Christmas 2017: Come To Worship

The Gospel of Matthew is the only book that includes the account of the wise men coming to worship Jesus in Bethlehem and even Matthew does not give us all the details we would like to have.  But the Scriptures are not written to satisfy our curiosity or give us all the details about any given event.  The scriptures are written to tell us about how we can be disciples of Jesus Christ.

Christmas 2017: Why He Came - In His Own Words

Christmas reminds us that Christianity is grounded in history, reported by eyewitnesses and recorded by faithful men guided by God's Holy Spirit.  We know what happened. We know what Jesus said.

There is no shortage of modern secular bloviating about Jesus.  They have endless theories about who he "really" was, what he "really" did and the "real" meaning of his teaching.

It seems there is no theory that is so outlandish that it would not be considered.  About the only thing they will not do is consider what Jesus himself said about his ministry.

An Open Door

In the letter to the church at Philadelphia, the Lord does not have any criticism or correction, only encouragement.  The Lord wants them to stay faithful and keep his word with confidence that he knows about their trials and is cheering them on.

Wake Up Call

It can be very important to be awakened at the right time and for the right reason.  There may be important work to be done. There may be dangers to be avoided. It is possible that sleeping through the alarm could cause all kinds of problems.

In this passage of scripture, the Lord himself comes to the church of Smyrna with an urgent wake up call.  We should all pay close attention to see how it applies to us.

Mortified!

We all can identify with the feeling of being embarrassed and wishing that we could just disappear.  But it seems like in our society there are relatively few things that embarrass people.  Almost anything is permissible.

When Jesus examined the church at Thyatira he found some things that they should have been embarrassed about, but had not taken any action to correct.  This is a real problem.

Thanksgiving 2017

What is your favorite part of Thanksgiving?  Why should we celebrate Thanksgiving?  Where does Thanksgiving really come from?

With or without government recognition, Christians are urged to engage in Thanksgiving and it doesn't have to be limited to one special Thursday in November.  Thanksgiving should be part of our everyday Christian experience.

Our Jealous Lord

The Christians in Pergamum faced a great deal of hostility and some of their people had even been killed. How can Christians live in the context of a hostile worldly environment? How are we supposed to maintain our distinction as the people of God?

Sermon In A Sack: The Heart

What does a red fuzzy heart communicate to us?  How does God communicate his love for us?

Trials and Testing

The church in Smyrna faced persecution. The four verses of this epistle are loaded with references to death, slander, fear, trials, poverty, tribulation, suffering and prison. This is a passage the prosperity gospel preachers would need to avoid.

Even so, it is very upbeat. It shows the resources they have that will enable them to be true to Jesus in the face of persecution.  We need this message because all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 

Sustaining Love

Christ reminds the Ephesians that he is in the midst of the seven churches and holding the seven stars in his right hand.  He is there both to comfort and to challenge them.  What does Christ want from the churches - from us?

The First And The Last

The book of Revelation may be the favorite portion of scripture for most cults and fringe groups. Why? Because it includes symbolic language and dramatic scenes. They feel free to twist these scriptures to fit their teachings.

How are we to understand the author's intent - the meaning that is built into the passage? How can we understand these things?

The Apocalypse

What do you think of when you hear the word "Apocalypse?"  The word has come to be associated with catastrophes or the "end of the world." But how is "Apocalypse" associated with the book of Revelation in the Bible. What is this all about?

Christian Family

What are we supposed to learn from ten verses of personal greetings at the end of the book of Colossians? How are we supposed to respond? What are we to do?

Steadfast

There are all kinds of situations in which we depend on other people to be there for us.  They've got our back, they are watching our six, they are holding the rope, they are standing guard... we hope.  Christians are part of a community in which we all depend on each other. It is important that we be steadfast.

Christian Living

Each of us has multiple roles in life - child, sibling, parent, spouse, employer or employee.  Having told us about the provision that God has made for our salvation through Jesus Christ, the author now applies these truths to our daily lives.  How do we handle authority?

