John 6:1-14
Length: 20:33
This is a message given on July 26, 2009 at the Bowdertown United Methodist Church.
In our Scripture lesson this morning we learn that the Jewish Passover Feast was near. This marks the transition of Jesus’ second and third year of ministry. It also explains partially why there were such large crowds following Him to Jerusalem.
As they pass through villages more and more people begin to follow. Jesus looks around and sees the great crowd, so he asks Philip where they can buy food for all of these people.
Why did He ask Philip this? Well, Phillip was probably in charge of the logistical aspect of Jesus’ ministry from an earthly perspective. We would say he was like the administrative assistant. He was a facts and figure kind of guy.
So Jesus asks Him to figure it out. Now, Jesus already knew the answer so this was a test for Philip. Jesus had a particular lesson in mind to teach Philip. Philip responds, “200 denarii” or about eight months wages.
It was late in the day, probably close to supper time, in a remote area. Of course, eating in those days was not an easy task like it is today. There were no fast food places to stop at. There were no microwaves or instant meals like we have today.
Now remember, from our Scripture last week. The disciples are tired and haven’t eaten either. When Jesus tells the disciples to feed the crowd, Judas probably cringed. Since he was the keeper of the money and wanted to keep as much money to himself.
Feeding 5,000 men (there were also women and children in the crowd, which would boost the number to maybe 20,000 people) would pretty much empty their money bag. But Jesus sends them out into the crowd to see what food they have available.
They find a boy who has five loaves of bread and two small fish. The bread is not like ours. More than likely it was a flat barley loaf, about 4 inches round. The fish were probably small fish like canned Sardines.
Jesus instructs the disciples to have the crowd sit down on the grass in groups of fifties and hundreds so the food can be distributed in an orderly manner, making sure everyone got something.
Jesus looks to heaven and gives thanks for the food and the food was distributed to all. The hunger of everyone in the crowd was completely satisfied. After the meal was over, the disciples collected the leftovers, which were12 baskets in all.
What an amazing and wonderful story of the power of God. He provides food for His followers. But as usual, there is a point to this story and I want to focus on that point from Philips perspective.
We know Philip was a leader. Jesus picked him to be one of the twelve. We know that he was a student of the Old Testament and we know that he was a faithful man. Even though he sometimes let logic get in the way of his faith as we read in our scripture this morning.
The question Jesus asked Philip was basically, “How do you propose to feed all these people?” Philip jumps into action and starts counting and calculating. Every way he figures it, he comes up with the same answer. It can’t be done.
Philip was there when Jesus turned the water in to wine. Philip had seen the numerous healings and miracles that Jesus had done. Instead of saying, “I don’t know how you’re going to do it, but I know you will Lord” Philip said “It can’t be done.”
This was a true test for Philip to look into himself and bring his faith to the forefront. Like Philip we don’t have all the answers. As much as we try and as much as we calculate things, we don’t always know.
That is where our faith needs to kick in. We know that God will supply all our needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). We shouldn’t focus on material or earthly matters. Instead we should be focusing on heavenly matters and glorifying God.
An essential element of leadership is a sense of vision and this is especially true for Christians. Philip was focused on earthly things and was overwhelmed at the task that Jesus gave him. The reality of the facts and data bouncing around in his brain, said “It can’t be done.”
He was so focused on the calculations and thought process that he completely missed the opportunity to see God’s hand at work. The power of Christ had escaped his thinking. Philip’s rationality took precedence over his faith.
Andrew brought the little boy with the bread and fish to Jesus. Andrew wasn’t too sure about how Jesus was going to feed everyone, but at least he had a little faith by bringing the boy and saying, “Here’s what we have Lord, what’s next?”
Philip lost the opportunity to have his faith rewarded while the action of Andrew was honored. Jesus taught in Matthew 17:20, “If you have faith as a mustard seed you will say to this mountain, move from here to there and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”
Philip needed to learn that lesson. Everything Jesus was doing seemed impossible to Philip. He just couldn’t calculate it out. He needed to set aside his materialistic, practical, and calculative ways and learn to see the miraculous ways of God.
How may of us today need to learn that same lesson. We all face struggles in our lives. We think things just can’t work out. The situation is impossible. But we often forget the power of Christ. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13).
