What Does God Really Want?

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This is a sermon based on Romans 6:1-14, and it is a continuation of a series of messages on the Epistle of Paul to the Romans. The series had been temporarily suspended during the Advent Season and the related holidays, and now has resumed.

Written Excerpts:

Introduction:

Today we are picking up where we left off in our series of messages on the letter of Paul to the Romans. That last few messages I gave before the Christmas season, were dealing with the subject of justification in chapters 3-5. We learned that justification is primarily a legal term and it has to do with the idea that God clears our record of sin and he credits us with righteousness because of the sacrifice of Christ. We were under condemnation because of our sin, but we have been acquitted and pardoned.

In chapter six, Paul goes further to explain that the righteousness of God provided through Jesus Christ is more than just a legal transaction in our behalf. It is truly a gift of grace that actually produces the righteousness of Christ in our conduct or behavior. When God erases our record, we say that He imputes righteousness, but when He transforms us He imparts righteousness. The main emphasis of chapters six through eight is regarding the impartation of God’s righteousness, and this is usually referred to as sanctification.

The word sanctification is a noun that means “holiness,” “purity,” “separated from the ordinary,” and various other shades of meaning. In its most common form it refers to the fact that we are granted the same character of God, who is holy.

My heart is burdened and so full of passion for this subject, that I hardly know how to begin this message. I can promise you that this message isn’t offered with the intention of making us feel good.

The spiritual state of the evangelical church today is disheartening. Most people who profess to be born-again-Christians today think of salvation as merely God’s way of forgiving our past and giving us a “ticket” to heaven. They have no clue about the biblical mandate for each of us to experience a complete transformation of our motives, our attitudes, our values, and our conduct.

Most of you know that I recently attended a Pastor’s conference in S.C. The theme of the conference was the same as the book that was authored by the main speaker, “Called to Be Holy.” Since his topic coincides with our subject today in Romans 6, I want to share some of the things the speaker, Dr. John Oswalt, gave to us (his source for statistics was George Barna, a popular Christian researcher).

·        We do not want our Christian faith to make us holy, we only want it to make us happy. [The average Christian on the street today doesn’t seem to be all that interested in being as holy as God wants, only so long as they are happy. In fact, I’ve literally heard some people express the viewpoint that God wants me happy, so whatever it takes to make me happy is what God wants.]

·        Faith today [for most Christians] begins with personal felt needs and ends with convenience and simplicity [i.e. ease, comfort]. [i.e., we often come to Christ because of some problem that we want relief from, and we continue living out our faith according to what is convenient or pleasant, but avoiding, as much as we can, especially anything that requires sacrifice, work, or suffering.]

·        Christians watch TV 7 times more than the time they spend in all spiritual pursuits combined [i.e., personal devotions, church attendance, discipleship, etc.]. [It’s no wonder most Christians today have moral values and priorities that mirror Hollywood.]

·        There is no observable differences between the values of the church and the values of the world. The six primary values of each group were described as:

þ       Material well-being  

þ       Satisfaction

þ       Happiness

þ       Approval

þ       Comfort

þ      Convenience

·        George Barna – “We have not transformed our culture because we are neither grieved nor embarrassed by our sin.”

·        The message of the entire NT assumes the foundation/ background of the OT. The NT answers the questions of the OT. If you do not know the questions, there is a good chance you will misinterpret the answers.

·        The primary “answer” of the NT is the cross, but what is the question?

·        Most people believe it is, “How can my sins be forgiven and I be assured of heaven?”

·        But the real question is, “How can a deeply corrupted human being ever share the character of a holy God?” [and live once again in perfect communion with Him?]

When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they died spiritually and immediately lost the intimate fellowship they had enjoyed, and they lost the holy, godly character they had been created with. We learned earlier in the book of Romans that this defective condition has been passed on to all humanity. We have inherited our first parents’ condition.

But, salvation and redemption is all about restoring what was lost: the character of God, the fellowship and intimacy with Him, and ultimately, the divine peace and order He designed for all of His creation.

IV. God's righteousness is revealed through sanctification. (6:1-8:39)

Wuest's Word Studies – So Paul proposes the question, "What shall we say then?" — say then to what? We go back to 5:20 for our answer which we find in the apostle's statement, "Where sin abounded, there grace was in superabundance, and then some on top of that."

The question raised shows that some had concluded that the more we sin, the more we demonstrate the grace of God, and they also concluded that sinning was a normal part of the Christian life.

