- Aug 4, 2019Church Growth Series #2
Church Growth Series #2Church Growth Series #2The path of spiritual growth is a path of lifelong learning.Scott PeckGod is not done with his work when we first believe and are saved. He intends day by day to make us into what we already are in Christ. We tend to say that because a person has natural ability, he will make a good Christian. It is not a matter of our equipment, but a matter of our poverty; not of what we bring with us, but of what God puts into us; - Oswald Chambers We have been talking about growth for the past several Sundays. And when we think of Growth we often skip to looking at the final product and forget the work and commitment it takes to get there. I can think of people that I have spoken with in ministry that can relate to my experience with the garden. You grew, and now all you see are weeds…….. It’s not the Garden, it’s the Gardner 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 New International Version (NIV) 26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”[a] In 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 it’s great to see that our Gardner, Jesus Christ, never changes. In fact, there is nothing Good in me but Jesus. He is our Righteousness, Holiness and Redemption. When things begin to go wrong in my Christian life, the weeds begin to grow, my passions and desires begin to fade. The first part of seeing growth again is realizing it is me, not anyone or anything else. I was told by a wise man a long time ago….. never allow anyone or anything to come between you and your relationship with the Lord. And if you do, don’t blame the church, the person, nor the situation, look only to you for the blame. NOTHING should get in the way of your relationship with God. It’s not the Garden, it’s what you allow inside the Garden For if you and I are not careful, we will allow things in our lives that will lead to the demise of our walk with the Lord. 1 Peter 2:1-3 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. Every person that truly believes in Christ is increasingly transformed into his likeness. When we begin to see the things that are hindering our garden from growing, and THEN we are willing to remove that which is hindering it. The problem is the flesh likes these things. And when the ground is tilled for Godly growth, the enemy loves to sneak in some devilish seed to hinder the growth. WE MUST KICK IT OUT. It’s not the Garden, it’s the results we really want. Our spiritual life is no different than the Garden. When you don’t work your garden, the results are not good. All of us want the fruits and vegetables out of the garden, and all of us say we want to GROW spiritually, but we must learn to crave the things of God. Once we taste and see the results we cannot get enough. You will be willing to do whatever it takes to produce THAT type of fruit. Growing in your salvation is when you taste something that you know is good, you bend your wills and desires to make sure that you get the results Christ desires. It’s a craving that comes and we love and we want more of it. And when we experience it, the more we receive, the more that we grow. The deeper we go the more fruits come out.
- Apr 28, 2019The Weak After Easter Sermon 4-28-19 AM
The Weak After Easter Sermon 4-28-19 AM"The Weak After Easter Sermon 4-28-19 AM"Easter is such an awesome time of the year. We celebrate the fact that Jesus defeated death and rose from the dead. We hang out with family, which means that there is a lot of cooking and preparation that goes in to that. We have to make sure that the family looks good and matching for all the pictures that we will take. All while maintaining the other responsibilities of life. It often will leave someone feeling tired and weak. Well put yourself in the shoes of the disciples and the followers of Jesus. Their King had just been brutally executed. The man that had been their biggest influence for the past several years was now gone. They had celebrated his triumphant entry, less than a week later watch his body be crushed and bruised on the cross, took him to a borrowed tomb, 3 days later found the tomb empty, and now they are locked in a room scared for their lives. Moments and weeks like these leave us feeling exhausted and weak. But what happened to the excitement from a week ago? Easter, He is Risen, He is Alive, you know all the enthusiasm that came with Easter. The sad news is that some of us this week are locked in a room scared for our life, weak Christians just one week since the Greatest news ever told, He is Alive. We are a lot like the first disciples…… John 20:19–25 (NKJV) 19 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” 24 Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” Our text of John gives us a quick glimpse back to Easter and Christ’s resurrection. The disciples are huddled in fear behind a locked door when Jesus appears to them, and when he does - he not only reveals his resurrection, he breathes an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon them. Now, for some reason… Thomas was absent from the disciples. He didn’t get to see Jesus that night. Now the other disciples are sharing the wonderful news with him… “We have seen the Lord!” But what proof do they bring? Only their words. Thomas’ response is “Not gonna believe it till I see it.” This catches us up with the heart of today’s lesson. One week after Easter, the very same room where Jesus appeared before… Eleven disciples sit in excitement……..And Thomas… probably sitting with his arms crossed, legs crossed, and pouting. You know that look your kids give you when you didn’t let them win….. As Christians I’m sure we all can relate to Thomas at some point in our life. We feel like we