“SIX MILES TO SEE JESUS”
Matthew 2:1-6
December 25, 2011
I’ve calculated that Carol and I live about 3 miles from the church office or about 6 miles round trip. I’ve often thought about trying to walk that distance but that’s about as far as I’ve gotten with it – just a thought. For some folks, who are in good shape, that’s not too much of a walk.
The city of Jerusalem was about 6 miles from Bethlehem. Most of the key events in the Bible took place within 100 miles of Jerusalem and the mode of transportation was walking. In fact, the most important event in history took place just six miles from Jerusalem in Bethlehem. Against that backdrop we read Matthew’s account of the coming of the Magi in our text verses.
The teachers of the law knew a great deal about the coming Messiah. They knew He would be born of the Seed of the woman. Genesis 3:15.
He would be a descendant of Shem. Genesis 9:26.
He would be of the seed of Abraham. Genesis 12:1-3.
He would be a descendant of Isaac. Genesis 22:18.
He would be a descendant of Jacob. Genesis 28:14.
He would be of the tribe of Judah. Genesis 49:10.
He would be a “son of David." 2 Samuel 7:11,12,16.
He would be born of a virgin. Isaiah 7:14.
He would be born in Bethlehem. Micah 5:2.
If they knew the truth about all of this concerning the coming of the Messiah, then why didn’t they go with the Magi just 6 miles to Bethlehem? Let me offer three answers to that question. First of all:
THEY WERE INTELLECTUALLY LAZY -- The Jewish religious leaders had the truth about the Messiah. They were experts in the Law of Moses. In spite of that knowledge they weren’t interested in going 6 miles to check it out for themselves.
The truth is that there are many people who study long and hard; they read tons of books and consider so many different ideas and opinions about God but they never get around to making a commitment to Him. They have the opportunity to know the truth. They have the Word of God, they study the Word of God, they know the Word of God and they think about the Word of God. But with all of that, they won’t make a commitment to Jesus
Speaking of the condition of men in the last days, Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:7 that men are “….always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” Knowledge is good but at some point you’ve got to decide what you personally believe. What use is your great knowledge about Jesus if you never make a personal commitment to Jesus? The 2nd thing about these teachers of the law is that:
THEIR RELIGION MADE THEM SPIRITUALLY INDIFFERENT -- One Bible teacher said this: “Religion, even good religion, even Bible-based religion, can deaden the heart and mind. It’s easy to fall into the spiritual trap of saying, “I’m Baptist” or “I’m Catholic” or “I’m Lutheran” or “I’m Presbyterian” or “I’m Pentecostal” as if going to heaven is determined by church affiliation. It’s too easy for all of us to “play by the rules” of whatever church we attend and feel spiritually secure but still keep Christ at arm’s length. As long as Jesus is just a theory to us, He will be of no benefit to us personally. The 3rd thing about these teachers of the law is that:
THEIR BACKGROUND MADE THEM CULTURALLY ARROGANT -- Think about this for a moment. One day some strangers show up in your town, claiming to have seen a star in the east that led them in search of a baby born “king of the Jews.” What a bizarre story. And who are these guys anyway? They look different. They talk different. They dress strange. Everything about them screams, “We’re not from around here.” And what was this star? Why can’t we see it? Strange doings in Jerusalem for sure. It’s always easy to discount people who aren’t like us. (Biker in Paisley)
Charles Spurgeon put it this way about these Jewish leaders: “Those who should have been leaders were no leaders; they would not even be followers of that which is good, for they had no heart towards Christ.”
The heart is always the issue. If the heart is not right, no amount of religion or Bible knowledge can make up the difference.
Perhaps these teachers of the law feared Herod’s anger if they went with the Magi. But so what? Such fear shows how far the Jews had sunk in spiritual bondage. They were just six miles from Jesus and they wouldn’t go six miles to see Jesus.
Six miles from Jesus. Six miles from salvation. Six miles from forgiveness. Six miles from eternal life. They were too busy studying the Bible and accumulating head knowledge to go and see for themselves.
The Bible scholars knew that Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, but their knowledge condemned them all the more because they did nothing about the truth they knew. Let no one miss this solemn lesson: It is possible to know a great deal ABOUT Jesus and still miss the TRUTH about Jesus. These Jewish leaders, in spite of their head knowledge about the Messiah, wouldn’t commit to just 6 miles to find the Messiah. Many in our world today make the same mistake – they have a lot of head knowledge about Jesus, but the won’t commit to the 18” trip from the head to the heart to find Jesus.
At the end of life’s road you will find that Jesus stands there for all of us. There can be no middle ground. To ignore Jesus altogether means to live as if he doesn’t matter at all. But no one can ignore him forever. We all have an appointment with Christ sooner or later.
The ultimate question is not how someone else responds but how you respond to Jesus. That’s really the only thing that matters. Are you with Herod or with the Wise Men? Are you hostile to Jesus? Are you too busy to get involved? Are you coming to worship him as Savior and Lord?
One final story and we are done. Baptist pastor Jess Moody tells of meeting Rose Kennedy (mother of President John F. Kennedy) many years ago at a Bible study he was teaching. That night he challenged his hearers to make their hearts ready to meet the Lord because life is short for all of us, and no one knows what the future may hold. When the meeting was over, Rose Kennedy spoke to Jess Moody privately. “I’ve done what you were talking about tonight,” she said. She went on to say that as a young bride, she had been enamored by the power of money. She became selfish, living only for her own desires. Then she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl who had been born with severe mental retardation and would have to be institutionalized for her entire life. She said that she and her husband were devastated by the news which eventually to enormous anger at God. “How could you have done this to us?” she asked the Lord.
One night a maid who worked for the family spoke to her. “Mrs. Kennedy, I’ve been watching you for the last few weeks and I’ve seen how angry you are. If you don’t do something, it’s going to ruin you. I think you should pray this prayer: “O Lord, make my heart a manger where the Christ child can be born.” Mrs. Kennedy was so angry that she fired the maid on the spot. But that night when she went to bed, she couldn’t get that simple prayer out of her mind. Finally, she knelt by her bed, and in an act of deep surrender she prayed, “O Lord, make my heart a manger where the Christ child can be born.”
In that moment, in the depth of the night, when she cried out in anguish, she opened her heart to Christ in a new way, and her heart did indeed become a manger where Christ could be born in her. Love replaced the anger that had gripped her soul.
CALL--- Is anger, worry, fear, doubt, and other inner distractions draining all the joy from your heart? If so this is the invitation from the Lord to you. Open your heart. Let go of your doubts and fears. Give up your anger and bitterness. Let go of the things that chain you to the past. Christ never turns away from any heart that is open to him. Those who seek him will find him every time. Will that be your experience during this Christmas season? Will you invite Jesus into your heart and make that commitment to follow Him from now on? Just raise your hand.
I pray that this Christmas will be a wonderful time for you and your families. Let the light of this Christmas season be a time when we renew our commitment to allow the Light of Christ shine in and through our lives. Let’s renew our commitment to lift up Jesus so that the lost will be drawn to Him.
Father, thank You for the Christmas season. As we celebrate with family and friends, help us to remember that You gave us the most wonderful gift that the human race has ever received – Your only Son, Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ name.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
THE BOOK OF ROMANS
THE BOOK OF ROMANS
“God’s Case Against The Religionist (Jew)”
Romans 2:17-29
December 21, 2011
Let’s begin tonight by posing a question that each of us should consider. Here’s the question: How genuine is your faith? In our current culture, being viewed as a spiritual person is in vogue. The whole issue of spirituality, good and bad, is something that many consider. People want to be appear to be spiritual for a variety of reasons and with a variety of motives. Significance in life is something that modern man is looking for but in all of the wrong places. The end result is that man investigates what he is looking for in the way of significance and then they create a religion which is false. In an effort fool or impress others or himself, and maybe even God, man has embraced a cheap imitation of the real deal.
Consequently man winds up being impure with a false heart and without a genuine faith in Jesus Christ. In this area of Scripture, Paul presents his case against the Jews who thought they were better than anyone else just because they were Jews. In this same context, Paul’s presentation is also for the church and the Christian of today. Paul states basically 4 points about God’s case against what we will call “religionists.” The first point is that:
THE RELIGIONIST PROFESSES RELIGION -- Romans 2:17-20 (NASB) “But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth….”
Let’s pose another question. Why is spiritual pride such a trap to people? WAIT If you had to describe the difference between a true believer and a person who is considered to be a religionist, what would you say? WAIT
A religionist accepts the name of his religion no matter what it is – Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Mormon, JW’s whatever. They show enough interest in their religion to make them feel secure. There are several mistakes that the religionist make and that Paul addressed to the Jews.
First, they rest in the law or the Word of God. They have the Scriptures in their homes, they carry the Bible to church with them, they honor the Word of God and, they even read it. So, they feel that they are pleasing God because they have and honor the Word of God. But that is a mistake of the religionist because God does not accept a person who happens to have His Word in their possession. God DOES accept a person who DOES the Word of God – they live it and they obey it. James 1:22 states But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
Second, the religionist professes God. To profess means to boast, to glory, to feel proud about their profession of God and their religion. In other words, they openly profess their belief in and about God. He’s not ashamed of their religious affiliation or his beliefs. So, he believes that God accepts him because he professes his belief. But here again they make a mistake. God is not interested in a man’s profession but He is interested in a man’s life – a man who lives for Christ and doesn’t just profess and talk about the Lord – a man or woman who not only talks the talk but walks the walk.
