This is the first sermon in a 3 part series The Three L's. I preached this sermon July 26, 2009.
Text: Mark 12:28-30
Introduction: We all remember the three "R's" of learning: readin, ritin, and rithmatic. When I was in school I didn't like readin, I've never been good at ritin, and didn't have the patience for rithmatic. But mastery of these 3 subjects are the basics of education. For Christians there are 3 "L's": Loving God, Loving Others, Living for Jesus. These are the basics for Christianity, and we often have problems with it. Over the next three Sundays we will learn the three "L's".
A scribe came to Jesus in this text with a question (vs 28), and unlike some that had been questioning Jesus, this man’s question appears to be asked with sincerity. And basically the question is, Jesus with all the commandments found in the scripture, what is the most important. What does it all come down to? Jesus answered quoting the Hebrew Shema, found in Deuteronomy 6, maybe the greatest portion of the Old Testament Scripture to the Jew. In fact, loving the Lord is the priority Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 16:22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha. (anathema – accursed, maranatha – The Lord is coming with divine judgment).
When it comes down to it, we are told to love God with all that we are. We can’t hold anything back, We must love God first, we must love God completely, we must love God always. And while we may not be able to love God completely, we are to make loving God the priority of our very existence. If nothing else could be said of us someone should say that we love God. And Jesus breaks it down in four terms to love God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind and with all our strength. Why the distinction? Because love must be expressed from our intellect, our feelings, our personality and our actions.
To Love God you need a new heart
1. The heart is the center of emotion as contrasted with the head which is the center of intellect. Feelings, emotions, affection
-for some this is easy, for some this is difficult. Some lines of thinking have concluded that we should not get emotional in our expressions of love to God. Relying on cold intellect alone. But God made us emotional people, but some act as if it is a sin to show emotion. But the real sin is when we don’t! The sin is that we don’t love God with all our hearts!
2. -it also speaks of motive and intentions and purity in motive, sincerity ie a good heart
-Psalm 24: 3: Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? 4: He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. 5: He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
-Many come to church cold hearted, your body here but your heart is not and then we leave and “Say I didn’t get anything out of that…” But this Psalm text tells us that you will only receive a blessing when your heart is in it! Today, if your heart is not in it, you will leave empty handed. But those here today with their heart in the service you will leave filled and overflowing! If that is what you want then put your heart in it.
3. -it also speaks of desire, courage, enthusiasm ie heart in it or not in it. (some love church, some love music, some love a good feeling, some love blessings that God can give, etc)
To Love God you need a new (spiritual) suit of clothes
your soul is perhaps the best representation of the image of God.
Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
To love God with our soul, we must reflect the image of God, there are some characteristics of God that we, who are created in the image of God, share. The image of God in us has been marred by sin (as looking into a dirty mirror), How does that marred image appear? Paul tells us in Colossians 3
5: Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 7: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. 8: But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9: Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
but when you become a Christian God restores that marred image(cleans the mirror).
Romans 8:29 29: For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son
Col 3:10 10: And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
When we best reflect the image of God we demonstrate God’s character.
Paul likened it in Col 3:12-15 as putting on a new suit of clothes:
12: Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13: Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14: And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15: And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
To Love God you need a renewed mind
1. You must know God, Jesus prayed that we might know him in John 17: 3: And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
2. Titus 1:16 16: They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. Why does someone say they know God but in works deny him? Because they don’t know the revealed God of the scriptures. But knowledge must be informed by scripture vs 29
-there are many gods in the world
1 Chron 17:20 20: O LORD, there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
God has revealed himself through his son Heb 1:2 2: Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
God has revealed himself through his word. John 1:1 1: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Vs 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.
But you must also know him in a personal relationship. The scripture tells us that Jesus came unto his own and his own received him not. Why? Because they did not know him. Jesus said in John 8: 19: Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.
To love God with our mind we must have a renewed mind Romans 8 points out the state or our minds 6: For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7: Because the carnal mind is enmity against God
Rom 12:2 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.
