Nazareth.
Wow, what great news Bartimaeus thinks. No doubt, he has heard the story’s of this man named Jesus. He probably heard about the raising of Lazarus from the dead, since Bethany is only a few miles away.
He also probably heard some rumblings about the Sanhedrin and other religious leaders being out to get this guy. But Bartimaeus doesn’t really care about what the religious leaders think. He simply wants to be healed and believes this man, Jesus can do just that.
He beings to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.” The crowd told him to be quiet. They try to shut him up, but the more they tried the more aggressive, assertive and louder he got. Finally, he gets Jesus’ attention.
Jesus stops the procession and calls for Bartimaeus. Suddenly, the people who were yelling at this man to be quiet are now encouraging him to come forward to Jesus.
There is no doubt in Bartimaeus’ mind. He is going to be healed. He is full of confidence, he throws his cloak off and runs to Jesus. Think about it for a minute. If your blind, you keep your possessions with you, especially something as important as a cloak to stay warm with. But as I said, Bartimaeus is confident he will be healed and able to see his cloak to retrieve it.
Jesus knows what Bartimaeus wants, but asks him anyways, “What do you want me to do for you?” Again, Jesus wants Bartimaeus to demonstrate his faith, which he already has by leaving his cloak along side the road, but Jesus also wants the crowd to understand.
Jesus heals him, saying your faith has made you well. Bartimaeus’ physical and spiritual eyes were opened. The outward healing reflected also his inner salvation as well. Jesus tells Bartimaeus to go, but Bartimaeus choose to join the procession going to Jerusaem.
Perhaps this will be his very first Passover. What a wonderful experience that would be. Seeing all the sights and participating the Passover with someone special for the first time. I would also have to assume, that Bartimaeus was also there to witness the shocking execution of the Man who gave him sight. No doubt, Bartimaeus was feeling on top of the world at the beginning of the week, but by the end, he too was crushed.
The blind man could see who Jesus really was. He knew He was the Son of David, the Messiah. The religious leaders on the other hand could not. They refused to see Him for who He truly was and is. They were blinded to His true identity.
Bartimaeus’ faith made him well. He was healed. He was able to see. He was saved. No matter how desperate your situation may seem, if you call out to Jesus in faith, He will help you. But don’t take my word for it, take His!
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank you for giving us another example of faith this morning. Help us to truly remember who You are and that You are there for us when we need you.
We thank you for these past several months of studying Your life and Your teachings. Help us to take what w have learned and apply it to our lives. We do this all for Your honor and glory. AMEN.
Length: 17:28
This is a message given on October 25, 2009 at the Bowdertown United Methodist Church.
Your Faith Makes You Well
We finish up our study of the life of Christ this morning by looking at the healing of the blind men at Jericho. This was right before Jesus Entry into Jerusalem and the final week of His earthly life.
The city of Jericho is located about fifteen miles northeast of Jerusalem. It was the last major stop for people traveling to Jerusalem for the Passover feast. This is Jesus’ only recorded visit to Jericho in Scripture.
If you look at the parallel account of this healing in the Gospel of Matthew there were two blind men healed. The parallel account in the Gospel of Luke says Jesus healed them on the way into Jericho.
The New American Standard reads in verse 46, “Then they came to Jericho. And as He was leaving Jericho.” This seems a little confusing to us. So, which was it? Were there two men or one blind man. Was Jesus leaving the city or entering the city?
If you think back to the Old Testament in Joshua chapter 6, you will no doubt remember the story.
Joshua 6:1-5
Now Jericho was shut up inside and outside because of the people of Israel. None went out, and none came in. 2 And the LORD said to Joshua, “See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor. 3 You shall march around the city, all the men of war going around the city once. Thus shall you do for six days. 4 Seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark. On the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. 5 And when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, when you hear the sound of the trumpet, then all the people shall shout with a great shout, and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people shall go up, everyone straight before him.”
After the walls fell, the city was in ruins. Rather than clean up the rubble, the city was rebuilt right next door, so you essentially have Jericho OT and Jericho NT, two cities built right next to each other.
So, Jesus leaves old Jericho and enters new Jericho or whatever you want to call it. As for Matthew mentioning two blind men and Mark and Luke only mentioning Bartimaeus, again this is no big deal. Mark and Luke simply focus on the more vocal of the two blind men which is Bartimaeus.
Bartimaeus and his friend are sitting by the roadside begging. That is about the only way a blind man could make a living in those days. These men had staked out a good place on the main road to Jerusalem.
Remember, these men are blind, not death. So they hear all this commotion as Jesus and the crowd pass by. So Bartimaeus asks someone what’s happen. Who is leading this group? They tell him it is Jesus of Nazareth.
Wow, what great news Bartimaeus thinks. No doubt, he has heard the story’s of this man named Jesus. He probably heard about the raising of Lazarus from the dead, since Bethany is only a few miles away.
He also probably heard some rumblings about the Sanhedrin and other religious leaders being out to get this guy. But Bartimaeus doesn’t really care about what the religious leaders think. He simply wants to be healed and believes this man, Jesus can do just that.
He beings to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.” The crowd told him to be quiet. They try to shut him up, but the more they tried the more aggressive, assertive and louder he got. Finally, he gets Jesus’ attention.
Jesus stops the procession and calls for Bartimaeus. Suddenly, the people who were yelling at this man to be quiet are now encouraging him to come forward to Jesus.
There is no doubt in Bartimaeus’ mind. He is going to be healed. He is full of confidence, he throws his cloak off and runs to Jesus. Think about it for a minute. If your blind, you keep your possessions with you, especially something as important as a cloak to stay warm with. But as I said, Bartimaeus is confident he will be healed and able to see his cloak to retrieve it.
