Sermon nuggets Fri .Feb 29
Theme – Unity
Verses- 31 "The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all.
32 He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony.
33 The man who has accepted it has certified that God is truthful.
34 For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.
35 The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands.
36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him." (NIV)
Commitment confronts disunity.
Unity is achieved when there is a common commitment. We don’t serve a person, or an organization, or family member. As believers we are committed to serve Jesus Christ and Him alone. That purpose allows the Spirit of God to give different gifts for the common good. When we see Him working through us to accomplish His goals working together has a greater purpose than personal issues.
John’s commitment to the Father carried over to his commitment to Jesus. That took away any comparisons, competitions, conceit or confusion. The Spirit of God unifies us, and the Scriptures from the same Spirit, when believed and obeyed bring us together.
Only Jesus is from above, Only Jesus is eternal, Only Jesus is perfect, Only Jesus knows perfect love. Heavenly things are far superior to earthly things. We need to be humble when it comes to what we understand about spiritual things, but for the grace of God and the revelation of Jesus Christ. We are not trying to get a following. We are not looking for attention, but pointing people to the one who has power and authority. People will come and go. John the Baptist is no longer with us. Mary the mother of Jesus is gone. Peter, James and John all have their own graves. Paul is dead. But Jesus is alive now and forevermore. Receiving Jesus confronts our commitment
People that think the sun rises and falls on any particular pastor or religious leader, or radio or TV personality will soon be disappointed . They are all only men and women. But when these people point others to Jesus then you have resolved many of the problems of that cause disunity. Our commitment is to be first to Jesus Christ.
Why should we heed the testimony of John the Baptist? Because he says clearly we will escape the wrath of God to come. Because of the great love the Father has for his only son Jesus anyone who accepts his son receives everlasting life. Anyone who ignores or rejects his son will see God's wrath. Eternity is not something to be laughed at or mocked.
John sees himself as being Christ's servant. John can only call people to repentance, but cannot give repentance, He calls people to be forgiven but cannot forgive people their sins. He calls people to eternal life but cannot give eternal life, only God can do that and does through the works of Christ who died on the cross. Therefore is it any wonder our commitment to that which is above is far superior to any other earthly commitment?
Pastor Dale
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Confusion John 3:27-30
Sermon Nugget, Thurs Feb 28
Theme- Unity
Verses 3:27 To this John replied, "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven.28 You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.'
29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.
30 He must become greater; I must become less.
What can disrupt unity among Christians?
We have looked at Comparisons, Competition, and Conceit. Today I want to think about how Confusion over our roles, tasks and position attacks unity.
As John’s disciples were upset over the fact that Jesus and his disciples were becoming more popular, they responded in jealousy. They were confused over who was really important. It was Jesus. They were confused over their roles and responsibilities. What happens to anyone or by anyone else was none of their business if they were in the will of the Lord. John the Baptist was not confused over his role. His disciples were.
I remind myself many times Stanchfield Baptist Church is not my church. It is Christ’s church. What gifts and talents another has, or how God seeks to bless another is none of my business. When I take on more responsibility than what is mine, I get confused over my role and His rule resulting in frustration. Others aren’t too pleased with me either.
Freedom from confusion is understanding we are stewards of what God has loaned to us. We have nothing and own nothing. All works that matter for the Lord have been given to us from Him and used by Him through us. When we are confused over who is in charge, problems surface.
John knew his purpose and was glad for the privilege of being so chosen by God. He was the best man; Jesus was the bridegroom. The bridegroom is not to be upstaged by the best man at the wedding. For John, joy was to hear the voice of the bridegroom. The best man had a unique and special place in the Jewish wedding customs of that day. He arranged the wedding, took out invitations. He presided at the wedding feast. Then he brought the groom and the bride together. At night he would guard the bridal chamber and listen for the voice the bridegroom. When he saw they were safe his work was done and it was his joy.
John the Baptist likened his calling to that fact that Jesus is here. He introduced Him. He had done His job. His new responsibility was to only to point people to Jesus. He is not great, no need for conceit. He was not confused over the change of his role. He was a servant of God. “He must increase, I must decrease.”
