Resurrection Power

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

This is a sermon that was given on Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020. The service was conducted in our church parking lot because of the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions on public gatherings. Attendees were able to hear the speaking and music via FM radio in their individual vehicles. The Easter message is based on the Apostle Paul's words "That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection..." that are recorded in Philippians 3:10.

Written Excerpts:

Philippians 3:10 (NKJV)  that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,

Introduction:

It’s Easter! We celebrate a risen Savior! We worship a risen Lord!

We have never done a service like this before. I have attended and/ or participated in outdoor sunrise services before, but the reason for meeting like we are today is a completely new and unusual situation.

There are many people living in fear these days. I do not want to minimize or make light of legitimate concerns that people have, but I do have a couple of “fears” of my own that are related to our current circumstances. I fear that, after watching worship on YouTube videos and after these parking lot services, all of you are going to get used to these 15-minute sermons! I might have to gradually build back up to 30-40 minutes once we get back to having regular services! 

And another fear applies particularly to the use of FM radio. Anyone listening over the radio who doesn’t like what I’m saying can just reach up and turn to another station, or turn the radio off. I remember hearing radio commercials years ago where the person giving the advertisement would start off by saying, “Don’t touch that radio dial!” So, here are my beginning words to you today, “Don’t touch that dial!” Seriously, I am glad we have the privilege of coming together like this today.

I want to speak to you for a little while about a verse that is found in the 3^rd chapter of Paul’s letter to Philippians.

Philippians 3:10 (NKJV)  that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,

The book of Philippians was a short letter that the Apostle wrote while in confinement in Rome. Bible historians believe that there were at least 2 separate imprisonments for Paul, and possibly 3. Four of his letters were presumed to have been written during his first imprisonment – Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.

Earlier in the third chapter of Philippians Paul had warned against those who would attempt to lead them astray and back into some of the requirements of the OT laws. He brings up the fact that some of these false teachers might boast about their religious pedigree (we might say). So, for a few verses, Paul describes his own “credentials” in regard to the things that some people thought were important.

Then he makes an unusual yet profound statement. He says, “Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ ⁹  and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;” (Philippians 3:8-9)

He considered those details about his life and accomplishments as absolutely worthless. His only desire was to gain Christ and the righteousness that is through faith in Him. He then immediately continues with the verse that I read first (verse 10). “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.”

Paul plainly expresses his desire to know Christ more than anything. He not only wants to know Christ, but he wants to know the power of His resurrection. The word “know” usually included the knowledge gained by experience. So Paul wanted to know Christ intellectually and experientially, and to know the power of the resurrection in the same extent.

There are three thoughts that I want you to remember about this resurrection power that Paul wants to know.

I.    Resurrection power is God’s power.

Eph. 1:19-20 ^(NKJV) and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power  ²⁰ which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,

Eph. 1:19-20 ^(AMP) And [so that you can know and understand] what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength, ²⁰  Which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His [own] right hand in the heavenly [places],

This power, that Paul is speaking of, is supernatural and divine. He uses multiple descriptive words in an attempt to truly convey the kind of power he is talking about (exceeding, great, mighty).

He is talking about the power of God, who is infinite in power. We use terms like “almighty” and “omnipotent” to describe God’s power. It is a power that knows no limits. It is a power that can do whatever He pleases to do. It is a power that doesn’t understand the word, “impossible.”

I’ve said this many times in the past, but when the writers in the OT wanted to illustrate the almighty power of God, they would often refer to the crossing of the Red Sea. In the NT, the writers would refer to the resurrection of Jesus when they wanted to illustrate God’s almighty power.

Another thing I’d say about God’s resurrection power – since Jesus is God, this resurrection power was inherent in himself. Yes, the Scriptures often speak of God’s power that raised up Christ, but Jesus clearly taught He and the Father were one. There is no separation. So, Jesus rose from the dead under his own power. He didn’t require some mighty superhero to come and deliver him from the tomb – He delivered himself!

Rom. 1:4 ^(NKJV)  [Jesus was] declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.

His resurrection was proof that he was the Son of God with power.

Hallelujah!

II.    Resurrection power is power for daily life.

The next point I want you to remember is this: this same almighty, exceedingly great power is available for us to draw from as we contend with the various experiences of life.

In the Philippians text (3:10), Paul expresses a desire to know Christ now, not some unknown time in the future. “And the power of his resurrection.” Again, it is something that Paul wants to know now, in the present, not some future time, or only at the end of life. He wants the resurrection power that is necessary for victory over all the challenges of daily life.

Rom. 8:11 ^(NKJV)  But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

At first this passage appears to be referring to the promise of our own resurrection after this life is over. However, if it is taken in the context of the earlier portion of the chapter, we see that Paul had been talking about living in the Spirit and having the power of the Spirit to deliver us from the power of sin which had been described in the previous chapter.

Rom. 7:24 ^(NKJV)  O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?

