Weekly Sermon

Matthew 17: 14-21

Introduction:

What do you do when you know that your time is limited?

I remember way back years ago when I was a college student facing the final days of a semester. In each of my classes there were assignments that had to be finished and submitted by a certain date. Some of those were writing assignments. By the time I was a senior in college I had a pretty good idea how long it would take me to do the research and write the term paper. There were several times when I looked at the due date and then calculated the time that would be required and then would wait until I had just enough time to do the work. Then I would spend several hours in the college library in a private study booth and work frantically in order to finish the paper and get it turned in. I have to confess to you that putting things off until the last minute was not the best approach. There was always the chance that my planned schedule would be interrupted. Fortunately, I always got the work done, but realistically, if I had allowed myself more time I probably could have done a better job!

Another example that occurs frequently would be when I have a trip coming up. It could be a conference that I have to attend or a vacation that I am about to take. I know some of you pack your suitcases days ahead of time and probably have a check list to make sure you have everything you will need. I am notorious for waiting until about an hour before I have to leave and then rushing into the bedroom and grabbing things I think I will need and throwing them into the suitcase and taking off.  I always forget something and I usually take more things than I really need because I haven’t taken time to really think through the agenda of the trip. Years ago when I was a college student a family friend gave me this advice for getting ready for a trip: “Take half as many clothes as you think you will need and twice as much money as you think you will need!” That’s great advice for a person who fails to really plan ahead!

Lent is the season of the year when we focus on the days leading to Calvary and the Resurrection. We read in Matthew 16 how Jesus resolutely, deliberately, determined to go to Jerusalem, knowing full well that he would be arrested, persecuted, and crucified when he got there. In Matthew 17we examined the account of the Transfiguration and surmised that the event was not only to validate for the disciples who Jesus really was, but also to prepare Jesus the Man physically, emotionally, and spiritually for the task he was facing. And even though Peter, James and John were so in awe of what was happening on the Mountain and wanted to stay there, Jesus led them back down to where the other disciples had gathered with the crowds who were seeking Jesus. 

And that brings us to where we are today in the scripture. Jesus knew his time was limited. He knew that in a short time he had an appointment in Jerusalem with his accusers and an old rugged Cross.

So what was Jesus to do, knowing that he was embarking on his last trip to Jerusalem? 

I. JESUS CHOSE TO LIVE UNTIL THE END.

a. There is an old saying that goes this way, “A journey of a 1000 miles begins with one step!” From the moment Jesus determined to go to Jerusalem he begins the trip. It led up a Mountain for a conference with Moses and Elijah. And now he continues the journey by coming down to where people lived.

b. Dr. Ralph Earle was one of our denominations great Bible Scholars. He was a college and seminary professor, a wonderful preacher, and the author of many theological books. He was the featured speaker at the Spring Semester Conference at the college I attended and it was at the close of one of his messages that I went to the altar to seek God’s Sanctifying Grace. At another preacher’s conference, I heard him answer the question that was asked of him several times: “With all his many responsibilities, how did he ever find time to write the many books he authored?” He told us that he would get up early in the morning, I think around 4 a.m., and write until time for breakfast and off to his classes. Someone asked him how he was able to get up that early every morning. He said, “I pull the covers off and sit up on the edge of the bed. And then I place my feet on the floor and lift my body into a standing position.” Of course, he was being humorous as he attempted to teach us about self-discipline. In essence he was saying, “You just make yourself do it.”

c. I don’t know what all was going through Jesus’ mind. I know he was aware of his goal to redeem mankind through his atoning death. I know he was aware of the route and the distance he still had to travel. But the point is, he didn’t just know and think on these things—he acted on it. 

d. My dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer around 1990. He lived another 2 years and at times suffered great pain. But he kept going. I remember how he loved the outdoors and especially loved to deer hunt in the fall. A friend of his picked him up early one morning and took him to the deer woods. When Mom found out she was so afraid. “What if he falls?” “What if something happens to him while he is out there?” And my answer was, “If he dies out there, he will die doing something he really enjoys doing.” I’ve known of people who, when diagnosed with a serious disease, just gave up on living and waited to die. I proud to say that my Dad lived until he died. And I hope I can do the same.

e. Jesus knew that his earthly death was to be soon. He knew what he had to do. And He marched right up to destination—He lived until he died!

II. JESUS REMEMBERED HIS MISSION TO MINISTER TO OTHERS.

a. As he and his 3 disciples descended from the Mount of Transfiguration, there were people waiting, people needing help, and in this case a father and son who were in desperate straits. The man’s son was suffering seizures that were demonic in nature. The 9 disciples who had waited at the foot of the mountain had tried to help, but their efforts had failed. Jesus rebuked the demon that was tormenting the boy, and cast him out, healing the boy instantly. 

b. Remember that Jesus had already stated that he was determined to go to Jerusalem where he would be persecuted and killed. And remember that he was doing this so that the whole human race could be reconciled to God. What was one boy when compared to the whole human race? For Jesus, this was another precious created being that was worthy of his time. Later, when he restored the tax collector Zacchaeus spiritually, he had stated in Luke 19:10, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Yes, Jesus came to save the whole world, but the whole world is comprised of single individuals. And Jesus, even in his limited time frame, always had time to touch each person who sought for his help.

c. I’ve appreciated Rev. Jay Scribner’s ministry and friendship over the years here in Branson. He pastored for the Branson First Baptist Church of 28 years and was the President of the Missouri Southern Baptist Convention for a few of those years. He has been very influential in addressing city leaders, was the founder of KLFC Radio station, and was a leader in many other projects. After he retired from Branson First Baptist, Jay and his wife Kay met with Gloria and Me for about 2 years, once a week at the Inspiration tower to pray for our city. In talking about his future as a retired pastor, he would often pray that his retirement years would be as productive as his previous years. And He is still very actively seeking to minister even today. Another pastor’s words also exemplify this: I was fortunate to know Rev. J.J. Steele’s wife after he had passed. Rev. Steele had been a great pastor and had a great ministry in Coffeyville, KS before Gloria and I lived there as youth pastors. She told me that Rev. Steele would often say, “The Sunsets are as beautiful as the Sunrises!”

d. What Rev. Scribner and Rev. Steele meant was that it is just as exciting to minister to people in our later years as in our younger.

e. Jesus, even though his end was near, never forgot the privilege and responsibility of touching lives. 

f. And even when we feel our time is short, we must not forget that we are here to point people to Jesus. May we be faithful to that responsibility to the very end!

III. JESUS PRESSED UPON THE DISCIPLES THE URGENCY OF THEIR FAITH.

a. Listen again to what Jesus had to say in this passage about the man with the demon oppressed son: “You unbelieving and perverse generation…how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me’” (Matthew 17: 17).  Do you catch that sense of urgency and frustration? Jesus had been in public ministry for nearly 3 years. He had healed hundreds. He had cast out many demons. He had taught and demonstrated by his miracles the power of God. Now, as he is on his final journey, he seems to be saying, “Hey guys, get with it! By now you need to understand the power of God! You need to have a faith that you are still lacking. Time is running out---it is time for you to get with the program!”

b. Jesus was on his final journey. He knew that this was the last chance for him to teach all the things he needed to teach his follows. I sense in Jesus a renewed sense of urgency to complete the things he needed to complete. And that meant getting the disciples ready to take on their responsibilities after he was taken from them.

c. What was Jesus to do, knowing his time was limited? He knew that he had to get his disciples ready, established in their faith, so that the work would continue—the work of Salvation for all humanity!

Conclusion:

As we follow Jesus during the Season of Lent, we see Him modeling life in its final days.

And I am reminded that we who call ourselves “His Disciples,” who have been called to “deny ourselves and take up our cross daily and follow Him,” must remember how Jesus lived his final days.

We too have a destination: Heaven is our goal and we must start out on that journey, determined to reach heaven at all costs! That first step for us is to forsake sin and received Jesus as our Savior and Lord.

And, Just as Jesus never stopped touching people’s lives, we too are called to be his witnesses, to be disciple makers, to love one another and bear one another’s burdens. Even though we may be in a hurry, we must remember to take time to interact with the people we meet along the way, encouraging, inspiring, and loving them as Jesus loved them.

And we must not forget the urgency of the times. Our time is limited. In John 9:4 Jesus said, “As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. “

Isn’t it appropriate, that during this Season of Lent, a time when we prepare our hearts to celebrate the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, that we do all we can to follow His example? 

Could it be that today is the day when you need to come and kneel at an altar of prayer and reaffirm that you are on your journey to heaven? 

Wouldn’t you like to pray this morning?

