In Awe of His Glory

This is the first sermon the series Path to Glory, I preached this sermon February 12, 2012.

Text: Luke 9:28-36

Introduction: The disciples get a glimpse of the future glory of Jesus - 2 Peter 1:16-18, ¹⁶For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

¹⁷For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

¹⁸And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.

John 1:14. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

These disciples see the glory of the Son of God, But Peter sticks his foot in his mouth. He is witness to one of the most beautiful and glorious events of history and cheapens it by opening his mouth. He should have kept his tongue. If God gives us a glimpse of his glory, the best thing we can do is remain in awe and silence, because we may stick our foot in our mouth. I’ve heard Les Ritchie say that sometimes God drops us a crumb from heaven. When we do, lets just worship God and stand in awe of his majesty and do as it says in Eccl 5:1-2 ¹Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.

²Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.

Glorious Sight

Jesus transfigured – Jesus and the three disciples went to the mountain to pray and while in communion with the Father Jesus suddenly took on a glorious, heavenly appearance. Matthew and Mark used the word “transfigured” to describe what took place. It is the word from which we get metamorphosis which describes an outward change from the inside. It parallels Moses’ experience with God on the mountain and his face shone with the glory of God, but for moses it was outward change from the outside glory, but for Jesus is was the outward change from the inner glory.

The appearance of Moses and Elijah – Jesus’ glory was accompanied by the amazing appearance of Moses and Elijah the two most important people in the history of Israel apart from the patraiarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

-Moses and Elijah and Jesus – Moses was the great lawgiver and deliverer – Elijah was the great prophet and sign of the end times (Elijah did not die but was taken to heaven in a whirlwind). Jesus is the Son of God. Moses was recognized by the Jews as the originator of the nation but If moses signified the beginning of the nation, then Elijah signified the end of the age. Jesus is the Savior of the world. Moses introduced Israel to God on the mountain, Elijah revealed the uniqueness of God among the idols of Israel on the Mountain. Jesus revealed the true nature of God on the mountain and showed that he is one with the Father.Moses led the people out of bondage to Egypt Elijah led the people out of bondage to false gods -Jesus, in contrast to Moses and Elijah Jesus sets the world free from bondage to sin and death! (Gal 1:4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:,

-Moses, Elijah and Jesus had a conversation about his decease, the greek word here is exodus. Now it wasn’t that Moses and Elijah were bringing news from heaven to inform Jesus of upcoming events, but they were there to illustrate Jesus fulfillment of the law and the prophets. Jesus upcoming death on the cross was not a tragedy or mistake, but fulfillment of God’s plan. Just as Moses led Israel on exodus from Egypt, Jesus will lead us on exodus from sin and death.

Awakened from their sleep they saw his glory – the disciples almost missed the greatest moment of revelation of Jesus earthly ministry prior to the cross because they were asleep-how much do we miss because we are asleep – Eph 5:14 – 16 ¹⁴Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

¹⁵See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

¹⁶Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Peter sticks his foot in his mouth – Peter obviously in awe, who wouldn’t be? It also appears that Peter was so caught up in the moment that he didn’t want it to pass (some moments are so wonderful that you don’t want them to end…but eventually you must come down from the mountain.)

-He makes this suggestion with a desire to honor Jesus, Moses, and Elijah and to keep this event from fading. So lets build places of worship. When you think about it, Moses received no burial monument, God took care of his body. Elijah was not buried, but taken to heaven. So there was no monument or shrine to these 2 great men for people to worship, God intended it that way. Peter wanted to make these places of worship with good intentions, but it would have become places of idolatry, because Peter erred in thinking that Jesus was an equal with Moses and Elijah, they were not equals.

– Sometimes it is better to remain silent in the presence of God as an act of worship

Hab 2:20 ²⁰But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.

Zech 2:13 Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation

Glorious Sound

Cloud overshadowed them – parallels the exodus where a cloud led Israel through the wilderness, it assured the people of God’s presence and prevented the people from witnessing the full glory of God, the cloud enveloped the disciples so they could no longer see the glory but could be reassured that God was present among them.

The voice of God spoke from the cloud – In exodus God spoke from a cloud to reveal his nature and will. Here the disciples hear the voice of God. Remember, this even follows Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Christ and Jesus’ prediction of his suffering and death on the cross and Peter wanting to prevent that from happening. Here God leaves no question that Jesus is His son, and they need to listen to Him! He is not Moses, or Elijah or one of the prophets as some were saying, He is God’s own son.

-there is no need to build tabernacles and hope Moses and Elijah will return. Their day has passed, their voices are drowned out by the voice of Jesus. Moses, Elijah and Jesus were not equals, only Jesus is the son of God. Commitment to Jesus means listening to Him, and his words carried greater authority that the law and the prophets. Greater than moses and Elijah.

