The Forgiveness of Heaven.
Matthew 18: 21 – 35.
I. Introduction.
Abraham Joshua Heschel is a world renowned theologian and Old Testament scholar. Several years ago, Heschel had the opportunity to deliver a series of lectures at the University of California on the relationship between religion and ethics. As you already know, the University of California is not a religious school, so the room was filled with a mixture of different religions and some people who professed no religious beliefs whatsoever.
At the end of one lecture, Heschel gave the audience an opportunity to respond and to ask questions. One of the respondents was a university faculty member. The professor stood and asked, “Why do I need religion? I am a good person. I treat others decently. I lead an honest and ethical life. What does religion have to offer me?”
Heschel responded, “That is the difference between you and me. You are a good person. I am not.”
Read Matthew 18: 21 – 35.
This Scripture occurs in the context of three teachings on Reconciliation…
1. Shepherd with 100 sheep will leave 99 to search for 1.
2. Recalling sinners back into the church.
3. Forgiveness in personal relationships…
As is normally the case, the disciples have questions about what Jesus is teaching them, so Peter speaks up and asks Jesus to explain himself…And Jesus gives 2 answers…A principle and a story…Or a teaching and an illustration…
Peter’s question shows both his wisdom and his ignorance…
Wisdom…Because Peter is willing to forgive even more than the most righteous of the Jews…The Rabbis taught that a person was to forgive the same person three times for the same offense…But do not forgive four…And Peter knew that Jesus wanted them to go beyond the best that Judaism had to offer…
Ignorance…Because Peter wanted to fix a number on forgiveness…Granted seven is a high number to forgive a person for the same offense…But any time we fix a limit on forgiveness, we are not going far enough…So Jesus increased the limit…Not seven times, but seventy times seven…Or as NIV says seventy-seven times…
Now it doesn’t matter how we translate this numerical value…The term can legitimately go either way…It doesn’t matter how we translate it, because this is a figure of speech known as hyperbole. Jesus did not place a numerical limit on forgiveness…Jesus did not say forgive a person 77 times but not 78…Or 490 times but not 491…Either way, the number is so ridiculously high that Jesus is stressing unlimited forgiveness…Forgiveness that will never reach its maximum…
Then Jesus told a story about the Kingdom of Heaven…I want my own preaching to imitate the preaching of Jesus…Jesus did not give principles only…He taught principles and then related those principles to stories that his congregation could understand…The parables (or stories) of Jesus gave the disciples something they could put their hands on…Something they could remember when they left the church…
In the very first verse of the parable (23), Jesus told us that the Parable was about the Kingdom of God…
Since it is obviously about the Kingdom of God, then we can assume that the King in the story refers to God…And the servants of the King can be compared to us, followers of Jesus, servants of the Lord…
One day the King decided it was time to settle his accounts…He had loaned money to his servants and for some reason or another he felt it was time to collect the money…This concept of “settling accounts” is a common image used to describe the final Judgment…One day, we will all have the opportunity to “settle accounts” with God…We will have to give an account for the way we have spent our lives…
The particular servant that Jesus focused on had borrowed a lot of money from the King…The Bible says that he owed 10,000 Talents…Exactly how much money do you think that is?
A Talent is the highest denomination of money known in Jesus’ day and 10,000 is the highest number for which the Greek language has a word…In other words, the servant owed the maximum that anyone could possibly owe the King…
But we could also describe it this way…A Talent was roughly the equivalent to 20 YEARS’ SALARY for the average worker! This servant owed his master the equivalent of 200,000 YEARS OF SALARY!
Last Tuesday, minimum wage increased from $5.15 per hour to $5.85 per hour. For forty hour work week, that totals a little over $12,000.00 per year. If you worked for 200,000 years at minimum wage, you could earn $2.4 Billion. In “inflation adjusted dollars,” this servant owed $2.4 Billion dollars.
In other words, there was no possible way for this man to repay his debt to the King…He owed an incalculable debt…There was only one thing he could do…Beg for mercy…And the King showed mercy…He forgave the man his debt…
(verse 28) But notice what the servant did when the King forgave him…He went out and found someone who owed him money…100 Denarii…Exactly how much money are we talking about here?
According to another parable Jesus told in Matthew 20, a denarius was what the average working man made for one day of work…Again, if you make $5.85 per hour and work for 8 hours a day, then you make $46.80 per day…In 100 days, you would make $4,680.00…
The servant grabbed the other man and began to choke him, demanding that the debt be paid immediately…When the man could not pay, the ungrateful servant had the other servant thrown into prison for failure to repay…
I want you to notice the difference between the two debts…The ungrateful servant had been forgiven a debt that was 500,000 times greater than the debt that was owed him…
Jesus’ parable illustrates for us the different ways we can respond when someone sins against us…Ultimately there are three ways we can respond…
II. Fairness.
We might call this “punish the criminal”…The ungrateful servant treated his fellow servant with Fairness…He did what the law allowed him to do…When the servant couldn’t pay, he had to go to debtor’s prison…You do the crime…You do the time…
But what does Fairness really solve? There is satisfaction in doing what is Fair…There is a good feeling that goes with knowing that all is Fair in the world…Criminals go to jail…
Fairness does nothing to restore the person…It only focuses on the crime, not the person…
When we treat others with Fairness…We give them what they deserve, but our relationships are destroyed…
III. Forgetfulness.
A second choice is that we could respond with Forgetfulness…This is what our world calls Forgiveness…But Forgetfulness is actually a perversion of Forgiveness…
Forgetfulness is to ignore the problem…To allow the crime (sin) to continue…It is to actually condone the sinful activity…What you are doing is OK…I am just going to look the other way, while you keep doing whatever you want to do.
Forgetfulness also destroys the relationship…It allows the other person to continue to sin against you…
There is only one way to effectively deal with sin and relationship…
IV. Forgiveness.
We can respond with Forgiveness…That was the response of the King… That is the response of Heaven…God has responded to our sins with Forgiveness…
If our world has perverted Forgiveness to mean nothing but Forgetfulness, then we must define what Forgiveness really is…
Forgiveness is not Forgetfulness…Forgiveness is “costly remembering.”
The king did not look the other way and ignore the servant’s debt…He called him to account for it…When the servant could not pay the debt, the King responded with Fairness by selling the servant and his family… But then something interesting happened, the servant Repented and begged for mercy…At this point, the King had the freedom to do any of these three responses…And the King chose to Forgive…
Forgiveness is not Forgetfulness…Forgiveness is “costly remembering”
The King paid the price himself…He didn’t forget the debt, he paid the debt himself…Sin ALWAYS costs someone something…There is a price to pay…And Forgiveness ALWAYS costs the innocent person more than the sinner…Forgiveness is not fair. Innocent people suffer the consequences of someone else’s behavior.
And that is the meaning of the Cross of Jesus…Your sin costs someone something…God could give you what you deserve and respond with Fairness…God could look the other way and respond with Forgetfulness…And everyone gets to go to heaven…Or God could pay the price himself and respond with Forgiveness…
V. Conclusion.
But that is not how the parable ended…The parable ended in tragedy…
(Read verse 31 – 35) Does this mean that God can Forgive us and then if we don’t act right he can take back his Forgiveness? NO!
Does this set up a legalistic formula that says God can only forgive us if we forgive others? NO!
What this illustrates is that Forgiveness can be given but not received.
Did the King offer Forgiveness? YES! Did the servant receive Forgiveness? NO!
There are three ways you can take a gift…You can take it with guilt…You can take it with gratitude…You can take it for granted…Don’t take God’s Forgiveness for granted…Don’t take the Cross of Christ for granted…In the crucifixion of Jesus, God has responded with Forgiveness…He has given his Forgiveness…Will you receive it?
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Are You In?
Are You In?
Colossians 1: 1 – 14.
I. Introduction.
I’m sure you are familiar with the story about the man from East Texas who traveled to the big city of Dallas. He was from a small town, so it was easy for him to get lost on all the highways and intersections and traffic going 70 miles per hour around him. Before long, he found himself driving around in circles.
There was a Dallas police officer watching the man drive past several times. After seeing the same man in the same car drive past the same intersection four or five times, the police officer became suspicious. So, he turned on his blue lights and pulled the man over.
When the officer approached the car, the East Texan was happy to finally have someone he could ask for directions around Dallas. He immediately told the policeman, “I sure hope you can help me. I’ve been driving around in circles for hours. I am from East Texas and I guess I just don’t know my way around the big city.”
The policeman replied, “Do you have any I.D?”
The East Texan said, “I.D. about what?”
Today, I want to ask you about your I.D. Not your drivers’ license or your voter registration. I want to ask you about your I.D. in Christ.
I started thinking about this sermon early in the week this week, but VBS made the week so crazy and hectic that it didn’t finish until…Well, it’s none of your business when I finished the sermon.
My original thoughts were about the teachings of Jesus about his use of parables. In Mark 4, Jesus taught his disciples and the crowd of people following them the Parable of the Sower. When the crowds left, the disciples asked Jesus two questions. First, why do you always use parables and stories in your teachings? Second, what does this parable mean?
Jesus answered their first question by describing two different types of people. There are the people on the “inside,” and there are people on the “outside.” Jesus told us that parables are a way to communicate to people on the “inside,” because people on the “outside” cannot understand the mysteries of the Kingdom of God.
It reminds me of the cell phone commercials on TV. I especially like the commercials with Charles Barkley and Dwayne Wade. Dwayne Wade wants Barkley to include him in his “Fave 5.” He wants to be on the inside, not on the outside.
I wonder if we have similar thoughts about Jesus. It might be quite a stretch to compare Jesus with Charles Barkley. However, would we make a similar request of Jesus? “C’mon, Jesus. Let me inside. I don’t want to be on the outside.”
It also reminds me of the writings of the Apostle Paul. In several of Paul’s New Testament writings, he encourages us to be “insiders” with Jesus. Actually, he encourages us to be “in Christ.”
As I read our Scripture from Colossians this morning, listen (or watch) for the word “in.” This little word appears 14 times in this short passage.
Read Colossians 1: 1 – 14.
Colossians is one of four New Testament books that scholars refer to as the “prison letters:” Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon. You can probably guess why they are the “prison letters.” It’s really simple. Paul wrote these four books while he was in prison.
The books were written as letters to churches and one individual Christian in Asia Minor, the area we know as modern day Turkey. We think that Ephesians, Colossians and Philemon were delivered by three men, who probably traveled together: Epaphrus, Timothy and Onesimus. More than likely, Philippians was written later.