Let the power of Christ strengthen you this week. Ask Him for it. Tell him you have no idea how to figure out the trouble surrounding you and let Him be honored and glorified through your life.
Closing Prayer
Father, we thank You this morning for Your word to us. We just have scratched the surface of many things, but, Lord, we pray that You'll teach us by Your Spirit. Seal these things in our
hearts. Teach us to obey.
Send us tests of trust, send us tests that are beyond our trust and then show us Your power that our trust may move just that much further ahead, Lord. These things we pray in His name, Amen.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
Teaching, Healing, and Feeding
Mark 6:30-34
Length: 21:05
This is a message given on July 19, 2009 at the Bowdertown United Methodist Church.
In our Scripture lesson this morning we see similar things happen as before. This is really the height of Jesus’ ministry now. This is the peak of His popularity.
We see the Apostles return from their ministry expedition. No doubt it was an exciting and productive time in the Apostles lives. As they gather around Jesus I am sure they all want to talk and tell Him about their adventures and successes. How they healed, cast out demons, preached to the crowds and saw people’s hearts turn in repentance.
As we have studied the Apostles for the past few months now, we know what they were like. They were hyper, impatient, excited, ready to act. As with most conversations the stories probably got bigger and better. Each Apostle was trying to tell their story and make it more exciting and more interesting than the others.
And there is Jesus in the middle of all this, listening with patience and enthusiasm for His students. If you remember from our scripture last week, a group of John the Baptists disciples approach Jesus and informed Him of the sad news that John is dead. He was executed by Herod.
Jesus is listening to the Apostles with excitement, while feeling the intense sadness of the death of the greatest man born of a women and the last Old Testament prophet. Not only that, but John the Baptist was a friend and family member of Jesus’.
What a difficult position to be in. Showing exciting for your students but also grieving the loss of a great man.
Jesus knows it is time for some rest again, to reflect on the recent events and to consider the next step in their ministry. Jesus knows that doing God’s work is extremely important, but to do it effectively we need periodic rest and renewal.
So Jesus invites them to a secluded place for rest and privacy from the crowds. But, the crowds keep coming. Some come because of Jesus’ popularity. Some have no doubt followed the Apostles back. Some have showed up over the outrage of John the Baptists death. Whatever the reason for coming, they were there. And there were lots of them.
Jesus and the Apostles jump in their boat and start to cross the Sea of Galilee once again. The people wait for a minute to see which direction the boat heads and then they start their journey by foot to the other side of the Sea.
As it turns out, some of the crowd actually beat the boat across the lake. When Jesus arrives He is once again moved with compassion for the people. He ignores His own tiredness and hunger to minister to the crowds.
Instead of showing impatience with the needy crowd, Jesus welcomed the people and ministered to their needs.
He teaches them. He heals them. And as we will see next week, He feeds them. What a wonderful model of ministry we see here. Teaching, healing, and feeding. Surely, we as a church should be doing this today.
We can all be teachers can’t we? If you are a parent, you are a teacher. We should be teaching our children and grandchildren about Christ. It is so wonderful to see children and families in Church.
Scripture tells us we are to bring our children to Christ and teach them in God’s way. We are to tell them of the miraculous works of God.
Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.
Colossians 3:16 says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching, and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
We should be introducing Christ to our neighbors and friends and encouraging them to come to Church as well.
Teaching the gospel of Christ isn’t hard to understand. In fact, most of you here have probably taught others what it is like to be a follower of Christ whether you realize it or not. Sometimes our actions speak louder than our Words.
I remember Dr. Cook, from the Walk with the King broadcast, telling a story about how he went in to a store one day and bought some tapes. When he got out to his car, he realized he was under charged for the items.
He went back in to the clerk and explained the mistake to the clerk. The clerk replied, “I didn’t make a mistake, I just wanted to see if you practice what you preach!”
That is a testament to the gospel. You may teach it in words, but do you live it in your actions?
What about healing? We don’t have the power to heal do we? Well some of our Charismatic friends would argue that we do. I’m not so sure about that, but I do know that God has the power to heal.
How can we heal today? Easy. We can pray for healing, of others and for ourselves. We can also minister to those people that are sick. We can cook for them, clean for them, visit them, call them on the phone, send cards or letters. Everyone needs some maintenance on their homes, right? We can do whatever is needed to help them.