Here, bondage to the power of sin is described as a “body of death.” Therefore, 8:11 can be understood as a quickening or giving of life to one who is dead in sin. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is the power that will enable us to live pleasing to the Lord in our daily lives.

Many other references in the NT that may not refer directly to the resurrection, but they certainly describe the power of God through the Spirit that is able to keep us through the hardest trials and deliver us from them.

III.    Resurrection power for Christ is resurrection power for us.

Jesus raises the widow’s son… (Lk. 7:12-15)

Jesus raised Lazarus (John 11:1-44)

These are just two examples of Jesus raising the dead to life. As I stated earlier, Jesus has the resurrection power in Himself because He is one with the Father, and He proved it by raising others from the dead.

John 6:40 ^(NKJV)  And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day."

1 Cor. 6:14 ^(NKJV)  And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power.

It can’t be stated much clearer – God will also raise us up by His power

1 Cor. 15:20 ^(NKJV)  But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

2 Cor. 4:14 ^(NKJV)  knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you.

1 Thess. 4:14 ^(NKJV)  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

John 5:^{28 (NKJV)}  Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice

I know that probably all of us have heard this over and over, but it is a wonderful message of hope. It is the truth that comforts us when a loved one dies in faith, or even our own final hours of life. So many people who do not believe in Jesus think that death is the end, but no! It is really the beginning!

Conclusion:

Oh, how thankful I am for the victorious resurrection of Jesus! It gives every one of us joy for the present and hope for the future.

For our closing song today, we are going to play a recording of a new Easter song that our church choir was practicing and had planned to sing today. We just might sing it next year, the Lord willing.

The song is titled: Out of the Grave

Let us listen to the inspiring message of this song.

A Remembrance

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

This is a brief meditation that was given on Good Friday, April 10, 2020. The service was recorded with no congregation present because of the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions on public gatherings. "Participants" were instructed beforehand to prepare the bread and cup prior to watching the service. The message is based on the words of Jesus, "... do this in remembrance of me" that are recorded in Luke 22:19.

Written Excerpts:

Luke 22:19-20 ^{(NKJV) 19}  And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me." ²⁰  Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.

Introduction:

Once again, we are recording this video for you since we are trying to comply with state officials and keep physically isolated during this virus crisis.

I’m glad that we still have various means to stay connected, even while physically apart. I also regret the fact that some of our people do not have the capability to see this video and join in.

For our short time together on this Good Friday, I want to draw attention to a word that Jesus used in Luke 22:19 which I read a moment ago. The word is, “remembrance.”

Jesus said that he wanted his disciples to keep on doing what he was doing, and to do it in remembrance of him.

NT language scholars tell us that the word “remembrance” is an old word meaning to remind or to recall. In regard to the Lord’s Supper, it is used only here in Luke and again in 1 Cor. 11.

There is another place in the NT where this word appears.

Hebrews 10:3 ^(NKJV)  But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year.

In that verse the author is explaining that the sacrifices brought to the OT priests were a remembrance of their sins. It was a reminder that their sins made it necessary to offer the sacrifices.

So again, today I want to urge you to join in this time of communion in order to remember Jesus.

What are we to remember?

1. In similar fashion to the point made in Hebrews, we remember that our sins were the reason for His death.

Whenever the people of Israel brought a calf or a lamb to be sacrificed, they were reminded that the death of this animal was required because of their sins.

When we partake of the communion emblems, we remember that the death of Jesus was required because of our sins.

He didn’t die for his own wrongs. He had no sin, but “he was made sin for us.”

The second thing we remember is closely related to this first point. We not only remember that our sins were the reason for His death, but…

2. We remember that His sacrifice once-for-all [provides] for the full and final remission of sins.” (Jam. Fau. Bro.)

Yes, Communion reminds us that our sins cost our Lord his life. But it also reminds us that our sins have been forgiven, atoned for and wiped from the record.

We do not carry the burden of guilt continually. We’ve been pardoned; declared righteous because of the blood.

Shame may linger, and it may take awhile to work through the scars of past wrongs, but guilt (a legal term) is gone. There is no longer any record “on the books.”

Oh, hallelujah for the remission of sins.

3. We remember his willingness to be our substitute sacrifice.

The animals sacrificed in the OT obviously had no control over the matter. They were literally, “lambs led to the slaughter.”

But Jesus is a person, not an animal. More than that, he is not just any person, but he is the eternal Son of God. He had the power to overcome the executioners.

“He could have called ten thousand angels to destroy the world and set him free… but he died alone for you and me.”

That old song is a firm reminder of what he could have done to save his own life, but he willingly surrendered his power of self-preservation in order to provide universal atonement.

It was love that prompted his willing sacrifice.

That Christ should join so freely in the scheme,

Although it meant his death on Calvary

Did ever human tongue find nobler theme

Than love divine that ransomed me?

Such love, such wondrous love!

