A Love Story-Loyalty Ruth 1

Sermon Nuggets Ruth 1 Love Story

Verses Ruth 1: 1 In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land, and a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab.

2 The man's name was Elimelech, his wife's name Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there.

A Love Story

A Minister was planning to do a wedding following a morning church service. After the benediction he had planned to call the couple down to be married for a brief ceremony, but he just couldn’t think of their names. “Will those wanting to get married please come to the front”. He requested.

Immediate 6 single ladies, three widows and 2 men stepped forward.

I decided to review the book of Ruth these next four weeks and look at different aspects of love. This was one of the favorite books of the Hebrew young women as they dreamed of being a blessed wife.

The first characteristic of love that I think chapter one illustrates is loyalty. It is an admirable characteristic. But more important than loyalty is the object or the one to whom loyalty is directed. Top on our list ought to be God. It is an admirable trait to be loyal to your spouse, loyal to your country, but one ought to rethink loyalty if it leads to sin. What about those loyal to Saddam Hussein, or Adolph Hitler, though admirable is also damning. The code of loyalty and silence among the mafia, or Al Quada is important, but ungodly.

The book of Ruth not only teaches us about love, but about the sovereignty of God and His decision to use a foreigner, a Moabite, a woman for his greater plans. Ruth is to be the grandmother of King David making her part of the kingly line. It shows that even in the OT God does love people regardless of race, color, education, or gender.

But we shall see how God lifts up and honors this woman, Ruth.

When Benjamin Franklin was the Ambassador to France, he occasionally attended the Infidels Club -- a group that spent most of its time searching for and reading literary masterpieces. On one occasion Franklin read the book of Ruth to the club, but changed all the names and places in it so it would not be recognized as a book of the Bible. When he finished, the listeners were unanimous in their praise. They said it was one of the most beautiful short stories that they had ever heard, and demanded that he tell them where he had run across such a remarkable work of art. He enjoyed telling them that it came from the Bible!

This story takes place during the period of the Judges. In Israel’s day after they had conquered the land with their leader, Joshua, they settled down in their various allotted places according to the tribes. Within a generation devotion to the Lord dwindled. Judges were appointed to rule over disputes, but it wasn’t that effective. Samson was a Judge and we remember what kind of problems he had. So it was said of the period in Judges 17:6 ”In those days there was no king in Israel , but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.”

God said, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

The family of this story is the family of Elimelech who fled to Moab with his two teenaged sons and his wife, Naomi, apparently for economic reasons. He could get food and a job. People relocate for lots of reasons. Those are good reasons, but one must also ask is it God’s will? Some are looking for better jobs, more money, advancement, greener pastures, better climate or education. All of that is fine, but what does God want for you? Do you pray about where the Lord would have you live, or go to school, or work?

There is always a struggle of living for the Lord and doing what He wants when we live among people and work with folks for whom godly values are non existent. One must ask how much the culture around us influences us, or how much do we influence the culture around it. There was a reason God instructed His people not to marry foreign women. There is a reason God’s word says not to be unequally yoke with unbelievers.

There are challenges and consequences that could be avoided. But there are also occasions were a faithful witness can be use by God’s grace to show His love and acceptance.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Tues Aug 23 Commitment

Verses- 3 Now Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died, and she was left with her two sons.

4 They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years,5 both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband.

6 When she heard in Moab that the LORD had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, Naomi and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there.

7 With her two daughters-in-law she left the place where she had been living and set out on the road that would take them back to the land of Judah.

8 Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, "Go back, each of you, to your mother's home. May the LORD show kindness to you, as you have shown to your dead and to me.

9 May the LORD grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband." Then she kissed them and they wept aloud 10 and said to her, "We will go back with you to your people."

11 But Naomi said, "Return home, my daughters. Why would you come with me? Am I going to have any more sons, who could become your husbands?

Love is demonstrated by Commitment

The story is unfolded. There was a draught in Israel and specifically felt in Bethlehem. It was not uncommon for God also to judge his people through circumstances like this as a wake up call to repentance. Sometimes God would use other foreign nations and pagan nations to success as victories as a judgment against God’s people.

There are a lot of innocent people that pay for the mistakes of others and their quick decisions. Some consequences cannot be reversed. Elimelech took his family to Moab, rather than be under the general judgment of God and was able to get bread and his two sons married Moabite women. It is interesting to realize what their names meant.

“Chilion- means one who life has reached its term or limits or pining away. Mahlon means sickly or diseased. Perhaps it was a product of the consequences, we do not know, but all three men died, Elimelech, Mahlon and Chilion, and they didn’t have any children and all three widows within that 10 years people of time were destitute.

In biblical times a woman depended on her husband or sons to provide for her. Without men she was forced to beg on the streets and rely on the kindness of others, similarly to what we have seen in modern day Afghanistan under the Taliban rule.
What caught my attention was the way in which how much the daughters-in-law love Naomi. That doesn’t always happen in relationships. What happens when one marries someone that you as a parent don’t approve of. What should your reaction be? Disown them? Have nothing to do with them? Let them know they have made a mistake and now must live with it?”

What I see in his passage is that Ruth and Orpah had such a respect and love for Naomi I think it must be how she treated and reacted to her daughters-in-law. Naomi loved her God, her husband and her sons. She loved Israel. But she apparently showed and demonstrated her love for her daughters in law. Maybe they were not who she wanted her sons to marry. But she apparently showed them kindness as well.

Instead of the influence of the Moabites on the faith of this family, Naomi’s faith apparently influenced these young women. They accepted Jehovah of Israel. When Naomi heard about the Lord visiting Bethlehem again with bread she decided to go back to her people, her land, her God and having a concern for the daughters in law tried to think what was best for them. Unselfishly she told them to go back to their families as well. She didn’t have anything to offer them and they would be in a situation perhaps of getting marriage again and gaining a family.

Knowing what she knew of the laws of Israel there was also not a likelihood that they would marry Moabite women with Israelite girls around.

The commitment I see is Naomi to her husband when they leave to a foreign land. And of Ruth to Naomi who won’t leave her alone. Commitment is part of love. It is also important part of marriage. It is more than a feeling. It is a decision to stick with another through the ups and downs of life. It may not mean always agreeing with the other, but seeking to do what is best for the relationship because the other person or people matter.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Weds Aug 24 Challenges

Verses- Ruth 1:12 Return home, my daughters; I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me-- even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons--13 would you wait until they grew up? Would you remain unmarried for them? No, my daughters. It is more bitter for me than for you, because the LORD's hand has gone out against me!"

14 At this they wept again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-by, but Ruth clung to her.

15 "Look," said Naomi, "your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her."

16 But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.

17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me."

18 When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.

Love is demonstrated through Challenges

Any commitment is usually challenged. We might commit to something or someone but the depth of that commitment is revealed when things in life get hard. When there is temptation, when there are hard times. When we make a commitment to something how dedicated are we to stick to that commitment and what might be reasons to go back on promises?

Although I value the importance of commitment I must say commitment to the wrong cause deserves to be broken. If someone makes a sinful promise it would be wrong before God to keep that commitment. If someone is committed to worship a family idol and presented with the truth of Jesus Christ, it would be important to repent and commit to truth.