Hide & Seek

We hear a lot about immigrants, refugees and aliens these days.  These are terms that could easily be applied to Christians living in the world today.  We don't quite fit in here - and that is as it should be.  Our citizenship is really in heaven and we need to keep that in mind.

What Happened?

It is not what a car looks like on the outside that counts - what matters is what is "under the hood." In Colossians 2 the Apostle Paul is detailing the changes that have come through regeneration.  Those who have come to faith in Christ are fundamentally changed - and those changes should make a big difference in how they navigate life.

The Mystery of Christ

Everyone loves a mystery.  But some people suggest that there are secret mysteries about Christ that only they can solve. According to them, there are higher truths and greater levels of wisdom and knowledge and only they have the secret key to understanding.

Paul warns the Colossians about false teachers like this. The mystery of Christ is rich, but it is available to anyone who will study God's revelation in the Bible.

New In Christ

The apostle Paul had heard about a group of new believers in Colossae whose lives had been changed by the gospel of Jesus Christ.  He was "tied up" at the time (in a Roman prison), but since he couldn't visit them - he wrote them a letter instead.  Here he gives them a thorough orientation to their new faith in Jesus Christ.

True Blessing

The Hebrew believers were struggling.  As Christians they were facing persecution.  They had lost jobs, faced arrest and beatings and the looting of their property.  They were tempted to turn in some other direction that might provide an easier path.

The author has encouraged them that Christ is far superior in every way to every possible alternative. He has sternly warned them that turning back is not really an option for true Christians.  Now he calls on them to recognize the source of true blessing in their lives.

Climbing Higher

The Hebrew believers are feeling tired and discouraged about their discipleship.  They are tempted to give up.  But the author encourages them.  He doesn't tell them that it will be easy, but he reminds them of the resources they have that will help them to continue following Christ with renewed energy.

Life With Christ

Those who put their faith in Christ are described in the Bible as "new creatures in Christ" and "alive from the dead."  We have been rescued from the dominion of darkness and transferred into the kingdom of God's dear son. We have been identified with the death of Christ for our sins and now we are to live with Christ in "newness of life."

What does that look like?  Is it complicated?  What should we do?

Hebrews 13:1-6 reveals that our life with Christ shows up particularly in our relationships.

God Has Spoken

There is no doubt that God has spoken. The question is, what will you do about it?

Our Path Forward

What should Christians do when the going gets tough?  Should they sit down and quit?  Should they go back to their old life?  How should they respond to the discouragement they feel and the persecution they fear?

Divine Discipline

Discipline is not a pleasant thing to endure, but it produces good results in our lives.  We are constantly faced with encouragement to be disciplined in getting exercise and in controlling our diet.  At the same time many people in our culture think disciplining children is generally a bad thing.

God thinks parents should discipline their children and he sets the example by disciplining his spiritual children.

Looking Unto Jesus

The author of Hebrews was writing to Christians who had come out of Judaism.  Now they were tempted to give up on Christianity and go back to Judaism because they were discouraged and persecution was heating up.

But the author says - "Look at Jesus."  He is the founder and perfecter of our faith.  When we consider who Jesus is and what he has done for us, how could we consider going back to any other religious system?

In The Long Run

The Hebrew Christians were discouraged and tempted to drop out... but the author of Hebrews says that is inconsistent with a life of faith.  We are not called to run a sprint.  We are in a marathon race - onward and upward for the glory of God.

Faith On The Move

The author of Hebrews has been taking Old Testament examples of faith one by one. But he finally sums everything up with a montage overview of many familiar accounts... The Red Sea, Jericho, Rahab, Samson, Gideon, David, Daniel and many more...

Faith is what moved all of these Old Testament figures to do the "heroic" things they did.

Faith Shaped Choices

Faith is not a blind leap into the unknown. Faith is a choice about who you will believe. Who you believe will determine your values and your values will guide your behavior.  Moses is a good example of this. He decided that the riches of a prince in Egypt were not as valuable as the heavenly treasures to be claimed by identifying with Christ.

