Please don’t ask me….If God is so good why is there so much suffering and evil? Part 2

1 John 3:18,19

My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 19 And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.

 

The problem of evil

 Our basic problem with evil is struggling with three things

– If God is good – then why is there evil shouldn’t a good God do the good thing and wipe out evil

– If God is all-powerful – why does he allow evil to exist can’t he simply wipe evil out

– That fact that evil exist at all with an all-powerful all-good God

 

There are several solutions to this problem

Deny God exist and with it the reality of evil

 “Their right is just as right as our right”

If it were not for a loving God that gives us a standard of right and wrong there would be no understanding that anything is evil.

 

Solution #2

Make evil part of God

 if everything is part of god rather than the personal God we believe in, then evil and suffering are part of that god too

 

Solution #3

Diminish God’s power

 Matthew 19:26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

 

Solution #4

 Diminish God’s goodness

In other words, we believe God is powerful and he sees all the evil in the world but just doesn’t want to do anything about it, He lacks the goodness to take action against evil

So those were the understandings people must have if they are going to judge God on his character but what do we say to friends to give them hope in their time of need

 

Point of light #1

The world is as Jesus said that it was

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

 

Point of light #2

Evil was not caused or created by God

Actually, it is quite the opposite

1 John 4:8

“He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”

 

Point of light #3

At the root of most of the evil and suffering are humans

Roughly 90% of the suffering in the world comes through human causes: wars, genocide, human trafficking, murders, torture, racial discrimination, domestic abuse, sexual abuse, rape, and the list goes on.

God will stop all of this one day but the time is not now

 

Point of light #4

We live in a fallen world

In Genesis 3 we see because of man’s sin that not only was man cursed but so was the ground.

For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. 20 Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope Romans 8:19,20

 

Point of light #5

God will judge evil

Once again many say if God is good and great why doesn’t he get rid of evil…He will but His love constrains Him.

2 Peter 3:9

The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.

 

Last point of light

God can cause good to come out of evil

We quote this scripture often Romans 8:28

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them”

This is not a verse to use as a cliché but instead use it wisely if the person can understand it

– Beyond this we know according to God will use difficulty in our lives to strengthen our character

– He can use intended evil to give us an eternal perspective

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. 17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

– Evil and suffering can even lead us to the Father

Summarize

 

  • If the question is being asked chances are the person is hurting. Don’t worry about answering the question but love them through to heal the hurt.
  • Don’t freak out if your friends in their hurt say things about God or even your faith, pain tends to speak quite loudly they need you to show them, Jesus not just talk to them about Him
  • Prayer is almost always an appropriate response to a friend in pain, prayer for them and pray for wisdom for you
  • It is hard to explain to someone with no faith or fading faith that God is good and great and allows evil to exist but if you have been touched by similar pain share it is a way of showing you understand and are living proof God can get you through it
  • Don’t underestimate the power of love and encouragement. When you share with them these things they will hear it from you if they have felt that coming from you…Be Jesus to them

 

 

 

 

 

 

Men’s Retreat Mark Moder – The “one another verses”

MEN’S RETREAT 2017

The “One Another” Verses in the New Testament

 

  1. One sex (male or female) is not right while the other one is wrong. They are just different. But women gather and connect naturally and easily. Men are more individualistic and are generally not great communicators. We need to work at being a connector with those around us.

—“According to statistics, the average man over 35 years old does NOT have one close friend.” (See Why Are Men Leaving the Church?, online article by Steve Sonderman for AG Men.)

—About 95% of men say they don’t have male friends. Less than 1/3 of men in church say they have a friend. (See Why Men Matter—Both Now and Forever, Online article.)

  1. The question arises, “Why is this?” One reason is that society tends to condition men to be tough and hard. But we need to redefine manhood as a combination of strength and vulnerability. Showing vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness.

 

FROM BELIEVING TO BELONGING

 

  1. The word church is found in only two passages in the gospels (Matthew 16:18; 18:15-18).

Matthew 16:18 “…I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”

  1. This refers to the UNIVERSAL church. Local churches may come and go but the universal church will never be stopped.

Matthew 18:15-17 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more… . And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church.”

  1. This refers to the LOCAL church. You obviously can’t tell it to everyone in the body of Christ at large. This refers to a local assembly.

—The universal church is invisible. It is a spiritual thing. You can’t see or feel it. It is made up of believers all over the earth.

—The local church is visible. It is a tangible thing. You can join with, be part of and enjoy it.

  1. When we are born again, we are automatically a member of the universal church. But we should take the next step and become a part of a local church. Rick Warren said, “You became part of the human family by your first birth, but you become a member of God’s family by your second birth” (Purpose Driven Life, pg. 118).
  2. “You are called to BELONG, not just BELIEVE. …While your relationship to Christ is personal, God never intends it to be private” (pg. 130).
  3. “The church is indestructible and will exist for eternity. It will outlive this universe, and so will your role in it. The person who says, ‘I don’t need the church,’ is either arrogant or ignorant. …The New Testament assumes membership in a local congregation” (pg. 132).
  4. Though pastors are imperfect and not without fault, every Christian needs a shepherd. There is no such thing as a perfect church, but there is a perfect church for you.
  5. “When it comes to fellowship, size matters: Smaller is better. You can worship with a crowd, but you can’t fellowship with one” (pg. 138).
  6. You can only have fellowship in a smaller gathering. This is why being involved in a small group is so important to becoming connected with other believers.

 

 

 

  1. Rick Warren also said, “Authenticity is the exact opposite of what you find in some churches. Instead of an atmosphere of honesty and humility, there is pretending, …and superficial politeness but shallow conversation. People wear masks, keep their guard up, and act as if everything is rosy in their lives. …It is only as we become open about our lives that we experience real fellowship” (pg. 139-140).

 

TWO LEVELS OF FRIENDS

 

Proverbs 18:24 (MEV) “A man who has friends must show himself friendly, and there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

  1. The word friend in its various forms is found three times in this verse.

Vs. 18a “friends” – (SC 7453: rea) an associate; a neighbor

Vs. 18b “friendly” – (SC 7489: raa)

Vs. 18c “friend” – (SC 157: ahab) a friend; someone with whom we share real affection

  1. There are two main levels of friendship spoken of in the book of Proverbs.

Vs. 18a “A man who has friends must himself be friendly…”

  1. The first part of this verse talks about associates or neighbors.

Vs. 18b “…but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

  1. The second part of this verse uses a different Hebrew word for friend and speaks of a close, intimate friend. (See The Beginning of Wisdom, pg. 178, Bob Yandian.)

Proverbs 17:17 (MEV) “A friend loves at all times [NLT: ‘is always loyal’], and a brother is born for adversity.”

  1. Learn to keep confidences. The word “secretary” speaks of one who is entrusted with secrets.
  2. Some relationships are high maintenance and others are low maintenance. Some people are often offended, highly reactive and always upset. This is a high maintenance relationship.
  3. Healthy relationships are low maintenance.
  4. We have friends we may only see once every six months or a year. Sometimes it is even longer. But we pick up right where we left off because are expectations are not too high.

Example: I have taken several personality tests over the years, and I have discovered that I am a true introvert. I get my energy from being by myself and recharging my battery by staying at home. My wife gets her energy from being with others—going out and having fun. I have to force myself to reach out and get together with others. It does NOT come naturally for me.

 

THE “ONE ANOTHER” VERSES

 

  1. There are dozens of Scriptures in the New Testament that contain the phrase “one another” in them. It is almost impossible to walk out these commands if we only come in contact with our fellow Christians for a brief time on Sunday mornings. Many come late, leave early and never actually connect with other believers.
  2. There are over forty-five different “one another” passages in the New Testament. We will be quickly highlighting twenty-five passages below.
  3. We should not be an isolated or unconnected follower of Christ.
  4. The verses we see below are only a partial list:

 

Mark 9:50 “…have peace with one another.”

 

John 15:17 “These things I command you, that you love one another.” (“Love one another” is found in about ten New Testament references.)

