The Value Of Trust
Preaching
THE WESLEYAN PREACHING RESOURCE
VOLUME II
The tank of trust is ebbing low. It is not a high commodity in our world. Broken and fractured trust is everywhere. We would like to think that politicians lead the way, and too many are poor models in this area. But they are not the only ones. Fractured trust is seen in the church and in Christian relationships. It is an area we have handled far too casually.
In her book, Liberals and Other Born--Again Christians, Sally B. Geis refers to a survey taken a few years ago, and states: "... in response to a question about whether most people can be trusted, 76 percent of people answered yes in 1994. Only 35% answered yes in 1995. Americans do not trust one another anymore" (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1997, p. 18).
Dr. Aubrey Malphurs said, "One of the most vital assets of a leader of the early twenty--first century is trust. It's more important than being innovative, creative, intelligent, intentional, and strategic. Why? If people don't trust you, they won't follow you. And if they don't follow you, these other things don't matter" (in a speech at New Church University, quoted in New Church Specialties e--groups newsletter, May 29, 2001). No one would argue with Malphurs' conclusion. If leadership is influence, as some suggest, then trust is at the center of influence.
At the center of moral decline in postmodern culture is the decay and disrespect for trust. Richard Chapen, Jr., in his book, Finish Strong, states: "One of the reasons for the decline of the American spirit is a pervasive loss of trust" (Grand Rapids, Michigan: HarperSanFrancisco: Zondervan, 1998, p. 82). He further stated, "No leader, whether in politics or in business, can survive long if not trusted" (Ibid.).
Trust has at its center the aspect of caring - caring about people, our reputation, our influence, and certainly, caring about truth. James Earl Massey reminds us: "The salient mark of caring is still necessary to bring preacher and people together in trust" (The Burdensome Joy of Preaching, Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1998, 34).
What all of this says to the pastor is that trust is still a treasured commodity. It is still valued and necessary. While the fabric of culture seems to be tearing apart from every corner, never doubt that trust will lose its value. Trust is a part of the truth stable and God's truth will endure the culture erosion. It is for us to take a new lease on trust, value it, guard it, practice it. No pastor/minister/Christian will last long where trust is not a priority. The ranks of hypocrisy swell where trust is not practiced.
Tragic reminders and long--lasting scars of mistrust fill the summaries of churches and pastors/ministers. In some instances, no amount of correction will erase the memory or heal the scars. Forgiveness, yes, forget, no. Only eternity will reveal the work of God short--circuited by a failure to guard trust. All of us know people who lacked that sense of trustfulness that kept their ministries sidetracked and void. But you and I can do better. We have seen the casualties of the past, and may it be a reminder of the value of trust and the remorse of mistrust.
I have three observations about trust. One, it is a biblical mandate. Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 4:1--2 reminds us, "... men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful" (NIV).
Two, only as we give people reasons to trust us, can we lead as pastors, teachers, and Christians. Malphurs was right - nothing else matters if trust is not at the center of what we dream, do, and desire. It all hinges on trust. And such trust must not be hit and miss. It must be a consistent, day in, day out kind of trust.
Three, our preaching, our caring, our leadership are all strengthened by how much people can trust us. Some of us, who are not multi--talented people, can do the trust thing, and do it well. Others, who may have many more talents, but lack the people's trust, will, eventually, be out of the picture.
All of this leads us to the conclusion that trust is a high priority. It must have our full attention. It must be valued about all else. Position and the drive for success should not lead us to compromise our trust and integrity. Guard it carefully and consistently, and God will bless such faithful living.
Pastor, be encouraged. God still honors trust. As you live a trustworthy life may you reap the dividends of God's blessings.
C. Neil Strait
Twenty--fourth Sunday After Pentecost
WORSHIP HELPS
CALL TO WORSHIP
Pastor: We come today as living beings created by the hands of a loving God.
People: O give thanks to the Lord our God.
Pastor: We come today as triumphant Christians by the power of the resurrected Jesus.
People: O give thanks to the Lord our God.
Pastor: We come today as people of God, whose banner over us is love.
People: O give thanks to the Lord our God.
Pastor: Unite your voices and give thanks to the living God.
All: To God in the highest, hosanna, praise, and thanksgiving today, tomorrow, and forever!
OFFERING THOUGHT
Dear God, may we excel in the grace of giving so that the poor may see our generosity in action and not just in word. Amen.
BENEDICTION
God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have all abundance for every good deed. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift. (2 Corinthians 9:8, 15 NASB)
SERMON BRIEFS
The Big Lie
Ruth 1:1--18
Some lies are outrageous. Like the kind you read on the front of supermarket tabloids. We laugh at them. We know that no one could possibly believe those headlines - not even the people who write them! Some lies, however, are much more subtle - so subtle that we don't even recognize them as lies. Then there are those lies that we know to be lies, but they are repeated so often that they begin to sound credible. If you listen to a lie often enough it begins to sound like truth.
There is one huge lie that we know to be a lie. It is told to us constantly. It is told to us creatively. It is told to us always. So even though we know it to be a lie, it begins to have a ring of truth to it. We quit being outraged when we hear it. We're not disappointed when people we love buy into it. And before you know it, we believe it. No, we don't believe it on an intellectual level. But we begin to live as though we believe it. We believe it experientially.
Simply put, the lie says that we will receive happiness and joy by pursuing it for ourselves. We know it's a lie. We know that Jesus said, "Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it" (Matthew 10:39). We've heard countless stories of celebrities and those of great wealth who tried to take their own lives because the pursuit of happiness left them empty. We've heard the testimonials of believers who had to hit bottom - the bottom of "the pursuit of happiness hole" - before they found their lives in Christ. We know the truth. But we find it so hard not to live the lie. We find it so hard not to put ourselves first. We find it so hard not to believe that we would be happy if ... If we had more money. If we had a better career. If we acquired nicer things. It's a powerful lie.
Of course the way to defeat a lie is by wielding the truth. The truth is that when we learn to live beyond ourselves we find real joy. The truth is that if we're willing to lose our lives, we'll find them.
The Old Testament tells us about a remarkable woman. Her name was Ruth. Her only shot at happiness seemed to be to leave her mother--in--law, Naomi. Naomi told her - begged her - to leave, to pursue her own dreams. Naomi's son, Ruth's husband, was dead. In Naomi's estimation it was time for Ruth to return to her people in hopes of finding another husband. Single women of that culture had no future, no chance. It only made sense. Naomi's other daughter--in--law, Orpah, was also a widow. She followed Naomi's advice. She left to return to her people and start her life over again. But not Ruth. Ruth made a decision not to pursue her own happiness. She decided that to give her life for Naomi was more important than dedicating herself to her own pursuits.
Her response to Naomi is one of the most beautiful passages of Scripture. The cry of her heart is almost poetic:
Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me. - Ruth 1:16--17 NIV
Scripture tells us that eventually Ruth would be blessed with a new husband. But don't jump to the hasty conclusion that Ruth knew that would happen. She didn't. She wasn't planting seeds for her future. She was laying down her will - her life - for someone she loved.
"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13).
Phillip R. Stout
And Yet Be Lost
Mark 12:28--34
This text shows that one can be in the "suburbs" of the kingdom of God and yet die and be lost. Let us notice a few who were close to the door but perished.
I. Be a disciple like Ananias and Sapphira - and yet be lost. (Acts 5:1--10)
A. We may imitate Christ and not know Him.
B. We may mingle with Christians, and yet know nothing of the spiritual power of Christianity.
C. The concealed sin as well as the public iniquity will be followed by the judgment of God.
1. There is yet to be a reading of hearts.
2. Not only what we have done, but also what we have left undone is to be judged.
3. Sins, which apparently do no harm to society, are to be punished.
D. Ananias and Sapphira
1. Ananias - "Grace of God"
2. Sapphira - "Sapphire" Jewel of brilliance and beauty
3. Ananias lied and the "grace of God" went out to him.
4. Sapphira lost her beauty and brilliance when she lied.
II. Hold an office in the church like Judas (Acts 1:24--25)
It seems very strange that Jesus would allow such a man to be His disciple. He must have been a good man, but with problems. Christ saw some potential and made him one of the twelve disciples. Christ saw good and evil in Judas and He hoped that as a result of association with Himself, Judas might make it - and yet be lost.
III. Be baptized like Simon (Acts 8:13, 18--23)
This Simon was the first heretic in the Christian Church; first to claim its fellowship, while not believing its fundamental truths. His mistakes were many and grievous.
A. Unscrupulous ambition
B. Bitter insincerity
C. Wanted to purchase power
D. He was a blasphemer
- and yet be lost!
IV. Have lamps with some oil like the foolish virgins (Matthew 25:1--13)
A. We have here two characters contrasted. "Five wise, five foolish." That may define the difference between them, but it is best to see how they were alike.
1. Knowledge and regard for the bridegroom.
2. They all had lamps which at the moment were burning.
3. While the bridegroom tarried, they slumbered and slept.
Not until his coming was announced did the difference between them show up. In outward things the wise and the foolish virgins were alike; the difference between them was internal. The going out of the lamp is often taken to mean the making of a profession, while the absence of the reserve oil is supposed to signify the lack of sincerity in that profession.
I regard the foolish virgins as those who have had some real feelings and attachment to Christ and certain impulses Christ ward; but they were not constant. They were animated by impulse not principle. Their religion did not go down to the lowest depths of their nature. It was a surface thing.
B. Character is revealed by crises. A man has only as much religion as he can command in an hour of trial. The minor surprises of life are to prepare us for the last emergency.
- and yet be lost!
V. Tremble like Felix
Felix was not a man altogether ignorant of the religion of which Paul speaks. Felix's heart was not wholly hardened; his conscience seared; he was a man who had sinned against light and knowledge, and was on his way to utter hardness and blindness of heart. But he had not arrived at that condition yet, or he would have trembled more as Paul talked of the judgment.
Felix trembled but did nothing. There was no abiding impression, no deep lasting effect; so the storm passed over, and he rested in his sins unchanged.
A. Is it not a besetting sin of us all to be afraid or be too idle to look into our consciences to examine our acts, our thoughts, our words, and see whether in each day they have been such as God will approve?
B. Again, are there not many who listen to weekly sermons, and in them hear Christ's ministries, as Felix hears Paul, "concerning the faith of Christ," who yet are none the better for what they hear?
C. Again, is there nothing Felix--like in the manner in which people very often treat the warning of God, which more clearly than any human speaks of righteousness, temperance, and judgment?
D. May we not see in Felix generally a type of want of seriousness in religion? He lacked deep, solemn feeling, wanting in judgment as to the value of things, unable to see the awfulness of his thoughts, which made him tremble. Felix must forever be a type of many within the Christian church.
E. Felix made two great mistakes.
1. He did not know what constituted a convenient season and
2. He presumed he might repent and turn to God whenever he pleased.
F. Now - not by--and--by. Reasons for attitude.
1. Don't want to face a disagreeable subject
2. Many think there will be time to get serious and religious when they get older.
3. God's impressions are allowed to be crowded out by the cares, enjoyments, pleasures, and duties of the world.
- and yet be lost!
VI. Be almost a Christian like Agrippa (Acts 26:28)
A. Agrippa gains world fame and glory for a short time.
B. Agrippa loses himself, Christ, and Heaven and eternal life.
- and yet be lost!
Conclusion
The Bible still says, "Ye must be born again," and "He that endured to the end shall be saved."
Delay is really deciding the wrong way. It robs us of large blessings. It is gambling with a very uncertain thing - our life and its future opportunities.