Another thing is that a person who is a religionist is someone who knows the will of God. Vs 18 says, and know his will. He knows what God wants done; he knows the commandments and know right from wrong. So he feels that he’s ok with God. They fail to see that just KNOWING the will of God isn’t enough. God wants people to DO His will.
Ezekiel 33:31-32 “And they come to you as people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear what you say but they will not do it; for with lustful talk in their mouths they act; their heart is set on their gain. And behold, you are to them like one who sings lustful songs with a beautiful voice and plays well on an instrument, for they hear what you say, but they will not do it.”
The religionist is someone who is taught the Word of God by his family, his church, his friends and because he is taught the Word of God by someone, he thinks that he has a right relationship with God. But, once again, God isn’t interested in what a person knows but what a person does. God expects us to take what we have learned from Him through others and put it into practice. God wants us to live what we have been taught.
Another thing is that a person who is a religionist thinks that he is a sure light to those who are in darkness and who can’t find the light. He feels that, since he has found the light that he, therefore, is a light to those who are searching for it. But the mistake here is that religion is not the light of the world. Jesus Christ is.
John 8:12 says, Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
Finally, the religionist has the Word of God at his disposal. He has every opportunity to know the truth. But again, having and knowing and thinking is not enough. God accepts and uses only those who live the Word, who keep The Word.
2 Timothy 3:5 says, “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.”
Being totally honest, how often does the Bible sit on a table in your home? Is there any real security in just having a Bible? What is it that separates the religionist from a true believer in Jesus Christ?
A true believer follows Jesus Christ and not a religion. Christ lives in another world, in a spiritual dimension. The believer is in touch with Him every day communicating through the Holy Spirit and through prayer. What the true believer does is follow Jesus and live the life of Christ and not the rules of religion. They live out the truth of Galatians 2:20 which says, It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Father, we love Your Word because it is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. Grant us Your grace to not only be people who possess Your Word but to be a people who DO Your Word. And in so doing, may our lives reflect the Light of Christ in us so that we can see all men being drawn to Jesus. In Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN.
“God’s Case Against The Religionist (Jew)”
Romans 2:17-29
December 21, 2011
Let’s begin tonight by posing a question that each of us should consider. Here’s the question: How genuine is your faith? In our current culture, being viewed as a spiritual person is in vogue. The whole issue of spirituality, good and bad, is something that many consider. People want to be appear to be spiritual for a variety of reasons and with a variety of motives. Significance in life is something that modern man is looking for but in all of the wrong places. The end result is that man investigates what he is looking for in the way of significance and then they create a religion which is false. In an effort fool or impress others or himself, and maybe even God, man has embraced a cheap imitation of the real deal.
Consequently man winds up being impure with a false heart and without a genuine faith in Jesus Christ. In this area of Scripture, Paul presents his case against the Jews who thought they were better than anyone else just because they were Jews. In this same context, Paul’s presentation is also for the church and the Christian of today. Paul states basically 4 points about God’s case against what we will call “religionists.” The first point is that:
THE RELIGIONIST PROFESSES RELIGION -- Romans 2:17-20 (NASB) “But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth….”
Let’s pose another question. Why is spiritual pride such a trap to people? WAIT If you had to describe the difference between a true believer and a person who is considered to be a religionist, what would you say? WAIT
A religionist accepts the name of his religion no matter what it is – Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Mormon, JW’s whatever. They show enough interest in their religion to make them feel secure. There are several mistakes that the religionist make and that Paul addressed to the Jews.
First, they rest in the law or the Word of God. They have the Scriptures in their homes, they carry the Bible to church with them, they honor the Word of God and, they even read it. So, they feel that they are pleasing God because they have and honor the Word of God. But that is a mistake of the religionist because God does not accept a person who happens to have His Word in their possession. God DOES accept a person who DOES the Word of God – they live it and they obey it. James 1:22 states But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
Second, the religionist professes God. To profess means to boast, to glory, to feel proud about their profession of God and their religion. In other words, they openly profess their belief in and about God. He’s not ashamed of their religious affiliation or his beliefs. So, he believes that God accepts him because he professes his belief. But here again they make a mistake. God is not interested in a man’s profession but He is interested in a man’s life – a man who lives for Christ and doesn’t just profess and talk about the Lord – a man or woman who not only talks the talk but walks the walk.
Another thing is that a person who is a religionist is someone who knows the will of God. Vs 18 says, and know his will. He knows what God wants done; he knows the commandments and know right from wrong. So he feels that he’s ok with God. They fail to see that just KNOWING the will of God isn’t enough. God wants people to DO His will.
Ezekiel 33:31-32 “And they come to you as people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear what you say but they will not do it; for with lustful talk in their mouths they act; their heart is set on their gain. And behold, you are to them like one who sings lustful songs with a beautiful voice and plays well on an instrument, for they hear what you say, but they will not do it.”
The religionist is someone who is taught the Word of God by his family, his church, his friends and because he is taught the Word of God by someone, he thinks that he has a right relationship with God. But, once again, God isn’t interested in what a person knows but what a person does. God expects us to take what we have learned from Him through others and put it into practice. God wants us to live what we have been taught.
Another thing is that a person who is a religionist thinks that he is a sure light to those who are in darkness and who can’t find the light. He feels that, since he has found the light that he, therefore, is a light to those who are searching for it. But the mistake here is that religion is not the light of the world. Jesus Christ is.
John 8:12 says, Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
Finally, the religionist has the Word of God at his disposal. He has every opportunity to know the truth. But again, having and knowing and thinking is not enough. God accepts and uses only those who live the Word, who keep The Word.
2 Timothy 3:5 says, “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.”
Being totally honest, how often does the Bible sit on a table in your home? Is there any real security in just having a Bible? What is it that separates the religionist from a true believer in Jesus Christ?
A true believer follows Jesus Christ and not a religion. Christ lives in another world, in a spiritual dimension. The believer is in touch with Him every day communicating through the Holy Spirit and through prayer. What the true believer does is follow Jesus and live the life of Christ and not the rules of religion. They live out the truth of Galatians 2:20 which says, It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Father, we love Your Word because it is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. Grant us Your grace to not only be people who possess Your Word but to be a people who DO Your Word. And in so doing, may our lives reflect the Light of Christ in us so that we can see all men being drawn to Jesus. In Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
BETHLEHEM SUNRISE
“BETHLEHEM SUNRISE”
Luke 1:76-79
December 18, 2011
I ran across this quote from Tim Keller. He says, “Christmas is the end of thinking you are better than someone else, because Christmas is telling you that you could never get to heaven on your own. God had to come to you. It is telling you that people who are saved are not those who have arisen through their own ability to be what God wants them to be. Salvation comes to those who admit how weak they are.”
“Christmas is the end of thinking you are better than someone else.” That might make a good banner to hang over the front door of every church. At least it would serve up a bit of humility every time we passed under the banner. But the point is that God came down to us.
We didn’t go up to him because ever since Babel, we’ve been building our towers to heaven and they keep on collapsing. I read the other day how people seemingly are getting back to basics this year. So many have come to the end of this year just barely hanging on.
If people were in the market heavily this year, they’re net worth has probably taken a big hit. Maybe they’ve lost their job or they’re worried that it might happen soon. For many people this will be a different sort of Christmas, one that is less materialistic and more family-centered. Certainly people are thinking more about the future and wondering what tomorrow will bring.
None newspaper article had this to say, “All this has hastened and added to the real decline in faith-the collapse in faith-the past few years in our institutions. Not only in Wall Street but in our entire economy, and in government. The reigning thought process seems to be every man for himself.”
“Every man for himself.” Where have we heard that before? That’s a paraphrase of Judges 21:25, where it says “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes”.
We like to say that God helps those who help themselves. But if Christmas means anything, it teaches us that God helps those who admit they can’t help themselves. We’re so helpless that God sent a baby to help us out of the darkness we’re in. With that background, let’s go to our text verses. What does the coming of Christ mean to us in the Christmas season? First Christ coming means that it is:
LIGHT TO THOSE IN DARKNESS -- Luke 1:78 “Because of the tender mercy of our God, With which the Sunrise from on high shall visit us,….”
If you have ever stayed up with a sick child, you know how long the night can last. If you have waited for a loved one to come home, you know how long the night can last. If you have stayed awake worrying about the future, you know how long the night can last. If the cares of life have stolen your sleep, then you know how long the night can last. The last few hours before sunrise seem to go on forever. But, when the sun rises and the light shines, we see everything differently. Our problems don’t seem so large and we have courage to keep on going.
In John 8:12 Jesus said of Himself "I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life."
Christ is the light and He has come into this world and nothing can ever be the same again. Without Jesus as our Light, we live only in darkness, misery, and death.
Adam Clark in his commentary said that if a person follows Jesus Christ they shall be saved from ignorance, infidelity, and sin. If a person will come to Jesus, and believe on His name, the Holy Spirit to will bear witness to him, that he is a child of God.
No one needs to walk through this life with the darkness of despair, guilt, condemnation, anxiety, fear and confusion. When a person comes to Christ, they are given a light that will remove all of that and bring life to them that is eternal.