Matthew 16: 21-28

Text: Matthew 16:24—“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”

Introduction:

I read a rather lengthy illustration this week about a prisoner of war. It was credited to Tim Hansel, Holy Sweat, 1987, Word Books Publisher, pp. 146-147.Bear with me as I read it to you:

In Ernest Gordon's true account of life in a World War II Japanese prison camp, Through the Valley of the Kwai, there is a story that never fails to move me. It is about a man who through giving it all away literally transformed a whole camp of soldiers. The man's name was Angus McGillivray. Angus was a Scottish prisoner in one of the camps filled with Americans, Australians, and Britons who had helped build the infamous Bridge over the River Kwai. The camp had become an ugly situation. A dog-eat-dog mentality had set in. Allies would literally steal from each other and cheat each other; men would sleep on their packs and yet have them stolen from under their heads. Survival was everything. The law of the jungle prevailed...until the news of Angus McGillivray's death spread throughout the camp. Rumors spread in the wake of his death. No one could believe big Angus had succumbed. He was strong, one of those whom they had expected to be the last to die. Actually, it wasn't the fact of his death that shocked the men, but the reason he died. Finally they pieced together the true story.

The Argylls (Scottish soldiers) took their buddy system very seriously. Their buddy was called their "mucker," and these Argylls believed that is was literally up to each of them to make sure their "mucker" survived. Angus's mucker, though, was dying, and everyone had given up on him, everyone, of course, but Angus. He had made up his mind that his friend would not die. Someone had stolen his mucker's blanket. So Angus gave him his own, telling his mucker that he had "just come across an extra one." Likewise, every mealtime, Angus would get his rations and take them to his friend, stand over him and force him to eat them, again stating that he was able to get "extra food." Angus was going to do anything and everything to see that his buddy got what he needed to recover.

But as Angus's mucker began to recover, Angus collapsed, slumped over, and died. The doctors discovered that he had died of starvation complicated by exhaustion. He had been giving of his own food and shelter. He had given everything he had -- even his very life. The ramifications of his acts of love and unselfishness had a startling impact on the compound.

"Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:12).

As word circulated of the reason for Angus McGillivray's death, the feel of the camp began to change. Suddenly, men began to focus on their mates, their friends, and humanity of living beyond survival, of giving oneself away. They began to pool their talents -- one was a violin maker, another an orchestra leader, another a cabinet maker, another a professor. Soon the camp had an orchestra full of homemade instruments and a church called the "Church Without Walls" that was so powerful, so compelling, that even the Japanese guards attended. The men began a university, a hospital, and a library system. The place was transformed; an all but smothered love revived, all because one man named Angus gave all he had for his friend. For many of those men this turnaround meant survival. What happened is an awesome illustration of the potential unleashed when one person actually gives it all away.

That story catches the essence of this season of the year. On the Christian Calendar today is the first Sunday of the season of Lent. It is just 7 weeks until we celebrate the Resurrection of Christ on Easter Sunday. In Christian tradition, Lent is a time of self-denial as we prepare our hearts for the Resurrection Celebration.

In our scripture passage (Matthew 16: 21-28) we read how Jesus determined to go to Jerusalem to suffer and die for our sins. It is the beginning of the greatest example of self-denial being demonstrated by our Lord. And it gets really personal for us when Jesus tells us that if we are going to be his disciples we must do as He has done.

In this message, let us examine the concept of “denying one’s self.”

I. SELF-DENIAL IS MUCH MORE THAT FASTING A MEAL.

a. Usually when we have heard sermons on self-denying, the main thrust has been on fasting and prayer. And, yes, that is definitely one aspect of self-denial—denying your physical appetite in order to bring your physical desires into submission to your spiritual relationship with God. And this has side benefits of helping to keep our weight under control. But self-denial is so much more than just skipping a meal. Self Denial is the act of putting others and their needs above your own. It is the act of humility, recognizing that our own needs are not the number one priority in our lives. We see that being displayed in the story of Angus McGillivray. In a situation where everyone was concerned with looking out for self, Angus chose to give himself away to save the life of another.

b. In Luke 10, Jesus was asked about the most important commandments. The person asking then gave the answer—Love God with your entire being and then love your neighbor as yourself. Then he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” And Jesus gave the parable of the Good Samaritan.  The Samaritan was the one who found the man who had been beaten and left for dead. The Commentaries tell us that the road from Jerusalem to Jericho was very dangerous. Gangs of bandits lurked in the rocks and hills along the road. Travelers usually traveled in caravans for protection. And it was not unusual for scenes to be arranged so that people would stop to help only to be attacked themselves. The Good Samaritan not only stopped to check on the man’s condition. He performed first-aid, then transported the man to a safe place, an inn, and provided funds so that he would continue to receive care until he was well enough to travel. The Samaritan placed his own life at risk, cared for what we assume was a Jewish victim—bitter enemies of the Samaritans, and even contributed financially for the victim’s care. That is an example of Self Denial.

c. During Lent, tradition has it that we should give something up in self denial. I remember a couple of guys who had an Auto parts store in my hometown. They were known for their wild behavior. But in recognition of their Catholic background, they always gave up alcoholic drinks during Lent. I hope you good Nazarenes have already given that up! Others give up television, or a favorite food, or something else from their normal behavior. That is not a bad idea, provided we remember that which we give up is to be replaced with increased focus on our spiritual life.  It could be that your act of self-denial may be to more intentionally do something good for someone else.

d. James Packer, in his book Your Father Loves You,  (Harold Shaw Publishers, 1986, p. 14.) writes this about fasting or self-denial:  In Scripture we see several purposes for fasting. It's part of the discipline of self-control; it's a way of sharing that we depend on God alone and draw all our strength and resources from him; it's a way of focusing totally on him when seeking his guidance and help, and of showing that you really are in earnest in your quest; it's also, at times, an expression of sorrow and deep repentance, something that a person or community will do in order to acknowledge failure before God and seek his mercy. We tend to think of fasting as going without food. But we can fast from anything. If we love music and decide to miss a concert in order to spend time with God, that is fasting. It is helpful to think of the parallel of human friendship. When friends need to be together, they will cancel all other activities in order to make that possible. There's nothing magical about fasting. It's just one way of telling God that your priority at that moment is to be alone with him, sorting out whatever is necessary, and you have cancelled the meal, party, concert, or whatever else you had planned to do in order to fulfill that priority.

II. SELF-DENIAL DOES NOT FOCUS ON SELF.

a. When I decide to go on a diet, the thing I think of most often is food. If I am giving up pecan pie, it is amazing how often I have a craving for pecan pie. I’ve noticed that when a person is struggling with being jealous and decides he is not going to be jealous any more, his thoughts always turn towards jealousy. If I am envious of someone’s good fortune, my thoughts tend to drift to their good fortune as compared to my not-so-good fortune. When we decide to participate in Self-denial, it is not uncommon for our thoughts to be on how much I am missing. And the problem is that we forget that “self-denial” should be the act of “forgetting about myself and focusing on what is really important.”

b. In our scripture, Jesus determined to go to Jerusalem. That meant traveling over a very rugged road that actually descended to one of the lowest elevations on earth (Jericho, 864 feet below sea level) and then rose dramatically to the elevation of Jerusalem—2575 feet above sea level. That would be physically demanding.  And, Jesus already was a marked man. The corrupt religious establishment in Jerusalem had already determined to execute Jesus—legally or illegally. And Jesus was very much aware of not only the threat but also the reality of what would happen when he reached Jerusalem—he would be arrested, tortured and crucified.  But Jesus was not focused on those things. He knew about them, but there was something more important than his own comfort. He was focused on paying the redemption price for humanity so that we could be brought into a right relationship with almighty God.

c. Self-denial is getting our eyes off ourselves and on to that which is more important.   And that brings us to the next point:

III. SELF-DENIAL IS ABOUT GETTING A PROPER PERSPECTIVE ON OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.

a. We humans struggle with a false sense of pride. We really think we can go it alone, and we tend to call on God only when we find ourselves in desperate situations. It has been said that the very essence of sin is our tendency to worship ourselves. Indeed, the middle letter in the world “Sin” is “I”. “I’ want this.” “I can do this.” “I only need others so that I can get what I want.”   When Eve was tempted in the garden, at the heart of the temptation was Satan’s telling her that if she would eat the forbidden fruit, then she would be like God, knowing good and evil. Think about it: at the heart of every argument, at the heart of every war, is the presence of somebody—and often many some-bodies— who want to have their own way: “I am right, therefore, you are wrong.” “My way is better than your way.” 

b. Self-denial is the act of recognizing that I am not the final authority. I do not have all the answers. I can’t fix things on my own. But God is the Supreme Authority. His way is always right. My will is secondary to His will. I am placing myself in submission to His authority. 

c. Self-denial is for the purpose of recognizing that I am His servant, not the other way around. If I fast for several days and then tell God, “Look at what I have given up. You have to answer my prayer after I have given up so much,” then we have missed the point altogether. Self-denial is not a method of manipulating God. Rather, it is a method of bringing ourselves into submission to God and will.

Conclusion:

Now, back to our key verse, “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.’”

How can we claim to be disciples of Jesus and still insist on having our own way in everything?

