Monday, March 25, 2013

A Cross for a King?



(To download this message, click on the title above. To listen now online, click on the play button of the audio player shown above.)

This is a sermon that ties the events of the Triumphal Entry with the crucifixion. It emphasizes the need for disciples of Jesus Christ to be willing to take up their cross to follow Him.

Written Excerpts:

John 19:19 (NKJV) Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Introduction:

I am sure that the Scripture reading this morning was a familiar story to nearly everyone here. We know all about the Lord’s ride into Jerusalem on the donkey. We are familiar with the way the people laid down their garments and palm branches in the path where Jesus was traveling. We have read the accounts of people shouting praises to the Lord as he rode into the city.
We know from the description given in the Gospels that at least some of the people were apparently “connecting the dots” between Jesus’ actions and the words of the OT prophets concerning the Messiah. They apparently recognized that His actions were a fulfillment of specific prophecies regarding the coming Messiah, and they began to cry out “Hosanna” – “Save we pray.” They hoped that this miracle-working prophet would be the God-sent deliverer to rescue them from the oppression of their enemies. Surely He must be the new king sent from God for the salvation of Israel.

But let’s go back even farther into the story of Jesus’ life. In the Gospel record of Jesus’ birth, we read even then of various people who made reference to the title of “king” in connection with the new baby born in Bethlehem. Remember the words of the Wise Men who traveled from the East. When they arrived in Judea, they went to the current king, King Herod, and asked, “Where is he that is born king of the Jews?”

Although the title of “King” is not a title that Jesus used for himself, we know from all that Scripture teaches that He truly was a king and still is the King of kings today.
All of us who are familiar with the Scriptures remember that it was only a few days later when some of these same people who had hailed Him as a king and deliverer and savior are now railing instead if hailing. They are now crying out for His execution rather than for His salvation from their oppressors.

The title that I have chosen for the message is offered in the form of a question: “A cross for a king?”
How unfitting or unseemly for a king to be placed on a cross!

For the rest of our time today, I want to explore just two main thoughts for your consideration and reflection.
I. Jesus really was a king.
II. Jesus willing accepted His cross.

I. Jesus really was a king.
I’ve already mentioned how the Wise Men said they were looking for the one who was “born king of the Jews.” Even Simeon and Anna, the two saints in the temple who saw Jesus as a baby, made statements that indicated they knew He was the Messiah; even though they didn’t actually use the word “king.”

I’ve also mentioned the behavior of the people as Jesus rode into the city of Jerusalem. I’ve pointed out how their comments and shouts indicated their awareness that He was fulfilling prophecy from the OT (esp. Zech 9:9) and at least some of them believed that He was the King that God had promised so long ago.
Going on through the events of the arrest and trial of Jesus, we find many more references to the title of King. His accusers told Pilate that He claimed to be King of the Jews. (Lk. 23:1)

Pilate asks Him if He is King. Three of the Gospel writers simply record, “It is as you say.” John goes into more detail regarding Jesus' answer. 
John 18:34-37 (NKJV) 34 Jesus answered him, "Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?"
35 Pilate answered, "Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?" 36 Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here."
37 Pilate therefore said to Him, "Are You a king then?" Jesus answered, "You say rightly that I am a king.
Jesus acknowledges that He is a King, but His present kingdom is not of this world.
Pilate refers to Jesus as King of the Jews several times as recorded by all four Gospel writers.
Pilate puts inscription over Jesus’ head on the cross, “King of the Jews.”
Pilate refuses to change it when Jews tell him to write, “He said he was king of the Jews.”
Rev. 19:16 “… a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.”
All that we have been saying points to the fact that Jesus Christ truly was a king. But, he was not just A king, He was THE King; THE KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
II. Jesus willing accepted His cross.
Certainly, all down through history, there have been other legitimate kings that have died horrible deaths; some may have even been crucified. Yet, this one is different. He was not helpless. He could have avoided the cross. He could have overcome all of His enemies.
“He could have called ten thousand angels to destroy the world and set him free.”
Death on a cross was considered the worst kind of execution a person could suffer. Yet, here Jesus was, a King headed to the cross – the fate of the worst kind of criminal.
He knew in his heart and mind that the cross was necessary for the salvation of the world. He knew that he must accept the cross in order to save the human race. He willing accepted his cross and his death, so that you and I could live.
Conclusion:
This brings me to the concluding thought that has been on my mind these last several days.
If Jesus, the truly legitimate King of kings and Lord of lords, willingly accepted His cross and surrendered His own will, His comforts and even His life, then how much more should I be willing to do the same?
“The disciple is not above His master.”
Jesus told His disciples at various times, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.”
take his cross. This is to obey and identify with Jesus even unto death, not simply to bear some particular burden imposed by the Lord. (The Reformation Study Bible.)
Jesus uses the phrase anticipatively, in view of the death which he himself was to die. This was one of those sayings described in John 12:16, which the disciples understood not at the first, but the meaning of which was revealed in the light of later events. The figure itself was borrowed from the practice which compelled criminals to bear their own cross to the place of execution…. (Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament.)
The cross was an instrument of violent and painful execution. To “take the cross” was to carry the horizontal beam of the cross out to the site of execution, generally past a jeering mob. In rhetorically strong terms, Jesus describes what all true disciples must be ready for: if they follow him, they must be ready to face literal scorn and death, for they must follow to the cross. (The IVP Bible Background Commentary – New Testament.)
In our Wednesday night Bible study, we have been studying about spiritual disciplines, which essentially addresses the issue of “denying ourselves” in order to follow Christ more closely.
Taking up the cross is another issue. It is a supreme willingness and determination to obey and follow Christ even to the point of death; whether the “death” is spiritually to our own selfish will or literally and physically dying for our faith.
This week is often referred to in Church History as Holy Week. It reminds us of the path that Jesus took the last few days leading up to His crucifixion. As we contemplate what He has done for us, let us re-commit ourselves to be His disciples even to the point of scorn, persecution and death.
Jesus said, “Whoever will lose his life for my sake and the gospel, the same shall save it.”
Let us close our service by singing the hymn:
In the Cross of Christ I Glory  # 328

