Walking Dead Men Bro't to Life

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This is a sermon that is based on Ephesians 2:1-10. It emphasizes the transformation that takes place in a person's life when they are saved by grace.

Written Excerpts:

Introduction:

Ephesus was the most considerable city of the [Asia Minor] (Modern-day Turkey) [located across the Aegean Sea, east of Italy & Rome]; famous, first for sin, witchcraft, Ac 19:19, idolatry (especially the worship of Diana, Ac 19:24), and persecution, 1Co 15:32; 16:9; then for piety, having received the gospel by Paul's preaching, Ac 18:1-28, and showed great zeal, Ac 19:17-18, &c.; Re 2:2-3; but, lastly, it was noted for coolness and declining, Re 2:4, leaving her first love. The apostle seems to have foreseen this as likely to come to pass among them by means of false teachers, grievous wolves that would not spare the flock, Ac 20:29, and some that would arise from among themselves speaking perverse things, Ac 20:30. (Matthew Poole, Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible)

Many scholars believe that this was a circular letter (one that was passed around to different congregations), and perhaps ended up at Ephesus, which explains why it is named Ephesians. Paul writes to the Christians in the region to address some potential errors. In doing so, he describes their place in the church and their relation to Christ who is the head of the body.

The passage we are looking at today begins with a conjunction, which connects it to the closing verses of the previous chapter.

He had been talking about the magnitude of God’s power toward believers as exhibited in the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1:19-20). He begins to explain now that the same power has been applied to them.

In this particular passage (2:1-10) we will discover that Paul describes the contrast between their former walk in sin and their present life in Christ.

The choice of words that Paul uses provided the idea for my sermon title: Walking Dead Men Brought to Life.

I.   The walk of death is described (vv. 1-3).

“Once you were dead” – spiritually (in trespasses and sins), because of separation from God.

“Walked” – the way one lives out his life.

A.  Their walk was controlled and dictated by:

1.  The “course of this world” (v. 2a) – lit. “age of this world”; that is, they were controlled by the spirit of the world around them.

Defined by some scholars as the ideas, aspirations, motivations, and goals of all those who are apart from Christ.

2.  The “prince of the power of the air” (v. 2b) – referring to Satan, who is the first over the “power” or “authority” (i.e. demons) of the air, the realm in which spirits move.

The grammatical structure of the sentence emphasizes that Satan is also prince over the spirit that exists in the “children of disobedience” (v. 2c).

Those who turn away from Christ and the will of God because “they want to run their own life or do their own thing” are truly deceived. In reality they are following after the desires and wishes of Satan.

B. Their walk (and ours too [“we” v.3a]) was characterized as:

1.  Participating with other disobedient “children.”

“Among whom (i.e. children of disobedience), we also all had our conversation…”

2. Following the “lusts of the flesh” (v. 3) – physical passions and desires. Includes the satisfaction of physical desires as well as the desires of life in general apart from God.

“and of the mind” – human knowledge and understanding apart from divine revelation, or evil thoughts.

Cf. 1 John 2:16  For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world.  (pleasure; possessions; position/power)

3.  By nature under the wrath of God (v. 3) – The sin nature that is innate in every human being put us in the position of being in subjection to the wrath of God.

II.  The transformation to life is described (vv. 4-7).

A.  The basis for the transformation is:

1.  God’s mercy – “rich in mercy” (v. 4a).  Mercy is that quality of God’s nature that prompts Him to refrain from giving us the judgment we deserve.

2.  God’s love – “great love wherewith he loved us” (v. 4b). Love is the underlying reason for God’s mercy and grace.

B.  The cause of the transformation is:

1.  We have been saved by grace. (v. 5b)

“Saved” – perfect participle, meaning something that has taken place in the past with the results continuing into the present.

“Grace” – God’s love demonstrated in gifts and favors that we do not deserve.

2.  It was accomplished by Him not us. “Even when we were dead in sins.” (v. 5a)

C.  The result of the transformation is:

1.  We have joined in Christ’s resurrection, “raised together with” (v. 6a).

2.  We have joined in Christ’s exaltation, “made to sit together in heavenly places” (v. 6b). This is not just for the future, but is now a present spiritual reality by virtue of being “in” Christ.

D.  The purpose of their transformation is:

1.  To demonstrate God’s extreme wealth of grace.

2.  That is displayed in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

3.  Throughout all eternity. “in the ages to come” (v. 7a)

(Wuest) “God will exhibit His kindness to the saints for His own glory, in order that He may be glorified. And the spectators will be the angels. We saints [have been and] will be the objects of His kindness. We will be on display before the angelic world, basking in the sunshine of God’s smile, enjoying the riches of His blessings, all, in order that He might be glorified by the angelic hosts.”

III. The resurrected life is summarized. (vv. 8-10)

The next three verses seem to recap some of the points the author has already made in the preceding verses. In these three verses he summarizes what the resurrected life really means. One word captures the entire concept = “saved.”

A. It is accomplished by God’s grace. (8a, 9)

No part of salvation is through our own efforts or our own doing. It is all because of God’s amazing grace.

B. It is appropriated by our faith. (8b)

It is received and accepted by the exercise of our faith.