Romans 12:10 “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, …giving preference to one another.”

Romans 12:16 “Be of the same mind toward one another.”

Romans 15:7 “Therefore receive one another…”

Romans16:16 “Greet one another…”

1 Corinthians 12:25 “…care for one another.”

Galatians 5:13 “…through love serve one another.”

Ephesians 4:32 “And be kind to one another…”

Ephesians 5:21 “submitting to one another…”

Colossians 3:9 “Do not lie to one another…”

Colossians 3:13 “bearing with one another, and forgiving one another…”

Vs. 16 “…teaching and admonishing one another…”

1 Thessalonians 4:18 “Therefore comfort one another…”

1 Thessalonians 5:11 “…edify one another…”

Hebrews 3:13 “…exhort one another daily…”

James 4:11 “Do not speak evil of one another…”

James 5:9 “Do not grumble against one another…”

Vs. 16 “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another…”

1 Peter 3:8 “…having compassion for one another…”

1 Peter 4:9 “Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.”

Vs. 10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another…”

 

NO MAN IS AN ISLAND

 

  1. Paul clearly shows us in the New Testament that—as members of the body of Christ—we are not independent. We need one another and the gifts that other members of the body have.

—If you had every gift and every office you would need no one else.

—If you had every gift and office you would be Jesus.

  1. There are three stages of growth in our lives:
  2. Dependence: At this stage, we need others to take care of us. But as we become adults, we grow out of this stage.
  3. Independence: Here we are able to take care of ourselves. This is good but there should be one more stage of growth.
  4. Interdependence: As we mature and grow up, though we can take care of ourselves we still recognize that we are strongest when we work together.
  5. The spirit of love focuses on our similarities. The spirit of division focuses on our differences.

 

  1. A famous quote along these lines says, “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.” (Some say this was a quote by John Wesley, others say it originated with Augustine and still others say it was spoken by a 17th century German theologian.)
  2. In essentials, we must be unswerving.

Example: We must not compromise the Lordship of Jesus, His virgin birth, His bodily resurrection, the authority and inspiration of Scripture, etc.

  1. But in non-essentials, we should be sensitive and tolerant.
  2. I won’t allow a minor doctrinal disagreement to hinder my fellowship with a brother or a sister in Christ.
  3. I know that we need to be careful of error and false doctrine. The books of 2 Peter and Jude, amongst others, address this. But just because someone teaches something different than you do, does not automatically make them a false teacher or a false prophet.
  4. We can actually feel justified in our criticism, believing that we are right and that they must be wrong. But remember that the spirit of love never divides.
  5. I won’t curse what God is blessing! I want to rightly divide the Scriptures but I don’t want to walk in a critical spirit.
  6. We all have our favorites and there is nothing wrong with that but we must receive from and embrace the entire body of Christ.
  7. No one person or camp will have the full counsel of God. But collectively, we—the body of Christ—have the mind of Christ. To do this we need to embrace the whole body of Christ.

 

THE POWER/PRINCIPLE OF ONE

 

  1. We must shift from an audience to an army mentality.

—An audience comes to church each week to watch the show (church service). When the show is over they go home to live their lives.

—An army gets connected, get involved and works as a team to reach a common goal.

  1. To walk in healthy, long term relationships, we must understand the principle of one.

 

 

  • The Trinity is three Persons in one essence. “Hear O Israel: The Lord our God,

 

the Lord is ONE” (Deuteronomy 6:4).

  • When we are saved, we become one spirit with the Lord. “He who is joined to

the Lord is ONE spirit with Him” (1 Corinthians 6:17).

 

 

  • When we are married, we become one flesh with our mate. “The two shall become

            ONE flesh” (Ephesians 5:31).

 

 

  • The church is to walk in one accord and one mind. “…being like-minded, having the same love, being of ONE accord, of ONE mind” (Philippians 2:2).

 

 

 

  1. The Bible is a history of the devil attacking the principle of one.

Genesis 11:6 (NIV) “The Lord said, ‘If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.’”

  1. We can see that there is power in unity—even when the unity goes against the plan of God. This wasn’t even the unity of the Spirit.
  2. There is a difference between unity and uniformity.
  3. unity – harmony, agreement
  4. uniformity – conforming to one pattern
  5. Unity isn’t uniformity. It is coming together with one purpose and one mind.
  6. One minister said, “Broken relationships are never of God. Satan’s math…is always ‘subtraction’ and ‘division.’ God’s math is always ‘addition’ and ‘multiplication.’”
  7. Many believers never get past a spiritual wound. Christians can go to church for years but not really grow or change because they are not healed emotionally.
  8. Resolution seldom comes by sorting out who was right and who was wrong. It is only when the love of God touches wounded hearts that broken relationships can be healed.

Example: Read about the five lessons we can learn from Be as Wise as a Goose. MFM

Men’s retreat with Mark Moder – The Power of Connection

MEN’S RETREAT 2017

The Power of Connection

 

  1. In the early 1990’s relationship counselor John Gray wrote a well known book called Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus. The idea behind the book was that men and women are from distant planets—Mars and Venus—and that each sex is acclimated to its own planet’s society and customs, but not to those of the other.
  2. The premise of the book was that we need to understand and appreciate the differences. And we need to cease expecting our partner to act and feel like we do. We are different for a reason.
  3. Below are a couple of the differences between the sexes that we need to realize in this study.

 

 

  • MEN like to work on their own. They exercise their abilities by solving problems quickly and singlehandedly. WOMEN like to cooperate [with others]. They exercise their feelings through interactive communication with one another.
  • When faced with tough problems, MEN go to their caves. They can become non-communicative so they can work out how best to [solve their problems]. WOMEN become communicative so that others can work out how best to help them.
  • When MEN do communicate, they like to get to the point. They generally only want to listen if they feel the conversation has a point. WOMEN enjoy talking for its own sake. They are happy to listen unconditionally.
  • MEN talk in very literal terms for the purpose of relaying information. WOMEN employ dramatic vocabulary to fully express and relate their feelings.
  • MEN like to sort their thoughts out before communicating them. WOMEN like to sort their thoughts out in the process of communicating them. (See wikisummaries.org.)

 

  1. One sex (male or female) is NOT right while the other one is wrong. They are just different. But women gather and connect naturally and easily. Men are more individualistic and are generally not great communicators. We need to work at being a connector with those around us.
  2. Below are a couple of statistics that we need to be aware of.

 

  • “According to statistics, the average man over 35 years old does NOT have one close friend.” (See Why Are Men Leaving the Church?, online article by Steve Sonderman.)
  • About 95% of men say they don’t have male friends. Less than 1/3 of men in church say they have a friend. (See Why Men Matter—Both Now and Forever, online article.)

 

  1. The question arises, “Why is this?” One reason is that society tends to condition men to be tough and hard. But we need to redefine manhood as a combination of strength and vulnerability. Showing vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness. You don’t have to know it all. You don’t have to be able to do it all.

 

BEWARE OF ISOLATION

 

  1. One of the devil’s greatest weapons is isolation. During this time of isolation, Satan whispers lies to us. I believe his three main devices are isolation, offenses and cares. He whispers…

 

 

—“Nobody has gone through what you are going through.”

—“No one will even notice if you are gone.”

—“You don’t need them anyway. You’ll be just fine on your own.”

  1. Isolation can come from many things, one of which is sin in our lives.
  2. “Besides making us want to run from God, sin also makes us want to isolate ourselves from other believers. In Life Together, Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote:

 

‘Sin demands to have a man by himself. It withdraws him from the community. The more isolated a person is, the more destructive will be the power of sin over him, and the more disastrous is this isolation. Sin wants to remain unknown. It shuns the light’” (Partners in Prayer, pg. 53, John Maxwell).

 

  1. The enemy loves to isolate us. He loves to get us alone. He wants us to be that strong, silent type. He wants us to have an “I don’t need anybody” mentality.
  2. We need to be accountable to others. This means being close enough to someone that they can speak truth into our lives without our going on the defensive.