Marvin Middlebrooks
Children's Sermon
Mark 12:28--34
Then the scribe said to him, "You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that 'he is one, and besides him there is no other'; and 'to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength,' and 'to love one's neighbor as oneself,' - this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." (vv. 32--34)
Object: A nameplate (something you would see on a door to an office), and some very official--looking papers.
Good morning, boys and girls. How many of you feel important? (Let them answer.) Do you know anyone very important? (Let them answer.) Being important is very special to us, isn't it? The President of the United States is important, isn't he? (Let them answer.) Movie stars are important, aren't they? (Let them answer.) Michael Jordan is important, isn't he? (Let them answer.)
I brought along some important things to show you and see if you think these look important to you. First, I have a nameplate. Do you know where I found this nameplate? (Let them answer.) It was on a door into a very private office. When you see a nameplate on an office door, then you know that the person inside of that office is very important.
Second, I brought along some important papers. (Show them the papers.) You can tell these are important papers because they are kept in a special box in a vault at the bank. Only very important papers are kept in such special places.
So being important is very special to us.
One day Jesus said that the most important commandment was to know that there was one God and that we should love Him with all of our heart, with all of our mind, with all of our soul, and with all of our strength. But Jesus said there was a second commandment that was also very important and that was that we should love our neighbor as ourself.
Jesus knew what was important. The people who were listening to Him were very impressed. One of the people stood up and told Jesus how right He was and how much He had learned. As a matter of fact, the Bible tells us that after this meeting no one else asked Jesus any questions. They knew that He was close to God and His teachings were very godly.
The next time you see a nameplate on a door, you will know that the person in the office is important. The next time you see some papers that look like this, you will know they are important. But the next time someone asks you what is the most important teaching that you know, you can say the following: The most important thing to me is to love God with my whole heart, my whole mind, my whole soul, and with all of my strength. The second most important thing I know is that I should love my neighbor as much as I love me. Amen.
Twenty--fifth Sunday After Pentecost
WORSHIP HELPS
CALL TO WORSHIP (Pastor)
Today we gather together to ask the Lord's blessings and to count the many blessings he has bestowed upon us. We will sing the hymn by Johnson Oatman, Jr., and Edwin O. Excell, "Count Your Blessings." At the end of our stanza you will be given an opportunity to stand and express one blessing God has bestowed upon you.
OFFERING THOUGHT
O Lord, my God, I called to You for help and You healed me. You turned my wailing into dancing; You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to You and not be silent. O Lord, my God, I will give You thanks forever. (Psalm 30:2, 11--12 NIV)
BENEDICTION
God's grace is sufficient for all of us today. So take His grace freely and give thanks to Him. Amen.
SERMON BRIEFS
Once For All
Hebrews 9:24--28
Imagine what it would be like if you and I could never really know if our sins are forgiven. Imagine never being assured of our salvation. What if we always had to guess? What if we would have to come down to the final days of our lives and still wonder if heaven was our home?
Of course, we don't have to wonder. We don't have to guess. But often we live our lives as if we do. We live as if we still have to earn God's favor. And when we're trying to earn our salvation by our own efforts, we never really know when it has been accomplished.
That attempt to earn God's favor by our own efforts, by our own works, is called "legalism." Don't be fooled. Legalism isn't some benign eccentricity of the faith. It isn't merely a harsh form of Christianity. It is a heinous sin against the God who redeemed us.
Sometimes we have a hard time accepting our forgiveness. Because we have trouble forgiving ourselves, we struggle with experiencing God's forgiveness. This leads us to try to "augment" our salvation. We do good things. But there is something inside us that is draining the joy we should experience in doing good works. That "something" is a misplaced motive. It is working, giving, laboring, and serving in hopes that God will fully accept us. It is a hope that we can assure our salvation by doing the right things. We add on to His grace just in case it isn't enough. So we find ourselves doing the right things for the wrong reasons.
Legalism kills. It kills the spirit. The love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self--control that Paul says the Spirit brings is displaced. (Have you ever seen a happy legalist?)
Scripture is crystal clear on this issue. Isaiah says, "Our righteous acts are like filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6 NIV). Paul goes ballistic on the Galatian believers who were falling back into legalism: "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel - which is really no gospel at all" (Galatians 1:6--7). Paul is saying, "This isn't the good news! This is bad news!"
Why is legalism such an abomination to God? Why the strong language condemning it? Simply put, legalism says that Christ's sacrificial death was unnecessary and irrelevant. Paul said, "I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!" (Galatians 2:21 NIV).
So how do we overcome the strong temptation to trust our works rather than trusting His grace? How do we maintain the joy and peace of our salvation? How do we love and serve God with the right motives?
Three words: "Once for all."
"But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself" (Hebrews 9:26 NIV). The writer to the Hebrews is not the only one to use this phrase. Paul used it (Romans 6:10). Peter used it (1 Peter 3:18). They were saying that Christ died for our sins once for all. He has forgiven you. You don't need another sacrifice. You don't need to ask God to forgive you again for what He has already forgiven you. It's done! Once for all!
The Hebrew believers were familiar with the old sacrificial system. They were familiar with the annual sacrifices made by their high priest. But now everything would change. God had done a new thing in Christ. The sacrifice wouldn't be repeated each year. It was done. The ultimate sacrifice was made once for all.
Many years ago I read a question posed my Mike Yaconnelli. It was a simple, profound question that I have never been able to escape. He asked, "What would happen if Christians acted like they were forgiven?"
Think about it. We say we're forgiven. But what would happen if we believed it so deeply, so thoroughly that it impacted every moment of our lives? What would happen if we acted like we were forgiven?
There are a few words that come to my mind. That kind of radical paradigm shift - from guilt to forgiveness - would foster a radical response. I think of words like liberation, joy, and gratitude. Why, if we really believed it, our existence would be permeated with joy. Covered with gratitude. Liberated!
There's another word that comes to my mind. Contagious. If we acted as though our sins were forgiven - once for all - never to be remembered, I believe our faith and our lives would be transforming to those around us.
The Psalmist declared, "... as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us" (Psalm 103:12 NIV). Once for all!
Phillip R. Stout
And Jesus Sat Over Against The Treasury
Mark 12:38--44
It is my duty as a preacher to declare to you the whole counsel of God. Sovereignty of God - I preach about it. Inspiration of the Scripture. Central fact of the Gospel is the atoning death of Jesus. Salvation by grace through faith. Christian stewardship is also taught in the Bible. I would not be true to my calling unless I preached Christian stewardship. I would not have you to be ignorant concerning what God has to say to us about this important matter. I do not preach on Christian stewardship simply as a means of making it possible for the church to receive more money. It is my conviction that one who is a good steward is a happy, well--balanced, and fruitful Christian. I do not believe that anyone can know the full joy of Christian living until he has realized the blessings of God upon his life as a result of his faithfulness to His cause and kingdom.
The story found in Mark 12 records some of the closing days of Jesus' earthly ministry. Jesus was locked in a life--death struggle with the Pharisees, Sadducees, and scribes. He told them the parable of the wicked husbandman, which demonstrated religious leaders in rejecting Him as the Son of God. Time and again they had tried to trap Him, but time and again with divine wisdom, He made their wisdom seem crudest ignorance (Mark 12:38--40).
I. Jesus is the Lord of the Treasury.
This Scripture gives us a picture of Jesus' concern for the treasury of the house of the Lord. It should be noted that it did not make Jesus popular to sit over against the treasury. Jesus said more about stewardship than He did about any other subject. Check it. Matthew 6:19--24, 33 is a classic example. Jesus is still the Lord of the treasury of every church. As He was concerned then about how people gave, so is He today. Sometimes we feel as though we are simply giving to a church budget - not so. It is not my church - it is the Lord's church. Everything in this church belongs to the Lord; He is the head of the church. He is the head of the treasury. When we give, we give to the worldwide mission of the church. Remember, this is the Lord's treasury.
II. Jesus beholds our gifts.
Jesus was a spectator. The Greek word translated "beheld" means one looking at a thing with interest and for a purpose, usually indicating the careful observation of details. Jesus saw. He is personal. He sees. He is personal today. He knows you. He observed as you gave today. He saw the rich cast in much, out of their abundance. He witnessed the poor widow as she gave her little. Here is drama if we care to see it. The people bringing their gifts to God and God within the shadow keeping watch over His own - His own people and His own treasury. What a sobering thought! You cannot escape this personal God. God is watching. He sees us as we earn. He sees us as we determine in our hearts how much we are to give to the Lord's work through the church. He sees us as we write our checks. He knows whether we are really tithing or not. He looks not at the outward appearance but on the heart. A small gift is as great as a large gift if it is a right proportion and if it is given with the right motives.
III. Jesus judges our gifts.
Jesus not only noticed those who gave, but He also noted the amount of each gift. He did not condemn the rich for their large gifts. No. Thank God for those who make a lot of money and also give a lot - as much or more than a tithe. A man ought to make all the money he can, as long as it is made honestly. I think God intends for every man to do the best he can in the area of his business. It is not wrong to possess possessions. It only becomes wrong when possessions begin to possess us. He did not commend the widow because her gift was small. It was the proportion which she gave that he commended. He looked beyond the hand to the heart. The average person would bow and scrape to the one who gave the largest proportion. James had the spirit of Christ when he wrote James 2:1--4.
The gift should be weighed not counted.
IV. Jesus desires our gifts.
Throughout the Bible we find the Lord being pleased with the gifts of those who loved Him (Genesis 8:20--21). Noah built an altar, offered a beast, fowl as burnt offerings. God was pleased (Exodus 35:4--5; 36:3--6). God delights in the offering of His people, whether they be of self or substance. Jesus is delighted with our gifts (2 Corinthians 9:6--8). Jesus never completely gets you until He gets yours. A Christian needs to give. Your gifts are needed, but more important than that, you need to give. Try tithing. That is, if you can do it with the right spirit. It will open windows from Heaven and also bring inner joy.
God endows some of His children with the talent to make money (Deuteronomy 8:18). God's command has never been rescinded (Malachi 3:10).
V. Jesus blesses our gifts.
He commended the widow. Suppose she had said, "My gift is so small it will never do any good. It will not be missed if I keep it for myself." She would have, herself, missed commendation from the Savior. If you are not a good steward, you are missing many blessings. It is indeed far more blessed to give than it is to receive. Your gift is important - whether small or large. Look what Jesus did with the five loaves and two fishes. Notice this beautiful story in John 6.
Is it not true that many times we feel that our tithe is not so much - it will not be missed - they cannot tell the difference? But more than that, the individual can tell the difference. He misses a tremendous blessing from God. Jesus took those five loaves and two fishes and fed more than 5,000 men. If Jesus could do that with a little boy's loaves and fishes, what do you think He could do with your life fully surrendered to Him?
I believe that when Christian people give, as God wants us to give, the Lord of the Loaves and Fishes will miraculously make those gifts sufficient to meet the needs of the lost world. It is so with us here. When we love Him enough to give in the proper proportion, the Lord Jesus will make what we give more than sufficient for our needs.
Conclusion
He is here today. He will be here next Sunday, and the next through the years. He will be looking over your shoulder when you give. It is just that personal. Is the Lord pleased with the proportion of your gifts? The widow gave all her material possessions. Jesus gave His life on the cross to redeem you. What will you give?
Marvin Middlebrooks
Children's Sermon
Mark 12:38--44
Then he called his disciples and said to them, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on." (v. 43)
Object: Two pennies.