Such love, such wondrous love!

That God should love a sinner such as I,

How wonderful is love like this!

Amen. Amen.

As you can see here on the table beside me, we have especially prepared our own communion elements that we will share. If each of you watching will get yours ready, we will proceed.

Let us pray.

Breaking of the bread.

“Jesus took the bread and gave thanks and brake it and gave it to his disciples, and he said take, eat, this is my body which is given for you.”

Eat this bread remembering that Christ died for you, and feed on Him in your spirit, by faith, and be thankful.

“Then Jesus took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. ²⁸For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”

Drink this remembering that Christ’s blood was shed for you, and be thankful.

Let us pray.

Benediction: And now, may the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord; and the blessings of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, remain with you always. Amen.

The King of Glory

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

This is a sermon that was preached on April 5, 2020. The service was recorded with no audience / congregation present because of the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions on public gatherings. The message is based on Ps. 24:7-10 and is applied to the Triumphal Entry on Palm Sunday.

Written Excerpts:

Psalm 24:7-10 ^(NKJV) Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. ⁸ Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle. ⁹ Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. ¹⁰ Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory.

Introduction:

Well, here we are on Palm Sunday, and I’m sure that none of us are doing exactly what we thought we would be doing today.

I know that I had been thinking about this service for awhile and just a couple of weeks ago I thought we would still be able to meet together, but things have changed.

Since we cannot meet together, I am grateful for the technology that allows us to at least record this service on video and you can have a little taste of our home church, even if it’s not completely like the real thing.

These circumstances serve as a reminder to me that there are thousands of believers around the world who face worse hardships than this every single week of the year, yet they remain strong in their faith and in their service to Jesus.

So, let’s not be discouraged. God will see us through.

The passage of Scripture I want to draw your attention to today is Psalm 24, verses 7-10. (Read verses above.)

Bible scholars are not in agreement about what the original scenario is for this Psalm. One view is…

(Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries) – Psalm 24 is a hymn of praise to God, who is celebrated as the King of glory (vv. 7-10) in what appears to be a liturgical interchange between two priests. … the final stanza (vv. 7-10) describes a dialogue between a priest attending the ark of the covenant at the head of the victorious Israelite army as it returns to the sanctuary in Jerusalem and a priest at the gates of Jerusalem …. Thus, the psalm praises God the Warrior who has given his people victory over their enemies.

Another author didn’t make any reference to possible liturgical responses between two priests or even attempt to define what the specific occasion was, but simply describes how “both the city and the people were called on to receive with joy and anticipation the Great King.” (Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Revised)

Regardless whether the passage was written originally to celebrate the Ark of the Covenant, or the army of Israel returning from victory, or some other setting, the point is clear that God is the One to be honored and celebrated.

That is the same message that clearly comes into focus when we read the account of Jesus riding into the city of Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Jesus deserves to be honored, celebrated and glorified.

I want to take a little while this morning to look at these verses more closely and apply their message to the privilege we have of honoring the Lord.

Expositor’s Bible Commentary says this in regards to verse 7, “The sense of v.7 would be [this]: “Rejoice greatly, O you people [who live within the gates]”... On the other hand, the psalmist may be literally addressing the gates of the temple to open up. Or since the temple itself was not yet erected in David’s time, the psalmist may be referring to the “ancient doors” of Jerusalem. Regardless of the referent, the point remains that Jerusalem … became the city of God because God chose to dwell in it. Consequently, both the city and the people were called on to receive with joy and anticipation the Great King.”

Based on these comments and the comments of others, I would like to make these three simple observations.

I.          God Was Israel’s Warrior King.

It seems that this Psalm could have been written as a celebration poem for the victory God had provided to the army of Israel.

Just like stories I’ve read from history, I can imagine it was a genuine cause of celebration when a victorious army came home. 

They celebrated the troops, they celebrated the commanders, and they celebrated their gods.

We read in the OT that King Saul became jealous of David because of the kinds of celebration and accolades the people were bestowing upon David, more so than they were for Saul.

We also read how the kings and nations who were defeated by Israel would sometimes give credit to Israel’s God.

The OT books of 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles and Isaiah record events during the reign of King Hezekiah. During his reign, the king of Assyria was threatening the people of Judah and warned, “Don’t let your God deceive you into thinking you won’t be defeated by my army.”

This provides an example how people, including kings, credited their God or gods with producing victory in battle. And the king of Assyria was essentially saying my god is greater than yours.

As we read that account, we find out that the God of Israel did deliver His people from the king of Assyria, just like He had done many times in the past.

The battles won by Israel throughout her history demonstrated over and over the mighty power of her great God. I don’t have the time to relate all of the supernatural interventions by God to give victory to the armies of Israel; they’re too many to mention.

But the point is this, God deserved all the glory and the praise for His role in defending His people. And this Psalm is a poetic way of urging the city and its residents to exalt and praise the God of Israel – The victorious, warrior King!

