Have you ever had that awkward situation when you were talking about someone to another person and then you suddenly had this realization the person you were talking about was right behind you? One of my favorite TV shows is NCIS and often in the show one of the characters, Tony, will be talking about the boss, Gibbs, to another person and suddenly Tony will stop and say, “He’s right behind me isn’t he?” To which he receives a swat on the back of the head from Gibbs who was standing behind him. It has even come to the point where tony will sometimes go, He’s standing right behind me isn’t he and actually Gibbs is not, but he reacts as if he is.
Presence and awareness of presence changes things. We talk different and act different if certain people are around. I get this quite often, “Oh it’s the pastor we can’t say this or we can’t do that.” If I was not there how different would people be? Makes me wonder sometimes. Presence does make a difference. Just think back to high school, or think about high school, and having your mother along on a date! Or at the high school dance as a chaperone. Changes the dynamic of our actions. Presence makes a difference.
Last week we looked at the importance –the essential key reality for Christians –God raised Jesus from the dead (I Peter 1:21). Take this truth, this reality, out of the equation and as Paul says we are still in our sins, we are preaching useless as is our faith (I Corinthians 15:12-20). This truth, this reality of Jesus being raised from the dead changes everything for us, for he is indeed with us always, in our midst, where we gather, when we pray, as we walk, when we witness, as we worship –he is present, he is Immanuel –God with us!
And that is a great comfort to us, but it is also a great challenge, a challenge I think many Christians struggle with and probably just plain don’t grasp. Immanuel –God with us. If we really grasped this, if we really understood this it would radically change just about everything in our lives. Jesus standing with you when you write a test –look at the next desk? Jesus with us when we do our taxes (yes it is coming to that time of year!). Jesus with us when we watch TV or movies. Jesus with us when we are on a date. Jesus with us when we drive in Winnipeg traffic. Oh we take great comfort in the fact Jesus is with us in times of struggle or heartache, times of loss. We use the words, God be with you! But the rest of the time? How much would it affect our language, our jokes, our purity, our honesty, our integrity, our treating of others? How would his presence affect our obedience to him? Oh, that is a tough one!
Obedience! Just picture yourself cruising along nicely on your way to Winnipeg doing a comfortable 120-125 on those empty stretches between Falcon Lake and Prawda. Oh, there’s never a cop there. Obedience to the speed? Oh I can push it a little! But suddenly in your review mirror or just up ahead you see the telltale bar across the top of a vehicle and suddenly your more obedient! Presence makes a difference. Over the next few weeks we are going to be looking at several areas that would be transformed with this awareness, this Immanuel awareness.
Let’s start with one area that we experience today that will be carried into eternity. Stand and read with me Revelation 4:2, 8-11. Pray.
The first area that we will look at is worship. Worship is a sometimes, well, often, a contentious issue. I know of very few churches (in fact none) where there is not some conflict expressed over that 75 minutes we spend together as God’s people each Sunday morning. The music is too loud, I can’t hear it, too long, too many songs, no enough singing, sermon is boring, too many announcements, organ is off tune, guitars are to twang-ee, it’s too hot, too cold, pews are too hard, can’t see, too much, too little, too…Sometimes the concerns expressed are legitimate, but more often they are expressions of preference based on “me.” I know –I’m one of those “me’s!” We have become so deluged in our culture that we are consumers rather than worshipers. We approach worship much like we do a shopping experience or a restaurant. We look for what we want and if it is not there we complain or go somewhere else. If we don’t like it we take it back.
But look closely at Revelation 4. Who is the focus? The one sitting on the throne! He is holy, He is worthy, He is Lord and God. When God is present, things change –there is a whole different dynamic going on.
And we see this right from the beginning of creation. Adam and Eve had taken the forbidden fruit, they had sinned against God. Now God shows up in the garden and what happens? They hide! The very presence of God makes them aware of their short-coming and His glory.
Moses walking in the desert making sure the sheep are okay comes across a burning bush- Take of your shoes you are on holy ground, why? Because of the presence of the Lord!
The people of Israel chosen and led by a cloud of fire and he settled over the tabernacle and then during the time of Solomon when the temple was built he settled in the holy of holies –God in the midst affected them as a nation and people. Jesus when he walked this earth powerfully affected people through his presence –even on the cross as he gives His life the centurion announces surely this is the son of God! After the resurrection Jesus appears to the disciples and what a change overcame them! They went form a cowering hiding group of mourners to a force that shook the foundations of the whole Roman empire. Jesus appears to Saul and profoundly affects this once enemy to now proclaimer of the good news. His presence affects us!
Isaiah cries out “Woe is me of unclean lips”, John falls as dead, Shadrach Michack and Abednego walk in fire, Daniel sits with lions, demons are cast out, blind are made to see, life is given to the dead, Paul is struck blind, and angels cry out Holy Holy Holy is the Lord God Almighty! This is the cry of worship that surrounds the One who sits on the throne-the one who is present.
Imagine being a part of that –well, you will. But let us look at bit closer at something worth noting. In this chapter, chapter 4 we see that the living creatures never stopped saying Holy holy holy (vs 8). And then verse 10, the elders lay their crowns before the throne and say, You are worthy. But then something exciting, something incredible happens –the lamb who was slain enters –the one who is worthy. And the elders now each have a harp and we read in the NIV –they sang a new song! Did you catch the difference? The presence of the Lamb, Jesus moves the elders into song. Before they said, now they sang! “You are worthy…” Even the angels, untold numbers, see this incredible thing and burst out –IN SONG, “Worthy!” And then we see all of creation, every creature, every one Sings, “To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and power and glory forever and ever!”
Yeah, but that is all in the future, that is not now. Well let’s stop and take note of a few things.
The worthiness of Jesus is not for the future. He is worthy now because he has been slain and he has been raised from the dead. All authority and power and honor are his now, not in some future time or when we get to heaven. Every knee will bow, every confess Jesus is Lord. Paul writes that Jesus has been lifted up into the heavenly realms and all is put under his feat –not a yet to come but a here and now.
And because God has raised him from the dead, Jesus can and does keep his promises, his word –where two or three gather I am there, I am with you always even to the ends of the earth. He is Immanuel, God with us! When we worship, when we pray, when we sing, when we praise, when we gather, when we listen, when we come into this place or gather in a small group –He is there –He is here! He is with us!
It is interesting and somewhat sobering to see that most of the time when God, and each time Jesus speaks of being with us, it is when we are two or more –in a group, a gathering. Our culture has pushed us, I think too far to the individual aspect of faith. “I have a personal prayer time, I have a personal worship time, I have a personal time with God” These are all good, we need them, Jesus exemplified them.
Yes he comes and meets with us and fills us with His Spirit, but those times when Jesus says I will be with you always, or where two or more are gathered, it is in the plural –the group. Leslie Flynn in his book “Worship: Together we celebrate” says, “The Lord pledges every time we assemble in His name, He is present in a way He is not present in individual’s private worship. This added spiritual dimension makes church service not a take-it-or-leave-it affair, but a divinely scheduled appointment which should draw us irresistibly to corporate worship on the Lord’s day.”
Rather than something we anticipate, that we delight in, that we look forward too, all too often corporate worship is looked at as an option, a chore, a duty, a habit. More and more we see the gathering together as secondary to everything else. I heard one man, I hope jokingly say, If I have another better to do I’ll see you in church on Sunday.” I didn’t see him, so…
Granted church can be boring. It can be a habit. And yes a duty or chore. And some of that rests on those who are leading. But that is not the real concern for me. The real concern is that most people do not come expecting to encounter God, to meet him. They would surprised like, well, like having someone suddenly appear behind you that you were talking about. D we come expectant, do we come prepared to meet God in one place e said e would be –where two or three are gathered in His name?
I cannot image not going to church. I am not saying that as a pastor, but as a person who loves church, loves coming to get together with God’s people, to sing about His grace, to hear about His love, to rub shoulders with those who are struggling or are praising just as I am. I look forward to meeting God, I expect Him to be there.
If I miss church I miss something valuable and essential in my life. When we go on holiday we do our best to find a church to attend. It has a priority in my life –why –because I love it. yes, it may not always speak to me, yes the music might not always be what I like, I may not even sing because it is in a different language, yes the pews may be too hard and the pastor too long winded, but if I am not there I miss out. Mostly, I believe, it is because I have failed in keeping a covenant arrangement with Jesus.
A covenant is an agreement, a promise. Jesus said I will be there, He says he will be in the midst, He will be with us. And I cannot approach church as if he is not there! My focus is to sing to him, to pray to Him, to serve Him, to speak his words and listen for His voice why? Because He is there! I often imagine when I come into worship that I am entering the throne room and he is seated there in the throne. I can hear the brush of angels wings, I can hear the “holy” chorus. I see the hands and feet that were nailed-the scares deep and visible. I cannot look at his face, it is too much, but those hands, those feet! He Is present and when I sing, I sing to Him, when I pray I pray to Him, when I listen I listen for His voice. Immanuel, God with us.
God has raised Jesus from the dead. He is here. He comes and joins with us when we gather in his name. When we sing-do we sing in His presence? When we pray in His name, do we bow in adoration and look at the scars in his feet? When we give our offerings do we place them in His hands? When we listen to the message, do we wait for His voice –his challenge, His comfort, His guidance? Do we come and enter His presence?
The resurrection changed everything in our relationship with Jesus. One key area it has changed is our worship. He enters in and is a part of it. His presence makes a difference!
Prayer, Lord I am sorry for the way I have made worship –so often it is about me. I have failed to see your presence. I have talked about you but not to you, I have even acted as if you were not even here. How it must sadden you to see this. I know I am forgiven, but please Lord, guide me in how I can worship you. Open my eyes that I may see, open my ears that I can hear, open my heart to receive your presence, you blessing, you words. And yes Lord, if I have been talking about you and you are there behind me slap my head and wake me to your presence.
Father, as church that we will be keenly aware of your being here –that we will hear the chorus of angels singing your praises and join with them. Lord that we will be a church that truly comes together as your people called by your name to glorify you and be touched by you –that we may experience the moving of your Spirit. Father, you have raised Jesus from the dead and he is here with us, as he promised. Lord Jesus be honored today.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
The Main Thing -Resurrection January 9
God raised Jesus from the dead! (I Peter 1:21)
I start off with saying that because I want to be very clear in this declaration –God raised Jesus from the dead! The fact that Jesus was dead was never in question. The ruling authorities of the time knew Jesus was dead. His enemies knew he was dead. His friends knew he was dead. Jesus had predicted it, the Pharisees and religious leaders wanted, the Romans did it and no one doubted it –Jesus -was -dead.
The problem they had was not with his death but with his resurrection. Three days after the death of Jesus the tomb was empty. That was the problem, that was the fear, that was the hope, that Jesus indeed had risen from the dead. A story was fabricated –the body was stolen by the disciples, in spite of all the precautions the body was gone and so a story made up –the disciples took the body. Yet, those very same ones accused of taking the body themselves doubted. Rather than a group of people plotting and scheming on how to take the body, they hid in fear, the bowed in tears, they mourned and they trembled, some even sought to escape by leaving town. Rather than a group of courageous men coming to take on a well trained group of soldiers, a few women came not to steal a body but to prepare it for permanent burial. The followers of Jesus were just as surprised as the authorities that the body was not there. God had raised Jesus from the dead.
Over the next 40 days this very same Jesus showed himself to many people many times. Sometimes there was one or two, other times there were as many as 500. We read that on at least 11 occasions Jesus appeared –not as an ethereal vision or manifestation, but as a tangible, touchable very real person one who talked, was touched, even ate fish on the shore of Galilee. God had raised Jesus from the dead, no matter the rumors, no matter the bribes to say otherwise there was no doubt, even to the most doubtful people, no doubt, in any one’s mind that Jesus had been raised from the dead. God had raised Jesus from the dead!