Eph 4:23 23: And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
To Love God you need a renewed strength
1. We were without strength Romans 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. Why? Sin consumes our strength Ps 31 10: For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.
2. Our energy – strength is our energy
2 Tim 2:1 1: Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2: And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 3: Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4: No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 5: And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. 6: The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.
3. Our priorities – the kingdom of God should be our priority
-Matt 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness – give God the first part of your week, the first part of your day, the first part of your income.
-Jesus said that he that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me, and he that loveth me loveth my father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.
Isa 40:29-31 29: He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. 30: Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 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.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
Destined for Happiness
This is the second sermon in the Be Happy series. I preached this sermon July 12, 2009.
Text: Matthew 5:3-12
Introduction:
The word beatitude comes from Latin meaning “blessed.” It means a divine joy and perfect happiness, an inner satisfaction and sufficiency. This word was used for gods or the dead, but not for people. The beatitudes spoken by Jesus were then powerful words. He is speaking of a happiness that no one thought possible, he demonstrates that the Christian can be happy in all circumstances, even in circumstances where the world would say you would find no happiness. The apostle Paul found this happiness, Philippians 4: 11: Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12: I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13: I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Paul wrote this while imprisoned for the cause of Christ and yet he could say in Phil 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord Always and again I say rejoice.”
This is what the beatitudes are all about, happiness in all circumstances. Lets face it, it is easy to be happy when things are going well. It is easy to be happy when you are healthy, when your family is healthy and happy. It is easy to be happy when there is money in the bank, food in the fridge, and clothes on your back. Anybody can be happy in those situations. But what about when you are walking through the valley of the shadow, when night has fallen, when you are not healthy, when a loved one is sick, when you don’t have things you need much less the things you want. Is happiness still a possibility? Jesus insists it is. In fact, the Christian is destined for happiness.
If your happiness was lost, Christ has found it for you. If happiness is a treasure, it has been uncovered. If happiness is a dream, Christ makes it a reality. If happiness is a destination, Christ brings you there. And the worst the world can throw at you can never take the happiness of a child of God away. That is what this text shows us. The beatitudes, then, are those circumstances in which the Christian can still be happy where the world would not.
God’s happiness is dependant on the assurance of God’s blessing, not on current circumstances, and it abides deep within the believer.
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
-Spiritual poverty, we must recognize our own spiritual bankruptcy if we are even to begin to find happiness. The blessing for the poor in spirit is because such a person acknowledges the need for salvation and that he can’t save himself.
Psalm 40:17 But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God. -Is 57:15 15: For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
-Jesus quoted this verse Is 61:1 1: The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
Application – Psalm 34:6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
What does it mean to mourn? Well, you could use it in the sense that we mourn the loss of loved ones and the Holy Spirit – the comforter – can give us great comfort. But in the context it would seem to mean those who are mourning over their sinfulness.
2 Cor 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
-it is amazing how when you get saved you view sin differently than you once did. There was a time when sin didn’t bother me as long as I didn’t get caught. But now it is an entirely different thing. When you see sin through the eyes of the Lord, sin will grieve your heart. There was a time when I wanted to cover sin (hide it), but now I must confess it.
-Prov 28:13-14 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. 14: Happy is the man that feareth always: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
Application – are you covering your sin? Numbers 32:23 informs you to be sure your sin will find you out. You do reap what you sew. Wouldn’t it be better to confess?
-1 John 1:9 – states “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrightousness.”
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
-the meek are not the weak, but those who are powerful but who have the maturity and grace to use their power for constructive purposes, rather than destructive purposes. It is strength under control. (illustration – horse breeders – the meekest horse wins the race. That means it is the horse the responded to his training. His strength is under control and focused)
-Psalm 37:7 : Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. 8: Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. 9: For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. 10: For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.
Application – Self – control is one of the fruit of the holy spirit (contrast with the lost who has no self control nor does the lost see the need).
