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.
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.
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.)
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
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.
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.
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]
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.
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:
We must be ready with the gospel at all times.
The gospel goes out to all people.
The gospel is for all kinds of people.
Let’s take these one at a time:
We must be ready with the gospel at all times.
Philip went to the Samaritans and then found himself in a desolate place and later in more Gentile cities.
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.
We’ll get to the unclean and unwelcome in a few moments.
Remember, Adam and Eve were pushed into the wilderness after the Fall, and Israel spent 40 years wandering the wilderness after their unfaithfulness.
This would be uncomfortable for him on many levels.
Philip encounters a man reading from our Old Testament.
Do you know the Old Testament at all? At least a little?
Do you know the gospel well enough to connect it with Old Testament truths?
Do you know the gospel well enough to connect it with situations people are in?
Philip is able to share the gospel because he spent the last 4-6 years learning from Jesus
He was an Apostle, following Jesus in ministry, and it’s believed Stephen was killed 1-3 years after Christ’s resurrection.
If you believe in Christ, you should have a desire to learn about him and from Him.
Daily study should be important. (Yes, it’s okay to miss a day reading. It’s about desire and focus.)
Knowledge comes from exposure and experience. We must be studying the Word so that the Spirit can remind us of it.
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.
As to the gospel, explaining that will cover the last two points simultaneously
The gospel goes to all people.
The gospel is for all kinds of people.
God promised redemption, restoration, and salvation.
In Genesis 3:15, God promises that a male descendent of Eve will destroy the tyranny of deception and separation.
In Genesis 12:1-3, God promises Abraham that through his descendants will come one who will bless all the nations.
In the Law (Genesis-Deuteronomy), specifically in Deuteronomy 18, God promises a great Prophet will arise who will teach people and show them God.
In 1 Chronicles 17, God promises David that he will have a descendant who will be King forever.
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.
The excluded will be included.
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.
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.
Now consider Jesus’ words and what we see specifically through Philip.
Jesus said in Matthew 11:5 and Mark 2:17 that He came to heal the sick and call sinners to repentance and righteousness.
In John 4:23-24, Jesus says the time had arrived when people could worship God anywhere in Spirit and Truth.
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.”
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.)
The Samaritans were “mixed-bloods,” having Gentile relations, so they were considered unclean and abominable.
Where did Philip and the other Apostles go first? (8:4,25) Samaria!
The understanding of the Jews is that the Queen of Sheba came from “the ends of the earth”: that was Ethiopia.
Philip encounters an Ethiopian!
The gospel is shown as already reaching the ends of the earth!
Philip then “found himself” suddenly in mostly Gentile cities!
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!
What is the gospel?
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.)
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.
Yet, God promised a way, a Prophet King who would reveal God, restore relationship, and remove sin from our lives.
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.
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.
And we know that He reigns now in heaven, at the right hand of God as ruler and Judge.
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.
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.
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.”
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).
But, as James 2:17 reminds us, “faith without works is dead.”
If we say we believe, but we never share it with others, do we really believe?
Do we believe we are truly saved?
Do we believe this message is for all people?
Or do we think some are not worthy of salvation?
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.
May we show we have faith by sharing that faith with others.
Romans 10:8-17
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.
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.
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?
Love God with everything you are;
Love other people;
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.”
I once again covered for brother Paul at Paulden Christian Fellowship.
As usual, I offer the reminder that these are my rough notes. In fact, I added about double the words verbally this time!
Also, there is no video this time around.
Branching Out: Abiding in Jesus: John 15:1-11
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 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.”
John 15:1-11
Intro
Here are some interesting things about grape vines:
The ground beneath a vine needs to be perfectly clean: no weeds, no fallen branches or fruit. It is hard work to keep the ground clean for a vine to grow strong and healthy.
Vines are creeping plants, so they want to spread out across an area. If they stay on the ground, they do not grow good fruit. Therefore, grape vines are usually help up off the ground on trellises (woven/netted fences) or forked stakes.