But more than just a resurrected or resuscitated body, Jesus was a transformed body. He was recognizable and yet more. He was resurrected into a body that was sown in a perishable body, but raised imperishable, sown in dishonor but raised in glory, sown in weakness but raised in power, sown in the natural and raised in the spiritual (I Corinthians 15:42-44), this body as the first fruits of those who would come, those who would belong to Him (15:20). God had raised Jesus from the dead –raised Him into eternity in glory and power and majesty.
This very act of resurrection is vital to our hope, our faith, our purpose our eternity. This very act of resurrection is perhaps “the” thing upon which all of who we are and what we do, all of what we hope for and believe is based.
There are in the course of events certain things that happen that you look back and say, that was when it all made sense, or that was the turning point of the game, or everything hinged on this happening. In the recent Junior’s world cup for Canada it was the game against the Swedes. Several commentators said that was the turning point for Canada –they realized they were playing other very good teams in this tournament not just going through the motions until they met the USA in, what they hoped, was a gold medal final to vindicate the loss last year. And then there came the final game against Russia –game in hand, up three goals. Turning point? Well, there is a lot of debate on that, but something certainly happened that changed the whole game and its outcome.
In other events there may be something that everything else hinges on. If this does not happen then everything else falls apart. In a war it may be a certain battle. In a battle it may be a certain movement of the troops. It may be secrecy, or something else. Everything depends on this one event, this one action or success is not possible. Remove that one element, that one key, and it all falls apart. The resurrection is so important, so crucial to our hope –our eternity, our purpose.
Let us read from I Corinthians 15:12-20.
God has raised Jesus from the dead. You remove this from our theology, our doctrine, our beliefs and everything else crumbles. There is a movement, and has been for many years, to deny or disbelieve in the resurrection –and this is amoung so called Christian groups! There are many people, in and out of the church who believe in Jesus. They believe he was a good man, a great teacher, even a prophet. They do things in his name –even may do great things, and they will even believe that he died –but the resurrection? Some believe it was just a metaphor for the rest of us –Jesus did not rise from the dead but that his disciples continued to live out his reality.
Why is the resurrection so important? Well, there are the reasons I have just given and that we read about from Paul, but there 10 key reasons I would challenge us with today.
Because God raised Jesus from the dead all authority is given to Him. Look at some of the key passages we have that proclaim the authority of Jesus and His glory –Matthew 28:18 “All authority has been given to me.” And then Ephesians 1:18-23. Take out the resurrection and there is no authority, there is no power. God has raised Jesus from the dead and all authority is given to Him! God has exalted Him to the highest place and given Him the name that is above every other name (Philippians 2:9). The resurrection established his Lordship and authority –he is the king of kings and Lord of Lords.
Because God raised Jesus from the dead then the words and teachings of Jesus must be truth! If Jesus did not rise from the dead then what authority does he have to speak truth. One of the things he said many times in different ways was he would rise from the dead. After all, then if Jesus did not rise from the dead, then his saying he would means he was wrong, and if he got that wrong, what else did he get wrong? Were his statements about being the son of God correct? What about his saying he was the only way to the father? If there were no resurrection then we are left in doubt about the veracity of Jesus teaching. We can take what we like and apply it as we would from any good teacher, but to take it as truth? Because God raised Jesus from the dead and has given Him all authority and has shown the veracity of his teachings then they must be followed!
And that is a key reason I believe why many, even in the church who may believe in God will pull away from the resurrection –if Jesus really did rise from the dead, and all authority is then given to him then his words, his teachings, his commands must be followed. The resurrection adds an exclamation mark to all of the teachings of Jesus –all of his statements.
-I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the father but by me! –Resurrection!
-If you love me, obey my commands –Resurrection!
-I am the vine you are the branches –remain in me –resurrection!
-God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that who ever believe in him will have everlasting life –resurrection!
If Jesus was just a good man, just a good teacher, just a moral guide, then the words he spoke can be taken or left –we can pick an choose what we want to believe is true or worth following. Much as we would follow the teachings of Buddha or Benjamin Franklin or any other teacher and giver of advice. But if Jesus is risen, if he is indeed given all authority if he is Lord and King and all are placed under his feet, then what he says, what he teaches is truth.
Because God raised Jesus from the dead, Jesus has the power to judge. John 5:19-30. All authority is given to Jesus in heaven and earth, and he will judge. And there are two things to note here. The first is that there will be a judgment of separation. This is the judgment where those who are true believers in Jesus Christ will be separated from those who are not.
The Bible, the words of Jesus are very clear on this. Believe in me and you have life, follow my commands and you have life, be led by the Spirit and have life, I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except by me. Early on Jesus talked about the judgment of separation in his discourse called the sermon on the mount (Mathew 7 15-23) and then again in his parable on the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25. This final judgment of separation is hard for a lot of people to take and so we come up with such things as “all paths lead to God” or “Jesus is just one of many ways.”
The resurrection places Jesus uniquely and singularly as having the power and the authority to judge. And He will judge by the standard the Father has set –believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved! This is not just a mental ascent. Jesus himself says that many will call him Lord yet still be separated from him.
Belief begins in the holiness and righteousness of the sovereign God. We are separated from God because of sin and stand in judgment because of our sin. We, as sinful and separate beings being’s we cannot bring anything to God to offer for our salvation –we are not saved by the law or works –simply following the teachings of Jesus are not enough (Ephesians 2). Jesus Christ, as God’s son, is the only way to forgiveness and cleansing from our sin (Hebrews 2:17). We must confess (admit our sin), and believe (put our trust in Christ as our only hope) and repent (change our lives to match His. All who receive Him (Jesus and believe in His name (Jesus) he gave the right to become the children of God.
God has raised Jesus from the dead and given Him the right to judge-to separate, those who believe and those who do not. Jesus tied the resurrection and faith in him together when he met a woman named Martha who had just lost her brother in death. Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe?” That I the question we need to ask ourselves –do I believe? God raised Jesus from the dead –do you believe?
Further there is also the judgment of actions. This is for those who have gone through the judgment of separation and now stand before the throne of Jesus. Paul in II Corinthians 5:10 say’s that we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. (read). This is the obedience factor for followers of Jesus. Jesus made it very clear “If you love me you will obey my commands” (John 14:15). God has raised Jesus from the dead. Jesus has been given all authority, his words are true and he has been given the power and right to judge.
But even more and I am going to run through these quickly but do not lose sight of their importance and impact in our lives!
John Piper says in his book “Seeing and savoring Jesus Christ” says the resurrection vindicates the sufficiency of the cross that Jesus death and sacrifice was enough for our salvation. The price has been paid, the debt of sin accounted for. Jesus has paid it all, nothing more is needed because he has laid down his life as our ransom and death no longer has mastery of Him but he has conquered death! Colossians 2:14-15
Because he has been raised our forgiveness is real and permanent. Jesus has assured our salvation and all who believe in Him will be saved! Take great hope in this, take great confidence in this –because he lives we too shall live! (Colossians 2:13)
Because he has been raised from the dead he now stands at the Heavenly Father’s right hand making intercession for us –Jesus is praying and asking the father on our behalf. We pray in Jesus name because he is risen and can have the confidence that our great high priest is there –one who knows our struggles and loves us eternally. (Hebrews 7:25)
Because he has been raised from the dead he can give us his Spirit to teach and to guide us, comfort and protect us, fill us and empower us. (John 14:16)
Because Jesus is raised from the dead he can and does commission us to carry on His work –to spread the good news of His coming and the salvation that is offered. Because he lives he continues to work through us to build His kingdom, his church against which the gates of hell will not prevail! (Acts 1:8)
Because he is raised form the dead he has defeated the enemy –stepped on the head of the serpent. The victory is won. And more he has defeated the grave and death no longer holds its grip. For all who believe in Him are given the gift of eternal life and we shall be like him. (I Corinthians 15)
Because he has been raised from the dead we can, and to me this is one of the most important comforting and challenging aspects of the whole thing, because he has been raised from the dead he can be with us and is with us, even to the ends of the earth. Immanuel! God with us, Jesus with us! At Christmas we see the promise of Immanuel and indeed He has come as a baby, God in flesh. But even more powerfully, more fully, more incredibly he is Immanuel –God with us because he is risen! (Matthew 28:20)
Over the next several weeks we are going to look at how this presence of the risen savior affects some of the key areas of our lives. It should and can have a tremendous impact in our day to day living, our worship, our ministry, our growth, our sharing the good news. The Lord is Risen! He has risen Indeed!
God has raised Jesus from the dead and this gives us hope –he is the first born from amoung the dead and he has the power to raise us up with Himself! (Romans 8:11)
I start off with saying that because I want to be very clear in this declaration –God raised Jesus from the dead! The fact that Jesus was dead was never in question. The ruling authorities of the time knew Jesus was dead. His enemies knew he was dead. His friends knew he was dead. Jesus had predicted it, the Pharisees and religious leaders wanted, the Romans did it and no one doubted it –Jesus -was -dead.
The problem they had was not with his death but with his resurrection. Three days after the death of Jesus the tomb was empty. That was the problem, that was the fear, that was the hope, that Jesus indeed had risen from the dead. A story was fabricated –the body was stolen by the disciples, in spite of all the precautions the body was gone and so a story made up –the disciples took the body. Yet, those very same ones accused of taking the body themselves doubted. Rather than a group of people plotting and scheming on how to take the body, they hid in fear, the bowed in tears, they mourned and they trembled, some even sought to escape by leaving town. Rather than a group of courageous men coming to take on a well trained group of soldiers, a few women came not to steal a body but to prepare it for permanent burial. The followers of Jesus were just as surprised as the authorities that the body was not there. God had raised Jesus from the dead.
Over the next 40 days this very same Jesus showed himself to many people many times. Sometimes there was one or two, other times there were as many as 500. We read that on at least 11 occasions Jesus appeared –not as an ethereal vision or manifestation, but as a tangible, touchable very real person one who talked, was touched, even ate fish on the shore of Galilee. God had raised Jesus from the dead, no matter the rumors, no matter the bribes to say otherwise there was no doubt, even to the most doubtful people, no doubt, in any one’s mind that Jesus had been raised from the dead. God had raised Jesus from the dead!
But more than just a resurrected or resuscitated body, Jesus was a transformed body. He was recognizable and yet more. He was resurrected into a body that was sown in a perishable body, but raised imperishable, sown in dishonor but raised in glory, sown in weakness but raised in power, sown in the natural and raised in the spiritual (I Corinthians 15:42-44), this body as the first fruits of those who would come, those who would belong to Him (15:20). God had raised Jesus from the dead –raised Him into eternity in glory and power and majesty.
This very act of resurrection is vital to our hope, our faith, our purpose our eternity. This very act of resurrection is perhaps “the” thing upon which all of who we are and what we do, all of what we hope for and believe is based.
There are in the course of events certain things that happen that you look back and say, that was when it all made sense, or that was the turning point of the game, or everything hinged on this happening. In the recent Junior’s world cup for Canada it was the game against the Swedes. Several commentators said that was the turning point for Canada –they realized they were playing other very good teams in this tournament not just going through the motions until they met the USA in, what they hoped, was a gold medal final to vindicate the loss last year. And then there came the final game against Russia –game in hand, up three goals. Turning point? Well, there is a lot of debate on that, but something certainly happened that changed the whole game and its outcome.
In other events there may be something that everything else hinges on. If this does not happen then everything else falls apart. In a war it may be a certain battle. In a battle it may be a certain movement of the troops. It may be secrecy, or something else. Everything depends on this one event, this one action or success is not possible. Remove that one element, that one key, and it all falls apart. The resurrection is so important, so crucial to our hope –our eternity, our purpose.
