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Sermon: Advancing Hope – An Advent Message

I preached again!

Once again I was in Paulden Christian Fellowship. Pastor Paul had just finished the Book of Acts, so I was allowed to give a summary, not just of Acts and not even just of the gospel, but the whole biblical story was briefly recounted, comparing and contrasting the Kingdom of Darkness and the Kingdom of Light.

As usual, below are my rough notes (more of an outline) and the PowerPoint.

Advancing Hope

An Advent Teaching on the Acts of God, the Acts of Men, and the Acts of the Apostles

Last week was the Scripture reading from Romans 10 about confessing with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believing in your heart that God raised him from the dead saving you. Then Pastor Paul finished going through the book of Acts, discussing some people believing and some not, that some people found hope and some turned violent.

Advancing Hope — Paulden — Acts and AdventDownload

From Light to Darkness … and Deeper Darkness

Genesis 1:1-3 – God made everything, including light
Genesis 1:26-28 – God created humanity in His image, gave them dominion over His creation
Genesis 3 – Humanity gives the power of dominion to the Serpent, pushing back God’s light.
Genesis 4 – Sin increases with two lies: 1) “I am the most important” and 2) “I do what I want.” Darkness spreads.
v. 26 – The birth of religion about 250 years after the Garden.
Genesis 6-11 – Sin increases, to the point God destroys the world by a flood. Even after, the command to fill the Earth is ignored, adding the lie “We can make God come to us.” Darkness and confusion spread.
Genesis 12-22 – Abraham is called and promised a land, descendants, and to be a blessing to the world (and the promise of “bless those who bless you …”)
Genesis 26:1-5; 27:27-29; 28:10-22 – The promise passed on to Isaac and Jacob (and the promise of “bless those who bless you …”
Genesis 48-49 – Jacob/Israel blesses his sons, including the promise seen in Genesis 3:15, 15:7-18; 22:11-18 – 49:10-45 – Through Israel, specifically Judah, will come one who blesses the world through garments washed in “blood of wine.”

Exodus shows God’s chosen people being redeemed from slavery and given the Law.

Exodus 19:5-6 – God’s treasured possession, “a kingdom of priests”
They failed. Miserably.
Yet, this is the people blessed by a pagan prophet in Numbers 23-24 (including 24:9 – “Blessed are those who bless you, and cursed are those who curse you.”) that God will give Israel the Promised Land, and one will come with Dominion.
God uses a disobedient people to show how much we all fail as humans, and even with direct revelation from God can we all fall.

It was often non-Israelites that were used: Rahab the Jericho prostitute; Ruth the Moabite (great-great grandmother and great grandmother of David); Uriah the Hittite; foreign kings who obeyed God better than Israel; Nineveh, despite Jonah; three astrologers visiting a baby born the King of the Jews.

Still, an ancient call on Israel stood: Isaiah 42:5-9; 49:6-8 – Called to be light, but Ezekiel 5:5-6

John 1:1-18 – The light comes into this dark world.
Yet, the secret of Jesus coming was hidden in plain sight in these Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 2:7-16.

What was Acts about?

Acts 1:8-11 – The Church is gifted the power of God by the Holy Spirit to spread His light into this dark world.
In Acts 2 we see the reversal of the Tower of Babel and Israel’s rebellion in the wilderness when 3,000 are saved at the preaching of the gospel in language all can understand.
The light begins to spread from Jerusalem to Judeah to Samaria and even out to the Gentiles, yet …
Acts 28:24-28 – Whether Israelite or Gentile, many will not hear, but more Gentiles will listen.
Acts is a reminder that the Holy Spirit-filled Church fights against the darkness of sin, ignorance, and rejection of God.

Acts shows the cosmic battle of darkness vs. light.

In Matthew 5-7 and John 15-16, Jesus warned that if we abide in Him and His Word, the world will hate us as it hated Him, yet His death and resurrection have shown that He is more powerful.
Evil has spread, and it was easy for it to spread.
People like Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5), Saul of Tarsus (pre-conversion) and Simon Magus (Acts 8), various religious adherents and Christianity-adjacent groups (like the sons of Sceva and Artemis worshipers in Acts 19), and many others show how Truth can be, is, and will be twisted for selfish, controlling, and deceptive purposes.
Remember it was the most religious who caused the most problems in the time of Acts, but the irreligious can be just as unreceptive and violent. (Look at the past few months.)

What does it mean for us?

We know Christ can return at any time, and this is our hope!
We know that death came because of Adam’s sin, and we await that time Jesus finally does away with death.
Until then, we persevere and join with our Lord weeping about the pain of death and sin (John 11:35), and we offer the hope of Christ’s return and complete defeat over death.

We know sin has affected everything in this world, causing pain, sadness, and separation; hatred, distrust, and violence.
Christ took all of that on Himself on the cross and overcame it all that wonderful Sunday morning, so we point people to the hope of the cross and Christ’s return, showing that the Holy Spirit changes us, one by one, to overcome the pain, sadness, hatred, distrust, and violent separation in our own lives.
So, we do not despair when the world is crazy, wicked, and violent. We know God has a plan. He warned in Matthew 24, echoed by Paul in the letters to the Thessalonians and to Timothy, that as the Kingdom of God progresses, there will be a time before His return that will only get worse, with many falling away from the faith, with many false prophets, apostles, and anointed ones arising, and with lawlessness growing as the accepted norm.

What does this look like?

People denying the importance of Israel, even saying the promise of those who bless Israel being blessed was not about modern Israel. (Then why is national Israel back in the land?)
People declaring evil as good and good as evil, even making laws to that effect, and even from those who call themselves Christian.
People preferring violence and violent religions as peaceful religions, all the while denouncing Christianity as violent.
People in churches separating over issues that do not affect salvation.

What do we do?

  • We believe the gospel.
  • We love God by loving others sacrificially.
  • We love God by loving the Church.
  • We love God by sharing and defending the truth with love and respect.

Doing these spreads the light against the darkness.
This is the beginning. Christ has already redeemed us, but we await our final redemption when He returns.
By His wounds we are healed, but we watch out for where the dark deceptions of the Evil One creep in trying to keep the wounds open.

2025
12/01
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Sermon: Acts 23:9-22 – Conspiracies, Violence, & Persecution

I preached again!

I was once again at Paulden Christian Fellowship, planned for nearly two weeks, so before the events of the first full week of September 2025. Fortunately and unfortunately, the message was ready for this week. I also was dealing with a cold.

As usual, below are my rough notes (in fact, very rough notes this time), so there is a deviation from what is written and what was said. (P.S. I made the correction to the PowerPoint that I reference in the sermon.)

Acts 23_9-22 — Paulden – Conspiracies Violence and PersecutionDownload

Acts 23:9-22: Conspiracies, Violence, & Persecution

[Intro]
[Read passage]

  • Not facing anything new
  • Paul went from persecuting to persecuted
  • Hebrews 11:1-12:3 – Long list of those who suffered for their faith.
    • Abel (Genesis 4)
    • Joseph (Genesis 37-40)
    • David (1 Samuel 18-30)
    • Most of the Prophets
    • John the Baptist
    • Stephen (Acts 6-7)
    • The Apostles and other Christians (Acts 3-8 and beyond)
    • Thousands (or millions) of martyrs through today
    • [Jesus] – Hebrews 12:2-3

Recent events also show it continues.