So it does take thought, prayer and re-evaluation when we are challenged to reconsider our decisions.

Women in the Bible days have a very rough life. We see some societies that are male dominated where women have very little or no rights.

I caught the end of one of the TV news magazine stories recently where a male passenger on an airplane from the Muslim background was sitting next to a Muslim woman. She asked the man a simple question. He became furious with her and publicly rebuked her for a woman is not allowed to speak to a man unless she is spoke to first. We might find those customs odd in our world, but this similar to the world also in which Ruth lived. Not Muslim, but definitely patriarchal. Women were not given many rights. There are some societies in which there are no rights. The woman is told who to marry and what her responsibilities are to be a good wife.

The challenge to their commitment started with the death of their husbands and these women realized they had great needs, not only in love but protection and provision in a society that could abuse them. The daughters-in-law loved Naomi and she in turn loved them. But without resources they had to rethink their commitment. They had to make a choice to follow Naomi back to a foreign country for them with this new God that is suppose to have all things in his hands. Or they were to choose to go to material security by returning to find a husband and children and positions among their own people? One road seemed bright and secure, the other road seemed unsure and scary and new. They had no idea what the future would hold. Both out of their love and devotion to Naomi did not want to leave her, but she made them rethink and look at the situation of what would be best for them.

You see there is a cultural code in that day for widows (Ex 22:22 and Deut 10:18) It talks about the care of widow and the Hebrew way. It had to do with a Levirate marriage, which meant a dead man’s brother was to marry the widow to provide her security and give her children to carry on the family name and inheritance. But Naomi had no more sons and she said You will not wait for me to have a son and grow up to marry you. So Naomi wanted them to find what she had lost- security safety and home.

Orpah though about her challenges among a people foreign to her and vulnerability in that environment and realized as going back to her people and her gods was a better option. She apparently made a start in spiritual matters but like so often happens it is circumstances that cause people to turn away from their commitment and their decision to go back to their former way of living. They knew evil and sin. The prospect of security, a husband, material provisions influenced her even though she was sad to say goodbye.

The road of faith to follow the Lord gives no promise of home, give no assurance of security. Like the seed that falls on thorny or rocky soil there are challenges good and bad to our Christian life. Many will go back on their commitment. For some to give their lives to Jesus and love him might mean giving up a job, or a home to follow him. Love is force to decide between convenience and personal pleasures and interest to pleasing the one whom you love.

2 Tim 4:20 says, “Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica.”” Orpah was to become a wife again. Ruth also faced the same challenge. One never hears about more about Orpah, whereas Ruth is spoken through all the history as part of Christ’s ancestry.

How has your love commitment been challenged?

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Thurs Aug 25 Choices

Verses Ruth 1: 16 But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.

17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me."

18 When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.

Love is demonstrated by Choices

Challenges that come to evaluate love will result in some choices we make. Commitment is also a choice. When people stand to take a wife or a husband they are choosing to make a vow of loyalty to each other in life.

We are like Ruth in that we are aliens and strangers in this land. Eph 2 says, “Consequently you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with Gods’ people and members of God’s household” We can become part of God’s household by making that important choice- to make him our God and give to him our allegiances. We were born into sin. That was Ruth’s situation. We were lost and part of people apt from God. Yet by Gods grace he continued to work out the details in our lives and he did so in Ruth’s life. For there is a turning away from her background and choose to live with Naomi and follow the Lord

Many people might talk about being a Christian and go to church, but there has been no choice to turn from sin. They have never changed direction of their lives. They are never making Christ Lord and master of their lives.

Orpah chose to return to her land and her people, which was pagan. Ruth chose to turn her back on her past and express her love to Naomi by going with her wherever she went.

How much do we love Jesus? Knowing we are loved by Christ and receiving the promises of being in His care we also choose to love, but where will that love lead us? For Ruth her choice was to leave her race, her cultural adjustment, receive discrimination, giving up an old friends and go with her mother-in-law.

That as the call of Joshua who said, “Choose this day whom you will serve”.

That is the call of Christ. “He who is not for me is against me” ”He who confessed me before men him also will I confess before my father. He who does not confess me before me, neither will I confess him before my father.” That is what love is -a commitment and with this commitment come choices if we are going to follow and remain faithful to our vows.

It was God who broke the famine and opened the way home (1:6). It was God who preserved a kinsman to continue Naomi's line (2:20). And it was God who constrains Ruth to stay with Naomi. But Naomi is so embittered by God's hard providence that she can't see his mercy at work in her life. She needed someone to love her as well.

Ruth's commitment to her destitute mother-in-law is simply astonishing. "Where you die I will die and there be buried" (v. 17). In other words, she will never return home, not even if Naomi dies. "Your God will be my God" (v. 16).

Naomi has just said in verse 13, "The hand of the Lord has gone forth against me." Naomi's experience of God was bitterness because of her circumstances. But in spite of this, Ruth forsakes her religious heritage and makes the God of Israel her God. Perhaps she had made that commitment years before, when her husband told her of the great love of God for Israel and his power at the Red Sea and his glorious purpose of peace and righteousness. Somehow or other Ruth had come to trust in Naomi's God in spite of Naomi's bitter experiences. Her love required some choices as does yours.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Fri Aug 26 Caring

Verses- Ruth 1: 16 But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.

17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me."

18 When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.

19 So the two women went on until they came to Bethlehem. When they arrived in Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them, and the women exclaimed, "Can this be Naomi?"

20 "Don't call me Naomi," she told them. "Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter.

21 I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The LORD has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me."

22 So Naomi returned from Moab accompanied by Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, arriving in Bethlehem as the barley harvest was beginning.

Love is demonstrated by Caring.

Even though commitment is the core of love, yet you can’t hardly love without showing care. It is the core of commitment. If we are committed to another we will care about them.

Ruth’s shows her caring spirit by making Naomi’s hardships her hardships. And so links herself to the surviving member of the family of Elimelech because it is the right and responsible thing to do to care for the one in need.

Unfortunately we see laws forcing fathers to pay for the needs of their children when they divorce. Many mothers only care for their needs and wants and children are neglected.

As Christians we are also called to love not just our family, but those around us. We are to care for the poor, the disadvantaged, those who experience injustice. Caring for others is a mark of a Christian because it is a mark of Jesus.

Ruth showed her responsibility to the devotions of Naomi and demonstrated true love and loyalty by seeking to care for her and yet she didn’t have to. She showed humility in taking on that responsibly. “Where you go, I will go.” Is the caring expressed by saying my life’s direction is in your hand. Or “where thou lodge I will lodge.” Lodging is supplying the basic needs. It is the understanding what is important isn’t the house, it is the person and people within that house. Treasure your family while you have them. To feed, cloth and shelter, is not enough. It is to care, to love and help them with various and appropriate support as needed.