II.        Jesus Is Our Warrior King.

Jumping ahead hundreds of years, we come to the NT account of Palm Sunday. The Bible describes the crowds of people laying their garments and branches in the road for Jesus to ride over on His way to the city of Jerusalem.

They’re shouting and praising God. They are referencing OT passages that clearly predict God’s Messiah King.

Undoubtedly, they had deep aspirations that this miracle-working wonder from Nazareth would rise to power, throw off the oppressive rule of Rome and conquer all of Israel’s enemies once-and-for-all.

Their short-sightedness caused them to only seek an earthly king.

Because of that, they soon succumbed to the incitement of religious leaders and began to call for His crucifixion.

Apparently, they quickly began to see Him as a weakling rather than a conqueror. He “couldn’t even save Himself!” But little did they realize what battles Jesus fought and impressively won.

All through His earthly life, Jesus engaged in conflict with Satan through temptations, the opposition of wicked opponents, and attempts on His life.

But even more importantly, He overcame every opposition from hell to derail His work of redemption! He paid the ultimate price, sacrificed Himself as the perfect Lamb of God, and “sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high!”

Hallelujah!

I’m thankful today for the victory Jesus Christ has won for your redemption and my redemption! He truly is our warrior King! He is the champion of our salvation!

My third point is in the form of an admonition.

III.       Give It Up for Jesus.

You know, when I listen to conversations around me from day to day I often hear words and phrases that remind me I’m out of touch with some of the modern jargon.

One phrase I’ve heard many times in recent years is this, “Give it up for Sam (or George, or whomever).” Being as sharp as I am, I quickly learned that I wasn’t being asked to give up anything but rather to simply applaud for the one being recognized.

Well, in my feeble attempt to be as relevant as possible, let me say this, “GIVE IT UP FOR JESUS!”

I want to re-read verses 7-8 of Psalm 24 and I want you to imagine we are admonishing everyone around us to exalt Jesus Christ as the great King of Glory.

Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. ⁸ Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle.

Jesus is worthy of your adoration and mine. Jesus is worthy to be glorified and praised for He alone is the “captain of our salvation.” (See Heb. 2:10)

But let me remind you that He deserves much more than mere accolades and shouts of praise.

He deserves our obedience and service.

To the religious people of His day Jesus posed this question:

Luke 6:46 (NKJV)  "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say?

It’s really a legitimate question. How is it appropriate for me shout words of admiration, praise, and honor, then fail to heed His words and directives for my life?

The old adage is correct, “my actions speak so loudly people can’t hear what I’m saying.”

So, when I say, “Give it up for Jesus!” I do mean: give Him glory, give Him honor, give Him genuine applause.

But… don’t stop there. Give Him your obedience. Give Him your service. Give Him whatever He asks. Will you?

Closing Song: Crown Him with Many Crowns

Things I Know for Sure

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

This is a sermon that was preached on March 29, 2020. The service was recorded with no audience / congregation present because of the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions on public gatherings. The message shares a few brief truths that we can know for certain from God's Word regardless of the uncertain circumstances in our world.

Written Excerpts:
Hebrews 11:3 ^(NKJV)  By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

Introduction:

Today we are experiencing something entirely new for our congregation. Rather than coming together in one place and enjoying the benefits of corporate worship, we are joining together by online video from the safety of our homes or other personal spaces.

We are living in uncertain days, facing many situations that daily remind us there are many things we do not know for certain. We hear so many different messages and sometimes we really don’t know what the truth is.

I found a verse in 1 Cor. 8 that I think accurately describes how many of us probably feel right about now.

1 Cor. 8:2 ^(NKJV) And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know.

As I thought and prayed about what the Lord wanted me to speak about today, my mind went to a familiar passage of Scripture – verse 3 in the 11^th chapter of Hebrews.

By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God…

Several years ago, I gave a series of messages on this whole chapter. In commenting about that verse, I said “faith will provide knowledge I would not otherwise have.”

By faith we understand…

In these days when there is so much uncertainty; unrest; and anxiety about the future it is good to have faith that enables us to know some things for sure even if we are perplexed about the things happening in our world.

So I want to share some Scriptures with you that remind us of things we know for sure because of our faith. These are all things you have already heard many times before, but I share them today to help us stay focused on these truths.

Remember what Paul said to the Philippians?

Philippians 4:8 ^(NKJV)  … whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report… think on these things.

Whether we are filled with anxiety or serenity will often be determined by what we allow our minds to dwell on and think about.

I know there have been times when I’ve had to quit reading the news because of all the negative information that was getting me too discouraged (this was even before this current crisis).

Let’s think about some biblical truths that we know for sure.

1. I know for sure that God is sovereign.

That means He is still on the throne and in control of the entire universe including our health and wellbeing.