(If sanctification means anything, it means that sin has been conquered. Or to state it another more positive way…)

A.    Sanctification means grace has been victorious. (6:1-23)

                       i.    Victory comes through knowledge of the truth. (6:1-10)

I am using this point of the outline to express the observation of Dr. Warren Weirsbe who pointed out that various forms of the word “know” are used 4 times in this chapter.

a.   The truth is we have died to sin. (6:1-7)

“died to sin” (v. 2); “baptized into his death” (v. 3); “buried…into death” (v. 4); “crucified with him” (v. 6); “dead with Christ” (v. 8)

b.   The truth is we are alive in Christ. (6:8-10)

The gospel of grace is two-fold: it makes us dead to sin, but it also makes us alive in Christ. Sanctification is not only separation from something, but it is joining in with something different. The primary emphasis in verses 8-10 is about new life in Christ, but the same concept has already been expressed in some of the earlier verses as well. (see vv. 4-5)

v. 8 – “…we shall also live with him.”

v. 9 – “…Christ being raised… dies no more.”

v. 10 – “…he lives unto God.”

                     ii.    Victory comes through identification with Christ. (6:11-14)

Wuest's Word Studies - The word "reckon" is logizomai, "to reckon, count, compute, to take into account…"

a.   Identification is a fact to be accepted. (6:11)

The whole point in Paul’s use of the word “reckon” is to get us to believe it without reservation. He also puts this in the form of a command. It isn’t an option, we must figure, compute that we are dead to sin and that we are alive to Christ.

b.   Identification is a fact to be practiced. (6:12-14)

Why do we need to accept the fact and “take it into account” in all that we believe?

So that it will affect our conduct. (v.12) “therefore” “let not…” (v. 13) “neither...”

Conclusion:

What does God really want?

I believe that if we truly understand the message of the New Testament (and particularly passages like Romans 6-8), we will come to understand that God wants us to be re-made in His image spiritually and morally so that He can once again resume intimate fellowship and communion with creatures that share His character.

 

Alpha Omega Center Update

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This is a guest presentation by Bonnie Schaefer, Executive Director of the Alpha Omega Centers in Slippery Rock, PA. and New Castle, PA. Bonnie spoke to our congregation on the National Sanctity of Human Life Sunday and gave us inspirational accounts regarding the ministry of the centers which minister to women who are faced with crisis or unwanted pregnancies.

Rev. Kenton Shaw (Guest Minister)

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Rev. Kenton Shaw presented the sermon at Wayside Community Church on 1/12/2014 while I was away. This recording is the message that he gave.

The Best Year Ever

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This is a message that discusses the kinds of "ingredients" that will help this new year become the best year ever. Several scripture texts are used for this sermon.

Written Excerpts:

Introduction:

We have made it through another year and we are gathered in this worship service on the first Sunday of a brand new year.

The message I felt led to bring today is just a general message of encouragement and hope. This will be a topical message and we will be looking at a number of different passages of scripture.

As I was thinking about what kind of message to share today I wanted to focus on a topic that is appropriate for the first Sunday of the new year. I wanted to focus on a topic that would be inspirational, yet challenging.

I was just trying to think of the kinds of things that need to happen in order to make 2014 the “best year ever.”

The list that I have come up with is not in any particular order, but they are just some things that I think would help make this the best year. There are certainly other items that could have been included in the list, and you may be inspired by something that is said today to come up with some additional items you might want to add to “your list.”

What are the ingredients that will help ensure that we do in fact have a Happy New Year, or the best year ever?

1. Re-orient my values and priorities.

Colossians 3:1-3 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. ²  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. ³  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

Far too many people, including Christians, think that happiness and contentment can be found in material possessions and wealth.

I mentioned this just last week, but we all have heard stories of individuals who acquired vast amounts of wealth and material blessings and yet were so unhappy and miserable that they wanted to die.

I believe, dear friends, that the secret to a happy life; a life that is fulfilling and satisfying, is to have my values and priorities re-oriented away from this world and material goods to the things that are spiritual and eternal.

1 Timothy 6:7-10 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. ⁸  And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. ⁹  But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. ¹⁰  For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

The more that I am focused on acquiring financial wealth the less contented I will be, and the less contented I am, the more miserable I will be.

But if I am focused on things that are spiritual and eternal, I can be happy in the midst of circumstances that are less than desirable.