  • Approximately 380 million Christians today (opendoors.org)
    • [Confirmed] 4,476 killed in 2024
    • [Confirmed] 4,744 imprisoned in 2024
    • [Confirmed] 7,679 churches/properties attacked in 2024
  • North Korea, Somalia, Yemen, Libya, Sudan, Eritrea, Nigeria, Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan are the top 10
    • 8 under Islam, 2 other tyrannical rule
    • Nigeria alone has at least 7,000 confirmed killed Christians THIS YEAR (as of August)

In the US

Rise in Persecution: In the past 15 years, so many Christian businesses, ministries, and individuals have faced civil and criminal legal troubles for standing for their biblical faith, such as the Masterpiece Cakeshop and Jack Phillips in Colorado.
(I think Kim Davis of Kentucky is a slippery story, and musician/activist Sean Feucht is creating problems.)

Charlie Kirk:

  • Shot on Wednesday, 9/10, at Utah Valley University
  • Shooter appears to have come from a conservative Republican and Mormon home, who went to Utah State University, where he was apparently led into agreeing with Antifa and other radicalized political groups.
  • Engravings on bullet casings stated things like “Hey fascist! CATCH!”, the Antifa logo, and other sayings in support of groups that on the left side of politics.
  • The shooter and his family disagreed with Charlie Kirk, but his family showed their disagreement over violence when they turned him in to authorities, knowing many were calling for the death penalty.

Step on toes: Remember that political violence happens on both sides. (Gabbi Giffords, JFK, MLK, abortion bombings of the 1980’s-90’s and later in 2020’s, shots fired/knives bared at the White house in the past four administrations).
Both sides of the political aisle have ramped up violent rhetoric.

But this serves as a reminder that we have a message that divides:

  • Luke 12:49-53
  • Matthew 10:16-25
  • Matthew 24:3-14
  • John 16:33

Remember First:

v. 11: Unlike Paul, most of us don’t get a message straight from Jesus confirming anything past today, but we have the message that He is with us (Matthew 28:20; John 16) and that we have hope of eternity when we die (Luke 23:43).

Remember Second:

vv. 12-15: Some conspiracies are true, and people will hate us for preaching righteousness.

  • Matthew 10 – 10:26-28

Remember Third:

vv. 16-22: We fight for life and light & reveal darkness, but we remember those made in God’s image.

  • Ignorance: Acts 7:60; Luke 23:34 (They think they’re right.) [examples of feeling they’re right compared with “our side”]
  • Deceived: Romans 1:22-25 (God let them go their own way.)
  • Reach out: Matthew 5:44; 2 Corinthians 5:11-16; Jude 22-23

The Real Battle:

2 Corinthians 10:3-6; Ephesians 6:12 (and after)
Therefore, Proverbs 3:5-6, and Romans 12:14-21.

2025
09/14
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Sermon: Acts 20:17-38 – Being the Church

I preached again!

I was invited back to Paulden Christian Fellowship, continuing their series through the book of Acts. I covered most of the chapter, giving a broad overview of imitating Paul’s love for the Church.

As usual, below are my rough notes. I deviated several times and added a few thoughts. Also, I had a PowerPoint presentation, also attached.

Acts 20:17-38 –  Being the Church

Acts 20_17-38 — Paulden – Being the ChurchDownload

Acts 20:17-38: Being the Church

My first sermon in Paulden was a little over four years ago, and I have loved coming to this little (and no longer so little!) congregation whenever I am able.
I pray every time that God would speak through me. I don’t how well I get out of the way and let Him speak, and there is always room for growth, but I have been enjoying every moment and seen how others have grown even from the words I share.
But this is not about me or you. At least not directly. Not yet.
For nearly two years we (especially under Pastor Paul) have been working through the book of Acts, and we are still in Acts 20 this week.
We are supposed to study Jesus, but in Acts we’re studying the Church, and often Paul in particular. [1 Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 4:9 (What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me – practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.)]
So, let’s continue looking at Paul’s example, remembering that he purposely avoided going to Ephesus on his journey from Troas on his way to Jerusalem. He was in a hurry, and I think he knew he would want to spend more time with the people he came to love in Ephesus.

[Read passage]

vv. 17-27 – Paul loved the Church.
He is a good example of loving the Church, desiring to give everything to the Church for the glory of Christ and the betterment of individuals and the community.
And we see how much the church at Ephesus loved Paul – about 35 miles as the crow flies to Miletus, at least a day’s travel if not two or three days. From his arriving in Ephesus until this meeting in Miletus, it has been nearly 3.5 years, and this is now at least four months since he left the city. And they hurried to him, just as he was hurrying to Jerusalem for Pentecost.
Paul demonstrated how church leaders should act:

  • v. 19 – humility and passion – see vv. 33-38: working so that he and his team wouldn’t take money from the Ephesians.
    • Passion for the Word and the people
  • vv. 20,27 – boldly declaring and defending God’s Word
  • vv. 21-27 – proclaiming the saving gospel with little regard for himself, knowing persecution often accompanies sharing the gospel.

He then gives advice on the Church should behave.

Being the Church: Humble Passion, Defending the Truth, and Bold Declaration

Humble Passion: vv. 26-28

Paul called the leadership of the Church to watch their own conduct and handling of the Word. [2 Timothy 2:2 – raise up others to teach. 1 Timothy 2-3, Titus 1-3 – protect your walk and witness and raise up the Church in the Word.]
We are not all called pastors, but in case any thinks this may not apply to them, remember Peter’s words in [1 Peter 2:9-10] that we are a royal priesthood – all believers are priests before God, and thus all are called to grow in godliness, understanding His Word, and helping each other grow. Peter referred to Exodus 19:6 in doing this, and was reminding his readers of Paul’s words in Ephesians 2:10, that after being saved by grace through faith we find our calling in doing good works for God’s glory. The greatest work is sharing the gospel and growing in godliness as the Church.
This is why were commanded to “walk out your faith with fear and trembling” in Philippians 2:12. We should be passionate about spreading God’s glory, realizing He has entrusted us with His glory.  When the Commandments say to have no other god, to not take the Lord’s name in vain, and to not bear false testimony, for us it is the reminder that He has called us, and we are His ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:17-20). When people look at us, we represent the Creator of everything and Savior of humanity.
This should humble us as it changes us and empowers us.

And we are empowered to defend truth.

Defend the Truth: vv. 28-31

How many times did Paul face others who either denied the Word of God or twisted it? The letter to the Galatians was against the “Judaizers” who said new believers had to be circumcised and obey the Law of Moses. (Acts 15’s Jerusalem Council largely refutes that.) Practically everywhere Paul went, including Ephesus, had both Jews and idolaters trying to silence him or change the truth.
Consider Simon the Magician of Samaria in Acts 8. Some think he may have been one of the first Gnostic “Christians” to spread lies about Christ and God, someone who tried to buy the Holy Spirit.
Now consider the people today who are either legalistic about how to live or legalistically “anti-legalist” about what to believe. The extreme fundamentalists who say you can never do anything wrong, or you prove you’re not saved. On the other hand, you have the hyper-charismatics (or NAR – New Apostolic Reformation) that say you should be prophesying, speaking in tongues, and performing miracles, signs, and wonders.
Paul did not do as many miracles around people, even considering Troas and Eutychus being raised from the dead. He did many, yes, but remember what Acts 14:3 says, that the miracles, signs, and wonders came confirmed the witness of God’s grace taught by the Apostles. As he wrote in 2 Corinthians 11 and is backed up by 2 Peter 2 and Jude, many perform these miracles, signs and wonders to get money and deceive people to fulfill their own desires and lusts, especially those who call themselves apostles but had no direct connection to Jesus and the Twelve.
Rather, as Jesus reminded in the parable of Lazarus and the rich man in Luke 16, if people won’t believe the Scriptures, neither will they believe someone rising from the dead. That is, miracles are not enough. Moses (in Deuteronomy 13 and 18) and Jesus (in Matthew 7 and 24) warned that prophets, apostles, and christs (anointed ones) would arise and even perform miracles and make true prophecies, but they are not to be trusted if they lead people away from the true gospel.
So, as Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 and John said in 1 John 4:1, we are to test prophecies and miracles to confirm they are from God.
We also defend the truth against lies, mistruths, and misunderstandings, being prepared to give gentle, respectful reasons for why we believe (1 Peter 3:15). 2 Corinthians 10:4-6 reminds us to fight spiritual and verbal attacks with the power of the Spirit, which is the Word (Ephesians 6:10-20).
Meaning, we proclaim the Word of God to defend the Word, knowing it will anger others and possibly put is in harms way.

