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Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2024

A central article of faith of Christianity is that Jesus will return visibly and powerfully to end this era and bring in a world of eternal life and glory. - SERMON TRANSCRIPT - Turn in your Bibles to Mark 13 as we consider the Second Coming of Christ. And as I do this morning, my mind goes back 29 years, my wife and I were missionaries in Japan. I went regularly on Saturdays to a different city, taking a train from Tokushima to Takamatsu. In that city I would teach English and the Bible. On one particular day, a Saturday, I was walking through the streets of Takamatsu, and praying about the ministry I was about to have. I looked overhead, and there was a spectacular cloud formation. You know what I'm talking about, one of those clouds that just heap up like a pile, like a mountain up to the sky. Very, very dramatic. It was especially dramatic in that there was a small peephole of sunlight coming through and there were rays that were streaming down. I was just overwhelmed. I began singing the hymn we're going to close with today, It Is Well With My Soul, because I really felt that it was well with my soul. I was especially thinking about the fourth stanza which says, "And Lord haste the day when our faith will be sight, the clouds be rolled back like a scroll. The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend. Even so, it is well with my soul." Think about that when we sing at the end. But I was thinking about that myself, and how dramatic and how awesome that day was going to be. As I was contemplating this sermon, I was thinking about that day, the day that is yet to come, and our understanding of all that will happen on that day. I would say easily the most dramatic moment in the history of sin-cursed humanity. I can't actually imagine a more spectacular and dramatic day than that, and we are going to understand it and effectively see it today by faith. My prayer has been that the eyes of your heart would be enlightened, that you would be able to see the invisible, the future. And that you would see the glories of the greatness and the majesty and the power and the terror, indeed the terror, of that day in which everything on earth will come to an end. To see it by faith and understand it by faith, that's my desire. How different is the circumstance of Jesus' Second Coming from that of his First Coming. Think of the Christmas hymn, A Little Town of Bethlehem, “how silently the wondrous gift is given.” We know that an army of angels came and appeared, but just to a very small number of shepherds on the hills outside Bethlehem, no one else got to see that. It was just a pregnant couple, a pregnant woman, no room in the inn, and then Jesus born in the natural way. Very quiet. But the Second Coming of Christ will not be so. and we need to understand it. We need to understand it biblically. We need to understand the reasons for it. This morning, as I was thinking about that, the reasons for the Second Coming, I listed out a series of them. Why is Christ coming back to Earth? First and foremost, for the glory of God, for the open, clear, plain, visible display of the greatness and majesty of almighty God. Secondly, to be praised and marveled at by the saints, stimulating us in worship such as we have never experienced before, and that, even for all eternity. Third, to rescue His persecuted people from imminent deadly danger. Fourthly, to bring about justice for them as they are crying out for justice day and night. To bring about justice and, indeed, vindication for His people. Fifth, to punish evildoers, idolaters, blasphemers and wicked people who have not fled to Christ for the forgiveness of their sins. Sixth, to end the open reign of Satan and antichrist and that final government which we have described recently. Seventh, to establish the kingdom of God in righteousness and purity in answer to the prayers that have been prayed in every generation, "May your kingdom come, may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." To usher in the new heaven and the new earth, the perfect world free from all death, mourning, and crying, and pain. To be with His people forever and to end the reign of sin and death for all eternity. These are the reasons and many others. I. The Absolute Certainty of the Second Coming It's beneficial for us today to walk through this biblically, to understand it, to understand what Mark reveals about it. I begin with the absolute certainty of the Second Coming of Christ. The Second Coming of Christ is taught many, many times throughout the Scriptures. This is one of the central articles of the Christian faith, that Jesus Christ will return visibly and powerfully to end this era of human history and bring in a world of eternal life and radiant glory. We believe this as Christians. Now, Paul speaks of the purpose of Jesus's first coming like this in Galatians 1:3 and 4, "The Lord Jesus Christ gave himself for our sins to rescue us from this present evil age." To rescue us from this present evil age. What is this present evil age, and what world of eternal blessedness did Christ come to usher in? No text captures it better than Revelation 21:4, "He'll wipe every tear from their eyes. There'll be no more death, or mourning, or crying, or pain for the old order of things has passed away." This present evil age in Galatians 1 and the old order of things that is passing away are the same, they're just different ways of talking about the same thing. The present evil age is characterized by the reign of sin, sin reigning in death, and mourning and crying and pain. That's this present evil age from which Jesus has come to rescue us. The new heavens and the new earth that Jesus will bring in at His Second Coming will be forever free from those enemies, forever free from sin, and Satan, and death, mourning, crying, and pain. Therefore, the Second Coming of Christ is a central aspect of the Christian hope. We are looking forward to it. We're longing for it. We're yearning for it to come. We're seeking to speed its coming by service to God and by the proclamation of the gospel. The Second Coming is therefore taught in many places in Scripture. First, historically, by a man named Enoch, seventh from Adam. We learned this in the book of Jude. Enoch, seventh from Adam, that's a long, long, long, long, long time ago, said these words, prophesied about these wicked men, "Behold the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones, angels, to judge everyone and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against Him." Enoch said that. How in the world did Enoch know about the Lord coming with thousands of angels the same way we do? The Lord revealed it to him prophetically. "The Second Coming of Christ is a central aspect of the Christian hope. We are looking forward to it. We're longing for it. We're yearning for it to come. We're seeking to speed its coming by service to God and by the proclamation of the gospel." It started with Enoch, then many other places. I zero in into my mind to Daniel 7, the vision that Daniel the prophet had at night, a night vision. The centerpiece of it was a vision of the Son of Man, Daniel 7: 13 and 14, "In my vision at night, I looked and there before me was one like a Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. And He approached the ancient of days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory, and sovereign power. All people's nations and men of every language worshiped Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed." It's taught there in Daniel 7. It's taught in Matthew 24 and 25, and here also in Mark 13, and we'll walk through it carefully today, but there are many other passages on the Second Coming. Jesus, for example, in John 14, spoke to his apostles the night before He was crucified, saying, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me. In my father's house or many rooms. If it were not so I would've told you, for I'm going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you," listen now, "I will come back and take you to be with me so you also may be where I am." It's a clear prediction of the Second Coming of Christ. Then that very night after Jesus was arrested, and early the next morning when He was on trial, He quoted Daniel 7, and I'm not going to read it now because I'll read it later in the sermon, but He referred to the Second Coming at that point. It got Him killed. It got Him condemned by the Jewish authorities. Then after His death on the cross, and after His physical resurrection from the dead, and after He had spent forty days instructing His disciples and giving many convincing proofs that He was alive, after all of that training was over, He gave them His final word, "You'll receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you'll be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria to the ends of the earth.” [Acts 1:9-11] "After He said this, He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid Him from their sight. They were looking intently into the sky as He was going when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 'Men of Galilee,' they said, 'why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus who has been taken from you into heaven will come back in the same way you've seen Him go into heaven.'" It’s a clear prediction of the Second Coming of Christ. The Apostle Paul, wrote of it often. He spoke of the Parousia, the coming of Christ. He spoke of it many times, most dramatically in 1 Thessalonians 4: 16-18, "The Lord himself will come down from heaven with a loud command, with a voice of the archangel, with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air." That's the rapture. Caught up midair, mid-heaven to meet the Lord as He descends from heaven to earth, to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore, encourage one another with these words. I hope you're encouraged with these words. This is the future. This is what Paul taught in 1 Thessalonians 4, and in 2 Thessalonians 2, "Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ [the Parousia] and our being gathered to Him, we ask you brothers not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, reporter, or letter supposed to have come from us saying the day of the Lord has already come. You didn't miss it.” That ship has not sailed," et cetera. But he talked about the Parousia, the coming of the Lord. The Apostle Peter talked about it in 2 Peter 3: 3-4, "First of all, you must understand that in the last day, scoffers will come scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, 'Where is this coming he promised?” What coming? That's the Second Coming of Christ. “Where is it? We don't see it. Where is this coming He promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” Peter goes on to talk about how the generation of Noah before the flood were saying the same thing, Jesus made that same connection. They were saying, "There's no flood. We don't see any flood," until that flood came. Then later in 2 Peter 3 : 10 he said, "The day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar. The elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare." Also the Second Coming of Christ is taught many times in the Book of Revelation, such as Revelation 1:7, "Behold He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced him, and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of Him, so shall it be on men." We'll return to that passage a number of times. Then of course in Revelation 19, it openly depicts and describes the Second Coming of Christ with an angelic army, and Jesus coming with a sword coming out of His mouth with which He will slay the wicked. Then in the final chapter, Revelation 22:7, Jesus said, "Behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book." Again, Revelation 22:12 and 13, "Behold, I am coming soon. My reward is with me, and I'll give to each person according to what he has done. I am the alpha and the omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end." We believe in linear history. We believe in an unfolding history. We don't believe in reincarnation and cyclical history that goes around. No, we believe in a beginning, a middle, and an end. We believe in an alpha and omega, and Jesus is that letter and that letter and every letter in between. We believe in a purpose to history, and we believe it's going to end, this phase, this present evil age will end with the Second Coming of Christ. Then again, Revelation 22:20, the second to last verse of the Bible, "He who testifies to these things says, 'Yes, I am coming soon.'" That's three times in Revelation 22 He says, "I'm coming soon." Then John replies, "Amen. Come Lord Jesus." It seems then that looking forward to the Second Coming, yearning for the Second Coming, crying out for it as John does, is essential to our healthy lives in this present evil age. This is a major theme taught many times in the Bible. II. The Heavenly Bodies Darkened, Shaken, and Removed What aspects does Jesus give here in Mark 13, that's our purpose now, as we look through Mark 13:24-27. It begins with the heavenly bodies darkened, shaken, and removed. Look at verse 24 and 25, "But in those days, following that distress, the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light. The stars will fall from the sky and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.” The context here, as we remember, is in those days following that distress. We're right in the middle now of Mark 13. The last sermon was entitled, as you remember, “Run For Your Lives.” Look at verses 14-19, "When you see the abomination that causes desolation standing where it does not belong, let the reader understand, then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let no one on the roof of his house go down or enter the house to take anything out. Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak. How dreadful it be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers? Pray that this will not take place in winter because those will be days of distress unequal from the beginning when God created the world until now, and never to be equaled again." The Abomination of Desolation, we walked through that, devoting a whole sermon to that. The Abomination of Desolation is the defiling of a sacred space by a blasphemous Gentile power. Concerning the destruction of the temple, Jesus talked about the Gentile army surrounding the city ready to destroy it. But the Abomination of Desolation, per se, is the antichrist finally setting himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God. Jesus clearly warned his church that would be living in that geographical region, both at the destruction of the temple, but then as it foretold the final events. When you see that, when you see these things spoken of by the prophet Daniel, run for your lives, get away as fast as you can. This is what the Bible calls the Great Tribulation. The Book of Revelation gives many more details about what life on earth will be like at that time, and how terrifying and terrible it will be. Seven seals broken, seven trumpets sounded, seven bulls poured out. Those seven, seven, sevens give heaven's response to the wickedness and sinfulness of man on earth, and they will ravage the surface of the earth. Ecological disaster such as has never been seen before, a clear link between human sin and the ecology as we saw from the beginning when Adam sinned and the earth was cursed, and it produced only thorns and thistles for him. We learned in Romans 8 that the whole world has been cursed with the bondage of decay; there's a link between human sin and the ecology. The ecological disasters described specifically in Revelation 8, have never, however, been seen before. A burning up of green grass, a burning up of a third of the trees on earth, a turning of a third of the ocean waters to blood, a killing of a third of the living creatures in the sea. What effect would that have on human commerce and life itself? Then even worse, a third of the drinking water is fouled, made undrinkable. But what effect will that have on national boundaries when some parts of the world have drinking water and other parts don't? You can't live longer than a certain number of days without water, a terrifying, terrible rending of the planet because of the judgments of God. It's not an accident, but it's something God is pouring out. The unleashing of plagues on mankind resulting in painful sores and an agony so great that the people, the inhabitants of the earth, will long for death, but they will not find it. An unleashing of demonic powers billowing up from the deepest resources of the pit and coming to bring agonies and torments on people, [Revelation 9]. It's a terrifying time. Then the coming of the beast from the sea, the antichrist, the one-world government, the one-world religion, all of those things that culminate in the Abomination of Desolation. Those are terrible days. Mark 13:19-20, "Those will be days of distress unequal from the beginning when God created the world until now, and never to be equaled again. If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive," think about that, "but for the sake of the elect, those days will be shortened." Immediately after the distress of those days, the Second Coming happens, and it's described here as the shaking and rending and destruction of the cosmos. Look up into the night sky. Look up into the sky and see the lights that God put there. Verse 24 and 25, "In those days following that distress, the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light. The stars will fall from the sky and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.” The heavens will be rent, similar to Isaiah's prayer concerning the wickedness of man. He said in Isaiah 64:1-2, "Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before you as when fire sets twigs, ablaze and causes water to boil. Come down and make your name known to your enemies. Cause the nations to quake before you." Isaiah 64, “Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down." It's interesting, this idea of rending the heavens, it creates a sense of a membrane or barrier between us and the heavenly realms. A rending is a tear and a rip, and out of it, Isaiah wants God almighty to come and bring judgment. What's interesting is, this is the language used at Jesus' baptism. When Jesus was baptized, the heavens were torn, but out came a dove, a symbol of peace, a symbol of reconciliation with God. That's the First Coming, peace on earth, goodwill to man. That's the first rending happening. The second will not be so. It'll be more like Isaiah 64, the wrath of God coming out of that rending of the heavens, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken and removed. I need to bring up the Polish astronomer, Copernicus. Some of you I'm sure are thinking about Copernicus. Maybe not, but I am, anyway. Until Copernicus, most people on earth thought that the stars, the sun, the moon revolved around the earth, the earth was the center of everything. They moved in concentric spheres, earth is center, and they moved across, so the sun would make it circuit across the sky in this sort of pattern. But along came Copernicus, and he wasn't the only one, but he led the way to teach us that actually the earth revolves around the sun, physically. That is true, physically. However, the Bible does give an earthbound purpose to the heavenly bodies. The reason they exist is found on planet Earth. We get that from Genesis chapter one, "And God said, let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years. And let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light to the earth, and it was so. God made two great lights, the greater light to govern the day, that's the sun, and the lesser light to govern the night, that's the moon. He also made the stars." One of the great understatements in the entire Bible, "Oh, by the way, He also made the stars." But God made them all, and God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light to the earth. That's twice we have an earthbound statement for the sun, the moon, and the stars. Let the earth physically revolve around the sun, that's fine. But when events come to their conclusion on the surface of the earth, the sun, the moon, and the stars will end their career. There's an earthbound purpose to these, to give light to the earth and to mark time, seasons, and days, and years. This proves also to me, there are no other planet earths out there having an unfolding redemptive history; that Jesus is doing that saving thing that He did here in planet after planet, after planet like some traveling roadshow. That is false. It is not true. When events come to an end here, the stars will fall from the sky. Literally, the sun will be dark and the moon will not give its lights. Either the sun's light will be blocked or reduced or ceased to give it altogether, because the sun will no longer exist. The sun and the moon, we are told, will not be needed in the new heavens and the new earth, the new Jerusalem, because the glory of God will illuminate that new universe and that new Jerusalem. It doesn't mean they don't exist, it just says they won't be needed, so maybe they won't exist at all. The sixth seal of Revelation speaks of the same thing. Revelation 6:12-14, "I watched as he opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair. The whole moon turned blood red, and the stars in the sky fell to the earth as late figs dropped from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. The sky receded like a scroll rolling up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place." Isaiah 64, "Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down and make the mountains shake before you like boiling water." The fourth trumpet in Revelation correlates, Revelation 8:12, "The fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon and a third of the stars. So a third of them turned dark. A third of the day was without light, also a third of the night." Isaiah had also predicted this, Isaiah 34:4, "All the stars of the heavens will be dissolved and the sky rolled up like a scroll. All the starry hosts will fall like withered leaves from a vine like shrill figs from a fig tree." We have this image again and again and again. I'm aware that in the Book of Isaiah, it's sometime linked to cataclysmic events that happen on earth such as the end of an empire, like Babylonian empire, when it doesn't literally happen that the stars fall from the sky, but it's like the events will be so big, it'll be like that. I understand that language. But since the language is used again and again and again and again, that may be just a poetical connection to what actually will physically happen at the end of the world. Now you wonder how could God do this? It's because God is sovereign over every created thing in the universe. Isaiah 40:26 says, "Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens. Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls them each by name because of His great power and His mighty understanding, not one of them is missing.” They continue to exist, according to Isaiah 40:26, because God wills that they continue to exist. God sustains the stars. A new heaven, a new earth will have a new cosmos as well. III. Jesus Comes With the Clouds Next, Jesus comes with the clouds. Look at verse 26, "At that time, men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with power and great glory." This was predicted by Daniel and then cited by Jesus at his trials. The very thing that Daniel saw in the Son of Man vision that I’ve already read for you, Daniel 7:12-13, he saw the Son of Man coming into the presence of almighty God on the clouds, and receiving from Him power and great glory. The angels and then all peoples on earth worshiping Him and serving Him. That's the Son of Man vision. Jesus cited that on the trial for His life before the Jewish authorities. Think of the boldness of Jesus, He knew they wouldn't be able to accept it, but He still proclaimed it, referred to it. in Mark 14:62-64, they asked Him, “'I charge you under oath by the living God, tell us if you're the Christ the Son of God.’Jesus said, ‘I am.’" Period. That's a claim to deity, "I am.” Then He quotes or alludes to Daniel 7, "And you'll see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the mighty one and coming on the clouds of heaven." Now that's a clear prediction to his enemies, "You will see this. You're going to see this whether you believe in me or not. It will not take faith to see this. You will see it." “The high priest tore his clothes,'Why do we need any more witnesses?’ he asked. ‘You've heard the blasphemy. What do you think?’ And they all condemned him as worthy of death.” Jesus predicting his own Second Coming is what officially got him killed, quoting Daniel 7. The clouds, Jesus coming with the clouds, I believe are both physical like I saw in Takamatsu that day, but they're also symbolic. Clouds are referred to again and again in connection with the great power of God. Clouds are awesome and dramatic. I think all of us who have flown have been above the clouds and then seen a carpet of clouds dramatically. And you can see, especially at sunset, they're all glowing, they're very dramatic things. Clouds literally hid Jesus when He ascended from the earth. It's reasonable for them to be a feature on his return. But the clouds also symbolize the wrath of God, again and again, the wrath of God. Like at Mount Sinai, Moses said to the Jews, in retrospect, looking back on the day at Mount Sinai, Moses said, "You came near and stood at the foot of the mountain while at blaze with fire to the very heavens with black clouds and deep darkness." God surrounded Mount Sinai with terrifying black clouds as though a lightning strike could come out of that cloud at any moment. Psalm 18 is probably the strongest connection here. Psalm 18:7-13, "The earth trembled and quaked. The foundations of the mountain shook, they trembled because he was angry. Smoke rose from his nostrils. Consuming fire came from his mouth, burning coals blazed out of it. He parted the heavens and came down. Dark clouds were under his feet. He mounted the cherub him and flew. He soared on the wings of the wind. He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him. The dark rain clouds of the sky. Out of the brightness of His presence, clouds advanced with hailstones and bolts of lightning. The Lord thundered from heaven, the voice of the most high resounded." It's terrifying. What's going on in Psalm 18? What is David talking about? What happens is David is in trouble on a battlefield, and cries out to God to deliver him, and then God does. He comes to rescue David in the midst of his trouble. Do you not see how that applies to the Second Coming? I believe the Second Coming is a rescue mission. I believe that the bridegroom is coming to rescue the bride because she's about to become exterminated by the antichrist, and He's filled with rage over it. Psalm 18 describes that. Would God do all that for one person, King David? We know that God protected David in every battlefield he ever fought on. He never died in battle, so God did deliver him, and rescued him, and crushed his enemies under his feet. David himself is a symbol of Christ. But ultimately, I think this idea of God rending the heavens, coming with the clouds to rescue his people is consummated at the Second Coming. It's a rescue mission where the people of God are rescued from their enemies, and from imminent death. Isaiah 30:27, "Behold the name of the Lord comes from afar with burning anger and dense clouds of smoke. His lips are full of wrath in his tongue of consuming fire.” Jesus comes with the literal clouds, the physical clouds, but also metaphorically, He comes in the wrath of God. "This idea of God rending the heavens, coming with the clouds to rescue his people is consummated at the Second Coming. It's a rescue mission where the people of God are rescued from their enemies, and from imminent death" IV. The Mourning of the Nations Next, the mourning of the nations. It's not mentioned in Mark, but I want to bring it up. It's mentioned in Matthew, and it's also mentioned in Revelation 1 and Revelation 18. Matthew 24:30, "At that time, the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn." Think about that, they’re all going to mourn. "They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory.” Again, Revelation 1:7, "Behold, He's coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him. Even those who pierced Him. And all the people of the earth will mourn because of Him. So shall it be. Amen." A mourning. Why are the nations mourning? “It’s not the end of the world.” No, it will be the end of the world. That's it. All of the things that those unbelievers had been living for will instantly come to an end. This is depicted with the fall of Babylon in Revelation 18:9-11, “When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with [Babylon] and shared her luxury see the smoke of her burning, they will weep and mourn over her. Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry: "'Woe! Woe, O great city, O Babylon, city of power! In one hour your doom has come!' The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes any more.” The party is over. All the lust of the eyes, and the lust of the flesh, and the boastful pride of life is done that day. It's over. It's judgment day for them, and so they will mourn. The righteous wrath of the Lord is being poured out on them for their sins, especially because they have not loved Christ or his people. As it says in 2 Thessalonians 2:10, “They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.” Revelation 18:18-20 says, "When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, 'Was there ever a city like this great city?' And they'll throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning, cry out, 'Woe, woe, Oh great city where all who had ships of the sea became rich through her wealth. In one hour she has been brought to ruin. Rejoice over her, oh heaven. Rejoice saints and apostles and prophets for God has judged her for the way she treated you.'" That's the justice of God, but there is mourning and grieving. Let me just stop right now and say the best thing we can do is believe all of these things, and the judgment day that follows, and even more, the hell that follows that, and mourn and grieve now by faith. Grieve over sin now and flee to Christ. That's the best thing we can do is believe these things now when there's still time. At that point, the tears will mean nothing. V. The Gathering of the Elect Then there's the gathering of the Elect. Look at verse 27, "And He will send His angels and gather His elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens." This is, I believe, the primary reason, other than the glory of God, the primary reason for the Second Coming. He's come to gather His bride together, His people. The antichrist will be bearing down on them with great power, great hatred. He'll be hunting them down to force them to blaspheme by receiving the mark of the beast. Jesus said if those days had not been cut short, no one would survive. That's how bad it's going to be, but for the sake of the Elect, those days will be shortened. Everyone has their limit. There's only so much temptation we can face. No matter how courageous, no matter how faith-filled, no matter how much we are willing to suffer and die as martyrs, there is a limit to what we can endure. Remember, as I talked about last week, the night that Jesus was arrested, He made them say twice who they were there to arrest so that He could say concerning the rest of his followers, "If you're looking for me, then let these men go." John said Jesus said this so that the saying Jesus had stated would come true, "Of all those you have given me, I have not lost one." There is a time to run away. But if that antichrist power is spreading over the earth with so much domination, and if those days had not been cut short or counted as in Daniel 12, He would say, "When the Son of Man comes, will there be any believers left on earth?" So He intervenes. Furthermore, I think He just wants to be with us. Ultimately, isn't that it? Isn't that the point of His death on the cross? He wants to spend eternity with us. He wants to feast with us in heaven. He wants to walk with us in the new heaven, new earth. He wants fellowship with us. He earnestly desires to be with us. Isn't that amazing? Doesn't it blow your mind? We're pathetic, and yet He loves us and wants to be with us. And guess what? We're not going to be pathetic in heaven. Praise God. We'll be really pretty amazing. We'll be glorified. He loves us. He says in John 14:3, "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me.” Why? “So that you also may be where I am." Or again, 1 Thessalonians 4:17, "And so we will be with the Lord forever." Ezekiel 37:23, have you heard this before? "They will be my people, and I will be their God.” Do you know how many times it says that in Ezekiel and Jeremiah? The answer is seven. That's how many times again and again, "They will be my people and I will be their God." He wants fellowship with us. Or again, it's cited in Revelation 21:3, "I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them, they will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God, and He'll wipe every tear from their eyes and there'll be no more death, mourning, crying or pain.'" He wants to be with us. And this is at this moment, the rapture, as I mentioned. He's going to send out his angels and they'll gather his Elect. They're dispatched to collect us and bring us up to meet the Lord in the air. Let me read 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 again, "For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a loud command, with a voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up." That's “rapture.” That's what the word means. And the Latin root is “to be captured up, caught up.” I picture like a mother cat and a kitten being grabbed by the back of the neck, something like that because we can't fly, gravity works on us. So how are we going to meet the Lord in the air? He's going to send out angels who can fly, and they will pick us up so that we can meet the Lord in the clouds. You may say, "Well, why does He want to meet us in the clouds?" I don't know, but He does. We're going to go out like a welcome committee, and meet Him in the clouds. This is the rapture. Verse 27, "He will send His angels and they'll gather His elect from the four winds from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heaven." By the way, the Elect by then will all have been converted. Evangelism and missions will be done by then, no unconverted elect. This is the eternal separation at this moment of the Elect and non-Elect, as Matthew 24:40-41 says, "Two men will be in the field, one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill, one will be taken and the other left." Yes, I believe in the “left-behind” thing. But the left behind here is not pre-trib seven year and all that. This is the separation of the Second Coming. If you're left behind at that moment, you are non-Elect, and the gospel era is over. The sheep and the goats are separated, the wheat and the weeds are separated, the good fish and bad fish are separated forever. The non-Elect will be stunned and seem like they have no idea what's happening. They will not understand this. Matthew 24, "As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be at the coming of the Son of Man." From the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying, and giving in marriage right up to the day Noah entered the ark. They knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. VI. Properly Preparing for the Second Coming How can we apply this? How can we properly prepare for the Second Coming? I've already said it, but first and foremost, trust in Christ and Christ alone for the forgiveness of your sins while there's time. That day is the end of the faith era. It's the end of the gospel era. It's the end of the open door to Noah's Ark era. God closed Noah's door with His own hand. God ended that. Everyone outside the ark perished. Now is the time to enter. Now is the time to believe. Now is the time to trust in Christ, to believe in Him for the forgiveness of your sins. That's how it starts. And what does that look like? Paul spoke to the Thessalonian Christians in 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10, "You turn to God from idols to serve the living and true God and to wait for His son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, Jesus who rescues us from the coming wrath." What does it mean? It's to turn to God away from idols. What are idols? It's the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, the pride of life. It's all the things that lead us away from God. It's all the wickedness. We turn away from those things, away from sin to God through Christ, and we receive forgiveness for all of our sins, Jesus' blood shed for all of our idolatries. You did that in Thessalonians, you turned to God from idols, and you waited, to wait for His son from heaven. So prepare that way. Secondly, cry out in prayer, I would say daily, for the Second Coming of Christ. This line is already very famous. I cited it once, but you remember it's the Lord's prayer, "Our Father in heaven, hallow be your name." What's next? "May your kingdom come, may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." That's the Second Coming. It's a crying out for the Second Coming. Pray that. Do it. Revelation 22:20, "He who testifies to these things says, 'Yes, I'm coming soon.'" What was John's response? "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus." That's a prayer, right? Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Or again, Revelation 1:7, "Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him, and all the tribes of the earth will wail on account of Him." John's answer, “Even so, "Amen. Let it be. I want that to happen." Or again, in 1 Corinthians 16:22, if you have New American Standard Translation, it reads like this, "If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be a cursed.” What is “maranatha”? It's Aramaic for, “come, Lord.” It's a prayer for the Second Coming. Christians should cry out for Jesus to come, and this accords with our understanding of prayer. Not as, number one, giving God an idea He didn't have before, or number two, persuading God to do something He didn't want to do until you persuaded him. That's not what prayer is. Then what is prayer? It's understanding from the Word what God has said He's going to do but hasn't done yet, and ask him to do it. Wouldn't you think the Second Coming fits that description? Has God revealed that he wants his son to come? Yes. Has it happened yet? No. Pray for it. Pray for it. Thirdly, look forward to the Second Coming and long for it. Your prayer for it will stimulate that. You should long for the Second Coming. 2 Peter 3:12 says, "Look forward to the day of God." 2 Peter 3:13, "In keeping with his promise, we're looking forward to a new heaven, new earth." Then verse 14, "So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this…” That's three consecutive verses. Look forward to it, look forward to it, look forward to it. That means yearn for it. Say, "I want this to happen." Fourth, be holy. Again, leaning on 2 Peter 3, "Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be?" Answer, you ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God. 2 Peter 3:14, "So then, dear friends, since you're looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace with Him." Now that day is coming, bringing about the destruction of the heavens by fire and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with this promise, we're looking forward to a new heavens and new earth called the home of righteousness. Only pure people will enter the new Jerusalem. We know we can't purify ourselves by our own efforts, but we know that it's justification, sanctification, and then glorification. That's purification. John says very plainly in 1 John 3, "We know that when He appears we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." Everyone who has this hope in Him is purified, just as He is pure. The more you believe in the Second Coming, what Jesus is coming to do, the more zealous you should be to put evil and sin to death in your own life. Colossians 3:5 and 6, "Put to death therefore whatever belongs to your earthly nature, sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming." The Second Coming. That's why He's coming back, to destroy those sins. Fifth, speed the Second Coming by evangelism and missions. Peter said, "As you look forward to the day of God in speed, it's coming." Matthew 24:14, "This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." We speed the day of God by evangelism and missions. With every unconverted elect person who then becomes converted and crosses over from death to life through faith in Jesus, we've gotten that much closer to the Second Coming of Christ. We are called on to preach the gospel to lost people. We're surrounded by people who, like in the days of Noah, they are not ready for the Second Coming, and we should care about that. Sixth, serve the Lord's purposes in light of the Second Coming. 2 Timothy 4:1 and 2, "I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus who is to judge the living and the dead. And by His appearing and His kingdom, preach the word, be ready in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke and exhort with complete patience and teaching." We are each given a role to play. You all have a ministry or should have a spiritual gift ministry. Do it. 2 Timothy 4, "In light of the second coming." In light of the fact that in view of his coming, you're going to give an account for your life and your ministry. Close with me in prayer. Father, we thank you for the time we've had to walk through this deep, powerful, and significant topic. Father, I pray that you would press these truths home. Help us to live in light of them, help us to be prepared, help us to warn others who we know are not yet prepared. Oh Lord, help us to be holy, to put sin to death. Help us to just saturate our minds in the truths of the Word so that we may live a life pleasing to God. In your name we pray. Amen.