pulled the short straw and that life just isn’t fair. Weirsbe says, No sin is worse than the sin of self-pity because it removes God from the throne of our lives replacing Him with our own self-interest. It causes us to open our mouths only to complain, and we simply become spiritual sponges- always absorbing, never giving, and never being satisfied. And there is nothing lovely or generous about our lives. This part of our human nature reminds me of a story I once heard of a man out on a glorious nature walk next to some beautiful cliffs and caverns. The walk, however, quickly turned cruel when the man… walking too close to the edge found himself tumbling down the side of one of the cliffs. Luckily, he managed to grab hold of a small tree growing out of the side of the cliff. Unluckily, it was too steep to climb up or down, he was far too high to jump, and he knew he was likely the only person for miles. Having nothing to lose, he began to shout “Help. Is anybody out there? HELP!” After a short while he heard a response, “This is God. I am here. Let go of that branch and I will catch you.” The man contemplated this, and responded, “God… don’t you have a rope or a ladder?” God replied, “Put your faith in me. Let go of that branch and I will catch you.” The man contemplated yet again, and after a long pause he shouted, “Is anyone else there?” Luckily for Thomas and for us, that is not the end of the text. Thomas is not left sitting there doubting. Often times God shows us when we finally have “nothing to lose” when we finally surrender. Weakness Turns to Redemption John 20:26–29 (NKJV) 26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” 28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Jesus knew he doubted. Jesus knew he had been excluded from the special revelation the night he appeared to the other eleven. Jesus even knew what that whole last week must have been like for Thomas. Just think about what Thomas must have been dealing with.Thomas, the one left out, spent that entire week wrestling alone with his doubts. He could have rebuked them for their unfaithfulness and spinelessness the previous weekend, but He did not[1] Jesus does not lecture him, chastise him, or discipline him for doubting, instead Jesus wished him peace, and in his mercy, he gives Thomas what he needed to move beyond his doubt. Jesus simply came to Thomas. He met Thomas right where he was at, and he promises to meet you this morning right where you are at. But he also promises not to leave you the same way you came. No one has ever met Jesus and stayed the same. Redemption Turns to Delight John 20:27 (NKJV) 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” Notice Thomas’s needs were met down to the letter of what he was asking for. When you really desire to know Christ on a deeper level, he will give you exactly what you need to dive deep. Notice He has not had a conversation with Jesus about what all he needs, Jesus knows your every thought, need, and desire. And when it comes to your relationship with Him he has every resource available to help you move towards delight. But the wounds meant more than identification; they also were evidence that the price for salvation had been paid and man indeed could have “peace with God.” The basis for all our peace is found in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He died for us, He arose from the dead in victory, and now He lives for us. In our fears, we cannot lock Him out! He comes to us in grace and reassures us through His Word. “Faithful are the wounds of a friend” (Prov. 27:6).[2] These words ring clear this morning as we sit one week removed from Easter, all the hype is gone, all the emotions are gone, and we are left with these words, “Do not be unbelieving but believing.” Once we believe … Delight Turns to Declaration John 20:28–29 (NKJV) 28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” I want you to go back to the day that Jesus set you free……. Can you go there…… The day that you surrendered control and asked Jesus to be the Lord and Boss of your life? Thomas had been hurt, confused, because he didn’t know but Jesus was able to turn all his issues into Delight. We all have issues, this morning God wants to do a work in you. When Jesus saw that the disciples’ fear had now turned to joy, He commissioned them: “As My Father has sent Me, even so send I you” (John 20:21). Keep in mind that the original disciples were not the only ones present; others, were also in the room. You see, you can’t give someone what you don’t have. John 20:21 (NKJV) 21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” It must have given the men great joy to realize that, in spite of their many failures, their Lord was entrusting them with His Word and His work. They had forsaken Him and fled, but now He was sending them out to represent Him. Peter had denied Him three times; and yet in a few days, Peter would preach the Word (and accuse the Jews of denying Him—Acts 3:13–14!) and thousands would be saved[3] The good news is that it’s one week after Easter and many of you are feeling weak, but you can trade that weakness in for dominance over every situation. He is Alive, Risen, and He has enabled us with His Spirit to be able to be more than conquers. When you get a hold of that you will want to shout it from the rooftops, declaring Jesus is Lord. [1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 392). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books. [2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 392). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books. [3] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, pp. 392–393). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
- The only disciple left out.