It is ours (i.e. free will to accept or reject), but..

It is faith that is enabled by grace.

It is a complete trust in the plan that God has made, i.e. the blood sacrifice of His Son, Jesus.

C. It is applied unto good works. (10)

We are His workmanship. Our performance of godly works of righteousness that we never would have done before due to our selfish, sinful nature; are a testimony of God’s workmanship on us.

When God saves us it makes a difference in us. The good works testify to the reality of salvation that has taken place within us.

We are not saved because of our works, but we do works because we are saved.

Conclusion:

Paul has vividly described what has taken place in the lives of the believers in and around Ephesus. His description applies to every person that has been saved from sin throughout the entire world for all time.

I too was spiritually dead because I was living without Christ. I was living a life of disobedience. It was a life controlled by the enemy of my soul, and a life spent seeking to satisfy my own selfish nature and fleshly desires.

But, by the grace and mercy of God I have been transformed! I have been given life in the Spirit! And, one of these days I will be joining millions of other believers as we are put on display for the angels and heavenly hosts to witness the great wealth of God’s marvelous grace!

This is not a blessing reserved for the elite, but it is available for every person.

 

After the Suffering

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This is a sermon based on 1 Peter 5:10 concerning the topic of suffering and the coming glory after this life is over.

Written Excerpts:

1 Peter 5:10 (KJV) But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

Introduction:

There are a couple of other verses of Scripture that I would like to read as part of the introduction to this message.

1 Peter 4:12 (NKJV) Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;

John 16:33 (NKJV) These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

Both of these references highlight the point that it’s not a question of IF we will suffer and experience tribulation, but WHEN we do.

Our Grove City Ministerium met this past Wednesday and during our Bible study discussion, the subject of suffering came up.

One of the pastors talked about seeing an interview on TV between an American reporter and a man from another part of the world who had recently lost his legs in an act of violence.

Although, I don’t remember the details about who it was, where or why it happened, etc. I recall that the pastor told how the reporter asked the man if he ever “wondered where God was when this tragedy happened to him.”

The man gave the obvious appearance that he wasn’t sure what to say, because he didn’t really understand the question.

“What do you mean, where was God?”

If I recall correctly, it was stated that the man then asked the reporter if he was from America. It dawned on him that westerners have this concept that “if God is really in control, then bad things shouldn’t be happening to me.”

One of the other pastors in our meeting spoke up in confirmation. He had served one or more terms as a missionary in Africa and possibly other countries. He affirmed that Christians in other parts of the world take for granted that suffering is part of normal life experiences. It doesn’t really occur to them that being a Christian means I should be exempt from suffering.

In our culture, where we often enjoy such ease and comfort, (especially when compared to the conditions of people in Third World countries), we often fall prey to the idea that as long as God is with us and in control, then we shouldn’t be experiencing tragedy, tribulation or suffering.

We must never forget, friends, that we live in a world that is under the curse of sin. That means that tribulation, adversity, and suffering is a common experience all through life, whether that comes through “natural disasters,” “violence by depraved individuals, or disease and sickness.

The Apostle Peter is writing to Christian believers in the region of Asia Minor that is now part of modern-day Turkey.

He is probably writing around 62-64 AD, and he is writing to people that either have already suffered persecution, or they will likely face persecution in the future.

Cf. 1 Peter 1:6 (NKJV) In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,

1 Peter 3:14 (NKJV) But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled."  See also, 4:12-19, mentioned above.

(Persecution was already a common experience of the Christians in Rome, and it was probably spreading to their region as well.)

I felt directed to this passage of scripture because of the difficult circumstances that many of you have recently experienced or may still be experiencing.

I want to take a brief look at this text in 1 Peter as a way to encourage us for the journey ahead.

There are some important concepts about life and about suffering that are implied in this verse which we should take into consideration as we try to make sense of our common experiences.

I. There is a heavenly Father in control.

II. There is a temporary and an eternal perspective.

III. There is a plan with a goal.

I. There is a heavenly Father in control.

“The God of all grace;” “has called us”

Peter makes reference to God several times as a way of helping his readers keep in mind that we’re not in this life alone, but God is walking by our side.

A. Grace is His “commodity.”

In the immediate context (vv. 6-9) Peter has discussed various issues like being humble before God and exalted by God; our arch-enemy, the devil, and his design to destroy and ruin us; and our common sufferings with other believers around the world.

He wants us to know that God is out there and more importantly, He has all the grace we need for every situation we face.

“My grace is sufficient for thee.” (2 Cor. 12:9)

“He giveth more grace.” (Jas. 4:6)

B. He “calls us.”

In other words, He is directing our lives and our circumstances.

There may be times when we face situations when it feels as though God must be a million miles away and doesn’t know or care about us.

But, Peter certainly implies here that God is calling us to an ultimate and final goal (which we’ll talk more about in a moment), and that calling leads us along various paths and through various situations. Nothing is accidental; nothing is unredeemable.

II. There is both a temporary and eternal perspective.

In this verse there are two words in the Greek that have reference to “time.” The first one is translated “eternal,” and the second word is translated “little while.”

