Walking by Faith, Not by Sight
Genesis 13: 1 – 18.
I. Introduction.
Last year, I read three biographies of Texas Baptist pastors: B.H. Carroll, J. Frank Norris and George W. Truett. B.H. Carroll is credited with founding Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and the Baptist General Convention of Texas. J. Frank Norris was the fundamentalist pastor of First Baptist Church, Fort Worth and a thorn in the flesh of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. He was accused of arson twice and murder once, but never went to trial. There was not enough evidence. George W. Truett was pastor of First Baptist Church, Dallas. He had a college degree, but never went to seminary. He was credited with “saving Baylor University” before he ever entered Baylor as a student. George Truett and B.H. Carroll traveled all over Texas raising money to retire Baylor’s debt.
Truett’s biography was different from Carroll’s and Norris’. According to Truett’s biography, he never made a mistake. He was always godly, always faithful and his motives were never questionable. There are three problems with this view of Truett. First, no human is perfect. Second, the biography was written while Truett was still alive. Third, the biography was written by Truett’s own son-in-law. He probably didn’t want his wife to read anything negative about her father.
This is not the same picture we have of Abraham in the Bible. Abraham was fully human. He is the model for faithfulness, but he made his share of mistakes. Last week’s sermon is a good example. Abram was forced to leave the land of Canaan because of a famine. He went into Egypt for food but was afraid of the Pharaoh. So, Abram told a lie. He told Pharaoh that Sarai was not his wife. She was his sister. And Abram sold Sarai to Pharaoh to become one of Pharaoh’s wives.
Abram’s faithlessness put all of God’s promises in jeopardy. He saved his own life, but he made life difficult for the others around him. However, God intervened and saved Abram from himself. When Abram lost faith in God, God continued to be faithful. When Abram gave up on God, God never gave up on Abram.
This is one of the ways we know the Bible can be trusted. The Bible does not tell us only the good things about our heroes. Sometimes, our heroes look and act like heroes. Most of the time, our heroes don’t look and act very heroic.
The Bible does not present us with all the good and none of the bad. The Bible tells us the truth—warts and all.
Fortunately for us, Abram got back on track. Faithlessness was not the end of Abram’s story. He returned to the land God promised him. He returned to a life of trusting in God.
Read Genesis 13: 1 – 18.
Last week we witnessed Abram’s faith as it stumbled. Today we return to the common idea that Abram is the model of perfect faith.
In the story of Abram, the land of Egypt represents a place where he sinned against God. The land of Canaan, on the other hand, represents the place where Abram heard God and worshipped God. We witness this as the Bible retraces Abram’s steps for us. He doesn’t just go back to Canaan. He goes back to all the places where God has spoken to him in the past. It seems that Abram realizes that he messed up in Egypt and now wants to get things right with God. When Abram returns to Canaan, he also reconnects with God.
After returning to Canaan, Abram discovers for the second time that the land cannot support him. The first time was a famine. This time, it is because Abram and his nephew, Lot, have become so wealthy. Abram and Lot both had sheep, cattle, donkeys and camels. Their animals needed grass and water. The land was good enough to support one of them, but not both.
This seems to be a common occurrence for Abram. Every time God speaks to him, he experiences a spiritual high point followed by a spiritual low point. God called Abram and promised to bless him. Immediately, a famine struck. Abram reconnected with God at Bethel. Immediately, a quarrel breaks out between Abram’s herdsmen and Lot’s herdsmen.
Abram realizes how important it is for him to live peaceably with his relatives. After all, they are surrounded by foreigners in a foreign land. We should learn from Abram’s example, because this is the same situation we find ourselves in as Christians.
Inside the church, we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. Outside the church, the rest of the world is against us. This land is not our true home. The people who inhabit this land are not our true brothers and sisters. Therefore, it is important for us to find peaceful ways to get along…peaceful solutions to our disagreements with our true brothers and sisters.
Abram takes a radical step to create a peaceful solution. He offers to divide up the land with Lot. There are two things worth noting about Abram’s offer.
First, the land he was offering to Lot was already inhabited by the Canaanites and Perizzites. They may be living in the land now, but God had promised the land to Abram and his descendants. This simple—but ironic—act of dividing up the land is a statement of faith. Abram believed God’s promise more than he believed his own eyes. If Abram trusted only what he could see, he would not have taken possession of the land. He would have abandoned the land and probably returned to his homeland in Haran.
Second, Abram let Lot choose first. Abram was Lot’s uncle. Therefore, Abram had the right to take whatever he wanted and to assign the rest to Lot. Abram was the one whom God had promised the land. Therefore, Abram had every right to tell Lot to find his own land. This land was Abram’s promise. Lot had no legitimate claim on the land.
When Lot made his choice of land, he did what any of us would have done. He inspected the land to find out which choice would provide best for his needs. After all, Lot had a family to provide for. He had male and female servants. He had flocks of cattle, sheep, donkeys and camels.
Verse 10 tells us that Lot chose the land that was on the plain and was well watered. The land Abram received by default was dry and rugged. Lot made his choice based on what would be best for his crops, his animals and ultimately his family.
This is another one of those stories that has been a struggle for me. I remember hearing this in Sunday School as a child. The teachers told us that we should always let the other person choose before us. And, when someone lets us choose first, we should never take the best for ourselves. I never understood why people should not choose the best for themselves.
This is not a story about making a humble choice and allowing another person to have better things than you. Instead, this is a comparison and contrast between Abram and Lot. It is a contrast between spiritual blessings and material blessings.
II. Abram Acted in Faith.
Abram’s behavior shows us what faith—and spiritual blessings—looks like. By allowing Lot to make the first choice, Abram placed his future in God’s hands. In the end, Lot had only himself to blame. In the end, Abram could only give thanks to God.
How many times have you tried to take credit for good things in your own life? For example, we are often tempted to claim wisdom in making good decisions; strong work ethic when we succeed; or even personal thriftiness when we avoid financial ruin. Abram could not claim any of these. He ended up in the land of Canaan as a result of Lot’s decision, not his own.
By giving Lot the first choice, Abram was allowing God to bless him in spite of the circumstances. This is the way God often works. God’s people discover God’s faithfulness best when things are not perfect. When things are perfect, we think we are responsible. When things are not perfect, we have to let God do his work on our behalf.
III. Lot Was Seduced into Sin.
The biggest difference between Abram and Lot was the way they looked at the land. Lot looked only with his eyes. Abram looked through God’s eyes.
The author of Genesis wants us to think of the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden when we read this story. We see this in verse 10… “Lot looked up and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered, like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, toward Zoar. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.)”
Remember what happened in Genesis 3. The serpent tempted Eve by showing her the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Eve saw the fruit. It was pleasing to the eye. But, what happened when Eve ate the fruit and gave the fruit to Adam to eat? Sin and death entered into God’s creation.
There is a parallel between these two stories. Both Eve and Lot were seduced by evil. It was beautiful. For Eve, this beauty was in the form of forbidden fruit. For Lot, this beauty was in the form of well watered land. The fruit Eve ate led to death and destruction. The land Lot chose was destroyed in God’s judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah.
The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah represent two things in the Bible: the epitome of evil and the suddenness of God’s judgment. Lot was so enamored by the beauty of the land that he failed to recognize the wickedness he was getting himself into. Lot eventually moved into the city of Sodom and was living there when it was destroyed by God’s judgment.
IV. God’s Promise to Abram.
Abram didn’t look at the beauty of the land. Instead, he looked toward the promises of God.
Abram did not concern himself with how he could meet his own needs. Instead, he tried to live according to God’s plan for his life.
Imagine what Abram could have done in Canaan. He had every right to expel Lot and all Lot’s property. After all, this was Abram’s land. God had promised it to him. Or, Abram could have selected the good land for himself. After all, God had promised to bless Abram and his descendants. Abram could have viewed the good land as a blessing from God and necessary for all those promised descendants.
Yet, that is not what Abram did. He trusted God’s promises more than his own eyes. Abram trusted God to provide for all his needs in the present and in the future. He knew that if God made the promise, God would be the one to fulfill it. God never makes a promise and expects us to achieve them for ourselves.
Lot thought he could achieve blessings on his own…by choosing the beautiful, well-watered land.
What was God’s promise to Abram? God promised to bless Abram and to use Abram as a blessing to all peoples of the earth.
God had a plan for Abram’s life that was bigger than Abram himself. If God’s plan was simply to bless Abram, then any land would suffice. Abram could live on the well watered plain. He could raise crops and herds of all kinds. He could get wealthier and wealthier. He could live a rich and comfortable and blessed life. But, God’s plan was bigger than Abram. God wanted Abram to be a blessing to others.
The contrast between Abram and Lot is fairly easily applied to our own lives. Nearly every decision we make in life, we have to choose between serving our own needs or serving God’s plan for our lives.
Sometimes we act like Lot. We can be seduced by the deceptive beauty of worldly things. They look attractive. They promise fun times. They tell us that we can take care of our own physical needs and our emotional and relational needs. But, worldly beauty leads to death and destruction.
Sometimes we act more like Abram. God has a plan for your life that is bigger than you. God’s plan for your life includes meeting your physical, emotional and relational needs. But it goes beyond that. When God is the source of your life and the blessings in your life, you no longer feel the need to hang on to worldly things. You can use God’s blessings to bless others.
It comes down to the answer to one question: To whom does my life belong? If my life belongs to me, then I must do everything I can to survive on my own and to meet my own needs. If my life belongs to me, then the greatest blessing in all of life is to make myself happy. If my life belongs to God, then God is responsible for my survival and for meeting my needs. If my life belongs to God, then the greatest blessing in all of life is to make God happy.
V. Conclusion.
I think we can say the same thing about our church. What is God’s promise to Lufkin’s First Baptist? Has God promised us that we will live a rich and comfortable and blessed church life? Or does God have something bigger in mind for us?
I think God has something bigger for this church. We are blessed in order that we might bless others.
Think of it this way…To whom does this church belong? If this church belongs to the pastor, then make the pastor happy. If this church belongs to the deacons, then make the deacons happy. If the church belongs to the members, then make the members happy.
But, what if this church really belongs to God? Then, God will be responsible for our physical, emotional and relational needs. God is the one we should please.
Sunday, May 02, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010: Jeopardizing God's Promise
Jeopardizing God’s Promise
Genesis 12: 10 – 20.
I. Introduction.
Last Sunday, I introduced you to the story of Abraham. Technically, I introduced you to Abram. That was his name for the first 85 years of his life.
Abraham is the father of three world religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. All three religious groups look up to Abraham as the prototype of faith.
Two themes dominate the Old Testament stories about Abraham: Faith and Journey. On one hand, Abraham was a man of faith. God spoke, and Abraham obeyed. On the other hand, Abraham’s faith was a journey. He was constantly on the move. God promised that Abraham’s descendants would have their own land. But, Abraham never settled down in that land.
Since, Abraham is the prototype for our faith and Abraham’s life was marked by journey, I am inclined to interpret Abraham’s example as proof that faith for us is also a journey. Faith is not a one-time event. Faith is more than praying a prayer at Vacation Bible School or Wake Up Weekend. Faith is the trajectory of your life. It begins with a prayer / commitment to Jesus as Lord. This is the first step of the journey.
Sometimes the journey of faith is smooth and straight. But, most of the time it is marked with suffering, struggle with sin and temptation.
Sometimes the journey of faith is defined by success and faithfulness. But, most of the time it is filled with failure and restoration.
This is what happened to Abram. In Genesis 12: 1 – 9 (last Sunday), Abram is presented as the picture of perfect faith: God speaks and Abram obeys. There is no questioning, no wavering and no doubt. Genesis 12: 10 – 20 shows a different picture of Abram’s faith. Instead of depending on God’s word and promise, Abram takes matters into his own hands. He fails. He shows his humanity. But, God is faithful to Abram.
Read Genesis 12: 10 – 20.
In Genesis 12: 1 – 9, God turned Abram’s life upside down. Abram was comfortable and secure in Haran. He lived with his elderly father, his one living brother and a whole clan of nieces and nephews. But, God spoke to Abram.
God did not want Abram to remain comfortable in Haran. God wanted Abram to embark on a 400 mile journey to a land Abram had never seen—the land of Canaan. God spoke, and Abram obeyed.
We don’t know how long it took Abram to travel from Haran to Canaan, but we do know that Abram didn’t remain there long. Canaan did not have the major rivers and irrigation techniques of Haran. Canaan depended on the weather to water the crops. As long as there was rain, the crops could grow. When the rains stopped, the crops failed. Drought led to famine. So, Abram had to move again.
Egypt was the logical choice for Abram. It was the political power in the area. It also had the great river Nile to provide water for crops.
But, Abram was worried about entering Egypt. He was concerned that the Pharaoh would want to take Sarai to be his wife and would kill Abram. So, they developed a ruse. Sarai would claim to be Abram’s sister.
The ruse worked—at least it worked for Abram. Abram’s life was spared, but Sarai was purchased by Pharaoh to be one of Pharaoh’s wives. Pharaoh gave Abram sheep, cattle, donkeys, slaves and camels. Instead of being killed for Sarai, Abram became wealthy. He was blessed for lying.
The ruse didn’t work very well for Pharaoh either. The Bible says that God sent plagues (diseases in the NIV) to Pharaoh and his household. This caused Pharaoh to give Sarai back to Abram and send him out of the country. But, Abram got to keep all of Pharaoh’s gifts.
I have always struggled with this Scripture. On the surface, it seems that God has rewarded Abram for being crafty. When Abram was in a foreign land, he crafted a lie to save his life. Pharaoh was deceived by Abram’s lie, and Abram is sent on his way with great riches.
The problem with this interpretation is the way it equates God’s blessings and material wealth.
It is certainly true that Abram was blessed by God. It is also true that Abram became a very wealthy man. In fact, the gifts from Pharaoh were the beginning of Abram’s wealth. But, this does not fit with the overall biblical teaching about wealth.
I wish I could tell you that God blesses all faithful men and women with material success. I wish I could tell you this story of Abram’s wealth could be your story. I suppose I could tell you that, but I would not be faithful to the biblical witness.
The Bible never teaches us that only the faithful will be wealthy. In fact, we have biblical examples of wicked people with great wealth. Even in our story today, Abram received his wealth from Pharaoh. Pharaoh was not faithful to the One True God. He was an idolater. Yet, this idolater was a wealthy king.
The New Testament teaches us that wealth often gets in the way of our commitment to Jesus. In Jesus’ own words, “Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God (Luke 18: 25 NIV).” Wealthy men and women often do not think they need Jesus. They think they can solve their own problems. They think money will provide safety, security and happiness.
This is not a story about God’s blessing the faithful with material wealth. If it were, then we would expect Abram to appear more faithful. As it is, Abram does not model faith. He models the opposite of faith. If anything, Abram seems more like a faithless doubter than a model of perfect faith.
God is the One who is faithful. God made a promise to Abram, and here we discover that God will be faithful to do exactly what he promised.
Abram placed God’s promises in jeopardy. What would have happened if Abram had been killed in Egypt? What would have happened if Sarai had become princess of Egypt and the mother of Pharaoh’s children?
Fortunately, we don’t have to wonder about this, because God intervened. And, this is the point of the story.
God made a promise to Abram, but Abram was not so sure God would be able to keep his promise. Could God be faithful in the midst of a famine? Could God be faithful when Abram faced the threat of a foreign king? Could God be faithful when Abram exchanged his own wife for worldly wealth? Could God be faithful when Abram was not faithful? The story answers with a resounding “Yes.”
II. Temptation Comes After a Spiritual High Point.
The story of Abram in Egypt illustrates that no one is exempt from temptation. If Abram was the prototype for our faith, and Abram faced temptation…Then, you and I will certainly face temptations.
Also note when this temptation took place. It was immediately following God’s call and announcement of his promises.
Sometimes you and I face temptations immediately after experiencing a spiritual high point. It might be a youth retreat where the worship and the preacher speak directly to your life situation. It might be a mission trip where you experience God’s provision and miracles in new ways. It might be a private experience of prayer in which God reveals his purpose and direction for your life. Then, the next day you are right back in the real world.
God never changes. He is the same wherever we are. God is the same on the spiritual mountain top and in the spiritual valley. God is the same in the real world as he was at camp or on that mission trip. We are the ones that change. God’s faithfulness never changes and never fails.
Has this ever happened to you? There is some sin that you struggle with. Maybe it’s not a big sin, but you know that it is wrong. So, you take it to God in prayer. You confess your sinfulness and promise never to do it again. But, then you do…When you face temptation, you do the very thing you promised never to do again.
One moment you are close to God, pledging that you will always follow his will and serve him with your life. The next moment you are yielding to temptation. How can that happen? Why does that happen?
The problem is that we are trying to face temptation on our own power. You and I are not strong enough to resist the temptation to sin. We need the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit.
One of the great things about being a Christian is the way God forgives us of sin. But, that is not all God promised us. He also promises to give us the strength and the direction to make it through temptation. In other words, we can choose to face temptation and then pray for forgiveness…Or, we can pray for guidance before yielding to temptation.
Abram could have prayed, “Lord, you promised to bless me. But there is this famine that is threatening my life. I need you to help me through the famine.” Or, “Lord, you promised to bless me with children and a nation of descendants. But, I can’t be the father of a nation if Pharaoh kills me in Egypt. I need you to help me.”
III. God’s Resources Are Better Than My Resources.
Abram moved to Egypt because of a famine. He was hungry and did not have a way to provide for his wife, his nephew and their servants. But, that is not the case when Abram left Egypt. He left a wealthy man.
On the surface, it seems that Abram entered Egypt with no resources and left Egypt with the resources to provide for his family. However, that is not what we read in Genesis 12: 1 – 9.
At the beginning of Genesis 12, we discover that Abram has the greatest of all resources. He has the promises of God. Yet, Abram jeopardized those promises when he traded his wife for wealth. Without God’s intervention, Abram’s ruse would have been the end of the promises. Sarai would have become an Egyptian princess, and Abram would have lived out the rest of his life comfortable and wealthy in Egypt. There would have been no Isaac and no great nation.
This was not God’s plan. So, God went to work behind the scenes to rescue Abram from his own mistakes.
Abram did not go to Egypt without resources. Instead, Abram went to Egypt with the greatest resources of all. First, God gave Abram his promise to make Abram into a great nation. Second, God gave Abram his protection in order that God’s promises might one day be fulfilled.
This is the lesson Abram had to learn the hard way. If God promises something to you, God will also give you his presence to guarantee his promises are fulfilled.
What about you? Are you willing to trust in God’s promise and God’s presence? These are the very best resources you can ever have.
This is what the Apostle Paul wrote about to the churches of Philippi, when he said, “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1: 3 – 6 NIV).”
God has promised to mold you into the image and likeness of Jesus Christ. God has promised to save you and to prepare you for eternity in Heaven. God has promised to give you life beyond death. And, the God who began this work in you will also grant you his presence to bring it to completion. Even when you think you have the resources to make it without God, God is working behind the scenes to fulfill his promises.
IV. Failure Is Never Final.
The only way this story makes sense is to admit that Abram failed. He chose to solve his own problem on his own terms. He sinned against God by lying about Sarai. He did not fully believe that God would fulfill the promises God made to him.