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November 22nd - Proverbs 6:9-11

Be Still and Know

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2023 3:56

Proverbs 6:9-11 Fridge magnets often contain a lot of wisdom, and laziness is quite a popular theme. With pictures of slumbering cats, I enjoyed the following three: “If I won the award for laziness, I would send someone to pick it up for me”; “For some reason I feel tired tomorrow”; “I'm not lazy, I'm just highly motivated to do nothing.” You've got the point. Laziness is a common experience and always has been. The writer of Proverbs wrote about it on a number of occasions and clearly feared it. Without the support of a welfare state or a supportive family a lazy person would starve. It was as simple as that. The problem with the lazy person is that they never get going with anything. They find their bed too attractive. Later on in the book the writer describes the way in which a lazy person is anchored to their bed. He writes: “As a door swings back and forth on its hinges, so the lazy person turns over in bed” (Proverbs 26:14). They live in a dream world, failing to face up to challenges and yet thinking of themselves as incredibly wise (Proverbs 26:16). The apostle Paul ran into the problem of laziness in the church in Thessalonica. What was particularly infuriating to Paul was that they gave a spiritual reason for being idle. They were so convinced of the imminent return of Jesus that they gave up their daily work. But Paul would have none of it. True, Jesus might return at any time, but God wants us to be busily engaged in his work. Paul pointed out that he had been working hard day and night in his ministry and was very harsh in his attitude to those who tried to avoid work. He said that those who were unwilling to work would not eat. He also urged the Thessalonian Christians to keep away from idle people because he was so fearful of their influence (2 Thessalonians 6:15). Whether or not laziness is a problem for you, be sure of this: while we have breath God wants us to work busily for him. Question Why is laziness so damaging, and what do you do to avoid it? Prayer Loving God, thank you that you have work for me to do. Help me to do it with enthusiasm. Amen

Thanking Through It

Biblical Truths from West Palm Beach church of Christ

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2023 39:34

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV) Just slow down and think about what the apostle Paul taught as he came to the end of his first letter to the Thessalonian Christians. This is God's will […] The post Thanking Through It appeared first on Biblical Truths from West Palm Beach church of Christ.

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2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 – God’s Evident Grace

Florida Coast Church

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2023 32:43

The Thessalonian Christians show us what it looks like to live out God's grace under persecution.

god 2 thessalonians evident thessalonian christians

The Antichrist

Partick Free Church of Scotland (Cont)

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2023 36:00

The Thessalonian Christians were being disturbed by false teachers concerning the return of Christ. Paul the Apostle warns them not to be deceived and reminds them of what he taught when he was with them.

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Christian Origins #20 - Thessalonians

Born to Win Podcast - with Ronald L. Dart

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2023 28:01

Everyone knows the end of the world is coming. The only questions left are when and how. Scientists tell us that in 3 to 4 billion years our sun will blow up and turn our planet into a cinder, so there really is an end to all this. It doesn’t matter to us whether it 3 billion or 3 million, our end is a lot sooner than that.Even the Bible tells us there is going to be an end to this world, this system. It suggests that if God doesn’t stop us, we will end up destroying ourselves. But it speaks of time called the Day of the Lord, when Christ will return and God’s wrath will descend on disobedient man. There are little snippets here and there in the New Testament about this time and what it means for mankind. Paul had just written to the Thessalonian Christians about the resurrection and he adds this little passage:But of the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I write unto you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction comes upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. You are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that are drunk are drunk in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Therefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also you do.1 Thessalonians 5:1–11 KJ2000Now, put yourselves in the place of these new Christians. They are gentiles in the main. They have what Paul told them about Jesus in a short three weeks to go on, plus the Old Testament prophets that could be read in the synagogue. There is no way they thought the return of Christ was 2,000 years into the future. They thought, from what Paul said, that it was imminent—it could happen any day now. This conception apparently led to some unfortunate behavior which Paul has to address in his second letter.

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Do So More and More | 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

Venice church of Christ

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2023 28:08

What did Paul want reinforced for the Thessalonian Christians? How can we best follow Jesus' commands, love one another, and aspire to live quietly? Do So More and More | 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 | Paul's First Letter to the Thessalonians | Outline | Conversation Finally then, brothers and sisters, we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received instruction from us about how you must live and please God (as you are in fact living) that you do so more and more. For you know what commands we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is God's will: that you become holy, that you keep away from sexual immorality, that each of you know how to possess his own body in holiness and honor, not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God. In this matter no one should violate the rights of his brother or take advantage of him, because the Lord is the avenger in all these cases, as we also told you earlier and warned you solemnly. For God did not call us to impurity but in holiness. Consequently the one who rejects this is not rejecting human authority but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you. Now on the topic of brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another. And indeed you are practicing it toward all the brothers and sisters in all of Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, to aspire to lead a quiet life, to attend to your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you. In this way you will live a decent life before outsiders and not be in need (1 Thessalonians 4:1-12).

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Paul's Thessalonian Letters -- Season Two/Episode Fourteen: “The Man of Sin” -- Part Two (2 Thessalonians 2:1-12)

The Blessed Hope Podcast -- with Dr. Kim Riddlebarger

Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2023 48:41

Episode Synopsis:Soon after Paul sent his first letter to the Thessalonian Christians, the apostle received word that someone in the congregation was teaching that the day of the Lord had already come. Composing his second Thessalonian letter to correct this error, Paul makes it abundantly clear that anyone spreading such a rumor is flat-out wrong. Paul declares that two things must occur before the day of the Lord can come. First there will be a great apostasy, and only then comes the revelation of a figure Paul identifies as “the man of sin”– an individual often associated with the Antichrist. But Paul also tells the Thessalonians that a mysterious “restrainer” is currently preventing the man of sin from being revealed. He informs the Thessalonians that at some point this restrainer (a “who” or a “what”) will cease to restrain the man of sin, who will then appear (in connection with the apostasy) only to be destroyed by Jesus Christ when the day of the Lord does come to pass.In part two of our study of 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12, we will discuss this mysterious restrainer in some detail, identify to whom or what Paul is referring, and then wrestle with the question of the timing when all of this will come to pass. Is Paul referring to the events of AD 70 and the destruction of the Jerusalem temple–which are still future to him, but long in the past for us? Or is he predicting an end-times Antichrist, who will appear at the end of the age immediately before Jesus returns?For show notes and other recommended materials located at the Riddleblog as mentioned during the Blessed Hope Podcast, click here: https://www.kimriddlebarger.com/

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Good News of Your Faith | 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13

Venice church of Christ

Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2023 29:17

How was Paul encouraged by the news he received about the Thessalonian Christians? What did Paul pray for Jesus to do for the Thessalonian Christians? Good News of Your Faith | 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13 | Paul's First Letter to the Thessalonians | Outline | Conversation But when we were separated from you, brothers and sisters, for a short time (in presence, not in affection) we became all the more fervent in our great desire to see you in person. For we wanted to come to you (I, Paul, in fact tried again and again) but Satan thwarted us. For who is our hope or joy or crown to boast of before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not of course you? For you are our glory and joy! So when we could bear it no longer, we decided to stay on in Athens alone. We sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen you and encourage you about your faith, so that no one would be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. For in fact when we were with you, we were telling you in advance that we would suffer affliction, and so it has happened, as you well know. So when I could bear it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter somehow tempted you and our toil had proven useless. But now Timothy has come to us from you and given us the good news of your faith and love and that you always think of us with affection and long to see us just as we also long to see you! So in all our distress and affliction, we were reassured about you, brothers and sisters, through your faith. For now we are alive again, if you stand firm in the Lord. For how can we thank God enough for you, for all the joy we feel because of you before our God? We pray earnestly night and day to see you in person and make up what may be lacking in your faith. Now may God our Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. And may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we do for you, so that your hearts are strengthened in holiness to be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints (1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13).

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A Nursing Mother of Children | 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16

Venice church of Christ

Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2023 28:02

How could Paul consider himself as an infant, a nursing mother of children, and a father toward the Thessalonian Christians? How can we imitate Paul in these ways? A Nursing Mother of Children | 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16 | Paul's First Letter to the Thessalonians Outline | Conversation For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, about our coming to you – it has not proven to be purposeless. But although we suffered earlier and were mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of much opposition. For the appeal we make does not come from error or impurity or with deceit, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we declare it, not to please people but God, who examines our hearts. For we never appeared with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed – God is our witness – nor to seek glory from people, either from you or from others, although we could have imposed our weight as apostles of Christ; instead we became little children among you. Like a nursing mother caring for her own children, with such affection for you we were happy to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. For you recall, brothers and sisters, our toil and drudgery: By working night and day so as not to impose a burden on any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and so is God, as to how holy and righteous and blameless our conduct was toward you who believe. As you know, we treated each one of you as a father treats his own children, exhorting and encouraging you and insisting that you live in a way worthy of God who calls you to his own kingdom and his glory. And so we too constantly thank God that when you received God's message that you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human message, but as it truly is, God's message, which is at work among you who believe. For you became imitators, brothers and sisters, of God's churches in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, because you too suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they in fact did from the Jews, who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets and persecuted us severely. They are displeasing to God and are opposed to all people, because they hinder us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. Thus they constantly fill up their measure of sins, but wrath has come upon them completely (1 Thessalonians 2:1-16).

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Ready for Discipleship

Partick Free Church of Scotland (Cont)

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2023 30:00

Paul explains the Divine resources available to the Thessalonian Christians in times of suffering and persecution.

divine discipleship thessalonian christians

1 Thessalonians 4 Living A Holy And Righteous Life1000 Days Of Searching The Scriptures Pastor Chidi Okorie Episode 789 - SendMe Radio

SendMe Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2023 26:04

1 Thessalonians 4 is a chapter in the New Testament of the Bible, written by the apostle Paul to the church in Thessalonica. This chapter focuses on the topic of living a holy and righteous life, and how it is connected to the end times and the second coming of Jesus Christ.The chapter begins with a call to holiness and to live a life that is pleasing to God. Paul instructs the Thessalonian Christians to abstain from sexual immorality and to control their own bodies in a way that is holy and honorable. He emphasizes the importance of love for one another, and reminds them that God has called them to be set apart for His purposes.Paul also addresses the topic of the end times and the second coming of Jesus. He tells the Thessalonians that they do not need to be uninformed about this event, as he has already told them about it when he was with them. Paul says that the dead in Christ will rise first, followed by those who are still alive. This event, commonly known as the rapture, will mark the beginning of the end of the age and the final judgment of humanity.In the final verses of the chapter, Paul encourages the Thessalonians to comfort one another with these words and to live in peace with one another. He reminds them that God has chosen them to be saved and has called them to be holy, so they should strive to live in a way that is worthy of this calling.In conclusion, 1 Thessalonians 4 is a call to holiness and righteousness, a reminder of the end times and the second coming of Jesus, and an encouragement to live in peace with one another. It is a reminder that our lives should be lived in a way that pleases God, and that we should strive to be set apart for His purposes. SendMe Radio

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"Reflections" | Pastor Todd's Last Sunday at First Assembly

First Assembly of God Freehold

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2023 27:53

01/15/23 | Thank you to Pastor Todd & Stephanie for over 23 years of faithful ministry here at First Assembly! We love you so much and are so excited for what God has in store for you in your next season of ministry. On Pastor Todd's last Sunday with us, he shares Reflections after 23 years at First Assembly. Reading from 1 Thessalonians 2:7-13, Pastor Todd echos the Apostle Paul's heart for the Thessalonian Christians, pouring out his heart to them. This passage is so appropriate as it talks about: 1) Sharing Our Lives 2) My Thankfulness 3) My Charge We know that you aren't losing church family members, but instead simply gaining more as you step out and obey God's calling.

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God Blesses Those Who Are Generous

god jesus christ head scripture illinois thessalonians generous holy bible god blesses new living translation tyndale house publishers thessalonian christians tyndale house foundation

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2022 4:00

Read 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13. Paul's words to the “idle” can seem quite harsh if you misunderstand who they are directed towards. The suggestion that “those unwilling to work will not get to eat” (v.10) seems cruel until you understand that Paul is addressing those who are unwilling to work. In other words, he was warning those who were fully able to work and had work to do, but chose not to, for whatever reason. Paul was not attacking those who were involuntarily unemployed or who were unable to work. When it comes to the unemployed and those unable to work, Paul follows the Christian obligation to provide help for those who cannot maintain themselves. That is why he encourages the Thessalonian Christians – and us – to “never get tired of doing good”. If we're honest, many of us earn more money from work than we need to earn a living. If that's the case, then we have an obligation to give our money away and share it with those in need. Paul encourages us to give freely and spontaneously to others – to use our money to do good. As we do so, we discover that God blesses our work and our money even more, because he is a generous God. Let's all do good and as we do so, we become more like him. THINK IT OVER Think about the following: What do you need to change about the way you share with others that will help make you more like Jesus? You can listen to an audio of these devotionals every week. Head to https://battledrilldevotional.podbean.com for more details and to subscribe to the podcast wherever you get your podcasts or you can catch up with us on the Battlefield Resources Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/battlefieldresources. Like the page and get a notification when a new episode drops or sign up to be sent an email - http://eepurl.com/h2FPND. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Your Work is for God Too

god jesus christ teaching thessalonians salvation army thessalonian christians

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2022 4:00

Read 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13. You have a calling on your life. Sometimes, we think God's calling is only for Salvation Army officers or church ministers and pastors. Salvation Army officers used to describe ministry as “the work”. But the truth is that God calls all of us to work. Paul and Silas were God's missionaries, working to honour God and to help others. Paul encourages the Thessalonian Christians and us to imitate them and do the same. It doesn't matter if you're a Salvation Army officer, a teacher, a cleaner, an office-worker or a stay-at-home parent, Paul encourages you to see your work as working for God. Do it to honour him and to help others. Whatever you do, do it in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Teaching children, writing a proposal, selling something or taking out the rubbish can all be a blessing if they are done to honour God and to help other people. Your work – whatever it is – is significant. So, let's all work for God and help others today, whatever we're doing. THINK IT OVER Think about the following: • Have you ever thought of your work as being done for God? Can you think of something you do that could be done with this in mind?

Mark Nine: Biblical Discipleship

Living Words

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2022

Mark Nine: Biblical Discipleship by William Klock I grew up where white oaks grew everywhere, but here they're relatively uncommon. The Comox Valley is right on the northern edge of their native growth zone. Apparently, in the latter half of the 19th Century the climate here was more ideal for them. Acorns that fell to good soil had a pretty good chance of becoming trees. Now the climate's changed and getting those acorns to turn into trees is much more complicated. Every year—except this year!—the oaks around the church here drop their acorns and time and again I've tried to grow trees from them. I've never had any success. But trying to grow acorns into trees has a lot in common with the subject of discipleship and that's the last mark of a healthy church to be covered. Brothers and Sisters, a healthy church will have a concern for discipleship, for its members to grow in the faith. But back to my attempts to grow oak trees. The first year I was here I gathered several handfuls of acorns on a Sunday morning. I left them on my desk, figuring I'd do something with them later. I was gone for a few days and came back to discover little worms crawling all over the place, building little cocoon-like webs around my lamp and between my books. I tossed them all in the garbage. The next year I did a little research—emphasis, I suppose, on little—and put the acorns I'd collected in damp potting soil in the refrigerator. I took them out in the spring only to find the potting soil full of little dead worms and rotten acorns. A few years later I researched how to collect acorns and how to sort out the good ones that the worms hadn't got to yet. I put them in the refrigerator over the winter and in the spring I planted them in little plastic cups to sprout. And sprout they did. But they were outside, there was a late freeze, and they all died. I had better luck the next year. They sprouted in the little cups, then I transferred them into gallon pots. They grew for a while, then stopped. I did more research and found it was because the little cups and then the gallon pots had caused the roots to curl up into a ball. Oak trees need to start with a long, straight tap root. Instead of using small cups and then gallon pots, I should have planted them in 2' lengths of PVC pipe and then transplanted them into the ground when the roots emerged from the bottom. I did transplant several, but none survived the winter. At that point I decided it was too complicated. But that was, I think, the most success I'd ever had with growing anything from seeds. Usually, I plant seeds at the wrong time of year, or I forget to water them, or I water them too much, or the rabbits come and nibble away the stalks when they emerge. It takes the right conditions for plants to grow. They need sunlight and water and oxygen. They need to be given the proper space to grow. They need the right temperature. And they need to be protected from the critters that eat them. But given those things, they grow, because that's what God made them to do. God's people aren't all that different. Listen to the first three verses of Psalm 1: Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. This was written in the context of the old covenant so we might change it a little bit here and there, but it's basically true for the Christian. Plant yourself in God's word—which is itself an act of faith and obedience—and steer clear of wickedness, sin, and the ungodly, and the Spirit will cause you to grow. God gives us means of grace: his word, his Spirit, his sacraments, his Church, and they are to us what sunlight and water are plants. We're like plants in other ways, too. Things that are alive grow. We were once dead, but God has grafted us into his Son, he's filled us with his Spirit, and we grow. Jesus says, “I am the vine; you are the branches.” Live vines grow, don't they? So should Jesus' people—and not just individually. Together we're this vine called the Church. We grow together, rooted in Jesus, and supporting each other. St. Paul, in Romans 8, describes the growth that God gives his people as being “conformed to the image of his Son”. Or, as he writes in 1 Corinthians 3:18: We all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. God has made us alive and living things grow. And growth is essential. Think of our study of Revelation and Jesus' repeated exhortations to his people there to persevere in faith and holiness in the face of persecution and even martyrdom. Brothers and Sisters, that kind of perseverance not only requires life, but it also requires growth. Think of a salmon. It spends its life in the ocean, growing and building strength so that it can return to the river where it was born, wage a vigorous battle upstream, fighting the current all the way, so that it can spawn and reproduce itself, creating the next generation. God's people aren't all that different. The salmon remind me of the well-known quote from Nikolaus von Zinzendorf: “Preach the gospel, die, and be forgotten.” We grow strong over time on God's grace by word, by sacrament, by prayer, by fellowship and we persevere, fighting against the currents of the world. We raise our own children to do the same and we proclaim the good news about Jesus, we witness his kingdom, and by that the Spirit raises up the next generation to continue the battle. If we have produced a new generation of disciples, Brothers and Sisters, we have done well. But take away the means of grace, and we die before the mission is ever accomplished. Some years ago I went to an ecumenical clergy breakfast at the hospital. They had a morning prayer service led by some liberal Presbyterians. Another pastor said to me afterward, “What was that?” They prayed and they sang, but it all felt utterly dead and completely disconnected from God. The feeling was palpable to many of us there and it made sense. It was sad, but it made sense. These were folks who had given up on the authority of God's word and, like dead salmon, were floating downstream—floating with the world's currents, wherever they might lead. And that highlights the importance of discipleship. Our growth as disciples, our growth into Christ's likeness, our growth in the fruit of the Spirit and in holiness is essential—and a healthy church will have a healthy concern for it. Living things grow. Living things fight the current. Dead things don't. And so Paul writes to the Ephesians: Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. (Ephesians 4:15-16) If we will lean on God and immerse ourselves in the means of grace he has given, he will grow us. To quote Paul again, this time as he wrote to the Colossians: Jesus is “the head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God” (Colossians 2:19). Notice: Jesus is the head. We don't cause the growth. The best preacher or the best Bible study leader in the world cannot grow Christians. Only God's word and Spirit can do that. Paul again to the Corinthians, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth” (1 Corinthian 3:6-7). Even when Paul congratulates the Thessalonian Christians on their growth, he gives the thanks to God for it. Look at 2 Thessalonians 1:3: We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. And knowing that it is God who grows his people, Paul prayed for them to grow. For the Thessalonians he prayed: May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else….May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones. (1 Thessalonians 3:11-13) He prays similarly for the Colossian Christians: And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God. (Colossians 1:10) Or let's flip over to 2 Peter and hear what he has to say. Here's 2 Peter 1:5-8: For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. And if we flip back to Peter's first epistle, in 2:2-5, he writes this: Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Brothers and Sisters, our growth in the Lord, our growth in faith, our growth in holiness ought to be a priority—for each of us individually, but also collectively as the Church. As the writer of Hebrews tells us, “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24). Christian growth, discipleship, whatever we want to call it, will always be a priority for a healthy church. Now, in case I haven't been clear, Christian growth—and, again, by that I mean discipleship or Christian maturity—that is not the same thing as Church growth, by which I mean the numerical growth of the Church in general or of the local church. Our age has developed an obsession with the latter, and while we don't usually outright ignore discipleship, we often inadvertently sacrifice it for the sake of church growth. We put the cart before the horse. And, sometimes as I've said before, we confuse the things that are our responsibility with the things that are God's. Discipleship—the growth and maturing of God's people—needs to come first. That doesn't mean we sideline missions and evangelism until we're all mature. It just means that we trust God to do his part while we do ours. When we prioritise evangelism and mission, we usually end up compromising the very things that are needed to grow God's people—like tree-planters who want a huge forest and plant a ton of trees, but don't properly prepare the soil, or neglect to water them. When we put evangelism or missions first, we often downplay things like expositional preaching, a biblical understanding of the gospel and of conversion, we downplay the need for commitment and discipline—because we want to see bigger numbers and these other things have a tendency to scare people away. If you plant oak trees, they will make more oak trees if you plant them and care for them properly in the first place. If you just poke a ton of acorns into the ground—at least around here—you'll end up with very few full-grown trees capable of reproducing themselves. But that's often how Christians do things these days. Friends, real Christians who truly know the love, the grace, the mercy of God revealed in Jesus will enthusiastically proclaim that good news and, with the help of the Spirit, make new Christians—but we'll do it God's way and trusting him to bring the fruit. It's relatively easy to fill a church with people; it's a lot more work to fill it with actual disciples, but that's what we've got to do, because only true disciples will go out and make more disciples. This is why understanding these marks of a healthy church is important. And all these other marks we've looked at over the last two months will grow disciples. To briefly recap: A healthy church will have a commitment to expositional preaching, whether that's preaching the lectionary or preaching through whole books or parts of books. The point is that such a church's preaching will be rooted in God's word. The preacher's agenda will be God's agenda. The words and ideas preached will not be the preacher's, but God's. There will always be parts of the Bible that Christians would rather avoid, but expositional preaching challenges the preacher and the church to hear those hard things, to wrestle with them, and to be obedient to them. Brothers and Sisters, my thoughts will not give you life. Only God's word can do that. And that's what we must preach. An expositional ministry in the pulpit also establishes where our values lie. A people who value Bible-centred preaching is more likely to be a people who are themselves Bible-centred—who invest time in reading and study and praying the scriptures themselves and who gather together to read, and study, and pray them. And we do this knowing that God's word give life. It's the raw material the Spirit works with to grow us in faith, in obedience, and in holiness. Preaching grounded in the Bible will give a church biblical theology. It will bring us closer to the God who has saved us, because it ever more reveals who he is. Biblical theology also reveals who we are and what God wants for us. Biblical theology tells us the story into which God has called us. Biblical theology causes us to grow in our love for God, our love for each other, it causes us to grow in holiness, and it gives us our mission—to proclaim the good news about Jesus and to make disciples. Biblical preaching and biblical theology will lead us to a right and biblical understanding of the gospel—of the good news about Jesus, crucified, risen, and ascended. A biblical understanding of the gospel reminds us that human being stand before God as rebellious sinners condemned to death, but it also reveals God's loving faithfulness at the cross, and as we look on the risen Messiah we are reminded that by faith, that God has redeemed us and made us his own sons and daughters. A biblical understanding of the gospel reveals the sinfulness of sin and the amazing graciousness of grace, it teaches our hearts and minds to love the one who sacrificed himself for our sake, and it drives us out those doors in to the world to proclaim what he has done. A biblical understanding of the gospel, like these other things, lies at the root of discipleship. Getting the gospel wrong undermines everything else. If, for example, we confuse the gospel with messages of prosperity, we will never understand the meaning of sacrifice. We will never understand God's discipline. When life is difficult or persecution comes to the Church, the prosperity gospel will turn out to be rocky soil and those planted in it will wither and die, while those who have put roots deep into the soil of the biblical gospel will thrive in the midst of trials. There are many false gospels. Many confuse good works for the gospel, many today are preaching self-love or self-esteem or self-actualisation as the gospel. None of those messages will save and none will make disciples of Jesus who will persevere hardship and make new disciples of Jesus who will carry on the mission Jesus has given us. A biblical understanding of the gospel will ensure that we have a biblical understanding of conversion and as we understand conversion, we'll understand that to be a Christian is to be transformed by God's word and Spirit. It's to understand that the change that takes place in our lives is the fruit of God's grace at work in us. A biblical understand of conversion will make us a humble people, not proud of our works, but a people ever more reliant on the grace of God. And the more we rest in his grace, the more he will continue to grow us. A biblical understanding of evangelism ensures we know what a Christian actually is. Mark Dever makes this observation, “The lack of spiritual growth in people who call themselves Christians is often an evidence that they have been wrongly evangelized. We have taught people who are not Christians to think of themselves as though they are…The church is not finally a booster organization. We're telling people a serious message about their condition before God, and about the tremendous news of the new life God is offering them in Christ. And we're inviting them to enter into that life by dire and desperate means—repentance and faith.”[1] Too often we throw acorns on the ground and call them trees. We not only ignore the hard work needed to make them grow, but we're too ready to call them trees when there's no evidence of transformation and growth. Filling pews isn't the same as making disciples, but it's a lot easier to do the former than the latter. In a culture obsessed with numbers-based success, it's easy to just count noses and pat ourselves on the back. But a biblical understanding of the gospel, of conversion, and of evangelism will ensure we're actually making disciples. It also ought to prompt us to be growing as disciples ourselves, because you can't make disciples if you aren't one yourself. A biblical understanding of church membership, which is rooted in God's sacraments is also essential to discipleship. The sacraments remind us that we are God's people. We have taken hold of his promise by faith in our baptism and we come each Sunday to the Lord's Table, where we participate again in the death and resurrection of Jesus. God renews his covenant with us. That not only strengthens our faith and renews our hope, but in reminding us that we are his covenant people, it reminds us of God's faithfulness to us and of the obligations covenant membership has for us. Biblical church membership reminds us of our commitment to God—just as it reminds us of his commitment to us. And it commits us to one another, to walk with each other, to exhort and rebuke each other, to experience joy and sorrow with each other, to love and to forgive each other. Biblical church membership leads to biblical church discipline, without which we have little accountability to grow as disciples of Jesus. God has made us his people that we might give him glory and cause the nations to give him glory as they see our witness. Church discipline holds us accountable to that mission and keeps us faithful witnesses. And, finally, biblical worship that is centred in word and sacrament brings all these things together as it gathers the people of God together to hear him speak, to be reminded of his covenant grace, and ultimately to give him glory in response. All of these marks send us out into the world to be the people God has called us to be, to do the work he's given us, to be salt and light and to proclaim the good news about Jesus, but all these marks also draw us back together in corporate worship so that we can be refreshed and refilled, so that we can be reminded once again of what God has done for us in Jesus, and—most of all—so that together we can give him glory and have our faith and hope renewed. And then we go back into the world again to do and to be the people Jesus has made us. And that's the note I want to end on. A healthy church tells the story of God and his people, draws us in, and makes each of us integral parts of it. A healthy church binds us closely to Jesus and to each other so that we can accomplish the mission he has given us. Let me close with a quote from Tom Wright's little book, Simply Christian. “According to the early Christians, the church doesn't exist in order to provide a place where people can pursue their private spiritual agendas and develop their own spiritual potential. Nor does it exist in order to provide a safe haven in which people can hide from the wicked world and ensure that they themselves arrive safely at an otherworldly destination. Private spiritual growth and ultimate salvation come rather as the byproducts of the main, central, overarching purpose for which God has called and is calling us. This purpose is clearly stated in various places in the New Testament: that through the church God will announce to the wider world that he is indeed its wise, loving, and just creator; that through Jesus he has defeated the powers that corrupt and enslave it; and that by his Spirit he is at work to heal and renew it. The church exists, in other words, for what we sometimes call ‘mission': to announce to the world that Jesus is its Lord. This is the ‘good news,' and when it's announced it transforms people and societies. Mission, in its widest as well as its more focused senses, is what the church is there for. God intends to put the world to rights; he has dramatically launched this project through Jesus. Those who belong to Jesus are called, here and now, in the power of the Spirit, to be agents of that putting-to-rights purpose. The word ‘mission' comes from the Latin for ‘send': ‘As the father sent me,' said Jesus after his resurrection, ‘so I am sending you' ( John 20:21).”[2] Let's pray: Almighty Father, when we rebelled against you and corrupted your creation, you could have destroyed us and wiped us from its face, but instead you set forth to make yourself known to a people who had forgotten you and to restore us to your presence. You established a people to be your light in the midst of the darkness, and you gave your own Son to humble himself as he became one of us and lived and died and lived again to give life to this people—to us, to your Church. Keep us faithful to you, to what you have made us, and to the mission you have given us, we pray. Grow us by your word and fill us with your Spirit. Give us the grace to persevere and courage to proclaim your good news. Make us good stewards of your grace and cause our labours to bear fruit and your kingdom to grow so that you are glorified. Through Jesus we pray. Amen. [1] Nine Marks of a Healthy Church (Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway, 2004), 209. [2] Simply Christian (New York: Harper Collins, 2006), epub edition.