1 Chronicles 29:11 ^(NKJV)  Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, The power and the glory, The victory and the majesty; For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, And You are exalted as head over all. [David blessing Israel before Solomon becomes king.]

Psalm 10:16 ^(NKJV)  The LORD is King forever and ever; The nations have perished out of His land.

Psalm 22:28 ^(NKJV)  For the kingdom is the LORD'S, And He rules over the nations.

Hebrews 13:8 ^(NKJV)  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

None of the current circumstances have taken Him by surprise. Nothing about this current situation in our nation and our world has diminished His power or His governance over His creation.

2. I know for sure that I am a child of God.

Romans 8:16 (NKJV)  The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

1 John 5:13 (NKJV)  These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

John repeatedly states in his letter that believers can “know some things for certain” also. He uses the word “know” over thirty times in the 5 chapters of this letter.

The Apostle declares that we can know we are His children and because of that, we know we have eternal life.

When we surrender to Christ through repentance and faith, the Bible declares we are born again, and we become children of God.

2 Corinthians 5:1 ^(NKJV)  For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

3. I know for sure that God cares for His people.

Psalm 34:7 ^(NKJV)  The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them.

Psalm 121:4 ^(NKJV)  Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

Isaiah 40:28-31 ^(NKJV) Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. ²⁹  He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. ³⁰  Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, ³¹  But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 43:2 ^(NKJV)  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.

One NT example of God’s divine protection and care for His child is found in the book of Acts with the story of Peter’s deliverance. Listen to the words of the Apostle Peter as he declares what he knew for sure.

Acts 12:11 ^(NKJV)  And when Peter had come to himself, he said, "Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people."

God’s care comes in various ways and forms. He not only provides deliverance like he did for Peter, but He provides protection, He provides peace for the anxious heart and He provides direction and guidance to the perplexed and confused.

We all know that sometimes He doesn’t respond exactly in the way we wish, but we also know that He is always faithful.

Conclusion:

We have talked about a number of Scriptures today that inform us about the nature of God, our relationship with Him, and His care for us.

Because of our faith in Him and His Word, we have assurance and knowledge that we wouldn’t have otherwise.

I hope that each of us will have a renewed confidence in God and know for certain He is in control.

I trust that we will hope in and rely on His divine care for each one of us, and rest assured that He will bring us through each and every trial we face.

I know many of you are facing difficult circumstances that are far more serious to you right now than a pandemic. Staying isolated may protect you from the virus, but it won’t change any of the ongoing circumstances you face daily.

But God hasn’t forgotten about you. Keep leaning on Him and He will give you what He sees is best.

(Today's Best Illustrations – Volumes 1-4) Several months ago our family went to a swimming pool. I was down in the deep end by the diving board swimming around, and my four-year-old, Savannah, came tottering into the shallow end of the pool. She can't swim yet, but she wears these big orange "floaties." She can't sink with these huge orange floaties on.

Savannah came down the steps, and as soon as she got out there in the water, she said "Daddy, I'm scared. I want to come where you are."

I chuckled at her [innocence] and said, "Savannah, it's a lot deeper down here."

She said, "I don't care. I want to be where you are."

"Okay, come on," I said.

She began dog-paddling across the pool... three-foot... six-foot... nine-foot... 12-foot-deep water. When she came up to me she grabbed my neck, and her look of panic gave way to relief. Next to her father she felt secure, and it made very little difference how deep or how dangerous the water was. — Dave Stone, "Keep the Dust Off the Highchair," Preaching Today, Tape No. 143.

If you are scared because of the uncertainty related to the current national crisis, or because of any other dreadful circumstances in your life right now, I admonish you to get up next to your heavenly Father. He can change your feelings of fear to security and confidence.

Closing Song: He Giveth More Grace

Broken Hearted God

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

This is a sermon based on the last phrase in Genesis 6:6, "He was grieved in his heart." The message describes the basis for a broken heart, which is love then explores the reasons God heart is broken. It ends with comments about how we can delight God's heart rather than break it.

Written Excerpts:

Genesis 6:6 ^(NKJV) And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.

^(NLT) So the LORD was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke his heart.

^(CEB) The LORD regretted making human beings on the earth, and he was heartbroken.

Introduction:

G. K. Chesterton — The Bible tells us to love our neighbors, and also to love our enemies; probably because they are generally the same people. (Today's Best Illustrations – Vols 1-4)

Catherine Voss — I teach Kids' Club at my church. Arriving home after one rough evening, my husband asked me how things had gone.

"Our lesson was on loving your neighbor, and two girls kept bothering each other."

"Which ones were the problem?" he asked.

"Faith and Charity!" (Today's Best Illustrations – Vols 1-4)

Love is a wonderful part of life. Most of us have known what it is to deeply love someone and to be loved in the same degree. I’d venture to say that nearly everyone has also experienced what it is like to be hurt deeply by the one you loved so deeply. There are very few experiences in life that rival the joy of loving and being loved, and few experiences rival the sadness and sorrow of being deeply offended by the one you love. Love involves risk.