Friday, March 22, 2013

Revival Is Imperative



(To download this message, click on the title above. To listen now online, click on the play button of the audio player shown above.)

This is a sermon based on Revelation 3:1-6 which speaks about the church in Sardis. The theme of the text is regarding the need for the church to come alive and be revived.

Written Excerpts:

Introduction:
Today we are continuing our series of messages from Revelation concerning the seven churches in the province of Asia during the time of the Roman Empire.

Sardis is the next church that is mentioned by the risen Christ. It was a city that was located approximately 33 miles south of Thyatira. It was situated on the Pactolus river in the middle of the Hermus Valley and the foot of Mount Tmolus.
Several centuries earlier, before either the Greek or Roman Empires, Sardis was a city of splendor, wealth and power. It had been situated on a plateau that was part of Mount Tmolus, and had been considered unconquerable. Eventually the city spread down into the valley by the river, and it basically consisted of two cities, one in the valley and one on the mountain. At the time of John’s writing, Sardis was wealthy but degenerate. Even the once-great citadel was now just a monument on top of the mountain.

I want to follow the same basic outline that we have been using in this series, so we will begin by looking at

I. A Word of Revelation (v. 1)
He who holds the seven spirits and the seven stars.

This was something we discussed in the first chapter…
This is probably a reference to the Holy Spirit. The number seven is included because it is a significant number throughout scripture; symbolically emphasizing perfection, completion and universality. It is further argued by some scholars that the number seven refers to the diversity or fullness of the Holy Spirit’s gifts and operations in the church/world.

“Seven Stars” – We are told that these represent the seven “angels” or messengers of the seven churches.
The Lord is revealing himself as the one who oversees the ministry of the Holy Spirit and holds the churches in His power and control.

II. A Word of Commendation (v. 4)
In the messages to the churches mentioned previously, the “word of commendation” came before the “accusation,” but not in this case.

The accusation comes first in the case of Sardis, which we will get to in just a moment.
The commendation goes to just part of the congregation. It does not consist of a list of “works” that they have performed in obedience to and for the glory of God. It is simply a positive statement of affirmation for those who have are not dead.

There are some who “have not defiled (soiled) their garments.”
Possibly a reference to the practice of giving white robes to baptismal candidates after they came out of the water to symbolize their new life. This would refer to the one who had not forsaken his or her baptismal vows of faith, obedience and devotion to the Lord.

Jas. 1:27 – part of the description of “pure religion” included: keeping himself or herself “unspotted from the world.”
God always has a remnant of faithful people in every generation who remain true to their original commitment to him and do not allow themselves to be deceived, entangled, or soiled by the ungodly influences of the world around them.

Even in the midst of decline and “death” it is possible to stay alive and live pleasing to the Lord!
III. A Word of Accusation (v. 1, 2b)

This is a very simple, straight-forward accusation that comes from the Lord.
“I know your works and you have a name (reputation) that you are alive, but you are dead.”