-Elijah and the still small voice 1 Kings 19: ¹¹And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake:

¹²And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

¹³And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?

– you have to listen for the still small voice of God in the midst of the noise of the world.

– Hearing the word as an act of worship

-We must listen for the voice of God – Usually not an audible voice but when you hear the voice of God speak it unmistakable

Glorious Anticipation

Jesus was alone – This event centers on Jesus, not moses and Elijah. “The law and the prophets pointed to Jesus, He is the essence of God’s revelation…Jesus alone was the ground of their faith. Therefore when anyone seeks to add something, making the Christian faith “jesus + ________, a basic misunderstanding of the Christian faith has occured” -Robert Stein

-we are guilty of doing just that – Jesus + good works, is an example, Jesus + keeping the OT law. That is a gross misunderstanding and dangerous position to take.

They were instructed, other gospels record, to remain silent. But obviously the time came to tell of this event.

-Can you imagine how hard that must have been. They caught a glimpse of Christ’s glory and had to remain silent! Can’t wait to tell others – how long has it been since you have talked to someone about the greatness of God. About how He is working in your life, about answers to prayer. Just magnifying the name of Jesus. We are not talking about church, Sunday School, the ministries of the church, fellow Christians. I mean how long has it been since you have talked about Christ!

-God inhabits the praise of His people!

-Imagine how they longed to see the glory of Jesus face to face again!

There is a lesson here for us as we anticipate seeing Jesus face to face. Just as Jesus was transfigured we must be transformed into the image of Christ. Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren., 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God., 2 Cor 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

The Priority of Prayer

I preached this sermon January 29, 2012

Text: 1 Timothy 2:1-8

Introduction: In prayer for spiritual awakening, our prayer is for the salvation of souls, for the missionaries, evangelists, pastors, teachers and all Christians that we may make known the gospel boldly. There are people perishing everyday without Christ, and this is our mission, to make known that gospel. In this text today we see that the desire of God is that all people will be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. The starting point for us is not in strategies, or a new method of evangelism, or revival services, or getting some big name speaker or singer to come. The starting point is prayer and full dependence upon God as we labor with him in this great privilege.

The Privilege of Prayer

Vs 1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

-Prayer should be the first order of business – the first of the day, the priority in our worship, it is not merely a filler between hymns, a ritual, it is not meant to be just another thing we do – such prayers are nothing more than empty habits.

-Once I did a survey in another church for a class in seminary I asked participants what was the most meaningful part of the worship service. The highest percentage of respondants said the special music was the best part of the service. But prayer rated low, barely making the list.

Col 4:2 - Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

-Prayer is uniting with God and should be entered into with awe and with joy and with respect and a sense of responsibility.

-supplications – requests - petitions

-prayers – worshipful sacred conversation with the Lord

-intercessions – speaking on behalf of another – I need your prayers!

-giving of thanks – 1 Thess 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

-he uses all of these words to demonstrate the comprehensive nature of prayer!

-for all – friends, family, and even enemies

Vs 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

-we are to pray for our leaders

-some may object, “I don’t like our leaders, I didn’t vote for our president…” But this command written by Paul was during the reign of Emperor Nero, a most wicked ruler in Rome. He tortured and executed Christians, and yet Paul commands Christians to pray for him! So it doesn’t matter your political loyalty, each of us should be praying for elected and appointed leaders.

-Prayer is important because our nation gives us the freedom to live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and honesty.

-Peaceful means tranquil – absence of outside disturbances. Quiet means composed and discreet. We all must pray for our nation to be peaceful and quiet.

-the purpose of such prayers is for godliness and holiness – our witness.

Vs 3 ³For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

- God is pleased by such prayer – It is intrinsically good, not just good in its results – beautiful is a synonym. Have you ever thought of prayer as something beautiful (like a sunset, a snow covered forest, a waterfall…)

– Is your attitude one of “I have to pray,” or one of “I get to pray?” Have you ever considered that you actually get to pray! But how often do we wake up of a morning and say “Oh, I have to pray,” or before we go to bed at night “I’d better get my prayer in and fufill my religious duty.” Or even before we sit down to a meal “I have to pray.”

Prayer is not some chore! Prayer is an awesome privilege you have as a child of God!

Heb 4:16 ¹⁶Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

The Power of Prayer

Vs 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

-prayer tied into the power of gospel to change lives. That is why it is incumbent on us to pray. The gospel must be made known to all people – Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

-this does not mean that all people will be saved without exception, but it means without distinction. Jews, Gentiles, Rich, poor, men women….

