God Is Light

A video recording of the entire worship service in which this message was delivered can be viewed on YouTube here.

This is a sermon that was given on May 24, 2020. It is the second sermon in a series of messages through the New Testament book of First John. This message is based on 1 Jn. 1:5-10 and focuses on a statement about God (God is light), as well as the additional implications of that fact. 

Written Excerpts:

1 John 1:5 ^(NKJV) This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.

Introduction:

(Today's Best Illustrations – Volumes 1-4) I believe in Christianity as I believe the Sun has risen, not only because I see it but because by it I see everything else. — C.S. Lewis in The Weight of Glory. Christianity Today, Vol. 34, no. 13.

(moreillustrations.com) … a conceited young fellow … turned to an old minister and, as if challenging [him], said, "I am told you believe in the inspiration of the whole Bible." The good man replied quietly, "Oh, yes, my friend, what do you believe in?" [The young man responded with] A little laugh… [then] he continued, "But you certainly know what the great scholars say about it?" … again the [old minister answered] him, "Somewhat; but what do they say about your soul?" Now the inquirer grew [restless]. "They say you are leading men along with a [small candle] in your lantern." To this the aged preacher [replied], "Do they say men would see any better if we would let them put the [candle] out?" — Sabbath Reading.

I.              A Statement of Fact – God is Light.

The Apostle John is declaring a statement of fact based on the revelation of God in the OT.

Genesis 1:3 (NKJV)  Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light.

Psalm 104:2 (NIV)  The LORD wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent

Before the creation of light, the only light that existed was God. God is the source of light in this world.

1 Timothy 6:16 (NKJV)  who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.

The fact of light suggests a few other truths about God.

A. God is self-revealing.

It suggests God’s nature of self-disclosure/revelation vs. secrecy.

It is God’s nature to reveal Himself and disclose His will to the creatures He created.

Numbers 12:6 (NKJV)  Then He said, "Hear now My words: "If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, make Myself known to him in a vision; I speak to him in a dream.

Psalm 19:1-4 (NKJV) The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world. In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun,

It is God’s nature to make himself known. He doesn’t force us or require us to grope in the dark hoping against hope that we can somehow discover who He is and what He wants in our lives. It is also His nature to expose error and evil; to bring it all out to the light. It may not all take place in this life, but it will happen someday.

Ephesians 5:13 (NKJV)  But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.

Luke 8:17 (NKJV)  For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light.

1 Corinthians 4:5 (NKJV)  Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts….

B. God is truth.

It suggests God’s nature of truth/knowledge vs. error/ ignorance.

Psalm 119:105 (NKJV)  Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

Proverbs 6:23 (NKJV)  For the commandment is a lamp, And the law a light; Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,

These verses indicate the purpose of the commandment and the law is to give light (knowledge) of the truth. This knowledge will produce righteous living.

C. God is holy.

It suggests God’s nature of holiness vs. defilement.

The term “light” carries a moral connotation.

John 3:19-21 (NKJV) ¹⁹  And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. (²⁰  For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. ²¹  But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.")

Isaiah 5:20 (NKJV)  Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

These verses provide an example that the Bible compares light with righteousness and holiness while darkness is likened to evil and unrighteousness. It does so to remind us that God, who “dwells in unapproachable light” is a God who is absolutely holy.

II.             Shining the Light on Three Common Errors

Because God is light, John wishes to apply that truth to the current problems that are developing in the church and “shine” the “light” of truth on the errors to expose them and correct them.

A. Error #1: Sin does not affect fellowship.

“If we say” – Used three times (vv. 6, 8, & 10). Possibly quoting direct arguments of the false teachers.

“walk” – metaphor for living one’s life; our conduct/behavior in contrast with what we say.

(Reasoner) Since Gnosticism affirmed the supremacy of knowledge and the impurity of matter, it led to either asceticism [denying pleasure to self] or antinomianism [freedom from law]. … if knowledge is everything and the body is worthless, the antinomian Gnostic held that the body could indulge in shameful and impure experience without the soul being polluted.

(John R.W. Stott, TNTC) – They thought of the body as a mere envelope covering the human spirit, which, they further maintained, was [uncorruptible]; it could not be contaminated by the deeds of the body….

This reasoning is not far away from the arguments of some professing Christians today – i.e., it doesn’t really matter if I sin in my conduct as long as I have prayed the sinner’s prayer, believe in my heart that I am born again and all of my past, present and future sins are already forgiven.