Jesus knows what Bartimaeus wants, but asks him anyways, “What do you want me to do for you?” Again, Jesus wants Bartimaeus to demonstrate his faith, which he already has by leaving his cloak along side the road, but Jesus also wants the crowd to understand.
Jesus heals him, saying your faith has made you well. Bartimaeus’ physical and spiritual eyes were opened. The outward healing reflected also his inner salvation as well. Jesus tells Bartimaeus to go, but Bartimaeus choose to join the procession going to Jerusaem.
Perhaps this will be his very first Passover. What a wonderful experience that would be. Seeing all the sights and participating the Passover with someone special for the first time. I would also have to assume, that Bartimaeus was also there to witness the shocking execution of the Man who gave him sight. No doubt, Bartimaeus was feeling on top of the world at the beginning of the week, but by the end, he too was crushed.
The blind man could see who Jesus really was. He knew He was the Son of David, the Messiah. The religious leaders on the other hand could not. They refused to see Him for who He truly was and is. They were blinded to His true identity.
Bartimaeus’ faith made him well. He was healed. He was able to see. He was saved. No matter how desperate your situation may seem, if you call out to Jesus in faith, He will help you. But don’t take my word for it, take His!
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank you for giving us another example of faith this morning. Help us to truly remember who You are and that You are there for us when we need you.
We thank you for these past several months of studying Your life and Your teachings. Help us to take what w have learned and apply it to our lives. We do this all for Your honor and glory. AMEN.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Servant Leadership
Mark 10:35-45
Length: 19:42
This is a message given on October 18, 2009 at the Bowdertown United Methodist Church.
Servant Leadership
Our Scripture this morning picks up on the theme we saw a few weeks ago regarding humility. Apparently, James and John hadn’t learned that lesson yet. They still didn’t understand that Jesus was going to die, not build an earthly kingdom. So the disciples, in particular James and John, are trying to assure a place of predominance in the coming kingdom.
According to the parallel account in the Gospel of Matthew, James and John were accompanied by their mother Salome. And Salome actually spoke first, then James and John reiterated the request we see here in the Gospel of Mark.
It is probable that the two sons asked their mother to bring the request to Jesus. She may have more influence over Him than they did. Plus it looks a little less selfish if you have someone else ask a question like this. It is also possible that Salome was Jesus’ aunt.
Their request is a pretty open-ended question. They start by saying “Do for us whatever we ask.” How bold is that! It is obvious from their opening question that they knew their request was a little bit over the top.
I mean Jesus has already been over this topic once. He just got done telling everyone they must be like children. And in verses 35 and 36 He once again stated that He must die and rise again. As usual the disciples weren’t understanding, and in fact will continue this discussion up to the very night Jesus is betrayed.
Jesus replies, “What do you want me to do?” They reply, “We want the seats on the left and right hand side of You.” These would be the places of highest prominence and honor.
Jesus tries to open their eyes and change their way of thinking by talking about the Cup that He will drink from and take the Baptism that He will take.
As we know, they weren’t heading to Jerusalem for a victory celebration. Rather it will be the ultimate suffering and sacrifice. James and John want to be considered Jesus’ closest companions, sitting on either side of Him. They think this will be a promotion not persecution. They believe they can drink the Cup and be Baptized like Christ.
The Cup and Baptism Jesus refers to here is enduring suffering and death as Jesus would. Indeed, both James and John would be persecuted and suffer, just like their Master. As we see in Acts 12:2 , James is the first Apostle to be killed because of his faith.
As we know from Revelation, John, on the other hand, will be the last surviving Apostle. According to church tradition, John was the only Apostle who didn’t die a martyr. His life was spared, but that does not mean he didn’t suffer persecution.
Jesus can promise them persecution but not position for the Kingdom. That is His Father’s choice alone. After His resurrection, Jesus will be given all authority on Heaven and Earth, but during His ministry He lives in submission to the will of the Father.
Jesus submits Himself to the physical and spiritual needs of sinners. He comes as a servant and invites His disciples to do the same. Honors in the Kingdom of God are not based upon selfish ambitions.
While Jesus is telling James and John this, the other disciples must have been within ear shot or came closer to hear what Jesus was saying. They become upset with James and John, not because of the question or their lack of understanding, but because James and John beat them to the punch.
Each one of the twelve still want the place of honor in the kingdom. Even after three years of walking and listening to Jesus, they still didn’t get the purpose of His ministry, which was to die as a servant of humanity.
You would think those twelve would have figured it out, but they didn’t. In fact, almost 2000 years later that lesson is still not understood or implemented.
The problem is simple. We imitate the ways of the world, not the way of Jesus. It seems as though we pattern our church using government, business, or other secular methods rather than the Bible.
We seem to want power and titles and salaries to go alone with our recognition. No doubt this breaks Jesus’ heart when he sees this kind of stuff happening. In fact, at the beginning of His ministry and at the end of His ministry Jesus cleanses the temple. I think if He were here walking today, He would do the same to our Churches.
The way to greatness in the Kingdom is not climbing some ladder like in the corporate world. Rather it is picking up the basin and towel as Jesus did that night in the upper room. This is not difficult for anyone to understand, yet so few actually implement it.
Verse 45 really sums it all up, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served; but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” He came to serve humanity by dying for our sins.
Jesus was the ultimate example of servant leadership. He is the King of kings and Lord of Lords, but He gave up His privileges and He gave up His life as a selfless sacrifice in serving others.
He paid the price for those who put their faith into Him. The ransom price was paid to God to satisfy His justice and holy wrath against sin. In paying it, “Christ bore our sins in His body on the cross.”
