Number One Priority

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This message is based on several passages of Scripture and emphasizes the primary mission of the church and all Christian believers - to glorify God. The sermon strives to show that giving praise, adoration, honor and glory to God should be highest priority before we attempt to do anything else for God. This is the first sermon in a short series of messages that examine the three main purposes or priorities of the Church.

Written Excerpts:

Romans 15:5-6 ^(NKJV) Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, ⁶ that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Introduction:

I don’t know how many others in the service this morning have had a similar experience as I have, but there have been times when I was either assembling something or else disassembling something for repairs, and before long I find myself struggling to get things to cooperate. When that happens, I may stop to consult the directions (but, sad to say, not always)! Lo and behold, when I consulted the directions, I discovered there were some very key first steps that I omitted, which if I had completed those first, I never would have run into the struggles that I experienced.

The message I felt led to bring today can be compared to this illustration. Being a Christian, living for God, and accomplishing His will in our lives can be very frustrating at times. It sometimes seems like we’re not getting anything accomplished and we’re just “spinning our wheels.” When that happens, or when we get that impression, I think it’s God’s way of letting us know that we may have left out some very important first steps and we have just launched into the middle of a project or assignment, trying to accomplish things for the kingdom of God.

Quite a few years ago I preached a short series of messages about the mission or purpose of the church. I recall that I stressed three main purposes that God has given the church and every Christian:

·     The upward purpose – to glorify God

·     The inward purpose – to love, support and nurture fellow Christians

·     The outward purpose – to impact (evangelize) the world around us

I have recently been reading a small book that I received from Rev. Howard Russell, and it highlights the three-pronged purpose of the church that I just mentioned. The book is written by Ray Ortlund (Haven of Rest radio broadcast). 

Even though I stressed the importance of the church fulfilling all three purposes that God designed for it, it seems that I approached it more from the standpoint that we just need to make sure that we’re engaged in all three. Dr. Ortlund, however, has suggested a perspective that grabbed my attention. His perspective is this:

Rather than just attempting to do all three (upward, inward, and outward) simultaneously, the church needs to make sure that the first purpose is really the top priority of the church. In other words, if we haven’t taken adequate time and given adequate effort to fulfill the first purpose/priority, then all our efforts in the 2^nd and 3^rd priorities will miserably fail.

So today I want to start by drawing our attention back to this #1 priority – the upward purpose of the church. I want to remind us of what we must focus on first and foremost as a church and as individual Christians endeavoring to live according to God’s divine purposes.

The verses that we read together earlier in the responsive scripture reading all had a similar message emphasizing believer’s responsibility to glorify and exalt our heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ.

I.    Our first priority in life is to praise and glorify God.

Ps. 9:1-2 I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High. 

Rom. 15:5-6 Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Col. 1:18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. 

Ray Ortlund – “Some churches are merely evangelistic centers. All that’s done during the week and even on Sunday mornings is leading up to the altar call…. Some churches are first of all mission centers. There’s the thermometer up in front and the map on the wall, and people talk a lot about fifty-fifty budgets, and they hear a lot of missionary reports from the pulpit…. Some churches are first of all information centers. Their main purpose is to pour out biblical material, and the buzz words are teach and teacher. The people come to fill their notebooks and their heads…. Some churches are primarily program centers. They are platforms – stages, really – which seek to have one extravaganza after another. They say, “Man, if you thought this Sunday was good, just wait till next week!”…. 

“The Lord ordained the church for himself. The church’s chief function, as also the individual believer’s function, is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever.” (Three Priorities for a Strong Local Church)

Psalm 148:1-14 (NKJV)
¹  Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; Praise Him in the heights!
²  Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts!
³  Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all you stars of light!
⁴  Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, And you waters above the heavens!
⁵  Let them praise the name of the LORD, For He commanded and they were created.
⁶  He also established them forever and ever; He made a decree which shall not pass away.
⁷  Praise the LORD from the earth, You great sea creatures and all the depths;
⁸  Fire and hail, snow and clouds; Stormy wind, fulfilling His word;
⁹  Mountains and all hills; Fruitful trees and all cedars;
¹⁰  Beasts and all cattle; Creeping things and flying fowl;
¹¹  Kings of the earth and all peoples; Princes and all judges of the earth;
¹²  Both young men and maidens; Old men and children.
¹³  Let them praise the name of the LORD, For His name alone is exalted; His glory is above the earth and heaven.
¹⁴  And He has exalted the horn of His people, The praise of all His saints-- Of the children of Israel, A people near to Him. Praise the LORD!

Revelation 4:11 (KJV)

¹¹  Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

1 Corinthians 10:31 (KJV)
³¹  Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

II.  When the upward purpose is truly our first priority, then the other priorities will be more clear.

Proverbs 3:6 (NKJV)
⁶  In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. 

 (Ortlund) To the extent that Priority Three becomes Priority One – or Priority Two becomes first – we will be out of kilter, out of God’s plan, and we’ll become fussing, uptight, confused and tired.

When Christ is worshiped and exalted first and foremost, then He provides clearer vision and insight regarding how best to fulfill the other priorities or purposes He has for us.

There is a story about a pilot who announced over the intercom that he had good news because of a strong tailwind they were making really good time. There was some bad news however, because the compass was broken and they had absolutely no idea where they were going!

Taking time to give honor and praise to the Lord can help orient us and direct us in all the other functions we need to perform as the body of Christ.

I read 1 Cor. 10:31 just a little while ago, which tells us “whatever you do, do all for the glory of God.”

How can we adequately do everything for the glory of God if we don’t begin everything with glory, honor and praise to Him?

III. We need to recommit ourselves individually and collectively to truly honor, exalt and worship God.

A. Our worship services must include adequate time honoring and exalting God.

B. Our individual prayer time must be a number one priority in which we intentionally spend time worshiping, praising and adoring God.