How can we claim to be disciples of Jesus when we ignore those around us who are in need?

How can we claim to be disciples of Jesus when we are more concerned about what others will think of us if we share our witness of Him to others?

How can we claim to be disciples of Jesus if we are more concerned about our own safety than we are about taking the Gospel to those who are found in risky areas?

Rev. Mark Bane, our former District Superintendent who is now the person who oversees our General Church Dept. of Evangelism, tells how he felt called to start an inner city church in the heart of Kansas City. It involved him going into areas where drug dealers and alcoholics and prostitutes hung out on street corners and engaging them in conversations. He told how he was often the only white man in such a group and how hard it was to build any kind of relationship with these inner city people. But he said he felt so compelled by the LORD that this was what he was called to do. And he had to just trust the Lord to give him wisdom and protection.

What risks have you taken for the Lord lately?

Resurrection Sunday is just 7 weeks away. Doesn’t it make sense that we should examine our hearts and make sure we have placed ourselves totally under His control?

Maybe, it should start right now with a personal declaration of surrender to God’s authority in your life!

Colossians 3: 18-25

Focus: Colossians e: 20-21 “Children, Obey your parents…Fathers, do no embitter your children…”

Introduction:

I like to watch the old Westerns on television—Gun Smoke, Laramie, Tales of Wells Fargo, The Virginian, Bonanza, Bat Masterson, Tombstone Territory, and others. —and they all tell stories of the 1800’s when the West was just being settled. Periodically, one of those programs will feature a Dad who is raising his daughter. Mom was no longer in the picture having died of some disease or accident. And the story line will reveal that the Dad is very strict with the daughter, not willing to allow her to grow up. Any young man who shows interest is strictly forbidden. And, usually, the story will reveal how the daughter slips around to meet the man and the dad eventually must let her go. It is always the dad who is depicted as being in the wrong. His strictness provokes his daughter to rebel as she seeks her independence. Sometimes the story will have a happy ending and sometimes not.

Over the years I have known of similar stories in real life. Parents—a mother or dad or both—being so strict and harsh in their discipline that the child—boy or girl—eventually rebels against their rules and turn away from the values of their parents. It is always heart-breaking to witness.

I look back on my childhood and thank God that I was blessed to have great and loving parents who exerted discipline when necessary but allowed me freedom enough to consider their values and to choose whether to accept them as my own. 

It has been my custom to focus on Relationships during the month of February. It is the month of Romance as we observe Valentine’s Day and just a great time to consider the importance of developing good and healthy relationships with others.

I confess that I have heard and preached many sermons on Husbands and Wives. And I have heard and preached a few on “Children, Obey your parents”–particularly when Jenna and Justin were still at home. But I’m not sure if I’ve ever heard or preached on the subject, “Fathers, do not embitter your children…”

In Ephesians 6:4 the NIV translates it this way, “Fathers, do not exasperate your children…” The KJV translates it, “Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath…” 

 Now, I understand that in our congregation, many of us are grandparents or even Great-grandparents. But it is true that in Bible language, oftentimes any elderly person is considered a father or mother to all those of younger generations. So, the principles Paul gives in these verses on family relationships in Colossians and Ephesians are relevant to all of us.

So, today, let’s see what the Holy Spirit would teach us about those “inter-generational relationships.”

I. THE DANGER OF EMBITTERMENT

a. I have a New Testament that contains 26 different translations. On this phrase that the NIV translates, “Do not embitter…” these are that various translations: “Vex not your children…” (Con.); “…do not fret and harass your children” (Wey); “…avoid irritating” (Mof); “…don’t over-correct” (Phil.); “stop exasperating” (Knox). In the parallel verse found in Ephesians 6:4, the translations are pretty much the same, with the addition of “do not rouse your children to resentment” (Knox); and “must not goad your children to resentment (NEB).

b. All these translations point to the danger of being too harsh—that is, pushing your children to the point that they are ready to totally rebel against the very thing you are trying to instill within them. Now, I’m on dangerous ground here, I know. Too little discipline is just as dangerous as too much. And every child is different. And every parent must find that fine line between too much and too little. And the only ones who can really give you a hard and fast rule that they think works in every case are those who have never had any children. Those of us who have had children know that what works for one may not and probably will not work for another! Spankings, time-outs, strong scolding, removing privileges—and other methods have their limited successes.

c.  I know this scripture does not mean that it is wrong to correct your child or that it is wrong to upset them when they are getting disciplined. Sometimes it is necessary to upset their rebellious plans and their rebellious attitudes even if they sulk or cry.  Again, we must recognize there is a line that we must be careful not to cross if so doing will drive them away from correct behavior.

d. But I believe there is an additional intent in this command to not embitter or exasperate. I believe the intent of Paul’s words are to warn us that we should not push our children in the wrong direction. We should not get them to do things that we know are not right. That would be such things as getting them to lie for us—for example, telling someone who calls that we are not home when the truth is, we just don’t want to talk to the caller. We should not encourage them to watch things that devalue God’s word or read books that are not wholesome. And the list goes on. Anything we do that would cause our children to think evil is good is provoking them to wrath or embittering them towards God’s Laws.

II. SO, WHAT SHOULD WE BE DOING THAT DOES NOT EMBITTER OR PROVOKE?

a. As I thought about this there are five words that immediately came to mind that are essential in good parenting:

i. NURTURE: “care for and encourage the growth or development of.” There is a sense that we are always nurturing our children until they are grown and on their own. And, to a certain extent, that nurturing goes on even after that. But, as I think about the context of our scripture, I think of the importance of providing those things that a child cannot provide for itself. For instance, when Noah and Molly get hungry, they are totally incapable of fixing their own meal. Kelly or Justin must get that bottle ready, make sure the milk or formula is at the right temperature and then feed it to the babies in amounts that are appropriate. And every so often, they must pause and burp the baby, so that it will not get a tummy ache from the inhaled air from sucking on the bottle. The babies are incapable of dressing themselves, changing their own diapers, and so on and so forth. Nurturing would be the act of providing and caring for them so that they can survive and grow and develop as they gradually mature. Nurturing as they grow older would include providing food and shelter and security along with providing them the age-appropriate tools they need in their development, And, certainly, nurturing means providing the loving assurance that they are loved. Holding, cuddling, kissing, patting on the back, holding hands, high fives—all in the appropriate ways, are all involved in nurturing.

ii. The Second Word that comes to my mind is Teach. Being a good parent means taking time and investing in the child’s education. I remember when my kids were just babies and were just learning how to crawl. One of them would just scoot along on its stomach. So, we would get down in the floor and help them to get up on their knees and move their legs forward so they could crawl properly. And then there was the effort to help them learn how to walk. And then there was the effort to slow them down—but that’s a different story! But there is also the spiritual education. The KJV translates Isaiah 28:10 this way: “For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.”  The verse is talking about God teaching His People, but it also demonstrates the method we must use as we implant the Word of God into our children. I remember helping my kids memorize those basic memory verses: John 3:16, The Lord’s Prayer, The 23rd Psalm. And sometimes we would see things that were harmful, and we would take time to point out to our children how that was wrong and teaching them the principle of morality found in God’s Word.   And when our children wanted to do things, we felt undermined our values, we took time to explain why and how it undermined those values. As they grew older, we had to allow them to decide about some of those activities.  Back then, there was the dilemma of ball games that were played on church nights. There was the importance of supporting one’s team and not letting the team down weighed against the importance of the discipline of coming to church and learning in a Bible Study. And those were not always easy choices even for Adults, must less for children. I can still remember some of the lessons in value that my parents taught me—don’t lie, don’t steal, don’t cheat—always to honest, keep your word, And I still remember vividly when I took some things that didn’t belong to me at the store where I caught the school bus and dad taking me to the store owner and making me confess what I had done and pay for those items. We are responsible to teach our children about how to live.

iii. A third word is Discipline. That is the act of correcting our children when they are wrong and giving them the incentive, they need to do right. The big thing for us as adult is to remember that discipline is not the same thing as punishing. Our goal is to correct behavior, not harm a child. And that gets a little tricky. For me, receiving a spanking in an appropriate way for rebellious behavior was effective. For someone else, it may not be as effective. Proverbs 13:24 says, “Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.” That does not mean we should beat our children. As a matter of fact, the term “rod” could easily be considered a figurative term for doing what is necessary to correct behavior. It may mean a time-out. It may mean taking away something for a period. Dr. James Dobson in his classic book, Dare to Discipline, said that physical spankings should only be used when there is willful defiance. And, even then, it should be a last measure and should not be too harsh. We did the number thing with our kids. Number one was a warning; Number two was a second and last warning. Number three meant swats. But we were careful to let the kids know how serious this was by our tone. And sometimes it was like a game when the offense was minor. But “The Look” and the stern voice meant they had better straighten up or they would be sorry.