And, “I have not found your works perfect (mature, complete) before God.”
(Barclay) This church was not practicing any heresy, and it was not under attack (persecution) from the outside.

It had simply died spiritually. One dies by simply not doing the things that sustain life. Nourishment; Exercise; Purpose; etc. – these are the things that promote life. Without these, life will ebb away and death will certainly come.
IV. A Word of Exhortation (v. 2a, 3)

Watch – (Barclay) Probably a direct reference to the history of the once-great citadel of Sardis that sat upon the plateau of the mountain. It was considered impregnable, unconquerable because of its position. However, twice in its history it was conquered because the enemy found a way to scale the mountain side and enter the city which was unguarded and no one was watching. (They felt there was no need to watch.)
In verse 3b, the Lord says He will come like a thief when they are not watching. Very similar to the parables Jesus used to tell about the coming of the Lord. Seems to be an obvious implication of coming judgment.

Strengthen – exercise the things that promote health and life.
Someone said many years ago, “What does one have to do to lose his soul? Nothing.” The point was, loss of spiritual life and vitality is the natural process when one does nothing to preserve, strengthen and invigorate his or her life.

Remember – pres. impv.; keep on remembering how your received the gospel.
Hold fast (Keep) – pres. impv.; (Barclay) do not stop keeping (obeying) the commands of the gospel that you understood from the beginning.

Repent – aor. impv.; describes one definite or completed action; “there must be a time when a person decides to be done with the old way and begin with the new.” (Barclay)
Conclusion:

As we have mentioned from the very beginning of this series, we are looking at these words of prophecy with the understanding that they were written to a specific people in a specific time for a specific purpose. However, we also understand that every prophecy in Scripture has a valid application to the believers in every age. This message is no exception.
How sad for a church, called by the name of Jesus Christ, to have a reputation of being alive. (There must have been plenty going on in this church to give the impression to outsiders and others that there was life.) Yet, in spite of what others thought, the Lord looks at the church and declares it is dead!

We can look around us and point our fingers and assume that this only applies to others, but not us. However, we are just as vulnerable to dying out spiritually as any other congregation ever was. And, we will die also if we don’t take the admonition and exhortation to heart.
We also need to watch; strengthen; remember; hold fast; and repent.

Couple of quotes I’ve seen posted on facebook lately.
“Spiritual awakening means that the faithful become fiery, the decent become dynamic, and the acceptable become excellent. But, most of all, we become disgusted with our evil, and totally dissatisfied with our good.” Quoted from, "Critical Mass - A Strategy for a North American Revival” by Mario Murillo

I'm sick to death of the so-called Christianity of our day. What's supernatural about it? When do people come out of the sanctuary awed and can't speak for an hour because God has been in glory there? Dear God, as soon as they get out, they're talking football, or sports or something or there's going to be a big sale downtown or somewhere. We are not caught up into eternity!                                    - Leonard Ravenhill

May God help us to recognize the danger of dying spiritually. May He grant us the fervent desire to take the necessary steps to keep revived in our hearts even as the world around us becomes more and more pagan.

Saturday, March 9, 2013

No Compromise - Part 2



(To download this message, click on the title above. To listen now online, click on the play button of the audio player shown above.)

This is a sermon based on the text in Revelation 2:18-29 that contains the message given by Jesus Christ to the church in Thyatira. It speaks of the coming judgment for the "permission" the church has given for a church leader to teach heresy and compromise.

Written Excerpts:

Introduction:
Don't Negotiate With Satan (Sermonhall.com) “A hunter raised his rifle and took careful aim at a large bear. When [he was] about to pull the trigger, the bear spoke in a soft soothing voice, "Isn't it better to talk than to shoot? What do you want? Let's negotiate the matter." Lowering his rifle, the hunter replied, "I want a fur coat." "Good," said the bear, "... I only want a full stomach, so let us negotiate a compromise." They sat down to negotiate and after [while] the bear walked away alone. The negotiations had been successful. The bear had a full stomach, and the hunter had his fur coat! ….

This little parable has a point that is applicable for every follower of Jesus Christ. The hunter could represent the Christian and the bear could represent our enemy, Satan. Satan is always offering “negotiations” for the people of God to avoid following Christ in every detail and every area of life. However, the testimony of untold thousands of spiritual casualties show that negotiating with the Devil guarantees certain spiritual death and ruin sooner or later.
Last Sunday we tried to cover the passage found in the previous verses of Rev. 2 regarding the church of Pergamos. We emphasized the fact that the risen and glorified Christ urged the church in the town of Pergamos to repent from integrating the evil, seductive and sensual practices of the world into their worship of God. In spite of all the good they had done and the measure of faith that was still active in some of their members, they had compromised and assimilated practices that were dishonoring to God and shameful to the name of Jesus.