-the inheritance is the new earth.
Rev 21:1-3 1: And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2: And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3: And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Any person who is starving is not a happy person, but Christ fulfills all righteousness
-a desire to see God’s standards established and obeyed in every area of life.
-the coming kingdom will be one of righteousness.
Isa 55:1: Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 2: Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
-our righteousness comes from the Lord Jesus alone. Dear Christian, your righteousness does not come from your deeds (filthy rags – there are none righteous no not one), but from the righteousness that comes from the indwelling Christ.
-there are not many who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness in our world today. Some who even question whether there is a right or wrong.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Being merciful reflects the heart of the king in our own hearts. It means being others oriented. It means being compassionate.
Eph 2:4-7 4: But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5: Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6: And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Micah 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
Application – Parable Matthew 18 23: Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. 24: And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. 25: But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26: The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 27: Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 28: But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. 29: And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 30: And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. 31: So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 32: Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 33: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 34: And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Refers to moral cleanness. The world says you will not be happy if you have morals. Any distracting or corrupting influence allowed in the heart takes away your happiness. While we can’t be perfect, we can live in such a way that we want to please God.
-the pure see God, unhindered in their ability to understand
-Psalm 24 3 : Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? 4: He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. 5: He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6: This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.
Application – coming in to worship God with clean hands and a pure heart.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
-those who strive for harmony rather than discord – not military or political peace but internal and spiritual peace. “Peacemakers are not power brokers but people lovers.”
-Rom 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
-Rom 12 16: Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. 17: Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18: If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Also the idea of helping others make peace with God
-2 Cor 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ,
Application – no greater happiness then leading others to Christ.
10: Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11: Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12: Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
-this is only for those persecuted because of their faithfulness to the Kingdom of Heaven Peter said it this way in 1 Peter 3: 14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
1 Peter 4: 12: Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14: If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 15: But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. 16: Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
Hebrews describes these people as heroes of faith in 11: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38: (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39: And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. When we suffer for Christ we must not think we are the only ones, like the prophet Elijah who thought he was the only one left. 1 Kings 19 Elijah says to God have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. God replied have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
Text: Matthew 5:3-12
Introduction:
The word beatitude comes from Latin meaning “blessed.” It means a divine joy and perfect happiness, an inner satisfaction and sufficiency. This word was used for gods or the dead, but not for people. The beatitudes spoken by Jesus were then powerful words. He is speaking of a happiness that no one thought possible, he demonstrates that the Christian can be happy in all circumstances, even in circumstances where the world would say you would find no happiness. The apostle Paul found this happiness, Philippians 4: 11: Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12: I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13: I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Paul wrote this while imprisoned for the cause of Christ and yet he could say in Phil 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord Always and again I say rejoice.”
This is what the beatitudes are all about, happiness in all circumstances. Lets face it, it is easy to be happy when things are going well. It is easy to be happy when you are healthy, when your family is healthy and happy. It is easy to be happy when there is money in the bank, food in the fridge, and clothes on your back. Anybody can be happy in those situations. But what about when you are walking through the valley of the shadow, when night has fallen, when you are not healthy, when a loved one is sick, when you don’t have things you need much less the things you want. Is happiness still a possibility? Jesus insists it is. In fact, the Christian is destined for happiness.
If your happiness was lost, Christ has found it for you. If happiness is a treasure, it has been uncovered. If happiness is a dream, Christ makes it a reality. If happiness is a destination, Christ brings you there. And the worst the world can throw at you can never take the happiness of a child of God away. That is what this text shows us. The beatitudes, then, are those circumstances in which the Christian can still be happy where the world would not.
God’s happiness is dependant on the assurance of God’s blessing, not on current circumstances, and it abides deep within the believer.
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
-Spiritual poverty, we must recognize our own spiritual bankruptcy if we are even to begin to find happiness. The blessing for the poor in spirit is because such a person acknowledges the need for salvation and that he can’t save himself.