-We must pray for lost souls Rom 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

Vs 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

-Paul giving a very basic theological presentation of the gospel – there is only one God, not a plurality of Gods – one mediator – that means Christ is the only way to God – John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

-Does that mean people of other religions will not get to heaven? On the authority of God’s word we can say that no man can be saved apart from Christ. That is not a popular answer in today’s society whose chief virtue is tolerance and great hope is pluralism. Our culture today discards the truth for sincerity. Sincerely believe whatever you want and you will be OK. But that is not the truth. It not merely that faith matters, but you must place your faith in the right place, placing your faith in Christ alone.

-Jesus Christ is the mediator – fully God and fully man – the God-man. John 1:1, 14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Vs 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

-Christ gave himself as a sacrifice. John 10:17-18 ¹⁷Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.

¹⁸No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

-the word ransom was used in the context of buying a slave’s freedom. Christ freed us from sin and the penalty of sin which is death.

-Heb 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

-throughout the old testament a spotless lamb was offered as a sacrifice for the forgivness of sin – John 1:29 ²⁹The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Vs 7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.

-Christ appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus, and Paul surrendered to Christ and became the missionary to the gentiles (non-jews).

-God has ordained the preaching of the word and the prayers of the church as the means to making the gospel known. So that to not pray for the lost, to not pray for the mission is to ignore the cross.

Vs 8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

-The emphasis here is not posture, but holiness. In the ancient world people prayed standing with arms raised and palms reaching up.

-hands symbolized the condition of the person’s soul and heart – you approached God with clean hands ie clean heart.

-Psalm 24:3-4³Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?

⁴He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.

, Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

-but not only must our relationship with God be right when we come to him in prayer, our relationships with one another must be pure – without wrath or doubting (disputing).

-when we become entangled in divisions, factions, and chaos in the church it is not of God and it hinders our prayers. If you are a troublemaker rather than a peacemaker don’t expect answers from God.

Prepare Your Heart

I preached this sermon January 22, 2012

Text: 2 Chronicles 19:1-3

Introduction: A young couple rented a vacation cottage for a week. One afternoon the husband looked out a window at the swimming pool and exclaimed, "Let's change our clothes and go get some exercise!" His wife, who was washing the dishes in the kitchen and looking out the window watching some people play tennis, quickly agreed. While she dressed for a tennis match, he put on his swimming trunks. The window a person chooses to look out at the world often determines that individual's perspective.

As we prepare our hearts to seek God, we must make sure we are looking out the right window. There are many windows in our culture today. Some look out windows where there is no God in the picture. Some look out window and only see the big world in front of them and want to get as much out of the world as they can while totally ignoring God. Some look into a mirror and think it is a window, only seeing themselves and living to please themselves. But if you want to walk with God, enjoy the blessing of salvation, the freedom from condemnation, shame and guilt, to know the peace of God that passes all understanding, the have the deep abiding joy of Christ. To experience the resurrection power of God in your life, to walk in deep fellowship with the Holy Spirit, then you must make sure you are looking out the right window. If we want to see revival take place, if we want to see our church grow, if we want to see our nation turn back to the Lord, then we must look out the right window. But I am afraid that many of us today are looking out the wrong window and we are getting the wrong perspective.

As an artist, one thing I realize that can destroy a well composed painting is poor perspective (the art class). When you look at a painting something out of perspective is more noticeable than when everything is in perspective. How is your perspective? Are you looking out the right window? If you are to prepare your heart to seek God then you must look out the right window and get the right perspective. This morning I want to help us do that.

Know who we are

To prepare our hearts to seek God, we must know who we are.

We remember who we were apart from Christ

-Eph 2:1-3 ¹And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

²Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

³Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

-we were dead in our sins, condemned, destined for eternity in hell.

We understand who we are in Christ (only because of Christ)

-some say we are sinners saved by grace, but the scripture has a better word – saints – you are a child of the king

Eph 2:4-10 ⁴But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

⁵Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

⁶And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

⁷That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

⁸For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

⁹Not of works, lest any man should boast.

¹⁰For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

2 Peter 2: ⁹But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

¹⁰Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

-it is not anything good in us

We recognize we are not now what we shall be (we make mistakes) – Jehoshaphat was not perfect

- 1 John 3:2 ²Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

We make mistakes, we fail, we rebel, but we must not give up – we must persevere in the faith maybe like Paul Romans 7 ¹⁷Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

¹⁸For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

¹⁹For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

- Luke 18:9 ⁹And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

¹⁰Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

¹¹The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

¹²I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

¹³And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

¹⁴I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

– the proper attitude is that of publican – have mercy on me a sinner

James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Know who God is

To prepare our hearts to seek God, we must know who we are and know who He is

We acknowledge that the Lord is God and there is none other – Jehoshaphat took the groves out of the land

Is 45 ¹⁸For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.

