Faith Cometh By Hearing

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This is a sermon based on the text found in Romans 10:14-17. It emphasizes the importance of hearing the Word of God in order to increase our faith. Specific examples are shared with the speaker's recent experiences relating to the death of his father.

Written Excerpts:

Introduction:

Faith is a major theme throughout the entire Bible.

A few years ago I preached a short series of messages on Hebrews 11 which highlights many individuals from the OT because of their faith and what it did for them.

Jude 3 uses the phrase, “the faith” to refer to the content of Christian belief.

Acts 16:31 “Believe (put faith in) on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved and thy house.” This refers to what we often call “saving faith.”

Romans 4 & 5 speak about “justifying faith” which is another way of describing “saving faith.”

Gal. 2:20 includes this phrase, “the life I now live I live by faith in the Son of God…” This refers to the constant walk of faith that is required to maintain a vibrant and up-to-date relationship with God.

The same point seems to be emphasized in the phrase, “the just shall live by faith,” which appears in three different places in the NT (Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:11 & Heb. 10:38).

Proposition:

If faith is necessary in order to please God (Heb 11:6), to obtain salvation (Acts 16:31), and to live our everyday lives, and if faith comes by hearing the Word of God; then it is imperative for every Christian to hear the Word of God regularly and faithfully.

Transition:

Today I want to take a little while to speak about the importance of hearing the Word and make some applications to our individual lives.

I. Hearing is believing

No doubt we all have heard the phrase, “Seeing is believing.” Well, there is also some truth to the fact that “hearing is believing.”

Stanford Univ. – Hearing something 7 times forms an opinion, and need to hear it 7 more times to internalize it. You need to hear something at least 11 times to completely change a prior false conception.

Unknown source – The average American spends 65% of their time listening. (Someone once said that the reason God gave us two ears and one tongue is so we would do more listening than speaking!)

Rom. 10:14 …how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?...

Hearing the Word of God and planting that Word in our minds is absolutely essential for faith to grow in the heart of an individual. In the message of this verse there is an unstated, but implied process of reasoning that must take place for someone to hear the proclamation of truth and then embrace that truth and accept it. But, in order for truth to be embraced and accepted, it must be heard first.

Which brings me to my next point…

II. Hearing implies purpose and planning

I am sure that there are numerous times when I have accidentally heard something that I wasn’t purposely planning to hear. I am also sure that some of those times resulted in me learning and embracing some new truth or belief that I hadn’t held before. However, I am convinced that most of the time there must be deliberate planning in order to hear the Word of God and receive the truths that it teaches.

The Scriptures make repeated references to the idea of “hearing the Word of the Lord.” There are at least 67 times in which the sense of hearing is connected or tied with the Word of God in the same verse. For example, “Hear the Word of the Lord;” “hear the word;” “hear the word of God.”

The OT prophets especially repeated this phrase to emphasize the importance of the people and leaders of Israel listening to what God had to say to them. They were not speaking their own ideas or words, but they were speaking for God. As believers, we need to remember the importance of hearing God’s word in order to increase our faith and nurture our faith.

It alarms me to realize the number of people who claim to be people of faith and people who believe in Jesus Christ, but they do not take seriously the importance of regularly hearing the word of God proclaimed and explained. Many of those same people will lament their lack of faith in comparison to others they might know.

Many, many years ago a Gallup Poll revealed that 60% of Americans attend church at least once a month. Only 12% read their Bibles.

It is as simple as this: If you want your faith to grow and increase, you must regularly and purposely get yourself in a place where you can hear the word of God, because “faith comes by hearing.”

III. Hearing produces results
 
2 Chron. 34 – we read about the reforms in the nation of Israel under the leadership of King Josiah. He had the scrolls (God’s word) that had been found in the temple read aloud to the people, which resulted in a number of public changes to conform to God’s Word.

In one of our text verses, Rom 10:14, we read, “Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” It goes on to connect the ability to call on God with having heard the Word of God. So, one of the results of hearing the Word is salvation.

In another one of our text verses it reads, “Faith cometh by hearing…” So, increased ability to believe God’s Word and God’s promises comes by hearing the Word.

The more we hear the word, the more we will have the ability to believe.

Conclusion

I want to conclude today by sharing some recent experiences relating to the death of my father.

Share details of spiritual attacks I felt prior to his death. Share details of Dad’s spiritual attacks.

Verses that the Lord gave to me for my own confidence and to share with dad.

2 Corinthians 5:1, 6-8 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. ⁶ Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: ⁷ (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) ⁸ We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. ² In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

If I hadn’t had heard and hidden the word of God in my own heart I would not have had the “ammunition” needed to fight off the devil when he attacked.

Song I heard played on the radio as I started the drive home after my dad passed away. This Is How It Feels to Be Free!