“Your people will be my people.” That commitment of caring is saying that people of God will now become my people. I will so dedicate myself to share and become one with them- The community of God is now the church, not the Israeli community. It is to say yes to a Christian, saying yes to brother and sister in the Lord. Friends change, People change, and this now becomes a new spiritual family. It involves caring for one another hand devoting each other to the tasks around us under the direction of the father. “Your God be my god. That is the essence of message. I will continue in my walk with Jehovah God. I will make him my God and the Lord, this is a prayer may be punished me if that isn’t true. Whether thou will die, I will die”, indicates the commitment for life, there I’ll be buried. We become involved in the business of the Kingdom and realize this graciousness unto the end. The commitment caring and helping is life-long. It is a final and complete one until he calls us home.

Naomi passed final judgment on herself and on the Lord before the Lord finished. Our mistake is that we single out some experience and then judge god by this alone, wondering why he allowed it. It is easily we forget His many blessings and benefits to us.

Ruth and Naomi came at the beginning of the barley harvest that is the spring that is the first crop as the first chapter ends. It shows the scene as all seems lost, but it isn’t, for now the glimmer of hope shines. There is something that is coming.

The problem with Naomi is that she has forgotten the story of Joseph who also went into a foreign country. He was sold as a slave. He was framed by an adulteress and put in prison. He had every reason to say, with Naomi, "The Almighty has dealt bitterly with me." But he kept his faith and God turned it all for his personal good and for Israel's national good. The key lesson in Genesis 50:20 is this: "As for you, you meant it for evil against me [Joseph says to his brothers]; but God meant it for good." Naomi is right to believe in a sovereign almighty God who governs the affairs of nations and families and gives each day its part of pain and pleasure. But she needs to open her eyes to the signs of his merciful purposes.

Not only the spring harvest but Naomi needs to open her eyes to Ruth. What a gift! What a blessing! Yet as she and Ruth stand before the people of Bethlehem Naomi says in verse 21, "The Lord has brought me back empty." Not so, Naomi! You are so weary with the night of adversity that you can't see the dawn of rejoicing. What would she say if she could see that in Ruth she would gain a man-child and that this man-child would be the grandfather of the greatest king of Israel and that this king of Israel would foreshadow the King of kings, Jesus Christ, the Lord of the universe?

The Author of love is Jesus Christ who showed his commitment to us while we were sinners Christ died for us. He chose us even before the world began. He cares for us.

Pastor Dale

House Building -Matt 7:24-29

Sermon Nuggets Mon Aug 15

Verses

Matt 7:24-29

24 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.

27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching,

29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

(NIV)

House building

In 1174 the Italian architect Bonnano Pisano began work bell tower for a Cathedral the tower was to be eight-stories and 185-foot-tall tall. There was just one "little" problem: builders quickly discovered that the soil was much softer than they had anticipated, and the foundation was far too shallow to adequately hold the structure! And sure enough, before long the whole structure had begun to tilt... and it continued to tilt... until finally the architect and the builders realized that nothing could be done to make the Leaning Tower of Pisa straight again. It took 176 years to build the Tower of Pisa and during that time many things were done to try and compensate for the "tilt. Foundation was shored up; the upper levels were even built at an angle to try to make the top of the tower look straight. Nothing worked. The tower has stood for over 800 years, but it leans 18 feet away from where it should be. One day, experts say, it will fall and all because it wasn’t built on the right foundation.

Jesus gives us an illustration of a wise man and foolish man. The conclusion all related to the foundation upon which they build their houses. Jesus knew houses. He was a carpenter. No doubt he had seen storms cause houses to fall due to their poor foundation.

As is common he takes an earthly story and brings out a heavenly meaning, which is how one person defined a parable. Jesus laid down instructions on kingdom living. It is impossible to live up to. But with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit we can see better the heart of God and the attitudes within that Jesus demonstrated in living to the glory of His Father who is in heaven.

Now here comes the conclusion of Jesus’ sermon. Are you going to hear only, or are your going to do something about what you’ve listened to? Those who listen politely are contrasted with those who decide to go with God completely. There is a cost and there are alternatives. Which shall it be for you?

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Tues Aug 16

Notice the Similarities.

The parable of the wise and foolish man indicates some similarities between the two. Jesus compared them to people who hear his message. It is easy to nod in agreement with the Sermon on the Mount but there is powerful stuff there, most of which gets ignored.

Each man saw the need of a house and built one. There are quality made homes and those which are quickly put together. They might look the same from the outside. So what might be the same is the outward appearance.

The implication is both the wise and the foolish hear the message. Being a hearer is better than not listening at all. There are people we are told in the Bible that are not even hearers. Some have no opportunity because we haven’t obeyed the Lord and evangelized our world. Some have no one to tell them and we must promote missions and evangelism. The call to missions and evangelism it to give everyone a chance to hear.

I think we have many church attenders that hear the message of Jesus repeatedly. They may be part of the church, part of a congregation, part of the fellowship. They may read their Bibles, pray, buy Christian literature, and books. From outward appearances you cannot any difference just like you can’t tell a house that is well built and one that is on a strong foundation without further investigation. One that is quickly slapped together and on sand will fall. On the outside you cannot tell a difference.

That is how it is with people looking for religion. They may think it is all the same. But everyone needs a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. All other beliefs and practices are counterfeit.

There are other similarities. The floods came and smote the house. Here in a very literal sense there came rains. Indeed the adjectives are plan The rain came down, the streams rose and the winds blew and beat against the house. Each description builds on the previous one. Both experiences are similar. I am reminded of the verse. “the Lord causes the sun to sun and the rain to fall on the just and the unjust” There is no religious discrimination. It rains and streams rise winds blow and houses are put under stress.

Jesus is not telling us how to find a safe, comfortable setting or an ideal atmosphere where life remains non-threatening and where the climate is wonderfully calm and supportive. What he is telling us that we must face reality, that life is difficult, we will have to face the storms and accept the pain and discomfort and the heartaches.

Many storms bring violence, tragedies. But there are more difficulties in our fallen world which affect us all. We witness all types of catastrophes sickness, illness, disease, misfortune, and the unexpected death in each and everyone’s life. I wish I could tell you to be a Christian is to have no more problems. but I hear many a preacher speak the opposite. I still hear so many people asking, “Why did this happen to me?” meaning that I am a believer in Jesus I should be given special treatment from circumstances here on earth? Regardless of faith, color, or creed, size or money you will have sunshine and rain, some will have floods and tornados. some more than others. Things that will affect the country, the county, the state will affect all citizens in it, but it was brought to their very homes. The stream and river broke again that very house. What they built was being threatened personally and individually. Hard times came. The storm did not by-pass either home.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Weds Aug 17

Verses- Luke 6:48-49

48 He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.

49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."

Notice the Differences.

Luke 6:47,48 fills us in a little more the details of this parable concerning a well built house. Most of the difference comes with the wise man. He was a doer, not just a hearer. Three verbs used to describe the situation- dug, down, deep and laid the foundation on the rock. The other built on the sand.

It is not so much that the foolish man actually believes that sand is a better foundation to build on. It’s just that he simply gives no thought to the importance of a good foundation. In his view, it is the house which is important and not the foundation.