John boldly declares anyone making such a claim while living such a life is lying and not practicing truth, which is further evidence that they “walk in darkness,” i.e. practice evil.

Paul makes it very clear to the Corinthian church:

2 Corinthians 6:14 (NKJV)  Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?

Paul reminds them of a basic principle of life / of the universe – righteousness and lawlessness do not have any fellowship / communion; neither does light with darkness.

Remedy for this error? – v. 7

1 John 1:7 (NKJV)  But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

“If we walk” – present tense = continuous action.

“in the light” – the revelation of God’s will in Scripture. We already mentioned passages like

Psalm 119:105 (NKJV)  Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

Proverbs 6:23 (NKJV)  For the commandment is a lamp, And the law a light; Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,

“blood… cleanses…” - (Reasoner) As we keep walking in light, which means we continue to obey the truth, the blood of Christ keeps on washing.”

“all sin” – singular; some say it’s referring to the “defilement of our fallen nature.” Or, from any sin that mars our fellowship with God. (Stott)

So, the ongoing washing provides the basis for ongoing fellowship.

B. Error #2: Enlightened people are not sinners.

1 John 1:8 (NKJV)  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

(John R.W. Stott, TNTC) The second claim of the heretics was one stage worse than the first, namely, to be without sin, ‘to be sinless’, (NEB). The first heretical claim at least appeared to concede the existence of sin, while denying that it had the effect of estranging the sinner from God. Now the very fact of sin is denied. These people cannot benefit from the cleansing effects of the blood of Jesus because they claim to be without sin.

(Reasoner) In the fifth century, Pelagius, a British monk, argued that Adam had set a bad example but that his descendants did not inherit his nature. Modern liberalism teaches that we are all born as a blank slate… The social sciences believe that mankind is basically good.

The error apparently hinged upon the same theme we’ve already mentioned – the Gnostics believed that the mind and spirit were unpolluted from the deeds of the evil material body and so the spirit never was a part of sin. John says that anyone making this claim is deceived and the truth is not in them.

Since God’s Word is truth (Jn. 17:17), then he is saying that what is revealed in the Word about our condition is not a part of their thinking and understanding.

cf. (Jeremiah 17:9 (NKJV)  "The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?)

Ecclesiastes 9:3 (NKJV)  …. Truly the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil; madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead.

Mark 7:21 (NKJV)  For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

The Remedy for this error? – v. 9

1 John 1:9 (NKJV)  If we confess (pres. tense) our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive (aor. tense) us our sins and to cleanse (aor. tense) us from all unrighteousness. (Timing of aorist verbs is determined by tense of main verb – “confess”).

There probably is a distinction between the grace of forgiveness and the grace of cleansing.

“ALL unrighteousness” – God’s remedy for sin is as extensive as the problem of sin.

C. Error #3: Actions of enlightened people cannot be sinful.

1 John 1:10 (NKJV)  If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

According to Vic Reasoner, “have no sin” (v. 8) refers to the “sinful state” (inherited sin), while “have not sinned” (v.10) refers to the actual commission of particular acts of sin.

(John R.W. Stott, TNTC) The heretics maintained that their superior enlightenment rendered them incapable of sinning.

All sorts of ideas have prevailed through the years to eliminate the idea of sinful conduct or behavior.

(John R.W. Stott, TNTC) To say that we have not sinned is neither just to tell a deliberate lie (v. 6), nor to be deluded (v. 8), but actually to accuse God of lying, to make him out to be a liar and to reveal clearly that his word has no place in our lives.

Psalm 14:3 (NKJV)  They have all turned aside, They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one.

Ecclesiastes 7:20 (NKJV)  For there is not a just man on earth who does good And does not sin.

Conclusion:

John is reminding his readers and all of us that God’s very nature is light – authentic, revealing, and holy,

He has revealed to us again the nature of our problem – sinful nature and sinful deeds; as well as, the nature of the remedy – forgiveness, cleansing and fellowship.

It is our own choice whether we will ignore sin, excuse sin or seek His remedy for sin.

Closing song: Stepping in the Light

John, Jesus and Joy

There is no audio recording for this message, but a video recording of the entire service in which this message was delivered can be viewed on YouTube here.

This is a sermon that was given on May 17, 2020. It is the first sermon in a series of messages through the New Testament book of First John. This message provides limited background on the letter authored by John, then discusses characteristics of Jesus provided by John. Joy that results from fellowship with Jesus and the Father is one of the purposes of the letter.