As we see from the example of Christ, true greatness comes from serving others, not using them as the world does. A real leader has a servant’s heart. Rather than seeking ways to have your needs met, look for ways you can minister to the needs of others.
Servant leaders realize the worth and value of other people. They also realize they aren’t above any job or duty If you see something that needs to be done, don’t wait for someone to ask. Take the initiative and do it like a faithful servant.
So often, Christians try to influence the world to live like them. I believe we need to stop living like the world first and truly start living like Christ did. Only then will we truly make a difference.
Closing Prayer
Lord, we thank you for these wonderful lessons that we learn here each week. Help us to truly apply them to our lives. Help us this week to be servant leaders. Help us to be truly great, by serving others out of love for you and love for them.
AMEN
Length: 19:42
This is a message given on October 18, 2009 at the Bowdertown United Methodist Church.
Servant Leadership
Our Scripture this morning picks up on the theme we saw a few weeks ago regarding humility. Apparently, James and John hadn’t learned that lesson yet. They still didn’t understand that Jesus was going to die, not build an earthly kingdom. So the disciples, in particular James and John, are trying to assure a place of predominance in the coming kingdom.
According to the parallel account in the Gospel of Matthew, James and John were accompanied by their mother Salome. And Salome actually spoke first, then James and John reiterated the request we see here in the Gospel of Mark.
It is probable that the two sons asked their mother to bring the request to Jesus. She may have more influence over Him than they did. Plus it looks a little less selfish if you have someone else ask a question like this. It is also possible that Salome was Jesus’ aunt.
Their request is a pretty open-ended question. They start by saying “Do for us whatever we ask.” How bold is that! It is obvious from their opening question that they knew their request was a little bit over the top.
I mean Jesus has already been over this topic once. He just got done telling everyone they must be like children. And in verses 35 and 36 He once again stated that He must die and rise again. As usual the disciples weren’t understanding, and in fact will continue this discussion up to the very night Jesus is betrayed.
Jesus replies, “What do you want me to do?” They reply, “We want the seats on the left and right hand side of You.” These would be the places of highest prominence and honor.
Jesus tries to open their eyes and change their way of thinking by talking about the Cup that He will drink from and take the Baptism that He will take.
As we know, they weren’t heading to Jerusalem for a victory celebration. Rather it will be the ultimate suffering and sacrifice. James and John want to be considered Jesus’ closest companions, sitting on either side of Him. They think this will be a promotion not persecution. They believe they can drink the Cup and be Baptized like Christ.
The Cup and Baptism Jesus refers to here is enduring suffering and death as Jesus would. Indeed, both James and John would be persecuted and suffer, just like their Master. As we see in Acts 12:2 , James is the first Apostle to be killed because of his faith.
As we know from Revelation, John, on the other hand, will be the last surviving Apostle. According to church tradition, John was the only Apostle who didn’t die a martyr. His life was spared, but that does not mean he didn’t suffer persecution.
Jesus can promise them persecution but not position for the Kingdom. That is His Father’s choice alone. After His resurrection, Jesus will be given all authority on Heaven and Earth, but during His ministry He lives in submission to the will of the Father.
Jesus submits Himself to the physical and spiritual needs of sinners. He comes as a servant and invites His disciples to do the same. Honors in the Kingdom of God are not based upon selfish ambitions.
While Jesus is telling James and John this, the other disciples must have been within ear shot or came closer to hear what Jesus was saying. They become upset with James and John, not because of the question or their lack of understanding, but because James and John beat them to the punch.
Each one of the twelve still want the place of honor in the kingdom. Even after three years of walking and listening to Jesus, they still didn’t get the purpose of His ministry, which was to die as a servant of humanity.
You would think those twelve would have figured it out, but they didn’t. In fact, almost 2000 years later that lesson is still not understood or implemented.
The problem is simple. We imitate the ways of the world, not the way of Jesus. It seems as though we pattern our church using government, business, or other secular methods rather than the Bible.
We seem to want power and titles and salaries to go alone with our recognition. No doubt this breaks Jesus’ heart when he sees this kind of stuff happening. In fact, at the beginning of His ministry and at the end of His ministry Jesus cleanses the temple. I think if He were here walking today, He would do the same to our Churches.
The way to greatness in the Kingdom is not climbing some ladder like in the corporate world. Rather it is picking up the basin and towel as Jesus did that night in the upper room. This is not difficult for anyone to understand, yet so few actually implement it.
Verse 45 really sums it all up, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served; but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” He came to serve humanity by dying for our sins.
Jesus was the ultimate example of servant leadership. He is the King of kings and Lord of Lords, but He gave up His privileges and He gave up His life as a selfless sacrifice in serving others.
He paid the price for those who put their faith into Him. The ransom price was paid to God to satisfy His justice and holy wrath against sin. In paying it, “Christ bore our sins in His body on the cross.”
As we see from the example of Christ, true greatness comes from serving others, not using them as the world does. A real leader has a servant’s heart. Rather than seeking ways to have your needs met, look for ways you can minister to the needs of others.
Servant leaders realize the worth and value of other people. They also realize they aren’t above any job or duty If you see something that needs to be done, don’t wait for someone to ask. Take the initiative and do it like a faithful servant.
So often, Christians try to influence the world to live like them. I believe we need to stop living like the world first and truly start living like Christ did. Only then will we truly make a difference.
Closing Prayer
Lord, we thank you for these wonderful lessons that we learn here each week. Help us to truly apply them to our lives. Help us this week to be servant leaders. Help us to be truly great, by serving others out of love for you and love for them.
AMEN
Monday, October 12, 2009
The Rich Young Ruler
Mark 10:17-27
Length: 19:17
This is a message given on October 11, 2009 at the Bowdertown United Methodist Church.