—The Lone Ranger had Tonto.

—Batman had Robin.

—Ernie has Bert.

—Fred Flintstone had Barney Rubble.

—We, likewise, need someone.

Example: Below is a classic story of pride and isolation in action.

 

“Maybe you’ve heard the story about Muhammad Ali back when he was the reigning heavyweight champion of the world. Ali had just taken his seat in the first-class section of a 747 that was getting ready to take off. The flight attendant came by and asked the champ to fasten his seat belt. Ali looked at the woman and said, ‘Superman don’t need no seat belt.’ The attendant responded, ‘Superman don’t need no plane’” (Finishing Strong, pg. 68, Steve Farrar).

 

  1. You’re not Superman and I’m not either. If we are trying to fly by ourselves, the enemy will end up deceiving us.
  2. If you are close enough to be HELPED by people, you are close enough to be HURT by people. Don’t be afraid to take that risk.

 

THREE TYPES OF CONFESSION FOR THE BELIEVER

 

(1) The believer’s confession of faith based upon the Word of God (Hebrews 3:1).

Hebrews 10:23 (MEV) “Let us firmly hold the [NKJV: ‘confession’] of our faith without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”

  1. This is the positive side of confession.
  2. This can be speaking the Word of God or resisting the devil and his works.

 

(2) The believer’s confession of sin TO THE LORD when they have broken fellowship       with Him.  

 

 

1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins [TO THE LORD], He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

  1. This is the negative side of confession.
  2. There has been a real emphasis on the message of grace in the last few years. Much of it has been needful and fruit bearing. Some of it has been off base.
  3. We should be righteousness conscious, not sin conscious. However, there is a big difference between sin CONSCIOUSNESS and sin AWARENESS.
  4. We should NOT always focus on our sins and shortcomings. But we do need to be aware when we have missed the mark and have broken fellowship with the Lord.
  5. There is a difference between relationship and fellowship.
  6. Our relationship is secure. It doesn’t change.
  7. Our fellowship can fluctuate, depending on what we do.

Example: In a marital dispute, the couple doesn’t break their relationship. They are still married. They break their fellowship.

  1. When we confess our sins, we are back in fellowship with the Lord once again.

 

(3) The believer’s confession of struggles or sin TO OTHERS to get help to overcome.

  1. Notice that the phrase “each other” is found twice in the following verse.

James 5:16 (NLT) “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.”

  1. We believe in the priesthood of every believer. (See 1 Peter 2:5 & 9; Revelation 1:5, 6.) By that, we mean that we have direct access to the Lord. We don’t have to go through a priest (a man) to receive forgiveness. But on the other hand, sometimes we need the help of others to get the freedom we desire. God often works in our lives through the help of others.
  2. This cannot be forced. It comes once trust is developed and we know that those we share with have our best interest at heart and also have our back.
  3. Lasting freedom from addiction, drugs, fear, bondage, worry, etc. is available to every believer.

 

∙           Sometimes people are delivered from something instantly. Once Paul Scanlon got saved, he never swore again. He had been a “professional curser.” His friends knew something had happened to him because his language changed so drastically.

∙           Sometimes people are delivered over time—as a process.

∙           Sometimes people are delivered without the help of anyone else. The Lord simply delivers them all by Himself.

∙           Sometimes people are set free through the assistance of others who walk them through the process. We do NOT always achieve freedom on our own.

 

Example: I have been healed instantly and, at other times, over time. I have received directly from the Lord and, at other times, have needed the help of mature believers to help me walk through a valley into victory.

  1. No matter how it comes and through whom, the end result is that absolute freedom is available in Christ.
  2. Someone well said, “If you cannot be free from sin in this life then Jesus is NOT your Savior, death is.” You don’t have to wait until you die to be free. The good news is that Jesus IS our Savior and we have victory over sin, bondage, addiction, etc. because of the cross!

Matthew 6:2 (MEV) “…when you do your charitable deeds, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be honored by men.”

Matthew 6:2, 5, 16 “hypocrites” – (NKJV margin) pretenders

  1. “hypocrites” – (Wuest Nuggets, pg. 80, Volume 3) It refers to a person who played a part on the stage, to an actor, one who pretends to be what he is not.
  2. Warren Wiersbe says this word originally meant “an actor who wears a mask.”

Vs. 2a “…in the synagogues…” – This is where the religious crowd is.

Vs. 2b “…and the streets…” – This is where the world is.

  1. Notice that hypocrites are found both in the world and in the church.
  2. The Lord wants us to take our mask off and be real and transparent.
  3. Connecting is a two way street. We should NOT be an isolated or unconnected follower of Christ. Our Christian walk should be both vertical (with God) and horizontal (with one another).

Genesis 4:9 “Then the Lord said to Cain, ‘Where is Abel your brother?’ He said, ‘I do not know. AM I MY BROTHER’S KEEPER?’”

  1. Actually, the answer to Cain’s question to the Lord was “yes, you are.” We are to be our brother’s keeper. God doesn’t ask questions because He doesn’t know the answer. He was giving Cain the opportunity to tell the truth.
  2. If someone you know is isolated:

 

(1) Pray for them.

  1. Take authority over self pity, depression, isolation, etc. that would keep people in a cave of hopelessness. Pray for them to rise above isolation and to get active in the things of God.

 

(2) Reach out to them in love.

  1. People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.
  2. As we grow up spiritually, we no longer come to church just to get something for ourselves. We come to help others connect with the Lord and with His people.

Example: Call them. Send them a text. Get together with them over coffee or a meal.

Example: I fought against isolation and won when I was by myself at an FCF Leadership Meeting in Tulsa and was asked to move to another seat. I chose to reach out to others (two Rhema students from our church) and not to take offense or feel hurt.

 

THE LONELY EMBER

 

Example: John MacArthur told a powerful story that illustrates the danger of isolation. He said…

 

A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the pastor decided to visit him. It was a chilly evening. The pastor found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire.

 

Guessing the reason for his pastor’s visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a big chair near the fireplace and waited. The pastor made himself comfortable but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the play of the flames around the burning logs.

 

After some minutes, the pastor took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent. The host watched all this in quiet fascination.

 

As the one lone ember’s flame diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and “dead as a doornail.” Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting.

 

Just before the pastor was ready to leave, he picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.

 

As the pastor reached the door to leave, his host said, “Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I shall be back in church next Sunday.”

 

  1. Let’s GET connected and let’s STAY connected. We are much getter together than we are apart. Remember that iron sharpens iron. MFM

 

 

Please don’t ask me….If God is so good why is there so much suffering and evil?

James 1:19

So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;

I think this is what James and John were alluding to when we read these passages

James 2:15,16

If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

1 John 3:18,19

My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 19 And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.

When someone is hurting and in lost it is better to hold off on dealing with the words of philosophy and be Jesus to them through love

The problem of evil

Our basic problem with evil is struggling with three things

– If God is good – then why is there evil shouldn’t a good God do the good thing and wipe out evil

– If God is all-powerful – why does he allow evil to exist can’t he simply wipe evil out

– That fact that evil exist at all with an all-powerful all-good God

There are several solutions to this problem

Solution #1

Deny God exist and with it the reality of evil

The idea is this because evil exists then there must not be an all-powerful all-good God!

Quote from serial killer Ted Bundy who raped and murdered over 30 women and girls said this

I learned that all moral judgments are “value judgments,” that all values are subjective, and that none can be proved to be either “right” or “wrong.” . . . I discovered that to become truly free, truly unfettered, I had to become truly uninhibited. And I quickly discovered that the greatest obstacle to my freedom, the greatest block, and limitation to it, consists in the insupportable “value judgment” that I was bound to respect the rights of others. . . . Surely, you would not, in this age of scientific enlightenment, declare that God or nature has marked some pleasures as “moral” or “good” and others as “immoral” or “bad”?

If morality has nothing to do with God then what does it have to do with?