One writer notes that “there are a great many dark places in our life, but there is no darker place than our sins.” We all have those “dark places,” and we don’t know what to do about them. The wisest of man has no answer for the problem of sin. But through the message of the cross, with the shedding of His innocent blood, Jesus Christ says to all “If you will come to Me, and believe in Me, and trust in Me, I will come into your life and give you my Light and all of your sins will be forgiven and you will receive a new life.” That’s the Christmas invitation? Second, Christ coming means that it is:
PARDON TO THOSE CONDEMNED TO DEATH -- Luke 1:79 “To shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,…."
It must be obvious to everyone that the world is not the world that God made because that world was “very good” There is no darkness like the darkness of not knowing how to get out of the trouble you are in.
Christmas means the end of thinking that you are better than anyone else—we’re not. Apart from the grace of God, we’re all going down together. It is a big advance spiritually to be able to say, “I am a sinner too." As long as we pretend we’re okay, or as long as we blame others, or as long as we make excuses for our bad behavior, we are still living in the darkness of denial.
I understand that in the Holy Land is a place called the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem where Mary supposedly gave birth to Jesus. To get to the church, you come to a very small entrance so small that you have to duck down low to get inside. The entrance is deliberately made low because several centuries ago the local big shots liked to ride their horses right into the sanctuary. The priests felt that was inappropriate so they lowered the entrance to force the great men to dismount before entering the church.
The same is true of salvation. If you want to go to heaven, you’ve got to get off your high horse. Until you do, you’ll never be saved. Thirdly, Christ coming means that it is:
GUIDANCE TO THE LOST – Luke 1:79 "To shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace."
When we think of guidance, we tend to focus on the decisions of life. Should I get married? Is this the right job for me? Does God want me to be a missionary? But the sort of guidance Christ provides guides us through the darkest moments of life, and giving us strength and peace to face the most difficult circumstances. Jesus gives us “peace that passes all understanding. ” The world can’t buy that peace, or duplicate that peace or take it away from the believer.
Christmas means that Jesus Christ has come and with Him in our life, there is light for the dark days, that our sin is forgiven and removed and we’re free from sins grip, and that we no longer have to despair. Jesus gives us the peace that we need for the tough times.
De Witt Talmage told the following story about an experience he had. “I have read that near the North Pole, the night lasting for months and months, when the people expect the day is about to dawn, some messengers go up on the highest point to watch; and when they see the first streak of day they put on their brightest possible apparel, and embrace each other and cry, “Behold the sun!” and the cry goes through all the land, “Behold the sun!”
One Bible teacher puts it this way, “On the first Christmas morning the sun began to shine in Bethlehem. And from that sunrise, the light still shines 2000 years later. The light from the manger has encircled the world, setting free those who sat in darkness and giving hope to those who could not find their way home.” Christmas is here. “Behold the Son!”
CALL------- Has the light of Christ ever shined into your heart or are you still in the darkness? No question is more important. What is your answer?
Good news! The light of heaven has come to earth. Will you open your eyes to see it? Will you let the message of Christmas this year, draw you to Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior and live for Him from this day forward? Will you welcome him into your heart?
Christmas is only a few days away. That means that we have a wonderful opportunity to set our hearts right with Jesus Christ and renew our commitment to live and serve Him. Let’s come to prayer this morning and ask the Holy Spirit to refill us with His presence and power. Let’s come and thank the Lord for the message of Christmas which brings the eternal truth that God has at last come to His people. Christ’s birth brought God to man and Christ’s death brought man to God. Let’s come and give thanks to Him for what He has done to us and for us.
Father, the Christmas season is a wonderful time of year. It’s a time for families to come together, to love each other and to bring gifts to each others. But, Father, help us to remember the awesomeness of the Gift You have given to us in Bethlehem. Through the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives, help us this Christmas season to behold the Son. In Jesus Name I pray. AMEN
Luke 1:76-79
December 18, 2011
I ran across this quote from Tim Keller. He says, “Christmas is the end of thinking you are better than someone else, because Christmas is telling you that you could never get to heaven on your own. God had to come to you. It is telling you that people who are saved are not those who have arisen through their own ability to be what God wants them to be. Salvation comes to those who admit how weak they are.”
“Christmas is the end of thinking you are better than someone else.” That might make a good banner to hang over the front door of every church. At least it would serve up a bit of humility every time we passed under the banner. But the point is that God came down to us.
We didn’t go up to him because ever since Babel, we’ve been building our towers to heaven and they keep on collapsing. I read the other day how people seemingly are getting back to basics this year. So many have come to the end of this year just barely hanging on.
If people were in the market heavily this year, they’re net worth has probably taken a big hit. Maybe they’ve lost their job or they’re worried that it might happen soon. For many people this will be a different sort of Christmas, one that is less materialistic and more family-centered. Certainly people are thinking more about the future and wondering what tomorrow will bring.
None newspaper article had this to say, “All this has hastened and added to the real decline in faith-the collapse in faith-the past few years in our institutions. Not only in Wall Street but in our entire economy, and in government. The reigning thought process seems to be every man for himself.”
“Every man for himself.” Where have we heard that before? That’s a paraphrase of Judges 21:25, where it says “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes”.
We like to say that God helps those who help themselves. But if Christmas means anything, it teaches us that God helps those who admit they can’t help themselves. We’re so helpless that God sent a baby to help us out of the darkness we’re in. With that background, let’s go to our text verses. What does the coming of Christ mean to us in the Christmas season? First Christ coming means that it is:
LIGHT TO THOSE IN DARKNESS -- Luke 1:78 “Because of the tender mercy of our God, With which the Sunrise from on high shall visit us,….”
If you have ever stayed up with a sick child, you know how long the night can last. If you have waited for a loved one to come home, you know how long the night can last. If you have stayed awake worrying about the future, you know how long the night can last. If the cares of life have stolen your sleep, then you know how long the night can last. The last few hours before sunrise seem to go on forever. But, when the sun rises and the light shines, we see everything differently. Our problems don’t seem so large and we have courage to keep on going.
In John 8:12 Jesus said of Himself "I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life."
Christ is the light and He has come into this world and nothing can ever be the same again. Without Jesus as our Light, we live only in darkness, misery, and death.
Adam Clark in his commentary said that if a person follows Jesus Christ they shall be saved from ignorance, infidelity, and sin. If a person will come to Jesus, and believe on His name, the Holy Spirit to will bear witness to him, that he is a child of God.
No one needs to walk through this life with the darkness of despair, guilt, condemnation, anxiety, fear and confusion. When a person comes to Christ, they are given a light that will remove all of that and bring life to them that is eternal.
One writer notes that “there are a great many dark places in our life, but there is no darker place than our sins.” We all have those “dark places,” and we don’t know what to do about them. The wisest of man has no answer for the problem of sin. But through the message of the cross, with the shedding of His innocent blood, Jesus Christ says to all “If you will come to Me, and believe in Me, and trust in Me, I will come into your life and give you my Light and all of your sins will be forgiven and you will receive a new life.” That’s the Christmas invitation? Second, Christ coming means that it is:
PARDON TO THOSE CONDEMNED TO DEATH -- Luke 1:79 “To shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,…."
It must be obvious to everyone that the world is not the world that God made because that world was “very good” There is no darkness like the darkness of not knowing how to get out of the trouble you are in.
Christmas means the end of thinking that you are better than anyone else—we’re not. Apart from the grace of God, we’re all going down together. It is a big advance spiritually to be able to say, “I am a sinner too." As long as we pretend we’re okay, or as long as we blame others, or as long as we make excuses for our bad behavior, we are still living in the darkness of denial.
I understand that in the Holy Land is a place called the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem where Mary supposedly gave birth to Jesus. To get to the church, you come to a very small entrance so small that you have to duck down low to get inside. The entrance is deliberately made low because several centuries ago the local big shots liked to ride their horses right into the sanctuary. The priests felt that was inappropriate so they lowered the entrance to force the great men to dismount before entering the church.
The same is true of salvation. If you want to go to heaven, you’ve got to get off your high horse. Until you do, you’ll never be saved. Thirdly, Christ coming means that it is:
GUIDANCE TO THE LOST – Luke 1:79 "To shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace."
When we think of guidance, we tend to focus on the decisions of life. Should I get married? Is this the right job for me? Does God want me to be a missionary? But the sort of guidance Christ provides guides us through the darkest moments of life, and giving us strength and peace to face the most difficult circumstances. Jesus gives us “peace that passes all understanding. ” The world can’t buy that peace, or duplicate that peace or take it away from the believer.
Christmas means that Jesus Christ has come and with Him in our life, there is light for the dark days, that our sin is forgiven and removed and we’re free from sins grip, and that we no longer have to despair. Jesus gives us the peace that we need for the tough times.
De Witt Talmage told the following story about an experience he had. “I have read that near the North Pole, the night lasting for months and months, when the people expect the day is about to dawn, some messengers go up on the highest point to watch; and when they see the first streak of day they put on their brightest possible apparel, and embrace each other and cry, “Behold the sun!” and the cry goes through all the land, “Behold the sun!”