And finally feeding. Today this is probably the easiest type of ministry for us to perform here in the United States. We have an abundance of food. And not just an abundance, but a wide variety of food as well. We can donate money or food to the local food banks and soup kitchens. We can even volunteer at these places.
There are many poor and needy people out there, but there are also many people just going through a difficult time economically.
Listen to the words of Leviticus 25:35, “If one of your brethren becomes poor, and falls into poverty among you, then you shall help him, like a stranger or sojourner, that he may live with you.”
Can you imagine if we all lived like that? No one would be hungry. No one would have need. It would all be provided for.
This is what Jesus did. He taught, healed, and fed. Isn’t this what we ought to do too? Now don’t get me wrong, I am not saying we need to do this to be saved.
I am simply saying, if we truly serve Christ, wouldn’t we want to do what He wants us to do? And isn’t that what he did?
Yes, I know we are all tired and this world seems to wear us out. When someone interrupts your schedule how do you view it? Is it an annoyance or is it an opportunity for you to minister to that person.
Living the Christian life means living like Christ and Christ obeyed the Father’s will.
Deuteronomy 10:12 says, “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord our God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.”
That is what the people of the Old Testament needed to do. That is what Christ did and it is what we too need to do today.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank you for our time in your Word this morning. Help us to take what we have learned and apply it in our lives. Strengthen us so that we may live as Jesus did, teaching, healing, and feeding others. All so that you may be pleased, honored, and glorified. AMEN.
Length: 21:05
This is a message given on July 19, 2009 at the Bowdertown United Methodist Church.
In our Scripture lesson this morning we see similar things happen as before. This is really the height of Jesus’ ministry now. This is the peak of His popularity.
We see the Apostles return from their ministry expedition. No doubt it was an exciting and productive time in the Apostles lives. As they gather around Jesus I am sure they all want to talk and tell Him about their adventures and successes. How they healed, cast out demons, preached to the crowds and saw people’s hearts turn in repentance.
As we have studied the Apostles for the past few months now, we know what they were like. They were hyper, impatient, excited, ready to act. As with most conversations the stories probably got bigger and better. Each Apostle was trying to tell their story and make it more exciting and more interesting than the others.
And there is Jesus in the middle of all this, listening with patience and enthusiasm for His students. If you remember from our scripture last week, a group of John the Baptists disciples approach Jesus and informed Him of the sad news that John is dead. He was executed by Herod.
Jesus is listening to the Apostles with excitement, while feeling the intense sadness of the death of the greatest man born of a women and the last Old Testament prophet. Not only that, but John the Baptist was a friend and family member of Jesus’.
What a difficult position to be in. Showing exciting for your students but also grieving the loss of a great man.
Jesus knows it is time for some rest again, to reflect on the recent events and to consider the next step in their ministry. Jesus knows that doing God’s work is extremely important, but to do it effectively we need periodic rest and renewal.
So Jesus invites them to a secluded place for rest and privacy from the crowds. But, the crowds keep coming. Some come because of Jesus’ popularity. Some have no doubt followed the Apostles back. Some have showed up over the outrage of John the Baptists death. Whatever the reason for coming, they were there. And there were lots of them.
Jesus and the Apostles jump in their boat and start to cross the Sea of Galilee once again. The people wait for a minute to see which direction the boat heads and then they start their journey by foot to the other side of the Sea.
As it turns out, some of the crowd actually beat the boat across the lake. When Jesus arrives He is once again moved with compassion for the people. He ignores His own tiredness and hunger to minister to the crowds.
Instead of showing impatience with the needy crowd, Jesus welcomed the people and ministered to their needs.
He teaches them. He heals them. And as we will see next week, He feeds them. What a wonderful model of ministry we see here. Teaching, healing, and feeding. Surely, we as a church should be doing this today.
We can all be teachers can’t we? If you are a parent, you are a teacher. We should be teaching our children and grandchildren about Christ. It is so wonderful to see children and families in Church.
Scripture tells us we are to bring our children to Christ and teach them in God’s way. We are to tell them of the miraculous works of God.
Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.
Colossians 3:16 says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching, and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
We should be introducing Christ to our neighbors and friends and encouraging them to come to Church as well.