Believer or Disciple

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This is a sermon based on Luke 6:40 and it begins to explore the difference between being a believer in Jesus Christ and a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Written Excerpts:

Introduction:

I know that what I am about to say will not sound very “spiritual.” But, I felt impressed to develop this sermon after reading a comment from a friend of mine on “Facebook.” I didn’t copy his comment word-for-word, but it went something like this: We are not commanded by our Lord to go and make believers, but make disciples. The Devil is a believer, but he isn’t a disciple.

This comment grabbed my interest and I have thought about it a good bit for the last several days. I truly believe that there is a message of truth here that the Christian church needs to heed.

So, with the help of God’s Spirit, I want to explore this topic today. Are you a just a believer, or are you a disciple?

`It doesn't take much of a man to be a Christian, but it takes all there is of him,' said Thomas Huxley. (http://www.moreillustrations.com/Illustrations/discipleship.html)

Transition:

I want to begin by giving some brief background information regarding the term “disciple,” and then move on to some of the biblical descriptions of a disciple.

I. Background

Some scholars say that the philosopher Socrates was probably the one of the first to use the master/disciple concept that included more than just the idea of a teacher imparting knowledge and wisdom to a student, but also involving an “ideal fellowship between the master and the disciple.” (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Abridged)

Even in the OT the relation is not quite the same. For example, Joshua is more like a servant to Moses and eventually receives his own divine call to leadership. The OT prophets do not have disciples but there are references to “schools” of prophets that are seeking and practicing the divine endowment of prophetic gifts.

As we move into the era leading into the NT, there is a strong practice of Rabbis that are engaged in teaching the law and interpretations of it to their students. But it still doesn’t quite promote the same relationship as the master/disciple concept.

(TDNT) A unique aspect of NT discipleship is that it is commitment to the person of Jesus. His teaching has force only when there is first this commitment to his person. Peter probably knows Jesus, and has heard him speak, prior to the incident in Luke 5:1gff.[Jesus getting into his boat and speaking to the crowds on the shore], but it is the impact of the person of Jesus that makes him a [disciple].

The word “disciple” is used most frequently in the Gospels and also in Acts. However, some scholars emphasize that the term loses its prominence perhaps because the word “tends to suggest that Christianity is simply a philosophical movement rather than personal fellowship with Christ as Lord.” (TDNT)

(The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia) “In all cases [the word] implies that the person not only accepts the views of the teacher, but that he also [practices the teachings]. The word has several applications. In the widest sense it refers to those who accept the teachings of anyone, not only in belief but in life.”

Finally, we notice that the word “disciple” initially referred to those who were followers of Jesus and many times it specifically referred to the Twelve Apostles. However, later on in the book of Acts, the term is used by Luke to describe all Christians.

Acts 6:1 (NKJV) ¹  Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.

II. Descriptions of a Disciple

A. Identical status

Luke 6:40 - "A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher."

In his commentary, Matthew Henry states, “Christ's followers cannot expect better treatment in the world than their Master had, v. 40.”

 (C. D. Alexander) Conversion without discipleship is openly implied in much of our evangelical teaching. It has become strangely possible to be Christ's without taking up the cross.
(Draper's Book of Quotations for the Christian World.)

(Michael Jinkins) Clarence Jordan, author of the "Cotton Patch" New Testament translation and founder of the interracial Koinonia farm in Americus, Georgia, was getting a red-carpet tour of another minister's church. With pride the minister pointed to the rich, imported pews and luxurious decoration. As they stepped outside, darkness was falling, and a spotlight shone on a huge cross atop the steeple. "That cross alone cost us ten thousand dollars," the minister said with a satisfied smile. "You got cheated," said Jordan. "Times were when Christians could get them for free."    (online source: http://www.sermonillustrations.com/a-z/d/discipleship.htm)

In the words of Jesus, it seems impossible for a disciple to think that he or she deserves any better life than what the Master lived. Jesus said that if the world hated Him, then it would hate His disciples. If He lived out the life of a servant, then His disciples should also follow His example.

The status of a disciple is to be identical to the Master.

B. Identical conduct

The second half of the verse reads, “everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.”

The word that is translated “perfectly trained” (NKJV); “perfect” (KJV), literally implies repaired, mended, prepared and equipped.

“The fundamental meaning is to put a thing in its appropriate condition….” (AMG's Complete Word Study Dictionaries)

After Jesus affirms that a disciple cannot expect any different standing or status than his Master, He goes on to say a disciple who has been properly conditioned and prepared will, in fact, turn out just like the Master.

It seems like it is just another way of saying that when people look at us, they should see a replica of our Master. When anyone examines our attitudes, our motivations, our passions, and our lifestyles, they ought to think that we are just like Jesus.

This emphasizes the description that I read earlier from the ISBE, “…the person not only accepts the views of the teacher, but that he also [practices them].”