Paul’s tone in the first three letters—Ephesians, Colossians and Philemon—was a clam tone of instructions to the Asian Christians. However, Paul’s tone in Philippians was different. He did not know if he would ever get out of prison alive. He talked about heaven and giving his life as a martyr for Christ.
But at the beginning of his prison sentence, Paul held out hope. He was still functioning as a mentor and a Christian elder for the fledgling churches.
The church at Colossae was not one of the churches that Paul had started. We believe it had been started through the evangelistic preaching of Epaphrus. Paul had sent this man into Asia Minor to preach about Jesus and to lead the Jews and the pagans to become Christians.
Epaphrus had kept in close communication with the church at Colossae and had learned some disturbing things about church practices. The Jews and pagans who had become Christians and formed this church brought undesirable practices and theology with them. They had liberally accepted Jewish traditions and pagan customs. They created forms of worship and discipleship that were unacceptable to Paul and Epaphrus. So, Epaphrus went to prison to visit Paul…to ask for some fatherly advice. And Paul gave more than just advice. He wrote an Apostolic letter to address the problems in the church.
I think we can find one of Paul’s concerns addressed in these first few verses. For example, Paul used the words “Knowledge,” Wisdom” and “Understanding” together in verse 9. This leads me to believe that the church was tempted to adopt the philosophy of Gnostic teachers. Gnostics were similar to what you and I might refer to as the “New Age” movement of the First Century. They believed that salvation was something anyone could achieve for himself or herself through mystical knowledge. (The Greek word for knowledge is the word “gnosis,” which is the root of the word Gnostic.)
Paul tells the church that he is praying that they will receive knowledge of God’s will and that their wisdom and understanding would be “Spiritual” wisdom and Spiritual understanding. In other words, the only knowledge that matters is the knowledge of God that leads us to do God’s will. The only wisdom and understanding that matters is the wisdom and understanding that comes from the Holy Spirit.
So, how can we receive the knowledge, wisdom and understanding Paul is talking about? I think it is all about being on the “inside.”
II. In Christ.
Verse 2: “To the holy and faithful brothers in Christ…”
This is a description of our spiritual identity. We are to be “holy,” “faithful” and “family” in Christ Jesus.
Holy is a biblical term that we often interpret to mean something akin to “perfection.” I suppose one could make a pretty strong argument that “Be holy as your Father is holy” is a call for us to be perfect and free of sin as God himself is perfect and free of sin. But holy literally means “set apart.” Like the instruments and utensils that were set apart to be used in the Old Testament Temple. There were bowls, knives, forks, candle stands and shovels that could only be used in a Temple worship service. They could not be used for common purposes. They were only to be used for God’s purposes. In the same way, our identity as Christian men and women is that we should not allow ourselves to be used for common purposes. We should only serve God’s purposes.
Faithful is a biblical term that more than likely refers to the trajectory of our lives. In other words, which way are you moving? In what direction are you headed? Everyday—sometimes every moment of every day—we have choices to make. The world bombards us with temptations and distractions. God calls us to a higher purpose. Which choice will you make? Will you pledge your allegiance to Christ, or to the world? Will you demonstrate ongoing loyalty to Christ? Or will you allow other stuff to pull your life off course?
Family is my interpretation of Paul’s use of the word “brothers.” Paul is very specific in other places in the New Testament that not everyone on the face of the earth can claim to be a child of God. We are not all God’s children, and God is not the Heavenly Father to every person who lives. No. God is the Father of Jesus. And God became my Father when I entered into a personal relationship with Jesus.
Shauna and I are crazy people. During the most hectic week of the summer, we allowed our sons to invite friends to spend the night at our home. We like to have friends spend the night. We do everything to make these friends feel comfortable, at home and included. But the next day, they go back home to their own families. We are friendly and gracious to guests in our home, even if they are not our family. But they are still outsiders. And there are some things outsiders cannot do with our family. It is the same with God’s family. We can only be included in God’s family “in Christ.” Without Christ, there are some things we cannot do with God’s family.
Verses 3 – 4: “…because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus…”
Here, Paul describes something very similar to his previous reference to “faithfulness.” However, I want to make a distinction. In verse one, he was complimenting the Christians for their ongoing loyalty to God’s purposes through Jesus. Now, he is referring to the initial act of faith through which one can enter into God’s family. Remember, God’s family is only available to those who have faith in Jesus.
I want to emphasize here that faith has to be more than just belief. We do not enter into God’s family just by acknowledging that Jesus is God’s Son. It has to be a belief that changes everything about our lives. It’s like when Jesus called the first disciples. These men were working in their father’s fishing business. Jesus walked along the lake shore and called to them: “Come. Follow me.” Jesus did not say, “Believe in me.” He asked them to abandon their former way of life and enter into a lifelong journey of following Jesus in order to pattern their lives after Jesus’ life. Faith requires that we must believe that Jesus is the Son of God. But it also requires a new kind of life that is only possible with God’s help.
Verse 13 – 14: “…the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
This is the Gospel, the Good News, that God offers us as insiders. This is how we move from the outside to the inside.
Every human has a problem with sin. We are tempted and distracted by the world. The world does not live according to God’s law. The world does not measure up to God’s standards. It is impossible for human beings to meet God’s standards. We try, but we always fail. That’s Bad News. The Good News is that God has provided a way.
There is only one way to be right before God. There is only one way for us to have life beyond death. There is only one way to make it to heaven. And God provided that one way through his Son, Jesus. The death of Jesus on the cross is God’s way to redeem us—to buy us out of slavery. The death of Jesus on the cross is God’s way to forgive us of sin—to make us right with God.
We cannot do this on our own power or on the basis of our own good works. Redemption, forgiveness, salvation and heave are only available “in Christ.” Let Jesus change our lives for ever.
III. In the Spirit.
Verse 8: “…your love in the Spirit.”
There are several places in Paul’s writings where he teaches us about the Spirit. In some of these passages, Paul tells us there is an ongoing battle between “flesh” and “Spirit.” This does not mean that you and I are experiencing internal conflict between two parts of our human nature. No. It means that everything fleshly or earthly is in conflict with God’s Holy Spirit.
In other places Paul tells us that it is God’s Holy Spirit that brings unity among the Christians who make up the church. This is what Paul is telling us here. Our love for one another is only possible with the help of the Holy Spirit. Some people are hard to love. But God helps us love each other by being present in our lives.
IV. In the Kingdom of God.
Verse 12: “…in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.”
Verse 13: “…brought us into the Kingdom of the Son…”
A kingdom is the realm in which the king has sovereignty. When we are “in Christ” we are also citizens of God’s Kingdom. In other words, we give God the controls over every aspect of our lives. God should control us seven days a week—not just on Sundays.
V. In the Word of Truth.
Verse 5: “…in the word of truth, the gospel…”
There are many things about God that are consistent; they never change. One thing is the way God reveals himself and communicates with us. If you and I are “insiders” and enjoy a personal relationship with God, then we ought to spend time with God, listening to what God has to say about himself. God speaks to us through his word, the Bible. If you do not read the Bible, then you cannot know God or hear God. You will never accomplish God’s will for your life, if you do not listen to God’s word.
VI. Conclusion: In Christ and At Colossae.
Verse 2: “…in Christ at Colossae.”
We began by talking about our identity in Christ. I want to end by showing you the two ways Paul described his audience. They are “in Christ” and they are “at Colossae.” They have a spiritual identity and a physical location to serve. We too have spiritual identity and a location to serve. We are “in Christ” and “at Lufkin, TX.”
Colossians 1: 1 – 14.
I. Introduction.
I’m sure you are familiar with the story about the man from East Texas who traveled to the big city of Dallas. He was from a small town, so it was easy for him to get lost on all the highways and intersections and traffic going 70 miles per hour around him. Before long, he found himself driving around in circles.
There was a Dallas police officer watching the man drive past several times. After seeing the same man in the same car drive past the same intersection four or five times, the police officer became suspicious. So, he turned on his blue lights and pulled the man over.
When the officer approached the car, the East Texan was happy to finally have someone he could ask for directions around Dallas. He immediately told the policeman, “I sure hope you can help me. I’ve been driving around in circles for hours. I am from East Texas and I guess I just don’t know my way around the big city.”
The policeman replied, “Do you have any I.D?”
The East Texan said, “I.D. about what?”
Today, I want to ask you about your I.D. Not your drivers’ license or your voter registration. I want to ask you about your I.D. in Christ.
I started thinking about this sermon early in the week this week, but VBS made the week so crazy and hectic that it didn’t finish until…Well, it’s none of your business when I finished the sermon.
My original thoughts were about the teachings of Jesus about his use of parables. In Mark 4, Jesus taught his disciples and the crowd of people following them the Parable of the Sower. When the crowds left, the disciples asked Jesus two questions. First, why do you always use parables and stories in your teachings? Second, what does this parable mean?
Jesus answered their first question by describing two different types of people. There are the people on the “inside,” and there are people on the “outside.” Jesus told us that parables are a way to communicate to people on the “inside,” because people on the “outside” cannot understand the mysteries of the Kingdom of God.
It reminds me of the cell phone commercials on TV. I especially like the commercials with Charles Barkley and Dwayne Wade. Dwayne Wade wants Barkley to include him in his “Fave 5.” He wants to be on the inside, not on the outside.
I wonder if we have similar thoughts about Jesus. It might be quite a stretch to compare Jesus with Charles Barkley. However, would we make a similar request of Jesus? “C’mon, Jesus. Let me inside. I don’t want to be on the outside.”
It also reminds me of the writings of the Apostle Paul. In several of Paul’s New Testament writings, he encourages us to be “insiders” with Jesus. Actually, he encourages us to be “in Christ.”
As I read our Scripture from Colossians this morning, listen (or watch) for the word “in.” This little word appears 14 times in this short passage.
Read Colossians 1: 1 – 14.
Colossians is one of four New Testament books that scholars refer to as the “prison letters:” Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon. You can probably guess why they are the “prison letters.” It’s really simple. Paul wrote these four books while he was in prison.
The books were written as letters to churches and one individual Christian in Asia Minor, the area we know as modern day Turkey. We think that Ephesians, Colossians and Philemon were delivered by three men, who probably traveled together: Epaphrus, Timothy and Onesimus. More than likely, Philippians was written later.
Paul’s tone in the first three letters—Ephesians, Colossians and Philemon—was a clam tone of instructions to the Asian Christians. However, Paul’s tone in Philippians was different. He did not know if he would ever get out of prison alive. He talked about heaven and giving his life as a martyr for Christ.
