Mark 5:34-43
Length: 21:18
This is a message given on June 28, 2009 at the Bowdertown United Methodist Church.
Faith
After preaching the day before and calming a storm later that evening, Jesus was no doubt tired. He decides to return again to the other side of the Sea to Capernaum. He was probably just looking for a little rest once again.
When He got to the other side, however, the crowd was waiting for him on the shore. Jesus knew there would again be no rest for him. He would continue to minister to others, heal the sick, and cast out demons.
As he approaches the shore, the synagogue ruler, Jairus, is waiting for Him. He would be the guy in charge of the services and other activities going on there. We would call him the director of operations today. So, he would have been a very predominate member of his community.
As we know, the more Jesus taught and healed people, the Jewish rulers showed more and more opposition to Him. Jairus, however, not only comes to see Jesus, but he humbles himself by falling at the feet of Jesus.
This is an act of honor and worship. But this act could get Jairus in trouble and possibly risk his position at the synagogue by approaching Jesus. Mercifully, Jesus responds with compassion and starts to follow Jairus to his home.
The problem is the crowd. It is pushing in on them as Jesus is trying to follow Jairus to see his daughter. The little girl is on her death bed and no doubt Jairus is a little hyper and anxious to get Jesus to his daughter.
Then all of a sudden the procession stopped. The crowd is pressing in on Jesus and he stops and says, “Who touched me?” The crowd and even Peter makes light of the situation and asks, “What do you mean? There are people all around you! Everyone is bumping in to each other. How can you seriously ask you touched you?”
But Jesus is aware that this was no ordinary touch. He felt His power leaving him. You see there was a women in the crowd who was bleeding for twelve years. According to the Levitical law, she would have been banned from most social activities. The blood would have made her and anyone she came into contact with ceremonially unclean.
But this women muscles her way near Jesus because she believes if she just touches the hem of his garment she will be healed. And sure enough her faith makes her well. She is healed immediately. No doubt she is ready to jump for joy, when she hears Jesus ask, “Who touched me?”
Jesus asks this question not to demean or embarrass or condemn the women, but to show her faith to the crowd.
The women was afraid and probably a little embarrassed about her problem. But she had the faith to believe that Jesus could and did heal her so she tells the truth. Jesus responds in love and removes her fear and tells her to go in peace. She has been fully healed.
No doubt during this delay, Jairus is very anxious to get moving again. His frustration is heightened by the news from his servants that his daughter has died. They figure there is no need for Jesus anymore.
But Jesus overhears and tells Jairus not to worry, just believe. They get to his house and Jesus takes with Him Peter, James, and John along with the parents and go to the bedroom where the girl is laying. Outside the crowd is weeping and wailing in mourning for the dead child.
Jesus tells them to stop because the child is only sleeping, not dead. The mourners laugh at him and think He is crazy. Much like Peter did when he questioned Jesus about asking who touched Him in the crowd.
Jesus commands the little girl to get up and she does immediately. She too is completely healed and restored to life. She gets up and starts walking around. Jesus tells the parents to get her something to eat.
He tells the parents to tell no one about the miracle. Obviously, knowledge about the miracle could not be completely withheld. The idea is that Christ didn’t want the details to be released.
The crowds were already oppressive and Christ didn’t come to simply perform physical healings. He came to save His people from their sins. He came on a heavenly timetable and he was following it exactly as planned.
So what do we get out of these two stories today. Well, they are both about faith. The bleeding women had faith that Jesus could heal her. And Jairus didn’t give up when his servants told him his daughter was dead.
What is faith?
The word faith is a simple word, the word means belief, trust, confidence. That’s faith. There is a great description of faith in Hebrews 11, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
Faith makes us sure of what we hope for and gives us proof of what we cannot see.
As a child you have faith in your parents. You believe they will take care of you, even though you can’t see all the stuff they have to deal with just so you can eat and stay warm at night. You don’t know how it all works, but you have faith that it will be taken care of.
Faith is one of those things that is commanded by God. To have faith in His Son. While it is commanded by God, it is also a gift from God.
But what about saving faith, how do you get that?
Romans 10:17 tells us “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” No one can have saving faith without hearing the message about Christ.
Preaching is designed to produce faith. If the preaching you are hearing doesn’t produce faith then something is wrong. I believe this to be the problem with many of our church’s today.
For sure, there are many church’s out there that have a large attendance each week, but the word of God isn’t being preached and taught. There are also many church’s with little attendance each week, but the word of God is faithfully proclaimed each week.
Which church do you think is obeying God’s command?
Faith is so important to the Christian. Through it comes the remission of sins, salvation, spiritual life, eternal life, preservation, access to God.
As you continue to read and study the Word of God and commune with Him and live out His will by obeying His commands your faith will grow. As your faith grows, so does your obedience to God’s word. Faith is necessity for Christians in today’s world. It is necessary for the spiritual warfare we face everyday.
Faith gives us hope, joy, peace, confidence, and boldness to proclaim the word of God. Believers will live by, stand by, and walk by faith.
The question to ask yourself this morning is: What is your faith like? Do you believe Jesus can make you clean? Do you believe He will raise you to eternal life? Are you living out your faith each and every day?
You must have faith as a Christian.
Closing Prayer
Father we thank You that faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. And we thank You that we can believe in You, that You're worthy to be trusted. We ask that you strengthen our faith, like that of the healed women and that of the Jairus. Help us to step out in faith this week and live like we are your people. In the name of Christ. AMEN.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Who is He?
Mark 4:35-41
Length: 18:25
This is a message given on June 21, 2009 at the Bowdertown United Methodist Church.
Who is He?
This is a powerful piece of scripture and many of us simply brush it off as just another story about the life of Christ. This is the first time in the Gospel’s that we read about Jesus having control over nature and the disciples got to see this control, this power in action.
To them and no doubt others, it brought fear and astonishment. This is more than just a story of a historic event in Christ’s life. It was here that Jesus demonstrated the power of God and shows His saving capability.
Let’s look at what is going on.
Jesus has just finished preaching to the crowd and was trying to leave. Jesus and His disciples were on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee and wanted to get away from the crowd, so they quickly hopped on their boat to get to the other side of the Sea, which didn’t have large cities, so they figured it would be a quiet place to rest.
But they aren’t quite quick enough. The crowds saw what Jesus and His disciples were doing, so they too hopped in their boats and started to follow. This was a mistake, as they will figure out in a few minutes.
A violent storm was brewing. We would equate it to a hurricane here in the United States. So, either the boats would be forced to head back to shore or they would sink to the bottom of the Sea. The storm comes up suddenly and without warning.
Meanwhile, Jesus fell asleep on a cushion in the boat. It is interesting to note that this is the only place in scripture where we read of Jesus sleeping. He was so exhausted from a full day of preaching and healing that even the roaring wind and the crashing waves of the storm didn’t wake him.
This is a wonderful picture of his humanity. The boat was literally filling with water and Jesus is sound asleep.
The disciples decide to wake Jesus saying “Master, Master we’re going to drown.” They are not only surprised He is able to sleep through this, but no doubt frightened for their lives and probably a little upset that he isn’t helping to bucket the water out of the boat.
See, they weren’t thinking along the lines of a miracle from Jesus, they just wanted another hand on the deck.
Jesus gets up and rebukes the wind and hushes the sea to be still. Usually, storms gradually subside, but in this case the elements immediately obey Jesus’ command. Jesus is creator and sustainer of the universe and it obeys Him.