22.270 | Men Who have Turned the World Upside Down | Acts 17:1-9 | God's Word for Today with Pastor Nazario Sinon

God’s Word For Today

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2022 13:06

Acts 17:1-9 ESV Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 2 And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.” 4 And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. 5 But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd. 6 And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, 7 and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” 8 And the people and the city authorities were disturbed when they heard these things. 9 And when they had taken money as security from Jason and the rest, they let them go. MEN WHO HAVE TURNED THE WORLD UPSIDE DOWN For three Sabbaths, Paul preached in the synagogues at Thesssalonica to the Jews, as it was his custom. He reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.”[v.2,3] Are we zealous to proclaim Christ and Him alone like Paul? Even to the Corinth Christians Paul had declared, “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.”[1 Cor 2:2] The gospel is our only message that is powerful.[Rom 1:16] Many Jews, devout Greeks and even many influential women were persuaded. Indeed, the crucified Christ is irresistible. Jesus even claimed, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” John recorded,” He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die.”[John 12:3-33] The gospel that attacks would antagonize the enemies of Christ and his servants. The Jewish leaders who were jealous instigated a mob. They articulated well about the essence of the gospel message by their accusations. In what ways? That, Paul and company were counter-culture. Because their message transformed lives, they were branded as ‘men who have turned the world upside down.' The Christians with Jason, who accommodated Paul and Silas, were willing to suffer for Jesus. Later, Paul wrote about the supernatural conversion and transformation of the Thessalonian Christians, saying, “Our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. 9 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”[1 Thess 1:5-10]

Is God's Word active in your life? - 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16

Red Word Exchange: Invest Time to Grow in God's Word

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2022 16:19

God's Word was active in the lives of the Thessalonian Christians. God's Word should be active in your life today if you are truly a follower of Christ. Listen in as we see the tangible ways God's Word is active in a life of a believer. After understanding the ways God's Word proved active in their lives, we conclude the podcast with a 4-part question for you to utilize to see if God's Word is active in your life. Follow us on Social Media! Facebook - Red Word Exchange Podcast Instagram - redwordexchange Twitter - @redwordexchange Listen to more episodes! Apple Podcasts Castos Spotify Contact us! info@redwordexchange.com

god jesus christ social media active 1 thessalonians 2 thessalonian christians

Being the Church

Pastor Mike, Sermons, www.yuma1st.org

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2022 13:00

While preparing for last week's charge conference, I was struck by the wonderful work that had been accomplished in the past year and the exciting opportunities coming up in the year ahead. For those who are not as familiar with the inner workings of the United Methodist Church, the charge conference is a local church meeting held each year where the church reviews its current status and considers changes for the following year. The effort put forth by people in the church over the last year reflects a deep faith in Christ and in this church family.This is the same kind of impression the Apostle Paul appeared to have of the Thessalonian church. In his second letter to the Thessalonian Christians, Paul talks about their growing faith in Christ and their obvious love for each other. He saw their effort as an example of steadfastness in purpose that glorified Christ. Join us this Sunday as we reflect on what it means to be the hands and feet of Christ in our community and the importance of keeping our hope through faith.

god jesus christ church peace spirit sharing holy spirit forgiveness salvation sermon repentance apostle paul united methodist church thessalonian thessalonian christians

Grow Through It Not Just Go Through It

The 260 Journey

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2022 5:32

Day 188 Today's Reading: 2 Thessalonians 1 When the famed cellist Pablo Casals reached ninety-five years old, a young reporter asked, “Why do you still practice six hours a day?” To which Casals answered, “Because I think I'm making progress.” Your goal is to make progress every day of your life. We call it growth. As John Newman said, “Growth is the only evidence of life.” That is true naturally and especially spiritually. The Thessalonian Christians were new Christians and more importantly growing Christians. The Thessalonian church was under heavy persecution, yet continued to grow through it. This is important: they were not just going through it but growing through it. What a lesson for us. That when we are faced with difficult times, we remember that we can grow through them. Growth is not arrival, it's movement. Growth is not perfection but better. The writer of the hymn, “Amazing Grace,” John Newton, said it best: “I am not what I might be, I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I wish to be, I am not what I hope to be; but I thank God I am not what I once was, and I can say with the great apostle, ‘By the grace of God I am what I am.'” Listen to Paul's words of commendation to these young Christians who were not what they used to be but growing: You need to know, friends, that thanking God over and over for you is not only a pleasure; it's a must. We have to do it. Your faith is growing phenomenally; your love for each other is developing wonderfully. Why, it's only right that we give thanks. We're so proud of you; you're so steady and determined in your faith despite all the hard times that have come down on you. We tell everyone we meet in the churches all about you. (2 Thessalonians 1:3-4, MSG) These new believers were growing through hard times. They were growing in two areas: their love for others was developing wonderfully and their faith was growing phenomenally—the New American Standard Bible says, “your faith is greatly enlarged.” And all of it happening in difficulty. He was basically saying, “Your faith is getting supersized.” We know that word supersize because we know McDonald's. Supersize to us means bigger fries and bigger Coke. But it does cost to supersize. Paul was saying, “You paid the extra cost for the supersize of faith and it's evident.” What was the cost? That's the next verse: “Your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure” (verse 4). Notice it says “persecution and affliction.” Those two words are important. One is about the outside battles. The other is the mental battles. And Paul was commending them by acknowledging, “You are getting hit outside and inside and holding your own, because you are holding on to God.” A family-owned coat store in Nottingham, England, has a sign that hangs for all to see: We have been established for over 100 years and have been pleasing and displeasing customers ever since. We have made money and lost money, suffered the effects of coal nationalization, coat rationing, government control, and bad payers. We have been cussed and discussed, messed about, lied to, held up, robbed and swindled. The only reason we stay in business is we can't wait to see what happens tomorrow. It seems that the Thessalonians should have put that sign on their church. Tomorrow for the Thessalonians was phenomenal faith and developing love. Tomorrow for many is fearful but not for these new Christians. They were growing through their adversity. A daughter complained to her father about how difficult things were for her. “As soon as I solve one problem,” she said, “another one comes up. I'm tired of struggling.” Her father, a chef, took her to the kitchen where he filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to a boil. In one he placed carrots, in the second, eggs, and in the last, ground coffee beans. He let them sit and boil, without saying a word. The daughter impatiently waited, wondering what he was doing. After a while, he went over and turned off the burners. He fished out the carrots and placed them in a bowl. He pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. He poured the coffee into a bowl. Turning to her he asked, “Daughter, what do you see?” “Carrots, eggs, and coffee,” she replied. He brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. He then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, he asked her to sip the coffee. She smiled, as she tasted its rich flavor. “What does it mean, Father?” she asked. He explained that each of them had faced the same adversity—boiling water—but each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting, but after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg was fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. By being in the boiling water, they changed the water. He asked his daughter, “When adversity knocks on your door, which are you?”

Whatever God Backs, Satan Attacks

The 260 Journey

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2022 4:27

Day 184 Today's Reading: 1 Thessalonians 2 Listen really carefully: whatever God backs, Satan attacks. In today's chapter Paul has a great desire to be with the Thessalonian Christians, but Satan fights to stop it from happening. I wonder how many things we have in our hearts to do that Satan fights against. Listen to Paul's desire and fight in 1 Thessalonians 2:18: “We really wanted to come. I myself tried several times, but Satan always stopped us” (CEV). We have forgotten that we have an enemy who wants to disrupt our plans. Sometimes the best confirmation that our plans and desires are from God is Satan's attack on them. The last thing the devil wants us doing is the will of God. Paul has a desire to go to this new church in Thessalonica, and Satan is bent on stopping the apostle from visiting. Sometimes Satan succeeds. Those last words of this verse remind us of the war we are in: “I tried several times but Satan always stopped us.” These aren't the words of a one-hit wonder. This is the apostle Paul. And Paul tries a number of times and cannot seem to get through Satan's roadblocks. C. S. Lewis was right when he said: “There is no neutral ground in the universe: every square inch, every split second is claimed by God and counterclaimed by Satan.” Always remember there is a counterclaim happening. Whatever God backs, Satan attacks. Or as Robert Murray McCheynne said, “I know well that when Christ is the nearest, Satan also is busiest.” The closer you get to what God wants you to do, the closer Satan comes in. But some people don't believe in the devil. Two boys struggled with the problem of the devil's existence. As they walked home from Sunday school after hearing a message about the devil, one boy said, “What do you think about all this Satan stuff?” The other replied, “Well, you know how Santa Clause turned out. It's probably just your dad.” In his classic work The Screwtape Letters, C. S. Lewis reminds us of two errors when it comes to Satan: “There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight.” You can give the devil too much or too little attention. The Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary of the New Testament gives us an insight to the enemy's tactics. The verb enkoptō, which literally means “to cut into,” originally referred to the military practice of cutting up a road so as to make it impassable for a pursuing army. Paul wants his readers to know that his present absence from them is not due to his personal choice but to the activity of Satan, who, in typical military fashion, has destroyed the apostle's path back to Thessalonica. “We are evidently no friends of Satan,” says J. C. Ryle. “Like the kings of this world, he doesn't war against his own subjects. The very fact that he assaults us should fill our minds with hope.” I want to challenge you. What is it that you have been trying to do lately, and you are really convinced it's something God wants you to do, but you can't seem to make it happen? Maybe you are being hindered by Satan from doing God's will like the apostle Paul was. Maybe it's purity in a relationship. Maybe it's inconsistency in reading the Bible. Maybe it's going to church or serving at church. Perhaps it's forgiving an offense that is still lingering in your heart. Whatever it may be you have tried multiple times but have failed to gain any ground. What should you do? It may be time to launch a “gnu” attack. There is a strange animal called a Gnu. When it catches sight of one of its predators, its enemies, it immediately drops down on its knees and, from that position, springs into the attack mode. Are you getting where I'm going here? We need to practice a gnu way to fight. We see our enemy putting up obstacles as he did for the apostle, and immediately we assume the gnu position and get on our knees and pray. That's how we fight.

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The Idle Disciple - August 14, 2022 Sunday Sermon

The Tabernacle Today

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2022 40:58

The Idle Disciple Read 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 The Idle Disciple Let's Pray! The Thessalonian Christians had been taught to be watchful workers while they awaited Jesus! But some of the disciples there had done some improper reasoning. They thought, “Since the rapture and the events that follow could occur at any time, there's no need to work hard while we wait for Jesus.” The word(s) for idle in 1 Thessalonians 5:14 and 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 7, 11 is the Greek word(s) atakteo (G812), ataktes (G813), and ataktos (G 814). At its core, it conveys what the military would call disorderly conduct, being out of rank, not doing what you were enlisted to do, being AWOL (absent without leave). The basic challenge: Be a hard-working disciple and align yourself with hard-working disciples. The industrious ant works hard and is prepared for what's coming; The idle sluggard is lazy and is unprepared for what's coming. According to verse 11, the idle Thessalonians were committing a double “theft”: they were not generating positive work or volunteer service themselves, and they we're distracting others from getting work or volunteer service done.

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Revelation 15:5-8 - Seven Golden Bowls of Wrath

Pastor Mike Impact Ministries

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2022 5:11

First, again let me thank everyone for your prayers for our daughter, Kimberly, her husband Chris and their new micro preemie Michael Luke. Luke is continuing to do fine. All his vitals are stable and a machine is breathing for him as his lungs develop. We appreciate your continued prayers specifically this week for comfort on vent, blood pressure doesn't go down, his head/brain and no bleeding, no infection, being mindful of noise and over stimulation, and bruising will heal. Edith and I were allowed to spend time with Luke yesterday and prayed special prayers over him. Thanks again for your continued prayers. Verse 1 indicates that the angels with the seven vials (bowls) carry the seven last plagues. You will recall that in Rev. 10:7, Christ had announced that, with the pouring out of these vials, the "mystery of God" would be completed and there would be no more delay. In these seven last judgments, God will complete His wrath. Satan at this time is pouring out terrible wrath upon believers, the Jews especially (12:12); but God will have the last word. Once again, the temple of heaven is opened. The earthly temple has been taken over by the Beast (Rev. 13:13-18; 2 Thes. 2:3-4), but the Beast cannot touch the heavenly temple. All he can do is blaspheme it (13:6). The opening of the temple is another reminder that God will keep His covenant with His people, Israel. Seven angels come out of the temple. Seven is the number of completion, and with seven angels delivering these vials of wrath, God's judgments are completed on earth. The angels come out of the holy of holies, where the ark and the tables of the law are kept. The wicked world has defied and disobeyed God's Law, but now judgment is coming. The robes of these angels signify holiness and royalty. The white linen reminds us of the dress of the OT priests; the golden girdle speaks of the king. This is another reminder that the saints of God are "kings and priests" (Rev. 1:6), a royal priesthood. Their dress also takes us back to the description of Christ in 1:13; for He is the High Priest after the order of Melchizedek. One of the living creatures delivers the bowls of wrath to the angels. All of nature (symbolized by these four creatures) will taste of the wrath of God. The heavenly temple is now filled with smoke from the glory of God. When the OT tabernacle was dedicated, God's glory filled the tent (Ex. 40:34-35), as it did when the OT temple was dedicated (2 Chron. 7:1-4). During these events no smoke mingled with the glory. Here, however, we have smoke, usually a symbol of judgment (9:2). When the Prophet Isaiah saw the glory of God, the whole house was filled with the smoke (Isa. 6:4). This was because Isaiah's message was one of judgment as well as mercy. John states that nobody in heaven was allowed into the temple until the bowls of wrath had been poured out. No saint or angel could go into the temple to intercede for the nations of the world. The nations were "beyond intercession"; God's long-suffering had come to the end, and His judgment was about to fall. Students of prophecy are not agreed on the chronological arrangement of the seals, trumpets, and vials. I seem to get the ideal that that the first six seals will be broken and the seven trumpets will sound during the first three and one-half years, and that the vials covers the last three and one-half years, and mainly at the very end. We might not be able to figure out the exact timing of these coming judgments but we can be sure that they will come to the earth during this time. May the Lord help us today to be like the Thessalonian Christians who “turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10)

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Valley Hope Church

Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2022 36:03

Anthony talks about this passage where Paul explains why Thessalonian Christians should not fear for their loved ones who have died. And neither should we.

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Ep 39 - 2 Thessalonians 2:13-15

The Lead Off

Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2022 38:46

In the face of discouragement, Paul encourages the Thessalonian Christians to stand firm and hold to the things they were taught because they have been chosen and called by God.

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"Parenting"

NPPC Live Messages

Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2022 31:17

Picture of parenting through how the Apostle Paul related to the Thessalonian Christians. He encouraged, comforted and urged them to live lives worthy of God. This is the high calling of a parent as a follower of Jesus.

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Knowing Your Election of God

Peacehaven Evangelical Free Church

Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2022

What does it mean that the Thessalonian Christians were called “the elect of God”? How do we know if we are the elect? Does God choose us? Or do we also have a free Will to choose? Is faith a work? And how can we reconcile God's sovereign will and man's free will? We must […]

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Thessalonian Christians

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2022 22:00

TEN CHARACTERISTICS OF THE THESSALONIAN BELIEVERS

Thessalonian Christians

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2022 22:00

TEN CHARACTERISTICS OF THE THESSALONIAN BELIEVERS

Thessalonian Christians

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2022 22:00

TEN CHARACTERISTICS OF THE THESSALONIAN BELIEVERS

Thessalonian Christians

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2022 22:26

TEN CHARACTERISTICS OF THE THESSALONIAN BELIEVERS

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Tuesday of the Last Week

Reflections

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 23, 2021 5:37

For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. (1 Thessalonians 5:5)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The Thessalonian Christians were confused about the end. Some thought that Christ had already come, and they had missed it. But the apostle Paul reminds them that the Last Day will be so unmistakable that no one is going to miss it. Others thought that those who had died already were lost, that you had to be alive on the day Christ appears. Paul reminds them that the Last Day is resurrection day when all will rise, and believers will be joined to Jesus for all eternity. Paul reminds them that they are not in the dark about the return of Jesus. They are prepared by the Word and promises of God. And to remain watchful and ready for the return of Jesus, Paul encourages them to remember what God has granted them for that day. "But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation" (Ephesians 6:14). They need not fear the great and terrible day of the Lord. For God has not destined them for wrath, but to obtain salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus who died for their sin, would come again in mercy. This is our confidence as well. The uncertainty of life in the dying world can be very troubling for us. We are tempted to doubt and fear all the time. The end is lived in confidence, not fear. It is looked for with expectation, not terror. It holds the promise of resurrection and life for those who trust Christ's salvation. Christ has made you ready for His return. He declares you to be children of light, having been made so by the Light of the World. "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing" (1 Thessalonians 5:11). In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Lord, let at last Thine angels come, To Abr'ham's bosom bear me home, That I may die unfearing; And in its narrow chamber keep My body safe in peaceful sleep Until thy reappearing. And then from death awaken me, That these mine eyes with joy may see, O Son of God, Thy glorious face, My savior and my fount of grace. Lord, Jesus Christ, my prayer attend, And I will praise thee without end. ("Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart" LSB 708, st.3)Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

God Blesses the Generous

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2021 4:44

Read 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13. Paul’s words to the “idle” can seem quite harsh if you misunderstand who they are directed towards. The suggestion that “those unwilling to work will not get to eat” (v.10) seems cruel until you understand that Paul is addressing those who are unwilling to work. In other words, he was warning those who were fully able to work and had work to do, but chose not to, for whatever reason. Paul was not attacking those who were involuntarily unemployed or who were unable to work. When it comes to the unemployed and those unable to work, Paul follows the Christian obligation to provide help for those who cannot maintain themselves. That is why he encourages the Thessalonian Christians – and us – to “never get tired of doing good”. If we’re honest, many of us earn more money from work than we need to earn a living. If that’s the case, then we have an obligation to give our money away and share it with those in need. Paul encourages us to give freely and spontaneously to others – to use our money to do good. As we do so, we discover that God blesses our work and our money even more, because he is a generous God. Let’s all do good and as we do so, we become more like him. THINK IT OVER Think about the following: • What do you need to change about the way you share with others that will help make you more like Jesus?

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You Are Working for God

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Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2021 4:22

Read 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13. You have a calling on your life. Sometimes, we think God’s calling is only for Salvation Army officers or church ministers and pastors. Salvation Army officers used to describe ministry as “the work”. But the truth is that God calls all of us to work. Paul and Silas were God’s missionaries, working to honour God and to help others. Paul encourages the Thessalonian Christians and us to imitate them and do the same. It doesn’t matter if you’re a Salvation Army officer, a teacher, a cleaner, an office-worker or a stay-at-home parent, Paul encourages you to see your work as working for God. Do it to honour him and to help others. Whatever you do, do it in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Teaching children, writing a proposal, selling something or taking out the rubbish can all be a blessing if they are done to honour God and to help other people. Your work – whatever it is – is significant. So, let’s all work for God and help others today, whatever we’re doing. THINK IT OVER Think about the following: • Have you ever thought of your work as being done for God? Can you think of something you do that could be done with this in mind?

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Day 12 - Issue 39

Be Still and Know

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2021 3:24

1 Thessalonians 4.11-12 NLT 'Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others.' These are fascinating verses. Paul urges his hearers to strive eagerly to live quiet lives. The Greek literally means ‘seek restlessly to be still'! What on earth was he getting at? I believe he was saying that he wanted the Thessalonian Christians to have a quiet confidence as they threw themselves enthusiastically into their daily work. He wanted them to find peace in getting on with doing whatever the Lord had called them to do. It is clear that some people in the church had given up their jobs because they believed that the Lord might return at any moment. Paul was not happy with this. He urged them to get on with their work. He refers to them working with their hands and this probably suggests that the church was made up of slaves and manual labourers. The Greeks despised such work, but Paul was keen that they should know that if this was what God had called them to do, then they should put their hearts into it. It's very tempting to look down on our work. We see other people doing things which seem so much more significant and possibly much more interesting. Or perhaps we pine for our next holiday or the time when we can retire and leave it all behind us. Paul would encourage us to see the importance of whatever God has called us to do, and to be fully committed to it. He gave two reasons why this was important. Firstly, if we work hard we will gain the respect of those around us, and that will cause them to look to the God who has inspires work. But secondly, through working hard, Paul says we will not be a burden on others. Clearly in Thessalonica there were those who were sponging off others, as they awaited the return of the Lord. The apostle was not happy with this and urged them to get to work. We all need to thank God for the gift of our daily work and to do it in a way that will glorify him. QUESTION: How do you look at your daily work? PRAYER: Lord God our Father, thank you for the work that you have called me to do. Help me to give my full self to it. Amen

August 26

The Seven Streams Method

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2021 26:14

Download I Thessalonians 1-5 We are in the Church Stream reading from the New English Translation. 7streamsmethod.com | @7StreamsMethod | @serenatravis | #7Streams | Donate Commentary by Dr. Drake Travis Lord Jesus, your word to us from Paul glistens with joy and wonder and endless hope. May we be strengthened by the joy we have in you and live accordingly. Amen. Thessalonians is written to the Christians of a city we label as Thessalonica. The locals call it Thess-a-lo-NEE-ki. It is among the first of the 13 letters that Paul wrote to the first century churches - if not the first. Most who've studied the matter date the letter at 51 A.D. Paul wrote it to encourage the believers there and to settle questions they had about the Second Coming of Christ. Their puzzlement was about faithful Christians who had died and they were wondering how the deceased were going to enjoy Jesus' Return if they weren't here....legitimate and fair question, I'd say. Paul had not been in the city long but the result of his visit was such a wave of conversions that his enemies perceived that Paul's visit was "destroying everything", so to speak. Prominent women were converting, plus such a large number of Grecians were getting saved that the whole country was hearing this news from Thessaloniki. It was a city of 200,000 in Paul's day (just over 310K today with a metro area exceeding 1M). And it's intriguing how this book still pertains to them now - as well as the rest of us. The Thessalonian Christians were being persecuted. So Paul writes to comfort, strengthen, encourage, and instruct. He instructs them to remain godly and dutiful in their daily discipleship. He saw that their persecution could add tremendous power to their testimony as they persevered in Christ. And you probably noticed that Paul closed each chapter with a word about The Return of Our Lord 1 - Silas and Timothy helped found the church here so they are included in the greeting. Highlights of this short chapter are the reminders about the power in the Holy Spirit and the testimony they had in this influential city. It was merely made more powerful by the manner in which they persevered through the struggles. 2 - talks much about Christian conduct. This was more than needed as the persecution was thickening and the attempt to destroy Paul's character, reputation, and his work in this town was at a furious pitch come A.D. 51. In this reticent atmosphere, Paul urges that they "Preach good news, keep motives godly and pure, and do it all for God, avoid greed and being burdensome, be gentle and loving and industrious and holy and encouraging. Paul gave them a great run of pastoral instruction about conduct. Paul explains the significance of their suffering and reminds them that they are in good company since Jesus was persecuted for living and speaking the truth. Paul adds to the affection of the moment in his statement of his desire to visit them again. 3 - Paul/Silas/Timothy had left Thessalonica, gone to Berea, south to Athens (this from Acts 17&18), and by the time they reached Athens, the news came that persecution had turned awful back in Thessalonica, so Paul sent Timothy back to be an encouragement. Timothy went and later returned to Paul with the report of the Thessalonian Christians' steadfast commitment, devotion, and character and it made Paul as joyful as he could possibly be !! 4 - People are always wondering what is God's will for their lives. Well here's a memo. Five times in the Bible, it says what God's will is and all five of them are in these next two chapters. Catch these. 1] Be holy (like God) and to do this one must, 2] avoid sexual immorality. It isn't mentioned here but our prayer life and our love life is intimately linked. An immoral person is an intrinsically dishonest person, and such a person cannot walk with God. Other vitals in this chapter is to love each other as family. The giving to help the poor was commendable, yet there were some on the receiving end who were taking advantage and using the occasion to maximize the opportunity for laziness. He wanted admirable, productive, charitable, forthright Christians to be their trademark. This chapter ends with the typical theme ending each chapter. The salient matter here is the clear assertion that there is going to be a rapture where Christ where all Believers (everywhere and from every era are gathered and together and conscious and overjoyed to be with Jesus. This is by no means the end of history, but the end of this age. We'll stop there before opening a colossal discussion that is still be talked through 19+1/2 centuries after the doctrines were laid forth...that being "eschatology"; the study of the End Times. 5 - the eschatology teaching continues from Paul. His revelation about the End Times is coming rapid fire and it's exciting material that is intended to keep us on the edge of our seats and eager. It ought affect how we interpret the news, invest, minister, plan, live, love: everything. He reminds them to respect Pastors and then Paul stacks together a quiver full of advice -15 loving orders- that, were it all obeyed, [vv. 14-22] stop and ponder the countless changes that would happen for the good on earth! God's will issues #3,4,5 were in that list: always rejoice/pray/be thankful. Paul's conclusion is golden. What else can be said? For all to be godly and holy, for all to have undying hope, to revere and celebrate one another, to read the Bible together. It's how to offer the world a foretaste of heaven. The Thread Through the Streams "Follow my Word, do what I have told you, keep your commitments - I'll help you do this." In Numbers, there are duties to follow, vows to make and keep and the Lord would bless them AND KEEP them. This means they are in good standing and God would not fail them. In Chronicles, we see a long list of faithful and unfaithful souls listed in brief though we recall many and where their decisions took them. We see decisions made that took one's destiny into oblivion and their future tribe to ruin. We saw prayers made and recall vows laid down and the Lord hung onto these words and these giants of the Bible. In Psalms, the WORD is the stellar matter. No one who has put their trust in HIM has ever been forsaken. God hangs onto us and we are to hang onto His Word In Jeremiah, the good news is rather sparse as Babylon is read a long list of disasters that will transform this degenerate place into a sand dune. Jerusalem falls and the scenes are horrible. But Jehoichin does not fight the whole process, but succumbs and cooperates as he was prophetically told to. After an initial period in Babylon, he is pardoned, brought to the palace, treated even nicer than family was, he is exalted above most other kings and specially fed/cared for the rest of his days In Micah a world is going to be transformed and Zion will be at the lead. They will teach, and mediate, a world of war will morph to a world of plenty. This was God's call and it shall come. This is what happens to those who follow the Lord forever [Mi.4:5] In Luke.we read much assertion about forgiveness; the trait that marks the Christian faith like no other. But the grateful leper shone bright this week. He had a moment and resolved to go back, find Jesus and be grateful. Our Lord declared that his faith healed him. You can bet that he, of the 10 lepers healed, had the longest healthiest life. Grateful people do. I Thessalonians. 4:3 /+/ 5:16-18 Give the five orders for us to follow for they are the will of God. All who follow this find themselves in God's Will and with ne'er a regret all their lives.

Optimisfits Part 2

Be Set Free

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2021 25:51

Airing Date: August 15 In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, the Gospel gives us a whole new perspective on life and death, and enables us to be hopeful even in the face of death. In this section Paul instructs the Thessalonian Christians about what will happen to those who die before the return of Jesus, and what is the glorious hope that we have for the future in Christ. From our series: 1 & 2 Thessalonians: Upside Down

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Optimisfits Part 1

Be Set Free

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2021 25:32

Airing Date: August 8 In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, the Gospel gives us a whole new perspective on life and death, and enables us to be hopeful even in the face of death. In this section Paul instructs the Thessalonian Christians about what will happen to those who die before the return of Jesus, and what is the glorious hope that we have for the future in Christ. From our series: 1 & 2 Thessalonians: Upside Down

jesus christ gospel thessalonians thessalonian christians

Thessalonians Episode 8: The Man of Lawlessness, Pt.1

Two Journeys

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2021

In 2 Thessalonians 2, Paul prepares the Thessalonian Christians for the coming of the antichrist. The post Thessalonians Episode 8: The Man of Lawlessness, Pt.1 appeared first on Two Journeys.

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Thessalonians Episode 8: The Man of Lawlessness, Pt.1

man thessalonians lawlessness two journeys thessalonian christians

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2021

In 2 Thessalonians 2, Paul prepares the Thessalonian Christians for the coming of the antichrist. The post Thessalonians Episode 8: The Man of Lawlessness, Pt.1 appeared first on Two Journeys.

Thessalonians Episode 8: The Man of Lawlessness, Pt.1

Two Journeys Bible Study

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2021

In 2 Thessalonians 2, Paul prepares the Thessalonian Christians for the coming of the antichrist. The post Thessalonians Episode 8: The Man of Lawlessness, Pt.1 appeared first on Two Journeys.

man thessalonians lawlessness two journeys thessalonian christians

Thessalonians Episode 8: The Man of Lawlessness, Pt.1

Two Journeys Classes

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2021

In 2 Thessalonians 2, Paul prepares the Thessalonian Christians for the coming of the antichrist. The post Thessalonians Episode 8: The Man of Lawlessness, Pt.1 appeared first on Two Journeys.

man thessalonians lawlessness two journeys thessalonian christians

Thessalonians Episode 7: The Revelation of the Glory of Jesus Christ

Two Journeys

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2021

In 2 Thessalonians 1, Paul prays for the persecuted Thessalonian Christians that they will trust God's justice and look forward to Christ's coming, being fruitful in His service until then. The post Thessalonians Episode 7: The Revelation of the Glory of Jesus Christ appeared first on Two Journeys.

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Paul prays for the persecuted Thessalonian Christians that they will trust God's justice and look forward to Christ's coming, being fruitful in His service until then.

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Thessalonians Episode 7: The Revelation of the Glory of Jesus Christ

Two Journeys Classes

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2021

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4282 - Paul's Recollection of Thessalonian Christians (1 Thessalonians 1:1-3) by Pastor Stan McCune

Anchor Baptist Church

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2021 38:44

Sermon by Pastor Stan McCune

sermon 1 thessalonians recollections mccune pastor stan thessalonian christians

More Thankful Remembrances

Today in the Word Devotional

Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2021

The word martyr originally meant “witness”—someone who testifies to truths they have personally seen, heard, and experienced. Even in the first generation of believers, though, the word came to signify someone who testified to truth under threat of death. That’s what we mean today— a martyr is someone who chooses to die rather than to deny the gospel of Christ. The Thessalonians were being severely persecuted and menaced with martyrdom. Why? Because they refused to bow before local gods, including the emperor. Such worship was regarded as a civil duty. To fail to do so was unpatriotic, even treasonous. It was easy for the Jews to stir up trouble for the Thessalonian Christians (1 Thess. 2:14–16). Nonetheless, they were standing firm and even growing in their faith, a fact for which Paul was thankful (vv. 3–4). He’d similarly praised them in his first letter, highlighting “your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 1:3). “All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right” (1 Thess. 1:5)—the Thessalonians were true believers genuinely called and indwelt by the Holy Spirit. The final outcome was assured. Suffering is part of every believer’s sanctification. When all is said and done, the Thessalonians would endure and be “counted worthy” or “made worthy.” All this is also evidence that “God is just” (vv. 6–7a). In the end, persecutors will be punished and suffering believers will be comforted. With God on our side, victory is certain. A biblical theology of suffering teaches us that perseverance is evidence of salvation and of God’s righteousness. Faith in God gives us the hope, strength, and grace to endure. >> What would it look like to stand for Jesus, even in the face of forceful opposition? Have you ever encountered conflict because of your faith in Christ? Ask God today for the strength you need to be faithful.

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A Faith That Makes Jesus Known

True North Cannon Falls

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2021 29:30

The Thessalonian Christians serve as a model for how we should live in a way that makes Jesus known for who He is.

jesus christ spirit unity thessalonian christians

A Faith That Makes Jesus Known

True North Cannon Falls

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2021 29:30

The Thessalonian Christians serve as a model for how we should live in a way that makes Jesus known for who He is.