Renowned atheist John Steinrucken in an article entitled what “Secularisms on-going debt to Christianity” is quoted as saying, “I challenge any of my fellow atheist to come up with the “immutable (unchanging) moral laws of secularism”

“Their right is just as right as our right”

CS Lewis quote from Mere Christianity If you haven’t read CS Lewis please do! He is so much more than the Chronicles of Narnia

“My argument against God was that the universe seemed so cruel and unjust. But how had I got this idea of just and unjust? A man does not call a line crooked unless he has some idea of a straight line. What was I comparing this universe with when I called it unjust? If the whole show was bad and senseless from A to Z, so to speak, why did I, who was supposed to be part of the show, find myself in such violent reaction against it?”

“Thus in the very act of trying to prove that God did not exist–in other words, that the whole of reality was senseless–I found I was forced to assume that one part of reality–namely my idea of justice–was full of sense. Consequently, atheism turns out to be too simple. If the whole universe has no meaning, we should never have found out that it has no meaning: just as, if there were no light in the universe and therefore no creatures with eyes, we should never know it was dark. Dark would be without meaning.”

Ironically the problem that caused CS Lewis to not believe in God is the very thing that brought him to God

If it were not for a loving God that gives us a standard of right and wrong there would be no understanding that anything is evil.

Solution #2 

Make evil part of God

You have heard this more than you know

If everything is part of god rather than the personal God we believe in, then evil and suffering are part of that god too

In other words, God is not good but a mix of good and evil. What kind of schizophrenic god is that?

Solution #3

Diminish God’s power

It is a decision to choose to make God not great. It is saying to God that you are powerful but your power is limited.

The problem is the Bible tells us differently

Exodus 15:6 “Your right hand, O Lord, has become glorious in power; Your right hand, O Lord, has dashed the enemy in pieces.

Matthew 19:26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Ephesians 1:19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power

Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

Solution #4

Diminish God’s goodness

On the face of it, most of us would deny believing this but in the midst of pain we say to ourselves, “If God is all powerful and he knows this evil is going on in my life but He just doesn’t care, He must not really love me.”

If evidence of the evil in the world is evidence that God does not exist then perhaps beauty, love, and all the many blessings of our homes, families, jobs should be evidence God does exist.

Philippians 4:6,7

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

We live in a tension to believe that God is good, great, and nevertheless, allows evil in this world for a season for His greater purpose.

These are some of the arguments against God and his being a good loving, Father

It is true that:

God is always good

God is great

evil is real

Next week I am going to share with you a few points of what to say to your friends based on the foundation I have laid today. We will give them and you hope in times of crisis.

If you are here today and are battling God’s goodness or greatness toward you, we can do far more than intellectually and spiritually lay out the arguments we can pray and allow the Lord to meet you here

The Easter story – Opening our eyes once again

Can you imagine seeing Jesus face to face? Jesus main mission was to show us how much God loves us and destroy the power the enemy has over each of us.

More about that later. I love what the character Cleopas said that I’ll never tire of telling people the story

It is fun to imagine what these guys lives might have been like. To put it in perspective let me give you a little background.

Most New Testament scholars believe Cleopas was Jesus Uncle (Joseph’s brother) he was married to the “other Mary” who had been to the cross and went to the tomb. They were also the parents of one of the 12 disciples James the less. He and the “other disciple whomever that was, some believe it was not a man but actually Mary, his wife but whoever it was they were both close enough to Jesus that Jesus felt it important and that they could be trusted with Him appearing to them.

Let’s look at the story the way the Bible shares it…

 

Luke 24:13-35

That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. 16 But God kept them from recognizing him. 17 He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?” They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. 18 Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.” 19 “What things?” Jesus asked. “The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth,” they said. “He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. 20 But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. 21 We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago. 22 “Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report. 23 They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! 24 Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone, just as the women had said.” 25 Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. 26 Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” 27 Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. 28 By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, 29 but they begged him, “Stay the night with us since it is getting late.” So he went home with them. 30 As they sat down at the table to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. 31 Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared! 32 They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” 33 And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. There they found the eleven disciples and the others who had gathered with them, 34 who said, “The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter.” Jesus Appears to the Disciples 35 Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread.

 

Everything in the Bible has significance. Nothing is there just as filler.

 

We see in this story that Jesus appeared to people who loved Him, they were broken, down-hearted but he took the time to meet them in their brokenness and share with them the truth that would lift them up.

 

Many people see God as a vengeful God, angry all the time. Does He get angry? Yes! But not the way you may think!

 

– at sin that destroys us and keeps us away from Him

– at the enemy who lies to us and deceives us about who God really is!

– at our decisions that hurt others or ourselves.

 

We are told in the Bible that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us and that word shows us the way God loves us. It means God comes to us in our brokenness, confusion, loss, and/or pain and feels it with us then, understanding our situation takes us by the hand and shows us the way out…That is the God of John 3:16 the one who loves us so much.

You see it is sin that keeps us from God…God is perfect and can’t have imperfection in His presence but our goodness, our hard work can’t make us perfect.

Do you feel perfect today?

That is why Jesus came, no Old Testament animal sacrifice could make a person perfect no work could do the same only Jesus, God in the flesh, taking our sin, our rebellion on the cross and then our acceptance of that sacrifice obliterates that sin and makes us perfect not by what we do but because of His great love for us.

Jesus was proving that to these disciples.

He lovingly reached out to them in a way they could understand. Showing them in the Bible that they had studied all of their lives what would have to happen.

At the end of the teaching notes, either on the website or the app, I have listed a number of prophecies Jesus fulfilled and two of the arguments people raise against them.*

In verse 30 there is an inference that we can not miss. Luke 24:30

30 As they sat down at the table to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them.

The phrase “at the table” in the near east this is not simply written there because it was a convenient place to eat but the phrase relates to the idea of the table in a Jewish home was a sacred place, considered a “mini-temple” in every home.

Someone in this culture would gladly invite you out for a cup of coffee but… To invite you to eat “at the table” was an invitation to friendship.

This is why there was such an offense raised when Jesus said to the hardened sinner Zacchaeus that he would go eat with Him. He was telling the culture, I believe this man to be a friend and we saw the results.

Once the Lord has taken the time to heal our brokenness He is more than willing, if we are willing, to be our friend. He will gladly sit down with us.

To be honest most people have a hard time knowing Jesus as a friend until our hurts, wounds, anger, fear, frustration or whatever are really healed by Him.

 

The battles in our culture, the mindset of this world, are mostly toward the negative, the hopeless, and futility.

Jesus broke all of that on the cross and then he did something prophetically here and perhaps this is why this story is recorded.

Verse 31 Luke 24:31

Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared!

Their eyes were suddenly opened what were they suddenly opened to?

The reality that:

– Jesus was alive

– Jesus was exactly who He said He is

– It meant the promise of heaven, defeating the enemy, victory in our lives was all true

– All that He said was true! God really loves people, knows them, and believes in them, and that hopelessness is broken

 

Let’s quickly look at the scripture that put us all in bondage

 

Genesis 3:6,7

So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked, and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.

 

Adam and Eve had their eyes opened to their sin, bondage, death, and hell, utter hopelessness

 

But now Jesus has opened our eyes to freedom from sin, bondage, death, and hell

 

Today, I hope you sense that freedom or at least you sense you can have that freedom.

 

There is absolutely no reason for you to live in bondage

 

…whom the Son sets free is free indeed.

 

Jesus did not live, die on the cross and rise again to start a religion he did it so you and I could have our eyes open to having a real loving relationship with the one who loves us the most.

 

However, even some who have a relationship with Jesus, have still chosen to live in bondage…some because of the way they were raised, choices you have made, or sin that you battle but you don’t have to stay there today.

 

If you don’t have a relationship with Him you can get totally free today if you want.

 

In a moment, if you want I am going to pray a prayer of freedom and if you will agree with me, I believe Jesus will open your eyes too.

 

If you are starting your relationship with Jesus walking in His freedom today please after we pray do one of two things or both if you want.