New vines are allowed to grow for three years before they can grow fruit, being pruned once a year to keep the ground clear and conserve growing energy.
In the winter (usually December-January) of the third year, the vine is extensively pruned to prepare for fruit growth.
There are two kinds of branches that grow on the vine: those that produce fruit and those that don’t. Again, to help those that produce fruit get the most energy and food, the fruitless branches are cut off, to help keep them from robbing the good branches of sustenance. They are not good for anything (except maybe some artwork) due to being too soft for construction and burning too quickly to be used for useful fires. They are at best kindling and even described in Ezekiel 15 as only good for being burned in a bonfire.
Israel was often described as a vine (Isaiah 5, Jeremiah2, Ezekiel 15-19, Hosea 10, Psalm 80), and for much of its history Israel used the vine as its national symbol.
Why talk about this? Because it has everything to do with our passage today! We will see what the fruitless branches look like, what a fruitful branch looks like, and we will look from the beginning of history all the way to the end of history.
The Vinedresser and Fruit
The first thing we must think about is our Father in heaven.
God created the heavens and the earth in six days. During that creative work, He made a Garden in which to place Man, giving the Man dominion over the Creation to tend it and cultivate it, to care for animals and plants, yet to enjoy the fruit and rest of that Garden.
There was only one rule established at the beginning: don’t eat the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.
I find it interesting that Adam is not told to not eat the fruit of the Tree of Life. Is this because God Himself is that tree? It is possible, as Christ told us in the previous chapter of John that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
But our focus is that Adam – and via him Eve – was commanded not to eat of this fruit.
“Every branch that does not bear fruit, He takes away.”
Well, let’s discuss for a moment the nature of vines: that the bad branches need to be pruned off so that they do not take sustenance from the good fruit.
Adam and Eve took fruit that was not theirs. When we give in to temptation or blatantly sin, we join with them in taking fruit without permission.
When people in church are living in unrepentant sin, they are robbing the fellowship of God’s goodness.
They are fruitless and deprive those with good fruit of sharing in all goodness, because they must then share their good fruit without the benefit of return. (Not that we do good things expecting good in return in this life!)
Galatians 5 explains the works of the flesh – the lack of fruit, which leads to immorality, sensuality, idolatry, hatred, rage, divisions, and wild living. When people live this way, we perpetuate the curse of sin and draw away others from God’s goodness and fellowship.
So God cuts them off.
The bad branches are cast into the fire. This sounds harsh. It may even sound like people can lose their salvation.
Let me share my understanding, based on the whole council of God’s Word and historical orthodox understanding:
The bad branches are not those who once put their faith in Christ and fell away. These are those who tried to be good on their own power. They may be those who were raised in church, and even believed much of what they were taught and maybe even taught themselves. Just like the parable of the soils (Matthew 13, Mark 4, Luke 8) explains, some believe and even immediately take root, but the cares of this world, worries, fears, and even greed get in the way and they die.
These are people who like God’s grace, but they take issue with other teachings in the Bible. The word translated as divisions in many modern Bibles is adequately translated in the KJV as “heresies”: different or false teachings. Those who fall away often believe false teachings.
Today it is the people who love God’s grace but hate the Bible’s “homophobia and transphobia.” After all, love is love, and God is love. So stop hating.
Today it is the people who love God’s grace but hate the Bible’s teachings on slavery and how it was used to keep the US in slavery for so long.
Today it is the people who love God’s grace but hate that the Bible seems to keep women down.
In truth, God does love all people, but He does have His standard on what love looks like. We do not hate people, but there is a best way to live, according to God.
In truth, none of these teachings are in the Bible the way these people understand them (or they understand them correctly and hate it all the same.) It does not condone slavery as seen in the 19th Century and before, but it set a standard for protection (that today looks more like the employer-employee dynamic). And the Bible is the reason women were elevated as much as they were historically, to the point that women could eventually own property, run businesses, and have a say in society.