Good morning, boys and girls. How many of you have a penny? (Let them answer.) A lot of you have a penny. Do any of you have more than a penny? Do you have two pennies? (Let them answer.) A lot of you have more than two pennies. What do you use your pennies for when you go to the store with your mom or dad? (Let them answer.) Can you buy anything for one penny or for two pennies? (Let them answer.) You can't buy much of anything, can you?
How many of you make an offering to God in Sunday school or church? (Let them answer.) Good, many of you give an offering. Is it more than a penny? (Let them answer.) Most of you give more than a penny when you have an offering.
I want to tell you a story. Jesus and His disciples were in church one day and it was time for the offering. Jesus watched some men give a couple of dollars and He also saw some men give twenty dollars. He even saw one man give a hundred dollars. Finally, a very rich man gave more than a thousand dollars. I think the disciples were very impressed. But Jesus saw a little old lady whose husband had died come up to the altar to make her offering. She held two pennies in her hand and she placed them carefully in the offering with a prayer of thanks to God.
When she had left the altar, Jesus said that she had given more than anyone else. Is that possible? Didn't one man give more than a thousand dollars? Didn't other people give several dollars, twenty dollars, and a hundred dollars? Why did Jesus say that she gave more than any of the others? (Let them answer.)
The reason Jesus said that the widow who gave two pennies gave the most was because she gave all that she had while the others only gave part of what they had. Now, does God expect all of us to give all of our money to Him in an offering? (Let them answer.) The answer is no. But Jesus told this story because this woman gave her heart to God as well as her money. Some people give a lot of money to God, but they don't give it joyfully. They don't give from their hearts.
It is not the size of the gift to God that matters. It is the gift that we give with joy. We should give to God in response to what He has given us joyfully. So that is why Jesus praised the widow with two pennies. She gave it all and she gave it joyfully. God bless you. Amen.
Twenty--sixth Sunday After Pentecost
WORSHIP HELPS
CALL TO WORSHIP
Pastor: God is our fountain of blessing.
People: We sing His tune of grace.
Pastor: God is our stream of mercy forever!
People: We shout the loudest of praise.
Pastor: God is the melody of our hearts.
People: We know the songs sung by angels.
Pastor: God deserves our praise on high.
People: We climb the mount of praise.
All: And glory in his unchanging love. (based on "Come, Thou Fount Of Every Blessing" by Robert Robinson, 1758)
OFFERING THOUGHT
Father: For the gifts You give so freely, we give You praise and thanksgiving.
BENEDICTION
And now may the God of the harvest be praised and glorified in every land.
SERMON BRIEFS
That Changes Everything
Hebrews 10:11--14 (15--18) 19--25
It's difficult to put into words the magnitude of the change that took place. Sometimes we underestimate it. We see the New Covenant as merely an extension of the Old. But that's not what the prophet saw. " 'The time is coming,' declares the Lord, 'when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.' " Jeremiah goes on declaring God's words; "It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt ..." (Jeremiah 31:31--32).
A new covenant. A different covenant. A superior covenant.
The writer to the Hebrews quotes this great passage from Jeremiah. He shares the words of the Lord that tell us how and why the New Covenant is so different. " 'This is the covenant I will make with them after that time,' says the Lord. 'I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.' "
Then he adds: " 'Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more' " (Hebrews 10:16--17).
The covenant has changed. It began as a promise. God told Abram, "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" (Genesis 12:2 NIV). Abram was a primitive man by our standards. He was in the infancy of his understanding of God, so God dealt with him much the way we deal with our infants. God gave him a promise: "I will bless you."
When we bring newborn children into our homes our covenant with them is based on a promise. We choose to love them, care for them, protect them, and bless them, even though they have nothing to offer in return. All they can do is receive our love.
But very soon God added to his promise to Abram. God asked for certain things from him. Abram now had to have a part in this covenant. There were rules and regulations, which would later turn into laws. Through Moses God would make His laws very specific.
Very soon in the lives of our children, we add rules to our unconditional love. These "laws" are designed to protect them. "Don't go out into the street." "Hold my hand in the parking lot." "Don't go near that!" Dozens of them, all for one purpose, to protect the child. In order for our relationship to survive, the child must survive.
God had a plan for His people. He knew the Law was not the end of this covenantal relationship. He never intended it to be. It was a means to an end - increased intimacy with His creation.
The Old Testament prophets continually emphasized the moral tone of the covenant. It wasn't about laws. It was about the heart. They cried out for God's people to administer mercy and justice. They pleaded with the people to reject idolatry. They wanted the heart of God's people to be turned toward Him.
This moral development is important to us as we raise our children. We would all be a little bothered if a three--year--old child told us a lie. But it wouldn't have the same impact that the intentional lie of a teenager would have on us. We expect the teenager to have a grasp of the moral issues involved. Our covenant has changed. It was enough for the infant to be loved and for the toddler to obey the rules. But we have higher expectations - moral expectations - in the more advanced stages of our covenantal relationship with our children.
But that still isn't enough. God was not simply concerned that His people saw the moral implications of the law He had given to protect them. God wanted intimacy with His people. So the covenant would undergo another change. Not a subtle change. Now everything would change.
"It will not be like the covenant
I made with their forefathers
when I took them by the hand
to lead them out of Egypt,
because they broke my covenant,
though I was a husband to them,"
declares the Lord.
"This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel
after that time," declares the Lord.
"I will put my law in their minds
and write it on their hearts.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people."
- Jeremiah 31:32--33 NIV
One thing has never changed. The covenant keeping God has always said, "If you will be my people, I will be your God." But now He has changed what it means to be His people. We are no longer people of the law. We are people of the heart. Our hearts joined with His. His Spirit fills us. And that changes everything.
Phillip R. Stout
Stand Fast
Mark 13:1--8
With eyes open for truth and with ears attuned to listen to God, let us approach this great and perplexing chapter from Mark's Gospel.
The events described and the teachings recorded in Mark 13 come from the last week of our Lord's life. The events described follow His triumphal entry into Jerusalem and precede His arrest, trials, and crucifixion by a matter of hours.
I. The danger of being deceived
In all ages man has been subject to deception. We can be deceived by others, by the devil, and by ourselves. Our Lord warned His disciples against the peril of listening to false claimants to being the Messiah.
II. On a collision course with catastrophe
This particular passage is very difficult for the casual reader to understand. Our Lord uses apocalyptic language to communicate truths to His disciples that were easier for them to understand than for the modern reader. Apocalyptic language was used by Hebrew sages and prophets to express their hopes and dreams for a divine, dramatic manifestation of God's work, particularly in a time of national stress. Often Jewish prophets and writers used apocalyptic terminology to describe the ultimate consummation of the ages.
The verses under consideration deal both with the catastrophe that Jerusalem faces, and at the same time, the final windup of human history. Because our Lord is speaking concerning both of theses events, the casual reader can be confused as he reads this passage.
A. Disciples of our Lord are always exposed to the peril of trouble.
These were facing the possibility of imprisonment and persecution from both the Jewish authorities and from pagan kings and governors.
B. A time for testimony
Whatever life brings, the follower of Christ should look for an opportunity to give a verbal testimony concerning his experience with Jesus Christ. God will bless his effort. We should trust the Holy Spirit for leadership when the opportunity occurs.
C. Enduring faithfulness leads to ultimate victory.
There will be trouble along the way. Persecution may be our lot. We may experience physical injury. Our ultimate security is with God. The faithful will be rewarded even if martyrdom comes.
D. Jerusalem is to be destroyed.
Israel had rejected her Messiah. Israel had rejected the plan of God for their life. Instead of being a missionary force among the nations of the world, Israel had retreated into a narrow, nationalistic exclusiveness. Israel refused to be a channel through which the grace of God and the message of God could reach the world. By her rejection of God's plan, she chose a pathway that was leading to oblivion.
III. Victory belongs to the Lord
In apocalyptic language our Lord speaks of the consummation of history. In a time when the nation was being threatened by the power of Rome, the followers of Christ are to recognize that above and behind it all, the Lord will rule sovereign and supreme.
The overwhelming impression that comes through this chapter is that each disciple of the Lord Jesus should live each day in readiness for the final victorious return of Jesus Christ. We should not be overly concerned about the day--by--day events that precede His coming. We should concentrate on being faithful and obedient and let God take care of the ultimate outcome.
Conclusion
At night our Lord drew aside that He might go into the presence of the Father God. In the early morning our Lord went among the crowds to be their teacher, comforter, healer, and guide.
If we would face the trails and trouble and fears of the present, we need to spend time in the presence of our Father God. Each day we should find a place of retreat and solitude in order that we might let God speak to our particular life.
Marvin Middlebrooks
Children's Sermon
Mark 13:1--8
Then Jesus began to say to them, "Beware that no one leads you astray." (v. 5)
Object: A pack of cigarettes and a plastic bag containing some pieces of fat cut from meat.
Good morning, boys and girls. Today we are going to talk about how difficult it can be to follow Jesus. Sometimes Christians think that the teachings of Jesus keep them from having fun. Do you think you can be a follower of Jesus and have fun? (Let them answer.) Do you ever tell one of your friends that you couldn't do something they were doing because Jesus would not like it? (Let them answer.)
I think it is something we need to talk about. Jesus talks about people going astray. Do you know what "astray" means? (Let them answer.) Going astray means doing something you know you should not do. Let me give you an example. I brought along a few things that I think boys and girls know they should not do. (Hold up the pack of cigarettes.) Do any of you smoke cigarettes? (Let them answer.) Not one of you smoke. Why not? (Let them answer.) You don't smoke because it is bad for your health. Very good! But if you begin to smoke when you get older, we will all know that you have gone astray. Even though you know it is bad for you, you still might smoke. That is going astray.
Here is another one. (Take the fat from a plastic bag.) Do any of you know what this is? (Let them answer.) That's right, this is fat. Do any of you eat fat? (Let them answer.) No, you don't eat fat like this, but sometimes we eat it when it is still on a pork chop or a steak or in our hamburger. Why should you not eat fat? (Let them answer.) Because it is not good for your heart and it can make you very sick. When we eat fat, we go astray.
Other people try to make our faith look dull and unhappy. These people will tell you that it isn't cool to go to Sunday school or Vacation Bible school. People are trying to lead you astray when they see if they can get you to forget about praying before you eat or saying your prayers before you go to sleep. They will tell you it isn't important or that God doesn't listen. Going astray from Jesus is when you stop reading your Bible or sharing your gifts with others. Going astray is when you stop loving people and forgiving them.
So the next time you see someone trying to sell a pack of cigarettes or some food that isn't good for you, then you will know they want you to go astray.
The same thing is true when people try to talk you out of being a real disciple of Jesus. It may not look cool, but it is the coolest. Don't go astray; stick with Jesus and you will have the happiest life and the most fun for as long as you life. Amen.
Last Sunday After Pentecost
WORSHIP HELPS
CALL TO WORSHIP
Pastor: Make happy noises throughout the earth.
People: We worship the Lord with a glad, joyful heart.
Pastor: God has made us and we belong to Him.
People: We are the people of God and follow Him to His pasture.
Pastor: Enter the sanctuary with thanksgiving and praise. Bless His holy name.
All: For the Lord is good; His steadfast love continues forever as His faithfulness endures to all generations.
OFFERING THOUGHT
How do you treat the following: the hungry, the poor, the stranger, and the sick? Remember, as we trust people we also trust Jesus. How are you doing?
