IN THE DINING ROOM
Evening Worship
COMMUNION
April 2, 1978 Seven-thirty p.m.
PRELUDE OF SILENCE
Organ Prelude
“Bring Back the Springtime” Kurt Kaiser
Call to Praise
Hymn 166
“At Calvary” CALVARY
Prayer Pastor
Greeting our Guests/Opportunities for Service Pastor
Hymn 252
“Let Us Break Bread Together” BREAK BREAD
Offertory Hymn
“Jesus Paid It All” ALL TO CHRIST
Offertory Prayer
The Presentation of our Offerings
Offertory
“Unworthy” STANPHILL
Scripture LUKE 22:7-13
7. Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the Passover lamb must be killed. 8. And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the Passover, that we may eat. 9. And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare? 10. And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entering into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in. 11. And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guest chamber, where I shall eat the Passover with my disciples? 12. And he shall show you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. 13. And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the Passover.
Journey to Dining Room for Observance of Lord’s Supper
#704 IN THE DINING ROOM
Communion
Orig. Date 4/2/1978
Series: Communion Lord’s Supper
Let Us Break Bread Together 252
Solo and Congregation: “Jesus is the Sweetest Name I Know”
There have been names that I have loved to hear.
But never has there been a name so dear
To this heart of mine, as the name divine.
The precious, precious name of Jesus.
Chorus:
Jesus is the sweetest name I know,
And He’s just the same as His lovely name.
And that’s the reason why I love Him so;
Oh, Jesus is the sweetest name I know.
And some day I shall see Him face to face
To thank and praise Him for His wondrous grace,
Which He gave to me, when He made me free,
The blessed Son of God called Jesus.
Hymn: “Amazing Grace” 165
Amazing Grace! How sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Scripture: I John 4:7-11
7. Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8. He that loveth not, knoweth not God; for God is love. 9. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
Sharing of Testimonies
Chorus: “God is So Good.”
God is so good, God is so good,
God is so good, He’s so good to me.
Scripture: I Corinthians 10:16-17, 21; 11:27-29
10:16. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17. For we being many are one bread, and one body; for we are all partakers of that one bread. 21. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. 11:27. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.
Hymn: “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” 111
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it Lord that I should boast
Save in the death of Christ my God.
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small.
Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
Scripture I Corinthians 11:23-24
23. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread; 24. And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat; this is my body, which is broken for you: This do in remembrance of me.
Prayer of Blessing
Sharing of Bread
Hymn: “Break Thou the Bread of Life” 178
Break thou the bread of life, Dear Lord, to me,
As thou didst break the loaves beside the sea;
Beyond the sacred page I seek Thee, Lord;
My spirit pants for Thee, O living Word.
Thou art the bread of life, O Lord, to me,
Thy holy Word the truth That saveth me;
Give me to eat and live With Thee above;
Teach me to love Thy Truth, For thou art love.
Scripture: Mark 14:22
And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat; this is my body,
Eating of the Bread
Scripture: I Corinthians 11:25-26
25. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till he come.
Prayer of Blessing
Sharing of the Cup
Hymn: “At the Cross” 157
Alas, and did my Saviour bleed, And did my Sovereign die?
Would He devote that sacred head For sinners such as I?
At the cross, at the cross Where I first saw the light,
And the burden of my heart rolled away,
It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day.
Scripture: Matthew 26:27-28
27. And he took the up, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it. 28. For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Drinking of the Cup
Scripture: John 13:34-35
34. A new commandment I give unto ye, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
Hymn: “I Love Thee” 75
I love Thee, I love Thee, I love Thee my Lord:
I love Thee, my Saviour, I love Thee my God:
I love Thee, I love Thee, and that Thou dost know;
But how much I love Thee my actions will show.
Our Master hath told us to follow His steps
To love one another, forgive and forget,
To reach out, to follow, are His chief commands,
If we’ll only let Him, He’ll touch through our hands.
Now let us as Christians show others our love
And follow the sample of our Lord above.
As His Holy Spirit works through us each day
We’ll praise Him, We’ll praise Him both now and for aye.
Scripture: Matthew 26:30
30. And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Hymn: “Blest Be the Tie” 256
Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above.
. . . Amen
HOLY SPIRIT TRUTHS
#694 HOLY SPIRIT TRUTHS
Scripture John 20:21-22; Luke 3:16 NIV Orig. Date 2/2/1978
Passage:
Luke 3:16 16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with[a] water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with[b] the Holy Spirit and fire.”
John 20:21-22 21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
Purpose: To direct attention to the various aspects of consideration relative to the Holy Spirit, and the specific truths needed to be understood in the life of the Christian.
Keywords: Holy Spirit Gift of Gifts Fruit Filling
Introduction
Charles Swindoll: “I heard some time ago about a couple of nuns who worked as nurses in a hospital. They ran out of gas while driving to work one morning. A service station was nearby but had no container in which to put the needed gasoline. One of the women remembered she had a bedpan in the trunk of the car. The gas was put into the pan and they carried it very carefully back to the car.
“As the nuns were pouring the gasoline from the bedpan into the gas tank, two men were driving by. They stared in disbelief. Finally, one said to the other, ‘Now Fred, that's what I call faith!’
“It appeared to be foolish. Trouble was, those doubters just didn't have the facts. And were they ever surprised when those nuns went ripping by them on the freeway!”
Every person who has ever labored as an achiever has faced a time and circumstance when he realized that he needed additional resources if he were to succeed. Every profession has only a limited number of super-stars. Others succeed because they find a source of strength which simply enables them to achieve, sometimes far beyond their capability. Our proper identification of and with Holy Spirit truth is the means whereby Christians (at least some) are able to serve God and man beyond the enablement of their own resource.
My wife and daughters have become interested of late in the writings of Elisabeth Elliot(1). You may recall the name Jim Elliot, her late husband, as the name of one of several missionaries who were killed by the Auca Indians in Brazil. Through the writings of Mrs. Elliot, the full story of her husband’s life, and death have been shared with the Christian community.
Had Jim Elliot left a will to be probated and divided among his heirs, not many people would have been impressed. He had little of this world’s goods. He had so much of God’s power, however, that the very Indians who felled him were themselves later converted to tell the whole story. His was a dream energized by the Holy Spirit, to love the very people who were waiting to ambush and kill him and the others.
The same Holy Spirit who energized her husband, enabled Elisabeth Elliot to continue his work, and then write about what he had been under the intriguing title, Through Gates of Splendor. Perhaps one brief line from Elliot’s diary depicts the Holy Spirit’s control in his life. He wrote, “He is no fool, who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.”
The Bible teaches us Holy Spirit truths. If we would gain the richest resource for the Christian life, it must be by appropriating these truths to our lives.
I. The Gift of the Holy Spirit is the Holy Spirit Himself. Acts 2:38 KJV Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. You may look all you please at the newer versions for variances on this text, and all that you will find different, is that the Holy Ghost is called Holy Spirit.