iv. A fourth word that come to mind is Equip. As parents it was/is important to give our children those skills and tools that will help them to stand on their own. That meant teaching them how to handle finances, how to make their bed, how to pick up their toys, how to be respectful of others, how to be responsible for their duties.  When Justin was old enough to handle it, I encouraged him to mow yards. At first, I taught him how to mow our yard, pointing out little details about trimming, etc. then I helped him line up other yards and taught him how to charge a proper amount. Then, when he asked me for money, I would point out how many yards it would take to earn that amount. I was trying to teach him the value of money so that, when he was on his own, he would be able to make decisions about how he would spend it. Was buying a ball glove or skateboard worth money enough yards to pay for it? I am so proud of both my kids for their work ethic. They worked their ways through college and have good jobs today because somehow, the importance of being responsible and reliable was instilled in their physic.

v. A fifth word that comes to mind is “RELEASE.” We must allow our children to gain their independence at the proper time. That meant at the appropriate time allowing them to make their own decisions –even when it was not necessarily the decision, we wanted them to make. And then they had to learn to live with the consequences of their decisions. At first it was simple things—like the style of clothes they would wear or the type of haircut they would get. Gradually they were given the freedom to decide more important things—the activities they would get involved in, the people they hung with.  Let me tell you that it is important not to give your kids freedom before they are mature enough to handle it. My kids never had the privilege of saying, “I don’t think I am going to church this morning.” Their eternal destiny was too important to be decided by an immature mind!

Conclusion:

I am no expert in how to raise your child. I’ve read the books, attended classes, heard advice. But this I do know. The most important thing a parent can do in raising their children is to set a good example. Be sure you are faithful and sincere in your relationship with God. Be filled with the Spirit. Be Spirit led. Be humble before God and be faithful and diligent in our prayer life.

And make sure you consistently, regularly, lavish your love on your children. Make sure they know they are loved!

Psalm 121:1-8

Introduction:

I heard a story about a man who while walking along saw a shiny coin lying in his path. He was so excited at his good fortune that he spent the rest of his life always looking down. According to the story, in his lifetime his occasionally found coins that amounted to just a few dollars. But because of his continually downward look, he missed hundreds of sunrises, thousands of beautiful flowers and scenery, and the expression of many people whom he passed in his walks.

Since my knee surgery a few years back, I have become more conscious of watching where I am about to step. With my eye condition, my depth perception is not the best and I have been known to miss a step and take a tumble. But I try to watch my surroundings and I like to look people in the eye when I meet them. I try to share a smile or some other positive expression so I can share the joy of fellowship and compassion. 

And there is something special on a warm sunny day to sit back and relax and watch the clouds passing by. I love the old cartoon that has Charley Brown and Linus looking at the clouds. Charley asks Linus what he sees, and Linus describes a magnificent scene of fortress and marching armies and all kinds of images he is imagining as he looks at the clouds. And Charley Brown says simply, “I see a Bunny Rabbit!”

I visited a lady in the nursing home some years ago and asked her what her favorite scripture was. She very quickly replied, “The 121st Psalm.” She went on to explain how it gives her a sense of security knowing that God never sleeps and is always keeping watch over her.

As we continue this journey into 2021, let’s see what lessons this Psalm can teach us today.

I. KEEP LOOKING UP.

a. When I was pastoring in Warsaw, Missouri a lifetime ago, I joined the Jaycees Organization. They made me the chaplain of their local group. And there were different things we were called to do in order to get certain awards. One of them was to make an impromptu 5 minute speech on a topic they would choose for us. I was given the topic, “How High is UP?” I had no trouble talking on that subject for the allotted 5 minutes. First of all, I suggested the “UP” had to be defined within its different contexts. Standing on earth and looking into the heavens would be one kind of “up.” But another kind of “UP” would be how we progress through promotions on our jobs and successes in our businesses. 

b.  After the Warsaw pastorate, I moved to Fort Scott, Kansas in 1979 and joined a civic club called “The Optimist Club.” The club magazine was called “Success” and it had writers like Napoleon Hill, Norman Vincent Peal, and others, who would stress the importance of always looking at the positive side of things. All of that could be described as a practice of always looking up.

c. This Psalm is grouped in a selection of Psalms called “Songs of Ascent.” It is said that these were songs that were sung by Jewish pilgrims as they ascended the mount where the Temple of God was located. Quite literally, they were sung as people were going up the steep grade to meet God. So, the words “I lift up my eyes to the mountains” meant they were looking at the Temple of God. 

d. As we continue our journey into this New Year, it is easy to look at all the troubles our world is experiencing. We can bemoan the terrible Pandemic .We are just now beginning to see hope with the new vaccines that hopefully will get that under control. And who knows what is going to happen in our government after seeing the rioting and violence and being left with real concern about the integrity of our election process. And the liberal agenda is very threatening to our conservative political views as we fear we are losing the very essence of what made America the great nation it has been.  I have talked to individuals who are literally worrying themselves sick over all the negative things that are happening all around us.  But, Christians, we are called to look up. Just as the ancient pilgrims were looking up at the Temple inhabited by God, we too should be looking up for God in His dwelling place.

e. The account of Jesus walking on the water and Peter jumping out of the boat to walk to him is an example of this “Upward Look.” As long as Peter kept his eyes on Jesus, he walked on top of the water. But when he diverted his eyes and looked at the waves and wind, he became fearful and began to sink.

f. What is it that you are facing today? Is it health issues? In our congregation we have several who are facing heart difficulties, various kinds of cancer, diabetes, and arthritis. And then there are the financial concerns: Do we have enough retirement funds to last us the rest of our lives? And what about when the transmission goes out in the car or the refrigerator stops working? I can tell you there are days when it is hard to look up. But we have a God who has promised to be with us. So, we need to practice looking up, beyond all the troubles. 

II. WE NEED TO REMEMBER THAT GOD IS THE SOURCE FOR OUR STRENGTH.

a. The psalmist asks: “…Where does my help come from?”

b. Just looking up and ignoring our troubles is not the answer. Just suppose your rent is due or the mortgage payment is due, and you are short on cash. What will happen if you just ignore the situation and act as if everything is okay? You might get evicted from your home!

c. And the Psalmist answers his question in verse 2: “My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.”  Our answer to our problems doesn’t come from pretending they aren’t there. The answer is found in placing our trust in the Lord. 

d. We are all familiar with the New Testament scripture found in Philippians 4:6—“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present you request to God.”

e. In Matthew 17: 24-27 we read how Peter questioned Jesus about paying the Temple tax. Like some of us, taxes are always a challenge. I always dread the day of reckoning when I have to file my income tax. I almost never pay in enough during the year, so I always have to come up with a little more. I don’t know if Peter was frustrated because he was short on cash or if he was just questioning the whole idea of paying a tax. But Jesus sends him to the lake where there was a fish to be caught—a natural suggestion to a real fisherman. But the surprise came when he caught one fish and found in its mouth just enough money to pay both his and Jesus’ tax that was due at the temple.

f. Sometimes God does things like that—After all He is the God who specializes in the impossible.  Sometimes the miracles are not so obvious. Several years ago, I was struggling with my finances. I was able to keep up with all my payments, but it was a struggle. In my prayer journal I took it to the Lord and complained and whined and asked Him why I couldn’t seem to get ahead. A year later I was looking back over some of the prayers I had written, and I suddenly realized that I no longer was struggling with that financial strain. I don’t remember anything out of the ordinary. There were no windfall cash gifts, no new jobs that supplemented my income that I could recall. It was as if the LORD just said, “Keep on being Faithful. I will supply your needs.” And He did.

g. Our troubles may seem overwhelming. But remember: Our help comes from the LORD!

III. REMEMBER THAT WE HAVE A GOD WHO WATCHES OVER US!

a. Psalm 121: 3 says, “He will not let your foot slip—He who watches over you will not slumber…” Then the Psalmist goes on to describe how God constantly watches over His people.

b. One of my favorite Bible stories as a child—and even now—is the account of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego  who refused to bow and worship the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had erected. The King was so angry that he had the 3 men thrown into the fiery finance. Then, as the King watched the supposed execution, he suddenly “leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, ‘Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?’ They replied, ‘Certainly, Your Majesty.’ He said, ‘Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.’” (Daniel 3: 24-25). These 3 men had been taken from their own country, Judea, and were living in a far off land among pagan people. But God knew where they were, and He continued to watch over them even in Babylon. 

c. And it was similar in the account of Daniel being thrown into the Lions’ Den. God sent His angel to keep the lions from devouring Daniel.

d. There have been times in my life when I felt frustrated and helpless. Something was going on that was out of my control. But when I finally decided to just leave it in God’s hands, I found peace knowing I was not alone. God was there.  And He is here.  He is the Omnipresent God—always here, always available, always alert, watching over His people.

e. Over the years I have talked to people who felt all alone. On multiple occasions I have had a widow or widower tell me that after losing their husband or wife, the loneliness was sometimes almost too much to handle. But the reality is, God knows. God is there. We are never alone.

f. The devotional magazine Our Daily Bread some years ago had this illustration: The early American Indians had a unique practice of training young braves. On the night of a boy's thirteenth birthday, after learning hunting, scouting, and fishing skills, he was put to one final test. He was placed in a dense forest to spend the entire night alone. Until then, he had never been away from the security of the family and the tribe. But on this night, he was blindfolded and taken several miles away. When he took off the blindfold, he was in the middle of a thick woods and he was terrified! Every time a twig snapped; he visualized a wild animal ready to pounce. After what seemed like an eternity, dawn broke and the first rays of sunlight entered the interior of the forest. Looking around, the boy saw flowers, trees, and the outline of the path. Then, to his utter astonishment, he beheld the figure of a man standing just a few feet away, armed with a bow and arrow. It was his father. He had been there all night long. 

g. There may be times when we feel we are all alone. But God is there. He never sleeps nor slumbers. He is always alert, watching over His children.