Let us read from I Corinthians 15:12-20.
God has raised Jesus from the dead. You remove this from our theology, our doctrine, our beliefs and everything else crumbles. There is a movement, and has been for many years, to deny or disbelieve in the resurrection –and this is amoung so called Christian groups! There are many people, in and out of the church who believe in Jesus. They believe he was a good man, a great teacher, even a prophet. They do things in his name –even may do great things, and they will even believe that he died –but the resurrection? Some believe it was just a metaphor for the rest of us –Jesus did not rise from the dead but that his disciples continued to live out his reality.
Why is the resurrection so important? Well, there are the reasons I have just given and that we read about from Paul, but there 10 key reasons I would challenge us with today.
Because God raised Jesus from the dead all authority is given to Him. Look at some of the key passages we have that proclaim the authority of Jesus and His glory –Matthew 28:18 “All authority has been given to me.” And then Ephesians 1:18-23. Take out the resurrection and there is no authority, there is no power. God has raised Jesus from the dead and all authority is given to Him! God has exalted Him to the highest place and given Him the name that is above every other name (Philippians 2:9). The resurrection established his Lordship and authority –he is the king of kings and Lord of Lords.
Because God raised Jesus from the dead then the words and teachings of Jesus must be truth! If Jesus did not rise from the dead then what authority does he have to speak truth. One of the things he said many times in different ways was he would rise from the dead. After all, then if Jesus did not rise from the dead, then his saying he would means he was wrong, and if he got that wrong, what else did he get wrong? Were his statements about being the son of God correct? What about his saying he was the only way to the father? If there were no resurrection then we are left in doubt about the veracity of Jesus teaching. We can take what we like and apply it as we would from any good teacher, but to take it as truth? Because God raised Jesus from the dead and has given Him all authority and has shown the veracity of his teachings then they must be followed!
And that is a key reason I believe why many, even in the church who may believe in God will pull away from the resurrection –if Jesus really did rise from the dead, and all authority is then given to him then his words, his teachings, his commands must be followed. The resurrection adds an exclamation mark to all of the teachings of Jesus –all of his statements.
-I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the father but by me! –Resurrection!
-If you love me, obey my commands –Resurrection!
-I am the vine you are the branches –remain in me –resurrection!
-God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that who ever believe in him will have everlasting life –resurrection!
If Jesus was just a good man, just a good teacher, just a moral guide, then the words he spoke can be taken or left –we can pick an choose what we want to believe is true or worth following. Much as we would follow the teachings of Buddha or Benjamin Franklin or any other teacher and giver of advice. But if Jesus is risen, if he is indeed given all authority if he is Lord and King and all are placed under his feet, then what he says, what he teaches is truth.
Because God raised Jesus from the dead, Jesus has the power to judge. John 5:19-30. All authority is given to Jesus in heaven and earth, and he will judge. And there are two things to note here. The first is that there will be a judgment of separation. This is the judgment where those who are true believers in Jesus Christ will be separated from those who are not.
The Bible, the words of Jesus are very clear on this. Believe in me and you have life, follow my commands and you have life, be led by the Spirit and have life, I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except by me. Early on Jesus talked about the judgment of separation in his discourse called the sermon on the mount (Mathew 7 15-23) and then again in his parable on the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25. This final judgment of separation is hard for a lot of people to take and so we come up with such things as “all paths lead to God” or “Jesus is just one of many ways.”
The resurrection places Jesus uniquely and singularly as having the power and the authority to judge. And He will judge by the standard the Father has set –believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved! This is not just a mental ascent. Jesus himself says that many will call him Lord yet still be separated from him.
Belief begins in the holiness and righteousness of the sovereign God. We are separated from God because of sin and stand in judgment because of our sin. We, as sinful and separate beings being’s we cannot bring anything to God to offer for our salvation –we are not saved by the law or works –simply following the teachings of Jesus are not enough (Ephesians 2). Jesus Christ, as God’s son, is the only way to forgiveness and cleansing from our sin (Hebrews 2:17). We must confess (admit our sin), and believe (put our trust in Christ as our only hope) and repent (change our lives to match His. All who receive Him (Jesus and believe in His name (Jesus) he gave the right to become the children of God.
God has raised Jesus from the dead and given Him the right to judge-to separate, those who believe and those who do not. Jesus tied the resurrection and faith in him together when he met a woman named Martha who had just lost her brother in death. Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe?” That I the question we need to ask ourselves –do I believe? God raised Jesus from the dead –do you believe?
Further there is also the judgment of actions. This is for those who have gone through the judgment of separation and now stand before the throne of Jesus. Paul in II Corinthians 5:10 say’s that we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. (read). This is the obedience factor for followers of Jesus. Jesus made it very clear “If you love me you will obey my commands” (John 14:15). God has raised Jesus from the dead. Jesus has been given all authority, his words are true and he has been given the power and right to judge.
But even more and I am going to run through these quickly but do not lose sight of their importance and impact in our lives!
John Piper says in his book “Seeing and savoring Jesus Christ” says the resurrection vindicates the sufficiency of the cross that Jesus death and sacrifice was enough for our salvation. The price has been paid, the debt of sin accounted for. Jesus has paid it all, nothing more is needed because he has laid down his life as our ransom and death no longer has mastery of Him but he has conquered death! Colossians 2:14-15
Because he has been raised our forgiveness is real and permanent. Jesus has assured our salvation and all who believe in Him will be saved! Take great hope in this, take great confidence in this –because he lives we too shall live! (Colossians 2:13)
Because he has been raised from the dead he now stands at the Heavenly Father’s right hand making intercession for us –Jesus is praying and asking the father on our behalf. We pray in Jesus name because he is risen and can have the confidence that our great high priest is there –one who knows our struggles and loves us eternally. (Hebrews 7:25)
Because he has been raised from the dead he can give us his Spirit to teach and to guide us, comfort and protect us, fill us and empower us. (John 14:16)
Because Jesus is raised from the dead he can and does commission us to carry on His work –to spread the good news of His coming and the salvation that is offered. Because he lives he continues to work through us to build His kingdom, his church against which the gates of hell will not prevail! (Acts 1:8)
Because he is raised form the dead he has defeated the enemy –stepped on the head of the serpent. The victory is won. And more he has defeated the grave and death no longer holds its grip. For all who believe in Him are given the gift of eternal life and we shall be like him. (I Corinthians 15)
Because he has been raised from the dead we can, and to me this is one of the most important comforting and challenging aspects of the whole thing, because he has been raised from the dead he can be with us and is with us, even to the ends of the earth. Immanuel! God with us, Jesus with us! At Christmas we see the promise of Immanuel and indeed He has come as a baby, God in flesh. But even more powerfully, more fully, more incredibly he is Immanuel –God with us because he is risen! (Matthew 28:20)
Over the next several weeks we are going to look at how this presence of the risen savior affects some of the key areas of our lives. It should and can have a tremendous impact in our day to day living, our worship, our ministry, our growth, our sharing the good news. The Lord is Risen! He has risen Indeed!
God has raised Jesus from the dead and this gives us hope –he is the first born from amoung the dead and he has the power to raise us up with Himself! (Romans 8:11)
Oranges aren't suppoed to be seedless -Dec 26
I am sure everyone here knows what this is –a Mandarin “Christmas” Orange. These have been a staple in our household every year ever since I can remember. Getting these oranges each year at Christmas was a special treat. When I was kid we always got these oranges on Christmas morning, there were one or two in our stocking, always at the toe.
One of the good things about them was that they were seedless. They were sweet, juicy and refreshing, but the thing I remember most is they were seedless. And we have come along in our society to have several fruits that are like that –seedless. There are bananas, grapes and watermelon and I am sure probably a few others that are around. We like the pleasure and ease of eating our fruit without having to stop and spit out the seeds, to bite into a juicy piece of fruit without the irritation of the seed. But you know something –these types of fruits are aberrations –they are not natural. We have engineered through selective breeding and sometimes through genetic alteration fruit that are really freaks in nature .
When I was in high school biology I can remember having the teacher stand in front of the class and talk about how fruit are the plants way of getting it’s seeds scattered around. The tree would produce an enticing sweet shell which surrounded its seeds so that some animal would come along, eat the enticing shell, swallow the seeds as well, then at a later time would expel the remains –largely the seeds, at a different location. Mr. Pike would stand up and say, “How does it feel to be fooled by a plant to do it’s work?”
Well, we know that is how God created things to be. But he also created different fruits for us to enjoy and benefit from as part of our diet. But the idea is still the same –the plant makes this fleshy tasty outer shell to surround the seed so that its seeds will be scattered and continue to make the plant to continue on for future plant generations. It is the way they regenerate and propagate. The purpose of the plant is not in producing the fleshy outer shell, the purpose of the plant is producing seed. If the plant existed just to produce the sweet outer shell and flesh, how would it continue to exist? That is why seedless oranges and grapes and watermelons are aberrations. They cannot survive in nature, not without intervention such as grafting.
Trees, vines, plants, produce seeds. They are created by God to reproduce (read Genesis 1:11-13). The fleshy part is to be attractive to us so that we carry the seeds and place them elsewhere in order to reproduce more of that plant or vine. The purpose of the plant in producing the seed is reproduction, making more of itself.
This helps me to understand what Jesus may be intending when he talks about His being the vine and we are the branches, and as branches we are to bear fruit. Often we look at this passage and we read into it Galatians 5:22-23 and the fruit of the spirit –love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, goodness and self control. But is that what Jesus is referring to here?
I think that as good as these things are, these fruit of the Spirit, they are more of the skin, the fleshy part of what people see and desire. After all, who would not look at these fruit in our lives and go –I want some of that! I want peace in my life, I want joy in my life, I want patience and goodness and love. But is that really what we offer? No, this appealing outer layer has the purpose spreading the gospel, the good news about Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ came to this earth for a purpose, to bring the god news to us Mark 1 reads that he went throughout the region of Galilee preaching and teaching this message of good news, that people would hear and come to know the salvation of God. In Luke 4 Jesus is standing in front of the people in the synagogue and he reads from Isaiah that the Spirit of the Lord is upon Him and he is to preach the good news to the poor, proclaim freedom to the prisoners, recovery of sight to the blind, release the oppressed and proclaim the ear of the Lord. (18-19). Later, when he had been healing people and laying hands on them and people wanted him stay and keep doing this (the attraction stuff), he said, no, I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God! (43).” And this is the directive he gave us –to go into the world and preach the good news (Mark 15:16).
And so, the seed for me is Christ-likeness. Our goal, our purpose, is to more and more conformed to the image of Christ. Becoming more like Jesus Christ and doing the things He did –fulfilling his purpose of growing the kingdom, spreading the good news. Becoming more Christ-like. Sounds ominous and daunting –at least to me. How can I become Christ –like? Well, I can’t. And that brings us back to the passage in John 15. We cannot do it on our own. Rather we are to be tied into the vine, into the source –Christ Himself.
Jesus said, I am the vine, you are the branches, the father is the gardener. Remain in me and I in you, no branch can bear fruit by itself, is must remain in the vine. (15:1,4). The fruit of Christ-likeness, that seed which grows to become more and more like Jesus, must be connected to the vine. To bear the fruit of Christ-likeness we must be attached to the vine (vs. 5). In this we grow and flourish become more like Him.
Jesus, in the verses surrounding this teaching on the vine, promises his disciples that he will give them his Spirit. This Spirit, His Spirit, will be with us to teach us, comfort us, guide us, secure us in Him. He further says He will give us His love, His peace, His joy that is beyond the understanding of this world (cf 14:25-27).