¹⁹I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.

²⁰Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save.

²¹Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.

²²Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.

²³I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

We can do nothing of eternal value apart from the power of Christ at work in us

-John 15:5 ⁵I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

We must daily depend on Him We adore, praise and thank Him

Gal 2:20 ²⁰I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Almost Suppertime

I preached this sermon January 15, 2012.

Text: Revelation 19:6-9

Introduction: Many of us have enjoyed the dinners and parties of the holidays. I prepared Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners at our house for my family. Cooking all those wonderful foods filled the house with mouthwatering aromas. The closer the time came to having the meal prepared the hungrier we all became. I remember a couple of times that Ethan would run into the kitchen wanting to know if supper was ready yet, and I would tell him it almost suppertime. The aromas of the food, the table being set, these were indications that supper was almost ready. We finally put out the food and called to the family that supper was ready. And everybody rushed in the dining room to eat.

In our text today we are told about the marriage supper of the lamb. This marriage supper immediately precedes the second coming of Christ. The supper is not ready yet, but it is being prepared. And by all indications, the supper is getting close.

Matthew 24, Jesus gives us a glimpse of what will happen as the second coming of Christ approaches and he sums it up this way: ³²Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:

³³So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.

As we look around our world today we know that summer is nigh, we know that it is almost suppertime.

One day the father will proclaim that the supper is ready and call us to the table. This is not a supper you will want to miss because this is the marriage supper of the lamb. The marriage supper is the celebration of the marriage of the lamb of God, Jesus, to his bride, the church. The scripture teaches that the church is the bride of Christ. The church is composed of every believer from the time of Christ until the rapture that will take place prior to the 7 year tribulation time. The bride is not just the Baptists, or any one denomination. In fact, denomination will not matter at the marriage supper because the bride will not be divided. The church is born again believers in Christ. You and I are the bride of Christ and we will feast at the marriage supper of the lamb. My prayer is that everyone here is ready for that marriage supper because it is almost suppertime. Lets look at the marriage of the lamb of God.

The Betrothal

Now we must understand the difference in culture and time when we talk about weddings. Weddings and marriage in the first century Jerusalem were much different than a 21^st century wedding in America. When a bride and groom were betrothed, or engaged, a formal agreement was made between the families of the bride and groom, like a contract. The contract involved an oral commitment in the presence of witnesses, a written pledge and a pledge of money. Once engaged, the only way the engagement could be broken was by death or divorce.

When we were saved we were betrothed to Christ. Our bridegroom, the Lord Jesus, has paid the price for our purchase as the bride of Christ. 1 Peter 1:18-19 ¹⁸Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

¹⁹But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

As part of the betrothal the Father has given every believer a dowry – the Holy Spirit Eph 1:13-14 ¹³In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

¹⁴Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Having been betrothed to Christ, the price was paid, and the Holy Spirit given we are absolutely secure in our salvation in Christ. The bridegroom will never betray his betrothed.

John 10: ²⁸And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

²⁹My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

-the church is in the betrothal stage. The next event is the wedding itself, we are waiting for the wedding.

The Marriage

The betrothal period usually lasted about one year. The groom would return to his father’s house and make preparations for his new home and for the wedding.

-John 14: ¹Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

²In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

³And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

-When the betrothal period came to an end the Father would tell his son – “Go get your bride and bring her home.”

-That is why Jesus could say in Matthew 24: ³⁶But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

-the time will come when the Father will say, as recorded in Luke 14: And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.

-The groom would go in a procession, often at night, would go to the home of his bride. He would announce that he has come to get his bride, he calls her away, in joy, or rapture, and takes her to his father and presents her to the father.

1 Thess 4: ¹⁶For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

¹⁷Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

-They would return to the house of the Father, and have a feast that usually lasted 7 days.

-this is the marriage supper of the lamb. Jesus raptures his church from the earth. On earth this is the 7 year tribulation period.

Matthew 25: ¹Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

²And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

³They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

⁴But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

⁵While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

⁶And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

⁷Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

⁸And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

⁹But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

¹⁰And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

¹¹Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

¹²But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

¹³Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

-are you asleep? Are you slumbering? Are you ready for the midnight cry?

Follow Christ in 2012

I preached this sermon January 1, 2012

Text: John 8:12

Introduction: With the Christmas time of year when we were decorating we had some large boxes and plastic tubs sitting in the hallway and living room. One particular night I walked out down the hallway in the complete darkness and stumbled over the boxes in the hallways, I had forgotten they were there.