Jesus then rebukes the disciple’s lack of faith. Jesus has repeatedly demonstrated His power over disease, demons, and death to the disciples and they still didn’t get it. Now he shows them that he is even master of the elements.
The disciples became afraid. Nature had obeyed the commands of this man. They were afraid because they had the power of God and not only that, but God Himself in their boat.
They questioned among themselves, Who is this man?
That is also the question for us this morning. Who is this man?
Most people don’t blink an eye when a reference to God is made. But if you bring up the name of Jesus, people act differently. When asked who Jesus is, some people would say that He was a great teacher. Some might say He was a powerful prophet.
Christians should respond like Peter, He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Many here in the United States claim that Jesus is Lord, unfortunately they don’t live their lives in obedience to Him.
But Who is this man that controls the sea? Is He the Creator or simply a con man? John 1 tells us that by Him all things were created. Jesus is the source of all things, everything we see, everything we touch, everything we hear.
He is eternal. He was there at the beginning creating it all and He will be there at the end of this world as we know it. These are not small claims. You cannot reject Jesus’ divinity and still accept His teaching.
The people saw the power of God on display many times through physical healings, through exorcisms of demons, by raising the dead and calming the storms. Yet, some still did not believe and thought of Him as a dangerous blasphemer.
The Pharisees oppose him and the crowds are amazed by Him. Even the disciples don’t know all that is in store for them in their future adventures with Christ and for Christ. But His deeds reveal the truth. Jesus is God in human form.
The Bible leaves little choice. You either accept Christ for who He is or you reject Him. He is Creator of all or He isn’t. He is Sustainer of all or He isn’t. He is Savior or not. You cannot take portions of Him or His message. You must live by it all.
As I mentioned last week, that is part of our Christian and Methodist heritage. For those who believe in Him as Lord and Savior know who He is. But we cannot be neutral about what He says. You must listen and respond in obedience.
That is the question for you to answer. Who is this man, to you?
The disciples were afraid out there on that boat after the seas were calmed, because they knew. They saw His power. Sure, they were still growing in their spiritual knowledge of Christ and they still had a lot to learn, but they realized this was God in human form.
There is still a lot for us to learn today too. The calming of the seas opened the eyes and minds of the disciples to the majesty and power of Jesus. Ask Him to do the same for you. Ask Him to open your eyes and minds to see who He really is. Ask Him in to your life as Lord and Savior. Ask Him to help you obey His commands and to serve Him faithfully.
Closing Prayer
Father, thank you for our time this morning in Your word. Help us to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus Christ is the living God, the only one that can redeem us.
Help us grasp the truth of your Word that our Savior is God, the Creator and the Controller. He is the compassionate, loving deliverer and rescuer and Savior of His people for whom He cares. Teach us those lessons you would have us learn. And may we teach them to others. In Christ's name, Amen.
Length: 18:25
This is a message given on June 21, 2009 at the Bowdertown United Methodist Church.
Who is He?
This is a powerful piece of scripture and many of us simply brush it off as just another story about the life of Christ. This is the first time in the Gospel’s that we read about Jesus having control over nature and the disciples got to see this control, this power in action.
To them and no doubt others, it brought fear and astonishment. This is more than just a story of a historic event in Christ’s life. It was here that Jesus demonstrated the power of God and shows His saving capability.
Let’s look at what is going on.
Jesus has just finished preaching to the crowd and was trying to leave. Jesus and His disciples were on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee and wanted to get away from the crowd, so they quickly hopped on their boat to get to the other side of the Sea, which didn’t have large cities, so they figured it would be a quiet place to rest.
But they aren’t quite quick enough. The crowds saw what Jesus and His disciples were doing, so they too hopped in their boats and started to follow. This was a mistake, as they will figure out in a few minutes.
A violent storm was brewing. We would equate it to a hurricane here in the United States. So, either the boats would be forced to head back to shore or they would sink to the bottom of the Sea. The storm comes up suddenly and without warning.
Meanwhile, Jesus fell asleep on a cushion in the boat. It is interesting to note that this is the only place in scripture where we read of Jesus sleeping. He was so exhausted from a full day of preaching and healing that even the roaring wind and the crashing waves of the storm didn’t wake him.
This is a wonderful picture of his humanity. The boat was literally filling with water and Jesus is sound asleep.
The disciples decide to wake Jesus saying “Master, Master we’re going to drown.” They are not only surprised He is able to sleep through this, but no doubt frightened for their lives and probably a little upset that he isn’t helping to bucket the water out of the boat.
See, they weren’t thinking along the lines of a miracle from Jesus, they just wanted another hand on the deck.
Jesus gets up and rebukes the wind and hushes the sea to be still. Usually, storms gradually subside, but in this case the elements immediately obey Jesus’ command. Jesus is creator and sustainer of the universe and it obeys Him.
Jesus then rebukes the disciple’s lack of faith. Jesus has repeatedly demonstrated His power over disease, demons, and death to the disciples and they still didn’t get it. Now he shows them that he is even master of the elements.
The disciples became afraid. Nature had obeyed the commands of this man. They were afraid because they had the power of God and not only that, but God Himself in their boat.
They questioned among themselves, Who is this man?
That is also the question for us this morning. Who is this man?
Most people don’t blink an eye when a reference to God is made. But if you bring up the name of Jesus, people act differently. When asked who Jesus is, some people would say that He was a great teacher. Some might say He was a powerful prophet.
Christians should respond like Peter, He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Many here in the United States claim that Jesus is Lord, unfortunately they don’t live their lives in obedience to Him.
But Who is this man that controls the sea? Is He the Creator or simply a con man? John 1 tells us that by Him all things were created. Jesus is the source of all things, everything we see, everything we touch, everything we hear.
He is eternal. He was there at the beginning creating it all and He will be there at the end of this world as we know it. These are not small claims. You cannot reject Jesus’ divinity and still accept His teaching.
The people saw the power of God on display many times through physical healings, through exorcisms of demons, by raising the dead and calming the storms. Yet, some still did not believe and thought of Him as a dangerous blasphemer.
The Pharisees oppose him and the crowds are amazed by Him. Even the disciples don’t know all that is in store for them in their future adventures with Christ and for Christ. But His deeds reveal the truth. Jesus is God in human form.
The Bible leaves little choice. You either accept Christ for who He is or you reject Him. He is Creator of all or He isn’t. He is Sustainer of all or He isn’t. He is Savior or not. You cannot take portions of Him or His message. You must live by it all.
As I mentioned last week, that is part of our Christian and Methodist heritage. For those who believe in Him as Lord and Savior know who He is. But we cannot be neutral about what He says. You must listen and respond in obedience.
That is the question for you to answer. Who is this man, to you?
The disciples were afraid out there on that boat after the seas were calmed, because they knew. They saw His power. Sure, they were still growing in their spiritual knowledge of Christ and they still had a lot to learn, but they realized this was God in human form.
There is still a lot for us to learn today too. The calming of the seas opened the eyes and minds of the disciples to the majesty and power of Jesus. Ask Him to do the same for you. Ask Him to open your eyes and minds to see who He really is. Ask Him in to your life as Lord and Savior. Ask Him to help you obey His commands and to serve Him faithfully.
Closing Prayer
Father, thank you for our time this morning in Your word. Help us to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus Christ is the living God, the only one that can redeem us.
Help us grasp the truth of your Word that our Savior is God, the Creator and the Controller. He is the compassionate, loving deliverer and rescuer and Savior of His people for whom He cares. Teach us those lessons you would have us learn. And may we teach them to others. In Christ's name, Amen.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Who Are We?