 

Stop at the desk in the lobby and someone will gladly give you a copy of How to grow as a “Christ follower” and/or feel free to e-mail me and we will connect you up in a way that you can grow

 

tim@christiancenter.us

 

Please bow your heads While every head is bowed whether you are a Christian or not if your heart s crying out today for freedom from fear, from a negative world view, from your own brokenness and want a renewed sense of hope just all around the room raise your hand as a sign of agreement with me now let’s pray

 

Some of the scriptures Jesus fulfilled (This is what I promised earlier)

 

*What follows is a brief summary of some of the major prophecies relating to His final few days in Jerusalem.

 

1) He will enter Jerusalem riding a donkey (the colt of an ass) (Zechariah 9:9). Fulfillment: Matt. 21:5; Luke 19:32-37.

2) He will be hated for no reason (Psalm 69:4). Fulfillment: John 15:25.

3) He will be betrayed (Psalm 41:9). Fulfillment: Matt. 27:3-10.

4) More specifically, He will be betrayed by a friend (Psalm 41:9). Fulfillment: Matt. 27:3-10; 26:47-48.

5) The price of his betrayal will be thirty pieces of silver (Zech. 11:12). Fulfillment: Matt. 27:3-10.

6) The betrayal money will be cast onto the floor (Zech. 11:13). Fulfillment: Matt. 27:5.

7) More specifically, it will be cast onto the floor of the Temple (Zech. 11:13). Fulfillment: Matt. 27:3-10.

8) The betrayal money will be used to buy a potter’s field (Zech. 11:13). Fulfillment: Matt. 27:6-10.

9) He will not open his mouth to defend himself (Isaiah 53:7). Fulfillment: Matthew 27:12.

10) He will be beaten and spat upon (Isaiah 50:6). Fulfillment: Matthew 26:67; 27:26-30.

11) He will be “numbered with the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:12). Fulfillment: Jesus was crucified as a criminal in between two thieves (Mat 27:38).

12) He will be pierced (Zechariah 12:10). Fulfillment: John 19:34

13) His hands and feet will be pierced (Psalm 22:16; cf. Zechariah 12:10; Galatians 3:13). Crucifixion foretold. Psalm 22 graphically prophecies the Messiah’s manner of death. At the time the psalm was written (and long after), the penalty for blasphemy was stoning. Therefore, this prediction of the crucifixion is particularly astonishing.

14) The Jewish Passover sacrifice and Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death coincide exactly. The dates on which Jesus was taken by the Roman authorities, and then slain, also coincided precisely with the Jewish Passover. Jesus became the Passover Lamb, “without blemish.” Just as the angel of death passed by those Israelites who put blood on their doorposts – so Jesus’ sacrificial death also results in freedom from death and hell for those who accept His blood.

15) His bones will not be broken (Psalm 34:20; Exodus 12 states that the Passover Lamb’s bones are not to be broken.). Fulfillment: John 19:33.

16) They will divide his clothing and cast lots for them (Psalm 22:18). Fulfillment: John 19:23-24.

17) He will be given vinegar and gall to drink (Psalm 69:21). Fulfillment: Matthew 27:34, 48.

18) He will say: “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:1). Fulfillment: Matthew 27:46.

19) He will be buried with the rich (Isaiah 53:9). Fulfillment: Matthew 27.

20) He will not decay (Psalm 16:10). Fulfillment: Acts 2:31

21) He will be resurrected from the dead (Psalm 16:10). Fulfillment: Acts 2:31, etc.

22) He will ascend into heaven (Psalm 68:18). Fulfillment: Acts 1:9.

 

These are a small selection of some of the prophecies relating to the death of Christ.

 

What is the likelihood that these prophecies would be fulfilled in one person unless He were the Messiah?

 

Objection! Such Fulfilled Prophecies are Coincidental.

 

It is frequently argued that it is mere coincidence that these Old Testament scriptures seem to bear a resemblance to the life and death of Christ. After all, it would be possible to find scriptures that seem to relate to the life of anyone.

This, of course, is true. It is perfectly possible that it is coincidental. Possible…..but very unlikely.

 

If you tried hard you may be able to find a handful of prophecies that relate to Barak Obama or Donald Trump. But you certainly could not find in excess of 60 that clearly match certain incidents in his life.

 

The probability of so many prophecies getting fulfilled in one person by chance is hundreds of thousands to one. Professor Stoner, author of “Science Speaks” says that by using probability theory in relation to just 8 of the prophecies related to Jesus “we find that the chance that any man might have lived down to the present time and fulfilled all eight prophecies is 1 in 1017. That is 1 in 100 000 000 000 000 000.”

 

Objection! Jesus Himself tried to fulfill the prophecies.

 

This would seem to be plausible. For example, Jesus’ last words on the cross were of His choosing. He clearly decided what to say so that it would fulfill the prophecies of Psalm 22.

 

True enough. But a great many prophecies were completely beyond His control.

 

For example, Jesus had no say over how much silver was paid to Judas for his betrayal. What about the manner of His death? The reaction of the people? The mocking and the spitting? The casting die for his clothing? The non-tearing of His main robe?

More than 50% of the prophecies fulfilled in Christ were completely outside His power to influence one way or another.

 

 

 

 

Easter Part 2 Light bulb Moments

For us the story of Easter is 2nd nature. We have heard it so many times it just kind of rolls off of the tongue.

But to those closest to Jesus and to many in our culture today as it is explained it becomes a light bulb moment.

Thomas Edison filed a patent for the light bulb in 1879. With that invention, we are able to flip a switch and viola, light

Side note: As an inventor, Edison made 1,000 unsuccessful attempts at inventing the light bulb. When a reporter asked, “How did it feel to fail 1,000 times?” Edison replied, “I didn’t fail 1,000 times. The light bulb was an invention with 1,000 steps.”

Side note #2 His teachers said he was “too stupid to learn anything.” He was fired from his first two jobs for being “non-productive.”

What you just saw in the video were the disciples having a light bulb moment…a moment in time when they actually got what God was doing and they came from the dark into the light

Have you ever had a light bulb moment?

Luke 24: 1-12

But very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. 3 So they went in, but they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes. 5 The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? 6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.” 8 Then they remembered that he had said this. 9 So they rushed back from the tomb to tell his eleven disciples—and everyone else—what had happened. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several other women who told the apostles what had happened. 11 But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn’t believe it. 12 However, Peter jumped up and ran to the tomb to look. Stooping, he peered in and saw the empty linen wrappings; then he went home again, wondering what had happened. 

Have you ever thought about how in the dark and confused Peter was on the morning?

“However, Peter jumped up and ran to the tomb to look. Stooping, he peered in and saw the empty linen wrappings; then he went home again, wondering what had happened.”

That word “wondering” means to kind scratch your head and say, “I don’t know what this means” or “I don’t get it?”

The same Greek word is used in many other places

Luke 2:33 Simeon had just prophesied over and about Jesus and Mary and Joseph’s response was…

“Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him.”

When Jesus calmed the sea  Luke 8:25 the disciples

Then he asked them, “Where is your faith?” The disciples were terrified and amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!”

What are you wondering about right now?

Do you have a big life altering decision you are facing? Have you made one and everything is still a bit foggy?

Are you trying to think about taking a new job, where to go to school?

Are you thinking about the next step in your career, your family, your job?

Thinking about putting the house on the market or adding on?

Thinking about what future investments you should make?

Let’s take a look at John’s account 20:3-10

Peter and the other disciple started out for the tomb. 4 They were both running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He stooped and looked in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he didn’t go in. 6 Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, 7 while the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded up and lying apart from the other wrappings. 8 Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed—9 for until then they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead. 10 Then they went home.

“they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead”

Some of the scriptures alluded to here are these ones

Isaiah 53: 3-5

He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. 4 Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God,  a punishment for his own sins! 5 But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.

Isaiah 53: 11,12

When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. 12 I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels.

Psalm 22:14-18

I am poured out like water, And all My bones are out of joint; My heart is like wax; It has melted within Me. 15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd, And My tongue clings to My jaws; You have brought Me to the dust of death. 16 For dogs have surrounded Me; The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet; 17 I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me. 18 They divide My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.