Teaching the gospel of Christ isn’t hard to understand. In fact, most of you here have probably taught others what it is like to be a follower of Christ whether you realize it or not. Sometimes our actions speak louder than our Words.
I remember Dr. Cook, from the Walk with the King broadcast, telling a story about how he went in to a store one day and bought some tapes. When he got out to his car, he realized he was under charged for the items.
He went back in to the clerk and explained the mistake to the clerk. The clerk replied, “I didn’t make a mistake, I just wanted to see if you practice what you preach!”
That is a testament to the gospel. You may teach it in words, but do you live it in your actions?
What about healing? We don’t have the power to heal do we? Well some of our Charismatic friends would argue that we do. I’m not so sure about that, but I do know that God has the power to heal.
How can we heal today? Easy. We can pray for healing, of others and for ourselves. We can also minister to those people that are sick. We can cook for them, clean for them, visit them, call them on the phone, send cards or letters. Everyone needs some maintenance on their homes, right? We can do whatever is needed to help them.
And finally feeding. Today this is probably the easiest type of ministry for us to perform here in the United States. We have an abundance of food. And not just an abundance, but a wide variety of food as well. We can donate money or food to the local food banks and soup kitchens. We can even volunteer at these places.
There are many poor and needy people out there, but there are also many people just going through a difficult time economically.
Listen to the words of Leviticus 25:35, “If one of your brethren becomes poor, and falls into poverty among you, then you shall help him, like a stranger or sojourner, that he may live with you.”
Can you imagine if we all lived like that? No one would be hungry. No one would have need. It would all be provided for.
This is what Jesus did. He taught, healed, and fed. Isn’t this what we ought to do too? Now don’t get me wrong, I am not saying we need to do this to be saved.
I am simply saying, if we truly serve Christ, wouldn’t we want to do what He wants us to do? And isn’t that what he did?
Yes, I know we are all tired and this world seems to wear us out. When someone interrupts your schedule how do you view it? Is it an annoyance or is it an opportunity for you to minister to that person.
Living the Christian life means living like Christ and Christ obeyed the Father’s will.
Deuteronomy 10:12 says, “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord our God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.”
That is what the people of the Old Testament needed to do. That is what Christ did and it is what we too need to do today.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank you for our time in your Word this morning. Help us to take what we have learned and apply it in our lives. Strengthen us so that we may live as Jesus did, teaching, healing, and feeding others. All so that you may be pleased, honored, and glorified. AMEN.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Conscience
Mark 6:14-29
Length: 19:56
This is a message given on July 12, 2009 at the Bowdertown United Methodist Church.
“Conscience”
Our scripture starts off with King Herod hearing some exciting news about Jesus of Nazareth. Many people during this time truly believed in resurrections, but they had some false notions about it.
For example, they believed that the spirit of a dead person could come back in another person. They is why some people thought Jesus was John the Baptist or Elijah. It appears as though King Herod believed this as well, as he kept saying “John, whom I beheaded, has risen!”
By this confession, Herod proved that he could not forget the evil he had done. This shows that he too had a conscience that plagued him with guilt. Obviously, though, his desire for power was greater than his conscience.
In verse 17, Mark launches into a flashback of the events that led up to the beheading of John the Baptist.
As we know, John the Baptist was not a soft-spoken kind of guy. He was direct and rigid with his messages. He spoke out against Herod’s illegal and illicit marriage as well as other ungodly activities.
See, Herod was married to the daughter of the King of Arabia. After a while, Herod took a trip to Rome and stayed with his half brother Phillip. While in Rome Herod fell in love with Phillip’s wife, Herodias, and got married.
Herod’s first wife got word of this and escaped and told her father about the situation. The reaction is typical of any father and the King of Arabia declares war against Herod. Rome steps in to the picture and bails Herod out of the mess.
As I mentioned the marriage was illegal and illicit. Illegal because Herod was married already and Herodias was married too, even though she technically got a divorce. It was illicit because Herodias was his half-niece so they were technically related.
Even though Herod enjoyed listening to John preach and teach, he could not let anyone speak bad of him. So Herod had John arrested and put into prison. Herod’s wife wanted John dead, but Herod knew John was a righteous man and no doubt had him protected while in prison.