That is not the first time and I doubt it will be the last that I have stumbled in the darkness. The funny thing is that all I had to do was flip on the light switch and the light would have filled the hallway and I could have seen my way clear to get where I was going and not stumble over anything. But I felt confident in the darkness that I knew my way well enough that I didn’t need the light. I thought I had it all under control and so I chose the darkness over the light and stumbled.

Jesus said in this scripture that He is the light of the world and that if we will follow him we will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life. But I am afraid that too many of us are choosing the darkness.

Jesus spoke these words during the Jewish festival of tabernacles. On each night of the festival worshipers would light golden lamps in the temple’s court of women. The lamps were intended to remind worshipers of God’s leading the people of Israel through the wilderness at night by a pillar of fire during the time of the Exodus. The lighting of the lamps also symbolized Israel’s recommitment to God. Jesus was actually claiming to be that luminary, that light, a role reserved for God the Father alone. Jesus was actually identifying himself as God. And used the theme of the wandering in the wilderness that if we follow him he will lead us through rather than to walk in darkness, stumbling along on our own.

Jesus’ call is one to follow Him, the light of the world, rather than stumble in darkness. Some of you today are stumbling around in the darkness, you neither follow Christ, nor have you trusted Him as your savior, yet you are here with us in church today and that tells me you are searching for that light, that you are tired of stumbling in the darkness. He is calling for you to follow him.

But even the Christian sometimes strays from the light in the shadows. I challenge you to follow Christ this year. Like Paul said in Ephesians 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

Ephesians 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

Ephesians 5:14-16 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

¹⁵See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

¹⁶Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Christian will you wake up and follow Christ in 2012? The alternative is to walk in darkness.

What does it mean then to follow Christ?

Following Christ means leaving the past in the past

Everybody has a past! A past that we are not proud of. Many people have skeleton’s in their closets that they fear will get out. But don’t let the past stop you from following Christ! The Bible is filled with people that had a past! David was an adulterer, Jacob was a deceiver, Rahab a prostitute, Moses was a murderer, Zaccheus was a thief, even some of Jesus’ own disciples had a past James and John were the sons of thunder (temper), Simon the Zealot was a rebel (revolutionary), Matthew a tax collector, usually regarded as thieves, Thomas a doubter, Peter a denier and coward, and even the apostle Paul was a persecutor and consented to the murder of Christians. I could go on and on, about the pasts of people that could potentially haunt them. But when we follow Christ, we find mercy, grace and forgiveness and our sin remembered no more (Jer 31:34b for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

You have a past, I have a past, we all have a past, but when you follow Christ you can leave the past behind.

Phil 3:13-14 ¹³Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

¹⁴I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Today is the first day of a new year, leave the past behind. When you trust Christ as your savior you were set free from your past and given a glorious future!

-Jer 29:11 ¹¹For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Following Christ means denial of self

Luke 9:23 – 25 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

²⁴For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

²⁵For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?

Self denial is not merely self-discipline – it is not punishing yourself or beating yourself up, self denial means we forget about ourselves and live by the power of Christ. Don’t get me wrong self-discipline has value, but not eternal value, that is not what are talking about here.

Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Following Christ means we must trust Him because so much is unknown to us

-the biggest disappointment in my life was I discovered that I don’t know everything and can’t know everything.

We will go when he says to go – trusting his timing is always right Psalm 31:14-15a ¹⁴But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God.

¹⁵My times are in thy hand:

We will go where he says to go – trusting him as a sheep does a shepherd Psalm 23:1-4 ¹The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

²He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

³He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

⁴Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

We will go as far as he says to go – trusting in his leadership

- Psalm 37:23-24 ²³The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

²⁴Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.

We will go even if we must go alone – Josh 24:15 choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

– at what point is it too much, at what point would you say to the Lord “I will no longer follow?”

-there were some that turned away from following Christ, some followed Christ just to get what they could from him (feeding the five thousand),John 6:26 -27 ²⁶Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.

²⁷Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

some followed until the road became difficult. When they left Jesus asked “will you leave too?” the answer where would we go?

-John 6:66 – 69 ⁶⁶From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

⁶⁷Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?