Add to this the prophesies Jesus spoke about his own resurrection

John 2:18-21 destroy this temple and in three days

Matthew 12:39,40 Jonah in the well so will the son of man be

Matthew 16:21 Jesus says plainly I have to die and then I will rise again on the third day

The Pharisees had better memories than the disciples Matthew 27: 62-64 They told Pilate to guard the tomb because Jesus said after three days he would rise again

You may be in the dark about who Jesus really is for you or for your situation today

Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. John 14:1

All authority on heaven and earth has been given to me. Matthew 28:18

And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. Matthew 28:20

I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. John 3:16-17

Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her. John 8:7

If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me. Matthew 19:21

For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? Mark 8:36

Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:34

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. John 13:34

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8

I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26

That’s a light-bulb moment! He is risen. He is risen, indeed!

Easter Part 1 Newsflash: Jesus is in control!

Newsflash: Jesus is in control!

We are into the Easter season a time when we rejoice and reflect on what Jesus has done for us

We are here because we believe that Jesus died on the cross for us and rose again but do we believe that He is in control?

Let’s look at this story. Lazarus resurrection took place just a few weeks before Easter

 

John 11:1-3

A man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in Bethany with his sisters, Mary and Martha. 2 This is the Mary who later poured the expensive perfume on the Lord’s feet and wiped them with her hair. Her brother, Lazarus, was sick. 3 So the two sisters sent a message to Jesus telling him, “Lord, your dear friend is very sick.”

Mary and Martha sent a request (prayer) to Jesus for help

 

John 11:4-6

4 But when Jesus heard about it he said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.” 5 So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, 6 he stayed where he was for the next two days.

 

Jesus loved Mary, Martha, and Lazarus there are two things I need us to look at here

 

  • Jesus delayed his “answer”
  • Jesus said this sickness was not unto death but Lazarus died.

 

John 11:7-10

7 Finally, he said to his disciples, “Let’s go back to Judea. 8 But his disciples objected. “Rabbi,” they said, “only a few days ago the people in Judea were trying to stone you. Are you going there again?” 9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.”

 

This is a great and wonderful promise from Jesus.

– Jesus is in control of your future if you will walk in the light with Him

-Think about it when you have been praying, being in the word, thinking about the Lord do you mess up? Not very often if you do at all

– BUT when you choose to walk in your own light, which is really no light at all you will constantly stumble

Let that sink in for a minute…

John 11:11-15

11 Then he said, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but now I will go and wake him up.” 12 The disciples said, “Lord, if he is sleeping, he will soon get better!” 13 They thought Jesus meant Lazarus was simply sleeping, but Jesus meant Lazarus had died. 14 So he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. 15 And for your sakes, I’m glad I wasn’t there, for now you will really believe. Come, let’s go see him.”

 

Have you ever been confused by something the Lord has told you? What about something the Lord has done or not done?

It is OK to keep asking questions, keep asking until you get some clarity.

He is in control of death, our future, and especially our enemies!

 

John 11:16

16 Thomas, nicknamed the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let’s go, too—and die with Jesus.”

I need to pause here to correct and save the reputation of someone

This is “doubting Thomas” saying this Didymus (meaning twin) in other books.

 

John 11:17- 27

17 When Jesus arrived at Bethany, he was told that Lazarus had already been in his grave for four days. 18 Bethany was only a few miles down the road from Jerusalem, 19 and many of the people had come to console Martha and Mary in their loss. 20 When Martha got word that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him. But Mary stayed in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask.” 23 Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 “Yes,” Martha said, “he will rise when everyone else rises, at the last day.” 25 Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. 26 Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?” 27 “Yes, Lord,” she told him. “I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God.”

 

Martha was in a, “I believe but help my unbelief moment”

Think about how great your fear of death is!

Death does not have control over us Jesus does and as a Christian there are only two reasons for you to leave this world

 

  • You have completed the task the Lord has laid before you
  • God has asked you to do something and you refuse to do what He asked and that was the only thing he had left for you to do

 

John 11:28-39

28 Then she returned to Mary. She called Mary aside from the mourners and told her, “The Teacher is here and wants to see you.” 29 So Mary immediately went to him. 30 Jesus had stayed outside the village, at the place where Martha met him. 31 When the people who were at the house consoling Mary saw her leave so hastily, they assumed she was going to Lazarus’s grave to weep. So they followed her there. 32 When Mary arrived and saw Jesus, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled. 34 “Where have you put him?” he asked them. They told him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Then Jesus wept. 36 The people who were standing nearby said, “See how much he loved him!” 37 But some said, “This man healed a blind man. Couldn’t he have kept Lazarus from dying?” 38 Jesus was still angry as he arrived at the tomb, a cave with a stone rolled across its entrance. 39 “Roll the stone aside,” Jesus told them. But Martha, the dead man’s sister, protested, “Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible.”

 

The scene now changes to Jesus’ response to Mary!

Jesus is angry but what is he angry about?

Then he weeps. Why did he weep?

 

Jesus took control of the power of sin and death when he went to the cross and if we choose to trust him then that power has been broken in our lives as well Romans 6: 1-11 and then Romans 8:2

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

 

John 11:40-43

40 Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” 41 So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. 42 You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.” 43 Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!”

 

Remember the definition of fear False Expectations Appearing Real.

 

Have you ever wonder why Jesus called Lazarus to come?

 

What more could He do for you?

 

“I’ve got this, he gave us the preview in Lazarus of his power and authority

 

Because He is in control….

 

  • We can trust him that even though your answer may be delayed He loves you and will fulfill it with the biggest plan possible if you will trust him
  • If He has made a promise to you, He will fulfill it
  • You can have questions and he does not get irritated with you asking until you understand, He is secure in being God so questions are a joy for Him to answer
  • He has taken over the power of sin and death
  • Don’t limit either His power or His love for you both are unending!

 

Allow this to be a beginning thought for celebrating an amazing Easter

 

 

Change the world

Changing the world

 

Deuteronomy 28:1-14

“If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully keep all his commands that I am giving you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the world. 2 You will experience all these blessings if you obey the Lord your God: 3 Your towns and your fields will be blessed. 4 Your children and your crops will be blessed. The offspring of your herds and flocks will be blessed. 5 Your fruit baskets and breadboards will be blessed.6 Wherever you go and whatever you do, you will be blessed. 7 “The Lord will conquer your enemies when they attack you. They will attack you from one direction, but they will scatter from you in seven! 8 “The Lord will guarantee a blessing on everything you do and will fill your storehouses with grain. The Lord your God will bless you in the land he is giving you. 9 “If you obey the commands of the Lord your God and walk in his ways, the Lord will establish you as his holy people as he swore he would do. 10 Then all the nations of the world will see that you are a people claimed by the Lord, and they will stand in awe of you.11 “The Lord will give you prosperity in the land he swore to your ancestors to give you, blessing you with many children, numerous livestock, and abundant crops. 12 The Lord will send rain at the proper time from his rich treasury in the heavens and will bless all the work you do. You will lend to many nations, but you will never need to borrow from them. 13 If you listen to these commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today, and if you carefully obey them, the Lord will make you the head and not the tail, and you will always be on top and never at the bottom. 14 You must not turn away from any of the commands I am giving you today, nor follow after other gods and worship them.

 

What does this mean?

 

If we live lives that honor God, He will…

Cause the divisions in the nations to see our lives by because of us blessing…

 

Our cities and communities

Our children

Our lively hood

AND

He will chase away every enemy

He cause everyone to see us as blessed

He will make the weather work for us

He will break debt off of us and cause us to prosper

He will make you to be at the top of the pile rather than the bottom

 

I know this sounds unbelievable but it was presented as a promise of God to the nation of Israel that they never fulfilled and now it reaches to us if we will trust in him…not simply for our blessing but so the world might know that our God is God. We live so far below God’s expectation if we will but choose to walk in obedience.