But there is a great lesson for us in this. Even when Abram’s faith failed, Abram’s God never fails. Even when Abram gave up on God, God never gave up on Abram. Human failure is never final.
This was a lesson all of Jesus’ disciples had to learn. Each time Jesus taught them about his Kingdom, they failed to understand. When Jesus died on the cross, the disciples failed to remain faithful—instead, they ran away in fear. Yet, in the resurrection, Jesus restored his disciples and gave them his presence to sustain and empower them.
V. Conclusion.
This is a better picture of faith—at least it is faith the way I experience it personally. Faith is not always easy. Faith is a constant struggle between God’s promise and my willingness to trust. It is a struggle between God’s faithfulness to fulfill his promises and my efforts to place those promises in jeopardy.
Genesis 12: 10 – 20.
I. Introduction.
Last Sunday, I introduced you to the story of Abraham. Technically, I introduced you to Abram. That was his name for the first 85 years of his life.
Abraham is the father of three world religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. All three religious groups look up to Abraham as the prototype of faith.
Two themes dominate the Old Testament stories about Abraham: Faith and Journey. On one hand, Abraham was a man of faith. God spoke, and Abraham obeyed. On the other hand, Abraham’s faith was a journey. He was constantly on the move. God promised that Abraham’s descendants would have their own land. But, Abraham never settled down in that land.
Since, Abraham is the prototype for our faith and Abraham’s life was marked by journey, I am inclined to interpret Abraham’s example as proof that faith for us is also a journey. Faith is not a one-time event. Faith is more than praying a prayer at Vacation Bible School or Wake Up Weekend. Faith is the trajectory of your life. It begins with a prayer / commitment to Jesus as Lord. This is the first step of the journey.
Sometimes the journey of faith is smooth and straight. But, most of the time it is marked with suffering, struggle with sin and temptation.
Sometimes the journey of faith is defined by success and faithfulness. But, most of the time it is filled with failure and restoration.
This is what happened to Abram. In Genesis 12: 1 – 9 (last Sunday), Abram is presented as the picture of perfect faith: God speaks and Abram obeys. There is no questioning, no wavering and no doubt. Genesis 12: 10 – 20 shows a different picture of Abram’s faith. Instead of depending on God’s word and promise, Abram takes matters into his own hands. He fails. He shows his humanity. But, God is faithful to Abram.
Read Genesis 12: 10 – 20.
In Genesis 12: 1 – 9, God turned Abram’s life upside down. Abram was comfortable and secure in Haran. He lived with his elderly father, his one living brother and a whole clan of nieces and nephews. But, God spoke to Abram.
God did not want Abram to remain comfortable in Haran. God wanted Abram to embark on a 400 mile journey to a land Abram had never seen—the land of Canaan. God spoke, and Abram obeyed.
We don’t know how long it took Abram to travel from Haran to Canaan, but we do know that Abram didn’t remain there long. Canaan did not have the major rivers and irrigation techniques of Haran. Canaan depended on the weather to water the crops. As long as there was rain, the crops could grow. When the rains stopped, the crops failed. Drought led to famine. So, Abram had to move again.
Egypt was the logical choice for Abram. It was the political power in the area. It also had the great river Nile to provide water for crops.
But, Abram was worried about entering Egypt. He was concerned that the Pharaoh would want to take Sarai to be his wife and would kill Abram. So, they developed a ruse. Sarai would claim to be Abram’s sister.
The ruse worked—at least it worked for Abram. Abram’s life was spared, but Sarai was purchased by Pharaoh to be one of Pharaoh’s wives. Pharaoh gave Abram sheep, cattle, donkeys, slaves and camels. Instead of being killed for Sarai, Abram became wealthy. He was blessed for lying.
The ruse didn’t work very well for Pharaoh either. The Bible says that God sent plagues (diseases in the NIV) to Pharaoh and his household. This caused Pharaoh to give Sarai back to Abram and send him out of the country. But, Abram got to keep all of Pharaoh’s gifts.
I have always struggled with this Scripture. On the surface, it seems that God has rewarded Abram for being crafty. When Abram was in a foreign land, he crafted a lie to save his life. Pharaoh was deceived by Abram’s lie, and Abram is sent on his way with great riches.
The problem with this interpretation is the way it equates God’s blessings and material wealth.
It is certainly true that Abram was blessed by God. It is also true that Abram became a very wealthy man. In fact, the gifts from Pharaoh were the beginning of Abram’s wealth. But, this does not fit with the overall biblical teaching about wealth.
I wish I could tell you that God blesses all faithful men and women with material success. I wish I could tell you this story of Abram’s wealth could be your story. I suppose I could tell you that, but I would not be faithful to the biblical witness.
The Bible never teaches us that only the faithful will be wealthy. In fact, we have biblical examples of wicked people with great wealth. Even in our story today, Abram received his wealth from Pharaoh. Pharaoh was not faithful to the One True God. He was an idolater. Yet, this idolater was a wealthy king.
The New Testament teaches us that wealth often gets in the way of our commitment to Jesus. In Jesus’ own words, “Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God (Luke 18: 25 NIV).” Wealthy men and women often do not think they need Jesus. They think they can solve their own problems. They think money will provide safety, security and happiness.
This is not a story about God’s blessing the faithful with material wealth. If it were, then we would expect Abram to appear more faithful. As it is, Abram does not model faith. He models the opposite of faith. If anything, Abram seems more like a faithless doubter than a model of perfect faith.
God is the One who is faithful. God made a promise to Abram, and here we discover that God will be faithful to do exactly what he promised.
Abram placed God’s promises in jeopardy. What would have happened if Abram had been killed in Egypt? What would have happened if Sarai had become princess of Egypt and the mother of Pharaoh’s children?
Fortunately, we don’t have to wonder about this, because God intervened. And, this is the point of the story.
God made a promise to Abram, but Abram was not so sure God would be able to keep his promise. Could God be faithful in the midst of a famine? Could God be faithful when Abram faced the threat of a foreign king? Could God be faithful when Abram exchanged his own wife for worldly wealth? Could God be faithful when Abram was not faithful? The story answers with a resounding “Yes.”
II. Temptation Comes After a Spiritual High Point.
The story of Abram in Egypt illustrates that no one is exempt from temptation. If Abram was the prototype for our faith, and Abram faced temptation…Then, you and I will certainly face temptations.
Also note when this temptation took place. It was immediately following God’s call and announcement of his promises.
Sometimes you and I face temptations immediately after experiencing a spiritual high point. It might be a youth retreat where the worship and the preacher speak directly to your life situation. It might be a mission trip where you experience God’s provision and miracles in new ways. It might be a private experience of prayer in which God reveals his purpose and direction for your life. Then, the next day you are right back in the real world.
God never changes. He is the same wherever we are. God is the same on the spiritual mountain top and in the spiritual valley. God is the same in the real world as he was at camp or on that mission trip. We are the ones that change. God’s faithfulness never changes and never fails.
Has this ever happened to you? There is some sin that you struggle with. Maybe it’s not a big sin, but you know that it is wrong. So, you take it to God in prayer. You confess your sinfulness and promise never to do it again. But, then you do…When you face temptation, you do the very thing you promised never to do again.
One moment you are close to God, pledging that you will always follow his will and serve him with your life. The next moment you are yielding to temptation. How can that happen? Why does that happen?
The problem is that we are trying to face temptation on our own power. You and I are not strong enough to resist the temptation to sin. We need the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit.
One of the great things about being a Christian is the way God forgives us of sin. But, that is not all God promised us. He also promises to give us the strength and the direction to make it through temptation. In other words, we can choose to face temptation and then pray for forgiveness…Or, we can pray for guidance before yielding to temptation.
Abram could have prayed, “Lord, you promised to bless me. But there is this famine that is threatening my life. I need you to help me through the famine.” Or, “Lord, you promised to bless me with children and a nation of descendants. But, I can’t be the father of a nation if Pharaoh kills me in Egypt. I need you to help me.”
III. God’s Resources Are Better Than My Resources.
Abram moved to Egypt because of a famine. He was hungry and did not have a way to provide for his wife, his nephew and their servants. But, that is not the case when Abram left Egypt. He left a wealthy man.
On the surface, it seems that Abram entered Egypt with no resources and left Egypt with the resources to provide for his family. However, that is not what we read in Genesis 12: 1 – 9.
At the beginning of Genesis 12, we discover that Abram has the greatest of all resources. He has the promises of God. Yet, Abram jeopardized those promises when he traded his wife for wealth. Without God’s intervention, Abram’s ruse would have been the end of the promises. Sarai would have become an Egyptian princess, and Abram would have lived out the rest of his life comfortable and wealthy in Egypt. There would have been no Isaac and no great nation.
This was not God’s plan. So, God went to work behind the scenes to rescue Abram from his own mistakes.
Abram did not go to Egypt without resources. Instead, Abram went to Egypt with the greatest resources of all. First, God gave Abram his promise to make Abram into a great nation. Second, God gave Abram his protection in order that God’s promises might one day be fulfilled.
This is the lesson Abram had to learn the hard way. If God promises something to you, God will also give you his presence to guarantee his promises are fulfilled.
What about you? Are you willing to trust in God’s promise and God’s presence? These are the very best resources you can ever have.
This is what the Apostle Paul wrote about to the churches of Philippi, when he said, “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1: 3 – 6 NIV).”
God has promised to mold you into the image and likeness of Jesus Christ. God has promised to save you and to prepare you for eternity in Heaven. God has promised to give you life beyond death. And, the God who began this work in you will also grant you his presence to bring it to completion. Even when you think you have the resources to make it without God, God is working behind the scenes to fulfill his promises.
IV. Failure Is Never Final.
The only way this story makes sense is to admit that Abram failed. He chose to solve his own problem on his own terms. He sinned against God by lying about Sarai. He did not fully believe that God would fulfill the promises God made to him.
But there is a great lesson for us in this. Even when Abram’s faith failed, Abram’s God never fails. Even when Abram gave up on God, God never gave up on Abram. Human failure is never final.
This was a lesson all of Jesus’ disciples had to learn. Each time Jesus taught them about his Kingdom, they failed to understand. When Jesus died on the cross, the disciples failed to remain faithful—instead, they ran away in fear. Yet, in the resurrection, Jesus restored his disciples and gave them his presence to sustain and empower them.
V. Conclusion.
This is a better picture of faith—at least it is faith the way I experience it personally. Faith is not always easy. Faith is a constant struggle between God’s promise and my willingness to trust. It is a struggle between God’s faithfulness to fulfill his promises and my efforts to place those promises in jeopardy.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Sunday, April 18, 2010: Traveling Mercy
Traveling Mercy
Genesis 12: 1 – 9.
I. Introduction.
The Book of Genesis is the first book of the Bible. The name, Genesis, means “the beginning. That’s a fitting name for the book which begins our Bible. It is also a fitting name for a book that describes the beginning of all history.
Genesis begins at the very beginning. It tells us the story of creation and how God created the first human beings. In the beginning, there was nothing. God spoke, and something was created out of nothing.
The story of creation tells us that the world got off to a very good start. After each act of creation, God said, “It is good.” God created everything, and it was all good.
But, it didn’t take long for human beings to mess things up. The first story after creation is the story of how the first humans fell into sin. These created beings were expelled from God’s paradise on earth to eek out a survival by working the land.
Sin very quickly escalated from simple disobedience to sibling rivalry to outright murder, when Cain killed his brother Abel. Individual sin escalated even further to systemic evil spread across all of creation. In fact, the sins of the world were so great that God sent a flood to destroy the earth while rescuing Noah and his family to start over. God sent judgment to the earth, but gave the human race a second chance.
How did humanity respond to God’s second chance? Well, it’s not pretty. Human beings continued on their destructive path until the story of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11. The people wanted to be like God. They wanted to build a tower so large that it would give them direct access to God’s presence in Heaven. So, we read about God’s judgment for the third time. God expelled Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. God sent a flood to destroy creation. God separated the peoples of the earth with different languages and dispersed them all over the world.
This is the backdrop to the story of Abraham. Genesis 1 – 11, show us that the people of the earth struggled to hear and know God. There were certainly some bright spots, but most of the story is characterized by disobedience and rebellion.
The stories of Genesis 1 – 11 are general and universal stories of how God related to all of humanity at once. That changes in Genesis 12. Beginning with the story of Abraham, we see that God chooses to work with one man and his descendants in order to relate to the entire human race.
In some ways, the story of Abraham is a story of one man and his relationship with God. However, we will see in God’s words to Abraham that this is also a universal story. Instead of fighting against creation and all of humanity, God has chosen to address one man and one people group in order to reach all of creation with his love.
This is the story of how God works with specific individuals to reach everyone on earth. As such, this is not just the story of one man named Abraham. This is a story about us as well.
Read Genesis 12: 1 – 9.
A 75 year old man is hard to change. By the age of 75, most of us become set in our ways. We know what we like. We know what we don’t like. We have retired from day to day work. And, now we find things to do that are meaningful to us. We volunteer at the church. We work in the garden. We play with our grandchildren. We go fishing. We read books. We generally do things that we find enjoyable. This is not the story of Abraham.
When Abram was 75 years old, he heard the voice of God. God called Abram to take a great risk of faith and move to a strange new land. This was not the first time Abram had moved to a new land. As a child and young man, Abram lived with his father, Terah, in the city of Ur. More than likely this is modern day Baghdad in Iraq. For some reason—and the Bible does not tell us why—Terah moved his family from Ur to Haran. They settled in Haran and established a comfortable home.
We know Abram better as Abraham. But, here the Bible calls him Abram, because God had not yet changed his name.
II. Verse 1 … The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.
God’s first words to Abram are stark and unsettling. There is very little subtlety in the word “Leave.” God does not want Abram to remain where he is.
Notice how specific God was with Abram: “Leave your country…Leave your people…Leave your father’s household.” There is a progression from the largest community to the smallest community.
Country is the largest community that defines who Abram is. The country was the region of the world near modern day Turkey. We don’t know how long Abram had lived in this country, but it was probably long enough to become settled.
People is a smaller community and probably refers to Abram’s extended family. In my case, it would be a reference to the Pittman family. As far as I know, most of my relatives live in Northeast Mississippi. Family was an important defining characteristic of ancient people. Families often lived in clans or even entire villages. The men would find a wife from another family and bring her back to his family land to live.
Father’s household is the most specific community God mentions. These were the people nearest and dearest to Abram’s heart. Abram had a father who was 145 years old and one remaining brother.
It is difficult to find a modern equivalent for what God asked of Abram. God called Abram to leave the three things that defined his identity. This was not normal in the ancient world. But Abram had to make a choice. What was the most important thing to Abram? Did he love God more than his country, his people and his household?
This is an important question for us as well. What do we love more than God? It is possible that country, family and household stand in the way of our obedience. But, a much more modern day distraction is our wealth or our possessions.
This is the theme of the familiar story of the Rich Young Ruler. One day, a man came to Jesus and said, “Quick! How can I inherit eternal life?” Jesus calmly reminded the young man of the commandments, “ Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.” The young man insisted that he had kept all these commandments. Then Jesus said, “One thing you last. Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor…Then come follow me.” The man walked away sad, because he had great wealth. (Mark 10: 17 – 31)
Jesus cut right to the heart of the matter. There was something this man loved more than he loved God. He wanted to hang on to his own security.
This is exactly what God asked Abram to leave. Abram had a very secure life at 75. He loved his country. He loved his people. He loved his father’s household. They gave him a sense of safety. Everything was very comfortable for Abram. But, God didn’t want Abram to be comfortable. God wanted Abram to be obedient.
We see this better in the last part of verse one. God told Abram to leave everything he knew and go to “the land I will show you.” In other words, Abram had never seen this new land before. He didn’t know the people, the customs or even the language. It was unseen and unknown. But, it was God’s plan for Abram’s life.
Abram knew something that you and I struggle with. We like things that are secure and comfortable and certain. We will make a move if there are guarantees. But Abram demonstrates that the unseen future is better than what we can see if we trust God with the future. An unknown land is better than a comfortable and secure land, if we trust God. Faith always involves an element of risk.
Don’t get carried away here. I am not suggesting that you walk out of church and resign from your jobs, sell your homes and move to a new place. Abram heard God’s call. God’s call is what separates risk from faith.
III. Verses 2 – 3 … "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."
God made three promises to Abram. If Abram was willing to step out in faith…If Abram was willing to put God ahead of all security…Then, God would take care of Abram.
“I will make you into a great nation…” This is a strange promise. Genesis 11 tells us that 75 year old Abram had a 65 year old wife named Sarai. For some reason, they had lived their entire married life with no children. Now, God is telling this aged, childless couple that one day they would be the ancestors of a great nation.
“I will make your name great…” Name in the Bible is usually a reference to a person’s character. We can make a case that is also refers to a person’s reputation. If this refers to reputation, then we can see how impossible it seemed to Abram. Perhaps he would have a good reputation among his own people—if he never left Haran. But, how could a 75 year old start over in a foreign culture and gain a good reputation in the years he had left? Reputation is hard to come by. It takes time to build a reputation.
“I will bless others through you…” This is the third time God has spoken of blessings to Abram. In the first two cases, it seems that God is referring to physical blessings. Abram’s descendants would become a great nation, therefore Abram would one day have children. Abram’s reputation would become widely known; therefore it is reasonable to think he would accumulate possessions and wealth. But, here God seems to refer more to spiritual blessings. Abram’s life would be a blessing to others. In fact, Abram would be a blessing to “all peoples on earth.”
This is what faith is all about. On one hand, God made promises to Abram that seemed impossible. On the other hand, God told Abram that his purpose in life was to serve other people.
Ultimately, faith is trusting God’s promises more than the reality around you. If Abram looked at his reality, he would never have believed he would become the father of a great nation. If Abram focused on reality, he would never have believed that his name and reputation would be known all over the world. But, Abram believed the promises more than the reality.
What kind of promises has God made to you? I can think of a couple of great promises.
First, God has promised to be with us. Perhaps this is why Abram was so willing to do what God commanded, because he knew God would be with him. Of course, it does not always seem like God is there. We still live in a world of pain, disappointment, cancer, divorce, death and evil. But, God is with us. Faith is believing that God is here, even when the circumstances are ungodly.
Second, God has promised a better life to all who believe. It’s hard to imagine the world getting better. After all, the world is not becoming a better place. The world is a scary place to live. We live with the fear of terrorism and war. We feel threatened by non-believers and the growth rate of Islam. We feel isolated in the way our values are ignored and even ridiculed by the media. But…One day…One day, we will no longer live in a world like this. One day, we will enter into eternal life and the presence of God in Heaven. This is the better life God has promised. Faith is believing that one day none of this will matter. One day, all this world will pass away.
Until that day, we are to live as Abram lived. We are to be a blessing to the rest of the world. We are to take care of the physical needs around us. We are to take care of the spiritual needs around us. Our greatest blessing is the love God has shown us. It is our job to show that same love to “all peoples on earth”—not all Jews, not all Christians, not all Baptists, not all white people…All Peoples.