There must first be genuine repentance. Then, a covenant of trust that eventuates in baptism. In this inter-woven act of faith that is repentance, baptism, remission of sin, there is the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Please do not make the mistake of presuming that the Holy Spirit is a non-entity in unbelievers. John 1:12-13, . . . he gave power to become children of God; who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. Titus 3:5, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy Ghost.
Let me, on the subject of this Holy Spirit truth, share two all-encompassing guidelines. (1)Don’t let the experience of other people interpret the Bible for you. Let the Bible speak to you of the kind of experience God wants for you. (2)Remember, it is never a question of how much of the Holy Spirit you have. It is how much of you He has.
II. The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are Gifts of Divine Initiative. Hebrews 2:3-4 . . . deliverance was first announced through the lips of the Lord himself; . . . and God added His testimony by signs, by miracles, by manifold works of power, and by distributing the gifts of the Holy Spirit at (according to) His own will. NEB
The summum bonum of these gifts is, of course, salvation. John 3:16, For God so loved the world that gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish but have everlasting life. Romans 6:23, The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ.
Of exceeding importance however, is our comprehension of individual spiritual gifts given at the discretion of God to the believer at the outset of faith.
***THE REMAINDER OF THIS SERMON HAS BEEN LOST***
(1)Elliot, E. (2010). Through Gates of Splendor: The Event That Shocked the World, Changed a People, and Inspired a Nation. Hendrickson Publishers.
A WORD OF WILLINGNESS (Fifth Word from the Cross)
#247 A WORD OF WILLINGNESS (Fifth Word from the Cross)
This entry includes an attached illustration from Light, Journal of The Christian Life Commission–March/April 1988
Scripture Luke 23:40-43 NIV Orig. Date 4-3-1966 (4-1976)
Rewr. Dates 3-24-1988
Passage: 40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[a]” 43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Purpose: Continuing a series on Words from the Cross, here given evidence of the example of faith in the life of the thief who believes.
Keywords: Christ as Saviour Commitment Faith Conviction
Timeline/Series: Words from the Cross
Introduction
It’s been several years, but when the best foreign film of the year was chosen, it was a spiritual film. It was a Greek community, featuring the Greek Orthodox Church during the reign of the Turks. The title, “He Who Must Die,” told the story of the citizens of this community in their efforts to enact the passion of Christ during the Easter celebration.
A few weeks before the Lenten season, the people would elect the actors who would play the lead roles. A young man was chosen for the very first time to portray Christ. He seemed especially suited to the role. There was even some resemblance to Jesus, and he was a man completely without guile. He, and the other chosen speaking roles were given six weeks to prepare themselves for these roles.
During this time, however, a crisis arose in a neighboring community where people were starving. The young man, playing the part of Christ, came to feel a burdensome responsibility to do something for these people. He was convinced that it is what Jesus would have done. He became so resolved and so adamant in his intent that in an angry confrontation with his townspeople, he was killed, “He Who Must Die.”
The message of the film seemed to have to do with actions and attitudes found everywhere in every age. Goodness, the kind that Christ brought to the earth, is subject to confrontation, anger, even death.
What Jesus brought with him to the earth, to humanity was the concept of willing self-sacrifice. His was a willingness to die, and to die for others. This fifth word shows us another man who has been inspired to follow his example, to die with him. At the very heart of the gospel is a willingness to die.
I. A Man in the Consternation of Willingness. V40 “Dost thou not fear God seeing we are in the same condemnation?” Many times others had come to Jesus expecting a sign. They had watched with curiosity in the performance of miracle. The cripple made to walk, the blind to see, the deaf were no longer, even the dead were raised, and His lessons on forgiveness were legion, that too a miracle, preaching deliverance to the captives.
They had had the sign of prophecy, but that seems not to have been enough. Isaiah 61:1f “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the humble, to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, . . . to comfort all who mourn, . . . to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning.”
They wanted something akin to Moses dividing the Sea of Reeds.
It makes us want to ask what the sign is that we are looking for. Is the text of Easter not enough? Do we question the legitimacy of Jesus? Why are we slow to respond?
As it is now, it was then, even at His cross they demand a sign. In life they had asked that very question, “show us a sign?” And He had responded in the only possible way. “The only sign you will receive is of Jonas." The sign of death and burial. The sign of submergence, not in water but in God. So now in death, they wanted a sign. Give us something that will make the world remember “Golgotha.” Give us anything but accountability. Had the woman at the well know what awaited her, she would have stayed home. We too are guilty of avoiding what is in our spiritual best interest.
II. He Was a Man Caught Up in the Conviction of Willingness. Can, should, must. V41 “We received the due rewards for our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss: And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.”
It does us well to remember that others have also been crucified, and for lesser reasons. I don’t know if there were other crucifixions at Golgotha. I know there have been other Golgothas. Men and women have died for causes just and unjust. But the crucifixion of Jesus is unique in all the earth. The place where it happened remains contested, but the fact of crucifixion and its meaning is undeniable.
The source of all wisdom chose to die, and such an ignoble death. If Hollywood, or Wall Street, or the Louisiana transition team or our church committees had planned Easter, none of us would have planned a lynching for our super star.
But Easter is precisely what has turned everything around. It has altered history. Its impact has been universal in scope. Other religions have been cultural and/or military. Christianity has manifested itself as a faith of and for all people.
We have, regrettably, become so entertainment conscious. Phineus Barnum was a great showman. He knew what people would pay to see. But he isn’t remembered long after the show leaves town.
And I remind you that Easter was not some kind of divine appeasement. Parents sometimes find it easier to try to buy their children’s respect, than to earn it through genuine caring. Others mandate it with threats. But, what really happened at Calvary is that personal sin had to face up to God’s parental concern. The parents whose children know they care, will be the ones who don’t lose them in adolescence. Those who learn this kind of caring on the part of God will stay with their profession. It is to see sin from God’s point of view. It is to realize the nature of sin that separates. But as well, it initiates the step of faith leading back to God.
I Peter 1:23 “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible by the Word of God.”
III. Finally, He Is Brought to the Commitment/Willingness. V43 “This day thou shalt be with me in paradise.”
He concluded, as so must we all, that the one way to God is through Christ. It is what the world does not wish to do. The world wishes to find its way intellectually. Paul Harvey reported (4/4/76) a major Ivy League school (Harvard) had eight punishable crimes per day on the campus. Security had become a major expense.
John 6:40 “This is the will of him that sent me, that everyone that seeth the son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life.”
This is that essential difference between these two men. Both were similarly guilty. They were judged fairly, and sentenced justly. Forgiveness is assessed to the one because he looks to the son in faith.
Believers are to come to renewal and revival in the self-same way. Sin is still the distress of the spirit. We must continually look to the Son.
J.S. Whale in his book, “What Is a Living Church,” reminds us “Christendom’s deadliest enemy is not a doctrinaire godlessness but a practical atheism.” I think what he means by that is that too many run around with a name-tag of Christian, and a lifestyle of worldliness.
Conclusion
Leonard Griffith (E14p164) writes that the pearls of the former House of Austria periodically lost their luster through exposure. They would then be taken back to the ocean and left in their natural state. Their beauty would always be restored. The church also, through exposure to the world, loses its luster, and if it does not immerse itself continually in the ocean of God’s redeeming love, it will lose its way. Holiness can be recovered only in the sanctuary, in the place of prayer.