When we accept that our God is righteous, holy and sovereign over al things and that we are fallen, sinful creatures who are separated from this holy God because of our unrighteousness, when we see our need for radical change, for a new heart, a new relationship with God and tat only through Jesus Christ is that change possible –that He died for our sins and made an atonement, a final and complete payment for our sins, when we confess and repent and become attached to the vine –then he begins to grow in us. Salvation is not just saying I am sorry to God but salvation is radically changing our lives to become more like Jesus Christ. This is called sanctification –the progressive working of the Spirit in our lives to more and more make us free from sin and more and more like Christ in our actual lives (Grudem, pg. 746).
Jesus does not just save us to look good –to have joy and peace and self control and all the other outward things, but he saves us and works in us to sanctify us. That is why he gave us His Spirit and why he continually says, obey what I command, just as he, Jesus, did what the father commanded him (14:31; 15:17). We are to do as Jesus did –seek first and foremost the glory of God, live a life that is on obedience to God, become more and more like Christ and to fulfill his purpose –tell the good news!
One of the true purposes of the vine producing branches that are fruitful is not so that there can be an appealing, eye catching sweet object –but to produce something that will reproduce, make more.
The things we call the fruit of the Spirit all emerge out of our life in Christ. A part of their appeal is that –to be appealing, to attract people to Christ. And in that the good news can be shared with them and they can become grow in the vine. Our purpose in life is not just to bear fruit but to be fruitful –to multiply, to bring others closer to God through our fruit, through our words, our deeds, our lives, our hope. The fruit of the Spirit is a testimony of the working of Christ in is through Hi Spirit so that we may be able to give a reason for the hope we have, n opportunity to share the good news, a chance to bring someone closer to the God Who made them, loves them, came as Immanuel, died for them and rose again to return for them.
I love these oranges. But ultimately, they are just nice, sweet unproductive mutants. Their real purpose, to produce seeds and to produce more has been lost. Sadly, many Christians are like that, or are becoming like that. In fact the church as a whole is somewhat like that isn’t it. We try to be appealing but we lack the true inner fruit –Christ-likeness, and we lack his purpose –to share the good news –spread the gospel.
This morning as you leave there will be available for those who desire, one of these fruit. Take it an ponder as you eat it –am I fruitless, seedless? Or do I desire to be fruitfull?
One of the good things about them was that they were seedless. They were sweet, juicy and refreshing, but the thing I remember most is they were seedless. And we have come along in our society to have several fruits that are like that –seedless. There are bananas, grapes and watermelon and I am sure probably a few others that are around. We like the pleasure and ease of eating our fruit without having to stop and spit out the seeds, to bite into a juicy piece of fruit without the irritation of the seed. But you know something –these types of fruits are aberrations –they are not natural. We have engineered through selective breeding and sometimes through genetic alteration fruit that are really freaks in nature .
When I was in high school biology I can remember having the teacher stand in front of the class and talk about how fruit are the plants way of getting it’s seeds scattered around. The tree would produce an enticing sweet shell which surrounded its seeds so that some animal would come along, eat the enticing shell, swallow the seeds as well, then at a later time would expel the remains –largely the seeds, at a different location. Mr. Pike would stand up and say, “How does it feel to be fooled by a plant to do it’s work?”
Well, we know that is how God created things to be. But he also created different fruits for us to enjoy and benefit from as part of our diet. But the idea is still the same –the plant makes this fleshy tasty outer shell to surround the seed so that its seeds will be scattered and continue to make the plant to continue on for future plant generations. It is the way they regenerate and propagate. The purpose of the plant is not in producing the fleshy outer shell, the purpose of the plant is producing seed. If the plant existed just to produce the sweet outer shell and flesh, how would it continue to exist? That is why seedless oranges and grapes and watermelons are aberrations. They cannot survive in nature, not without intervention such as grafting.
Trees, vines, plants, produce seeds. They are created by God to reproduce (read Genesis 1:11-13). The fleshy part is to be attractive to us so that we carry the seeds and place them elsewhere in order to reproduce more of that plant or vine. The purpose of the plant in producing the seed is reproduction, making more of itself.
This helps me to understand what Jesus may be intending when he talks about His being the vine and we are the branches, and as branches we are to bear fruit. Often we look at this passage and we read into it Galatians 5:22-23 and the fruit of the spirit –love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, goodness and self control. But is that what Jesus is referring to here?
I think that as good as these things are, these fruit of the Spirit, they are more of the skin, the fleshy part of what people see and desire. After all, who would not look at these fruit in our lives and go –I want some of that! I want peace in my life, I want joy in my life, I want patience and goodness and love. But is that really what we offer? No, this appealing outer layer has the purpose spreading the gospel, the good news about Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ came to this earth for a purpose, to bring the god news to us Mark 1 reads that he went throughout the region of Galilee preaching and teaching this message of good news, that people would hear and come to know the salvation of God. In Luke 4 Jesus is standing in front of the people in the synagogue and he reads from Isaiah that the Spirit of the Lord is upon Him and he is to preach the good news to the poor, proclaim freedom to the prisoners, recovery of sight to the blind, release the oppressed and proclaim the ear of the Lord. (18-19). Later, when he had been healing people and laying hands on them and people wanted him stay and keep doing this (the attraction stuff), he said, no, I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God! (43).” And this is the directive he gave us –to go into the world and preach the good news (Mark 15:16).
And so, the seed for me is Christ-likeness. Our goal, our purpose, is to more and more conformed to the image of Christ. Becoming more like Jesus Christ and doing the things He did –fulfilling his purpose of growing the kingdom, spreading the good news. Becoming more Christ-like. Sounds ominous and daunting –at least to me. How can I become Christ –like? Well, I can’t. And that brings us back to the passage in John 15. We cannot do it on our own. Rather we are to be tied into the vine, into the source –Christ Himself.
Jesus said, I am the vine, you are the branches, the father is the gardener. Remain in me and I in you, no branch can bear fruit by itself, is must remain in the vine. (15:1,4). The fruit of Christ-likeness, that seed which grows to become more and more like Jesus, must be connected to the vine. To bear the fruit of Christ-likeness we must be attached to the vine (vs. 5). In this we grow and flourish become more like Him.
Jesus, in the verses surrounding this teaching on the vine, promises his disciples that he will give them his Spirit. This Spirit, His Spirit, will be with us to teach us, comfort us, guide us, secure us in Him. He further says He will give us His love, His peace, His joy that is beyond the understanding of this world (cf 14:25-27).
When we accept that our God is righteous, holy and sovereign over al things and that we are fallen, sinful creatures who are separated from this holy God because of our unrighteousness, when we see our need for radical change, for a new heart, a new relationship with God and tat only through Jesus Christ is that change possible –that He died for our sins and made an atonement, a final and complete payment for our sins, when we confess and repent and become attached to the vine –then he begins to grow in us. Salvation is not just saying I am sorry to God but salvation is radically changing our lives to become more like Jesus Christ. This is called sanctification –the progressive working of the Spirit in our lives to more and more make us free from sin and more and more like Christ in our actual lives (Grudem, pg. 746).
Jesus does not just save us to look good –to have joy and peace and self control and all the other outward things, but he saves us and works in us to sanctify us. That is why he gave us His Spirit and why he continually says, obey what I command, just as he, Jesus, did what the father commanded him (14:31; 15:17). We are to do as Jesus did –seek first and foremost the glory of God, live a life that is on obedience to God, become more and more like Christ and to fulfill his purpose –tell the good news!
One of the true purposes of the vine producing branches that are fruitful is not so that there can be an appealing, eye catching sweet object –but to produce something that will reproduce, make more.
The things we call the fruit of the Spirit all emerge out of our life in Christ. A part of their appeal is that –to be appealing, to attract people to Christ. And in that the good news can be shared with them and they can become grow in the vine. Our purpose in life is not just to bear fruit but to be fruitful –to multiply, to bring others closer to God through our fruit, through our words, our deeds, our lives, our hope. The fruit of the Spirit is a testimony of the working of Christ in is through Hi Spirit so that we may be able to give a reason for the hope we have, n opportunity to share the good news, a chance to bring someone closer to the God Who made them, loves them, came as Immanuel, died for them and rose again to return for them.
I love these oranges. But ultimately, they are just nice, sweet unproductive mutants. Their real purpose, to produce seeds and to produce more has been lost. Sadly, many Christians are like that, or are becoming like that. In fact the church as a whole is somewhat like that isn’t it. We try to be appealing but we lack the true inner fruit –Christ-likeness, and we lack his purpose –to share the good news –spread the gospel.
This morning as you leave there will be available for those who desire, one of these fruit. Take it an ponder as you eat it –am I fruitless, seedless? Or do I desire to be fruitfull?
Abide in Me -December 19
The Sunday before Christmas it may seem a little unusual to talk about something at the end of Jesus life. After all isn’t Christmas about the beginning of His life. Yes, but all of Jesus’ life was leading up to the end. His purpose was to come to this world to give Himself. The coming of the baby Jesus would be meaningless without the context of his death. That is why he came. He came, we read in Matthew 1:21, “to save his people from their sins.”
But it is the next few verses of Matthew 1 that bring us one of the great promises and assurances we have because Christ came. Read Matthew 1:22-23. Immanuel, God with us. We looked at this last week through the account of Ahaz and the prophet Isaiah. God gives us the opportunity to see and experience His power and presence in our lives. And it is because He is with us, God with us, that we can experience this. Ahaz had the opportunity and he turned it down. The result for him was disaster.
We are given that opportunity too, to connect with God, to experience Immanuel. John 1:12 says, “yet all who receive him, to those who believe in His name –what name, the name of Jesus, savior, he gave the right to become the children of God.”
Do you believe? Do you believe in the child who has come and is the son of God, the savior? Do you believe he has come to save his people –to save you from your sins?
Most of us here have done that, I am sure. We have accepted that the baby who came is the son of God, that he came to save us, that he died on the cross for us, that God not only gave us his son, but that his son gave us his life! The great meaning of Christmas is that God gave. And most of us have accepted, we believe. But what about that second part of the promise in Matthew –that he will be called Immanuel –God with us?
What does it mean for God to be with us? We have some kind of mystical acceptance of it, but does it really affect us, impact us to know God is with us? The presence of Christ does have an effect. The immediate effect, of course, is our salvation –we become the children of God. But more than that there is the effect of a growing and deeper communion with Christ.
Jesus would later refer to this as our abiding in Him. In John chapter 15 we see that Jesus is with His disciples and they are on their way to the Garden of Gethsemene. They have had their meal, what we often call the last supper, with Jesus and now they are walking through Jerusalem to the eastern gate of the city which leads to the mount of Olives. As they walk, they pass the temple, this huge structure that dominates the city. They may have even stopped at one of the familiar places where Jesus would teach from in the previous week. We don’t know this, but we can imagine how this is quite possible because Jesus now talks about the vine (John 15:1) Why?
Well, inside the temple grounds, near the entrance to the holy place there is a large purple curtain supported by a large gold beam. Josephus the historian of that period, writes that there was hung by that curtain a large grapevine of pure gold representing Israel. Wealthy citizens would bring gifts of gold to be made into grapes or leaves or other parts of the grapevine.
The grapevine and the vineyard were significant and ancient symbols in Israel and represented the covenant people of God, planted and tended by Him so Israel could produce fruit (Burge pg. 417). Psalm 80:8,9,14-15. And in Isaiah 5:7 we read, “the vineyard of the Lord Almighty is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are the garden of His delight.” Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Hosea also talk about Israel being the vineyard of God. And so there is a special place that the vine has for Israel. To look on this great golden grapevine, here in the very temple of God, we to be reminded that God has planted and cares for His people.