For many Christians, their prayer time consists of a brief time asking God for His blessings and His protection and for Him to solve all the problems they will be confronting that day.

But, God created us to glorify and honor Him. 

Look at the example of Paul and Silas in the Philippian jail. They had cast out a spirit of divination from a slave girl and her masters were angry. They dragged Paul and Silas before the magistrates, who order them to be stripped and beaten then cast into jail with their feet in stocks.

Acts 16:25 ^(NKJV) But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.

What would have been our prayers? 

Have you ever been around people who are suffering greatly, but when you talk to them or ask them how things are doing, they only reply with praise to the Lord for all His goodness and blessings?

Whatever we do, Bible study, board meetings, etc. etc. should begin with appropriate time giving praise to the Lord.

Conclusion:

In John 17, Jesus’ prayer for His disciples, He devotes the first portion praying for the Father’s glory and the Son’s glory.

The prayer also includes the other priorities that God assigned to the church, but Jesus begins with an emphasis on glorifying the Father.

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I find myself feeling pressured by the urgency of things that need to be done. Just like you, I’m tempted at times to skip or cheat the time for prayer to get started doing something. But I intend to refocus and recommit myself to making the upward purpose of worship and praise the true number one priority in my life and I hope you will as well.

Let’s close the service today by singing a prayer for God’s Spirit to empower the church and make us what He wants us to be. God of Grace and God of Glory

The Offense of the Cross

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This is a sermon that was given in a worship service that included the sacrament of communion. It is based on a phrase found in Galatians 5:11 in which the Apostle Paul writes about the offense of the cross. The message attempts to explain what the offense of the cross involves and makes application for our contemporary life of faith.

Written Excerpts:

Galatians 5:11 ^(NKJV) And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased.

Introduction:

I’m sure that most of us are aware of the current trends in our society for people to be offended at nearly anything and everything. 

Dolly Parton once said, “I’m not offended by dumb blond jokes because I know I’m not dumb, and I also know I’m not blonde.”

I came across this quote that pretty well describes the current situation in our nation:

“Right now we live in an age of extreme Political Correctness. It has gone way too far. I hope it's just a phase. Political Correctness is now just a fancy word for censorship. It's no longer about protecting the weak. It has become an excuse to persecute others, because persecuting people is fun. Don't you dare say or think the wrong thing, or a [social media] mob of angry villagers will come after you with digital torches and metaphorical pitchforks.” ― Oliver Markus Malloy (www.goodreads.com/quotes)

Our message today is about offenses, but it includes a completely different concept than what we're used to hearing about in the news. The Apostle Paul is addressing a church congregation that had apparently accepted and believed the gospel, but had slipped back into a legalistic flavor of “theology.”

Here in chapter five, Paul is concerned that they are nullifying the message of grace and gospel by insisting on circumcision according to the requirements of the OT Covenant. He argues: “If I am presently preaching the necessity of circumcision, then why am I suffering persecution from the hands of those who insist on it?” In other words, the very fact that he suffers persecution from the Jews everywhere he preaches is proof that he does not insist on circumcision.

He continues his argument by stating: “[If I am presently preaching the necessity of circumcision, then] there is no longer any offense of the cross.” So the argument he is advocating seems to be this: when the gospel message of the cross is emphasized, then the merits of conformity to the law is nullified. When the merits of conformity to the law is emphasized, then the gospel of the cross is nullified.

In this defense Paul makes for the gospel, he mentions something he refers to as the “offense of the cross.”

Let’s take a few minutes to consider what Paul means by the offense of the cross.

I.      The meaning of the word translated “offense.”

The Greek word for “offense” is σκάνδαλον (skandalon), which sounds a lot like our English word, “scandal.”

(Tyndale New Testament Commentaries) – In the Greek Old Testament, skandalon means a ‘trap’ or ‘snare’…. In the New Testament, the word is frequently used of a temptation to sin, that which causes a person to fall. But the typical New Testament use is when it means, as here, ‘that which causes revulsion, arouses opposition’ (BAGD). 

Paul is acknowledging the fact that the message of the gospel, which includes the message of the cross, is an offense to most Jews, especially those in Galatia who were agitating believers to follow requirements of the old covenant.

II.    The ways in which the cross is an offense.

In my study of this Scripture I became aware of at least three different ways the cross would be an offense to the people that Paul was speaking about.

A. A crucified Messiah

Many authors point out that the OT clearly states, “… cursed is anyone hanging on a tree.”

It would have been preposterous for a Jew to think of the Messiah being crucified under a curse from God. Additionally, this did not fit with the usual concept of conqueror and savior.

1 Corinthians 1:23 ^(NKJV) but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,

“stumbling block” is the same Greek word that is translated “offense” in Galatians. 

This is a problem not only for Jews. If we’re not careful, we can begin to attach expectations on God and on Christ that the Bible never intended for us to attach. We can be guilty of assuming God will or will not do or allow certain things. The Jews had developed a belief that consigned God to this “box” that they could understand.

B. No “credit” for law-keeping.

Paul and the other Apostles have been emphatic: “There is no merit or value in keeping the law in order to obtain forgiveness of sins.” The only way one can be forgiven is by the cross of Jesus. That is, through the grace of a merciful God who laid all our guilt upon His own Son and credited His death for us.

(Tyndale New Testament Commentaries) – Paul is not thinking of the fact of the Messiah dying a death under God’s curse; rather, he is stressing that this way of salvation through the cross leaves no room for ‘merit’ to be acquired by outward observances such as circumcision or the law….

Paul once again uses here katērgētai, [has ceased or] has been removed, better translated ‘made ineffective’ as in verse 4. 