I will be able to have a great year in spite of my circumstances.

2. Focus more of my efforts on helping others.

Philippians 2:3-4 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. ⁴ Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

I don’t know of anything that robs me of joy and happiness any quicker than constantly being focused on myself; what I have or don’t have; and what I want/need.

On the other hand, I don’t know of anything that brings more joy and contentment than having the opportunity to help someone else in need and knowing that I have helped someone that is worse off than I am.

Along this same general theme, I would also especially mention the ability to help someone come to know Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.

If I can focus more of my time and energies on helping others come to know Christ and get ready for heaven, it will produce unspeakable joy and happiness for me.

James 5:19-20 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; ²⁰  Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

How happy would a person be knowing that God has used them to help “save a soul from death?”

3. Purpose to become more Christ-like in my personal life.

If I purpose in my heart to be more like Christ, then whatever I may face that helps me acquire His attributes will be worth it, and I can remain peaceful and rejoice in the end results.

1 Peter 4:12-13 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: ¹³  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

If I constantly remind myself that my goal in life is not comfort, but conformity to Christ, then I’ll have an entirely different outlook on adversity and trouble.

Hebrews 12:7, 9-11 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? ⁹ Further-more we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? ¹⁰  For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. ¹¹  Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

Conclusion:

As we proceed through this year the circumstances we face may not be very pleasant, but if we have stayed true to our Lord, it will be a good year. We may have to endure a great deal of adversity, but if we have grown in our faith, it will be a good year. We may have much more sorrow than we ever imagined, but if we have become more like Christ, it will be a good year. When 2014 has come to an end if we are able to look back and see that we have weathered every storm and have not only survived, but we have thrived by growing stronger in faith and have helped others come to know our Lord and Savior, then it will be the best year ever.

In order for this to be possible, we will need an abundance of God’s grace. I’m thankful that the Word tells us “He giveth more grace.” (James 4:6)

If we find ourselves growing weak and faint, He can give us more grace.

If we find ourselves lacking Christ-like spirit and attitudes, He can give us more grace.

If we discover we are becoming self-centered rather than focused on others, He can give us more grace.

No matter what we face that may threaten to derail our spiritual goals, God is able to give us more grace to come through victoriously.

Whom Do You Seek?

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This is a message that is related to the story of the wise men in Matthew 2 and the amount of effort they expended in order to seek for the Christ child. The message discusses the need to diligently seek the Lord.

Introduction:

The message today is sort of a sequel to the message I gave a couple of weeks ago regarding the Wise Men.

In my previous message we tried to provide a number of different insights regarding the details of the story to help us understand it better.

It is intriguing to me to consider the amount of effort it must have taken for the Magi to seek for the new King.

No author that I checked seems to know for sure which country the wise men would have journeyed from. Suggestions have included Chaldea, Persia (east of Babylon) and Parthia (northeast of Babylon). Any one of these countries could have meant a trip of a few hundred miles to several hundred miles.

We do know from the implication of the story in Matthew 2 that the wise men first saw the star two years prior to the meeting in Jerusalem with King Herod. So it is safe to assume that their journey took most of that time. How many threats and dangers would they have endured in a journey of that length?

Let’s consider for a moment the text verse that I have chosen for this message, just for the purpose of using the last part of the verse… “Whom seek ye?”

As you may know, the verse is taken from the narrative about the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus. So, it is taken from the end of his life rather than the beginning, but I wanted to emphasize the question that Jesus poses to the officers, “Whom do you seek?”

As we tie this question in with the Christmas story of the magi, who came to Jerusalem seeking the Christ child, I want to ask you this morning, “Whom do you seek?”

I want to propose to you the idea that we need to follow the example of the wise men and seek diligently for the Christ in order to find Him and enjoy the benefits of knowing Him.

There are many references in the Bible about seeking the Lord. I would like to use several of those references today to admonish us to engage in an earnest seeking for God.

As we approach this subject today, I want us to consider three important points about seeking the Lord.

I. Our seeking must have God as the object.

II. Our seeking must be diligent.

III. Our diligent seeking will be rewarded.

I. Our seeking must have God as the object.

Psalm 27:8 (NKJV) ⁸  When You said, "Seek My face," My heart said to You, "Your face, LORD, I will seek."

The Psalmist had a positive response from the depths of his own heart when he understood God to be calling him to seek Him.