In the original Greek it seems even more likely that Peter meant for us to notice the contrast because of the way that the words sound in Greek. One is the word “αιωνιον” (similar to our English word, “eon”) and the other is “ολιγον.”

One stresses the permanent; the other stresses the temporary.

Another passage that expresses a similar truth is… 2 Cor. 4:17

2 Corinthians 4:17 (NKJV) For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,

The problem with us in our humanity is that the temporary, which is now, seems to overshadow the permanent, which is sometime in the future.

I’m convinced that the Devil deliberately tries to get every one of us to place higher priority on the temporary over the permanent.

This is not only true with regard to suffering, but it is also true and perhaps especially true with good times and blessings.

But, dear friends, we must always remember that this life is only temporary, regardless of whether we are going through tribulations or experiencing joy and happiness.

Peter clearly wants his readers to understand that in spite of the trials they may face in this world, they are only temporary, but glory is eternal!

In comparison to what God has in store for His children, the suffering in this world is only “for a little while.”

(That’s a whole lot easier to talk about than it is to practice.)

III. There is a plan with a goal.

Finally, I want to point out that this verse shows that Peter understands the fact that God is definitely leading each of us to an ultimate goal, and that involves a tailor-made plan for us to get there.

We already mentioned earlier the words, “hath called us unto his eternal glory…”

That is the goal.

But, what is the plan? What is involved between now and then?

 It is to “make you perfect, establish, strengthen, [and] settle you.”

“make you perfect” - The fundamental meaning is to put a thing in its appropriate condition, mend…. (Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary)

“establish” - To set fast, to fix firmly…. (Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary); set a solid foundation (Wuest)

“strengthen” – Only used here in NT. More commonly used with the prefix which means “NOT strong,” i.e. sick, infirm (Zodhiates). Thus, to be healthy, or able to endure.

“settle” - Cause all to rest so evenly and firmly upon the best and surest foundation…. (Adam Clarke's Commentary)

Hebrews 13:21 (NKJV) ²¹  make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Which brings us back again to the goal… the end result is: “his eternal glory”

Over and over throughout the NT, we are reminded that there is GLORY awaiting each of us who trust in Christ and live out our faith in obedience; letting Him develop his plan within us.

Paul said in Romans 8:18 (NKJV) For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

It almost seems like he is intending to stress – the greater the suffering is, the greater the glory will be.

I’ve have used this text for some funerals in the past and I have stated that these words were written by a man that had experienced tremendous suffering for Christ, and he had also seen glimpses of heaven (caught up to the third heaven), so he knew what he was talking about.

God has indescribable glory awaiting us! Let us be faithful.

Conclusion:

I’ve decided not to close with the song that is listed in the bulletin.

I want to read the words of another familiar song that isn’t in our hymnals, then I think we can sing the chorus together.

WHEN WE SEE CHRIST

Oft times the day seems long, our trials hard to bear,

We’re tempted to complain, to murmur and despair;

But Christ will son appear to catch His Bride away,

All tears forever over in God’s eternal day.

Sometimes the sky looks dark with not a ray of light,

We’re tossed and driven on, no human help in sight;

But there is One in heaven who knows our deepest care,

Let Jesus solve your problem just go to Him in prayer.

Life’s day will soon be o’er, all storms forever past,

We’ll cross the great divide to glory, safe at last.

We’ll share the joys of heaven a harp, a home, a crown,

The tempter will be banished, we’ll lay our burden down.

Chorus:

It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,

Life’s trials will seem so small when we see Christ;

One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,

So bravely run the race ‘til we see Christ.

My Redeemer Lives

This is a sermon given on Easter Sunday 2014. It is based on the words of Job in chapter 19:23-27.

Written Excerpts:

Introduction:

Today we celebrate life. We celebrate victory. We celebrate hope.

As I tried to seek God’s message for today, my mind was drawn to a very familiar text in the book of Job. I have referred to this text many times, but I don’t think I have ever preached from it.

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where it seemed like life was crushing you down? Everywhere you turned, there seemed to be no relief, only more troubles or more threats. … one of those seasons in life when it seems like “everything that can go wrong, IS going wrong!”

If you have, you already know that in those times it becomes extremely vital for survival to “wade” through all the peripheral problems, cut through all the noise, and force yourself to focus on those things that you know for certain are still true and reliable. You know you need to focus on the things that you know for certain and then work your way through all the trouble from that perspective.

Is there anyone here that knows what I’m talking about? I believe that our Scripture text for today is one of those kinds of seasons for the subject of the story, Job.

I assume that most of us here know about the book of Job and the story portrayed there. For those who may not be familiar with it, let me just say that the book of Job is the long story of a man that probably lived in the earlier years of time; many think during the time of the “patriarchs” of the Bible – Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, etc.

Basically the story tells how God was bragging to Satan about how faithful Job was in serving Him. In order to prove to Satan that Job was not just faithful because God had blessed him, God allowed Satan to destroy all his possessions and destroy his own family. In addition to that, Satan was permitted to attack Job personally with boils and physical suffering.