- The only disciple with nothing but words to go by.
- The one disciple most like us today.
- May 20, 2018Be a Different Graduate Sermon
Be a Different Graduate Sermon"Be a Different Graduate Sermon".
- Apr 22, 2018Be a Different Servant Sermon
Be a Different Servant Sermon
Be Different Servant
A cartoon showed a picture of a woman lying on her bed sick, obviously in misery. In the sink were stacked piles of dirty dishes. A huge basket of clothes to be ironed sat nearby. Two dirty children were fighting in one corner, and in the other a cat sat licking spilled milk. A smiling woman stood in the doorway and the caption had her saying, “Well, Florence, if there is anything I can do to help, don’t hesitate to let me know.”
What a picture of the local church! Pastors and church staff are overwhelmed with work. More needy people cry out for their attention than they have time for. Sunday school and other youth programs lack workers. Visitors need a personal call. New people need someone to make them feel welcomed. The missions program needs dedicated workers to reach out to the lost of our community. Facilities need maintenance and improvements. Even some who are involved seem to be committed only when it’s convenient. And yet people often say, “If there’s anything I can do to help, let me know!”
Have you ever just said something because you were “supposed to” but deep down inside you were hoping that no one would take you up on the offer?
Romans 12:1-2 12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
So often when it comes to service everyone begins to think, “Great what are they gonna ask me to do now?”
The New Sermon series is entitled BE DIFFERENT. There is something that happens when Jesus moves in, though not automatic, the more you walk with Him you begin to see others more important than yourself. You begin to see the gospel and your “sacrifice” “service” as a proper act of worship.
This leads to a transformed life. A different life.
“The ministry of serving may be as public as preaching or teaching, but more often it will be as isolated as nursery duty.
It may be as visible as singing a solo, but usually it will be as unnoticed as operating the sound equipment to amplify the solo.
Serving may be as appreciated as a good testimony in a worship service, but typically it’s as thankless as washing dishes after a church social.
Most service, even that which seems the most glamorous, is like an iceberg. Only the eye of God ever sees the larger, hidden part.” – Whitney
Christ Expects Us To Serve
To serve we must be clean.
Hebrews 9:13-15 13 Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer could cleanse people’s bodies from ceremonial impurity. 14 Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds[f] so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. 15 That is why he is the one who mediates a new covenant between God and people, so that all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed under that first covenant.
Never try to hide in ministry…… In order to serve you must be close and clean. “Holy and Pleasing” is the only service God sees and accepts.
When you serve in order to hide under the title of ministry you are only fooling yourself, making yourself feel good……. But God sees through the masquerade.
To serve we must be cheerful
Psalm 100:2 (NIV) 2 Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.[1]
Nobody will want the God you claim if the Goods you produce are Rotten.
It not only is a turn off but it is false advertizing. Jesus put a new song in your mouth, stop singing the old one. Saved People Serve People.
I can’t speak for you but there are times in my life that I need to be Motivated. There are many motivators in life. I want us this morning to see what Gods word says about why we should be motivatied to BE DIFFERENT.
Motivated by Obedience
Deuteronomy 13:4 (NIV) 4 It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him. [2]
We should serve the Lord because we want to. We should want to be obedient to his commands, even though that is difficult at times.