III. The Cost of Discipleship

There are a number of additional descriptions that we could mention regarding a disciple. Perhaps I will continue this in some future messages. However, I want to talk briefly about the matter of the cost of discipleship before we close today.

I’ve already mentioned the fact that a disciple should expect to receive the same treatment that the Master received. If they crucified Him, then we can not expect that they will treat us any differently. In addition to that fact, I just want to point out that Jesus never tried to “recruit” disciples by enticing them and convincing them how easy or how good life was going to be if they followed Him.

Many Christian theologians and scholars down through the years have emphasized the fact that if you try to draw people to Christ with a “soft,” “palatable” and appealing message, then you will end up with believers that are half-hearted and uncommitted.

Jesus always told His prospective disciples that they must be willing to give up wealth, homes, family and all other comforts of the world in order to follow Him. But I think I must confess that I have often failed to convey that same challenge when trying to convince people to come to Christ.

For our closing hymn today we are going to sing a song that expresses the same kind of principles that we have been talking about this morning.

We Are Called to Be God’s People                         # 415

Messengers of Liberty

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This is a sermon given on the Sunday prior to July 4th Independence Day 2013. It emphasizes the fact that the concepts of liberty and freedom, politically, socially and spiritually are founded in the message of the Bible. It also makes reference to the influence upon the American Revolution by the clergy in the 18th Century. The Scripture text for the message was Luke 4:18.

Written Excerpts:

Introduction:

Before this week is over we will celebrate Independence Day again. We all remember that this is the day we celebrate and commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the birth of our nation; free from the tyranny of an oppressive government.

Today we have sung patriotic songs and we have listened to the recitation of a speech originally given by one of our nation’s patriots. (Thanks to Dick Grim for his rendition of Patrick Henry’s speech.) For my message today, I wanted to emphasize a message that relates to the theme of liberty.

A couple of years ago I preached a message with the title, “Liberty Is God’s Idea.” In that sermon I tried to show that freedom and liberty for all people is founded in the biblical themes such as: the free will of man; deliverance of the oppressed; etc.

For just a few moments today I want to add to that emphasis by stressing the message of liberty that was proclaimed by biblical authors as well as men of God in the early days of our nation’s history.

I. Proclaiming Liberty in Christ

Let’s look down through the verses that we read earlier during our Scripture Reading….

All of these verses primarily refer to the spiritual freedom that God offers to every person through the salvation provided by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. There is no question about the fact that the primary message of the Bible is the salvation and spiritual freedom that is provided by Jesus Christ for every person in the world. God’s ultimate goal and desire is for everyone to be saved eternally; for no one to “perish, but have everlasting life.”

God’s messengers from Genesis to Revelation proclaimed the truth of salvation and spiritual freedom from sin. Down through the ages of history men and women have used the revelation of God and proclaimed the same message of liberty from sin to a world that has been in bondage to sin ever since Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden.

II. Proclaiming Liberty throughout the Land

I have been doing a little reading lately (and I plan to do more) regarding the role of the clergy in the American Revolution. It is somewhat surprising to me to read of the significant influence that the clergy had in promoting the message of freedom and liberty and the “just cause of the revolution.”

I discovered, for example, that there were two Sundays each year in which “Election Sermons” were provided. These were given on “general election day, the last Wednesday of May, when the new general court has been used to meet… and elect counsellors for the ensuing year; the other, some little while after, on the artillery election day, when the officers are re-elected, or new officers chosen. On these occasions political subjects are deemed very proper; but it is expected that they be treated in a decent serious, and instructive manner…”(They Preached Liberty, p. 17f)

Listen to just a few quotes from the so-called “election sermons.”

·        The Scriptures cannot be rightfully expounded without explaining them in a manner friendly to the cause of freedom. – Rev. Charles Turner of Duxbury; Mass. Elect. Sermon, 1773

·        Unlimited submission and obedience is due to none but God alone. He has an absolute right to command; he alone has an uncontrollable sovereignty over us, because he alone is unchangeably good. He never will nor can require of us, consistent with his nature and attributes, anything which is not fit and reasonable. His commands are all just and good. And to suppose that he has given to any particular set of men a power to require obedience to that which is unreasonable, cruel, and unjust, is robbing the Deity of his justice and goodness.” – Rev. Samuel West, of Dartmouth; Mass. Election Sermon 1776

·        God never gives men up to be slaves till they lose their national virtue, and abandon themselves to slavery. – Rev. Richard Salter of Mansfield; Conn. Election Sermon, 1768

The Black Robed Regiment was the name that the British placed on the courageous and patriotic American clergy during the Founding Era (a backhanded reference to the black robes they wore). Significantly, the British blamed the Black Regiment for American Independence, and rightfully so, for modern historians have documented that: There is not a right asserted in the Declaration of Independence which had not been discussed by the New England clergy before 1763. (http://blackroberegiment.wallbuilders.com/the-original-brr/what-is-the-black-robed-regiment.aspx)

Conclusion:

Dear friends, on this Sunday prior to Independence Day 2013, I must say that it is high time for the preachers of the Word of God to once again take the lead in proclaiming liberty and freedom as rightly proclaimed in the Word. We are rapidly losing our freedoms. We are not only losing our liberties to live our lives as we see fit in the sight of God, but we are under an increasing pressure and coercion to endorse and finance the practice of evils that are condemned in God’s holy Word.