No, these are people who take the good things from God and only keep what they like. They try to steal from God and His People while claiming they have the real goodness.
So, God cuts them off of the Vine, for they were never really a part of the Vine. (As Jesus points out in Matthew 25.) They are unable to do any truly good work (v. 5), so they are cast into the fire.
And God prunes those with good fruit.
Good branches
What does it mean that He prunes us?
It means He cuts of the parts that are not helpful. And yes, it hurts. We have to give up the things that get in the way of God in our lives.
It can look like the hard circumstances in our lives (though, yes, the hard circumstances could also be a direct result of our sinfulness.)
It can look like having something lost, taken from us, or being out of reach, like a job, a car, or a dream.
It can look like being corrected, as much as we like doing what we’re doing or as much as we would rather no one knows what we did.
But we are able to endure it if we abide in Christ.
What does abiding look like?
It is regularly attending church. It is regularly reading the Bible. It is regularly (and often) praying. It is regularly helping others.
It looks like seeing the fruit of the Spirit as shown in Galatians 5:22-23: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
These are not separate fruits, rather they are attributes of the single fruit of the Spirit. If one of these nine is missing in our lives, we are out of step with the Holy Spirit, not fully abiding in Christ. We should take a moment to examine ourselves, possibly with the help of others, to see what God wants to prune from us to keep us in step with the Sprit, abiding in Christ.
And we see the patience, joy, and self-control to go through that process. We see the love, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and gentleness to want to help bring others into that same joy and peace.
We seek to want to help till the ground of the hearts of others to be ready to accept the gospel of Christ, understanding that it is the Holy Spirit using the Word to change their hearts.
Maybe, like Jude tells us, we are able to snatch some from the fire, to help them, as Paul says, to be truly grafted into the True Vine, Jesus.
Jeremiah called out Israel for becoming a wild vine that produces bad and even rotten fruit. But Jesus is the True Israel, the True Vine, in whom we are grafted and see the good works that can flow through us to glorify God.
As Jesus said …
Glorifying God
Abiding in Christ – being grafted in to His Vine – means we seek the glory of the Father. Our will is being conformed to His will, such that we will want to ask for things that bring Him glory and draw others to Him.
As even Pastor Paul preached, we show we are abiding in Christ, loving God, when we obey His commandments.
What are the greatest commandments?
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength; Love your neighbor as yourself; and the new commandment from John 13, love one another (the Church).
When we love God, we obey His commands to keep Him first and foremost in our lives, to love other people sacrificially and in truth, and we love His Church.
We are born into a world that rebels against God, and that includes our thoughts. We must realize that we naturally want to rebel and believe what the world teaches us is truth.
We believe that God literally created the world in six days, but the world teaches the universe began on its own and gradually progressed to produce every better (fitter) life. That we get better as we go along. That as a people we are smarter than in the past.
We let this sink in to our understanding today: We must know more than Christians in the past. It may be true for some things, but here we are 2000 years after Christ lived, died, and rose again still disseminating meaning from what was written in this book.
We ask for God’s wisdom through His Holy Spirit to realize where our world is influencing our understanding rather than Him and His Word. We ask for the change in our hearts and minds that only He can give us to be transformed to be more like Christ.
As James reminds us, this is the kind of thing that delights God and that He wants to grant. (See Solomon, after all.)
But what else do we ask for?
That He helps us abide in Him and bring Him all glory.
We see that the vine spreads. Likewise, Christ the Vine spreads as His Church cleans the land through the spreading of the gospel.
We do the good works of pointing people to Christ that they may be drawn near to Him. It may look like feeding and clothing the poor, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and being kind to those the world has forgotten.
Most importantly it is sharing the gospel.
Abiding Toward the Future
As we see, Christ wants us to abide in Him as He abides in the Father, and we are abiding if we are obeying His commands.
And this brings us all joy.
It is because we remember that humanity was invited to abide with God in the Garden of Eden, but through Adam (and our own sin) we rejected that.