Illustration from Light, Journal of The Christian Life Commission – March/April 1988
When teaching phonics to my pre-schooler, we started at the beginning of the alphabet. “This is the letter A,” I said, “Do you know a word that begins with A?” The poignant reply came, “A is for AIDS.”
So it is in our lives—A is for AIDS. It is the beginning and ending of every facet of our existence. Those of us who have contracted AIDS are the new untouchables.
I was infected with the AIDS virus by a blood transfusion while still pregnant with my first child. As a result, our baby also contracted the virus. Although I frequently was ill and fatigued, I passed it off as being “the new mother syndrome.”
Our baby was quite ill as well, requiring weekly trips to the doctor, and I blamed much of my exhaustion on stress.
Having no idea that I was carrying the AIDS virus, two years after the birth of my first child, I became pregnant again. Our second child was premature and also had multiple medical problems.
When the baby was five months old, I received a call from the blood bank that had supplied the blood for my transfusion. They said that the donor who had given the blood for my transfusion had AIDS.
My world started reeling. As soon as I heard the words, all of the events of the past three years came into focus with a searing clarity—the children’s inability to stay well; the doctor’s frequent head-shaking and statements: “This is rare”; “The medicine should have worked.”
Within two months, I had lost most of what had constituted my world. Our baby was in critical condition with only days or weeks to live. My husband had lost his job and career when his employer found out that his family had been touched by AIDS. Our older child had to be removed from day care. We were asked not to return to our church. Our confidentiality had been breached, and as word spread throughout our community, we quickly fled and relocated in another town. We were too terrified to risk harassment and persecution.
Several months after our move, our baby died, and the second phase of my isolation began. This isolation was self-imposed by fear.
The few relationships I have had are superficial and almost totally based on fabrication. How could I truthfully answer simple questions: “Why did you move here?” “What was wrong with your baby?” I couldn’t talk about the fact that my heart was breaking every time I looked at my little girl. I couldn’t share the fact that my marriage was fragmenting from the incredible stress in our lives. I couldn’t “act sick” lest someone get suspicious, so I hid my symptoms and pain.
I didn’t reveal anything about the severity of our daughter’s illness lest my child be totally ostracized from all socialization. I couldn’t even contact former coworkers to explain why I had suddenly disappeared. I was in a new city with no friends, no church, no “home,” no job, a struggling marriage, a very sick child and the grief of our baby who had died. I had never been so alone in my life.
We reached out to a local church. The pastor was supportive, but when he asked parents about the possibility of our child attending Sunday School, the parents said “no.” We do not attend church now. The rejection runs too deep.
To Christians, I would say that AIDS cripples not only the body, but the heart. At a time when the AIDS victim is dealing with death and dying, heavy financial burdens and physical debilitation, they need support, care, and concern—not rejection! If there was ever a time to reach out and touch the “lepers” of our day, it is now.
I wear the Scarlet A. I keep it well hidden. You may never see me cry or realize from my appearance that I have been infected by the virus. Nevertheless, I have been shattered. I need love, compassion, and community to help me make it from day to day. I have done nothing immoral or illegal to contract this disease, but those who have, hurt just as deeply as I. Their needs are as great or greater than mine for a compassionate and loving response to AIDS.
(Reprinted from the Baptist Standard-Texas)
THE WORD OF PROCLAMATION (Seventh Word from the Cross)
#109 THE WORD OF PROCLAMATION (Seventh Word from the Cross)
Scripture Luke 23:44-46 NIV Orig. Date 4/22/1962 (4/1980)
Rewr. Dates 4/13/1987
Passage: 44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, 45 for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”[a] When he had said this, he breathed his last.
Purpose: To conclude the seven-part series of Words from the Cross, here signifying Jesus’ willing commitment unto death.
Keywords: Christ the Redeemer Will of God Redemption Commitment Crucifixion
Timeline/Series: Words from the Cross
Introduction
We have come to Luke for the final chapter in these Words from the Cross. It is he also who records two phenomena that accompany the death of Jesus. These two marvels of divine condescension.
The first was from the natural world. Note Luke 23:44 “And it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.” Nature was in full accord with the events of Calvary. Authorities on solar activity tell us that an eclipse of the sun may last as much as 7 minutes/40 seconds. If this was an eclipse at all, it lasted for three hours. Nature adds its own mute testimony of the blackness of the present stage of man’s evolution to greatness. In man’s pursuit of excellence, the best of men has come to a wooden cross to die the shameful death of a criminal.
“He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” II Corinthians 5:21
Then, in v45, as if in sequence, Luke tells of the second phenomenon: this time from the spiritual world. The Jewish temple was on temple mount, no more than a few hundred yards from Golgotha. The priests were performing their sacramental duties, oblivious to Calvary: not caring that Mary’s son was dying. Suddenly, there came the sound of fabric being torn. They looked up to see the veil, separating the sacramental area from the Holy of Holies, being torn as if by some unseen hand. This alone, the “rending” of a huge curtain, 30x60 feet in size, perhaps 4 inches thick, would have precipitated unmeasured fear. But more than that, they suddenly found themselves looking straight upon the sacred enclosure of the Holy-of-Holies. The veil, you remember, was under the severest of scrutinies, and was to be lifted on only one day of the year, that being the day of atonement. With the death of Christ, that which has before separated man from free access to God’s grace is forever removed. Two things more compel our attention.
I. Jesus Unhesitatingly Commits Himself into the Loving Providence of God’s Care. “Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit.”
There was total confidence in His mission. It would mean to suffer pain. To die. Potentially to be separated from the Father. It meant believing in the Father’s will in the whole, and in all its parts.
There is reason to believe only that Jesus is in total control. Some of you will remember Grady Lee (Ruston, FBC) some years ago. He once shared an illustration from a black preacher friend. The death angel had robed himself in his blackest garment, had mounted his blackest steed, and was on his way to Golgotha. Thundering hooves were plummeting toward three men affixed to crosses. One looked toward Jesus, “Lord, remember me!” Jesus interrupted the angel with his death saber drawn, “Hold on death. I’m still in charge here.”
Remember that this final phrase form the cross is a quotation from scripture. Initially, it was a word from the Psalmist. It became, long before Jesus’ day, the first prayer, taught by every Jewish mother to her child against the threatening darkness of night.
“Into thy hands I commend my spirit.”
“Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.”
When one is looking death in the face, there is no hope that does not find succor in God.
A learned man had a terminal illness. His days became few. His former colleagues came from time to time and brought new insight, or some new philosophy. They gave little comfort. A Christian friend came and took him for a drive in the country. The dying man told his friend about the conversations with others, and that this did not any longer satisfy his interests, or his present need. He then quoted I Timothy 1:15, “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chief.” He added, “There is nothing else of any use to me now.”
Jesus altered the quotation only slightly. He adds the single word, “Father.” “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” A prayer the psalmist could not pray. God’s grace distant, and detached. Could not personalize so intimate a relationship, like [an] orphan’s concept of father.