Motivated by Gratitude
1 Samuel 12:24 (NIV) 24 But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. [3]
Anytime that we begin to feel as if serving Christ is difficult, just think of where you would be if it was not for his sacrifice.
“Suppose God put ten million dollars in your back account every morning for the rest of your life, but didn’t save you?
Suppose he gave you the most beautiful body and face of anyone who ever lived, a body that never aged for a thousand years, but then at death shut you out of Heaven and into hell for eternity?
What has God ever given anyone that could compare with the salvation He has given to you as a believer?– Whitney
BE DIFFERENT BECAUSE HE HAS MADE YOU DIFFERENT
Motivated by Gladness
Psalm 100:2 (NIV) 2 Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. [4]
Have you ever served the Lord or worshiped the Lord because you felt like you had to, or you kinda did it because you felt like that’s what you were supposed to do?
Again God looks at the heart, not at the outside expressions. To BE DIFFERENT serving God is not a burden, it’s a privilege.
Motivated by Humility
In John 13:12-16 we see our Savior washing the disciples feet, not because he had to, but because he was showing them that it was not about fame and power but it was about having a servants heart.
I’m smart enough to know that I’m not the greatest communicator, or pastor that you guys have ever met, I’m just humbled to be able to Serve Jesus and watch Him use me through all my weaknesses. You see He created me, He knows me, and He can do with me what he chooses.
Anybody in the same boat as me this morning? You are just humbled at the thought that Jesus lets you be on His team.
Motivated by Love
Galatians 5:13 (NIV) 13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. [5]
There is no better fuel or service that burns longer and provides more energy than love.
1 Peter 4:10 (NIV) 10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.[6]
Service comes from the Lord, for the Lord. It might be directed to others but it is so that He might be praised, not us.
If you simply Go through the motions of what you should do, rather than it being a response of what you Want to do, this morning have this conversation with HOLY GOD……
- Have you Made me a New Creation?
- Am I the Hold up?
- Will you make me different this morning?
Allow Him To Make You Different
[1] The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984
[2] The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984
[3] The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984
[4] The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984
[5] The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984
[6] The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984
- Mar 25, 2018Looking Through the Palms to the Cross 3-25-18
Looking Through the Palms to the Cross 3-25-18
Looking Through the Palms to the Cross
TEXT: John 19:25-27; Matthew 27:40-42
Today we as Christians observe what we call "Palm Sunday" when, on that day nearly 2,000 years ago, Jesus made what is called His "triumphal entry" into Jerusalem.
The people were so excited in welcoming Him that crowds lined the streets, throwing flowers, & spreading their cloaks on the road as a carpet for Him. And like many other kings they welcomed Him by cutting palm branches & waved them in the air before Him.
The Pharisees who had been plotting against Jesus cried out in despair, "Look how the whole world has gone after Him!" (John 12:19)
But we all know how quickly things can change. In just a few days the shouts of "Hosanna!" turned into "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!"
Luke 19:28-40 After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 30?Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it.’ ”32Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. 33As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?”34They replied, “The Lord needs it.”35They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.37When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:38?Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”39Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”40?I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
Everything Is Not Always What It Seems
With Jesus’ instructions to the disciples to go and find the colt in the village, Jesus seems to be doing exactly what his disciples expect him to do — take charge, make a bold statement, enter Jerusalem as the Messiah that he is.
The crowds in Jerusalem have now grown to several hundred thousand, as they prepare for The Feast of Passover.
The Passover Feast is a time of remembering how God delivered the nation from the slavery of Egypt.
And so when Jesus comes riding into Jerusalem on the first day of Passover week, the crowds are looking for someone to rally around, someone to carry the banner of freedom for the Jewish people.
But Jesus is not traveling the road to revolution; he is traveling the countdown to the cross.
When You Look Through The Palms, The Cross Separates Disciples From Admirers
Of course, not even the disciples comprehend that Jesus is heading toward his death by the end of the week. Every time Jesus mentions the possibility that he will be mistreated, the disciples protest that he is even speaking of such a thing. Each vows to defend and stay with Jesus regardless of the outcome.
Where are you in your commitment from the day of salvation? Do You Still vow to defend Jesus regardless of the outcome?