The gospel shows us that Jesus was born to faithfully obey, and His greatest fruit was being put on a tree in the place of Adam and Eve and all of us.
The gospel shows that we can one day be with Him in Paradise, as intended.
That is the hope that we have.
If we abide in Christ, we have the hope of eternal glory in the presence of The Glory. No more pain. No more suffering. No more want. No more tears. No more difficult labor (double meaning here).
But we are to follow in His love as Jesus followed the love of the Father.
That means that we are to live sacrificially for others for the sake of the gospel.
The Father loved Jesus, yet the love was displayed through the crucifixion.
God loves us, so we will see pain and trouble in this life for His sake.
Abiding Today
I could give a list of “this is what it looks like” to abide in Christ.
In a way, I did: attend church and small groups, read the Bible, pray, encourage each other, be a servant.
The thing is, abiding in Christ is all of this, but it also can look different for everyone.
It can be serving the hungry. (Which the food bank here does well!) It can be listening to someone hurting: physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually. It can be giving money or things to help someone in need, even to the point of wondering how all the bills will be paid this month.
Without the love of God, the fruit of the Spirit guiding our every decision and action, it does not much matter. Therefore, we keep meeting together to encourage each other in Christ, reminding each other of the hope that we have in Christ, and … how about we let the Word tell us:
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Hebrew 10:23-25, ESV
The pastor is supposed to help us understand the Scriptures, and I pray I have helped with that today. But it takes all of us working with Christ to encourage each other to abide in Christ. It is that whole living life together thing.
How do we abide?
We trust in Christ for our salvation. We rely on the Holy Spirit and the Church to grow us and change us. We encourage each other and ask for the wisdom God offers. We spread the good news of Jesus Christ throughout our community and the world by doing good works and sharing the gospel.
And we do it together, joining God in this great mission of love, grace, forgiveness, and reconciliation.
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.
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.
A Related Interlude
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.
“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.
“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.
I preached again! Once again, I was at Paulden Christian Fellowship to help out brother Paul while he is out of town.
As usual, these are my notes, not necessarily everything I said. (But I mostly stuck to it this time. )
John 7:37-53 – Divided by Water
Unexpected Divisions
Before beginning: What would you do if you heard that people were preaching passages that were never in the Bible? What if someone told you that there are parts of the Bible that never should have made it into our Bibles? Worried? Doubt? Fear? 7:53-8:11 – Apparently these verses do not show up in the earliest Greek manuscripts of John. Does this mean Jesus never stopped the stoning of the adulterous woman? Did He never write in the sand and turn away murderous teachers trying to catch Jesus in His words and have Him arrested? Sometimes this passage shows up earlier in chapter 7, or at the end of John, or even in Luke, when we look at the earliest manuscripts. Should it not be there? Should we not preach it? Apparently, Ambrose and Augustine (in the late 300’s into the 400’s) talked about people who removed it for making it look like Jesus condoned adultery. The earliest it is found in manuscripts though is at least 100 years after those men. Short answer: no one is 100% sure about its origins, but most people use it. There are even indications it was a story about Jesus being told during the Apostles’ lives. It does not contradict anything in Scripture or about Christ’s character. Yet, it causes divisions amongst those who are called Christians. Likewise, Jesus caused similar divisions during His ministry on Earth.
Living Water
John 7:37-39 (ESV): “On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ ” Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.”
The last day of the feast of Booths/Tabernacles/Tents (And the final day actually starts tomorrow night! Sept. 27-28, by our reckoning, so we are discussing this at about the same time it happened 2000 years ago!)