We might apply the parable to our choice of a life long mate. Shall we choose the exciting, popular person even though she/he is arrogant, proud and somewhat flighty or shall we choose the decent, quite and godly person?
The one who digs must make plans for his house. He studies the blueprints and measures out the dimensions carefully. It takes planning. It takes labor; it takes toil and effort to do it right the first time.

I think about the words “dug deep”. Deep digging is contrasted with shallow work. The deeper you go, the less likely something will fall over. To dig is to toil; to deepen is to carry on that toil but more. The deeper you go the more difficult it becomes and the harder ground. To deepen is more than just breaking the surface. It is to be willing to discover more and more.

Then there is the laying of the foundation. Everything depends, not on the construction, but the object upon which the foundation is laid. The foolish man laid his foundation on the sand, the wise man on the rock. That makes all the difference. Sand implies the things which pass away. The foolish man is impatient wanting it done now, quickly and inexpensive. The wise man thinks ahead and makes plans.

Gregory Elder tells a story when he was a kid growing up on the Atlantic Coast. He spent long hours working on intricate sand castles; whole cities would appear beneath his hands. One year, for several days in a row, he was accosted by bullies who smashed his creations. Finally he tried an experiment: He placed cinder blocks, rocks, and chunks of concrete in the base of my castles. Then he built the sand kingdoms on top of the rocks. When the local toughs appeared (while he watched from a distance), their bare feet suddenly met their match. There might be other implications for building on rocks.

Many people see the church in grave peril from a variety of dangers: secularism, politics, heresies, or plain old sin. They forget that the church is built upon a Rock (Mt. 16:16), over which the gates of hell itself shall not prevail.”

Jesus is making the point of the difference is between hearing and doing. Doing implies commitment to build well and on the right foundation that will not shake and fall. What is missing? The work, the toil, the planning, and the preparation, the time, the energy, the money, the total commitment to what makes a good house.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Thurs Aug 18

Verses Matt 7: 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

Luke 6:49b The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."

The Consequences

Then came the storm, the flood, and the danger. I guess the difference between the doer and the hearer comes at the end. It says the stream could not shake the house that was built on the rock, because it had been well built. Of the other we read, “And immediately it fell and the ruin of that house was great.” That makes all the difference in the world. One house stood as protection as the fortress as a shelter, the other collapsed into nothing, and all was lost because there was no foundation.

Note the description of the fall: "And great was the fall of it." It is great because it will fall forever. It is great because there is no remedy for the fall. Once your eternal house has fallen you are doomed forever

Do you want to know something significant? As an outward observer you probably couldn’t tell much difference between the two houses, or the two men. As they lived and were on display you probably couldn’t tell much difference one thinking he might be smarter because he saved money and got the job done quicker. the one way one person came out as a doer was after the storm. He withstood it, and the other was lost.

It doesn’t matter how elegant the living room, appears how functional the kitchen is, or where we have the remote control garage door openers and entertainment center and Jacuzzis, everything depends on whether the whole structure will withstand the storm.

Jesus is not talking about how to build a house he is fully and clearly talking about building lives by faith on Jesus Christ, himself. Many hear but do not obey.

Don’t just be impressed with words, but what you’ve heard put into action. Be doers of all of this or it will not do you one bit of good. Then you are a wise man, when you walk in his ways, wisdom gives sensibility to one who knows, and security to one who has the power and stability in the circumstance that throw so many, but salvation is for all eternity for we are house builders. What kind of house are you building? “Isn’t it strange That prince and kings and clown that caper in sawdust rings, and common people like you and me are builders for eternity?”

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Fri Aug 19

Verses- Matt 7: 28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

The Message

Today concludes the series on the Sermon on the Mount. But Jesus wasn’t just interested in people being impressed with His sermon. He just preached the greatest sermon ever. It still is. When he was done I wonder if people lined up and said, “Jesus that was a real inspiration, thank you so much. We all needed to hear that. Thanks Jesus that was the best sermon I ever heard.”

They did say he spoke with authority and to like the other teachers. The crowd was impressed with the speaker. Because he taught as one who had authority. He said several times, “I tell you”. He could do so only as the Son of the Living God. But hearing the message was not enough. Learning does not take place until it is put into action. Jesus said it first. “Do not be hearers only but doers.”

From the beginning Jesus describes the people of the kingdom, they are people who are poor in spirit, they mourn over their sin, they are meek, hungering and thirsting after righteousness, their merciful, pure in heart, they are peacemakers, and for all that they are persecuted people. Then he goes on to tell the influence followers of Jesus must have. We must be like salt to a world that is decaying holding back ungodliness and unrighteousness.

We will get upset bloggers and responses when we say no to abortion and no to pornography, no to gambling and drug and alcohol and tobacco abuses, and we will get people calling us narrow minded and prudish when we say there is sin that affects us all and we cannot watch it happen without doing something. We must be lights to those around us not only showing corruption in the world, but what righteousness is, not self righteousness, but there is a life in Jesus Christ that is worth living for and worth dying for.

Then Jesus talks about the standard of Scripture for which he fulfills, and in order to enter the kingdom we must have a righteousness that even surpasses the righteousness of the Scribes and the Pharisees. To put it bluntly they have outward form of religious activities, you must have a heart change that affects your minds, your thoughts, your motives, your attitudes. Scripture is our standard, the Holy Spirit becomes the change agent in our hearts to make us born again and sanctify us to live and think like Jesus. We not only do not take lives, we learn to control anger and the sins of resentments that tear down others. We not only guard against adultery, but no longer treat other sexes for our own selfish lusting desires. It makes a difference what we read and watch. Jesus people are honest in word and deed, and long suffering even with their enemies.

Following Jesus affects religious activities so when you fast and give and pray, it is from the heart, Not for show, but for right relationships with God. Then he says our secular responsibilities also portray a different attitude than what the world has. Our interests in money and how we spend and use it affects where our hearts really lie. Do we think we are going to live here forever, or in heaven forever. That makes a difference in attitude toward our positions and our priorities. Do we worry about things, or leave those worries to God. Do we turn over our needs to the Lord and trust him to work it out, or to we make the meeting of our needs the prime focus of our existing on this world? We must apply the principles of righteousness to our everyday life.

When it comes to relating to others don’t be judging and being harsh, critical with one another without self evaluation. Then having laid down the application of a changed life. Jesus shows us the provision for having achieved all these by asking, seeking and knocking. If you say the standard is too high and you can’t reach it, then ask and do not stop asking, If you want to grow in your Christian character then Lord will answer if you seek it with you heart. If you want to live in God’s will then knock and keep on knocking and I will assure you, you will discover his will if your heart really want it. That type of praying is far different than the request lists you hear in most praying.

Now in the conclusion of the sermon he tells us to treat others the way we want to be treated. How do you want to be treated? Then treat others that same way. The reason is that this is God’s will.

In conclusion listen to what Jesus is telling us. Take it or leave it. You cannot be a follower of Jesus and live according to the selfish pursuits of life and the worldly manners of the people around you. Which is it going to be? The narrow way or the broad way, for most will not follow, most will look righteous and good and holy, but there is no real fruit, most will claim to know the Lord, but only a few actually are followers. In what are you placing your faith? In your good life, or religious activity? Or is it in faith in the works of Jesus Christ and coming poor, broken, sinner asking for God’s healing in your life? For that is the only way that you will be saved? The path of Jesus is to way to eternal life. Are you willing to follow or not.