IV. Verses 4 – 5 … So Abram left, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Haran. He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there.
Verse 4 is a turning point for the entire Bible. When Abram heard God’s call, he obeyed. Notice that God did all the talking and Abram did all the obeying.
Sometimes we think God might be talking to us and we decide the best thing to do is to talk to God. We argue with God. We debate the merits of God’s word to us. We wonder out loud whether it was really God speaking. We pull out a sheet of paper a do a cost-benefits analysis. Does this really make sense at this point in my life? What will my friends think about me? What will my family think about me?
This is the best way to demonstrate faith in God: Obedience. There was no covenant between God and Abram—at least not yet. There was no Law—at least not yet. There was no clearly defined way to worship God—at least not yet. The only way Abram could demonstrate faith was to hear God and to obey.
V. Conclusion.
Abram obeyed God by embarking on a journey of 400 miles. He left all his security behind him and stepped into the great unknown.
Faith is never the destination. Heaven is the destination. Faith is the journey. It is leaving the known for the unknown. It is leaving the certain for the uncertain. It is trusting God’s promises more than the reality around us. It is hearing God and obeying.
Lord, give us faith for the journey…Give us traveling mercy.
Genesis 12: 1 – 9.
I. Introduction.
The Book of Genesis is the first book of the Bible. The name, Genesis, means “the beginning. That’s a fitting name for the book which begins our Bible. It is also a fitting name for a book that describes the beginning of all history.
Genesis begins at the very beginning. It tells us the story of creation and how God created the first human beings. In the beginning, there was nothing. God spoke, and something was created out of nothing.
The story of creation tells us that the world got off to a very good start. After each act of creation, God said, “It is good.” God created everything, and it was all good.
But, it didn’t take long for human beings to mess things up. The first story after creation is the story of how the first humans fell into sin. These created beings were expelled from God’s paradise on earth to eek out a survival by working the land.
Sin very quickly escalated from simple disobedience to sibling rivalry to outright murder, when Cain killed his brother Abel. Individual sin escalated even further to systemic evil spread across all of creation. In fact, the sins of the world were so great that God sent a flood to destroy the earth while rescuing Noah and his family to start over. God sent judgment to the earth, but gave the human race a second chance.
How did humanity respond to God’s second chance? Well, it’s not pretty. Human beings continued on their destructive path until the story of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11. The people wanted to be like God. They wanted to build a tower so large that it would give them direct access to God’s presence in Heaven. So, we read about God’s judgment for the third time. God expelled Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. God sent a flood to destroy creation. God separated the peoples of the earth with different languages and dispersed them all over the world.
This is the backdrop to the story of Abraham. Genesis 1 – 11, show us that the people of the earth struggled to hear and know God. There were certainly some bright spots, but most of the story is characterized by disobedience and rebellion.
The stories of Genesis 1 – 11 are general and universal stories of how God related to all of humanity at once. That changes in Genesis 12. Beginning with the story of Abraham, we see that God chooses to work with one man and his descendants in order to relate to the entire human race.
In some ways, the story of Abraham is a story of one man and his relationship with God. However, we will see in God’s words to Abraham that this is also a universal story. Instead of fighting against creation and all of humanity, God has chosen to address one man and one people group in order to reach all of creation with his love.
This is the story of how God works with specific individuals to reach everyone on earth. As such, this is not just the story of one man named Abraham. This is a story about us as well.
Read Genesis 12: 1 – 9.
A 75 year old man is hard to change. By the age of 75, most of us become set in our ways. We know what we like. We know what we don’t like. We have retired from day to day work. And, now we find things to do that are meaningful to us. We volunteer at the church. We work in the garden. We play with our grandchildren. We go fishing. We read books. We generally do things that we find enjoyable. This is not the story of Abraham.
When Abram was 75 years old, he heard the voice of God. God called Abram to take a great risk of faith and move to a strange new land. This was not the first time Abram had moved to a new land. As a child and young man, Abram lived with his father, Terah, in the city of Ur. More than likely this is modern day Baghdad in Iraq. For some reason—and the Bible does not tell us why—Terah moved his family from Ur to Haran. They settled in Haran and established a comfortable home.
We know Abram better as Abraham. But, here the Bible calls him Abram, because God had not yet changed his name.
II. Verse 1 … The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.
God’s first words to Abram are stark and unsettling. There is very little subtlety in the word “Leave.” God does not want Abram to remain where he is.
Notice how specific God was with Abram: “Leave your country…Leave your people…Leave your father’s household.” There is a progression from the largest community to the smallest community.
Country is the largest community that defines who Abram is. The country was the region of the world near modern day Turkey. We don’t know how long Abram had lived in this country, but it was probably long enough to become settled.
People is a smaller community and probably refers to Abram’s extended family. In my case, it would be a reference to the Pittman family. As far as I know, most of my relatives live in Northeast Mississippi. Family was an important defining characteristic of ancient people. Families often lived in clans or even entire villages. The men would find a wife from another family and bring her back to his family land to live.
Father’s household is the most specific community God mentions. These were the people nearest and dearest to Abram’s heart. Abram had a father who was 145 years old and one remaining brother.
It is difficult to find a modern equivalent for what God asked of Abram. God called Abram to leave the three things that defined his identity. This was not normal in the ancient world. But Abram had to make a choice. What was the most important thing to Abram? Did he love God more than his country, his people and his household?
This is an important question for us as well. What do we love more than God? It is possible that country, family and household stand in the way of our obedience. But, a much more modern day distraction is our wealth or our possessions.
This is the theme of the familiar story of the Rich Young Ruler. One day, a man came to Jesus and said, “Quick! How can I inherit eternal life?” Jesus calmly reminded the young man of the commandments, “ Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.” The young man insisted that he had kept all these commandments. Then Jesus said, “One thing you last. Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor…Then come follow me.” The man walked away sad, because he had great wealth. (Mark 10: 17 – 31)
Jesus cut right to the heart of the matter. There was something this man loved more than he loved God. He wanted to hang on to his own security.
This is exactly what God asked Abram to leave. Abram had a very secure life at 75. He loved his country. He loved his people. He loved his father’s household. They gave him a sense of safety. Everything was very comfortable for Abram. But, God didn’t want Abram to be comfortable. God wanted Abram to be obedient.
We see this better in the last part of verse one. God told Abram to leave everything he knew and go to “the land I will show you.” In other words, Abram had never seen this new land before. He didn’t know the people, the customs or even the language. It was unseen and unknown. But, it was God’s plan for Abram’s life.
Abram knew something that you and I struggle with. We like things that are secure and comfortable and certain. We will make a move if there are guarantees. But Abram demonstrates that the unseen future is better than what we can see if we trust God with the future. An unknown land is better than a comfortable and secure land, if we trust God. Faith always involves an element of risk.
Don’t get carried away here. I am not suggesting that you walk out of church and resign from your jobs, sell your homes and move to a new place. Abram heard God’s call. God’s call is what separates risk from faith.
III. Verses 2 – 3 … "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."
God made three promises to Abram. If Abram was willing to step out in faith…If Abram was willing to put God ahead of all security…Then, God would take care of Abram.
“I will make you into a great nation…” This is a strange promise. Genesis 11 tells us that 75 year old Abram had a 65 year old wife named Sarai. For some reason, they had lived their entire married life with no children. Now, God is telling this aged, childless couple that one day they would be the ancestors of a great nation.
“I will make your name great…” Name in the Bible is usually a reference to a person’s character. We can make a case that is also refers to a person’s reputation. If this refers to reputation, then we can see how impossible it seemed to Abram. Perhaps he would have a good reputation among his own people—if he never left Haran. But, how could a 75 year old start over in a foreign culture and gain a good reputation in the years he had left? Reputation is hard to come by. It takes time to build a reputation.
“I will bless others through you…” This is the third time God has spoken of blessings to Abram. In the first two cases, it seems that God is referring to physical blessings. Abram’s descendants would become a great nation, therefore Abram would one day have children. Abram’s reputation would become widely known; therefore it is reasonable to think he would accumulate possessions and wealth. But, here God seems to refer more to spiritual blessings. Abram’s life would be a blessing to others. In fact, Abram would be a blessing to “all peoples on earth.”
This is what faith is all about. On one hand, God made promises to Abram that seemed impossible. On the other hand, God told Abram that his purpose in life was to serve other people.
Ultimately, faith is trusting God’s promises more than the reality around you. If Abram looked at his reality, he would never have believed he would become the father of a great nation. If Abram focused on reality, he would never have believed that his name and reputation would be known all over the world. But, Abram believed the promises more than the reality.
What kind of promises has God made to you? I can think of a couple of great promises.
First, God has promised to be with us. Perhaps this is why Abram was so willing to do what God commanded, because he knew God would be with him. Of course, it does not always seem like God is there. We still live in a world of pain, disappointment, cancer, divorce, death and evil. But, God is with us. Faith is believing that God is here, even when the circumstances are ungodly.
Second, God has promised a better life to all who believe. It’s hard to imagine the world getting better. After all, the world is not becoming a better place. The world is a scary place to live. We live with the fear of terrorism and war. We feel threatened by non-believers and the growth rate of Islam. We feel isolated in the way our values are ignored and even ridiculed by the media. But…One day…One day, we will no longer live in a world like this. One day, we will enter into eternal life and the presence of God in Heaven. This is the better life God has promised. Faith is believing that one day none of this will matter. One day, all this world will pass away.
Until that day, we are to live as Abram lived. We are to be a blessing to the rest of the world. We are to take care of the physical needs around us. We are to take care of the spiritual needs around us. Our greatest blessing is the love God has shown us. It is our job to show that same love to “all peoples on earth”—not all Jews, not all Christians, not all Baptists, not all white people…All Peoples.
IV. Verses 4 – 5 … So Abram left, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Haran. He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there.
Verse 4 is a turning point for the entire Bible. When Abram heard God’s call, he obeyed. Notice that God did all the talking and Abram did all the obeying.
Sometimes we think God might be talking to us and we decide the best thing to do is to talk to God. We argue with God. We debate the merits of God’s word to us. We wonder out loud whether it was really God speaking. We pull out a sheet of paper a do a cost-benefits analysis. Does this really make sense at this point in my life? What will my friends think about me? What will my family think about me?
This is the best way to demonstrate faith in God: Obedience. There was no covenant between God and Abram—at least not yet. There was no Law—at least not yet. There was no clearly defined way to worship God—at least not yet. The only way Abram could demonstrate faith was to hear God and to obey.
V. Conclusion.
Abram obeyed God by embarking on a journey of 400 miles. He left all his security behind him and stepped into the great unknown.
Faith is never the destination. Heaven is the destination. Faith is the journey. It is leaving the known for the unknown. It is leaving the certain for the uncertain. It is trusting God’s promises more than the reality around us. It is hearing God and obeying.
Lord, give us faith for the journey…Give us traveling mercy.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Sunday, April 11, 2010: Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life
Jesus: The Way, Truth and Life
John 14: 1 – 14.
I. Introduction.
Why do you read the Bible? Perhaps I am making an assumption about you. Do you read the Bible? I am assuming that you do, because you are worshipping in a Baptist Church. One of the distinctive things about Baptists is what we believe about the Bible. The Bible is the authority for our church and the authority for our families and individual lives.
Perhaps that would be your answer. “I read the Bible, because it is the authority for my life.” That would be a good answer, but that is not what I am asking.
A better question might be: What do you expect to receive when you read the Bible? I mean, do you turn to the Bible expecting to find something in particular?
There are several good answers to this question. Some people turn to the Bible to find direction for their lives. Some people read the Bible as a source for peace or comfort in troubled times. Some people read the Bible as a book of instructions—when all else fails, read the instructions.
For the past seven weeks, we have read Jesus’ “I am” statements in the Gospel of John. These seven statements are unique to the Gospel of John. They give us an insight into what Jesus believed and taught about himself. In a lot of ways, these seven statements help us to clarify the nature of Jesus by exploring his claims. Jesus claimed to be God. Jesus claimed to be the Savior of all who believe in him. The church did not later invent the idea of Jesus as the Son of God. Jesus taught it to both his disciples and to the crowds of people who listened to him.
These seven “I am” statements are doctrinal statements. As doctrinal statements, they do not fit neatly into the claim that the Bible is an instructional manual. Jesus’ words about himself do not contain instructions. Why would we read Jesus’ words about himself? What can we receive from these passages?
In John 20, we read a passage that explains why this Gospel was written and explains what we should expect from the Bible. “Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name (John 20: 29 – 31 NIV).”
Aha! THIS is why the Bible was written. THIS is why we read the Bible. THIS is what we can expect to receive when we read the Bible.
The Bible—especially the New Testament—was written by men who had lived with Jesus. They had seen him with their eyes, heard him with their ears, touched him with their hands. These men had experienced Jesus before the crucifixion and after the resurrection. They had an experience that changed their lives. They wrote down their experience with Jesus in order that we might have the same experience they had.
While it is certainly true that the Bible contains passages that can be used for direction, peace, comfort and instruction in life, this is not the primary reason we read the Bible. We read the Bible to experience Jesus—the ultimate revelation of God himself.
With that in mind, let’s read John 14, expecting to experience Jesus in these words…
Read John 14: 1 – 14.
The first words of this passage sound like words from a funeral message. There is a good reason to make this association. On one hand, these are some comforting words to people who have experienced loss as a result of death. On the other hand, these words were spoken by Jesus to a group of men who were also experiencing loss.
Jesus had just told his disciples that he was about to leave them. They had given their lives to Jesus for the past several years. Peter, Andrew, James and John had left their families and their businesses for Jesus. They had given up everything. And, now Jesus is about to abandon them.
Jesus had just told his disciples that one of them would be his betrayer. These twelve men had been close to Jesus and probably close to each other. It was more than they could comprehend to think one of these close friends would hand Jesus over to death. How could this happen?
Jesus had just told his disciples that Peter would act more like a coward than a rock. Peter would be so afraid that he would first run away, then deny ever knowing Jesus…Much less leaving his fishing business to become a disciple. Peter is not a coward. How could this be?
It is important to notice a contrast in Jesus’ words. Jesus speaks about a post Easter hope. However, these words were spoken before the crucifixion.
You and I can find peace and comfort from Jesus’ words, because we know about Easter. We know that Jesus is the Good Shepherd, who lays down his life for his sheep. We know that Jesus is the One who demonstrated the greatest form of love, by laying down his life for his friends. But, we also know that is not the end of the story. We also know that Jesus laid down his life in order to take it up again. We know that Jesus promised that his resurrection leads to the resurrection of all who believe in him.
The disciples were living in a pre-Easter world and were not ready for post-Easter hope. This explains Thomas’ question. In our post-Easter world, it is very comforting to hear Jesus say, “If I go to prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”
II. The Way.
Notice that Jesus did not tell his disciples that they know the place where he is going. Jesus merely said, “You know the way.” Jesus didn’t say anything about the destination. Jesus only talked about the way.
Of course, the disciples were preoccupied with the destination. They wanted to know the destination. Jesus’ destination would one day be the disciples’ destination. But, Jesus never talked about the destination. He only talked about the way.
We see this in Thomas’ question. “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
Disparaging Thomas is one of our favorite Christian pastimes. If anyone else had spoken these words, we would interpret them differently. Yet, Thomas is a “doubter,” so we like to discredit his words and interpret them as a sign of his growing doubts about Jesus.
I don’t think these words indicate doubt. Instead, I think Thomas speaks for most of us. We want to know where we are going before we get on the road. Where we are going determines which road we get on. You can’t drive to Nacogdoches on Highway 69. You can’t drive to Beaumont on Highway 59. We need to know where we are going before we get on the road.
I interpret Jesus’ answer to Thomas’ question as a reinterpretation about the way and the destination. It is true that the destination determines which road to take. However, it is also true that the road determines the destination. Jesus is the way. Jesus is the road. Wherever Jesus leads us is the right destination.
Jesus’ words in John 14: 6, are often used to demonstrate the exclusive nature of the Christian faith. While I believe Jesus is the only way to the Father, I also find Jesus’ words to be very inclusive as well. Jesus did not say, “I am the way, and only the Jews will make it to Heaven.” Jesus did not say, “I am the way, and only the morally upright will be saved.” Jesus did not say, “I am the way, and only the people who attend the right church will have eternal life.”
Jesus’ words are exclusive in the way he defines salvation through Jesus and no other way. But, Jesus’ words are inclusive in the way he refuses to affix any other form of righteousness to salvation. In other words, Jesus is the way for all races—both Jew and Gentile; red and yellow, black and white. Jesus is the way for all sinners—good works can not save anyone. Jesus is the way for all religions—your church membership does not save you.
Many of us are guilty of adding an extra word to Jesus’ statement. We like to interpret Jesus’ statement as if Jesus said, “I am in the way.” Jesus is the way for all people to be saved. Jesus is not in the way, preventing anyone from having eternal life.
Look at the life of Jesus as an example. The Gospels tell us that Jesus reached out to everyone. Jews and Gentiles came to Jesus. Religious people and reputed sinners came to Jesus. Sick people and well people came to Jesus. Men and women came to Jesus. And, Jesus never turned anyone away.
Yes. This is an exclusive claim that no one can be saved without Jesus. But, it is also inclusive…Anyone can be saved with Jesus.
III. The Truth.
Jesus did not only claim to be the way. Jesus claimed to be the truth. These are two offensive claims in the Twenty-First Century. How can anyone in the Twenty-First Century be so narrow-minded to believe in only one way to salvation and only one truth? After all, isn’t truth subjective? The same truth cannot be applied to all people.
Jesus’ claim to be the truth ought to be compared with his life and teachings. In the Gospel of John, Jesus demonstrated himself in a series of miraculous signs. Jesus taught his disciples and the crowds about his unity with God. Jesus did nothing out of his own will or initiative. Jesus performed signs, taught the people and ultimately laid down his life in obedience to God’s will.
Jesus is the truth, because Jesus reveals God. The miracles demonstrate that Jesus had power over nature—even power over life and death, as the resurrection of Lazarus shows us. Jesus claimed to be One with God. He claimed to be the Son of God. And, now he tells us that to see Jesus is the see God. This would be a very difficult thing to accept without the evidence of the miracles—especially the miracle of Jesus’ own resurrection.
Again, Jesus’ words were spoken to a pre-Easter world. Today, we hear Jesus’ words in a post-Easter world. The difference between hearing Jesus’ words before Easter and after Easter is that today we can test Jesus’ claims. If Jesus was never resurrected, then we have plenty of reasons not to believe him. If Jesus was resurrected, we need to take his words seriously.
Many people have made claims that Jesus never rose again. The greatest argument against the resurrection has always been, “Stuff like that doesn’t happen.” There is no historical evidence to discredit the resurrection.
The Jews could not produce the dead body of Jesus. We know that after the crucifixion Jesus’ body was placed in a tomb. We know that Roman soldiers stood guard at the entrance to the tomb. This tells us people knew where the tomb was located. This tells us that if Jesus’ body was still in the tomb it would have been found.
The disciples started preaching the Gospel of Jesus in the city of Jerusalem. The citizens of Jerusalem were the same people who had witnessed the crucifixion of Jesus. These people had seen Jesus die with their own eyes. The people of Jerusalem were the least likely to believe that Jesus had been resurrected. Yet, just a few days after the resurrection, three thousand people believed.