C. S. Lewis, The Four Loves – To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly be broken… (sermonillustrations.com)

Leo Buscaglia, Loving Each Other ― “When we give ourselves in love we become our most vulnerable. We are never safe. We become open to disappointment and hurt.” (goodreads.com/quotes)

Gladys Bagg Taber, Harvest at Stillmeadow ― “Well, any love makes us vulnerable. Whatever we love will give the gift of pain somewhere along the road. But who would live sealed in spiritual cellophane just to keep from ever being hurt? There are a few people like that. I'm sorry for them. I think they are as good as dead.” (goodreads.com/quotes)

The sermon today is titled, “Broken-Hearted God.” The idea for the message came from a devotional I receive each week by email and written by Dr. John Oswalt. I’ll share a few quotes from that devotional a little later.

The quotes I read a few moments ago provide support for the fact that the experience of a broken heart is directly related to the depth of love for the person who committed the painful offense. So, for a little while I want to speak to you about the Love of God for humanity, how we have broken His heart, and how we can bring him delight.

I.          God is love.

The Bible is full of references about the love of God for all humanity.

Exodus 34:6 ^(NKJV)  And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth,

This verse is very significant because just two chapters earlier God is ready to wipe the people of Israel out because of their idolatry and debauchery while Moses was up on the mountain. That dialog expresses God's holy anger, while this present verse reveals His holy love.

Isaiah 54:8 ^(NKJV)  With a little wrath I hid My face from you for a moment; But with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you," Says the LORD, your Redeemer. 

1 John 4:16 “God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.”

The Apostle John states a simple fact: God is love. Love isn’t something that God HAS; it’s what He IS. Love is the essential characteristic of God’s perfection. His love is absolutely perfect. It is intense. It is infinite. There is no weakness or imperfection about His love.

A.W. Tozer — God wants us to worship Him. He doesn't need us, for He couldn't be a self-sufficient God and need anything or anybody, but He wants us. When Adam sinned, it was not he who cried, "God, where art Thou?" It was God who cried, "Adam, where art thou?"  (Today's Best Illustrations – Vols 1-4)

God’s love is universal.

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave…”

2 Peter 3:9 ^(NKJV)  The Lord is … not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 

That means you! And, it means me!

God’s love is unconditional.

Romans 5:8 ^(NKJV)  But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

We are not required to get ourselves into a condition of being desirable or lovable. We do not have to get ourselves all cleaned up and straightened up in order to get God to look our way and love us.

Henri Nouwen — God wants me to be with him, not to do things to prove I'm valuable. (Today's Best Illustrations – Vols 1-4)

His love is costly.

God’s love cost Him the death of His one and only eternal Son.

Refer back to two verses we’ve already mentioned: John 3:16 “God so loved… that He gave His only begotten son.” Rom. 5:8 “God demonstrates His love… Christ died for us.”

There is nothing wishy-washy about God’s love. It cost Him the dearest price imaginable. I think it was a professor from Asbury Seminary that said something like this: “God has a poverty when it comes to sons. He only had one Son to offer and that was who He gave.” (Dongell)

Oswald Chambers — In the Cross we may see the dimensions of Divine love. The Cross is not the cross of a man, but the exhibition of the heart of God. At the back of the wall of the world stands God with His arms outstretched, and every man driven there is driven into the arms of God. The Cross of Jesus is the supreme evidence of the love of God. (Today's Best Illustrations – Vols 1-4)

God’s love is a jealous love.

Exodus 34:14 “(for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God)”

In the context of this verse, the Lord warns against intermarrying with the Canaanites and adopting their worship of idols and pagan gods. As He gives this warning, the sin of idol worship is described as “playing the harlot” – terminology used to describe marital / sexual unfaithfulness. God's pure, holy jealousy prevents Him from tolerating competing affections.

Deuteronomy 4:24 ^(NKJV)  For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God. 

We tend to think of jealousy as a negative quality; a trait that has negative connotations or meanings. Yet, the Bible is describing God as a jealous God. If you stop and think about it, it makes complete sense. If there was no level of jealousy at all then there would be a positive reason to question the amount of love the person has.

II.        God’s heart has been broken.

Genesis 6:6 ^(NKJV) And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.

^(CEB) The LORD regretted making human beings on the earth, and he was heartbroken. (NLT) …It broke his heart.

I want to share a couple of thoughts from the devotional I mentioned earlier.

(John Oswalt) The vocabulary and the verb form in this verse stress the idea of causing hurt or pain over and over, thus “’broke his heart’ catches the point precisely.”

(Oswalt) Does our sin anger him? Of course. There are plenty of places in the Bible where we are told that. And well it should. He made us for something better than this! But this passage tells us something deeper about God. He made us for love! He made us to walk with him in unbroken, fruitful fellowship. But we have turned and slapped him in the face [over and over], and he is heart-broken.