And so as Jesus rides into Jerusalem that Sunday?? morning, the disciples are joyous, the crowd is energized, and shouts of “Hosanna” ring out as he rides slowly and carefully through the crowds.
These are the crowds longing for freedom, the residents of Jerusalem, and Jews from all over the Mediterranean area who have arrived for the Passover, yearning for freedom.
They despise the presence of Roman centurions in their city, the City of David. They are revolted that Antonio’s Fortress, built by their former King Herod the Great, is attached to the north wall of the Temple compound and houses the Roman garrison.
So, as Jesus rides into Jerusalem that morning, the crowds that sing and shout and follow him are admirers. They like that Jesus stands up to their own corrupt political leaders and religious figures.
They are looking for someone to rescue them from their situation. But Jesus was looking to not change the situation but change eternity.
What the crowds saw in Jesus was the son of Joseph, not the Son of God. They saw him as a revolutionary, not as Redeemer. They wanted another Maccabee, not a new Messiah. In short, they admired Jesus because they thought he was the answer to all their problems.
When Clarence Jordan founded Koinonia Farms in Americus, Georgia in the mid-1950s, he founded an interracial community that he thought was an authentic expression of the Kingdom of God. It was an experiment in both agriculture and the Gospel, in which whites and blacks worked side-by-side, tilling the fields, harvesting the crops, and sharing life together.
Not everyone in southwest Georgia 60 years ago shared Clarence Jordan’s vision of the Kingdom of God. And, so Koinonia Farms attracted trouble. The farm was shot at by passing cars. Signs and buildings were vandalized. Crosses were burned and Koinonia community members were beaten. Merchants refused to sell supplies to the farm, and eventually, legal troubles mounted for the struggling experiment in Christian love.
Clarence Jordan approached his brother, Robert Jordan, a local Georgia attorney, for help with their legal problems. Robert was an up-and-coming young attorney with political ambitions of his own. He would later serve as a Georgia state senator, and as a Justice on the Georgia State Supreme Court.
David Augsburger in his book, Dissident Discipleship, captures the scene as the two brothers talked.
Robert had declined to represent Koinonia Farms with this explanation:
Bob: “Clarence, I can’t do that. You know my political aspirations. Why if I represented you, I might lose my job, my house, everything I’ve got.”
Clarence: “We might lose everything, too, Bob.”
Bob: “It’s different for you.”
Clarence: “Why is it different? I remember, it seems to me, that you and I joined the church the same Sunday as boys. I expect when we came forward the preacher asked me about the same question he did you. He asked me, ‘Do you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior?’ and I said, ‘Yes.’ What did you say?”
Bob: “I follow Jesus, Clarence, up to a point.”
Clarence: “Could that point by any chance be — the cross?”
Bob: “That’s right. I follow him to the cross, but not on the cross. I’m not getting myself crucified.”
Clarence: “Then I don’t believe you’re a disciple. You’re an admirer of Jesus, but not a disciple of his. I think you ought to go back to that church you belong to, and tell them you’re an admirer not a disciple.”
Bob: “Well now, if everyone who felt like I do did that, we wouldn’t have a church, would we?”
Clarence: “The question is, do you have a church?”
It’s not a surprise that by the end of the week, those who admired Jesus on Sunday were shouting “Crucify him!” on Friday.
Why would Jesus endure the cross knowing all the sacrifice it would take?
Those who had seen his power wondered why he seemed powerless at his greatest need. Those who saw his intelligence wondered how someone so smart could miscalculate so badly.
Both sides missed what Jesus and his Father were saying: “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it abides alone, but if it dies, it produces many” (John 12:24). Not just his words, his very life is a parable.
“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Why The Cross?
- His Character: He had no sin.
Paul begins with the fact that Christ “had no sin. There was no sin outwardly because there was no sin inwardly.
This is crucial because if Christ had sinned, he could not be our Savior. A sinner could not pay for the sins of another sinner.
Pilate examined him, he declared, “I find no fault in him” (John 19:4 KJV).