Galatians 5:4 ^(KJV) Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

“become of no effect” is same Greek word that is translated “ceased” at the end of verse 11.

(NKJV) reads, “estranged from”

The point is, if Paul preaches the necessity and merit of circumcision as some of them wanted, then the message of the cross ceases to matter and the blood of Christ ceases to be effective. But, the gospel of the cross means there is no merit for salvation in anything else except the blood of Christ.

“What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.”

C. Equal access to God’s grace (Jew & Gentile).

(Tyndale New Testament Commentaries) – Further, if salvation is to be altogether of grace, with nothing of merit, it is inevitable that both Gentile and Jew may find salvation in the same way….

Apparently for these legalistic Jewish believers in Galatia, they were still hanging on to the belief that circumcision gave them a little better standing than the Gentile believers, and if the Gentiles wanted to “get in on” the real blessings of grace, they too needed to be circumcised. But Paul is preaching a New Covenant, not the Old one. The new covenant is available to everyone whether Jew or Gentile. And, for some Jews, this was unsettling.

This reference in Col. 2:13-15 specifically states that the cross has removed the “requirements that was against us.” This is stated in the specific context of the subject of circumcision.

Colossians 2:13-15 ^(NKJV) And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, ¹⁴ having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. ¹⁵ Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

Conclusion:

For many people, the cross is still an offensive message, not just for the Jews. But, for the believer who truly understands the gospel, the message of the cross is our hope and very precious.

Before we share the Sacrament of Communion, let us sing the hymn, Near the Cross.

God Has Visited His People

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This sermon is based on words found in the prophecy of Zachariah, the father of John the Baptist, and recorded in Luke 1:68, 78. The message explores the meaning and significance of God visiting the human race through the incarnation of Jesus Christ.

Written Excerpts:

Luke 1:68, 78 ^(NKJV) Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited and redeemed His people, ⁷⁸ Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; 

Introduction:

I remembered reading or hearing a story that I felt would be appropriate to begin with today, so I did a search on the internet (You can find anything on the internet!), and came across this version of the story posted on the website of a church that is located near the eastern coast of England. 

Once upon a time, a prince wanted to find a young lady suitable to be his queen. One day, he had to pass through the poor section in a nearby village, and as he glanced out of the carriage, he saw a young beautiful peasant girl. From then on, he made a point of driving through the village as often as he could and soon he fell in love with the young lady. But he had a problem. How could he get to know her and ask her to marry him?

He could order her to marry him. But even a prince wants his bride to marry him freely and voluntarily and not through coercion. He could put on his most splendid uniform and drive up to her front door in a carriage drawn by six horses. But if he did this he would never be certain that the young lady loved him or was simply overwhelmed with all of the splendor.

No, the prince had to come up with another solution. He would give up his kingly robe. He moved into the village, entering not with a crown but in the lowly clothes of a peasant. He lived among the people, shared their interests and concerns, and talked their language. In time the peasant girl grew to love him for who he was and because he had first loved her.

[The English Pastor continues by saying this:] That simple story was written by … Soren Kierkegaard, the great Danish theologian. It was written to tell us what Christmas is really all about. It is a courtship – God courting us – telling us in the clearest possible way that he loves us – and loves us enough to come and live amongst us. Our response to that love matters to him.

It is easy to be cynical. I wonder, in our story, what the young girl thought of the Prince before he entered her village. Perhaps she thought he was distant, maybe arrogant, way beyond her reach. People have different ideas about what God is like – often shaped by their own life experiences. When things go wrong it is easy to question how a loving God could allow such a thing. Christmas tells us that there is Someone out there who loves us enough to come to where we are, live among us and die for us so that we could know his love in the midst of our struggles and pain. (John Sparkes, December 2017) [http://www.halesworthcommunitychurch.org/pastors-notebook---the-prince-and-the-peasant-girl.html]

In our Scripture text I have chosen for the message today we read this phrase, “He has visited and redeemed His people.” This phrase comes from the passage that was read earlier and is taken from the story about the birth of John the Baptist. The story describes how that Zacharias was unable to speak because he had doubted the words of the angel he saw in the temple announcing that Elizabeth would give birth to a son. When the baby was born and Zacharias confirmed that his name was to be “John,” then his ability to speak returned and he began praising God.

For the next few minutes I want to explore the choice of words used by Zacharias and consider them in the context of the Incarnation of Jesus, the Messiah.

“Has visited” – In the original Greek is it one word instead of two and it literally carries the idea “to look upon,” “to inspect or examine,” with the additional meaning “in order to help, benefit, or care for or provide for.” (Thayer) It is translated 10 times as “visit” and 1 time as “look out.” It gives the idea of God “looking upon, inspecting or examining the plight of His people and then coming to their aid with all His supernatural ability. It also was used at times in the OT in passages that speak of God “visiting His people in judgment or punishment.”

The Bible tells us that Zacharias was “filled with the Holy Spirit” and prophesied by proclaiming the important ministry role that John would have in direct relation to the One whom God was sending to bring salvation to His people.

Zacharias, under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, proclaimed that God had “looked upon, examined and acted in behalf of His people.” He visited them.

What is the significance of God “visiting” His people?

1. It means salvation/redemption has come.

Lk. 1:68 “…has visited and redeemed His people.”

v. 69 “raised up a horn of salvation”

v. 71 “that we should be saved from our enemies.”

This message carried both political and spiritual components. The mistake so many made at the time was only thinking of political redemption and completely missing the spiritual aspect of it.

2. It means the New Covenant has been instituted.

Luke 1:72-75 ^(NKJV) To perform the mercy promised to our fathers And to remember His holy covenant, ⁷³ The oath which He swore to our father Abraham: ⁷⁴ To grant us that we, Being delivered from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear, ⁷⁵ In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life. 