Written Excerpts:

1 John 1:4 ^(NKJV) And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.

Introduction:

A few years ago we did a series of Bible studies on the book of First John in our Wednesday night prayer services. As with some of the other books of the Bible we studied, I remember thinking that it would be a good idea to do a series of Sunday sermons through First John.

So today I am starting this series through the book of First John. I do not know yet how many sermons there will be. I will do my best not to get bogged down in minute detail, but to give you the “meat” of the letter with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Imagine that you were an eyewitness to a very exciting and monumental event many years ago. After time passed, you discover that current analysis of the historical event you witnessed relies heavily on philosophical beliefs and opinions, which have resulted in a greatly distorted description of that event. What people currently believe about it does not even resemble the reality you know because of your personal experience.

If you can imagine that kind of scenario, you might be very close to imagining how the Apostle John must have felt as he penned the words of this letter we are about to examine. False teachers had been completely distorting the truth about the Christ that He had intimately known and served as a disciple.

The title I chose for this message is John, Jesus and Joy. I chose to use that for the title because it seemed a little bit “catchy” so it might be easier to remember, but also because I want to focus on those three “J’s” for the message.

We’ll first talk about the author, John, the disciple/apostle of Jesus. Then we will talk about Jesus, who is the subject of His letter, and then we will discuss the matter of joy, which is stated in verse 4 as one of the reasons that John wrote the letter.

I.              John Is the Author of the Letter

This letter, like the Gospel of John, does not have typical opening greetings and closing greetings like the letters of Paul, James and Peter. Because of that, it doesn’t specifically say that John is the author. However, there are good reasons to believe that the author is the same person who wrote the Gospel of John as well as the Revelation.

In fact, it is believed that the Apostle John wrote five NT books: the Gospel, the 3 Epistles and the Revelation.

Who is John? Let me read some of the highlights.

(The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia) – John was one of the two sons of Zebedee, … he became one of the disciples of Jesus, … at His call he forsook all and followed Jesus, and was thereafter continuously with Jesus to the end…. While his name appears rarely in a position by itself, he is still one of the most prominent of the disciples. With Peter and James he is present at the raising of the daughter of Jairus (Mark 5:37; Luke 8:51ff). These three were also present at the transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-2). They were nearest to the Lord at the agony of Gethsemane.… Once John stands alone, and asks what we may consider a characteristic question: "Teacher, we saw one casting out demons in thy name; and we forbade him, because he followed not us" (Mark 9:38). From these notices we see that John was in the front rank of the disciples, and we see also that he was so far conscious of the position he held, and of the intimate connection he had with the Master. We note further that John was a young man of fiery zeal, and of a tendency toward intolerance and exclusiveness…..

(Continuing) While we recall the illustrative facts found in the Synoptics… we do not forget that on each of these occasions he was corrected and rebuked by the Master, and he was not the kind of man who could not profit by the rebuke of Jesus. So that vehemence of disposition was held in check, and, while still in existence, was under control, and allowed to have vent only on occasions when it was permissible, and even necessary. So in his writings, and in the reflections in the Gospel, we note the vehemence displayed, but now directed only against those who refused to believe in, and to acknowledge, Jesus….

(Continuing) But love itself has its side of [intensity], and the intensity of love toward a person or a cause may be measured by the intensity of aversion and of hatred toward their contradictories. There are many reflections in the Gospel and in the Epistles which display this energy of hatred toward the work of the devil, and toward those dispositions which are under the influence of the father of lies. We simply notice these, for they prove that the fervent youth who was devoted to his Master carried with him to the end the same disposition which was characteristic of him from the beginning.

In light of all these facts we have reviewed about John, it is rather easy to imagine how zealous he would be to correct errors that had risen in some of the churches by this time.

John was writing this letter at a time when a belief or teaching known as Gnosticism was gaining popularity. Most scholars believe that the heresy did not fully develop until years after John wrote this letter, but undoubtedly the false teaching had been growing for many years and certainly would have begun to take root much earlier.

I don’t want to get too detailed here, but here are a few of the main points of Gnosticism:

·         Physical matter is evil; mind and spirit is sacred

·         Special mystical knowledge is the highest quality

·         Freedom from moral boundaries

Therefore, Jesus couldn’t really be “the anointed One” (the Christ), because he had a material/physical body. Or, he only appeared to have a body, but was actually a phantom. (Reasoner)

John and the other disciples knew Jesus was human because they lived with him, and they also knew he was the Son of God because of what they had witnessed. But these false teachers had a view that the human Jesus wasn’t really God, but only became the Christ when the Holy Spirit descended upon Him at His baptism. Then some of them held that the Christ identity left Him again right before He died. In addition to these beliefs about Jesus, they also felt that their knowledge was superior to traditional knowledge. Thus, the reason for the word Gnosticism – from Gk. word for knowledge.