When Herod and the Jewish leaders put him on trial, they could find no witnesses against him so they rounded up false witnesses who lied under oath (Matthew 26:59-60).
When Christ hung on the Cross, the Roman centurion cried out, “Truly this was the Son of God” (Matthew 27:54).
His Cost: He became sin for us.
- He took our Place — “For us”
When Christ died on the Cross, he took my place–and he took yours. He died in the place of Us, guilty sinners. Every hit of the hammer on the nails were intended for you. The crown of thorns that was smashed on his brow was intended for you, the spear should have pierced your side, every defaming word and spit to the face was meant for you. It should have been you hanging on a tree–but it wasn’t. It was Jesus dying in your place.
- He took our Penalty–"He became sin”
On the cross Jesus, the sinless savior, became sin. He paid the price we owed to God, the debt we could never pay. His death satisfied God’s righteous judgment that sin must always be punished.
From the world’s point of view, we cannot understand how one man could die in the place of another, bearing his penalty, and thus providing him a right standing with God.
I get it, it doesn’t make sense. The issue is not does it make sense but, the issue is whether it is true and do you believe it?
III. His Contribution: We might become the righteousness of God.
His Gift helps us become the righteousness of God. We all want to be made right with God, to have our record cleared, to know that all is well between us and our Heavenly Father.
Jesus Gives us a Great Exchange:He was convicted that we might be found blameless.
He placed our sin on his back that we might be set free.
He died that we might live.
He suffered that we might be redeemed.
He was made sin that we might be made righteous.“Once you’ve been to the Cross, everything changes.” Stumbling blocks and foolishness turn into power and wisdom.
The Cross changes everything. If sin is pursuing you, then perhaps the event that will change everything for you is for you to look THROUGH the Palms TO the Cross
If nothing is changing, maybe you haven’t been to the Cross.
- Feb 18, 2018Conquering the Iniquity 2-18-18
Conquering the Iniquity 2-18-18Conquering The Iniquity 2-18-18
(Psalm 51)
I have met many Christians who love to tell how God used them in the past. When I ask them what God is doing in their life right now, they drop their head and tell me regretfully about something they’ve said or done. They simply feel like God will never use them again.David tells us how sin makes you feel:
Dirty- Sin makes us feel stained. David needed something no religion, ritual, or determination could do. Only God can do this type of cleansing.
Deaf- David had become deaf to the voice of the Lord. (It’s not someone else’s fault that you are deaf to God) His soft heart and spiritual tenderness toward the Lord had been overruled by his sin
Disgraced - Sin shames us. When sin is present in your life and its exposed, you feel ashamed to show your face.
Destitute - David needed a heart only God could give. He knew that his inner person, the heart, was the source of his trouble, and he was incapable of changing it on his own. David needed the Creator to create a miracle on his behalf.
Distant- David had known the Lord’s Special touch, His Anointing. David was not dealing with salvation but with God’s spiritual wisdom and hand of guidance. Now it all felt so far away.
David did this...to himself.
If you are there tonight, listen because there is hope. There is a way to restoration, and freedom.
David shows us that we don’t have to believe that lie. We all mess up at times, but God will forgive us and use us again. David’s life shows us:
Three Ways to Conquer Our Iniquity.
- Come Completely Clean
Psalm 51:2-6 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against You, You only, I have sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that You are justified when You speak and blameless when You judge. 5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me. 6 Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom.
Sin shuts the lips, but grace opens the lips to praise. Have you ever just not felt like singing? Often the reason is from the guilt of sin. I have never met someone who is right with Christ and fails to worship him.
- David acknowledged that God was the only One who could take away his sin.
(vs.2) “Wash me...and cleanse me from my sin.”
- David didn’t try to hide his sin any longer.
(vs.3) “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.”
- David admitted that he deserved God’s discipline.
(vs.4) “...I have... done what is evil in Your sight, so that You are justified...when You judge.”
- David realized he had been a sinner from birth.
(vs.5) “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.”
- God already knows everything we’ve said, thought and done. He simply wants us to be honest about it.
(vs.6) “...You desire truth in the innermost being...”