The Rich Young Ruler
As Jesus makes His way to Jerusalem a rich young man stopped Him and asked Him a question. Even though this man was young and rich, his question to Jesus appears to be sincere. It isn’t a trap like the questions we see from the Pharisees, it is simply an honest question.
In fact, the Scripture tells us the man knelt before Jesus and appealed to His integrity by calling Him a good teacher. This young man asks the question that everyone wants to know the answer too. “What must I do to inherit eternal life.”
There are really only two types of religious systems. One where you earn your way to eternal life and the Christian way of accepting salvation through Christ. The Jews were taught the legalistic way of earning your salvation by doing good works.
Right away, Jesus questioned the young man about the reason for calling Him good. “Why do you call Me Good? No one is good except God alone.” By saying this Jesus challenged the young man to think about who Jesus really was.
Since only God is Good, was the young man prepared to affirm Jesus as God? Only after understanding this will the young man be able to understand the answer Jesus is about to give. Jesus goes on to say, you need to obey the commandments.
This was a typical Jewish response. The Jews were convinced that a person gained favor with God by their own good behavior. All of the commandments Jesus states are commands with interacting with other people, not necessarily God.
The young man hears the answer and responds by saying, “Yeah, I’ve heard that many times before and I obey those commands. What I am still missing?” Again, this was a sincere response by the young man. He probably has externally obeyed those commandments, but internally his attitude and motives may not have always been right.
He feels something missing. He knows that none of his previous good deeds have earned him eternal life.
So, Jesus tells this man to give away all of his possessions and give the money to the poor. By saying this Jesus was not making either philanthropy or poverty a requirement for salvation. Rather, Jesus was simple exposing the young man’s heart.
See, this young man thought he was innocent, but in reality he loved his possessions more than others. More importantly though, he refused to obey Christ’s direct command by simply walking away.
This young man chose earthly riches instead of obeying God and receiving eternal life and heavenly riches. He would not submit to the Lordship of Christ. He went away sad, because the price was too high for him. He loved his wealth more than God.
Every disciple of Jesus Christ is called to follow Him in faith. But sometimes there are obstacles that stand between us and Jesus. We must remove those barriers in order to be faithful to Him.
For this young man, the barrier was money. For others it might be their family or their business. Just because the obstacle is different for us, it doesn’t make the demand any different.
We live in a materialistic society today. We need to remember that God owns it all, He just lets us use it while we are here and we are to use what we have for His purposes.
This young man goes away sad, still looking for a way to gain salvation and keep his money. That is the way a lot of people still think today. However, we know that is not how salvation works.
In order to be saved, you must receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. You must make a choice as to where you will focus your time and attention. On earthly pursuits or Godly ones?
As Jesus watches this young man walk away, He turns to His disciples and says “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
This was a shocking statement to the disciples and the crowd. The Jews believed that wealth was a gift from God, which indeed can be true. But wealth could also be a curse. See, wealth tends to create self-sufficiency and a false sense of security. This often times leads those people with wealth to think they don’t need God or the things He provides for them. They can live life on their own.
The crowd asks, “who can be saved then?” We know the answer to that. We aren’t saved by works. We must abandon all that stands between us and Jesus. We need to trust God alone and Him completely. Salvation is God’s gracious gift to us through faith.
The story described in our Gospel reading this morning is a simple one. A man comes to Jesus looking for the answer to eternal life, but goes away sad because he doesn’t want to pay the price.
How about you? You have heard the price this morning. Jesus demands 100%, are you willing to make the commitment or will you walk away? The choice is yours.
Eternal life s more than just eternal existence, it is a different quality of life. Eternal life is in Christ alone. Those who possess it have “passed out of death into life.” They have died to sin and are alive to God. They have the very life of Christ in them. And they enjoy that relationship with Jesus Christ that will never end.
Does that describe your life? I hope so. Eternal life lasts forever, but begins right now. Enjoy it. Salvation and all its benefits come from God, both in this life and the life to come.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank you this morning for this simple story. It is laid out so well for us and so easy to understand. Help us to follow through with our commitment to you and not walk away like this young man did.
Strengthen us to keep our material wealth in check and help us to remember where it all came from in the first place. Help us to use what you have given to us, to honor you. AMEN.
Length: 19:17
This is a message given on October 11, 2009 at the Bowdertown United Methodist Church.
The Rich Young Ruler
As Jesus makes His way to Jerusalem a rich young man stopped Him and asked Him a question. Even though this man was young and rich, his question to Jesus appears to be sincere. It isn’t a trap like the questions we see from the Pharisees, it is simply an honest question.
In fact, the Scripture tells us the man knelt before Jesus and appealed to His integrity by calling Him a good teacher. This young man asks the question that everyone wants to know the answer too. “What must I do to inherit eternal life.”
There are really only two types of religious systems. One where you earn your way to eternal life and the Christian way of accepting salvation through Christ. The Jews were taught the legalistic way of earning your salvation by doing good works.
Right away, Jesus questioned the young man about the reason for calling Him good. “Why do you call Me Good? No one is good except God alone.” By saying this Jesus challenged the young man to think about who Jesus really was.
Since only God is Good, was the young man prepared to affirm Jesus as God? Only after understanding this will the young man be able to understand the answer Jesus is about to give. Jesus goes on to say, you need to obey the commandments.
This was a typical Jewish response. The Jews were convinced that a person gained favor with God by their own good behavior. All of the commandments Jesus states are commands with interacting with other people, not necessarily God.
The young man hears the answer and responds by saying, “Yeah, I’ve heard that many times before and I obey those commands. What I am still missing?” Again, this was a sincere response by the young man. He probably has externally obeyed those commandments, but internally his attitude and motives may not have always been right.