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1 Thessalonians 5:17

Verse of the Day

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2020 2:55

Today we're looking at the incredibly well known verse, 1 Thessalonians 5:17, "pray without ceasing." In this verse, Paul is encouraging the Thessalonian Christians to pray continually. This is commonly misinterpreted as being in a state of prayer during every wakeful moment, but that's not what Paul is referring to here. Rather, we ought to be in a constantly "prayerful" state, and therefore frequently talking to God in actual, dedicated prayer. The value of maintaining fellowship with God through frequent prayer is immeasurable. Even when we are in the midst of trails, heartache, or hard times, we need to keep this in mind. Who could we look to as an example of how to pray continually? Well, the supreme example is Jesus. We have many examples from His life that we can look at to better understand what it means to "pray without ceasing." He taught the disciples how to pray in Matthew 6:5-13. He prayed before the miracle of feeding the five thousand (Matthew 14:19-21). He prayed when He blessed the children (Matthew 19:13). He prayed in the morning (Mark 1:35) and in the evening (Mark 6:45-47). He prayed for His disciples and for all the subsequent believers (John 17). He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-42). He prayed from the cross (Luke 23:34). Further, the apostle Paul prayed continuously. In Acts 16:25, we see Him praying from prison at midnight. He gives a charge to the elders of the church at Ephesus, we see him praying after that (Acts 20:36). He prayed at Malta (Acts 28:8). He prayed for Israel (Romans 10:1). He prayed for the churches on numerous occasions (Romans 1:9, Ephesians 1:16; Philippians 1:4; Colossians 1:3-12). So no, we aren't to be in a state of prayer every waking moment, but rather, our lives should reflect us being in a "prayerful" state throughout our life. Paul is exhorting that all believers who desire to live godly and in Christ are to "pray without ceasing," and this follows his instruction to rejoice always - for it's the heart that rejoices in the Lord that will keep their eyes fixed on Him, and their thoughts better fixated upon our Savior.

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Don't you have something you should be doing?

Faith Seeking Understanding Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2020 31:43

We have lost the thread and picked up another. I am watching (and too often participating) while we as Christians lose sight of what we have been given to do. Politics has taken over our thoughts and conversations and the only thought too many have of the kingdom of God is the escapism that seeks to know when the end will come and if they can avoid the hard stuff to come. We can't be salt and light if we are not filled with the light of God and we can't be filled with that light if we spend all our time and energy in the world of politics and fear. It's that simple. We, like Barak in Judges 4.1-7 have been given a task, make disciples, baptize and teach them to observe all Jesus taught. We are like the Thessalonian Christians (1 Thessalonians 5.1-11), we have to be reminded to get our heads in the game, don't be preoccupied with the end times and don't be engulfed in other things. Jesus' parable of the master who entrusts his possessions to his servants and their attitudes towards his possessions in Matthew 25.14-30 reminds us of what we have been given and asks us what we are doing with it. Get your head back in the game and get to work. Stop the water cooler talk and get back to your job.

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Whose image and inscription is upon it?

Faith Seeking Understanding Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2020 35:18

The Pharisees are trying to trick Jesus in Matthew 22.15-22 by asking him a question about paying taxes. Do you hear how ridiculous that is, they are trying to trick Jesus? He turns it on them completely and they walk away learning nothing at all. They marvel that they were outwitted but they seem to have missed the larger message and challenge He gave them. When Jesus asks whose image and inscription are on the coin they say, Caesar's, the Roman king. Jesus says, well then, if it belongs to Caesar give him what he asks of you but render unto God that which is His. What is God's, that which bears His image. How do we give God what is His? Moses, in Exodus 33.12-23 asks God how he can continue to find favor in God's sight and he asks specifically for God to show him His ways so that he(Moses) may continue to find favor in God's sight. Rendering to God what is His is a matter of knowing God's ways and following them. Paul tells the Thessalonians in 1 Thessalonians 1.1-10 that is exactly what he did when he came to them and, to their praise, the Thessalonian Christians have emulated both Paul and the Lord in their own lives. It is easy to know but requires the Holy Spirit to do, which means praying constantly in and for all things.

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Signs of the End?

PBCC Sermons

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2020

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 The coronavirus has shaken people’s sense of peace and security, arousing fear and uncertainty. Some have asked if the pandemic is a sign of the End Times. And now the fires that rage all around us have turned the sun into darkness and the moon into blood. Is the Day of the Lord upon us? The Thessalonian Christians were wondering about “times and dates” of the end and were worried about how they would fare. What word of comfort does Paul give them? And how should we live today in such unsettling times?

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Hope Series – #1 – A Joyful expectation in every season

Bikers Church Cape Town

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2020 22:40

HOPE A Joyful expectation in every season “You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us and the world will live as one.” – John Lennon (The Beatles) The world is in a desperate need of Hope. Hope: A confident expectation and desire for a particular thing to happen for the good. Hebrews 6:19-20 (NIV) – 16We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20where our forerunner, Jesus has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. There’s a familiar saying: “Where there is life there is Hope.” (That is very true; however the opposite is also true) “Where there is Hope, there is life.” Hopelessness is one of the saddest conditions in human experience Uncounted millions in our world today are hopeless people. But thanks be to God we do not need to be hopeless! There is a hope which sets us free from the limitations and restrictions of this world – from: The petty concerns and worries Our own inadequacies, our inabilities, our weaknesses and frustrations Genuine hope as presented in scriptures gives you a complete new outlook on life. 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NLT) – Three things will last forever-faith, hope and love-and the greatest of these is love. Much of what we go through in our life comes and goes But the bible teaches us that these three things will remain: We have heard many sermons on Faith and Love but so much has been shared on Hope The important point is, Hope is the reality that is necessary to maintain both Faith and Love Unless we have Hope our Faith will leak out and our Love will fail Hope is essential to living the fullness of the Christ life. What exactly did the “Fullness of the Christian life” look like in the early church? 1 Thessalonians 1:2-4 (NIV) – 2We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 3We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you. What did Paul see in these Thessalonian Christians that confirmed they were chosen of God? He saw these three realities in their lives: Faith, Love and Hope a. Their work of faith b. Their labour of love c. Their endurance / steadfastness of hope Work – Is about a faith that works Labour – is the way the work of faith is done in love Hope – gives the strength to endure when faith is being tested. Hope makes us courageous Without hope which is connected to steadfastness, endurance, perseverance we will easily lose the benefits of faith and love How does Hope come? How may we have this kind of hope which is real and so necessary? The answer is that hope is a direct outcome of being born again by the Holy Spirit though faith in Jesus Christ. It’s not through just general faith in Jesus Christ, but rather a specific faith in His death, burial and resurrection. 1 Peter 1:3 (NIV) – Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Without the resurrection of Jesus life would be HOPELESS. 1 Peter 1:13 (Amp) – So prepare you minds for action, be completely sober [in spirit-steadfast, self-disciplined, spiritually and morally alert], fix your hope completely on the grace [of God] that is coming to you when Jesus Christ is revealed. Notice: The process of Salvation is not yet complete until Jesus is revealed. We must in the mean time fix our Hope completely on that future event. Hebrews 3:6 (Amp) – But Christ is faithful as a Son over His [Father’s] house. And we are His house if we hold fast our confidence and sense of triumph in our hope [in Christ]. We cannot give up Hoping! We must as Hebrews says: “Hold fast our confidence and sense of triumph in our hope until the end.”

Bethlehem Granada Hills Podcast 2019-11-03

Bethlehem Granada Hills Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2020 17:58

Song and Sermon from Sunday, November 3, 2019 “Glory, Glory” Spiritual arranged by Keith Christopher Choral Directors: Marisa Bradfield & Matthew A. Kessell Accompanists: Suzanne Recer & Vicente Ditto streaming permission under CCLI license #CSPL141755 Sermon by Pastor Megan Fryling 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12 This letter of Paul begins with a typical salutation, blessing, and words of praise for what God is accomplishing among the recipients. By remaining faithful and growing spiritually during hardship, the Thessalonian Christians have become witnesses to the glory of God. Bethlehem Lutheran Church Granada Hills, CA www.bethlehemlutheran.net

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The Coming of the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

Mid Cities Orthodox Presbyterian Church

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 12, 2019 46:12

On Sunday, November 10, 2019, Harry Monroe taught on "The Coming of the Lord" from 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. Paul encourages the persecuted Thessalonian Christians by pointing them to the hope of the return of Christ.

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The Self-Denial Required to Win the Prize (1 Corinthians Sermon 31) (Audio)

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2019

Running The Marathon So, turn in your Bibles to 1 Corinthians Chapter 9, we resume now series in 1 Corinthians. So we've been walking through this incredible book. Pretty much all my life I've been fascinated by the longest race that there is, the marathon. I know there's ultra marathons, but I don't even know what to think about people that run 50 miles or 100 miles, that's in a whole other category. But the marathon has always been fascinating to me. Perhaps that's because I lived in Framingham, and it was the 6 mile mark, basically the 10K mark of the Boston Marathon, one of the most famous marathons in the world. And for free, you could watch that race, you just go downtown, Framingham. I could ride on my bike down there and stand with the crowd and watch some of the best athletes in the world just run by and for free, you got to see them for about 1.5 seconds, as they went right by, and there they went. So there you can see some of the best marathoners in the world and then you could stand and see some of the not best marathoners in the world that would run by you and that was kind of exciting. I remember at Wellesley College, where my sisters went to college, that was later in the race, and that was heading towards something called Heartbreak Hill. And I've never run a marathon, I ran cross-country growing up, the longest I ever competed was 25K, which is about a little short of 16 miles, that was long enough, but people... And they've been members of our church that I just hold in high esteem that have run the 26.2 miles, incredible. But I'm told that psychologically how it feels, the race is about half over at the 20 mile mark. That last six miles takes a level of dedication, a level, let's be honest, of suffering that is hard to even fully understand if you've never competed in that race. And it just so happens in the Boston Marathon, there's a series of three hills right at the 20 mile mark, from small to medium to the largest, it goes in that order. And people for some reason, line-up along Heartbreak Hill to watch them fall like flies. I really think a lot of the spectators there are to watch failure. I don't know what it is, but they're there to watch people drop out of the race. Others will say, no, not at all. We're there to encourage and say, you can make it. It's all downhill from here. But that's Heartbreak Hill. And so, for me, I have an attraction, a fascination to the level of dedication, the level of suffering it takes to run that race, and I follow the best in the world. And the records now are incredible. The best marathon in the world right now is a Kenyan named Eliud Kipchoge and he is training, he's in training right now to break the two-hour mark in the marathon. Some of you will just knowing that will be aghast that that is even possible. This man runs on average every mile faster than my best mile time. I ran one mile at a certain time, he runs every mile three seconds faster than that one race, so I couldn't keep up with him for one mile at my best, and that was when I was a lot younger. But this guy runs 4:38 a mile and just fast for every mile. And the training, the level of training that goes into that, it's been a lifetime of preparation, the culture in Kenya is a running culture different than we have here. They use it as transportation to get from place to place. This man runs an average of 110 to 120 miles a week in training and he never takes a day off. And the level of training is almost staggering. Now, that's true of every Olympic athlete, everyone that competes at a high level in a sport has to put in that level of dedication, of self-denial, of sacrifice to succeed in his or her sport, whatever it is, figure skating, skeet shooting, running, anything requires that level of dedication. Now, the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 uses that image, which was familiar to them back then, to urge all Christians to a similar pattern of self-denial for the glory of God, for the running of the race right to the end, to the upward calling of God, the heavenly prize in Christ Jesus. And in our day and age of constant alluring bodily temptations, of a lifestyle that tends toward comfort, and ease, we need to hear this call so that we can make progress in both the internal journey of holiness and the external journey of Gospel advanced through evangelism and missions. Both of those journeys kind of come together and meet in this text and this is a call on all of us to run. As a matter of fact, simply there is one command in this text, one imperative, run. In Verse 24, expanding a bit, so run or run in such a way that you may obtain it, that you may obtain the prize that's a command. The rest of it is just Paul using himself as an example on how we have to run. So this is a command to exertion, to self-denial for all of us, for the heavenly prize. And there is no better coach to yell at us than the Apostle Paul. There is no better drill instructor to come alongside us and give us the exhortations that we need to run this race with endurance. Now, here we have to just be cautioned a bit, because this is one of the most challenging passages in the Bible in terms of self-denial and discipline. And we need to understand salvation properly to understand this passage properly, we need to understand justification and sanctification and glorification, these stages of salvation properly. We need to understand that justification, the beginning of the Christian life, it starts with forgiveness of sin, the atonement of our sins, reconciliation with God, whereby we sinners are made right with a Holy God, and we are declared righteous, that is morally perfect in His sight, not by our own exertions, not by our own works but by simple faith in Christ. By His exertions, by his works, culminating in His death on the cross, and His resurrection from the dead, by that we are saved, not by our own exertions, not by our own running. We just need to know that again and again, it's so hard for us sinners to believe that, that we are forgiven by grace through faith in Christ alone. But having been forgiven, having begun the Christian life, we are then called on to run a race with endurance, and we're called on to run it to the very end, and the race from justification till death, or the second coming of Christ is called sanctification, a progressive growth in Christ-likeness through putting sin to death, and through habits of holiness that we acquire and development of Christian character, a Christian mindset that's the rest of the Christian life, and that takes exertion. It takes us denying ourselves, it takes us running a race with endurance, that's what we're talking about here. A race run to the end. And then glorification happens at the end of our lives, either at our own death or at the second coming of Christ, whereby in an instant we are made perfect and fit for Heaven, body, soul, and spirit, we are in every way conformed to Christ, that's the end of our salvation. And in that we will spend eternity radiantly glorious. Now if you don't understand salvation that way, this text could easily be misunderstood, you could be exhorted strongly and instead of being motivated you might be moved to despair, because you're comparing yourself to, other than Christ, I think probably the greatest spiritual runner there's ever been in the Apostle Paul. And it's easy to look at him and look at his level of dedication, his level of holiness, his level of sacrifice for the Gospel and say, I can't measure up to that and to give up and that's the very thing Paul's working against. He wants you to run, to run in such a way that you obtain the prize. And so, we need to understand that very plainly. I. Giving Up Rights and Privileges for the Sake of the Gospel So, Paul is calling on us to give up rights and privileges for the sake of the Gospel. Let's look at the context. It's been months since we looked at 1 Corinthians. So I just want to remind you where we're at in this incredible book. Paul is writing, he planted the church in Corinth. It was a gifted church, brothers and sisters in Christ, he loved them dearly, but they were pretty severely dysfunctional in a lot of levels. And so, he's got to address a bunch of topics, and we're in the middle of a bunch of topics that he's addressed. And in Chapters 8 through 10, in that three Chapter section he's addressing, big picture, the problem of their pagan religion, idolatry and the issues specifically of meat sacrificed to idols, and what Christians should do about that difficult topic. And so, it's really three chapters of a complex answer to that question. So what was happening in Chapter 8 is the more doctrinally mature Corinthian Christians understood from the preaching, understood from the Word of God, that idols are nothing, stone, wood, metal, they're nothing. There's no reality there, that the pagan religion is nothing, that there is only one God, and that meat is just meat, it can't catch a spiritual disease and that Christ is declared all foods clean, and therefore we can eat whatever we want. But the problem was, they were flaunting their freedoms in such a way that other more not so doctrinally mature Christians were being harmed, their consciences were being violated, they were being led astray by these more mature knowledgeable Christians. Basic Principle: Love Limits Liberty when it comes to evangelism And so, Paul gives them a very clear principle in Chapter 8 Love limits liberty. It's not all about your freedoms, what you get to do, what you want to do, but you need to look around at the consequences, and people are watching you and you need to care about your brothers and sisters, and just because you can eat and it doesn't damage you, what about people who are watching you? And so, he's addressing that, and so, if you love your brothers and sisters, you need to care what they're thinking, as they watch you. And then he uses himself as an example, of how love limited his own liberties. In Chapter 9 he talked about money being paid for ministry. And he said, I have the right to receive a salary for preaching the Gospel, the Lord has ordained that those who preach the Gospel should make their living from the Gospel. But I don't use that right. I don't take any money for my church planting, so I have that freedom to do that, but I don't use it. And then he goes beyond that, and broadens it, and he says, Actually, I turn my back on all of my freedoms. When it comes to food and cultural things and personal preferences to the Jews. I became like a Jews to win the Jews, so I ate the foods they ate, I kind of fit into the Jewish culture to win the Jews to the pagans to the gentiles, the Greeks to those not having the law. I became like one not having a law. Not in immorality, not all, but in cultural issues that separated the Jews from Gentiles, I just became like a gentile to win the Gentiles. I become all things to all people. So by all possible means, I might save some and I do this so that I might share in the benefits of the Gospel, I want a fruitful harvest. And so that's the context here. And the basic principle is love limits liberty when it comes here, first and foremost, linking it backward linking it here, love limits liberty when it comes to evangelism and missions. If you want to be fruitful in winning lost people you're going to have to deny yourself at some level, you're going to have to say no to what you prefer. If you live for your personal preferences in food and clothing, and culture and lifestyle you're not going to have a very fruitful life as an evangelist, or a missionary, you will not have much fruit. So if you ask Paul, Paul which do you prefer? Jewish food, or Gentile food? He would answer. I prefer whatever food would be maximally fruitful, for the Gospel at that moment. That's what I prefer. He would answer that way. Reminds me of something that George Mueller, the great leader in caretaking 1000 orphans in 19th century England, just a godly man, godly pastor, a man of faith, George Mueller, he said this though, this incredible statement, he made, "There was a day I died, utterly died to George Mueller, to his opinions, preferences, tastes and will, died to the world, its approval or censure, died to the approval or blame even of my brethren and my friends. And since that day I have studied only to show myself approved unto God." Intensely vertical, but first and foremost, started with himself. I died to me. I died to George Mueller, I died to what I prefer day-by-day. We all have preferences, we all have taste, we all have desires, stuff we like. Everybody does, that's God gave us those tastes and desires, those amoral pleasures, those are part of the richness of life that God's given us and He wants us to enjoy those amoral diverse pleasures and give glory to God. But if you make an idol of those things, if they become uppermost in your own affections then you will not have much fruit to show when it comes to winning others. Patrick Lai, who wrote a book on tent making, which is using business for mission, spoke of the food issue for himself when it came to missions. This is what he wrote: "In seminary, we learned the slogan, 'Where He leads I will follow, what He feeds I will swallow.' Food is a major issue, many argue that eating the local cuisine is not a big deal. But consider, if foreigners came to your country and if they rejected your national dishes how would you feel? As Americans, perhaps if we invite an international for a Thanksgiving dinner and they say, they hate turkey, and mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie, are we likely to invite them again the next year? To reject a person's food is to reject the person. Having grown up in a Midwestern American city, I never ate spicy food, but when we moved to Asia, I quickly realized that the people there loved hot chili peppers, on almost every dish. So what did I do? Stop eating? No. I simply trained myself to eat spicy food by going out and eating the hottest food I could find for several weeks. It was hard, I hated it, I felt sick to my stomach. However within a month, my taste buds adjusted, and my body adapted. Nowadays, I truly enjoy spicy food." Honestly, all over the world. Missionaries face these kinds of challenges. For me as some of you know, going to Japan, the problem was seafood, and I'm not changing. God gave me a special dispensation of grace for two years, and I prayed for it and God gave me the ability to actually enjoy Sashimi. Now, Sashimi, let me tell you something, it's not sushi, that's little bits of fish surrounded by other things, so you can survive that fine, but Sashimi is like a T-bone steak, of uncooked fish flesh with nowhere to hide right there on the plate. And I'll never forget the first time I sat at a restaurant, a Japanese man wanted to honor me for some things we had done in his house, we had helped them out in the missionary, we'd done some things, and he wanted to thank us and he thanked me with a bunch of raw fish flesh and there it was, and I said, Where now is the God of Elijah? So I said Please don't leave me now. But then I came to find out that Sashimi is super fresh in Japan, I would not advocate truck stop Sashimi here in the US. Not a good idea. But in Japan super fresh and almost flavorless. Pretty close to flavorless. Never bothered me that it wasn't cooked. What I liked was the Wasabi and the sudachi that you could dip it in. And the flavor of that sauce was good and it was a good... So for two years I enjoyed that. However, I never got so far as to enjoy what they call tako. It's not Mexican tacos, it's octopus. And the suction cups and the chewy demeanor, it's the gift that just keeps on giving. You can just enjoy tako for a long time. I never got used to it, and so I guess I wasn't there long enough. Patrick Lai would say, "That means you need to eat tako every day for a month and then you'll love it." The issue here, friends, is bigger than food. How much are you willing to be inconvenienced? To be put at a personal disadvantage for the sake of others? How are you willing to limit your liberties? You have the right to eat whatever you want, fine, but are you willing to give up that right for the sake of winning others? If we continue to stay safe in our bubbles of personal preference and comfort, choosing what we eat, what we watch, what music we like, what climate is best, what clothing looks best on us, if honestly, we live a life of me, we will not have much to show on judgment day, in terms of the Gospel. And we Americans are used to one of the highest standards of living in the world. We're used to air conditioning and central heat, we're used to very comfortable beds with something called a Sleep Number. I've heard, I've never used it, but you can dial in your personal comfort number, I guess, and then we're used to that. We're used to electronic entertainment. We're used to being continually connected with the rest of the world through wifi. We're used to personal transportation in America, especially the automobile to get in and go wherever you want at any points of the compass. Whenever you want. We're used to that. We're used to top-notch medical care, We're used to 911 in case we're in trouble, medical emergency and people will come and help us, We're used to roads that are almost continually worked on, so that there are not the kinds of pot holes that I've experienced in other countries. The types of damaged under the road that the government doesn't have the resources to continually repair. But we are used to a high level of treatment of the roads. We're used to credit card swipers, and chip readers and Walmart that has basically almost any physical thing you could want. And if it doesn't, Amazon Prime will bring it even faster than Walmart. And we're used to that lifestyle. Most of the world doesn't live that way. If we're going to be fruitful in global missions, we have to give up those kinds of preferences, and beyond that just within our own American culture as well. If we want to meet non-Christians, if we want to befriend them, get to know what's involved in their lives, you're going to have to make sacrifices. You're going to have to do things that you do not prefer to do. You have to open your home in hospitality. You have to do your hobbies, perhaps with other people, with non-Christians. You have to just change your lifestyle. If you just stayed within the Christian bubble you'll only know Christians and you won't be very impactful for eternity. And so you have to make habits, you have to make life choices for the sake of the Gospel. And if you decide to use your time, your energy, your money, your life for the sake of eternity, to as Jesus said, win friends for the gospel. He talks about winning friends in Luke 16:9. If you do that, you'll take up an entirely different way of thinking about your life. II. What is the Race? And Paul likens the sacrifices needed here, to running in a race. And he reaches for an image that the Corinthians would have been very familiar with. Look at verse 24, "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize." So what is the race? The cultural context there was something called the Isthmian Games. There were two ancient games of competition back then, we're very familiar with the Olympic Games that were centered in Athens, but the Isthmian Games were centered in Corinth the second most popular and well-known in Ancient Greece and they included many contests, like chariot races, running, boxing, feats of strength, and he chooses two of the images from the Isthmian Games, running and boxing, and he uses it here in this text as well, and the Central Command, he gives here is run. You should run, run this race run in such a way that you may win that you can obtain the prize. He says, Everyone competes, but only one gets the prize. Run in such a way that you get the prize. That's what he's saying, he's appealing to their competitive nature, a desire for excellence and achievement. Now, if I want to stop and pause and just say for a moment, what's amazing is as I've meditated about heaven and rewards, I have come to realize we are going to celebrate other people's rewards as though they were our own, that we are going to be so one so that in 1 Corinthians 12:24, it says, If one part of the body is honored, the whole body is honored with it. So we're not in competition actually with each other. If we were, I wouldn't be preaching the sermon I'd keep my secrets to myself on how I'm planning on running the race, and you all are just on your own. But I believe that my reward is wrapped up in yours and that the more I help you be rich on Judgment Day, the better for me as well, I will celebrate your rewards, you'll celebrate mine, we will be so set free from me in heaven, we will just be celebrating each other's honors. And so there is a competitive aspect here but we're not actually competing against each other, we're competing against a common enemy, the world, the flesh, the devil, that's what we're all competing against, not against each other. So we should help each other be as rich as possible, in rewards. Now, what is the race? Well, in this context as we follow his train of thought right up into 24-27, these verses the context here seems to be evangelistic or missions. Winning lost people, becoming all things to all people. So that by all possible means, we might save some. So saving lost people. That's what's in Paul's mind. And he says, uses this language in Acts 20-24. "I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given to me, the task of testifying to the Gospel of God's grace." So Paul considers his Evangelistic mission to be a race that he's running, and he's challenging the Corinthians to run as well. However, the whole Christian life in other scriptures, is presented similarly as a race to be run. Paul says at the end of his own life, in 2 Timothy 4:7, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." And it's very similar. The fighting and running analogy is just like in our text here. He's talking about his own Christian life, he's reached the end of his Christian life. And then more openly, the author to Hebrews says, plainly in Hebrews 12, "Since we're surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run with endurance the race marked out before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith." So there the whole Christian life is a race and we're called on to run to the end. So frankly, I think it's both, friends, it's the external journey, winning lost people, and it's the internal journey of holiness. How do I know that? Well, if you go on, if you remove the chapter division between Chapter 9 and 10 and just go right on, he's going to go on in the next chapter immediately linked by the words, "For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers…" he goes right into lessons from Israel's history and he says... Do you not realize that lots of Jews began the journey, but only some of them finished, and frankly most of them died in the desert, they didn't make it because of idolatry. So he's talking about holiness, he's talking about sin and temptations and all that. So there's a perfect connection here between the external journey of winning the lost, and the internal journey of making certain you make it all the way to Heaven by fighting sin. And they both come together in this one text of running the race, so it's not either or, it's both. The two races really in the end are of the same, the internal race of holiness and the external race of evangelism. What do we think we're doing with evangelism missions? We're calling on dead people to begin to run a race, and to obey every commandment that Christ has given them, that they would be in running that race. The two journeys are really just one and they come together here. III. What Is the Prize? And so what is the prize? He says, "Don't you know that in a race all the runners run but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way that you may get the prize." Verse 25. "Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training, they do it to get a crown that will not last. We do it to get a crown that will last forever." What is the prize? What is the crown? Well, in the Isthmian Games, the prize was a wreath that would be woven together from some living vine maybe, some olive branches that we've woven together or maybe some pine, a garland, that was then set on the head of the victor to the cries and adulations of the crowd, they're all... And it's put there on their heads. Paul calls it a corruptible wreath, it's corruptible, it begins to fade the moment it's cut from the branch. Probably won't look that great the next day. And the athletes knew that. They'd seen it, maybe they won last time three years ago and they're going to go again, they know what's going to happen, but what they want are the cries and cheers of adulation, honor that come from their fellow citizens. But frankly even that goes away, even that echoes and then disappears. The modern Olympic Games were restarted in 1896 in Athens. I looked this up. I didn't know... Do you know how many gold medals, Olympic gold medals, have been awarded since 1896? I know you don't know, but I didn't either. So here's the answer: 18,553, gold medals. Now, I was amazed that there were that many. They're actually not all that uncommon except that there's billions of people and very rare do people win gold medals. But honestly, I don't know who won the gold medal in 1956 in skeet shooting, I don't know who won even the marathon that year. It disappears. They're running a race to get a crown that will not last, we're running to get a crown, he says that will last forever. And so here, this dovetails with Jesus' teaching. "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal, but store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." So that's the crown, it's praise from God it's, "Well done, good and faithful servant," it's the crown of achievement of having served God faithfully in this life. James 1:12, says this: "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him." So just making it to the end of the Christian journey, there's a crown of life awarded. But then Paul talks about his church planting efforts. And he frequently calls the churches he planted, and the people that he won to Christ, his crown, 1 Thessalonians 2, he says, "What is the hope, the joy and the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord when He comes. Is it not you? Indeed you are our glory and our joy." So Paul says the Thessalonian Christians that he won to faith in Christ, they are his crown. And so that's the crown. IV. How Should We Run? So how should we run? Well, Paul gives the secret to winning the prize and that is self-control in everything. Stern self-denial of the body. Look at verse 25, "Every athlete exercises self-control in all things." So for a world class athlete, there is no area of life off limits for their trainer, for their coach. Everything is worth discussing. So that would include everything they eat, everything they drink when and how long they sleep, all, of course, all of their exercises, what they're doing. How much lifting, how much flexibility, how much all of these things. So when it comes to eating amounts, nutritional value, caloric intake, protein, fats, carbohydrates, everything. Tom Brady, quarterback for the New England Patriots, actually eats something called avocado ice cream. And some of you are like, "What is the point? If you're going to eat avocado ice cream, better not to eat it," but apparently he finds something delicious in it. But for him that's what's been necessary to keep his body ready to compete. I was reading a number of years ago, a basketball player name Hakeem Olajuwon was a very, very good player, but he just wasn't reaching his potential and he said for him it was really when he gave up ice cream that he reached another level because that became just a symbol of a whole life of self-denial of discipline that was required, and then he started playing at the highest level. So that's the way it is for athletes. Everything, sleep patterns, all of that, but for us Christians it expands. Body counts, what you do with your body, what you eat, how much you sleep, all of those things matter, your exercise patterns. But we're talking about body, soul, and spirit, everything, the mind, the heart. And so we have to discipline ourselves not only physically, but mentally, spiritually, so that we can grow in grace in the knowledge of Christ. And Paul actually it seems takes a violent approach here. Look at Verse 26-27, "I do not run like a man running aimlessly, I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave." That's one translation. Another translation says, "I discipline my body and bring it under strict control so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified." So I looked up the Greek words. These are very severe in the one translation. Beat my body make it my slave, the Greek for beat my body is literally to strike beneath the eye or to give a black eye to. Metaphorically to brow-beat or to annoy greatly provoke or irritate. So Paul annoys his body, he irritates it, frustrates it. Now he talks against harsh treatment of the body in other places. He's not talking about a literal beating here like wearing a hair shirt or self-flagellation, like some people did in the Middle Ages. He's not talking about that, he's really talking about his flesh, his bodily drives that the flesh pushes to, where you have normal bodily drives, but they're pushed beyond boundaries that God's Word has set up, that's what the flesh does. And so, it's normal to want to eat dessert, that's a normal thing. The flesh pushes beyond to the second and third helping. So Paul says I irritate my flesh, I frustrate my flesh by pushing away from the table at that point. It's normal to sleep a right amount of time, so your body's refreshed and renewed, but all of us have an inner sluggard that we want that extra time asleep, more than we need. Many Americans are sleep-deprived, I'm not talking about that, but I'm saying, we're talking about getting that extra hour. I frustrate my flesh. Paul says, I get up when it's time to get up. When it comes to the sexual drive, it's normal for a husband and wife to desire to be together in marital relations, but the flesh pushes beyond boundaries that God has set up, those boundaries into sexual immorality, And so the text is calling on you to frustrate your flesh, to irritate it and push away from temptation and sexual immorality, to deny it and put it to death. So that's the first phrase. The second is make it my slave, it's literally in the Greek lead into servitude. So I lead my body into serving what? Serving Christ, serving my mind as it's led by Scripture. This is friends, this is the language of war. That's what he's talking about here and he talks about this war very plainly in Romans 7:22 and 23, he says, "In my inner being, I delight in God's law, but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will set me free?" There is a war going on inside. We all know what we're talking about here, we know a battle against lusts. Galatians 5:17 says, "The flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit and the Spirit desires what is contrary to the flesh. These are waging war against each other, they're in opposition to each other so that you do not do what you want." So Paul combines these images, he's actually boxing while running a marathon, But he's boxing himself. And he has a goal, his goal is to complete the race that God laid out in front of him. Let me quote this again, Acts 20:24, "I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given to me." Of internal holiness and external witnessing to lost people. That's what I want to do. So that's his goal. And he says "I'm not running like a man running aimlessly." So we have a device in our home called a Roomba. Have you ever heard of these things? These robots that vacuum. I do not understand it. I don't understand what it does, this is what happens. It's got little bumpers and sensors that cause it to go as far as it can in one direction and then turn somewhere and go off in a straight line in another direction. What that means is, it could spend as much as 45 minutes in one corner of the room. If you give it enough time I guess, it'll get the whole room, so the idea is put it in a room, close the door and walk away And you come back some time later and the whole room is vacuumed. But if I'm in the kitchen there and it's bumping into me and comes around and then bumps on my other ankle, I don't understand its patterns, it's wandering aimlessly without any seeming strategy to approaching the room. Now, having said that, the Roomba's kind of fun and you put it in there and the room does get vacuumed and you don't have to do it, so that's pretty cool. I've heard they have them for lawns. Now that scares me. Just put it on your lawn, walk away. I'm like... But there are people that seem to live life like that, aimless. It even seems some Christians can live like that, they don't seem to have a purpose. Well your purpose is to be holy and to present your life as a holy offering to God, day after day. Put in a holy Monday tomorrow. Put in a holy rest of today, today. Put sin to death, give it to God as an offering, that's your goal. And then realize you're surrounded every day by people who are on their way to destruction, they're on their way to hell, say something to them about Christ, invite them to church, speak up, be inconvenienced, be willing to suffer, that's the purpose. As Jesus said, "The Son of man came not to be served, but to serve and to give His life…" And "The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." So Paul was running a clearly marked race here. He's also boxing the entire way, he's not shadow boxing, though. He knows exactly what he's about, he is fighting himself and he's fighting his lust and he's fighting the temptation to quit, all of it. So Paul's saying, "I'm not going to be enslaved to my body's demands for food, I'm not in slave to my body's demand for drink, I'm not enslaved to the demand for sleep, I'm not slave to the demand for public encouragement and adulation. All of those things make me feel good, but I'm not enslaved to any of them, I want to serve Christ." V. What Is the Danger? So what's the danger? Verse 27, "I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." Disqualified. Disqualified. In the context, looking backward, at the external journey, it means that through your failure to watch yourself closely, you may no longer be of any use to God, You may be put on the shelf. And I know in Pastoral ministry, many pastors have been disqualified through sin, through sexual immorality, through financial malfeasance, through what's gone on in their marriage, or their family, or through their love of power and dominating of others. They have not kept their flesh in control and they've been disqualified from ministry. It's one of the greatest fears of my life, that some day I'll have to get up in front of you and confess sin and be disqualified. So you should pray for me, because if Paul has to do it, I have to do it, we all have to do it. As Richard Baxter, said in his classic, Reformed Pastor, "Be very careful, pastors, that you do not un-say with your life what you said with your lips." And so for us to keep careful watch over ourselves, but the deeper issue, I'm going to pick this up next week, is your own final salvation. We have to keep going in sanctification and frankly if you stop going in sanctification, there's a strong doubt that you ever were justified. So if you stop running the race of holiness, you have every good reason to wonder if you ever were born again to begin with. And so we have to keep running this race right to the end. Jesus said, "He who stands firm to the end will be saved." VI. Applications So what application can we take from this? Well, isn't it wonderful that we're not saved from our sins by how well we run a race? We are saved from our sins by how well Jesus ran His race, and He got to the end of His race on the cross, and He said "It is finished" and He broke through that finishing line and then I was going to suggest, but I got to you too late that we sing today, Crown Him With Many Crowns, but brother, thank you. We already sang it. Jesus broke through the finish line, and we crown him Victor and Lord of all and in His victory we stand and we receive the gift of righteousness, He is our righteousness, we are not saved from our sins by how well we run a race, but how well Jesus ran the race. So let me just say to you who came in here on the outside of Christ, this is the gospel for you. You're not going to be saved by how well you live the rest of your life. Trust in Christ. He is the Savior, He never sinned, He died on the cross for sinners like you and me, all you need to do is call on Jesus' name. Say, "Be my Savior" and He will save you, He'll give you the gift of perfect righteousness, He'll give you the crown as a gift. But once that happens, now you're in here with the rest of us and we're called on to run race. And I say two races, those two journeys, we're called on to run that internal race of holiness. So what is the Holy Spirit speaking to you about right now? What ways do you need to beat your body and make it your slave? What ways are you showing excess? Lack of self-control. I don't know what it is. Might have to do with your eating habits, might have to do with your entertainment habits, might have to do with sexual immorality and lust, internet issues, might have to do with what you're doing with your money, your possessions, might be a materialism issue. I don't know what it is. What is the Holy Spirit saying where your flesh has gone beyond boundaries and you need to pull it back in and put strong self-discipline in your life so that you can run this race with endurance? What's going on, I don't know, But whatever the Holy Spirit speaking to you do it today, don't put it off. And then in the external journey for evangelism, how much are you willing to be inconvenienced for the salvation of lost people around you? What changes are you willing to make, how are you willing to step out of your comfortable bubble to meet people and win them to Christ? Close with me in prayer.