The disciples were different after the resurrection. How can we explain the change in James, the brother of Jesus? Before Jesus died, James did not believe. After the resurrection, James gave his life for Jesus. How can we explain the change in Peter? Before the crucifixion, Peter was a coward, who ran away and denied Jesus. After the resurrection, Peter preached with power. Both James and Peter were executed for their belief in Jesus’ resurrection. Did they die for something that never happened? Why didn’t they recant?
Jesus is the truth, not because he only told the truth. Jesus is the truth, because he has revealed God to us. God loves us so much that he provided the only way for humans to be saved. It took a cross and a resurrection. This is the only truth that truly matters. This is the truth by which all other claims to truth ought to be judged.
IV. The Life.
Life is a recurring and consistent theme in the Gospel of John. Jesus came so that we might have life more abundantly. You were not created to have an adequate life. God wants you to live a thrilling and fulfilled life. God wants you to have life to the fullest extent…Abundant Life. There are three things we can say about Abundant Life…
1. Abundant Life is Knowing and Being Known… Through faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, you can know God and be known by God. God is not a distant and detached God. God knows you by name and wants to be in relationship with you. God is concerned about every aspect of your life, from the biggest decisions you make to the days when you don’t feel like going to work. Imagine how horrible it would be to live in complete anonymity. We all want to be known by others. Jesus gives us an opportunity to be known by God.
2. Abundant Life is Having a Purpose… Jesus saves us from sin, but that is not all. Jesus saves us from sin and saves us for a mission to the world. It would be terribly selfish for us to think that Jesus saves us so that we can brag about being God’s people. This is similar to the mistake the Jews made. They had forgotten that God had given them an assignment to be a blessing to the entire world. They thought God had saved them to sit there. God doesn’t save anyone to sit there. God saves us to continue the work of Jesus in the world. On one hand, this is a Gospel mission—to share the story of Jesus so others can be saved. On the other hand, this is a mission of love. God calls us to be outwardly focused…Not focused entirely on ourselves as individuals or focused only on our church. We are to leave the walls of the church to serve the world and to bring others to Jesus as the door.
3. Abundant Life is Freedom… In the Old Testament, we read about God’s standards for his people. We know by personal experience that no one can fully live up to God’s expectations. Therefore, we live in fear of God’s wrath. The cross of Christ tells us that we don’t have to face the wrath of God. Those who have faith in Jesus have God’s assurance that he is not angry with us anymore and will never be angry again. This is true freedom. If God is not angry with us, then the Law, sin, death and Satan no longer have any power over us. Their power over us comes in the form of fear and guilt. Jesus gives us the freedom to live without fear and guilt. Abundant Life is a life free from fear and guilt.
The only way to have this kind of life is with Jesus…
V. Conclusion.
Back to the concept of experience…Jesus did not teach us that the way, the truth and the life are about information. There will be no test after you die to determine how much information you have understood. No. The way, the truth and the life are a Person—Jesus. The only way to have salvation, truth and life—both abundant and eternal life—is through a relationship with a Person.
The claims of Jesus demand a decision. Either we believe his words and commit our lives to a relationship with Jesus, or we reject him entirely. There is no room in the middle.
We have lost some of this in the Twenty-First Century church. We come to church on Sunday mornings and wonder why we are not as strong as we once were. In the battle between church and culture, it seems that the culture is winning. And the culture is winning. Today, the culture has more influence on the church than the church has on the culture. The reason? We have compromised the message of Jesus.
We are more concerned with political correctness than the Gospel and the claims Jesus made about himself. We are more interested in making people happy than making people holy. We are more concerned about saving face than saving souls.
Yes. These are exclusive claims. Jesus is the only WAY to be saved; Jesus is the only TRUTH that matters; Jesus is the source of true LIFE. But this is inclusive as well. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life for us…And for anyone who believes in him.
John 14: 1 – 14.
I. Introduction.
Why do you read the Bible? Perhaps I am making an assumption about you. Do you read the Bible? I am assuming that you do, because you are worshipping in a Baptist Church. One of the distinctive things about Baptists is what we believe about the Bible. The Bible is the authority for our church and the authority for our families and individual lives.
Perhaps that would be your answer. “I read the Bible, because it is the authority for my life.” That would be a good answer, but that is not what I am asking.
A better question might be: What do you expect to receive when you read the Bible? I mean, do you turn to the Bible expecting to find something in particular?
There are several good answers to this question. Some people turn to the Bible to find direction for their lives. Some people read the Bible as a source for peace or comfort in troubled times. Some people read the Bible as a book of instructions—when all else fails, read the instructions.
For the past seven weeks, we have read Jesus’ “I am” statements in the Gospel of John. These seven statements are unique to the Gospel of John. They give us an insight into what Jesus believed and taught about himself. In a lot of ways, these seven statements help us to clarify the nature of Jesus by exploring his claims. Jesus claimed to be God. Jesus claimed to be the Savior of all who believe in him. The church did not later invent the idea of Jesus as the Son of God. Jesus taught it to both his disciples and to the crowds of people who listened to him.
These seven “I am” statements are doctrinal statements. As doctrinal statements, they do not fit neatly into the claim that the Bible is an instructional manual. Jesus’ words about himself do not contain instructions. Why would we read Jesus’ words about himself? What can we receive from these passages?
In John 20, we read a passage that explains why this Gospel was written and explains what we should expect from the Bible. “Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name (John 20: 29 – 31 NIV).”
Aha! THIS is why the Bible was written. THIS is why we read the Bible. THIS is what we can expect to receive when we read the Bible.
The Bible—especially the New Testament—was written by men who had lived with Jesus. They had seen him with their eyes, heard him with their ears, touched him with their hands. These men had experienced Jesus before the crucifixion and after the resurrection. They had an experience that changed their lives. They wrote down their experience with Jesus in order that we might have the same experience they had.
While it is certainly true that the Bible contains passages that can be used for direction, peace, comfort and instruction in life, this is not the primary reason we read the Bible. We read the Bible to experience Jesus—the ultimate revelation of God himself.
With that in mind, let’s read John 14, expecting to experience Jesus in these words…
Read John 14: 1 – 14.
The first words of this passage sound like words from a funeral message. There is a good reason to make this association. On one hand, these are some comforting words to people who have experienced loss as a result of death. On the other hand, these words were spoken by Jesus to a group of men who were also experiencing loss.
Jesus had just told his disciples that he was about to leave them. They had given their lives to Jesus for the past several years. Peter, Andrew, James and John had left their families and their businesses for Jesus. They had given up everything. And, now Jesus is about to abandon them.
Jesus had just told his disciples that one of them would be his betrayer. These twelve men had been close to Jesus and probably close to each other. It was more than they could comprehend to think one of these close friends would hand Jesus over to death. How could this happen?
Jesus had just told his disciples that Peter would act more like a coward than a rock. Peter would be so afraid that he would first run away, then deny ever knowing Jesus…Much less leaving his fishing business to become a disciple. Peter is not a coward. How could this be?
It is important to notice a contrast in Jesus’ words. Jesus speaks about a post Easter hope. However, these words were spoken before the crucifixion.
You and I can find peace and comfort from Jesus’ words, because we know about Easter. We know that Jesus is the Good Shepherd, who lays down his life for his sheep. We know that Jesus is the One who demonstrated the greatest form of love, by laying down his life for his friends. But, we also know that is not the end of the story. We also know that Jesus laid down his life in order to take it up again. We know that Jesus promised that his resurrection leads to the resurrection of all who believe in him.
The disciples were living in a pre-Easter world and were not ready for post-Easter hope. This explains Thomas’ question. In our post-Easter world, it is very comforting to hear Jesus say, “If I go to prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”
II. The Way.
Notice that Jesus did not tell his disciples that they know the place where he is going. Jesus merely said, “You know the way.” Jesus didn’t say anything about the destination. Jesus only talked about the way.
Of course, the disciples were preoccupied with the destination. They wanted to know the destination. Jesus’ destination would one day be the disciples’ destination. But, Jesus never talked about the destination. He only talked about the way.
We see this in Thomas’ question. “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
Disparaging Thomas is one of our favorite Christian pastimes. If anyone else had spoken these words, we would interpret them differently. Yet, Thomas is a “doubter,” so we like to discredit his words and interpret them as a sign of his growing doubts about Jesus.
I don’t think these words indicate doubt. Instead, I think Thomas speaks for most of us. We want to know where we are going before we get on the road. Where we are going determines which road we get on. You can’t drive to Nacogdoches on Highway 69. You can’t drive to Beaumont on Highway 59. We need to know where we are going before we get on the road.
I interpret Jesus’ answer to Thomas’ question as a reinterpretation about the way and the destination. It is true that the destination determines which road to take. However, it is also true that the road determines the destination. Jesus is the way. Jesus is the road. Wherever Jesus leads us is the right destination.
Jesus’ words in John 14: 6, are often used to demonstrate the exclusive nature of the Christian faith. While I believe Jesus is the only way to the Father, I also find Jesus’ words to be very inclusive as well. Jesus did not say, “I am the way, and only the Jews will make it to Heaven.” Jesus did not say, “I am the way, and only the morally upright will be saved.” Jesus did not say, “I am the way, and only the people who attend the right church will have eternal life.”
Jesus’ words are exclusive in the way he defines salvation through Jesus and no other way. But, Jesus’ words are inclusive in the way he refuses to affix any other form of righteousness to salvation. In other words, Jesus is the way for all races—both Jew and Gentile; red and yellow, black and white. Jesus is the way for all sinners—good works can not save anyone. Jesus is the way for all religions—your church membership does not save you.
Many of us are guilty of adding an extra word to Jesus’ statement. We like to interpret Jesus’ statement as if Jesus said, “I am in the way.” Jesus is the way for all people to be saved. Jesus is not in the way, preventing anyone from having eternal life.
Look at the life of Jesus as an example. The Gospels tell us that Jesus reached out to everyone. Jews and Gentiles came to Jesus. Religious people and reputed sinners came to Jesus. Sick people and well people came to Jesus. Men and women came to Jesus. And, Jesus never turned anyone away.
Yes. This is an exclusive claim that no one can be saved without Jesus. But, it is also inclusive…Anyone can be saved with Jesus.
III. The Truth.
Jesus did not only claim to be the way. Jesus claimed to be the truth. These are two offensive claims in the Twenty-First Century. How can anyone in the Twenty-First Century be so narrow-minded to believe in only one way to salvation and only one truth? After all, isn’t truth subjective? The same truth cannot be applied to all people.
Jesus’ claim to be the truth ought to be compared with his life and teachings. In the Gospel of John, Jesus demonstrated himself in a series of miraculous signs. Jesus taught his disciples and the crowds about his unity with God. Jesus did nothing out of his own will or initiative. Jesus performed signs, taught the people and ultimately laid down his life in obedience to God’s will.
Jesus is the truth, because Jesus reveals God. The miracles demonstrate that Jesus had power over nature—even power over life and death, as the resurrection of Lazarus shows us. Jesus claimed to be One with God. He claimed to be the Son of God. And, now he tells us that to see Jesus is the see God. This would be a very difficult thing to accept without the evidence of the miracles—especially the miracle of Jesus’ own resurrection.
Again, Jesus’ words were spoken to a pre-Easter world. Today, we hear Jesus’ words in a post-Easter world. The difference between hearing Jesus’ words before Easter and after Easter is that today we can test Jesus’ claims. If Jesus was never resurrected, then we have plenty of reasons not to believe him. If Jesus was resurrected, we need to take his words seriously.
Many people have made claims that Jesus never rose again. The greatest argument against the resurrection has always been, “Stuff like that doesn’t happen.” There is no historical evidence to discredit the resurrection.
The Jews could not produce the dead body of Jesus. We know that after the crucifixion Jesus’ body was placed in a tomb. We know that Roman soldiers stood guard at the entrance to the tomb. This tells us people knew where the tomb was located. This tells us that if Jesus’ body was still in the tomb it would have been found.
The disciples started preaching the Gospel of Jesus in the city of Jerusalem. The citizens of Jerusalem were the same people who had witnessed the crucifixion of Jesus. These people had seen Jesus die with their own eyes. The people of Jerusalem were the least likely to believe that Jesus had been resurrected. Yet, just a few days after the resurrection, three thousand people believed.
The disciples were different after the resurrection. How can we explain the change in James, the brother of Jesus? Before Jesus died, James did not believe. After the resurrection, James gave his life for Jesus. How can we explain the change in Peter? Before the crucifixion, Peter was a coward, who ran away and denied Jesus. After the resurrection, Peter preached with power. Both James and Peter were executed for their belief in Jesus’ resurrection. Did they die for something that never happened? Why didn’t they recant?
Jesus is the truth, not because he only told the truth. Jesus is the truth, because he has revealed God to us. God loves us so much that he provided the only way for humans to be saved. It took a cross and a resurrection. This is the only truth that truly matters. This is the truth by which all other claims to truth ought to be judged.
IV. The Life.
Life is a recurring and consistent theme in the Gospel of John. Jesus came so that we might have life more abundantly. You were not created to have an adequate life. God wants you to live a thrilling and fulfilled life. God wants you to have life to the fullest extent…Abundant Life. There are three things we can say about Abundant Life…
1. Abundant Life is Knowing and Being Known… Through faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, you can know God and be known by God. God is not a distant and detached God. God knows you by name and wants to be in relationship with you. God is concerned about every aspect of your life, from the biggest decisions you make to the days when you don’t feel like going to work. Imagine how horrible it would be to live in complete anonymity. We all want to be known by others. Jesus gives us an opportunity to be known by God.
2. Abundant Life is Having a Purpose… Jesus saves us from sin, but that is not all. Jesus saves us from sin and saves us for a mission to the world. It would be terribly selfish for us to think that Jesus saves us so that we can brag about being God’s people. This is similar to the mistake the Jews made. They had forgotten that God had given them an assignment to be a blessing to the entire world. They thought God had saved them to sit there. God doesn’t save anyone to sit there. God saves us to continue the work of Jesus in the world. On one hand, this is a Gospel mission—to share the story of Jesus so others can be saved. On the other hand, this is a mission of love. God calls us to be outwardly focused…Not focused entirely on ourselves as individuals or focused only on our church. We are to leave the walls of the church to serve the world and to bring others to Jesus as the door.
3. Abundant Life is Freedom… In the Old Testament, we read about God’s standards for his people. We know by personal experience that no one can fully live up to God’s expectations. Therefore, we live in fear of God’s wrath. The cross of Christ tells us that we don’t have to face the wrath of God. Those who have faith in Jesus have God’s assurance that he is not angry with us anymore and will never be angry again. This is true freedom. If God is not angry with us, then the Law, sin, death and Satan no longer have any power over us. Their power over us comes in the form of fear and guilt. Jesus gives us the freedom to live without fear and guilt. Abundant Life is a life free from fear and guilt.
The only way to have this kind of life is with Jesus…
V. Conclusion.
Back to the concept of experience…Jesus did not teach us that the way, the truth and the life are about information. There will be no test after you die to determine how much information you have understood. No. The way, the truth and the life are a Person—Jesus. The only way to have salvation, truth and life—both abundant and eternal life—is through a relationship with a Person.
The claims of Jesus demand a decision. Either we believe his words and commit our lives to a relationship with Jesus, or we reject him entirely. There is no room in the middle.
We have lost some of this in the Twenty-First Century church. We come to church on Sunday mornings and wonder why we are not as strong as we once were. In the battle between church and culture, it seems that the culture is winning. And the culture is winning. Today, the culture has more influence on the church than the church has on the culture. The reason? We have compromised the message of Jesus.
We are more concerned with political correctness than the Gospel and the claims Jesus made about himself. We are more interested in making people happy than making people holy. We are more concerned about saving face than saving souls.
Yes. These are exclusive claims. Jesus is the only WAY to be saved; Jesus is the only TRUTH that matters; Jesus is the source of true LIFE. But this is inclusive as well. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life for us…And for anyone who believes in him.
Sunday, April 04, 2010
Easter Sunday 2010: Jesus, The Resurrection and Life
Jesus: The Resurrection and the Life
John 11: 25 – 26.
I. Introduction.
I had a birthday this week. On Friday, I turned the same age as my mother. We are both 39.
Do you want to guess what I did to observe my birthday? I buried our ten year old dog. Now, keep in mind what Friday was on the Christian calendar. It was Good Friday…The day Jesus died on the cross and was buried.
That sounds like a bad birthday. However, it reminded me of the day I turned 30. For some people, moving from the 20’s to the 30’s can be a traumatic experience. What did you do on your 30th birthday? I observed my 30th birthday by preaching a funeral!
I remember it very well. The man who died, Mr. Miles, was very well known in our small town and was a member of a small Methodist church. But his son was a member of our Baptist church. Before he died, Mr. Miles had been very active in the senior adult ministry of our Baptist church. We became good friends.
Mr. Miles died suddenly on a Friday. His son called me on Saturday and asked me to preach the funeral on Monday—my birthday. I met with the family on Sunday afternoon to plan out the service. While we were planning the service, both the son and the widow told me how much Mr. Miles loved me and would have chosen me to preach his funeral.
When I left the family home, I remember feeling very honored to be asked to preach this funeral. I had only known Mr. Miles for a couple of years. Yet, here I was being asked to speak about his life and to preach the Gospel at his funeral.
In fact, I was so honored by this opportunity that I spent the night before the funeral thinking about it. I was preaching Mr. Miles funeral after knowing him for only a couple of years. Who would preach my funeral? Who would I want to preach my funeral? Who would I want to sing at my funeral? What would I want my funeral service to look like?
That is when I realized…On the night before my 30th birthday, I was planning my own funeral!
How comfortable are you with talking about death? I suppose I have two scenarios in mind. On one hand, are you able to talk about your own death with your friends and family members? On the other hand, when someone close to you is facing the certainty of death, can you talk with them about it?
Sometimes we make matters worse for our loved ones when we are afraid of speaking about death. When a person knows that he or she is facing death, they often want to face it open and honestly. If we change the subject because we are afraid, we can actually create a real sense of loneliness and isolation.
I think we are afraid to talk about death, because we are afraid of death. Death is the great unknown for most of us. We have never experienced death firsthand. We know what we believe about death, but it is still unknown.
Some people are afraid of the pain of death. It will cause pain for our loved ones, and no one really knows if we will feel pain ourselves.
Other people are afraid of what comes after death. Will death be total annihilation and destruction? Or can the promises of Scripture be believed?
In John 11, we read a story about Jesus and a promise from Jesus. Both the story and the promise show us that Jesus has declared war on death.
Read John 11: 25 – 26.
These verses contain Jesus’ promise to all who believe in him. Interestingly, the promise occurs almost exactly in the middle of the story.
John 11 begins with Jesus and his disciples about a day’s journey away from Jerusalem. The religious leaders of Jerusalem had previously tried to stone Jesus for his claim to be the Son of God. But, John tells us that Jesus simply walked away unharmed, because it “was not yet his time.”