One Bible teacher puts it this way, “On the first Christmas morning the sun began to shine in Bethlehem. And from that sunrise, the light still shines 2000 years later. The light from the manger has encircled the world, setting free those who sat in darkness and giving hope to those who could not find their way home.” Christmas is here. “Behold the Son!”
CALL------- Has the light of Christ ever shined into your heart or are you still in the darkness? No question is more important. What is your answer?
Good news! The light of heaven has come to earth. Will you open your eyes to see it? Will you let the message of Christmas this year, draw you to Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior and live for Him from this day forward? Will you welcome him into your heart?
Christmas is only a few days away. That means that we have a wonderful opportunity to set our hearts right with Jesus Christ and renew our commitment to live and serve Him. Let’s come to prayer this morning and ask the Holy Spirit to refill us with His presence and power. Let’s come and thank the Lord for the message of Christmas which brings the eternal truth that God has at last come to His people. Christ’s birth brought God to man and Christ’s death brought man to God. Let’s come and give thanks to Him for what He has done to us and for us.
Father, the Christmas season is a wonderful time of year. It’s a time for families to come together, to love each other and to bring gifts to each others. But, Father, help us to remember the awesomeness of the Gift You have given to us in Bethlehem. Through the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives, help us this Christmas season to behold the Son. In Jesus Name I pray. AMEN
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
THE ROMAN ROAD -- "No Distinctions"
THE ROMAN ROAD
“No Distinctions”
Romans 2:11-16
December 14, 2011
Let me read to you a short illustration from Donald Grey Barnhouse that is in his commentary on Romans that applies to this area that we want to look at tonight. He writes, “As I drive in and out of Philadelphia, the main road passes the old Quaker meeting house at Horsham, where William Penn frequently attended divine service. Across the road from the old colonial edifice, there is the large and well kept graveyard, in which each of the hundreds of grave stones is exactly alike. Every stone rises as a marker above a grave, a simple rounded headstone about a foot above the ground. If you read the names that are there, you will find that masters and servants, parents and children, rich and poor, have stones that are precisely the similar. With the old Quakers a great truth had taken hold – that whatever the inequalities of life, all were equal in death.” Now, the truth that Barnhouse expresses in this story sort of sets the stage for our study tonight. As we begin, the great truth of this area is that:
GOD DOESN’T SHOW FAVORITISM -- Romans 2:11 (NASB) “For there is no partiality with God.” There are 4 principles of the judgment of God. The first is:
God will judge men according to truth, secondly, God will judge men according to the measure of wrath men have stored up for themselves, thirdly, God will judge men for their life choices whether for righteousness or unrighteousness, and fourthly, God will judge men without favoritism.
The word “partiality” in the Greek is prosopolemptes (pros-o-pol-APE-tace) and it means literally “an accepter of a face.” Literally translated, vs 11 would read this way, “For there is not receiving of face in the Presence of God.” In other words, God does not accept a person because of their personal merits. He doesn’t accept anyone because they are rich or poor, a person of power or a person with no influence. Simply put, God doesn’t show any level of partiality. Everyone is on equal footing before God and His judgment. It’s clear that:
ALL SIN WILL BE JUDGED -- Romans 2:12-16 “For all who have sinned without the Law will also perish without the Law; and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law; for not the hearers of the Law are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified. For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness, and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them,”
The basis for judgment is sin. The man who sins without the law and the man who sins in the law will both be judged. Why do some people feel that God will judge them differently using a different set of rules? WAIT
The man who sins without the law will also perish without law. The word for law is a general word. It refers to the law of God in both the Scriptures and nature. In other words, man who does NOT have the law of the Scripture DOES HAVE the law of nature to guide. If he sins against the law of nature, he will still be judged. He had the opportunity to know God through creation – through nature itself.
Romans 1:19-20 reminds us of this. “….because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.”
Man has a God given conscience and he has an inner sense or awareness of that which is right and that which is wrong. Romans tell us that man can know God and His invisible attributes, His power and His nature through His creation. It’s clear from God’s Word that man has the ability through this awareness that he would be drawn to know God. Having said that, man is then without excuse. However, man has chosen NOT to know God.
The man who sins “under the law” will be judged by the law. His judgment will be greater because he had the privilege and opportunity to know God through the law. The point is that God will not show any partiality when it comes to His judgment.
Everyone will have to answer for their sins whether they were under the law, as were the Jews and some Gentiles, or whether they were NOT under the law which was the case for most of the Gentiles.
There is another distinction here and that is that a person must be:
A DOER OF THE LAW -- The doers and not the hearer of the law will be justified. It isn’t enough to just have the Word of God. It’s not enough to just hear and see the Word of God. It’s not enough to understand and know the Word of God. It’s not enough to possess and profess the Word of God. A person must not only be a hearer of the Word of God, they must be a doer.
With the law of Moses was the KNOWLEDGE of sin and consequent guilt. But man didn’t have the power to AVOID SIN. The law of Moses was given by God to man to show how man should conduct himself toward God and his fellowman. Nothing was left out. At that time, the law of Moses was the only law known to man and it was equal for everyone. Within that law there was provision for sin in that there were sacrifices to be offered that would cover sin, but not take it away.
The sacrifices of the law of Moses told man that he was a sinner and couldn’t save himself. The law taught man that there had to be the shedding of blood from an innocent victim pertaining to animal sacrifices. For the most part, the Gentiles, even though this law was available to them should they choose to follow it with the Jews, they chose not to do so. Consequently, they lived outside of the law and will be judged by their choice.
Now, what about the matter of those who do not have or heard the Word of God? Where to they stand? What kinds of things has God put into their heart that can lead them to God? WAIT Well, the heathen have a 3 fold witness that is strong enough to lead them to God. First of all:
MEN HAVE THEIR NATURE -- These verses in Romans 2:12-15 state that men may not have the law (the Scriptures) but they can DO the law by nature.
There is that within man, within his nature, that can stir him to do the law. Man has an instinctive knowledge of right and wrong. His very nature gives him the chance to do what is right and avoid what is wrong.
Man can look at nature and see that he is part of it. Secondly:
MAN HAS A CONSCIENCE -- When they do right, there is that sense of approval. When they do wrong there sense a reproach. So their conscience gives them the opportunity to live righteously and do good. Thirdly:
MAN HAS REASONING ABILITY -- That ability can approve or disapprove, excuse or accuse them and others. Their thoughts bear witness as to how they should or should not live. Why do they reject those things? WAIT Finally, judgment will be:
EXECUTED BY JESUS AND HIS GOSPEL -- Romans 2:16 “on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.”
A specific day of judgment is coming. In that day, the “secrets of men” will be exposed and judged. And Jesus is the One who will do the judging. He alone has earned the right to judge men because He obeyed the Father perfectly and lived a sinless life. And the standard for His judgment is the Gospel.
Father, once again we thank You for the truth of Your Word. Holy Spirit, we ask for Your help to keep us sensitive to the Gospel of Jesus Christ so that we can, not only hear it but obey it. And in that process may we so live our life that the lost will see Jesus in us and be drawn to Him. In Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN
“No Distinctions”
Romans 2:11-16
December 14, 2011
Let me read to you a short illustration from Donald Grey Barnhouse that is in his commentary on Romans that applies to this area that we want to look at tonight. He writes, “As I drive in and out of Philadelphia, the main road passes the old Quaker meeting house at Horsham, where William Penn frequently attended divine service. Across the road from the old colonial edifice, there is the large and well kept graveyard, in which each of the hundreds of grave stones is exactly alike. Every stone rises as a marker above a grave, a simple rounded headstone about a foot above the ground. If you read the names that are there, you will find that masters and servants, parents and children, rich and poor, have stones that are precisely the similar. With the old Quakers a great truth had taken hold – that whatever the inequalities of life, all were equal in death.” Now, the truth that Barnhouse expresses in this story sort of sets the stage for our study tonight. As we begin, the great truth of this area is that:
GOD DOESN’T SHOW FAVORITISM -- Romans 2:11 (NASB) “For there is no partiality with God.” There are 4 principles of the judgment of God. The first is:
God will judge men according to truth, secondly, God will judge men according to the measure of wrath men have stored up for themselves, thirdly, God will judge men for their life choices whether for righteousness or unrighteousness, and fourthly, God will judge men without favoritism.
The word “partiality” in the Greek is prosopolemptes (pros-o-pol-APE-tace) and it means literally “an accepter of a face.” Literally translated, vs 11 would read this way, “For there is not receiving of face in the Presence of God.” In other words, God does not accept a person because of their personal merits. He doesn’t accept anyone because they are rich or poor, a person of power or a person with no influence. Simply put, God doesn’t show any level of partiality. Everyone is on equal footing before God and His judgment. It’s clear that:
ALL SIN WILL BE JUDGED -- Romans 2:12-16 “For all who have sinned without the Law will also perish without the Law; and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law; for not the hearers of the Law are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified. For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness, and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them,”
The basis for judgment is sin. The man who sins without the law and the man who sins in the law will both be judged. Why do some people feel that God will judge them differently using a different set of rules? WAIT
The man who sins without the law will also perish without law. The word for law is a general word. It refers to the law of God in both the Scriptures and nature. In other words, man who does NOT have the law of the Scripture DOES HAVE the law of nature to guide. If he sins against the law of nature, he will still be judged. He had the opportunity to know God through creation – through nature itself.