Bold Declaration: vv. 31-35

It is the Word of God – the Old and New Testaments, the gospel message of Jesus Christ – that saves and builds up. We do not seek riches like the hypocritical preachers and teachers (but we also do not necessarily shun wealth, but we seek to honor God in all things.)
Rather, we help each other know the Word and know the Word better. We teach and admonish each other.
Most importantly, we ensure that all people hear the gospel. Jesus was speaking to His closest disciples in Matthew 28, but the early Church grew exponentially knowing the Great Commission of 28:18-20 was for all disciples, all who believe in Him and obey His commands.
Hebrews 13:6, quoting Psalm 118:6, reminds us that God is on our side, so what can men do to us?

Can they hurt us? Sure.
Can they kill us? Sure.

But as Jesus said, “do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28)

He also said in Matthew 5 that we are blessed when people insult us, revile us, and persecute us, because we will be with God for eternity in His Kingdom.
And how do we know we can face this persecution and grow in the Word faithfully?

We see this with Paul, too, in fact, through this whole passage: We are the family of Christ.

We lift each other up, care for each other, and correct and instruct each other.
Look at Acts 2:42-47: The people devoted themselves to the Apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer, sharing what they had as anyone had need. In other words, they studied the Bible (Apostles’ teaching), spent time together, ate together, prayed together, and took care of each other.

Family.

It is the messy lives bumping into each other and helping each other through by the power of the Holy Spirit and Scripture lived out.
Even if you have to travel for two days just to cry, say goodbye, and encourage each other.

So, what do we do?

Love the Church.

Even when some of the people are rude, careless, and messed up.
Even when it’s scary.
Even when you need more help than you feel like you can give.
Love the Church.
It’s what Paul did. It’s what Jesus called us to.

What are the two greatest commandments? (Matthew 22:36-39)

And Jesus added a new commandment in [John 13:34-35] – Love the Church.

It is not about you or me. It is about all of us in Christ.
Study God’s Word, by yourself and with others, so that you can know it and live it. As the Church.
Defend God’s Word by listening to good teachers and pastors and learning how to make good arguments against lies, mistruths, and misunderstandings. And you are never doing this by yourself, as you have the Church behind you and the Holy Spirit within you, especially as you love the Church and study the Bible.
Be prepared for difficulties and pushback, even persecution. Jesus warned us (John 14:27 as well as the Beatitudes of Matthew 5), but we have the Church to surround us and the Holy Spirit granting us peace, grace, courage, and strength to endure anything.

But we must live with each other, support each other, and encourage each other. [Hebrews 10:23-25, 12:1-4, 13:1-9,15-18,20-21]

This is how you be the Church.

2025
07/14
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Sermon: A World Upside Down – Acts 17:1-9

I preached again!
I was honored to once again be with the brethren in Paulden Christian Fellowship.
As usual, these are my rough notes, so not necessarily everything I said while preaching.

A World Upside Down: Reception, Resistance, Recompense – Acts 17:1-9

Ever been told news that changed everything? (Birth, Death, Dying, New Job, Lost Job, Prison, Debt [Forgiveness])

[Read passage]

v. 6c – “These men who have turned the whole world upside down” – More true than they realized. The gospel is a world- and life-changing message.

The true Roman Road was the Egnatian Way that went from Byzantium (Constantinople/Istanbul) to the west coast of Greece, about 1000 miles, to head toward Rome. Each of the cities listed are about a day’s journey by foot from each other, so that from Philippi to Thessalonica it’s about 100 miles.

Paul’s custom was to go to the synagogues in a city, and he spent three weeks showing/proving the truth of Jesus’ death and resurrection from the Hebrew Scriptures (OT: ex: Psalm 22, Isaiah 53, Zechariah 12-13).

The death and resurrection of Jesus is actually one of the most provable events in ancient history.

Three R’s: Reception, Resistance, and Recompense

Reception: v. 4: Some Jews, many devout Greeks, and a few leading women all believed.

Some Jews: We see that Jason is one who believed àRomans 16:21 calls Lucius (Acts 13:1), Jason (here), and Sosipater from Berea his “kinsmen” as an indicator that these are Jews. Jason may also have been one of the wealthier people as he housed them and had money to pay bail from prison.

Resistance: v. 5: Non-believing Jews get some wicked men of the rabble àthe lay-abouts and lazy men, prone to violence and crime, from the marketplace.

Continuing the trend begun in ancient times: the Israelites choosing the follow their idolatrous neighbors rather than what God has said.  Choosing to try to kill the messengers rather than deal with their sin, like they did with the prophets.

Continuing the trend at Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion: “We have no king but Caesar!” “It is better to injure and kill these people!”

Continuing the trend seen in Acts: They’re messing up what we have, so let’s riot and get violent!

Recompense: (Payment) vv. 6-9: The people wanted retribution, but the authorities were paid the usual bail by Jason and the others. The people did not get the blood they hoped for, but it was still costly for the disciples.

Application:

Reception: What have you done with the gospel message? Do you believe, or are you resistant?

Resistance: We must realize that this fallen world will be resistant to the message, often getting violent.

Jewish Leadership (w/Jesus, Acts 4-9 … and the rest of Acts)

Roman government

Celsus (writing about 175)

Persecution around the world today. (2024: About 7,700 churches attacked; >200k displaced; >380M living under persecution)

Recompense: No, this is not where I call for giving to the church, though that is good for believers to do.

The world will want our blood, for violence to happen to us, to lie about us or misuse the truth (like with Jesus and the early Christians.)

Ironically, Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians deal with Christians who act more like the rabble seen in Acts 17, and he reminds those fearful for those who have died that we have hope in the Second Coming of Christ. God’s remuneration will come for all, with all of the verses that remind us of His vengeance and justice.

[2 Thessalonians 1:5-12]

Revelation 20-22 further reminds us that only those whose names are in the Lamb’s Book of Life will enter eternal life, while the rest receive their just punishment in the Lake of Fire.

We have hope, which helps face the troubles of this world, even with news that changes everything. (Birth, Death, Dying, New Job, Lost Job, Prison, Debt [Forgiveness])

The Good News of Jesus Christ should change everything about our lives. (Family, Friends, Work/Job/Business, seeing politics/government, community/global issues)

            Change how we see truth.

            Change how we see religion.             Change how we think about God.

2025
01/19
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Sermon: The Message for All – Acts 8:25-40

I preached again!
I was honored to once again be with the brethren in Paulden Christian Fellowship.
As usual, these are my rough notes, so not necessarily everything I said while preaching.

The Message for All – Acts 8:25-40

Intro

Thank you who live in the wilderness of Paulden, AZ, for welcoming me.

I was challenged by some friends to continue in the book of Acts but also to include Palm Sunday and birthdays.

Easy.

Jesus began His ministry by being sent into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan. He went to a place of wandering and seclusion to show He was ready to best Satan and evil and also fulfill the promises to Israel and others.

Jesus ended His ministry making His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, being praised by people who would later call for His death. Yet, He came to overcome death.