But at the beginning of his prison sentence, Paul held out hope. He was still functioning as a mentor and a Christian elder for the fledgling churches.
The church at Colossae was not one of the churches that Paul had started. We believe it had been started through the evangelistic preaching of Epaphrus. Paul had sent this man into Asia Minor to preach about Jesus and to lead the Jews and the pagans to become Christians.
Epaphrus had kept in close communication with the church at Colossae and had learned some disturbing things about church practices. The Jews and pagans who had become Christians and formed this church brought undesirable practices and theology with them. They had liberally accepted Jewish traditions and pagan customs. They created forms of worship and discipleship that were unacceptable to Paul and Epaphrus. So, Epaphrus went to prison to visit Paul…to ask for some fatherly advice. And Paul gave more than just advice. He wrote an Apostolic letter to address the problems in the church.
I think we can find one of Paul’s concerns addressed in these first few verses. For example, Paul used the words “Knowledge,” Wisdom” and “Understanding” together in verse 9. This leads me to believe that the church was tempted to adopt the philosophy of Gnostic teachers. Gnostics were similar to what you and I might refer to as the “New Age” movement of the First Century. They believed that salvation was something anyone could achieve for himself or herself through mystical knowledge. (The Greek word for knowledge is the word “gnosis,” which is the root of the word Gnostic.)
Paul tells the church that he is praying that they will receive knowledge of God’s will and that their wisdom and understanding would be “Spiritual” wisdom and Spiritual understanding. In other words, the only knowledge that matters is the knowledge of God that leads us to do God’s will. The only wisdom and understanding that matters is the wisdom and understanding that comes from the Holy Spirit.
So, how can we receive the knowledge, wisdom and understanding Paul is talking about? I think it is all about being on the “inside.”
II. In Christ.
Verse 2: “To the holy and faithful brothers in Christ…”
This is a description of our spiritual identity. We are to be “holy,” “faithful” and “family” in Christ Jesus.
Holy is a biblical term that we often interpret to mean something akin to “perfection.” I suppose one could make a pretty strong argument that “Be holy as your Father is holy” is a call for us to be perfect and free of sin as God himself is perfect and free of sin. But holy literally means “set apart.” Like the instruments and utensils that were set apart to be used in the Old Testament Temple. There were bowls, knives, forks, candle stands and shovels that could only be used in a Temple worship service. They could not be used for common purposes. They were only to be used for God’s purposes. In the same way, our identity as Christian men and women is that we should not allow ourselves to be used for common purposes. We should only serve God’s purposes.
Faithful is a biblical term that more than likely refers to the trajectory of our lives. In other words, which way are you moving? In what direction are you headed? Everyday—sometimes every moment of every day—we have choices to make. The world bombards us with temptations and distractions. God calls us to a higher purpose. Which choice will you make? Will you pledge your allegiance to Christ, or to the world? Will you demonstrate ongoing loyalty to Christ? Or will you allow other stuff to pull your life off course?
Family is my interpretation of Paul’s use of the word “brothers.” Paul is very specific in other places in the New Testament that not everyone on the face of the earth can claim to be a child of God. We are not all God’s children, and God is not the Heavenly Father to every person who lives. No. God is the Father of Jesus. And God became my Father when I entered into a personal relationship with Jesus.
Shauna and I are crazy people. During the most hectic week of the summer, we allowed our sons to invite friends to spend the night at our home. We like to have friends spend the night. We do everything to make these friends feel comfortable, at home and included. But the next day, they go back home to their own families. We are friendly and gracious to guests in our home, even if they are not our family. But they are still outsiders. And there are some things outsiders cannot do with our family. It is the same with God’s family. We can only be included in God’s family “in Christ.” Without Christ, there are some things we cannot do with God’s family.
Verses 3 – 4: “…because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus…”
Here, Paul describes something very similar to his previous reference to “faithfulness.” However, I want to make a distinction. In verse one, he was complimenting the Christians for their ongoing loyalty to God’s purposes through Jesus. Now, he is referring to the initial act of faith through which one can enter into God’s family. Remember, God’s family is only available to those who have faith in Jesus.
I want to emphasize here that faith has to be more than just belief. We do not enter into God’s family just by acknowledging that Jesus is God’s Son. It has to be a belief that changes everything about our lives. It’s like when Jesus called the first disciples. These men were working in their father’s fishing business. Jesus walked along the lake shore and called to them: “Come. Follow me.” Jesus did not say, “Believe in me.” He asked them to abandon their former way of life and enter into a lifelong journey of following Jesus in order to pattern their lives after Jesus’ life. Faith requires that we must believe that Jesus is the Son of God. But it also requires a new kind of life that is only possible with God’s help.
Verse 13 – 14: “…the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
This is the Gospel, the Good News, that God offers us as insiders. This is how we move from the outside to the inside.
Every human has a problem with sin. We are tempted and distracted by the world. The world does not live according to God’s law. The world does not measure up to God’s standards. It is impossible for human beings to meet God’s standards. We try, but we always fail. That’s Bad News. The Good News is that God has provided a way.
There is only one way to be right before God. There is only one way for us to have life beyond death. There is only one way to make it to heaven. And God provided that one way through his Son, Jesus. The death of Jesus on the cross is God’s way to redeem us—to buy us out of slavery. The death of Jesus on the cross is God’s way to forgive us of sin—to make us right with God.
We cannot do this on our own power or on the basis of our own good works. Redemption, forgiveness, salvation and heave are only available “in Christ.” Let Jesus change our lives for ever.
III. In the Spirit.
Verse 8: “…your love in the Spirit.”
There are several places in Paul’s writings where he teaches us about the Spirit. In some of these passages, Paul tells us there is an ongoing battle between “flesh” and “Spirit.” This does not mean that you and I are experiencing internal conflict between two parts of our human nature. No. It means that everything fleshly or earthly is in conflict with God’s Holy Spirit.
In other places Paul tells us that it is God’s Holy Spirit that brings unity among the Christians who make up the church. This is what Paul is telling us here. Our love for one another is only possible with the help of the Holy Spirit. Some people are hard to love. But God helps us love each other by being present in our lives.
IV. In the Kingdom of God.
Verse 12: “…in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.”
Verse 13: “…brought us into the Kingdom of the Son…”
A kingdom is the realm in which the king has sovereignty. When we are “in Christ” we are also citizens of God’s Kingdom. In other words, we give God the controls over every aspect of our lives. God should control us seven days a week—not just on Sundays.
V. In the Word of Truth.
Verse 5: “…in the word of truth, the gospel…”
There are many things about God that are consistent; they never change. One thing is the way God reveals himself and communicates with us. If you and I are “insiders” and enjoy a personal relationship with God, then we ought to spend time with God, listening to what God has to say about himself. God speaks to us through his word, the Bible. If you do not read the Bible, then you cannot know God or hear God. You will never accomplish God’s will for your life, if you do not listen to God’s word.
VI. Conclusion: In Christ and At Colossae.
Verse 2: “…in Christ at Colossae.”
We began by talking about our identity in Christ. I want to end by showing you the two ways Paul described his audience. They are “in Christ” and they are “at Colossae.” They have a spiritual identity and a physical location to serve. We too have spiritual identity and a location to serve. We are “in Christ” and “at Lufkin, TX.”
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Worthy of Worship
Worthy of Worship
Revelation 4: 1 – 11
I. Introduction.
I will begin this morning by reading an eloquent description of a worship service. Imagine this scene as I read the selection.
Rays of late-afternoon sun gild the hushed sanctuary, filled with hundreds of expectant worshipers, world leaders among them. From the vaulted ceiling, a camera pans the scene.Holding their breath as one, the congregation watches the mitered priest walk down the aisle and slowly approach the chancel, his brightly colored vestments adding to the joyful ambiance. There is not a cough nor a whisper as he kneels on the lush carpet, seeking divine blessing for the offering. Several moments of prayerful waiting follow.The bishop stands and grips his scepter. All eyes in the assemblage fasten themselves on this man exuding a holy calm; all ears are tuned to hear the awaited announcement.Finally, the tap of his staff of authority is followed by a deeper silence. The flock in unison gazes at the pure chalice. Then a grand oratorio of praise explodes, reaching the celestial realm. He raises his scepter and approaches the altar.One voice, then another, and another exult, "That's his third birdie today."
--Jean Lersch, "Worship,"The Door, January-February 1998, 29.
Our English word “worship” originated in Old English. This is one of the few times that I will explain the origins of a word that did not originally come from one of the biblical languages. It derived from the Old English word “woerthscipe,” which was built on the word “woerth” and the suffix “-scipe.” Over time, the Old English word “woerth” became our modern day word “worth,” and the Old English suffix “-scipe” became “-ship.” All of this is to say that the original meaning of our English word “worship” is something like “to state or to create worth.”
In a purely secular way, this is what the people of Waco did in 2005 when the Baylor women’s basketball team won the NCAA national championship. There was a parade, there were billboards, there was a crowd cheering and waving. We proclaimed to everyone who would listen, just how great and worthy our basketball team was.
We saw the same thing in 2006 when the University of Texas won the Rose Bowl and the football national championship. Or when Texas A & M won the…Well, Texas A & M doesn’t need a national championship to tell us how great and worthy they are… (At this point in the service, the Aggie operating the sound system turned my microphone off. I looked to the balcony and he gave me the "Gig 'em" hand signal.)
I believe that worship is a large part of what it means to be human. We find ourselves constantly judging others on the basis of their “worth.” Sometimes we worship our football teams and basketball teams by telling the world how worthy they are. Sometimes we look at a person’s clothing and lifestyle to determine how much that person is “worth” in financial terms and commit ourselves to them. Other times, we examine a person’s life experience to determine whether they have performed in ways that we would deem respectable and perhaps listen and heed their advice.
And then there is the worship of God…Supposedly, this is the reason we gathered in this sanctuary this morning. We are supposed to be here for the purpose of stating God’s worth. In fact, the worship of God is such an important part of our experience that we have designated a day to be our day of worship. We have even built a beautiful building to serve as the home for our worship. Every Sunday, we proclaim God’s worth to the believing community gathered in this place. Then, we leave this consecrated, safe place—this sanctuary—to proclaim God’s worth to a non-believing community.
As Baptists, you and I believe that the Bible is our source for all matters of faith and practice. Therefore, we refuse to do anything unless it is a biblical expression of our relationship with God. Worship is no exception. So, we turn to the Bible to find instructions for worship. The Old Testament is filled with orderly instructions about worship. The priests are to dress in ornate liturgical vestments. The worshippers are to bring sacrifices of grains and wine and year old lambs. But that is what worship was supposed to look like in the ancient Jewish Tabernacle and the Temple. So, we turn to the New Testament to find instructions on Christian worship.