A while later, Herod throws himself a birthday bash. Part of the entertainment featured a “special” dance by his step daughter. Herod is so “impressed” by the dance that he offers up to half of his kingdom to the girl for her “performance”.
The girl is urged on by her mother to ask for the head of John the Baptist. Herod agreed and had John’s head brought to the girl on a platter as requested. Herod felt bad, but wanted to save face in front of his guests so he gave the order.
Once again we see Herod’s desire for power quiet his conscience. What a sad story this is, but it typifies people even today as they make wrong choices in their life.
Herod had John the Baptist killed. This plagued him personally and publicly. His conscience made him believe that Jesus was empowered by John spirit. And, of course, the public was outraged that a righteous man was killed for nothing.
Second, his marriage to Herodias ruined not only his marriage, but his brother’s marriage as well. It brought warfare from another country and forced Rome to get involved to settle the conflict.
Eventually, Herod continued to screw up and was stripped of his power by Rome and he was banished to Gaul with his wife.
It is indeed sad. The even sadder part is the fact that we still see this type of thing happening today. People are more focused and concerned with money or political power that they are willing to shut down their conscience and focus on their greed, lust, and desires.
When I think about listening to your conscience I always think of a couple of Old Testament men. Listen to the word’s of David in 2 Samuel 24:10:
“And David’s heart condemned him after he had numbered the people. So David said to the Lord, ‘I have sinned greatly in what I have done; but now, I pray, O Lord, take away the iniquity of your servant, for I have done very foolishly.’”
David sinned against God and his conscience convicted him of it. There was no escape. To ease his conscience he had to confess his sin to God and repent of it. David was a servant of God and he screwed up quite a bit, but he always came back to God deeply sorrowful for the things that he did.
The story from the Old Testament that I think about when someone mentions the word conscience is the story of Joseph. I am sure you are all familiar with the story. His brothers were jealous of him and left him for dead, but decided to sell him and make some money instead.
Years later, in Genesis 42:21, the brothers said to one another, “We are truly guilty concerning our brother, for we saw the anguish of his soul when he pleaded with us, and we would not hear therefore this distress has come upon us.”
The brothers knew like David did. Their conscience convicted them of their sin. They knew their sin and they knew they would be punished for it. It needed to be confessed and repented of.
We too need to listen to our conscience today. That little voice in your heard is there for a reason. God put it there and uses it for his purposes.
The conscience is our internal warning system. It allows us to think about our motives and actions and determine right from wrong. Of course, in order for it to work properly, we need to have it filled with the Word of God, which gives us the absolute right and truth.
Our conscience should accuse and convict us of our sin. Don’t ignore it, but embrace it and repent of your wrongs.
Our conscience isn’t all bad though. Yes, it convicts us of our sin, but it also should affirm in you that you are a believer. It did for Job, it did for Paul, and Peter. It will for you as well.
Remember, only the blood of Christ can purify us (Heb 9:14) who offered Himself without spot to God for our sins. Only He can cleanse us to serve the living God.
Knowing this, we should walk obediently with Christ. Then our conscience will affirm to us that we are believers in the true and living God.
Living in this world can indeed be a challenge today. There are many distractions and things to draw us away from a godly life.
We are to “conduct ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God.” (2 Cor 1:12)
What does your conscience say? And more importantly are you listening and obeying it? Think about it this week. Pay attention to your conscience and seek to glorify God with your actions.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank you for our time in your Word this morning. We thank you for the lessons that we have received. We thank you for faithful men like, David, Job, Peter, and Paul. Help us to live out our faith and walk in this world as these men did. We thank you for our conscience, we ask you to send your Spirit to purify it and make clear to us what is right and what is wrong. Give us the strength to do what is right and honorably and glorifying to you. In the precious name of Jesus. AMEN.
Length: 19:56
This is a message given on July 12, 2009 at the Bowdertown United Methodist Church.
“Conscience”
Our scripture starts off with King Herod hearing some exciting news about Jesus of Nazareth. Many people during this time truly believed in resurrections, but they had some false notions about it.
For example, they believed that the spirit of a dead person could come back in another person. They is why some people thought Jesus was John the Baptist or Elijah. It appears as though King Herod believed this as well, as he kept saying “John, whom I beheaded, has risen!”