The details of what I just told you are given in the first few chapters of the book, then the rest of the book consists of dialog between Job and some of his so-called friends who argue with him about his guilt as the cause of his troubles. Throughout all the dialog, Job maintains his innocence and keeps challenging them (and God) to show where he had violated his covenant with God.

The book is a long detailed argument between Job and his “comforters.” Job sinks at times into deep despair and discouragement, if not literal depression. It is in the midst of this overwhelming assault that Job utters these words in our text, “I know that my redeemer lives….” It’s as if he has cut through all the doubt and uncertainty and the things that confound him in order to clearly proclaim something that he knows for sure.

Before we take a brief look at what Job is saying, let me propose to you that Job may actually be saying more by prophetic inspiration than he realizes he is saying.

I want to declare to you this morning a few things that Job has proclaimed as bedrock truths, which he KNOWS, and to which he clings in the midst of his life-threatening calamities.

I. He knows he has a redeemer.

In the KJV and a couple of other translations, the word redeemer is not capitalized, but in most of the recent translations of the Bible, this word is capitalized to emphasize the fact that Job is probably talking about God.

Redeemer – a kinsman and a “vindicator”; This kinsman-redeemer basically functioned as the avenger of the blood of someone unjustly killed (2 Samuel 14:11). He had the right to preempt all others in redeeming property left by a kinsman (Ruth 4:4-6). He also recovered stolen items (Numbers 5:8) or vindicated the rights of the oppressed (Proverbs 23:10-11). He was one who redeemed, delivered and liberated. (Walter C. Kaiser et al., Hard Sayings of the Bible, Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1996)

It seems as though Job is using this term in the sense of “vindicator.” Meaning that God would some day vindicate His servant and show that he truly had been faithful. However, he seems to convey the idea that it may not happen in this life, which we will talk about in just a few minutes.

II. He knows his Redeemer is alive.

In spite of all that Job had suffered, he apparently did not jump to the conclusion that God was dead, like some remarkable examples in modern history. I’ve read various accounts of individuals who completely lost faith and reverted to atheism because of moments in their lives when they perceived that God didn’t come through for them when they needed him the most, so they simply concluded he wasn’t real.

Not so with Job. “In all this Job did not sin nor charge God foolishly.” (Job 1:22) He maintained his faith that God was his redeemer and He was alive. Those are both good things to know for anyone who is going through their worst trials and adversity.

III. He knows his Redeemer is going to show up.

“He shall stand in the latter day upon the earth.”

“stand” – a word that can mean stand up, but is more often translated “arise.” Is this a prophetic reference to the resurrection of Christ? Perhaps. I don’t know if Job realized that it was, but he uttered the truth regardless of his level of perception.

This reference to the “latter day” is probably a good hint that Job didn’t really expect his vindication to take place before he died. Job welcomed death because of his suffering, and he probably expected to die before he was vindicated. So, he “looks forward” to another day when God would arise and stand on the earth to set the record straight.

“latter” – can carry two ideas, either sometime in the future, or the actual latter days as in the concept of near the end of time. It’s not clear which idea should be taken here as far as Job’s perspective. Either way, Job knows it is in the future.

IV. He knows he will be there to see Him when He comes.

v. 26 “in my flesh” – lit. from my flesh. He expected to have a physical body again.

vv. 26-27 “I shall see God”, “shall see for myself”, “mine eyes shall behold.”

There are some differences of opinion about the true meaning of the words Job uses here, but after reading through the arguments I had access to, I’m convinced that he intended to argue for the fact that he would live again in flesh and bone to see God and be satisfied with His vindication.

Some have argued that there is very little evidence of a belief in life after death in the OT, but others have strongly argued that it was there none-the-less. Some have even said that there is evidence that Egyptians believed in life after death more than 1,000 years before Abraham lived.

Certainly the Pharisees in Jesus day, who only had OT Script to read, believed in a resurrection.

Conclusion:

Today, we have much more revelation of God’s truth than Job had, but we can certainly echo all that Job proclaimed with even more rich meaning.

I'm thankful on this Easter Sunday in 2014 that we can know that our Redeemer liveth! We understand it in the general sense that "God's not dead," but also in the specific sense that Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer, rose again from the dead and He is alive today! Hallelujah!

“I know that my Redeemer lives!”

The Weeping King

(To download an mp3 file of this sermon, click on the title above. To listen now online, click on the play button of the audio player shown.)

This is a sermon that was given on Palm Sunday 2014 and it is based on Luke 19:41-44, which presents the scene of Jesus weeping over the city of Jerusalem on the Triumphal Entry.

Written Excerpts:

Introduction:

There is a sad story in the OT regarding King David. It is a story of the King leaving the city of Jerusalem after learning that his son Absalom had declared himself king in opposition to his father. 2 Samuel 15:30 (NKJV) So David went up by the Ascent of the Mount of Olives, and wept as he went up; and he had his head covered and went barefoot. And all the people who were with him covered their heads and went up, weeping as they went up.

It’s hard to imagine the weight of sorrow that filled the heart of king David that day as he left the capital city in order to protect his own life as well as the lives of his family and servants.