- Call Christ For Help
Psalm 51:7 Purify me...and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Once David was honest enough to admit his sin, he was also humble enough to know that God was his only hope to be clean!?Look how God blesses the humble:
- God listens to the humble:
Psalm 10:17 O LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear.
- God leads the humble:
Psalm 25:9 He leads the humble in justice, and He teaches the humble His way.
- God looks toward the humble:
2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of?the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.
- God lifts the humble:
1 Peter 5:6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time.
- Come Colliding Back
Psalm 51:8-12 Make me to hear joy and gladness, let the bones, which You have broken rejoice. 9 Hide Your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit.
The only way to have peace, joy and true happiness as a Christian is to be right with God.
(vs.8) “Make me to hear joy and gladness, let the bones which You have broken rejoice.”
It is such a beautiful collision when we submit our lives to Christ. As the crash of Sin takes you down the Collision of Repentance and Grace restores you.
Ask God to strengthen you so you don’t mess up in that area again. Become unwavering.
(vs.10) “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
God will never abandon you just because you mess up.
(vs.11-12) “Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit.”
Notice that David didn’t say, “Restore to me Your salvation.” He said, “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation.” A true believer cannot lose their salvation.
So what about the people who claim to be saved but just walk away from God and the church? The Apostle John described them this way:
1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us.
When a person can just walk away from God with no shame or remorse; they prove they were never really saved to begin with.
When David messed up with God, he realized the way back to Him was by being honest, humble and in a hurry to get things right with Him! Verse 13 shows how God used David again when he did this:
Psalm 51:13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will be converted to You.
David destroyed so much when he sinned, but when he crashed back into the Lord and served him faithfully God placed David on His Radar used him in Mighty Ways.
- Jan 28, 2018The Caution Ignored 1-28-18 AM
The Caution Ignored 1-28-18 AM"The Caution Ignored 1-28-18 AM".
The Caution Ignored
In the world that we live in we often look at sin as just another action that “just happens.” I have learned in my life that Sin never just happens but that God in his Grace and Mercy gives you and I warning signs. Warning signs are great if we obey them, but they are mere happenings when we don’t.David had many warnings before he crashed into sin. You and I will always have many warnings before we find ourselves in the rubble.We are so accustomed to sin in this world that we are desensitized to it. We ought to be shocked and horrified, but the sins of this world are just too common.Before we begin to look at the story of David spiraling out of control, it would be wise for us to go ahead and make this statement, “I too am capable of committing the sins of David, or ones just as evil.” As long as we know that we are one step away from committing these sins we will be cautious of where we step.Sin often brings along a certain atmosphere with it. There are certain things in life that caution us for problems in the future. When we neglect certain things, it usually comes back to bite us.
I want to set up David Ignoring the Warning signs by reading Proverbs 7:
Proverbs 7:6–27 (NLT) 6 While I was at the window of my house, looking through the curtain, 7 I saw some naive young men, and one in particular who lacked common sense. 8 He was crossing the street near the house of an immoral woman, strolling down the path by her house. 9 It was at twilight, in the evening, as deep darkness fell. 10 The woman approached him, seductively dressed and sly of heart. 11 She was the brash, rebellious type, never content to stay at home. 12 She is often in the streets and markets, soliciting at every corner. 13 She threw her arms around him and kissed him, and with a brazen look she said, 14 “I’ve just made my peace offerings and fulfilled my vows. 15 You’re the one I was looking for! I came out to find you, and here you are! 16 My bed is spread with beautiful blankets, with colored sheets of Egyptian linen. 17 I’ve perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. 18 Come, let’s drink our fill of love until morning. Let’s enjoy each other’s caresses, 19 for my husband is not home. He’s away on a long trip. 20 He has taken a wallet full of money with him and won’t return until later this month.” 21 So she seduced him with her pretty speech and enticed him with her flattery. 22 He followed her at once, like an ox going to the slaughter. He was like a stag caught in a trap, 23 awaiting the arrow that would pierce its heart. He was like a bird flying into a snare, little knowing it would cost him his life. 24 So listen to me, my sons, and pay attention to my words. 25 Don’t let your hearts stray away toward her. Don’t wander down her wayward path. 26 For she has been the ruin of many; many men have been her victims. 27 Her house is the road to the grave. Her bedroom is the den of death.