Likewise, today happens to be my wife’s birthday, and I can promise you, she is excited that she can spend her birthday hearing the Word of God with the gathered saints of God.

And I promise, that as we get into Acts 8, these will be relevant. (Not so much that it’s her birthday.

In fact, ask her and many who have known me for a long time (or relatively short time), I prefer to celebrate a day other than my own birthday, October 26.

I celebrate January 9 over October 26, because that is the day I finally said “Yes” to Jesus coming into my life. I call it my Re-Birthday, the day I was born again.

Maybe you don’t remember the day you became a believer in Jesus Christ as your Savior, and that’s okay. You can celebrate your birthday, then, as the day God brought you into this world. You can celebrate the day you were baptized.

Maybe you don’t know Jesus this way, yet. It’s my prayer that after this message you may know that the message of Jesus, the gospel, is for you, and that you can believe this truth.

And for you who believe – now or later – may you be encouraged to share the truth of this message that’s for all people.

Now, join me in Acts 8, starting in verse 25.

Body

[Read Acts 8:25-40]

There are three important things to know from this passage:

  1. We must be ready with the gospel at all times.
  2. The gospel goes out to all people.
  3. The gospel is for all kinds of people.

Let’s take these one at a time:

  1. We must be ready with the gospel at all times.
    1. Philip went to the Samaritans and then found himself in a desolate place and later in more Gentile cities.
    1. For a Jewish believer, he kept finding himself surrounded by people who are unclean and unwelcome, and the wilderness was understood as the place of wandering and judgment.
      1. We’ll get to the unclean and unwelcome in a few moments.
      1. Remember, Adam and Eve were pushed into the wilderness after the Fall, and Israel spent 40 years wandering the wilderness after their unfaithfulness.
      1. This would be uncomfortable for him on many levels.
    1. Philip encounters a man reading from our Old Testament.
      1. Do you know the Old Testament at all? At least a little?
      1. Do you know the gospel well enough to connect it with Old Testament truths?
      1. Do you know the gospel well enough to connect it with situations people are in?
    1. Philip is able to share the gospel because he spent the last 4-6 years learning from Jesus
      1. He was an Apostle, following Jesus in ministry, and it’s believed Stephen was killed 1-3 years after Christ’s resurrection.
      1. If you believe in Christ, you should have a desire to learn about him and from Him.
      1. Daily study should be important. (Yes, it’s okay to miss a day reading. It’s about desire and focus.)
      1. Knowledge comes from exposure and experience. We must be studying the Word so that the Spirit can remind us of it.
        1. John 14:26 says the Holy Spirit will teach us all things and remind us of Jesus words, which is to say that He teaches us through the inspired Word, the Bible, and reminds us of what it says.
    1. As to the gospel, explaining that will cover the last two points simultaneously
  2. The gospel goes to all people.
  3. The gospel is for all kinds of people.
    1. God promised redemption, restoration, and salvation.
      1. In Genesis 3:15, God promises that a male descendent of Eve will destroy the tyranny of deception and separation.
      1. In Genesis 12:1-3, God promises Abraham that through his descendants will come one who will bless all the nations.
      1. In the Law (Genesis-Deuteronomy), specifically in Deuteronomy 18, God promises a great Prophet will arise who will teach people and show them God.
      1. In 1 Chronicles 17, God promises David that he will have a descendant who will be King forever.
      1. In the Prophets, especially Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, God promises a savior who will be God and a Man, who will take away sins and welcome all people into God’s family.
    1. The excluded will be included.
      1. Especially in Leviticus (21-23), God explains that Gentiles (non-Israelites), murderers, anyone with deformities, and people who practice abominable practices are at best not allowed in the Temple to approach God or at worst should be killed.
        1. It specifically mentions those whose genitals are crushed or removed … as in a eunuch. They were excluded from entering the Temple at all, while there was even a place Gentiles could gather.
    1. Now consider Jesus’ words and what we see specifically through Philip.
      1. Jesus said in Matthew 11:5 and Mark 2:17 that He came to heal the sick and call sinners to repentance and righteousness.
      1. In John 4:23-24, Jesus says the time had arrived when people could worship God anywhere in Spirit and Truth.
      1. In Acts 1:8, Jesus tells the Apostles that they will be His witnesses “in Jerusalem and all of Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
        1. Remember that the Northern tribes were removed from prominence, their descendants having become the nation of Samaria. (They’re called Jews due to Judah being the main faithful tribe, and Judea is the area they live.)
        1. The Samaritans were “mixed-bloods,” having Gentile relations, so they were considered unclean and abominable.
          1. Where did Philip and the other Apostles go first? (8:4,25) Samaria!
        1. The understanding of the Jews is that the Queen of Sheba came from “the ends of the earth”: that was Ethiopia.
          1. Philip encounters an Ethiopian!
          1. The gospel is shown as already reaching the ends of the earth!
        1. Philip then “found himself” suddenly in mostly Gentile cities!
        1. In Jerusalem, we see Greek Jews hearing the message, then Samaritans, even a magician (sorcerer) is able to receive the message (though Simon denied it through his greed), and now we see a eunuch, someone with a deformity that keeps him from the Temple, can worship God and be included in the assembly of believers!
  4. What is the gospel?
    1. As Romans reminds us again and again, as stated in 3:9-23, all of us are sinners. Since the Fall of Adam and Eve through today, all people rebel against God and live contrary to His ways. We all think we can do something to earn salvation, earn God’s favor, that we’re good enough or because we do more good than bad that we’re okay. We can never do enough good, and in fact none of what we do is truly good (apart from Christ.)
    1. Sin is disobedience, separation, and denial of God in every area of our lives. It is not loving God as we should, people as we should, and things of this world (including people and our own ideas about God) too much.
    1. Yet, God promised a way, a Prophet King who would reveal God, restore relationship, and remove sin from our lives.
    1. Jesus is that promised Prophet King, the One who is truly God and truly Man, the only one who could perfectly obey God and make the payment only a man could make.
    1. He told us in John 3 that one must be born again, born of the Holy Spirit in faith in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. With faith comes a New Birth, a Re-Birthday.
    1. And we know that He reigns now in heaven, at the right hand of God as ruler and Judge.
    1. Now, not all will be believe and be saved, but He has shown us that no one is excluded from this offer of salvation and relationship: the one who hates, the one who kills, the one who is addicted to substances and money, the one who loves sex, the one who commits adultery, the prisoner, the slave, the rich, the poor, black and white and everything in between, “from every tribe and language and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9). There are examples throughout Scripture.
    1. Just as Jesus came into Jerusalem being praised and asked to save us (“Hosannah!”), when we believe He can save us He comes into our lives by the Holy Spirit living in us.
    1. And when we believe this about Christ saving us, we know Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 6:11: “And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
    1. We find we have a new birth, for we are a new Creation in Christ Jesus our Lord (2 Corinthians 5:17) … and His ambassadors of the faith calling all to be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:20).
  5. But, as James 2:17 reminds us, “faith without works is dead.”
    1. If we say we believe, but we never share it with others, do we really believe?
    1. Do we believe we are truly saved?
    1. Do we believe this message is for all people?
      1. Or do we think some are not worthy of salvation?
    1. If God can save a murdering adulterer (David), prostitutes (Rahab and Mary), vulgar fishermen (most of the Apostles), and even someone who killed Christians (Paul), people who came from God’s chosen people as well as different colors and nations, then He can save anyone.
    1. May we show we have faith by sharing that faith with others.
      1. Romans 10:8-17
  6. Jesus Himself has sent us: Matthew 28:18-20

Conclusion & Application

If you have decided today that you believe this message, awesome! Happy Re-Birthday! Welcome to the family of God! Please, let me or someone else know! You are now born again into new, everlasting life with Jesus.