From that heart-felt response, there was a determined willingness to follow through with earnest seeking after God.

Psalm 34:10 (NKJV) ¹⁰  The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing.

In this reference, the Psalmist is emphasizing the fact that one of the by-products of seeking the Lord is that God will provide the other important needs in our lives if we seek Him first.

Cf. Matthew 6:33 “Seek ye first…”

It is true that this reference specifically mentions the “kingdom of God.” But, the point is that “all these things” were by-products of seeking after God and His kingdom rather than seeking primarily for the “things.”

People in the world have always sought for various things to satisfy their inner longings and desires. They may seek for happiness, wealth, fame, and numerous other “objects” that they believe will satisfy the deepest desires of their souls.

Yet, we’ve heard and read story after story of those who did achieve great wealth, fame or prestige, but still did not find satisfaction in their soul. It is because we are spiritual beings, created in the image of God and with a inborn desire to know God.

We must learn early in life that what our soul truly desires is to know God, and by seeking and finding Him, we can find happiness and contentment.

II. Our seeking must be diligent.

Hebrews 11:6 (KJV) ⁶  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

A. Diligent seeking involves one’s entire being.

Deuteronomy 4:29 (NKJV) ²⁹  But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.

To seek with all the heart and all the soul implies seeking with our entire being. It is intense and purposeful. It implies singleness of mind and objective.

This kind of seeking is consumed with finding and is passionate about it.

B. Diligent seeking is not sporadic or hap-hazard.

1 Chronicles 16:11 (KJV) ¹¹  Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.

Luke 11:9-10 (NKJV) ⁹  "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ¹⁰  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

You have probably heard me say this before and others as well… the tense of the verbs in verse 9 indicate continuous action. Thus, “keep on asking; keep on seeking; keep on knocking.”

C. Diligent seeking includes:

1. Searching the Scriptures

2. Prayer

Daniel 9:3-4 (KJV) ³  And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes: ⁴  And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;

No one has ever obtained what they needed from the Lord by trying to convince God how good they are; how worthy they are; or how it would be in God’s best interest to respond to them.

3. Fasting

Ezra 8:21 (KJV) ²¹  Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.

“afflict” – trans. “humble” in several places. Seems to carry the idea of self-denial and self-chastening.

III. Our diligent seeking will be rewarded.

2 Chronicles 15:1-4 (NKJV) ¹  Now the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded. ²  And he went out to meet Asa, and said to him: "Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you. ³  For a long time Israel has been without the true God, without a teaching priest, and without law; ⁴  but when in their trouble they turned to the LORD God of Israel, and sought Him, He was found by them.

Ezra 8:21-23 (KJV) ²¹  Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance. ²²  For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him. ²³  So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us.

This verse references Ezra’s return from captivity with a large group of exiles and they sought the Lord for protection from their enemies.

Jeremiah 29:13   And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

See Luke 11:10 above

Hebrews 11:6 (KJV) ⁶  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

God doesn’t mock the person who diligently seeks for Him. He doesn’t play games with us. He gladly responds with a “reward.” That is, whatever He sees is the need of our heart and life.

Conclusion:

2 Chronicles 12:14 (KJV) ¹⁴  And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD.

A short but sad commentary on the life of king Rehoboam, the son of Solomon.

Failing to seek the Lord resulted in all kinds of evil.

Seeking the Lord is not just for the unsaved, the non-Christian or the wicked. All of us who claim the name of Christ need to also seek the Lord for repeated revival and refreshing from His Holy Spirit.

The prophet Daniel and other godly servants of the Lord had times when they earnestly sought the Lord.

Our closing song emphasizes the testimony of those who have found what they were seeking for.

Hallelujah I Have Found Him! (Satisfied )

Let us all purpose this morning that we will be people who are seeking the Lord with all our hearts and all our souls.

Wise Men Still Seek Him

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This is a message based on Matthew 2 which is the story of the "Wise Men" coming to worship the Christ child.

Written excerpts:

Introduction:

The story of the “wise men” from the East is an interesting part of the Christmas story in the Bible. I am aware that the events of this story actually took place “after Christmas” (i.e., the birth of Christ), but we are going to talk about it today in preparation for Christmas.

With the Lord’s help I hope to provide several details about the account to help us understand the story better, then I want to conclude by drawing some practical applications for our own personal journey with Christ.

Let us examine this story that is recorded only by Matthew by answering several questions.