I received numerous emails from various organizations this week regarding the Supreme Court rulings regarding “Gay Marriage.”

One of the emails I received related the following information: A few weeks ago managers inside the United States Justice Department received a memo titled: "LGBT Inclusion at Work: The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Managers." It was sent in advance of "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month." One of the instructions to the managers cited the need to verbally affirm the lifestyle of these individuals. It read: "Don't judge or remain silent. Silence will be interpreted as disapproval." (Email from American Family Association)

Many religious leaders are saying that it will not be long before churches and ministers will be required to perform same-sex marriages or lose tax-exempt status. Also, churches and religious organizations are being pressured to fund abortions through their health insurance policies even though it violates their conscience. I truly believe that we will soon find our churches will no longer allowed to enjoy tax exempt status if we insist on condemning the evil practices in our society, or if we refuse to publicly endorse the conduct and behavior that God condemns.

It is time for churches and Christians to stand up and be counted regardless of the cost. If we don’t, we will slip farther and farther into the bondage of tyranny and moral darkness. For God’s Word declares that when we reject the light of truth, it becomes darkness and great is that darkness.

As we close this service today, I trust that each of will have a renewed commitment to the spiritual liberty that is provided for each and every one of us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

I also trust that we will have a renewed commitment to the liberty and freedom that our country was founded upon. Our nation has always been a beacon of hope and liberty to the rest of the world, but that will not last much longer if we keep going the way that we are going.

The true secret to a national revival of freedom and liberty is a national revival of spiritual life and commitment to God.

Let us sing our closing song from the bottom of our hearts.

p. 805 If My People’s Hearts Are Humbled

What's God Up to Now?

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This is a sermon based on Acts 9 which relates the conversion of Saul of Tarsus.

Written Excerpts:

Introduction:

In the Scripture reading that we heard a few moments ago, we are reminded of the miraculous conversion of Saul, who later became known as Paul. One of the observations that I made some weeks ago regarding this passage of Scripture includes the idea that God is always at work in our world, whether we realize it or not. Our perspective on things really does affect our outlook and hopes for the future.

I recently came across this little story regarding “perspective” that I thought was worth sharing.

Former Undersecretary of the Interior John C. Whitaker [tells the story] of an eighty-five-year-old woman who has lived her life in one spot in Nova Scotia. The population there swells to nine in summer and stays steady at two during the winter.

Whitaker, who has been fishing there every year since he was twelve, flew [up from Washington] one day. Miss Mildred welcomed him into her kitchen and said, "Johnny, I hate to admit I don't know, but where is Washington?" When Whitaker realized that she wasn't kidding, he explained: "That's where the president is. That's like where you have the prime minister in Ottawa."

Then she asked how many people lived there, and Whitaker said there were about 2 million. She said, "Think of that, 2 million people living so far away from everything." (Illustrations Unlimited.)

This lady felt as though she had everything a person could want or need, so it was cause for sadness to think of 2 million people who didn’t have what she had. Of course, their perspective would be entirely different from hers.

In this Scripture lesson today we see an example of things that are going on in different parts of the world and we learn that our little perspective is only a fraction of God’s activity in the world.

Let us take the next several minutes to consider some observations about this account that hopefully will teach us some important life lessons.

1. I believe that God intends for us to understand Paul’s conversion story in light of the events recorded in the previous chapter. This is based on the fact that the first verse in chapter 9 starts with a conjunction.

“And” (KJV); “then” (NKJV); “Now” (NASB); “meanwhile” (NIV, NLT & NRSV)

Grammatically, conjunctions make a connection or tie between two separate thoughts or texts.

It seems as though the author (Dr. Luke), purposely wanted his readers to see the events of chapter 9 in light of chapter 8.

There are a couple of points that seem to come to mind as a result of this fact.

A. It means that no matter what circumstances and events are going on in “my world,” there is always something completely different happening in other places.