Reading the New Testament surprises us a little. The Apostle Paul taught us that we are not supposed to maintain the rituals of the Old Testament, and Jesus only gave us two rituals to use as a part of our worship: baptism and the Lord’s Supper. So, what does New Testament worship look like? How can we know if we are doing it right?
I think the answer to this question is found in Jesus’ words to the Samaritan women in John 4: 21 – 24…(vv. 23 – 24: “Yet a time is coming and has now come when true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth.”) The most important thing about worship in the New Testament is your heart. What is on the inside is more important than what is on the outside. There are many acceptable forms of worship as long as the worshippers worship in spirit and in truth.
Let’s look at one New Testament example of worship…
Read Revelation 4: 1 – 11.
You probably know that the book of Revelation is a special type of literature known as “Apocalypse.” This literary genre actually derives its name from the first word of the book of Revelation—the Greek word apokolypsis, which means “revelation” or “unveiling.” I think it is important for us to remember as we read from Revelation that this was written for the purpose of revealing information and not to conceal information.
There are several characteristics of apocalyptic literature that are present in this biblical book. For example, most apocalyptic writings describe the author’s experiences of an “other-worldly” vision. And, John tells us that God gave him a vision of heaven and God’s throne room in heaven. Another example is the way apocalyptic uses highly symbolic language. This is one of the reasons why we usually associate the book of Revelation with secret messages. But, again, it was not written to conceal. It was written to reveal. The original audience of this apocalyptic writing would have immediately understood its symbols and its message. A third characteristic of apocalyptic writing is that it is written to a group of people who were facing intense and severe persecution.
Many New Testament scholars tell us that John addressed the book of Revelation to the Christians of Rome at the end of the First Century. They were experiencing severe persecution as a result of their faith in Jesus. I mentioned this last week in describing the persecutions of the church at Corinth, and the same was true in Rome. Christians had a social stigma in Rome. They were outcasts and ridiculed as a result of their faith. They were accused of practicing child sacrifice by those who did not understand the meaning of the crucifixion of Jesus. They were accused of cannibalism by those who did not understand the meaning of the Lord’s Supper. And, they lost out on opportunities for jobs and advancement in society. In addition to these financial and social risks, there were Christians who were losing their lives in the Roman Coliseum. Spectators paid admission to watch as Christians were killed by Roman Gladiators and torn apart by lions.
The book of Revelation was addressed to these Christians to communicate a message about the temporal nature of the Roman Empire and the eternal nature of the Kingdom of God. While the Roman Emperor might hold some earthly power today, his power will not last forever. There is coming a day when God himself will once again break into human history. When God breaks into human history this time, it will be eternal. The righteous will be vindicated, and the un-righteous will be punished.
Our Scripture begins with the words “After this…” This could be interpreted in one of two ways. First, it might be a typical apocalyptic way of indicating that we are looking into the future. OR…It might just mean that we are continuing the story from chapter 3. I think it is simplest to interpret this as a continuation. John reported seven messages to seven churches, and now he is describing something else. He has made a transition and wants us to know this is different… “And now for something completely different.”
John heard a voice inviting him to enter heaven through an open door, and we once again encounter the words “After this.” This is where we begin to see into the future. Notice the verb tenses used in verse 1…Looked (past)…Standing (present)… Heard (past)…Speaking (present)…Will show (future)…
The voice promises John that what he is about to see will be the things that will take place “after this.” In other words, the persecution will not last forever. There is coming a day when Christians will have hope. And this is what it will look like.
II. Symbolic Language.
We need to be careful in reading the book of Revelation. There is no need to read and interpret John’s symbols literally. In other words, we don’t have to search for an animal with six wings and eyes all over its body.
The first symbol John used was a throne in heaven. This is a fairly obvious symbol. A throne is symbolic of the power and authority of a king. This is no ordinary king and no ordinary throne. It is a throne in heaven. And even though God’s people are suffering intense persecution because of their faith, the throne is not unoccupied. Someone is sitting on the throne in heaven. God is still the one with ultimate power and authority. Rome cannot claim ultimate power, because God is still on his throne.
The one sitting on this throne had a brilliant appearance, like jasper and carnelian. Jasper in the Bible was something like our diamonds. It was clear and perfect. Carnelian was a precious stone with a red color. These were the most precious and most expensive earthly gems. The one sitting on the throne of heaven is more precious and costly than anything we can imagine on earth.
The throne was surrounded by 24 other thrones and 24 elders sitting on the thrones. Again, throne symbolizes power and authority. But what do we do with the number 24 and the people sitting in power and authority with God? Remember that 12 is an important number throughout the Bible. There were 12 tribes of Israel. Then, Jesus called 12 disciples. When Judas died, it was important for the disciples to select someone to replace him. They could not have 11 disciples?! This is because 12 represents the People of God. 24 = 12 + 12. This leads us to conclude that 24 represents the entire People of God, both Old Testament and New Testament. The People of God, who suffer as long as we are on earth, will one day be elevated to a position of power and authority.
In front of the thrones, John saw the 7 spirits of God. This does not mean that we need to adjust our prayers to include seven different spirits. No. Seven is a number that symbolizes God’s perfect divinity. This is a symbolic way to say the Holy Spirit.
Gathered around the throne were 4 living creatures: a lion, an ox, a human and an eagle. Again, 4 is an important number that symbolizes the created earth. There are four directions: north, south, east and west. And we even use the expression, “the four corners of the earth.” So, John saw the entire created world represented by the four most powerful creatures known in the ancient world—the most powerful wild animal (lion), the most powerful domestic animal (ox), the most powerful bird (eagle) and the highest form of life on earth (human). All of creation worships God at the throne of heaven.
III. Activity of Worship.
The creatures never stopped singing their worship to God: Holy, Holy, Holy… Verse 9 tells us that this singing served three purposes: Glory, Honor and Thanks.
Glory is a characteristic of God that we cannot take away from him. We might compare this to our contemporary concept of Greatness. God is Great, whether we admit it or not. God is on the throne, whether we admit it or not. God is sovereign, whether we admit it or not. But, worship is the way we acknowledge that God is Great and in control. Worship is the way we give God the credit for his Greatness. We give him the glory and refuse to take glory for ourselves. The 24 elders demonstrate this by laying down all their earthly trophies.
Honor is a characteristic that only we can give to God. While the world around us does not have reverence and respect for God, we do. The world goes about its daily life and activities without ever acknowledging God or God’s work in the world. Worship is the way we give God the respect and reverence and recognition that he deserves.
Thanks is something that we don’t do enough. We don’t tell people in our lives thank you, and we don’t stop often enough to thank God for what he has done in our lives. We are thankful for life and provision. But most of all, we are thankful for the eternal life we have through Jesus Christ.
IV. Conclusion: Why Do We Worship?
In verse 11, we read the song sung by the 24 elders around the throne, AND we read their theology. This is the reason why we worship God. The heavenly glory of God is a result of God’s earthly activity. He created us; he sustains our lives; and he has saved us from sin and death and hell. If God has done something for you, then God is worthy of your worship. If God has never done anything for you, then don’t worship him.
Revelation 4: 1 – 11
I. Introduction.
I will begin this morning by reading an eloquent description of a worship service. Imagine this scene as I read the selection.
Rays of late-afternoon sun gild the hushed sanctuary, filled with hundreds of expectant worshipers, world leaders among them. From the vaulted ceiling, a camera pans the scene.Holding their breath as one, the congregation watches the mitered priest walk down the aisle and slowly approach the chancel, his brightly colored vestments adding to the joyful ambiance. There is not a cough nor a whisper as he kneels on the lush carpet, seeking divine blessing for the offering. Several moments of prayerful waiting follow.The bishop stands and grips his scepter. All eyes in the assemblage fasten themselves on this man exuding a holy calm; all ears are tuned to hear the awaited announcement.Finally, the tap of his staff of authority is followed by a deeper silence. The flock in unison gazes at the pure chalice. Then a grand oratorio of praise explodes, reaching the celestial realm. He raises his scepter and approaches the altar.One voice, then another, and another exult, "That's his third birdie today."
--Jean Lersch, "Worship,"The Door, January-February 1998, 29.
Our English word “worship” originated in Old English. This is one of the few times that I will explain the origins of a word that did not originally come from one of the biblical languages. It derived from the Old English word “woerthscipe,” which was built on the word “woerth” and the suffix “-scipe.” Over time, the Old English word “woerth” became our modern day word “worth,” and the Old English suffix “-scipe” became “-ship.” All of this is to say that the original meaning of our English word “worship” is something like “to state or to create worth.”
In a purely secular way, this is what the people of Waco did in 2005 when the Baylor women’s basketball team won the NCAA national championship. There was a parade, there were billboards, there was a crowd cheering and waving. We proclaimed to everyone who would listen, just how great and worthy our basketball team was.
We saw the same thing in 2006 when the University of Texas won the Rose Bowl and the football national championship. Or when Texas A & M won the…Well, Texas A & M doesn’t need a national championship to tell us how great and worthy they are… (At this point in the service, the Aggie operating the sound system turned my microphone off. I looked to the balcony and he gave me the "Gig 'em" hand signal.)
I believe that worship is a large part of what it means to be human. We find ourselves constantly judging others on the basis of their “worth.” Sometimes we worship our football teams and basketball teams by telling the world how worthy they are. Sometimes we look at a person’s clothing and lifestyle to determine how much that person is “worth” in financial terms and commit ourselves to them. Other times, we examine a person’s life experience to determine whether they have performed in ways that we would deem respectable and perhaps listen and heed their advice.
And then there is the worship of God…Supposedly, this is the reason we gathered in this sanctuary this morning. We are supposed to be here for the purpose of stating God’s worth. In fact, the worship of God is such an important part of our experience that we have designated a day to be our day of worship. We have even built a beautiful building to serve as the home for our worship. Every Sunday, we proclaim God’s worth to the believing community gathered in this place. Then, we leave this consecrated, safe place—this sanctuary—to proclaim God’s worth to a non-believing community.
As Baptists, you and I believe that the Bible is our source for all matters of faith and practice. Therefore, we refuse to do anything unless it is a biblical expression of our relationship with God. Worship is no exception. So, we turn to the Bible to find instructions for worship. The Old Testament is filled with orderly instructions about worship. The priests are to dress in ornate liturgical vestments. The worshippers are to bring sacrifices of grains and wine and year old lambs. But that is what worship was supposed to look like in the ancient Jewish Tabernacle and the Temple. So, we turn to the New Testament to find instructions on Christian worship.