1. Who is Matthew writing to and why?

Most Bible scholars describe the book of Matthew as being written primarily to Jewish readers.

There are four prominent themes that show up in a book that was written for Christians with Jewish roots and background.

First, Jesus is the Messiah, the long-awaited King of God's people. Second, Jesus is the new Abraham, the founder of a new spiritual Israel consisting of all people who choose to follow Him. This new Israel will consist of both Jews and Gentiles. Third, Jesus is the new Moses, the deliverer and instructor of God's people. Fourth, Jesus is the Immanuel, the virgin-born Son of God who fulfills the promises of the OT. (HCSB Study Bible)

It is important to understand who the recipients were because Matthew is the only one that speaks about this event. It seems evident therefore, that he felt this event (visitation of foreign dignitaries) helps confirm the point that Jesus is the new King of God’s people.

2. When did this event happen?

v. 1 - “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem… in the days of Herod the king….”

Herod was what you might call a “very colorful fellow!”

“Historical sources reveal Herod to have been extremely paranoid. He had three of his own sons and one of his wives killed because he feared they were plotting to overthrow him.” Wesleyan Bible Commentary

It’s no wonder he slaughtered all the baby boys in Bethlehem to get rid of one he perceived to be a threat to his rule.

Historians tell us that Herod the Great died in the year of 4 B.C.

This event would have taken place prior to his death, so it had to be earlier than 4 B.C. Some suggest the winter of 5 B.C.

It also is thought by many commentators that it must have happened up to two years after the birth of Christ, because of Herod’s decision to kill all baby boys under the age of two after he inquired of the wise men about the time they saw the star.

It is important to note that “Jesus was called a Child (paidion, here in vv. 9, 11) rather than a newborn Infant (brephos, [babe] Luke 2:12). The Bible Knowledge Commentary

The only discrepancy could be that the “star” appeared before the birth of Christ in order to get the wise men to their destination at an appropriate time to worship him.

3. Who were the “wise men?”

magos occurs only in Daniel 2:2,10 and describes a group of people possessing knowledge of Babylonian religious and magical arts, whom Nebuchadnezzar summoned to interpret his dream.
- HCSB Study Bible

Other writers describe their origin as being Persia, or some other regions around Babylon or Persia.

They probably practiced a combination of astrology, magic, and other pagan religions.

4. Why did they come?

·        “The irony in the passage is difficult to miss: The Jewish King Herod in Jerusalem attempted to slaughter baby Jesus born in nearby Bethlehem, while pagan devotees of a foreign religion recognized Messiah's star, traveled a great distance to find Him, presented Him with valuable gifts, and paid homage to Him.” - HCSB Study Bible

It is certainly interesting to think about the possibility that they were going on information that they would have received from their ancestors who were contemporary with the prophet Daniel.

This emphasizes the importance of serving God wherever the Lord allows us to be “transplanted.”

They came to worship Him, and present gifts to Him. With what little information they had, they still understood that He deserved honor and reverence. They had understood, perhaps by divine revelation, that He deserved their best efforts in getting there and in giving of gifts.

5. What was the star?

·        Some claim it was a planetary body as we normally think of with the term “star,” including a comet or a conjunction of planets such as Jupiter, Saturn & Mars.

“Astronomers have been able to determine that these two planets [Jupiter & Saturn] appeared to overlap each other in the Pisces constellation in 7 b.c. Since Jupiter was the planet of royalty, Saturn the planet of Palestine, and Pisces the sign of the last days, ancient astrologers might easily have concluded that an end-time king of the Jews had been born. Interesting as these explanations may be, they do not explain the way in which the star led the Magi directly to the house where Jesus was in Bethlehem as mentioned in Matthew 2:9.” Wesleyan Bible Commentary

·        Some have raised the possibility that it was some type of miraculous light, perhaps something like the pillar of fire God used to guide the Israelites out of Egypt.

It does seem that it had to be something distinct from a bright star as we think of stars, because they are so far above the earth, it could hardly pinpoint a single house. (Like chasing the proverbial “pot of gold” at the end of the rainbow. It looks like it is “right over there” until you get there and then you realize the bow is still just as far away as it was.)

6. What lessons can we learn from this event?

·        HCSB Study Bible - “…the summons of the magi to visit Jesus demonstrates God's intention to save Gentiles from their futile religions.”