Jesus was in control of his time. He knew that God had sent him to accomplish a specific purpose. He even tells us about his purpose. Jesus is the Good Shepherd, who lays down his life for his sheep. Jesus is the friend who demonstrates love in its greatest form, because “Greater love has no one than this that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Jesus was sent for the purpose of laying down his life. However, this purpose was to be done on God’s terms and on God’s timetable…Not because human individuals or human institutions plotted to kill Jesus.
While Jesus and his disciples were away, they received word that Jesus’ friend Lazarus was at the point of death. Now, this is important for at least a couple of reasons. On one hand, Lazarus lived in Bethany, about two miles from Jerusalem—the place where the political and religious leaders wanted Jesus dead. On the other hand, it sounds like an attempt to force Jesus into action.
Since Jesus loved Lazarus, we expect Jesus to do something. We know that Jesus has the power to heal the sick. We have read that in the Gospel of John and in the other Gospels. So, we expect Jesus to go to Bethany to heal his friend. But, that is not what Jesus did.
We also know that Jesus doesn’t have to be present to heal the sick. The other Gospels tell stories about Jesus’ healing the sick without being physically present. So, we expect Jesus to make a declaration and heal Lazarus from 20 miles away. But, that is not what Jesus did.
Instead, Jesus defied all logic. First, he remained where he was for two more days—waiting while Lazarus died. Second, Jesus went back to Bethany, where he could be found by the Jewish leaders.
When Jesus arrived in Bethany, he met with Lazarus’ sisters—Martha and Mary. He offers a word of comfort by saying, “I am the Resurrection and the Life.” Imagine how empty these words must have sounded to Martha and Mary. The resurrection had not yet taken place. Jesus had not been resurrected, and Lazarus had not been resurrected. But, Jesus is talking about resurrection. Martha thought Jesus was referring to the Jewish hope in a final resurrection for those who were faithful.
This is where the story takes a turn. The one who claims to be the resurrection and the life asks to be led to the tomb of Lazarus. At the tomb, Jesus calls for the mourners to roll away the stone. Then, Jesus prays. After his prayer, Jesus calls in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” And, he did.
Now, a resurrection has happened! The one who claimed to be the resurrection and the life has made good on his promise. Jesus has the power to bring life out of death. If Jesus has power over death, then perhaps we should listen to his promises.
That is exactly what half the crowd of mourners did. When they witnessed Jesus’ power over death, they believed Jesus’ claim to be the Son of God. Half of the people believed in Jesus and became his disciples.
Not everyone believed. The other half of the people ran to the religious and political leaders and told what Jesus had done. Almost immediately, the Jewish leaders launched a plot to kill Jesus.
It was now obvious that nothing is too difficult for Jesus. Jesus has healed the sick; cast out demons; made the lame to walk; opened the eyes of the blind; and now has raised the dead. Nothing is too difficult for the one who can raise the dead.
According to John’s Gospel, the resurrection of Lazarus was the “straw that broke the camel’s back.” This was the one event—the one miracle—that set in motion the series of events that led to Jesus’ crucifixion. Of course, the crucifixion was not the end of the story. Yes. Jesus died on the cross and was buried by his friends. But, the crucifixion led to the resurrection.
I think John wants us to see a connection between the story of Lazarus and the story of Jesus. Lazarus was placed in a tomb with a stone sealing the entrance. Before Lazarus was raised, the stone was rolled away. Lazarus’ dead body was wrapped in linen cloths. Before Lazarus walked into his new life, the grave clothes were left behind. This sounds like the story of Easter.
John makes a connection between Lazarus and Jesus. But, look again at John 11: 25 – 26: “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?’” Jesus makes a connection between his resurrection and our resurrection.
Imagine what it would be like if Jesus had made this promise, but never rose again. If Jesus promised resurrection to those who believe but never rose again, then Jesus would be just another failed religious leader. Jesus would be simply another human who promised things he could not fulfill.
Now, imagine what it would be like if Jesus rose again, but never made this promise. If there were no promise that we would be resurrected, then Jesus’ resurrection would mean nothing. Well, it would mean something. It would mean that God has vindicated Jesus in the face of all his opponents. It would mean that God was on Jesus’ side and that all other religious teachers were false teachers. But it would not mean anything to you and me today.
Fortunately, neither of these is true. The truth is that Jesus died on the cross and rose again. AND, Jesus promised resurrection to everyone who believes in him.
The resurrection of Jesus has the power to change lives. Look at some of the lives that have been changed by the resurrection…
II. Peter.
Before Jesus was crucified, Peter was a “larger than life disciple.” He had his moments of greatness. There was a time in Caesarea Philippi when Peter confessed Jesus to be “the Christ, the Son of the living God.” At that moment, Peter understood. But, Peter did not always understand.
Remember the story of Jesus’ walking on the water? Peter asked Jesus to let him walk out to him. Jesus invited Peter to get out of the boat. Peter walked on water as long as he looked to Jesus. But, when Peter noticed the waves and the depth of the water beneath him, he began to sink. He didn’t have faith.
Or remember the night before the crucifixion? Peter promised Jesus that even if all the disciples ran away from Jesus, Peter would hold steady. That’s not exactly what happened. Peter ran away, just like the others. Then, he was confronted by a slave girl; and Peter denied Jesus three times.
Before the crucifixion, Peter was courageous with his words and cowardly with his actions. But, the resurrection changed all this. Once Peter saw the risen Jesus, he became a great leader in the church and missionary outside the church. The Book of Acts tells us that Peter went to jail for preaching the resurrection. Church legend tells us that Peter was crucified for preaching the resurrection.
III. James.
Before Jesus was crucified, the Gospels tell us that James, the brother of Jesus, did not believe in his brother. In fact, it was just the opposite. James and his other brothers and sisters tried to get Jesus to quit preaching. Mark 3: 21 says that Jesus’ family tried to “take charge of him for they said, ‘He is out of his mind.’” John 7: 5 says, “For even his own brothers did not believe in him.”
Then we read in the Book of Acts that James was present in the Upper Room on the Day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was given to the church. We also read that James became the primary leader for the Christian church at Jerusalem.
Before the cross, James was NOT a disciple of Jesus. After the resurrection, James believed and gave his life for Jesus.
IV. The Reality of Resurrection.
The stories of Peter and James point to the reality of the resurrection. There is no other explanation for the change that took place.
Some people say that the church created the resurrection. I say, it is the other way around. The resurrection created the church. If the resurrection never happened, there would be no church…There would be no Christian faith.
V. Conclusion.
A wonderful part of the Easter story is not that resurrection is possible. It is that resurrection is impossible. We are here today, because God can do the impossible.
Why did you come to church today? Did you come because you were expected to come? Did you come to show your new Easter clothes? Did you come because it just what you do? Or, did you come because you truly believe Jesus is risen?
If you believe Jesus is risen, then you believe that God can do the impossible. There is nothing too difficult for the God that raises the dead. There is no person too sick for God to cure. There is no economic recession too deep for God to heal. There is no personal bankruptcy too severe for God to fix. There is no marriage too broken for God to restore. There is no sin too great for God to forgive.
The resurrection has the power to change lives.
And don’t forget…Jesus said if you believe, you too can experience resurrection. The one who raised the dead…The one who himself came back from the dead…Promises eternal life to anyone who believes.
The resurrection has the power to change lives.
John 11: 25 – 26.
I. Introduction.
I had a birthday this week. On Friday, I turned the same age as my mother. We are both 39.
Do you want to guess what I did to observe my birthday? I buried our ten year old dog. Now, keep in mind what Friday was on the Christian calendar. It was Good Friday…The day Jesus died on the cross and was buried.
That sounds like a bad birthday. However, it reminded me of the day I turned 30. For some people, moving from the 20’s to the 30’s can be a traumatic experience. What did you do on your 30th birthday? I observed my 30th birthday by preaching a funeral!
I remember it very well. The man who died, Mr. Miles, was very well known in our small town and was a member of a small Methodist church. But his son was a member of our Baptist church. Before he died, Mr. Miles had been very active in the senior adult ministry of our Baptist church. We became good friends.
Mr. Miles died suddenly on a Friday. His son called me on Saturday and asked me to preach the funeral on Monday—my birthday. I met with the family on Sunday afternoon to plan out the service. While we were planning the service, both the son and the widow told me how much Mr. Miles loved me and would have chosen me to preach his funeral.
When I left the family home, I remember feeling very honored to be asked to preach this funeral. I had only known Mr. Miles for a couple of years. Yet, here I was being asked to speak about his life and to preach the Gospel at his funeral.
In fact, I was so honored by this opportunity that I spent the night before the funeral thinking about it. I was preaching Mr. Miles funeral after knowing him for only a couple of years. Who would preach my funeral? Who would I want to preach my funeral? Who would I want to sing at my funeral? What would I want my funeral service to look like?
That is when I realized…On the night before my 30th birthday, I was planning my own funeral!
How comfortable are you with talking about death? I suppose I have two scenarios in mind. On one hand, are you able to talk about your own death with your friends and family members? On the other hand, when someone close to you is facing the certainty of death, can you talk with them about it?
Sometimes we make matters worse for our loved ones when we are afraid of speaking about death. When a person knows that he or she is facing death, they often want to face it open and honestly. If we change the subject because we are afraid, we can actually create a real sense of loneliness and isolation.
I think we are afraid to talk about death, because we are afraid of death. Death is the great unknown for most of us. We have never experienced death firsthand. We know what we believe about death, but it is still unknown.
Some people are afraid of the pain of death. It will cause pain for our loved ones, and no one really knows if we will feel pain ourselves.
Other people are afraid of what comes after death. Will death be total annihilation and destruction? Or can the promises of Scripture be believed?
In John 11, we read a story about Jesus and a promise from Jesus. Both the story and the promise show us that Jesus has declared war on death.
Read John 11: 25 – 26.
These verses contain Jesus’ promise to all who believe in him. Interestingly, the promise occurs almost exactly in the middle of the story.
John 11 begins with Jesus and his disciples about a day’s journey away from Jerusalem. The religious leaders of Jerusalem had previously tried to stone Jesus for his claim to be the Son of God. But, John tells us that Jesus simply walked away unharmed, because it “was not yet his time.”
Jesus was in control of his time. He knew that God had sent him to accomplish a specific purpose. He even tells us about his purpose. Jesus is the Good Shepherd, who lays down his life for his sheep. Jesus is the friend who demonstrates love in its greatest form, because “Greater love has no one than this that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Jesus was sent for the purpose of laying down his life. However, this purpose was to be done on God’s terms and on God’s timetable…Not because human individuals or human institutions plotted to kill Jesus.
While Jesus and his disciples were away, they received word that Jesus’ friend Lazarus was at the point of death. Now, this is important for at least a couple of reasons. On one hand, Lazarus lived in Bethany, about two miles from Jerusalem—the place where the political and religious leaders wanted Jesus dead. On the other hand, it sounds like an attempt to force Jesus into action.
Since Jesus loved Lazarus, we expect Jesus to do something. We know that Jesus has the power to heal the sick. We have read that in the Gospel of John and in the other Gospels. So, we expect Jesus to go to Bethany to heal his friend. But, that is not what Jesus did.
We also know that Jesus doesn’t have to be present to heal the sick. The other Gospels tell stories about Jesus’ healing the sick without being physically present. So, we expect Jesus to make a declaration and heal Lazarus from 20 miles away. But, that is not what Jesus did.
Instead, Jesus defied all logic. First, he remained where he was for two more days—waiting while Lazarus died. Second, Jesus went back to Bethany, where he could be found by the Jewish leaders.
When Jesus arrived in Bethany, he met with Lazarus’ sisters—Martha and Mary. He offers a word of comfort by saying, “I am the Resurrection and the Life.” Imagine how empty these words must have sounded to Martha and Mary. The resurrection had not yet taken place. Jesus had not been resurrected, and Lazarus had not been resurrected. But, Jesus is talking about resurrection. Martha thought Jesus was referring to the Jewish hope in a final resurrection for those who were faithful.
This is where the story takes a turn. The one who claims to be the resurrection and the life asks to be led to the tomb of Lazarus. At the tomb, Jesus calls for the mourners to roll away the stone. Then, Jesus prays. After his prayer, Jesus calls in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” And, he did.
Now, a resurrection has happened! The one who claimed to be the resurrection and the life has made good on his promise. Jesus has the power to bring life out of death. If Jesus has power over death, then perhaps we should listen to his promises.
That is exactly what half the crowd of mourners did. When they witnessed Jesus’ power over death, they believed Jesus’ claim to be the Son of God. Half of the people believed in Jesus and became his disciples.
Not everyone believed. The other half of the people ran to the religious and political leaders and told what Jesus had done. Almost immediately, the Jewish leaders launched a plot to kill Jesus.
It was now obvious that nothing is too difficult for Jesus. Jesus has healed the sick; cast out demons; made the lame to walk; opened the eyes of the blind; and now has raised the dead. Nothing is too difficult for the one who can raise the dead.
According to John’s Gospel, the resurrection of Lazarus was the “straw that broke the camel’s back.” This was the one event—the one miracle—that set in motion the series of events that led to Jesus’ crucifixion. Of course, the crucifixion was not the end of the story. Yes. Jesus died on the cross and was buried by his friends. But, the crucifixion led to the resurrection.
I think John wants us to see a connection between the story of Lazarus and the story of Jesus. Lazarus was placed in a tomb with a stone sealing the entrance. Before Lazarus was raised, the stone was rolled away. Lazarus’ dead body was wrapped in linen cloths. Before Lazarus walked into his new life, the grave clothes were left behind. This sounds like the story of Easter.
John makes a connection between Lazarus and Jesus. But, look again at John 11: 25 – 26: “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?’” Jesus makes a connection between his resurrection and our resurrection.
Imagine what it would be like if Jesus had made this promise, but never rose again. If Jesus promised resurrection to those who believe but never rose again, then Jesus would be just another failed religious leader. Jesus would be simply another human who promised things he could not fulfill.
Now, imagine what it would be like if Jesus rose again, but never made this promise. If there were no promise that we would be resurrected, then Jesus’ resurrection would mean nothing. Well, it would mean something. It would mean that God has vindicated Jesus in the face of all his opponents. It would mean that God was on Jesus’ side and that all other religious teachers were false teachers. But it would not mean anything to you and me today.
Fortunately, neither of these is true. The truth is that Jesus died on the cross and rose again. AND, Jesus promised resurrection to everyone who believes in him.
The resurrection of Jesus has the power to change lives. Look at some of the lives that have been changed by the resurrection…
II. Peter.
Before Jesus was crucified, Peter was a “larger than life disciple.” He had his moments of greatness. There was a time in Caesarea Philippi when Peter confessed Jesus to be “the Christ, the Son of the living God.” At that moment, Peter understood. But, Peter did not always understand.
Remember the story of Jesus’ walking on the water? Peter asked Jesus to let him walk out to him. Jesus invited Peter to get out of the boat. Peter walked on water as long as he looked to Jesus. But, when Peter noticed the waves and the depth of the water beneath him, he began to sink. He didn’t have faith.
Or remember the night before the crucifixion? Peter promised Jesus that even if all the disciples ran away from Jesus, Peter would hold steady. That’s not exactly what happened. Peter ran away, just like the others. Then, he was confronted by a slave girl; and Peter denied Jesus three times.
Before the crucifixion, Peter was courageous with his words and cowardly with his actions. But, the resurrection changed all this. Once Peter saw the risen Jesus, he became a great leader in the church and missionary outside the church. The Book of Acts tells us that Peter went to jail for preaching the resurrection. Church legend tells us that Peter was crucified for preaching the resurrection.
III. James.
Before Jesus was crucified, the Gospels tell us that James, the brother of Jesus, did not believe in his brother. In fact, it was just the opposite. James and his other brothers and sisters tried to get Jesus to quit preaching. Mark 3: 21 says that Jesus’ family tried to “take charge of him for they said, ‘He is out of his mind.’” John 7: 5 says, “For even his own brothers did not believe in him.”
Then we read in the Book of Acts that James was present in the Upper Room on the Day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was given to the church. We also read that James became the primary leader for the Christian church at Jerusalem.
Before the cross, James was NOT a disciple of Jesus. After the resurrection, James believed and gave his life for Jesus.
IV. The Reality of Resurrection.
The stories of Peter and James point to the reality of the resurrection. There is no other explanation for the change that took place.
Some people say that the church created the resurrection. I say, it is the other way around. The resurrection created the church. If the resurrection never happened, there would be no church…There would be no Christian faith.
V. Conclusion.
A wonderful part of the Easter story is not that resurrection is possible. It is that resurrection is impossible. We are here today, because God can do the impossible.
Why did you come to church today? Did you come because you were expected to come? Did you come to show your new Easter clothes? Did you come because it just what you do? Or, did you come because you truly believe Jesus is risen?
If you believe Jesus is risen, then you believe that God can do the impossible. There is nothing too difficult for the God that raises the dead. There is no person too sick for God to cure. There is no economic recession too deep for God to heal. There is no personal bankruptcy too severe for God to fix. There is no marriage too broken for God to restore. There is no sin too great for God to forgive.
The resurrection has the power to change lives.
And don’t forget…Jesus said if you believe, you too can experience resurrection. The one who raised the dead…The one who himself came back from the dead…Promises eternal life to anyone who believes.
The resurrection has the power to change lives.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010: Jesus, The True Vine
Jesus: The True Vine
John 15: 1 – 17.
I. Introduction.
Some of you will recognize the name Buzz Aldrin as the 80 year old man who is the oldest contestant on the TV show “Dancing with the Stars.” Others will recongnize Buzz Aldrin as the astronaut, who became the second man to walk on the moon 40 years ago. Last Sunday, I discovered an interesting fact about Buzz Aldrin. He was the first person—and possibly the only person—to take communion in outer space.[1]
At the time of the moon launch, Buzz Aldrin was serving as an elder of the Webster Presbyterian Church in Houston, Texas. He met with his pastor to ask for suggestions of ways to do something meaningful when he landed on the moon. Aldrin and his pastor came up with the idea of taking communion on the moon.
When Apollo 11 landed on the moon on July 20, 1969, Buzz Aldrin spoke these words over the open radio back to earth: “I would like to request a few moments of silence…and to invite each person listening in, wherever and whomever they may be, to pause for a moment and contemplate the events of the past few hours, and to give thanks in his or her own way.” At this point radio communication went silent.
In the silence, Aldrin pulled out a communion wafer and a small vial of wine. He poured the wine into a cup and waited for it to settle into the cup. They were in the moon’s gravity, so it took longer than pouring liquid on earth. When the wine settled into the cup, Aldrin read these words from a hand written note card: “And Jesus said, ‘I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, and I in him, will bear much fruit; for you can do nothing without me.’”[2]
An interesting thing about this story is the fact that it was reported after the fact and mentioned in Buzz Aldrin’s two books. However, it was not known at the time. People on earth had no idea that Aldrin was reading a Bible verse and taking communion during the radio silence. Aldrin says this is because NASA and the U.S. government were already fighting lawsuits from famed atheist Madalyn Murray O’Hair about other Bible verses read publicly from space.