Reading the New Testament surprises us a little. The Apostle Paul taught us that we are not supposed to maintain the rituals of the Old Testament, and Jesus only gave us two rituals to use as a part of our worship: baptism and the Lord’s Supper. So, what does New Testament worship look like? How can we know if we are doing it right?
I think the answer to this question is found in Jesus’ words to the Samaritan women in John 4: 21 – 24…(vv. 23 – 24: “Yet a time is coming and has now come when true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth.”) The most important thing about worship in the New Testament is your heart. What is on the inside is more important than what is on the outside. There are many acceptable forms of worship as long as the worshippers worship in spirit and in truth.
Let’s look at one New Testament example of worship…
Read Revelation 4: 1 – 11.
You probably know that the book of Revelation is a special type of literature known as “Apocalypse.” This literary genre actually derives its name from the first word of the book of Revelation—the Greek word apokolypsis, which means “revelation” or “unveiling.” I think it is important for us to remember as we read from Revelation that this was written for the purpose of revealing information and not to conceal information.
There are several characteristics of apocalyptic literature that are present in this biblical book. For example, most apocalyptic writings describe the author’s experiences of an “other-worldly” vision. And, John tells us that God gave him a vision of heaven and God’s throne room in heaven. Another example is the way apocalyptic uses highly symbolic language. This is one of the reasons why we usually associate the book of Revelation with secret messages. But, again, it was not written to conceal. It was written to reveal. The original audience of this apocalyptic writing would have immediately understood its symbols and its message. A third characteristic of apocalyptic writing is that it is written to a group of people who were facing intense and severe persecution.
Many New Testament scholars tell us that John addressed the book of Revelation to the Christians of Rome at the end of the First Century. They were experiencing severe persecution as a result of their faith in Jesus. I mentioned this last week in describing the persecutions of the church at Corinth, and the same was true in Rome. Christians had a social stigma in Rome. They were outcasts and ridiculed as a result of their faith. They were accused of practicing child sacrifice by those who did not understand the meaning of the crucifixion of Jesus. They were accused of cannibalism by those who did not understand the meaning of the Lord’s Supper. And, they lost out on opportunities for jobs and advancement in society. In addition to these financial and social risks, there were Christians who were losing their lives in the Roman Coliseum. Spectators paid admission to watch as Christians were killed by Roman Gladiators and torn apart by lions.
The book of Revelation was addressed to these Christians to communicate a message about the temporal nature of the Roman Empire and the eternal nature of the Kingdom of God. While the Roman Emperor might hold some earthly power today, his power will not last forever. There is coming a day when God himself will once again break into human history. When God breaks into human history this time, it will be eternal. The righteous will be vindicated, and the un-righteous will be punished.
Our Scripture begins with the words “After this…” This could be interpreted in one of two ways. First, it might be a typical apocalyptic way of indicating that we are looking into the future. OR…It might just mean that we are continuing the story from chapter 3. I think it is simplest to interpret this as a continuation. John reported seven messages to seven churches, and now he is describing something else. He has made a transition and wants us to know this is different… “And now for something completely different.”
John heard a voice inviting him to enter heaven through an open door, and we once again encounter the words “After this.” This is where we begin to see into the future. Notice the verb tenses used in verse 1…Looked (past)…Standing (present)… Heard (past)…Speaking (present)…Will show (future)…
The voice promises John that what he is about to see will be the things that will take place “after this.” In other words, the persecution will not last forever. There is coming a day when Christians will have hope. And this is what it will look like.
II. Symbolic Language.
We need to be careful in reading the book of Revelation. There is no need to read and interpret John’s symbols literally. In other words, we don’t have to search for an animal with six wings and eyes all over its body.
The first symbol John used was a throne in heaven. This is a fairly obvious symbol. A throne is symbolic of the power and authority of a king. This is no ordinary king and no ordinary throne. It is a throne in heaven. And even though God’s people are suffering intense persecution because of their faith, the throne is not unoccupied. Someone is sitting on the throne in heaven. God is still the one with ultimate power and authority. Rome cannot claim ultimate power, because God is still on his throne.
The one sitting on this throne had a brilliant appearance, like jasper and carnelian. Jasper in the Bible was something like our diamonds. It was clear and perfect. Carnelian was a precious stone with a red color. These were the most precious and most expensive earthly gems. The one sitting on the throne of heaven is more precious and costly than anything we can imagine on earth.
The throne was surrounded by 24 other thrones and 24 elders sitting on the thrones. Again, throne symbolizes power and authority. But what do we do with the number 24 and the people sitting in power and authority with God? Remember that 12 is an important number throughout the Bible. There were 12 tribes of Israel. Then, Jesus called 12 disciples. When Judas died, it was important for the disciples to select someone to replace him. They could not have 11 disciples?! This is because 12 represents the People of God. 24 = 12 + 12. This leads us to conclude that 24 represents the entire People of God, both Old Testament and New Testament. The People of God, who suffer as long as we are on earth, will one day be elevated to a position of power and authority.
In front of the thrones, John saw the 7 spirits of God. This does not mean that we need to adjust our prayers to include seven different spirits. No. Seven is a number that symbolizes God’s perfect divinity. This is a symbolic way to say the Holy Spirit.
Gathered around the throne were 4 living creatures: a lion, an ox, a human and an eagle. Again, 4 is an important number that symbolizes the created earth. There are four directions: north, south, east and west. And we even use the expression, “the four corners of the earth.” So, John saw the entire created world represented by the four most powerful creatures known in the ancient world—the most powerful wild animal (lion), the most powerful domestic animal (ox), the most powerful bird (eagle) and the highest form of life on earth (human). All of creation worships God at the throne of heaven.
III. Activity of Worship.
The creatures never stopped singing their worship to God: Holy, Holy, Holy… Verse 9 tells us that this singing served three purposes: Glory, Honor and Thanks.
Glory is a characteristic of God that we cannot take away from him. We might compare this to our contemporary concept of Greatness. God is Great, whether we admit it or not. God is on the throne, whether we admit it or not. God is sovereign, whether we admit it or not. But, worship is the way we acknowledge that God is Great and in control. Worship is the way we give God the credit for his Greatness. We give him the glory and refuse to take glory for ourselves. The 24 elders demonstrate this by laying down all their earthly trophies.
Honor is a characteristic that only we can give to God. While the world around us does not have reverence and respect for God, we do. The world goes about its daily life and activities without ever acknowledging God or God’s work in the world. Worship is the way we give God the respect and reverence and recognition that he deserves.
Thanks is something that we don’t do enough. We don’t tell people in our lives thank you, and we don’t stop often enough to thank God for what he has done in our lives. We are thankful for life and provision. But most of all, we are thankful for the eternal life we have through Jesus Christ.
IV. Conclusion: Why Do We Worship?
In verse 11, we read the song sung by the 24 elders around the throne, AND we read their theology. This is the reason why we worship God. The heavenly glory of God is a result of God’s earthly activity. He created us; he sustains our lives; and he has saved us from sin and death and hell. If God has done something for you, then God is worthy of your worship. If God has never done anything for you, then don’t worship him.
Monday, July 09, 2007
Andrew G. Pittman
Sunday Morning
July 8, 2007
A Secure Home.
2 Corinthians 5: 1 – 5.
I. Introduction.
When I first submitted this sermon title for publication in the worship bulletin, I realized that there were at least four ways you could interpret the title. Some people would automatically think about security systems for their homes. According to the National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association (http://www.alarm.org/), American households spent $18.7 Billion on home security systems in the year 2001. They did not list statistics on more recent years. Of course, I would also be interested to know how many homes with security systems also have spy ware programs running through unfiltered internet connections. Homes that are secure from physical intruders can still be susceptible to virtual intruders.
Other people might think the sermon would offer a definition of Christian marriage and detail the ways that Christian marriage is under assault by the culture around us. There are reasons to be concerned about Christian marriage, with many states attempting to redefine marriage to accommodate the homosexual lifestyle. The Bible teaches us that man and woman were created for each other. Man and woman are opposites parts that come together to make one whole. Genesis 2: 24 teaches us: “A man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” Jesus expanded this principle in Mark 10: 8 – 9: “So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.” This leads us to promote a biblical picture of marriage as one man and one woman for life. In a Christian sense, a home is secure only when it has biblical, Christian marriage as its foundation.
And then there are some of you who think a secure home depends on the implementation of the Castle Doctrine. This new law will go into effect September 1 in Texas and can be summarized by saying that when someone breaks into your home, you do not have to “retreat.” You can actually protect your home with deadly force. I just hope there is a provision in the law that allows pastors to visit church members and prospects.
With the possible exception of the Castle Doctrine, these would be appropriate sermon topics for our church. I can’t think of a way to turn the Castle Doctrine into a sermon…And many people in East Texas don’t need any more encouragement to protect their homes and property.
However, I want to direct our attention this morning to the secure home that no intruder could ever penetrate…A home that is so secure that it will last forever. Of course, I am not referring to a literal, physical, earthly home. I am talking about the home God has provided for us in heaven. This home is available to everyone who believes…Everyone who places faith in Jesus as Lord and enters into a life of following and serving Jesus.
Read 2 Corinthians 5: 1 – 5.
This Scripture falls in the context of Paul’s second letter to the church at Corinth. Most of us are more familiar with Paul’s first letter to Corinth. In the first letter, Paul named several sins and divisive practices that were taking place in the church. In the second letter, Paul is much more friendly, lovable and complimentary. He even tells the church that he is sorry for the way his first letter offended them. Of course, he says that he is glad that they repented of their sins and division, but he did not want them to think he continued to be “grieved” by their actions. No. Paul was very happy that the church in Corinth was now on the right path, and he expressed how anxious he was to visit with them in the near future.
In 2 Corinthians 4, Paul wrote about how important it is for Christians to stand up under trial and persecution. Many believers were being ridiculed for their faith in Jesus, and others were losing out on new jobs or even promotions in their old jobs because of their faith. There were financial and social risks involved in being a follower of Jesus. There were even some areas where Christians were physically beaten or killed because of their faith. And Paul writes to us telling us that we can find comfort in knowing that persecution is part of following a Crucified Lord. Do you hear the comfort in that statement? It is comforting because it emphasizes how we are not really “at home” as long as we live physical, earthly lives. Our home is in heaven, in the presence of God himself.