F.F. Bruce said, “On the practical level these new teachers claimed to have reached such an advanced stage in spiritual experience that they were ‘beyond good and evil’.”

I have referred to this teaching before and cautioned us about falling for any person or group claiming to have special knowledge that you can only get by listening to them. So this is the Apostle John, a zealous, fervent disciple of Christ, writing to a group of Christian believers to help them overcome false teaching that was apparently becoming very popular.

II.             Jesus Is the Subject of the Letter

A. Jesus was a human in flesh with a physical body.

v. 1 Look at all of the words John uses to describe the physical interaction with Jesus.

That which was from the beginning… concerning the word of life. Not “in the beginning” as in John 1:1, but “from the beginning.”

“The Word of the life.” Jesus is the source of life. Cf. Jn 14:6.

Heard; seen; looked upon (beheld, think transfiguration; “we beheld His glory”); and handled. – the words of an eyewitness. “looked upon” = “beheld” cf. Jn. 1:14

I spent some time just meditating and trying to grasp what all must be involved in the phrase, “We beheld His glory.” Have we really gazed upon the glory of Christ?

B. Jesus was eternal with the Father which makes Him also divine.

v. 2b “eternal life which was with the Father.”

Cf. Jn. 1:1 again – “the Word was with God…”

C. Jesus was not hidden from view nor from revelation.

v. 3a “… we declare to you.”

He was manifested and the disciples declared Him. He was revealed to them in bodily form, and the disciples have recorded and propagated what was manifested – everything about His person and His message. He proves the fact that God is a self-disclosing God who dearly wants us to know Him. He does not hide Himself away from us and force us grope in darkness seeking to know Him or the truth about Him.

v. 3b “… have fellowship with us… fellowship with the Father.”

That is why reading and studying the Word is so important. That is why prayer and public/corporate worship is so important. We learn about Jesus objectively by studying the Word. We learn more about Him subjectively by experiencing His presence in prayer and in the public times of worship with His people. It truly is a fellowship – joining together, a communion – with God Himself and with God’s true followers. The manifesting, declaring, revealing has the goal of deeper and better communion with Him.

F.F. Bruce – “There is nothing vague or merely sentimental about this fellowship; it involves obedience to the commandments of Christ and faithfulness to His teaching communicated through His apostles.”

Joseph Benson – “the great end of Christianity is fellowship with God and with Christ through the eternal Spirit. This fellowship implies a mutual acquaintance, friendship, and affection and a holy intimacy.” (Quoted by Vic Reasoner)

Think of anyone with whom you enjoy wonderful fellowship. That intimate communion between you and another person is only possible because of the depth of knowledge and experience you have with that person. The same is true with Christ.

III.           Joy Is One of the Purposes of the Letter

I was thinking about John’s purpose statement here in verse 4. “These things we write to you that your joy may be full.” I don’t think there is anything that can steal one’s joy any quicker than doubt, confusion, and uncertainty about what to believe or what is truth.

The recipients of this letter had most certainly heard the false teachings that were going around. They must have become quite overwhelmed and undoubtedly discouraged. It seems that this would inevitably lead to a lack of joy. However, by knowing the truth, believing the truth and obeying the truth there is joy.

(Reasoner) True joy is not found in self-indulgent pleasure. In the NT it is never connected with hedonism. It is the result of participation in the kingdom of God…. Fullness of joy is the consequence of separation from sin. If God is the source of joy, the more of God we have and the more like God we become, the more joy we will experience.

John wanted his readers to experience the fullness of joy that comes through the fellowship with God and with fellow members of the body of Christ.

Conclusion:

Sometimes when we want to express pure ecstasy or deepest joy, we compare it to “heaven.”

The music was heavenly. The food was heavenly.

Being there or seeing them again was just like heaven.

Heaven is the ultimate sense of joy. Jesus is in heaven. Wherever Jesus is – it’s heaven.

Closing Song: Where Jesus Is, ‘Tis Heaven There    

The Law of Your Mother

There is no audio recording for this message, but a video recording of the entire service in which this message was delivered can be viewed on YouTube here.