If you still have questions, awesome! Please, talk with me or someone else!

For all of us who believe, may we know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the message of our salvation, and not only for us but for the whole world.

May we grow in this faith and the understanding of who Christ is, seeking God and His growing, righteous Kingdom through the reading of the Bible, listening to sermons and teachings, and encouraging each other to grow in Christ.

May we desire to share the truth of Christ with everyone we know and everyone we meet.
Yes, it’s scary at times, but it’s also so important.

And, like the Ethiopian, if you have yet to be baptized, what is stopping you? This man saw water available and asked to be baptized immediately, to show that he accepts his new Family, the Church, and that Christ is Lord.
If you desire to be baptized, tell us!

For all of us, may we see that Jesus is ALREADY marching across this world with His gospel through us, the Church. His next Triumphal Entry will be His return, when He comes to dwell with His people on earth for eternity. When He returns (or we die), it is too late to choose His Life, but we will be there celebrating our God who has saved us.

Let this encourage us to share the message for all urgently, but lovingly and compassionately.

He has sent us into the world before He comes back to the world. May we share this message with all.

Prayer

Our Lord, we thank You that you have saved us. We thank You that, even though we denied You, Your ways, and Your love, You have cleansed us, redeemed us, and called us Your own.

By Your Holy Spirit whom You sent to us, we ask that You now send us out boldly into our world to proclaim Your message. Empower us to learn this message. Embolden us to share this message. Fill us with hope, wonder, and anticipation that You are working in and through us to change this world, to prepare people for Your next Triumphal Entry, to show them that You have called us all to Yourself.

Our great God, we thank You for your Word, for Your love and grace, for Your strength and faithfulness, and for Your promise to always be with us and to go before us.

Guide us in all truth. Grow us in grace. Help us to love you by loving all with the message You have sent to us all.

Thank You for calling us friends, sons and daughters through Your Son, Your redeemed and loved ones. Thank You for new birth and new love for all, especially for You, our Creator, our Redeemer, our Father.

2024
03/24
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Sermon: For or Against: Counted Worthy – Acts 5:28-42

I preached again!
I was honored to once again be with the brethren in Paulden Christian Fellowship.
As usual, these are my rough notes, so not necessarily everything I said while preaching.

For or Against: Counted Worthy – Acts 5:28-42

Intro

Growing up: Shy kid, but antagonized religious people due to family’s history (hurt), until it clicked. Challenged teachings. Challenging things to hear got to me.

As a Christian: Frequently challenged with tough questions. Had to learn some grace and to develop a squishy-tough skin. (Huggable and patient while shrugging off attacks.)

In Acts 5, we see the early church in a similar situation:
Apostles trying to deal with new people with a need to show grace.
They also keep getting arrested, as seen here. Sometimes freed, as Pastor Paul talked about last week and will be seen again.

Last time, they were freed to go back and preach, which brings us back to being arrested again, picking up in verse 28.

Body – The Painful Truth

[Read vv. 28-32]

Point #1: The truth hurts, but we are faithful to God’s truth.

We know we should obey God rather than man, but it can be hard.
“… you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us!”
Yes! We are all guilty of Jesus’ death!

[Read Romans 3:22-25, 6:23; Colossians 2:13-14]

It is our sins that put Jesus on the cross, but it’s also the cross that forgives us, if we have faith in this truth.

Other truths hurt, too, especially when God’s Word intersects with our lives. This is why we need the “squishy-tough skin.”

Our society today says:
“Live your truth.” (John 14:6)
“Love is love.” Or “Just let people do what they want! They’re not hurting anyone.” (1 John 4:16)
“Don’t judge!” (Matthew 7:1-6)
“That’s just your interpretation.” (2 Peter 1:20-21)

When we disagree with people, basing it on God’s Word, they will feel attacked and hurt.
We see it with the priests here, who are angry enough to kill.

[Read vv. 33]

When we share God’s truth, it offends our natural senses. “Why can’t I do whatever I want?!”
We’ve each felt it. We may disagree with the Bible, but I guarantee all of our disagreements come from misunderstanding or selfish pride.

The alternative is our next point:

[#1: Truth hurts, but we are faithful to God’s truth.]

Point #2: Don’t try to hurt, but be honest and reasonable.

[Read vv. 33-39a – “found opposing God!”]

The Apostles said hurtful things, and many will feel hurt by the truth, but we can learn from Gamaliel.
“Hey, if this isn’t of God, it will blow over.”
Yes, we still defend biblical truth, but who would claim to know as much as Jesus’ Apostles?

Remember, too, that the Apostle Paul had been a student of Gamaliel, but how well did he listen? [Acts 87:58-8:3]
Even as a Pharisee, he followed the leadership of the Sadducees in this area.

But look at Paul’s letters later: he defended truth, called out false teachers, and treated straying believers with grace.

Even in grace, people will react strongly and (sometimes trying to be reasonable) negatively. (Remember, the religious leaders think they’re defending good beliefs!)

[#1: Truth hurts, but we are faithful to God’s truth.]

[#2: Don’t try to hurt, but be honest and reasonable.]

Point #3: Expect to hurt, but stay faithful and joyful.

[Read vv. 39-42]

The leadership felt like they were letting the Apostles off easy with “merely” a beating.

Think of what’s happening in our society today:
If you’ve ever said anything bad (by current standards), you should be cancelled.
If you disagree with the current standards, you’re a [insert religious/sexual identity]-phobe.
If you think there really is an absolute truth, you’re stupid and wrong.

And they think they’re being kind to everyone else, and even to Christians by trying to help them get over their stuffy old ways.

Yet, our society will vilify and mock us, and we’re even seeing increased reports of attacks on churches, Christians, and ministries and Christian-owned businesses. (Nov. 15, 2023, a pastor was shot in the head while street preaching just 100 miles south of here in Glendale.)

But how can we stay joyful in our faithfulness?

Jesus told us in the Beatitudes that we who are merciful and peacemakers are blessed, and in Matthew 5:10-12 that when we are persecuted, reviled, and mocked that we should rejoice!

Why?

Look at their words: they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name. They were considered worthy of the same treatment as our God.

Not for being a jerk.
Not for putting people in their place.
Not for strict adherence to a set of rules (though many will claim that’s all it is.)

They rejoiced knowing they are counted faithful like our Lord.

And we do that when we join them in going house to house teaching and preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. (Remember they met in houses and at the Temple.)
Stay faithful, with grace, patience, and squishy-tough skin.

Application/Conclusion

What does it look like for us?

We keep calm when situations aren’t going the way we would like, remembering everyone is trying to get through this life. [And God is in control!]

We teach others God’s truth, even when it hurts, but with gentleness and respect.
[Read 1 Peter 3:13-17]

We’re in an election year: Stick to biblical truth, but don’t get angry with those who disagree!

We expect that people will disagree with us, but we show grace.

And if someone reviles, mocks, or attacks us:
-We develop that squishy-tough skin. Yes, being vulnerable, but we let their attacks slide off of us.
-We remember that this is how they treated our Lord.
-We rejoice that Christ’s faithfulness has moved through us.

[#1: Truth hurts, but we are faithful to God’s truth.]

[#2: Don’t try to hurt, but be honest and reasonable.]

[#3: Expect to hurt, but stay faithful and joyful.]

Our worthiness is found in Christ alone, and His faithfulness. We are counted worthy when we are found in Him and His truth.

It’s easy to feel like we’re right and deserve better, but the only things Christ promised us are that we will have troubles in this world (John 16:33) and that He is always with us (Matthew 28:20), especially in our troubles.

2024
01/14
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Sermon: Growing into Friends of God – John 15:7-17

I preached again!