II. Tent (v. 1).
The first thing that occurs to me in verse one, is the way Paul obviously uses the image of a “tent” to communicate something temporary. The earthly tent is something that can be “destroyed.” It will not and cannot last forever.
Paul used the image of a “tent” to refer to the human body. Your body will not and cannot last forever. There are physical limitations to our life on earth. Some people live to be over 100 years old, while other people live just short lives. But no one can live on earth forever.
The second thing that occurs to me is how this relates to Paul on a personal level. In several places in the New Testament, Paul boasted about how he never preached the Gospel for money. He earned his living working a secular career, so that no one would accuse him of benefiting financially from the spread of the Gospel. And Acts 18: 3 tells us that Paul’s career was as a tentmaker. He made his living making tents for people to use and live in. He is being realistic about his own career path. He works diligently, day in and day out, to build something that will not and cannot stand the test of time. Maybe there is another sermon in this…No matter how hard you work, your career will not and cannot last forever.
It also occurs to me that Paul had a thoroughly Jewish upbringing. He knew the Scriptures that we know as the Old Testament. He had learned from his earliest memories of childhood how God had rescued the Hebrew people out of slavery in Egypt. God led them across the Red Sea into the desert where they lived for forty years…in tents. Do you know what another word for tent is in the Bible? “Tabernacle.”
In ancient Judaism, there was an annual event known as the Feast of the Tabernacles. Jewish people from all over Palestine and the known world would return to Jerusalem to worship God and remember what God had done to deliver them to the Promised Land. The whole landscape of Jerusalem would be populated by travelers living in tents to remember how their ancestors had once lived.
Paul knew this well. Paul perhaps had even participated in the Feast of Tabernacles and had lived in a tent with his family as a child. Paul had probably made tents and sold them to families who were traveling to Jerusalem for the Feast.
Paul knew that living in a tent was one option for a family traveling. Paul knew that the Hebrew people had lived in tents for forty years in the desert. But Paul also knew that tents are only temporary.
In fact, during the forty years in the desert, God instructed Moses to build a special “tent” that would be the place for the people to worship God. Worship had to be in a tent as long as the people were on the move. A Temple was not possible. Temples cannot be taken down and packed away to carry to the next stop along the road.
I believe Paul is teaching us that as long as we are on this earth, our dwelling places will always be temporary…Tents. This fits very well with the teachings of Jesus to his disciples. When Jesus called the first twelve disciples, he issued a very simple call: “Come. Follow me.” The Christian life is a life of being on the move…Following Jesus…Going where Jesus goes…Doing what Jesus does. And since we are on the move, we need to live in temporary shelters.
III. House (v. 1).
Verse one contains instructions that we have temporary residence on this earth, but it also contains a promise. If the earthly tent is destroyed, then we have an eternal house in heaven. This house is secure, because it was not built by human hands.
If you would like to turn a few pages in your Bible, look at John 1: 14. This is John’s story of the Incarnation of Jesus. He began by telling us that the Word was present with God from the foundations of the earth. The Word was present and active in the act of Creation. Then verse 14: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”
The NIV interprets this verse by using the phrase “made his dwelling.” However, in Greek this is just one word. Literally, it says Jesus “tabernacled” among us. Now remember that a tabernacle is a tent. So, another way to interpret this is to say, “The Word became flesh and ‘pitched his tent’ among us.”
Incarnation means that Jesus became one of us. Jesus became flesh. Jesus lived in a tent, just like you and me. Jesus had a temporary body of flesh and blood. This temporary body went to the cross where Jesus literally and physically died. But that was not the end of the story.
Turn over to John 14: 2: “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.”
This is what Paul wrote about in 2 Corinthians 5. There is a place in heaven that is secure. This place in heaven is not temporary; it is eternal. It is not a tent; it is a house. It was not built by a human tentmaker; it was prepared by God himself.
IV. Body (v. 2 – 4).
Paul tells us that it is natural for us to want to leave this earthly, temporary body and groan for our eternal, secure home in heaven. But, here is the difference between what we believe as Christians and what other people believe. Wherever we reside, we will have a body. As Christians, we do not believe in a disembodied state of being. When we die, we will not become ghosts or spirits. We don’t even become a part of God or a part of the heavens. We will have a bodily existence.
The body is a very important part of our theology. First, Jesus was Incarnated in the “flesh.” Jesus had a body. He had emotions and felt pain. Then, after the crucifixion, Jesus rose again in the body. He walked around, his disciples saw him and touched him. Jesus even ate breakfast while the disciples were watching. He had a body. Then, forty days after the resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven…In the body. And Jesus promises us that when he returns to earth, he will return in the body. In the same way, he promises us that when we live with him in heaven, we will be given new bodies.
Have you ever wondered why Christian theology places so much emphasis on the human body? It is because of relationship. A body makes it possible for us to have a relationship with others. Because I have a body, there is a clearly defined place where my person stops and your person begins. There is a boundary that separates. You and I are not the same. But at the same time, our bodies define who we are. Body is the way we know each other and the way we are known by others. Knowing is the basis of relationship. This is why I believe the Bible teaches that we will know and be known by others when we are in heaven. Body makes relationship possible.
V. Conclusion: Holy Spirit (v. 5).
And now Paul tells us this is what we were created for. We could certainly make a case for relationship with others as our purpose. But here, I believe Paul is telling us that we were created for heaven. One day, we will fully realize our God-given purpose, by shedding this earthly tent and moving into a secure, eternal house in relationship with God and relationship with others.
But how can we know if we are going to heaven? The Holy Spirit is the “deposit guaranteeing what is to come.”
This is a wonderful biblical image of what God has planned for us. The Holy Spirit is a deposit. There are two interesting ways this Greek word “deposit” was used in secular Greek. First, it was used in legal contracts, for example the sale of land. If a man signed a contract to purchase land from another, he would often place a deposit or “earnest money” on the land to guarantee that he would fulfill his end of the bargain. Second, it was also used to describe an “engagement ring.” When a man intended to marry a woman, he would give her an engagement ring to guarantee that he would fulfill his commitment to marry her.
So, how can we know if we are going to heaven? Paul says that God gave us an engagement ring when he gave us the Holy Spirit. This is your assurance that God has built a permanent house for you. This is your guarantee of heaven…God inside you.
Sunday Morning
July 8, 2007
A Secure Home.
2 Corinthians 5: 1 – 5.
I. Introduction.
When I first submitted this sermon title for publication in the worship bulletin, I realized that there were at least four ways you could interpret the title. Some people would automatically think about security systems for their homes. According to the National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association (http://www.alarm.org/), American households spent $18.7 Billion on home security systems in the year 2001. They did not list statistics on more recent years. Of course, I would also be interested to know how many homes with security systems also have spy ware programs running through unfiltered internet connections. Homes that are secure from physical intruders can still be susceptible to virtual intruders.
Other people might think the sermon would offer a definition of Christian marriage and detail the ways that Christian marriage is under assault by the culture around us. There are reasons to be concerned about Christian marriage, with many states attempting to redefine marriage to accommodate the homosexual lifestyle. The Bible teaches us that man and woman were created for each other. Man and woman are opposites parts that come together to make one whole. Genesis 2: 24 teaches us: “A man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” Jesus expanded this principle in Mark 10: 8 – 9: “So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.” This leads us to promote a biblical picture of marriage as one man and one woman for life. In a Christian sense, a home is secure only when it has biblical, Christian marriage as its foundation.
And then there are some of you who think a secure home depends on the implementation of the Castle Doctrine. This new law will go into effect September 1 in Texas and can be summarized by saying that when someone breaks into your home, you do not have to “retreat.” You can actually protect your home with deadly force. I just hope there is a provision in the law that allows pastors to visit church members and prospects.
With the possible exception of the Castle Doctrine, these would be appropriate sermon topics for our church. I can’t think of a way to turn the Castle Doctrine into a sermon…And many people in East Texas don’t need any more encouragement to protect their homes and property.
However, I want to direct our attention this morning to the secure home that no intruder could ever penetrate…A home that is so secure that it will last forever. Of course, I am not referring to a literal, physical, earthly home. I am talking about the home God has provided for us in heaven. This home is available to everyone who believes…Everyone who places faith in Jesus as Lord and enters into a life of following and serving Jesus.
Read 2 Corinthians 5: 1 – 5.
This Scripture falls in the context of Paul’s second letter to the church at Corinth. Most of us are more familiar with Paul’s first letter to Corinth. In the first letter, Paul named several sins and divisive practices that were taking place in the church. In the second letter, Paul is much more friendly, lovable and complimentary. He even tells the church that he is sorry for the way his first letter offended them. Of course, he says that he is glad that they repented of their sins and division, but he did not want them to think he continued to be “grieved” by their actions. No. Paul was very happy that the church in Corinth was now on the right path, and he expressed how anxious he was to visit with them in the near future.
In 2 Corinthians 4, Paul wrote about how important it is for Christians to stand up under trial and persecution. Many believers were being ridiculed for their faith in Jesus, and others were losing out on new jobs or even promotions in their old jobs because of their faith. There were financial and social risks involved in being a follower of Jesus. There were even some areas where Christians were physically beaten or killed because of their faith. And Paul writes to us telling us that we can find comfort in knowing that persecution is part of following a Crucified Lord. Do you hear the comfort in that statement? It is comforting because it emphasizes how we are not really “at home” as long as we live physical, earthly lives. Our home is in heaven, in the presence of God himself.
II. Tent (v. 1).
The first thing that occurs to me in verse one, is the way Paul obviously uses the image of a “tent” to communicate something temporary. The earthly tent is something that can be “destroyed.” It will not and cannot last forever.
Paul used the image of a “tent” to refer to the human body. Your body will not and cannot last forever. There are physical limitations to our life on earth. Some people live to be over 100 years old, while other people live just short lives. But no one can live on earth forever.
The second thing that occurs to me is how this relates to Paul on a personal level. In several places in the New Testament, Paul boasted about how he never preached the Gospel for money. He earned his living working a secular career, so that no one would accuse him of benefiting financially from the spread of the Gospel. And Acts 18: 3 tells us that Paul’s career was as a tentmaker. He made his living making tents for people to use and live in. He is being realistic about his own career path. He works diligently, day in and day out, to build something that will not and cannot stand the test of time. Maybe there is another sermon in this…No matter how hard you work, your career will not and cannot last forever.
It also occurs to me that Paul had a thoroughly Jewish upbringing. He knew the Scriptures that we know as the Old Testament. He had learned from his earliest memories of childhood how God had rescued the Hebrew people out of slavery in Egypt. God led them across the Red Sea into the desert where they lived for forty years…in tents. Do you know what another word for tent is in the Bible? “Tabernacle.”