The greatest decision you will make in this life does not concern this life at all. It concerns the life to come. Many will never make a decision concerning Jesus and their life because they do not think it all that important. To them money is important, fun and friends is important, having a fine car and nice house is important. These things are the building material of their life but they are unwise because they have no foundation but sand. The storm is coming and many of you will find you have built in vain.

Pastor Dale

The Narrow Way Matt 7:13-23

Sermon Nuggets Mon Aug 8 The Narrow Way

Verses Matt 7:13-23

13 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.

14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

The Narrow Way

In High School I studied Robert Frost’s poem “A Road Not Traveled” It wrote:

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood. And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear, Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same, And both that morning equally lay, In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I marked the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way I doubted if I should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sigh, Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference

We talked and studied the poem in English class referring, of course, to more than a walk in the wood But as poems are mean to discuss life. Some choose paths that the crowds do not choose. It makes a difference. In fact, to follow the crowd in most cases generally proves disappointing. Yet, we are all deeply affected by other people and what they think of us.

The Lord taught about the broad and narrow gates. The narrow gate being the road less traveled and the broad gate being the way of most people go and it makes all the difference.

When we discuss as important an issue as where you will spend eternity it is important to know what Jesus says.

Recently I heard some preacher talk about salvation by death. What meant was that more often than not he would hear everyone was going to heaven. Every funeral he went do assured the grieving that their loved one awaits them in heaven and has gone to a better place. The criteria for heaven was just to die. This is a far different teaching that what we will look at this week.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Tues Aug 9

Verses- Matt 7: 13 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.

14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life and only a few find it.

Salvation is for the Few

Christ followers are in the minority. Most of the people you go to school with and you work with and who live around you are spiritually lost and going to Hell. Because of that, many will look down on those who take Christ seriously.

When I was in public school I was better prepared for teasing because I was expecting it since I held different values than most of my school friends. I've been made fun of for going to church, for not drinking, for smoking, and partying, for not having sex and being a virgin. I've been teased for doing what I believed honored the Lord.

If you are saved you will be made fun of or disliked by some people. Count on it. I have letters in my file this year from people angry with me because of Christian principles and opinions that I do not keep to myself. People want to mold you in their thinking; Jesus wants to mold you in His thinking. You will have to make a decision who you are going to please. The broad road is easy the narrow one is hard.

I remember the shock I had when I was 9 and 10 years old and went to Christian camp. I was far from perfect, and still am far from perfect, but I knew the difference between right and wrong. I knew that I failed many times, but I also know a number of other boys in Jr. Boys Camp who went to my church and were active in youth clubs. When they stole, swore, lied, bullied others around, when they acted one way in front of the minister and counselor and rebellious when they were not around they didn't even try to live up to what Jesus taught. It was a good lesson for me in Jr. Boys' camp, because I found that same things to be true in all of the rest of my life. There are many who say they are Christians but do not act like it. Some give great testimonies but away from church act completely different. Not just falling in to sin, but living it boldly and openly. Church attendance, Baptism, communion, confirmation and coming forward at camp to pray a sinner’s prayer does not save anyone.

Jesus taught there are two gates a narrow gate and a broad one. There are two roads, a narrow road and a broad one. There are two groups of people, a large crowd and the few in number. Which shall it be for you?

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Weds Aug 9

Verses- Matt 7: 13 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.

14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

15 "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.

Salvation is for the Faithful

Jesus said, “I am the door, if any man enter by me he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.” Jn. 14 "I am the way the truth and the life, no many cometh unto the Father but by me.” There is no salvation apart from trusting in Jesus Christ for your salvation. Jesus said “I came to seek and save that which is lost.” All of us are sinners. We are all lost. We are unholy and yet the love of God sent His only Son to die for the penalty of your sin and provide the way to know God. However there are only a few that by faith enter through the narrow gate to received Jesus as their Savior and Lord. Most do not.

According to National and International Religion Report said, "Fewer than 10% of Americans are deeply committed Christians. These people are a breed apart. They are more tolerant of people of diverse background. They are more involved in charitable activities. They are more involved in practical Christianity. They are absolutely committed to prayer... Also they are far, far happier than the rest of the population."

He continued to report, that most Americans who profess Christianity don't know the basic teaching of the faith and they don't act significantly different from non-Christians in their daily lives. He added, the Sunday school and religious-education system in this country is not working." Not being grounded in the faith these professing believers are open for anything that comes along. The churched are just as likely as the unchurched to engage in unethical behavior. Studies also show a growing percentage of Christians who say they can sustain their faith without attending church.

You get the impression that just about everyone is going to heaven because he is really a nice fellow, or great to his kids, or never cheated in his business dealings. In fact, I have hardly met anyone who doesn't think they will eventually make it to heaven, regardless of their life. Some believe souls will suffer for a period of time to pay for sin and then go to heaven. There are many false teachings that are promoted at a rapid rate through internet, and popular media, through songs, and books, and the New Age movement and Emergent church movement for growth. Universalism is gaining ground and the elimination of hell as recently popularized by Rob Bell is creeping into evangelical circles. There are teachers who conclude, “How can a loving God send anyone to Hell? Since Jesus died for the sins of the world then the whole world will be saved.

Increasingly people believe portions of the Bibl and grossly ignore other portions. When I and others around me raised up verses from the Bible that contradicted that view he responded, "Well, you can't believe the whole Bible you know." How can a loving God send anyone to Hell. Well, apparently Jesus was a liar, or as he would say, they people that wrote the Bible did not get it straight. If you don't like what it says, then pick and choose what you like and throw out the rest. That's the ticket, lets make our own religion and believe what we want

Many who knew Jesus rejected him. The crowd wanted to praise and honor Jesus with palm branches because faith in Jesus brought food, and health and love and affirmation for the poor, and hope for a better life, but when Jesus taught about commitment of salvation, people were forced to look at Him and his righteousness and rather than follow the one they wanted him to be, he called them to suffer for their faith and only a few responded. He was slaughtered and suffered because of our sins. He was the sacrifice taking our place on the cross. Those who do not put their faith in Jesus will go to Hell.

Some like to look at Jesus full of love and ignore his teaching on Hell. Jesus taught more about the reality of hell than any of the other portions of the Bible. Hell is eternal punishment and suffering apart from God's presence eternally. We are all Hell bound until we go through the narrow gate and trust in Christ, crying out to him for forgiveness and salvation.

Most people would never want to be rejected by friends, or laughed at for being religious, or give up activities they think make them acceptable. Most like popular religion so we must present it in a way as to not offend anyone. Only a few will ever enter the kingdom of heaven, all the rest will be in Hell.

Due to finding teachers who appeal to the people, most want to accept Jesus on their terms and not his. Most want to be popular and be accepted by others more than by God. Until we are willing to denounce ourselves we can never enter the narrow gate. The road to greatness is never easy it is always a lot of difficulty.