By this confession, Herod proved that he could not forget the evil he had done. This shows that he too had a conscience that plagued him with guilt. Obviously, though, his desire for power was greater than his conscience.
In verse 17, Mark launches into a flashback of the events that led up to the beheading of John the Baptist.
As we know, John the Baptist was not a soft-spoken kind of guy. He was direct and rigid with his messages. He spoke out against Herod’s illegal and illicit marriage as well as other ungodly activities.
See, Herod was married to the daughter of the King of Arabia. After a while, Herod took a trip to Rome and stayed with his half brother Phillip. While in Rome Herod fell in love with Phillip’s wife, Herodias, and got married.
Herod’s first wife got word of this and escaped and told her father about the situation. The reaction is typical of any father and the King of Arabia declares war against Herod. Rome steps in to the picture and bails Herod out of the mess.
As I mentioned the marriage was illegal and illicit. Illegal because Herod was married already and Herodias was married too, even though she technically got a divorce. It was illicit because Herodias was his half-niece so they were technically related.
Even though Herod enjoyed listening to John preach and teach, he could not let anyone speak bad of him. So Herod had John arrested and put into prison. Herod’s wife wanted John dead, but Herod knew John was a righteous man and no doubt had him protected while in prison.
A while later, Herod throws himself a birthday bash. Part of the entertainment featured a “special” dance by his step daughter. Herod is so “impressed” by the dance that he offers up to half of his kingdom to the girl for her “performance”.
The girl is urged on by her mother to ask for the head of John the Baptist. Herod agreed and had John’s head brought to the girl on a platter as requested. Herod felt bad, but wanted to save face in front of his guests so he gave the order.
Once again we see Herod’s desire for power quiet his conscience. What a sad story this is, but it typifies people even today as they make wrong choices in their life.
Herod had John the Baptist killed. This plagued him personally and publicly. His conscience made him believe that Jesus was empowered by John spirit. And, of course, the public was outraged that a righteous man was killed for nothing.
Second, his marriage to Herodias ruined not only his marriage, but his brother’s marriage as well. It brought warfare from another country and forced Rome to get involved to settle the conflict.
Eventually, Herod continued to screw up and was stripped of his power by Rome and he was banished to Gaul with his wife.
It is indeed sad. The even sadder part is the fact that we still see this type of thing happening today. People are more focused and concerned with money or political power that they are willing to shut down their conscience and focus on their greed, lust, and desires.
When I think about listening to your conscience I always think of a couple of Old Testament men. Listen to the word’s of David in 2 Samuel 24:10:
“And David’s heart condemned him after he had numbered the people. So David said to the Lord, ‘I have sinned greatly in what I have done; but now, I pray, O Lord, take away the iniquity of your servant, for I have done very foolishly.’”
David sinned against God and his conscience convicted him of it. There was no escape. To ease his conscience he had to confess his sin to God and repent of it. David was a servant of God and he screwed up quite a bit, but he always came back to God deeply sorrowful for the things that he did.
The story from the Old Testament that I think about when someone mentions the word conscience is the story of Joseph. I am sure you are all familiar with the story. His brothers were jealous of him and left him for dead, but decided to sell him and make some money instead.
Years later, in Genesis 42:21, the brothers said to one another, “We are truly guilty concerning our brother, for we saw the anguish of his soul when he pleaded with us, and we would not hear therefore this distress has come upon us.”
The brothers knew like David did. Their conscience convicted them of their sin. They knew their sin and they knew they would be punished for it. It needed to be confessed and repented of.
We too need to listen to our conscience today. That little voice in your heard is there for a reason. God put it there and uses it for his purposes.
The conscience is our internal warning system. It allows us to think about our motives and actions and determine right from wrong. Of course, in order for it to work properly, we need to have it filled with the Word of God, which gives us the absolute right and truth.
Our conscience should accuse and convict us of our sin. Don’t ignore it, but embrace it and repent of your wrongs.
Our conscience isn’t all bad though. Yes, it convicts us of our sin, but it also should affirm in you that you are a believer. It did for Job, it did for Paul, and Peter. It will for you as well.
Remember, only the blood of Christ can purify us (Heb 9:14) who offered Himself without spot to God for our sins. Only He can cleanse us to serve the living God.