In our Scripture for today, we heard the familiar story of Jesus riding into the city of Jerusalem on the donkey and the people shouting praises saying, “Hosanna, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” Luke is the only gospel writer who records the next part of the scene. In verse 41, he describes Jesus coming near to the city of Jerusalem and He weeps as he looks out over the city.

It is interesting to notice that He is ready to descend the Mount of Olives, while in the OT story about David, he is ready to ascend the Mount of Olives. Jesus is entering the city, David was leaving the city. What sad pictures – Weeping kings.

For a little while today, I want to explore the cause(s) of Jesus’ weeping and try to make an application to our lives in a way that will motivate us to be more diligent regarding our own spiritual well-being.

I. Setting the Scene

This has been a long trip. Jericho which was approximately 17 miles ENE of Jerusalem. Bethany / Bethphage was approx. 2 miles E of Jerusalem. So, approx. 15 miles walking; 2 miles riding.

Elevation rises approx. 3300 feet from Jericho to Jerusalem, or average of 200 ft. per mile, but realistically the rise would be even more severe because the first few miles would still be in the plain near Jericho.

(Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament, quoting from another source) Two distinct sights of Jerusalem are caught on this route…. Verse 37 marks the first sight, verse 41 the second and nearer view. "… the first view is caught of the southeastern corner of the city. The temple and the more northern portions are hid by the slope of Olivet on the right: what is seen is only Mount Zion… [which was] then covered with houses to its base, and [prevailed over] by the castle of Herod, on the supposed site of the palace of David.…It was at this point that the shout of triumph burst forth from the multitude."

With the castle of Herod in full view, the people with Jesus began to praise the one they hoped would become the next king.

(Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament, again quoting Stanley) "The road descends a slight [downward slope], and the glimpse of the city is again withdrawn behind the intervening ridge of Olivet. A few moments, and the path mounts again; it climbs a rugged ascent, it reaches a ledge of smooth rock, and in an instant the whole city bursts into view.…It is hardly possible to doubt that this rise and turn of the road was the exact point where the multitude paused again, and He, when he beheld the city, wept over it."

Now, with the whole city in view, and especially the Temple, Jesus pauses to express His lament over the city. The language used in this text implies a bursting forth into tears with audible weeping. Some use the word “wailed.” Jesus is overcome with emotion. And, this emotion of grief is not due to a personal loss or pain, but due to the impending loss of others.

II. The Causes of Grief

(My main points here are adapted from a few brief statements by a well-know English preacher in the 1800’s, Alexander Maclaren.)

A. Their failure to understand their privilege. (v. 42a, 44b)

“If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace!.... [but] you did not know the time of your visitation.”

“known/(knowledge)” – [In OT], the knowledge is not mere information or mystical contemplation, but also its exercise.” A lot of times the early Christian usage of this word included the OT influence by including obedient submission to what is known. (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament)

Genuine knowledge is not just the accumulation of factual information, but the submission of one’s life and will to the truth of what is known.

The phrase, “If you had known” is offset by the closing phrase in the paragraph, “because you did not know.” The first is a phrase of opportunity and possibility, and the second is a statement of fact and finality.

“this your day” – The opportunity afforded to you. They will not be accountable for the opportunities afforded to other people and other nations, they will be accountable for their own opportunities.

“things that make for your peace” – possibly an intentional reference to the name of the city, “Jerusalem” which means “he shall see peace.” (Clarke, et. al.) Their peace was to be found in their reception of Him as God’s anointed, but they rejected Him.

John 16:33 (NKJV) ³³  These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

The Jews were looking for political peace and rest from the Romans, but they were missing the One who could give them spiritual and eternal peace.

It seems to me that the phrase “if you had known” (v. 42) is more clearly defined by the later phrase, “because you did not know” (v. 44).

I also believe the word “peace” in verse 42 is further defined by the word “visitation” in verse 44.

“time of visitation” – “time” is word that commonly carries the meaning of “the temporal sense of [a] “decisive point”, often with a stress on the fact that it is divinely ordained.” (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament)

The people of  Jerusalem and Judea did not grasp or submit to the “divinely ordained” time of visitation of God’s Prince of Peace that was provided for them, and I believe that this was the first major cause of the Lord’s grief on that ride to Jerusalem.

B. The passing of their opportunity. (v. 42b)

“But now they are hidden from your eyes.”

The grammatical structure of this phrase indicates that the thing that is hidden from their eyes is their peace. (Which is implied in a comment by Adam Clarke.) This is a passive verb meaning that they did not hide it from their own eyes, but it was hidden from them.

This actually emphasizes the same principle that we have noted in our series of messages in Romans. When individuals or groups of people willfully choose to resist God’s truth, there will come a time when God joins them and actively keeps them from knowing what they had previously resisted knowing.

It is also possible that the meaning here is simply the fact that the Jewish religious leaders were so full of anger and resentment against Christ along with their intention to eliminate Him, that it clouded their ability to see the truth. So, it may not have been God that blinded them, but simply the natural consequences of all their choices.

I believe the second major cause of Jesus’ grief was because He saw that they path they had chosen was a path of no return.

C. The certainty of their judgment. (v. 43-44)

⁴³ For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, ⁴⁴ and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation."