There are only two roads the broad road requires no discipline, no do's and don'ts everyone can go there regardless their views. It is not hard, it is easy. It is not lonely. It offers fun, pleasure, sensuality. But it leads to destruction. Sin always does. Men can chose to violate the laws of God but it has a consequence. It leads. When you crash there is no one to pick you up.

We cannot change the message in order to please our own egos and think we get more people saved under our ministry than some other preacher. If a person needs to be pressured into making a decision for

Christ he'll probably change his mind later. If we can talk you into it, then someone can talk you out of it. We want to see people saved so we adapt the message to get a commitment but that is not what Jesus does. If you are wiling to give up all you have and all you are and turn it over to Jesus then you follow Him. That is the narrow path and only a few find it. Only a few want to. Only a few understand.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Thurs Aug 11

Verses- Matt 7: 15-20 "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.

16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?

17 Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.

19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

Salvation Results in Fruit

Jesus warns against false prophets that will try to pervert the faith. People can appear harmless and sound like Christians, but in fact are dangerous twisting important doctrine and teaching salvation other than by faith in Christ. Cults of all kinds come quickly to mind. Many live very strict lives and some of the nicest people you'll ever want to know. Some cults show more love and acceptance of others than lots of Christian churches. Jehovah Witnesses, Mormons, Christian Science has been around for a long time. Other false teachers can be in traditional churches or new churches which emphasize salvation by works, or signs instead of faith.

Jesus uses the illustration of fruit trees. If you see a tree full of rich, ripe apples you know it is a good tree. Good trees produce fruit, Bad tress produce no fruit, or bad fruit. By their fruits ye shall know them. The key to fruit-bearing is our relationship with Jesus Christ and letting His Spirit have his way in our lives. When you don't see any spiritual growth something is wrong. Sometimes the tree is immature. Transplanting a tree may take three years before it bears fruit. It needs consistent watering, feeding and care. Those who are young in the faith usually don't display all the attitudes and actions of mature believers, nor can you expect them to.

Sometimes a tree doesn't produce fruit because it is malnourished. Poor soil and dry weather can destroy a tree's fruit. Christians who are deprived of regular nourishment soon lose their commitment to Christ. Prayer, Scripture, and church involvement are essential to growth.

But you will never find an elm tree producing produce. From a distance you may not be able to identify a tree, but with closer examination you may not have a fruit tree. A person may look like a Christian, talk like a Christ, and act like a Christian, that can be all outside appearances.

The false prophet is concerned for himself cares for self more than Jesus or the flock or others. The bad fruit is seen in gluttony and greedy, looking for personal gain, teaching for profit and what he can get out of it rather than what he can put into it.

I am always suspicious of people that are getting rich out of the ministry. Now that isn't the same thing as rich people or rich ministers if they are also good business men and investors with the money God has given them. But if money is central in their minds and they are getting wealthy because of marketing their ministry skills beware, something is wrong. If a person is building a following of people around himself instead of Jesus and the Bible is only used as a spring board to declare his own doctrine, beware. When people start claiming they have some religious revelations and visions from God revealing added truth, or corrective truth, then something is not right. If a preacher is the only one who is right and discourages you from studying yourself in the Bible then you have a problem.

Galatians 5 speaks of the fruit of the flesh and fruit of the Spirit. Something is wrong if we are not fruitful. I John says it, "If we walk in darkness and say that we are in the light we lie and the truth is not in us." Fruit of the spirit is the realization that we were created not to be blessed by God, but to bless Him and serve Him according to the strength from the wisdom and power he has given to us.

Having salvation produces fruit. No branch can bear fruit by itself Jesus told His disciples a branch must remain in the vine. “Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." (Jn. 15:4,5) You see the point isn't so much on the fact that we are producing fruit as it is that we are building a growing healthy relationship with God who bears the fruit in us.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Fri Aug 12

Verses- Matt 7:21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?'

23 Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

Salvation Results in Followers

The follower of Jesus takes his commitment to Christ seriously. He and she desires to please the Lord. Few there are that will enter the gate. When one does it results in changed a life and perspective. If not then one must question if a person was saved.

We know we are not saved by works, yet there will be works in the life of a Christian. Many think they are saved by their works. This is certainly not so. To call on the Lord is to recognize the commitment to follow and obey. And when we have that desire we are surprised when Jesus calls us friends, for that is what we become. Not on an equal footing, but in a relationship that is loving and more intimate.

I know preachers, and teachers that do not know the Lord, although they knew all about him. Some are very intellectual, some are very emotions. Some never miss church on Sunday and give more than their tithe. Some are kind to people and serve the poor and fight injustice but they have not given their hearts to Christ. It is a good self made religion. True faith centers on the works of Christ, trusting him resulting in the desire to give up sin and the desire to obey him.

The Scriptures go so far as to indicate even bold claims or miraculous deeds do not guarantee they are true servants of the Lord. When the evidence of questionable shows they are greedy wolves feeding on the flock of God. We should be discerning enough to recognize them for what they are, false teachers. The garbage speaks for itself. Doing religious deeds is not the same as following Jesus as Lord.

For Jesus obedience was motivation enough to come from glory to serve mankind. It was motivation enough to be obedient to his father to suffer the cross and sacrifice His life. Obedience is expression of relationship to the Lord regardless of what others demand, ask, or do. People can walk down at alter calls, turn in many pledge cards, be baptized and preach sermons, be missionaries, study in Christian school be a S.S. teacher and church officers, and even perform spiritual miracles of healing and exorcism, but without being true followers. The problem with the presentation of the gospel in our culture is a Me centered selfishness. One is encouraged to accept Christ you will get joy, accept the Lord and you will have peace, without realizing it we need to plead that instead of judgment God gives us grace to save us from condemnation. Then repentance occurs.

Keith Green, who was untimely killed in a plane accident, made a strong but startling statement. "Jesus never had a follow up program. He never had an alter call, he never pressured people into making decisions for Him. It was Jesus habit of letting people follow him. If they want life then they will have to give up that which keeps them from obedience and follow. We preach a man made gospel we get people to come forward to the altar by bringing forced pressures that has nothing to do with God. We lead them in a prayer, then they are not yet convinced what they need to say, and then to top it off, we give them counseling telling them it is a sin to doubt their salvation."

It is a narrow gate. It is for those who love the Lord to the point of being serious about following Him- and then letting Him lead.

Pastor Dale

Ask, Seek, Knock Matt 7:7-12

Sermon NuggetsMon. August 1, - ASK, SEEK, KNOCK

Verses Matt 7:7-12

7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

9 "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Ask, Seek, and Knock

This week many in our nation are praying for our leaders and our country as decisions and lack of them may affect the economy of the world. We also know by prophecy there will be economic meltdown in our world before the coming of Christ. Is this the time? Letting God know our concerns thoughts and praises is all part of prayer. Of course, many Christians in our nation pray every day. Proverbs 14:34 "Righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a disgrace to any people."

We would do well as a nation to seek the wisdom and will of God and interceded for our president. Of course we would do well as a church to pray that same prayer, seeking the will of the Lord. Certainly His will is also what we desire in our personal lives to be blessed through eternity.