What we believe as Methodists
Length: 20:10
This is the message given on June 14, 2009 at the Bowdertown United Methodist Church.
Why we believe what we believe!
Various Scriptures
This morning we will be looking at some church history and trying to remember who we are and why we believe what we believe.
We are Methodist, Protestant, Christians. We follow the teachings of Christ through the Protestant movements and methods of John and Charles Wesley (1736) and others.
I am going to focus on 5 aspects of our beliefs this morning.
We believe
1. The Holy Scriptures
2. By faith alone
3. By grace alone
4. Through Christ alone
5. To God alone be the glory
1. Sola Scriptura
As United Methodist Christians, we stand with Martin Luther, John Calvin, and the reformers of the 1500’s on the principle of "only the Scriptures". We are saying that the Bible – nothing more, nothing less, and nothing else has infallible authority for us.
Scripture is inerrant and infallible. 2 Timothy chapter 3 verses16-17 states “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church 2004, paragraph 103 (page 67), says:
”We believe the Holy Bible, Old and New Testaments, reveals the Word of God so far as it is necessary for our salvation.”
The infallibility and inerrancy of Scripture is in its ability to lead you to Jesus Christ,
and teach you how to live a Christian life.
2. Sola Fide
We believe by faith alone. What does that mean? Only faith and nothing else, is all you need to become a Christian.
Take a look at John 3:16. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16 gives us the Gospel in a few simple words.
If you believe in Jesus, that’s all it takes to receive eternal life. That’s liberating! All I need to become a Christian, and all I need to stay a Christian, is to have faith in Jesus.
Notice what it does NOT say. It does not say you need to go to church every Sunday, pray everyday, give a tithe, read the Bible, serve on various committees or whatever.
Sometimes, we forget how simple the Gospel is! It is by faith alone.
The logical question is, “How do you know your faith is real”? James chapter 2 verse 14 tells us faith without works is dead. When you have faith you will have a deep longing in your heart to go to Church, to pray, to give of your time and money and reading and studying the Bible. That’s how you know your faith is genuine.
From the United Methodist Book of Discipline 2004 paragraph 103, page 69:
“We believe we are never accounted righteous before God through our works or merit, but that penitent sinners are justified or accounted righteous before God only by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.”
3. Sola Gratia
We believe in grace alone. Before you were born, God was thinking about you. God already had plans to bless your life. That’s grace.
When you became a Christian, God forgave all of your sins. That’s justifying grace.
As you learn to let go of your problems, and let the Holy Spirit make you more like Jesus: that’s sanctifying grace.
When Jesus returns to earth. The new bodies we will receive will last forever. That’s glorifying grace.
We use the word grace to describe God’s unmerited love. As Protestant Christians we firmly believe that God’s grace is all it takes to make us right with God.
Ephesians chapter 2 verses 8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
What does it mean when it says: "For it is by grace you have been saved"?
It means that the Savior paid it all. When Jesus died on the cross, He completely paid for all of your sins and mine. There isn't any left over payments to be made. You don't have to earn even a fraction of your salvation. Jesus paid it ALL.
That is grace.
From the United Methodist Book of Discipline 2004 paragraph 103, pages 68
“We believe man is fallen from righteousness and, apart from the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, is destitute of holiness and inclined to evil. Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God. In his own strength, without divine grace, man cannot do good works pleasing and acceptable to God.”
Matthew chapter 19 verse 16 records a man going up to Jesus and asking, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" That one sentence sums up exactly how the world sees religion. People want to know, "What is it going to cost me?" "What do you want ME to do?"
But the Gospel turns worldly wisdom on its head. Salvation has a price tag, but it has been marked "PAID IN FULL BY JESUS CHRIST".
Since God gives us grace, then that obviously comes from Him and we can’t brag about it. What about faith? Isn’t faith something that we do? Isn’t that something we can take credit for?
Actually, NO. The Bible is really clear about that. The faith you have was given to you by God. It is a gift. You can’t brag about something you didn’t make.
Ephesians chapter 2 verses 8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
We are people who have already won the victory! We are people who have read the end of the book. We are people who can enjoy God's wonderful world!
Why?
Because we don't earn salvation. By faith, we celebrate the victory that is certainly coming! Yes, Christians still have problems and sickness, and crisis, and difficulties. But, even in the midst of trouble, we have grace and that makes all the difference!
Understanding the meaning of grace has tremendous consequences for evangelism. All of the other religions have rules for people follow to save themselves through their own effort. We have a message of grace. The price has already been paid. We get to tell people about the wonders of God’s grace.
4. Soli Christo
We believe in Christ alone. Some people get offended when they hear Christians say "Jesus is the only way to God". They might say, "That's exclusivism." Well, truth is exclusive right?
It excludes what isn't true. Christianity makes an amazing claim: Jesus is the only way to Heaven. Either that is true, or it is not. There is no middle ground, no other twist or interpretation.
In John chapter 14 verse 6 Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
Christianity is an either/or religion. Either you are a Christian and follow Christ or you are not. Christ will take nothing less than 100% commitment.
From the United Methodist Book of Discipline 2004 paragraph 103, pages 68-69.
”The offering Christ freely made on the cross is the perfect and sufficient sacrifice for the sins of the whole world, redeeming man from all sin, so that no other satisfaction is required.”
Jesus died for the sins of the whole world. There is no Plan B. There is only one plan, Jesus.
This is not something that we debate. Christ alone is our path to salvation.
5. Soli Deo Gloria
Finally, we believe to God alone belongs the glory.
First Corinthians chapter 10 verse 31 says, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” This is a key verse for us. It means that everything we do, every word we speak, every decision we make, should be done to give glory, praise and honor to God.
From the United Methodist Book of Discipline 2004 paragraph 103, pages 69.
”We believe good works are the necessary fruits of faith and follow regeneration but they do not have the virtue to remove our sins or to avert divine judgment. We believe good works, pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ, spring from a true and living faith, for through and by them faith is made evident.”
Each night before you go to bed, replay the day in your head and make a list of things that you did or said that glorified God and those that didn’t glorify God. Continuously try to glorify God with your actions.
Live for Jesus. That is the finest thing we can ever do. Repent, believe the Gospel, and live for Christ. If you do that, you will be giving God the glory he deserves.
We believe
1. The Holy Scriptures
2. By faith alone
3. By grace alone
4. Through Christ alone
5. To God alone be the glory
Closing Prayer
Lord, help us truly believe and live by the Holy Scriptures, by our faith and your grace through Christ, so that we may give you all the glory and honor and praise this week and throughout our lives. AMEN.
Length: 20:10
This is the message given on June 14, 2009 at the Bowdertown United Methodist Church.
Why we believe what we believe!
Various Scriptures
This morning we will be looking at some church history and trying to remember who we are and why we believe what we believe.
We are Methodist, Protestant, Christians. We follow the teachings of Christ through the Protestant movements and methods of John and Charles Wesley (1736) and others.
I am going to focus on 5 aspects of our beliefs this morning.
We believe
1. The Holy Scriptures
2. By faith alone
3. By grace alone
4. Through Christ alone
5. To God alone be the glory
1. Sola Scriptura
As United Methodist Christians, we stand with Martin Luther, John Calvin, and the reformers of the 1500’s on the principle of "only the Scriptures". We are saying that the Bible – nothing more, nothing less, and nothing else has infallible authority for us.
Scripture is inerrant and infallible. 2 Timothy chapter 3 verses16-17 states “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church 2004, paragraph 103 (page 67), says:
”We believe the Holy Bible, Old and New Testaments, reveals the Word of God so far as it is necessary for our salvation.”