As this writer implies, we need to remember that no one has a “lock” on the grace of God. He is not willing that any should perish, and in this case, that even means pagan priest-magicians from a distant land.

God has always been in the business of drawing the undesirables and the unlikely people into His love and salvation.

Jesus said that He did not come for the righteous, but for the sinners.

·        Hard Sayings of the Bible -  “Now the meaning of the story becomes clear. God speaks to some pagan astrologers by means of natural revelation through the language that they would understand (either a planetary conjunction or a comet or some other astronomical phenomenon). They respond in faith and travel a long distance seeking the king to honor and worship.... Meanwhile the Jewish people have the Scriptures that clearly indicate the birthplace of the Messiah, yet far from carefully watching that town, even when confronted by the magi they respond with upset and anger rather than faith.”

Simple faith in God’s leading brought about much better results than the religious bigotry of those who were the “experts in the Scriptures.”

It is so amazing to see how God draws pagans (those we normally think of as being outside the realm of faith) and He causes them to put His own people to shame.

If we’re not careful, our faith can become nothing more than an academic knowledge of the Word with little or no real desire to know the Author of the Word.

·        We can learn a lot from these foreign astrologers by following their example of commitment (traveling the great distance); their devotion (they worshiped him); and their sacrifice (gave gifts that were costly).

Conclusion:

Have you ever had the occasion to have a complete stranger make you feel ashamed by his response to something that you just took for granted, but after seeing his/her reaction of sheer delight or awe, you were made to realize what a treasure you had but didn’t realize?

I think we should view this visit of the Wise Men in the same manner. These pagans can help us improve our worship and devotion to the Messiah, the King of kings and Lord of lords.

The title I used for the message was: Wise Men Still Seek Him.

The term “wise men” was originally understood in a little different way than we would normally use the term today.

However, these men definitely would have been considered the “scholars” of their time.

I believe that God wants us to follow their example. Anyone that is truly wise, will seek to know God, especially through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Christmas Story

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This is a message that speaks about the incarnation of Jesus and emphasizes his deity and his humanity.

Written Excerpts:

Introduction:

If anyone would ask you if you know the Christmas story, you would more than likely respond by quoting the details of Luke 2 and Matthew 1 and 2.

And you would be correct, for that is the account of the Christmas story. However, as interesting and incredible as it seems to be, it is only part of the story. There is a completely separate aspect of the story that is even more incredible. It is more theological in nature and certainly more difficult to comprehend.

The Scriptures from Philippians and St. John that were read for us earlier in the service stress for us this other aspect that I am referring to.

Both of these references speak about the existence of Christ before He was born into this world and they introduce us to a bit more of the mystery that is wrapped up in the birth of the Messiah.

For a little while this morning I want to explore some of the truths that are presented by the Apostle John and the Apostle Paul regarding the true identity of Jesus and His coming to earth.

The nature and identity of Jesus is a theological topic that has been debated for centuries. Various errors regarding the true identity of Christ have been introduced down through the years and they have been opposed by the defenders of the faith.

It might be stated as simply as possible, that all such errors have come about as a result of emphasizing one aspect of His nature to the exclusion or diminishing of the other aspect of his nature.

There are three truths about Christ that I would like for us to think about today.

I. Jesus is clearly divine

II. Jesus is clearly human

III. Salvation is achieved

Let us consider what it means to say that Jesus Christ is truly God and truly man.

I. Jesus is clearly divine.

That means He was and is God.

The Bible uses the term “Son of God” very frequently, but what does that mean? Does the “Son of God” have the same divine substance and essence as God the Father?

For many people who follow unorthodox beliefs (Jehovah’s Witness; Mormons; etc.), they believe that Jesus was the “son of God,” but that does not mean he was divine. They do not believe He was equal with God or possessed the same essence as the Father.

According to John 5:18, the Jews considered the term “Son of God” to mean equality with God.

John 5:18 (NKJV) ¹⁸  Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.