This is a sermon that was given on May 10, 2020. The service was the first one conducted in our church sanctuary after pandemic restrictions had been partially lifted. Several attendees "attended" the service by remaining in the parking lot and listening via FM radio in their individual vehicles. The sermon theme was related to the celebration of Mother's Day and was based on Proverbs 1:8.

Written Excerpts:

Proverbs 1:8 ^(NKJV) My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother;

Proverbs 1:8 ^(MSG) Pay close attention, friend, to what your father tells you; never forget what you learned at your mother's knee.

Introduction:

Well, sometimes it is a challenge to come up with a new Bible text and sermon on special occasions such as Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, or other holidays. It certainly isn’t required that the message be related to the special occasion, but since most of us are thinking about it anyway it is usually a good thing to take advantage of that fact and use it to emphasize important truths and lessons from God’s Word.

As I was trying to decide what to speak about today I came across this passage in Proverbs which I have read dozens of times. But it seemed to grab my attention – particularly the phrase, “the law of your mother.” I immediately thought of some phrases that seemed to relate: “Boy, mom really laid down the law today.” “What mom says is law around here.” I'm quite sure that Solomon’s meaning in verse 8 goes a little deeper than this.

So, what is he really saying when he advises “do not forsake the law of your mother?” Here are some of the insights shared in commentaries about the verse’s meaning:

Allen P. Ross, Expositor's Bible Commentary, Revised – The disciple is exhorted to heed parental guidance. Youths are in the greatest need of admonition—the passions are strong, self-confidence is growing, and group acceptance is important—but the experience of real life has not yet tempered them. “My son,” the customary form of address for a disciple, derives from the idea that parents are responsible for moral instruction (4:3-4; cf. Dt 6:7). Here the disciple is to respond (š^emaʿ; “Listen” [NIV], with the attitude of “taking heed to”) to “discipline” (mûsār; “instruction,” NIV), which is normally the father’s responsibility (except in Pr. 31:1, where it is the warning of the mother – Pr. 31:1 ^(NKJV)  The words of King Lemuel, the utterance which his mother taught him).

The son is also to follow his “mother’s teaching.” Tôrâ (“teaching” [NIV]) may be cognate to a verb meaning “to point, direct” (cf. BDB, 434-35), so that the idea of teaching can be illustrated as pointing in the right direction (see Ge 46:28).

Derek Kidner, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries – This ‘law’ (tôrâ) is a wide term which includes commands… but is not confined to them: basically it means direction, and its aim here is to foster wise habits of thought and action (in the ‘heart’ and in the ‘fingers’, 7:3 Bind them on your fingers; Write them on the tablet of your heart.) which, so far from enslaving a person, will equip him to find his way through life with sureness (3:23; 4:12) and honour (1:9; 4:8, 9).

Kidner, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries – Prov. 3:1. tôrâ, the word for law (AV, RV), fundamentally means ‘direction’; cf. RSV: teaching. Where it occurs unqualified (28:9; 29:18) it is clearly the divine law (it is also the Jewish term for the Pentateuch); but my law, ‘thy mother’s law’ (1:8), etc., refer to the present maxims and to the home teachings, based indeed on the law, but not identical with it.

Based on these comments regarding the words in this verse and their meanings, let us take a little while to apply them to our lives.

I.              Mother’s law is based on THE Law.

The commentaries pointed out the fact that the word for “law” is “torah.” There are places in the Proverbs, and certainly all through the OT, where the word is “unqualified” and therefore would be referring to God’s law, or more specifically the Pentateuch (Gen – Deut; “The law of Moses.”)

For example: Pr. 28:9 ^(NKJV)  One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination.

Pr. 29:18 ^(NKJV)  Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law.

However, when the word “law” is qualified e.g. “my law,” “your mother’s law,” or “your father’s law,” then it is referring to the instruction, teaching, and precepts of the one giving it. As Dr. Kidner says, the law of your mother or law of your father is indeed based on THE Law, “but not identical with it.”

What does that mean? Well, one thing it means is that parents (in this case, mothers) are responsible for teaching their children basic principles and precepts that are necessary for living life in a manner that is wholesome, honorable and productive. A child, left to himself/herself, will not turn out fine. It is our responsibility to teach them, train them, and discipline them.

Another thing it means is that we need to have the Word of God (divine law) as the primary basis for our “law,” or instruction. Why?