He feels something missing. He knows that none of his previous good deeds have earned him eternal life.
So, Jesus tells this man to give away all of his possessions and give the money to the poor. By saying this Jesus was not making either philanthropy or poverty a requirement for salvation. Rather, Jesus was simple exposing the young man’s heart.
See, this young man thought he was innocent, but in reality he loved his possessions more than others. More importantly though, he refused to obey Christ’s direct command by simply walking away.
This young man chose earthly riches instead of obeying God and receiving eternal life and heavenly riches. He would not submit to the Lordship of Christ. He went away sad, because the price was too high for him. He loved his wealth more than God.
Every disciple of Jesus Christ is called to follow Him in faith. But sometimes there are obstacles that stand between us and Jesus. We must remove those barriers in order to be faithful to Him.
For this young man, the barrier was money. For others it might be their family or their business. Just because the obstacle is different for us, it doesn’t make the demand any different.
We live in a materialistic society today. We need to remember that God owns it all, He just lets us use it while we are here and we are to use what we have for His purposes.
This young man goes away sad, still looking for a way to gain salvation and keep his money. That is the way a lot of people still think today. However, we know that is not how salvation works.
In order to be saved, you must receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. You must make a choice as to where you will focus your time and attention. On earthly pursuits or Godly ones?
As Jesus watches this young man walk away, He turns to His disciples and says “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
This was a shocking statement to the disciples and the crowd. The Jews believed that wealth was a gift from God, which indeed can be true. But wealth could also be a curse. See, wealth tends to create self-sufficiency and a false sense of security. This often times leads those people with wealth to think they don’t need God or the things He provides for them. They can live life on their own.
The crowd asks, “who can be saved then?” We know the answer to that. We aren’t saved by works. We must abandon all that stands between us and Jesus. We need to trust God alone and Him completely. Salvation is God’s gracious gift to us through faith.
The story described in our Gospel reading this morning is a simple one. A man comes to Jesus looking for the answer to eternal life, but goes away sad because he doesn’t want to pay the price.
How about you? You have heard the price this morning. Jesus demands 100%, are you willing to make the commitment or will you walk away? The choice is yours.
Eternal life s more than just eternal existence, it is a different quality of life. Eternal life is in Christ alone. Those who possess it have “passed out of death into life.” They have died to sin and are alive to God. They have the very life of Christ in them. And they enjoy that relationship with Jesus Christ that will never end.
Does that describe your life? I hope so. Eternal life lasts forever, but begins right now. Enjoy it. Salvation and all its benefits come from God, both in this life and the life to come.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank you this morning for this simple story. It is laid out so well for us and so easy to understand. Help us to follow through with our commitment to you and not walk away like this young man did.
Strengthen us to keep our material wealth in check and help us to remember where it all came from in the first place. Help us to use what you have given to us, to honor you. AMEN.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Hard Hearts in Marriage
Mark 10:2-12
Length: 17:50
This is a message given on October 4, 2009 at the Bowdertown United Methodist Church.
Hard Hearts in Marriage
Jesus is continuing his journey to Jerusalem. The crowds continue to grow. The Pharisees are still monitoring Jesus’ activity and teaching, just waiting for the right opportunity to pounce on Him.
They decide to ask Him a question about divorce. Not because they are really in need of any answer, but simply to stir up trouble. Everyone stops and focuses their attention on Jesus to hear His answer. See, divorce was one of those hot button issues then as it is now as well.
The Pharisee’s had two main schools of thought on the issue. One division followed the teaching of Hillel who said a man could divorce his wife is she displeased him for almost any reason. If supper was burnt, the husband could divorce his wife. If the wife spoke disrespectfully of her in-laws, the husband could file for divorce.
The other group followed the teaching of Shammai, who said a man could only divorce his wife for a serious sexual offense. This view is of course closer to Jesus’ teaching, but still not close enough.
So as you can imagine, whatever Jesus says He is going to upset half of the group. You might be wondering why the Pharisees bring the topic of divorce up now. Well, Jesus is in the neighborhood of John the Baptist.
And if you remember it was over this issue that John was beheaded. So no doubt the Pharisees are thinking they can get Jesus to say something that will cause Him to be beheaded as well.
Jesus responds, “What did Moses command you?” Jesus is setting the ground rules for the debate. The answer to the question does concern someone interpretation or feelings. Rather, the answer lies in scripture.
We know that God designed a man and a women o be married to each other. This goes back to Genesis 1:27. They belong together physically, emotionally, and spiritually. This involves leaving your father and mother and being one with each other. Marriage is a covenant with commitment and faithful intimacy.
This is God’s design from the beginning. They become life partners, co-laborers. They are yoked together. One man with one women. God ordains marriage and that covenant should not be broken.
The Pharisees answer Jesus’ question by responding that Moses commanded a man to divorce his wife and send her away. The Pharisees response is partially correct. Moses did permit divorce, but didn’t command divorce as the Pharisees were implying.
Moses is not advocating divorce, but he does regulate it. And remember, this isn’t Moses, rather it is God using Moses to lay down the law. We also need to keep in mind that this was truly a male-dominated society where women and children were treated as property not people.
Jesus tells the Pharisees that God allowed divorce because of the hardness of their hearts. So Moses isn’t stopping divorce, but he is creating some regulations for it to protect the people involved, especially the women and children.
So a couple of questions arise from Jesus’ teaching. Since Jesus is confirming the possibility of divorce, what are the grounds?
It is clear that Jesus grants permission to divorce an unfaithful spouse. This isn’t a command. In fact, if there can be a reconciliation and forgiveness their should be. Christians are part of the body of Christ, therefore, Christians should seek the counsel and guidance of other members of that body. But most importantly, to seek council from God through prayer and reading His Word.