With this huge, magnificent, golden vine and large clusters of golden grapes hanging down I can well imagine Jesus standing there and looking at them and then turning to his disciples and saying, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.” Jesus often would do this, take something that was ordinary, or visible and use it as a teaching tool “behold, look to the fields that are white and ready for harvest.” “Whose picture is on this coin? Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s!”
And then he brings the challenge and the blessing of Immanuel. “Remain in me and I will remain in you.” Remain-abide. I like that word abide much better, although it certainly does mean remain. We can abide because he is with us. It is hard to be with someone if they are not there. But he is Immanuel –God with us. His presence, his presence! In our lives. Immanuel!
As we read these few words that Jesus gave to His disciples as they made their way to the mount of Olives, we can see that he is comforting and challenging them with something they knew –the work of the master with the vine. And he applies it to their remaining in him –to abide. And in this he gives 5 gifts of grace to us as we abide.
The first gift is growth in Christ. Abide in me and you will bear fruit. The purpose of the branch, us, we who are abiding in Immanuel, is to grow. To grow s a vine! Paul says we are to grow up into Him, Christ, who is the head. We are to grow in our likeness of Jesus, the vine. As we abide, he has already promised us the Holy Spirit, the comforter, who will teach us and guide us. We grow by abiding, by remaining, by being attached to Immanuel. God with us! God in us! This great gift is given to us to grow –to learn to be more like the one God loves best, grow to become more and more like His children.
The second gift is cleanness. Verse 3 says we are already clean, clean because of the word Jesus gave us. How are we clean? Our sins are washed away! He has cleansed us from our sins! Immanuel, God with us, died for us, cleansed us, making us a pure and spotless gift for the father. We are washed clean through Jesus Christ because he came as a child, grew to a man and died for us. The image of clean with regards to the vine and the branches is that the gardener would come along and lift up any branch that is in the dirt. He cleans it off and lifts it up and sets it higher. He cleans us from our sins, that which makes us unfit, un-right to go before a holy and pure God. We read elsewhere we are made holy –we are set apart and sanctified. All big concepts to say this –we are clean because of Jesus. God cannot and will not allow anything unclean in his presence. Can we grasp that? We are made clean by the master for the master so we can be with the master –Immanuel!
The third gift is productivity. Verse 4. Our purpose is to grow but even more it is to bear fruit. I like t grow tomatoes, as many of you do. I like it when I see the little yellow flowers come and then they turn into little buds that grow and become green then orange then red. The purpose is to get fruit. I have grown some really nice looking tomatoes plants that have been some of the most healthy and full plants ever, but never had one bud, one tomato. They look good, but their purpose is not met –they did not have any fruit. Many Christians today are like that –we look really good but our productivity is not great. Why? I think it is largely because we do not abide with Immanuel. Listen carefully to verse 4 again and then the following verses which expand on it (4-8). When we abide, as we abide, as we focus on Him, learn from Him, grow in Him, become more like him, as we abide with Immanuel, we become productive. The gift of Immanuel, God with us is that we are productive for Him –we bear fruit.
The fourth gift is security. We talk a lot about security today. Many of you who are travelling this Christmas will feel the effects of increased security. We may sometimes not like it, but better safe than sorry! And we look for security in our homes, with our finances, with our children. We protect our computers and private information. If we do not –well, I found out this last week what happens when I don’t –One of my computers picked up a virus that took over. Why, I didn’t have that security I should have. Security is something we are and should be very conscious of in our world. And in our eternity. Verse 9-10. If you obey my commands, YOU WILL remain in my love! Talk about security –YOU WILL! This is a guarantee better than any anti-virus, better than any insurance, better than any security screening it is made by the Lord God himself, Immanuel –God with us! And even more Jesus ahs gives us His spirit, remember? Paul in Ephesians 1:13-13 (let me read). Guarantee! WOW! If we remain in Him, abide in Him, live Immanuel, talk about security. And then, Jesus goes on to pray these words (John 17:11-12, and then verse 23. Immanuel, God with us!
The fifth gift is prayer power. Verse 16. We often take this verse out of context, or in isolation. Whatever you ask the Father will give. Hold on here! We must take this in the context of abiding in him. He has loved us, chosen us, filled us, given His Spirit to us, given us His joy, He has given us His commands and the call, the challenge to obey. He sets the rule of love in our hearts. The first four gifts must be opened and working in our lives for the fifth gift to be empowered! Listen to verse 16, there is a wonderful gift and promise there to be sure but take not, “I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit –fruit that will last, then the father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Are you bearing fruit? Are you living the life of abiding? Are you going out and living in obedience? Are you loving others as commanded? Is Immanuel being realized in you? Then ask, ask in order that Immanuel may be realized, ask that you may love, ask that you may bear fruit, ask that your joy may be full, ask that you be clean and lifted up, ask that you grow, ask to be secure, ask to abide and experience Immanuel, and for He is able to do more than you can ask or imagine! Ask in Jesus Name, the name of Immanuel, the name of the vine, the name that is above every other name.
Friends we had these 5 wonderful gifts of grace through Immanuel as we abide –remain, stick fast, grow. Immanuel, God with us. Remain in him, Abide in Him and he will do more than you could ask or imagine!
But it is the next few verses of Matthew 1 that bring us one of the great promises and assurances we have because Christ came. Read Matthew 1:22-23. Immanuel, God with us. We looked at this last week through the account of Ahaz and the prophet Isaiah. God gives us the opportunity to see and experience His power and presence in our lives. And it is because He is with us, God with us, that we can experience this. Ahaz had the opportunity and he turned it down. The result for him was disaster.
We are given that opportunity too, to connect with God, to experience Immanuel. John 1:12 says, “yet all who receive him, to those who believe in His name –what name, the name of Jesus, savior, he gave the right to become the children of God.”
Do you believe? Do you believe in the child who has come and is the son of God, the savior? Do you believe he has come to save his people –to save you from your sins?
Most of us here have done that, I am sure. We have accepted that the baby who came is the son of God, that he came to save us, that he died on the cross for us, that God not only gave us his son, but that his son gave us his life! The great meaning of Christmas is that God gave. And most of us have accepted, we believe. But what about that second part of the promise in Matthew –that he will be called Immanuel –God with us?
What does it mean for God to be with us? We have some kind of mystical acceptance of it, but does it really affect us, impact us to know God is with us? The presence of Christ does have an effect. The immediate effect, of course, is our salvation –we become the children of God. But more than that there is the effect of a growing and deeper communion with Christ.
Jesus would later refer to this as our abiding in Him. In John chapter 15 we see that Jesus is with His disciples and they are on their way to the Garden of Gethsemene. They have had their meal, what we often call the last supper, with Jesus and now they are walking through Jerusalem to the eastern gate of the city which leads to the mount of Olives. As they walk, they pass the temple, this huge structure that dominates the city. They may have even stopped at one of the familiar places where Jesus would teach from in the previous week. We don’t know this, but we can imagine how this is quite possible because Jesus now talks about the vine (John 15:1) Why?
Well, inside the temple grounds, near the entrance to the holy place there is a large purple curtain supported by a large gold beam. Josephus the historian of that period, writes that there was hung by that curtain a large grapevine of pure gold representing Israel. Wealthy citizens would bring gifts of gold to be made into grapes or leaves or other parts of the grapevine.
The grapevine and the vineyard were significant and ancient symbols in Israel and represented the covenant people of God, planted and tended by Him so Israel could produce fruit (Burge pg. 417). Psalm 80:8,9,14-15. And in Isaiah 5:7 we read, “the vineyard of the Lord Almighty is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are the garden of His delight.” Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Hosea also talk about Israel being the vineyard of God. And so there is a special place that the vine has for Israel. To look on this great golden grapevine, here in the very temple of God, we to be reminded that God has planted and cares for His people.
With this huge, magnificent, golden vine and large clusters of golden grapes hanging down I can well imagine Jesus standing there and looking at them and then turning to his disciples and saying, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.” Jesus often would do this, take something that was ordinary, or visible and use it as a teaching tool “behold, look to the fields that are white and ready for harvest.” “Whose picture is on this coin? Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s!”
And then he brings the challenge and the blessing of Immanuel. “Remain in me and I will remain in you.” Remain-abide. I like that word abide much better, although it certainly does mean remain. We can abide because he is with us. It is hard to be with someone if they are not there. But he is Immanuel –God with us. His presence, his presence! In our lives. Immanuel!
As we read these few words that Jesus gave to His disciples as they made their way to the mount of Olives, we can see that he is comforting and challenging them with something they knew –the work of the master with the vine. And he applies it to their remaining in him –to abide. And in this he gives 5 gifts of grace to us as we abide.
The first gift is growth in Christ. Abide in me and you will bear fruit. The purpose of the branch, us, we who are abiding in Immanuel, is to grow. To grow s a vine! Paul says we are to grow up into Him, Christ, who is the head. We are to grow in our likeness of Jesus, the vine. As we abide, he has already promised us the Holy Spirit, the comforter, who will teach us and guide us. We grow by abiding, by remaining, by being attached to Immanuel. God with us! God in us! This great gift is given to us to grow –to learn to be more like the one God loves best, grow to become more and more like His children.
The second gift is cleanness. Verse 3 says we are already clean, clean because of the word Jesus gave us. How are we clean? Our sins are washed away! He has cleansed us from our sins! Immanuel, God with us, died for us, cleansed us, making us a pure and spotless gift for the father. We are washed clean through Jesus Christ because he came as a child, grew to a man and died for us. The image of clean with regards to the vine and the branches is that the gardener would come along and lift up any branch that is in the dirt. He cleans it off and lifts it up and sets it higher. He cleans us from our sins, that which makes us unfit, un-right to go before a holy and pure God. We read elsewhere we are made holy –we are set apart and sanctified. All big concepts to say this –we are clean because of Jesus. God cannot and will not allow anything unclean in his presence. Can we grasp that? We are made clean by the master for the master so we can be with the master –Immanuel!
The third gift is productivity. Verse 4. Our purpose is to grow but even more it is to bear fruit. I like t grow tomatoes, as many of you do. I like it when I see the little yellow flowers come and then they turn into little buds that grow and become green then orange then red. The purpose is to get fruit. I have grown some really nice looking tomatoes plants that have been some of the most healthy and full plants ever, but never had one bud, one tomato. They look good, but their purpose is not met –they did not have any fruit. Many Christians today are like that –we look really good but our productivity is not great. Why? I think it is largely because we do not abide with Immanuel. Listen carefully to verse 4 again and then the following verses which expand on it (4-8). When we abide, as we abide, as we focus on Him, learn from Him, grow in Him, become more like him, as we abide with Immanuel, we become productive. The gift of Immanuel, God with us is that we are productive for Him –we bear fruit.
The fourth gift is security. We talk a lot about security today. Many of you who are travelling this Christmas will feel the effects of increased security. We may sometimes not like it, but better safe than sorry! And we look for security in our homes, with our finances, with our children. We protect our computers and private information. If we do not –well, I found out this last week what happens when I don’t –One of my computers picked up a virus that took over. Why, I didn’t have that security I should have. Security is something we are and should be very conscious of in our world. And in our eternity. Verse 9-10. If you obey my commands, YOU WILL remain in my love! Talk about security –YOU WILL! This is a guarantee better than any anti-virus, better than any insurance, better than any security screening it is made by the Lord God himself, Immanuel –God with us! And even more Jesus ahs gives us His spirit, remember? Paul in Ephesians 1:13-13 (let me read). Guarantee! WOW! If we remain in Him, abide in Him, live Immanuel, talk about security. And then, Jesus goes on to pray these words (John 17:11-12, and then verse 23. Immanuel, God with us!