Once again, I was back in Paulden covering for Brother Paul. We both have been retreading ground. In my last sermon, I preached verses 1-11, and last week Paul did the same (covering things from a slightly different angle.)

This week, I started in verse 7, so only a little retreading.

As usual, these are rough notes, and I added quite a bit.

Unfortunately, the recording had a major error, so there is no video or audio. At least you can read my notes, I guess.

Growing into Friends of God – John 15:7-17

Intro – The Day I “Became a Man”

Our society today rebels against true manhood and womanhood, against all the things God calls good: family, traditional roles, childhood and parenthood.

Frankly, it is all stupid, especially as they wonder why our society is going to hell in a hand basket, even as studies keep coming out showing the importance of fathers and two-parent homes, the rise in depression especially among younger generations and even those who “find their true selves” through gender-swapping and transgenderism, and the yearning for justice that no one can find.

Yet, growing up I wanted to be like my dad.

I remember the day I knew he saw me as a man. It was a summer day in 2002. We were taking our almost annual road trip from Illinois to Upstate New York to see family and friends. I was 18-going-on-19, and I was ready for the regular 12-14 hour day of riding in the back seat, reading, playing some games with my siblings, maybe pretending to nap. (I don’t nap well while traveling.) My dad usually drove, though sometimes he would have my mom drive for a couple of hours to let himself rest a little.

We made our stop near the border of Indiana and Ohio, did the usual rest stop stuff and got some lunch, and then headed back to the car.

Dad stops me a few feet from the car, dangles the keys in front of me, and says, “Ready for your turn?”

It was huge. I knew I was a man that day.

But he also went through a quick list of “remember this and that” for safe driving and such, as well as a reminder that he would be next to me if I got worried or needed to pull over.

In other words, “You’re not a kid anymore. Remember the rules, and remember I am here to help.”

______________

Before we resume John 15, let’s remember what we’ve talked about.

The past two weeks, Pastor Paul and I covered abiding in Christ.

We discussed much about obeying God, showing we love Jesus by obeying His commands.

What are God’s commands?

  1. Love God with everything you are;
  2. Love other people;
  3. Love each other, the Church.

There are different ways of doing this, yes, but there are some specific ways of doing this.

As Pastor Paul reminded us last week, the people of Israel were supposed to be the light to world drawing other people to God. They were God’s vine that consistently did not grow good fruit, so He had to cut them off.

Not just prune the vine. He had to cut them off. First through exile, and then, after Christ’s ministry and resurrection, the destruction of the nation of Israel (until 1948).

He gave a new Vine, Himself, to make a new people, the Church.

In other words, if we want to do truly good works and find eternal life, we must be found in the Vine of Christ. Only in Christ do we find life and fulfillment. Only in Christ, the faithful Son, can we be faithful to obey.

We must be a people who desire Christ more than anything, only finding our fulfillment in Him.

This leads us back to John 15, starting in verse 7.

​Reading

John 15:7–17, ESV

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

Growing Up

Just like my Old Man showed his love by letting me drive, we see here that Christ is showing God’s love for us.

We are being elevated from mere servants of God to friends.

I don’t know if I ever would have asked to drive on a road trip. That was Pop’s job. He did the hard work of driving, even if I really, really wanted to drive.

I don’t think we realize what we fail to ask God for in this life.

Many teachers, preachers, and theologians today like to teach “See! We can ask for whatever we want!” To the point that some famous preachers say they had to ask God for a new luxury car, a bigger house, and a faster private jet. Verses 7 and 16 say so!

Is this what Jesus is saying we should be doing?

“If you abide in me … whatever you ask the Father in my name …”

We should be asking according to Jesus’ will.

Am I saying we should never ask for things or to drive our dad’s car? No. God loves when we talk to Him, even over seemingly trivial things.

However, this passage and others show that we ask according to His will.

The Mega Millions was just at $1.3 Billion (a winning ticket was sold in Chicago). It got me thinking about all of those people who win and suddenly find out about family and friends they weren’t aware of. People who come asking for money and/or gifts.

That’s annoying, having people only come to you when they want something, a free handout.

Or if I had started asking random people if I could drive their car. Also annoying and silly.

But Jesus tells us that He is not inviting anyone to come ask Him and His Father for stuff.

Like my dad, He demands faithfulness to His commands, regular obedience.

He wants us to grow up.

My dad didn’t hand me keys to the car when I was five or even 16 years old (though there was practice driving from the age of 15). He waited until I had faithfully shown him that I could be trusted with a vehicle.

Likewise, Jesus says we are His friends if we obey Him. He has shown us we are friends by revealing what His will is.

He says, v. 16, that He chose us to bear fruit, so we know we can bear the fruit He wants.

He says, v. 8, that His will is to glorify the Father.

He says, v. 17, that His will is to glorify God by loving others.

He says, v. 13, that we are to love sacrificially. Even to the point of giving up our lives.

We get over our selfish desires and seek to glorify God by serving others. We are to grow up and start caring for others.

Back in the Garden of Eden, our super-great grandparents chose personal rewards over obedience, and nothing has changed since.

But now we have the Holy Spirit of God who changes our way of thinking and acting to be conformed to the likeness of Christ, to seek the will of God, to love the same way He has loved us.

Some examples

Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.​
Exodus 33:11, ESV

But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham, my friend; you whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest corners, saying to you, “You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off”
Isaiah 41:8-9, ESV

Moses and Abraham were murderers and liars, yet they were called friends of God because of their obedience and sacrificial love, both giving up children for God.

And through these men, God called people to Himself, not to be selfish but to seek the will of God.

In chapter 4 of his letter, James, the brother of Jesus, told us as much:​

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
James 4:1-10, ESV

So, the message?

Grow up. Be a friend of God, one who seeks His will and glory above your own, who loves God by loving others.

Be humble and realize your dependence on Him, drawing near to abide in His everlasting love.

We live in a world that says we should be seeking our own comfort and glory, but God demands obedience to His will. And He helps us be faithful if we draw near.

My dad didn’t give me the keys to the car because I was the greatest driver in the world.

He gave me the keys of the car because he loved me enough to train me to drive and rewarded my faithfulness to growing. (Even though I still had a ways to go!)

Likewise, Jesus gives us His Holy Spirit to go into the world and bring glory to God.

He promised (in the last chapter, 14:18) that He would not leave us as orphaned children, rather that He would help train us up and empower us by His Holy Spirit to preach the gospel to whole world, loving them as He has loved us.

[Hebrews 6:1] “Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity,” [2 Peter 3:17-18] “beloved, knowing this beforehand, taking care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”

2022
08/01
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Sermon: De-Contexting Jesus – John 11:11-16

I preached again! And once again, I was covering for Brother Paul in Paulden, AZ.

There is no video this time (unless you are okay looking up my nose most of the time!), but I did upload the audio recording.

I also joined in the solidarity day with Canadian churches by taking some time to discuss biblical sexuality (and understanding biblical context) in response to the nee Canadian law, Bill C-4 – Conversion Therapy ban.

De-Contexting Jesus: John 11:11-16

Waking the Dead

Know how parents or the cranky neighbor next door (or you?) complain about loud kids, “Their being so loud they could wake the dead?”

I have been thinking about so many people – churches, preachers, even people who have nothing to do with Christianity – who make bold claims about what Scripture says, about how Christians should act.

Tend to be the liberal-minded – “We understand better what was really meant back then: Jesus never spoke about homosexuality! People don’t really come back from the dead! We find new spiritual life and change, even in our bodies, if we were born the wrong way!”

Or even, like people like Bart Ehrman (author of Misquoting Jesus and other works attempting to tear down Christianity), they say we don’t understand what Jesus really meant, and it was exaggerated, anyway.