So, is unfaithfulness the only reason for divorce? Well, we learn from 1 Corinthians 7:15 that if an unbelieving spouse wants out of the marriage the believer is to let them go to keep the peace. The key to these two circumstances is that the commitment and the faithfulness of the covenant was broken.
We must be faithful to what the Scripture teaches. And part of the Scriptures tells us to be compassionate. So we need to apply the Word of God faithfully to our lives, yet still maintain sensitivity and compassion.
To finish up our scripture this morning, in verse 10, the disciples question Him about divorce some more, so they can have a more thorough understanding of His teaching. Jesus’ final statement is showing “equal” rights to men and women.
Men and women have the same rights when it comes to divorce and remarriage. There are no differences.
The sanctity of marriage is serious business in God’s eyes. Make no mistake about it, divorce is always bad. Malachi 2:17 plainly tells us that God hates divorce. It is a failure and should be recognized as such. That being said, we need to remember that we live in a fallen world and sometimes the conditions of life are less than perfect.
We don’t always have the option of choose between good and evil or right and wrong. Sometimes we need to choose bad over badder or wrong or wronger! How’s that for proper grammar!
Though God hates divorce, there are times when it is the lesser of the evils and would prevent a future and even greater catastrophe. So He allows it.
Let me close by saying, if you are divorced or have been divorced, God still loves you. You are not automatically rejected from Him. It is not something that will keep you from Him.
The marriage relationship is beautiful and is a part of God’s plan for many of us. They do however, take a tremendous amount of time and energy. Let us not forget that God has given some of us the gift of singleness, as well.
Whatever our situation might be, married, single, divorced, remarried. Let us remember that whatever we do, we do for God’s glory and honor. We should live by His Word.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly father, we thank you for our marriages. We thank you that you enable us to become one with other. We thank you that they are able to strengthen us and fill our weaknesses. Help us to truly honor our commitment to them and to you for you glory. AMEN.
Length: 17:50
This is a message given on October 4, 2009 at the Bowdertown United Methodist Church.
Hard Hearts in Marriage
Jesus is continuing his journey to Jerusalem. The crowds continue to grow. The Pharisees are still monitoring Jesus’ activity and teaching, just waiting for the right opportunity to pounce on Him.
They decide to ask Him a question about divorce. Not because they are really in need of any answer, but simply to stir up trouble. Everyone stops and focuses their attention on Jesus to hear His answer. See, divorce was one of those hot button issues then as it is now as well.
The Pharisee’s had two main schools of thought on the issue. One division followed the teaching of Hillel who said a man could divorce his wife is she displeased him for almost any reason. If supper was burnt, the husband could divorce his wife. If the wife spoke disrespectfully of her in-laws, the husband could file for divorce.
The other group followed the teaching of Shammai, who said a man could only divorce his wife for a serious sexual offense. This view is of course closer to Jesus’ teaching, but still not close enough.
So as you can imagine, whatever Jesus says He is going to upset half of the group. You might be wondering why the Pharisees bring the topic of divorce up now. Well, Jesus is in the neighborhood of John the Baptist.
And if you remember it was over this issue that John was beheaded. So no doubt the Pharisees are thinking they can get Jesus to say something that will cause Him to be beheaded as well.
Jesus responds, “What did Moses command you?” Jesus is setting the ground rules for the debate. The answer to the question does concern someone interpretation or feelings. Rather, the answer lies in scripture.
We know that God designed a man and a women o be married to each other. This goes back to Genesis 1:27. They belong together physically, emotionally, and spiritually. This involves leaving your father and mother and being one with each other. Marriage is a covenant with commitment and faithful intimacy.
This is God’s design from the beginning. They become life partners, co-laborers. They are yoked together. One man with one women. God ordains marriage and that covenant should not be broken.
The Pharisees answer Jesus’ question by responding that Moses commanded a man to divorce his wife and send her away. The Pharisees response is partially correct. Moses did permit divorce, but didn’t command divorce as the Pharisees were implying.
Moses is not advocating divorce, but he does regulate it. And remember, this isn’t Moses, rather it is God using Moses to lay down the law. We also need to keep in mind that this was truly a male-dominated society where women and children were treated as property not people.
Jesus tells the Pharisees that God allowed divorce because of the hardness of their hearts. So Moses isn’t stopping divorce, but he is creating some regulations for it to protect the people involved, especially the women and children.
So a couple of questions arise from Jesus’ teaching. Since Jesus is confirming the possibility of divorce, what are the grounds?
It is clear that Jesus grants permission to divorce an unfaithful spouse. This isn’t a command. In fact, if there can be a reconciliation and forgiveness their should be. Christians are part of the body of Christ, therefore, Christians should seek the counsel and guidance of other members of that body. But most importantly, to seek council from God through prayer and reading His Word.
So, is unfaithfulness the only reason for divorce? Well, we learn from 1 Corinthians 7:15 that if an unbelieving spouse wants out of the marriage the believer is to let them go to keep the peace. The key to these two circumstances is that the commitment and the faithfulness of the covenant was broken.
We must be faithful to what the Scripture teaches. And part of the Scriptures tells us to be compassionate. So we need to apply the Word of God faithfully to our lives, yet still maintain sensitivity and compassion.
To finish up our scripture this morning, in verse 10, the disciples question Him about divorce some more, so they can have a more thorough understanding of His teaching. Jesus’ final statement is showing “equal” rights to men and women.
Men and women have the same rights when it comes to divorce and remarriage. There are no differences.