As we read this story everyone wants to run after the woman and say how could she do that to that young man? But the reality is that the young man blew it long before the woman came out. He began to make unwise choices early on.
He Ignored the many Cautions that were present.
I like to sum up Proverbs 7 with just 4 words, “ Don’t Even Go There.”
3 WARNINGS DAVID IGNORES
1st WARNING: HUMBLE YOURSELF
James 4:10 (NKJV) 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.
David was not a teenager anymore. He had begun to have success as the king. He had won many battles and he was self-confident, after enjoying victories and prosperity[1]
Note: The moment you think you have full control over sin is the moment you will begin to take your guard down.
Proverbs 4:23 (NLT) 23 Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.
Make sure you have people who love you enough to hold you accountable and keep you humble. Because if we just listen to our heart it will puff us up to think that we deserve to have what we want.
Jeremiah 17:9 (ESV) 9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?
David began to think that he could have and do what he wanted to do with no regard to Holy God who placed him in the position of prominence.
2nd WARNING: HELP IN BATTLE
In a time of war, a solider was not to indulge himself in the normal comforts of life, including sexual relations with his wife, (yet alone someone else’s wife.)
2 Samuel 11:1 (NLT) In the spring of the year, when kings normally go out to war, David sent Joab and the Israelite army to fight the Ammonites. They destroyed the Ammonite army and laid siege to the city of Rabbah. However, David stayed behind in Jerusalem.
Most of the time we never try and keep sin to where it affects only us. We often try and include someone else. David tried to persuade Uriah to sleep with Bathsheba while the battle was still going on.
2 Samuel 11:7–11 (NLT) 7 When Uriah arrived, David asked him how Joab and the army were getting along and how the war was progressing. 8 Then he told Uriah, “Go on home and relax.”David even sent a gift to Uriah after he had left the palace. 9 But Uriah didn’t go home. He slept that night at the palace entrance with the king’s palace guard. 10 When David heard that Uriah had not gone home, he summoned him and asked, “What’s the matter? Why didn’t you go home last night after being away for so long?” 11 Uriah replied, “The Ark and the armies of Israel and Judah are living in tents, and Joab and my master’s men are camping in the open fields. How could I go home to wine and dine and sleep with my wife? I swear that I would never do such a thing.”
In the first part of verse 7 David is simply diverting attention away from the real matter. He asks all about the leadership, the war, and his people but in reality he simply wants Uriah to go home and sleep with Bathsheba.
When people are living in open sin, they will often divert attention to everything other than the real issue that is at hand.
By David not going to the battlefield with his men, it gave room for idle time.
3rd WARNING: IDLE HANDS HURT
In this idle time David let his mind wonder, which opened the workshop up to devise a sinful plan.
Proverbs 16:27-29L (TLB) 27 Idle hands are the devil’s workshop; idle lips are his mouthpiece.28 An evil man sows strife; gossip separates the best of friends.29 Wickedness loves company—and leads others into sin.
2 Samuel 11:2 (ESV) 2 It happened, late one afternoon, when David arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king’s house, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful.
It is late afternoon and David has been lounging all day. He finally gets up to take a walk on the roof and something catches his eye. Lets stop right there.
You think that David didn’t know what was about to happen? You see when someone has a relationship with Christ there is no way to escape the convictions from the Spirit.
But when we become idle, we devise plans that suppress the sprit and allow the flesh to take over.
James 1:14–15 (The Message) The temptation to give in to evil comes from us and only us. We have no one to blame but the leering, seducing flare-up of our own lust. Lust gets pregnant, and has a baby: sin! Sin grows up to adulthood, and becomes a real killer.
What Warnings are you ignoring? As the instruments begin to scream “pull up, pull up,” will you simply continue on the path of destruction or will you repent, and listen to the instruments?
You may be flirting with sin right now, but soon that sin will conceive and give birth, and grow into an adult, and will ultimately lead to death.