Another interesting thing is the way Aldrin connected these words with the Lord’s Supper. There are some scholars who think that is what Jesus intended. After all, John 13 records the events of Jesus and his disciples eating the Last Supper in the upper room—and most scholars think that the words of John 15 were probably spoken after supper while reclining around the table.
I find it unlikely that this is a reference to the Lord’s Supper. Sure, we can make a connection between “I am the vine” and the “fruit of the vine.” But, what about the bread? Since there is no reference to the bread of the Lord’s Supper, I think Jesus has something else in mind.
Read John 15: 1 – 17.
Jesus is drawing on a common image. We all know what a vine looks like. We have seen grape vines and honeysuckle vines. Even with a limited knowledge of horticulture, we can understand what he is talking about. A vine is a form of a plant. It’s a little more hearty than a blade of grass, but it is not quite as firm (or wooden) as a tree trunk. A vine doesn’t have leaves on it, but it does have branches. The leaves and the fruit of the vine grow on the branches.
II. True Vine… John 15: 1 – 2… I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.
Notice that Jesus’ first words are not “I am the vine.” Rather, Jesus said, “I am the TRUE vine.” If Jesus is the true vine, then it seems likely that Jesus is reminding his disciples about a false vine…Or perhaps an imitation vine.
Maybe Jesus is drawing on our common knowledge of creation. What we think of as a vine is ultimately an imitation of Jesus. Maybe Jesus wants us to think of the difference between heaven and earth. Earthly realities are only temporary and symbolize the eternal nature of God and heaven. (That doesn’t really sound like Jesus. It actually sounds more like Plato.)
Instead, I think Jesus has another vine in mind. Like the vine we read about in Psalm 80: 8 – 16, “Restore us, O God Almighty; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved. You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it. You cleared the ground for it, and it took root and filled the land. The mountains were covered with its shade, the mighty cedars with its branches. It sent out its boughs to the Sea, its shoots as far as the River. Why have you broken down its walls so that all who pass by pick its grapes? Boars from the forest ravage it and the creatures of the field feed on it. Return to us, O God Almighty! Look down from heaven and see! Watch over this vine, the root your right hand has planted, the son you have raised up for yourself. Your vine is cut down, it is burned with fire; at your rebuke your people perish.”
And the vine in Jeremiah 2: 21, “I had planted you like a choice vine of sound and reliable stock. How then did you turn against me into a corrupt, wild vine?”
In these Old Testament references, we see that the people of Israel were often referred to as a vine. Israel was no ordinary vine. They were a vine planted by God’s own hand. They were God’s own vine…God’s own people. They had a special relationship with God by virtue of the fact that they were Israel.
When Jesus claimed to be the true vine, he has spoken a word of judgment against Israel. Israel is not the true vine. They are a false vine…an imitation vine…a wild vine that no longer serves the purposes of the gardener.
In other words, Jesus teaches us that it is possible to have a true relationship with God. However, that relationship is only possible through Jesus himself. Relationship with God is not based on race, religion or politics. Relationship with God is only possible to those who are connected to Jesus—the true vine.
III. Remain in Jesus… John 15: 4… Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
In verse 4, Jesus gives us a command to “remain” in him. The Greek word translated “remain” is one of the first words Greek students learn when they study biblical Greek. The basic meaning of this word is “to remain” or “to abide.” This explains why the King James Version uses the word “abide” instead of “remain.”
“Abide” is probably a better choice than “remain.” “Remain” makes it sound like Jesus is challenging us to “stay saved,” as if it were possible to fall out of salvation. But, “abide” is just as difficult, because it is not a word we use very regularly. It’s difficult to understand what Jesus means.
To abide is to live. An abode is a home. Perhaps we can capture the meaning of Jesus’ words with something like, “make yourself at home”… You know there is a difference between living somewhere and “making yourself at home.”
IV. Bear Fruit.
Product…Result…Harvest. Fruit is not something that we produce. It is the natural, organic by product of a life connected to Jesus.
1. Life…John 15: 6…If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.
Vital connection…It is the connection that leads to life. Branches that are not connected to the vine can do nothing but wither and die…Branch in the vine vs. Stick in the mud
2. Prayer…John 15: 7…If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.
Being connected to Jesus requires that our thoughts become conformed to Jesus’ thoughts…our desires the same as Jesus’ desires…Therefore, anything we desire is within God’s will
3. Obedience…John 15: 10…If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.
Jesus’ understanding of discipleship involves a total change in life. Jesus makes demands of our faith, but he also makes demands of our ethical behavior.
4. Joy…John 15: 11…I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
The human understanding of joy is really no different from happiness or pleasure. However, the Bible speaks of joy differently. The Bible says that we can find joy in the midst of trials and persecution. The Bible says we can find joy when the world around us is grieving.
On one hand, joy can be the same thing as happiness—like all our Baylor folks felt Friday night and Saturday afternoon when both basketball teams made it into the Elite Eight. On the other hand, joy can simply be the way we perceive ourselves. In this case, joy does not depend on our circumstances or our basketball teams.
In this sense, joy has heavenly perspective.
5. Love…John 15: 12 – 13…My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
Jesus tells us two things about love. First, Jesus expects us to love each other. Second, Jesus explains how we are supposed to love each other.
Jesus does not qualify love by defining whom we are to love. We are to love each other. This seems to be a reference to the disciples loving other disciples. In our context, it refers to Christians loving Christians and church people loving church people. Jesus didn’t tell us to love only the people we want to love. We don’t get to choose. If someone is a disciple of Jesus, we are to love them. If someone is a member of the church, we are to love them.
The only qualification Jesus gave us is when he told us to love each other in the same way he first loved us. Jesus’ love for us was not a warm fuzzy feeling. Jesus’ love was an action. Jesus loved us by laying down his life on the cross. Jesus was not murdered or executed. Jesus did not die a tragic and untimely death. Jesus was in control of both his life and his death. He willingly and voluntarily gave his life for you and me. Now, Jesus asks us to do the same for each other.
Death is not the only way we can lay down our lives for others. Sometimes, laying down your life is nothing more than putting the needs of someone else ahead of your own needs. Sometimes, we love each other by delaying our own dreams and ambitions so that someone else can realize their dreams and ambitions.
Jesus defines love as self-sacrificial actions. Give your life for others.
6. Mission…John 15: 16…You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-- fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.
V. Conclusion.
John the Elder in Ephesus… “Little children, Love one another…Little children, Love one another…Little children, Love one another…”
[1] http://www.snopes.com/glurge/communion.asp
[2]http://content.usatoday.com/_common/_scripts/big_picture.aspx?width=490&height=726&storyURL=/news/nation/2007-09-19-3188379411_x.htm&imageURL=http://images.usatoday.com/Wires2Web/20070919/3188379411_US_Astronaut_Auctionx-large.jpg
John 15: 1 – 17.
I. Introduction.
Some of you will recognize the name Buzz Aldrin as the 80 year old man who is the oldest contestant on the TV show “Dancing with the Stars.” Others will recongnize Buzz Aldrin as the astronaut, who became the second man to walk on the moon 40 years ago. Last Sunday, I discovered an interesting fact about Buzz Aldrin. He was the first person—and possibly the only person—to take communion in outer space.[1]
At the time of the moon launch, Buzz Aldrin was serving as an elder of the Webster Presbyterian Church in Houston, Texas. He met with his pastor to ask for suggestions of ways to do something meaningful when he landed on the moon. Aldrin and his pastor came up with the idea of taking communion on the moon.
When Apollo 11 landed on the moon on July 20, 1969, Buzz Aldrin spoke these words over the open radio back to earth: “I would like to request a few moments of silence…and to invite each person listening in, wherever and whomever they may be, to pause for a moment and contemplate the events of the past few hours, and to give thanks in his or her own way.” At this point radio communication went silent.
In the silence, Aldrin pulled out a communion wafer and a small vial of wine. He poured the wine into a cup and waited for it to settle into the cup. They were in the moon’s gravity, so it took longer than pouring liquid on earth. When the wine settled into the cup, Aldrin read these words from a hand written note card: “And Jesus said, ‘I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, and I in him, will bear much fruit; for you can do nothing without me.’”[2]
An interesting thing about this story is the fact that it was reported after the fact and mentioned in Buzz Aldrin’s two books. However, it was not known at the time. People on earth had no idea that Aldrin was reading a Bible verse and taking communion during the radio silence. Aldrin says this is because NASA and the U.S. government were already fighting lawsuits from famed atheist Madalyn Murray O’Hair about other Bible verses read publicly from space.
Another interesting thing is the way Aldrin connected these words with the Lord’s Supper. There are some scholars who think that is what Jesus intended. After all, John 13 records the events of Jesus and his disciples eating the Last Supper in the upper room—and most scholars think that the words of John 15 were probably spoken after supper while reclining around the table.
I find it unlikely that this is a reference to the Lord’s Supper. Sure, we can make a connection between “I am the vine” and the “fruit of the vine.” But, what about the bread? Since there is no reference to the bread of the Lord’s Supper, I think Jesus has something else in mind.
Read John 15: 1 – 17.
Jesus is drawing on a common image. We all know what a vine looks like. We have seen grape vines and honeysuckle vines. Even with a limited knowledge of horticulture, we can understand what he is talking about. A vine is a form of a plant. It’s a little more hearty than a blade of grass, but it is not quite as firm (or wooden) as a tree trunk. A vine doesn’t have leaves on it, but it does have branches. The leaves and the fruit of the vine grow on the branches.
II. True Vine… John 15: 1 – 2… I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.
Notice that Jesus’ first words are not “I am the vine.” Rather, Jesus said, “I am the TRUE vine.” If Jesus is the true vine, then it seems likely that Jesus is reminding his disciples about a false vine…Or perhaps an imitation vine.
Maybe Jesus is drawing on our common knowledge of creation. What we think of as a vine is ultimately an imitation of Jesus. Maybe Jesus wants us to think of the difference between heaven and earth. Earthly realities are only temporary and symbolize the eternal nature of God and heaven. (That doesn’t really sound like Jesus. It actually sounds more like Plato.)
Instead, I think Jesus has another vine in mind. Like the vine we read about in Psalm 80: 8 – 16, “Restore us, O God Almighty; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved. You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it. You cleared the ground for it, and it took root and filled the land. The mountains were covered with its shade, the mighty cedars with its branches. It sent out its boughs to the Sea, its shoots as far as the River. Why have you broken down its walls so that all who pass by pick its grapes? Boars from the forest ravage it and the creatures of the field feed on it. Return to us, O God Almighty! Look down from heaven and see! Watch over this vine, the root your right hand has planted, the son you have raised up for yourself. Your vine is cut down, it is burned with fire; at your rebuke your people perish.”
And the vine in Jeremiah 2: 21, “I had planted you like a choice vine of sound and reliable stock. How then did you turn against me into a corrupt, wild vine?”
In these Old Testament references, we see that the people of Israel were often referred to as a vine. Israel was no ordinary vine. They were a vine planted by God’s own hand. They were God’s own vine…God’s own people. They had a special relationship with God by virtue of the fact that they were Israel.
When Jesus claimed to be the true vine, he has spoken a word of judgment against Israel. Israel is not the true vine. They are a false vine…an imitation vine…a wild vine that no longer serves the purposes of the gardener.
In other words, Jesus teaches us that it is possible to have a true relationship with God. However, that relationship is only possible through Jesus himself. Relationship with God is not based on race, religion or politics. Relationship with God is only possible to those who are connected to Jesus—the true vine.
III. Remain in Jesus… John 15: 4… Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
In verse 4, Jesus gives us a command to “remain” in him. The Greek word translated “remain” is one of the first words Greek students learn when they study biblical Greek. The basic meaning of this word is “to remain” or “to abide.” This explains why the King James Version uses the word “abide” instead of “remain.”
“Abide” is probably a better choice than “remain.” “Remain” makes it sound like Jesus is challenging us to “stay saved,” as if it were possible to fall out of salvation. But, “abide” is just as difficult, because it is not a word we use very regularly. It’s difficult to understand what Jesus means.
To abide is to live. An abode is a home. Perhaps we can capture the meaning of Jesus’ words with something like, “make yourself at home”… You know there is a difference between living somewhere and “making yourself at home.”
IV. Bear Fruit.
Product…Result…Harvest. Fruit is not something that we produce. It is the natural, organic by product of a life connected to Jesus.
1. Life…John 15: 6…If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.
Vital connection…It is the connection that leads to life. Branches that are not connected to the vine can do nothing but wither and die…Branch in the vine vs. Stick in the mud
2. Prayer…John 15: 7…If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.
Being connected to Jesus requires that our thoughts become conformed to Jesus’ thoughts…our desires the same as Jesus’ desires…Therefore, anything we desire is within God’s will
3. Obedience…John 15: 10…If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.
Jesus’ understanding of discipleship involves a total change in life. Jesus makes demands of our faith, but he also makes demands of our ethical behavior.
4. Joy…John 15: 11…I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
The human understanding of joy is really no different from happiness or pleasure. However, the Bible speaks of joy differently. The Bible says that we can find joy in the midst of trials and persecution. The Bible says we can find joy when the world around us is grieving.
On one hand, joy can be the same thing as happiness—like all our Baylor folks felt Friday night and Saturday afternoon when both basketball teams made it into the Elite Eight. On the other hand, joy can simply be the way we perceive ourselves. In this case, joy does not depend on our circumstances or our basketball teams.
In this sense, joy has heavenly perspective.
5. Love…John 15: 12 – 13…My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
Jesus tells us two things about love. First, Jesus expects us to love each other. Second, Jesus explains how we are supposed to love each other.
Jesus does not qualify love by defining whom we are to love. We are to love each other. This seems to be a reference to the disciples loving other disciples. In our context, it refers to Christians loving Christians and church people loving church people. Jesus didn’t tell us to love only the people we want to love. We don’t get to choose. If someone is a disciple of Jesus, we are to love them. If someone is a member of the church, we are to love them.
The only qualification Jesus gave us is when he told us to love each other in the same way he first loved us. Jesus’ love for us was not a warm fuzzy feeling. Jesus’ love was an action. Jesus loved us by laying down his life on the cross. Jesus was not murdered or executed. Jesus did not die a tragic and untimely death. Jesus was in control of both his life and his death. He willingly and voluntarily gave his life for you and me. Now, Jesus asks us to do the same for each other.
Death is not the only way we can lay down our lives for others. Sometimes, laying down your life is nothing more than putting the needs of someone else ahead of your own needs. Sometimes, we love each other by delaying our own dreams and ambitions so that someone else can realize their dreams and ambitions.
Jesus defines love as self-sacrificial actions. Give your life for others.
6. Mission…John 15: 16…You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-- fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.
V. Conclusion.
John the Elder in Ephesus… “Little children, Love one another…Little children, Love one another…Little children, Love one another…”
[1] http://www.snopes.com/glurge/communion.asp
[2]http://content.usatoday.com/_common/_scripts/big_picture.aspx?width=490&height=726&storyURL=/news/nation/2007-09-19-3188379411_x.htm&imageURL=http://images.usatoday.com/Wires2Web/20070919/3188379411_US_Astronaut_Auctionx-large.jpg
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010: Jesus, the Good Shepherd
Jesus: The Good Shepherd
John 10: 11 – 21.
I. Introduction.
When I was a kid, I wanted to grow up and be just like my heroes. Now, it may come as a surprise to you…But, my heroes were not preachers. All I ever wanted to be was a fireman. I loved the TV show “Emergency,” and that is what I wanted to do. In fact, I even considered becoming a volunteer fireman in the small Mississippi town where I served as pastor for the first time.
Who were your heroes when you were a child? Sometimes, different individuals have different heroes. Sometimes, heroes can actually represent an entire culture or a generation.
For example, in England stories abound of the heroic knight in shining armor, fighting for everything that is noble and just…not to mention rescuing the damsel in distress. This is a cultural hero that doesn’t relate well to children in the United States.
In Scandinavian countries, they dream about the Vikings…the little country no longer being taken advantage of by the bigger, more aggressive countries…the poor man finally getting what he deserves from the rich man. Again, this is a cultural hero…Not something you find in the United States.
In America we are more likely to dream about cowboys. (At least, we dream about cowboys if we are not dreaming about firemen. Cowboys are rugged, hard-working, living outdoors, isolated…the cowboy captures our independent spirit, the American idealism.
In Hebrew culture it was the shepherd…one man leading and caring for the needs of one large flock of sheep…providing food and water in the desert…defending off wolves and lions and bears with nothing more than a slingshot, or even using his bare hands if necessary.
There are at least two shepherd-heroes in the Old Testament. In Exodus 3, God spoke to a shepherd named Moses. Moses was taking care of his father-in-law’s sheep, when God called him to be the redeemer for God’s people in Egypt. God used Moses’ knowledge of sheep and shepherding to lead the Hebrew people out of slavery. Then, in 1 Samuel 16, God led Samuel to a young shepherd named David to become the second—and greatest—king of Israel. Again, God used David’s knowledge of sheep and shepherding to lead the nation of Israel.
As Christians, we have adopted this Hebrew image. We want to be like the heroic shepherd. We describe Christian leadership as “shepherding.” In fact, the word “pastor” comes from the Latin word “shepherd.” A pastor is a shepherd-leader of God’s people. But, think about what this implies about God’s people… Moses started out as a shepherd. David started out as a shepherd. The pastor is a shepherd. What does that say about God’s people? A shepherd is a leader of sheep.
From a biblical perspective, we can cite numerous explicit examples where God’s people are referred to as sheep. For example, Psalm 23 begins, “The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” God himself is the Shepherd. We are his sheep. Then, in John 10 Jesus said, “I am the Good Shepherd…”
On one hand, Jesus is claiming equality with God. This was obvious to any good Jew who knew Psalm 23. On the other hand, Jesus is describing himself as our ultimate leader…the Shepherd of God’s sheep.
Read John 10: 11 – 21.
II. Good Shepherd Is “True” Shepherd.
In verse 11 Jesus described himself as “The Good Shepherd.” This expression, “The Good Shepherd” includes 3 important words:
1. “Shepherd”. . .The one who provides for the needs of sheep.
Sheep are totally dependant on the shepherd for food, water & shelter. Sheep are helpless and defenseless animals that need someone to care for them and protect them from animals and thieves. By using this image for himself, Jesus is associating himself with a wealth of OT literature which illustrates the relationship between God & Israel as sheep to shepherd (i.e. Psalm 23).
This image also places Jesus in the tradition of David who got his start as King of Israel by working as a shepherd boy and Moses who learned leadership by tending sheep. It could also be a reference to the coming Messianic age in which God himself would be the Shepherd over his people.
2. “Good”. . .John’s use of term “Good” is probably close to “True.” In John 6, Jesus described himself as the “True Bread” that comes out of heaven. In John 8, Jesus described himself as the true Light of the World. In John 15, Jesus claimed to be the “True Vine.”
While it is true that Jesus is morally good and perfect. Jesus is the only good person who has ever lived. However, it is possible that this is not what Jesus intended by this claim. It is possible that he is referring to the ultimate expression of what a shepherd is supposed to look like.