Psalm 40:17 But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God. -Is 57:15 15: For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
-Jesus quoted this verse Is 61:1 1: The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
Application – Psalm 34:6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
What does it mean to mourn? Well, you could use it in the sense that we mourn the loss of loved ones and the Holy Spirit – the comforter – can give us great comfort. But in the context it would seem to mean those who are mourning over their sinfulness.
2 Cor 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
-it is amazing how when you get saved you view sin differently than you once did. There was a time when sin didn’t bother me as long as I didn’t get caught. But now it is an entirely different thing. When you see sin through the eyes of the Lord, sin will grieve your heart. There was a time when I wanted to cover sin (hide it), but now I must confess it.
-Prov 28:13-14 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. 14: Happy is the man that feareth always: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
Application – are you covering your sin? Numbers 32:23 informs you to be sure your sin will find you out. You do reap what you sew. Wouldn’t it be better to confess?
-1 John 1:9 – states “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrightousness.”
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
-the meek are not the weak, but those who are powerful but who have the maturity and grace to use their power for constructive purposes, rather than destructive purposes. It is strength under control. (illustration – horse breeders – the meekest horse wins the race. That means it is the horse the responded to his training. His strength is under control and focused)
-Psalm 37:7 : Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. 8: Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. 9: For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. 10: For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.
Application – Self – control is one of the fruit of the holy spirit (contrast with the lost who has no self control nor does the lost see the need).
-the inheritance is the new earth.
Rev 21:1-3 1: And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2: And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3: And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Any person who is starving is not a happy person, but Christ fulfills all righteousness
-a desire to see God’s standards established and obeyed in every area of life.
-the coming kingdom will be one of righteousness.
Isa 55:1: Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 2: Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
-our righteousness comes from the Lord Jesus alone. Dear Christian, your righteousness does not come from your deeds (filthy rags – there are none righteous no not one), but from the righteousness that comes from the indwelling Christ.
-there are not many who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness in our world today. Some who even question whether there is a right or wrong.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Being merciful reflects the heart of the king in our own hearts. It means being others oriented. It means being compassionate.
Eph 2:4-7 4: But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5: Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6: And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Micah 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
Application – Parable Matthew 18 23: Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. 24: And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. 25: But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26: The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 27: Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 28: But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. 29: And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 30: And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. 31: So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 32: Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 33: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 34: And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Refers to moral cleanness. The world says you will not be happy if you have morals. Any distracting or corrupting influence allowed in the heart takes away your happiness. While we can’t be perfect, we can live in such a way that we want to please God.
-the pure see God, unhindered in their ability to understand
-Psalm 24 3 : Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? 4: He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. 5: He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6: This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.
Application – coming in to worship God with clean hands and a pure heart.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
-those who strive for harmony rather than discord – not military or political peace but internal and spiritual peace. “Peacemakers are not power brokers but people lovers.”
-Rom 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
-Rom 12 16: Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. 17: Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18: If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Also the idea of helping others make peace with God
-2 Cor 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ,
Application – no greater happiness then leading others to Christ.
10: Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11: Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12: Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
-this is only for those persecuted because of their faithfulness to the Kingdom of Heaven Peter said it this way in 1 Peter 3: 14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
1 Peter 4: 12: Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14: If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 15: But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. 16: Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
Hebrews describes these people as heroes of faith in 11: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38: (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39: And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. When we suffer for Christ we must not think we are the only ones, like the prophet Elijah who thought he was the only one left. 1 Kings 19 Elijah says to God have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. God replied have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
Monday, July 6, 2009
In what do you delight?
This is the first sermon in the Be Happy series. I preached this sermon July 5, 2009.