Jesus wanted as many people in Jerusalem as possible to go home hearing one final thought: that they need Him. So He shouted over the crowds. This was a feast to remind the people of Israel of God rescuing their ancestors from slavery in Egypt and the 40 years in the wilderness. Clearly, He is reminding everyone present of the two times Moses called water out of rocks. The Israelites complained about their thirst and need for water, so God sent them water flowing out of rocks. “Living water” is a euphemism for flowing water. We are not as accustomed to thinking about it in our age of indoor plumbing, where we can go into our kitchens, bathrooms, and other rooms with sinks and washing machines and … other things with running water, and make water move. Jesus is telling the people, “If you believe I am the Son of God who takes away the sins of the world, then faucet of God the Holy Spirit will turn on inside of you and flow through you.” Sorry. Not just a faucet. I used to use the analogy that faith is like a stick of dynamite in a school toilet. It blows all the [crud] away and lets the water burst forth with gusto. But what does Jesus say? It is a river. So, faith should be like Verde River flowing out of you. During a strong monsoon season. It SHOULD be overflowing and affecting everything around you. And, naturally, this gets reactions from people.
Division
John 7:40-44 (ESV): “When they heard these words, some of the people said, “This really is the Prophet.” Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Is the Christ to come from Galilee? Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the offspring of David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?” So there was a division among the people over him. Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him.”
“Is this the Prophet?”
Deuteronomy 18:15-19, ESV “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen— just as you desired of the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly, when you said, ‘Let me not hear again the voice of the Lord my God or see this great fire any more, lest I die.’ And the Lord said to me, ‘They are right in what they have spoken. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. And whoever will not listen to my words that he shall speak in my name, I myself will require it of him.“
They are already thinking of what Moses has done with water, so is this the One he said was coming? But they get confused because they know a Messiah, a Christ, is coming. They know of the promise to David that his Descendant would rule forever. They know from Micah 6:8 that He would come from Bethlehem. But do any of them know Jesus was born there? We also know that many (if not most) people expected a Prophet – one who would restore proper worship – and a King – one who would rule with righteousness and expel those who do not properly worship. Two separate people. They have plenty of examples. The two biggest: There was a king and a high priest throughout the time of the kingdom(s); Ezra and Nehemiah were a builder & defender and a priest, two who made sure everything was rebuilt and proper worship were restored. They also may think of Moses who ruled over them (so to speak), yet his brother Aaron led the worship. But we also know that Moses did both, Aaron serving more as a mouthpiece for his brother. So, what do the people do? This is not the Messiah they expected. Some were obviously ready to follow, but some thought Jesus should be arrested and tried for leading people astray from God. But no one touched Him. Instead, they are divided over their perceived expectations of their Lord.
Divisions Even in the Leadership
John 7:45-52: “The officers (the Temple police, usually Levites who guarded the Temple gates and enforced Temple rules/laws – so usually priests who would know these) then came to the chief priests and Pharisees (the Sanhedrin – those who led the nation of Israel. Chief priests usually were related to the High Priest, which at this time meant the Roman-sympathetic Sadducees who denied the afterlife, as opposed to the Pharisees), who said to them, “Why did you not bring him?” The officers answered, “No one ever spoke like this man!” The Pharisees answered them, “Have you also been deceived? Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.” Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them, “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” They replied, “Are you from Galilee too? Search and see that no prophet arises from Galilee.””
Now, maybe you remember from before (Pastor Paul’s message) the hypocrisy of the leadership. How do we see it here? The Temple guards admit this Man has authority, but “have any of the Sanhedrin [authorities and Pharisees] believed?” Well, yes. There is Nicodemus there with them, whom along with chapter 3 we are told is a member of the Sanhedrin, a Pharisee. And he attempts to defend Christ by the very Law the others are saying none of the crowd understands. You know: that crowd that was asking if this is the Prophet from the Law or the promised Messiah that is mentioned throughout “the Prophets” (the rest of the OT). And their response: Think of Nathanael in chapter 1: “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” In other words, “Are you one of those miscreants, too? Nothing came from Galilee!” Except, the Pharisees should know that at least Jonah came from there. Possibly Elijah and Nahum, too. But just one is enough to prove them wrong. They are purposefully dividing the people over their own expectations. They are also probably divided over whether to let someone who could bring the wrath of Rome on them. Which means they are dividing over who to be faithful to.