The fifth gift is prayer power. Verse 16. We often take this verse out of context, or in isolation. Whatever you ask the Father will give. Hold on here! We must take this in the context of abiding in him. He has loved us, chosen us, filled us, given His Spirit to us, given us His joy, He has given us His commands and the call, the challenge to obey. He sets the rule of love in our hearts. The first four gifts must be opened and working in our lives for the fifth gift to be empowered! Listen to verse 16, there is a wonderful gift and promise there to be sure but take not, “I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit –fruit that will last, then the father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Are you bearing fruit? Are you living the life of abiding? Are you going out and living in obedience? Are you loving others as commanded? Is Immanuel being realized in you? Then ask, ask in order that Immanuel may be realized, ask that you may love, ask that you may bear fruit, ask that your joy may be full, ask that you be clean and lifted up, ask that you grow, ask to be secure, ask to abide and experience Immanuel, and for He is able to do more than you can ask or imagine! Ask in Jesus Name, the name of Immanuel, the name of the vine, the name that is above every other name.
Friends we had these 5 wonderful gifts of grace through Immanuel as we abide –remain, stick fast, grow. Immanuel, God with us. Remain in him, Abide in Him and he will do more than you could ask or imagine!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Back at it
It has been some time since I posted a message. That is due to faily concerns and a time of renewal granted by my church. I hope to get some of the messages preached in my absence and post them but that may be far into the future. The next few months will be looking at the idea of Immanuel. What does this mean for us in our daily lives? I hope it proves challenging and enlightening.
In Christ
Allan
In Christ
Allan
Immanuel -God with us
Things were not exactly going right for Ahaz. Many of you probably do not know who Ahaz is. That’s okay, he really wasn’t a guy worth knowing, really. In fact he was a pretty bad guy. Oh he wasn’t a mass murderer or a serial rapist or even a bioenvironmental terrorist. He was just a 20 something king who, and I quote, followed the detestable ways of the nations the Lord had driven out before the Israelites. But he was king of God’s chosen people, that should count for something, shouldn’t it? He was chosen, special, well at least he thought so, and he thought he was entitled, that he could coast along with no real commitment to God.
That’s where many of us are today. We look at ourselves and think we should be blessed by God, empowered by God and loved by God because we are part of a church, or part of a Christian family. That should count for something, shouldn’t it? But we still go about doing the things we know God has directed us not too, we live a life largely apart from God and follow the ways of others. I have often heard and asked, “How can you tell the difference between a Christian and a non-Christian? You can’t!”
So, here is Ahaz, a descendant of David the greatest king of Israel, one who God himself said was after God’s own heart. Ahaz, descendant of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob who had been given the promise of God to be a people as numerous as the stars. Ahaz, leader of a people God had lead out of Egypt, been given the law of Moses and led into the promised land. Ahaz who daily looked out of his palace and saw the temple, the very place God himself said he would be –the heart of the religious, political and social fabric of the nation. Ahaz who had the pedigree, the history and the knowledge to honor God, follow God and serve God, yet he took it all for granted -no he thwarted it –no, he put it all aside and wanted the rights and privileges without the commitment.
And now he faces a series of crisis. The King of Aram which is to the east, comes and takes a large number of people prisoner –slaves, and took them to Damascus. Then his own country-men the king of Israel (Note: about Israel and Judah and the whole split thing), Pekah comes in and wages war against Ahaz and in one day, one battle, kills 120,000 soldiers of Judah. And to add insult to injury Pekah takes 200,000 people prisoner and herds them up to the north. Start adding the numbers here! Things were not going well!
And what does Ahaz do? Why, what any right thinking leader of God’s chosen people would do –he went before God and asked for help! After all, he was one of the chosen people, and wasn’t the temple, the very place where God dwelled, right there in the middle of the city! IS this what Ahaz did, go to God? NO!
Instead he sends for help to Assyria –a kingdom further to the east. And what does Assyria do, well they come and attack instead. So what does Ahaz do? He raids the temple and gives some of the treasures of God to the King of Assyria! In the meantime Edom attacks, the Philistines attack, cities are lost, people are taken, and plunder is made. Things are pressing in from every side. Things go from bad to worse. And still Ahaz, and I again quote, promoted wickedness and was most unfaithful to the Lord. In fact we read in II Chronicles 28:22, “In this time of trouble King Ahaz became more unfaithful to the Lord.”
Can you even imagine the gall of this guy; this king of God’s chosen people who has the history of Moses, the heritage of Solomon and David, the promise and the presence of God Himself in the very temple Ahaz plunders! What does he do? Let me continue to read from II Chronicles 28 verse 23-25.
He ignores God, he rejects God, he denies God, he steals from God, he insults God, he blasphemes God and he replaces God. No wonder things were going wrong!
But did God reject Him or the people of Judah? No. Through the prophet Obed in the north Ahaz was given a chance. Obed comes and says to the king of Israel, Pekah, return the people you have taken. And he does –with clothes and healing and support! Does Ahaz get the message? No.
We read that God was seeking to humble Ahaz though some of these events, to bring him to the place of repentance. But did Ahaz turn to God, did he repent? (explain repent). NO
And then through the prophet Isaiah God even offers victory. Victory of over the enemies, victory over the circumstances. All God says is that Ahaz is to ask for a sign.
We read in Isaiah 7 these words (verses 4, 7, 10-11). Just ask for a sign of my care, ask for a sign of my power, ask for a sign of my presence. Ahaz, just ask for a sign.
In a world of chaos we cry out to God, If you are there, give us a sign, show us that you are there, that you care. I talked with a man, let us call him John, several years ago who was struggling with depression. He had lost his job, was in serious financial stress and was in danger of losing his home and family. He grew up in a Christian home, had gone to Sunday School, youth group and attended church regularly. But his life and ethics were not close too what one would call a follower of Jesus. He knew all the right things to say, but ignored them, He knew the things he should do but didn’t. And now that he was in trouble he sat and talked with me and asked, I just wish God would give me a sign, something to show he cared.
God says to Ahaz, I will give you a sign, just ask. And what is Ahaz’s response? Verse 12. “I will not ask. I will not put the Lord to the test.” In other words, “I don’t want your help! Even if you showed me, I won’t accept it.” Ahaz was so apathetic to the things of God that he even refused to accept the gracious offer –a sign that God would protect the people of Judah –His people! I will give you victory, I will not allow the enemy to come and take the land. It will not happen, it will not take place, just stand firm in your faith in me. And to prove this I will give you a sign.
And what does Ahaz respond? “Here let me think about this, let me pray about this, let me consider this.” No, he says I will not ask.
What is that sign? Verse 13-14. “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son and will call Him Immanuel.”
Immanuel means God with us. Israel as a people had been blessed with this singular blessing the presence of God. God showed his presence thought the cloud and fire as he led Israel through the dessert. He showed his presence in the tabernacle. When the temple was built God came down and settled in the holy of holies –we looked at this last week.
Israel was blessed with the presence but still Ahaz and the nation ignored, even rejected. And so God gives this warning and promise tied together. First the promise –If you stand firm in your faith you will stand. In that the warning, if you do not, you will fall.
Set aside the idols –burn them. Turn from foreign gods, look to me. Stop the detestable ways and do the things that honor me. Stand firm in your faith in me or you will not stand!
How often are we warned as God’s people today? For those of us who grew up in the church but never took it seriously. We learned the verses, we may even have gone through something like baptism, but we still set God aside and play around with things that do not honor Him, actions in our lives that do not show we are His.
For those of us who have been calling ourselves Christians for years but other than maybe going to church a few times a month, live no different from our neighbor who has rarely if ever set foot in a church and knows the name of Jesus as a swear word rather than the sweet Name of a savior? Set aside the detestable ways and stand firm in your faith! And I will give you a sign of blessing!
And what is that sign? The same sign God told Ahaz about –a virgin will be with child and give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel.
This promise was fulfilled 500 years later. Let me read from Matthew 1:18-23. This time the sign was given not to a king in the magnificent city of Jerusalem, but to a carpenter in the lowly small village of Nazareth. This time the sign is given not to the nation of Israel but to all people (Luke 2:10-12).
My friend John, who I talked about earlier, asked for a sign. If God cared, He would give a sign. John, I said, He did!
God did, His name was Jesus, the Christ, Immanuel, God with us. Today we live not in a time of Lord give me a sign, but in a time of God saying I have given the sign. Elmer Towns in his book, “The Names of Jesus,” says, this name Immanuel captures the highest ideals of life and is an affirmation of the highest blessing. Immanuel, God with us! It is not a sign to be looked for, it is a sign right in front of us.
And so we face the same decision as Ahaz, do we accept the sign or not? Do we accept the virgin with child who gives birth to a son and his name is Immanuel, or do we reject him?
We cannot take heritage for granted. Just because our father or grandmother or some other relative was a Christian and we were born into a Christian home we cannot think we are saved. Just because we go to church and do some religious things once and a while does not mean we are saved. Ahaz was born into a great religious heritage and tradition, but that was not enough. God said, stand firm in your faith! That means continue, keep it ongoing, always, daily, hourly, minutely, secondly, moment by moment stand firm. There is another word that I like for this, it is the word abide. Abide means to remain, to be in constant connection, to draw strength from, to always be. Stand firm, remain in me.
Jesus in the last hours before he went to the cross, comforted and challenged his followers with these words –“Abide in me, and I will abide in you.” (John 15:4). The word abide means remain, stay in. We will look at this next week and see it’s power in connection to the idea of Immanuel.
God has given us a sign, that the virgin will be with church and she will give birth to a son and his name will be Immanuel. It is a sign given, a call to trust in God, to stand firm in our faith. Like Ahaz, we can refuse to see, even refuse to commit our faith and trust in God. Or we can accept the sign, accept His presence –God with us! And live in the hope and life He gives.
In the midst of stress, in the middle of trouble, in the turbulence of life, where do you turn? When the enemy closes in, where do you put your faith? God offers us His help, His hope, His power through His presence –Immanuel. God with us.
Over this past few months and especially this past month, we have been facing what seems like the enemies pressing in from all sides. In our family, and in our church family. Not to brag or offer myself as the perfect example, but I can give testimony to the truth of what I speak about here today. My God is a faithful God, He is a present and caring God. In the middle of the storm He is my rock. When the enemy closes in He is my fortress. When the enemy strikes, He is my deliverer. Yes the pressures are still there, the winds still blow, the waves crash, But my God is a mighty God, able to hold me and keep me. Why –Immanuel! God with us, God with me! I accept the gift, the promise and Lord may I live to honor You as I hold on!
That’s where many of us are today. We look at ourselves and think we should be blessed by God, empowered by God and loved by God because we are part of a church, or part of a Christian family. That should count for something, shouldn’t it? But we still go about doing the things we know God has directed us not too, we live a life largely apart from God and follow the ways of others. I have often heard and asked, “How can you tell the difference between a Christian and a non-Christian? You can’t!”
So, here is Ahaz, a descendant of David the greatest king of Israel, one who God himself said was after God’s own heart. Ahaz, descendant of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob who had been given the promise of God to be a people as numerous as the stars. Ahaz, leader of a people God had lead out of Egypt, been given the law of Moses and led into the promised land. Ahaz who daily looked out of his palace and saw the temple, the very place God himself said he would be –the heart of the religious, political and social fabric of the nation. Ahaz who had the pedigree, the history and the knowledge to honor God, follow God and serve God, yet he took it all for granted -no he thwarted it –no, he put it all aside and wanted the rights and privileges without the commitment.