The new covenant prophesied by Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel in the OT emphasized a covenant that included a new heart. It would be a covenant that was written on the “tablets” of the heart rather than “tablets of stone.”

When God visits His people, they are transformed from rebels to loyal, loving servants living out His holiness and righteousness on earth. When God visits His people, there is a renewal of their commitment to faithfully abide by the terms of the covenant – that is, to love God only, and to serve Him in holiness and righteousness.

3. It means the kingdom of darkness and death is conquered.

In the earthly ministry of Jesus, He demonstrated over and over His power over the devil and the powers of evil.

One such occasion was the interruption of a funeral procession:

Luke 7:14-17 ^(NKJV) Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise." ¹⁵ So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother. ¹⁶ Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen up among us"; and, "God has visited His people." ¹⁷ And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.

When these mourners witnessed the resurrection of this young man, they immediately realized that the God of heaven had visited His people in the life of this Jesus of Nazareth. They knew this because they had just witnessed the power of death completely defeated and overruled.

Jesus said, “If I have cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” Every time God overpowers and overrules the forces of evil and darkness, are times that God has once again visited His people.

4. It means His people will imitate His ministry of “visitation.”

This word that Zacharias used to describe God “looking upon, examining the plight of His people and coming to their aid” is also used to describe God’s people doing the same for other people in any kind of distress.

James 1:27 ^(NKJV) Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

Matthew 25:36 ^(NKJV) I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.'

In these references the word “visit(ed)” is the same word Zacharias used in his prophecy.

Conclusion:

We have been celebrating the coming of our Lord into the world as God in the flesh. God truly visited His people when Christ came into our world so many years ago in the town of Bethlehem.

God has repeatedly visited us with revivals and miraculous works of the Holy Spirit. He has repeatedly conquered and overruled the powers of darkness and set people free from their sins and the bondage of sin.

As we stand on the threshold of another new year, I’d like for us to take these thoughts with us today.

1. Just as God visited this world by coming as a baby in Bethlehem, and He has also visited segments of this world with periods of revival and manifestations of His presence, so we ought to pray and expect God to visit us with spiritual revival in the coming year.

2. God sends us out to “visit” the lost and hurting world with a message and a ministry of help to those who need Him.

Go “visit” the grieving with a message of comfort.

“Visit” the sick with a message of healing.

“Visit” the poor with a message of help and aid.

“Visit” the prisoner with a message of true freedom.

“Visit” the rebel with the offer of forgiveness.

“Visit” the addicted with a message of deliverance.

To close the service this morning I would like for us to sing the challenging missionary hymn:

So Send I You – by Grace Made Strong

Love that Satisfies Hope

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

This is a sermon that was preached on the second Sunday of Advent on the theme of Love. It is based on Romans 5:5 in which the theme of love is directly connected to the subject of hope, which was the theme of last week's sermon. The Apostle Paul emphasizes the fact that adversity ultimately produces hope, and hope does not embarrass us or shame us, because God's love is poured out into our hearts, enabling us to share the nature of Christ.

Written Excerpts:

Romans 5:5 (NKJV) Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 

Introduction:

Last Sunday the theme of our Advent Candle reading was Hope. I tried to offer a message of hope that was based on a passage of Scripture in Lamentations chapter 3, where the prophet spoke about the compassion of the Lord and His faithfulness as the basis for his hope. We saw that the message of hope was included in the same context with a lament about all of the suffering the people of God had endured because of their disobedience.

Today, the theme of the Advent Wreath is “love.” As I was reviewing various passages of Scripture on love, I came upon the verse in Romans 5:5, which makes a clear link between love and hope. So, I felt like this was the obvious choice to focus our thoughts on for the message today.

There are two objectives I wish to accomplish today. First, I want to explain and elaborate on what it means for God’s love to be shed abroad in our hearts. Secondly, I want to explain the connection the Apostle makes between love and hope.

I.    God’s Love Is Shed Abroad

I think most of us have a basic understanding of the word “love.” I also believe that most of us know that love does include feelings or emotions, but it is much more than that. And, we know that God’s love is unconditional and self-sacrificing. That is, we don’t have to be fit/worthy for Him to love us. And, His love cost the death of His Son.

In studying the biblical passages about love, we learn that genuine/divine love has a “jealous” element to it. Of course, when we speak of God, we do not use the word “jealous” in the same manner as we often do for humans. (i.e. suspicious, controlling, restricting, etc.) However, if you stop to think about it, true love must have some level of wholesome jealousy about it or it couldn’t be sincere. For example, how can I truly claim to have an intense love for my wife and not be bothered if someone else tries to win her affections? In the same way, God’s love for us is a jealous love in the sense that He will not share us with competing “lovers.” We must be all His.

When we speak of love we also speak of more than just words. As so many have pointed out… “love is a verb.” Love is demonstrated by action or deeds. Certainly God demonstrated His love in a multitude of ways, but especially by giving up His Son to be put to death.

Paul says, God’s love is “shed abroad in our hearts.” “Shed abroad” – lit. poured out; this verse is the only time the word is translated “shed abroad” in the KJV. It is translated “pour out” 12 times; “shed” 9 times. The word appears in the Greek perfect tense, which indicates an event that took place in the past, but its consequences or results continue into the present.

(Wuest) "Is shed abroad" is in the Greek text the perfect tense of ekcheō, "to pour out," which Denney translates, "has poured in, and still floods our hearts."

(Lenski New Testament Commentary) – The figure used in "pour out" is that of water. Our dry, arid, lifeless hearts have poured out into them the love of God for us. This may come upon us like a stream or like a rain of living water and change our hearts into fruitful, delightful soil. Again the means is the Word, the sum and substance of which is the love of God, and this love, not as a mere feeling in God toward us, but as actively conveying all the gifts of this love to us by means of the Word. God does not love in words only but in deeds.