(The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament by Craig S. Keener) … the city was destroyed in a.d. 70 but not completely leveled. Further leveling (including the filling of an entire valley) took place after the Bar Kochba revolt, which was finally suppressed in a.d. 135.

The Bible is very clear about the fact that God does not delight in judgment. We are clearly told that…

Ezekiel 18:23, 32 (NKJV) ²³ Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?" says the Lord GOD, "and not that he should turn from his ways and live? ³² For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies," says the Lord GOD. "Therefore turn and live!

Ezekiel 33:11 (NKJV) Say to them: 'As I live,' says the Lord GOD, 'I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?'

2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV) The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Now we see that the third major cause of our Lord’s grief was the certainty of their coming judgment, and it broke His heart.

So, according to these few verses we find three major causes of grief for our Lord:

1. Their failure to understand and submit to their time of visitation by the Prince of Peace;

2. Their missed opportunity because of their path of no return;

3. Their certainty of coming judgment.                    

These three things broke the heart of the Savior and Redeemer.

Conclusion:

In closing, I want to say that there are two primary points of application I hope we will take away from this message today.

1. It is possible for anyone to miss out on the opportunity for personal peace with God when we squander our “time of visitation.” Therefore we must always be careful and diligent to respond to Him in faith and obedience.

2. Do the things that break God’s heart break ours as well?

Luke 23:27-28 (NKJV) And a great multitude of the people followed Him, and women who also mourned and lamented Him. But Jesus, turning to them, said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. Are we broken and burdened for those who are heading toward judgment?

For our closing song we will be using a song about Jesus, our Redeemer and our King.

Redeeming Love

(To download an mp3 file of this sermon, click on the title above. To listen now online, click on the play button of the audio player shown.)

This is a sermon based on Romans 11:1-36, and it is part of a series of messages that Pastor Les has been preaching through the book of Romans.

Written Excerpts:

Introduction:

We are ready to wrap up another major section of our outline on Romans by taking a look at chapter 11 today.

In Chapters 9 and 10 we have discussed other aspects of God’s sovereignty (infinite authority and power) over His creation, including His purposes for the patriarchs and the nation of Israel. One of the themes that Paul has emphasized in those chapters includes God’s choice to move away from using Israel (the Jews) because of their lack of faith expressed through obedience. Near the end of chapter 10 Paul used an OT quote to emphasize the fact that the Gentiles have responded to the message of God’s redeeming love even though they weren’t actively seeking after God. As I said last week, “Even though they weren’t seeking after God, they did respond when they learned that God was seeking them.” On the other hand, Paul gave another OT quote to describe the fact that Israel has rebelled against God in spite of repeated attempts by God to get their attention and help them get it right.

In this current chapter, Paul’s predominant message is that God isn’t finished with His people yet. Yes, as a nation, Israel has been set aside, and many, many individual Jews have missed God’s will for them, but God has always had a remnant of people who haven’t forsaken Him and God will once again use the faithful remnant to restore His grace to the Jews and they will join with the Gentiles to complete the “congregation of the faithful,” “the Bride of Christ,” or the “Church triumphant.”

Let’s turn our attention to the message God has for us today in the 11^th chapter of Romans. 

B. Israel’s restoration illustrates God’s sovereign love. (11:1-36)

This chapter is about love, forgiveness, and redemption. There are some very specific matters that Paul includes in this chapter for our proper understanding of how God works with people, but the overall theme of the chapter focuses on how God’s heart is not for the doom and destruction of souls, but for the salvation and redemption of souls.

i. God’s love is shown by His remnant in Israel. (1-10)

¹I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. ²God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel, saying, ³"LORD, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life"? ⁴But what does the divine response say to him? "I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal." ⁵Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace. ⁶And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work. ⁷What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded. ⁸Just as it is written: "God has given them a spirit of stupor, Eyes that they should not see And ears that they should not hear, To this very day." ⁹And David says: "Let their table become a snare and a trap, A stumbling block and a recompense to them. ¹⁰Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see, And bow down their back always."

v. 1 “cast away” – “push away,” “repel.” Aorist tense, which would imply a completed, final action.

Paul begins his argument for the future hope of Israel by insisting that God has not completely discarded His people, and the proof of that is the fact that he (Paul) is an Israelite (Jew).

v. 2 “God has not cast away His people” – There are specific texts in the OT that Paul is probably thinking of to support this claim such as Psalm 94:14 For the LORD will not cast off His people, Nor will He forsake His inheritance. (et. al.)

“whom He foreknew” – We’ve already talked about the fore­knowledge of God in Chapter 9.

Since God’s knowledge is not limited by the constraints of time, He knows everything about the future just as perfectly as the present, but His knowledge doesn’t cause the fulfillment.

“Elijah…” – Illustration from OT that God always has had a remnant of faithful people in spite of mass departures from the truth.

v. 5 “present time…remnant” – In addition to the OT example of the faithful remnant, there continues to be faithful believers in the present as well.