The infallibility and inerrancy of Scripture is in its ability to lead you to Jesus Christ,
and teach you how to live a Christian life.
2. Sola Fide
We believe by faith alone. What does that mean? Only faith and nothing else, is all you need to become a Christian.
Take a look at John 3:16. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16 gives us the Gospel in a few simple words.
If you believe in Jesus, that’s all it takes to receive eternal life. That’s liberating! All I need to become a Christian, and all I need to stay a Christian, is to have faith in Jesus.
Notice what it does NOT say. It does not say you need to go to church every Sunday, pray everyday, give a tithe, read the Bible, serve on various committees or whatever.
Sometimes, we forget how simple the Gospel is! It is by faith alone.
The logical question is, “How do you know your faith is real”? James chapter 2 verse 14 tells us faith without works is dead. When you have faith you will have a deep longing in your heart to go to Church, to pray, to give of your time and money and reading and studying the Bible. That’s how you know your faith is genuine.
From the United Methodist Book of Discipline 2004 paragraph 103, page 69:
“We believe we are never accounted righteous before God through our works or merit, but that penitent sinners are justified or accounted righteous before God only by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.”
3. Sola Gratia
We believe in grace alone. Before you were born, God was thinking about you. God already had plans to bless your life. That’s grace.
When you became a Christian, God forgave all of your sins. That’s justifying grace.
As you learn to let go of your problems, and let the Holy Spirit make you more like Jesus: that’s sanctifying grace.
When Jesus returns to earth. The new bodies we will receive will last forever. That’s glorifying grace.
We use the word grace to describe God’s unmerited love. As Protestant Christians we firmly believe that God’s grace is all it takes to make us right with God.
Ephesians chapter 2 verses 8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
What does it mean when it says: "For it is by grace you have been saved"?
It means that the Savior paid it all. When Jesus died on the cross, He completely paid for all of your sins and mine. There isn't any left over payments to be made. You don't have to earn even a fraction of your salvation. Jesus paid it ALL.
That is grace.
From the United Methodist Book of Discipline 2004 paragraph 103, pages 68
“We believe man is fallen from righteousness and, apart from the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, is destitute of holiness and inclined to evil. Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God. In his own strength, without divine grace, man cannot do good works pleasing and acceptable to God.”
Matthew chapter 19 verse 16 records a man going up to Jesus and asking, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" That one sentence sums up exactly how the world sees religion. People want to know, "What is it going to cost me?" "What do you want ME to do?"
But the Gospel turns worldly wisdom on its head. Salvation has a price tag, but it has been marked "PAID IN FULL BY JESUS CHRIST".
Since God gives us grace, then that obviously comes from Him and we can’t brag about it. What about faith? Isn’t faith something that we do? Isn’t that something we can take credit for?
Actually, NO. The Bible is really clear about that. The faith you have was given to you by God. It is a gift. You can’t brag about something you didn’t make.
Ephesians chapter 2 verses 8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
We are people who have already won the victory! We are people who have read the end of the book. We are people who can enjoy God's wonderful world!
Why?
Because we don't earn salvation. By faith, we celebrate the victory that is certainly coming! Yes, Christians still have problems and sickness, and crisis, and difficulties. But, even in the midst of trouble, we have grace and that makes all the difference!
Understanding the meaning of grace has tremendous consequences for evangelism. All of the other religions have rules for people follow to save themselves through their own effort. We have a message of grace. The price has already been paid. We get to tell people about the wonders of God’s grace.
4. Soli Christo
We believe in Christ alone. Some people get offended when they hear Christians say "Jesus is the only way to God". They might say, "That's exclusivism." Well, truth is exclusive right?
It excludes what isn't true. Christianity makes an amazing claim: Jesus is the only way to Heaven. Either that is true, or it is not. There is no middle ground, no other twist or interpretation.
In John chapter 14 verse 6 Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
Christianity is an either/or religion. Either you are a Christian and follow Christ or you are not. Christ will take nothing less than 100% commitment.
From the United Methodist Book of Discipline 2004 paragraph 103, pages 68-69.
”The offering Christ freely made on the cross is the perfect and sufficient sacrifice for the sins of the whole world, redeeming man from all sin, so that no other satisfaction is required.”
Jesus died for the sins of the whole world. There is no Plan B. There is only one plan, Jesus.
This is not something that we debate. Christ alone is our path to salvation.
5. Soli Deo Gloria
Finally, we believe to God alone belongs the glory.
First Corinthians chapter 10 verse 31 says, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” This is a key verse for us. It means that everything we do, every word we speak, every decision we make, should be done to give glory, praise and honor to God.
From the United Methodist Book of Discipline 2004 paragraph 103, pages 69.
”We believe good works are the necessary fruits of faith and follow regeneration but they do not have the virtue to remove our sins or to avert divine judgment. We believe good works, pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ, spring from a true and living faith, for through and by them faith is made evident.”
Each night before you go to bed, replay the day in your head and make a list of things that you did or said that glorified God and those that didn’t glorify God. Continuously try to glorify God with your actions.
Live for Jesus. That is the finest thing we can ever do. Repent, believe the Gospel, and live for Christ. If you do that, you will be giving God the glory he deserves.
We believe
1. The Holy Scriptures
2. By faith alone
3. By grace alone
4. Through Christ alone
5. To God alone be the glory
Closing Prayer
Lord, help us truly believe and live by the Holy Scriptures, by our faith and your grace through Christ, so that we may give you all the glory and honor and praise this week and throughout our lives. AMEN.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Spiritual Tragedy
Matthew 26:36-46
Length: 17:44
This is a message given on June 7, 2009 at the Bowdertown United Methodist Church.
Spiritual Tragedy
This morning’s scripture gives us a description of a Spiritual Tragedy or a path to spiritual destruction.
The first thing we see in this passage is self-confidence with the disciples. If you remember, while the disciples were still in the Upper Room after having been a part of the Lord’s Supper, they were arguing among themselves as to which would be the greatest in the Kingdom.
Talk about self-confidence. These guys had it here, but self-confidence always opens the door to temptation. This is the first step on the path of destroying your spiritual life. We become confident in our own ability to live our life with our own power.
The disciples thought they too could do this. Notice what happens next. As they enter the garden, Jesus tells them to stay alert, watch out for me, while I go over there and pray. What happens?
They all fall asleep. This is in the next step on the path of spiritual destruction. The disciples all fell asleep physically while they were in the garden of Gethsemane with Christ. They thought they could do this on their own, but they fell asleep.
Today, we can fall asleep spiritually by ignoring evil in this world, becoming indifferent to the injustices that we see happening all around us. Letting the world corrupt our morals.
I believe there is a right and a wrong, a black and white. There is no grey area in God’s eyes. We are the one’s who create the gray area of our life.
There is a term in the computer industry, garbage in, garbage out, meaning if you put bad data into the computer it will process and return bad data to you. If you are putting garbage in your brain from television, books, magazine, or whatever, then you are naturally going to start to have that garbage replicate itself in your life.
As we continue to doze in our spiritual life, we will have less and less concern for what we put into our brains and hearts. This leads us to the next step, which is the temptation. This is what Satan uses against us to really draw us away and keep us away from God.
Each of us is tempted by different things, but usually it has to do with our rights. I have a right to do what I want, read what I what, watch what I want, listen to what I want.
Anytime I think about temptation, the story of Joseph pops into my mind. No doubt you are familiar with the story from Genesis 39. Joseph was a nice looking young man in charge of Potiphar’s household. Potiphar’s wife becomes interested in Joseph and wants to sleep with him.