Jesus also omits an irrelevant word. “For thou hast redeemed me.” These present are deeply moved. Jesus’ death has done what His life could not. So noble a spirit as He has died to call others to God. John 12:31 “Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up, . . . will draw all men unto me.”
II. Thus Is the Spirit of Jesus Commended into the Hands of the Father. First, He prioritizes the human spirit. Even on the cross is fleshly concern. Third word assigns John care of Mary. Fifth word (thirst) expresses pain. Here at the last, He acknowledges the worth of the soul. “The worth of a soul, and the change that is wrought by the touch of the Master’s hand.” [Myra Brooks Welch, 1921]
Consider carefully this Easter day this spirit here commended to the Father’s keeping. It is the spirit of truth. John 6:53f teaches they would eat his flesh, drink his blood. Repulsive to Jew. V61 “Doth this offend you?” V63 “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak to you, they are spirit and they are life.” It is this spirit of Jesus that draws us to the Father.
Romans 8:9 “. . .now if any man have not the spirit of Christ, he is none of His.” V11 “But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ . . . shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you.”
It is this Spirit of Jesus that confirms our oneness with the Father. Romans 8:16, “The Spirit Itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God.”
The Spirit of Jesus is the true spirit of liberty. II Corinthians 3:17 “Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”
The Spirit of Jesus is the seal of our adoption by the Father as His children. Galatian 4:4f “God sent forth His son, made of woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons . . . And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the spirit of His Son into your hearts.”
And, finally, it is the spirit of Jesus giving permanence to our faith. Ephesians 3:16 “That he would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man.”
Conclusion
The fight of faith is still a living, viable reality. It must be pursued unconditionally. But the spirit of Jesus is the spirit of victory.
In East Germany is a place called Wartburg. It is the place where Martin Luther lived during his years of strongest struggle. It is where he poured out his soul in obedience to God. The house where he lived is treated as a shrine by the city fathers. It is also, to all who believe in freedom of conscience. Keepers of the shrine will show visitors a black stain on the old wall in Luther’s study. It marks an occasion when, it is said, that the reformer threw his ink bottle at the devil. The confrontations with temptation, even sin, will come, but for the believer, the spirit of Jesus is our means of deliverance.
MATCHLESS MARY
#207 MATCHLESS MARY
Scripture Luke 1:26-33, 2:41-58; John 19:25-28 NIV Orig. Date 12-24-1961
Rewr. Dates 12-1975; 9-16-1990
Passage: Luke 1:26-33 The Birth of Jesus Foretold
26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
Luke 2:41-48 The Boy Jesus at the Temple
41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”
John 19:25-28
25 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman,[a] here is your son,” 27 and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
The Death of Jesus
28 Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.”
Purpose: Continuing a Sunday evening series on New Testament characters, here describing the mother of Jesus.
Keywords: Biography of Mary Devotion Christ as Saviour
Timeline/Series: New Testament characters
Introduction
Back in 1981 we witnessed by means of television, the wedding of Charles and Diana. Thirty-four years prior to that (1947), some of us, through the medium of news reels at the picture show saw similar ceremony when Charles’ father and mother were wed. It was a remarkable time for England.
Not only were the British people in a festive mood, dignitaries from around the world were on the scene. Among these important people were representatives of royal families. One monarch present was King Faisal II. Back when Iraq had a king, he was then the twelve-year-old sovereign.
The processional was underway. People lined the street from the palace to Westminster Abbey. King Faisal was one of those looking on. Though dressed the part, and attendants were at his side, few knew who he was. His interest was not in the nuptial couple, but in the horses pulling their carriage. As the carriage approached, he stepped through the line of policemen to see better. Doing so, one of the policemen grabbed bodily for the young king and thrust him back into the crowd.
How do you apologize for the abusive treatment of royalty? The English people were stunned. Newspapers for days carried accounts, and efforts to make amends not only to young Faisal, but to the Iraqi people as well. What they were attempting to say was, “King Faisal, we didn’t know who you were!”
It puts us in mind of another apology. That which rings out so clearly in the old spiritual, “Sweet little holy child, we didn’t know who you was.” Do you wonder how Mary knew?
I. The First Consideration is of the benefit of Maidenhood. Luke 1:38 “And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.”
She is clearly a young woman of virtue and self-esteem. She was already spoken for in marriage. Joseph had claimed her in contract that only infidelity could break. Oliver First: “When a girl ceases to blush, she has lost the most powerful charm of her beauty.” Not only the maids, but the men also planned for the eventuality of marriage.
In addition, the angel had spoken to her. The angelic message must have been received with wonder and question. How would Joseph respond to the question of a baby? She surely must have suspected the response of the community. Why she went to Elizabeth’s.
In addition to this self-worth, she was apparently known for her faith/allegiance. She lived in open acknowledgement of God’s unique plan for her life. Make no mistake, God chose the best there was. Our study of Balaam didn’t suggest he must have been the best at that time. How much she knew of that plan? Her baby the “son of God,” but then, aren’t we all in one way?
Were thoughts conjured up of the Jewish Messiah? Did she understand that her baby would have no human father? The consummation of her marriage to Joseph was only weeks away. She understood the need, now, as never before, of obedience. A word is needed relative to virgin birth. Some well-meaning people reject. Jesus was God’s son (monogena), not because of Mary, but by the Holy Spirit. Tracing genealogy to Joseph is for convenience only. (Matthew 1:16 and Luke 3:23).
It is the submission of Mary that establishes choice. Luke 1:38 “Be it unto me according to thy word.” There would be other, normatively born, but this is not one of them. “Firstborn” Matthew 1:25/13:55.
II. Our Next Consideration is of the Burden of Motherhood. Luke 2:35 “Yea, a sword shall pierce through thine own soul also, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
Though [he was] the son of God, Mary is not spared any of the agony of childbirth. I heard a medical critique that women experience more pain in childbirth than men experience in a lifetime. Probably the most important person at a birthing is the grandmother. I have been in the waiting room at many of these. My own and my daughter’s. With fathers joyous at prospect. In the city hospitals, I’ve seen them who grumbled through it.
She would be the major factor in childrearing. At some point, she had to carry on as a single parent. She gave birth to six other children. Mark 6:3 “Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James and Joseph, and Judas, and Simon? Are not His sisters here with us? Parenting is always difficult, made especially so by the uniqueness of the child. Imperfect parents—perfect child. God, in the flesh.
Susanna Wesley, mother of John, spent an hour every day praying for her children. She took each child aside for one hour each week for the purpose of discussing spiritual matters. Oh, yes, it is important that you know that there were seventeen of them. John, and his brother Charles, would be figureheads of protestant religion in America during the 18th Century. She was known by the people around her. Not as the mother of God, but as a woman trying to do right.
III. Finally, We Must Consider the Blessing of the Mediator. John 19:26f “And he sayeth to his mother, woman, behold thy son. Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy Mother.”
The great heart of Jesus reaches out to Mary in a special way, and that John did not burden the gospel with tidbits re: childhood and youth of Jesus! We know His special affection for John. For practical spiritual reasons, Jesus chooses for His mother to be in John’s care. This may be in part for John.