All of the love of God actively displayed in the events of redemption are poured into our lives and personally applied to our hearts by the Holy Spirit.

II.  Love Satisfies the Yearning of Hope

Now that we’ve discussed the point that God’s love is poured out into our hearts, let’s turn our attention to the context to find the connection to the matter of hope.

We notice that there is a connection because of the way verse 5 begins with a conjunction (and, now), which ties the thought with the preceding verse, which ended with the word hope. Then “hope” is mentioned again in the first phrase of verse 5 and it is tied to the subject of God’s love by the conjunction “because.”

“hope does not disappoint” (NKJV) / “hope does not put us to shame” (NIV) – The hope that we have does not leave us ashamed, disappointed or embarrassed. Why? Because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts.

There’s two kinds of hope referred to in these verses.

In v. 2, Paul says we “rejoice” in hope of the glory of God. (According to Expositor’s Bible Commentary) The hope is connected to a series of other subjects: faith, peace, access and grace. We have joy in the prospect that we will share in the glory of God. We will regain what was lost in the Garden of Eden.

In v. 4, the hope mentioned here is the conclusion of a different series of themes: tribulations, (patience) endurance, and (experience) character.

It seems that in this series, Paul is expressing a process that produces hope in us that we will become more like Christ – that all of the adversity we’ve endured will in fact produce Christ-like attitudes and character in us. Are we embarrassed, disappointed or ashamed of that hope? No. Why? Because the love of God is poured into our hearts and floods our hearts. We can sense that the kind of love God has for us is filling us and flowing through us. That should be the result of the processes of experiences that God allows to come into our lives – the over-flowing love of God within us and through us.

Conclusion:

There is a story I heard many years ago that I found on the internet… I think it’s supposed to be true, but don’t know if it is or not.

John 3:16 
One cold winter day in Chicago during the Great Depression a little boy was selling newspapers on the corner as people were rushing in and out of the cold. The little boy was so cold that he wasn't trying to sell many papers. Finally, he walked up to a policeman and said, "Mister, you wouldn't happen to know where a poor boy could find a warm place to sleep tonight would you? You see, I sleep in a box up around the corner there and down the alley and it'll be awful cold in there for tonight. It sure would be nice to have a warm place to stay."

The policeman looked down at the little boy and said, "You go down the street to that big white house and you knock on the door. When they come to the door you just say ‘John 3:16,’ and they will let you in." So he did. 

He walked up the steps and knocked on the door, and a lady answered. He looked up and said, "John 3:16." The lady said, "Come on in, Son." She took him in and she sat him down in a split-bottom rocker in front of a great big old fireplace, and she went off. The boy sat there for a while getting warmed by the crackling fire and thought to himself: John 3:16 ...I don't understand it, but it sure makes a cold boy feel warm. 

Later she came back and asked him "Are you hungry?” He said, "Well, just a little. I haven't eaten in a couple of days, and I guess I could stand a little bit of food," The lady took him in the kitchen and sat him down to a table full of wonderful food. He ate and ate until he couldn't eat any more. Then he thought to himself: John 3:16. Boy, I sure don't understand it but it sure makes a hungry boy feel full. 

She took him upstairs to a bathroom to a huge bathtub filled with warm soapy water, and he sat there and soaked for a while. As he soaked, he thought to himself: John 3:16 I sure don't understand it, but it sure makes a dirty boy feel clean… 

The lady took him to a room, put on nice warm pajamas, tucked him into a big old feather bed, pulled the covers up around his neck, kissed him goodnight and turned out the lights... As he lay in the darkness and looked out the window at the snow coming down on that cold night, he thought to himself: John 3:16...I don't understand it but it sure makes a tired boy feel rested. 

The next morning the lady came back up and took him down again to that same big table full of food. After he ate, she took him back to that same big old split bottom rocker in front of the fireplace and picked up a big old Bible. She sat down in front of him and looked into his young face. "Do you understand John 3:16?" she asked gently... He replied, "No, Ma'am, I don't. The first time I ever heard it was last night when the policeman told me to use it," She opened The Bible to John 3:16 and began to explain to him about Jesus. Right there, in front of that big old fireplace, he gave his heart and life to Jesus. He sat there and thought: John 3:16 -- don't understand it, but it sure makes a lost boy feel saved. (http://www.niagaraeventide.ca/newsletters/Feb17.pdf)

The love of God: 

·     Can make a cold-hearted person warm and pleasant

·     Can make a hungry soul filled with righteousness

·     Can make a dirty heart and mind pure and clean

·     Can make a tired soul rested and peaceful

·     And can make a lost soul saved.

The little boy in this story found that the display of love that was offered to him truly satisfied the greatest hope of his heart. When he spoke to the policeman, he hoped for a favorable answer to his request, and what he discovered at the big white house more than satisfied his hopes and dreams.

God’s love for all of us that was demonstrated by sending His Son into our world has satisfied our greatest hope for life both now and for eternity. Thank God for His wonder gift!

Let us close the service by singing the song that is listed in our bulletins, Wonderful Story of Love.

Hope in Times of Trouble

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This is a sermon that was given for the first Sunday of Advent on the theme of "hope." It is based on a passage from Lamentations chapter three, and it speaks about a message of hope that Jeremiah receives from the Lord even after the judgment the people have suffered for their disobedience.

Written Excerpts:

Lam. 3:22-24 (NKJV) Through the LORD'S mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. ²³ They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. ²⁴ "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I hope in Him!" 

Introduction:

We have entered the Advent season of the year and a few moments ago the first candle was lit on the Advent Wreath as a way of reminding us about the themes of the season. As we were reminded earlier, the first candle represents the theme of “hope.” Certainly hope is one of the primary messages we receive in the Scriptures surrounding the coming of the Messiah that was promised.