I believe this is all part of our destiny so Jesus can be seen in the world

See Jesus further emphasized this point here

Matt 5:14-16

You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

Why do we need to be this…

We have a world out there that is messed up…some of us in here are messed up and we have to push through to bring our world to freedom

We are not the victims of an anti-God society we are the heroes they are waiting for to bring them to freedom

 

How? There has to be a strategy or you have planned to fail

My personal call to encourage everyone to become all the Lord has called them to be. Teaching them to recognize who they are in Christ and the gifts they have and can acquire to fulfill who their destiny.

I believe as we become who God has called us to be; using every skill, gift, our personalities, our time, talent and treasure. We will begin to change the world.

 

What ways are we going to begin preparing to fulfill our destiny

 

  • Teaching – the public and the private challenge of God’s word through weekend meetings, small group sessions, one on one mentoring every person will begin to recognize the gifts and calling. (Explain)

 

They will also learn to walk in righteousness through encouragement, reproof, and correction

2 Timothy 3:16,17.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

As this scripture states it is by learning the word and walking out the word that we are equipped and prepared for every good work.

The teaching must be a balance between strong theology, apologetics, and an active and accurate understanding of the gifts and fruit of the Holy Spirit.

2 Timothy 3:1-5

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

 

Paul warns us that many will fall away if they do not understand the power of God. All of this must also be relevant to our culture and the needs of the community to be able to understand Jesus message.

  • Serving – Jesus said if we want to be the greatest in the Kingdom we must become the servant of all Matthew 23:11. Before we can effectively serve our world and community we must learn to serve each other. (Explain using gifts serving in children church and other areas so others can be blessed)

 

Once we have learned to serve one another we can be more effective serving the world. We are not called to hide behind the doors of the church but to allow the light of the church shine everywhere so all men might come to know and pursue the one that we love because He first loved us.

 

We will focus on strategies to reach our community by meeting their felt needs and in that process showing them Jesus. We must develop and maintain a stellar reputation in the community, (the call Paul gave to all leadership 1 Timothy 3:7 Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.). We will not duplicate the ministry outreaches of others unless there is a proven need for duplication. We will seek the Lord not for good ideas but great ones. There is no end to the need of the poor but we must find what is God-breathed, that will impact our community and encourage our Body.

 

Our impact will go beyond our local community to our state, our nation, and the world. Every dollar, every minute, and every use of talent will be accounted for so as to not waste one of God’s gifts.

 

  • Fellowship – The early church grew stronger and more effective through teaching, prayer, and fellowship with one another Acts 2:42.

“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

If we are going to apply the teaching and begin serving our region, community, state, nation and the world better. We will come into warfare, attacks, as well as blessings, and we will need each other and those relationships for support and encouragement.

Our culture is so busy. We live in a Snapchat, sound bite, Facebook quip, culture but that is not healthy and there is a need in our culture for connection.

Part of this fellowship connection must include, an active mentoring program helping the younger Christians to connect and grow with more mature Christians. Connection groups will also play a part in getting us to the next level

 

  • Worship – Everything that I have just mentioned is worship and add to that singing, prayer, giving and we have pretty much rounded out what worship actually is.

 

Anything we do with God at the center is worship whether it be our work, our singing, our prayers, our serving, our fellowshipping, or our learning. The purpose of worship through prayer and singing is not necessarily to go with the trends but instead to go with those who are truly seeking the Lord in those areas. We have a challenge in singing that there is a need for strategic leadership through example in singing part of worship. All in all, I want to create an environment of worship that our family feels like everything they do here is worship. Each of us connecting in worship with each other and the Lord.

So what does all this mean?

  1. We need to begin to believe that God wants to bless us so that others will see the blessing and want to know the God we serve
  2. We are the light and the only hope the world has and we need to start living like it.
  3. We have to apply a stratgey to impact our world
  4. We must grow and mature we must be willing to serve one another and the world, we must build our relationships with each other and we must learn to worship with every aspect of our lives

These are all the things that are “real” church

The question is are you willing?

 

 

 

 

Who are you? How do you know that? (overcoming our identity crisis in the church)

Who are you? How do you know that? (overcoming our identity crisis in the church)

 

We are defined many ways by many different things or people

We can be know by very quick judgments like who is that fat guy or the skinny lady

By more detail who is the blond or the guy with the beard

 

We can be known by what we do…is that the mechanic, engineer, teacher, nurse

 

Terms of endearment…mom, dad, honey, babe

 

Who we believe we are sets the tone and attitude of our lives. If it is rested on how people define us then people can quickly change their attitude like the wind instead we should define ourselves by the Lord’s definition

 

I would like to challenge your thinking today that you really will define yourself not by who God says that you are but instead who you believe God is

 

Let’s look at a familiar story

 

Matthew 16:13-19

When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” 14 So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

 

Who Jesus is to us, defines us!

 

If as the disciples were saying, Jesus is merely like one of the prophets of old Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the others or even a revived John the Baptist.

That would mean that we are merely believing in a very good man, a very wise man, a very gifted man which is all well and good until we come to the cross.

If we define Jesus as simply a gifted man then he is nothing more than a miracle worker

 

Matthew 16:1-4

Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven. 2 He answered and said to them, “When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’; 3 and in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. 4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” And He left them and departed.

 

All they were interested in was a sign they wanted to maintain the status quo and keep their positions and power and relegate Jesus to simply being another prophet miracle worker.

 

There is no need for a change if Jesus is merely a monkey on a chain doing your bidding answering your every whim

 

The best that we can attain to is to be just like Him and flow in that power but to what end?

 

If we are not changed then we can not change others. There is no saving grace in the miracles signs and wonders they are merely drawing cards for the real deal

 

Like the prophets of Old is he merely a guilt tripper here to make us feel guilty about all of our failures.

 

Matthew 16: 5-12

Now when His disciples had come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. 6 Then Jesus said to them, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.” 7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “It is because we have taken no bread.” 8 But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread? 9 Do you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets you took up? 10 Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand and how many large baskets you took up? 11 How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?—but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

 

Because they were looking at Jesus as one of the prophets of old they assumed he was there to condemn them. Because of their point of view of who Jesus was they lived in guilt and waiting for the condemnation because that is what the Pharisee’s did to them

 

We tend to worry about the wrong stuff…we look at ourselves and others through the eyes of judgment because we see Jesus as judge thus condemn ourselves and others very easily

 

We feel shame when in reality he is protecting us. Knowing really who Jesus is sets us free to believe this Romans 8:15-17

For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

 

When we begin to realize who Jesus is then we are able to get a revelation of who we are let’s look at the verse we started with to see what I mean.

 

Matthew 16:15-18

15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

Did you see what happened here? As soon as Peter got a revelation of who Jesus is, Peter’s identity was made clear

 

Once Peter got a revelation of who Jesus is Peter then got a revelation of who he was

 

When we recognize Jesus as the Christ the son of the living God then all of a sudden we are no longer living under condemnation but freedom no longer living with a chance of hope but instead with real hope

 

When we recognize Jesus as Lord, savior King of the world, then we are given the keys to the kingdom

 

Once we know who Christ is then we get the revelation of who we are and we begin to function in Kingdom authority

 

The gates of hell will not prevail against someone who understands who they are because of who Christ is Jesus was referring to a promise made to the seed of Abraham

 

God promised this to Abraham’s descendants of which we are in Christ. Genesis 22:17

In blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies.

 

The word seed here is singular referring directly to the Messiah.

 

Our view of who we are is skewed or enhanced by our understanding of who Jesus is

 

If he is just a good man then what can he really do for us

If he was just a prophet of old then his words no longer have life

If he was just a miracle worker what can he do for us now

If he was just to make us feel guilty and condemned we already feel that way we don’t need help there

 

But if he is the Son of God and we profess that then

 

His teaching is alive because he is alive

His miracles can still happen because He is the son of the living God

He has made us free from sin and death

He said to Peter the gates of hell will not prevail and God promised to us through Abraham that we would possess the gate of our enemies

 

The gates protect, they keep bad things out, they are passage way of commerce but the also keep people captive and in bondage

 

As Peter recognizes who Jesus really is revelation comes alive in him that he no longer needs to be trampled on by the enemy he now has control of what comes into his life.