See also:

Psalm 78:40 ^(NKJV)  How often they provoked Him in the wilderness, And grieved Him in the desert! 

Mark 3:5 ^(NKJV)  And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." …

There is a time for anger because his love is a jealous love and He will not tolerate any competing affections. But these verses emphasize the fact that our sin, our hardened hearts, and all the expressions of that in our conduct break the heart of a loving God.

Picture in your mind a weeping father. Weeping over the many times we have insisted on having our own way; weeping over the times we have turned our backs on him and walked “arm in arm with some momentary passion in direct disobedience to His revealed desires and will for us.

III.       God’s heart can be delighted.

(Oswalt) There is another side to this thought: if we can break his heart, we can also delight him…. When you gladly say yes to his invitation to walk with him, and to walk as he walks, in love, can you feel his arm around your shoulder and see his smile?

Proverbs 11:20 ^(NKJV)  Those who are of a perverse heart are an abomination to the LORD, But the blameless in their ways are His delight. 

Psalm 37:23 ^(NKJV)  The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way.

Jeremiah 9:23-24 ^(NKJV) Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; ²⁴  But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight," says the LORD. 

Conclusion:

Every one of us have been guilty of breaking the heart of a loving heavenly Father, who loved us with an infinite love. We’ve rebelled, we’ve repeatedly disobeyed, and we’ve insisted on having our own way.

I am assuming that many of us have also come to the place of prayer with deep sorrow and repentance seeking His mercy and forgiveness. If we have, we are most grateful for the wonderful, matchless grace of God who forgave us.

I do not have the ability to see inside your hearts, but I wonder if there is anyone here today who recognizes that you have been breaking the heart of God, and you have felt so ashamed and unworthy that you have neglected to seek His grace and forgiveness. I want to shout to you this morning, “Come to Jesus!” “Run to Jesus!” He’s weeping over you, but He loves you and wants to save you!

Song: Softly and Tenderly

What Does a Church Need?

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

This sermon is the sixth and final message in a series of sermons on the church of Jesus. Two messages spoke about "What a Church Is;" three messages were on the topic, "What a Church Does;" and this final message speaks about "What a Church Needs." The sermon focuses on two needs of any church: committed workers and frequent periodic revivals. The final 4+ minutes of the sermon audio above includes a story about the underground church in China as described by Wayne Cordeiro on a YouTube video.

Written Excerpts:

Isaiah 44:3 ^(NKJV) For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, And floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, And My blessing on your offspring;

Introduction:

Before we get started, I wanted to share some humorous stories related to church attendance that I recently read.

(Today's Best Illustrations – Vol. 5) One Sunday morning after church, my 3-year-old grandson, Taylor, came home jingling two quarters in his pocket—the same two quarters he had been instructed to give as an offering in his Sunday-school class. When I asked him why he didn't give his money to Jesus, he replied, "I didn't see Jesus at church today!"

I wonder if anybody “felt” Him or “heard” Him at church that day?

(Today's Best Illustrations – Vol. 4) Hannah was spending the night with her grandparents. At bath-time Hannah asked her grandmother if they were going to church the next morning. When Grandma said yes, Hannah turned up her nose and said, "I don't like Sunday school."

"But Hannah," Grandma replied, "we should learn all we can about God."

"I learned all about that when we lived in Illinois."

"Well, I've been going to church all my life and I haven't learned everything about God," Grandma said.

"Maybe you weren't paying attention." — Donna Blalock, Christian Reader

Here are a couple of quotes that aren’t as funny, but make a vital point:

Vance Havner ― I believe in the Church and in loyalty to a local church. I am not in favour (sic) of that view of the invisible church that makes one invisible at church on Sunday morning. (goodreads.com/quotes)

Vance Havner ― We are not going to move this world by criticism of it nor conformity to it, but by the combustion within it of lives ignited by the Spirit of God. (goodreads.com/quotes)

If you have been here during the past several weeks, then you know that I have been doing a series of sermons on the church of Jesus; the body of Christ. If you recall, we started out with a couple of messages on the question: “What is a church?” Following that we did three sermons on the question: “What does a church do?” Today I want to finish the series by asking the question, “What does a church need?”

I suppose that this question could have a dozen answers or more. For example, some people might answer the same for the church as they do for themselves: “What do I need? How about a million dollars!” There are many other answers people might offer; some serious and some not so serious.

There are only two answers that I will offer today.

            The church needs committed, faithful workers.

            The church needs frequent periods of revival.

I.          The church needs committed, faithful workers.

Nearly every message in this series I’ve been preaching has emphasized in some way the importance of every person that makes up the body of believers. When we were defining the church, certain words we noted in the Scriptures gave clear hints, if not plain language regarding the involvement and interaction of individual believers in the church. Then, when we talked about the mission or jobs of the church, we again kept emphasizing the importance of each individual contributing to a community effort to accomplish the tasks which the Lord has given us.