The consideration given her is in keeping with the degree of her own faith. Obedience was the cardinal virtue. She expresses her faith in submissiveness. Luke 1:45 Elizabeth to Mary: “You believed that God would do what He said; that’s why He has given you this wonderful blessing.” She bore God’s own son. John 1:4 “In him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not.”
Understand one final word. Mary needed Jesus as her own redeemer. At the last He no longer calls her “mother.” “Woman, behold thy son.” She, like the rest of us, stands empty before God. I Timothy 2:5 “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and man, the man Jesus Christ.”
Conclusion
Not knowing who He was should no longer be our excuse. The evidence is clear enough for one who seeks it out. H.D.M. Spence’s poem tells a different story.
“They opened their treasures, the wise men old,
And prostrate they fell on the ground;
Exultant in spirit, they worshipped the Lord,
For Jesus, the Saviour, they’d found!
The treasure of heaven in Bethlehem lay,
Incarnate was God from above;
No wonder their treasures they opened to Him—
Their feeble expressions of love!
We may not have treasures of glory or gold,
Nor perfume to pour out at His feet;
Though if we but knew the true worth of the Christ,
We’d give Him our homage complete.”
THE OUTRAGE OF MISGUIDED FAITH
#302 THE OUTRAGE OF MISGUIDED FAITH
Fleeing from Fickle Fires
Scripture Mark 14:54, 66-72 Orig. Date 8/28/1966 (4/1979)
John 21:18 Rewr. Dates 10/10/1985
Passage: Mark 14:54, 66-72; John 21:18, NIV
Mark 14:54, 66-72 54 Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire. 66 While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said. 68 But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway.[g]
69 When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” 70 Again he denied it. After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” 71 He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.” 72 Immediately the rooster crowed the second time.[h] Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice[i] you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.
John 21:18 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”
Purpose: To remind my people that from time to time we need to re-examine the methods of our faith.
Keywords: Denial Discipline Faith
Timeline/Series: New Testament Church
Introduction
Just a few short years ago, one of the best loved and most highly respected ministers in America was Peter Marshall. He briefly held the position of Chaplain of the U.S. Senate. The story of his life, from boyhood in Scotland to his death was the subject of a Hollywood film.
His wife, Catherine, never one to be bashful about her own Christian convictions did not reach prominence until after her husband’s death. She became an accomplished author writing the happy reflections of two people sustained by the wonderful grace of God, and of the greater sustenance that came to her in his death. In actual fact, more people have been blessed by the contribution of her writings than could ever have been touched by a Presbyterian minister, even the Chaplain of the Senate.
In her book, Beyond Ourselves(1), she includes a personal manifesto. She writes of her tragedy, and of a greater door that was opened to her through her personal suffering. It is a personal record of her escape from grief. Along the way, she advises what is at stake and what the potential cost may be. She wrote, “Don’t surrender to God unless you mean it, because He may have to take some sizable chunks out of us.”
Simon Peter is an example of the outrage of a man’s misguided faith. Even so, the cost of commitment is likewise outrageous. Perhaps there is something for us to learn from the experience of Simon Peter.
I. Physically, We See a Man Following at a Distance. V54 “But Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest.”
A curious man. It had driven him into the water to walk beside Jesus. (Matthew 14.) When Jesus first spoke of death it roused him to rebuke Jesus. Just before this, he takes sword in hand to defend Jesus. Now he is torn between love for Jesus, and fear of his enemies. Curiosity is not uncommon in the faith. John 4 “Jesus said, ‘Except you see signs and wonders you will not believe.’” Again, John 12, “They came not for Jesus’ sake only, but to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.”
A complex man. He was another with much to offer. Under controlled circumstances he would give completely. It is said by some that his death was the death of crucifixion in Rome. Like many of us he needed simple answers to complex questions. He heard the answer to John’s question (Luke 7) “Are you the One that was to come, or do we look for another?” Though Jesus answered affirmatively, faith in that response would come ever so slowly.
A concerned man. He knew the anguish of the people around him. He had seen Jesus confront pseudoreligion, and draw believable pictures of God. He wanted to believe, but how long would it take to convince him? Gene Bartlett’s hymn tells the story needed by Simon and most of us. “Set my soul afire, Lord, for Thy holy word. Burn it deep within me, let Thy voice be heard. Millions grope in darkness, in this day and hour, I will be a witness, fill me with Thy power. Set my soul afire, Lord, set my soul afire. Make my life a witness of Thy saving power. Millions grope in darkness waiting for Thy word, set my soul afire Lord, set my soul afire.”
II. But Socially, Simon’s Witness was Degraded by Denial. V67 “You also were with Jesus of Nazareth.” V68 “But he denied it, saying. . . .” V70 “But he denied it again.” V71 “I do not know this man.”
Simon is here accused of being a Christian. He is honest in his denial in that he is open about it. How often do we do the same and hide it? Faith is something to put on on Sunday, a mask to paint over our real feelings. We grow satisfied with the bleachers of faith because the participants look uncomfortable and overworked.
I sometimes have genuine pity for folks who find excuses to stay away from church. Some may be believers. They are going to feel so out of place in Heaven, if they make it. They will be on edge all the time fearing that someone made a mistake and they are going to be kicked out. And when the heavenly chorus starts to sing Amazing Grace, they are not even going to know the words.
It is one thing to deny by word. That can be quickly changed. We can deny our denial. We can prove our fealty by our faith.
But it’s a terrible thing when denial becomes so ingrained it’s worn like a badge of honor. Jesus makes it clear that we are not free to deny Him. He refuted the comfortable “logic” that we are free to do as we please. Matthew 7:26 “Everyone that heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man which built his house upon sand.”
It is evidently clear that there is light enough and we are responsible for denials. John 3:19 “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light . . . deeds are evil.” Misquote “better than light” division of loyalty for “rather than light” error in value judgment.
III. Third Denial is Purgative. Psychologically, We See a Man Disarmed by Defection. V72 “And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him ‘Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.’” Matthew and Luke “wept bitterly.”
It is when the soul is desperate that we can best encounter God. The prodigal. Isaiah—“Woe is me, I am a man of unclean lips and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips. . . .” David—“Restore unto me the joy of my salvation.”
Such desperation is the enabler of faith. Some need such an encounter to experience forgiveness and faith. Others grow up believing. They can’t imagine not believing. The occasion deepens faith and widens horizons of Christian living.
For Simon, the experience broke him free from the traditions that bound him. Distance would become directness. Simon becomes a new man in Christ. His denial becomes discipleship. Still many hurdles to surpass. John 21:18 “Another shall gird thee and carry thee whither thou wouldst not go.” His defection becomes death to self and life in Christ. Singly, and in single stages we are brought into the kingdom. Isaiah 27:12 “You shall be gathered one by one.” Luke 15:7 “Joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth” –Jesus’ parable of one lost sheep. Barabbas released (John 18:39). Cornelius dazzling in Acts 10. There is a right thing, a right way, a right time, and a right purpose.