A Mother's Faith

What does it take to be a mother in today's world?  Above everything else, it is a matter of faith.
There are plenty of pressures on parents - troubles that threaten our very survival. But we have a great God.

Tested Faith

Strength can be demonstrated through lifting heavy objects. Intelligence can be demonstrated by solving puzzles or answering questions.

But what about faith?  What is faith?  How can it be measured?

In Hebrews 11:17-22 the author teaches about faith from the lives of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph.

Because He Lives (We Have The Cure For Death)

What does it matter that Jesus arose from the dead?

Everything depends on the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.  If he didn't, then the Bible is false, there is no hope of sins forgiven or life after death. But if he did arise, then everything he promised is true. Death is not the end of our story.

We have the eternal life we hoped for!

The Stones Will Cry Out!

Imagine the scene on Palm Sunday as Jesus approached Jerusalem in the crowd of pilgrims who were gathering for the Passover celebration...  The people were singing the same old Psalms - but with new vigor. Now they were addressing these words toward Jesus... "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"  "Hosanna!"  "Save us, please, Lord!"

The Pharisees thought this was blasphemous and expected Jesus to rebuke them... but he accepted the praise.  These words were written about him - and he was the Messiah they prayed would arrive.

We should learn from their praise... and we should join in the praise!

Trust God & Let's Go

Hebrews chapter eleven teaches about faith by example. From the very first generation after Adam, Abel showed faith by his excellent sacrifice. Enoch showed faith by his pleasing relationship with God. Noah showed faith by obeying God and building an ark to save his family and land based animals from God's judgment in the flood.

What about Abraham and Sarah?  How did their lives show faith?  What do we learn about faith from the biblical account?

To Live By Faith

There are people who claim that faith is a blind leap into the dark.  They say it is irrational and unreasonable.  They only believe in what they can see, touch, taste or hear.  They only believe in things that can be tested by the scientific method.

The truth is, they have many areas on their life in which they operate by faith. But they don't often realize it.

Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

The Y in The Road

When you come to a "Y" in the trail you need to gather whatever information is available in order to decide which way to go.  The author of Hebrews has come to a decision point and lays it out in stark terms.

Which path will you choose?

What should you do about your loved ones on the wrong path?

Sermon In A Sack: Trophies

For thousands of years people have been highly motivated by the prospect of winning trophies - even something as perishable as a laurel wreath.  How much more should we be motivated to work hard toward pleasing Jesus Christ?  The rewards he will distribute are eternal!

Since We Have Jesus...

The author of Hebrews has spent several chapters establishing that Jesus has provided us with a "once for all" sacrifice for our sins so that we can be "saved to the uttermost."  He has also pointed out that Jesus has given us all direct access to the real holy places where he ministers to us through his intercession as our Great High Priest.

So how are are we supposed to respond to these truths?  What are we to do with them?

The Real Thing

If one thing is the "real" thing, what does that make everything else?  What is it that makes Jesus so unique? What are the other things... the things that are not the real thing?

Jesus has made the unique sacrifice that can really take away our sins and can make us eternally right with God.  Jesus is the real thing when it comes to having our sins forgiven and a place in heaven.

Thy Kingdom Come

Some people say they don't want to go to heaven. They think it will be boring - and that they won't fit in.  But Jesus Christ is at work in his follows through his new covenant. He is preparing us so that when we get to heaven it will be a place of unimaginable joy and satisfaction.

When we understand this we can truly pray, "Thy kingdom come..."

Saved To The Uttermost

The "Uttermost" is the greatest possible extent of something. Jesus is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through him. This truth is a great comfort and encouragement to Christians.  We have every reason to continue to be bold in our testimony for Christ.  Pity the modern skeptics who suppose they are too advanced to believe in Christ, but who have no hope for eternity.

Our Secure Hope

People long for a sense of security and they seek it in various ways. One way that is obviously very ineffective is through political parties and social causes. Another is wealth. Another is physical conditioning. Another is science and technology.