1 – It keeps us grounded in truth. When we’re teaching our children fundamental principles for living life, we want it to be based in truth. When our children are formulating their values and principles for life, it can’t be simply based on our opinions (although opinions inevitably come into the picture). They need the foundation of God’s truth.

2 – Our children need to know we expect them to obey us because we obey God. And, when they disobey us, they disobey God.

3 – All that a mom teaches her child needs to have a long-term and high goal for him/her. When “mom’s law” is grounded in God’s law, then even menial chores she requires have a wholesome and even godly outcome that is desired.

She doesn’t require certain chores to be done and, done in a thorough manner, just because she’s too tired or lazy to do them herself. No! She teaches them and requires them so the child will not grow up to be lazy and selfish and irresponsible – all things that God’s Word denounces.

II.             Mother’s law provides wisdom and protection.

We understand that the book of Proverbs is exactly that – a collection of individual proverbs. As such, single verses often stand alone and are not necessarily connected to what came before or what follows. However, I do believe that the verses following 8 & 9 have relevance to our text, because they offer some more specific instructions and directions regarding how youth should respond to invitations to evil.

When mom “lays down the law” it isn’t just so she can “hear herself talk,” as my mom used to say! Mom doesn’t offer direction, instruction and requirements just so she can feel important. She doesn’t enforce boundaries in her children’s lives just because she gets her “thrills” by being strict.

No! She’s trying her best to protect her children from making stupid and even evil choices that will lead them down a road of heartache, ruin and destruction.

III.           Mother’s law is a blessed gift.

Pr. 1:9 ^(NKJV)  For they will be a graceful ornament on your head, And chains about your neck.

Ross, Expositor's Bible Commentary, Revised – As a result of heeding instruction in the law, the disciple receives a special promise. “Grace,” the charm that teaching brings to the disciple, refers to those qualities that make him agreeable. The metaphor compares these qualities to an attractive wreath worn around the head.

Obedience will also improve the disciple, as the metaphor of the neck pendant speaks of adorning the life. The one who loses the rough edges through disciplined training will present a pleasing presence to the world (McKane, 268).

Adam Clarke's Commentary – … filial respect and obedience will be as ornamental to thee as crowns, diadems, and golden chains and pearls are to others.

Political dignity has been distinguished in many nations by a chain of gold about the neck. Solomon seems here to intimate, … that the surest way of coming to distinguished eminence, in civil matters, is to act according to the principles of true wisdom, proceeding from the fear of God.

I couldn’t help but think of the stark contrast that could be taken from this verse. On the one hand you could think of “chains about your neck,” as a metaphor we often hear that implies bondage and slavery. i.e. your mother’s law is terribly restrictive and it’s like being in bondage. – “Why do we have to live like we have a chain around our neck?” But, the actual meaning is a drastic contrast. Rather than being a chain of bondage, it is an ornament. It is something beautiful; it’s like rare jewelry.

What a gift! What a blessing to have all her instruction and teaching produce a life that is full of grace!

IV.           Mother’s law can be followed or foolishly forsaken.

Pr. 1:7 ^(NKJV)  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Dr. Wayne Evans, a friend of ours who is a minister in North Canton, OH had a short message on Facebook for today that was based on this same passage of Scripture. This final point I gleaned from his message.

In verse 7, Solomon is making a couple of observations. 1 – The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. 2 – Those who are foolish despise, reject, or abandon wisdom and instruction. Immediately following those observations, he issues the appeal in verse 8, “Listen to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.”

But, the choice is yours. Not everyone chooses to fear the Lord and to listen to the godly instruction of their parents. If you’re a parent with adult children, you know that you cannot coerce your children to make the right choices. I know there are broken-hearted mothers who weep and lose sleep over the child(ren) who have foolishly forsaken the biblical teaching and wisdom their parents earnestly sought to give. They know in their hearts that there is sorrow, and heartache ahead for those children if they do not turn around and come back to God.

The good news is, they can still make it “back home.” God lovingly entreats everyone to turn around and come back. He offers forgiveness and transformation from all of the corruption and baggage that Satan may have cluttered up their lives with.

Conclusion:

I want to finish by simply reminding us how sacred, how needed and how appreciated is “the law of your mother.” I assume that I speak for most of us today. we’ve lived long enough to know that our moms had a lot more wisdom and insight than what we gave them credit for! I want to publicly express my appreciation, and the appreciation of us all, for all moms who are truly endeavoring to pass godly wisdom and character to the following generations.