BENEDICTION
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all who can give thanks to God. Amen.
SERMON BRIEFS
A Kingdom Of Priests
Revelation 1:4b--8
At the beginning of this beautiful, awesome, and sometimes awful book is a phrase that we dare not miss. As John shares his revelation with us, he first defines our mission. And he does it simply by describing what Jesus did: "To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father - to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen" (Revelation 1:5--6). Did you catch that? Not only did He free us from our sins, but He also made us into something - a kingdom of priests.
This is not the first time these words have been used to describe God's people. Our role is the fulfillment of a promise that God gave to Moses. The Lord told Moses, "This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 'You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation' " (Exodus 19:3--6).
One of our theological and spiritual fathers stood on these words and saw them as essential to our understanding of Christianity. Martin Luther proclaimed that the church must proclaim the doctrine of "the priesthood of all believers."
What does that mean? Every believer a priest? A kingdom of priests? Few of us could say that the desire of our lives was to be a priest. So what meaning could these words possibly have for us today?
I. Priesthood - It's about access.
In the Old Testament the priest was the man you went to when you needed God. When you wanted to make a sacrifice to God, you went to the priest. When you wanted to know God's word for you, you went to the priest. When you wanted to approach God in any way, you knew that there would be one who would mediate for you. The priest.
The priest would make sacrifices for his own sins, then for the sins of the people. Once a year the high priest - not just any priest - but the high priest would venture into God's presence. This place of God's presence was called the "Most Holy Place." The writer to the Hebrews explains: "A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand, the table, and the consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place ..." (Hebrews 9:2--3).
Behind the curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place. This was not a place for any man to enter. The presence of God, the holiness of God, was much too intimidating. Only the high priest would enter this place and he would only enter it once a year. Mere mortals may not survive the presence of God behind this mysterious curtain. So even when it was entered, it was entered by the high priest with much fear and trepidation.
But something happened when the new covenant was made. Something happened when Jesus Christ gave His life for you and me. Matthew relates the last moment of the crucifixion this way: "And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom" (Matthew 27:50--51).
What does that mean? The writer to the Hebrews explains to us that this curtain that separated us from God has now been torn. The way has been opened to the Most Holy Place. You no longer need a high priest to go into God's presence on your behalf. You are a priest who has access to God. And not only that, but you now enter God's presence, not in intimidation, but in confidence.
"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful" (Hebrews 10:19--23).
Priesthood - it's about access.
II. Priesthood - It's about ministry.
The curtain has been torn. You now have total access to God. You are a priest. And if you are a priest, then you are a minister.
One of the great perversions of the faith is what we call "clericalism" - the belief that there are some people called to minister. In fact the New Testament teaches the exact opposite. If we are redeemed by Christ, we are called to minister. Not some of us, all of us. The New Testament teaches the priesthood of all believers.
Modern Christianity has largely lost this doctrine. Churches interview pastors to come and minister. They ask them to preach, teach, evangelize, care for the sick, counsel the discouraged, administrate the work of the church - to do the work of ministry. And many pastors are content to minister for the church. But that's not God's plan for church leaders. They're not to minister for the church, but with the church. The pastor's responsibility is "to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:12--13).
Priesthood - it's about ministry.
III. Priesthood - It's about responsibility.
It's difficult to comprehend all that God did for us in Christ. Sometimes we take it for granted. To think that I have been given total access to the God who created the universe. To think that I have His ear, His heart attuned to mine. To think that I've been liberated from the curse of sin.
But that's not all. He's made me His ambassador. I have the privilege, as a priest, to minister His love and grace to those around me. I can introduce others to Him. And in so doing I am "mediating" between God and man, with the hope of making others realize their access to God and bring them into the kingdom - the kingdom of priests.
Phillip R. Stout
Our Lord's Central Doctrine
John 18:33--37
The Church has had a noble history. Its heritage of truth has been transmitted to the next generation at great cost. Lives have been given up for the fullness of the gospel. Nothing has been too dear to put on the altar of sacrifice.
Every generation is duty bound to ask itself if it is faithfully magnifying the full truth of the Gospel. It is possible for churches to become cool toward the Spirit of God who desires to refuel the fires of truth for every generation. (Example: The churches of Asia Minor - Revelation 2, 3 - born in fires of Apostolic truth, "in less than fifty years there was tragic decline ranging from the loss of first love at Ephesus to apostasy and fatal deterioration at Laodecia.") Such can happen to us!
By majoring in the essentials of God's Word we shall stay clear of the shoals of subtle unbelief, which have wrecked the evangelical witness of whole denominations.
There is one truth in the Word of God which, more than any other will help us to bear constant witness to all other truths in the Word. But, someone says, "Is it possible to point to one doctrine in the teachings of Jesus that is central to all the rest of the teachings? Is there one doctrine to which all other doctrines in the Word of God lead, and from which they draw their meaning and force?" We believe so.
The Word of God is a harmonious whole, yet that harmony has a coordinating core of truth of which all else is a part. I believe that truth can be simply stated: Christ is King.
I. The practical proof is this truth.
A. As God He is King.
1. By nature - Sovereign
2. Being Creator he has full dominion over all creatures. All that God is, Christ essentially is also.
3. Any theology calling itself Christian must start with Christ as God. If God, then King. Christ was King before His incarnation.
a. Over Old Testament Israel - gave the fiery law to Moses and people in Sinai (Acts 7:38)
b. Was the Angel that went before to guide and direct (Exodus 23:20, 21)
c. He appeared to Joshua with drawn sword as Captain of the Lord's hosts (Joshua 5)
d. Appeared to Samuel (1 Samuel 8:7)
B. Christ was King in the days of His humiliation.
1. Born a King (Matthew 2:2)
2. Nathaniel's confession (John 1:49)
3. Entering Jerusalem "Blessed be the King" (Luke 19:38)
4. Displayed His kingly authority variously.
a. Stilling the sea
b. Healing the sick
c. Speaking the Word, "I say unto you"
C. As the God--Man mediator He is King.
1. As the second person in Trinity Paul says (Romans 9:5)
2. In this relation as "over all" Christ is likewise "King of all Saints" (Revelation 15:3) for they bow to His scepter and rejoice in His rule.
3. God designated Him King.
a. Psalm 2:6, 7
b. Jesus in Luke 22:29
II. As Jesus preached the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:14, 15)
A. Its inception - when his ministry started.
1. Announced the Kingdom
2. Came to Nazareth and outlined what was involved in the Kingdom of God.
a. Jesus' entire ministry was based on this first announcement. All this was germane to the Kingdom of God. This declaration has been called the Magna Carta of the Church of God.
b. Jesus said that it was then "fulfilled in your ears."
B. His perception - How Jesus saw Kingdom (Luke 4:18--24 "Magna Carta of the Church)
1. It is preaching to the poor - who receive the gospel gladly. Rich often go away empty. Poor loved to listen to Him. We read of those poor in this world who are rich in faith.
2. It is healing the brokenhearted. How many there are! Joseph Parker, once addressing a group of young preachers, said, "Young gentlemen, always preach to broken hearts and you will never lack for an audience."
3. "Deliverance to the captives" - those in the chains of sensuality and unclean living.
4. "Recovery of sight" - literal and spiritual; while here on earth Jesus opened blind eyes.
5. "Set at liberty them" - Satan had bruised the first Adam and his progeny. But Jesus, the second Adam, will set them at liberty.
6. "To preach the acceptable year" - year of grace.
Sin stained, low and cruel, Satan's sport and tool
Yet the Savior died of such; Just because He loved so much;
Slaves of sin; and broken men can be saved - made whole again;
Blood--washed, snowy white, spotless in God's sight.
7. Yes, this is our Magna Carta, our constitution. When church fails to preach, teach, heal, save, and sanctify, she forfeits her right to be called the Church.
C. Its reception
1. By repentance and obedience to the truth
Note Matthew 10:5--15 (twelve sent forth, nature of Kingdom work, Jesus' strong condemnation of those who refused this Kingdom - v. 15)
2. When Kingdom of God is preached in power the reception may or may not be favorable. Jesus was cast out and the apostles suffered for truth.
III. As the Bible patterns the Kingdom of God
A. Old Testament precedents
1. Types and shadows prefigure Christ's Kingly office. Melchizedek - David - Solomon
"Melchizedek was a type of Him, not only in His priestly office, but in His kingly office; both offices meeting in Him, as they do in Christ, who is a priest upon His throne. From his quality as a king he had his name Melchizedek, meaning 'king of righteousness' (Isaiah 11:5), and such a one is Christ, who reigns in righteousness: and from the place of His government, 'king of Salem' that is, 'king of peace'; agreeable to which one of Christ's titles is 'Prince of peace' (Isaiah 9:6). David was an eminent type of Christ in his kingly office; for his wisdom and military skill, his courage and valor, his wars and victories, and the equity and justice of his government; hence Christ, his antitype, is often called 'David their king' (Jeremiah 30:9; Ezekiel 33:23; 37:3--24; Hosea 3:5). Solomon was also a type of Christ as king; hence Christ, in the Song of Solomon, is called 'Solomon' (3:7, 9, 11; 8:11, 12), because of his great wisdom, his immense riches, the largeness and peaceableness of his kingdom" (John Gill, 1769).
2. Jesus is "the Lord of Hosts" (Malachi 1:14).
B. Its New Testament proclamation
1. Every mark of Royalty is found in Him.
a. Were kings "anointed" (1 Samuel 10:1; 2 Samuel 2:4)? So has Christ been "anointed with the oil of gladness above His fellows" (Hebrews 1:9).
b. Were kings coroneted at the time of their inauguration? So has Christ been "crowned with glory and honor" (Hebrews 2:7).
c. Do kings sit on thrones when in state (1 Kings 2:19; 10:18)? So Christ "is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens" (Hebrews 8:1).
d. Do kings hold scepters in their hands as an ensign of their royalty? So Christ has "a scepter of righteousness" (Hebrews 1:8).
e. Do kings appear in robes of majesty and state? So Christ is arrayed with majesty itself; "clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the breasts with a golden girdle. His head and hairs white like wool as white as snow; and his eyes as a flame of fire" (Revelation 1:13, 14).
f. Do kings appoint ambassadors to represent their interests abroad? So the apostles announced, "We are ambassadors for Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:20).
g. Are kings possessed of authority and might to execute their wills? So Christ declared, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth" (Matthew 28:18). Even now He has "the key of David" and uses it by opening doors which none can open, and shutting doors which none can open (Revelation 3:7). God has already exalted Him with His right hand "to be a Prince and a Savior" (Acts 5:31).
2. Jesus Himself considered the Kingdom so central that He spent forty days after His resurrection "speaking of things pertaining to the Kingdom of God." (Acts 1:3).
IV. As His apostles promulgated it.
A. That it was spiritual and not carnal.
1. Romans 14:17 Paul's entire ministry expounded the Kingdom of God, even to his internment in Rome (Acts 28:23).
2. Peter's doctrine of the Kingdom was based on Moses' revelation from God (Exodus 19:6).
3. The Apostles suffered for this kind of teaching and so shall we.
B. That it was universal and not local - Acts 15
1. Verses 8, 9
2. Verse 11 "But we believe" - this is the true Apostles' Creed.
3. They based their doctrine on Amos' prophesy (9:11, 12) plus it is fulfillment in what had been occurring among the Gentiles.