Conclusion
In my first pastorate another preacher suggested to me one day that I ought to get a tent. In my youthful enthusiasm, I thought he was complimenting me and suggesting that I share my ministry on a wider scale.
In a later, saner moment of spiritual crisis, the Lord convicted me that the tone of my ministry was a bit too formal and I needed to break out of it. That may have been what my friend had been trying to tell me all the time. From time to time, we need to take a good look at our faith and allow the Lord to take some of those “chunks” (C. Marshall) out of us.
1-Marshall, C. (1961). Beyond Ourselves. McGraw-Hill.
ON THE EDGE OF LIFE
#807 ON THE EDGE OF LIFE
Luke 7:11-17 NIV Orig. 11-23-80
Rewr. 10-25-90
Passage: Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.” Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up.” The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother. They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.” This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.
Purpose: Continuing a Sunday night study in the lives of people around Jesus, here discovering Jesus’ reaction to a funeral
Keywords: Compassion Hope
Timeline/Series: Biography
Introduction
In my file are obituaries of all of the funerals that I have preached. I am not quite sure why this material has been saved. I don’t ever look through the list, I don’t even know how many there have been. I suppose there have been a hundred or more. Old men and women, but some not so old. A few have been youths, several infants. They always have merited special attention, but never has there been some passing thought of restoring life. We have gone about the intended business of depositing the corpse in the grave, and encouraging the mourners to get back to the business of living.
I suppose that Jesus went to other funerals. What His demeanor was there, I do not know. Surely, He was at Joseph’s funeral. And John the Baptist! When He went to this event, however, He went of purpose.
Billy Graham can go to London for a crusade, and 50 to 60 thousand people may come out to hear him. Millions more may watch a playback of the crusade a few weeks later. The impact of such a crusade is enormous.
Jesus had no such luxury. He had a commission from God (Luke 4:43): “I must preach the Kingdom of God to other cities also; for therefore am I sent.” The village of Nain is one of them, and one with a reputation. One of the roads out of town, perhaps this very one, led Shumen, where Elisha restored life to the son of the Shumanite (II Kings 4:18). They will be talking about this for a long time to come. I’ll just keep filing obituaries.
I. First of All, We Watch Jesus Seeing. V12 “. . . behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow.” The funeral procession was coming out from the town as Jesus’ procession entered. Do you see coincidence, or providence at work? Two crowds meet. One gives ground to the other. The women are at the front (A61.1 p. 180): “They who brought death into the world must lead it out.”
What Jesus sees however, is a grieving mother. Perhaps He thinks of His own, of the day when she will walk thus. He sees a widow about to lay to rest her almost grown son.
There are three such occasions recorded: A child raised immediately (Matthew/Mark/Luke); a youth from cemetery road (Luke); Lazarus after four days (John). The first, sought; the second, unbidden; the third, discouraged. In every case, the death angel admonished with few words: “Young man, arise.” / “Maid, arise.” / “Lazarus, come forth.”
Jesus saw the grip of death on mere mortals and He addressed it boldly. Shelly’s Adonais (lament for Keats). “As long as skies are blue, and fields are green, Evening must usher night, night urge the morrow. / Month follow month with woe, and year wake year to sorrow.” Wordsworth—She Dwelt Among the Untrodden Ways: “She lived unknown, and few could know when Lucy ceased to be: But she is in her grave, and, oh, the difference to me.” John Donne—Devotions: “Any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.”
Do I choose to leave my death to Jesus? Or another?
A long day in Oakdale haunts me still. Only relative a brother. When the time came, his remark to me was, “This won’t take long will it?” It’s the only time in my life I’ve wanted to hit a man.
II. Secondly, We Watch Jesus Feeling. V13 “When the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.” The feeling He feels for her is empathy. There is a place for sympathy. The distress felt by those who can’t, or won’t, do anything. The commiseration absolved by gifts. What Jesus offers is feeling for: Not the word for pity, sympathy;actually the word for bowel (spleen).
Have you felt such yearning to help that you actually hurt? Clearly, He works in the young man’s behalf, but He is not the object. All of us know the story of Hezekiah in II Kings 20: Hezekiah was spared from death and 15 years were added to his life; at Hezekiah’s death his son Manasseh became king at 12 years old. One of my questions centers around what became of the widow’s son. Did he follow?
We must not overlook His feeling for the people who saw, and who heard. There was a grieving company of family, friends, paid mourners, as well as many others who were in the group with Jesus. V11 “many disciples . . . much people.” V12 “much people of the city.” What happened there that day will be told far and wide. V17 “This rumor of him went forth.” As far as I know, only the KJV uses the word rumor; others use “It is logos, ‘word.’”
But see to it, this is not a public relations spectacle. Jesus’ heart hurts for this woman. It is within His power to do something. Compare the story with that of Elisha. Notice Luke’s special designation. V13 “And when the Lord saw her, His heart went out to her and He said, “Don’t cry.”
III. Only in This Last Regard Do We Watch Jesus Coping. V14 “He came and touched the bier: . . . and he said, ‘Young man I say unto thee, arise.’” There are certain things that we can bring to funerals. We can bring memories: how important they are, recalling things forgotten, other things not even known. What catharsis there can be. We can bring kindness and friendship. When a loss has occurred, the need is for stability; we saw that picture of a grieving Bossier City grandmother, upon learning of the deaths of two daughters and four grandchildren in a fire. We can even bring nourishment.
But what we cannot bring to the funeral is hope: We cannot clip the death angel’s wings. We cannot disengage unbelief’s power. This is exactly what Jesus brings to the funeral. Whether bidden or not, He brings hope. Whether in the milling crowd, or in the lonely vigil, He represents hope. In life’s confrontation with death, Jesus is hope. Martha: “Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.” John 11:21.
Conclusion
A children’s book tells the story of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. Alexander awoke to find gum in his hair; he tripped on his skateboard trying to get to the bathroom; got his clothes wet while brushing his teeth; had a particularly bad day at school; and a dental appointment awaited after school. He had lima beans for supper, bath and bedtime were a disaster, his pillow was gone, and the Mickey Mouse light wouldn’t work. His cat chose to sleep in his sister’s room.
If Jesus hasn’t been bidden to the funeral, nothing else will take His place.
A TIME FOR CONFESSION
#734 A TIME FOR CONFESSION
Matthew 16:13-16, NIV Orig. 1-19-79
Rewr. (10-85) 11-7-89
Passage: When Jesus can to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Purpose: To use the occasion of the Lord’s Supper to challenge my people of the need to lift up life and voice in confession of Christ as Lord.
Keywords: Christ Lordship Lord’s Supper Ordinance Communion, Confession
Timeline: None
Introduction
Not many of us are generally familiar with the writings of George Buttrick. His ministry to God’s people ended [long ago]. His books are still in circulation, but may not be known except to an occasional pastor or Bible teacher.