Conclusion:

And so, we continue our journey into a New Year, and we continue our climb towards our eternal destiny. Temptations may and will arise. We will find obstacles along the way—mountains to climb, rivers to cross, storms to endure. Satan sets traps along the path—IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) like those that have claimed the life or severely injured our military folks in Afghanistan. The path we take is narrow and steep. But remember, we are not alone. God is with us. He guides us along the path. We are told in Scripture that “The Lord orders the steps of a good man (or woman).” And He will make a way. Our God divides the waters of the Sea to make a path for His people in impossible situations.  Psalm 139 says, “You have searched me, LORD, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise. You perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways… “(Psalm 139:1-3) It goes on to explain that no matter where you are, God is there. 

So, Look up. Jesus has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Take courage—He will give us strength.

Galatians 6: 1-10

Text: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (“Galatians 6: 9)

Introduction:

Do you ever have the problem I sometimes have? On occasion I have started a project only to get sidetracked and never complete it. And so, our driveway has needed a load of rock for a couple of years where it butts up against the street. Two years ago, I bought a gallon of Thompsons Sealer for our back porch. I still haven’t used it. There is a light outlet in my closet that has not worked in quite a while. It would probably take about 15 minutes to fix it—if I ever get to it. And I won’t even talk about the sliding closet door. I have to admit, as I recall these projects it is a little bit embarrassing to admit my ability to procrastinate!

There are other things that I do that I have no trouble completing. I write out a sermon every week. And I prepare a Bible study almost every week. I read the Springfield newspaper every day. For the past 35 years I have read the Bible completely through each year. I have 3 devotional books in which I read a daily devotional in each one every day.  I’m not bragging, I just felt it was important to share some of my good points so that you would not think I was completely inadequate!

And I’m not a perfectionist. I don’t obsess when something isn’t done exactly the way I think it should be done. I believe in the scripture that says we should do all things for the glory of God. But I tend to agree with something I read years ago that said there are some things that don’t deserve or require our complete attention. I think it said there are some courses that we may take in school where a C is all the attention, we need to give it. For example, if I wanted to know the basics of photography just for my own benefit and had no inclination of becoming a professional photographer, there was no need to devote all my energy on learning every detail. I don’t know about you but that makes sense to me.

I am somewhat interested in Ancient History. At one point I thought I would explore archeology, so I took an introductory course that was offered locally from MSU. I quickly learned that instead of Indiana Jones excitement, Archeology requires tedious attention to small pieces of broken pottery that a person had to spend hours digging up by hand. I’m glad someone does that, but I found it wasn’t something I wanted to do. 

So as one travels through life we must pick and choose the things that hold our attention and then begin to set aside time and energy if we are going to be involved in those things.

The statement I often hear (and probably have used myself) that we don’t have enough time is just an excuse. We find the time to do the things we really want to do!

The verse in Galatians 6:9 has been a key verse in my life. “Do not become weary in doing good, because in due season you will reap if you faint not.” The key to being able to keep on doing the things that we should be doing is “Determination.” 

As we enter the New Year, let’s consider some things for which we should be determined:

I. WE SHOULD DETERMINE TO CONTINUE DEVELOPING OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST.

a. In Philippians 3: 10 & 11 Paul stated, “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.”  Now, understand that Jesus had revealed himself to Paul on the Damascus Road—the event that resulted in Paul’s conversion. Paul had spent 3 years of his time after that in seclusion in Arabia (See Galatians 1: 17) getting to know Christ more fully from the scriptures and through his prayer and meditation. His life from that point was dedicated to sharing Christ with the world. He traveled all over the ancient world telling people about Christ, organizing new believers into churches. Paul had debated with the so-called intellectuals of his day—religious leaders, philosophers, and other people in places of authority—always presenting Jesus as Lord and Savior. The letters Paul wrote to the various churches revealed a deep understanding of God’s Plan and Provision for our salvation through Jesus Christ. And when he wrote the letter to the people in Philippi, he was in prison because of his dedication to Jesus Christ.  And, in spite of all that, he states, “I want to know Christ…” I would venture to guess that Paul already knew Christ more fully than most of us could even imagine. But He knew that his relationship with Jesus Christ was a relationship that should never be taken for granted. It was something that a person always needed to work at developing.

b. How can a person ever fully understand or comprehend the Son of God—fully human and at the same time fully God? How could anyone ever understand the depth of love that Christ has for each of us that he was willing to set aside his divine privileges and become a human being who was willing to be crucified in order to provide for our salvation?

c. If a person like Paul who knew Christ so intimately still felt a need to know Christ more fully, how much more do you and I need to pursue that relationship? 

d. How do we do that?

i. The continued practice of the Spiritual Disciplines are for the purpose of strengthening our relationship with God: Daily Bible Reading and Meditation; Regular Communion with Christ through Prayer and Fasting; the regular practice of coming together with other Christians for corporate worship and Bible study and Fellowship; the discipline of good stewardship through giving of our time, talent and treasures in service to God. We are all works in progress; We should be continually developing our spiritual “muscle” as we strengthen our walk with Christ.

ii. I mentioned that I read the Bible through each year and have daily devotional readings every day. A few years ago, I rearranged my stack of morning books. Before, I had read the devotionals and then the daily scripture readings. I felt it important that my first reading should be from the Bible itself—the very Word of God. And then, after reading from the Bible, then I read the devotionals that have been written by others.  I remember Dr. Jerry Porter say that he used to check his emails first, but God convicted him, so he started doing his daily Bible reading before he checked his emails. It was his way of putting God first each day.

e. What one thing can you do this year that will improve your relationship with Jesus Christ?

II. WE SHOULD DETERMINE TO BE MORE CONSCIOUS OF OPPORTUNITIES TO SHOW CHRIST’S LOVE.

a. If the most important thing in life is to make sure we know Jesus so that we can get to heaven, why doesn’t God take us on to heaven as soon as we accept Jesus as our Savior? And the one obvious answer is because he expects us to tell others about Jesus and how they can come to him and find salvation. Remember what he told his disciples in Acts 1:8? “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” In 2 Corinthians 5: 20 Paul wrote, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’ behalf: Be reconciled to God.”

b. Every Christian has the privilege and responsibility of pointing others to Jesus. We are to do it through our voices, with our actions, with our attitudes. There is a world out here that is dying without knowing Jesus or the Love that God has for them. And it is up to us to let them know.

c. Wouldn’t it be great if each one of us would select one person that we know is not a Christian and begin to pray that God will use you to point him or her to Christ? If each one of us would let God use us to win just one person to Jesus this year the size of our congregation would double!

III. WE SHOULD DETERMINE TO STAND AGAINST THE ENEMIES OF CHRIST.

a. In Ephesians 6: 12 we read, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” The Paul goes on to describe the armor of God that we should be wearing. In verse 13 he says, “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”

b. God has warned us that in this world there is a Satanic Presence that opposes God and the people of God. Satan certainly doesn’t want Christians evangelizing the lost, so he does everything he can to stop us. This is reality. We must be aware that living the Christian Life, Loving God, and telling others about God’s Love will evoke opposition from the enemies of God. We are called to stand on the front lines, lift up Jesus, hold high the standard of holiness, rebuke sin, and call sinners to repentance.

c. Are you determined to go the distance, to take a stand, to resist evil, and resist Satan? 

d. 1 Peter 5: 8-11 says, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast. In him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

e. Jesus in John 16:33 said, “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

f. Have you determined in your heart to take a stand for Christ regardless of what temptation may fall in your path? I really like the words of the Old Testament Prophet Habakkuk who after acknowledging all the problems his people were experiencing and failing to understand why God would allow them to be in the circumstances they were in made this declaration: “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful to God my Savior…” (Habakkuk 3: 17-18.)