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Optimisfits (Audio)

jesus christ gospel resurrection upside down eschatology longmont thessalonian christians

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2019

The Gospel gives us a whole new perspective on life and death, and enables us to be hopeful even in the face of death. In this section Paul instructs the Thessalonian Christians about what will happen to those who die before the return of Jesus, and...

Optimisfits (Audio)

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Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2019

The Word Got Out (Audio)

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Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2019

Far from wilting under pressure, the Thessalonian Christians thrived in the face of adversity. This was due to their relationship with and response to the Word of God.

The Word Got Out (Audio)

god jesus christ gospel witness word of god longmont thessalonian christians

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2019

Far from wilting under pressure, the Thessalonian Christians thrived in the face of adversity. This was due to their relationship with and response to the Word of God.

Model Church: Faith, Love, Hope (1 Thessalonians 1:1-10)

Jackson Memorial's Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2019 41:00

First in series "Model Church". In his letter to the Thessalonian Christians, Paul pointed out their Christ-like characteristics. Listen as Pastor Tommy Larson examines what it means to be "in Christ" and how today's Christians should demonstrate the same marks of Jesus by their "work produced by faith ... labor prompted by love, and ... endurance inspired by hope in ... Christ".

jesus christ christians model 1 thessalonians faith love love hope church faith thessalonian christians

Longing to See Them

Fellowship Bible Church Sermons

Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2019 21:47

May 22, 2019 PM, 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20.The Apostle Paul reports that he had been prevented from returning to Thessalonica and strengthening the faith of the new converts. This was a particularly difficult situation for both the new church and the church planter. The great joy Paul looked forward to was the Thessalonian Christians standing in the presence of Christ in the future day; yet he was concerned that Satan may be ruining things there in the infant church.

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Introduction to the Thessalonian Letters

Highland Views

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2019 20:53

Continuing on our verse-by-verse study of the letters that Paul, Joe begins our study of the two letters to Thessalonian Christians. This lesson introduces the first letter.

letters thessalonians apostle paul 1 thessalonians thessalonian thessalonian christians

Changed Lives (1 Thess 1:1-10)

Thessalonians: Hope for a Hopeless World

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2018

The Thessalonian letters of the Apostle Paul were written to a young church that was situated in an extremely dangerous world. Within twenty years of their writing, the whole of the ancient East was convulsed in warfare and rebellion. In 70 A. D., the armies of Titus surrounded the city of Jerusalem. Following a bloody siege, the city was overrun, the temple destroyed, and the Jews taken captive. The movements that culminated in these events had already begun when this first letter was written. Thus it is clear that the Thessalonian Christians were facing extremely perilous times.

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Comfort at the Grave (1 Thess 4:9-18)

Thessalonians: Hope for a Hopeless World

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2018

No one knows what circumstances he is going to face tomorrow. That is characteristic of the future. But there is something that comes before tomorrow. It is called today, and that is where we must live. We cannot live in tomorrow, but we can live today. This issue was troubling the Thessalonian Christians. They were looking toward tomorrow, but wondering what to do today. The Apostle Paul's advice to them in his first Thessalonian letter is, as usual, very practical. We have it in Chapter 4, beginning with Verse 9:

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WWUTT 498 Crown of Boasting?

WWUTT

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2017 23:19

Reading 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20 and talking about how Paul considers the Thessalonian Christians as his offspring, so we also will have spiritual offspring. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

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NT504 Lesson 05

New Testament Survey II (Video)

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2017 25:29

What does it mean to study the written Word of God? The Bible shows us that the way God acts is by speaking. When reading the Bible, expect to be confronted by the living God who speaks. Paul is the author of 1 Thessalonians. He wrote to the people of Thessalonica which is in Macedonia (Northern Greece). He wrote general instructions for Christian living. Paul takes affliction and casts it in a positive light. Consider that to turn from idols in Thessalonica was to turn your back on the entire culture. The Thessalonian Christians were experiencing shame from their neighbors. Paul’s response was to tell them they had turned from idols to serve the living and true God. Paul first wanted to visit them in person. He let them know he would continue to pray for the Thessalonian believers.

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A Church in the Cross-hairs

Crossborn

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2016 43:05

"...your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and afflictions that your are enduring" 2 Thes. 1:4 The Thessalonian Christians were suffering great persecutions and afflictions. To make matters worse, false teachers and lying prophets had shown up with heresies that 'explained' the suffering. Paul writes this Second Letter to silence the heretics and keep his faithful little flock on track. Message by Pastor Rod Schorr, Calvary Chapel Old Towne, Orange, CA From his series on 2 Thessalonians: A Church in the Cross-hairs.

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Sacred Sunday~I Thessalonians, Chapter 1/Hey Everybody!

The Paranormal and The Sacred Radio Show

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2016 29:00

Thessalonica~Home of Those Getting it Right The letter starts with a little intro—greetings from Paul and his co-writers Silvanus and Timothy. Three authors? Yeah, but this is still kind of the Paul show. Paul and friends are writing to a group of Christians in Thessalonica. And—good news—he's just tickled pink with how things are going there. Paul says the Thessalonian Christians have been specially chosen by God. (Hey, we thought the Jews were the chosen people?) They not only understood the message of the gospel that Paul brought last time he was in town, but they all have the Holy Spirit, too. Even though it hasn't been all smooth sailing when it comes to their relationships with the non-Christians in town, the Thessalonians are keeping the faith and inspiring other Christian communities through out Greece. These guys and girls are real theological trendsetters. People everywhere keep telling Paul and company how awesome the Thessalonians are. They used to worship idols, and now they've put their faith in the one true God and his son. They're also anxiously waiting for Jesus to come back to Earth and rescue all the faithful before God lays the smackdown on the not-so-faithful. It's gonna be great…for the faithful, that is. Thanks to shmoop.com

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What to Do (Adam Faughn)

Ninth Avenue Church of Christ

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2015 9:46

As Paul concludes his letter to the Thessalonian Christians he illustrates the work we need to bedoing while we wait for the coming of Christ

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Wide Angle Living

JRCC Podcasts

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2015

If it's true that we get what we expect, it's worth noticing our expectations. To help put things in perspective, we explored what Paul expected to see in the lives of Thessalonian Christians. Some of he expected may just surprise us because...

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NT504 Lesson 05

New Testament Survey II

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2015 25:35

god bible lesson thessalonians thessalonica thessalonian god the bible thessalonian christians

Stand Strong in God's Choice

Frisco Bible Church- Sermons

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2011

Paul and company write to the Thessalonian church, encouraging them for their faithfulness. In masterfully deep theology, they also stress that God originates and sustains all that is good in Christian activity. This is especially poignant given the difficult cultural situation faced by the Thessalonian Christians.

god stand strong thessalonian thessalonian christians

2 Thessalonians 5:12-28

WSCAL - Morning Devotions

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2010

The Apostle Paul grounds his exhortation to the Thessalonian Christians for hard work in their union with Christ.

jesus christ new testament apostle paul 2 thessalonians thessalonian christians

Christ's Words: Their Clarity, Immediacy, Difficulty, and Eternity (Matthew Sermon 128 of 151) (Audio)

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Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2010

Introduction I am so excited to preach on this passage today. All morning long, I've just been excited for this time and just captivated by Jesus' statement concerning his own word, and I don't wanna get ahead of myself, but just the beauty and the power of the words of Christ just has captivated my heart, and I have a sense of the tremendous and immense privilege I have week by week to minister and open up the word. I love that song we just sang, it just moves me. One word in particular. Food, the word “food.” I want to feed you with the word of God today, that's what I want. I want the food of the word of God to just be in your systems when you walk away today. And that's my prayer as we look at Matthew 24:32-35. As I come to this passage, I think about this one question: what is permanent and what is temporary? While flowers are temporary, I think we all know that, their beauty lasts just a few days and they wither. Morning mist is temporary, the sun rises and its heat scorches the mist and it's gone. So also at a different season, the morning frost, temporary again, sun melts it and it's gone. Movement of the wind as it goes north or south, east or west is temporary, soon it's blowing a different direction, the gust blows leaves flutter, then it's gone the moment has passed. All of these things are temporary. Then the real question for us is, what is permanent? What is eternal? Is the ground beneath our feet permanent? Is the Atlantic Ocean permanent? Are the Rocky Mountains? Are they permanent? How about the sun and the moon and the stars? Are they forever? Recently here in America, the striking events of history have been brought home with painful reality, the impermanence of the world around us in one stunning moment, the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center melted before eyes and were gone. Completely gone, disappeared forever from the face of the Earth. In five shocking minutes, an earthquake shook the city of Port-au-Prince in Haiti and reduced much of it to rubble, snuffing out many lives in the process, causing everyone who lived there to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that even the ground beneath their feet is not permanent, and neither is life in this world. Could it be that the most permanent thing in this universe is something invisible: a word, or actually words, spoken 2,000 years ago by Jesus”? Look at verse 35, “Heaven and Earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” What is a word? Is it an invisible thing, the sound of a whisper in the wind that floats to the air and causes your eardrums to vibrate for a second and then it disappears like a faint echo in a cavern? Is that what a word is? Is a word anything more than a fleeting shadow of reality, something like a nothing? For many of us, I think words would be the very picture of impermanence, something that lasts only as long as we hear it and then it's gone. But Jesus here said his words will last forever. But that Heaven and Earth won't. He makes an assertion here, “Heaven and Earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Now, the context of that statement, I think couldn't be more powerful, remember that Jesus has predicted the destruction of the temple and of Jerusalem. As they're coming out of the city, the disciples are in awe of the temple building and all of its massive stones, and by extension, Jerusalem. What massive stones, they're so impressed. And Jesus says in Matthew 24:2, “Do you see all these things? I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another, every one will be thrown down.” Do you realize that in verse 35 of this chapter, Jesus is saying the same thing about these stones too, they're all gonna get thrown down, all of them, not just in Jerusalem, but all over the world. Everything that man has erected will be, as it says in Daniel 2, blown away like chaff on a threshing floor in the summer and not a trace will be left. It's all gonna be gone. Well, the disciples obviously are fascinated by this statement that Jesus makes, and they come to him privately on the Mount of Olives and they say, “Tell us, when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” And for this whole chapter, Jesus has been answering that three-part question, in verses 4-14, I think as I've described before, Jesus describes in very general terms, what life will be like on this Earth, this sin-cursed world, from the first to the second comings of Christ. There'll be wars and rumors of wars, there'll be famines and earthquakes in various places. He describes the special and vicious persecution of the church and the apostasy in the church, many will betray the faith and will turn against each other. He talks about the need to stand firm to the end, those that stand firm to the end will be saved. Very difficult time to come, and He gives us this beautiful prediction or predictive indicator of the progress of the kingdom. “This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” So as the gospel makes its progress throughout the world, then we're getting closer to the end of the world, verses 4-14. Then verses 15-25, he describes the special circumstances surrounding first, I believe the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, under the Romans. And then as I preached in great detail, a re-establishment of the temple, an establishment of the abomination of desolation spoken of the prophet Daniel, I believe the coming of the antichrist and some special and vicious and terrible tribulations and persecutions that will come connected with that as well. We see the re-enactment as it was, so it will be. It's going to happen again, and the fleeing those in Judea up to the mountains no one having time to go down in the house to get anything out of their house, no one having time to go back to get anything out of that, even the cloak, they've got to just run for their lives because of the terrors of that time. As it was in the days of the Romans, and so it will be at the end of the world, I believe. And then in verses 26-31, the description of the actual events right toward the end, the second coming of Christ described. It will be no secret coming, it will be visible from one end of the sky to the other, like lightning that flashes from the east visible even in the west. You don't have to go out in the desert to see it, nobody's gonna need special training, you don't need any faith. You don't need anything, you just need to look up and you will. If you're alive at that time, look up and so will everyone. And every eye will see him, even those who pierced him. and all the peoples of the Earth will mourn because of him. “And immediately after the distress of those days,” says Jesus, “The sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken. ... And they will see the sign of the Son of Man appearing in the clouds of the sky with power and great glory.” Jesus will return. And all the nations of the Earth will mourn. And he will send out his angels. Last week, we talked about this, and they will gather the elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. So we come to this section of scripture that we're looking at today and what a shock it must have been to these Jewish disciples of Jesus. They thought that the temple city of Jerusalem would last forever. Jesus revealed that they're actually going to be destroyed, and so this question of then, what's permanent, must be in their minds. When will this happen? They still wanna know, and if this is impermanent than what is permanent? What can I build my life on? What is going to last here? Now, concerning the first of those two questions: When will this happen? The answer he gives for the rest of the chapter is really two-fold. First of all, he's going to say, look for the signs, add up the signs. I've been telling you some specific details. When you see these things happening, look for these signs, you'll see a progress toward the end of the world. We'll be able to lay it out. We'll be able to connect the dots. Look at those signs, add up the signs. And secondly, he says that he's coming like a thief in the night, and no one's gonna know exactly when. So we have to be ready at any time. Concerning what is permanent, what can I build my life upon? As I look at these four verses that we're studying today, I think the unifying theme of today's sermon is not so much the timing of Christ coming, but rather the trustworthiness of Christ's words. We're going to look at the words of Christ today. The word of Christ in its power, the word of Christ, in its clarity, in its immediacy, in its difficulty, and in its eternity, its permanence. And in the end, all we have as we look ahead to the second coming of Christ are the words of Christ, Amen, that's what we have. Spoken, either by him or by his apostles. We know nothing about the second coming of Christ apart from the words, and so we've got to cling to these words so we can know how to be ready and be filled with joy at his coming and not be ashamed. And so we must cling to the words of Christ. Clarity: The Parable of the Fig Tree The “Parable” of the Fig Tree So let's look first at this issue of the clarity of Christ's words, and we have immediately this parable of the fig tree. Look at verse 32 and 33, it says, “Now, learn this lesson from the fig tree, as soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door.” So we have this parable, he doesn't call it that, but this parable of the fig tree. Jesus frequently used just homely, everyday physical things in life to teach spiritual principles, parables. Parables are really fascinating teaching tools. They're really kind of amazing, actually. Some people think parables were given to make things clear. Well, that's not entirely true, they're given to make things clear for the church to the insiders, to the believers, they actually make things more difficult for the outsiders. They led people in Jesus' day to think he was nuts. He would say these things and it would be like, these are the sayings of a demon-possessed man, he's crazy. And if you think that's a strange reaction, then just try it sometimes I've told you this before, just take one of the parables of Jesus and go to an average person in the street, talk to somebody until you find somebody who never goes to church, just an unbeliever, never went to church, whatever, just an average American pagan. You just go up to them and just tell them the words of a parable. The kingdom of heaven is like a seed that a man sowed in his garden, and it grew up and it got bigger and bigger like this tree until the birds came and nested in its branches. “You are nuts. Is that all you wanted to say to me?” “No, that's it. Well, he who has ears to hear, let him hear. Does that help you?” “I guess I don't have ears.” “Oh, may God give you ears to hear.” Because what happens is the disciples didn't get it either, what did they do? Like humble spiritual beggars, they went back to Jesus and said, “What does this mean? I don't get it.” And then he explained everything in detail, he said, “The outsiders get it in parables, the insiders have the good sense to come and ask me, and I just open up my hand and I satisfy the desire of every living thing. You ask, and I'll tell. If any man lack wisdom, let him come to Jesus and he will make it very clear." And then the parables become the clearest of all Jesus' teaching tools, extremely memorable, very efficient. Kingdom of heaven, like yeast that a woman makes into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough. A very efficient way of talking about how the gospel is gonna spread to the ends of the Earth in a very hidden, and secret way that people will not be able to see. And how it spreads to your own individual life from inside until it conquers everything you are. That's a very efficient teaching tool. That's the way the parables work. Agricultural Parables: Things Take Time to Develop What about this parable of the fig tree? Well, the whole thing about agricultural parables is that there are some things that God has ordained that take time to develop. They don't come overnight. They don't come instantly. God says, “Let there be light,” and there's light. But in Genesis 2, he creates a certain species of herbs and plants that require human cultivation, and so while he creates the genetic pattern for those, they're not all there immediately and they need some time to develop. And so it is with these agricultural parables. The fig tree has to develop, we're in a history here, developing movement. We have to look at the movement, the development. As soon as you see its twigs get tender and its leaves come out you know that summer is near. So when you see some simple things happening in the spring. Here in North Carolina, the leaves come up very quickly, don't they? And when you see just the explosion of green, you basically know that winter's over. Summer is coming very soon. You just know that. You just know these things, and Jesus is saying the same thing. You know this, don't you? And so when you see all these things, you know that the end is imminent, it's near. That's what he's saying very simply. “All These Things”: The Signs Christ Has Already Given And so what does he mean by “all these things”? Well, that's quite a question and we'll get into that, but basically the signs that the Christ has already given: Wars, rumors of wars, famines, earthquakes in various places, apostasy, persecution of the church, standing firm to the end, gospel preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, abomination of desolation, people running for their lives, and then the celestial signs that we talked about. When you see all of that then Jesus is coming back. So when you see all of these things, you know that it is near, it's imminent. All those signs point to the imminent return of Christ and makes it clear. The Fig Tree: Is It Israel? Now, the fig tree, what is the budding of the fig tree? Some would simply say, “Look, you've got it, you don't have to say anything more, Pastor Davis, you've already explained the agricultural thing, just when you see all this.” But now I go a little deeper, I say, “In the Bible, fig tree represents Israel.” And it may actually, there are numbers of indicators that from time to time, God actually does assign that kind of a thing. Sometimes Israel's like a vineyard surrounded by a rocky wall, but a lot of times there's this agricultural idea. They point to Jeremiah 24, in which Jeremiah is shown, two baskets of figs, one of them really, really good, ripe succulent figs and the other one, other basket just wretched so bad they could not be eaten, and the good figs represent the Jews that are gonna be restored to the promised land. And the bad figs are those that are going to be destroyed, and so they say, “Okay, then the figs represent... The budding of the fig tree represents the coming back of the Jews to the Promised Land.” Or they'll say, Jesus' parable of the fig tree in Luke 13, when there's this fig tree as you remember that doesn't bear any fruit and he's about to cut it down, he's had it with this fig tree, and the gardener says, “No, wait a minute, just give me a little more time, let me dig around it, let me put some fertilizer down and give it a year, and if it bears fruit, fine, if not, then cut it down.” So they say that represents Israel and its fruitlessness. Or, even more poignantly, in Matthew's gospel, after the triumphal entry, Jesus goes into the temple and looks around and goes back to, I think, Gethsemane and spends the night and then comes back the next morning and on route sees a fig tree and he's hungry and he goes up and finds nothing but leaves. And he curses the fig tree and he says, “May you never bear fruit again,” and immediately the fig tree withers. And again, the timing, it just seems to be that the tree seems to represent the Jewish nation. And so from this, some Christians conclude that the budding of the fig tree, should be in some way connected to Israel or the re-establishment of the Jewish state in Israel in 1948. On May 14th, 1948, they said, “This is the budding of the fig tree.” And then that set somewhat of a time table for the return of Christ, they link it then with verse 34, when he says, “I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.” And so they say, “Within one generation of 1948, Jesus will return.” So some Dispensational Premillennialists and Christian Zionists and others take this approach and really set the clock at that moment. It may well be. My final word on that is maybe. Maybe. It maybe that there will be some people who will be alive on earth at both of those events, both the re-establishment of Zionist Israel in Palestine, 1948 and a second coming of Christ. That is possible, but if that whole generation should die out, I don't necessarily think that Matthew 24 isn't true. In other words, it's not a sure and certain interpretation of this. Furthermore, it has been 62 years since that and counting, continuing to go on. Some people thought, what is a generation? They give you numbers like 25, they give you numbers like 40. Remember 88 Reasons that the Rapture Would Happen in 1988? I'll talk about that a little bit next week, but date setters love this budding of the fig tree thing, and they say, within that 40 years, Israel wandered for 40 years in the desert, said that pamphlet. And it's 40 years from the crucifixion of Christ to the destruction of Jerusalem, said the pamphlet. So one more 40-year period, it's 1948 to 1988. Well, friends, we're still here. Alright, the Lord is definitely gonna come back at some point, but I know one thing for certain. He's not coming back in 1988. Alright, I definitely can make that - Is that a prediction? I don't think that's even a prediction at this point, a post-diction. Okay? He didn't return. Does that mean the budding of fig tree is not Israel? I'm not saying that. Does that mean that the re-establishment of the Jews and the promised land is not significant? I am definitely not saying that friends, everything's significant, especially when it comes to the Jews. But I cannot go any further. Shall we move on? Okay, let's move on. The clarity then is, look at the whole chapter. Look at what Jesus has said. Especially friends, look at verse 14, “This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations.” Measure it that way, by the spread of the gospel around the world. Unreached people groups, missions, do it that way. Clarity. Immediacy: Near... Right at the Door “Right at the Door”: A Sense of Immediacy Secondly, immediacy. What does Jesus mean when he says, “When you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door.” I wanna zero in on this phrase, “Right at the door.” The immediacy of the second coming of Christ. There is a sense of immediacy, Jesus' return would be imminent after all these things occurred. But he's also gonna say at the end of this chapter, we should always carry around in our hearts a sense of the imminence of the return of Christ, a sense of the immediacy of it. And don't be disillusioned, then, to study church history and find out that seventh century christians had a sense of the immediacy of the return of Christ and that they were convinced it could be in their lifetime, they should be ready at any moment. Like, “Boy, they were a bunch of fools.” No, they were being obedient. The Lord wanted the seventh century christians to be ready for the imminent return of Christ. How do we do that? How do we put all this together? A sense of the immediacy of Christ. A sense of this phrase, “right at the door” is used in James 5:9, where it says, “Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The judge is standing at the door.” He's right there at the door. He's ready to just open the door and come in. So don't have conflicts with each other, dear friends, because Jesus is right there. In him, we live and move and have our being. We need a sense of the imminence of Christ and of his return. An Immediate Encounter with Christ And so we need, in some sense, every day, an immediate encounter with Jesus Christ. You need a sense that he is right at the door, he's right there, and why? Because you will live differently if you do. How do we get that? Well, I'm telling you, the word of Christ is the only thing that can do that for you. It's only by consistently being in the word, that your faith is strengthened. I love that hymn we sing. “Cause our faith to rise.” Keith Getty and Stewart Townend wrote it, “Cause our faith to rise.” How does that happen? By the word, by the ministry of the word, be in the word and your faith's gonna rise and you'll have a sense Jesus could come back today. He could come back today, I could die today. I could be in the presence of Jesus before the sun goes down tonight. I want that sense of immediacy today. How do I get that? Be in the word, be in the word. Meditate on it, memorize it. Say it to yourself. Say it to each other. Pray it. Come, don't miss church. Don't miss church. I know it's summer, dear friends, but don't miss church. You need the food of the word to keep Jesus imminent in your heart. Balance Between Prophesied Events and Immediacy Now, there's a problem here, okay? How do we add up the signs and still say Jesus could come back tonight? For example, how do I preach on the abomination of desolation and say that I think that the temple is gonna be rebuilt and there'll be an antichrist and all that. And you say, “Well, that hasn't happened yet.” So we know one thing, until they do some incredibly fast building this afternoon. But even that doesn't - It kind of blows the Daniel timetable thing, about three and a half years and all that, so it just doesn't add up. So we can conclude one thing, Jesus is not coming back tonight. Don't do that. At the end of Matthew 24 and into Mathew 25 says specifically, don't do that. William Cowper wrote a hymn, “God Moves in Mysterious Ways” and he says this powerful thing in that hymn. He says, “God is his own interpreter.” The final, sovereign, accurate interpretation of Matthew 24 will be done by Jesus, okay? When he returns, and if you come and say, “Yeah, but my pastor said…” Hey look, dust in the wind, dear friends, bad teaching will go away. False interpretations will disappear, Jesus will come back when he chooses. He defines what an unreached people group is, he defines what's going on with Daniel. He's gonna decide all that, and when he comes like a king, he's coming, and there's nothing we can do to stop it. We need to be ready today, because he told us to be ready today. But still, look at the signs. Hold those two in tension and if you're struggling with that, then struggle away. We'll get to that in a moment. But Paul says In 2 Thessalonians, talking to the Thessalonian Christians there who are expecting, actually, they thought they'd missed the bus. Some false teachers had come and said “The day of the Lord has already come.” And Paul says, “Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the man of lawlessness appears,” and the apostasy and all of these things. And he says the antichrist has to come. So you read 2 Thessalonians 2, and you say, “What am I to do with that? Paul, an apostle of Christ, said that. And so if the apostasy hasn't occurred and the man of lawlessness hasn't set himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God, then Jesus can't return.” So how do we hold these things in tension? I don't know exactly. Let me give you some suggestions. First of all, we are not like the apostles after the ascension of Jesus, to be standing, ready for the second coming of Christ by gawking up at the clouds. The apostles get special things we don't get. They get angels sent saying, “Stop that. Go back and pray and wait for the gift the Father has promised. The Holy Spirit is coming. You have work to do.” And so we are to be kind of looking upward in our hearts, but busy with our hands and with our mouths and our minds, doing our spiritual gift ministries, active building the kingdom until Jesus comes back. Like it says in one translation, “Occupy until I come." Be busy doing stuff, but in your hearts know, he is his own interpreter. He could come tonight. He can come tonight. So we need to be ready, we need to keep watch. I'll get to that at the end of this chapter in Matthew 24. But don't say, “Hey, my master is a long time in coming and I can live however I want.” That's the specific attitude Jesus is driving away at the end of Matthew 24. And verse 13 of chapter 25, “Keep watch because you do not know the day or the hour.” You're told what to do. So there is a mysterious balance here. Add up the signs of the times, the budding of the fig tree and all that. But at the same time, say, “Jesus could come back any time.” I actually think you need to be ready for two mysterious things. You need to be ready at any time for the second coming of Christ, and ready any time for your own death. Because you don't know the day or the hour of either one, and it really amounts to the same thing, you live the same way. You don't do anything you're ashamed of, you're just ready all the time, because the Lord could come back or you could go to the Lord in death, and he's sovereign over both of those things. Difficulty: Who Is “This Generation” that Will Not Pass Away? Many of Christ’s Words Are Also Difficult! So that brings us immediately to the third issue, and that is the difficulty of Christ's words. Christ's words are not easy. They're not easy to understand. It just takes labor. 2 Timothy 2:15, for people like myself, pastors who are called to the ministry of the word, that's a key verse for us. “Study to show yourselves approved unto God, workmen who don't need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Don't be lazy in the word, Oh pastors, dig deep, try to understand, compare one passage to the next, cut it straight. Do a good job. Don't be slap dash in your interpretation. Why? Because the word is difficult, and we have an example of it right here. Look at verse 34, “I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.” Oh boy, what are we gonna do with that statement? Frankly, many of Christ's words are said to be difficult in the gospels. Mark 9:32, it says, “But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.” Don't you love that? “I have no idea what that is, and I don't wanna ask him. Do you?” “No, I don't wanna ask him. Let's just be blissfully ignorant because I have no idea what he's talking about.” Luke 18:34, “The disciples did not understand any of this, it's meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about.” There are many such statements. How about this one? After Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood, you have no life in you.” Jesus loses 90-plus percent of his followers that day. And they all said the same thing. “This is a difficult saying, who can understand it?” Very difficult. One of the Most Debated Sayings of Christ Now, this one in Matthew 24:34 is one of the more debated statements of Christ. What does Jesus mean when he says that “this generation” would not pass away until “all these things” have happened? They work on both of those. What is this generation? And what are all these things that he's talking about? They go back and forth. A “Solemn Declaration” He begins it with a solemn declaration, “I tell you the truth.” Or “Truly I say to you.” Everything Jesus says is true, but when he uses, “Truly, truly, I say to you,” or in this case, “Truly, I say to you,” I don't think he's saying “This is more true than the other things I say.” Everything he says is true. But in a way, he's saying, “Sit up and pay attention. Notice this, I wanna tell you something. This is important.” That's what he's doing. Various Interpretive Options to Reject But, what does he mean? Well, let's reject some interpretations we know it can't mean. “The generation,” I don't think he's referring to the human race as a whole. It could, grammatically, the Greek word, it could mean “the human race,” and in effect then, he would be saying the human race will not be extinct before the end of the world. Well, that's a relief to all those that watch end-of-the-world type movies where you're wondering if we're gonna become extinct, but that's not even what Jesus is talking about here. Neither is he saying, I think that the church will not die out before he returns. That's a relief to everyone, but what would the point be, and he already said that unless those days have been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect, those days will be shortened. There will be some elect when Jesus returns. That’s who the angels are gonna go gather anyway. I think it's impossible for Jesus to mean this. Before every single solitary person that's alive today dies, I will come back in glory to judge the world. How do you know that's not true? Well, it didn't happen, friends. And it's amazing how people play with the idea that Jesus may have been wrong, “I mean, even Jesus made mistakes when it came to the second coming.” Jesus never made a single mistake. Next week, we'll talk about his statement when he says that he didn't know when the exact time would be. But the fact of the matter is it cannot mean that all of these things, including the second coming would happen in the first century AD, because then Jesus would be wrong, and if Jesus is wrong about anything, I don't wanna hear him about anything, he's a false prophet. But he's not a false prophet. Everything he says is true. So we dispense with that. Various Interpretive Options to Consider Well, then, what could it mean? Well, various options that we consider. Could be that he's just talking about the destruction of Jerusalem, saying that that will happen within the lifetime of those standing there, and some, many reputable commentators, take that approach. Some who are alive today will be alive when the temple is destroyed. And that did happen. And so in support of that is just a simple use of the word “this generation.” Within this generation, the temple will be destroyed, and that's literally what did happen. But there are some problems with that approach. Jesus has just gotten done describing the events of the second coming, coming in the clouds and everyone's gonna see him, and the angels sent out and gathering the elect, and then all of these things comes right after that, and all these things this generation won't pass away until all those things have happened. So that's difficult, still some hold to it, say he's going back to talking about the temple at that point. Option number two, I think, is that he's referring - The word “generation” can refer to “race.” And I think here, this is the best of many difficult interpretations, but the best is he is referring to the Jewish race as a whole. The Jewish race will not become extinct, will not be eradicated from the face of the earth, despite all of the assaults there will be on it. Now think about that, “pray that your flight will not take place in the winter on the Sabbath,” it's a specifically Jewish attack when the temple is destroyed and when the Romans come in in 70 AD, they are wanting to kill Jews and not just a few, they're wanting to kill them all, I think. Josephus estimates between one and two million Jews killed by the sword. What a blood bath. The Ramifications of the Jews’ Preservation And we should not think, it's just a no-brainer that the Jews will be around when Jesus returns. They have been attacked and persecuted in just about every generation, they have been a special focus of Satanic attack all along, and I've got historical dates, I don't wanna give it to you, but just - even Christians - so-called Christians and the crusades went after the Jews during the Black Plague. They blamed the Jews and went after them. Muslims in different generations have wiped out whole communities of Jews. Czarist Russia had their pilgrims and their attacks. And of all of them, of course, the worst under the Nazis in Germany, six million of them exterminated in a clear desire on the part of the Germans, the final solution of getting rid of the Jewish race as a whole. Eradicating it completely. So therefore, I think it's no small assertion that Jesus makes, that there will be a recognizable, identifiable Jewish people when he returns. That's actually a miracle, quite frankly, given all the persecution, the attack on them. And why will they be there? Because his sovereign power will guarantee it. And why? Because God's gifts and his calling are irrevocable. He still has purposes for the Jewish nation. And so he's going to uphold them and he's going to take godlessness away from Jacob and they will turn to Christ at the end, that's why. And so he's saying, despite all of the assaults and the attacks, they'll still be a recognizable Jewish nation at the end. The difficulty, however of Christ words you may say, “You know what, pastor, I don't agree with that interpretation.” Fine, I am not as certain about that as I am about this, Jesus is coming back some day, and so there is in my mind a hierarchy of certainty of truth, some things are clearer than others. I'm just telling you the Bible is a hard book to interpret. It's not all easy, friends, there is milk and there is meat, more on that in a moment. But the fact is, difficulty. Eternity: Christ’s Words More Permanent than the Universe This Temporary Universe So we've seen clarity. We've seen immediacy. We've seen difficulty now finally, the eternity of Christ's words. Look at verse 35, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” This temporary universe, friends, this temporary universe, that's our home, for a little while. Heaven and earth will pass away. He's testified to this many times. Look back at verse 29, he says, “Immediately after the distress of those days, the sun will be darkened. Moon will not give its light. The stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.” That's the future, friends, it's all going away. Or this one, Hebrews 1:10-12. “In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the Earth and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment, they will be changed. But you remain the same and your years will never end.” And again, in that same book, Hebrews 12:26-27, looking back to Sinai, when God came down to Sinai and shook the Earth, it says, “At that time his voice shook the Earth, but now he has promised once more I will shake not only the Earth, but also the heavens.” Now, the words once more indicate the removing of what can be shaken. So that those things that cannot be shaken will remain. And what is it that cannot be shaken? The kingdom of Christ cannot be shaken. We're receiving a kingdom that can never be shaken through the word of God. Or this one, 2 Peter 3:10, “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, the heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the Earth and everything in it will be laid bare.” So there is nothing physical, there is nothing that our five senses can take in in the physical world that God created of which is speaking here, that is eternal. And the bent of our hearts is always to make it so, isn't it? “This is really my life, this is what I love, this is what I cling to.” Don't. Let it go, let it go. Because the world and its desires is passing away, but the man who does the will of God stands forever. Astonishing Statement: Christ’s Words More Permanent than the Universe! An amazing statement that Jesus is making here, he's saying, my words that I'm speaking to you are more permanent than the universe. Do you realize only God could make a statement like that? Not even the prophets would talk like that. Prophets don't talk like that. They say, “Thus says the Lord,” and then they go. Jesus doesn't say, “Thus says the Lord.” He says, “My words, my words are more permanent than the universe.” Christ’s Assertion: Yet Another Claim to Deity!! He is God in the flesh, dear friends, he was God in a body, and he was standing there talking and he said, “My words will still be around.” Similar to the assertion he made earlier in the Sermon on the Mount, in Matthew 5, he said, “Do not think that I came to abolish the law or the prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth pass away,” or disappear, “not the smallest letter or the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the law until everything is accomplished.” He's equating his own words to the law, the psalms and prophets. He says, “My words are scripture.” God’s Esteem for His Own Word Now, God has the highest esteem for his own word. Genesis 1:3, “God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.” Psalm 33:6, “By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.” It says in Psalm 138 that God has exalted above all things his name and his word. And so “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” What Scripture Says About the Permanence of God’s Word Dear friends, Isaiah 40:8, “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever. All men are like grass.” Friends, we are temporary. We are impermanent. We're not gonna be here much longer. God's word's gonna still be here. And notice he says, “My words,” I find that fascinating. Not just kind of “my word,” like a theological principle, but my words, my nouns, my adjectives, my connectors, my sentences, my paragraphs will still be around. People will still be reading them. A movie recently, I read about it in World Magazine, called Book of Eli, where they were down to one Bible. Friends, there are billions of Bibles in the world. Billions of them. Satan has tried to attack this book, it's still here, friends. It's still here. Voltaire said within 100 years, no one in France would be a Christian. Christianity would be gone. Nobody would be reading the Bible. Friends we're still here, the Bible is still here. Voltaire is gone. But the scripture is still here. And it will be forever. Applications The Purpose of this Assertion: Our Faith and Confidence Now, what application can we take from this? Well, why does he just make this assertion? He wants us to put our faith and our confidence in his word. Trust in that. He wants churches based on the word, not based on glitzy showmanship and entertainment and titillating people's senses so that they can feel good for just a little short time like eating a candy bar, and then you return to the warfare and the trenches, he wants you to base your life on the word. Base your churches on the word and base your churchgoing on feeding on the word. That's what he's saying here. Marvel at the Living Word of God So I want you to begin by just marveling at the living word of God, marvel at it, marvel at its clarity, marvel at its immediacy, marvel at its difficulty and its eternity. Clarity: Come to Christ to Make the Word Clear And when it comes to the clarity, if I can just urge you, come to Christ for him to make everything clear. The clearest thing in the Bible is how sinners are made right with God, it's the clearest thing is that there is a God, he is holy, he has laid down laws, they are to be fully obeyed. We have sinned, all of us have broken the laws of God, we are going to die and stand before this mighty God and give an account for every careless word we have spoken. We, apart from Christ, are lost. We are damned. We are going to spend eternity in hell. But God sent his son who shed his blood on the cross, he died in our place that we might have eternal life. If you repent and trust in him, all your sins will be forgiven. And then Jesus will speak those beautiful words over, you “Take heart, son, take heart, daughter. Your sins are forgiven you, and you're righteous in my sight.” If you hear nothing else about this sermon, hear this. If you're lost, don't be lost anymore, come to Christ and let him make everything clear. And if you're a Christian and have been a Christian for years, then come to Christ every day over the scripture, just say, “Jesus, make this clear to me. Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. Teach me your word.” And bring him some difficult things, say, “I don't know what I think about Matthew 24 and all this stuff, pastor has his opinion, he's a very opinionated guy, it's alright, I guess it's his job to be opinionated. But I wanna know the truth, Jesus.” Like the Bereans, “Jesus. Teach me Matthew 24.” Search the scriptures. Immediacy: Read the Word of God for an Immediate Encounter with God through Christ Clarity, immediacy. God wants you to live moment by moment with a sense of the immediate presence of God in your life. So that whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, you're doing it to the glory of God. You can only have that immediacy through the word, God is mediating it to you through the word. Look, Hindus have spiritual experiences, even astral projection, out-of-body experiences, Muslim Sufis have those kinds of things. There are even some that call themselves Christians don't read the word much, but they're looking for an experience of the spirit. That's dangerous, dear friends, get your experience through the word, but let it be a rich, full experience with Christ. Don't be distant from him, let him mediate his love to you in a sense of presence, and you will live a more holy life, and you will live a more fruitful life, immediacy. Immediacy: Be Ready Constantly for the Second Coming of Christ...and for your own Death And be ready constantly for the second coming of Christ, be ready at any hour. Jonathan Edwards, when he was 19 years old, made some resolutions. Resolution 19, “Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be ashamed to do if I expected it would not be above an hour before I should hear the last trumpet.” That was in the early 18th centuries. He never heard the last trumpet, but he was ready at any moment to not do anything he'd be ashamed for Christ to find him doing that when he returned. So also we have to be ready at any time for our own death, as I've said. Resolution number seven, “Resolved, never to do anything which I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life.” It's really in the end, the same thing. Difficulty And what about the difficulty of the word? There is milk in the word, drink it, it's sweet, but there's meat too. Don't despise the process it takes for a pastor when preaching or for you when studying to find out difficult things in the word. As John Piper said, “If you use a rake, all you get is leaves, but if you use the shovel, you might get gold.” So dig down, or as one of my Bible professors said, “The best cookies are in the highest shelf,” so work for it, go after it, because there's some difficult passages. Eternity And finally, eternity. Meditate much on this statement, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” Jesus finished the Sermon on the Mount saying, “Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rains came down, and streams rose and the winds blew and beat against that house, but it did not fall because it had its foundation on the rock.” And so it is, if you're having financial troubles, maybe out of a job or struggling financially, build your life on the word of God. Go to Hebrews 13, it says, “Keep your lives free from the love of money, be content with what you have because God has told you, ‘I will never leave you, I will never forsake you.’” Go to that, feed on that. In your marriage, learn again, what marriage is about. Matthew 19, “Haven't you read that at the beginning, the Creator made them male and female and said ‘For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh, so they're no longer two but one’? What God has joined together, let man not separate.” Come to the word for your marriage. Same thing with parents, and I could go topic by topic. Base your whole life on the word of God. Heaven and earth will pass away, but Jesus' words are still gonna be here when we see him face-to-face. Close with me in prayer.