The title of our closing song today is, “He Leadeth Me.” The message of this song is not only appropriate for every mom who recognizes her need for the guidance and wisdom of God to carry out her responsibilities, but it is appropriate for all of us as we are reminded that God leads us often through the godly counsel and teaching of our mothers who have been listening to the Lord.

Closing Song: He Leadeth Me

Revival Prayer and Promise

There is no audio recording for this message, but a video recording can be viewed on YouTube here.

This is a sermon that was given on May 3, 2020. The service was conducted in our church parking lot because of the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions on public gatherings. Attendees were able to hear the speaking and music via FM radio in their individual vehicles. The sermon was based on 2 Chronicles 7:14 regarding the Lord's promise to respond to prayers of repentance.

Written Excerpts:

2 Chronicles 7:14 ^(NKJV)  if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Introduction:

If I were to choose one verse of Scripture that captures the point of my message today, it would be:

Ephesians 5:14 ^(NKJV) Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light."

Before I state why I quote that verse, let me share some of the thoughts that have been on my mind lately. Ever since we have been in this government-mandated shutdown of our society, I have purposely tried not to focus on it in my sermons. I think the first Sunday after we quit meeting for worship services I did speak on a topic related to the quarantine and the virus, simply as a reminder that God is still in control in spite of how much our world had been turned upside down. But with Palm Sunday, Easter and the two Sundays since Easter I have intentionally tried to steer away from the circumstances in order to focus on timeless truths of the Gospel – resurrection and its implications, as well as the return of Christ.

Today I want to share with you a burden that has been on my heart for the last several weeks that is related to our current circumstances. A number of God’s people have been praying for a revival to break out in our nation and bring about a true spiritual awakening and return to the moral values of God’s Word as a result. But even more than praying for a return to traditional moral values, it’s a prayer for hundreds and thousands of people to come to genuine faith in Jesus.

I am going to say to each of us this morning, “If these circumstances that we have been experiencing haven’t awakened us to the need to be ready for Christ's return, then we truly are sound asleep spiritually. We definitely need to “awake from sleep and arise from the dead” as Paul said to the Ephesians.

I have stated to a few people recently that our world has taken huge leaps toward the kind of conditions that I believe will usher in the days of Christ's return. The kind of world we live in today is not the same as it was 8 weeks ago. It wasn’t a gradual change, it was a drastic change. If that hasn’t grabbed our spiritual attention, then we are sound asleep or spiritually dead. We must realize that we need to be praying for revival harder than ever, with more passion and desperation than ever before. We must seek the Lord for a fresh outpouring of His holy Spirit so the church can be what He intended us to be.

Therefore, I want to draw our attention today to this familiar passage of Scripture in 2 Chronicles, which I read earlier. With the help of the Lord, I want to consider several observations about the passage and make applications to our current need for revival prayers.

The focus of our thoughts will be on verse 14, which is a classic text for revival prayer.

1. The context of this revival promise includes:

1 & 2 Chronicles provide a religious history of the Davidic dynasty from a priestly and spiritual perspective. (2 Samuel/Kings give a political history from a prophetic and moral perspective.)

Chronicles was probably written by Ezra the priest after the Jewish exiles had returned to Israel. It retraces the whole story of Israel’s history up to the return from captivity in order to give the returned remnant a divine perspective on the developments of their past. For these returning Jews, it was important to be reminded of the kinds of warnings and promises that God made years and years earlier before they were taken into exile.

The immediate context:

A. the prayer of Solomon for the dedication of the temple.

2 Chr. 6:1-11 – King Solomon blesses the people and gives a brief history of God’s blessing to his father David and enabling the building of the temple.

2 Chr. 6:12-42 – Solomon’s prayer of dedication including: God’s attributes of omnipotence and omnipresence “Heaven of heavens cannot contain you;”

Hear the prayers of those who have sinned and pray; times of national sins, drought, famine, plagues and pestilence, defeat from foreign armies, exile, etc. etc. In all these situations when people pray – Hear them oh Lord!

B. God’s response to Solomon’s prayer.

7:1ff – God honors the prayer by sending fire from heaven to consume the sacrifices, followed by description of the sacrifices and festival observances.

(7:12-22) In this section God confirms that He has “chosen and sanctified this house, that My name may be there forever; and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually.”

He confirms that He will hear the prayers prayed toward this place, but He will send drought, pestilence and exile if His people forsake His law and His ways.

In the midst of these warnings, God says, “If my people which are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

Notice that this promise is specifically given for the day and the time that the people of God have turned away from Him and forsaken His law and His will. It is a promise for times when circumstances are bad.