Contentment comes when we focus on our Savior. He knows your heart, your intentions, your imaginations, your weaknesses, your gifts, your struggles, your love, your abilities, your lack of abilities, your desires. You do not have to prove anything to Him that you sometimes feel you must prove to other people. All you have is a gift from God. He gives you what you need to carry out what He wants to carry out in and through you.
Reminders of the humility of John and understanding his position helps me in my confusion.
Pastor Dale.
Theme- Unity
Verses 3:27 To this John replied, "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven.28 You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.'
29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.
30 He must become greater; I must become less.
What can disrupt unity among Christians?
We have looked at Comparisons, Competition, and Conceit. Today I want to think about how Confusion over our roles, tasks and position attacks unity.
As John’s disciples were upset over the fact that Jesus and his disciples were becoming more popular, they responded in jealousy. They were confused over who was really important. It was Jesus. They were confused over their roles and responsibilities. What happens to anyone or by anyone else was none of their business if they were in the will of the Lord. John the Baptist was not confused over his role. His disciples were.
I remind myself many times Stanchfield Baptist Church is not my church. It is Christ’s church. What gifts and talents another has, or how God seeks to bless another is none of my business. When I take on more responsibility than what is mine, I get confused over my role and His rule resulting in frustration. Others aren’t too pleased with me either.
Freedom from confusion is understanding we are stewards of what God has loaned to us. We have nothing and own nothing. All works that matter for the Lord have been given to us from Him and used by Him through us. When we are confused over who is in charge, problems surface.
John knew his purpose and was glad for the privilege of being so chosen by God. He was the best man; Jesus was the bridegroom. The bridegroom is not to be upstaged by the best man at the wedding. For John, joy was to hear the voice of the bridegroom. The best man had a unique and special place in the Jewish wedding customs of that day. He arranged the wedding, took out invitations. He presided at the wedding feast. Then he brought the groom and the bride together. At night he would guard the bridal chamber and listen for the voice the bridegroom. When he saw they were safe his work was done and it was his joy.
John the Baptist likened his calling to that fact that Jesus is here. He introduced Him. He had done His job. His new responsibility was to only to point people to Jesus. He is not great, no need for conceit. He was not confused over the change of his role. He was a servant of God. “He must increase, I must decrease.”
Contentment comes when we focus on our Savior. He knows your heart, your intentions, your imaginations, your weaknesses, your gifts, your struggles, your love, your abilities, your lack of abilities, your desires. You do not have to prove anything to Him that you sometimes feel you must prove to other people. All you have is a gift from God. He gives you what you need to carry out what He wants to carry out in and through you.
Reminders of the humility of John and understanding his position helps me in my confusion.
Pastor Dale.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Conceit John 3:27-30
Sermon Nuggets, Weds Feb 27
Theme- Unity
Verses-27 To this John replied, "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven.28 You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.'
29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.
30 He must become greater; I must become less.
Confronting Conceit
Another great barrier to working together for Christ is conceit. All our gifts come from God. All our opportunities come from God. All ministry and blessings are also the Lord's. Paul teaches in Corinthians that some plant, some water, and some sow, but God gives the increase.
John the Baptist told his disciples repeatedly he was merely a herald, an announcer, a forerunner and a preparer for the greater one who was to come. John knew that he was given a responsibility from God and carried it out well . He was joyful because he accomplished his purpose and pointed people to Jesus. Jesus was honored; God was served.
He was not the least bit concerned that Jesus disciples were being followed to a greater degree and his disciples were not. That was God’s plan.
Anyone who does a secondary task makes that task great because for whom he serves.
Having been involved with Billy Graham and Ralph Bell crusades in the past helped me realize the enormous amount of volunteers it takes to put on an event such as that. When 1,000s come to Christ it was not Billy Graham that had the revival. It was God using 1,000s of people praying, giving, singing, sharing. People will often relate how humble a man he really is because he knows who is to get the glory, He of course, realizes to have a crusade takes many people working lots harder than him.
A conceited person thinks he is better than others, and is filled with pride because of his abilities, his accomplishments, his looks, his possessions. A humble person recognizes that God's grace enables him or her to be and do more than what he/she might on one's own.