Our study today focuses on the message that Christ offers to the church in Thyatira. The message is so similar to what we learned last week regarding Pergamos, I decided to use the same title and just refer to this message as part 2! So let us turn our attention to the last portion of chapter two in Revelation and see what God would say to us today.

As we have been doing with each of the cities mentioned so far, we need to take a little time to learn about the city called Thyatira. (Details and descriptions of this town and setting come from Zondervan Pict. Bible Dict.; The Daily Bible Study Series by Wm. Barclay; Beacon Bible Expositions, T.E. Martin; The Revelation Explained, F.G. Smith)
The city of Thyatira is located about 48 miles southeast of Pergamos (farther inland from the Aegean Sea) and was situated on the road that runs from Pergamos, to Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.
It was not a very prominent city in comparison to the other six mentioned here, but it was a city consisting of great commerce and business, especially with woolen goods and the dyeing industry. (Lydia, the seller of purple, was from Thyatira. Acts 16:14)
There were an extraordinary number of trade guilds in Thyatira, which could be compared to trade unions in modern times. “These were associations for the profit and pleasure of people employed in certain trades.” (WB)

Thyatira was also the site of a Roman garrison manned by Macedonian troops and serving as an outpost to help protect Pergamos.
I. A Word of Revelation (v. 18)

In each of the seven messages to the churches, the risen and glorified Christ begins with a description that reveals a unique truth about himself to the recipients of the message. In this segment, Christ says, “These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass” This description of the Lord is repeated from what was given in chapter one, verses 14b and 15a.
These words are also the same as the words used to describe the angelic messenger who came to Daniel in a vision after Daniel had been seeking God and fasting for three weeks (Dan. 10:6).

Here in Revelation one and two, the description is applied to Jesus Christ and is apparently meant to represent divine attributes. It appears again later in Revelation (Ch. 19) as a description of the Lord when He returns from heaven on a white horse to finally conquer the enemies of God.
“flaming eyes” – probably a reference to the penetrating vision of God that sees everything, including the motives and intentions of every heart. (cf. verse 23, “…I am He who searches the minds and hearts….) [KJV, “reigns and hearts”]

(Matthew Henry) “…signifying his piercing, penetrating, perfect knowledge….” (A. Clarke) “To denote his omniscience, and the all-penetrating nature of the Divine knowledge.”
There is absolutely nothing that escapes the gaze, attention and knowledge of an infinite God.

“feet like fine brass” – Bible scholars believe that this represents the idea of stability or permanence, power and majesty.
(A. Clarke) “An emblem of his stability and permanence…” (Barclay) “…must stand for the immovable power of the risen Christ.” (A. Barnes) “Perhaps indicative of majesty and glory as he walked in the midst of the churches.”
And so, to a congregation of people who claim the name of Jesus, but have compromised and changed the standards of godly behavior, the glorified Lord Jesus Christ is reminding them that He sees all, He knows all, and He remains strong and permanent amidst all of the change they have accepted.

It certainly would be wise for us to keep this in mind today. The Lord still “searches the minds and hearts” of every individual and intimately knows not only what we say and do, but He knows why.
II. A Word of Commendation (v. 19)

There is really not much difference in the words of commendation given to this church than that which was given to the previous one in Pergamos.
A. He knows their works

Love, faith, service and endurance all seem to be subordinate to the word “works.” (Jameson, Faussett, Brown)
Therefore, we could understand this verse to be saying, “I know your works that spring from a heart of love and deep faith and flourish in the form of service and perseverance or endurance.”

At any rate, these words describe the kinds of qualities that any church congregation would love to be known for.

B. They have made significant progress in all areas.
The last phrase of the verse seems to portray the meaning that their works in all these manifestations are greater now than they were before. There has been significant improvement and progress in living out their Christian faith.

Again, what congregation would not want to have this said about them? It certainly ought to be the goal of every individual and every congregation to be more mature, more productive and more Christ like than they have ever been in the past.
(Barclay) “On the surface the Church at Thyatira was strong and flourishing. If a stranger went into it, he would be impressed with it… Here is a warning. A church which is crowded with people and which is a hive of energy is not necessarily a real Church. It is possible for a church to be crowded because its people come to be entertained instead of instructed, and to be soothed instead of confronted with the fact of sin and the offer of salvation; it may be a highly successful Christian club rather than a real Christian congregation."