Knowing this, we should walk obediently with Christ. Then our conscience will affirm to us that we are believers in the true and living God.
Living in this world can indeed be a challenge today. There are many distractions and things to draw us away from a godly life.
We are to “conduct ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God.” (2 Cor 1:12)
What does your conscience say? And more importantly are you listening and obeying it? Think about it this week. Pay attention to your conscience and seek to glorify God with your actions.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank you for our time in your Word this morning. We thank you for the lessons that we have received. We thank you for faithful men like, David, Job, Peter, and Paul. Help us to live out our faith and walk in this world as these men did. We thank you for our conscience, we ask you to send your Spirit to purify it and make clear to us what is right and what is wrong. Give us the strength to do what is right and honorably and glorifying to you. In the precious name of Jesus. AMEN.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Are You Being Used?
Mark 6:1-13
Length: 14:26
This is a message given on July 5, 2009 at the Bowdertown United Methodist Church.
Are You Being Used?
Last week, we left off with Jesus healing Jairus’s daughter. From Capernaum Jesus returns to his hometown of Nazareth. But he doesn’t return home to take a rest or just to visit his family. He comes as a teacher.
The people of Nazareth were astonished by his teaching, wondered at his wisdom and were amazed at his power. But they rejected him. Why? Because they were all too familiar with him.
The people of Nazareth thought of Jesus as a craftsman who carried on his earthly father’s work. This caused the people to stumble and they refused to see Jesus as higher than themselves, simple common people.
Surely this hometown boy isn’t the Messiah they thought. No doubt, like all proud family and townspeople they are happy to see their family, friends, and neighbors go out into the world and make it big. But when they return home, they are still remembered for the things they did growing up.
In response to their rejection, Jesus didn’t do many miracles in his hometown. Not because he couldn’t, but because the people didn’t come to him for that. Jesus often chose to heal people because of their faith as we saw last week and miracles were performed among people who were ready to believe.
The miracles he did had little effect on the people because they did not accept his message or believe that he was from God. Jesus wondered at their unbelief.
He was astonished and amazed at the people of Nazareth and their reaction to him, his teachings, and his miracles. The people claimed to know him, but rejected him when they should have stood out in faith.
They rejected Him because of their pride and unbelief. They looked at Him as one of them, a peer. They thought they knew Him, but they could not accept His message.
The same thing can happen to us today. We have preconceived notions about things and people and it can blind us to the truth. As you grow in your faith, don’t let preconceived ideas about Jesus hold you back. Ask God to open your eyes and see Jesus for who He truly is.
Jesus leaves Nazareth and continues to teach in the area of Galilee. He sends his twelve disciples out in pairs to teach and heal the sick and the possessed. Before they leave however, Jesus gives them some instructions, which are specific only to this particular ministry opportunity.
Jesus gives them these specific instructions for a variety of reasons. First, this will be a short, quick trip for them. They won’t need much in the way of supplies. As they enter a village they will be able to find accommodations easily and should focus on ministering to the needs of the people.
When they find a welcoming home, they are to give it a blessing and stay there for the duration of their ministry in that village. Contentment with their host and accommodations would be a testimony to others.
If, on the other hand, they were rejected the disciples were to shake the dust off of their feet. This was like cursing the village. It was a warning sign to the village saying, “If you are rejecting us, then you are rejecting the one who sent us.”
Second, Jesus gives them these instructions because there is no real threat to their lives, yet. There is some annoyance with Jesus, but no widespread persecution against the disciples. Thirdly, this gave the disciples a chance to truly trust God to show that He will provide for their needs.
Notice what the disciples preached, they preached that all men should repent. Isn’t that interesting. They preached the same thing the Old Testament prophets preached. They preached the same thing John the Baptist preached. They preached the same thing that Christ preached. You know what? That should be the same thing we preach today.
The twelve were obviously successful in their first mission. They cast out demons and were anointing the sick with oil for healing. They were doing what they were supposed to do. They were proclaiming the Gospel and caring for the sick.
The question this morning is are you doing what you are supposed to be doing? Are you obeying the call of Christ in your life?
The disciples were nobody special. There were some fisherman, some political activists, and at least one tax collector. They weren’t saints. They weren’t scholars. They weren’t the religious elite.