 

He see Jesus as son of the living God and so himself as a joint heir with Jesus

 

He sees Jesus as conquering King (Revelation 17:14) and so himself as more than a conqueror.

 

He sees Jesus as the almighty one (Revelation 1:8) so he can see himself as never being defeated

 

He sees Jesus has the deliverer (1 Thessalonians 1:10) and he can see himself as always being free.

 

We must see Jesus for who he is or we will never be able to see who we are.

 

How do you see yourself? Your view may be limited by how you see Jesus!

 

50 Names and Titles of Jesus:

 

  1. Almighty One –“…who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Rev. 1:8

 

  1.  Alpha and Omega – “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Rev. 22:13

 

  1.  Advocate – “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father–Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.” 1 John 2:1
  2. Author and Perfecter of Our Faith – “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Heb. 12:2
  3.  Authority – “Jesus said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Matt. 28:18
  4.  Bread of Life – “Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’” John 6:35
  5.  Beloved Son of God – “And behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Matt. 3:17
  6.  Bridegroom – “And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.” Matt. 9:15
  7.  Chief Cornerstone – “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner stone.” Ps. 118:22
  8. Deliverer – “And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” 1 Thess.1:10
  9. Faithful and True – “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war.” Rev.19:11
  10. Good Shepherd – “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11
  11. Great High Priest – “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.” Heb. 4:14
  12. Head of the Church – “And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church.” Eph. 1:22
  13. Holy Servant – “…and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence, while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.” Acts 4:29-30
  14. I Am – “Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” John 8:58
  15. Immanuel – “…She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God with us.’” Is. 7:14
  16. Indescribable Gift – “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.” 2 Cor. 9:15
  17. Judge – “…he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.” Acts 10:42
  18. King of Kings – “These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.” Rev. 17:14
  19. Lamb of God – “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29
  20. Light of the World – “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
  21. Lion of the Tribe of Judah – “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” Rev. 5:5
  22. Lord of All – “For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Phil. 2:9-11
  23. Mediator – “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” 1 Tim. 2:5
  24. Messiah – “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ).” John 1:41
  25. Mighty One – “Then you will know that I, the Lord, am your Savior, your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.” Is. 60:16
  26. One Who Sets Free – “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”  John 8:36
  27. Our Hope – “…Christ Jesus our hope.” 1 Tim. 1:1
  28. Peace – “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,” Eph. 2:14
  29. Prophet – “And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” Mark 6:4
  30. Redeemer – “And as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will take His stand on the earth.” Job 19:25
  31. Risen Lord – “…that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” 1 Cor. 15:3-4
  32. Rock – “For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.” 1 Cor. 10:4
  33. Sacrifice for Our Sins – “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” 1 John 4:10
  34. Savior – “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11
  35. Son of Man – “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:10
  36. Son of the Most High – “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.” Luke 1:32
  37. Supreme Creator Over All – “By Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities– all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.…” Colossians 1:16-17
  38. Resurrection and the Life – “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.” John 11:25
  39. The Door – “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.” John 10:9
  40. The Way – “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
  41. The Word – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1
  42. True Vine – “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.” John 15:1
  43. Truth – “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32
  44. Victorious One – “To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.” Rev. 3:21
  45. – 50. Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace – “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Is. 9:6

 

 

Power: whether you know it or not you are already plugged in!

I realized this week that as we have been going through Ephesians 6 that I had not shared with you a very important point.

Let’s go there today

Ephesians 6:10

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

I almost used this as a “thought for the day” then realized I needed to teach it because there is too much here to just do a cursory glance.

If we are to impact our world we can not use our wisdom, our strength, our influence alone we must learn to walk and live in His power.

So how do we do that? Is there some magic secret? Secret handshake perhaps some kind of backroom deal we can make with God

I remember being in a tent revival as a kid when the Pastor asked people if they wanted to receive power from on high

Dozens came forward as the evangelist began to pray he would walk behind the people and say if you want it you have to really cry out, beg God for it, plead with Him to pour out this power in your life. Pray louder pray harder if you want it you have to wait.

As a kid watching this it gave me the impression that God was a hard taskmaster like the Baal in the old testament when Elijah told them yell louder maybe Baal is not awake, maybe he is away

The Bible tells us that God knows what we desire before we ask and as I shared last week that it is His good pleasure to give us the Kingdom. Neither of those things jived with what the evangelist was saying.

Neither does it work with what Paul is saying here in Ephesians 6:10

Let me walk you through something very briefly this morning

Jesus said in Mark 16:17,18

“And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

How was this going to happen? How will Christ-followers be able to have the power to cast out demons, heal the sick, speak in tongues, drink or eat anything and not have it harm them?

When Jesus was with them they were able to do this easily… he shared the authority he was given, with them. But He was now going away but he was sending the Holy Spirit to take His place

John 16:5-15

“But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. 12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.

 

After Jesus was resurrected He spent 40 days with them talking about the Kingdom of God and explaining what they needed to know.

Now they needed the power to make it all happen, the power he had promised to them as recorded in John so in Acts 1:4-8 we see this

Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. 5 John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 6 So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?” 7 He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

 

They were to wait until the timing was just right then in Acts 2 we see this promise fulfilled. The timing wasn’t abut their needing to wait to be good enough, righteous enough to receive but instead it was about a large celebration where was the Holy Spirit was poured out they would be able to reach the most people with the Gospel

 

The power of the Holy Spirit is to always honor God. Is something that is being done is supposed to be of God but is not honoring Him then it is not God!

Acts 2:1- 4

On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. 2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.

 

So where does that leave us..

 

– Jesus said we would do amazing things

– The disciples did amazing things under Jesus authority

– Jesus said he wanted these amazing things to keep happening even after He went to be with the Father so he would send the Holy Spirit to empower us.

– He told the disciples in order to keep doing the things to impact the world they needed to wait for the Holy Spirit baptism

– Once they were baptized in the Holy Spirit they immediately had the power to do everything they did when Jesus walked with them

 

So where is that power today

Right with you….that takes us back to our opening scripture

Ephesians 6:10

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

“in the Lord” – what Paul is saying here is this supernatural power is Locked up in Jesus

– You can read books about it, hear sermons about it, watch TV or listen to radio about it they can all point you to the power but the only place you can get this power is in the Lord.

This is in the “locative” case, which means it expresses location. Paul is saying here that this power is located in one place in Jesus. If you have the chance read Ephesians 1 within the first 13 verses Paul uses this same phrase and case to describe how we as believers are locked up in Christ. The phrase Paul uses to describe our connection to Christ are “in Him, in Christ, in whom, or in the Beloved”. Paul uses all of this to say as you come to Christ you are placed in Him…your habitat as a believer is no longer in the world but you are now “in Christ”

WE have been securely placed in Him perpetually now why is this important because not only are we “locked up” in Christ but so is the power of the Holy Spirit. Every day since we came to Christ we have been rubbing elbows with this power.

Let me give you this illustration (Alayna I will give you a picture to put up to illustrate this) The fact that we are in Jesus residing with the power of the Holy Spirit can be illustrated this way. If you picture this fishbowl it is filled with water and a goldfish both are of a different substance and in the bowl both reside in the bowl. The bowl is the home for both of them. The fish doesn’t have to release faith to get into the water it is already in the water.

The idea that we are “locked up” inside Christ with the Holy Spirit’s power means we can access a supernatural move of power anytime we want. Just as the fish we have access to the water all the time but with being surrounded by this supernatural power we must simply by faith allow the power of the Holy Spirit to fill us and then embrace that power by faith, being thankful for it

You don’t have to beg or plead for God to fill you all you have to do is want Him to His power is all around you there for the taking…He loves you, wants to give it to you all you have to do is breathe it in!

Question, is do you want it today?