I began to think about the theme of hope and looking for references in the Bible that highlight that message. I was drawn to the passage of Scripture we read earlier in the service because of the multiple uses of the word “hope.” But I was particularly interested because the word appears several times in this chapter that also has so much to say about suffering. As we look into the Scripture today, I want to examine the meaning of the word hope, as well as the context of the passage in Lamentations and then apply it in a helpful way for our benefit and encouragement today.

What is hope?

(This is not really a definition, but a personal perspective about “hope” by Albert Einstein) – Men marry women with the hope they will never change. Women marry men with the hope they will change. Invariably they are both disappointed. (http://www.rudyh.org/common-sense-fun-quotes-jokes-quotations.htm)

Sometimes the ability to have hope depends on your interpretation of reality.

(Becky S. Barnes) At the elementary school where I teach, we recently had a problem with students throwing rocks. The principal made an announcement over the intercom warning students that anyone caught throwing rocks would be taken home by him personally. Later that day, during afternoon recess, a teacher admonished a kindergartner for throwing a rock.

"Didn't you hear what the principal said this morning?!" the teacher said in disbelief.

"Yeah," replied the proud lad, grinning from ear to ear. "I get to go home in the principal's car!" — "Small Talk," Today's Christian Woman Quoted in Today's Best Illustrations – Volumes 1-4.

Now, some of us here this morning know if this had happened to us, the only thing we could hope for was a memorable whipping after we got home!

(Complete Book of Zingers by Croft Pentz) The greatest enemy of man is not disease—it's despair.

Hope is the antidote for despair.

So, what is hope? How would you define it / describe it?

Hebrew

There are 13 different Hebrew words that are translated as “hope” in English.

(Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary) The two words used most frequently are:
1. תִּקְוָה‎, tiqwâ, from (qavah); literal a cord (as an attachment); figurative expectancy: - expectation ([-ted]), hope, live, thing that I long for. 

[The background meaning of this word “a cord” is very interesting because to me it conveys the thought or idea of a cord/rope that draws me forward, or ties me to something that is yet to come.]

2. יָהַל‎, yāḥal, to wait; by implication to be patient, hope :- (cause to, have, make to) hope, be pained, stay, tarry, trust, wait.

Greek

(Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary) There is 1 predominant Greek word for hope.
ἐλπίς, elpis, from a primary elpo (to anticipate, usually with pleasure); expectation (abstract or concrete) or confidence :- faith, hope.

(Webster, 1913 ed.) Hope: A desire of some good, accompanied with an expectation of obtaining it, or a belief that it is obtainable; an expectation of something which is thought to be desirable; confidence; pleasing expectancy.

(Pocket Dict. Of Apologetics and Philosophy of Religion) Hope is a positive expectation of some future good that is not yet present…. 

Hope, n: Desire and expectation rolled into one. Ambrose Bierce (http://www.rudyh.org/dictionary-fun-funny-quotes-quotations.htm#H)

(AMG Concise Bible Dict.) Hope is a characteristic of genuine faith in God. Such hope is different from the hope that people in general might speak of. It is not a mere wish for something, but a strong confidence that is placed in God. It is the assured belief that God will do what he has promised (Ps 42:5; 71:5; Rom 4:18; Heb 11:1). 

(William Barclay, The Letter to the Romans. From Christianity Today, "Reflections" -10/25/99) The Christian hope is the hope which has seen everything and endured everything, and has still not despaired, because it believes in God. The Christian hope is not hope in the human spirit, in human goodness, in human endurance, in human achievement; the Christian hope is hope in the power of God.

Hope in Lamentations?

What is the root word in the word “lamentation?” - Lament. A lament is To express or feel sorrow; to weep or wail; to mourn. (Webster)

In my pulpit Bible, it says, “The Lamentations of Jeremiah.” The book of Lamentations does not specify who the author is, but it was accepted in Jewish tradition to be Jeremiah. It was also presumed to be Jeremiah in the Septuagint (Gk. trans. of the OT) since it was located immediately following the book of Jeremiah (as our modern Bibles do). The Septuagint adds at the beginning of the book that Jeremiah, after Israel had gone into exile and Jerusalem was laid waste, sat down weeping and composed this lament over Jerusalem. (Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries – Jeremiah and Lamentations).

It is believed to be laments of Jeremiah after the fall and destruction of Jerusalem and the temple.

Interesting Literary form in the book of Lamentations

(Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries) – One particular characteristic distinguishes the book of Lamentations as a very skilled piece of writing. The book’s structure is shaped by the Hebrew alphabet, which contains twenty-two letters. Chapters 1, 2 and 4 are written in the form of an alphabetic acrostic, whereby each verse begins with a different letter, working in succession through the whole of the Hebrew alphabet. In Lamentations 3 each group of three verses has the same letter at the start of each verse. Therefore, 3:1-3 all start with the first letter of the alphabet, verses 4-6 with the second, and so on, giving a total of sixty-six verses. Lamentations 5 does not have this acrostic pattern, although it too has twenty-two verses.

(Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries) – Lamentations is obviously a book about suffering, addressing the subject on both a communal and a personal level, as we have seen. The book does not offer a solution to the problem of suffering. It is not a collection of theoretical essays on the subject of ‘why people suffer’ or ‘why God allows his people to suffer’. Rather, it consists of a series of emotional responses to the disaster of the fall of Jerusalem, the destruction of the temple and the Babylonian exile (although exile is not mentioned much; see 1:3, 18). Lamentations is not an exact description of the disaster of 587 b.c., but an intense reaction to it.

(Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries) – The essential point in understanding the theology of Lamentations is that the people of God were supposed to live a life wholly committed to God; failure to do so would cause the disintegration of society and the breakdown of all relationships. The disasters mourned over in Lamentations are not the whim of a capricious God who ‘likes’ to punish (Lam. 3:33). In the midst of suffering, there is recognition that God is righteous (1:18) and that his compassions never fail (3:22). His faithfulness is great (3:23), echoing verses in Exodus (34:6-7).

(Tyndale) It seems possible that the “hope” passages of chapter 3 actually provide the “theological center” of the book.

Encouragement in hope.

To me, it seems that the main important point of this chapter is the fact that all of the troubles mentioned in the earlier verses are not just incidental cases of adversity and tragic random disasters, but they are the consequences for failing to obey the Lord and live by the “rules of conduct” outlined in the covenant. Yet, in spite of the judgment from a holy God, there is hope. This is specifically “hope for the disobedient.” It is hope for the “rebel.” It is a message that God has continually shown compassion, He has continually exhibited His faithfulness and He will grant forgiveness and pardon if they will turn back to Him.

Look at Lam. 3:22-24 again: Through the LORD'S mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. ²³ They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. ²⁴ "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I hope in Him!" 

The Bible provides numerous passages / texts that offer hope for sinners and saints. But this passage in Lamentations, I believe, is specifically written to give hope to the person/people who have turned against the Lord and disobeyed Him, but now recognize the error of their ways and seek to be reunited with God. This text is not specifically about the incarnation / coming of the Messiah, yet His coming is all about giving wayward sinners the hope that God loves us and wants us back.

If there is anyone here today that has turned your back on God and walked away from Him and His will for your life, I want to assure you that there is no better time than now to get back in the right relationship with the Lord and take full advantage of His compassion and His mercies that are “new every morning.” 

We are going to close the service by singing a hymn by Norman Clayton: My Hope Is in the Lord, #540

Christian believer, this is a reminder that our only hope of salvation is in Christ. Sinner, backslider, wayward son/daughter, this is also a reminder to you that hope is still offered. You can return to the Lord and recommit your life by seeking His forgiveness and His grace.

Nurture and Admonish

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This sermon was given on a Sunday in which Pastor Les and Kris' infant grandson was dedicated to the Lord. The message is based on Eph. 6:4 regarding the Apostle Paul's instructions to bring up our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Written Excerpts:

Ephesians 6:4 ^(NKJV) And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. 

Introduction:

I felt the Lord prompted me to use the occasion of Samuel’s dedication today as an opportunity to speak a short time about the matter of nurturing and admonishing our children.

I’m sure I have made this statement before, but I want to stress to each one of us again today that our children (and grandchildren) are the only “earthly possessions” that we can take to heaven with us. We also recognize that when we bring children into this world, each child is an eternal soul who shall never cease to exist, but will live forever in one of two destinations: heaven or hell. No other responsibility in life is greater than the nurturing, training and teaching of our children to know the Lord and serve Him with all their hearts.

First, I want to share a few humorous examples of child conduct. Kids are so hilarious sometimes, especially if they belong to someone else!

High Five (Today's Best Illustrations) – On my son's fifth birthday, K.C. looked at his hand. Counting on his fingers, he said, "Mom, first I was one, then I was two, then three, yesterday I was four. Now I'm a whole handful." And he has been ever since! — Julia Chapman, Tennessee. Today's Christian Woman, "Small Talk."

Let's Eat! (Today's Best Illustrations) – One afternoon I was teaching our children about fire safety. I asked the children, "What's the first thing you should do when the smoke alarm goes off?" Five-year-old Benjamin immediately answered, "Take dinner out of the oven!" —Linda T., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, "Life in Our House," Christian Parenting Today.

A few minutes ago I read several verses of Scripture from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians in which he addresses specific instructions to wives, husbands, children, and parents. I want to focus our attention for a brief time on Eph. 6:4 in which we read, “Do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

Much of the information and insights I offer on this Scripture were gleaned from the following commentaries: The Tyndale Commentary on Ephesians by Francis Foulkes; R.C.H. Lenski’s Commentary on Ephesians and the Expositor’s Bible Commentary by William Klein all have several pertinent comments on this text.

There are two main questions suggested by this passage:

1. How are children provoked to anger?

2. How are children nurtured and admonished?

1. How are children provoked to anger?

 “provoke” – verb, present tense, active voice, imperative mood; DO NOT keep on provoking…

(Lenski) - Unjust, improper parental treatment angers the child so that it cannot honor the parent. A long list of parental faults may be drawn up under Paul's summary which would include arbitrary, inconsistent, foolish, harsh, and cruel treatment.

One possible example is provided by the humorist, Erma Bombeck as related in the book, Today’s Best Illustrations.

The Dangers of Talking Too Much (Today's Best Illustrations) – The late humorist Erma Bombeck once reflected on what she had learned about parenting after her children left home:

"I talk too much. I had good material, but I used it indiscriminately. I used the same two-hour speech on filling their glass too full of milk that I used when they stayed out all night without coming home. The speech lost its effectiveness." — Leadership, Vol. 19, no. 2.

(Tyndale) – It is right for parents to demand obedience, but there must not be a ‘capricious exercise of authority’ (Robinson). Discipline is essential in the home; but not unnecessary rules and regulations and endless petty correction by which children are ‘discouraged’ (Col. 3:21). As New English Bible puts it, ‘You ... must not goad your children to resentment’. 

Anger can be provoked by a parent giving out punishment or “discipline” in anger himself/herself. Berating; name-calling; shaming; etc. These are all ways that parents can provoke anger and resentment or even bitterness in their children. Inconsistent rules and discipline can also exasperate a child to the point of anger. (Prohibiting conduct that was permissible yesterday or vice versa.) 

Adult behavior that continually embarrasses children. (e.g. Josh McDowell’s hatred for his father.)