In ancient Judaism, there was an annual event known as the Feast of the Tabernacles. Jewish people from all over Palestine and the known world would return to Jerusalem to worship God and remember what God had done to deliver them to the Promised Land. The whole landscape of Jerusalem would be populated by travelers living in tents to remember how their ancestors had once lived.
Paul knew this well. Paul perhaps had even participated in the Feast of Tabernacles and had lived in a tent with his family as a child. Paul had probably made tents and sold them to families who were traveling to Jerusalem for the Feast.
Paul knew that living in a tent was one option for a family traveling. Paul knew that the Hebrew people had lived in tents for forty years in the desert. But Paul also knew that tents are only temporary.
In fact, during the forty years in the desert, God instructed Moses to build a special “tent” that would be the place for the people to worship God. Worship had to be in a tent as long as the people were on the move. A Temple was not possible. Temples cannot be taken down and packed away to carry to the next stop along the road.
I believe Paul is teaching us that as long as we are on this earth, our dwelling places will always be temporary…Tents. This fits very well with the teachings of Jesus to his disciples. When Jesus called the first twelve disciples, he issued a very simple call: “Come. Follow me.” The Christian life is a life of being on the move…Following Jesus…Going where Jesus goes…Doing what Jesus does. And since we are on the move, we need to live in temporary shelters.
III. House (v. 1).
Verse one contains instructions that we have temporary residence on this earth, but it also contains a promise. If the earthly tent is destroyed, then we have an eternal house in heaven. This house is secure, because it was not built by human hands.
If you would like to turn a few pages in your Bible, look at John 1: 14. This is John’s story of the Incarnation of Jesus. He began by telling us that the Word was present with God from the foundations of the earth. The Word was present and active in the act of Creation. Then verse 14: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”
The NIV interprets this verse by using the phrase “made his dwelling.” However, in Greek this is just one word. Literally, it says Jesus “tabernacled” among us. Now remember that a tabernacle is a tent. So, another way to interpret this is to say, “The Word became flesh and ‘pitched his tent’ among us.”
Incarnation means that Jesus became one of us. Jesus became flesh. Jesus lived in a tent, just like you and me. Jesus had a temporary body of flesh and blood. This temporary body went to the cross where Jesus literally and physically died. But that was not the end of the story.
Turn over to John 14: 2: “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.”
This is what Paul wrote about in 2 Corinthians 5. There is a place in heaven that is secure. This place in heaven is not temporary; it is eternal. It is not a tent; it is a house. It was not built by a human tentmaker; it was prepared by God himself.
IV. Body (v. 2 – 4).
Paul tells us that it is natural for us to want to leave this earthly, temporary body and groan for our eternal, secure home in heaven. But, here is the difference between what we believe as Christians and what other people believe. Wherever we reside, we will have a body. As Christians, we do not believe in a disembodied state of being. When we die, we will not become ghosts or spirits. We don’t even become a part of God or a part of the heavens. We will have a bodily existence.
The body is a very important part of our theology. First, Jesus was Incarnated in the “flesh.” Jesus had a body. He had emotions and felt pain. Then, after the crucifixion, Jesus rose again in the body. He walked around, his disciples saw him and touched him. Jesus even ate breakfast while the disciples were watching. He had a body. Then, forty days after the resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven…In the body. And Jesus promises us that when he returns to earth, he will return in the body. In the same way, he promises us that when we live with him in heaven, we will be given new bodies.
Have you ever wondered why Christian theology places so much emphasis on the human body? It is because of relationship. A body makes it possible for us to have a relationship with others. Because I have a body, there is a clearly defined place where my person stops and your person begins. There is a boundary that separates. You and I are not the same. But at the same time, our bodies define who we are. Body is the way we know each other and the way we are known by others. Knowing is the basis of relationship. This is why I believe the Bible teaches that we will know and be known by others when we are in heaven. Body makes relationship possible.
V. Conclusion: Holy Spirit (v. 5).
And now Paul tells us this is what we were created for. We could certainly make a case for relationship with others as our purpose. But here, I believe Paul is telling us that we were created for heaven. One day, we will fully realize our God-given purpose, by shedding this earthly tent and moving into a secure, eternal house in relationship with God and relationship with others.
But how can we know if we are going to heaven? The Holy Spirit is the “deposit guaranteeing what is to come.”
This is a wonderful biblical image of what God has planned for us. The Holy Spirit is a deposit. There are two interesting ways this Greek word “deposit” was used in secular Greek. First, it was used in legal contracts, for example the sale of land. If a man signed a contract to purchase land from another, he would often place a deposit or “earnest money” on the land to guarantee that he would fulfill his end of the bargain. Second, it was also used to describe an “engagement ring.” When a man intended to marry a woman, he would give her an engagement ring to guarantee that he would fulfill his commitment to marry her.
So, how can we know if we are going to heaven? Paul says that God gave us an engagement ring when he gave us the Holy Spirit. This is your assurance that God has built a permanent house for you. This is your guarantee of heaven…God inside you.
Andrew G. Pittman
Sunday Morning (4th of July)
July 1, 2007
The Character of Freedom.
Galatians 5: 1, 13 – 18.
I. Introduction.
Which is more important? What is on the inside? What is on the outside?
How do we define a person’s character? By what can be seen? Or by what has been hidden in their hearts? There is a great biblical story that illustrates this fact…1 Samuel 16…The story of Samuel @ Bethlehem…
People of Israel demanded a king, so God gave them King Saul… Eventually, Saul sinned grievously against God and failed as the 1st King. God then selected another young man to serve as the king and sent Samuel the prophet to anoint him in his home town of Bethlehem…
When Samuel arrived in Bethlehem, he asked to visit with a man named Jesse in his home so he could look over Jesse’s sons…And at 1st sight it was obvious to Samuel that God had a great plan for Jesse’s sons…Eliab was Jesse’s oldest son and one of the tallest and strongest and best looking man Samuel had ever seen…This man had charisma and people would follow Eliab...He would make a great President and King… This was the one to replace Saul…But God said, “NO!”
Then Samuel looked at Abinadab…Not quite as tall as his older brother, but he was obviously a warrior…He had learned how to go to war from his great love for the outdoors. He collected deer heads and lion skins and even wore alligator shoes…This was a man who could lead the armies of Israel into victorious warfare against all their enemies…But God said, “NO!”
Then Samuel noticed the 3rd son, Shammah…Not as tall…Not as strong…But this young man had a way with words…He could sell ice to the Eskimos…He would make a fantastic diplomat and broker peace on all borders…The best statesman Israel had ever known…But God said, “NO!”
Why did God say No to each of these choices? We don’t have to wonder, because God gave us his answer in 1 Samuel 16: 7…
“Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
There is something very significant about that verse…God teaches us how we are to judge other people…Not by things on the outside…But by things that deal with the heart…What is on the inside…
Things on the outside can be manipulated…A person can misrepresent external qualities…For example, cosmetic surgery to appear younger…Another example, a politician’s lying about his or her faith…
The Fourth of July is a holiday that we remember the signing of the Declaration of Independence…The document that began the American Revolution…And guarantees many of the freedoms that we enjoy as Americans today…
In the church, the Fourth of July gives us an opportunity to reflect on an even greater freedom…The freedom that we have in Christ… But today as we think about freedom, let’s think about two kinds of freedoms: the external freedoms we have as Americans…Freedom of Speech…Freedom of Religion…Freedom of Assembly…Freedom to Vote… Let’s also think about the freedom that is on the inside…The heart of freedom…The Character of Freedom…
I think one of the best places for us to look for this description of Freedom in the New Testament book of Galatians…This book can be described as our Christian Declaration of Independence…Because Paul wrote this letter to criticize the false teachings within the church at Galatia…
These false teachers have been described as the Judaisers…They can be defined as a group of legalistic teachers who tried to control the doctrine of the church…They made the false assertion that in order for a person to be saved he or she must have faith in Christ, be circumcised, follow the dietary laws of the OT, follow the schedule of feasts in the OT, participate in regular Temple sacrifices as described in the OT…In other words, they taught salvation came from Jesus Christ PLUS the Jewish law…
Paul wrote the letter of Galatians to say an emphatic and resounding NO! Salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone! There have been Judaisers in every generation of Christianity…And let me give you a warning…Jesus PLUS anything is false doctrine…
Read Galatians 5: 1.
II. Not Inalienable Right…But Hard-Fought Right (v. 1).
A. No one deserves to have Freedom…We receive it as a gift…As a Grace from God alone…
In a purely physical sense…Our freedom as Americans has been at risk several times in the course of history…One such time was World War 2…There was a crazy man in Germany who literally thought he could rule the world…Our Freedom was at risk…And we do not have that Freedom as an Inalienable Right…There were men and women who fought, who gave their lives (some who gave their lives in life others gave in death) so that we could receive that Freedom as a gift…
In a spiritual sense…There are 3 kinds of Freedoms that Xns possess…Freedom from Law…Freedom from Sin…Freedom from Death…But these are not Inalienable Rights that every human being deserves…God himself, in the Person of Jesus Christ gave his life that we might receive these Freedoms as a gift…
B. Freedom does not come without a fight…
Freedom is won by fighting…WW2…Cross…
Freedom is characterized by a constant fight, a constant struggle…That is why it is important that America maintain military strength…Because we must constantly fight for our Freedom…
That is also why Paul challenged the Galatians to Stand Firm…Satan hates Grace…Satanic forces are always at work against the 3 Freedoms that we as Xns enjoy…In order to remain Free, we must resist the advances and the constant attack from Modern Day Judaisers…Jesus PLUS anything is false doctrine.
Read Galatians 5: 13 – 15.
III. Not Indulgent…But Fulfilling Highest Purpose (vv. 13 – 15).
Paul warned us about one danger we face as Christians: Indulge the sinful nature. This is the person who thinks that because he or she is forgiven, now they can sin as much as they want. Salvation is like a “blank check” of forgiveness…This person says, “I am free from the law, so I can live any way I wish.” Or they say, “Jesus Christ has freed me from sin and has forgiven me, therefore I can sin as much as I want.” Now they may not use those exact words…They may say, “My God is a God of Grace, not Law.”
However, there is a second danger we sometimes face. There is a common tendency among us to preach about Grace but live like we can earn God’s favor. Like the Galatian Christians. They taught that salvation = Jesus + the Law. Some churches teach us that salvation = Jesus + the Republican Party…Or Jesus + Baptist Faith and Message…Or Jesus + Lifestyle, Theology, or anything else… This is idolatry! It is idolatry, because we have chosen something that is NOT God and elevated it to the point where it is just as important as Jesus. And to make something just as important as Jesus is to worship a false god…An idol.