C. Eternal, not temporary
1. That was the message of all the prophets before them from whose writings they preached (Daniel 2:44).
2. 2 Peter 1:11
3. Hebrews 12:27, 28 Why then should be fear the future?
Conclusion
A. The presentation of the Kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 15:22--26). The Apostle's final hope was the resurrection.
B. The purifying pow
In her book, Liberals and Other Born--Again Christians, Sally B. Geis refers to a survey taken a few years ago, and states: "... in response to a question about whether most people can be trusted, 76 percent of people answered yes in 1994. Only 35% answered yes in 1995. Americans do not trust one another anymore" (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1997, p. 18).
Dr. Aubrey Malphurs said, "One of the most vital assets of a leader of the early twenty--first century is trust. It's more important than being innovative, creative, intelligent, intentional, and strategic. Why? If people don't trust you, they won't follow you. And if they don't follow you, these other things don't matter" (in a speech at New Church University, quoted in New Church Specialties e--groups newsletter, May 29, 2001). No one would argue with Malphurs' conclusion. If leadership is influence, as some suggest, then trust is at the center of influence.
At the center of moral decline in postmodern culture is the decay and disrespect for trust. Richard Chapen, Jr., in his book, Finish Strong, states: "One of the reasons for the decline of the American spirit is a pervasive loss of trust" (Grand Rapids, Michigan: HarperSanFrancisco: Zondervan, 1998, p. 82). He further stated, "No leader, whether in politics or in business, can survive long if not trusted" (Ibid.).
Trust has at its center the aspect of caring - caring about people, our reputation, our influence, and certainly, caring about truth. James Earl Massey reminds us: "The salient mark of caring is still necessary to bring preacher and people together in trust" (The Burdensome Joy of Preaching, Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1998, 34).
What all of this says to the pastor is that trust is still a treasured commodity. It is still valued and necessary. While the fabric of culture seems to be tearing apart from every corner, never doubt that trust will lose its value. Trust is a part of the truth stable and God's truth will endure the culture erosion. It is for us to take a new lease on trust, value it, guard it, practice it. No pastor/minister/Christian will last long where trust is not a priority. The ranks of hypocrisy swell where trust is not practiced.
Tragic reminders and long--lasting scars of mistrust fill the summaries of churches and pastors/ministers. In some instances, no amount of correction will erase the memory or heal the scars. Forgiveness, yes, forget, no. Only eternity will reveal the work of God short--circuited by a failure to guard trust. All of us know people who lacked that sense of trustfulness that kept their ministries sidetracked and void. But you and I can do better. We have seen the casualties of the past, and may it be a reminder of the value of trust and the remorse of mistrust.
I have three observations about trust. One, it is a biblical mandate. Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 4:1--2 reminds us, "... men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful" (NIV).
Two, only as we give people reasons to trust us, can we lead as pastors, teachers, and Christians. Malphurs was right - nothing else matters if trust is not at the center of what we dream, do, and desire. It all hinges on trust. And such trust must not be hit and miss. It must be a consistent, day in, day out kind of trust.
Three, our preaching, our caring, our leadership are all strengthened by how much people can trust us. Some of us, who are not multi--talented people, can do the trust thing, and do it well. Others, who may have many more talents, but lack the people's trust, will, eventually, be out of the picture.
All of this leads us to the conclusion that trust is a high priority. It must have our full attention. It must be valued about all else. Position and the drive for success should not lead us to compromise our trust and integrity. Guard it carefully and consistently, and God will bless such faithful living.
Pastor, be encouraged. God still honors trust. As you live a trustworthy life may you reap the dividends of God's blessings.
C. Neil Strait
Twenty--fourth Sunday After Pentecost
WORSHIP HELPS
CALL TO WORSHIP
Pastor: We come today as living beings created by the hands of a loving God.
People: O give thanks to the Lord our God.
Pastor: We come today as triumphant Christians by the power of the resurrected Jesus.
People: O give thanks to the Lord our God.
Pastor: We come today as people of God, whose banner over us is love.
People: O give thanks to the Lord our God.
Pastor: Unite your voices and give thanks to the living God.
All: To God in the highest, hosanna, praise, and thanksgiving today, tomorrow, and forever!
OFFERING THOUGHT
Dear God, may we excel in the grace of giving so that the poor may see our generosity in action and not just in word. Amen.
BENEDICTION
God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have all abundance for every good deed. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift. (2 Corinthians 9:8, 15 NASB)
SERMON BRIEFS
The Big Lie
Ruth 1:1--18
Some lies are outrageous. Like the kind you read on the front of supermarket tabloids. We laugh at them. We know that no one could possibly believe those headlines - not even the people who write them! Some lies, however, are much more subtle - so subtle that we don't even recognize them as lies. Then there are those lies that we know to be lies, but they are repeated so often that they begin to sound credible. If you listen to a lie often enough it begins to sound like truth.
There is one huge lie that we know to be a lie. It is told to us constantly. It is told to us creatively. It is told to us always. So even though we know it to be a lie, it begins to have a ring of truth to it. We quit being outraged when we hear it. We're not disappointed when people we love buy into it. And before you know it, we believe it. No, we don't believe it on an intellectual level. But we begin to live as though we believe it. We believe it experientially.
Simply put, the lie says that we will receive happiness and joy by pursuing it for ourselves. We know it's a lie. We know that Jesus said, "Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it" (Matthew 10:39). We've heard countless stories of celebrities and those of great wealth who tried to take their own lives because the pursuit of happiness left them empty. We've heard the testimonials of believers who had to hit bottom - the bottom of "the pursuit of happiness hole" - before they found their lives in Christ. We know the truth. But we find it so hard not to live the lie. We find it so hard not to put ourselves first. We find it so hard not to believe that we would be happy if ... If we had more money. If we had a better career. If we acquired nicer things. It's a powerful lie.
Of course the way to defeat a lie is by wielding the truth. The truth is that when we learn to live beyond ourselves we find real joy. The truth is that if we're willing to lose our lives, we'll find them.
The Old Testament tells us about a remarkable woman. Her name was Ruth. Her only shot at happiness seemed to be to leave her mother--in--law, Naomi. Naomi told her - begged her - to leave, to pursue her own dreams. Naomi's son, Ruth's husband, was dead. In Naomi's estimation it was time for Ruth to return to her people in hopes of finding another husband. Single women of that culture had no future, no chance. It only made sense. Naomi's other daughter--in--law, Orpah, was also a widow. She followed Naomi's advice. She left to return to her people and start her life over again. But not Ruth. Ruth made a decision not to pursue her own happiness. She decided that to give her life for Naomi was more important than dedicating herself to her own pursuits.
Her response to Naomi is one of the most beautiful passages of Scripture. The cry of her heart is almost poetic:
Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me. - Ruth 1:16--17 NIV
Scripture tells us that eventually Ruth would be blessed with a new husband. But don't jump to the hasty conclusion that Ruth knew that would happen. She didn't. She wasn't planting seeds for her future. She was laying down her will - her life - for someone she loved.
"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13).
Phillip R. Stout
And Yet Be Lost
Mark 12:28--34
This text shows that one can be in the "suburbs" of the kingdom of God and yet die and be lost. Let us notice a few who were close to the door but perished.
I. Be a disciple like Ananias and Sapphira - and yet be lost. (Acts 5:1--10)
A. We may imitate Christ and not know Him.
B. We may mingle with Christians, and yet know nothing of the spiritual power of Christianity.
C. The concealed sin as well as the public iniquity will be followed by the judgment of God.
1. There is yet to be a reading of hearts.
2. Not only what we have done, but also what we have left undone is to be judged.
3. Sins, which apparently do no harm to society, are to be punished.
D. Ananias and Sapphira
1. Ananias - "Grace of God"
2. Sapphira - "Sapphire" Jewel of brilliance and beauty
3. Ananias lied and the "grace of God" went out to him.
4. Sapphira lost her beauty and brilliance when she lied.
II. Hold an office in the church like Judas (Acts 1:24--25)
It seems very strange that Jesus would allow such a man to be His disciple. He must have been a good man, but with problems. Christ saw some potential and made him one of the twelve disciples. Christ saw good and evil in Judas and He hoped that as a result of association with Himself, Judas might make it - and yet be lost.
III. Be baptized like Simon (Acts 8:13, 18--23)
This Simon was the first heretic in the Christian Church; first to claim its fellowship, while not believing its fundamental truths. His mistakes were many and grievous.
A. Unscrupulous ambition
B. Bitter insincerity
C. Wanted to purchase power
D. He was a blasphemer
- and yet be lost!
IV. Have lamps with some oil like the foolish virgins (Matthew 25:1--13)
A. We have here two characters contrasted. "Five wise, five foolish." That may define the difference between them, but it is best to see how they were alike.
1. Knowledge and regard for the bridegroom.
2. They all had lamps which at the moment were burning.
3. While the bridegroom tarried, they slumbered and slept.
Not until his coming was announced did the difference between them show up. In outward things the wise and the foolish virgins were alike; the difference between them was internal. The going out of the lamp is often taken to mean the making of a profession, while the absence of the reserve oil is supposed to signify the lack of sincerity in that profession.
I regard the foolish virgins as those who have had some real feelings and attachment to Christ and certain impulses Christ ward; but they were not constant. They were animated by impulse not principle. Their religion did not go down to the lowest depths of their nature. It was a surface thing.
B. Character is revealed by crises. A man has only as much religion as he can command in an hour of trial. The minor surprises of life are to prepare us for the last emergency.
- and yet be lost!
V. Tremble like Felix
Felix was not a man altogether ignorant of the religion of which Paul speaks. Felix's heart was not wholly hardened; his conscience seared; he was a man who had sinned against light and knowledge, and was on his way to utter hardness and blindness of heart. But he had not arrived at that condition yet, or he would have trembled more as Paul talked of the judgment.
Felix trembled but did nothing. There was no abiding impression, no deep lasting effect; so the storm passed over, and he rested in his sins unchanged.
A. Is it not a besetting sin of us all to be afraid or be too idle to look into our consciences to examine our acts, our thoughts, our words, and see whether in each day they have been such as God will approve?
B. Again, are there not many who listen to weekly sermons, and in them hear Christ's ministries, as Felix hears Paul, "concerning the faith of Christ," who yet are none the better for what they hear?
C. Again, is there nothing Felix--like in the manner in which people very often treat the warning of God, which more clearly than any human speaks of righteousness, temperance, and judgment?
D. May we not see in Felix generally a type of want of seriousness in religion? He lacked deep, solemn feeling, wanting in judgment as to the value of things, unable to see the awfulness of his thoughts, which made him tremble. Felix must forever be a type of many within the Christian church.
E. Felix made two great mistakes.
1. He did not know what constituted a convenient season and
2. He presumed he might repent and turn to God whenever he pleased.
F. Now - not by--and--by. Reasons for attitude.
1. Don't want to face a disagreeable subject
2. Many think there will be time to get serious and religious when they get older.
3. God's impressions are allowed to be crowded out by the cares, enjoyments, pleasures, and duties of the world.
- and yet be lost!
VI. Be almost a Christian like Agrippa (Acts 26:28)
A. Agrippa gains world fame and glory for a short time.
B. Agrippa loses himself, Christ, and Heaven and eternal life.
- and yet be lost!
Conclusion
The Bible still says, "Ye must be born again," and "He that endured to the end shall be saved."
Delay is really deciding the wrong way. It robs us of large blessings. It is gambling with a very uncertain thing - our life and its future opportunities.