Mr. Buttrick’s is a name often quoted in seminary classrooms. He left insightful material relating to the work of pastors. Speaking to the Senior Class of Princeton University a number of years ago, he issued a pastoral challenge. His ableness of speech came out of the fact that he then served as pastor of Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York City. Several in his audience were themselves going into the pastorate. He urged these graduates to “be with their people.” They were to be listeners in the marketplace to understand where their people are in life, and what they are thinking. He advised what some might find contradictory. I quote, “When you are at Coney Island, don’t tell the people of the concessions on the Boardwalk, about which they already know; tell them of the mystery of the sea, about which they do not know.”
It is a late hour in the saga of the evolution of life. We gain wonderful knowledge about our world every day. But the more informed we become about the world, the less concerned we seem to be for the mysteries of Christ. The question was asked of the disciples, for which we must have an answer: “Who do you say that I am?” I must know the answer. So must you!
I. It is Firstly a Question of Determination. V.13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” Examining the context we know that Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem. Luke 9:51: “He steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem.” (He fully/finally determined.) It is with knowledge of His death. He knows it will be violent.
Caesarea Philippi arcs His course southward. It identifies the time when Jesus’ public popularity is on the wane. Matt 13:1 “The same day…great multitudes were gathered unto him.” 12:46 “So many sought him (His mother and brothers)…could not get close.” 9:8 (after healing a paralytic) “when the multitudes saw it they marveled and glorified God who had given such power to men.”
We will not again see this public acclaim until Matthew 17:1-6: After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John the brother of James and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There He was transfigured before them…The disciples fell on their faces. Matthew 17:24 “Does your Teacher not pay temple taxes?” Mt 19:1-3: “Some Pharisees came to him to test him.” Mt 21:15: And when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did…they were indignant.”
It is as if some line of demarcation has been passed. Jesus had always faced opposition. But He had lived in the sunshine of a ministry marked by blessings/benefits to people around Him. He perceives the sun slipping behind the clouds, darkness invading the land. As He faces down Mt. Hermon’s flank, He knows another mount, called Golgotha, must soon be scaled.
“Up Calvary’s mountain, one dreadful morn, walked Christ my Saviour, weary and worn;
Facing for sinners death on the Cross, that he might save them (us) from endless loss.
Father, forgive them, thus did he pray, E’en while his lifeblood flowed fast away.
Praying for sinners while in such woe; no one but Jesus ever loved so.”
II. Secondly, it is a Question of Decision. V 15: “But who do you say that I am?” There was no debate about a right answer to this question. It was answerable in different ways: Saviour, Son of God, Anointed, Messiah. But all are answers that allude to God’s forgiving grace in Christ: that man has a sin problem; that only God’s answer suffices. Matthew 3:15 John hesitated when Jesus presented Himself for baptism. (Not because he didn’t know who Jesus was, but because he did. “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”
Too many today are uncertain as John was, but their confusion is from the speculation of doubt. There was speculation even back then. Healed people were instructed not to tell. (Matthew 8:4/9:30.). Evil spirits guessed His identity and were commanded to silence. Even John the Baptist later sent for confirmation. Luke 7:19 “Are you the Coming One (anointed) or do we look for another?” Jesus accepted this reticence. Luke 7:23 (His answer to John): “Blessed is he who shall not be offended because of me.”
Deal with your decision on the basis of being offended because of Jesus. Are there times when it embarrasses you for people to know you are a believer? During social upheaval do you tend to remain non-committal? Does the Swygart/Gorman controversy offend you? What about the SBC leadership stand-off? Are moral crises requiring polarization? There were reasons for reticence then. Jesus was not what the people expected in Messiah. He clearly was interested in more than mainline Judaism.
The militant sought to use Him to address their purposes. John 6:15 “When Jesus perceived that they would come and take Him by force to make Him a king, He departed again into a mountain alone.” There are even good reasons for reticence today: We faced the burden of our sin. The age grows the more complex, and the void grows wider. The lateness of the hour suggests the gravity of unbelief. The message is so unlike the means for making it known.
How do you describe a mountain panorama? The Grand Canyon? A beautiful sunset? A matchless symphony? A 50th anniversary of a devoted couple? But we do try, don’t we? And as well, we must share with those around us our faith in Christ.
“Who do you say the Son of man is?”
Conclusion
Do you recall the story from Uncle Tom’s Cabin? Tom was on the barge being taken with other enslaved people to the riverside plantation of Simon Legree. The name still makes us draw up in dread. Tom was trying to console another who had been sold away from wife and children. “Come unto me, all ye who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” “Them’s good words,” said the other, “but who says ‘em?”
In a dark hour in Thomas Carlyle’s life, someone read to him from John 14:1. “Let not your heart be troubled…in my father’s house are many mansions.” The essayist replied, “Aye, if you were God, you had a right to say that; but if you are only a man, what do you know more than the rest of us?”
It is thus the Christ who calls us to answer: “Who do you say that I the Son of man am?”
THE MAN NAMED JOHN
#501 THE MAN NAMED JOHN
Luke 1:5-15a NIV Orig. 12/14/1990
In the time of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest name Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years. Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside. Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.
Purpose: Continuing a series for Sunday evenings on New Testament characters, here presenting John the Baptist as a man striving to please God.
Keywords: Biography John the Baptist’s History
Timeline/Series: Sequential/New Testament Characters
Introduction
As noted last week, we are indebted to Luke for much that we know about John’s roots. All of chapter one, remember, is unique. In that lengthy chapter, VV 5-25 and 57-80 tell us about the birth of John, and the near-miraculous nature of his conception.
Zechariah was a priest, married to Elizabeth who was also of the priestly line. They were godly people, of advanced age, who had struggled somewhat with the barrenness of Elizabeth.
The estimates for the time suggest that there may have been as many as 18,000 priests divided into the 24 courses. All would be in Jerusalem for the major festivals (Passover, Pentecost, Tabernacles). Otherwise, each course would serve one 8 day stint every six months in Jerusalem, from Sabbath to Sabbath (BI F88 p49).
One day Zechariah was chosen by lot to burn incense in the temple. (Exodus 30/I Kings 11). This happened morning and evening each day, however in the morning four were involved, in the evening only one. It is likely that this honor would fall to a man only once in his lifetime.
He entered the Holy Place, took incense from a bowl, and put it on burning coals atop the altar of incense, and then prostrated himself for a short period of prayer.
I. In This Setting, Then, the Angel Gabriel Made His Appearance, Gave His Message of the Birth of a Special Son. (Luke 1:14-16). Because of his disbelief, Zechariah would become mute, which, with recovery of speech at John’s birth, would be an enabler of many people recognizing this birth as a step, or a fore-work of the coming of the Messiah (V 76-79) “And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
Conclusions that we can reach about this man named John are drawn from v 13 “Thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.” Repeating what is already established, the parents were elderly, childless; they were both of priestly lineage (of the division of Abijah: I Chron 24). There is a familial link between John/Jesus. Mary and Elizabeth were kin (v 1:36 “Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month.”) Their babies enjoyed unusual, even miraculous, births. Both would bear names given them by the angel Gabriel: John—Yahweh gives grace, and Jesus—Yahweh is salvation.