Conclusion:

2020 was a hard year. We don’t know what 2021 will be like. But this we know: God still reigns. His love still has no limit. His grace is still sufficient. We can still cast our cares on Him because He still cares for us.  We have a choice. We can be victims of the circumstances we will face. Or we can be "More than Conquerors through Christ Jesus our Lord.” 

I am determined to keep on keeping on. No matter what the future holds, I am determined to hold on to the God of my Faith. And He has promised to keep me in his righteous right hand.

How determined are you?

Luke 2:1-7

Introduction:

The scene is enchanting. We have romanticized it to the point of comfort and ease. But the reality was anything but comfortable and easy. After 9 months of stress, accused of being an adulteress, threatened with divorce, and probably the object of scorn, Mary had made the 70 mile trip through the rugged terrain, accompanied by her husband, only to arrive in a town so crowded that there was no room available for them. Exhausted from the journey, it was suddenly time for Mary to give birth. And the best they could do was to find privacy in a cattle stall, a manger. It was probably located in one of the many limestone caves that were found around Bethlehem. There was no comfortable sanitary delivery room. There were sheep and cattle and straw and the harsh smells of a barnyard. But it was there that Jesus was born. And now we see this scene as a sacred symbol of God’s Love reaching out to a world that desperately needed to be rescued.

There are many descriptive verses that point to this event. One of the most familiar is John 3:16—“For God so loved the World that He gave His only begotten Son…” 

Galatians 4:4 , “But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law.”

But it is Luke’s account that we love so dearly: “…and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them” (Luke 2:7).

On this 4thSunday of Advent, we have lighted the 4th Candle; the first was the Candle of Hope—Jesus is the Hope of the Ages; the second was the Candle of Peace—Jesus is the Prince of Peace; The third was the
Candle of Joy—Jesus is the Source of Real Joy. And now, this 4th Candle represents the most important symbol of all—It is the Candle of Love—Jesus is the Supreme Example of God’s love.

In the months leading up to the birth of Christ, we read of many expressions of love.

I. THERE WAS THE LOVE OF MAN FOR MAN. (We are using the word “Man” in the broader sense of “Humanity.”)

a. We know nothing of Mary’s parents. But we know of her relatives in Judea—The Priest Zachariah and his wife Elizabeth. The fact that immediately after the Angel Gabriel had appeared to Mary, she picked up her things and went to visit them suggests to me that there was a strong emotional bond in her family. And the reception she received certainly supports that view. Zachariah and Elizabeth were thrilled that Mary came. And Mary felt so comfortable with them that she stayed 3 months. Even though we know nothing of Mary’s parents, we must recognize the importance of the love and support of family. God ordained the family unit in the Garden of Eden at creation. It is the building block of civilization. The family shapes personalities, instills values and promotes morals. The love of family gives security, purpose, and direction to individuals.

b. And there was obviously a love bond between Mary and Joseph.  Yes, I know that Joseph gave consideration to divorcing Mary. Understand  that they were legally husband and wife from the moment of betrothal. The arrangement was a legally binding relationship even though the marriage was not yet complete. And we know that marriages in their culture were often arranged marriages that were not necessarily because of love. But Joseph definitely displayed evidence of tender feelings for Mary, even though he was confused over the circumstances of her condition. He could have brought her before a judge and had her tried on the grounds of adultery. That may have ended with public execution by stoning. But he didn’t do that. He could have had a public hearing for a very public divorce. That would certainly have been humiliating for Mary as she was shamed in front of the community. But he didn’t .  Joseph decided that his only recourse was to divorce her in a private manner. It would have been his way of saving face for both Mary and himself.  But because of His love for Mary and for God, he chose to take her as his bride. Some commentaries have suggested that the reason Joseph took Mary along on the trip to Bethlehem was so that no one would do the math and realize that the baby was being born after only 6 months of marriage. And that may have been the reason they continued in Bethlehem for several months after the baby was born.   This is an account of a couple who instead of being revengeful and regretful, chose to love and support and provide for one another.   When I counsel couples, who are planning to be married, I always try to emphasize that the definition of the kind of love that it takes to make a strong marriage is not some sweet emotion. The kind of love that makes a marriage last is spelled, C O M MI T M E N T. It takes commitment to go the distance, to work through the rough edges, to truly become One. We see that in Mary and Joseph. They were committed to each other.

II. THERE IS THE LOVE OF MAN FOR GOD.

a.   The coming of Christ into the world was channeled through people who demonstrated their love for God. 

b. The Jewish People were chosen of God to teach the world about the true and living God. Even though they had their ups and downs in the Old Testament, the Jewish Religion provided the framework though which man could find favor with God. 

c. The love for God was demonstrated in Zachariah’s service as a priest and in his and Elizabeth’s willingness to obey God by raising the forerunner of Christ, John the Baptist.

d. And Mary’s response to Gabriel’s message that she would be the mother of the Christ Child was an expression of her love for God: “I am the Lord’s servant…May your word to me be fulfilled” (Luke 1: 38).

e. From the time of Gabriel’s visit to Zachariah and then to Mary up until the time of the birth of Jesus, we must remember that interaction of people with one another: the trust, the encouragement, the support, the thrill of shared joy—all the normal relationships in life had the element of Love for one another giving security and support to the Holy Family.  In this life, the one thing that keeps us civilized, the one thing that keeps us from destroying one another,  is the element of love that binds human hearts together.

f. It is of concern to me that so much of what we hear in the political rhetoric is disrespect, name calling, back-biting, and open conflict. The Golden rule says that we should treat others in the same way that we would want to be treated. Yes, we must confront dishonesty. Yes, we must stand up for our rights and freedoms. But there is a way to disagree in a civilized manner that reflects Christian love. And we must not allow ourselves to stoop to the level of hatefulness that dishonors our Christian testimony!

g. In Mary and Joseph’s world, there were many things that made life hard. But even in that environment there was a spirit of love that gave stability to their lives.

III. BUT THE GREATEST LOVE DURING THAT FIRST ADVENT WAS THE LOVE OF GOD FOR MANKIND!

a. “For God so loved the World that He gave His One and Only Son…”

b. God is the Source of true Love. John said it this way: “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4: 19). Paul said this about love: “…God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” (Romans 5:5). We know that God’s love is an unconditional love. He loves “The World.” “The World” as John uses the phrase in his gospel, is a world that is in rebellion against God. God loves the sinner just as much as He loves the saint. Peter reminds us that “God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” ( 2 Peter 3: 9b).

c. We depend on God’s Mercy and Compassion that flow from His Grace. But all of that is because, as John so profoundly tells us, “…God is Love” (1 John 4:8).

d. And the Baby Jesus that Luke describes as being found “lying in a Manger” was and is none other than God’s Supreme Gift of Love.

e. The Old Testament tends to portray God as being  a Judge, a Consuming Fire, One who rains destruction on His enemies. But that was just one dimension of God’s Personhood. He wanted humanity to know that He was not just a harsh God who was always dispensing punishment. And so He chose to become a person, so that we could see how he really was.

f. Illustration: A few of you may remember a transient couple to whom we reached out to several years ago. They liked to describe themselves as “Tramps.” They were alcoholics, homeless, and quite colorful in their lifestyle. I learned a lot from them about a certain lifestyle in our society. The Husband Tony and I had many conversations. I remember one in particular when he talked about those homeless that he knew that often gather under bridges across the country, maybe standing  around a barrel that is ablaze with fire trying to keep warm.  He told me that If I were to walk up to such a group, there was a strong possibility that I would be in trouble. They would take one look at me and know that I did not belong with them. They would not be interested in what I had to say to them because I represent a lifestyle completely different than theirs. But, then Tony said that if he were to walk up to such a group with his old clothes and his black felt hat with a feather in it, they would accept him because he was one of them. And he would have a much better chance to talk to them about Jesus than I ever would.   Tony was right. I am glad that I was involved in leading Tony to Jesus even though his lifestyle was so foreign to mine.

g. And in a much nobler way, God chose to communicate to us by becoming one of us. He came in the helpless stage of an infant. He grew through the terrible twos of toddlers and the tumultuous teen years of adolescence. He experienced the hardships of manual labor as a carpenter. And he was a victim of the fickle multitudes who betrayed him. And then we read in Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  But wait a minute: Are we here to celebrate the Birth of Jesus? Why are we mentioning His death? And the answer is, The Baby Born in Bethlehem’s Manger came for this express purpose: He was born to die for our sins so that we could be saved from damnation!

h. God’s love for Humanity is what Advent and Christmas are about. Jesus is the embodiment of God’s Love—His Redemptive Love. God loves us so much that He was willing to go the distance, to go to the extreme, to do the only thing that could rescue us. In His love He chose to die on the Cross to pay the penalty for our sins so that we could be brought back into a right relationship with Him.

Conclusion:

On this last Sunday before Christmas, we celebrate the Birth of Christ--God’s gift of Love for His Creation.

We celebrate the Life of Christ—God’s Revelation of His personality as a God of Compassion and Mercy. 