Marvin Middlebrooks
Children's Sermon
Mark 12:28--34
Then the scribe said to him, "You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that 'he is one, and besides him there is no other'; and 'to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength,' and 'to love one's neighbor as oneself,' - this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." (vv. 32--34)
Object: A nameplate (something you would see on a door to an office), and some very official--looking papers.
Good morning, boys and girls. How many of you feel important? (Let them answer.) Do you know anyone very important? (Let them answer.) Being important is very special to us, isn't it? The President of the United States is important, isn't he? (Let them answer.) Movie stars are important, aren't they? (Let them answer.) Michael Jordan is important, isn't he? (Let them answer.)
I brought along some important things to show you and see if you think these look important to you. First, I have a nameplate. Do you know where I found this nameplate? (Let them answer.) It was on a door into a very private office. When you see a nameplate on an office door, then you know that the person inside of that office is very important.
Second, I brought along some important papers. (Show them the papers.) You can tell these are important papers because they are kept in a special box in a vault at the bank. Only very important papers are kept in such special places.
So being important is very special to us.
One day Jesus said that the most important commandment was to know that there was one God and that we should love Him with all of our heart, with all of our mind, with all of our soul, and with all of our strength. But Jesus said there was a second commandment that was also very important and that was that we should love our neighbor as ourself.
Jesus knew what was important. The people who were listening to Him were very impressed. One of the people stood up and told Jesus how right He was and how much He had learned. As a matter of fact, the Bible tells us that after this meeting no one else asked Jesus any questions. They knew that He was close to God and His teachings were very godly.
The next time you see a nameplate on a door, you will know that the person in the office is important. The next time you see some papers that look like this, you will know they are important. But the next time someone asks you what is the most important teaching that you know, you can say the following: The most important thing to me is to love God with my whole heart, my whole mind, my whole soul, and with all of my strength. The second most important thing I know is that I should love my neighbor as much as I love me. Amen.
Twenty--fifth Sunday After Pentecost
WORSHIP HELPS
CALL TO WORSHIP (Pastor)
Today we gather together to ask the Lord's blessings and to count the many blessings he has bestowed upon us. We will sing the hymn by Johnson Oatman, Jr., and Edwin O. Excell, "Count Your Blessings." At the end of our stanza you will be given an opportunity to stand and express one blessing God has bestowed upon you.
OFFERING THOUGHT
O Lord, my God, I called to You for help and You healed me. You turned my wailing into dancing; You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to You and not be silent. O Lord, my God, I will give You thanks forever. (Psalm 30:2, 11--12 NIV)
BENEDICTION
God's grace is sufficient for all of us today. So take His grace freely and give thanks to Him. Amen.
SERMON BRIEFS
Once For All
Hebrews 9:24--28
Imagine what it would be like if you and I could never really know if our sins are forgiven. Imagine never being assured of our salvation. What if we always had to guess? What if we would have to come down to the final days of our lives and still wonder if heaven was our home?
Of course, we don't have to wonder. We don't have to guess. But often we live our lives as if we do. We live as if we still have to earn God's favor. And when we're trying to earn our salvation by our own efforts, we never really know when it has been accomplished.
That attempt to earn God's favor by our own efforts, by our own works, is called "legalism." Don't be fooled. Legalism isn't some benign eccentricity of the faith. It isn't merely a harsh form of Christianity. It is a heinous sin against the God who redeemed us.
Sometimes we have a hard time accepting our forgiveness. Because we have trouble forgiving ourselves, we struggle with experiencing God's forgiveness. This leads us to try to "augment" our salvation. We do good things. But there is something inside us that is draining the joy we should experience in doing good works. That "something" is a misplaced motive. It is working, giving, laboring, and serving in hopes that God will fully accept us. It is a hope that we can assure our salvation by doing the right things. We add on to His grace just in case it isn't enough. So we find ourselves doing the right things for the wrong reasons.
Legalism kills. It kills the spirit. The love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self--control that Paul says the Spirit brings is displaced. (Have you ever seen a happy legalist?)
Scripture is crystal clear on this issue. Isaiah says, "Our righteous acts are like filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6 NIV). Paul goes ballistic on the Galatian believers who were falling back into legalism: "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel - which is really no gospel at all" (Galatians 1:6--7). Paul is saying, "This isn't the good news! This is bad news!"
Why is legalism such an abomination to God? Why the strong language condemning it? Simply put, legalism says that Christ's sacrificial death was unnecessary and irrelevant. Paul said, "I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!" (Galatians 2:21 NIV).
So how do we overcome the strong temptation to trust our works rather than trusting His grace? How do we maintain the joy and peace of our salvation? How do we love and serve God with the right motives?
Three words: "Once for all."
"But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself" (Hebrews 9:26 NIV). The writer to the Hebrews is not the only one to use this phrase. Paul used it (Romans 6:10). Peter used it (1 Peter 3:18). They were saying that Christ died for our sins once for all. He has forgiven you. You don't need another sacrifice. You don't need to ask God to forgive you again for what He has already forgiven you. It's done! Once for all!
The Hebrew believers were familiar with the old sacrificial system. They were familiar with the annual sacrifices made by their high priest. But now everything would change. God had done a new thing in Christ. The sacrifice wouldn't be repeated each year. It was done. The ultimate sacrifice was made once for all.
Many years ago I read a question posed my Mike Yaconnelli. It was a simple, profound question that I have never been able to escape. He asked, "What would happen if Christians acted like they were forgiven?"
Think about it. We say we're forgiven. But what would happen if we believed it so deeply, so thoroughly that it impacted every moment of our lives? What would happen if we acted like we were forgiven?
There are a few words that come to my mind. That kind of radical paradigm shift - from guilt to forgiveness - would foster a radical response. I think of words like liberation, joy, and gratitude. Why, if we really believed it, our existence would be permeated with joy. Covered with gratitude. Liberated!
There's another word that comes to my mind. Contagious. If we acted as though our sins were forgiven - once for all - never to be remembered, I believe our faith and our lives would be transforming to those around us.
The Psalmist declared, "... as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us" (Psalm 103:12 NIV). Once for all!
Phillip R. Stout
And Jesus Sat Over Against The Treasury
Mark 12:38--44
It is my duty as a preacher to declare to you the whole counsel of God. Sovereignty of God - I preach about it. Inspiration of the Scripture. Central fact of the Gospel is the atoning death of Jesus. Salvation by grace through faith. Christian stewardship is also taught in the Bible. I would not be true to my calling unless I preached Christian stewardship. I would not have you to be ignorant concerning what God has to say to us about this important matter. I do not preach on Christian stewardship simply as a means of making it possible for the church to receive more money. It is my conviction that one who is a good steward is a happy, well--balanced, and fruitful Christian. I do not believe that anyone can know the full joy of Christian living until he has realized the blessings of God upon his life as a result of his faithfulness to His cause and kingdom.
The story found in Mark 12 records some of the closing days of Jesus' earthly ministry. Jesus was locked in a life--death struggle with the Pharisees, Sadducees, and scribes. He told them the parable of the wicked husbandman, which demonstrated religious leaders in rejecting Him as the Son of God. Time and again they had tried to trap Him, but time and again with divine wisdom, He made their wisdom seem crudest ignorance (Mark 12:38--40).
I. Jesus is the Lord of the Treasury.
This Scripture gives us a picture of Jesus' concern for the treasury of the house of the Lord. It should be noted that it did not make Jesus popular to sit over against the treasury. Jesus said more about stewardship than He did about any other subject. Check it. Matthew 6:19--24, 33 is a classic example. Jesus is still the Lord of the treasury of every church. As He was concerned then about how people gave, so is He today. Sometimes we feel as though we are simply giving to a church budget - not so. It is not my church - it is the Lord's church. Everything in this church belongs to the Lord; He is the head of the church. He is the head of the treasury. When we give, we give to the worldwide mission of the church. Remember, this is the Lord's treasury.
II. Jesus beholds our gifts.
Jesus was a spectator. The Greek word translated "beheld" means one looking at a thing with interest and for a purpose, usually indicating the careful observation of details. Jesus saw. He is personal. He sees. He is personal today. He knows you. He observed as you gave today. He saw the rich cast in much, out of their abundance. He witnessed the poor widow as she gave her little. Here is drama if we care to see it. The people bringing their gifts to God and God within the shadow keeping watch over His own - His own people and His own treasury. What a sobering thought! You cannot escape this personal God. God is watching. He sees us as we earn. He sees us as we determine in our hearts how much we are to give to the Lord's work through the church. He sees us as we write our checks. He knows whether we are really tithing or not. He looks not at the outward appearance but on the heart. A small gift is as great as a large gift if it is a right proportion and if it is given with the right motives.
III. Jesus judges our gifts.
Jesus not only noticed those who gave, but He also noted the amount of each gift. He did not condemn the rich for their large gifts. No. Thank God for those who make a lot of money and also give a lot - as much or more than a tithe. A man ought to make all the money he can, as long as it is made honestly. I think God intends for every man to do the best he can in the area of his business. It is not wrong to possess possessions. It only becomes wrong when possessions begin to possess us. He did not commend the widow because her gift was small. It was the proportion which she gave that he commended. He looked beyond the hand to the heart. The average person would bow and scrape to the one who gave the largest proportion. James had the spirit of Christ when he wrote James 2:1--4.
The gift should be weighed not counted.
IV. Jesus desires our gifts.
Throughout the Bible we find the Lord being pleased with the gifts of those who loved Him (Genesis 8:20--21). Noah built an altar, offered a beast, fowl as burnt offerings. God was pleased (Exodus 35:4--5; 36:3--6). God delights in the offering of His people, whether they be of self or substance. Jesus is delighted with our gifts (2 Corinthians 9:6--8). Jesus never completely gets you until He gets yours. A Christian needs to give. Your gifts are needed, but more important than that, you need to give. Try tithing. That is, if you can do it with the right spirit. It will open windows from Heaven and also bring inner joy.
God endows some of His children with the talent to make money (Deuteronomy 8:18). God's command has never been rescinded (Malachi 3:10).
V. Jesus blesses our gifts.
He commended the widow. Suppose she had said, "My gift is so small it will never do any good. It will not be missed if I keep it for myself." She would have, herself, missed commendation from the Savior. If you are not a good steward, you are missing many blessings. It is indeed far more blessed to give than it is to receive. Your gift is important - whether small or large. Look what Jesus did with the five loaves and two fishes. Notice this beautiful story in John 6.
Is it not true that many times we feel that our tithe is not so much - it will not be missed - they cannot tell the difference? But more than that, the individual can tell the difference. He misses a tremendous blessing from God. Jesus took those five loaves and two fishes and fed more than 5,000 men. If Jesus could do that with a little boy's loaves and fishes, what do you think He could do with your life fully surrendered to Him?
I believe that when Christian people give, as God wants us to give, the Lord of the Loaves and Fishes will miraculously make those gifts sufficient to meet the needs of the lost world. It is so with us here. When we love Him enough to give in the proper proportion, the Lord Jesus will make what we give more than sufficient for our needs.
Conclusion
He is here today. He will be here next Sunday, and the next through the years. He will be looking over your shoulder when you give. It is just that personal. Is the Lord pleased with the proportion of your gifts? The widow gave all her material possessions. Jesus gave His life on the cross to redeem you. What will you give?
Marvin Middlebrooks
Children's Sermon
Mark 12:38--44
Then he called his disciples and said to them, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on." (v. 43)
Object: Two pennies.