When Jesus speaking what we have called this sermon on the Mount he had already addressed the issue of prayer and called his followers to a heart felt conversation with God not based on repetitious babbling or pretence to be seen by others. He wanted a personal, private, intimate time with each one of us. That makes a significant difference.

But it isn’t long in the Christian walk when people start wondering,

‘Why aren’t my prayers answered?” I already talked about the style and form of prayer as we reviewed the Lord’s prayer, but this addresses some significant presuppositions on prayer.

There was a movie made from a book entitled, on Gods and Generals. It captured the theme of faith of Abraham Lincoln, Robert E. Lee, and Andrew Jackson. Each were praying and seeking the will of God while fighting in a war they felt was right before God. It is so easy to make the enemy all bad and ourselves all good, but what do you do with people who are praying for their side to win out of faith and some type of commitment to God. For the leaders of the south it seemed (at least according to the book) that the issue was more freedom than slavery.

I remember questioning in High School what happens if I pray for my football team asking God to make them win, and someone else is praying the same thing for the opposing team. Certainly that happens in things more significant than football games. It is common in war, each praying to God for victory. How about when a farmer prays for rain and another church person prays that it will not rain for they are planning a picnic that day.

Too often prayers tell more about the one praying than the One to whom we pray. Jesus is giving another lesson on prayer. You’ll remember that in 6^th chapter Jesus criticizes the attitude of praying to impress other people. He taught it was to be personal conversation with our creator in a private manner. We are to give God praise, and seek wisdom, make Biblical requests, seek forgiveness, seek his protection and we are to act on our own prayers in righteousness obedience and openness. So we have already talked a great deal about proper and improper praying, and incidentally there are many other passages that further guide us in Scriptures. It’s hard to build a particular theology around any one passage alone. It must be looked at in connection with other teachings.

Jesus was talking to his followers, to those who are kingdom people and who they are to live and act under the Lordship of Jesus. In the context of this passage we already have learned not to be concerned with the things of this world compared to things that matter for the kingdom of God. God knows what you need, but seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things- be they food clothes, daily needs- will be given to you as well.

In James we are corrected when he writes We have not because we ask not, or we ask wrongly seeking to fulfill our own lusts. Americans seem to be the very best in selfish egocentric praying. Gemme, gemme, gemme is much more prevalent than ask, seek, and knock. Don’t be so fast to judge others, come clean before God in repentance and seeking personal forgiveness. Do you really want God’s will and guidance in your life?

Then Ask, Seek and Knock and it will be answered. Lets look at Jesus’s lessons on prayer from that perspective.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Tues Aug 2

Verses- Matt 7:11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Consider the Privilege of Prayer

Jesus warned not to be hypocritical in prayer, but real and open in communication what is on your heart and mind. Ask, and Seek and Knock he says, and it will be done. Jesus wants us to go before God confidently and boldly as his child comes before his or her parent. For it is a tremendous privilege that is granted to the righteous.

James 5:16 says, “The fervent prayer of a righteous man accomplishes much. “ The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” Now that already presupposes the knowledge of God’s will and seeking first His Kingdom, not ours. We have a tremendous power that is most often untapped. We have not because we ask not. John 14:13 And whatever you ask in my name that will I do that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If we as anything in my name I will do it.”

Pam Broughton related a story in a Christian magazine. She was a pastor’s wife having ugly unadorned walls, after 3 years she decided to pray since she had little money to change things. Her son ,Randy, that prayed, “Dear God, could you please also get me a warm-up suit before we go on vacation.”

She said, “Now Addison, you know that sometimes God says, “no “ to our prayers.” Oh sure, Mom, be He knows I really want a warm-up suit. Night.”

She wondered if God was concerned about warm-up suits and wall paper. Sure He cares about life’s big problems like food shelter, spiritual health, world evangelism, but is He too busy to be bothered with selfish wants? Some treat God like Aladdin’s lamp. If you use the right formula in God’s name , then rub it and just right He is required to obey our wants and wishes.

Friends that is heresy and we hear it all the time! Never is God our magical genie. Never is He our servant. But He loves us and has given to us a marvelous privilege. We have the privilege of making our requests known to him and asking seeking and knocking.

Mrs. Broughton wanted to teach Addison that we can ask God for the desires of our hearts, but the important thing is to realize God’s gracious love. They didn’t have money so they could not buy luxuries even though their needs were met.

As she was doing laundry there was a gurgling noise in the water and soap suds were pouring out from the bathroom door. She called the plumber who told them they would have to leave, it was a big job.

Friends of theirs asked to have them come over and when they came through the door, she said, “Addison, I just remembered I keep forgetting to give you this warm-up suit. I hope you like it. We’ve had this suit for months and bought it for our son without having him try it on and He only wore it once before it was too small.”

Their mouths dropped open. Why would she think of it now after months? They praised and honored God for his favor to them. When they returned home the insurance company called about the plumbing disaster. “I am afraid Mr. Broughton, you’ll have to pay the $100 deductible plus the cost of the plumbing repair. Your insurance policy will only repair the damage resulted from the water. Now, what kind of wall paper do you want in the living room and hall? She cried. This was just topping on the pudding that God answered when we seek him and it was a privilege that he granted to his children.

If you want to live God’s will and be the people of the Kingdom you can with assurance- Ask, seek, and knock and God will answer. The more self confidence you have the less you pray. The less self-confidence you have the more you have to pray. Prayer isn’t anything, but humbly desire to see God glorified. And as a child confidence in his love make your requests known to Him and trust Him. Then wait and watch what happens. It seems God loves to surprise us often in ways we do not expect. It is a privilege he grants to his children.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Weds Aug 3

Verses- Matt 7: 7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Consider the Persistence in Prayers

My temptation in dealing with prayer is try to address all the theology behind unanswered prayers. The emphasis on this passage is on persistence on the part of the one who prays. The Greek verb tense give emphasis on continual action on asking, seeking and knocking. It might be paraphrased, “Ask and keep on asking, seek and keep on seeking, knock and keep on knocking. That isn’t past tense, but imperfect, which clearly implies persistence in one’s prayers. When you think of the progression of thought there is also persistence in how the requests are presented.

We do not have to go to lengths to get God’s attention. He never leaves us nor forsakes us. But we might need to do some evaluation on our part to be in God’s will and place where He can speak to us. Does God seem close? If not, who moved?

When it comes to prayer ask what you will. If it isn’t answered then keep on asking. If the request isn’t answered, then we must seek. For me seeking includes searching more of the Bible and more in my life. It involves more thought regarding my motives, God’s will in my life, sin, and patience.

Unfortunately some will use unanswered prayers to judge God. I think of the illustration of electricity. We have all the power possible that we need in a plug for our common appliances. If we plug in the lamp and turn on the switch-nothing happens what do we do? Do we go around and rant and rave and tell people there is no such thing as electricity. That doesn’t prove anything of the sort. In most situations what it means is that we need to persist in trying it again and see if we can find the cause of the problem. Maybe it is circuit breaker, maybe the plug not working, or burned out light bulb, or faulty wiring. In the spiritual life if I am not living in obedience with God and His word I need some re-evaluation. I am not talking about works based negotiations. For I do not deserve any of my prayers to be answered. Anything I receive is by grace. But it can b an important step to change in my spiritual life or understanding in my faith walk.