The sanctity of marriage is serious business in God’s eyes. Make no mistake about it, divorce is always bad. Malachi 2:17 plainly tells us that God hates divorce. It is a failure and should be recognized as such. That being said, we need to remember that we live in a fallen world and sometimes the conditions of life are less than perfect.
We don’t always have the option of choose between good and evil or right and wrong. Sometimes we need to choose bad over badder or wrong or wronger! How’s that for proper grammar!
Though God hates divorce, there are times when it is the lesser of the evils and would prevent a future and even greater catastrophe. So He allows it.
Let me close by saying, if you are divorced or have been divorced, God still loves you. You are not automatically rejected from Him. It is not something that will keep you from Him.
The marriage relationship is beautiful and is a part of God’s plan for many of us. They do however, take a tremendous amount of time and energy. Let us not forget that God has given some of us the gift of singleness, as well.
Whatever our situation might be, married, single, divorced, remarried. Let us remember that whatever we do, we do for God’s glory and honor. We should live by His Word.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly father, we thank you for our marriages. We thank you that you enable us to become one with other. We thank you that they are able to strengthen us and fill our weaknesses. Help us to truly honor our commitment to them and to you for you glory. AMEN.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Are You Salty?
Mark 9:38-50
Length: 20:42
This is a message given on September 27, 2009 at the Bowdertown United Methodist Church.
Our scripture reading this morning continues with the theme we saw last week. That is of humility and being like children.
After Jesus’ teaching about humility, John’s conscience was obviously bothered by something he had done or witnessed. So John speaks up and explains they had caught someone casting out demons in the name of Jesus and they tried to prevent the man from doing that because he was not a part of their group.
Apparently Jewish exorcisms were relatively common. This man was using the name of Jesus to cast out demons. This isn’t surprising because Jewish exorcists used the names of powerful historical people to perform their rituals.
The surprising thing here is the fact that using Jesus’ name worked! This tells us that the unnamed exorcist was not a fraud, but was a true believe in Jesus Christ. John and the other disciples opposed this man because they didn’t know him. He wasn’t openly and officially a member of their group.
Jesus ordered them not to hinder the exorcist. “Anyone who is sincerely working for me, in my name, is not going to quickly and easily turn from me.”
There is no neutral ground with Jesus. Those who are not against Him are on His side, but by the same token, those who are not with Him are against Him. Jesus considers acts of kindness done to His followers as if you were doing that act of kindness to Jesus himself.
The point of this passage is not really about denominations as we know them today, however, the application is there. Just because we aren’t Lutherans or Catholics doesn’t me we should try to shut those churches down.
Just because someone doesn’t follow all the rules of the United Methodist Book of Discipline doesn’t mean they aren’t a follower of Christ. Allegiance to Jesus is essential to fellowship. It is a call to cooperate with others to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ.
The Catholics claim Peter as their founding father. That is great. The Baptists claim John the Baptist is their founding father, therefore, that makes them better. Well you know what?
As you saw in our Scripture last week, we shouldn’t be having discussions about which one of us is better. We are all followers of Jesus Christ right? Then let us all humble ourselves and serve God.
Back to our Scripture, Jesus moves from discussing children to discussing discipleship. God takes care of His children as a father cares for his children. Anyone who messes with your child is going to be in trouble, right? God feels the same way about us.
Anyone who tries to trick or trip up a Christian is going to be in a lot of trouble. Jesus said it would be better if a millstone was hung around his neck and cast into the sea. A millstone was a huge stone that was used to grind grain.
This would be a horrifying death. The person would sink to the bottom of the sea real quick and there would be no chance of escape or survival. Even this type of death would be better than what will happen to you if you lead a believer into sin.
Now living in this world today, we cannot possible avoid all temptation to sin. But we cannot avoid the personal responsibility when we are the cause of another person to stumble. We also cannot avoid the responsibility of our own sin. We cannot say the devil made me do it.
Jesus then talks about body parts that “cause” you to sin and removing them. Normally and most often I take a literal view of what the Bible says. This is one of those cases where we are to interpret what Jesus is saying figuratively.
No amount of self-mutilation can deal with sin, it is a matter of the heart. Jesus is simply emphasizing the seriousness of sin and the need to deal with it appropriately, drastically, and immediately. This is simply a call to repentance, a change of life.
Jesus also gives us a very vivid description of Hell here. Gehenna, which is the name of a valley south of Jerusalem, had a garbage dump where a fire was constantly burning. The smell was no doubt repulsive and the heat would have been intense. This became a picture of God’s eternal place of punishment.
Finally, in verse 49, we see a difficult statement from Jesus. “For everyone will be salted with fire.” Verse 50 tells us salt is good, but verse 48 tells us fire is bad! So which is it?
Salt was an essential ingredient in early days before refrigeration. It preserved food. Today, we pretty much just use salt to increase our blood pressure!
There have been many different interpretations about this saying. The way I understand it is you can either suffer with and for Jesus now or you will suffer later and eternally if you aren’t walking with Him.
We know that believers will suffer while working for Jesus in this world and we are purified through that suffering and persecution. When Jesus says to have salt in yourself He is saying that the work of the Word of God and the Spirit of God in your life will produce Godliness and will enable you to act as a preservative in the world.
So what do we get out of Jesus’ teachings this morning?
For one thing, we share a common faith with other Christians, no matter what denomination. And since we share the common faith we also share a common goal. That is to live and proclaim the Word of God.
Correct theology is important, but should not be an excuse to avoid doing what we are supposed to be doing for God. People who are on Jesus’ side have the same goal and our personal differences should not interfere with that divine mandate.
Finally, Jesus used extremely distributing language to stress the importance of removing sin from our lives. Painful discipline is always required of true and faithful followers of Jesus Christ. It might require us to give up a job, a relationship, or a habit that is pulling us away from God. Nothing should stand in the way of our faith.