We celebrate the Death of Christ—God’s Atoning Sacrifice to pay the debt we could never pay for our sins so that we could be brought back into God’s Family.

We celebrate the Resurrection of Christ—God’s triumph over Death, Hell and the Grave so that we could have eternal life.

We celebrate the Second Advent, Christ’s Second Coming when He returns to claim His Bride, the Church.

And all this is implied in the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, the partaking of the Bread and Wine, emblems depicting his Body and Blood—a Memorial to God’s Provision for our Salvation.

John 1: 1-14

Introduction:

Several years ago I occasionally watched the Late Night Show with Johnny Carson. I found it interesting to see him engaging his guests in conversation. I read somewhere that Carson was a master in getting people to talk about themselves. 

I have read that those who are masters of conversation are the ones who will get the other person to talk about themselves.

I’ve tried to use that approach when I find myself with a person with whom I am not acquainted, I will try to begin a conversation by saying, “Tell me a little about yourself.” In order to encourage that person to open up, I will sometimes have to be a little more specific. I will ask things like, “Where are you from?” “Do you have family?” “What do you do for a living?”

And I always find it interesting to hear the answers to those questions. It usually doesn’t take long before that person begins talking about the things in which they are most interested. And what they talk about is a key to understanding who the person is. My identity is reflected in the topics in which I am most interested. 

If you asked me about myself, I would tell you I am a Pastor, a husband of a beautiful and loving wife, a dad to 2 wonderful kids, and a grandpa of 5 (soon to be 7) grandkids. If pressed, I would tell you that I was raised on a farm in Central Eastern Arkansas, that my family and I really got serious about church and started attending the Church of the Nazarene when I was 10 years old. I accepted Jesus as my Savior when I was 17 and soon after that said yes to God’s call on my life to be a preacher. I love God, Family, and people, America, freedom, informality, and food. I could go on, but you get the picture.

But we have been focusing on one aspect of our identities—Who I am as a follower of Christ. We focused on our identity as Protestants and our identity as Nazarenes in our two previous sermons. Today, let’s get to the most basic and essential aspect of our identity: Who am I as a Follower of Christ?

The Bible gives different titles to those who are followers of Christ. Let’s consider just a few of those titles and what they teach us about our identity as Followers of Christ:

I. AS A FOLLOWER OF CHRIST, I AM A CHILD OF GOD.

a. In our scripture reading of John’s introduction to the Gospel that bears his name, we are told in verse 12, “Yet to all who did receive him [Jesus], to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”

b. There is a sense in which we could all claim to be children of God. When we recognize that God is the Creator of all that exists, including humanity, we realize our existence is because of God’s Creative Power.  But that is not what John means in this verse. The Bible tells us how, because of Adam’s sin, all creation was plunged into chaos and all humanity became inflicted with a fallen nature. Mankind was estranged from God. But the New Testament tells us that when we accept Jesus, the Sinless Son of God, as our Savior, our sins are forgiven and we are brought back into a right relationship with God. We are “Adopted” into God’s Family! Before, we were “children of this world” or “children of sin.” But now, because of the Salvation we receive when we accept Jesus, we are “Children of God,” “Sons & Daughters.” 

c. In Romans 8: 14-17, we read, “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to son ship.  And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”

d. When I was a boy in my hometown of McCrory, Arkansas, people knew me as the son of Billy Ray & Virginia Cariker. Oftentimes, someone who did not know me personally would see me and say, “You must be Billy Ray Cariker’s son—you look so much like him.” I’ve told you of the car dealer who sold me a car, telling me that the reason he trusted my credit was because I was Bill Cariker’s son. I am proud of my earthly family and my identity as son of Bill and Virginia’s.   But I am even more excited about my identity as a child of God. I pray that my actions will reflect my relationship and will honor my heavenly Father!

e. I am a Child of God.

II. AS A FOLLOWER OF CHRIST, I AM HIS WITNESS. 

a. In Acts 1:8 Jesus told his disciples, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Notice that verse does not say “You may be witnesses,” or “You should be witnesses.” It says, “You will be witnesses of me.” If you are a follower of Christ, you automatically become a witness for Christ. Your words, your actions, your attitudes—indeed your whole being becomes a testimony of God’s Saving Grace. It is imperative that we realize that our identity as Christians involves what our lives say about Christ! Even more pointedly, Paul declares of our witness that we are Ambassadors for Christ. In 2 Corinthians 5:20 Paul wrote, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us…” The fact that we are Christ’s Ambassadors is a realization that our witness is imperative in this world. The dictionary definition of an “Ambassador "states: “an accredited diplomat sent by a country as its official representative to a foreign country.” As Christ’s Ambassadors we are truly here for a purpose. We represent God’s Kingdom to a world that is under the influence of the Prince of Darkness. Back when the dad President H. W. Bush was in office he promoted the concept of being “Points of Light” in referring to the various volunteer helping organizations in our nation.   I want to tell you that as Christ’s Ambassadors we are Points of Light reflecting God’s Light in this world of darkness! Our mission is to testify of Jesus and His provision for our Salvation, and to stand up as His representatives in the face of governments and powers that do not honor Him.

b. A related aspect of being Christ’s Witnesses and Ambassadors is the role that we are expected to fulfill as “Ministers of Reconciliation.” Just before calling us “Christ’s Ambassadors,” Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5: 18-19, “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, that God was reconciling the world to himself as in Christ, not counting people’s sins  against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.”

c. In the Sermon on the Mount that begins with the Beatitudes in Matthew 5, in verse 9 Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”  As ministers of reconciliation God has authorized us as His Ambassadors to point people to the God who can fill their hearts with peace. That peace helps to bring people together, but even more importantly, it is a peace that comes from being brought back into the family of God.

d. We are Witnesses—Ambassadors, Ministers of Reconciliation as we engage those of this world who do not know Jesus as Lord!

III. AS FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST, I AM PART OF THE BODY OF CHRIST.

a. In 1 Corinthians 12 beginning with verse 13, we read, “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.”

b. The context of these verses is in Paul’s description of how the Spirit gives each of us certain gifts—ministry potentials. We do not all have the same gifts, but the gifts we do have represent one function that contributes to the whole body. 

c. Illustration:  At a meeting of the American Psychological Association, Jack Lipton, a psychologist at Union College, and R. Scott Builione, a graduate student at Columbia University, presented their findings on how members of the various sections of 11 major symphony orchestra perceived each other. The percussionists were viewed as insensitive, unintelligent, and hard-of-hearing, yet fun-loving. String players were seen as arrogant, stuffy, and unathletic. The orchestra members overwhelmingly chose "loud" as the primary adjective to describe the brass players. Woodwind players seemed to be held in the highest esteem, described as quiet and meticulous, though a bit egotistical. Interesting findings, to say the least! With such widely divergent personalities and perceptions, how could an orchestra ever come together to make such wonderful music? The answer is simple: regardless of how those musicians view each other, they subordinate their feelings and biases to the leadership of the conductor. Under his guidance, they play beautiful music. 

--(Today in the Word, June 22, 1992, and found in Sermonillustrations.com).

d.  Dr. Paul Brandt elaborated on this illustration in one of his books pointing out that some in the body are hands or feet, some are lungs or arteries, etc. I think he said that preachers are like the skin of the body—we are on the front lines and we take the hits and bruises!   But the emphasis is that as the Body of Christ, it takes all the parts working in harmony to truly meet the potential of impacting our world for Christ. And we realize that all parts of the body are controlled by the head—the brain—and Jesus is that Head! As members of the body, we receive our direction, our strength, or ability from the Head—that is Christ. It is His Spirit working in us and through us that enables us to function as the Church!

e. Another illustration that caused me to stop and reflect: Remember putting your face above a headless frame painted to represent a muscle man, a clown, or even a bathing beauty? Many of us have had our pictures taken this way, and the photos are humorous because the head doesn't fit the body. If we could picture Christ as the head of our local body of believers, would the world laugh at the misfit? Or would they stand in awe of a human body so closely related to a divine head?   (--Dan Bernard as quoted on Sermonillustrations.com)

f. We are members of the Body—we are important to the whole Body and its function. I pray that when People see us, they will think that the Head must be that of Jesus!

Conclusion:

There are many other titles that contribute to who we are as Christians. We are Servants—Love Slaves for God. We are The Redeemed of the Lord. We are the Bride of Christ. Peter in 1 Peter 2:9 says, “ But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

You say you are a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ. The Bible places great significance on what that means. Your identity signifies that you are a valuable creation, an essential worker for advancing His Kingdom. And more importantly, you are God’s very own Child, loved with an infinite Love, precious in His sight.

If you did not realize this, just search God’s Word. It is His special revelation to you of how much He cares for you.

2 Corinthians 5: 11-21

Key Verse: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here” (verse 17).

Introduction: 

When we embrace Christ as our Savior and Lord, we become different people.