On one hand, we might face the danger of indulgence. On the other hand, we might face the danger of Idolatry. But either way, we are choosing Slavery over freedom! Freedom is not indulgence, because to be indulgent…to do whatever you desire without any regard to what is right or wrong…is actually Slavery…Slavery to Sin…Idolatry is not Freedom…It is slavery!
Read Galatians 5: 16 – 18.
IV. Not Independence…But Dependence on God (vv. 16 – 18).
Paul described human nature in these verses in a characteristic Pauline way…A struggle between flesh and spirit…
Flesh is used as a symbol for sinful nature…Spirit is a symbol for life under the direction and leadership of God’s Holy Spirit…
This does not mean that you have a good side and a bad side…A good nature and a bad nature, so follow the good nature (spiritual side of human life)…You do NOT have a Good side…There is nothing Good about your human nature…Human nature is sinful!
Rather this is a description of slavery…To be human is to be a slave to something… The is no such thing as an Independent human being…Every human is a slave to something… Therefore, you have a choice…
1. Will you remain a slave to the fleshly, sinful desires of what it means to be human?
2. Will you become a slave to the Spirit of God? Through faith in Jesus Christ, allow your life to come under the guidance and direction of the Spirit. To follow wherever he goes…Dependent
V. Conclusion.
A friend of mine shared a story that I cannot confirm whether or not this is a true story. The story says that Abraham Lincoln owned a slave…For just one day. The man who most identified as being the President who signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed all American slaves, was actually a slave owner.
The story is told—remember this may not be a true story—that Abraham Lincoln showed up at a slave auction. He surprised everyone by placing a bid on a slave. Lincoln won the auction, and he paid the price for slave.
It was an ordinary slave transaction, except for one thing. After paying the purchase price for the slave, Lincoln approached his slave and handed the man his Freedom Papers.
The slave didn’t understand what was going on, so he asked Mr. Lincoln. “What does this mean?”
Lincoln: “You are Free.”
Slave: “What does that mean?”
Lincoln: “You may go wherever you want to go and do whatever you want to do.”
Slave: “You means I can go wherever I wants to go?”
Lincoln: “Yes.”
Slave: “You means I can do whatever I wants to do?”
Lincoln: “Yes.”
Slave: “You means I gets to pick?”
Lincoln: “Yes.”
Slave: “Then I wants to goes with you!”
Sunday Morning (4th of July)
July 1, 2007
The Character of Freedom.
Galatians 5: 1, 13 – 18.
I. Introduction.
Which is more important? What is on the inside? What is on the outside?
How do we define a person’s character? By what can be seen? Or by what has been hidden in their hearts? There is a great biblical story that illustrates this fact…1 Samuel 16…The story of Samuel @ Bethlehem…
People of Israel demanded a king, so God gave them King Saul… Eventually, Saul sinned grievously against God and failed as the 1st King. God then selected another young man to serve as the king and sent Samuel the prophet to anoint him in his home town of Bethlehem…
When Samuel arrived in Bethlehem, he asked to visit with a man named Jesse in his home so he could look over Jesse’s sons…And at 1st sight it was obvious to Samuel that God had a great plan for Jesse’s sons…Eliab was Jesse’s oldest son and one of the tallest and strongest and best looking man Samuel had ever seen…This man had charisma and people would follow Eliab...He would make a great President and King… This was the one to replace Saul…But God said, “NO!”
Then Samuel looked at Abinadab…Not quite as tall as his older brother, but he was obviously a warrior…He had learned how to go to war from his great love for the outdoors. He collected deer heads and lion skins and even wore alligator shoes…This was a man who could lead the armies of Israel into victorious warfare against all their enemies…But God said, “NO!”
Then Samuel noticed the 3rd son, Shammah…Not as tall…Not as strong…But this young man had a way with words…He could sell ice to the Eskimos…He would make a fantastic diplomat and broker peace on all borders…The best statesman Israel had ever known…But God said, “NO!”
Why did God say No to each of these choices? We don’t have to wonder, because God gave us his answer in 1 Samuel 16: 7…
“Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
There is something very significant about that verse…God teaches us how we are to judge other people…Not by things on the outside…But by things that deal with the heart…What is on the inside…
Things on the outside can be manipulated…A person can misrepresent external qualities…For example, cosmetic surgery to appear younger…Another example, a politician’s lying about his or her faith…
The Fourth of July is a holiday that we remember the signing of the Declaration of Independence…The document that began the American Revolution…And guarantees many of the freedoms that we enjoy as Americans today…
In the church, the Fourth of July gives us an opportunity to reflect on an even greater freedom…The freedom that we have in Christ… But today as we think about freedom, let’s think about two kinds of freedoms: the external freedoms we have as Americans…Freedom of Speech…Freedom of Religion…Freedom of Assembly…Freedom to Vote… Let’s also think about the freedom that is on the inside…The heart of freedom…The Character of Freedom…
I think one of the best places for us to look for this description of Freedom in the New Testament book of Galatians…This book can be described as our Christian Declaration of Independence…Because Paul wrote this letter to criticize the false teachings within the church at Galatia…
These false teachers have been described as the Judaisers…They can be defined as a group of legalistic teachers who tried to control the doctrine of the church…They made the false assertion that in order for a person to be saved he or she must have faith in Christ, be circumcised, follow the dietary laws of the OT, follow the schedule of feasts in the OT, participate in regular Temple sacrifices as described in the OT…In other words, they taught salvation came from Jesus Christ PLUS the Jewish law…
Paul wrote the letter of Galatians to say an emphatic and resounding NO! Salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone! There have been Judaisers in every generation of Christianity…And let me give you a warning…Jesus PLUS anything is false doctrine…
Read Galatians 5: 1.
II. Not Inalienable Right…But Hard-Fought Right (v. 1).
A. No one deserves to have Freedom…We receive it as a gift…As a Grace from God alone…
In a purely physical sense…Our freedom as Americans has been at risk several times in the course of history…One such time was World War 2…There was a crazy man in Germany who literally thought he could rule the world…Our Freedom was at risk…And we do not have that Freedom as an Inalienable Right…There were men and women who fought, who gave their lives (some who gave their lives in life others gave in death) so that we could receive that Freedom as a gift…
In a spiritual sense…There are 3 kinds of Freedoms that Xns possess…Freedom from Law…Freedom from Sin…Freedom from Death…But these are not Inalienable Rights that every human being deserves…God himself, in the Person of Jesus Christ gave his life that we might receive these Freedoms as a gift…
B. Freedom does not come without a fight…
Freedom is won by fighting…WW2…Cross…
Freedom is characterized by a constant fight, a constant struggle…That is why it is important that America maintain military strength…Because we must constantly fight for our Freedom…
That is also why Paul challenged the Galatians to Stand Firm…Satan hates Grace…Satanic forces are always at work against the 3 Freedoms that we as Xns enjoy…In order to remain Free, we must resist the advances and the constant attack from Modern Day Judaisers…Jesus PLUS anything is false doctrine.
Read Galatians 5: 13 – 15.
III. Not Indulgent…But Fulfilling Highest Purpose (vv. 13 – 15).
Paul warned us about one danger we face as Christians: Indulge the sinful nature. This is the person who thinks that because he or she is forgiven, now they can sin as much as they want. Salvation is like a “blank check” of forgiveness…This person says, “I am free from the law, so I can live any way I wish.” Or they say, “Jesus Christ has freed me from sin and has forgiven me, therefore I can sin as much as I want.” Now they may not use those exact words…They may say, “My God is a God of Grace, not Law.”
However, there is a second danger we sometimes face. There is a common tendency among us to preach about Grace but live like we can earn God’s favor. Like the Galatian Christians. They taught that salvation = Jesus + the Law. Some churches teach us that salvation = Jesus + the Republican Party…Or Jesus + Baptist Faith and Message…Or Jesus + Lifestyle, Theology, or anything else… This is idolatry! It is idolatry, because we have chosen something that is NOT God and elevated it to the point where it is just as important as Jesus. And to make something just as important as Jesus is to worship a false god…An idol.
On one hand, we might face the danger of indulgence. On the other hand, we might face the danger of Idolatry. But either way, we are choosing Slavery over freedom! Freedom is not indulgence, because to be indulgent…to do whatever you desire without any regard to what is right or wrong…is actually Slavery…Slavery to Sin…Idolatry is not Freedom…It is slavery!
Read Galatians 5: 16 – 18.
IV. Not Independence…But Dependence on God (vv. 16 – 18).
Paul described human nature in these verses in a characteristic Pauline way…A struggle between flesh and spirit…
Flesh is used as a symbol for sinful nature…Spirit is a symbol for life under the direction and leadership of God’s Holy Spirit…
This does not mean that you have a good side and a bad side…A good nature and a bad nature, so follow the good nature (spiritual side of human life)…You do NOT have a Good side…There is nothing Good about your human nature…Human nature is sinful!
Rather this is a description of slavery…To be human is to be a slave to something… The is no such thing as an Independent human being…Every human is a slave to something… Therefore, you have a choice…
1. Will you remain a slave to the fleshly, sinful desires of what it means to be human?
2. Will you become a slave to the Spirit of God? Through faith in Jesus Christ, allow your life to come under the guidance and direction of the Spirit. To follow wherever he goes…Dependent
V. Conclusion.
A friend of mine shared a story that I cannot confirm whether or not this is a true story. The story says that Abraham Lincoln owned a slave…For just one day. The man who most identified as being the President who signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed all American slaves, was actually a slave owner.
The story is told—remember this may not be a true story—that Abraham Lincoln showed up at a slave auction. He surprised everyone by placing a bid on a slave. Lincoln won the auction, and he paid the price for slave.
It was an ordinary slave transaction, except for one thing. After paying the purchase price for the slave, Lincoln approached his slave and handed the man his Freedom Papers.
The slave didn’t understand what was going on, so he asked Mr. Lincoln. “What does this mean?”
Lincoln: “You are Free.”
Slave: “What does that mean?”
Lincoln: “You may go wherever you want to go and do whatever you want to do.”
Slave: “You means I can go wherever I wants to go?”
Lincoln: “Yes.”
Slave: “You means I can do whatever I wants to do?”
Lincoln: “Yes.”
Slave: “You means I gets to pick?”
Lincoln: “Yes.”
Slave: “Then I wants to goes with you!”
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