⁶⁸Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

⁶⁹And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

Lucky Ducky

“Why don’t you try one more time?” the exasperated carnival worker said, offering the boy a final chance.
He was playing the lucky ducky carnival game. The game where a bunch of rubber ducks are floating in a tub and you pick up a duck, turn it over, and if it has a special mark then you win a prize.
It began when the boy and his mother stopped at the booth and she paid the money for him to play. He picked up the first duck and turned it over, it was blank.
The worker returned the duck to the pond and told him to try again. He chose the same duck the second time. The mother and the carnival worker both chuckled, after all it was kind of cute. The mother pointed out that he chose the same duck as before and that he should pick a different one next time.
The worker returned the duck to the pond and told him to try again. To everyone’s surprise he chose the same duck for the third time. It wasn’t cute anymore. The mother asked why he chose the same duck when he knew it wasn’t a prize winner. He had no answer.
The worker graciously offered the boy another chance. But this time she placed the duck on the table beside the tub. He would have to pick a different one. That is when she said “Why don’t you try one more time?”
Looking at the ducks floating in the water, he carefully reached out his hand and grabbed the duck from off the table, the one he had chosen the last three times. At this point the red faced mother dragged the little boy away.
We may say the child was too small to understand. Surely if he was older he wouldn’t keep turning over the same duck. But then again, how many grown ups do the same thing? We’ve outgrown the lucky ducky and now have more sophisticated ducks. Just as the boy, we continue to turn over the same ducks while expecting different results. He turned over the same duck out of innocence, but we turn over the same duck out of stubbornness.
Stubbornness will get you into trouble. The Lord detests it! 1 Samuel 15:23 calls it sin. Jeremiah 7:24 describes stubbornness “But they did not listen or pay attention; instead, the followed the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts. They went backward and not forward.” Did you catch that? Stubbornness leads you backward to the same old duck, not forward.
Are you stubbornly turning over the same duck expecting different results? That is stubbornness. It is time to choose a new duck!

The Unspeakable Gift

I preached this sermon December 4, 2011

Text: 2 Corinthians 9:15

Introduction: This time of year we are reminded that God gave the greatest gift of all. God the Son became man, we call it the incarnation. Our text tells us that it is God’s unspeakable gift, the word meaning indescribable, in the sense that all that could be said about God’s gift has yet to be said. It is kind of like counting your blessings, you just can’t number them all. God’s good gifts are higher than the mind can conceive and higher than words can express. But today I’ll make an attempt. True, I can’t describe every gift that God has given us. James 1:17 states Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

In fact, this one verse is Paul breaking out in praise to God, overwhelmed by His goodness and His gifts. So I will not try to talk about every gift that God has given, such as spiritual gifts, I will look at some very important gifts that should cause us to express praise and gratitude such as Paul. If these gifts don’t lift your heart, if they don’t move you the way Paul was moved then I don’t know what will. What is God’s unspeakable Gift?

The Gift of God’s Son

Gal 4:4-6 ⁴But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

⁵To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

⁶And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

Romans 5:6-11,-18 ⁶For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

⁷For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.

⁸But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

⁹Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

¹⁰For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

¹¹And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world…

– There is a secular Christmas – it is about Santa and reindeer, about decorations and presents, about parties and snacks, about children and family. And there is nothing wrong with any of those things, I enjoy those things as much as anybody. But we must remember there is a real Christmas – a time that we remember the greatest gift ever given, the Son of God. You may choose to celebrate the secular Christmas, but don’t do so at the expense of acknowledging the greatest gift of all. This Christmas, take some time to reflect on the birth of Christ, read the Christmas story as recorded in Luke and Matthew, sing or listen to some of the beautiful Christmas hymns, and remind others in a warm sort of way what Christmas is about

The Gift of God’s Grace & Salvation

2 Cor 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

Eph 2:4-9 ⁴But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

⁵Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

⁶And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

⁷That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

⁸For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

⁹Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Rom 10:9-10 ⁹That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

¹⁰For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

– Grace is truly amazing. It is so much ingrained within the human heart to earn God’s favor, to earn heaven. But we never can. We want others to earn our favor, and God’s favor.

-show grace to someone this season. Do something nice for someone who in no way deserves it, give something to someone who didn’t earn it. That is grace, we can learn more about grace the more we show grace.

The Gift of Life

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 John 5:11-12 ¹¹And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

¹²He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

– The devil would steal your gift. God is offering, he can’t steal it, but he is doing everything to convince you that you don’t need it. But there is no other way to have life.

Good works won’t save you, science may extend your life a few years, but you are still going to die. You must be born again and have the abundant life of Christ.

The Gift of Christian Fellowship

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

We already saw in Galatians 4:4-6 and vs 7 says ⁴But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

⁵To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

⁶And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

⁷Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

joint heirs with Christ Romans 8:14-17 ¹⁴For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

¹⁵For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

¹⁶The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

¹⁷And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

distinctions erased – Gal 3:26-28 ²⁶For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

²⁷For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

²⁸There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

– a part of the family of God – you will find no greater bond on this earth. You can meet another Christian for the first time and immediately you can have a tight bond of fellowship!

-Romans 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

Lifestyle of Thankfulness

This is the concluding sermon in the Power of Gratitude series. I preached this sermon November 27, 2011.