Paul's Passionate Focus and Ours (Romans Sermon 113 of 120) (Audio)

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Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2006

Introduction: Why Do You Do What You Do? I want to begin this morning by asking a searching question. Why do you do what you do? Why do you do everything that you do? Do you know why you do what you do? The story is told in the days after the October Revolution, that brought communism to Russia, that the leaders of the communist movement were looking for future leaders of the nation, and so they set people to different tasks, to different jobs, and there were three men that were assigned to build a brick wall. And after they'd been working a while, the leaders went to the first man and asked him, "What are you doing?" He said, "I'm putting this brick up on that wall." They went to the second man and said, "Comrade, what are you doing?" He said, "I'm building a brick wall." They went to the third man and said, "Comrade, what are you doing?" He said, "I'm building a new world." They chose the third man to be the leader out of those three, because he had a vision for what the communists were trying to do. Now, history has proven, the 20th century has proven that vision was empty, it was really a satanic lie. Wasn't a new world they were building, but that's what that man thought they were doing. And so, I put to you today, what is your vision for what you're doing? Let's take a test case of why you came to church this morning. Why did you come to church this morning? Well, it's what you do on Sunday, I'm putting this brick up on that wall, you see. Well, because I want to be a good leader to my family, and my dad, he took me to church, and I want my family to be raised right, I want them to learn the right way to live, and I think you can't do that without church. I'm building a brick wall. I come to church because the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, has saved me, and he's building a kingdom that will never end, and to the praise of his glory, I want to live for him. And I want to be sharpened in my own gifts, and I want to be prepared to advance the Gospel, and I can't do that unless I go to church. And furthermore, he, being the Lord and master of my life, has commanded me to do this. I'm building a new world. What's your view of why you do everything you do? I think we're going to get a glimpse this morning into why Paul did what he did. And I want to begin by asking a simple question about the Apostle Paul that comes right up out of the text. And the question is, why hadn't Paul visited Rome yet? That's the question I want to put before you. Comes right out of the text. Why hadn't he come yet? Paul is seeking to answer that question. Now, last week, we had, somewhat unusually, a whole sermon, essentially, about one verse. I don't do that often, and thank God for it. Alright. We'd still be back in Romans Chapter 6 with no end in sight. Alright. So as one sermon... And I think it was useful and beneficial to focus in on one verse, and to try to understand Biblical counseling. And that's fine, and good, but now I want to take a step back from the careful consideration we gave to that one verse. And, by the way, every verse of scripture bears that kind of careful scrutiny, and more. We're not saying that. But I want to just take a step back, and look at the whole context of why Paul talked about competent to counsel. What was he getting at there? And I think, in this section of Romans 15, he's seeking to do three things. First, he's explaining to them why he hadn't visited Rome yet, why he hadn't been there yet. Secondly, he's asking them for help on his way to Spain. And thirdly, he's preparing them for a very short stay in Rome when he's on his way to Spain. I think those three things he's doing, among some other things, such as explaining his whole strategy for missions, which we'll get to, God willing, next time. I. Why Paul Hadn’t Visited Rome But I want to say to you that Paul deeply wanted to visit Rome. The Roman Christian should not, in any way, feel slighted by the fact that Paul hadn't been there yet. It wasn't as though he didn't want to come. It wasn't as though he felt... He thought very little of their progress in the Gospel, or felt that they weren't a strategic church. No, no, no, far from it, Paul affirms several times in this letter how many times he wanted to come to them, and how deeply he yearned to have fellowship with them. Right in chapter one, verse 8 and following, he says this, "First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world." So, no, you're not an insignificant congregation, you're right there in the heart of the Roman Empire. And then he said, "God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the Gospel of his son, is my witness, how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times." So, no, I don't fail to care for you, I care deeply for you. And I pray that now, at last, by God's will, the way may be open for me to come to you. "I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong, that is that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith. I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I planned many times to come to see, but have been prevented from doing so until now, in order that I might have a harvest among you, as I've had among the other Gentiles." So, no, Paul didn't fail to desire to come, he wanted to go to Rome. So, if Paul deeply wanted to share Christian fellowship with them, and if it would have been a richly blessed time if he had come, then why hadn't Paul been there yet? Well, that's what he's seeking to answer here. And why would he only be passing through quickly on his way to Spain? Again, that's what he's seeking to answer here. And I think, in answering these questions, we're going to get an insight not only into the intense, passionate, focus of the Apostle Paul, but also to answer question, what kind of intense passionate focus should we have to our lives? And what role, what priority should frontier missions have for us, individually, and for this local church? That's what I'm about this morning. Basically... Let me say, quite directly, when I get done, I would like you to feel a sense of a passionate focus to your own life that's, to some degree, tailor-made for you. And if you don't have it, to go seek it this afternoon until you get it. And secondly, I would like us to be about, in a very intelligent, clear way, a strategy for advancing the Gospel to those who have never heard of Jesus before. That's what I'm about. So, individually, I'd like each of you to have a passionate focus that's connected to the Great Commission and tailor-made to you and your spiritual gifts. And secondly, I want this church to take its rightful place along with the other churches around the world in advancing the Gospel to the frontiers. I guess I'm done, aren't I? I don't need to do anything more. Well, I'd like to do a little explaining, with your permission, and I like to ground it in text, because it's there. Paul’s Calling Had Prevented Him From Visiting Rome Why Paul hadn't visited Rome yet. Well, let's go to the end of our section, and work a little bit backwards. Verses 20-22 are the key to answering the question of why he hadn't been to Rome yet. Paul there says, in verse 20, "It has always been my ambition to preach the Gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else's foundation. Rather, as it is written, 'those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.' This is why I have often been hindered from coming to you." Do you see the answer to the question? What is the answer to the question? I hadn't been there yet because my calling prevented me from it. And what was Paul's calling? Well, he was called to be a frontier, pioneering, trailblazing, church-planting, evangelizing apostle to the Gentiles, that's what he was called to do, and he knew it. He was called by God to be the apostle to the Gentiles, with the priestly duty of proclaiming the Gospel of Christ to them. And his understanding of that call was that he was to give priority in his life to the regions of the world that had never heard of Jesus before. And, as we learned last week in verse 14, now you see it in context, the Roman Church was a mature church, with good leadership, with brothers and sisters that were full of goodness, complete in knowledge, and competent to counsel one another. And therefore, they didn't need him to come, you see. Now, it doesn't mean that everyone in the city of Rome, had heard of Jesus, that wasn't it. But it wasn't a frontier, not by his definition, it had a good solid church, and they were able to have a harvest among the Romans there, and that's why he wasn't going to go. Although, he says in verse 15, he had taken the time to write them boldly, to remind them about a few points, yet, they were a fully mature church. II. Paul’s Passionate Focus And so, here, we get a glimpse into the central calling of Paul's apostolic life, and here we get a glimpse also into Paul's passionate, concentrated, white-hot focus. In 1987, I went on a mission trip to minister to Afghan refugees, and these refugees had been chased out of their country by the communist Russians who were carrying on that satanic worldview that we talked about back in 1917. And the Muslims had toppled the communist government in Kabul, and so the Russians came in to restore order. And in so doing, they made lives a living hell for thousands and thousands of refugees who fled to Pakistan. And I think there can be few earthly circumstances more miserable than fleeing from your country because of helicopter gunships, running to a country that only partly is willing to tolerate you there, but has no plans to take care of your needs, knowing that every relative that you've been separated from, there's a likelihood that at least some of them are dead, those could even be your parents, your siblings, your children, your spouse, you may never see them again. And you've been stripped by the experience of every single worldly possession you have, and the future is looking very dim indeed, and worst of all, from my perspective, you don't know God. Without hope and without God in the world, that's what they were. What a dreadful, dreadful situation. And so, we start to minister to them, and one of the things we wanted to do... The problem there is that there weren't a lot of trees, and so therefore, they couldn't make fires to cook their food. And so, we brought them solar ovens to cook their food and boil the water, which is very important to purify the water, and all that. These things were designed to concentrate the sun's rays, to catch them and focus on a certain place, where if you put a pot of water or some meat, it could boil water as fast as your stove, almost as fast. Or it could cook meat as quickly as an average oven. It was really amazingly designed. The concentration of the sun's rays on the central point, it was hot enough to boil water. And I think I see that in Paul's life. I see it in the internal journey in Philippians 3, when he says, "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, one thing I do, I press on toward the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." There's a concentrated focus on the internal journey. But when it comes the external journey also, he has an ambition, he has an ambition. Now, let's look at that word ambition. He says in verse 20, "it has always been my ambition to preach the Gospel where Christ was not known, so I wouldn't be building on someone else's foundation." A World Full of Ambitious People You know, the world is filled with ambitious people. You look at Napoleon, for example, an empire-builder, you know what he said about ambition? He said ambition is never content, even on the summit of greatness. Oh, he had a vision for the world too, didn't he? And he was willing to pay in blood, not his own blood, but he was willing to pay in blood to see his vision, his ambition realized. And the measure of his commitment to his ambition you could see in the blood tracks of the French army coming out of the snows of Russia. He was an ambitious man. There's all kinds of ambitions, great and small. Athletes have ambitions too. I was reading about Ted Williams, who, early in his career, said, "It's been my ambition since I was a boy that when people saw me walking down the street, they'd point to me, and say, 'There goes Ted Williams, the greatest hitter that ever lived.'" Now, I'm hoping along the way that he found our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, because that's not going to do very well for you on Judgment Day. But that was his ambition, to be the greatest baseball hitter that ever lived. Businessmen, look at Bill Gates, he's a man of soaring intellect, amazing comprehension of the software industry, and of, almost, I would think, a ruthless ambition to make Microsoft, in its industry, what the oil, Standard Oil was in the 19th century. Or some of these railroad magnates who were called, by some, the robber barons, they were ambitious men and they were willing to build an empire of business. Ambition is somewhat of a neutral thing. It totally depends on what it's connected to. If it's a good thing in the eyes of God, then ambition for that good thing is itself a good thing, but if it's plugged into something evil, it's a wicked thing. Ambition drives a lot of achievement in this world, for good or evil. Ambition overcomes every obstacle. It organizes life and power and concentrates it, like that solar oven, in a single direction, so that things get accomplished. It drives a person to make great sacrifices to achieve that goal. That's what ambition does. But ambition can also drive an individual to self-worship, to ego gratification. A Holy Ambition Now, Paul had a godly ambition. Look again at verse 20, "It's always been my ambition," he says, "To preach the Gospel where Christ was not known." Here, he identifies the grand and glorious ambition of his life of ministry. He's called to be a trailblazer, to go where no man had gone before, he's called to survey the terrain, to level the ground and lay the foundation of a new work for the glory of Christ, in location after location. He was called to be a pioneer and to open up new works for others to follow. Now, the word, the Greek word for ambition here is made up of two smaller Greek words, which means love and honor. For the love of the honor of doing it, that's what it is. And he yearned for the honor of being able to go into some pioneer trailblazing place, and advance the Gospel of Christ. Now, Paul's whole life, I think, as we know it in the scripture, was characterized by drive, wasn't it? He was an ambitious man before he met Christ. He was a ladder-climbing Jew, a Pharisee who wanted to become the greatest Jewish man that ever lived, I think. And so, in Galatians 1:14, he describes himself, "I was advancing in Judaism beyond many Jews of my own age, and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers." So he was ambitious. And in that zeal and ambition, he went on the road to Damascus, with letters in his hand from the high priest, to arrest any in Damascus who were Christians, and bring them back to Jerusalem for judgment, breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. That ambitious drive wasn't crushed on the road to Damascus, it was just redirected, is that how we should put it? How about 180 degrees, the opposite direction? Turned around, entirely, a different way. And why? Because he saw the glory of the risen Christ. He saw the glory of God and realized his ambitions were small and petty, they became, Philippians 3, like rubbish to him, nothing to him. From that point on, Paul knew why God had left him alive, he left him alive to accomplish a mission. Now, so many of us lack a single focus to our lives, a drive, a reason for getting up and doing what we do, an overriding vision of life that characterizes and describes everything that we do, and helps us make decisions on whether we should go to Rome or not. Doesn't seem to be a theme that holds it all together, helps us decide what to do, where to live, how to spend our money, how to spend our time, what our job should be, what our career should be. To change the analogy a bit, it's like going through life like a sailing vessel, but there's no rudder, and the captain of the ship has no idea where he's going, he's got no charts, no compass, no sexton, it's in the fog, just drifting wherever the wind blows it. Let me tell you something, Paul was not like that. He knew exactly why he was alive, and what work Christ had left him to do. For Christ had met him, with killing power, if he had wanted to, on the road to Damascus, and decided to let him live. He deserved to die, and he knew it, but he decided to let him live. "As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly, a light from heaven flashed around him… and he heard a voice say to him, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?' 'Who are you, Lord?' Saul asked. 'I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.'" Now, the words, "I am Jesus" changed his life. For the rest of his life, he knew that Christ had risen from the dead. "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. Now, get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." That is the Lord speaking. He is giving direction to Paul's life. Paul would bend the knee to Christ the king, the Lord, and he'd say, "What do you want me to do, Lord?" And he said, "I'll tell you what to do, you'll be told what you must do." So, from the start, there was a sense that Paul's life was forfeited. He deserved to die, and anything, from that point forward, was Christ's to do with, as he saw fit. Have you come to that place in your life? Have you come to realize that you don't and you didn't, apart from Christ, deserve to live? And anything you live from this point forward should be for his purpose, and his glory alone? Paul came to that point, and he expresses it clearly in this moving farewell address to the Ephesian elders. He said, "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me, the task of testifying to the Gospel of God's grace." Complete the task. Finish the race. Do you have a task? Do you have a race that you're running, or are you just living from day to day? Paul knew what his task was, the task the Lord Jesus had given him. And even names of the task, of testifying to the Gospel of God's grace. The Application of Paul’s Godly Ambition Well, okay, that's his worldview, now he's going to apply it to a specific question. Should I go to Rome or not? Should I go to visit the people in Rome? He applied it first to his life of preaching, and he said, from... His whole focus was he was going to preach where those who had never heard of him, heard of Christ, would hear of him. Look at verse 21, he was going to occupy his time fulfilling an ancient prophecy. "Rather, as it is written, those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand." This is a direct quote of scripture, Isaiah 52:15, which is the introduction to perhaps the greatest prophecy of Christ in his atoning sacrifice, in the Old Testament, it's an introduction to it. The glorious suffering servant of Isaiah 53. Well, this is the introduction to it. Isaiah 52:13-15, this is what the prophet said six centuries before Jesus was born, "Behold, my servant will act wisely, he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted. Just as there were many who were appalled at him, his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness.So will he sprinkle many nations, and kings will shut their mouths because of him. For what they were not told, they will see, and what they have not heard, they will understand." The suffering servant, the one whose appearance is disfigured beyond human recognition, he's going to sprinkle many nations, and kings will hear about them, but they haven't heard yet. Paul read that, and said, "That's my life calling. That's what I am called to do, so that those who have not heard will hear, those who have not seen, they will understand." Bringing the Light to the Gentiles That was his life calling. He made this intensely personal, these ancient prophecies about Christ, they became the marching orders of his private life. Speaking to the hostile Jews in Pisidian Antioch, they were rejecting the Gospel, and getting angry and hostile, and opposing him. So he said, "Look, we had to speak the word of God to you first. That's what we're called to do, to the Jew first. But since you rejected, and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles, for this is what the Lord has commanded us." Oh, you could circle that word "us" in Acts 13:47, this is what the Lord has commanded us, "I have made you a light to the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth." Now, that is fascinating. It's a quote from Isaiah 49:6. One of the greatest prophesies of Christ ministry to the Gentiles is in Isaiah 49:6. He says, that's God says, "It is too small a thing for you to be my servant, to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light to the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth." That, my friends, is a conversation between the father and the son, what theologians could call an inter-trinitarian conversation. The father says to the son, it's too small a thing for you just to save the Jews. I'm not sending you into the world for that. That's too small. I'll do that, but I'm going to do more than that. I'm going to send you into the world to be the light of the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation, my name, to the ends of the earth. That's why he sent Jesus as the apostle of our faith, he sent him into the world for that. It's too small a thing for you just to save the Jews. Paul read that statement and he applied it to himself. This is what the Lord has commanded us. It's too small a thing. He's commanded us, concerning Jesus, that you may take my salvation to the ends of the earth. He's commanded me, he's commanded you, he commanded Paul and Barnabas, he's commanded us to take his name to the ends of the earth. This is what the Lord has commanded us. And so, I've been busy doing it, from Jerusalem all the way around to Yugoslavia, that's Illyricum, very hard word to pronounce, and to understand. But it's Yugoslavia, right across from Rome. I was close, I could have jumped on a ship and come right across, but I didn't have time, I was doing frontier evangelism so that the ends of the earth would hear about Christ. That's why. Verse 22, "I have often been hindered from coming to you." "I have been busy preaching the Gospel." Basically he is saying, "You brothers and sisters at Rome, you're mature, you're well-lead, you're competent to counsel, you're all of these wonderful things. You don't need what I have come to bring. I could help you. We would share each other's fellowship, and some mutual encouragement, and some spiritual gifts, but I am not staying long. I am going through to Spain and I need you to help me on my way." We'll get to that next week, God willing, and the following week. "I'll have you help me on my way to Spain, but I'm not setting up shop in Rome, I'm not buying a house, okay? I'm just moving on through." Do you have a focus like that? Do you have a compelling reason to live everyday? Do you know what God is calling you to do with your life? Is your ambition holy or is it self-gratifying, ego-gratifying? Does your passion get applied ruthlessly to rule out lesser things that are not connected with your calling, like for Paul going to the church at Rome? Now, when we were doing the baptism, I said, "You know, the greatest thing that could ever happen to you is to have your soul saved by faith in Christ," just as Jimmy did. Praise God for you, brother, and praise God for what God's done in your life. But there may be some in a congregation this size that have not been saved, you've not been justified by faith in Christ, that is your task, that's the race in front of you. Don't leave this place today without trusting in the Messiah. Don't leave this place today without looking to Christ for salvation. Trusting in his blood and his righteousness alone. You're not ready for judgment day yet, if you haven't. And then, God will give you a race to run, he'll give you a work to do. III. The Variety of Roles in Completing the Great Commission Now, not everybody's going to get the same race. I want to say that very directly. There are variety of roles in fulfilling the Great Commission, a variety of them. Not everybody is called to the same ambition. We already covered this in Romans 12, as you remember when I preached on Romans 12. Romans 12:4-6 is the teaching of the body of Christ and "just as each of us have one body with many members, and the members don't all have the same function, so, in Christ, we, who are many, form one body, and each belongs to the other, and we have different gifts according to the measure of grace given us." We have different callings. Now, I want to make this plain and clear by looking at two words in the text today. One is the word foundation, and the other ambition. Let's look first at this word ambition. It's used only three times in the New Testament. I want to take what I consider to be the foremost one, and that's from 2 Corinthians 5:9. There, Paul is explaining how to live in light of Judgment Day. Judgment Day is coming, and according to 2 Corinthians 5, all of us must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one of us may render to him an account for the things done in the body, whether good or bad. So, in light of that, how should you live your life? Paul said, "I'll tell you what your ambition should be, and mine is too." "So whether we are at home or away we make it our ambition to please him [Christ]. That is a soaring ambition over every single Christian life. And that goes down to the details of your life, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God. You can, as I said earlier, eat a ham sandwich to the glory of God. You can wash dishes to the glory of God. But let me tell you something, on the final day, when you stand before God, and all you did was eat all your ham sandwiches to the glory of God, you will have wasted your life. Be strategic. So that's one use of the word ambition. That's for everybody, make it now your ambition to please Christ, 2 Corinthians 5:9. The second use we've looked at here in our text. Paul's ambition was to be a frontier trailblazing missionary, to tell people who have never heard of Jesus who Jesus was. That's his ambition. There's a third very interesting use of the word in 1 Thessalonians 4:11 and 12. Listen on this one. There, Paul tells the Thessalonian Christians, "Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody." That wasn't Paul's ambition. Lead a quiet life, Paul did not need a quiet life. So if he intended to lead a quiet life, he was bored of his ambition, but that wasn't his ambition. This is speaking, perhaps, to heads of families, to homeowners, to people who have families, and they're in a community, in a culture, and they're not called to be frontier trailblazing missionaries, they should settle in and make their life a light to the Gentiles around them, to live for the glory of God in that way. So we have three uses of the word ambition, and they show that we don't all have the same calling in life. Let's look at this word foundation. He said, "It's been my ambition to preach the Gospel where Christ was not named so that I would not be building on someone else's foundation." Well, Paul, what's wrong with that? Is that a sinful thing, a bad thing to build on someone else's foundation? Not at all. As a matter of fact, Paul was counting on faithful people to follow him up and build on his foundation. He just wanted them to be sure they did it right. So in 1 Corinthians 3, just a few pages later, in Romans, but in 1 Corinthians 3, go ahead and look there, 1 Corinthians 3: 10-13, just about four or five pages over. In 1 Corinthians 3, Paul is talking about his ministry, and Apollos's ministry. Paul went first to Corinth and preached, then Apollos came after him and followed it up. And in 1 Corinthians 3:10 and following, Paul says this, "By the grace of God, I laid a foundation as an expert builder. And now someone else is building on it." Do you see that? It's not a bad thing to build on someone else's foundation. There's nothing wrong with it. "Each one should be careful how he builds, for no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ, if any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the day will bring it to light, it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work." So Paul said, "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who makes things grow." We Must All Help Advance the Great Commission We have different tasks according to the assignment of the Lord. There it is. We are called to different things. Now, what's my point? I think that each of us must have a passion, a drive, a desire in our lives, but they're going to be different, but we must all help to advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Those are Jesus' final words to us, "All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me, therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I will be with you always to the very end of the age." Just as he said in Luke 19:10, "The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." Is that the center of your life and ministry, or is it just to eat ham sandwiches to the glory of God, to be sure you thank God for all of the blessings he gives you? Will that be enough for you on Judgment Day, to stand in front of him, and say, "That's what I did. I always sought to eat my ham sandwiches to the glory of God, and give you full thanks for the blessings you gave me in my life." In 1906, James Fraser was studying engineering at Imperial College in London. Later, he became a legend, as Fraser of Lisuland because of his frontier evangelism and church-planting in the Yunnan province of China. The turning point of his life was in college, when he read a two-penny pamphlet about the needs of the Chinese. And it began with these two sentences, changed his life. James Fraser read this, "If our master returned today to find millions of people un-evangelized, and looked as, of course, he would look to us for an explanation, I cannot imagine what explanation we should have to give. Of one thing I am certain, that most of the excuses we're accustomed to make with such good conscience now, we shall be wholly ashamed of then," end quote. That's what he read in the pamphlet. He said, "Oh, I'm not living right." He may be eating his ham sandwiches to the glory of God, but he wasn't living right, he wasn't living for the glory of God, for an overriding passion for the unreached people groups. He was never able to escape the power of those sentences. Many years later, John Piper, who's a pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, was preaching at Bethel College, and he talked about James Fraser of Lisuland. And this is what he had to say, "A few years ago, when I had to preach my first mission sermon at Bethlehem, I took the Yellow Pages of the Minneapolis and Saint Paul phonebooks and counted the number of churches in the Twin Cities. There are more churches in the Twin Cities than there are North American Protestant missionaries to the 1.9 billion people that make up the 10,000 unreached people groups, the Muslims, Hindus, Chinese, and Buddhist unreached people groups. Let me say that again. There are 1.9 billion people in 10,000 unreached people groups, served by about 700 North American missionaries, but there are more churches in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul than that." John Piper continued, "I can only think of one explanation for the state of affairs, disobedience. What will we say to the master who commanded us 2000 years ago to make disciples of those 10,000 peoples? It was a personal crisis for me, like it was for Fraser, and I told my congregation that I would have to resign and engage more directly in frontier missions if I couldn't be convinced that by my staying the Gospel could advance more readily to those frontiers than if I went myself." He had to filter his own future in pastoral ministry through that filter. Well, I was disturbed by that. I read that and said, "Have I filtered my own future here at First Baptist through that?" Have you filtered yours? That the Gospel could be advanced more readily if I stay than if I go. IV. Three Options for Frontier Missions So I have come to the conclusion that there are three options for us, then, in frontier missions. What are frontier missions? It's the unreached people groups, people who are identified by culture and language and geography, they are in a certain area that have no viable witness to Jesus Christ. There's no foundation laid there. Joshua Project, www.joshuaproject.net, they give constant information about unreached people groups. They estimate 6,622. You know how important the Joshua Project number is, eternally? Not very, except that it motivates people to get going. You know the real number that matters? The one that God thinks, okay? When he says the work is done, then it's done. But why are the frontier missions so important? Let me give you two reasons: Number one, because Jesus said that history won't end until they've been reached with the Gospel, that's the finish line of the human race. Matthew 24:14, "This Gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations. And then the end will come." And secondly, because in the book of Revelation, in Revelation 5 and 7, there are people mentioned there from every tribe and language and people and nation. Revelation 5 says they've already been bought by the blood of Jesus. Revelation 7 says they will someday be around the throne with white robes. So it's already a done deal. It just hasn't happened yet. That's why frontier missions are important, and should be, for your life. Three Options: Go, Send, Disobey So what are the three options? You ready? You can choose one, you have to decide what you're going to do. I'll try to make it clear. Your three options are as follows: You can go, you can send, or you can disobey. Those are your three options, you can go, you can send, you can disobey. So choose one. I fear that too many of us are choosing the comfortable third option. Maybe they didn't know they were disobeying, but that's what they're choosing. 700 North American missionaries to the 1.9 million people in 10,000 unreached people groups. Could it be that some people didn't hear God call them and give them their race, their finish line, and they never went, and they should have? Well, let's focus on those who send. We're a sending church. Do you realize that 12%, goes to the Southern Baptist Convention automatically, so you're automatically advancing the Gospel just by giving money to the church, right? Is that enough? Oh, well, toward the end of the year, we have the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, and the giving here has more than doubled in the last eight years. That's very encouraging. So if you give a gift in December, are you sending at that point? Is that enough? William Carey, the first Protestant missionary, he preached what was known as the deathless sermon, attempt great things for God, expect great things from God. Out of that, came a small Baptist mission-sending group. It was so small that the first meeting was in somebody's parlor. That's all that that deathless sermon produced. But he said, "I will go down into the dark hole of heathenism if you will hold my rope. That's what sending is, you're holding someone's rope as they descend into the dark hole of heathenism. You're holding someone's rope as they go down to the unreached people groups, and none of them that are left will be easy to reach. Some of them will only be reached by martyrs. You're holding the rope as somebody goes down into the hole. Are you holding the rope? Are we holding the rope? That's my question. I would love to see our church, in '06, '07 adopt, very clearly, an unreached people group, find out what missionaries are called there, or if there are none, than pray until some come, until some of you decide to be our unreached people group missionaries, and go get the requisite training, and go, until that group has a viable church planted among them, and then, when we feel they're strong enough, then we'll adopt another one. I would urge us to do that until the Lord returns. To me, I think that's what holding the rope is about. So, as I come to the end of the message today, let me ask what I asked at the beginning, why do you do what you do? Why do you go to work? Why do you come to this church? Why do you get up in the morning? Are you just putting a brick on the wall, day after day, eating each ham sandwich to the glory of God? Do you understand? Do you have a bigger vision of wanting a good family, a good family life, to live for the glory of God in that way? Etcetera. You building a wall, or are you building a new world by the power of God? Do you have a world-changing vision that Jesus shall reign from shore to shore till moon shall wax and wane no more, that the nations are Christ, but not all of them confess him yet. What are you living for? Close with me in prayer.