Romans 1:19-20 reminds us of this. “….because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.”
Man has a God given conscience and he has an inner sense or awareness of that which is right and that which is wrong. Romans tell us that man can know God and His invisible attributes, His power and His nature through His creation. It’s clear from God’s Word that man has the ability through this awareness that he would be drawn to know God. Having said that, man is then without excuse. However, man has chosen NOT to know God.
The man who sins “under the law” will be judged by the law. His judgment will be greater because he had the privilege and opportunity to know God through the law. The point is that God will not show any partiality when it comes to His judgment.
Everyone will have to answer for their sins whether they were under the law, as were the Jews and some Gentiles, or whether they were NOT under the law which was the case for most of the Gentiles.
There is another distinction here and that is that a person must be:
A DOER OF THE LAW -- The doers and not the hearer of the law will be justified. It isn’t enough to just have the Word of God. It’s not enough to just hear and see the Word of God. It’s not enough to understand and know the Word of God. It’s not enough to possess and profess the Word of God. A person must not only be a hearer of the Word of God, they must be a doer.
With the law of Moses was the KNOWLEDGE of sin and consequent guilt. But man didn’t have the power to AVOID SIN. The law of Moses was given by God to man to show how man should conduct himself toward God and his fellowman. Nothing was left out. At that time, the law of Moses was the only law known to man and it was equal for everyone. Within that law there was provision for sin in that there were sacrifices to be offered that would cover sin, but not take it away.
The sacrifices of the law of Moses told man that he was a sinner and couldn’t save himself. The law taught man that there had to be the shedding of blood from an innocent victim pertaining to animal sacrifices. For the most part, the Gentiles, even though this law was available to them should they choose to follow it with the Jews, they chose not to do so. Consequently, they lived outside of the law and will be judged by their choice.
Now, what about the matter of those who do not have or heard the Word of God? Where to they stand? What kinds of things has God put into their heart that can lead them to God? WAIT Well, the heathen have a 3 fold witness that is strong enough to lead them to God. First of all:
MEN HAVE THEIR NATURE -- These verses in Romans 2:12-15 state that men may not have the law (the Scriptures) but they can DO the law by nature.
There is that within man, within his nature, that can stir him to do the law. Man has an instinctive knowledge of right and wrong. His very nature gives him the chance to do what is right and avoid what is wrong.
Man can look at nature and see that he is part of it. Secondly:
MAN HAS A CONSCIENCE -- When they do right, there is that sense of approval. When they do wrong there sense a reproach. So their conscience gives them the opportunity to live righteously and do good. Thirdly:
MAN HAS REASONING ABILITY -- That ability can approve or disapprove, excuse or accuse them and others. Their thoughts bear witness as to how they should or should not live. Why do they reject those things? WAIT Finally, judgment will be:
EXECUTED BY JESUS AND HIS GOSPEL -- Romans 2:16 “on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.”
A specific day of judgment is coming. In that day, the “secrets of men” will be exposed and judged. And Jesus is the One who will do the judging. He alone has earned the right to judge men because He obeyed the Father perfectly and lived a sinless life. And the standard for His judgment is the Gospel.
Father, once again we thank You for the truth of Your Word. Holy Spirit, we ask for Your help to keep us sensitive to the Gospel of Jesus Christ so that we can, not only hear it but obey it. And in that process may we so live our life that the lost will see Jesus in us and be drawn to Him. In Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN
Monday, December 12, 2011
THE CHRISTMAS QUESTION -- "Why Did Christ Come?
THE CHRISTMAS QUESTION
“Why Did Christ Come?”
Luke 19:1-10
December 11, 2011
I want to take the next few weeks and look at some great truths about the Christmas season. We’ll get back to our study in the gospel of John following right after Christmas. Now, let me pose a question about Christmas? That question is “Why Did ChristCome ?” I believe that most people know what Christians believe about Jesus. However, I suspect that many want to know the answer to the question I just posed --- why did Jesus come to earth and why does it make any difference? In dealing with this question I came across some thoughts by Dr. Pritchard that became the foundation for this message.
Jesus Himself gave us the answer to that question in a very familiar story found in Luke 19:1-10. Let’s read those verses. I want to focus on vs 10 where Jesus answered this question when He said this, "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." Vs 10 is a very simple statement yet it’s chock full great truth. To be sure that is the case." So let's look at some of the elements in this vs that will answer the "Christmas Question: Why Did Christ Come." First of all, in vs 10 we have:
A HISTORICAL FACT -- Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man has come….” Theologians call birth of Jesus “the incarnation”….God in human flesh. The birth of Jesus is different than our birth. Jesus came in obedience to His Father’s will. We didn’t. You and I are here because of the choices of our parents. But Jesus came in accordance with the plan of God. Galatians 4:4 says, “But when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth His Son,…” The birth of Jesus was no accident – every detail of His birth was planned in heaven by God.
The core of our faith is stated in the Christmas season which is that God came down to earth in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus said in John 14:9 “He who has seen , Me has seen the Father….” So, in Luke 19:10 we have a historical fact and we have:
A SIGNIFICANT MISSION -- Luke 19:10“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save ….” Jesus came seeking adulterers; He came seeking blind beggars; He came seeking lepers; He came seeking fishermen, politicians, physicians, tax collectors, rich men, poor men, prostitutes, drunkards, drug addicts, murderers, child abusers, gays, atheists, agnostics, and self righteous religious hypocrites like the Pharisees. You name the person and Jesus came seeking for them. And when He hung on Calvary’s Cross, head swollen the size of a basketball, beaten almost to death with some of His internal organs exposed, huge spikes through His hands and feet, 4 inch thorns in a crown that pierced His skull, unable to swat a fly, bleeding profusely, He was seeking He was seeking you and me. Jesus came as the seeking Savior. In Luke 19:10 we have a historical fact, a significant mission and we have:
A DESCRIPTION OF HUMANITY -- Luke 19:10 "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." Look at the Bible from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22 and then turn on the news on TV or pick up the local newspaper and see if you don’t agree with Jesus’ assessment of the human race – men are lost without God.
Isaiah 53:6 reminds us of the state of mankind. “All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way;” We don’t have to be taught to run from God – it’s our nature to do that. Truthfully, if Jesus Christ did not come to us, we would never seek Him. Being truly lost means lost without God, lost without hope, trapped forever in sin. How do we escape this hopelessness? The answer is found in the words when Jesus said that He “came to seek and saved the lost.” He didn’t come as a tourist, or as a philosopher, or an intellectual. Jesus came as a seeking Savior. So, just what are the implications of the mission of Christ? There are 3 implications. First when Jesus came:
MAN’S REPONSIBILITY INCREASED -- Luke 12:48 “And from everyone who has been given much shall much be required;…” If Jesus hadn’t come to earth, we would all be going to hell condemned by our sins. Romans 3:23 tells us clearly, “….for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,….” But Jesus DID come to earth to reveal God to us. In Christ we see, God’s love, God’s mercy, God’s kindness, God’s justice and God’s holiness.
He came to earth and man heard His Words, saw His miracles, and we put Him to death. So what will be our end if we neglect the truth that Jesus brought to us? God’s Word is clear on this question. If, after hearing the truth about Jesus, we choose to ignore and neglect Christ, we will be condemned to hell forever. If a man will not come to Jesus for salvation, then Jesus will come to that man for utter destruction. Secondly, if Jesus came to save then:
THE SINNER HAS NO EXCUSE -- John 3:16-18 puts it this way, "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him. " He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
That’s the condition of the human race – condemned, judged already. Sin has infected the entire human race – their mind, their will, their words, their deeds. Every part of our lives is affected and by sin. What mankind needs is salvation. And what sinners need, Jesus Christ came to provide. So we are without excuse. The old song says, sing it with me, “What can was away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. Oh, precious is the flow that makes me white as snow. No other fount I know; nothing but the blood of Jesus.” Hallelujah! PTL Coming to the cross, applying the blood of Christ is the only thing that will set us free. Thirdly, if Jesus came to save the lost then:
THE WORST CAN BE SAVED -- Romans 3:23 tells us “….for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,….” You can’t tell by looking at a person what’s in their heart. Only God can do that. I read the other day of a British novelist, the name I don’t know, who said, “If all of man’s thoughts were made public, would they not deserve hanging 12 times a day?” We deserve more than that. But the good news this Christmas is that Christ DID come and He came to save sinners like you and me.
Luke 19:10 doesn’t put limits on the grace of God. And our sins can be forgiven INSTANTLY when we come to the cross and the shed blood of Jesus Christ. One preacher said, “You may come to church without Jesus, but you don’t have to leave without Him. You may come guilty, but you can leave forgiven.” That’s the great message of Christmas and the coming of Jesus to earth. Jesus is a better Savior than you are a sinner. The moment you believe in Jesus, that’s the moment your sins are pardoned and you are made clean by the blood of Jesus.
All of us here this morning have had thoughts and spoken words that we rather not talk about; of greed; of foolish choices. We are all sinners in need of forgiveness.
The good news of Christmas is that Jesus Christ came to earth to seek and save the lost.