Text: Colossians 3:12-17

Introduction: 2 Tim 3:1-5 tells us ingratitude is a characteristic of ungodliness ¹This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

²For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

³Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

⁴Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

⁵Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

-Did you notice one of the characteristics of the ungodly is unthankful? The lifestyle of unthankfulness.

-What is your lifestyle? Are you a grumbler, complainer, murmurer, gossiper, or are you thankful, joyful, encouraging? Lets look at the lifestyle of thankfulness.

-Paul says that we must put on these characteristics – like putting on clothing. What he describes here should be the wardrobe of the Christian. Thankfulness being key to the wardrobe, mentioned a couple of times. What will a lifestyle of thankfulness do for us?

Strengthens our Relationships

vs 12-13 ¹²Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

¹³Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Bowels of mercies – compassionate toward one another

Kindness – be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted forgiving one another

Humbleness of mind – God resists the proud, but gives Grace to the humble

Meekness – not weakness, means power under control – describes a soothing wind or a healing medicine – the wind could have the power to devastate or the medicine the power to poison, but it is power under control. Have you ever thought of yourself as one that soothes? Or one that acts like a healing medicine?

Longsuffering – lit. long temper

Forbearing one another – to hold back judgment

Forgiving one another from the root word used for grace, freely forgiving without making someone pay or earn forgiveness. Without holding a grudge which any one can do, but forgiving freely where a grudge is called for. (Peter 7 times)

– when in conflict with someone, when someone rubs you the wrong way

-Romans 12:17-21 ¹⁷Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

¹⁸If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

¹⁹Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

²⁰Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

²¹Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Relieves the burdens of our hearts

vs 14-15 ¹⁴And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

¹⁵And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Charity – agape – 1 Cor 13:1-3 ¹Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

²And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

³And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing

Peace of God – rule is an athletic term meaning to umpire – the Peace of God is to be the umpire of our hearts

-Phil 4:6-8 ⁶Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

⁷And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

⁸Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Called in one body – this same peace must rule in the church – the body of Christ – when this peace doesn’t exist in the fellowship it indicates that someone is not right fellowship with God and it usually the one stirring up dissension.

– Be careful that you don’t mistake the peace of God with being at peace about decisions you have made – Jonah was in such peace and slept in the boat while a storm raged – but it was not the peace of God because Jonah was surely in rebellion against God.

-Some say they have made a decision which is clearly out of line with what the scripture teaches and say they have peace about it, that is surely not the peace of God and they may land in the belly of a whale. I have heard time and again people who clearly are in sin, but have convinced themselves they have done nothing wrong and are actually at peace! That is not the peace of God!

Guides our actions

vs 16-17 ¹⁶Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

¹⁷And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Word of Christ dwell in you – it should feel at home!

Teaching…

Do in word or deed

-Col 3:23-25 ²³And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

²⁴Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

²⁵But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

1. Can I do it in Jesus name? 2. Can I do It with thanksgiving? Ie thank God for it? 3. Does it edify or does it tear down?

Attitude of Thankfulness

This is the 3rd sermon in the Power of Gratitude series. I preached this sermon November 20, 2011.

Text: Luke 7:36-50

Introduction: In today’s text we see two very different people with two very different attitudes. One had an attitude of pride, and one an attitude of thankfulness, one who was grateful and one who was….

The woman came to Jesus with the right attitude of thankfulness with the intention of honoring him. How do we honor Christ? How can we show him our gratitude?

One that honors himself

Simon

He came to show off He was trying to show how great he was– He loved the praises of men more than the praises of God. This was a big deal, people would come just to watch the dinner and maybe get table scraps. he wanted to put on a spectacle, but the woman who came merely out of gratitude (no intention of putting on a spectacle) caused a spectacle that would be remembered more than his fancy banquet. He was repulsed and horrified

He gave enough to get by – simon showed little respect and courtesy while such acts weren’t necessary, they were customary and good courtesy.

-some of us are as guilty of just doing enough to get by – we go to church enough to erase any guilty feelings we may have, we go through the motions, but we do not give our heart, pride is usually the issue!

He remained in his sinful pride – it was easier for Simon to point the finger at the woman and say she is a sinner rather than admit his own guilt and sin and repent.

-Proverbs 16:5 says the proud in heart are an abomination to the Lord

-James 4 says God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble!

– the Pharisee and the Publican Luke 18:10-14 ¹⁰Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

¹¹The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

¹²I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

¹³And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

¹⁴I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

– Jesus told the parable about the two debtors – one forgiven two days wages, and the other two years wages. (love more conveys the meaning of being more grateful)

We must remember the filthiness of our sin that was forgiven, the amazing grace of God, the cost of our salvation. Christ paid our debt in full

-If we try to give ourselves credit we will end up self righteous just like Simon, if we think we can earn it, be good enough, then the sin of pride is in our heart, and pride comes before destruction!