“…election of grace” - According to John Wesley, the election of grace is that gracious purpose of God to save those who believe. (Reasoner)

v. 7 “Israel…not obtained… elect have obtained” – Repeats what he has already discussed in previous chapters, i.e. Israel did not obtain salvation because they sought it through works, but the elect did because they met the condition for election – faith. (see also v.20 in this current chapter.)

vv. 8-10 provides further proof from OT confirming what we’ve already noticed before, that God will strengthen the decision of those who refuse to believe by granting them their desire through further blindness and hardening. (e.g. Pharaoh)

ii. God’s love is shown by Israel’s restoration. (11-32)

a. The purpose of Israel’s rejection. (11-24)

¹¹I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles. ¹²Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness! ¹³For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, ¹⁴if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh and save some of them. ¹⁵For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? ¹⁶For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. ¹⁷And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, ¹⁸do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you. ¹⁹You will say then, "Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in." ²⁰Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. ²¹For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. ²²Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. ²³And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. ²⁴For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, who are natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?

This section does not present the cause of Israel’s rejection, but the purpose of their rejection.

The cause was their lack of faith demonstrated by disobedience. But the purpose of their rejection was the salvation of all the Gentiles, which was God’s purpose from the very beginning. (Certainly implied in the promise to Abraham in Gen. 12.)

v. 11, “…that they should fall? Certainly not!” – Before describing the purpose God has for rejecting Israel, Paul gives a hint that restoration is assured.

vv. 11 & 14, “provoke to jealously” – Both God and Paul are expecting the salvation of the Gentiles to instigate a jealousy in the minds of Jews, which will bring them back to the place of faith and obedience.

If this (jealousy resulting in renewed faith) should happen, it will only enhance and expand the effects of the gospel that have already been happening among the Gentiles. (vv. 12-15)

vv. 17-21, Paul sternly warns the Gentile readers of this letter to be careful how they receive and respond to the gospel.

It is only logical to conclude: if God did not spare those who were originally chosen, then He will also judge us if we fail to actively respond to him in faith.

b. The promise of Israel’s restoration. (25-32)

²⁵For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. ²⁶And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; ²⁷For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins." ²⁸Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. ²⁹For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. ³⁰For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience, ³¹even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy. ³²For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all.

v. 25, “blindness… until fullness of Gentiles…” – this condition of failing to see and understand God’s plan of salvation will have a defined duration… until the Gentiles have reached the fullness of their day of grace and salvation.

v. 26, “all Israel will be saved” – probably does not mean every individual Jew, but the nation as a whole will once again return to genuine faith in God, which will include recognition of Christ as the Messiah.

iii. God’s nature is exalted in praise. (33-36)

³³Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! ³⁴"For who has known the mind of the LORD? Or who has become His counselor?" ³⁵"Or who has first given to Him And it shall be repaid to him?" ³⁶For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

Paul finishes this entire section by giving vent to his praise to God, who is far above and beyond all our abilities to understand.

There is no way we can fully comprehend or even describe the greatness of God.

His ways are far above our ways, and His thoughts above our thoughts.

His Redeeming Love is far beyond any plan or design of man.

He is worthy of praise!

Conclusion:

Listen to the words of the first verse in the song: “He Didn’t Throw the Clay Away.”

Empty and broken, I came back to him;

A vessel unworthy, so scarred from sin.

But He did not despair...He started over again

And I bless the day, He didn't throw the clay away.

Dear friends, God’s love is a redeeming love!

God extends mercy and grace over and over because He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

If you have turned away from God, and like Israel, you have felt the sting of His discipline and the loss of His peace and presence, You can come back to Him!

His love is a redeeming love. He loves to reclaim those who have left Him. He loves to redeem the wayward and the lost.

Give Him a chance!

That the World May Know

(To download an mp3 file of this sermon, click on the title above. To listen now online, click on the play button of the audio player shown.)

This is a sermon based on Romans 10:14-21, and it is part of a series of messages that Pastor Les has been preaching through the book of Romans.

Written Excerpts:

Introduction:

In John chapter 17 John recorded the prayer of Jesus for his disciples before the crucifixion. Near the end of the prayer, Jesus prayed specifically for the unity of his disciples so the “world may know” that the Father had sent his Son into the world. The implication of the request was that when unbelievers witnessed the unity of Christ’s disciples, it would be a major influence upon them to believe in Jesus as the Messiah and Redeemer.

In this portion of Romans 10, the Apostle Paul is reminding his readers that God’s intention and ultimate goal is for the salvation and redemption of all the world. That is the reason I chose words from Jesus’ prayer as the title for my sermon today. God wants the world to know about Him. He has a plan for the world to know about Him. You and I are part of His plan.

Before we examine the remainder of chapter 10, I want to remind us that this passage is directly tied to the preceding verses. Paul has explained why God has rejected the Jewish nation, because of their failure to mix faith with obedience. (9:30-33)

He has explained that the Jews did not take advantage of the blessings and privileges of the covenant that God had provided to them. Again, this was due to their lack of faith. (10:1-4)

Then Paul has digressed a bit to provide an explanation of what salvation by faith involves. The concluding verse of this section simply states, “whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (10:5-13)

As soon as Paul writes those words, it seems like he suddenly feels the need to explain how impossible it is for everyone to call on the Lord, if they haven’t heard about the Lord. And therefore, he continues by proclaiming the necessity for believers to share the message.