Good morning, boys and girls. How many of you have a penny? (Let them answer.) A lot of you have a penny. Do any of you have more than a penny? Do you have two pennies? (Let them answer.) A lot of you have more than two pennies. What do you use your pennies for when you go to the store with your mom or dad? (Let them answer.) Can you buy anything for one penny or for two pennies? (Let them answer.) You can't buy much of anything, can you?
How many of you make an offering to God in Sunday school or church? (Let them answer.) Good, many of you give an offering. Is it more than a penny? (Let them answer.) Most of you give more than a penny when you have an offering.
I want to tell you a story. Jesus and His disciples were in church one day and it was time for the offering. Jesus watched some men give a couple of dollars and He also saw some men give twenty dollars. He even saw one man give a hundred dollars. Finally, a very rich man gave more than a thousand dollars. I think the disciples were very impressed. But Jesus saw a little old lady whose husband had died come up to the altar to make her offering. She held two pennies in her hand and she placed them carefully in the offering with a prayer of thanks to God.
When she had left the altar, Jesus said that she had given more than anyone else. Is that possible? Didn't one man give more than a thousand dollars? Didn't other people give several dollars, twenty dollars, and a hundred dollars? Why did Jesus say that she gave more than any of the others? (Let them answer.)
The reason Jesus said that the widow who gave two pennies gave the most was because she gave all that she had while the others only gave part of what they had. Now, does God expect all of us to give all of our money to Him in an offering? (Let them answer.) The answer is no. But Jesus told this story because this woman gave her heart to God as well as her money. Some people give a lot of money to God, but they don't give it joyfully. They don't give from their hearts.
It is not the size of the gift to God that matters. It is the gift that we give with joy. We should give to God in response to what He has given us joyfully. So that is why Jesus praised the widow with two pennies. She gave it all and she gave it joyfully. God bless you. Amen.
Twenty--sixth Sunday After Pentecost
WORSHIP HELPS
CALL TO WORSHIP
Pastor: God is our fountain of blessing.
People: We sing His tune of grace.
Pastor: God is our stream of mercy forever!
People: We shout the loudest of praise.
Pastor: God is the melody of our hearts.
People: We know the songs sung by angels.
Pastor: God deserves our praise on high.
People: We climb the mount of praise.
All: And glory in his unchanging love. (based on "Come, Thou Fount Of Every Blessing" by Robert Robinson, 1758)
OFFERING THOUGHT
Father: For the gifts You give so freely, we give You praise and thanksgiving.
BENEDICTION
And now may the God of the harvest be praised and glorified in every land.
SERMON BRIEFS
That Changes Everything
Hebrews 10:11--14 (15--18) 19--25
It's difficult to put into words the magnitude of the change that took place. Sometimes we underestimate it. We see the New Covenant as merely an extension of the Old. But that's not what the prophet saw. " 'The time is coming,' declares the Lord, 'when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.' " Jeremiah goes on declaring God's words; "It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt ..." (Jeremiah 31:31--32).
A new covenant. A different covenant. A superior covenant.
The writer to the Hebrews quotes this great passage from Jeremiah. He shares the words of the Lord that tell us how and why the New Covenant is so different. " 'This is the covenant I will make with them after that time,' says the Lord. 'I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.' "
Then he adds: " 'Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more' " (Hebrews 10:16--17).
The covenant has changed. It began as a promise. God told Abram, "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" (Genesis 12:2 NIV). Abram was a primitive man by our standards. He was in the infancy of his understanding of God, so God dealt with him much the way we deal with our infants. God gave him a promise: "I will bless you."
When we bring newborn children into our homes our covenant with them is based on a promise. We choose to love them, care for them, protect them, and bless them, even though they have nothing to offer in return. All they can do is receive our love.
But very soon God added to his promise to Abram. God asked for certain things from him. Abram now had to have a part in this covenant. There were rules and regulations, which would later turn into laws. Through Moses God would make His laws very specific.
Very soon in the lives of our children, we add rules to our unconditional love. These "laws" are designed to protect them. "Don't go out into the street." "Hold my hand in the parking lot." "Don't go near that!" Dozens of them, all for one purpose, to protect the child. In order for our relationship to survive, the child must survive.
God had a plan for His people. He knew the Law was not the end of this covenantal relationship. He never intended it to be. It was a means to an end - increased intimacy with His creation.
The Old Testament prophets continually emphasized the moral tone of the covenant. It wasn't about laws. It was about the heart. They cried out for God's people to administer mercy and justice. They pleaded with the people to reject idolatry. They wanted the heart of God's people to be turned toward Him.
This moral development is important to us as we raise our children. We would all be a little bothered if a three--year--old child told us a lie. But it wouldn't have the same impact that the intentional lie of a teenager would have on us. We expect the teenager to have a grasp of the moral issues involved. Our covenant has changed. It was enough for the infant to be loved and for the toddler to obey the rules. But we have higher expectations - moral expectations - in the more advanced stages of our covenantal relationship with our children.
But that still isn't enough. God was not simply concerned that His people saw the moral implications of the law He had given to protect them. God wanted intimacy with His people. So the covenant would undergo another change. Not a subtle change. Now everything would change.
"It will not be like the covenant
I made with their forefathers
when I took them by the hand
to lead them out of Egypt,
because they broke my covenant,
though I was a husband to them,"
declares the Lord.
"This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel
after that time," declares the Lord.
"I will put my law in their minds
and write it on their hearts.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people."
- Jeremiah 31:32--33 NIV
One thing has never changed. The covenant keeping God has always said, "If you will be my people, I will be your God." But now He has changed what it means to be His people. We are no longer people of the law. We are people of the heart. Our hearts joined with His. His Spirit fills us. And that changes everything.
Phillip R. Stout
Stand Fast
Mark 13:1--8
With eyes open for truth and with ears attuned to listen to God, let us approach this great and perplexing chapter from Mark's Gospel.
The events described and the teachings recorded in Mark 13 come from the last week of our Lord's life. The events described follow His triumphal entry into Jerusalem and precede His arrest, trials, and crucifixion by a matter of hours.
I. The danger of being deceived
In all ages man has been subject to deception. We can be deceived by others, by the devil, and by ourselves. Our Lord warned His disciples against the peril of listening to false claimants to being the Messiah.
II. On a collision course with catastrophe
This particular passage is very difficult for the casual reader to understand. Our Lord uses apocalyptic language to communicate truths to His disciples that were easier for them to understand than for the modern reader. Apocalyptic language was used by Hebrew sages and prophets to express their hopes and dreams for a divine, dramatic manifestation of God's work, particularly in a time of national stress. Often Jewish prophets and writers used apocalyptic terminology to describe the ultimate consummation of the ages.
The verses under consideration deal both with the catastrophe that Jerusalem faces, and at the same time, the final windup of human history. Because our Lord is speaking concerning both of theses events, the casual reader can be confused as he reads this passage.
A. Disciples of our Lord are always exposed to the peril of trouble.
These were facing the possibility of imprisonment and persecution from both the Jewish authorities and from pagan kings and governors.
B. A time for testimony
Whatever life brings, the follower of Christ should look for an opportunity to give a verbal testimony concerning his experience with Jesus Christ. God will bless his effort. We should trust the Holy Spirit for leadership when the opportunity occurs.
C. Enduring faithfulness leads to ultimate victory.
There will be trouble along the way. Persecution may be our lot. We may experience physical injury. Our ultimate security is with God. The faithful will be rewarded even if martyrdom comes.
D. Jerusalem is to be destroyed.
Israel had rejected her Messiah. Israel had rejected the plan of God for their life. Instead of being a missionary force among the nations of the world, Israel had retreated into a narrow, nationalistic exclusiveness. Israel refused to be a channel through which the grace of God and the message of God could reach the world. By her rejection of God's plan, she chose a pathway that was leading to oblivion.
III. Victory belongs to the Lord
In apocalyptic language our Lord speaks of the consummation of history. In a time when the nation was being threatened by the power of Rome, the followers of Christ are to recognize that above and behind it all, the Lord will rule sovereign and supreme.
The overwhelming impression that comes through this chapter is that each disciple of the Lord Jesus should live each day in readiness for the final victorious return of Jesus Christ. We should not be overly concerned about the day--by--day events that precede His coming. We should concentrate on being faithful and obedient and let God take care of the ultimate outcome.
Conclusion
At night our Lord drew aside that He might go into the presence of the Father God. In the early morning our Lord went among the crowds to be their teacher, comforter, healer, and guide.
If we would face the trails and trouble and fears of the present, we need to spend time in the presence of our Father God. Each day we should find a place of retreat and solitude in order that we might let God speak to our particular life.
Marvin Middlebrooks
Children's Sermon
Mark 13:1--8
Then Jesus began to say to them, "Beware that no one leads you astray." (v. 5)
Object: A pack of cigarettes and a plastic bag containing some pieces of fat cut from meat.
Good morning, boys and girls. Today we are going to talk about how difficult it can be to follow Jesus. Sometimes Christians think that the teachings of Jesus keep them from having fun. Do you think you can be a follower of Jesus and have fun? (Let them answer.) Do you ever tell one of your friends that you couldn't do something they were doing because Jesus would not like it? (Let them answer.)
I think it is something we need to talk about. Jesus talks about people going astray. Do you know what "astray" means? (Let them answer.) Going astray means doing something you know you should not do. Let me give you an example. I brought along a few things that I think boys and girls know they should not do. (Hold up the pack of cigarettes.) Do any of you smoke cigarettes? (Let them answer.) Not one of you smoke. Why not? (Let them answer.) You don't smoke because it is bad for your health. Very good! But if you begin to smoke when you get older, we will all know that you have gone astray. Even though you know it is bad for you, you still might smoke. That is going astray.
Here is another one. (Take the fat from a plastic bag.) Do any of you know what this is? (Let them answer.) That's right, this is fat. Do any of you eat fat? (Let them answer.) No, you don't eat fat like this, but sometimes we eat it when it is still on a pork chop or a steak or in our hamburger. Why should you not eat fat? (Let them answer.) Because it is not good for your heart and it can make you very sick. When we eat fat, we go astray.
Other people try to make our faith look dull and unhappy. These people will tell you that it isn't cool to go to Sunday school or Vacation Bible school. People are trying to lead you astray when they see if they can get you to forget about praying before you eat or saying your prayers before you go to sleep. They will tell you it isn't important or that God doesn't listen. Going astray from Jesus is when you stop reading your Bible or sharing your gifts with others. Going astray is when you stop loving people and forgiving them.
So the next time you see someone trying to sell a pack of cigarettes or some food that isn't good for you, then you will know they want you to go astray.
The same thing is true when people try to talk you out of being a real disciple of Jesus. It may not look cool, but it is the coolest. Don't go astray; stick with Jesus and you will have the happiest life and the most fun for as long as you life. Amen.
Last Sunday After Pentecost
WORSHIP HELPS
CALL TO WORSHIP
Pastor: Make happy noises throughout the earth.
People: We worship the Lord with a glad, joyful heart.
Pastor: God has made us and we belong to Him.
People: We are the people of God and follow Him to His pasture.
Pastor: Enter the sanctuary with thanksgiving and praise. Bless His holy name.
All: For the Lord is good; His steadfast love continues forever as His faithfulness endures to all generations.
OFFERING THOUGHT
How do you treat the following: the hungry, the poor, the stranger, and the sick? Remember, as we trust people we also trust Jesus. How are you doing?
BENEDICTION
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all who can give thanks to God. Amen.