Joseph gives an excellent speech about why he cannot sleep with her. But as I have said before, words without action often times mean nothing. So Joseph proves himself later by not giving in to the temptation.
The scene occurs when Joseph is alone in the house with Potiphar’s wife. She grabs him and tries to seduce him into sleeping with her. Joseph literally leaves his shirt behind and runs from the situation. Joseph knew right from wrong and he fled the temptation of having this, no doubt beautiful, women thrust herself upon him.
Joseph did not give in to the temptation. Unfortunately, for many people today the temptation leads to the sin. This is only natural for the self-confident, evil tolerant person. Without the help of God, we cannot withstand Satan and avoid sin. We are all sinners, Romans 3:10 tells us there is none righteous, no not one.
The last step is the actual disaster. When you trust in your own confidence and believe that you can live your life in your power and you give in to temptation and sin then you often find yourself calling your sin by a different name.
Instead of calling it sin, people call it a lifestyle choice or a quirky habit. And as you no longer look at your sin as being sin, you no longer feel the need to repent and ask for forgiveness from God. This leads to your spiritual destruction.
This is exactly the path the disciples followed that night in the garden and this is the path we follow when we do not trust in the Lord.
The disciples were confident in themselves. They didn’t need help to stay awake. Then they figured a little nap won’t hurt, there are after all 10 other guys here watching, right? They all fall asleep and when they wake up there is the mob, which came to arrest Jesus.
This passage is a sad example of what can happen to people as they relax in their spiritual journey, but there is some good news too. This passage also provides an example for a spiritual victory through Jesus Christ. The path of victory is the exact opposite as that of destruction.
This means confidence in God rather than yourself. Seeing evil and injustice in the world around you and addressing it as such. Resisting temptation, not through your own will, but through God’s power. And of course, obeying God’s will rather than your own.
That is your challenge this week. Be confident in God, don’t turn your back and ignore the wrongs of the world. Pray that God will deliver you from temptation and if you find yourself in a tempting situation flee from it. Most importantly, if you should find that a failure did occur and you did sin, take it to God and ask for forgiveness and seek to obey His will.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank you for your word. We thank you for the many lessons that we find in it. Help us to continuously study its truths so that we may put into practice the things that we do indeed learn from you. Help us to trust and obey. Cleanse our hearts and purify our minds as we prepare to communion with you and others. AMEN.
Length: 17:44
This is a message given on June 7, 2009 at the Bowdertown United Methodist Church.
Spiritual Tragedy
This morning’s scripture gives us a description of a Spiritual Tragedy or a path to spiritual destruction.
The first thing we see in this passage is self-confidence with the disciples. If you remember, while the disciples were still in the Upper Room after having been a part of the Lord’s Supper, they were arguing among themselves as to which would be the greatest in the Kingdom.
Talk about self-confidence. These guys had it here, but self-confidence always opens the door to temptation. This is the first step on the path of destroying your spiritual life. We become confident in our own ability to live our life with our own power.
The disciples thought they too could do this. Notice what happens next. As they enter the garden, Jesus tells them to stay alert, watch out for me, while I go over there and pray. What happens?
They all fall asleep. This is in the next step on the path of spiritual destruction. The disciples all fell asleep physically while they were in the garden of Gethsemane with Christ. They thought they could do this on their own, but they fell asleep.
Today, we can fall asleep spiritually by ignoring evil in this world, becoming indifferent to the injustices that we see happening all around us. Letting the world corrupt our morals.
I believe there is a right and a wrong, a black and white. There is no grey area in God’s eyes. We are the one’s who create the gray area of our life.
There is a term in the computer industry, garbage in, garbage out, meaning if you put bad data into the computer it will process and return bad data to you. If you are putting garbage in your brain from television, books, magazine, or whatever, then you are naturally going to start to have that garbage replicate itself in your life.
As we continue to doze in our spiritual life, we will have less and less concern for what we put into our brains and hearts. This leads us to the next step, which is the temptation. This is what Satan uses against us to really draw us away and keep us away from God.
Each of us is tempted by different things, but usually it has to do with our rights. I have a right to do what I want, read what I what, watch what I want, listen to what I want.
Anytime I think about temptation, the story of Joseph pops into my mind. No doubt you are familiar with the story from Genesis 39. Joseph was a nice looking young man in charge of Potiphar’s household. Potiphar’s wife becomes interested in Joseph and wants to sleep with him.
Joseph gives an excellent speech about why he cannot sleep with her. But as I have said before, words without action often times mean nothing. So Joseph proves himself later by not giving in to the temptation.
The scene occurs when Joseph is alone in the house with Potiphar’s wife. She grabs him and tries to seduce him into sleeping with her. Joseph literally leaves his shirt behind and runs from the situation. Joseph knew right from wrong and he fled the temptation of having this, no doubt beautiful, women thrust herself upon him.
Joseph did not give in to the temptation. Unfortunately, for many people today the temptation leads to the sin. This is only natural for the self-confident, evil tolerant person. Without the help of God, we cannot withstand Satan and avoid sin. We are all sinners, Romans 3:10 tells us there is none righteous, no not one.
The last step is the actual disaster. When you trust in your own confidence and believe that you can live your life in your power and you give in to temptation and sin then you often find yourself calling your sin by a different name.
Instead of calling it sin, people call it a lifestyle choice or a quirky habit. And as you no longer look at your sin as being sin, you no longer feel the need to repent and ask for forgiveness from God. This leads to your spiritual destruction.
This is exactly the path the disciples followed that night in the garden and this is the path we follow when we do not trust in the Lord.
The disciples were confident in themselves. They didn’t need help to stay awake. Then they figured a little nap won’t hurt, there are after all 10 other guys here watching, right? They all fall asleep and when they wake up there is the mob, which came to arrest Jesus.
This passage is a sad example of what can happen to people as they relax in their spiritual journey, but there is some good news too. This passage also provides an example for a spiritual victory through Jesus Christ. The path of victory is the exact opposite as that of destruction.
This means confidence in God rather than yourself. Seeing evil and injustice in the world around you and addressing it as such. Resisting temptation, not through your own will, but through God’s power. And of course, obeying God’s will rather than your own.
That is your challenge this week. Be confident in God, don’t turn your back and ignore the wrongs of the world. Pray that God will deliver you from temptation and if you find yourself in a tempting situation flee from it. Most importantly, if you should find that a failure did occur and you did sin, take it to God and ask for forgiveness and seek to obey His will.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank you for your word. We thank you for the many lessons that we find in it. Help us to continuously study its truths so that we may put into practice the things that we do indeed learn from you. Help us to trust and obey. Cleanse our hearts and purify our minds as we prepare to communion with you and others. AMEN.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Humble Love
John 13:1-17
Length: 13:34
This is a message given on April 9, 2009 at the Uniontown United Methodist Church during the Holy Thursday Evening service.
“Humble Love”
Chapter 13 marks a turning point in the Gospel According to John. The first twelve chapters focus on Jesus being rejected by the Jewish nation. And now Jesus moves away from that public ministry and ministers to those who did receive and accept Him. Jesus now devotes His time to His disciples.
Chapter 13 is a great example of humility in love. The greatest virtue of love is its humility. Jesus demonstrates one of the most beautiful pictures of love. Jesus is preparing to go to the cross. Christ was preparing to pay the price for our sins.
Jesus could have very easily become proud of what He would do by the end of the week. He surely could have been very concerned about what was going to happen to Him and to his Apostles in the coming days. But instead of that He was concerned for his Apostles.