And now he faces a series of crisis. The King of Aram which is to the east, comes and takes a large number of people prisoner –slaves, and took them to Damascus. Then his own country-men the king of Israel (Note: about Israel and Judah and the whole split thing), Pekah comes in and wages war against Ahaz and in one day, one battle, kills 120,000 soldiers of Judah. And to add insult to injury Pekah takes 200,000 people prisoner and herds them up to the north. Start adding the numbers here! Things were not going well!
And what does Ahaz do? Why, what any right thinking leader of God’s chosen people would do –he went before God and asked for help! After all, he was one of the chosen people, and wasn’t the temple, the very place where God dwelled, right there in the middle of the city! IS this what Ahaz did, go to God? NO!
Instead he sends for help to Assyria –a kingdom further to the east. And what does Assyria do, well they come and attack instead. So what does Ahaz do? He raids the temple and gives some of the treasures of God to the King of Assyria! In the meantime Edom attacks, the Philistines attack, cities are lost, people are taken, and plunder is made. Things are pressing in from every side. Things go from bad to worse. And still Ahaz, and I again quote, promoted wickedness and was most unfaithful to the Lord. In fact we read in II Chronicles 28:22, “In this time of trouble King Ahaz became more unfaithful to the Lord.”
Can you even imagine the gall of this guy; this king of God’s chosen people who has the history of Moses, the heritage of Solomon and David, the promise and the presence of God Himself in the very temple Ahaz plunders! What does he do? Let me continue to read from II Chronicles 28 verse 23-25.
He ignores God, he rejects God, he denies God, he steals from God, he insults God, he blasphemes God and he replaces God. No wonder things were going wrong!
But did God reject Him or the people of Judah? No. Through the prophet Obed in the north Ahaz was given a chance. Obed comes and says to the king of Israel, Pekah, return the people you have taken. And he does –with clothes and healing and support! Does Ahaz get the message? No.
We read that God was seeking to humble Ahaz though some of these events, to bring him to the place of repentance. But did Ahaz turn to God, did he repent? (explain repent). NO
And then through the prophet Isaiah God even offers victory. Victory of over the enemies, victory over the circumstances. All God says is that Ahaz is to ask for a sign.
We read in Isaiah 7 these words (verses 4, 7, 10-11). Just ask for a sign of my care, ask for a sign of my power, ask for a sign of my presence. Ahaz, just ask for a sign.
In a world of chaos we cry out to God, If you are there, give us a sign, show us that you are there, that you care. I talked with a man, let us call him John, several years ago who was struggling with depression. He had lost his job, was in serious financial stress and was in danger of losing his home and family. He grew up in a Christian home, had gone to Sunday School, youth group and attended church regularly. But his life and ethics were not close too what one would call a follower of Jesus. He knew all the right things to say, but ignored them, He knew the things he should do but didn’t. And now that he was in trouble he sat and talked with me and asked, I just wish God would give me a sign, something to show he cared.
God says to Ahaz, I will give you a sign, just ask. And what is Ahaz’s response? Verse 12. “I will not ask. I will not put the Lord to the test.” In other words, “I don’t want your help! Even if you showed me, I won’t accept it.” Ahaz was so apathetic to the things of God that he even refused to accept the gracious offer –a sign that God would protect the people of Judah –His people! I will give you victory, I will not allow the enemy to come and take the land. It will not happen, it will not take place, just stand firm in your faith in me. And to prove this I will give you a sign.
And what does Ahaz respond? “Here let me think about this, let me pray about this, let me consider this.” No, he says I will not ask.
What is that sign? Verse 13-14. “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son and will call Him Immanuel.”
Immanuel means God with us. Israel as a people had been blessed with this singular blessing the presence of God. God showed his presence thought the cloud and fire as he led Israel through the dessert. He showed his presence in the tabernacle. When the temple was built God came down and settled in the holy of holies –we looked at this last week.
Israel was blessed with the presence but still Ahaz and the nation ignored, even rejected. And so God gives this warning and promise tied together. First the promise –If you stand firm in your faith you will stand. In that the warning, if you do not, you will fall.
Set aside the idols –burn them. Turn from foreign gods, look to me. Stop the detestable ways and do the things that honor me. Stand firm in your faith in me or you will not stand!
How often are we warned as God’s people today? For those of us who grew up in the church but never took it seriously. We learned the verses, we may even have gone through something like baptism, but we still set God aside and play around with things that do not honor Him, actions in our lives that do not show we are His.
For those of us who have been calling ourselves Christians for years but other than maybe going to church a few times a month, live no different from our neighbor who has rarely if ever set foot in a church and knows the name of Jesus as a swear word rather than the sweet Name of a savior? Set aside the detestable ways and stand firm in your faith! And I will give you a sign of blessing!
And what is that sign? The same sign God told Ahaz about –a virgin will be with child and give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel.
This promise was fulfilled 500 years later. Let me read from Matthew 1:18-23. This time the sign was given not to a king in the magnificent city of Jerusalem, but to a carpenter in the lowly small village of Nazareth. This time the sign is given not to the nation of Israel but to all people (Luke 2:10-12).
My friend John, who I talked about earlier, asked for a sign. If God cared, He would give a sign. John, I said, He did!
God did, His name was Jesus, the Christ, Immanuel, God with us. Today we live not in a time of Lord give me a sign, but in a time of God saying I have given the sign. Elmer Towns in his book, “The Names of Jesus,” says, this name Immanuel captures the highest ideals of life and is an affirmation of the highest blessing. Immanuel, God with us! It is not a sign to be looked for, it is a sign right in front of us.
And so we face the same decision as Ahaz, do we accept the sign or not? Do we accept the virgin with child who gives birth to a son and his name is Immanuel, or do we reject him?
We cannot take heritage for granted. Just because our father or grandmother or some other relative was a Christian and we were born into a Christian home we cannot think we are saved. Just because we go to church and do some religious things once and a while does not mean we are saved. Ahaz was born into a great religious heritage and tradition, but that was not enough. God said, stand firm in your faith! That means continue, keep it ongoing, always, daily, hourly, minutely, secondly, moment by moment stand firm. There is another word that I like for this, it is the word abide. Abide means to remain, to be in constant connection, to draw strength from, to always be. Stand firm, remain in me.
Jesus in the last hours before he went to the cross, comforted and challenged his followers with these words –“Abide in me, and I will abide in you.” (John 15:4). The word abide means remain, stay in. We will look at this next week and see it’s power in connection to the idea of Immanuel.
God has given us a sign, that the virgin will be with church and she will give birth to a son and his name will be Immanuel. It is a sign given, a call to trust in God, to stand firm in our faith. Like Ahaz, we can refuse to see, even refuse to commit our faith and trust in God. Or we can accept the sign, accept His presence –God with us! And live in the hope and life He gives.
In the midst of stress, in the middle of trouble, in the turbulence of life, where do you turn? When the enemy closes in, where do you put your faith? God offers us His help, His hope, His power through His presence –Immanuel. God with us.
Over this past few months and especially this past month, we have been facing what seems like the enemies pressing in from all sides. In our family, and in our church family. Not to brag or offer myself as the perfect example, but I can give testimony to the truth of what I speak about here today. My God is a faithful God, He is a present and caring God. In the middle of the storm He is my rock. When the enemy closes in He is my fortress. When the enemy strikes, He is my deliverer. Yes the pressures are still there, the winds still blow, the waves crash, But my God is a mighty God, able to hold me and keep me. Why –Immanuel! God with us, God with me! I accept the gift, the promise and Lord may I live to honor You as I hold on!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Police recognition September 26, 2010
It was in March of 2005 that 4 RCMP officers were shot and killed in Mayerthorpe Alberta. I was a pastor in a church in Alberta at the time and though the news had national and international attention, Alberta still feels the shock of this tragedy. At the memorial service held for the officers, it was stated of one officer, Constable Brock Myrol (the one on the right), "He wanted the opportunity to work with people and be able to make a difference."
It struck home closely to me and my family because the death of these officers came just after the time that my brother had joined the RCMP. These words, "He wanted the opportunity to work with people and be able to make a difference," could be said of my brother as well, he wanted to join because he wanted to help people and make a difference.
I believe that is true of all the officers who serve in our community –both in the OPP and with Treaty Three. And that is the ideal of any 5 year old boy or girl who wants to be a policeman when they grow up. At least it was for my boys. Both expressed that they wanted to be policeman when they grew up –why? So they could drive a car really fast or shoot a gun? Well, maybe in part, but both said so they could help people in trouble.
Helping others and making a difference. That is the key theme to my address this morning. As a church which holds to the truth and teachings of the Bible, we have at our core this theme as well. In fact, it is one of the core tenants of the law of God. In the Bible we read that a lawyer came to Jesus and asked which law was the greatest. We find the account in Luke 10. Please read this from the NIV. (10:25-36).
“Love your neighbor as yourself.” It seemed the lawyer had no trouble with the idea of loving God, but there was something that he had a concern about in loving others as himself. So he asked, who is my neighbor? And to that, Jesus gives in response a parable about the good Samaritan.
The term “good Samaritan” has become ubiquitous in our culture with someone who does good, they want to help someone and make a difference. There are organizations which bear the name Samaritan, hospitals, charities, foundations all to express their ideal of helping others. Even in our speech today we refer to someone who has done something good for no reason except to help someone else as a good Samaritan.
This morning I would like to draw a few parallels for us between this parable and our police services. Perhaps this can give us a better appreciation for the tough job that these men and women face simply because they want to help others and make a difference.
The first is that the good Samaritan put himself in danger. Although the road going down to Jericho was well travelled, it had a reputation for being dangerous. It was referred to sometimes as “The Way of Blood.” Robbers would often lay in wait for someone who may be passing by who was alone or unsuspecting. That may be one of the reasons why the other two people passed him. It was not uncommon for thieves to rob and beat someone, leave them by the side of the road, and then when someone came to help to rob and beat them as well.
The good Samaritan was putting himself in danger. And this danger can come so quickly. The four Mounties who were killed in Mayerthorpe were ambushed while providing scene security for what initially was for repossession of a truck. After arriving at the scene, officers found stolen vehicle parts and a grow-op on the farm. No one really expected what would happen that day. Whether it is stopping a vehicle for speeding, going to the scene of a domestic argument or even trying to help someone laying on a sidewalk, officers place themselves in danger all the time. But even more, they will purposefully step into the place of danger to help someone else –literally putting themselves on the line of fire. That is what the good Samaritan did –knowing that there was the very real danger of being attacked and robbed himself, he went to help another person. Why? Because of help and wanting to make a difference.
Another thing we see is that there was a cost to what the Good Samaritan did. We read that he not only bandaged the man but poured oil and wine on the wounds. That may not seem like much today, but back then this was significant. This healing/medicinal care that the man gave would have been expensive. And we add to that the good Samaritan also paid for the man’s care and lodging.
In a country that enjoys health care and emergency rooms and social programs we don’t often face the personal expense of helping someone. But there are other costs for those who want to help people and make a difference. There is a great psychological, social, emotional and spiritual cost in seeing things that most of us would have a hard time imagining. I have talked with officers that are a part of our church enough to know the deep impact that policing our community and the communities that surround Kenora can have. The stress and the strain can be costly emotionally, physically and yes, spiritually. It can even affect the very reason that someone became a police officer –to help others and make a difference, the cost of compassion and hope in seeing that what is done does make a difference, does offer help.
It was several years ago when I talked with a city constable in the community we lived in about how he was doing. He expressed a sense of numbness. “It just wears you down after a while and you begin to look at people with pessimism.”
And there is also a cost to families. They see firsthand the stress and strain of the job of helping others and making a difference. It is hard to leave the job out of the home –to not talk shop or about the day. I can catch a glimpse of this as a pastor in trying not to bring the problems of church into the home. But there is also the added costs of transfers to different communities, worry over long shifts, wonder about the dangers that I mentioned earlier.