God's Tireless Efforts to Reach Israel (Romans Sermon 79 of 120) (Audio)

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2005

Pastor Andy Davis preaches an expository sermon on Romans 10:16-21. The main subject of the sermon is God's continued efforts to reach the Jewish people. - SERMON TRANSCRIPT - I. A Different Picture of God... But Not Contradictory Few stories are as dramatic and tragic as the story of unrequited love. You think about how many operas and works of literature and popular songs and poems and odes are written on that theme of unrequited love. One individual loves another and the other either doesn't know they exist or doesn't share their same level of affection, wants to be just friends, perhaps, or perhaps it's a parent-child relationship in which the children are rebelling and do not love the parents the way that they should. It's a tragic story but I would say of all those stories, there's none as tragic as the story of God and the human race. Of God and the human race, and it's pictured very dramatically for us and unfolded in the history of God and Israel. But it would have been no different with any other tribe or language, or people or nation because, frankly, all of us are in here. When it says, "I was found by those who did not seek Me. I revealed Myself to those who did not ask for Me." And so, here is God extending His arms to rebellious and disobedient people. Not just the Jews, although that's what's being quoted here, but all of us, apart from Christ, not wanting Him, not loving Him. Though, He displays His love day after day, though He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous, though He loves His enemies in ways we can't even imagine, yet we spurn Him and turn away from Him and do not love Him. It's an unrequited love. But you know something, God won't stay that way forever. He won't be a jilted lover forever. Because His love is sovereign and powerful, and it creates what it loves, and that's my hope and yours, that God has the power to speak into a cold and dark and hard heart and transform it. Now, as we look at Romans 10:21, look at it again, the very last verse that Allan read. Concerning Israel, he says, "All day long I have held out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people." What we have here is a very different picture of God than we have had in Romans 9. It's not contradictory, it's just different. In Romans 9, we have the picture of a sovereign emperor of the universe, one who sits on the throne and who is addressing the question: Why are so many Jews rejecting the Gospel? That's what's before us in Romans 9:10-11. Why are so many Jews turning away from their Messiah? And the immediate answer that Paul gives in Romans 9:6, "Not all who are descended from Israel are Israel," he gets into the depths of the doctrine of unconditional and sovereign election. That's his immediate answer to the problem. "God has the power to speak into a cold and dark and hard heart and transform it." And so we saw the sovereignty of God there as He calls Jacob and not Esau in Romans 9:11-12 "Before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad, in order that God's purposes in election might stand, not by works but by Him who calls, she was told the older will serve the younger," but then later in Romans 9:15-16, it says of God, "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion… It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort but on God who has mercy." And then again, in verse 18 of chapter nine, "Therefore God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy, and He hardens whom He wants to harden." Now, this is an incredible picture of God, it's a picture of God sitting on His throne ruling over all things, but specifically ruling over human salvation, ruling over human salvation, but in Romans 10, here in verse 21, we have a different picture. Look at it again. "All day long I have held out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people." God here like the father of the prodigal son waiting for his son to return, after he's done with sin, waiting that he would come home. And we have a similar picture in Jesus when Jesus stands over the city of Jerusalem, and says, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you. How often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. But you were not willing." The grief and the pain there. Now, I say to you that it is very difficult to reconcile these two. It's hard to get Romans 9 and Romans 10 to kind of coincide in our minds. How do you get the picture of this sovereign God who gets what He wants and nobody can stop Him in Romans 9, and then Romans 10:21, He's standing and holding out His hands to sinners wanting them to come back. There are many popular depictions of a waiting Savior. You've seen perhaps the picture of Jesus standing at a vine-covered door and knocking. Behind that has be Revelation 3:20, "Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with Me," but there He is waiting, knocking, knocking, waiting. And I was troubled by that. I said, "That's not the picture of God I get. He's not passive in salvation." Someone said, "Actually, what He does is, goes around the back, crawls in the window and unlocks the door for Himself." And frankly if he doesn't do that he'll never get in because the human heart doesn't want Him in. I accept that, I think it's true, but I think there's a theme here. Perhaps you've also seen the hymn, The Savior is Waiting. I remember listening to that and after I started to understand God's sovereignty and salvation, I said, "I'm not likely to sing this hymn again," but now when I see Romans 10:21, I begin to wonder if maybe we should sing it. "The Savior is waiting, to enter your heart. Why don't you let Him come in? There's nothing in this world to keep you apart. What is your answer to Him? Time after time, He has waited before and now He is waiting again, to see if you're willing to open the door. Oh, how He wants to come in. If you'll take one step toward the Savior, my friend, you'll find His arms open wide. Receive Him, and all of your darkness will end; within your heart, He'll abide." Now, what I say to you this morning is I think it's a major tragedy for any church to deny one or the other, just 'cause we can't reconcile them. I think it's a major tragedy. It hurts evangelism, it hurts missions to deny one or the other. It's very difficult for us to reconcile these two pictures. People who want to emphasize the sovereignty of God over salvation, they say that God rules over all things, the human heart, they have a hard time with the Savior's waiting. Waiting for what? He moves when He wants, and no one can resist Him. And the Scripture says that. I was reading a reformed theologian named Dr. Van Buren and he had examples of... He's talking about the doctrine of irresistible grace, which I called sovereign grace rather than irresistible, but at any rate, that God gets who He wants, and He has that power over the human heart. At least, that's an example that he found about 100 years ago of a ballot concerning your salvation. Maybe you've seen it And there's three places to vote; two of them have been taken and there's two ways to vote, yes or no, concerning your salvation. God has voted yes, isn't that good news for you? The devil has voted no. Oh, what a shame. But no big surprise. The deciding vote is going to be cast by whom? Well, whoever gets a little tract, right? And you can get a pen and you can vote yes or you can vote no. Oh, there's all kinds of problems with that. Are the Devil and Satan really equal in the matter of human salvation? Do we live in that kind of a universe? But even more troubling is the idea that God is waiting for you to make the final determination. It doesn't seem to fit in Romans 9. The question I want to ask this morning is, can we still retain an understanding of God as sovereign over the human heart, able to break a heart of stone, to transform it and make it into a heart of flesh. He's got that kind of power and yet He can say, "All day long I have held out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people." Is it possible to understand the sovereignty of God and a passionate appeal to sinners that they be converted? I think it is, I think it frankly must be. We've got to hold them together, we've got to keep both of them in front of us. People who have no problem with the Savior's waiting have a problem with the picture of God in Romans 9. They don't understand it, they don't see how it can be. We've got to keep both of them in front of us. Frankly, we declare our faith in the sovereignty of God over human salvation every time we drop to our knees and ask God to save someone. I mean, a husband, a wife, a parent, child, relative, coworker. What are you asking God to do? What are you asking Him to do when you get down on your knees? Are you not saying, "Oh God, change their heart, oh, God, give them a love for things they have not loved up 'til now. Oh God, work inside them." That's what you're asking them to do, therefore you're testifying that you believe God can do those kind of things. Or whenever we send out missionaries to seemingly impossible mission fields, unreached people groups, hostile Muslim groups, other groups that seem totally beyond our reach, frankly, any missionary endeavor, are we not stepping out confident in God, and not in ourselves, trusting in Him? But, friends, I think it is just as great a tragedy to deny that we should stand and make passionate, persistent appeals to sinners to be saved, passionate and persistent, that we need in effect to take this stance all day long. "I've held up my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people." It's what God does here in Romans 10:21 with Israel. Remember the passion that the Apostle Peter showed on the day of Pentecost. After preaching all of that incredible Pentecost sermon, it says in Acts 2:40, "With many other words, he warned them and pleaded with them, 'Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.'" We don't know what he said, Luke doesn't tell us. He said a lot of other things that are not recorded in the Book of Acts. But do you see His passion? Do you see His heart? Do you see His warnings, His pleadings, perhaps even His tears, though it's not recorded. Do you see Him yearning for His people to be saved? And I believe both of these are taught in the Scripture. We've got to hold them together. And probably the passage that teaches them the most plainly together is Matthew 11:25-30. These are the words of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and He says in Matthew 11:25, "I praise You, Father, Lord of Heaven and Earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure." Then He said this, "No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father, except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him." Strong statement of God's sovereignty. The very next thing He says, is, "Come to Me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me. For I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls, for My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Is some theological counselor going to sit Jesus down and say, "You seem to be theologically confused. You can't both have 'All things have been committed to Me by My Father,' and, 'Come to Me all you who are weary and burdened.'" Yes, you can. And I think this church needs both. We need a strong commitment to the sovereignty of God over human hearts, along with a passionate, tear-stained appeal to sinners to be converted. We need them both. II. Israel’s Stumbling Block: The Word of Faith vs. Works of the Law Now, Israel had a stumbling block in coming to Christ. And that's what we're dealing with here in Romans 10. Why didn't they come? Why were they not responding to this kind of appeal, all day long God holding out His hands. Why are they not coming? Well, we already learned there's a stumbling block. Look back in Romans 9:31-33. It says there, "That Israel who pursued a law of righteousness has not attained it, why not because they pursued it not by faith, but as if it were by works, they stumbled over the stumbling stone. As it is written, see I lay in Zion, a stone, that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall and the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame." So Romans 10, is dealing with the human level. Its not the level of unconditional election, but at the human level as to why the Jews were rejecting Christ. And there it says at the end of Romans 9 that they are rejecting because they stumbled over Christ. They stumbled over the stumbling stone. Now, it says in 10:3-4 that Israel sought to establish their own righteousness. It says, "They did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own therefore did not submit to God's righteousness. Christ is the end of the law for everyone who believes, so there may be righteousness for everyone who believes." They stumbled over Christ, they stumbled over the idea that righteousness could be given simply as a gift, couldn't accept it, and so they refused it. In 10:5-7 that this righteousness is a simple gift, it's not some stunning religious achievement. You don't have to climb the highest mountain or travel to the far side of the sea or go down to the depths of the sea. No, all you have to do is hear this Word of faith and believe it. "The Word is near you, it's in your mouth and in your heart." It's a simple thing, that, "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead you will be saved, for it is with the heart that you believe and are justified and it is with the mouth that you confess and are saved," it's that simple. But the Jews couldn't accept it and neither could they accept verses 11-13, that this righteousness is available for everybody. It's wide open now. "Anyone who trusts in Him [in Christ] will never be put to shame." Look what it says in verse 12, "For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile." Oh, how offensive that was to some Jews. What do you mean there's no difference between Jew and Gentile? We are God's people, we're descendants of Abraham and we're waiting for God to whip up on these Gentiles? Not save them. But what is this statement? "There is no difference between Jew and Gentile. The same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on Him, For 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'" They couldn't accept it. Now, the proclamation of the word of faith is essential to salvation. We talked about that last week versus 14-15: "How then can they call on the one they've not believed in, and how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them and how can they preach unless they are sent as it is written, 'how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news?'" That's the missionary endeavor. There are evangelists and missionaries, going out all over the world taking this word of faith, the gospel and simply preaching it. The Jews didn't want to preach to the Gentiles but Paul did it anyway, against some great opposition he continued to preach. And there he's defending as we talked about last time, he is preaching ministry, to both Jew and Gentile, he's reaching out with the Gospel. And the reason for that is that as we heard in verse 17, "Faith comes by hearing." Look at it, verse 17. I'm going to preach God willing, next time, a whole message on this, the final application in the sermon. I'm not going to get to it till next week. So we're going to talk more about the significance of this statement. "Faith comes by hearing." But just look at it for the first time now. "The proclamation of the word of faith is essential to salvation." Consequently it says, "Faith comes from hearing the message and the message is heard through the Word of Christ." And so what happens is, as the missionaries, as the evangelists, as the apostles go out and they just preach Christ and Him crucified, they just preach this simple message. What happens is, while the ear drum is vibrating with the sounds, while the concepts are going in the brain, all of a sudden faith comes up in the human heart. Ephesians 2 says it's a gift of God. 2 Corinthians 4 says that God speaks light into the heart and that light is focused on the glory of Christ. But as they're listening to the Gospel, faith comes and they are justified. What a beautiful thing. Faith comes by hearing, the problem is, the Jews hardened their hearts, they did not obey the Gospel. Look what it says in verse 16, "But they have not all obeyed the Gospel." That's the ESV. There's other translations, but I think this is a good one. They hadn't heeded it, they didn't obey it. Friends, the Gospel is a command to be obeyed. Jesus said in Mark 1:15, this is the beginning of His preaching, in Mark's Gospel, He says "The time has come, the Kingdom of God is near, repent and believe the good news," those are the twin commands of the Gospel, you must repent, you must turn away from sin, you must hate it, stop doing it, turn away from it as a principle, repent and believe the good news that Jesus is the King of the Kingdom of Heaven. And even more, as it unfolds, that He died in our place, on the cross, He shed His blood, that we might have eternal life. Repent and believe, it's a command. We obey the Gospel we also believe it, but we obey it. Well, the Jews did not, they did not obey. Now, the question you may ask, and it's being asked here in Romans 9-11 is well, the Jews are God's people. Does the fact that they did not heed the Gospel and not obey does that mean that God's Word has failed, that God's Word perhaps is ineffective or God's covenants to His people, that His promises have been broken? Oh, absolutely not. It does not mean that. In fact Israel's unbelief, was predicted 700 years before the time of Christ. Isaiah the Prophet predicted it. Look what it says, again, in verse 16, "They have not all obeyed the Gospel for Isaiah says, 'Lord, who has believed what he heard from us.'" Now do you know where that's from? Well, that's the very beginning of Isaiah 53, that's Isaiah 53:1. What does Isaiah 53? Well, any of you who have studied the Old Testament, looking for Christ and find Him, you're going to find Him in Isaiah 53 more clearly than anywhere else in the Old Testament, you're going to find His bloody death on the cross, His substitutionary atonement His death on the cross more clearly depicted there in Isaiah than anywhere else in the Old Testament. This is what Isaiah says, "He grew up before Him. Like a tender shoot and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him, nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him, He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering, like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet, we considered Him stricken by God, smitten by Him and afflicted, but He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities, the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds, we are healed, we all like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way, and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." That's the Gospel, friends, that's Jesus suffering and dying for us. And Isaiah introduced this saying, in effect, they're not going to believe it Lord, who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? III. God Leaves Israel No Excuse (verses 16-21) Israel's rejection was predicted centuries before, and so in verses 16-21, I believe the Apostle Paul is basically removing any excuse from Israel concerning that rejection. He takes away the excuses. Excuse #1: “We’ve never heard” Excuse number one would be simply we never heard about this, we never heard about Jesus, we never heard the Gospel. The problem is, they had heard. It's interesting that the people who bring this up as a, in some way, proof that the exclusivity of Christ can't be true. Because there's so many people who haven't heard the Gospel are not in that category, they have heard about Christ, and they're raising up this question and I've actually said in witnessing opportunity, saying, "Well I am so grateful that at this early stage, you have such a compassion on the lost. I'm grateful that you are so concerned about those who've never heard but the fact is you've heard." And so whether they ever hear or not, you have to deal with this Gospel, you have heard, and that's in effect what Paul says here. He says, in verse 18, "But I asked, did they not hear, did they not hear? Of course they did. 'Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.'" And by the way, that's a remarkable citation of Psalm 19, it's incredible. Psalm 19 is a great Psalm talking about how the heavens are telling the Glory of God, The skies proclaim the work of His hands. It's an amazing thing because it's just talking about natural revelation, how the sun and the moon and the stars talk about, about God. The rising and setting of the sun every day, gives clear testimony to the existence of God, the creator. Now you say, "What does that have to do with the preaching of the Gospel?" Well, it just talks about God's commitment to communicate to the entire human race. He has a commitment to reveal Himself and in a similar way, He is revealing himself in the Gospel as these beautiful feet as the messengers, the evangelists, the apostles cross mountains and rivers and oceans, to bring this Gospel to the ends of the earth. Their testimony has gone out over all the world, God has sent out His messengers. And by the time Paul wrote Romans, progress, astonishing progress had already been made. At the end of Romans. You can look there or just listen, but in Romans 15:18-24, you could turn there, if you want or just listen. In Romans 15:18-24, Paul says this, "I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done by the power of signs and miracles through the power of the Spirit. Listen, So from Jerusalem all the way round to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the Gospel of Christ." Illyricum is Yugoslavia. It's right across from the Italian boot, it's right there. So basically, the entire Northern Region of the Mediterranean Paul says I have fully preached the Gospel everywhere, and he goes beyond that, he keeps going in verse 20, 15:20, he said, "It's always been my ambition to preach the Gospel where Christ was not known so that I would not be building on someone else's foundation, rather as it is written. "Those who were not told about him will see and those who have not heard will understand." That's Isaiah 52, right before 53, Paul knows these verses so that I want to preach Isaiah 53 everywhere I go, kings will hear about Him and rise up princes will see and they'll fall down on their faces. Paul says, "I want to see that happen. So it's my ambition to go where Christ has never been known. But I have a problem, there's no more place for me to work in this area. Everybody's heard of Jesus, and I am a trailblazing missionary, so I've got to go on and so I'll be passing through God willing, through Rome on my way to Spain. Because I just can't find any place to work anymore." That's incredible. The Gospel had super saturated that area. It wasn't just the apostles, it was the churches they planted, and so the Thessalonian Christians were witnessing. Their faith in God had been reported all over the world, it was multiplying and exploding, it was exciting. And so Paul can make this statement in Colossians 1:23, "This is the Gospel that you heard, and that has been proclaimed to every creature under Heaven every creature under Heaven." Well, we know now it's not literally every single solitary human being but he's saying that the Gospel had been so widely preached that it had made this kind of progress and now it's reached you, Colossians, it's gotten to you. This is the ultimate end of the gospel ministry. Jesus said, in Matthew 24:14, "This Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations. And then the end will come." So we're going all over the world, just like the sun from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, Jesus's name will be great. So again, I asked Have they not heard?" What's the first thing Paul did in every town he went to the Jewish synagogue, and preached. Oh, they have heard. They have heard of Jesus. There's no excuse. Excuse #2: “We Did Not Understand” Secondly, we did not understand, we didn't get it, they told us about Jesus, he told us about Jesus, but we didn't understand. Well how does he deal with this? Verse 19, he says, "Again I asked, did Israel not understand? At first, Moses says, 'I'll make you envious by those who are not a nation, I will make you angry, by a nation that has no understanding.' And Isaiah boldly says, 'I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.'" This is a very deep answer. In a nutshell. I think what he's saying here is the fact that the Gentiles are turning to Christ shows that not understanding the Gospel is no obstacle, and no excuse you know why, because God can overcome that in anybody. First of all at one level the Gospel is so simple, a child could understand it. God sent His son, He died in our place. Trust in Him and He'll save you. It's really quite straightforward. The depths as we'll see in Romans 11, at the end are so deep none of us can fathom them all. But on the issue of understanding, that was no obstacle for the Gentiles. Now, let's remember the Gentiles… Ephesians 4 describes them in verse 17, and following, Paul says there, "So I tell you this and insist on it in the Lord that you must no longer live as the gentiles do in the futility of their thinking, they're darkened in their understanding, and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that's in them, due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity they have given themselves over to sensuality, so as to indulge in every kind of impurity with a continual lust for more." Those are the Gentiles. They're not sounding too good. It didn't sound like they understand anything. And frankly, Paul says right here, quoting he says, "I was found by those who did not seek me. I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me." And God is saving Gentiles by the thousands. Is that an obstacle I don't understand, I don't get it. Well, it is an obstacle that will damn your soul, if God doesn't save you from it, but He has that kind of power. To speak into a dark heart and into a dark mind He can do that. He can create light where there was darkness before. He can speak to a pagan people who have no interest in a Jewish Messiah, and suddenly they can turn. They woke up that morning a pagan idolater, they went to bed that night a Christian. Hallelujah. God has that kind of power and He can do it for Jews, too. He's going to get to that in chapter 11. God hasn't rejected His people, I'm [Paul] a Jew. He can do it in our hearts, too. And so God has the kind of power to reach out and to create inside the heart of somebody who's running from God, to create a yearning for God inside that heart, He has that power. "I was found by those who did not seek for me, I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me." That is powerful. Excuse #3: “God Has Never Revealed Himself to Us” The final excuse is God has not revealed Himself to us, is that true? Has God not revealed Himself to Israel? Well, how many prophets did he need to send? How many prophecies about Christ was enough? As one of the Jews said, when watching Jesus, "when the Messiah comes, will He do more miracles than this man?" How much more revelation is needed? God has revealed Himself to the Jews powerfully but they have not turned. Romans 10:21, Israel has no excuse because God has constantly made an appeal to them all day long. I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people. Oh how powerful is this. Generation after generation, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob has been reaching out to the Jewish people. One prophet after another. One messenger after another. Jesus told the parable of the tenant farmers in the vineyard, the landowner rents out his farm or his vineyard to these tenant farmers they are, the Jews. And then he sends messengers to collect a share of the harvest, but they kill them one after another, kill them one after another, killed them finally he says, "Well I'll send my Son. They wi'll respect my son." They say look, here's the heir, let's kill him and take the inheritance. And so, they kill him, too. What is the point of the parable? Oh, Jerusalem, Jerusalem you who killed the prophets and stoned those sent to you. I'm standing there, generation after generation. I'm holding out my hands to you. And Jesus in Matthew 23, says, "Therefore I'm sending you prophets and wise men, and teachers, I'm going to send you apostles and you will kill them and you will flog them, in your synagogues, and pursue them, from town to town. That's what you will do all day long I've held out my hands to a disobedient obstinate people. But you know something, even in the midst of this, Romans 10, Do you not see, God's still doing it? Do you not see Him still reaching out, even now, through, the Apostle Paul. Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, come, take my yoke upon you. Trust in me believe in me, I'm still holding out my hands to a rebellious and obstinate people, to a people who murmur against me argue against me who refute the scriptures and show how it can't be Jesus. I've held out my hands and I continue to do so. IV. Application: Imitating God in Our Evangelism and Missions What application can we take from this? Well, next week we'll talk about faith comes by hearing. But I just want to zero in on this one thing. I believe that we at First Baptist church, we Christians, we need to imitate God in this. Look at verse 21, Concerning Israel, He says, "All day long. I have held out my hands to a disobedient obstinate people." All day long, all day long, shows perseverance, long-suffering, putting up with the obstacles that have come your way when you try to lead someone to Christ. Putting up with the obstacles that come your way when you try to plant a church in an unreached people. The long suffering, putting up with the obstacles that come when you try to lead a spouse or a child or a friend to Christ, all the flak. The guy who led me to Christ, put up with so many things, I will not want to see a video tape of what I did to him for those 18 months. I was unkind, I was rude. And the Lord reminds me of it often. He says, "Have you done as much for this individual as Steve did for you over those 18 months in bringing you to Christ? "No Lord, I haven't." "Well, hang in there, persevere, be long-suffering, don't give up easily." So all day long I see that patience there I also see initiative. I have held out my hands. It starts with God and moves out and reaching out to you. There's an initiative. We don't wait for the sinners to come here, then they won't. Why would they come here? We go from here out. We take the initiative and find out where they are. In passion, I've held out My hands. This is tough for me. I can witness on an airplane in a kind of a cold "oh, by the way, this is an interesting thing" sort of way without risking much. But if they start to see some tears coming down my face, like "Whoa, you getting a little heavy on me here, this is too intense back off." And they don't want that. There's an intensity there, but then Acts 2:40, "With many other words, He warned them and pleaded with them. Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." Where is that warning and pleading in our evangelism where is the holding out your hands to a disobedient obstinate people. Be willing to be counted a fool for Christ's sake. See the passion, and see the persuasion. I've held out my hands Come now, let us reason together. Let's talk about these scriptures let's talk about the predictions about Christ. Let's reason. And let's be willing to suffer. Look what He says to a disobedient and obstinate people. You know something, the more I go on in my Christian life, and as a pastor, the more I realize how overwhelmingly powerful, a force is sin. I mean it's just there, it's in my face all the time, not just my own sin, but the sins of others. It is tough to change a human heart, isn't it? This is a supernatural work of God, and if we are going to be fruitful, as a church, if we're going to see a lot of people baptized if we're going to see a lot of people discipled through our ministry, we will have to be willing to suffer their disobedience and obstinance while they wrestle with the Gospel. We go to be willing to put up with it. And I believe that our fruitfulness will be in direct proportion to our willingness to pay that price. The more we're willing to suffer what it takes to take the Gospel, the more fruitful it will be. And I think that's exactly what God's calling on us to do. Would you close with me in prayer?