Seek and keep on seeking implies for me not only a re-evaluation of my motives and desires, but a deeper study into the Word of God. This often brings me to discover things about God or His truths, or faith that I might have missed if I was not motivated to do some deeper pondering.

Knocking implies not just words, but speaks more of my inner desire for answers or needs met. Knocking implies a strong desire to being in the presence of God. It highlights the importance of something in prayer. It is not demanding our rights as it is to re-evaluate my priorities. So many times we quit praying much too early. We don’t have the inkling of the spiritual battle that is going on around us. We forget there is an adversary that is trying to break the relationship with God. We forget how impatient we are.

Missionary Ed Murphy did not come from a Christian home. Someone witnessed to him on the conviction of sin and need of a savior brought him to place his trust and faith in the works of Jesus Christ on the cross. As he finished High School he believed God was calling him to missions. His Mother was outraged that he would not stay in the denomination of the family tradition.

As he entered a Christian college to prepare for missions He prayed that God would met his needs financially. His mother would not support him or his studies. He prayed again and no money came in. He had a job, but not enough to pay for tuition which had to be paid by the examination time. It turned out that with all his asking, seeking and knocking he finally used his last resource. He called his mother. She wrote back with a note saying that if His God was so powerful and good then he didn’t need his mothers’ help. She would be in L.A. and if he had to drop out Bible school, then she’d pick him up and he was to forget this religious foolishness.

He was discouraged when the day of the exams came he checked his P.O. and nothing was there. He went back to the room packed his bags and started to leave when the Dean of the School called him into his office. The statement shows you have $40 credit. When he looked into it he realized that morning anonymous gift was paid toward his bill. Just in time for the exam. When he visited his mother she asked him if he was now done with his faith. He told her what happened she turned and left. Two years later she called and wanted to know God in this personal way and accepted Jesus. There was more important things on Gods’ game plan than just immediately provide finances for school. He used that delay to draw attention to His glory and others who helped in ways unknown to Ed.

I should also add there are some who have dropped out of school for lack of funds even after fervent praying as it was not Gods’ will they continue in that avenue of study. Or a test of faith revealed a heart more attracted to their wants than their relationship with a living God.

I don’t know why God sometimes waits until the last. I don’t know why sometimes the prayers are not answered in the way we want them to be, but in Murphy’s case the asking and seeking and knocking was within God will and ultimately brought about the change in his mother, and humble dependency of himself on God. You see prayer isn’t just to get answers; it is to grow our faith and glorify God.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Thurs Aug 4

Verses- Matt 7: 9 "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Consider the Provisions from Prayer

God loves his children. If evil parents know how to give good gifts what about God who is much better than evil parents? Will not his gifts also be something he wants us to have because of his greater love and understanding? We are limited in understanding. When we make decisions we do not know all the ramification of those decisions. We cannot see into the future. Many times you and I can say, “If I had it to do over again, I would do things differently.” We say that with child rearing too. But God does know what we don’t and foresees things we cannot. Trust and faith admits that after we put ourselves in his hands He knows best what is good for us. I will accept that.

He who spared not his own son on the cross, will he not also give us all things? That verse is in the context of Christian suffering. The provisions include our material needs, but more importantly our spiritual needs that will never die, be lost or fade away. If a child asks for something wholesome he will receive it, not something unwholesome like a rock, or even harmful like a snake. What we receive from God will be for our best good. Luke 11:13 it is translated how much more will God give his Holy Spirit to him who asks. In that context Jesus isn’t talking about material blessing but spiritual blessing forgiveness, deliverance, from evil, peace, increases of faith, hope, love, cleansing, and most of all, that we might received Himself and His fullness. That greatest gifts anyone can ever gift is a gift of Himself. At marriage the greatest gift of commitment is that of a man to a woman and a woman to a man for their remaining life on earth. I was impressed at marriage of receiving and giving not rings but ourselves, another human being. What better gift is there than God?

There is a song “If I could wish you anything I would wish you Jesus. For all other things fade and pass away, Jesus remains and with Jesus you have everything.” If a child were to ask for a stone or a snake a good father would not give that child what would be damaging for him. Not everyone would receive the same things. Any other more mature child may get a rifle for his enjoyment, a younger immature boy would not be considered because it could be a deadly weapon in his hands. Another a car is not a toy. Many gifts we desire we are not spiritually mature to handle and a good Father will not honor that requested. We may be hurt spiritually, or others may be damaged in some way unperceived by us. Or the reverse, we may be blessed in a different way that we can imagine, or indeed another may be blessed or some how God is carrying out something for his will and glory.

Some people may have been given the gifts of wealth, that is different than saying some people are wealthy. Some know that handling of wealth and being a steward is for the Lord. I can handle so much, but if I received much more that is beyond my spiritual health right now, I’d squander, waste and dishonor the Lord if he gave me wealth. So I’m content with what God thinks he wants to provide.

St. Augustine was a very wicked youth and his mother was praying mother who continually prayed for her son. When she found that he was going to Italy, she just felt in her heart that terrible things would happen and evil would progress, for Rome indeed was a wicked city. She prayed earnestly that God would prevent her child from going to Italy. The boy went to Italy. Only what she didn’t realize is that is where he came face to face with God and was tremendously converted and affected million for Christ with his life and writings. God did not answer her special request in order to answer her life long request. Isn’t God good?

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Fri August 5

Verse Matt 7: 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Consider the Product from Prayer

This is the golden rule. You’ve heard it from childhood, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

I wondered how that fit this passage on prayer. I think it is because the product of prayer is our changed life. When we meet with God in prayer we seek the good of others. Prayer isn’t getting man’s will done in heaven, it is getting God’s will done on earth and through our life as a witness and doing good to others. Prayer involves responsibility and that is a life of love.

Others state this from the negative view. Don’t do to others what you wouldn’t want done to yourself. But that teaches us to refrain from doing evil. Jesus command is more than that. It is to do good. A hermit and recluse can follow the negative command of not doing evil to another, but we must be involved with people to follow what is the product of a prayer life. We should treat our fellow man not as the law allows, but as love demands- to forgive, to praise, to understand, to listen to help. Only through God’s spirit, can that ever be accomplished. I must go out of my way in kindness toward others as I would wish them to be toward me.

Notice, there was no involvement with the father when the prodigal Son wanted his inheritance. He wanted his money now, not when dad died. He left and squandered it on riotous living. A renewed relationship came with the prayer, “Father make me thy servant for I am no more worthy to be called your son.” It wasn’t in getting but in giving he found blessing. Therein he was found, then he was the product of prayer and God’s desire for all of us.

The product or results of spending time with God gives glory to God through men and women to present to a world the purpose and meaning found in being a member of God’s kingdom. It affects our attitudes, our priority, our hearts, and our souls. How can that happen? Through prayer that asks, seeks and knocks for God’s best and if that is your persistent prayer, be assured it will be answered. That’s mature Christ minded praying.

Pastor Dale