None of these things can provide the security you long for.  But there is one place you can turn to find unshakable security that will carry you through life and into eternity.

Marching For A Good Cause??

According the news the marches over the weekend were a record breaking demonstration of people's opposition to President Trump and all he stands for.  The NPR hosts have been positively giddy with their enthusiasm for the huge crowds...

Presumably all of the marchers believe that they are on the side of what is good!!

It is interesting that so many people could be so enthusiastic over issues of good and evil when one of the things they evidently stand for is the rejection of absolute standards of right and wrong. How does that work?

What do they stand for?  They are definitely pro-abortion, having rejected pro-life groups from participating.

It seems to me that they are rebelling against everything that relates to our historic constitutional democracy and traditional morality.  They have grown so used to liberal progressivism steamrolling over everyone who disagrees that they cannot stand the fact their candidate lost the election. They are now ready for revolution. They reject the legitimacy of the elected government and will protest until they get their own way.

Maybe.

But their avowed belief in absolute freedom applies only to their own beliefs and behaviors. Anyone who disagrees is a hater - and they hate haters.  So while they rally for absolute freedom, they roll over everyone else's freedom with a sadistic glee.  They cannot see how their behavior and attitudes match historical movements that they would find abhorrent.

What do they claim for their moral authority?  Reason? Law? Consensus?  Anything other than God.

(Isaiah 5:20–23 ESV) 20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight!22 Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine, and valiant men in mixing strong drink,23 who acquit the guilty for a bribe, and deprive the innocent of his right!

Eternal Value

What is it that guides our lives?

Some things we do for sheer pleasure.  Other things we do for survival.

Most of us need to work for a living and we count ourselves blessed if the work we do is interesting and meaningful for us.  But whether meaningful or not - we have to work to support ourselves and our families.  In this category we also include various chores associated with living - paying bills, taking out the trash, doing the wash, cooking meals and caring for children.

Commercial entertainment occupies a large place in American culture.  Books, TV, movies, and sporting events are available to us through many sources and untold millions of hours are spent everyday consuming them.

Nature is a different sort of entertainment that people approach in different ways.  We hike, climb, bike, hunt, birdwatch, fish or camp in "the great outdoors."  We observe the wonders of the natural world and concern ourselves with the ecological health of the planet.

How do we rate the value of each activity in our lives?  Is it the monetary value?  Is it the relationship value?  Is it the degree of pleasure we derive from it?  Is it the idea that we are leaving a legacy?

In our secular society we find all of the above.  But what about eternity?  Is there any way we can invest in eternity and live to see the benefit of that investment?

Jesus said that we should "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness."  He told us that we should "store up treasures in heaven" that will endure for everlasting life.

How do we do that?

The simple truth is that our eternal destiny is tied to our relationship with Jesus.  Repentance for sin, faith in Christ's atonement, sanctification through conformity to Jesus' sinless example, the fruit of the Spirit in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control - these are things that count for eternity and lead to behaviors that matter.

We still need to make a living, but why are we making a living? What are we doing with our living? How is our living reflecting our relationship with Jesus and moving other people toward a relationship with Him?

Don't just live - live for Jesus in a way that matters for eternity.

On To Maturity

Years of experience are not necessarily the same as mastery.  This is true in Christian discipleship. It is possible to continue as baby Christians when we should make progress and develop a maturity that glorifies God in our lives.

Our Great High Priest

Most Christians don't think very much about the fact that we have a high priest. We take it for granted that our sins are forgiven, that God hears our prayers, that we will get direction for our lives. We never saw the ministry of the Jewish high priests of the Old Testament and we forget that Jesus is our high priest now.

Sermon In A Sack: A Life Line

The Bible says, "...you were dead in the trespasses and sins..."  We were dead in the water. We could not - and we would not - move toward God.  

How could God rescue us?  If he threw out a life-line we were powerless to grab it and hold on.

The answer is that God jumped into the water and came to us.  Jesus became a human to save sinful humans.  As scripture says, "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—"Ephesians ( 2:4–5)