As salt makes a difference in the way food tastes, we too should make a difference in the lives of those people that we come into contact with. When we lose that desire to salt the earth with the Gospel, then we become useless to God.
Think about how you can make a difference this week. Think about how you can be salt to this world.
Closing Prayer
Lord, help make us the salt of the earth. Help us to make a difference in our surroundings. Help us to reach out to others in faith to minister to the world. Most importantly, help us to recognize and remove the sin from our lives. Help us to truly be salty people. AMEN
Length: 20:42
This is a message given on September 27, 2009 at the Bowdertown United Methodist Church.
Our scripture reading this morning continues with the theme we saw last week. That is of humility and being like children.
After Jesus’ teaching about humility, John’s conscience was obviously bothered by something he had done or witnessed. So John speaks up and explains they had caught someone casting out demons in the name of Jesus and they tried to prevent the man from doing that because he was not a part of their group.
Apparently Jewish exorcisms were relatively common. This man was using the name of Jesus to cast out demons. This isn’t surprising because Jewish exorcists used the names of powerful historical people to perform their rituals.
The surprising thing here is the fact that using Jesus’ name worked! This tells us that the unnamed exorcist was not a fraud, but was a true believe in Jesus Christ. John and the other disciples opposed this man because they didn’t know him. He wasn’t openly and officially a member of their group.
Jesus ordered them not to hinder the exorcist. “Anyone who is sincerely working for me, in my name, is not going to quickly and easily turn from me.”
There is no neutral ground with Jesus. Those who are not against Him are on His side, but by the same token, those who are not with Him are against Him. Jesus considers acts of kindness done to His followers as if you were doing that act of kindness to Jesus himself.
The point of this passage is not really about denominations as we know them today, however, the application is there. Just because we aren’t Lutherans or Catholics doesn’t me we should try to shut those churches down.
Just because someone doesn’t follow all the rules of the United Methodist Book of Discipline doesn’t mean they aren’t a follower of Christ. Allegiance to Jesus is essential to fellowship. It is a call to cooperate with others to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ.
The Catholics claim Peter as their founding father. That is great. The Baptists claim John the Baptist is their founding father, therefore, that makes them better. Well you know what?
As you saw in our Scripture last week, we shouldn’t be having discussions about which one of us is better. We are all followers of Jesus Christ right? Then let us all humble ourselves and serve God.
Back to our Scripture, Jesus moves from discussing children to discussing discipleship. God takes care of His children as a father cares for his children. Anyone who messes with your child is going to be in trouble, right? God feels the same way about us.
Anyone who tries to trick or trip up a Christian is going to be in a lot of trouble. Jesus said it would be better if a millstone was hung around his neck and cast into the sea. A millstone was a huge stone that was used to grind grain.
This would be a horrifying death. The person would sink to the bottom of the sea real quick and there would be no chance of escape or survival. Even this type of death would be better than what will happen to you if you lead a believer into sin.
Now living in this world today, we cannot possible avoid all temptation to sin. But we cannot avoid the personal responsibility when we are the cause of another person to stumble. We also cannot avoid the responsibility of our own sin. We cannot say the devil made me do it.
Jesus then talks about body parts that “cause” you to sin and removing them. Normally and most often I take a literal view of what the Bible says. This is one of those cases where we are to interpret what Jesus is saying figuratively.
No amount of self-mutilation can deal with sin, it is a matter of the heart. Jesus is simply emphasizing the seriousness of sin and the need to deal with it appropriately, drastically, and immediately. This is simply a call to repentance, a change of life.
Jesus also gives us a very vivid description of Hell here. Gehenna, which is the name of a valley south of Jerusalem, had a garbage dump where a fire was constantly burning. The smell was no doubt repulsive and the heat would have been intense. This became a picture of God’s eternal place of punishment.
Finally, in verse 49, we see a difficult statement from Jesus. “For everyone will be salted with fire.” Verse 50 tells us salt is good, but verse 48 tells us fire is bad! So which is it?
Salt was an essential ingredient in early days before refrigeration. It preserved food. Today, we pretty much just use salt to increase our blood pressure!
There have been many different interpretations about this saying. The way I understand it is you can either suffer with and for Jesus now or you will suffer later and eternally if you aren’t walking with Him.
We know that believers will suffer while working for Jesus in this world and we are purified through that suffering and persecution. When Jesus says to have salt in yourself He is saying that the work of the Word of God and the Spirit of God in your life will produce Godliness and will enable you to act as a preservative in the world.
So what do we get out of Jesus’ teachings this morning?
For one thing, we share a common faith with other Christians, no matter what denomination. And since we share the common faith we also share a common goal. That is to live and proclaim the Word of God.
Correct theology is important, but should not be an excuse to avoid doing what we are supposed to be doing for God. People who are on Jesus’ side have the same goal and our personal differences should not interfere with that divine mandate.
Finally, Jesus used extremely distributing language to stress the importance of removing sin from our lives. Painful discipline is always required of true and faithful followers of Jesus Christ. It might require us to give up a job, a relationship, or a habit that is pulling us away from God. Nothing should stand in the way of our faith.
As salt makes a difference in the way food tastes, we too should make a difference in the lives of those people that we come into contact with. When we lose that desire to salt the earth with the Gospel, then we become useless to God.
Think about how you can make a difference this week. Think about how you can be salt to this world.
Closing Prayer
Lord, help make us the salt of the earth. Help us to make a difference in our surroundings. Help us to reach out to others in faith to minister to the world. Most importantly, help us to recognize and remove the sin from our lives. Help us to truly be salty people. AMEN
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