“being in the form of God” – existing in the “essential attributes as shown in the form. In his pre-incarnate state Christ possessed the attributes of God and so appeared to those in heaven who saw him. Here is a clear statement by Paul of the deity of Christ.” (A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament)

Some writers emphasized that this word, “form” (morphe) expresses the pre-incarnate appearances of Christ when He exhibited the characteristics and qualities of deity.

e.g. - (Adam Clarke's Commentary) By the form of God we are rather to understand that visible, glorious light in which the Deity is said to dwell, and by which he manifested himself to the patriarchs of old… and which in Scripture is called The Similitude, Numbers 12:8; The Face, Psalm 31:16: The Presence, Exodus 33:15; and The Shape of God, John 5:37. This interpretation is supported by the term μορφη, form, here used, which signifies a person's external shape or appearance, and not his nature or essence.… Farther this interpretation agrees with the fact: the form of God, that is, his visible glory, and the attendance of angels, as above described, the Son of God enjoyed with his Father before the world was, John 17:5; and on that as on other accounts he is the brightness of the Father's glory, Hebrews 1:3. Of this he divested himself when he became flesh….

The word form in Greek can denote merely outward appearance, "but it may refer to the kind of form that fully expresses the being that underlies it." (Wesleyan Bible Commentary)

“equal with God” – His equality with God is something that the Jews understood as one of His claims when He was on earth. See John 5:18 (above); 10:33.

“robbery” – lit. something to be grasped on to or held onto.

The question is whether grasped denotes something Christ did not possess and declined to seize upon, or something He did possess and declined to hold on to. The drift of the passage, both what has preceded and what follows, seems clearly to support the latter. What this adds up to is that Jesus did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited or used to His own advantage. (Wesleyan Bible Commentary – Galatians, Philippians, Colossians)

John 1:1 – The Word was with God, and the Word was God.

New World Trans. – “… Word was a god.”

This translation ignores the context – creation of all that exists, which should be compared to Gen. 1.

Also compare Matthew 1:22-23 (NKJV) ²²  So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: ²³  "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "[the] God with us."

Other passages that promote this same truth include:

Colossians 1:15 (NKJV)
¹⁵  He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

Colossians 2:9 (NKJV)
⁹  For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;

So, Paul is setting forth the proposition that Jesus the Christ was truly divine in nature and in form.

This means that before His “entrance” to earth, He not only enjoyed all the splendor and glories of heaven with the Father, but He would have also received praise and worship of the angels, who “sang at creation.”

Job 38:7 (KJV)
⁷  When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

Psalm 148:2 (NKJV)
²  Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts!

II. Jesus is clearly human.

But, that is only half of the story. He is also clearly human.

“made himself of no reputation” – literally means He “emptied Himself.” That is, He gave up or surrendered His “form” of God to take on the “form” of man.

i.e. “divesting of His self-interests, but not of His deity.” (The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures by Dallas Seminary Faculty)

It seems to portray the idea that He gave up His privileges in portraying the “form of God” in order to display the “form of a servant.”

It is impossible to comprehend the exchange He made so that He could identify with our humanity.

The concept of being a “servant” or “slave” is highlighted even more when we think of Him doing such things as washing the disciples’ feet, etc.

What humiliation! What condescension!

The song writer exclaims: (starting with verse 2)

What condescension, Bringing us redemption;

That in the dead of night, Not one faint hope in sight,

God, gracious tender, Laid aside His splendor,

Stooping to woo, to win, to save my soul.

Without reluctance, Flesh and blood His substance,

He took the form of man, Revealed the hidden plan.

O glorious mystery, Sacrifice of Calv’ry,

And now I know Thou art the great “I Am.”

(chorus) O how I love Him! How I adore Him!

My breath, my sunshine, my all in all!

The great Creator Became my Savior,

And all God’s fullness dwelleth in Him.

III. Salvation is achieved.

You’ve heard me say it before, and you’ll undoubtedly hear me say it again…

His deity and His humanity are both necessary to achieve our redemption.

All the Levitical laws in the OT regarding the perfection required in the animal sacrifices point to the reality that redemption must be achieved by a sacrifice that was perfect, without blemish, without sin.

His deity was required in order to make Him the perfect Lamb of God.

His humanity was necessary to make Him legally acceptable to redeem us. He is described as the “second Adam” as we noted last Sunday in our sermon on Romans 5.

One of the main points in the book of Ruth is the story of redemption, where the law required a near relative, “kinsman redeemer” to pay the price of redemption, which Boaz gladly did.

As a man, He represents the human race in accepting our punishment and propitiation (one who turns away the wrath of God.)

 Conclusion:

Oh, what love God has demonstrated for us!

We are going to sing a closing song:

Tell Me the Story of Jesus

It’s a wonderful story. It’s a story of love. It’s a story of great humility and condescension. It’s a story of God becoming man.