As a good and true and perfect expression of shepherd, Jesus is opening himself up to comparison to all other shepherds. This is an unusual image for you and me. We don’t see sheep and shepherds on a daily basis. In fact, we have to go to the petting zoo to see sheep. But, Jesus’ audience saw sheep and shepherds every day.
If Jesus is the Good Shepherd, then we can assume that there were bad shepherds. In fact, John 10: 21 makes a reference to the healing of a blind man. This is a story that took place in John 9. When Jesus healed the blind man, a controversy erupted. On one side of the controversy were Jesus and the healed man. On the other side were the religious leaders. These religious leaders thought of themselves as shepherds, but it seems that Jesus is comparing them to himself. And, they fall short…
3. “The”. . .This definite article makes a claim for uniqueness of Jesus.
Read John 10: 11 – 13…Notice that Jesus didn’t claim to be “A” Good Shepherd. Jesus possesses a unique quality that separates him from all other shepherds. He lays down his life for the sheep.
Hired hands see predators and run for their own lives. They are working for money, and no one wants to put their lives at risk for money.
A shepherd who owns his own flock will protect sheep by fighting off wolves, bears & lions that might attack. Remember the story of David as a boy, who fought and killed both a bear and a lion that attacked his sheep? David was a good shepherd, but he wasn’t The Good Shepherd. In other words, A good shepherd will live for his sheep and will sometimes risk his own life for the sheep.
The Good Shepherd is different, because Jesus did not risk his life for his sheep. Jesus voluntarily laid down his life for sheep. Only Jesus had the power and authority to give his life. His life was NOT taken from him. It was freely given.
The hired hands live for themselves… Good shepherds live for their sheep and put their lives at risk… But The Good Shepherd actually died for his sheep.
Ordinarily, the death of the shepherd would have been a disaster. If shepherd died, sheep would be scattered with no one to provide for their needs. When The Good Shepherd died, he actually provided for the sheep’s greatest need. This is the meaning of the Greek preposition “for.” Jesus gave his life “on behalf of” his sheep or even “in place of” his sheep.
This is the story of the cross. On the cross, The Good Shepherd became the Lamb of God. He was not murdered. He did not die a tragic and untimely death. Jesus voluntarily laid down his life…Because this was the best thing for the sheep. Jesus laid down his life so that we could have true life.
III. Knowing Sheep Is Picture of Intimacy.
In vv. 14-15, Jesus introduces a new theme under the Shepherd motif. He speaks of the knowledge between sheep and shepherd.
When you and I read about Knowing, we read it differently than it was intended by both Jesus and John. We tend to think in categories similar to Greek understanding. Knowledge = seeing, empirical sensory data, logical. The Hebrew understanding of knowledge was completely different. To them, Knowledge = experience, relationship.
In other words, Jesus did not mean that sheep recognize shepherd when they see him. (That’s the Greek or American view of knowledge.) Jesus meant that there was a kind of intimacy / shared experience / relationship between sheep & shepherd. This kind of relational knowledge is only possible by spending time together.
The shepherd & sheep spent all hours of every day together. This developed a familiarity between the two. Shepherd provided all food, water & shelter for sheep. This developed a sense of trust & dependence. Sheep totally depended on shepherd & trusted him for all their needs. This illustrates dependence, not independence.
IV. Responding to Shepherd’s Voice.
At this time, we must return to Jesus’ parable in vv. 1 - 6. Several flocks of sheep would spend the night in the same fold.
During the night, the flocks would intermingle & not remain together in separate areas. Therefore, it would seem difficult to separate one flock from the others. In the morning, the shepherds would stand in diff areas outside the fold & begin to call their own sheep. The sheep would recognize their own shepherd by his voice and run to him. When strangers call to the sheep they will not follow b/c they do not recognize their voices. In fact, the sheep run away because they fear those they do not trust.
There are two ways we can interpret Jesus’ words about hearing the voice of the shepherd. On one hand, it seems clear from the parable that only those who hear the shepherd’s voice will be saved. On the other hand, Jesus tells us in verse 16 that he has other sheep outside of the sheep pen who will hear his voice. Therefore, I think we should also say that any who hear the shepherd’s voice will be saved.
Jesus’ sheep will not be confined to one national identity or even one racial heritage.
Only those who listen to Jesus’ voice will be saved…
And, ANY who listen to Jesus’ voice will be saved.
V. Conclusion.
When Jesus described himself as The Good Shepherd, he told us a lot about himself. He claimed to take on the role and identity of God for his followers. He not only claimed this for himself, but he demonstrated it by laying down his life for you and me. But, Jesus also told us something about ourselves. We are his sheep.
1. We are loved by the Shepherd…
Ancient shepherds had a special relationship with their sheep. They gave their sheep names and treated them more like pets than livestock. Jesus wants this same kind of relationship with you. Jesus did not lay down his life to impress you or to set an example for us to follow. Jesus lay down his life to demonstrate his love for you and to give you life.
You are valuable to Jesus. Jesus loves you. However, you are not loved because you are valuable. You are valuable, because Jesus loves you.
2. We belong to the Shepherd…
This is the primary difference between the shepherd who owns the sheep and the hired man who only works for money. The shepherd owns the sheep and loves them. The hired man is only working for money. Love is a stronger bond than money.
Think of a man who is in love with a woman. He will climb the highest mountain or cross the deepest sea to be with his love. Think of a parent who sits by the bedside of a sick child. Think of an adult child, who is the primary caregiver for their parent. No sacrifice is too great. They will never leave the child or the parent they love.
In the same way, The Good Shepherd will never abandon the sheep who belong to him. Physical illness, financial problems, relationship problems, sin… None of this can separate us from The Good Shepherd.
3. We must listen to the Shepherd…
Jesus said that ONLY the sheep who listen to his voice will be saved. Jesus said that ANY sheep who listen to his voice will be saved. Listening is important.
However, there is a difference between listening and hearing. Hearing can be done by accident. Listening is an intentional act of our will and attention.
God is still speaking to us today. The problem is that we often do not listen. God speaks through his word, the Bible. Yet, when our Bibles are closed, the voice of God is silenced. God speaks through his Holy Spirit. Yet, when we operate daily on our own strength, wisdom and experience, we silence the Holy Spirit.
4. We were created for community…
Throughout this passage, John has used the plural form of the Greek word “sheep.” However, we can’t see that in English, because in English “sheep” can be either singular or plural. That is interesting… Sheep are not usually found alone. Sheep are herd animals. There is no such thing as an individual sheep.
Isolation would be deadly for a sheep. Sheep are vulnerable animals. They have many natural predators and no natural defense system. This is why it is important for sheep to have a shepherd and to stay together in the flock. Sheep need the flock as much as they need the shepherd. The safest place for a sheep is to remain in the flock, close to the shepherd.
This is why you and I need the church. We were not created to be isolated Christians. No. Just as there is no such thing as an isolated sheep, there is no such thing as an isolated Christian. The safest place for you and me is in the church, close to the Good Shepherd.
A little girl was trying to quote Psalm 23 by memory. She said, “The LORD is my shepherd… … … That’s all I want.”
John 10: 11 – 21.
I. Introduction.
When I was a kid, I wanted to grow up and be just like my heroes. Now, it may come as a surprise to you…But, my heroes were not preachers. All I ever wanted to be was a fireman. I loved the TV show “Emergency,” and that is what I wanted to do. In fact, I even considered becoming a volunteer fireman in the small Mississippi town where I served as pastor for the first time.
Who were your heroes when you were a child? Sometimes, different individuals have different heroes. Sometimes, heroes can actually represent an entire culture or a generation.
For example, in England stories abound of the heroic knight in shining armor, fighting for everything that is noble and just…not to mention rescuing the damsel in distress. This is a cultural hero that doesn’t relate well to children in the United States.
In Scandinavian countries, they dream about the Vikings…the little country no longer being taken advantage of by the bigger, more aggressive countries…the poor man finally getting what he deserves from the rich man. Again, this is a cultural hero…Not something you find in the United States.
In America we are more likely to dream about cowboys. (At least, we dream about cowboys if we are not dreaming about firemen. Cowboys are rugged, hard-working, living outdoors, isolated…the cowboy captures our independent spirit, the American idealism.
In Hebrew culture it was the shepherd…one man leading and caring for the needs of one large flock of sheep…providing food and water in the desert…defending off wolves and lions and bears with nothing more than a slingshot, or even using his bare hands if necessary.
There are at least two shepherd-heroes in the Old Testament. In Exodus 3, God spoke to a shepherd named Moses. Moses was taking care of his father-in-law’s sheep, when God called him to be the redeemer for God’s people in Egypt. God used Moses’ knowledge of sheep and shepherding to lead the Hebrew people out of slavery. Then, in 1 Samuel 16, God led Samuel to a young shepherd named David to become the second—and greatest—king of Israel. Again, God used David’s knowledge of sheep and shepherding to lead the nation of Israel.
As Christians, we have adopted this Hebrew image. We want to be like the heroic shepherd. We describe Christian leadership as “shepherding.” In fact, the word “pastor” comes from the Latin word “shepherd.” A pastor is a shepherd-leader of God’s people. But, think about what this implies about God’s people… Moses started out as a shepherd. David started out as a shepherd. The pastor is a shepherd. What does that say about God’s people? A shepherd is a leader of sheep.
From a biblical perspective, we can cite numerous explicit examples where God’s people are referred to as sheep. For example, Psalm 23 begins, “The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” God himself is the Shepherd. We are his sheep. Then, in John 10 Jesus said, “I am the Good Shepherd…”
On one hand, Jesus is claiming equality with God. This was obvious to any good Jew who knew Psalm 23. On the other hand, Jesus is describing himself as our ultimate leader…the Shepherd of God’s sheep.
Read John 10: 11 – 21.
II. Good Shepherd Is “True” Shepherd.
In verse 11 Jesus described himself as “The Good Shepherd.” This expression, “The Good Shepherd” includes 3 important words:
1. “Shepherd”. . .The one who provides for the needs of sheep.
Sheep are totally dependant on the shepherd for food, water & shelter. Sheep are helpless and defenseless animals that need someone to care for them and protect them from animals and thieves. By using this image for himself, Jesus is associating himself with a wealth of OT literature which illustrates the relationship between God & Israel as sheep to shepherd (i.e. Psalm 23).
This image also places Jesus in the tradition of David who got his start as King of Israel by working as a shepherd boy and Moses who learned leadership by tending sheep. It could also be a reference to the coming Messianic age in which God himself would be the Shepherd over his people.
2. “Good”. . .John’s use of term “Good” is probably close to “True.” In John 6, Jesus described himself as the “True Bread” that comes out of heaven. In John 8, Jesus described himself as the true Light of the World. In John 15, Jesus claimed to be the “True Vine.”
While it is true that Jesus is morally good and perfect. Jesus is the only good person who has ever lived. However, it is possible that this is not what Jesus intended by this claim. It is possible that he is referring to the ultimate expression of what a shepherd is supposed to look like.
As a good and true and perfect expression of shepherd, Jesus is opening himself up to comparison to all other shepherds. This is an unusual image for you and me. We don’t see sheep and shepherds on a daily basis. In fact, we have to go to the petting zoo to see sheep. But, Jesus’ audience saw sheep and shepherds every day.
If Jesus is the Good Shepherd, then we can assume that there were bad shepherds. In fact, John 10: 21 makes a reference to the healing of a blind man. This is a story that took place in John 9. When Jesus healed the blind man, a controversy erupted. On one side of the controversy were Jesus and the healed man. On the other side were the religious leaders. These religious leaders thought of themselves as shepherds, but it seems that Jesus is comparing them to himself. And, they fall short…
3. “The”. . .This definite article makes a claim for uniqueness of Jesus.
Read John 10: 11 – 13…Notice that Jesus didn’t claim to be “A” Good Shepherd. Jesus possesses a unique quality that separates him from all other shepherds. He lays down his life for the sheep.
Hired hands see predators and run for their own lives. They are working for money, and no one wants to put their lives at risk for money.
A shepherd who owns his own flock will protect sheep by fighting off wolves, bears & lions that might attack. Remember the story of David as a boy, who fought and killed both a bear and a lion that attacked his sheep? David was a good shepherd, but he wasn’t The Good Shepherd. In other words, A good shepherd will live for his sheep and will sometimes risk his own life for the sheep.
The Good Shepherd is different, because Jesus did not risk his life for his sheep. Jesus voluntarily laid down his life for sheep. Only Jesus had the power and authority to give his life. His life was NOT taken from him. It was freely given.
The hired hands live for themselves… Good shepherds live for their sheep and put their lives at risk… But The Good Shepherd actually died for his sheep.
Ordinarily, the death of the shepherd would have been a disaster. If shepherd died, sheep would be scattered with no one to provide for their needs. When The Good Shepherd died, he actually provided for the sheep’s greatest need. This is the meaning of the Greek preposition “for.” Jesus gave his life “on behalf of” his sheep or even “in place of” his sheep.
This is the story of the cross. On the cross, The Good Shepherd became the Lamb of God. He was not murdered. He did not die a tragic and untimely death. Jesus voluntarily laid down his life…Because this was the best thing for the sheep. Jesus laid down his life so that we could have true life.
III. Knowing Sheep Is Picture of Intimacy.
In vv. 14-15, Jesus introduces a new theme under the Shepherd motif. He speaks of the knowledge between sheep and shepherd.
When you and I read about Knowing, we read it differently than it was intended by both Jesus and John. We tend to think in categories similar to Greek understanding. Knowledge = seeing, empirical sensory data, logical. The Hebrew understanding of knowledge was completely different. To them, Knowledge = experience, relationship.
In other words, Jesus did not mean that sheep recognize shepherd when they see him. (That’s the Greek or American view of knowledge.) Jesus meant that there was a kind of intimacy / shared experience / relationship between sheep & shepherd. This kind of relational knowledge is only possible by spending time together.
The shepherd & sheep spent all hours of every day together. This developed a familiarity between the two. Shepherd provided all food, water & shelter for sheep. This developed a sense of trust & dependence. Sheep totally depended on shepherd & trusted him for all their needs. This illustrates dependence, not independence.
IV. Responding to Shepherd’s Voice.
At this time, we must return to Jesus’ parable in vv. 1 - 6. Several flocks of sheep would spend the night in the same fold.
During the night, the flocks would intermingle & not remain together in separate areas. Therefore, it would seem difficult to separate one flock from the others. In the morning, the shepherds would stand in diff areas outside the fold & begin to call their own sheep. The sheep would recognize their own shepherd by his voice and run to him. When strangers call to the sheep they will not follow b/c they do not recognize their voices. In fact, the sheep run away because they fear those they do not trust.
There are two ways we can interpret Jesus’ words about hearing the voice of the shepherd. On one hand, it seems clear from the parable that only those who hear the shepherd’s voice will be saved. On the other hand, Jesus tells us in verse 16 that he has other sheep outside of the sheep pen who will hear his voice. Therefore, I think we should also say that any who hear the shepherd’s voice will be saved.
Jesus’ sheep will not be confined to one national identity or even one racial heritage.
Only those who listen to Jesus’ voice will be saved…
And, ANY who listen to Jesus’ voice will be saved.
V. Conclusion.
When Jesus described himself as The Good Shepherd, he told us a lot about himself. He claimed to take on the role and identity of God for his followers. He not only claimed this for himself, but he demonstrated it by laying down his life for you and me. But, Jesus also told us something about ourselves. We are his sheep.
1. We are loved by the Shepherd…
Ancient shepherds had a special relationship with their sheep. They gave their sheep names and treated them more like pets than livestock. Jesus wants this same kind of relationship with you. Jesus did not lay down his life to impress you or to set an example for us to follow. Jesus lay down his life to demonstrate his love for you and to give you life.
You are valuable to Jesus. Jesus loves you. However, you are not loved because you are valuable. You are valuable, because Jesus loves you.
2. We belong to the Shepherd…
This is the primary difference between the shepherd who owns the sheep and the hired man who only works for money. The shepherd owns the sheep and loves them. The hired man is only working for money. Love is a stronger bond than money.
Think of a man who is in love with a woman. He will climb the highest mountain or cross the deepest sea to be with his love. Think of a parent who sits by the bedside of a sick child. Think of an adult child, who is the primary caregiver for their parent. No sacrifice is too great. They will never leave the child or the parent they love.
In the same way, The Good Shepherd will never abandon the sheep who belong to him. Physical illness, financial problems, relationship problems, sin… None of this can separate us from The Good Shepherd.
3. We must listen to the Shepherd…
Jesus said that ONLY the sheep who listen to his voice will be saved. Jesus said that ANY sheep who listen to his voice will be saved. Listening is important.
However, there is a difference between listening and hearing. Hearing can be done by accident. Listening is an intentional act of our will and attention.
God is still speaking to us today. The problem is that we often do not listen. God speaks through his word, the Bible. Yet, when our Bibles are closed, the voice of God is silenced. God speaks through his Holy Spirit. Yet, when we operate daily on our own strength, wisdom and experience, we silence the Holy Spirit.
4. We were created for community…
Throughout this passage, John has used the plural form of the Greek word “sheep.” However, we can’t see that in English, because in English “sheep” can be either singular or plural. That is interesting… Sheep are not usually found alone. Sheep are herd animals. There is no such thing as an individual sheep.
Isolation would be deadly for a sheep. Sheep are vulnerable animals. They have many natural predators and no natural defense system. This is why it is important for sheep to have a shepherd and to stay together in the flock. Sheep need the flock as much as they need the shepherd. The safest place for a sheep is to remain in the flock, close to the shepherd.
This is why you and I need the church. We were not created to be isolated Christians. No. Just as there is no such thing as an isolated sheep, there is no such thing as an isolated Christian. The safest place for you and me is in the church, close to the Good Shepherd.
A little girl was trying to quote Psalm 23 by memory. She said, “The LORD is my shepherd… … … That’s all I want.”
Sunday, March 07, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010: Jesus, the Door
Jesus: The Door
John 10: 1 – 10.
I. Introduction.
Do you have a “guilty pleasure?” A guilty pleasure is something that you enjoy doing, but feel a little guilty about. I’m not talking about sinful behavior. I’m talking about embarrassing behavior. Maybe, you like to listen to music from the 1980’s—there is a lot of music from the 80’s that is truly embarrassing. Or, maybe when no one else is around, you listen to the Jonas Brothers. Or perhaps, you like to watch American Idol or The Bachelor…But you don’t want anyone to find out, because you would be embarrassed. People might criticize your TV preferences.
I have some guilty pleasures, but I am not going to confess to all of them. I’ll just tell you about one. I like to read “Dear Abby” in the newspaper. I usually read the headlines, the obituaries, the police report, Dear Abby and the comics before I read the rest of the newspaper.
I don’t always agree with the advice Dear Abby gives out. In fact, I agree with her less and less as I get older. But, I have to admit her free advice is worth every penny of its cost.
On Thursday (March 4, 2010), Dear Abby printed her readers’ responses to a man who was criticized for holding the door open for a woman. The man thought he was being courteous. The woman thought he was being chauvinistic. I suppose it could be taken as an offensive gesture, if a man honestly thinks a woman is incapable of opening a door. This is something I try to do for men and women alike. Anytime I arrive at a door at the same time as another person (man or woman), I usually hold the door and let them enter before me. I think of it as polite…Not demeaning to another person.