Text: Psalm 1
Introduction: In thinking about the death of self proclaimed King of Pop, Michael Jackson this week I’m sure we all have heard more than we wanted. But here was a person who was wealthy, one of the most famous people of our time. He had money, things, he had high profile friends, family, he had talent, notoriety. He was preparing to make his comeback tour. What else could he have wanted? But I can’t help but wonder if he was happy? In my opinion the Michael Jackson’s life was a tragedy. Now don’t get me wrong, I am not trying to defend or accuse this man of anything. But I can’t help but think of Elvis Presley, a man of similar wealth and fame 6 weeks before he died, a reporter asked Elvis Presley, "Elvis, when you first started playing music, you said you wanted to be rich, famous and happy. Are you happy?" “I’m lonely as hell” He replied. Elvis was obviously not a happy man.
If somebody like Elvis was not happy, and likely Michael Jackson was not happy. Is there any hope for anybody to be happy?
Elvis, Michael Jackson, and perhaps most people, even Christian people make the same mistake. They continue to pursue happiness yet it remains just out of reach. One more dollar, one more album, one more movie, one more term, one more beer, one more hit, one more….you fill in the blank. Or maybe, I need a change, a different job, a different car, a different house, a different spouse, a different….But we all end up disappointed and keep pursuing the ever elusive happiness. Psalm 1 gives us the source of true happiness. We realize with this that God created us with a desire for happiness.Psalm 1 presents two paths to take, one leads to happiness, the other to despair. We will learn that you have a choice to make, in what is your delight? In what are you seeking happiness? You must make the right choice.
Dwell
To be happy, you must dwell closely with the Lord
1. There is digression away from God pictured in these verses, a digression that leads to sin and sorrow. First is to walk – it means refusing the values of the godless (today’s secular values). To walk indicates a series of steps that the ungodly person takes in life, decisions he makes.
2. Stand – stop walking and stand. The lure of the crowd to sinfulness. To stand pictures the commitments a person makes.
3. Sit – walked, stopped and stood, and now you sit, sitting in fellowship with those that are enemies of God. (1 Cor 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. – Bad company corrupts good character). To sit represents the attitudes of the heart.
4. Blessed is the man who doesn’t walk away from God, who doesn’t go further and further into the strongholds of sin. The beginning of this verse “Blessed” Hebrew meaning happy – and it is doubled to emphasize happiness. Happy, Happy is the man who life is centered on God. IE – you can’t describe the intensity of the happiness.
Psalm 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
Ps 84:4-5 Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee, Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.
Ps 89:15 Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.
Ps 119:1-2 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. 2: Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
Delight
To be happy, you must delight in the Lord
1. Delight in God
-Psalm 37:4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Psalm 40:8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
Psalm 119:16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
Psalm 119:24 Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.
Psalm 119:35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.
Psalm 119:47 And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.
2. Meditate on His Word – the joy of reading and thinking on the word of God.
-2 Tim 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
3. Like a tree – drawing nourishment from God’s word. Stability and fruitfulness produced (fruit of joy).
-leaf not whither – lasting, eternal results.
4. Prosper – happiness, a spiritually rich life.
Josh 1:8-9 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. 9: Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Devote
To be happy, you must devote yourself to God’s way
1. Vs 4 – contrasts the ungodly with those who are devoted to the ways of the Lord. Are the ungodly blessed? No, are the ungodly happy? No, are the ungodly successful? No, and the ungodly fruitful? No. While the righteous are like the tree that does not whither, the ungodly are like the chaff when that the wind blows away – grain crushed and tossed in the air, the wind blows away the chaff, the chaff gathered and burned. (The wind of circumstances). Chaff is of no value, the wicked are empty, shallow and all they do is futile.
2. Vs 5 – A judgment is coming for the godless Rev 20:11-15 11: And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12: And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13: And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14: And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15: And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
-Those without Christ will be justly condemned for their sin, and eternally punished in hell.
-will have no fellowship with the saints of God.