CALL-------If you are here this morning without Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, I want to tell you that no matter what sins you have committed, how often you did them or how bad they were, Jesus Christ came to save you. Your past doesn’t have to determine your future when you invite Christ into your life. Jesus has come to seek you. Will you come to Him?
The Christmas question of why Jesus came is that He came to seek and save the lost. If you have been saved by accepting the work of Christ on the cross of Calvary, received salvation, then you have a responsibility to share that with others. One day the church of Christ will no longer be on earth. It is our call as Christians to tell the good news of the Christmas season – Jesus came to save them. We must pray fervently that the Lord will give us a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit to see the opportunities that God presents to exalt Jesus Christ. And if we will do that, then the lost will come to Him. Let’s pray.
Father, thank You for allowing us into Your presence this morning and reminding us that if Jesus had not come as a baby in a manger, we would be lost forever. May this Christmas season be a reminder that Jesus DID come as a baby and that He would die on a cross for our sins that we might be forgiven. Help us to share that message with the world around us that we might see a harvesting of souls. In Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN
“Why Did Christ Come?”
Luke 19:1-10
December 11, 2011
I want to take the next few weeks and look at some great truths about the Christmas season. We’ll get back to our study in the gospel of John following right after Christmas. Now, let me pose a question about Christmas? That question is “Why Did ChristCome ?” I believe that most people know what Christians believe about Jesus. However, I suspect that many want to know the answer to the question I just posed --- why did Jesus come to earth and why does it make any difference? In dealing with this question I came across some thoughts by Dr. Pritchard that became the foundation for this message.
Jesus Himself gave us the answer to that question in a very familiar story found in Luke 19:1-10. Let’s read those verses. I want to focus on vs 10 where Jesus answered this question when He said this, "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." Vs 10 is a very simple statement yet it’s chock full great truth. To be sure that is the case." So let's look at some of the elements in this vs that will answer the "Christmas Question: Why Did Christ Come." First of all, in vs 10 we have:
A HISTORICAL FACT -- Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man has come….” Theologians call birth of Jesus “the incarnation”….God in human flesh. The birth of Jesus is different than our birth. Jesus came in obedience to His Father’s will. We didn’t. You and I are here because of the choices of our parents. But Jesus came in accordance with the plan of God. Galatians 4:4 says, “But when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth His Son,…” The birth of Jesus was no accident – every detail of His birth was planned in heaven by God.
The core of our faith is stated in the Christmas season which is that God came down to earth in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus said in John 14:9 “He who has seen , Me has seen the Father….” So, in Luke 19:10 we have a historical fact and we have:
A SIGNIFICANT MISSION -- Luke 19:10“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save ….” Jesus came seeking adulterers; He came seeking blind beggars; He came seeking lepers; He came seeking fishermen, politicians, physicians, tax collectors, rich men, poor men, prostitutes, drunkards, drug addicts, murderers, child abusers, gays, atheists, agnostics, and self righteous religious hypocrites like the Pharisees. You name the person and Jesus came seeking for them. And when He hung on Calvary’s Cross, head swollen the size of a basketball, beaten almost to death with some of His internal organs exposed, huge spikes through His hands and feet, 4 inch thorns in a crown that pierced His skull, unable to swat a fly, bleeding profusely, He was seeking He was seeking you and me. Jesus came as the seeking Savior. In Luke 19:10 we have a historical fact, a significant mission and we have:
A DESCRIPTION OF HUMANITY -- Luke 19:10 "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." Look at the Bible from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22 and then turn on the news on TV or pick up the local newspaper and see if you don’t agree with Jesus’ assessment of the human race – men are lost without God.
Isaiah 53:6 reminds us of the state of mankind. “All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way;” We don’t have to be taught to run from God – it’s our nature to do that. Truthfully, if Jesus Christ did not come to us, we would never seek Him. Being truly lost means lost without God, lost without hope, trapped forever in sin. How do we escape this hopelessness? The answer is found in the words when Jesus said that He “came to seek and saved the lost.” He didn’t come as a tourist, or as a philosopher, or an intellectual. Jesus came as a seeking Savior. So, just what are the implications of the mission of Christ? There are 3 implications. First when Jesus came:
MAN’S REPONSIBILITY INCREASED -- Luke 12:48 “And from everyone who has been given much shall much be required;…” If Jesus hadn’t come to earth, we would all be going to hell condemned by our sins. Romans 3:23 tells us clearly, “….for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,….” But Jesus DID come to earth to reveal God to us. In Christ we see, God’s love, God’s mercy, God’s kindness, God’s justice and God’s holiness.
He came to earth and man heard His Words, saw His miracles, and we put Him to death. So what will be our end if we neglect the truth that Jesus brought to us? God’s Word is clear on this question. If, after hearing the truth about Jesus, we choose to ignore and neglect Christ, we will be condemned to hell forever. If a man will not come to Jesus for salvation, then Jesus will come to that man for utter destruction. Secondly, if Jesus came to save then:
THE SINNER HAS NO EXCUSE -- John 3:16-18 puts it this way, "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him. " He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
That’s the condition of the human race – condemned, judged already. Sin has infected the entire human race – their mind, their will, their words, their deeds. Every part of our lives is affected and by sin. What mankind needs is salvation. And what sinners need, Jesus Christ came to provide. So we are without excuse. The old song says, sing it with me, “What can was away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. Oh, precious is the flow that makes me white as snow. No other fount I know; nothing but the blood of Jesus.” Hallelujah! PTL Coming to the cross, applying the blood of Christ is the only thing that will set us free. Thirdly, if Jesus came to save the lost then:
THE WORST CAN BE SAVED -- Romans 3:23 tells us “….for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,….” You can’t tell by looking at a person what’s in their heart. Only God can do that. I read the other day of a British novelist, the name I don’t know, who said, “If all of man’s thoughts were made public, would they not deserve hanging 12 times a day?” We deserve more than that. But the good news this Christmas is that Christ DID come and He came to save sinners like you and me.
Luke 19:10 doesn’t put limits on the grace of God. And our sins can be forgiven INSTANTLY when we come to the cross and the shed blood of Jesus Christ. One preacher said, “You may come to church without Jesus, but you don’t have to leave without Him. You may come guilty, but you can leave forgiven.” That’s the great message of Christmas and the coming of Jesus to earth. Jesus is a better Savior than you are a sinner. The moment you believe in Jesus, that’s the moment your sins are pardoned and you are made clean by the blood of Jesus.
All of us here this morning have had thoughts and spoken words that we rather not talk about; of greed; of foolish choices. We are all sinners in need of forgiveness.
The good news of Christmas is that Jesus Christ came to earth to seek and save the lost.
CALL-------If you are here this morning without Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, I want to tell you that no matter what sins you have committed, how often you did them or how bad they were, Jesus Christ came to save you. Your past doesn’t have to determine your future when you invite Christ into your life. Jesus has come to seek you. Will you come to Him?
The Christmas question of why Jesus came is that He came to seek and save the lost. If you have been saved by accepting the work of Christ on the cross of Calvary, received salvation, then you have a responsibility to share that with others. One day the church of Christ will no longer be on earth. It is our call as Christians to tell the good news of the Christmas season – Jesus came to save them. We must pray fervently that the Lord will give us a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit to see the opportunities that God presents to exalt Jesus Christ. And if we will do that, then the lost will come to Him. Let’s pray.
Father, thank You for allowing us into Your presence this morning and reminding us that if Jesus had not come as a baby in a manger, we would be lost forever. May this Christmas season be a reminder that Jesus DID come as a baby and that He would die on a cross for our sins that we might be forgiven. Help us to share that message with the world around us that we might see a harvesting of souls. In Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
THE ROMAN ROAD- "Judged -- Heaven or Hell"
THE ROMAN ROAD
“Judged –Heaven or Hell”
Romans 2:6-10
December 7, 2011
Mankind is divided into two classes. Those who obey God and those who do not. There is a sharp dividing line between the two and that dividing line is the Cross of Calvary. On one side of the Cross there is a group that is characterized as those who seek glory, honor and incorruption. On the other side is the rest of the human race. In both cases, each person will be judged by God. No one is going to escape His judgment.
Paul is writing to the Jews who thought that they were above the judgment of God because they were God’s chosen people. But Paul makes it clear that they are dead wrong and that no one
IS GOING TO ESCAPE JUDGMENT -- Romans 2:6 (NASB) “God, who will render to every man according to his deeds:”
Note that this judgment is based on our deeds. That does not mean that faith is not necessary. On the contrary, there is no such thing as faith without works. Nor are there righteous and acceptable works without faith. The works that please God and that are truly of God are the result of faith.
Man believes in and works for many different things – religion, service organizations, social clubs etc. But God has a demand for mankind that says that man must believe in Him and work for Him reaching out to a world that is lost.
When a person truly believes in the Lord Jesus Christ, they will work for the kingdom of God. They are more interested in impacting the kingdom of God than they are the kingdom of darkness. And as we walk with Christ, the Holy Spirit will show us what and how we should do that. That is the reason that this church has made a decision to discontinue the harvest festival on Halloween.
That particular event, while billed as an outreach to the community, nonetheless does nothing to promote the Light of Christ and His kingdom but rather promotes the darkness of Satan and his kingdom. And the church of Jesus Christ has no business promoting, supporting, sponsoring, coordinating or assisting in anyway the kingdom of darkness. We are here for the explicit purpose of glorifying and exalting Jesus Christ. We are NOT here to glorify, advance or promote Satan and his kingdom.