III. A Word of Accusation (v. 20)
But… (Nevertheless) The “other shoe drops,” as we might say, and the Lord moves away from the commendation to clearly and strongly state His accusation against them.

The glaring fault that He had against them was their willingness to tolerate the teaching and practice of boldface error in their congregation. The problem was a woman referred to as “Jezebel” who apparently was in some type of leadership position and was teaching the Christians to “eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit fornication.”
This was nearly identical to the accusation that was levied against Pergamos. The woman was called, “Jezebel,” as a way of comparing her to the wife of King Ahab in the OT who persuaded her husband to allow her to bring her pagan gods, idolatry and practices from her homeland and incorporate them along with the worship of the God of Israel.

In the book of Acts we learn that the most basic guidelines the Apostles required of the Gentile converts in the infant church included abstaining from eating food sacrificed to idols and from fornication or immoral behavior. (Acts 15:29)
Writers describe one of the potential problems in this city was the fact that large numbers of people would feel it necessary to join the trade guilds in order to “avoid commercial suicide.” These guilds no doubt offered common meals that would include meat that had been consecrated to an idol, and they would engage in all kinds of drunken revelry and immorality. (Barclay, ZPBD, et. al)

It is not clear whether the reference to “fornication” should be understood literally as sexual immorality or as spiritual infidelity.
Some believe that the phrase “the depths of Satan” (v.24), could very well be a reference to a common heresy during that era which claimed that Christians should experience every kind of sin… and accommodate themselves to the world. (Barclay)

This apparently was a perverted way of not only emphasizing the belief that the body was evil (Gnosticism) but also promoting the belief that such behavior exalts the grace of God. (cf. Rom. 6) The practice of faith that does not take a stand for things that are holy, right and godly, will eventually fall for anything that the evil hearts of men and women may clamor for.
IV. A Word of Exhortation (vv. 21-25)

In this section Christ starts off by citing evidence of His mercy, gives a description of coming judgment, and then concludes with encouragement for the individuals who have not compromised.
A. Mercy is offered in order to inspire repentance. (v. 21)

The Lord reminds the people of this congregation that He mercifully gave this ungodly “Jezebel” ample time and opportunity to repent, but she failed to do so.

The Bible makes it clear that many people mistake the mercy of the Lord as the sanction or approval of the Lord. (Romans 2:4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?) When God withholds judgment, it is for the purpose to granting opportunity for repentance and conversion. But, many people assume His lack of judgment is a mark of approval.
B. A day of judgment will come. (vv. 22-23)

The risen Christ warns that judgment will come in various ways. It will involve sickness, tribulation and even death.
“children” (23) – probably means followers or disciples of “Jezebel”.

C. All the faithful saints must continue to endure. (vv. 24-25)
For the people in Thyatira who have not compromised and been taken in by the error of this notorious teacher, Christ encourages them to keep on in their faithful obedience and don’t give up.

“no other burden” – seems to be a similar statement and thought as shared in Acts 15, when the Jerusalem Apostles / leaders said they would put “no other burden” on the gentiles besides the three basic guidelines, “no meat offered to idols, no eating of blood, no meat from strangled animals, and no fornication [sexual immorality].”
In other words, the Lord is telling them something like this, “I am not interested in giving you a whole catalog of rules to live by. I am just asking you to avoid the immoral and pagan practices advocated by this woman and keep doing all the other positive things you have been doing.”

Conclusion:
Have you ever wondered why birds do not fall off their perches when they fall asleep?

The Power of the Bended Knee Birds go to sleep on their perches, but they never fall off. This is because of the tendons in the bird's legs. They are so constructed that when the leg is bent at the knee, the claws contract and grip like a steel trap. The claws refuse to let go until the knees are unbent again. The bended knee gives the bird the ability to hold on to his perch so tightly. Isn't this also the secret of the holding power of the Christian? Daniel found this to be true. Surrounded by a pagan environment, tempted to compromise with evil, urged to weaken his grip on God, he refused to let go. He held firm when others faltered because he was a man of prayer. He knew the power of the bended knee. … When we hold firmly to God in prayer, we can rest assured he will hold tightly to us. --Rollin S. Burhans
I hope and pray that the seriousness of this message to the church at Thyatira will motivate each one of us to prayerfully live as close to God as we possibly can, and not be contented with “hanging out on the fringes.”

Let us sing our closing song as a prayer: Whiter Than Snow