One that honors God

-the woman

She came just as she was, she couldn’t show how great she was like Simon tried to do, she showed how great God is (like John the Baptist who said He must increase but I must decrease)– she had a bad reputation. And Jesus never disputed her sinfulness. But he accepted her just as she came! If you look at the harmony of the gospels – Jesus had just given the invitation in Matthew 11:28-30 ²⁸Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

²⁹Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

³⁰For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

-I am amazed that God tood me as I was, a sinner, but I am even more amazed that God still accepts me, that he keeps me, the sinner I still am (Paul said he is the chief of sinners); and I am further amazed that He will still love me the sinner I will be. Don’t get me wrong, sin is horrible, I hate it, but Like Paul the things I hate I do, and the things which I want to do, I don’t do. Some you may accept my past, but if I sin today you may be as repulsed as Simon (and I may be over your sin too), but God is not that way, he still loves me and lets me come to him just as I am. So that I if I confess my sins he is faithful and just to forgive me my sins.

She gave all she could – what can we give? Our whole hearts! Rom 12:1 – I beseech you therefore brethren by the mercies of God that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice holy and acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service!

She left with everything – peace (shalom)

– Your attitude must be daily one of thanksgiving, realizing everything you have, everything you are, you owe to God. Without him you would be lost, hopeless, helpless and condemned!

Expression of Thankfulness

This is the 2nd sermon in the Power of Gratitude series. I preached this sermon November 13, 2011.

Text: Psalm 103

Introduction: The problem is that we are guilty of taking things for granted, complaining rather than giving thanks. How can we avoid the danger of taking things for granted which leads to complaints rather than thankfulness?

Remember

Remember to Count your blessings vs 1-5 – there are 6 blessings here: forgiveness, healing, redemption, love, satisfacation, renewal

Vs 1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. -bless means to delight the heart of God by expressing my love and gratitude for all he does. And I do it with all that is in me – Mark 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. – all that I am

Vs 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: - don’t forget – remember

-Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

-Psalm 40:5 Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.

Vs 3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

-the work on the cross is done – complete – Jesus proclaimed it is finished. By his sacrifice we have complete forgiveness of sin. Your sin may be great, but God’s forgiveness is greater!

-Is 53:4-5 ⁴Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

⁵But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Vs 4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

-redeem means to purchase from slavery

-crown victors crown, royal crown

Vs 5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Psalm 81:10b – says open your mouth and I will fill it

Is 40:31 - But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Illustration of me walking at the gorge and a little boy came running, just because it was a joy to run, not for exercise. I can’t do it because it hurts my knees, getting too old)

Christ will lift your burdens so you may soar!

Remember the character of God vs 6-13

-God’s attributes – merciful, (last week we saw his mercy endures forever). Gracious, slow to anger, plenteous in mercy,

We see his greatness – the greatness of his mercy vs 11

-the greatness of his forgiveness vs 12

-the greatness of his compassion vs 13

– The danger of forgetting – Jer 2:32 - Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number.

-to forget brings trouble and decay. Judges 3:7 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgat the LORD their God, and served Baalim and the groves.

Rev 2:4-5 – Church at Ephesus ⁴Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

⁵Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works;

-Have you forgotten God, have you taken your salvation for granted, have you taken your relationship with God for granted, have you forgot his benefits?

-It is easy to know if you forgotten by looking at your response…

Response

The response of a truly grateful heart…

Obey vs 14-18

-we are fragile, when the wind blows we are gone and forgotten.

-obedience not of compulsion or fear, but out of joy and love – Jesus said if a man love me he will keep my words. Obeying the Lord is not a burden or drudgery but a blessing If you want God’s best you must be obedient to Him.

1. obedience in moral commands – be holy because he is holy – 1 Peter 1:16; not only avoiding sin, but doing good

2. obedience in your worship of God – do not forsake the assembling of yourselves together Hebrews 10:25

3. obedience in your giving – bringing the tithe Mal 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

4. obedience in the mission Matt 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

5. obedience in the ordinances – baptism and the Lord’s supper

6. obedience in spiritual growth – 2 Peter 3:18 – grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord

7. obedience in prayer – 1 Thess 5:18 – pray without ceasing

8. obedience in loving others – The second great commandment is that we love one another

9. obedience in service (stewardship)– 1 Peter 4:10 ¹⁰As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

Praise vs 19-22

– Are you responding to God by faith in your obedience or by the fruit of your mouth?

Heb 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.