Notice the stories covered in chapter 8:

·       Final details of Stephen’s martyrdom (vv. 1-2)

·       Great persecution breaks out against the church (vv. 1, 3)

·       “Revival” breaks out in Samaria (vv. 5ff)

·       Conflict with Sorcerer (vv. 9-24)

·       Conversion of Ethiopian (vv. 26-39)

Immediately after describing all these events taking place in Samaria, Luke continues by saying, “Meanwhile, Saul is still breathing threats and murder against the disciples…” (cf. 8:3; 22:4; 26:10-11) While God is doing wondrous conversions in Samaria, Saul (and the enemies of God) are carrying out persecution against believers. And, vice versa.

The lesson I take from this is just a reminder that whatever is happening in “my world” or the circumstances that I am familiar with, is only a very narrow view of what is really going on in the world.

When things are going great, I tend to forget that others may be experiencing tremendous suffering and attacks from Satan. (Which means that I need to be alert to his devices and the possibility that circumstances will change soon. I also need to be sensitive to the plight of other Christians and remembering them in prayer, etc.)

When things are going badly, I tend to forget that God is still working great wonders and miracles in other places. (Which means that I need to remain optimistic and remember that God can “step in” at any time and drastically change the situation through miraculous conversions, etc.)

I’m sure that my perspective and assessment is very limited, but let me share an example of what I’m talking about:

State of the American church vs. the state of the African church.

“In the twentieth century, the Christian population in Africa exploded from an estimated eight or nine million in 1900 (8 to 9%) to some 335 million in 2000 (45%), marking a shift in the “center of gravity of Christianity” from the West to Latin America, parts of Asia and Africa.” (http://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/2001-now/the-explosion-of-christianity-in-africa-11630859.html)

My point is: I need to guard against allowing my mind to become focused only on what is happening around me (either good or bad) and realize that God is still on the throne and actively working out His divine purposes.

B. The connection between ch. 8 & 9 also seems to purposely highlight the conversion of Saul as just another example of God’s work in changing lives. In ch. 8, we have the account of Samaritans being converted, (these people that were always considered outcasts by the Jews). Then we have the account of a sorcerer being converted (including some interesting twists in the story). We have the account of an Ethiopian eunuch being converted.

Now, along with all these “foreigners” coming to Christ, here is a zealous Jew that is arrested by the Lord and literally “brought to his knees.”

I recently shared a report in prayer meeting of some recent crusades in predominantly Muslim countries where thousands of Muslims were converted and baptized. Several Imams reported seeing “visions” of Jesus that prompted them attend the crusade and be converted.

2. In reading the account of Saul’s conversion, I observed that Jesus identifies with the martyrs.

(v.5) “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.” (Cf. this with Jesus comment in Matt. 25:35f “I was hungry… naked… in prison….”)

If Jesus is persecuted when His people are persecuted, this must mean that He is always with His people. “Lo, I am with you always…”

3. I observe that when Saul asks for instructions about what he was to do, the Lord only tells him one simple detail. (v. 6)

The Lord does not give Saul a long list of things to do; just one.

God will lead us one step at a time. Our job is just respond and move ahead as He leads us. Our responsibility is simple obedience to each step or command and then He will follow up with further instructions.

Generally speaking, God will not give a person further instructions or “new light” until he / she has obeyed what God has already told them.

Conclusion:  What is God up to now? The same things He always has been:

·       miraculously changing lives and “invading” our world in order to bring people to Himself and redeem lost humanity;

·       constantly walking with His people in times of blessing and in times of severe suffering; &

·       faithfully instructing His children step by step in accordance to His divine will.

Knowing these facts about God’s activity should give each of us a “Blessed Assurance.”  [p. 572] The song’s talking about personal assurance of salvation, but I think we can also have His assurance regarding other issues like we’ve been talking about today.

I Will Glory In the Cross

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This is a message that was preached for a worship service that included the Sacrament of Communion.

Written Excerpts:

Introduction:

We are going to be sharing the emblems of the Lord’s Supper a little later. Before we do that I wanted to speak to you for a little while regarding the text that was included in the responsive Scripture reading we did a little earlier in the service.

(Read verse above)

The text actually is a testimony from the Apostle Paul and what he says he is willing to brag; boast about.

People boast about some of the most interesting things. I did a brief search online regarding the kinds of things people brag or boast about. Much of what I found was not worth repeating. But I did find a few interesting examples.

A writer by the name of Sharla Smith wrote an article called: The Psychology of Boasting: Crazy Things People Brag About. In the article she posted a list of some examples of bragging. Here is part of the list:

ð  How much food they can eat at a buffet.

ð  How much pain they can endure.

ð  How many scars they have. (And you're sure to be shown all of them. . . ALLLLL of them.)

ð  How many screws, pins, and metal plates are now holding together their leg, or back, or head...

ð  How many medications they are taking . . . and yet nothing seems to be working.

ð  How long/horrific their labor was preceding childbirth. (You'll know more details than the doctor.)

ð  The very large donation they made to a charitable foundation.