Let us take a look at what Paul has to say regarding the plan God has designed for getting the message and His saving grace to the rest of the world.

ii. God offers righteousness by faith to the world. (14-21)

Anyone who has read the Bible knows that God wants everyone to be saved. He is not willing for anyone to perish, but for all to come to repentance and receive everlasting life. God wants our neighbors to be saved just as much as He wanted us to be saved. He wants Gentiles to be saved as much as Jews.

Paul has already told us that Israel, as a nation, missed God’s plan for them because they did not seek it by faith and obedience. The Gentiles are now being offered an opportunity to become a part of God’s work in the world because they are responding to the message with faith and obedience. Faith mixed with obedience has always been the key for salvation and for God’s blessing.

Paul asks several rhetorical questions to which he doesn’t give answers, because he assumes we know the answers.

a. The offer involves messengers and receivers. (14-17)

¹⁴ How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? ¹⁵ And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!" ¹⁶ But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our report?" ¹⁷ So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Here are the “links” in the chain of faith that Paul understands:

þ    Calling on Christ requires faith that it will bring about desired result.

þ    Faith in Christ requires hearing about him and understanding what I’ve heard.

þ    Hearing about Christ requires a messenger to tell me about him.

þ    Messengers who tell about Christ must be sent out with the commission to proclaim the message.

In these verses it is clear to see that preaching the word of Christ is a vital part of the process of faith.

Preach = proclaim. There are probably many ways to proclaim a message or to proclaim the truth. But one thing is clear, preaching/proclaiming is absolutely necessary for faith. Hearing the proclamation is absolutely necessary for faith.

There are a lot of activities going on these days in churches under the name of Christian ministry that doesn’t ever get around to proclaiming the word of God nor the gospel of Jesus Christ. But, Paul boldly states, “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God!”

There are plenty of nice, pleasant things that I could say to cause people’s emotions to be stirred up a little, but if I understand what Paul is saying here, it won’t do any good to stir up people’s emotions if they haven’t been presented with the WORD of God.

It won’t do any good to stir up people’s emotions if they do not understand the basic message of the gospel in order to repent of their sins and turn from their unrighteousness and put their full confidence in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

People who come to church and get their emotions stirred by sensational stories will still leave church as much as sinner as they were when they came unless they hear the proclamation of the truth and repent and confess faith in Jesus!

b. The offer is universal. (18-19)

¹⁸ But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed: "Their sound has gone out to all the earth, And their words to the ends of the world."
¹⁹ But I say, did Israel not know? First Moses says: "I will provoke you to jealousy by those who are not a nation, I will move you to anger by a foolish nation."

The next two verses in this section deals with Paul’s assertion that the message of God has gone out into all the world. This sounds very similar to the words of the Psalmist, Psalm 19:1-4 (NKJV) ¹ …The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. ² Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. ³ There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard. ⁴ Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world….

It also reminds me of the Apostle’s words back in the very first chapter of this letter.

Romans 1:19-21 (NKJV) ¹⁹ because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. ²⁰ For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, ²¹ because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God….

Paul is affirming the fact that the call of God has gone out into the world.

While we may acknowledge that the whole world has not heard about the gospel of Jesus Christ, yet, both Paul and the Psalmist David seem to acknowledge that the general revelation of God that is available in nature is enough to make every human being accountable to God in some extent.

He affirms that the nation of Israel has had the message and the opportunity to know God and to be used by God.

c. The offer is optional. (20-21)

²⁰ But Isaiah is very bold and says: "I was found by those who did not seek Me; I was made manifest to those who did not ask for Me." ²¹ But to Israel he says: "All day long I have stretched out My hands To a disobedient and contrary people."

These last two verses in chapter 10 make it clear that God will not force Himself on anyone. He gives everyone the ability to make a free choice whether they will respond in faith to the message or reject the message. In verse 20, Paul is emphasizing the fact that the Gentiles found Jesus Christ and He was revealed to them even though they weren’t deliberately and purposely seeking Him.

Now, Paul isn’t saying that Jesus just goes around saving people regardless of how they respond. No, he is simply explaining the fact that even though the Gentiles didn’t go seeking the Lord… They responded in faith when they discovered that the Lord was seeking them.

On the other hand, God had hand-picked Israel to be the recipients of many, many privileges and blessings. As we noted in our previous message, at the beginning of chapter 10 Paul lists some of the privileges that Israel had received. However, in spite of these privileges, they had rebelled, they had forsaken the covenant of God and willfully chose to go their own way.

You see, the call of God has always been optional. God won’t force you to respond to his call. He won’t force you to obey him. He gives each and every one of us the option to respond in faith and obedience.

Conclusion:

In closing, I want to re-emphasize the point that we read about in the opening verses of this section (vv. 14-17).

God’s heart is for the lost. God is not willing for anyone to perish.

God has a plan for the salvation of the lost and it includes the important aspect of preaching (proclaiming) the gospel.

This is just one of many passages of scripture that emphasize the need for believers to spread the word to every creature so that they can also be privileged to hear what we have heard and be saved.

We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations! Hymn # 446