3. Vs 6 – Knows the way of the righteous – indicates a personal relationship.
Text: Psalm 1
Introduction: In thinking about the death of self proclaimed King of Pop, Michael Jackson this week I’m sure we all have heard more than we wanted. But here was a person who was wealthy, one of the most famous people of our time. He had money, things, he had high profile friends, family, he had talent, notoriety. He was preparing to make his comeback tour. What else could he have wanted? But I can’t help but wonder if he was happy? In my opinion the Michael Jackson’s life was a tragedy. Now don’t get me wrong, I am not trying to defend or accuse this man of anything. But I can’t help but think of Elvis Presley, a man of similar wealth and fame 6 weeks before he died, a reporter asked Elvis Presley, "Elvis, when you first started playing music, you said you wanted to be rich, famous and happy. Are you happy?" “I’m lonely as hell” He replied. Elvis was obviously not a happy man.
If somebody like Elvis was not happy, and likely Michael Jackson was not happy. Is there any hope for anybody to be happy?
Elvis, Michael Jackson, and perhaps most people, even Christian people make the same mistake. They continue to pursue happiness yet it remains just out of reach. One more dollar, one more album, one more movie, one more term, one more beer, one more hit, one more….you fill in the blank. Or maybe, I need a change, a different job, a different car, a different house, a different spouse, a different….But we all end up disappointed and keep pursuing the ever elusive happiness. Psalm 1 gives us the source of true happiness. We realize with this that God created us with a desire for happiness.Psalm 1 presents two paths to take, one leads to happiness, the other to despair. We will learn that you have a choice to make, in what is your delight? In what are you seeking happiness? You must make the right choice.
Dwell
To be happy, you must dwell closely with the Lord
1. There is digression away from God pictured in these verses, a digression that leads to sin and sorrow. First is to walk – it means refusing the values of the godless (today’s secular values). To walk indicates a series of steps that the ungodly person takes in life, decisions he makes.
2. Stand – stop walking and stand. The lure of the crowd to sinfulness. To stand pictures the commitments a person makes.
3. Sit – walked, stopped and stood, and now you sit, sitting in fellowship with those that are enemies of God. (1 Cor 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. – Bad company corrupts good character). To sit represents the attitudes of the heart.
4. Blessed is the man who doesn’t walk away from God, who doesn’t go further and further into the strongholds of sin. The beginning of this verse “Blessed” Hebrew meaning happy – and it is doubled to emphasize happiness. Happy, Happy is the man who life is centered on God. IE – you can’t describe the intensity of the happiness.
Psalm 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
Ps 84:4-5 Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee, Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.
Ps 89:15 Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.
Ps 119:1-2 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. 2: Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
Delight
To be happy, you must delight in the Lord
1. Delight in God
-Psalm 37:4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Psalm 40:8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
Psalm 119:16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
Psalm 119:24 Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.
Psalm 119:35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.
Psalm 119:47 And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.
2. Meditate on His Word – the joy of reading and thinking on the word of God.
-2 Tim 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
3. Like a tree – drawing nourishment from God’s word. Stability and fruitfulness produced (fruit of joy).
-leaf not whither – lasting, eternal results.
4. Prosper – happiness, a spiritually rich life.
Josh 1:8-9 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. 9: Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Devote
To be happy, you must devote yourself to God’s way
1. Vs 4 – contrasts the ungodly with those who are devoted to the ways of the Lord. Are the ungodly blessed? No, are the ungodly happy? No, are the ungodly successful? No, and the ungodly fruitful? No. While the righteous are like the tree that does not whither, the ungodly are like the chaff when that the wind blows away – grain crushed and tossed in the air, the wind blows away the chaff, the chaff gathered and burned. (The wind of circumstances). Chaff is of no value, the wicked are empty, shallow and all they do is futile.
2. Vs 5 – A judgment is coming for the godless Rev 20:11-15 11: And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12: And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13: And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14: And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15: And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
-Those without Christ will be justly condemned for their sin, and eternally punished in hell.
-will have no fellowship with the saints of God.
3. Vs 6 – Knows the way of the righteous – indicates a personal relationship.
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