ð  How many pots of coffee they've already consumed that day . . . and how it doesn't affect them one bit.

ð  How much money they just spent on a jacket, or handbag, or marble countertop, or on vacation, or a diamond ring, or, or, or. . .

ð  How little money they spent on something.    

ð  How they just cheated on their taxes.

ð  How they just cheated on their partner.

ð  And, how well they can keep a secret (while they're in the middle of telling you something that probably should be kept a secret . . . or you wish they would have kept a secret.)

We can all probably relate to the things she describes in this list. Boasting is something that gets old pretty quick when we’re the ones listening, but it doesn’t seem so bad if we’re the ones doing it. The kind of boasting that makes me even more “ill” is boasting about faith, grace, or religious qualities. There have been times when I’ve even heard people comment about how humble they are!

Well here in the context of this verse, Paul has been talking about a special group of religious leaders that were called Judaizers. They claimed to follow the Gospel and teach the Gospel, but they also wanted to please the Jewish authorities and therefore they tried to mandate that new Christian converts follow certain Jewish laws and traditions. These religious leaders were trying to require all the Gentile Christians to follow all the Jewish laws so that they could boast about it with the Jewish religious rulers.

It appears by the wording the Apostle uses here that they were also promoting these outward “proofs” of piety so that they could avoid persecution themselves from the Jewish authorities. He says in v. 13 (NKJV) … they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.

(Jamieson, Fausset, Brown) “… namely, in the outward change (opposed to an inward change wrought by the SPIRIT) which they have effected in bringing you over to their own Jewish-Christian party.” - A Commentary: Critical, Experimental, and Practical on the Old and New Testaments.

Outward conformity to some kind of ritual is always easier to “measure” than genuine spiritual maturity and inward grace. So, to “prove” to the Jewish authorities that they were really accomplishing great things, they were trying to force the new believers to follow OT laws.

In stark contrast to these boasting missionary Judaizers, Paul boldly asserts that he will have no part of boasting about anything except the cross of Jesus Christ.

“Paul boasts in a wounding far more severe than circumcision: crucifixion.” - The IVP Bible Background Commentary – New Testament.

(Barnes) “Others glory in their conformity to the laws of Moses; others in their zeal, or their talents, or their learning, or their orthodoxy; others in their wealth, or their accomplishments; others in their family alliances, and their birth; but the supreme boast and glorying of a Christian is in the cross of Christ.” Notes on the New Testament Explanatory and Practical.

(Barnes) … the cross was a stumbling-block to the Jew, and folly to the Greek. (1 Corinthians 1:23), but to the Christian, that cross is the subject of glorying.

Barnes goes on to describe why the cross is the subject of boasting for the Apostle. Here are just a few of the reasons he gives for the Apostle’s bragging in the cross:

(1.) Because of the love of Him who suffered there;

(2.) Because of the pardon there procured for the guilty;

(3.) Because of the reconciliation there made for sin, accomplishing what could be done by no other [offering], and by no power of man. - Notes on the New Testament Explanatory and Practical.

Conclusion:

Today as we celebrate communion by sharing the emblems of the Lord’s Supper, we want to emphasize the message of the cross. We want to remind each of us that we have nothing to boast about in our own efforts or accomplishments. The only things we have to boast about are the grace of God and the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross.

As we share the bread and juice today, let us mentally brag on Jesus and His unspeakable suffering for our salvation.

 

A Child on Loan

(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 message based on the text found in 1 Samuel chapter 1. It was a sermon used on a Sunday when a child was presented for dedication to the Lord by his parents.

Written Excerpts:

Introduction:

We just recently celebrated Mother’s Day, and we are soon going to celebrate Father’s Day. Both of these special occasions emphasize the importance and the privilege of rearing children. Today, we are using the occasion of the baby dedication to again focus our thoughts on the matter of bringing children up in the “nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

Bringing children into this world and trying to raise them properly is not a job for cowards or sissies. Sometimes the challenge is so great that parents may feel that they truly identify with a statement made by comedian, Bill Cosby in his book titled, Fatherhood. "I guess the real reason that my wife and I had children is the same reason that Napoleon had for invading Russia: it seemed like a good idea at the time."

For those parents whose children are still very young, it might be hard to imagine this, but there will probably come a time in the future, when you’re trying to figure out your teenagers, that you will think you have invaded Russia!

Transition:

It is always a joy and a privilege for me to dedicate babies and children to the Lord. It is an awesome responsibility for parents, pastors and church congregations to bring our children up in the knowledge of God and in fear of the Lord.

(Online humor site) After the dedication of his baby brother in church, little Johnny sobbed all the way home in the back seat of the car. His father asked him three times what was wrong. Finally, the boy replied, 'The pastor said he wanted us brought up in a Christian home, but I want to stay with you guys!'