Saving Faith, Part 2 (Romans Sermon 76 of 120) (Audio)

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2005

I. Introduction: The Most Extraordinary Earthquake in History I think it must have been the most extraordinary earthquake in history. I'm referring to the earthquake that shook the Philippian jail in Acts 16. I've never heard of anything like it before. An earthquake that shakes a jail to its foundations and enables all of the prisoners chains to fall off, but nobody gets crushed by a falling boulder or by a broken timber. The prison doors fly open, but no one runs away. And you remember the story, how the Philippian jailer thinking that his life was forfeit and that all of his prisoners had escaped, drew his sword and was about to kill himself, his soul hanging by a thread over eternity, over hell really, when a voice rings out from the darkness saying, "Don't harm yourself. We are all here." The voice of the Apostle Paul, saving not only his life, but his eternal soul. The jailer was trembling, and called for lights and then brought Paul and Silas out and then he asked this key question. It is the question of our soul, "What must I do to be saved?" "What must I do to be saved?" And the answer that Paul and Silas gave there is the same answer that he gives here in Romans 10:9-10. There in Acts 16, he says, "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household." Here in Acts 10:9-10, he says, "If you confess 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 the heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with the mouth that you confess and are saved." Now, a cynic may ask, "Saved from what?" "Saved from what?" I've witnessed before and I use slogans like, "Jesus is the answer," and they're saying, "What's the question?" "Jesus is the Savior." "What's the threat? From what are we being saved?" Friends we're being saved from the due penalty of our sin, we're being saved from eternal damnation, we're being saved from hell itself. That's the saved that the Philippian jailer wanted to know about, that's the saved that's in front of us here in Romans 10:9-10, and what could be more important than that? Because everyone who does not believe stands condemned already, it says in John 3, we're in dire need of a savior. Now last week, we began to look at this incredible text on the nature of saving faith and we focused in on one aspect, the content of saving faith. Basically we said at that point that faith must have a content, that there's a focus to our faith. Faith alone doesn't save. Fanatical Muslims and Buddhist monks, as we said, may have more faith than we do, but that's not going to save them. It's faith in Christ. We saw also last week that there is such a thing therefore as absolute, unshakable truth. And that includes even what we call metaphysical truth, religious truth. There are spiritual truths that are just true. We live in a postmodern age, as we discussed last week, in which that is seriously doubted. There is therefore ultimate truth for me and ultimate truth for you, and ultimate truth for Muslims and ultimate truth for Buddhists. They just deny the concept of absolute truth. We talked about this last week, there is truth. We said thirdly, the truth precedes experience, religious experience. It's not your testimony that saves, it's not your religious experience that saves, it's the truth of the gospel, that Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again. Unshakable truths, that's what we talked about last time. The truth of the incarnation and the truth of the resurrection, that was the content of saving faith. II. The Character of Saving Faith Now, this morning, we're going to look at the character of saving faith and the confirmation of saving faith. First the character, and the reason we need to do this is friends, the devil and his angels believe more Christian truths than you do or that I do. They know more doctrine than any of us, than all of us put together. They know all of these things and they hate them, every one. They believe that they're true. Remember how the demons said to Jesus, "We know who you are, the holy one of God." They didn't doubt the incarnation, they knew very well. It says in James 2:19, "You believe there is one God, good, even the demons believe that and they shudder." And so the content alone and believing that the content is true does not save your soul. Not alone, it's essential, but it's not all there is. The Apostle Paul isn't exchanging a legalistic life of religious obedience to laws for a dry cold, intellectual assent to a bunch of doctrines. That's not what he's exchanging here. And so, it goes far beyond that. And so what I want to say to you is that the character of saving faith is that it's a hard faith, it comes from the heart, from the core of your being. Look what it says again, Romans 10:9-10 "that if you confess 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 the heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with the mouth that you confess and are saved." So we say that head knowledge by itself does not save you. The mental assent that these doctrines are true does not save your soul. Often in witnessing I've talked to people about the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus. I love to talk about this because it meant so much in my early Christian life. Thinking about the evidence for the resurrection. I've done this before, I've said, "Now what are the options of what happened to Jesus' body? I mean could his disciples have stolen it?" Well then, what would their motive be for facing death if they knew that Jesus was buried in Peter's garden? There's not going to be much evidence and much security for facing death. Nobody's going to want to do that. So I go through all of these things and when I get to the end, I've looked at all the logical possibilities for what happened to Jesus' body, I'll say, "Well, what do you think?" And they'll say, in a flat, cold, kind of dry way, "Well, I guess Jesus rose from the dead." Do I say, "Hallelujah, you're saved! I'm so excited!" No, I know something's amiss. They assent to it, but they don't love it. There's no life, there's no passion, there's no conversion. They're just saying, "Well you twisted my arm. I guess I really don't see any way out. I'm going to look for one, but I'm really kind of out of ideas right now on how it could be anything else or how it's even relevant to my life. So, mere intellectual assent does not save. Saving faith is a matter of the core of the personality, of the being. What we call the heart, it's a heart matter. It's a matter of the heart, it's deep and it's rooted in every part of a person's being. It's not a sham, it's not a fake, it's not hypocrisy, it's not acting. The Scribes and Pharisees that Jesus called seven times, "Whoa to you, Scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites." The word hypocrite means an actor, with a mask on, with a costume. That's not what it is, that doesn't save you. That's not saving faith. Rather it's rooted in love, ultimately. That we should love the Lord our God with all our heart, and with all your soul and with all our strength, and with all of our mind. It's a fire that God ignites inside the heart, inside the soul of love for him. Now, the heart's natural condition is not this way, the heart is naturally cold and dead toward the things of God. The heart is naturally, it says in Ephesians 2, dead in its transgressions and sins. There's no spark of life, or no initiation. There's no one who seeks God, it says in Romans 3. They suppress the truth in unrighteous, they love wickedness apart from Christ. And the heart, the natural human heart erect barriers and boundaries to the encroaching Gospel messenger. Barriers against Christ, really. Mark McCloskey in his book, Tell It Often, Tell It Well talks about these barriers, spiritual blindness, bad experiences with Christians and with the church. They go to church one time and somebody says something to them and is offensive or is a hypocrite or something, and then they feel they're free from considering Christ for the rest of their lives, as a result. There are barriers that are set up. Also, misconceptions of the nature of the gospel and character of God. Commitment to an immoral lifestyle, it's like, "If I believe in Jesus, I'll have to give that up, and I don't want to give that up so... " And they know that. So commitment to an immoral lifestyle. Intellectual dishonesty, willing to kind of bend the rules of logic, and of their own minds in order to evade the force of the Gospel. And then there's fear, fear of what people will think if you commit yourself to Christ. All of these are obstacles and they only increase if you're talking about overseas, cross-cultural situations where you got false religions, false world views, family members that will kill you, perhaps, even if you come to Christ, there's all kinds of obstacles. And so, the heart cannot change itself, ultimately. We don't have power over our hearts. You may think you do, but we don't. We don't have the ability to choose as an act of the will, to love what we once hated, and to hate what we once loved. This is a supernatural transformation that only God can work. The radical transformation that these verses describe can only be accomplished by the Holy Spirit. Sinful human heart doesn't have power over its own affections, over its own allegiances. Still less can it decide, "I'm going to follow Jesus, I'm going to love Jesus, I'm going to believe that Jesus is Lord, and that God raised him from the dead, and I'm going to make Jesus my Lord, I'm going to follow Him and obey Him and love Him." We don't have that power. This is the work of the Holy Spirit of God. This is what conversion really is. This is what it means to be born again. It's a radical transformation. Now, we've been talking here in Romans 10:9-10, after all of this incredible complexity, Romans 9, the sovereignty of God, the depths of the understanding, none of us will ever fully figure it out. And before that, eight other chapters of really deep and ultimately complex Christian doctrine. Isn't it delightful to come to Romans 10:9-10? The simplicity of saving faith. "That if you confess with the mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and if you believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." But for all of that simplicity Paul makes another statement in 1st Corinthians 12:3, and he says this, "Therefore I tell you, no one can say Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit." Isn't that amazing? For all that simplicity, you can't do it. You can't, unless the Spirit works within you. You won't. Now, you know what I mean, don't you? You know that it's not just saying, "Jesus is Lord." I can make a percentage of you say the words, "Jesus is Lord," right now if I wanted to. Some of you are going like, "I'm not saying, I'm not going to do what he says. I never turn to the neighbor when they tell us. I don't do those things. When the pastor says... I don't get involved in that. I'm just here listening, I'm not here participating in a group activity, okay, I'm not doing that." But I could make at least a percentage of you say the words, "Jesus is Lord," or I could go to any unbeliever, I could write the three words, "Jesus is Lord," on a piece of paper and say, "Read this," and he or she would read it. Is that open sesame? The cave of salvation opens up, if you just say these magic words, "Jesus is Lord." That's not what we're talking about, we're saying from the heart you believe that Jesus is Lord, that God raised him from the dead. You can't do that, except by the Holy Spirit of God, that's what Paul is saying. The Need For a New Heart And so therefore, you must have a new heart. You must have heart surgery, and I don't mean the physical organ that does such an incredible job of pumping blood through your veins day after day after day. I mean the core of your being, you must have a transformation. And that's the very thing friends, that's the very thing that God promises to do through Jesus Christ. Isn't that marvelous? That is the central promise of the New Covenant. It's the difference between the old covenant and the new covenant, the promise of a heart transformed by the power of God. Listen to Ezekiel 36:26-27. There it says, the Lord says, "I will give you a new heart and put a new Spirit in you and I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh, and I'll put my spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws." God has promised to take out our unresponsive, cold, dead heart of stone and give us a living heart, give us a heart that loves Jesus, give us a hard that lives for the glory of God, give us a new heart. He has that power and he alone has that power. And that's what he's promising to do in the gospel. Then the first thing that that new heart does inside, is it sees the light of the glory of God in the face of Christ. And the second thing that heart, that new heart does is believes in Jesus for salvation. It sees who Christ is and says, "I trust him, I love him, I want him." It's a heart, it's a matter of the heart. That's what the saving faith is. There's a genuineness and an honesty there, a truly turning and a truly trusting it comes from the heart. Joel 2:12-13, the prophet there, the Lord speaking through the prophets says, "Even now, declares the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning. Rend," [that means reap or tear] your heart, and not your garments." See Jews when they showed, they wanted to show outward shock or blasphemy, or grief or something, they would tear their clothes. Paul and Barnabas did that when some sought to worship them, and the high priest did it when Jesus said he was God, they tear their clothes. Joel says, "I don't want to see your clothes torn. Don't tear your clothes. You Jews are good at the externals." And all of us are that way. We can externally tear the clothes, that's easy. No, rend your heart and not your garment. It's a heart transformation for Jew and Gentile alike. And ultimately, it means that Christ becomes your treasure, he becomes what you value most in your heart. Jesus told two parables about this in Matthew 13. "The kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy, went off and sold everything he had and bought that fields... Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he sold everything he had and bought it." The treasure, the pearl, that's what's truly valuable. Worth everything else in your life, what is your primary treasure? Jesus becomes your primary treasure when you're saved. That's what you cherish above all things. Like the Apostle Paul says in Philippians 3, "Whatever was to my profit, I now consider loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him. Not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith, I want to know Christ and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, and the power of his resurrection, becoming like him in his death and so somehow to attain to the resurrection from the dead." Those are words pouring out of a heart that loves Jesus, a heart that sees nothing else in God's creation as precious and valuable and worthy of being treasured as Jesus Christ. It's a heart, a matter of the heart, it's a heart faith. Demons will always know more scripture and more doctrine than we do, but they hate Jesus with every fiber of their being. We, Christians, we love Jesus. He is our treasure and Jesus says, "Where your treasure is, that's where your heart will be also." When George Beverly Shea was 23 years old, he faced a decision: Should he accept a high-paying job as a songwriter in New York City? He had some offers he was talented. Or should he use his musical gifts to serve Christ, specifically for a Christian radio program? And as he was sitting at the piano and thinking about it, he was a composer, a poem by Mr. Rhea Miller came across him and he said, this is it, "I'd rather have Jesus." And we sang it earlier today, didn't we? "I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold. I'd rather be his than have riches untold. I'd rather have Jesus than houses or land. I'd rather be led by his nail-pierced hand, than to be the king of a vast domain or be held in sin's dread sway. I'd rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today." That's what a saved heart says. Now, if that old poetical language isn't the way your heart says it, it doesn't matter. But you'll be saying it somehow. You'll be saying, "Jesus is of a greater treasure than anything else in God's world." That is the character of saving faith, it's a heart faith. III. The Confirmation of Saving Faith Thirdly, what is the confirmation of saving faith? Basically, the principle is this: Genuine saving faith results in an outward transformed lifestyle. You're going to present something differently to the world than you would have if you weren't a Christian. And it begins with a statement from the mouth. That's where the whole thing starts. It all begins with a confession that Jesus is Lord. Look what it says in verse 9-10, "that if you confess 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 the mouth that you confess and are saved." The core teaching of James, chapter 2, which some people find a very troubling chapter, as though it's somehow contradictory. Paul was teaching justification by faith alone apart from works of the law, and then James comes along and says, "You got to have the works." You've got to have the works if you're going to be saved. And people are troubled by what James says in James 2:14. "What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds, can such faith save him?" That means there's different kinds of faith. There's dead faith, and there's demon faith, there's deceptive faith and then there's saving faith. And saving faith is a living thing and living things produce fruit. Things come, deeds come, an outward presentation to the world around comes because of true, genuine, saving faith. Says again in James 2:17, "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action is dead." Now, I think that the first action that a saved person takes, the first movement that comes is usually with the mouth. They usually say something about it. They talk about it, they say something. Five Steps of confirmation And that's what I think is step one of this confirmation. I'm going to look at five steps quickly of how saving faith is confirmed to the outside world. Step 1: Confirmed by Confession With the Mouth The first step is confirmation by confession with the mouth. Now, this word, confess with the mouth Jesus is Lord, what that means is to swear honestly and deeply, it's to make the most significant statement that the mouth can make. Like some people would do it by swearing with an oath. We get this in Matthew 14:6-7, on Herod's birthday, talking there about Herod's birthday, the daughter of Herodias, danced for them and pleased Herod so much. The NIV says, "That he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked for." That word is the same as what we get here in Romans 10. He confessed it, he swore it, and the word was so binding on him that even after she asked for John the Baptist head on a platter, he couldn't go back on what he had said. There's a seriousness to the word that's spoken. That's what is going on here, is a serious swearing or confession. Literally, the word means, to say with, to agree with our mouth, what God the Father does about Jesus, that He is Lord, we're saying it with our mouth. The mouth thus becomes a window for the whole world to look into your heart. Apostle Paul put it this way, in 2 Corinthians 4:13, "It is written, 'I believed therefore, I have spoken.' With the same spirit of faith that we believe and therefore we speak." You believe something, you're going to talk about it, you're going to say something. Now, what I think happens is, the heart believes first and then out comes the words, or else it's hypocrisy. And so therefore, Jesus says that there's a direct connection between what you say with your mouth, what you believe in your heart. In Matthew 12:33-37, after Jesus' enemies said, "It is by Beelzebub, the king of demons that He drives out demons." And Jesus said, "You know, you can't just say those things. The things you say matter. What comes out of your mouth makes a difference." This is what He said, "Make a tree good, and its fruit will be good, make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is known by its fruits. You brood of vipers, how can you, who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks." That's what I'm talking about, out of the overflow of what's in your heart, you're going to say something, the mouth speaks. "The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that men will have to give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken." Listen to this, "For by your words you'll be acquitted, and by your words you'll be condemned." Jesus said, "Just give me a list of what they've said and I'll tell you what's going on in their heart." Now, He can do that, we can't. All He has to do is have a complete list of your words and He will know whether you're saved or not. If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' you will be saved. As a matter of fact, the connection is so strong that Jesus put it this way in Matthew 10:32 and 33, "Everyone who confesses me before men, I will also confess him before my Father in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I will deny him before my Father in heaven." And so therefore, a verbal confession of Christ is essential to our salvation, we're going to say something about it. We're going to say Jesus is Lord. We're going to speak, we're going to talk about what we believe, that's the first step. Step 2: Confirmed by Prayer from the Heart The second step that is confirmed by prayer from the heart, I get this out of Verse 13, where it says, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." We usually think of that in terms of prayer, and I think rightly so. Almost every witnessing track that I've ever used ends up with something called, The Sinner's Prayer. Have you ever seen The Sinner's Prayer? I remember, I was trained in The Four Spiritual Laws, and I don't know that I could completely recite The Four Spiritual Laws, Sinner's prayer. But it went something like this, "Lord Jesus, I need you, thank you for dying on the cross for my sins, I now surrender control of my life, I want you to take the throne of my life, and make me the kind of person you want me to be, in Jesus name, amen." There's The Sinner's Prayer. I was listening to a tape Jeremy gave me from Voddie Baucham, is a African American preacher, very powerful, I love listening to him and he's got a great sense of humor. He was talking about his friend Steve, who was leading him to Christ, and after a number of weeks of sharing, and witnessing, and talking, Voddie Baucham was alone, at one point, he was in a locker room and he realized, "I didn't need to seek any more, I didn't need any more information, I knew, I believed. I just knew it. And so, I got down on my knees and that sweaty, nasty locker room." And this is what he prayed, "God, that thing you did for Steve, that he's been telling me you want to do for me, now is good." Now, you're not going to see that printed at the back of most tracks, that's not the approach that most of us take. But he goes on and he says, "One of the best things Steve ever did for me is, he didn't change my prayer." Though we know it's not magic words that save, it's not the words of the Sinner's Prayer, is what comes out of the heart, and the person just saying, "Save me." Now, some people believe that that's the moment of justification, that until you say the Sinner's Prayer, you're not justified, I don't think that that really is possible. If you look at Verses 13-14, Romans 10, and there it says, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How then can they call on the one they've not believed in?" Do you see that? You have to believe before you can call. Therefore, I say to you, every genuine Sinner's Prayer that has everyone prayed, they're already justified before they said a word. And what the Sinner's Prayer is, is the first fruit of a justifying faith. And it isn't the last time they're going to call on the name of the Lord, is it? They're going to be calling and calling and calling and calling on Jesus the rest of their lives, that's just the first one. And Jesus does make us vocalize our need, doesn't He? He says to blind Bartimaeus, this blind man sitting by the road, and He says, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me." And Jesus seems to be a bit dense when He says, "What do you want me to do for you?" He's not dense, He's making Bartimaeus vocalize his need. "Tell me what you need." He knows what we need before we ask. But there's something very significant about speaking what we need. "Jesus save my soul." But I'm just telling you, before you say those words in truth, you already believed them in your heart and you were already justified. For it is with the mouth, it is with the heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with the mouth that you confess and are saved. So that's what the Sinner's Prayer is. Step 3: Confirmed by Water Baptism The third step is that it's confirmed by water baptism. Now, you may say, "I don't see any water in Romans 10:9-10, so, where in the world? I thought you're an expositional preacher, I don't see any water, what's going on here?" Well, what I believe is that the confession with the mouth is the first stance of an outward communication to the world, "I am a Christian." There's got to be a hearing audience that's listening to you say, "Jesus is Lord." And the Lord Himself ordained that one of the earliest things that Christian does, is testify to the outside world, Jesus is Lord, by submitting to water baptism. That's the way that we believe that we make a public confession of Christ that He is Lord, and by submitting to water baptism. And we make you stand back here... Oh, you guys are still there, I never look at you, watch you there. We make you stand right back there and there's a microphone, and the people have to read their testimony, of how they came to faith in Christ. And I've had people be afraid to do it, and they say, "Do I really have to make this public confession?" I said, "Yes you do." But Jesus is going to help you. It's just the first step of lots of challenges in the Christian life. And that water baptism is a public confession. Now, let me say a note about the idea of walking the aisle. We've talked about this before, but I think it's a good moment to say it. In many Evangelical churches, there's an invitation to come to Christ at the end of the sermon. I actually give invitation to come to Christ through the whole sermon. Frankly, the Word of God is a constant invitation to believe and to trust. Remember what it was that saved Abraham, what did he say? What did he do? Nothing. He believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness, that's justification by faith. It's in the heart. So, I guess by logic, you shouldn't be coming forward, you should come out of your tent and look up at the stars. It's got nothing to do with what you're doing with your body, although it will come out as you confess your faith to the outside world. But it's faith that justifies. And so, in many of the Evangelical, Baptist churches at the end of the sermon, there's this invitation, and people are encouraged to get up out of the peers and to make their way to the front. And that has become such a major issue that it's somewhat of a tradition, almost boarding on traditionalism. And Voddie Baucham was talking about that, He said, "I'm asking you to stay put." I want you... Or go to the back, or do something, but coming to the front doesn't do anything to you. What it does do, and the kernel of what was good about that is a willingness to be not ashamed but a willingness to make a stand for Christ, to be publicly known as a Christian." Now, that is true, and I think that's exactly what's going on here in Romans 10:9-10. But friends, coming forward wasn't really possible than an age when there were no buildings, in which they met at Solomon's colonnade, in which there were small house churches and all that, there was no building in which you could come forward to, or in, or whatever is at the end of that sentence. Coming forward doesn't save you, hearing and believing saves. And then after that, there's going to be a lot more asked of you than merely coming forward. Water baptism friends, is the way that we begin to make a formal testimony to the watching world that we are Christians. Well, I have another one. Now, if it helps to come forward, sometimes I think it is effective to say, "Look, if you would like to come forward and pray, kneel down, if you want somebody to pray with you... " Those things are fine, and we're going to do them, that's why I continue to go forward and I still have people come up and we pray together, and that's wonderful. There's nothing wrong with that. I just want to take away the sense of a sacrament almost, away from coming forward. It is hearing the Word, preach and believing that saves. And after that, we confess with our mouth, Jesus is Lord, and then water baptism is a formal way we testify to the watching world that we are saved. Step 4: Confirmed by a Transformed Lifestyle Now, the fourth step is that it's confirmed by a transformed lifestyle. Ron Hamilton who does the Patch the Pirate tapes wrote a song about hypocrisy, and he said this, "Your walk talks, and your talk talks, but your walk talks louder than your talk talks." Let me put that in simple terms, people are watching how you live, not just what you say. They want to see if your lifestyle lines up with what you're confessing with your mouth. So, if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, but you live contrary to His commands, that is no confirmation of saving faith, actually, it's quite the opposite. Saving faith produces a transformed lifestyle. Saving faith can be seen not in itself, but in the fruit that comes from it. And so therefore, Paul writes at the beginning of this letter, Romans 1:8, "First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world." Nobody can report on faith, but we can report on the fruit of faith, we can see what's happened to you. He says the same thing in 1 Thessalonians 1:8-10, he says, "The Lord's message rang out from you, not only in Macedonia and Achia, your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore, we don't need to say anything about it. For they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, Jesus, who rescues us from this coming wrath." Paul says, "The Thessalonian Christians, everybody could see your changed life. You stopped doing evil things. The gross sins follow way quickly, the drunk stops drinking, the drug addict stops using. Those that are sexually immoral, they stopped sleeping together." There's a change in lifestyle because you're a Christian, and that's genuine. And then after that, the Lord has the rest of your lives to work on the real hard issues, the root issues of pride and lust and greed, and selfishness, the rest of your life. But a transformed lifestyle will be evident for everyone to see, that's the fourth step. Step 5: Confirmed by Perseverance Through Suffering The fifth step is confirmed by perseverance through suffering. You know about the rocky soil, the seed falls on it, and at once receives it with joy, but since he has no root he lasts only a short time. And trouble or persecution comes because of the Word, he quickly falls away. The ultimate confirmation of saving faith is perseverance over the years. Perseverance, facing two different kinds of suffering. First, suffering in temptation, you persevere in a lifestyle of holiness, fighting the good fight of faith. 1 Timothy 6, Paul talks about Timothy's confession, he said, "Fight the good fight of faith," they're linked together. It's an internal war of holiness and righteousness. And secondly, making a verbal confession to the outside world. Speak to your neighbors, speak to your co-workers, speak to your classmates, tell them that you're a Christian, say that you believe that Jesus is Lord, you've got to speak the words. Because we're going to see later in Romans 10:17, "Faith comes by hearing." And earlier than that, that there's got to be a preacher. Somebody's got to be willing to say the words. You have to be willing to be counted as a Christian. You have to say, "Jesus is Lord," you have to be willing to say. Friends, nobody's going to get upset if you say, "God bless you," after somebody sneezes. Nobody is offended by the word God. Say, "Jesus", say "Jesus Christ. Jesus is Lord. Christ is my savior," that's when it's going to get offensive. Acts 4:12, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to man by which we must be saved," than Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Say the name and be willing to be counted worthy of suffering for the Gospel. III. Applications What application can we take from this? Is understanding that we've gained the nature of true saving faith. First and foremost, friends, are you saved? Are you saved? Are you saved from your sins? Are you saved from wrath on Judgment Day? Do you believe that Jesus is God in the flesh? Do you believe that God raised Him from the dead? Do you believe it with your heart? Secondly, has Christ become your treasure? Is He your greatest desire? Is it your yearning to see Him in the face? Is it your yearning to see his glory and to be with him where He is? Is that what you want? For it says, "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." And you think about it a lot. Do you wonder if Christ is pleased with you? Are you thinking, "Is this a Christocentric lifestyle?" And you're thinking, you're just thinking about Christ, you love Him, He's your treasure. And is your mouth and your life confirming that Jesus is your Lord? And if your answer to that is no, then you're not saved, you're still in your sins. Come to Christ. Jesus stands with his hands extended and says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I'll give you rest." Come to Christ today. Come to Christ and believe in Him, and trust in Him for the salvation of your souls. And if you are a Christian, does your life live up to your testimony? Have you allowed some other things to crowd out your love for Christ? Is He still the only treasure of your heart, the ultimate treasure of your heart? Do you need some weeding work done? And are you willing to stand and be counted as one of his own? Make a confession that Jesus is your Lord publicly, to a watching world. That's going to give you a hard time for making that confession, are you willing to do it? Jesus Christ is calling on us as Christians to make this confession, "Jesus is Lord," to a world that hates Him. People's souls are relying on the willingness of Christians to make that confession. Won't you do it? Close with me in prayer.

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Paul Prays for the Perfection of His Ministry Partners, Part 2 (Philippians Sermon 3 of 24) (Audio)