I am still Jim Cariker, a guy raised in rural Eastern Arkansas. My family started attending the Church of the Nazarene when I was 10 years old. I was 17 when I accepted Christ as my Savior. Prior to that decision, I was uncertain about my future. I did well in school, loved accounting, and was considering that is a target for my college education. But on an October Sunday evening in 1968, the Holy Spirit convicted me of my sins and my need for forgiveness and I responded to the altar call and gave my heart to Jesus. And immediately I knew God was directing me in a different direction. And the farm boy who thought he might become an accountant answered God’s call to preach and my life took on a whole new trajectory.

Have you ever stopped to think of who you have become because of your decision to surrender to Jesus?

Theologically, I am a Nazarene. I embrace the Wesleyan-Armenian Theological tradition. Because of my birth and childhood, I have traditions rooted in the Southern Evangelical style of worship. And I am a Protestant Christian…

Do you know what it means to be a Protestant Christian?

The history of Christianity dates back to the time of Christ but has roots that go all the way back to Creation. Someone has said of Christ in the Bible that He, “In the OT concealed, in the NT revealed.” Truthfully, the Old Testament lays the groundwork for the New. 

The Book of Acts gives us a glimpse of the beginning of the Christian Church as it spread from Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and “unto the uttermost parts of the earth."  I have in my library several historical books that trace the growth and development of the church over the centuries. For the first several centuries, it was simply the Church Universal—The word “Catholic” means “Universal.” During those centuries God raised up leaders who, under the tutelage of the Holy Spirit, began to clarify and systemize the basic beliefs of Christianity. But as the centuries passed, there were things that were taught that became highly questionable. For example, the necessity of the common person to go through a priest in order to communicate with God. That was just one of many teachings that seemed to divide people and isolate people and makes them dependent upon human authority figures. And some of those human authority figures were more concerned in having power over others than in really communicating God’s truth. 

In 1054 the Church Universal suffered a major divide between the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. In tracing our heritage, we look at the Roman Catholic Church.

Over time there were godly men who began to question some of the decisions the leaders of the church were saying and doing, until it finally came to a head in Germany. A young man, who thought he was going to train to become a lawyer, surrendered to God one day and entered the priesthood. Conflicted over doubts over his standing with God, Martin Luther sought diligently for peace and assurance. And in that search, he realized there were things being said and taught that just did not stand up in light of the truth God had already revealed in Scripture.

After much prayer and study, Martin Luther decided he wanted to debate the church leaders over certain practices and teachings he felt were wrong.  The sale of indulgences to get loved ones released from purgatory was one of the most prominent practices that Martin Luther wanted to challenge. So, on October 31, 1517, he posted 95 points that he wanted to debate—we call them the 95 Theses. Those points ignited a revolution in Christianity causing a major division between the Roman Catholic Church and what became known as the Protestant Reformation—a movement that came out of a protest against what was considered false or incorrect teachings in the Roman Catholic Church.

Today there are many different brands in Protestant Churches, but those of us that consider ourselves Protestant Christians, share at least 5 major points of doctrine.

` `So, when I say that I am a Protestant Christian, there are 5 things that I reveal about who I am in Christ. There are more things that can be added, but these 5 things form the bedrock teaching to the Protestant Church. Let’s consider…

1. Sola Scriptura – “The Bible alone.”

a.  Scripture alone speaks authoritatively, and it speaks to all believers, independently of church leaders and councils, human interpreters and so-called spokesmen for God.”  Several years ago, we had a series of Sunday School lessons that focused on Church history. The lessons reviewed such men as St. Augustine, Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Wesley. There was a gentleman who thought those lessons were strictly a waste of time. He said that he really didn’t care what those men believed or taught--he was only interested in what the Bible has to say.   In one sense he was right, but in another, he was very wrong. If you have been a student of the Bible very long and have listened to others, you know that two people can read the same passage and get a very different understanding. And the truth is, whether you realize it or not, much of what we believe about what it means to be a Christian has come through centuries of thinkers.   Someone asked me one time how it is that two very sincere people can look at the same Bible and have different opinions. I responded by using the illustration of special lens in glasses that hunters use for tracking animals. Those lenses tend to filter out certain colors so that the tracker can see more clearly the blood stains from the wounded animal. And whether we realize it or not, our understanding of Christianity comes through the filtering lens of what we have been taught by others over the centuries.  But, having said that, I believe that every doctrine we have, everything we believe and teach and practice as Christians, must be anchored in God’s Word. If my belief is not supported by God’s Word, then I am wrong!  Martin Luther wasn’t against the various decisions and interpretations that came out of various Christian Councils and Synods as such. He just believed that all those decisions must stand the test of God’s revealed Word—the Bible.     In the Church of the Nazarene, we have a governing body. We have a Church Manual that defines our church government and practices as well as our basic doctrines. But we also have a General Assembly that meets every 4 years (except in very extreme cases such as a worldwide pandemic) to examine that Manual and to make changes as deemed necessary. That Manual is a human document that gives us guidance as a church. But we do not hold it on the same level as the Bible. And we insist that everything in that Church Manual must be supported by the clear teaching of God’s Word.  We hold that the Bible alone is the final authority, the inspired, God-breathed, authoritative Will of God for our lives. 

2. Sola Gratia – “Grace alone.”

a.  “It is only by the unmerited favor of God that Christ went to the cross and paid the price for man’s salvation. Man is by nature depraved—he has no virtue that commends him to God. Therefore, God’s grace to him is truly undeserved and amazing, and God’s grace alone has the power to draw people to himself.”

b. Grace is often defined as “unmerited or undeserved favor. But it is more than that. We have all sinned and deserve God’s punishment. Justice demands that we suffer the punishment. But Grace not only provides pardon and forgiveness, it is the source of God’s compassion and mercy and blessing  John pointed out that God initiative in Grace when he wrote, “We love because He first loved us”(1 John 4:19).

3. Sola Fide – “Faith alone.”

a. “Only total righteousness is acceptable to God, and that is found in Christ, not us. Man can only accept Christ’s work by placing his trust in him. Man is justified by faith alone in the finished work of Christ, not by any works of his own.”

b. I mentioned earlier how Martin Luther sought desperately to find assurance that he was right with God. It was while he was preparing notes for a class he was teaching on the Book of Romans that he began to focus on the verse that says, “For in the Gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written, ‘The righteous will live by faith’” (Romans 1: 17). Paul summed up this truth in Ephesians 2:8-9, “For it is by grace we have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God---not by works, so that no one can boast.”

c. As Protestants we realize that our salvation only comes because God in His mercy and compassion has taken the initiative to save us! And the only way to access that grace is by our Faith that Jesus is who He says He is and accepting the fact that Jesus died in our place to pay the debt we owe because of our sins so that we can be reconciled with God and brought into a right relationship with him. In Romans 10: 9-10 we read, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”

4. Sola Christus – “Christ alone.” 

a. “Salvation is accomplished by Christ, and mediated by Christ alone—not by angels, saints, relics, sacraments, priests, teachers, churches, or anyone or anything else. Christ alone was the perfect Savior, and he alone is the perfect prophet, priest and king.”  Jesus accomplished everything that needed to be done in order to provide for our salvation. No one else could do that. Paul calls Jesus, “The Second Adam” as he describes how through Jesus, we have eternal life. Peter and John when brought before the Jewish High Court were threatened and warned to not teach in the name of Jesus. They responded by saying, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved”(Acts 4”12).  Jim Cariker can’t save you. Your Mom or Dad can’t save you. Donald Trump can’t save you. Mohammad can’t save you. Buddha can’t save you. Jesus is the only One through whom we can be saved!

5. Soli Deo Gloria – “To God alone be glory.” 

a. “God should be thanked, praised and given full credit for his sovereign grace and spiritual and physical provision. Theology should be God-centered, not man-centered. God should be put in his place and humans in theirs. Our efforts should not elevate and celebrate men but God. We should bring him glory in our work, in our homes and at play. He, not we, should be the center of all things.”  “The chief aim of mankind is to bring glory to our God!” So said those who wrote the Westminster Confession. And so, it is. In Revelation 4:13 we read how John heard the heavenly beings worshiping God and saying, “You are worthy, Our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being” 

Conclusion:

So, who are you now that you have received Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord and have become a new creation?

I am child of God who embraces the Protestant doctrines that state that the Bible alone is our authority and in it we find God’s plan and provision for saving His creation. It was accomplished by Jesus, the sinless Lamb of God, when he allowed Himself to die the horrible death of Roman crucifixion, making atonement for our sins. We receive that atonement because God in His Grace and Mercy has offered it to whoever will accept it. He took the initiative by loving me when I was unlovable. And if I will accept the offer of Salvation by putting my faith, my trust, my life in Jesus, I will be saved. And all glory and honor is due to God, our Creator, our Sustainer, Our Lord, and our God.

Does that describe who you are?  Wouldn’t you like to have that identity and assurances of salvation?