Evidently the man was asking for Dear Abby’s advice about what he should have said. I’m sure you can relate. You can’t think of the right thing to say at the moment. But, a couple of days later you come up with the perfect thing to say.
One reader wrote about what her teenage son said. The teenager held the door for a woman. The woman said, “Listen, Sonny, I can handle the door myself.” The teenager replied, “I will excuse your rudeness if you will excuse my courtesy.”
Another reader suggested this reply: “I was taught that it is respectful to open a door for a lady. I apologize for having misjudged you.”
Another suggestion is to say, “I didn’t open the door because you are a lady. I opened the door because I am a gentleman.”
My favorite response was, “It’s not because you are a woman. It’s because of your AGE.”
When I think about doors, I think there are two types of doors. First, there are doors that are designed to keep people out. Second, there are doors that are designed to let people in.
Doors that keep people out are usually foreboding and intimidating. Like a huge wooden door with iron hinges, which might be found on a medieval castle. Or a wrought iron gate with padlocks, something designed to scare away burglars.
Doors that let people in are attractive and inviting. Hopefully this describes the doors of our church—attractive and inviting.
Which of these doors do you think Jesus was talking about in John 10? We must make a decision, because it will affect the way we read and interpret what Jesus said about himself…
Read John 10: 1 – 10.
Jesus is the door. So, what kind of door is Jesus?
There are some doors that are labeled, “CLOSED!” “KEEP OUT!” “DO NOT ENTER!” “NO ADMITTANCE!” or even “WRONG WAY!” Does that capture what Jesus is saying about himself?
There are other doors that say, “Open,” “Entrance,” “Welcome,” “Come on in,” or even “Home Sweet Home.” Does that capture what Jesus is saying about himself?
Before Jesus told us he is the door, he told us a story. This is an allegorical story which contains a deeper, spiritual meaning. It’s not simply a story about sheep and shepherds.
Jesus described a typical first century scene. Most families kept sheep for food, clothing and for religious purposes. They didn’t need help to understand the story itself. But, they did need help to understand the spiritual significance.
A sheep fold in ancient Palestine was what we would call a sheep pen. Sometimes a sheep fold was connected to a house as a kind of courtyard. The wall of the house served as one wall, with three stone walls making a rectangular pen. One of these walls had a gate to give access to the shepherd and the sheep. Of course, it wasn’t a gate like we think of in East Texas. The gate looked more like a gap than anything else. A whole in the wall.
At night, several shepherds would lead their flocks to the safety of a fold. Hundreds or even thousands of sheep could find protection in just one sheep fold. Since there was only one way in and one way out of the pen, one shepherd could protect all the sheep. The stone walls kept the wolves, coyotes and thieves away from the sheep. But, what about the gap in the wall?
Modern-day shepherds in the Middle East continue to use sheep folds like the one Jesus described. Four stone walls with an open doorway for access. These shepherds have discovered the best way to protect the sheep at night is to lie across the open doorway. There is no way for a wolf or a thief to get into the sheep fold except to cross over the body of the shepherd. There is no way for a sheep to escape the sheep fold except to cross over the body of the shepherd. Perhaps this is what Jesus had in mind when he said, “I am the door.” The only way in is through Jesus. The only way out is through Jesus.
II. The Door as Entrance.
John 10: 9…I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.
The first thing Jesus says about himself as the door is about salvation. Just as there is only one way to enter the sheep fold, so there is only one way to be saved. Jesus is the legitimate door of entrance into salvation.
This interpretation for the door of the sheep fold makes a lot of sense. As long as the sheep were inside the sheep fold, they were safe. Outside the sheep fold, there were wild animals and thieves who did not care about the safety of the sheep. Inside the sheep fold, the sheep were secure. In the same way, Jesus provides us with safety and security. However, not everyone has this kind of safety. Safety is only possible to those who enter through the door. Jesus is the door. Jesus is the way to salvation.
I recognize this to be a very narrow and exclusive claim. It is even intolerant of other religious traditions. But, it is a claim based on what Jesus claimed for himself. For the past two weeks, we have looked at Jesus’ claims about himself. Jesus took the meager lunch of a young boy and used it to feed over 5,000 people. Then, Jesus said, “I am the Bread of Life.” People who eat physical bread will gain temporary nourishment but will eventually die. People who receive Jesus as the Bread of Life will live forever. On another occasion, Jesus stood in the Jerusalem Temple after an elaborate lighting festival. The candles and torches and Menorahs were burned out. The candles and torches and Menorahs were supposed to remind the Jews of the way God demonstrated his presence to their ancestors in a pillar of fire in the desert. And, Jesus said, “I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but have the light of life.” If light is a symbol for the presence of God, then Jesus is telling us that Jesus himself is the source of God’s presence. Jesus is the source of salvation.
This is Jesus’ claim about himself. Jesus is the only way to be saved. Satan is one who wants to attack you. He is a thief and a wild animal. He is not concerned about your safety. He is only concerned about himself. His intent is to steal, to kill and to destroy. His primary tool is temptation—to lead you into sin. But, Jesus has come to give you salvation. To save you from sin and all the attacks and temptations of Satan. The only way to be saved is to enter into God’s fold through Jesus.
Jesus is the door that says, “Welcome” and “Home Sweet Home.” All who come through Jesus are at home in God’s sheep fold with God’s people.
III. The Door as Exit.
John 10: 9 – 10 …I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Notice that Jesus describes the door as both an entrance and an exit. “(The sheep) will go in and go out, and find pasture.” Obviously, to enter through the door is to have salvation. But, what could it mean to go out of the sheep fold?
The key to understand this is the way Jesus qualifies it with the phrase “find pasture.” As long as the sheep remained in the sheep fold, they were safe. However, there was no food in the sheep fold. Grass would not grow on the floor of the sheep fold. All the grass had been worn down by the sheep. Therefore, the shepherds had to lead their sheep out of the sheep fold in order to find pasture.
But, I think we can qualify this even further by reading Jesus’ words in the next verse. Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Other translations say, “and have it more abundantly.” In other words, the sheep enter into the fold to find salvation and leave the fold to find life.
Jesus is the door. On one hand, Jesus provides us with the safety of salvation. On the other hand, Jesus provides us with life. This is not just any kind of life. It is Abundant Life.
Jesus did not come to give you an “Adequate Life” or even a “Happy Life.” Jesus wants to give you Abundant Life. Abundant Life is life that is overflowing…Life that is more than adequate. It is a full and complete life.
You were not created to have an adequate life. God wants you to live a thrilling and fulfilled life. God wants you to have life to the fullest extent…Abundant Life. There are three things we can say about Abundant Life…
1. Abundant Life is Knowing and Being Known… Through faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, you can know God and be known by God. God is not a distant and detached God. God knows you by name and wants to be in relationship with you. God is concerned about every aspect of your life, from the biggest decisions you make to the days when you don’t feel like going to work. Imagine how horrible it would be to live in complete anonymity. We all want to be known by others. Jesus gives us an opportunity to be known by God.
2. Abundant Life is Having a Purpose… Jesus saves us from sin, but that is not all. Jesus saves us from sin and saves us for a mission to the world. It would be terribly selfish for us to think that Jesus saves us so that we can brag about being God’s people. This is similar to the mistake the Jews made. They had forgotten that God had given them an assignment to be a blessing to the entire world. They thought God had saved them to sit there. God doesn’t save anyone to sit there. God saves us to continue the work of Jesus in the world. On one hand, this is a Gospel mission—to share the story of Jesus so others can be saved. On the other hand, this is a mission of love. God calls us to be outwardly focused…Not focused entirely on ourselves as individuals or focused only on our church. We are to leave the walls of the church (sheep fold) to serve the world and to bring others to Jesus as the door.
3. Abundant Life is Freedom… In the Old Testament, we read about God’s standards for his people. We know by personal experience that no one can fully live up to God’s expectations. Therefore, we live in fear of God’s wrath. The cross of Christ tells us that we don’t have to face the wrath of God. Those who have faith in Jesus have God’s assurance that he is not angry with us anymore and will never be angry again. This is true freedom. If God is not angry with us, then the Law, sin, death and Satan no longer have any power over us. Their power over us comes in the form of fear and guilt. Jesus gives us the freedom to live without fear and guilt. Abundant Life is a life free from fear and guilt.
IV. Conclusion.
God does not want you to live an anonymous life. He wants to know you. God does not want you to live a life with no purpose. He wants to give you his purpose. God does not want you to live burdened with fear and guilt. He wants to give you freedom. This is God’s Grace…It is only available through Jesus.
This week, a friend of mine reposted on his Facebook profile what he read on Leonard Sweet’s Facebook profile… “Grace means that we no longer have to push on open doors.”
I think we can put that in the context of Jesus’ words in John 10. If Jesus is the door, then we don’t have to push on the door. The door is open. The door reads, “Welcome,” “Come on in,” “Home Sweet Home,” “Come to Jesus for salvation and Abundant Life.”
John 10: 1 – 10.
I. Introduction.
Do you have a “guilty pleasure?” A guilty pleasure is something that you enjoy doing, but feel a little guilty about. I’m not talking about sinful behavior. I’m talking about embarrassing behavior. Maybe, you like to listen to music from the 1980’s—there is a lot of music from the 80’s that is truly embarrassing. Or, maybe when no one else is around, you listen to the Jonas Brothers. Or perhaps, you like to watch American Idol or The Bachelor…But you don’t want anyone to find out, because you would be embarrassed. People might criticize your TV preferences.
I have some guilty pleasures, but I am not going to confess to all of them. I’ll just tell you about one. I like to read “Dear Abby” in the newspaper. I usually read the headlines, the obituaries, the police report, Dear Abby and the comics before I read the rest of the newspaper.
I don’t always agree with the advice Dear Abby gives out. In fact, I agree with her less and less as I get older. But, I have to admit her free advice is worth every penny of its cost.
On Thursday (March 4, 2010), Dear Abby printed her readers’ responses to a man who was criticized for holding the door open for a woman. The man thought he was being courteous. The woman thought he was being chauvinistic. I suppose it could be taken as an offensive gesture, if a man honestly thinks a woman is incapable of opening a door. This is something I try to do for men and women alike. Anytime I arrive at a door at the same time as another person (man or woman), I usually hold the door and let them enter before me. I think of it as polite…Not demeaning to another person.
Evidently the man was asking for Dear Abby’s advice about what he should have said. I’m sure you can relate. You can’t think of the right thing to say at the moment. But, a couple of days later you come up with the perfect thing to say.
One reader wrote about what her teenage son said. The teenager held the door for a woman. The woman said, “Listen, Sonny, I can handle the door myself.” The teenager replied, “I will excuse your rudeness if you will excuse my courtesy.”
Another reader suggested this reply: “I was taught that it is respectful to open a door for a lady. I apologize for having misjudged you.”
Another suggestion is to say, “I didn’t open the door because you are a lady. I opened the door because I am a gentleman.”
My favorite response was, “It’s not because you are a woman. It’s because of your AGE.”
When I think about doors, I think there are two types of doors. First, there are doors that are designed to keep people out. Second, there are doors that are designed to let people in.
Doors that keep people out are usually foreboding and intimidating. Like a huge wooden door with iron hinges, which might be found on a medieval castle. Or a wrought iron gate with padlocks, something designed to scare away burglars.
Doors that let people in are attractive and inviting. Hopefully this describes the doors of our church—attractive and inviting.
Which of these doors do you think Jesus was talking about in John 10? We must make a decision, because it will affect the way we read and interpret what Jesus said about himself…
Read John 10: 1 – 10.
Jesus is the door. So, what kind of door is Jesus?
There are some doors that are labeled, “CLOSED!” “KEEP OUT!” “DO NOT ENTER!” “NO ADMITTANCE!” or even “WRONG WAY!” Does that capture what Jesus is saying about himself?
There are other doors that say, “Open,” “Entrance,” “Welcome,” “Come on in,” or even “Home Sweet Home.” Does that capture what Jesus is saying about himself?
Before Jesus told us he is the door, he told us a story. This is an allegorical story which contains a deeper, spiritual meaning. It’s not simply a story about sheep and shepherds.
Jesus described a typical first century scene. Most families kept sheep for food, clothing and for religious purposes. They didn’t need help to understand the story itself. But, they did need help to understand the spiritual significance.
A sheep fold in ancient Palestine was what we would call a sheep pen. Sometimes a sheep fold was connected to a house as a kind of courtyard. The wall of the house served as one wall, with three stone walls making a rectangular pen. One of these walls had a gate to give access to the shepherd and the sheep. Of course, it wasn’t a gate like we think of in East Texas. The gate looked more like a gap than anything else. A whole in the wall.
At night, several shepherds would lead their flocks to the safety of a fold. Hundreds or even thousands of sheep could find protection in just one sheep fold. Since there was only one way in and one way out of the pen, one shepherd could protect all the sheep. The stone walls kept the wolves, coyotes and thieves away from the sheep. But, what about the gap in the wall?
Modern-day shepherds in the Middle East continue to use sheep folds like the one Jesus described. Four stone walls with an open doorway for access. These shepherds have discovered the best way to protect the sheep at night is to lie across the open doorway. There is no way for a wolf or a thief to get into the sheep fold except to cross over the body of the shepherd. There is no way for a sheep to escape the sheep fold except to cross over the body of the shepherd. Perhaps this is what Jesus had in mind when he said, “I am the door.” The only way in is through Jesus. The only way out is through Jesus.
II. The Door as Entrance.
John 10: 9…I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.
The first thing Jesus says about himself as the door is about salvation. Just as there is only one way to enter the sheep fold, so there is only one way to be saved. Jesus is the legitimate door of entrance into salvation.
This interpretation for the door of the sheep fold makes a lot of sense. As long as the sheep were inside the sheep fold, they were safe. Outside the sheep fold, there were wild animals and thieves who did not care about the safety of the sheep. Inside the sheep fold, the sheep were secure. In the same way, Jesus provides us with safety and security. However, not everyone has this kind of safety. Safety is only possible to those who enter through the door. Jesus is the door. Jesus is the way to salvation.
I recognize this to be a very narrow and exclusive claim. It is even intolerant of other religious traditions. But, it is a claim based on what Jesus claimed for himself. For the past two weeks, we have looked at Jesus’ claims about himself. Jesus took the meager lunch of a young boy and used it to feed over 5,000 people. Then, Jesus said, “I am the Bread of Life.” People who eat physical bread will gain temporary nourishment but will eventually die. People who receive Jesus as the Bread of Life will live forever. On another occasion, Jesus stood in the Jerusalem Temple after an elaborate lighting festival. The candles and torches and Menorahs were burned out. The candles and torches and Menorahs were supposed to remind the Jews of the way God demonstrated his presence to their ancestors in a pillar of fire in the desert. And, Jesus said, “I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but have the light of life.” If light is a symbol for the presence of God, then Jesus is telling us that Jesus himself is the source of God’s presence. Jesus is the source of salvation.
This is Jesus’ claim about himself. Jesus is the only way to be saved. Satan is one who wants to attack you. He is a thief and a wild animal. He is not concerned about your safety. He is only concerned about himself. His intent is to steal, to kill and to destroy. His primary tool is temptation—to lead you into sin. But, Jesus has come to give you salvation. To save you from sin and all the attacks and temptations of Satan. The only way to be saved is to enter into God’s fold through Jesus.
Jesus is the door that says, “Welcome” and “Home Sweet Home.” All who come through Jesus are at home in God’s sheep fold with God’s people.
III. The Door as Exit.
John 10: 9 – 10 …I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Notice that Jesus describes the door as both an entrance and an exit. “(The sheep) will go in and go out, and find pasture.” Obviously, to enter through the door is to have salvation. But, what could it mean to go out of the sheep fold?
The key to understand this is the way Jesus qualifies it with the phrase “find pasture.” As long as the sheep remained in the sheep fold, they were safe. However, there was no food in the sheep fold. Grass would not grow on the floor of the sheep fold. All the grass had been worn down by the sheep. Therefore, the shepherds had to lead their sheep out of the sheep fold in order to find pasture.
But, I think we can qualify this even further by reading Jesus’ words in the next verse. Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Other translations say, “and have it more abundantly.” In other words, the sheep enter into the fold to find salvation and leave the fold to find life.
Jesus is the door. On one hand, Jesus provides us with the safety of salvation. On the other hand, Jesus provides us with life. This is not just any kind of life. It is Abundant Life.
Jesus did not come to give you an “Adequate Life” or even a “Happy Life.” Jesus wants to give you Abundant Life. Abundant Life is life that is overflowing…Life that is more than adequate. It is a full and complete life.
You were not created to have an adequate life. God wants you to live a thrilling and fulfilled life. God wants you to have life to the fullest extent…Abundant Life. There are three things we can say about Abundant Life…
1. Abundant Life is Knowing and Being Known… Through faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, you can know God and be known by God. God is not a distant and detached God. God knows you by name and wants to be in relationship with you. God is concerned about every aspect of your life, from the biggest decisions you make to the days when you don’t feel like going to work. Imagine how horrible it would be to live in complete anonymity. We all want to be known by others. Jesus gives us an opportunity to be known by God.
2. Abundant Life is Having a Purpose… Jesus saves us from sin, but that is not all. Jesus saves us from sin and saves us for a mission to the world. It would be terribly selfish for us to think that Jesus saves us so that we can brag about being God’s people. This is similar to the mistake the Jews made. They had forgotten that God had given them an assignment to be a blessing to the entire world. They thought God had saved them to sit there. God doesn’t save anyone to sit there. God saves us to continue the work of Jesus in the world. On one hand, this is a Gospel mission—to share the story of Jesus so others can be saved. On the other hand, this is a mission of love. God calls us to be outwardly focused…Not focused entirely on ourselves as individuals or focused only on our church. We are to leave the walls of the church (sheep fold) to serve the world and to bring others to Jesus as the door.
3. Abundant Life is Freedom… In the Old Testament, we read about God’s standards for his people. We know by personal experience that no one can fully live up to God’s expectations. Therefore, we live in fear of God’s wrath. The cross of Christ tells us that we don’t have to face the wrath of God. Those who have faith in Jesus have God’s assurance that he is not angry with us anymore and will never be angry again. This is true freedom. If God is not angry with us, then the Law, sin, death and Satan no longer have any power over us. Their power over us comes in the form of fear and guilt. Jesus gives us the freedom to live without fear and guilt. Abundant Life is a life free from fear and guilt.
IV. Conclusion.
God does not want you to live an anonymous life. He wants to know you. God does not want you to live a life with no purpose. He wants to give you his purpose. God does not want you to live burdened with fear and guilt. He wants to give you freedom. This is God’s Grace…It is only available through Jesus.
This week, a friend of mine reposted on his Facebook profile what he read on Leonard Sweet’s Facebook profile… “Grace means that we no longer have to push on open doors.”
I think we can put that in the context of Jesus’ words in John 10. If Jesus is the door, then we don’t have to push on the door. The door is open. The door reads, “Welcome,” “Come on in,” “Home Sweet Home,” “Come to Jesus for salvation and Abundant Life.”
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