Of the boyhood of John, we can only surmise. He was to be reared a Nazirite V 1:15. The Nazirite vow is described in Numbers 6, and Samson and Samuel are examples. Who takes over to rear a child born in the twilight of life? No family is left to assume responsibility. One thing is known: v 80 “And the child was in the wilderness till the day of his manifestation to Israel.” One strong tradition suggests that John was reared by the Essenes, who were known to take orphaned boys and to live by strict rules of abstinence. What this does not address is the fact of John’s priestly lineage. It would be expected of him. One writer (BI W82 p36) suggests he kept this covenant, but broke with them discovering what many had become. We might well divide them today between liberal and conservative.
Matthew’s description of John lead us to close the door on the Essenes. His raiment was camel’s hair; he wore a leather girdle; his diet was of locusts and honey; and he had a message as austere as his dress. His message was as austere as his dress. V 3:8 “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.”
II. Our Next Concern, Therefore, Must be Message. Luke 3:3 “he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” The gospel writers all affirm a prophet. Luke (1:15) brings in the Holy Spirit, the Source of the divine message.
The message proclaimed is repentance. For us: a change of mind as consequence of sin. New Testament Greek: a change of mind from evil to good, worse to better. The Old Testament word for repentance: shuv is more often translated “return again.” Remorse, regret, humiliation, grief because of sins against God mean much more than tears. I Kings 21:27: “When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and fasted. He lay in sackcloth and went around meekly. Hebrews 12:17: Esau “found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.”
That repentance was to show in their lives. Their deeds were to give evidence. “Fruits meet worthy”—from the Greek axiom. Our “axiom” means self-evident truth.
Additionally, John was to be the one who would introduce the Messiah. It was a call to preparation. “Prepare ye the way of the Lord.” Matthew 3:3/Luke 3:4. There is no need even to comment on his expectation of a particular person. How well did he and Jesus know each other? The link of their mothers does not guarantee any relationship. John recognized Jesus as the appointed one. Did he, however, recognize Jesus as the son of his mother’s kinswoman?
III. Finally, What Stands Out of John’s Example? V16 “And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.”
His ministry began as a prophetic ministry of preaching and baptism. Luke 3:3 “preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sin.” Some say the unnamed disciple of John the Baptist (1:35f) was the other John. John the Baptist offered the example of prayer. Luke 1:11 “Lord, teach us to pray as John also taught his disciples.” Certain aspects can be taught. We know it more caught than taught.
He taught them to fast (abstain from food). Matthew 9:14 “Then came to him the disciples of John saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?” Pharisees: practiced legalism which Jesus rebuked. Religious disciples from his Spartan days with the Essenes. Jesus’ answer to them (Matthew 9:15) was that “the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.”
Conclusion
We still have much to learn from John in the exercise of commitment. What they learned from him they practiced. They were jealous for him. In John 3:25 they argue with the Jews, and question John about Jesus’ early success. John’s disciples are still at work long after his death. In Ephesus (Acts 19:1f, c. 65A.D.) “disciples” of John the Baptist are ministered unto by Paul, subsequently baptized “in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
Though, as this indicates, some were slow to follow, John the Baptist pointed people to Jesus. His whole ministry was predicated on forecasting the Messiah. Four Gospels: “Prepare ye the way of the Lord.” The “way” is the very word used by Jesus of Himself. John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me.” He exercises a humility in relation to Jesus that most of us have yet to learn. John 1:27, 30: “He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie….This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’” John 3:30: “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
BIBLE STUDY
#477 BIBLE STUDY
Scripture Luke 14:1-24 NIV Orig. 3/13/68
Rewr. 3/1971, 12/1974
Passage: One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched. 2 There in front of him was a man suffering from abnormal swelling of his body. 3 Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?” 4 But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him on his way. 5 Then he asked them, “If one of you has a child[a] or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull it out?” 6 And they had nothing to say. 7 When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: 8 “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. 10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. 11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” 12 Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” 15 When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” 16 Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17 At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ 18 “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ 19 “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’ 20 “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’ 21 “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ 22 “‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’ 23 “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. 24 I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’”
Keywords: Banquet Disenfranchised
Timeline/Series: Bible study
Introduction
Luke records four of the seven occasions of Jesus’ healing on the Sabbath. (1) In Chapter 4, the healing of Simon’s mother-in-law; (2) in Chapter 6, the man with the withered hand; (3) in Chapter 13, the woman with an 18-year infirmity; and (4) here, a man with dropsy—an excess of body fluids, known today as edema.
It would seem that anyone so intent on upgrading man’s physical and spiritual condition would have drawn the immediate acceptance of the people. Jesus, however, was hated by many.
Jesus’ Attitude at the Supper. 14:1 Jesus never refused any man’s invitation to hospitality. He went into the house of one of the Chief Pharisees on the Sabbath day to eat bread. They watched Him: Jesus never lost patience with men even in times of stress.
Jesus’ Action at the Supper. 14:2-6 His first responsibility is the alleviation of human suffering. V4 And He took him and healed him and let him go. Attention is called to the Pharisees’ lack of value judgment. “Which of you will not remove your beast from a pit on the Sabbath day?”
Jesus’ Analogy About a Supper. 14:7-11 His teaching is always relevant. V7 He marked how they chose out the chief rooms. His teaching here is in regard to humility. V9 When you are bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room. Humility is retained by examination and by comparison.
Jesus’ Advice to His Host at the Supper. 14:12-14 His advice is to examine our motives. V12 Do not invite your friends, your brethren, your kinsmen, thy rich neighbours, lest perhaps they also invite you. Their motives would be, perhaps, a sense of duty, self-interest, vanity, or an effort to befriend. The result will be blessing from God rather than men. V14 And thou shalt be blessed, for they cannot recompense thee.
Apposition: Jesus Was Rebuffed By a Guest at the Supper. 14:15 The guest who said “Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God,” was perhaps incensed at Jesus’ word to the host. What right had He, through healing, to contradict the Law? What right to instruct the spiritual leaders? What right to advise the Chief Pharisee? The guest might have said, “What do you know about blessing? He is blessed who is of the spiritual heritage of Israel.”
Application: Jesus Rebuked False Claims of the Jews at the Supper. 14:16-24 Even a word spoken to a cynic is spoken in kindness.
But those to whom the kingdom was offered, rejected it: Because of vocation, and so immersed in work that there is no time for fellowship—“I have bought a piece of ground”; because of avocation, so taken with some novelty—“I have bought five yoke of oxen” (Did you know that 80,000 people a week see the Saints play football?!); because of invocation, in that the Mosaic Law says a man with a new wife will not go to war or be charged with business for one year—“I have married a wife.”
Closing
There are those to whom the Christian life is a melancholy and a dread. Swinburne, the poet, wrote, “Thou hast conquered, O pale Galilean, The world has grown gray from thy breath.” John Ruskin, an English author, told of a jumping jack given to him as a child, taken away by a pious aunt with the remark that toys were not things for a Christian child. It’s little wonder that his brilliant mind turned to socialism and nature. Wesley founded a school where the rule was no play, “because he who plays as a child plays as a man.”
Jesus, however, pictured His Kingdom in terms of a feast.
***THE REMAINDER OF THIS BIBLE STUDY HAS BEEN LOST***