SERMON BRIEFS
A Kingdom Of Priests
Revelation 1:4b--8
At the beginning of this beautiful, awesome, and sometimes awful book is a phrase that we dare not miss. As John shares his revelation with us, he first defines our mission. And he does it simply by describing what Jesus did: "To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father - to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen" (Revelation 1:5--6). Did you catch that? Not only did He free us from our sins, but He also made us into something - a kingdom of priests.
This is not the first time these words have been used to describe God's people. Our role is the fulfillment of a promise that God gave to Moses. The Lord told Moses, "This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 'You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation' " (Exodus 19:3--6).
One of our theological and spiritual fathers stood on these words and saw them as essential to our understanding of Christianity. Martin Luther proclaimed that the church must proclaim the doctrine of "the priesthood of all believers."
What does that mean? Every believer a priest? A kingdom of priests? Few of us could say that the desire of our lives was to be a priest. So what meaning could these words possibly have for us today?
I. Priesthood - It's about access.
In the Old Testament the priest was the man you went to when you needed God. When you wanted to make a sacrifice to God, you went to the priest. When you wanted to know God's word for you, you went to the priest. When you wanted to approach God in any way, you knew that there would be one who would mediate for you. The priest.
The priest would make sacrifices for his own sins, then for the sins of the people. Once a year the high priest - not just any priest - but the high priest would venture into God's presence. This place of God's presence was called the "Most Holy Place." The writer to the Hebrews explains: "A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand, the table, and the consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place ..." (Hebrews 9:2--3).
Behind the curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place. This was not a place for any man to enter. The presence of God, the holiness of God, was much too intimidating. Only the high priest would enter this place and he would only enter it once a year. Mere mortals may not survive the presence of God behind this mysterious curtain. So even when it was entered, it was entered by the high priest with much fear and trepidation.
But something happened when the new covenant was made. Something happened when Jesus Christ gave His life for you and me. Matthew relates the last moment of the crucifixion this way: "And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom" (Matthew 27:50--51).
What does that mean? The writer to the Hebrews explains to us that this curtain that separated us from God has now been torn. The way has been opened to the Most Holy Place. You no longer need a high priest to go into God's presence on your behalf. You are a priest who has access to God. And not only that, but you now enter God's presence, not in intimidation, but in confidence.
"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful" (Hebrews 10:19--23).
Priesthood - it's about access.
II. Priesthood - It's about ministry.
The curtain has been torn. You now have total access to God. You are a priest. And if you are a priest, then you are a minister.
One of the great perversions of the faith is what we call "clericalism" - the belief that there are some people called to minister. In fact the New Testament teaches the exact opposite. If we are redeemed by Christ, we are called to minister. Not some of us, all of us. The New Testament teaches the priesthood of all believers.
Modern Christianity has largely lost this doctrine. Churches interview pastors to come and minister. They ask them to preach, teach, evangelize, care for the sick, counsel the discouraged, administrate the work of the church - to do the work of ministry. And many pastors are content to minister for the church. But that's not God's plan for church leaders. They're not to minister for the church, but with the church. The pastor's responsibility is "to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:12--13).
Priesthood - it's about ministry.
III. Priesthood - It's about responsibility.
It's difficult to comprehend all that God did for us in Christ. Sometimes we take it for granted. To think that I have been given total access to the God who created the universe. To think that I have His ear, His heart attuned to mine. To think that I've been liberated from the curse of sin.
But that's not all. He's made me His ambassador. I have the privilege, as a priest, to minister His love and grace to those around me. I can introduce others to Him. And in so doing I am "mediating" between God and man, with the hope of making others realize their access to God and bring them into the kingdom - the kingdom of priests.
Phillip R. Stout
Our Lord's Central Doctrine
John 18:33--37
The Church has had a noble history. Its heritage of truth has been transmitted to the next generation at great cost. Lives have been given up for the fullness of the gospel. Nothing has been too dear to put on the altar of sacrifice.
Every generation is duty bound to ask itself if it is faithfully magnifying the full truth of the Gospel. It is possible for churches to become cool toward the Spirit of God who desires to refuel the fires of truth for every generation. (Example: The churches of Asia Minor - Revelation 2, 3 - born in fires of Apostolic truth, "in less than fifty years there was tragic decline ranging from the loss of first love at Ephesus to apostasy and fatal deterioration at Laodecia.") Such can happen to us!
By majoring in the essentials of God's Word we shall stay clear of the shoals of subtle unbelief, which have wrecked the evangelical witness of whole denominations.
There is one truth in the Word of God which, more than any other will help us to bear constant witness to all other truths in the Word. But, someone says, "Is it possible to point to one doctrine in the teachings of Jesus that is central to all the rest of the teachings? Is there one doctrine to which all other doctrines in the Word of God lead, and from which they draw their meaning and force?" We believe so.
The Word of God is a harmonious whole, yet that harmony has a coordinating core of truth of which all else is a part. I believe that truth can be simply stated: Christ is King.
I. The practical proof is this truth.
A. As God He is King.
1. By nature - Sovereign
2. Being Creator he has full dominion over all creatures. All that God is, Christ essentially is also.
3. Any theology calling itself Christian must start with Christ as God. If God, then King. Christ was King before His incarnation.
a. Over Old Testament Israel - gave the fiery law to Moses and people in Sinai (Acts 7:38)
b. Was the Angel that went before to guide and direct (Exodus 23:20, 21)
c. He appeared to Joshua with drawn sword as Captain of the Lord's hosts (Joshua 5)
d. Appeared to Samuel (1 Samuel 8:7)
B. Christ was King in the days of His humiliation.
1. Born a King (Matthew 2:2)
2. Nathaniel's confession (John 1:49)
3. Entering Jerusalem "Blessed be the King" (Luke 19:38)
4. Displayed His kingly authority variously.
a. Stilling the sea
b. Healing the sick
c. Speaking the Word, "I say unto you"
C. As the God--Man mediator He is King.
1. As the second person in Trinity Paul says (Romans 9:5)
2. In this relation as "over all" Christ is likewise "King of all Saints" (Revelation 15:3) for they bow to His scepter and rejoice in His rule.
3. God designated Him King.
a. Psalm 2:6, 7
b. Jesus in Luke 22:29
II. As Jesus preached the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:14, 15)
A. Its inception - when his ministry started.
1. Announced the Kingdom
2. Came to Nazareth and outlined what was involved in the Kingdom of God.
a. Jesus' entire ministry was based on this first announcement. All this was germane to the Kingdom of God. This declaration has been called the Magna Carta of the Church of God.
b. Jesus said that it was then "fulfilled in your ears."
B. His perception - How Jesus saw Kingdom (Luke 4:18--24 "Magna Carta of the Church)
1. It is preaching to the poor - who receive the gospel gladly. Rich often go away empty. Poor loved to listen to Him. We read of those poor in this world who are rich in faith.
2. It is healing the brokenhearted. How many there are! Joseph Parker, once addressing a group of young preachers, said, "Young gentlemen, always preach to broken hearts and you will never lack for an audience."
3. "Deliverance to the captives" - those in the chains of sensuality and unclean living.
4. "Recovery of sight" - literal and spiritual; while here on earth Jesus opened blind eyes.
5. "Set at liberty them" - Satan had bruised the first Adam and his progeny. But Jesus, the second Adam, will set them at liberty.
6. "To preach the acceptable year" - year of grace.
Sin stained, low and cruel, Satan's sport and tool
Yet the Savior died of such; Just because He loved so much;
Slaves of sin; and broken men can be saved - made whole again;
Blood--washed, snowy white, spotless in God's sight.
7. Yes, this is our Magna Carta, our constitution. When church fails to preach, teach, heal, save, and sanctify, she forfeits her right to be called the Church.
C. Its reception
1. By repentance and obedience to the truth
Note Matthew 10:5--15 (twelve sent forth, nature of Kingdom work, Jesus' strong condemnation of those who refused this Kingdom - v. 15)
2. When Kingdom of God is preached in power the reception may or may not be favorable. Jesus was cast out and the apostles suffered for truth.
III. As the Bible patterns the Kingdom of God
A. Old Testament precedents
1. Types and shadows prefigure Christ's Kingly office. Melchizedek - David - Solomon
"Melchizedek was a type of Him, not only in His priestly office, but in His kingly office; both offices meeting in Him, as they do in Christ, who is a priest upon His throne. From his quality as a king he had his name Melchizedek, meaning 'king of righteousness' (Isaiah 11:5), and such a one is Christ, who reigns in righteousness: and from the place of His government, 'king of Salem' that is, 'king of peace'; agreeable to which one of Christ's titles is 'Prince of peace' (Isaiah 9:6). David was an eminent type of Christ in his kingly office; for his wisdom and military skill, his courage and valor, his wars and victories, and the equity and justice of his government; hence Christ, his antitype, is often called 'David their king' (Jeremiah 30:9; Ezekiel 33:23; 37:3--24; Hosea 3:5). Solomon was also a type of Christ as king; hence Christ, in the Song of Solomon, is called 'Solomon' (3:7, 9, 11; 8:11, 12), because of his great wisdom, his immense riches, the largeness and peaceableness of his kingdom" (John Gill, 1769).
2. Jesus is "the Lord of Hosts" (Malachi 1:14).
B. Its New Testament proclamation
1. Every mark of Royalty is found in Him.
a. Were kings "anointed" (1 Samuel 10:1; 2 Samuel 2:4)? So has Christ been "anointed with the oil of gladness above His fellows" (Hebrews 1:9).
b. Were kings coroneted at the time of their inauguration? So has Christ been "crowned with glory and honor" (Hebrews 2:7).
c. Do kings sit on thrones when in state (1 Kings 2:19; 10:18)? So Christ "is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens" (Hebrews 8:1).
d. Do kings hold scepters in their hands as an ensign of their royalty? So Christ has "a scepter of righteousness" (Hebrews 1:8).
e. Do kings appear in robes of majesty and state? So Christ is arrayed with majesty itself; "clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the breasts with a golden girdle. His head and hairs white like wool as white as snow; and his eyes as a flame of fire" (Revelation 1:13, 14).
f. Do kings appoint ambassadors to represent their interests abroad? So the apostles announced, "We are ambassadors for Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:20).
g. Are kings possessed of authority and might to execute their wills? So Christ declared, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth" (Matthew 28:18). Even now He has "the key of David" and uses it by opening doors which none can open, and shutting doors which none can open (Revelation 3:7). God has already exalted Him with His right hand "to be a Prince and a Savior" (Acts 5:31).
2. Jesus Himself considered the Kingdom so central that He spent forty days after His resurrection "speaking of things pertaining to the Kingdom of God." (Acts 1:3).
IV. As His apostles promulgated it.
A. That it was spiritual and not carnal.
1. Romans 14:17 Paul's entire ministry expounded the Kingdom of God, even to his internment in Rome (Acts 28:23).
2. Peter's doctrine of the Kingdom was based on Moses' revelation from God (Exodus 19:6).
3. The Apostles suffered for this kind of teaching and so shall we.
B. That it was universal and not local - Acts 15
1. Verses 8, 9
2. Verse 11 "But we believe" - this is the true Apostles' Creed.
3. They based their doctrine on Amos' prophesy (9:11, 12) plus it is fulfillment in what had been occurring among the Gentiles.
C. Eternal, not temporary
1. That was the message of all the prophets before them from whose writings they preached (Daniel 2:44).
2. 2 Peter 1:11
3. Hebrews 12:27, 28 Why then should be fear the future?
Conclusion
A. The presentation of the Kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 15:22--26). The Apostle's final hope was the resurrection.
B. The purifying pow