I have been thinking about so many people – churches, preachers, so-called prophets and apostles – who make bold claims about what Scripture says, about what Christians should be able to do.

Tend to be liberally-minded – “We understand more what was really meant back then: Jesus raised the dead, so we should be doing it even more! Jesus was sinless, and we are too! Jesus did amazing things, and we can do more!”

Or even, like people like “Pastors” Kenneth Copeland and Bill Johnson, we are Christs (anointed ones), we are little gods.

What does this have to do with today’s message?

Misquoting Jesus

[John 11:11-16]

11 After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.” 12 The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” 13 Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. 14 Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, 15 and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” 16 So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

“Lord, if he’s fallen asleep …”

Oh, Lazarus wasn’t that sick. He is resting and getting better.

The disciples misunderstood Jesus, even though He said something plain and in a context that should have made it plain. And how many times do people today take something Jesus said without looking at the context?

“Do not judge … See! Jesus said don’t judge, you evil hypocrite!”

“You will do greater things … See! We should all be raising the dead and performing signs and wonders!”

“This is my body … See! Jesus said!” Do the elements of communion literally become His body and blood? Catholics certainly say so. But so many others say “He spoke in euphemisms and metaphors. He was just a good teacher!”

It is so easy to rip things out of context to fit our needs.

Yet, “Lazarus has died.” Okay, “Lets die with him!”

They started to get the context: vv. 7-8 – “We’re going to Jerusalem.” “But, teacher! The Jews are trying to kill you!”

“Oh! We might be martyred!”

Now, we know that Thomas was right. All of the apostles and disciples were persecuted, and most of the apostles were indeed martyred. But in this moment, he probably is still thinking of his own glory more than the glory of Jesus.

Thomas and the disciples are trying to do good by Jesus, but they keep missing the greatest meaning. This happens even now.

In terms of the more liberal thinkers, they are following evolutionary thinking: we are later in time, so we understand better. Jesus did not really talk about these things, but even if He did, times have changed. The loving thing is to let people live how they believe they should!

As an example, today is a day that pastors across North America (maybe farther) are standing in solidarity with Canadian churches to preach about biblical sexuality. This is my little addition to that.

Canada just began enforcing a new law this past week, “Bill C-4: Conversion Therapy.” This bill makes conversion therapy illegal, defining conversion therapy as:

a practice, treatment or service designed to change a person’s sexual orientation to heterosexual; change a person’s gender identity to cisgender; change a person’s gender expression so that it conforms to the sex assigned to the person at birth; repress or reduce non-heterosexual attraction or sexual behavior; repress a person’s non-cisgender gender identity; or repress or reduce a person’s gender expression that does not conform to the sex assigned to the person at birth

Essentially, the way it is worded, in Canada, it is illegal to even call homosexuality, transgenderism, and any sex outside of marriage sin. How do we know this is not merely “slippery slope logic” and hyperbole?

The UK, New York, California, New Jersey, and Nevada have passed similar laws. Preachers and evangelists in the UK and New York, that I know of, have been arrested for hate speech and disrupting the peace for calling homosexuality a sin.

We hear people – pastors, theologians, politicians, everyday people – saying the New Testament never explicitly condemns homosexuality, it was just an OT law that was abolished.

Firstly, in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 we read:

“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”

“neither the pornoi” – sexually immoral, the root of our word “pornography”

“nor malakoi” – soft, effeminate men “who catch” – “nor arsenokoitai” – males who penetrate men and boys.

Both of these terms are combined into our English translations to the word “homosexual.” So, yes, the NT talks about it, and in a few other places condemns all sorts of sexual and sensual acts outside of marriage.

And as for Jesus never having spoken on it, that means they do not believe truly is God – the Logos, the Word – the One who worked through Moses and the Prophets to write the OT. In effect, Jesus spoke on these through the OT, and He does not change (Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 7:21, James 1:17).

And Paul continued,

“And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”

So, it is possible to change, in Christ. It is not merely trying to “pray the gay away.” It is conforming to Christ. (So, some conversion therapy is indeed not that good!)

Yet, clearly these are not the only ones.

Back to Context

Many who [claim to (have)] follow(ed) Christ, twist His words, as well.

Many people have “deconstructed their faith” in recent years, being seen as brave and open-minded by many in our world.

Really, most have de-contextualized Jesus or listened to those who have. Maybe they were in liberal churches or churches that shy away from biblical truth to be seen as hip and with it, to be “seeker sensitive”, even though Romans 3:11 reminds us that “no one understands; no one seeks for God” unless the Father (by the Holy Spirit) draws them in (John 6:44).

Many “pastors, prophets, and apostles” today claim special knowledge and new understanding about God and His Word.

Really, most have de-contextualized Jesus or listened to those who have. They claim passages about Him or said by Him as for themselves, even if the greater context completely contradicts their understanding.

Case in point, Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

So many people claim this verse as a life verse, even if they have had an easy life. The context is God telling Israel, “I am about to punish you for 70 years for disobeying me. I am disciplining you, but it is okay.” As many take it as, “God only wants good things for me!”

Normal people are not really the problem. It is the big names, the ones who continue to spread mis-truths and should know better.

Remember earlier I asked about complaining about people “being so loud they could wake the dead?

Like Paul reminded us in 1 Corinthians 13, these people are like noisy gongs and clanging cymbals. They distract and make enough noise to raise the dead! (Or claim they can, anyway.)

Jesus warned us these people would come before the end, and Paul repeated it in his letters to Timothy, such as in his encouragement in 2 Timothy 2:15 when he says “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”

So what about everyone else?

Re-Contexting

In a world of deconstructing and de-contexting, we should be people who re-context.

We know in our passage today that Jesus had let Lazarus die so that Jesus and His Father could be glorified.

His disciples did not yet understand, and they spoke rashly, like we often do, too.

Firstly, Jesus reminds us that when we die, it is not the end. “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep.” We know that Jesus has defeated death through His death and resurrection. We know that, unlike woke culture that seeks to separate and shame, Jesus awakens us out of our sin and shame into unity with God.

We may misunderstand and take things out of context, but His grace is enough. His love is enough. Wake up to the truth of Christ, the Faithful One who shows us that He is the context of love, grace, and truth.

Secondly, we are reminded of our duty. “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” Christ has told us that we are to take up our cross and die to ourselves.

Is Christ more important than our own lives? Do we trust that He has overcome death and the grave? “If God is for me, what can flesh do to me?”

Is sharing the gospel something we are willing to lay our lives down for? Though others turn away, deconstruct, and de-contextualize, do we truly believe that these are the words of eternal life (John 6:66-68)?

We serve the God of the Universe, the King of kings and Lord of lords, the Great I Am. Do we fear Him or those who twist His words? If God is for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31)?

Yes, we get it wrong sometimes. But we turn to the only righteous one, and we follow Him into the battle, even if we must die.

And die we must. Die to our fleshly desires and selfish wants.

We may never see anyone raised from the dead in this life, but we know the One who defeated death and came back. He may come in the next moment. He may not come for 10,000 years.

But Jesus has proven Himself faithful and trustworthy.

Come, let us go also, that we may die with Him.

For He has shown His light to awaken us to eternal life. Forget the sins of the past, and grab hold of the nail-scarred hands that lift us from the pit.

Let us all do our best to present ourselves to God as those approved, workers who have no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15) Let us re-context Christ to this world and hasten His return.

Prayer

Lord, we have come before you a people who have misunderstood, misapplied, and misused your Word. We confess it to you now. We thank you and give you praise that have forgiven us through the cross of Christ.