God is either going to reward or punish every man according to what he/she has done for God. We’re not talking about salvation by works. Salvation is received by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. And salvation is MAINTAINED by faith in Jesus Christ. That, however, doesn’t set aside the importance of good deeds or accepting the responsibility for doing bad deeds. All believers will have to give an account as will all unbelievers. Now, let’s take a look at:
THE REWARD OF TRUE CHRISTIANS -- Romans 2:7 ` to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life;
There are some things that we need to consider when we look at the reward of the true Christian. First, note that these well doers of God:
SEEK GLORY, HONOR AND IMMORTALITY –The Greek word for “glory” is doxa (DOX-ah) which means to possess and to be full of perfect light; to dwell in perfect light, brilliance, splendor, brightness, luster, and magnificence with God.
The Greek word for “honor” is time (tim-MAY) which means to be acknowledged, recognized, approved, accepted, esteemed and exalted by God. It means to be privileged and exalted to a position of responsibility and service to God.
The Greek word for “immortality” is aphtharsia (af-thar-SEE-ah) which means living forever with God in a world that will last forever. Note that the Christians see this glory, honor and immortality:
WITH PERSEVERANCE -- The Greek word for “perseverance” is proskarterēsis (pros-car-TEAR-ay-sis) and it means to be steadfast and constant. It means to endure and continue. So what’s being said here is that the true Christian in seeking for glory, honor and immortality does not just start seeking but he finishes seeking. It means that they continue to live with good deeds and doesn’t give into hardship, or difficulties or opposition.
Galatians 6:9 says, "And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary." The reward for their perseverance:
IS ETERNAL LIFE -- Their life will be one of inheriting a world of glory, honor and peace. Now, let’s consider:
THE REWARD OF THE WICKED -- Romans 2:8 "....but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. The wicked and evil of this world will be judged...."
ARE SELF SEEKING AGAINST GOD -- They don’t like what God says so they fight against it. They simply refuse to buckle under and surrender their lives to God and His will. They are interested only in dealing with what they find pleasing instead of what pleases God. The fact it that no one should argue with God, or bargain with God or question God. The truth is that God always has our best interests at heart. In all honesty, this contention against God is the main problem with the world.
They don’t want to obey God, or follow God so they deny Him and resist Him. The attempt to ignore Him and they then make up their own religion which they claim is serving God when, in fact, it is self serving. That is contention against God. The end result is twofold in that:
THE WICKED WILL NOT ESCAPE -- Romans 2:9 "There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek, . God’s judgment will involve His wrath and anger, and the wicked will experience trouble and distress."
The Greek word for “tribulation” is thilipsis and it means oppression, suffering, and affliction. The Greek word for “distress” is stenochoria (sten-ok-o-REEH-ah) which means to be put into a narrow place; to experience extreme pain, sorrow and affliction.
This is the reward for those who will not surrender to God, who refuse the truth of God, and who persist in doing evil. Finally:
THE CHRISTIAN WILL BE REWARD – Romans 2:10 "....but glory and honor and peace to every man who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."
No true Christian will be overlooked. They will receive immortality, glory, honor, and peace. Everyone will be on equal footing at the judgment seat of Christ. In the Old Testament scheme of things, the Jews believed that they were better than anyone else because they were God’s people. But in the New Testament covenant, everyone is equal. At the foot of the Cross, the ground is level.
Father, as believers in Jesus Christ, we look forward to that time when we will receive our reward from you for our belief and trust in Christ that directs our life to do good. Help us to live daily with that understanding that, no matter, how bad things get in this world, we have the promise of Your Word that the wicked will receive their reward for their unbelief. Yet, Father, we know that You don’t want anyone to perish. Grant us the grace to let the Light of Jesus show through us so that all men will be drawn to Him. In Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN.
“Judged –Heaven or Hell”
Romans 2:6-10
December 7, 2011
Mankind is divided into two classes. Those who obey God and those who do not. There is a sharp dividing line between the two and that dividing line is the Cross of Calvary. On one side of the Cross there is a group that is characterized as those who seek glory, honor and incorruption. On the other side is the rest of the human race. In both cases, each person will be judged by God. No one is going to escape His judgment.
Paul is writing to the Jews who thought that they were above the judgment of God because they were God’s chosen people. But Paul makes it clear that they are dead wrong and that no one
IS GOING TO ESCAPE JUDGMENT -- Romans 2:6 (NASB) “God, who will render to every man according to his deeds:”
Note that this judgment is based on our deeds. That does not mean that faith is not necessary. On the contrary, there is no such thing as faith without works. Nor are there righteous and acceptable works without faith. The works that please God and that are truly of God are the result of faith.
Man believes in and works for many different things – religion, service organizations, social clubs etc. But God has a demand for mankind that says that man must believe in Him and work for Him reaching out to a world that is lost.
When a person truly believes in the Lord Jesus Christ, they will work for the kingdom of God. They are more interested in impacting the kingdom of God than they are the kingdom of darkness. And as we walk with Christ, the Holy Spirit will show us what and how we should do that. That is the reason that this church has made a decision to discontinue the harvest festival on Halloween.
That particular event, while billed as an outreach to the community, nonetheless does nothing to promote the Light of Christ and His kingdom but rather promotes the darkness of Satan and his kingdom. And the church of Jesus Christ has no business promoting, supporting, sponsoring, coordinating or assisting in anyway the kingdom of darkness. We are here for the explicit purpose of glorifying and exalting Jesus Christ. We are NOT here to glorify, advance or promote Satan and his kingdom.
God is either going to reward or punish every man according to what he/she has done for God. We’re not talking about salvation by works. Salvation is received by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. And salvation is MAINTAINED by faith in Jesus Christ. That, however, doesn’t set aside the importance of good deeds or accepting the responsibility for doing bad deeds. All believers will have to give an account as will all unbelievers. Now, let’s take a look at:
THE REWARD OF TRUE CHRISTIANS -- Romans 2:7 ` to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life;
There are some things that we need to consider when we look at the reward of the true Christian. First, note that these well doers of God:
SEEK GLORY, HONOR AND IMMORTALITY –The Greek word for “glory” is doxa (DOX-ah) which means to possess and to be full of perfect light; to dwell in perfect light, brilliance, splendor, brightness, luster, and magnificence with God.
The Greek word for “honor” is time (tim-MAY) which means to be acknowledged, recognized, approved, accepted, esteemed and exalted by God. It means to be privileged and exalted to a position of responsibility and service to God.
The Greek word for “immortality” is aphtharsia (af-thar-SEE-ah) which means living forever with God in a world that will last forever. Note that the Christians see this glory, honor and immortality:
WITH PERSEVERANCE -- The Greek word for “perseverance” is proskarterēsis (pros-car-TEAR-ay-sis) and it means to be steadfast and constant. It means to endure and continue. So what’s being said here is that the true Christian in seeking for glory, honor and immortality does not just start seeking but he finishes seeking. It means that they continue to live with good deeds and doesn’t give into hardship, or difficulties or opposition.
Galatians 6:9 says, "And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary." The reward for their perseverance:
IS ETERNAL LIFE -- Their life will be one of inheriting a world of glory, honor and peace. Now, let’s consider:
THE REWARD OF THE WICKED -- Romans 2:8 "....but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. The wicked and evil of this world will be judged...."
ARE SELF SEEKING AGAINST GOD -- They don’t like what God says so they fight against it. They simply refuse to buckle under and surrender their lives to God and His will. They are interested only in dealing with what they find pleasing instead of what pleases God. The fact it that no one should argue with God, or bargain with God or question God. The truth is that God always has our best interests at heart. In all honesty, this contention against God is the main problem with the world.
They don’t want to obey God, or follow God so they deny Him and resist Him. The attempt to ignore Him and they then make up their own religion which they claim is serving God when, in fact, it is self serving. That is contention against God. The end result is twofold in that:
THE WICKED WILL NOT ESCAPE -- Romans 2:9 "There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek, . God’s judgment will involve His wrath and anger, and the wicked will experience trouble and distress."
The Greek word for “tribulation” is thilipsis and it means oppression, suffering, and affliction. The Greek word for “distress” is stenochoria (sten-ok-o-REEH-ah) which means to be put into a narrow place; to experience extreme pain, sorrow and affliction.
This is the reward for those who will not surrender to God, who refuse the truth of God, and who persist in doing evil. Finally:
THE CHRISTIAN WILL BE REWARD – Romans 2:10 "....but glory and honor and peace to every man who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."
No true Christian will be overlooked. They will receive immortality, glory, honor, and peace. Everyone will be on equal footing at the judgment seat of Christ. In the Old Testament scheme of things, the Jews believed that they were better than anyone else because they were God’s people. But in the New Testament covenant, everyone is equal. At the foot of the Cross, the ground is level.
Father, as believers in Jesus Christ, we look forward to that time when we will receive our reward from you for our belief and trust in Christ that directs our life to do good. Help us to live daily with that understanding that, no matter, how bad things get in this world, we have the promise of Your Word that the wicked will receive their reward for their unbelief. Yet, Father, we know that You don’t want anyone to perish. Grant us the grace to let the Light of Jesus show through us so that all men will be drawn to Him. In Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN.