Christ tells His disciples that He loved them and He shows that love. He puts His words, His love in to action.
So, He stooped to the most humiliating act of His time. It was the job of the slaves. He stooped to wash the feet of His disciples. Many people would think they are too important to stoop so low and perform such a low level, menial task, but not Jesus.
He knew who He was. He knew He was the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He knew that He was God incarnate, but still he washed the disciples feet. Because that is the character of love. Love is selfless.
Even as Christ hung on the cross, He made sure that John took care of Mary His mother and no doubt Mary would minister to John as well. Christ shows His love for them and for us.
Love has to be more than words. It has to be deeds. John says, Love not only in word, but in deed and in truth. Love that is real is love expressed in activity not just words. Don’t tell me your love, show it to me.
Notice Peter’s reaction to the foot-washing. Peter essentially asks Jesus why He would stoop so low as to wash his feet. See Peter failed to see beyond the service of foot-washing to the more spiritual cleansing involved with this act of Christ’s.
In fact, Peter refuses to let Jesus wash his feet. But Jesus’ response to him makes it clear what He is doing. Unless the Lamb of God cleanses a person’s sin, they can have no part with Him.
Peter wants to be a part of Christ, so he replies, “don’t just stop at my feet but wash my entire body.” Jesus informs Peter that He only needs His feet cleansed.
See the point of this refers back to John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He GAVE His only son, so that whoever believes in Him shall have eternal life.”
That is Love in action. God gave us His son to pay the price for our sins. You see, the believer in Christ is purged from all sin. He is clean, but as you walk through this world however, you will get a little dust on your feet and everyday, the precious blood of Jesus Christ keeps on cleansing that dust.
The lesson of our Scripture is simply to show love. Love is an action, not just a word we say. If Christ was willing to humble Himself in service to others, shouldn’t we do the same?
There is only one way the world is going to know we belong to Christ and that is when we show this type of humbling love to each other. You want to be blessed by God? Then learn how to serve others out of love.
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we thank you for your Word and its truth. Thank you for the wonderful example of love in Jesus Christ. Humble us even as Jesus was when He washed the disciples feet. We pray to the glory of Jesus Christ. AMEN.
Length: 13:34
This is a message given on April 9, 2009 at the Uniontown United Methodist Church during the Holy Thursday Evening service.
“Humble Love”
Chapter 13 marks a turning point in the Gospel According to John. The first twelve chapters focus on Jesus being rejected by the Jewish nation. And now Jesus moves away from that public ministry and ministers to those who did receive and accept Him. Jesus now devotes His time to His disciples.
Chapter 13 is a great example of humility in love. The greatest virtue of love is its humility. Jesus demonstrates one of the most beautiful pictures of love. Jesus is preparing to go to the cross. Christ was preparing to pay the price for our sins.
Jesus could have very easily become proud of what He would do by the end of the week. He surely could have been very concerned about what was going to happen to Him and to his Apostles in the coming days. But instead of that He was concerned for his Apostles.
Christ tells His disciples that He loved them and He shows that love. He puts His words, His love in to action.
So, He stooped to the most humiliating act of His time. It was the job of the slaves. He stooped to wash the feet of His disciples. Many people would think they are too important to stoop so low and perform such a low level, menial task, but not Jesus.
He knew who He was. He knew He was the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He knew that He was God incarnate, but still he washed the disciples feet. Because that is the character of love. Love is selfless.
Even as Christ hung on the cross, He made sure that John took care of Mary His mother and no doubt Mary would minister to John as well. Christ shows His love for them and for us.
Love has to be more than words. It has to be deeds. John says, Love not only in word, but in deed and in truth. Love that is real is love expressed in activity not just words. Don’t tell me your love, show it to me.
Notice Peter’s reaction to the foot-washing. Peter essentially asks Jesus why He would stoop so low as to wash his feet. See Peter failed to see beyond the service of foot-washing to the more spiritual cleansing involved with this act of Christ’s.
In fact, Peter refuses to let Jesus wash his feet. But Jesus’ response to him makes it clear what He is doing. Unless the Lamb of God cleanses a person’s sin, they can have no part with Him.
Peter wants to be a part of Christ, so he replies, “don’t just stop at my feet but wash my entire body.” Jesus informs Peter that He only needs His feet cleansed.
See the point of this refers back to John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He GAVE His only son, so that whoever believes in Him shall have eternal life.”
That is Love in action. God gave us His son to pay the price for our sins. You see, the believer in Christ is purged from all sin. He is clean, but as you walk through this world however, you will get a little dust on your feet and everyday, the precious blood of Jesus Christ keeps on cleansing that dust.
The lesson of our Scripture is simply to show love. Love is an action, not just a word we say. If Christ was willing to humble Himself in service to others, shouldn’t we do the same?
There is only one way the world is going to know we belong to Christ and that is when we show this type of humbling love to each other. You want to be blessed by God? Then learn how to serve others out of love.
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we thank you for your Word and its truth. Thank you for the wonderful example of love in Jesus Christ. Humble us even as Jesus was when He washed the disciples feet. We pray to the glory of Jesus Christ. AMEN.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
The Rainbow Covenant
Genesis 9: 8-17
Length: 22:46
This is a message given on March 22, 2009 at the Homer City United Methodist Church for the Indiana District Lay School - Advanced Lay Speaking Class.
We don’t hear much preaching on the Old Testament these days, but it is part of God’s Word and it is important to read and understand it. There is a lot of imagery and “types” of Christ depicted throughout the Old Testament. We need to remember that the message of the Old Testament prophets point to Jesus. They preached a message of repentance, as did John the Baptist, Jesus, and the apostles. It is the same message we need to preach today.
Our scripture reading this morning picks up right after the flood. Of course, we know in the beginning God created Heaven and Earth, then man, then they ate the apple and oh boy. Down hill from there. Sin entered the world and man became evil and corrupt.
But this man Noah, however, was a righteous man. Not by his works, but because he believed in God as Creator, and Savior from his sin. He found grace in God, because he humbled himself. So, God told Noah to build an Ark.
It is interesting, as we know, only the people and animals that were on the Ark survived the flood. There was only one way to be saved from the flood. Sounds like our situation today, doesn’t it? There is only one way of salvation for us too.
Anyways, even though it had never rained before, Noah obeyed God and built the ark. The rains started, the heavens broke loose and for forty days and forty nights there was rain. Eventually, the water subsides and Noah sends the dove out and when it doesn’t return Noah knew it was about time to head out of the ark and back onto the earth.
Noah exits the ark, sees the devastation and destruction all around him and the first thing he does is…..build an alter to worship God. Picking up in chapter 9 verses 1-7 we see God instructing Noah. God tells Noah to be fruitful and multiply, rule the earth, eat meat, but not the blood (this simply means to eat dead animals not living ones), and to establish capital punishment for taking another man’s life.
Now, in verses 8-17, God is again speaking to Noah and is telling him what He will do. God establishes His covenant with Noah, God gives them the sign, and then summarizes the covenant with them.
What is the covenant?
God promised Noah that he will never destroy the earth by water or a flood again. See, before the flood, from what I understand there was never any rain. The earth had some type of vapor barrier or canopy. Now I don’t know all the details of what this canopy was like, some say it was a layer of ice, all I know is what scripture says and it calls it an expanse. Gen 1:7 “And God made the expanse and separated the waters that were under the expanse from the waters that were above the expanse. And it was so.”
At any rate, this barrier in the sky apparently minimized the harmful effects of the sun and had some type of tropical like effect on the world. This is partially why people lived to be almost 1,000 years old and animals were able to live a long time and grow very large. There was no need for rain, the hydrological cycle worked differently.