2. How are children nurtured and admonished?

“bring up” – verb, present tense, active voice, imperative mood;  DO keep on bringing them up…

This word is translated “nourishes” in Eph. 5:29 where it speaks about a husband does not hate his own body but nourishes it.

(Tyndale) – The word was used originally of bodily nourishment, but came to be used for the nurture of the body, mind and soul. [There is a preposition (ek-) on the word that] suggests ‘development by care and pains’ (Moule, CB).

(A. Clarke) – Literally, “Nourish them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”

“nurture” – training, instruction, discipline, & chastening (EBC); same word translated 3 times in NT as chasten; also translated instruction. This word encompasses several aspects of training, including discipline and chastening. 

“admonition” – rebuking, counsel about avoiding or stopping an improper course of conduct (EBC).

Not only teaching and showing the proper course of conduct through discipline, but also rebuke and counsel when conduct has departed from the right path. For example, The priest Eli in the OT was rebuked by God for not providing any “nurture” or “admonition” to his sons who were grossly abusing their positions as priests in the Tabernacle of God.

 “of the Lord” – possibly a subjective genitive, i.e. the Lord is the content of the instruction. Or, could refer to the kind of nurture and admonition the Lord would give. (Lenski)

Parents must guard against the tendency to “teach” their kids about everything else in the world except how to know the Lord and obey His will.

In all of the discussion about how nurture and admonition is given, we cannot understate the importance of example. Parents must model the kind of behavior and conduct they wish to see in their children.

 (The Complete Book of Zingers) 

·     Children are creatures who disgrace you by showing in public the example you set for them at home.
·     Your children are not only heirs to your possessions—they are heirs to your values and character.

Conclusion:

Before we close this service today, we want to share one more special song of thanks to the Lord.

We not only thank Him for all our blessings in general, but we specifically thank Him for Samuel and for the privilege of all parents to lead our children to Christ and Christian living.

My Tribute by Andre Crouch

Death on Purpose for a Purpose

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This message is based on a text in 1 Peter 3 which speaks about Christ's suffering and death. It includes a phrase that indicates the real purpose for His suffering. This message was used to remind the listeners of Christ's substitutionary sacrifice for our salvation, and was given for a worship service in which the sacrament of communion was shared.

Written Excerpts:

1 Peter 3:18 ^(NKJV) For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit

Introduction:

Today we are going to be sharing the sacrament of communion, which I always try to do on the Sunday prior to Thanksgiving Day.

Communion is also sometimes referred to as “The Eucharist.” In fact, in more traditional mainline denominations, it is almost always called “The Eucharist.” Eucharist is a word that comes from the Greek word that almost sounds the same – ευχαριστεω, (eucharisteo) which means “to give thanks.”
Today, as we count our blessings and offer our thanks to almighty God for all His benefits and blessings, we want to also take time to give thanks for the blessing of salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ upon the cross of Calvary.

The text I’ve chosen today seems to emphasize two primary thoughts to me.

1. Christ died on purpose.
2. Christ died for a purpose.

I.    Christ died on purpose.

“Christ also once suffered…”

The verb suffered, in the original Greek is in the verb form that denotes an active verb, not passive. This means that the verse is not emphasizing his being put to death by someone else, or passively experiencing suffering. Instead, it seems to focus on Him actively choosing to suffer for us.

The same principle is certainly supported in the very well-known passage in Paul’s letter to the Philippians, He did not consider his position of equality with God as something to be held onto, but he took on the form of man and became obedient unto death.

Jesus stated clearly in the Gospel of John: John 10:17-18 ^(NKJV) Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. ¹⁸ No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father."

Jesus Christ purposely surrendered His life and submitted to suffering; even the ultimate suffering of death.

With this point following so closely after Peter’s admonition to those believers who were suffering (vv. 13-17), Peter is reminding them that Jesus also suffered. He was the “Righteous One” suffering for the “unrighteous ones.” And, Jesus was victorious in his suffering.

Other references to Christ’s suffering:

Acts 17:1-3 ^(NKJV) Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. ² Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, ³ explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ."

Hebrews 2:9 ^(NKJV) But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.

(Tyndale New Testament Commentaries) – The suffering of death is a major problem to all men, but is a particular problem for the Son of God unless some explanation of it can be given. The suffering itself belongs to a less exalted status than that of the angels, hence the statement applied to Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels (which could also be rendered 'a little' instead of 'a little while').

Hebrews 13:12 ^(NKJV) Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate.

The New Testament lays so much emphasis on the suffering of Christ as a man, and His suffering is so much greater than any man has ever known. All of the suffering was intentionally experienced and endured for the benefit of us all.

II.  Christ died for a purpose.

“…suffered once for sins… that he might bring us to God.”

According to this phrase, the purpose of his suffering was to bring us to God. Obviously this statement implies that we were away from God; estranged from God; and separated from God.

The suffering of Christ was for the purpose of reuniting us with our Creator, our Father in heaven. So many time in previous sermons I have stressed this separation from God because of our sins. Paul says we were foreigners, aliens, strangers, outside of the household of God. But we have been given access into the very throne room of heaven because of the suffering and victory of Christ.

His act of suffering to the point of death brings us access to God (see v. 22).

1 Peter 3:22 ^(NKJV) who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.

After the resurrection, Jesus went back to heaven and was seated at the right hand of God the Father, which sheds some additional light on the phrase, “that He might bring us to God.” His suffering not only brings us to God in the sense of RESTORING our severed, estranged relationship, but what He endured also brings us to God in the sense of taking us into heaven in the very presence of God, just like Jesus did.

Conclusion:

Today, we pause again to offer our thanks to God for the suffering of His Son in our place. 

Before we share the elements of communion, let us sing: Lamb of Glory.