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
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