So, what I’m going to say here will probably sound repetitious and really familiar. However, the truth is, every local church and the universal church needs committed and faithful workers who will assume the responsibility of carrying out the tasks that the Lord has given us to do.

There are several verses in the NT which emphasize the importance of doing good works. Many of these verses were written in letters by the Apostle Paul to “churches.” He meant for individuals in those congregations to heed his instructions, but it was not meant for just a few members of the church. It was written for the whole church.

Consider these verses:

The Apostle Paul’s admonitions to two different churches…

Galatians 6:9-10 ^(NKJV)  And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. ¹⁰  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Ephesians 2:10 ^(NKJV)  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. 

There is a NT character by the name of Titus who was probably a convert under Paul’s ministry; traveled with Paul in ministry; and was instructed by Paul to stay at the island of Crete to be the pastor of the believers there. Paul writes a letter to Titus while he is the pastor and these are some of the statements he writes to him.

Titus 2:14 ^(NKJV)  who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

Titus 3:1 ^(NKJV)  Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 

Titus 3:8 ^(NKJV)  This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men. 

These passages and many others we could add, point to the importance and necessity of somebody(s) in the church being available, willing, and committed to do the good works that Paul was referring to. Though Paul was writing to each church as a unit or a whole, he would have understood that individuals within that whole had to step up and take the responsibility to do the “good works.”

Strong leaders in the church have the ability to discern (or maybe a better word is “discover”) a member’s spiritual gifts and natural talents then direct them into meaningful work that utilizes those gifts and talents. I probably do not qualify as a strong leader. I do not have the personality style suitable for positioning people in work roles. I am always concerned about adding one more responsibility on people who are already weighed down with work.

I do occasionally go to individuals and ask them to consider taking a job within the church’s ministries, but not very often. I often have announced for individuals who are willing to do a specific job to let me know, but that usually doesn’t work out well.

Look at the insert in the bulletin as an example of the kinds of work that needs done within the context of church.

(Illustrations Unlimited) A church member waiting to be asked to serve in his own church is just like the member of a family waiting to be invited to pull weeds in front of the house where he lives.

II.        The church needs frequent periods of revival.

Not only does the church need willing and faithful workers, but it also needs frequent periods of revival.

(Geoffrey R. King – Draper's Book of Quotations) Revival is a sovereign act of God upon the church whereby he intervenes to lift the situation completely out of human hands and works in extraordinary power.

Here are some of the biblical passages that seem to emphasize this important truth:

Zechariah 4:6 ^(NKJV)  So he answered and said to me: "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the LORD of hosts. 

Zerubbabel was the Persian-appointed governor over the people of Israel returning from Exile to Babylon, which been conquered by the Persians. This message was a reminder that the task he had could not be done by mere human strength. It was a reminder that through God’s Spirit he could accomplish God’s will even though he didn’t have the authority or resources of a true king like King David. (Tyndale Comm.)

Isaiah 57:15 ^(NKJV)  For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones. 

God Himself is the giver of revival. Revivals are a supernatural event. True revivals are not generated by human effort. Humans must cooperate with God by humble repentance and earnest prayer, but the actual pouring out of fresh waves of spiritual glory are divine acts of Almighty God.

Isaiah prayed for such a divine interruption of the ordinary when he prayed…

Isaiah 64:1 ^(NKJV)  Oh, that You would rend the heavens! That You would come down! That the mountains might shake [flow down] at Your presence-- 

Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus:
Ephesians 5:18 ^(NKJV)  And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation [overindulgence]; but be filled with the Spirit,

Notice the contrast between “liquid spirits” and the Holy Spirit. Artificial vs. the genuine.

The verb “be filled” is in the Greek tense that indicates continuous action. It could literally be translated: “keep on being filled.” We can infer from this verse that one filling isn’t enough. It is essential for believers to be filled with the Spirit over and over and over. We need frequent fillings of God’s almighty presence.

It is the normal tendency for something hot to cool off; for a burning flame to die out; and for something fresh to become stagnant or spoiled.

When human efforts produce little or no results; when professing Christians are powerless and ineffective; when conditions in the church are pretty much the same as the conditions in the world; then it is obvious that revival is needed.

Many historians agree that the spiritual awakening which took place in England in the 1700’s with the Wesley revival probably saved the nation from a bloody revolution similar to the experience of France. Revival not only changed the makeup of the church, but it changed the face of the nation, as people not only got right with God in their own hearts and lives, but they implemented so many social and moral reforms by the power of the Spirit that it changed their world. The deplorable social conditions that brought revolution in France were eliminated by revival in England.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, I just want to share a video that I shared on our church’s Facebook page last June, and I shared in prayer meeting about that time. Watch this video (approx. 4 minutes) and then decide if we need a fresh visit from heaven and a fresh filling of the powerful Spirit of God.