But at the flood, the people of earth saw rain for the first time. Noah saw rain for the first time. And it was a massive, destructive force. So if someone were to ask Noah what he thought of rain as soon as he got off the ark, he would probably have flipped out and shouted “Rain? Where?, Everyone, back on the boat.”
So, no doubt he didn’t like it. He saw the death, devastation, and destruction it caused. Rain was no good to Noah, but as we know rain is a vital part of our life today. So God makes this covenant with Noah telling him the world will not be destroyed by rain again. So there was no need to fear rain.
Now, usually, when we think of a covenant, we think of an agreement between two parties. The Untied States agrees to not point its missiles at Russia as long as Russia agrees not to point their missiles at us. Each side gets something.
God’s covenant, however, with Noah is different. It is completely one sided. God does not say if you do this, I will do this. God simply says, “I will not destroy the earth by water again” This is a covenant for the blessing of man from the mercy of God. For man’s life from the grace of God. It is an unconditional unilateral covenant from God.
Isn’t that wonderful? But Who is this covenant with?
Obviously, Noah and his family, but it extends to all generations of Noah. Remember, during the flood, everything was destroyed except for the things on the Ark. Which included Noah, his wife, their three sons and their wives. That is a total of 8 people. God’s covenant extends to them, but also to their offspring, which includes us today.
Notice though, God did not limit His covenant to just us. He also included all of the animals in the world too. What an awesome God. It is also interesting to note this is a universal covenant, meaning everybody is included.
How do we know He will keep his covenant? God says he will put his bow in the sky so that he will remember His covenant with the world. Notice it says bow. This is because God is viewed as a warrior. That isn’t a image we normally think of today is it? But it is true, look at Exodus 15:3, it says “The LORD is a warrior, The LORD is His name.” (Moses and sons of Israel sang)
A bow is a weapon as in a bow and arrow. The people of biblical times would see this bow in the sky and know that God has hung up his weapon. Today, we call it a rainbow and it occurs when light is refracted (bent because of a change in speed or direction) through moisture in the atmosphere.
When people look at a rainbow they may think of many things. Like wow, look at the pretty colors (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet). Or maybe they run to find the little lepricon and pot of gold at the end of it. Or maybe they think of homosexuals using it as the symbol of their perversions.
We as Christians really should be looking at it and saying thanks be to God for His covenant with us. God says He gives us this sign so that He remembers His covenant with us. But, God doesn’t need the rainbow to remind him of His covenant. He puts that rainbow in the sky, so that we know He still remembers His covenant with us. It is a sign of mercy, grace, peace, and love from God. Every time you look at a rainbow you can see God’s grace, even though humanity deserves God’s wrath and judgment.
Finally, God’s covenant is an everlasting covenant, meaning He will never destroy the world by flood again. Sure it is going to rain and storm in places and they will be destroyed by water and storm damage, but He will not destroy the world by flood again. Yes, He is going to destroy the world in the future, but not by flood or water. Yes, the polar ice-caps will melt, but that will not be the ultimate cause of destruction to the world.
How is the earthy going to be destroyed?
2 Peter 3:10-11 (day of the Lord)
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.
Rev 20:9 (Satanic Rebellion Crushed)
9And they came up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, and fire came down from heaven and devoured them.
Rev 21:1
1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea.
Sadly, as we know, the flood did not eradicate sin from this world. In fact, just a few verses after this covenant, Noah planted a vineyard and got drunk and naked. Ham, Noah’s son, saw this and had either a sinful thought or possibly actions.
Sin was still there after the flood and is still here today. God is going to destroy this world again and the unrepentant sinners who have not accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of their life will be judged.
So what is the point of all this?
Well think about it, which came first, the flood or the rainbow covenant? The flood, right? Why did God send the flood? Because of the evil, sinfulness of the people. God sent his Holy wrath upon the earth, for vengeance and judgment of their sins. Why? Because of His perfect righteousness and holiness.
The rainbow covenant, shows and reminds us of God’s love, His mercy, His grace, His peace, and His patience.
God is indeed a God of love, but make no mistake He is a God of wrath. His judgment will one day again be poured out on this earth, by fire. Knowing this, shouldn’t we be living holy and godly lives?
If you haven’t been living the life God wants you to live, take the time today to repent, change your life and live your life to God’s glory.
Let the rainbow remind you of not only God’s love, but His wrath as well.
Closing prayer:
Heavenly Father, we thank you for this time spent in your Word today. We thank you for your Word, and that it has been so well preserved over these many years. We thank you for your Holiness and perfect dealings with us. We thank you for your covenant with us. Help us to see not only your love as we look at the rainbow, but also the righteous judgment you deal to evil. We thank you most of all for sending your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ to die on the cross to pay for our sins. It is in His name we give thanks and is due all honor and glory, now and forever. AMEN.
Length: 22:46
This is a message given on March 22, 2009 at the Homer City United Methodist Church for the Indiana District Lay School - Advanced Lay Speaking Class.
We don’t hear much preaching on the Old Testament these days, but it is part of God’s Word and it is important to read and understand it. There is a lot of imagery and “types” of Christ depicted throughout the Old Testament. We need to remember that the message of the Old Testament prophets point to Jesus. They preached a message of repentance, as did John the Baptist, Jesus, and the apostles. It is the same message we need to preach today.
Our scripture reading this morning picks up right after the flood. Of course, we know in the beginning God created Heaven and Earth, then man, then they ate the apple and oh boy. Down hill from there. Sin entered the world and man became evil and corrupt.
But this man Noah, however, was a righteous man. Not by his works, but because he believed in God as Creator, and Savior from his sin. He found grace in God, because he humbled himself. So, God told Noah to build an Ark.
It is interesting, as we know, only the people and animals that were on the Ark survived the flood. There was only one way to be saved from the flood. Sounds like our situation today, doesn’t it? There is only one way of salvation for us too.
Anyways, even though it had never rained before, Noah obeyed God and built the ark. The rains started, the heavens broke loose and for forty days and forty nights there was rain. Eventually, the water subsides and Noah sends the dove out and when it doesn’t return Noah knew it was about time to head out of the ark and back onto the earth.
Noah exits the ark, sees the devastation and destruction all around him and the first thing he does is…..build an alter to worship God. Picking up in chapter 9 verses 1-7 we see God instructing Noah. God tells Noah to be fruitful and multiply, rule the earth, eat meat, but not the blood (this simply means to eat dead animals not living ones), and to establish capital punishment for taking another man’s life.
Now, in verses 8-17, God is again speaking to Noah and is telling him what He will do. God establishes His covenant with Noah, God gives them the sign, and then summarizes the covenant with them.
What is the covenant?
God promised Noah that he will never destroy the earth by water or a flood again. See, before the flood, from what I understand there was never any rain. The earth had some type of vapor barrier or canopy. Now I don’t know all the details of what this canopy was like, some say it was a layer of ice, all I know is what scripture says and it calls it an expanse. Gen 1:7 “And God made the expanse and separated the waters that were under the expanse from the waters that were above the expanse. And it was so.”
At any rate, this barrier in the sky apparently minimized the harmful effects of the sun and had some type of tropical like effect on the world. This is partially why people lived to be almost 1,000 years old and animals were able to live a long time and grow very large. There was no need for rain, the hydrological cycle worked differently.
But at the flood, the people of earth saw rain for the first time. Noah saw rain for the first time. And it was a massive, destructive force. So if someone were to ask Noah what he thought of rain as soon as he got off the ark, he would probably have flipped out and shouted “Rain? Where?, Everyone, back on the boat.”