How the Water Divides
John 7:53: “They went each to his own house.”
Everyone left at the end of the feast having heard and divided over Jesus’ words. How has anything changed in the roughly 1500 years between Moses and Jesus? “This Jesus could bring down the wrath of Rome on us! We should get rid of Him to stay where we are in relative comfort and safety.” Compared to … “Why has Moses brought us out here to die. We should go back to the relative comfort and safety of Egypt!” Deuteronomy 18:15: ““The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen—”
Romans 1:21-22: “For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools,”
What happened to the Egyptians after the Israelites crossed the Red Sea? They were drowned in the sea. What happened to all the people who refused to listen to Noah when he built the Ark? They were drowned in the flood. Do we believe God’s Word? Do we trust the Bible, or is it “just a book made by men?” Do we believe that God’s Word, the Light that shines in the darkness, that is the the life and light of men, became flesh and dwelt among us; or was He “just a good teacher?” Do we believe Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah, God come in the flesh to save us from our sins, or was He “just some dead dude?” Do we believe in Him? Do we obey all He has commanded? Or are we content to do whatever we want? Ancient Israel did the same thing. (Most repeated phrase in Judges: “They did what was right in their own eyes.” They did whatever they wanted.) Are we wise in our own eyes? Or do we turn to the Wisdom of God who takes away the sins of the world? We do the same thing today. 1500 years. 2000 years. 6000 years. “There is nothing new under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9) We still assume we know better than God. We still squabble over what He really said. “Did God really say …” (Genesis 3:1) We divide over what we think God said instead of turning to Him first.
John 14:23-26: “Jesus [said], “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me. “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”
In Him, by the Holy Spirit, we know we have God’s love flowing in us. And the Holy Spirit, as He flows through us, reminds us the other things Jesus said: starting with obeying His commands.
What are His commands?
Matthew 22:37-39: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
And
John 13:34-35: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
And how do we love God, love others, and love each other, the Church? We find the fruit of the Spirit flowing through us:
Galatians 5:22-23: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control,” which pushes us to point others to Christ. For,
John 16:13-15: “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”
And as Matthew 5 reminds us, when we point others to Christ – when we point out their sin, according to God’s standard as found in the Bible, the words inspired by the Holy Spirit – it will divide them into those who glorify God (put their faith in Him) and those who revile Him and attack us. The Holy Spirit is the water that divides. He divides us into the sheep and the goats, the faithful and faithless. Many will claim to know truth, but if it does not align with God’s Word, it only divides us from God. Many will claim to know truth, but if they deny the Words of Truth, it only divides us from God. The Living Water – the Holy Spirit – divides us by forcing us to choose Christ or this world, to choose to share Truth or to compromise, to choose loving Him and this world through His Word and grace and love or loving ourselves more. And choosing Him leads to such a desire to go deeper, to know more, to love more, that it can’t be stopped. Sure, we’ll have times of trouble and even near-despair. He promised as much (John14:27), but also that He will help us:
2 Corinthians 4:8-15: “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you. Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.”
We cannot help but share Christ with the world, for His Spirit overflows from us as we seek Him daily.
Unity! Press on!
Do we come to church each weekend, hear some words said, and then go “each to his own house” without coming to a decision? Or do we come to church, get invigorated with the Spirit through the preaching of the Word, and then carry that Word not only to our homes but to everyone else?
This is not a message to drag us down.
If you feel guilty, give that guilt to God. He has taken it on the cross!
Press on! Move forward!
Philippians 3:8-15: “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way”.
Philippians 4:4-9: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
Do not divide over what God has said. Unite, in Christ, together, encouraging each other, and all the more as we see the Day of His return drawing near.
Do we truly love the Lord our God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths? Maybe I can help with the mind part, at least! This is Daniel M. Klem, apparent poet, reluctant yet passionate Disciple (Peter?), and foolish man attempting to understand theology!
a simple man of God 