Open our minds by Your Holy Spirit to understand Your Word. Give us a passion for the Scriptures, to read and study the Bible.

Embolden our hearts and spirits to proclaim Your Truth to this world. Give us a desire to share the gospel, to be ready in all seasons to give an answer to those who ask for a reason for the hope that is in us.

Give us peace and wisdom as we go into this world with all of its problems and challenges, dangers and attacks.

Help us to remain focused on You and Your Truth. Guide us in all wisdom and truth.

Help us to seek You and Your Kingdom first.

For you are worthy of all glory and honor and praise, and we declare our need for You. Show us Your glory, fill us with Your love, and guide us by Your Spirit. Conform us to the image of Your Son.

In the name of that Faithful Son, Jesus Christ, we pray.

Amen.

2022
01/16
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Sermon: John 4:1-26 – Re-Up, or The God Who Comes to the Unworthy

I preached again! This time, I was covering for a dear brother who could not be at his little rural church to be at his son’s wedding.

So, I picked up where he left off going through John, wrote a sermon, and took my wife to little Paulden, AZ.

(Just like the last sermon, technical issues slowed sharing this for over a week.)

As usual, my notes below were rough notes and not necessarily everything I said.

The video was on Facebook Live, so it is not the greatest quality.

https://DanielMKlem.sermon.net/21799323

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John 4:1-26 – Re-Up, or The God Who Comes to the Unworthy

[INTRO] 

Paul talked about Jesus being in Jerusalem for Passover – the great passage about God sending His son into the world. 

He then shared about Jesus and His disciples going into the countryside where John the Baptist was baptizing, and John explained that Christ must increase while he decreased. And we see that Christ is truly God who is above all things and has received all things from the Father. 

In other words, God is truth. 

[READ JOHN 4:1-26, ESV] 

1 Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John— 2 although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. 3 So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee.

4 Now he had to go through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon.

7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)

9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.[a])

10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

11 “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?”

13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”

16 He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.”

17 “I have no husband,” she replied.

Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. 18 The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.”

19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”

21 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”

26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”

Part 1: The set-up 

vv. 1-8 give us the set-up. 

  1. Jesus had been probably a few miles NE of Jerusalem with JtB – heard Pharisees were coming 
  1. Knowing it was not time to be confronted he needed to leave immediately. 
  1. Safest route for a Jew: cross the Jordan, travel through Gentile lands, and probably bump into Pharisees on the road. 
  1. Cut travel time in half by heading north through Samaria – He took the expedient route. 
  1. The Father obviously has a plan, too! 
  1. Sychar (near Shechem), it says, is where Jacob’s Well is, in the area Jacob gave to Joseph (which went to Ephraim) 
  1. Now, take a step back to look at the Samaritans: 
  1. These are largely the people that are from the 10 tribes that abandoned the Davidic line and fell into idolatry. The rest could be descendants of the families that had intermarried with pagans and were sent away from Jerusalem (Ezra 10, Nehemiah 13). 
  1. Separated when Rehoboam (anointed king in Shechem) was a horrible slave driver, and Jeroboam offered an alternative. [“So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day …” 1 Kings 12:19] Jeroboam built altars to golden calves. Later, after Assyria and Babylon took the Northern Tribes, the remnant intermarried with Gentiles or were the sent-away pagan families of Jews after the Exile. 
  1. Jews saw Samaritans of unworthy of their time and attention, and vice versa. 
  1. Jesus has probably walked for a day and a half at this point. 

In all honesty, He probably sent the disciples away based on what we know about them wanting to keep people away from Him! He wanted a chance to talk with this woman without their meddling. 

Part 2: The lead-up 

vv. 8-15 is the lead-up to truth revealed. 

Jesus uses the need for water to bridge the gap between a Jewish man and a Samaritan woman. It is like us finding a common ground with others who are not Christians. 

Like Paul said in 1 Corinthians 1, the gospel “is folly those who are perishing” (v.18), “a stumbling block to the Jews and folly to the Gentiles” (v. 22). And here is a Samaritan, a person who is a mix of both. 

So, she appeals to Jacob, one of the Forefathers/Patriarchs, “Are you greater than him?!” She does not realize that this is the One who wrestled with Jacob in Genesis 32! 

But He starts pushing her toward the truth in His lead-up to the big reveal. This water is temporary, but Jesus offers the water of the Holy Spirit who leads to eternal life. 

Now, she is interested. 

Part 3: The lift up 

vv. 16-26 is the lift up – what looks like a teardown of a person is lifting her eyes to truth. 

“Go, call your husband.” “You are right … you have had five, and you are not married to the man you currently live with.” 

See, this sounds a bit harsh. Hear modern people saying, “See, Jesus didn’t tell her to stop living with the man!” But Jesus is pointing out her sin and using it to reveal her need for a Savior. 

She misunderstood Jesus’ reference to living water, so He draws her in deeper with a hard truth. “You claim to obey the Torah, but even you have not lived up to it.” It was a less-than-gentle rebuke. 

“Look, you have been unfaithful.” 

But they continue, “I see you are a prophet, but our fathers worshiped on this mountain while you say Jerusalem is the place to worship.” 

She is probably thinking of the Patriarchs worshiping in this area, or even that after the Exile Samaritan priests said true worship was on Mt. Gerazim.  

[READ DEUTERONOMY 27:11-13, ending with “And the Levites shall declare blessings and curses”] 

They fail to realize how they claim to worship on the mountain of blessing, but they honor the mountain of the curse. 

And Jesus does it again: “You do not even understand what you are worshiping! Salvation comes from the Jews!” 

[READ VV. 23-24] 

She speaks from misunderstanding, and He sets her straight: You’re wrong, but we will all worship by the Holy Spirit in the Name of Truth. 

And she replies, “Yes, the Messiah is coming, and he will tell us all things.” 

Jesus says, “I who speak to you am he.” In other words, “I am that Truth. I am revealing all things to you.” 

Jesus is the Son of God – fully man, fully God – who lifted a sinful woman’s eyes up to worship God rightly. 

But what does this teach us? 

I have recently had people claim I am not Christian for working during a church service. I found out they do not even believe Jesus is God and/or question the validity of the cross. 

I had to tell them that they are not a Christian. “How dare you? Who do you think you are?” they challenged. 

Here it is, in black and white (or red, black, and white!) This book reveals that Jesus is God. 

I have heard some teach that this passage shows us that God will make us go to places we do not expect or even want to go, and this can be true. 

But the real message is this: 

Jesus calls all people to Himself. The Great Commission says to make disciples of all nations, and in Acts 1 He says the gospel would go in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Here He is, before this command, demonstrating it. He avoided the hypocritical religious leaders to reach out to someone His own people said was not worthy. 

Some of us have committed adultery. Some have stolen. Some have lied, cheated, blasphemed, and sought refuge in things not God. We have denied the deity of Christ, the goodness of God. We have done drugs, been drunk, and slept around. We have been the outcast and worthless sinner. 

Yet the Father reaches out to us through the Holy Spirit to turn to the Son, and says, “Yes. You have done horrible things, and you deserve death. But see my forgiveness. See my grace. See my love, poured out on the cross. 

None are unworthy at the foot of the cross. Yet, we are only made worthy when we kneel at the foot of the cross, accepting our sinful nature, and turning to our only salvation: the Son of God killed on a cross for the forgiveness of our sins, making us washed and made new, quenched by His goodness and grace, clothed in His worthiness and righteousness. 

How can we not want to tell others of how much He has done? How He has saved wretches like us. 

We may not share the Gospel perfectly, and we may even want our friends around to help sometimes, but we worship the God who saves, even when we misunderstand and twist scriptures for our own needs and try and show our own goodness apart from Him. 

2021
06/01
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