In hearing this little joke, we understand that the little fella misunderstood the Pastor’s remarks because he didn’t really understand the meaning of his words. And yet, we certainly recognize the fact that far too many families profess to want a Christian home when they’re at church or around spiritual leaders, but the actual realities at home are far from Christian. The little guy in this joke may have actually revealed more than he realized.

I want to take a few moments to share a couple observations from this passage of Scripture in 1^st Samuel as it relates to rearing our children for the Lord.

1. When we speak of a “child on loan” we refer to the fact that children come from the Lord.

In the Hebrew language, the name Samuel and the word for “asked” sound very similar. (cf. v. 20)

A more literal translation of verses 27-28 could read like this: "For this child I prayed; and the Lord has granted my [asking] which I asked of Him: therefore I also make him one asked of the Lord all the days that he lives; he is asked of the Lord."  (Keil and Delitzsch Commentary)

In her comments to the priest Eli, Hannah is confessing that she asked the Lord for a son and received a son from the Lord.

The Hebrew words for “ask” and “lent” are both from the same root. Because of the similarity in the words that are translated “ask” and “lent”, it appears we could interchange the words without doing harm to the underlying meaning.

So, Hannah is essentially saying I prayed to “borrow” a child from the Lord, and he loaned him to me. Then, later she reverses the order and says she has “loaned” him back to the Lord as long as he lives.

A. A child that is on “loan” from God implies that we parents and adults have an awesome responsibility to raise the child and train him the way God would have done it, because he is not really mine, but God’s. We parents and adults are all stewards charged with the task of caring for this child that really belongs to the Lord.

Cf. Galatians 4:1-7, Paul’s reference in Galatians talking about how the law acts like a “tutor” that instructs the child until he is old enough and mature enough to assume the full privileges of the heir of his father. It is similar to the parent being given responsibility to train the child for God until he is ready and able to assume the full privileges and responsibilities of being a child of God himself.

As a parent, it is appropriate to keep in mind that I need to be training my child the way God would do it, because he really belongs to God.

B. A child that is on “loan” from God implies that this life is only temporary.

We must never forget that there is coming a day when every one of us will return to our Creator. Every child and thus, every adult is an eternal soul that will always live forever.

Therefore, it is essential that every one of us not only prepare to meet God by confessing our sins and trusting in the blood of Jesus Christ, but we must help our children come to that same point of commitment to Christ as their own Savior and Lord.

2. When we speak of a “child on loan” we refer to the fact that children are to be given back to the Lord.

Once Samuel was old enough that he could be away from his mother, Hannah takes him back to the Temple to dedicate him back to the service of the Lord. The wording she uses is, “I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the Lord....”

A. A child that has been loaned (dedicated) back to God belongs to God, and therefore God has the right to use him/her however He chooses.

B. A child that has been loaned back to God needs to be trained to plan his life and live his life in full obedience and service to God.

Even though Hannah lent (gave) Samuel back to the Lord, it was necessary for him to learn some important lessons from Eli the priest, i.e. “listen to the voice of God,” etc.

This cannot be done by mere instruction alone. It must also be accomplished by providing the kind of role model that the child can watch and imitate.

Conclusion:

I thank God for the parents that I had. My parents didn’t have college degrees, but they taught me a lot of common sense truths and applications of God’s Word to everyday life.

I also thank God for the children and the parents that we have in our church. All of us, whether we are parents, grandparents, or aunts and uncles, have the sobering responsibility of showing our children what it really means to be truly dedicated to the Lord in every area of life.

We have the responsibility to help our children come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ in order to prepare them for living in this world and in the next one.

As we close, I want to offer a special prayer for each one of us to have the wisdom and understanding that only God can give so that we might discharge our duties in a way that pleases the Lord.

Abundant Life

(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 message that is based on John 10:10 "...I am come that you might have life and that you might have it more abundantly."

Written Excerpts:

Introduction: There are a lot of changes that have taken place in our world and our society. These changes are evident not only through technology and the way we do things, but also in the behaviors of people and the level of evil we see around us.

I might cause some to be uneasy by saying this, but I imagine that most of us are extremely appalled by the scandals in our government that have recently come out into the light.

I would echo the comments of others in saying, “Sometimes it’s hard to remember that we are living in the United States of America.” I don’t think I can describe it any better than Dr. Sillings did on his facebook status on Friday night.