Now, I want us to notice these elements of the promise.

2. Elements of the Revival Promise

A. My people, called by my name.

His possession; identified by His character and nature.

This description clearly refers to the nation of Israel, God’s chosen people, the children of Abraham. These are the people He has guided and defended and provided for all through the generations.

The very reason they are in the situation they’re in is precisely because they have abandoned their privilege and responsibility to identify with His character and His nature.

Although this is specifically directed to the people of Israel, it can be applied in a spiritual sense to all people of God.

B. Humility

Humility is a necessary approach to prayer. It requires humility to even acknowledge the need for God’s help and it requires a spirit of humility to acquire His help. God still does and always will “resists the proud and gives grace to the humble.” (Jas. 4:6)

The conditions which the Jews were facing after their departure from God’s Word were more than enough to drive them to their knees in humility.

The conditions that have been developing in our society for quite some time along with the huge leap toward moral bankruptcy we have taken in recent time ought to drive everyone of us to our knees in humility. We cannot solve our own problems. We must have divine intervention.

C. Pray and seek His face

An acknowledgement of dependence upon God and desire for His presence.

Seek His face implies seeking Him – not His gifts and blessings.

Praying and seeking presumes God’s existence and implies a passionate desire for God’s response. Praying and seeking implies more than a casual prayer for the Lord to “bless me today.” This kind of seeking, I’m convinced, involves some true soul-searching and passionate longing for God. (Moses: “Show me thy glory!” – Spoken by a man who had already been on the mountain talking with God.)

“A revival may be expected when Christians have a spirit of prayer for a revival. That is, when they pray as if their hearts were set upon it. When Christians have the spirit of prayer for a revival. When they go about groaning out their hearts desire. When they have real travail of soul.” ― Charles Finney (www.goodreads.com/quotes)

Our motive for revival prayer must always be to know God and bring our own lives into greater harmony and alignment with His nature. It must not be for the sake of making life more convenient and pleasant.

“God will not be used as a convenience. Men or nations who think they can revive the Faith in order to make a good society might just as well think they can use the stairs of heaven as a shortcut to the nearest chemist's shop.” ― C.S. Lewis (www.goodreads.com/quotes)

D. Repentance (turn from wicked [sinful] ways)

“Sodom, which had no Bible, no preachers, no tracts, no prayer meetings, no churches, perished. How then will America and England be spared from the wrath of the Almighty, think you? We have millions of Bibles, scores of thousands of churches, endless preachers—and yet what sin!” ― Leonard Ravenhill, Why Revival Tarries: A Classic on Revival (www.goodreads.com/quotes)

God has always responded with judgment to those who turn away from Him and engage their attention and their lives in evil and wickedness.

On the other hand, He has always responded with mercy and grace to those who turn away from their wicked, sinful ways and return to Him and His instructions for life.

God makes seeking and turning the preconditions for His response.

In my years of ministry, many times I have noticed people trying to seek the Lord and pleading for His response to the undesirable conditions in their lives, but they hadn’t turned from their sin.

I must remind all of us again today that God doesn’t respond to the prayers and desires of people who persist in their sin. If we continue living in direct disobedience to God and the principles He has given us in His Word, then we cannot expect God to hear from heaven and provide the deliverance we request.

It is useless to pray and ask God for His deliverance if we are unwilling to turn away from the practices He has defined as sin.

E. Then, God will answer.

“I will hear from heaven”

With Forgiveness

With Healing (national meaning, spiritual application)

Conclusion:

I’ve never claimed to be a prophet, and I have always been reluctant to make any predictions about the future. (I remember when I was growing up hearing many preachers predicting the communists taking over America or any number of catastrophes.)

But I can’t get it out of my mind how fast we have moved in the last 8-10 weeks toward a world and a society we thought would never come in our lifetime. So many natural disasters; this pandemic (even if you are of the opinion that it has been blown way out of proportion); the rapid usurping of power and control by governmental leaders; the exponential movement toward national fiscal bankruptcy; etc. etc. 

We need to be on our knees seeking God. We need to be confessing and repenting from our own sins as well as our national sins.

Many of the things people have used as excuses to shut the Lord and His work out of their lives – sports; work; pleasure; etc. has all been shut down (at least temporarily). We need to take this as a clear “wake up!” call from God.

It is time to get serious about revival and seeking the Lord.

Closing Song: All for Jesus