So, no doubt he didn’t like it. He saw the death, devastation, and destruction it caused. Rain was no good to Noah, but as we know rain is a vital part of our life today. So God makes this covenant with Noah telling him the world will not be destroyed by rain again. So there was no need to fear rain.
Now, usually, when we think of a covenant, we think of an agreement between two parties. The Untied States agrees to not point its missiles at Russia as long as Russia agrees not to point their missiles at us. Each side gets something.
God’s covenant, however, with Noah is different. It is completely one sided. God does not say if you do this, I will do this. God simply says, “I will not destroy the earth by water again” This is a covenant for the blessing of man from the mercy of God. For man’s life from the grace of God. It is an unconditional unilateral covenant from God.
Isn’t that wonderful? But Who is this covenant with?
Obviously, Noah and his family, but it extends to all generations of Noah. Remember, during the flood, everything was destroyed except for the things on the Ark. Which included Noah, his wife, their three sons and their wives. That is a total of 8 people. God’s covenant extends to them, but also to their offspring, which includes us today.
Notice though, God did not limit His covenant to just us. He also included all of the animals in the world too. What an awesome God. It is also interesting to note this is a universal covenant, meaning everybody is included.
How do we know He will keep his covenant? God says he will put his bow in the sky so that he will remember His covenant with the world. Notice it says bow. This is because God is viewed as a warrior. That isn’t a image we normally think of today is it? But it is true, look at Exodus 15:3, it says “The LORD is a warrior, The LORD is His name.” (Moses and sons of Israel sang)
A bow is a weapon as in a bow and arrow. The people of biblical times would see this bow in the sky and know that God has hung up his weapon. Today, we call it a rainbow and it occurs when light is refracted (bent because of a change in speed or direction) through moisture in the atmosphere.
When people look at a rainbow they may think of many things. Like wow, look at the pretty colors (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet). Or maybe they run to find the little lepricon and pot of gold at the end of it. Or maybe they think of homosexuals using it as the symbol of their perversions.
We as Christians really should be looking at it and saying thanks be to God for His covenant with us. God says He gives us this sign so that He remembers His covenant with us. But, God doesn’t need the rainbow to remind him of His covenant. He puts that rainbow in the sky, so that we know He still remembers His covenant with us. It is a sign of mercy, grace, peace, and love from God. Every time you look at a rainbow you can see God’s grace, even though humanity deserves God’s wrath and judgment.
Finally, God’s covenant is an everlasting covenant, meaning He will never destroy the world by flood again. Sure it is going to rain and storm in places and they will be destroyed by water and storm damage, but He will not destroy the world by flood again. Yes, He is going to destroy the world in the future, but not by flood or water. Yes, the polar ice-caps will melt, but that will not be the ultimate cause of destruction to the world.
How is the earthy going to be destroyed?
2 Peter 3:10-11 (day of the Lord)
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.
Rev 20:9 (Satanic Rebellion Crushed)
9And they came up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, and fire came down from heaven and devoured them.
Rev 21:1
1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea.
Sadly, as we know, the flood did not eradicate sin from this world. In fact, just a few verses after this covenant, Noah planted a vineyard and got drunk and naked. Ham, Noah’s son, saw this and had either a sinful thought or possibly actions.
Sin was still there after the flood and is still here today. God is going to destroy this world again and the unrepentant sinners who have not accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of their life will be judged.
So what is the point of all this?
Well think about it, which came first, the flood or the rainbow covenant? The flood, right? Why did God send the flood? Because of the evil, sinfulness of the people. God sent his Holy wrath upon the earth, for vengeance and judgment of their sins. Why? Because of His perfect righteousness and holiness.
The rainbow covenant, shows and reminds us of God’s love, His mercy, His grace, His peace, and His patience.
God is indeed a God of love, but make no mistake He is a God of wrath. His judgment will one day again be poured out on this earth, by fire. Knowing this, shouldn’t we be living holy and godly lives?
If you haven’t been living the life God wants you to live, take the time today to repent, change your life and live your life to God’s glory.
Let the rainbow remind you of not only God’s love, but His wrath as well.
Closing prayer:
Heavenly Father, we thank you for this time spent in your Word today. We thank you for your Word, and that it has been so well preserved over these many years. We thank you for your Holiness and perfect dealings with us. We thank you for your covenant with us. Help us to see not only your love as we look at the rainbow, but also the righteous judgment you deal to evil. We thank you most of all for sending your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ to die on the cross to pay for our sins. It is in His name we give thanks and is due all honor and glory, now and forever. AMEN.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Politics and the Christian
When you do a search on the word politics or political in the Bible (ESV) you get zero matches. The Bible doesn’t use those words, but the Bible does, however, have some things to say about government and a Christian’s behavior.
There are many verses on government and the life of a believer, but the passage that keeps jumping out at me is Romans 13:1-7 (ESV).
Verse 1 “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.”
Isn’t that powerful? God has instituted the governments that exist and we are to obey them (provided, of course, that the government is not issuing orders that are in direct violation of God’s Word).
Think about it, God is telling us (through Paul, the inspired writer of Romans) that we are to obey and respect (verse 7) every position of authority in our lives. This involves the government over its citizens, the Church over its members, parents over their children, and even bosses over their workers.
Governments are here to reward or promote good and restrain and discipline evil. The question is: what is good and what is evil. Christians should be able to answer that with ease.
God expects us to speak out against the evils of society, but we need to do it in a godly and law abiding manner. Two great examples of this life are Daniel and Paul.
As Christians, we are to proclaim the Gospel to the world. We are given that commission in Matthew. Many Christians are politically active and there if nothing wrong with that in itself. The problem arises when a Christian is more concerned with politics than with the Gospel.
We know there are problems with our government and our leaders. They are not perfect. However, we are to hate the sin, not the sinner. Too often, Christians turn people away from the Gospel rather than turn them to it.
Instead of focusing our time and attention on changing or influencing laws, let’s spend our time on changing lives with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
We need to remember to consistently pray for our leaders so that they may have the will of God revealed in their life. Does your life show the transforming power of the Gospel?
There are many verses on government and the life of a believer, but the passage that keeps jumping out at me is Romans 13:1-7 (ESV).
Verse 1 “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.”
Isn’t that powerful? God has instituted the governments that exist and we are to obey them (provided, of course, that the government is not issuing orders that are in direct violation of God’s Word).
Think about it, God is telling us (through Paul, the inspired writer of Romans) that we are to obey and respect (verse 7) every position of authority in our lives. This involves the government over its citizens, the Church over its members, parents over their children, and even bosses over their workers.
Governments are here to reward or promote good and restrain and discipline evil. The question is: what is good and what is evil. Christians should be able to answer that with ease.
God expects us to speak out against the evils of society, but we need to do it in a godly and law abiding manner. Two great examples of this life are Daniel and Paul.
As Christians, we are to proclaim the Gospel to the world. We are given that commission in Matthew. Many Christians are politically active and there if nothing wrong with that in itself. The problem arises when a Christian is more concerned with politics than with the Gospel.
We know there are problems with our government and our leaders. They are not perfect. However, we are to hate the sin, not the sinner. Too often, Christians turn people away from the Gospel rather than turn them to it.
Instead of focusing our time and attention on changing or influencing laws, let’s spend our time on changing lives with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
We need to remember to consistently pray for our leaders so that they may have the will of God revealed in their life. Does your life show the transforming power of the Gospel?
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