At LBC we are seeking to provide an environment where the families of our policing community can connect, find support and encouragement. I know that many of the wives of officers are connecting in our small groups and that the youth are connecting through our youth program.
The Good Samaritan knew there was a cost to what he did, and he still did it. How often do we shy away from helping someone because it may cost us time, effort, even money. Why? Because they want to help, to make a difference.
A third thing we see in this account of the good Samaritan was the time he spent in helping this man. We read that he not only went out of his way to help him, but also took the man to an inn and spent the night caring for him. I know that many of our officers in this community and across Canada spend a lot of time in being a part of their community. In this church we have several officers who give a lot of time in various ministries and activities that we have. And though this can be said of all our church members, I just want to say how much I appreciate the time and energy these men and women spend in helping our church and our community.
I know it is easy to step back and not be very involved –you spend a lot of time dealing with people each day and to come and help out in a youth event when you would rather spend time with family, or fishing or just crashing in front of the TV. But even while on duty you often give that extra time in a busy day –to stop and talk at the farmers market, to have a cup of coffee with someone when there is a pile of paperwork to do, even spending that extra time with someone who is stressed because of something that happened.
It was 22 years ago when my wife and I lived in Seattle, WA. My wife had just given birth to our oldest son and was still in the hospital when our house was broken into. I had arrived home about 11 PM to find our front door kicked in and our house a mess. The officer responding to the call spent about two hours with me that night. I just wanted to make the report and get the paperwork done and get the house in order. But the officer spent time with me. He walked with me through the house, sat and explained things, and then just sat on the couch and talked for over an hour. In hindsight I see that is exactly what I needed –someone to be there in this time of trauma. He didn’t have to stay –it was a busy time in Seattle in those days with an arsonist lighting fires all over the city, the Green River killer and the gang problems that were happening. But he did –he stayed and gave his time.
The Good Samaritan did not have to stop, and he certainly didn’t have to stay the night, but he did. And he didn’t have to come back but promised he would. It was 3-4 days later, after my wife and son were home, that the officer who came the night of the break-in stopped by just to check on how we were doing. He didn’t have to, it was not expected –but he did. He showed his care for us as a part of the community and in this small but significant way made a difference, just by spending some time. Te officer who had made the call to our home after the break-in stopped by a few days later, while off duty, just to see how we were doing. Why? Because he cared, he wanted to make a difference.
A fourth and final part of the Good Samaritan account is that this Samaritan was probably not too welcome in helping this man. We are not told this in the account, but some historical background sets this up. Several hundreds of years earlier Israel was divided into two nations –they had two kings and didn’t always get along. Then along came the Assyrians who conquered the northern kingdom and forced them to intermarry with non-jewish people. These people became known as the Samaritans because of the area in which they lived. They were looked down on by the pure Jew. In fact they were despised as a people and most Jews of that day would even avoid walking into Samaria –even if it meant a longer and costlier trip. They would avoid talking with them and most certainly would avoid touching them.
And so here we see a person, this good man –a Samaritan, as an unwelcomed source of help. We don’t know if this man who was beaten, if he were conscious, would probably even have refused help from a Samaritan.
I can imagine that as police officers you are not always welcomed with a red carpet. In fact, I bet that there are times, even when you are simply there to help, you are not too welcome. And yet you still come forward. Like the Samaritan you cross the boundary and step into a situation where you may not be welcome. Why? Duty –perhaps. But dare I say, perhaps more because you want to help and make a difference.
Police officers are a special part of our community, they are a special breed of men and women who step out of the norm and put themselves in places of danger, often at a cost –giving time and crossing boundaries to help people and make a difference. We want to honor that today and to say thank you.
As families of police officers we want to honor you as well, recognizing some of the pressures you face. As a church and as a part of this community we want to say thank you and to let you know we are here to support and encourage you.
May God bless you, sustain you and supply your needs through Jesus Christ our Lord.
It struck home closely to me and my family because the death of these officers came just after the time that my brother had joined the RCMP. These words, "He wanted the opportunity to work with people and be able to make a difference," could be said of my brother as well, he wanted to join because he wanted to help people and make a difference.
I believe that is true of all the officers who serve in our community –both in the OPP and with Treaty Three. And that is the ideal of any 5 year old boy or girl who wants to be a policeman when they grow up. At least it was for my boys. Both expressed that they wanted to be policeman when they grew up –why? So they could drive a car really fast or shoot a gun? Well, maybe in part, but both said so they could help people in trouble.
Helping others and making a difference. That is the key theme to my address this morning. As a church which holds to the truth and teachings of the Bible, we have at our core this theme as well. In fact, it is one of the core tenants of the law of God. In the Bible we read that a lawyer came to Jesus and asked which law was the greatest. We find the account in Luke 10. Please read this from the NIV. (10:25-36).
“Love your neighbor as yourself.” It seemed the lawyer had no trouble with the idea of loving God, but there was something that he had a concern about in loving others as himself. So he asked, who is my neighbor? And to that, Jesus gives in response a parable about the good Samaritan.
The term “good Samaritan” has become ubiquitous in our culture with someone who does good, they want to help someone and make a difference. There are organizations which bear the name Samaritan, hospitals, charities, foundations all to express their ideal of helping others. Even in our speech today we refer to someone who has done something good for no reason except to help someone else as a good Samaritan.
This morning I would like to draw a few parallels for us between this parable and our police services. Perhaps this can give us a better appreciation for the tough job that these men and women face simply because they want to help others and make a difference.
The first is that the good Samaritan put himself in danger. Although the road going down to Jericho was well travelled, it had a reputation for being dangerous. It was referred to sometimes as “The Way of Blood.” Robbers would often lay in wait for someone who may be passing by who was alone or unsuspecting. That may be one of the reasons why the other two people passed him. It was not uncommon for thieves to rob and beat someone, leave them by the side of the road, and then when someone came to help to rob and beat them as well.
The good Samaritan was putting himself in danger. And this danger can come so quickly. The four Mounties who were killed in Mayerthorpe were ambushed while providing scene security for what initially was for repossession of a truck. After arriving at the scene, officers found stolen vehicle parts and a grow-op on the farm. No one really expected what would happen that day. Whether it is stopping a vehicle for speeding, going to the scene of a domestic argument or even trying to help someone laying on a sidewalk, officers place themselves in danger all the time. But even more, they will purposefully step into the place of danger to help someone else –literally putting themselves on the line of fire. That is what the good Samaritan did –knowing that there was the very real danger of being attacked and robbed himself, he went to help another person. Why? Because of help and wanting to make a difference.
Another thing we see is that there was a cost to what the Good Samaritan did. We read that he not only bandaged the man but poured oil and wine on the wounds. That may not seem like much today, but back then this was significant. This healing/medicinal care that the man gave would have been expensive. And we add to that the good Samaritan also paid for the man’s care and lodging.
In a country that enjoys health care and emergency rooms and social programs we don’t often face the personal expense of helping someone. But there are other costs for those who want to help people and make a difference. There is a great psychological, social, emotional and spiritual cost in seeing things that most of us would have a hard time imagining. I have talked with officers that are a part of our church enough to know the deep impact that policing our community and the communities that surround Kenora can have. The stress and the strain can be costly emotionally, physically and yes, spiritually. It can even affect the very reason that someone became a police officer –to help others and make a difference, the cost of compassion and hope in seeing that what is done does make a difference, does offer help.
It was several years ago when I talked with a city constable in the community we lived in about how he was doing. He expressed a sense of numbness. “It just wears you down after a while and you begin to look at people with pessimism.”
And there is also a cost to families. They see firsthand the stress and strain of the job of helping others and making a difference. It is hard to leave the job out of the home –to not talk shop or about the day. I can catch a glimpse of this as a pastor in trying not to bring the problems of church into the home. But there is also the added costs of transfers to different communities, worry over long shifts, wonder about the dangers that I mentioned earlier.
At LBC we are seeking to provide an environment where the families of our policing community can connect, find support and encouragement. I know that many of the wives of officers are connecting in our small groups and that the youth are connecting through our youth program.
The Good Samaritan knew there was a cost to what he did, and he still did it. How often do we shy away from helping someone because it may cost us time, effort, even money. Why? Because they want to help, to make a difference.
A third thing we see in this account of the good Samaritan was the time he spent in helping this man. We read that he not only went out of his way to help him, but also took the man to an inn and spent the night caring for him. I know that many of our officers in this community and across Canada spend a lot of time in being a part of their community. In this church we have several officers who give a lot of time in various ministries and activities that we have. And though this can be said of all our church members, I just want to say how much I appreciate the time and energy these men and women spend in helping our church and our community.
I know it is easy to step back and not be very involved –you spend a lot of time dealing with people each day and to come and help out in a youth event when you would rather spend time with family, or fishing or just crashing in front of the TV. But even while on duty you often give that extra time in a busy day –to stop and talk at the farmers market, to have a cup of coffee with someone when there is a pile of paperwork to do, even spending that extra time with someone who is stressed because of something that happened.
It was 22 years ago when my wife and I lived in Seattle, WA. My wife had just given birth to our oldest son and was still in the hospital when our house was broken into. I had arrived home about 11 PM to find our front door kicked in and our house a mess. The officer responding to the call spent about two hours with me that night. I just wanted to make the report and get the paperwork done and get the house in order. But the officer spent time with me. He walked with me through the house, sat and explained things, and then just sat on the couch and talked for over an hour. In hindsight I see that is exactly what I needed –someone to be there in this time of trauma. He didn’t have to stay –it was a busy time in Seattle in those days with an arsonist lighting fires all over the city, the Green River killer and the gang problems that were happening. But he did –he stayed and gave his time.
The Good Samaritan did not have to stop, and he certainly didn’t have to stay the night, but he did. And he didn’t have to come back but promised he would. It was 3-4 days later, after my wife and son were home, that the officer who came the night of the break-in stopped by just to check on how we were doing. He didn’t have to, it was not expected –but he did. He showed his care for us as a part of the community and in this small but significant way made a difference, just by spending some time. Te officer who had made the call to our home after the break-in stopped by a few days later, while off duty, just to see how we were doing. Why? Because he cared, he wanted to make a difference.
A fourth and final part of the Good Samaritan account is that this Samaritan was probably not too welcome in helping this man. We are not told this in the account, but some historical background sets this up. Several hundreds of years earlier Israel was divided into two nations –they had two kings and didn’t always get along. Then along came the Assyrians who conquered the northern kingdom and forced them to intermarry with non-jewish people. These people became known as the Samaritans because of the area in which they lived. They were looked down on by the pure Jew. In fact they were despised as a people and most Jews of that day would even avoid walking into Samaria –even if it meant a longer and costlier trip. They would avoid talking with them and most certainly would avoid touching them.
And so here we see a person, this good man –a Samaritan, as an unwelcomed source of help. We don’t know if this man who was beaten, if he were conscious, would probably even have refused help from a Samaritan.
I can imagine that as police officers you are not always welcomed with a red carpet. In fact, I bet that there are times, even when you are simply there to help, you are not too welcome. And yet you still come forward. Like the Samaritan you cross the boundary and step into a situation where you may not be welcome. Why? Duty –perhaps. But dare I say, perhaps more because you want to help and make a difference.
Police officers are a special part of our community, they are a special breed of men and women who step out of the norm and put themselves in places of danger, often at a cost –giving time and crossing boundaries to help people and make a difference. We want to honor that today and to say thank you.
As families of police officers we want to honor you as well, recognizing some of the pressures you face. As a church and as a part of this community we want to say thank you and to let you know we are here to support and encourage you.
May God bless you, sustain you and supply your needs through Jesus Christ our Lord.
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