He called the common people to carry out His work. He still does the same today. God can and does use anyone today.
As we prepare to commune together at the Lord’s Table, ask God to use you in this world for His purposes.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly father, we ask that you cleanse us. Purify our minds, bodies, and souls so that you may use us for your heavenly work. Open our eyes to the opportunities around us to minister for you in this world. Make us available for you to use for your glory and honor. AMEN.
Length: 14:26
This is a message given on July 5, 2009 at the Bowdertown United Methodist Church.
Are You Being Used?
Last week, we left off with Jesus healing Jairus’s daughter. From Capernaum Jesus returns to his hometown of Nazareth. But he doesn’t return home to take a rest or just to visit his family. He comes as a teacher.
The people of Nazareth were astonished by his teaching, wondered at his wisdom and were amazed at his power. But they rejected him. Why? Because they were all too familiar with him.
The people of Nazareth thought of Jesus as a craftsman who carried on his earthly father’s work. This caused the people to stumble and they refused to see Jesus as higher than themselves, simple common people.
Surely this hometown boy isn’t the Messiah they thought. No doubt, like all proud family and townspeople they are happy to see their family, friends, and neighbors go out into the world and make it big. But when they return home, they are still remembered for the things they did growing up.
In response to their rejection, Jesus didn’t do many miracles in his hometown. Not because he couldn’t, but because the people didn’t come to him for that. Jesus often chose to heal people because of their faith as we saw last week and miracles were performed among people who were ready to believe.
The miracles he did had little effect on the people because they did not accept his message or believe that he was from God. Jesus wondered at their unbelief.
He was astonished and amazed at the people of Nazareth and their reaction to him, his teachings, and his miracles. The people claimed to know him, but rejected him when they should have stood out in faith.
They rejected Him because of their pride and unbelief. They looked at Him as one of them, a peer. They thought they knew Him, but they could not accept His message.
The same thing can happen to us today. We have preconceived notions about things and people and it can blind us to the truth. As you grow in your faith, don’t let preconceived ideas about Jesus hold you back. Ask God to open your eyes and see Jesus for who He truly is.
Jesus leaves Nazareth and continues to teach in the area of Galilee. He sends his twelve disciples out in pairs to teach and heal the sick and the possessed. Before they leave however, Jesus gives them some instructions, which are specific only to this particular ministry opportunity.
Jesus gives them these specific instructions for a variety of reasons. First, this will be a short, quick trip for them. They won’t need much in the way of supplies. As they enter a village they will be able to find accommodations easily and should focus on ministering to the needs of the people.
When they find a welcoming home, they are to give it a blessing and stay there for the duration of their ministry in that village. Contentment with their host and accommodations would be a testimony to others.
If, on the other hand, they were rejected the disciples were to shake the dust off of their feet. This was like cursing the village. It was a warning sign to the village saying, “If you are rejecting us, then you are rejecting the one who sent us.”
Second, Jesus gives them these instructions because there is no real threat to their lives, yet. There is some annoyance with Jesus, but no widespread persecution against the disciples. Thirdly, this gave the disciples a chance to truly trust God to show that He will provide for their needs.
Notice what the disciples preached, they preached that all men should repent. Isn’t that interesting. They preached the same thing the Old Testament prophets preached. They preached the same thing John the Baptist preached. They preached the same thing that Christ preached. You know what? That should be the same thing we preach today.
The twelve were obviously successful in their first mission. They cast out demons and were anointing the sick with oil for healing. They were doing what they were supposed to do. They were proclaiming the Gospel and caring for the sick.
The question this morning is are you doing what you are supposed to be doing? Are you obeying the call of Christ in your life?
The disciples were nobody special. There were some fisherman, some political activists, and at least one tax collector. They weren’t saints. They weren’t scholars. They weren’t the religious elite.
He called the common people to carry out His work. He still does the same today. God can and does use anyone today.
As we prepare to commune together at the Lord’s Table, ask God to use you in this world for His purposes.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly father, we ask that you cleanse us. Purify our minds, bodies, and souls so that you may use us for your heavenly work. Open our eyes to the opportunities around us to minister for you in this world. Make us available for you to use for your glory and honor. AMEN.
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