Monday, December 5, 2011
LESSONS FROM THE WISE MEN
LESSONS FROM THE WISE MEN
Matthew 2:1-12
December 4, 2011
With our children’s program this morning, we kick off the Christmas season. This morning, I want to take just a few minutes to look at the birth of Jesus through the eyes of the wise men to see what we can learn from them. So, let’s go to our text verses in Matthew 2:1-12. Lesson #1 is that if you look for God:
YOU’LL ALWAYS FIND JESUS –Matthew 2:1-3 (NASB) “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east, and have come to worship Him.’ And when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.”
These men were learned men devoted to religion and who were held in high esteem. But spiritually speaking, they were not wise but unwise. However, God was going to change their flawed thinking through the birth of Jesus Christ.
These men would’ve known that Daniel had prophesied 500 years earlier, that a decree was going to be issued to authorize the rebuilding of Jerusalem that was then in ruins. (Daniel 9:25-26) Daniel wrote that 483 years following the date of that decree, the Messiah would be in Jerusalem. So, these wisemen knew when Cyrus gave that decree and they just added 483 years to that date. They knew WHEN the Messiah would come, they just didn’t know WHERE.
So, they stopped by Jerusalem and asked “Where?” The prophet Micah would answer that question in Micah 5:2(NASB): " But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity."
It’s interesting that the first words spoken by a human in the New Test come from these wise men when they asked in Matthew 2:2 “Where is God?” And for 2000 years, people are still searching for God. They ask, “Where was God when my child died – or my husband – or my wife?” Or, “Where was God when I lost my job and my home?” Let me say to you that if you are genuinely and diligently seeking God, you will always be led to Jesus Christ. 1 Timothy 2:5-6 (NASB)says, “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,” For it is in Jesus Christ that the answers to all if life’s problems are found.
The wise men searched earnestly for God and they found Him in Jesus Christ. Likewise, if you are searching for God, you’ll find him in Jesus Christ. Lesson #2 is that if you are wise:
GIVE JESUS YOUR TREASURE -- Matthew 2:11-12 (NASB) “And they came into the house and saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell down and worshiped Him; and opening their treasures they presented to Him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their own country by another way.”
One of the nice things about Christmas is the giving of gifts. But real gifts are motivated by love. Love always gives. In John 3:16 (NASB) we see real love in action. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." Someone said, “You can give without loving, but you can’t love without giving.” The gifts that the wise men brought were perfect. If you are truly wise, you’ll open your life’s treasures and give Jesus some valuable gifts as well. Gifts like:
GOLD REPRESENTING YOUR FIRST AND BEST -- When Jesus becomes the Lord of your life, it means that He is the King of your life and He deserves the best of your time, money, skills and talents -- not your leftovers. Give a gift like:
INCENSE REPRESENTING YOUR JOYFUL WORSHIP -- Incense was used by the priests in worship as an offering to honor and praise God. We should attend church to give praise to God, give a hug or encouragement to someone who’s going through a hard time. Give a gift like:
MYRRH REPRESENTING YOUR LIFE AND LOYALTY -- The myrrh represents the need for us to offer Jesus our lives. That’s what He did for us when He went to the cross and shed His innocent blood for us. Lesson #3 is that when you meet Jesus:
YOU’LL ALWAYS CHANGE -- Not only did the wise men go home a different way, they were different men as they left. Once you meet Jesus, you have a different way of living, a new way of thinking, a whole new set of values.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV) “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
When you search for God, you will find Jesus. And that discovery will give you truths that will change your life forever. The wise men weren’t wise because they were seeking Jesus, but they were wise because they found Jesus. Will you come to Jesus this Christmas and open your life to Him?
CALL--- Are you searching for purpose, or for truth or the meaning of life? Or maybe you don’t know WHAT you’re looking for. But if you will seek God with all of your heart, you WILL find that search will always lead to Jesus. Will you open your heart to Jesus this morning and ask Him in to be your Lord and Savior?
If you’re already a Christian, you might be thinking “What truth can I take away with from this message? I’ve already met Christ and given Him my life.” The application for you my friend, is that God wants to use you to go out into this world, and be a guiding and leading star to Jesus Christ. A good place to start that journey is right here in this service. Let’s take a few minutes this morning to come to these altars to worship the Lord. If you’re coming to Christ for the first time, we’ll meet you here and pray with you privately. But if you’re already a Christian, then come with a prayer that asks the Lord to make you like a star that will guide others to Christ.
Lord, thank You for this wonderful Christmas season and the lessons we’re are learning from our time together. There’s a lot of darkness in our world, but Lord we want to be wise and shine like the stars by turning others to Jesus. Give us the grace, anointing and opportunity to be that star for Your glory. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Matthew 2:1-12
December 4, 2011
With our children’s program this morning, we kick off the Christmas season. This morning, I want to take just a few minutes to look at the birth of Jesus through the eyes of the wise men to see what we can learn from them. So, let’s go to our text verses in Matthew 2:1-12. Lesson #1 is that if you look for God:
YOU’LL ALWAYS FIND JESUS –Matthew 2:1-3 (NASB) “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east, and have come to worship Him.’ And when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.”
These men were learned men devoted to religion and who were held in high esteem. But spiritually speaking, they were not wise but unwise. However, God was going to change their flawed thinking through the birth of Jesus Christ.
These men would’ve known that Daniel had prophesied 500 years earlier, that a decree was going to be issued to authorize the rebuilding of Jerusalem that was then in ruins. (Daniel 9:25-26) Daniel wrote that 483 years following the date of that decree, the Messiah would be in Jerusalem. So, these wisemen knew when Cyrus gave that decree and they just added 483 years to that date. They knew WHEN the Messiah would come, they just didn’t know WHERE.
So, they stopped by Jerusalem and asked “Where?” The prophet Micah would answer that question in Micah 5:2(NASB): " But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity."
It’s interesting that the first words spoken by a human in the New Test come from these wise men when they asked in Matthew 2:2 “Where is God?” And for 2000 years, people are still searching for God. They ask, “Where was God when my child died – or my husband – or my wife?” Or, “Where was God when I lost my job and my home?” Let me say to you that if you are genuinely and diligently seeking God, you will always be led to Jesus Christ. 1 Timothy 2:5-6 (NASB)says, “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,” For it is in Jesus Christ that the answers to all if life’s problems are found.
The wise men searched earnestly for God and they found Him in Jesus Christ. Likewise, if you are searching for God, you’ll find him in Jesus Christ. Lesson #2 is that if you are wise:
GIVE JESUS YOUR TREASURE -- Matthew 2:11-12 (NASB) “And they came into the house and saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell down and worshiped Him; and opening their treasures they presented to Him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their own country by another way.”
One of the nice things about Christmas is the giving of gifts. But real gifts are motivated by love. Love always gives. In John 3:16 (NASB) we see real love in action. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." Someone said, “You can give without loving, but you can’t love without giving.” The gifts that the wise men brought were perfect. If you are truly wise, you’ll open your life’s treasures and give Jesus some valuable gifts as well. Gifts like:
GOLD REPRESENTING YOUR FIRST AND BEST -- When Jesus becomes the Lord of your life, it means that He is the King of your life and He deserves the best of your time, money, skills and talents -- not your leftovers. Give a gift like:
INCENSE REPRESENTING YOUR JOYFUL WORSHIP -- Incense was used by the priests in worship as an offering to honor and praise God. We should attend church to give praise to God, give a hug or encouragement to someone who’s going through a hard time. Give a gift like:
MYRRH REPRESENTING YOUR LIFE AND LOYALTY -- The myrrh represents the need for us to offer Jesus our lives. That’s what He did for us when He went to the cross and shed His innocent blood for us. Lesson #3 is that when you meet Jesus:
YOU’LL ALWAYS CHANGE -- Not only did the wise men go home a different way, they were different men as they left. Once you meet Jesus, you have a different way of living, a new way of thinking, a whole new set of values.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV) “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
When you search for God, you will find Jesus. And that discovery will give you truths that will change your life forever. The wise men weren’t wise because they were seeking Jesus, but they were wise because they found Jesus. Will you come to Jesus this Christmas and open your life to Him?
CALL--- Are you searching for purpose, or for truth or the meaning of life? Or maybe you don’t know WHAT you’re looking for. But if you will seek God with all of your heart, you WILL find that search will always lead to Jesus. Will you open your heart to Jesus this morning and ask Him in to be your Lord and Savior?
If you’re already a Christian, you might be thinking “What truth can I take away with from this message? I’ve already met Christ and given Him my life.” The application for you my friend, is that God wants to use you to go out into this world, and be a guiding and leading star to Jesus Christ. A good place to start that journey is right here in this service. Let’s take a few minutes this morning to come to these altars to worship the Lord. If you’re coming to Christ for the first time, we’ll meet you here and pray with you privately. But if you’re already a Christian, then come with a prayer that asks the Lord to make you like a star that will guide others to Christ.
Lord, thank You for this wonderful Christmas season and the lessons we’re are learning from our time together. There’s a lot of darkness in our world, but Lord we want to be wise and shine like the stars by turning others to Jesus. Give us the grace, anointing and opportunity to be that star for Your glory. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
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