“Oppression by austere and unprincipled rulers in foreign countries is not approved, but expected in many cases. Intimidation, oppression and disenfranchisement of citizens by the US Government is incomprehensible to FREE men. When I was a child, I was convinced America was the greatest place on earth. Today, I have discovered I am an American, and the current government sickens me. May God have mercy on our poor, blind, benighted land. We're all upside down, discombobulated, confused, mismanaged, misled, lied to, treated like second class people, overrun by an overreaching and unprincipled and unaccountable bunch of mobbish goons. [BTW, I looked up some synonyms for the word goon and found two of the synonyms are “thugs” & “criminals”.] FREE people are not only disenfranchised, but also disenchanted. They will not be disarmed, I suspect. If God doesn't help us soon, I foresee blood in the streets.” (William Sillings, 5/17/2013)

That statement gives us just a little glimpse at the reason why we need a spiritual awakening and revival in our land. But this is not what my sermon is about. I just wanted to emphasize how much our country has changed.

However, there is one area that hasn’t changed – the longing deep within every person to live a life full of meaning, purpose, peace and fulfillment. Everyone I have ever met desires to have a life that is truly satisfying; not just merely existing.

In our text today, Jesus states it very clearly, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” I like how it is worded in one of the newer translations. “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” The word that is translated “abundantly” is a word that can be translated, “beyond measure” or “excessively.”

What exactly does it mean to have an abundant life?

If you ask anyone on the street that doesn’t know God or the teachings of the Bible and you might get an answer that emphasizes wealth, pleasure, adventure, excitement, etc.

For people who know the Lord and study His Word, we understand that the abundant life includes all of those things (although understood in a completely different context than perceived by non-believers), but it includes so much more than that.

With the help of God’s Spirit today, I want to speak for a while on life more abundant.

I.    To have abundant life means to be saved from death and destruction. (v.10a)

Jesus has just been comparing himself with others who had come before Him. He describes himself as the true “door of the sheep.” He says that all who have come before him were “thieves and robbers” who have come to steal, kill and destroy.

I would understand this to have a spiritual meaning. The false prophets and religious leaders have not provided spiritual life to the sheep, but have merely used them for their own selfish agenda. The end result would be death and destruction to the sheep (people).

Christ, on the other hand, comes to provide spiritual life. He rescues us from the destruction that certainly awaits every person led astray by false teaching, and empty promises.

II.   To have abundant life means to enjoy the blessings provided by our Lord. (vv. 9, 11-13, 15)

A. Christ provides “pasture.” (v. 9)

In a spiritual sense, I would understand this to mean spiritual food, blessings, and general provisions that satisfy the soul. That includes:

1. Peace (cf. Rom. 5:1) Rest from guilt, condemnation, etc.

2. Purpose (cf. Matt. 28:28; Rom. 12; 1 Cor. 12)

Various passages in Scripture reveal to us that God has a plan and purpose for each one of us. This includes the general purpose of reaching our world for Christ, as well as specific ministries and tasks he wants us to do.

The passages regarding the gifts of the spirit indicate that God has a special place for each one of us to fill within the “body” of Christ.

You will never find people who are any happier or living life more abundantly than those who have discovered God’s purpose for their life and are doing it.

3. Fulfillment

Every human being has a longing for significance. It is the longing to know that my life has made a difference. It matters not whether I am well known in the world, only that I made a difference in someone else’s life.

Whoever truly, and wholeheartedly follows the Good Shepherd, will make a difference in their world, wherever that may be. And, that realization is worth all of the trials and troubles that we may have to endure in the process.

B. Christ provides “rescue.” He not only offers us the things that truly satisfy, but He also rescues us from the things that are harmful and hurtful. (v. 11-13) Cf. v. 10a again.

I could name many close friends and even family members who did not choose to follow Jesus and the Devil has wreaked havoc in their lives with addictions, disease, and various other consequences.

None of those things were “advertised” by the Devil when he was tempting them to go the path of worldly pleasures.

“The way of the transgressor is hard.” But, Christ provides rescue and rest.

C. Christ provides eternal salvation from death. He tells them “I lay down my life for the sheep.” (v. 15)

There is a sense in which he may be still referring to the fact that he pays whatever price that is necessary to save us from the harm and hurt of sin, which we have just mentioned.

Yet, I believe he is also referring to the literal giving of his life for us. This is specifically defined later in verses 28 and 29.

Conclusion:

I’d be dishonest if I neglected to tell you that this abundant life doesn’t mean you’ll never have suffering or adversity.

In fact, Jesus frequently told His followers that they must take up their cross to follow Him. He warned them that life would be hard. He never tried to attract people by making it sound like it would be easy and all “roses.”

However, in spite of all the adversity and suffering that a Christian may face, living with Christ and for Christ is still an abundant life that satisfies the longing of the soul.

I remember my own experience as a young person; wrestling with the decision whether to obey God or seek my own will and the pleasures of the world. The devil told me….  But after choosing to follow Christ I discovered….

If you haven’t yet discovered this abundant life, I’m happy to tell you that it is available if you will totally surrender to the Good Shepherd.

We’re going to sing an invitation song and give you an opportunity to seek the more abundant life that Jesus offers.