Jesus confronts our conceit.
Pastor Dale
Theme- Unity
Verses-27 To this John replied, "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven.28 You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.'
29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.
30 He must become greater; I must become less.
Confronting Conceit
Another great barrier to working together for Christ is conceit. All our gifts come from God. All our opportunities come from God. All ministry and blessings are also the Lord's. Paul teaches in Corinthians that some plant, some water, and some sow, but God gives the increase.
John the Baptist told his disciples repeatedly he was merely a herald, an announcer, a forerunner and a preparer for the greater one who was to come. John knew that he was given a responsibility from God and carried it out well . He was joyful because he accomplished his purpose and pointed people to Jesus. Jesus was honored; God was served.
He was not the least bit concerned that Jesus disciples were being followed to a greater degree and his disciples were not. That was God’s plan.
Anyone who does a secondary task makes that task great because for whom he serves.
Having been involved with Billy Graham and Ralph Bell crusades in the past helped me realize the enormous amount of volunteers it takes to put on an event such as that. When 1,000s come to Christ it was not Billy Graham that had the revival. It was God using 1,000s of people praying, giving, singing, sharing. People will often relate how humble a man he really is because he knows who is to get the glory, He of course, realizes to have a crusade takes many people working lots harder than him.
A conceited person thinks he is better than others, and is filled with pride because of his abilities, his accomplishments, his looks, his possessions. A humble person recognizes that God's grace enables him or her to be and do more than what he/she might on one's own.
Jesus confronts our conceit.
Pastor Dale
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Comparisons John 3:26,27
Sermon Nugget, Tues Feb 26
Theme- Unity
Verses- John 3:25-27 An argument developed between some of John's disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. They came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan-- the one you testified about-- well, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him."
27 To this John replied, "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven.
Working Together
The spirit of competition can hinder the work God has for us to do. Many organizations and people do marvelous work, but jealousy and competitiveness rob them of the joy of serving.
Jesus was not accepted in Jerusalem. He and his disciples went into the rural area and people came out to Him to be baptized. According to John 4:2 Jesus was not baptizing but in fact his disciples did. I can imagine the comparisons some would have comparing and contrasting their experience with others. "I was baptized by Jesus; you were only baptized by John."
“I was baptized by Jesus, you got stuck with Bartholomew"
Competition began to set in with John the Baptist's disciples. What they were fussing about was who was having the most baptisms. That can be as common for jealously and competition as clergy comparing sizes of congregations.
In Corinthian's letter Paul confronts this competitive, divisive spirit when people were following the different preachers instead of Christ. In Phil 1:15-18 Paul's concern was that people were dividing themselves into different groups according to the evangelist that God used to bring the message of salvation. He writes, "It is true that some preach Christ out of envy, rivalry, but others out of good will. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motive or true, Christ is preached and because of this I will rejoice."
Pastor Charles Cerling accepted a church as their pastor. Going to a ministerial conference he saw a classmate of his- same age, same education, same experience but was serving a church of 2,500. He was jealous. He felt like such a failure. Finally he decided he wanted to confront his feelings and confessed to his successful classmate. That pastor laughed and admitted, "every time I see you I have told myself what a failure I am, because you have a book published, and write in many magazines, and all I get are rejection slips."
God has given to us Jesus. Jesus confronts our petty competitions so that we when look to Him we realize all power and authority is His, not ours, and not our neighbors. Our focus is on the wrong one if we do not lift up the name of Jesus together. John the Baptist was not concerned about anything but Jesus being glorified. Jealousy was not his problem. He knew that each player, each servant of God has his own part to play. So play it well for Jesus only.
Pastor Dale
Theme- Unity
Verses- John 3:25-27 An argument developed between some of John's disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. They came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan-- the one you testified about-- well, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him."
27 To this John replied, "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven.
Working Together
The spirit of competition can hinder the work God has for us to do. Many organizations and people do marvelous work, but jealousy and competitiveness rob them of the joy of serving.
Jesus was not accepted in Jerusalem. He and his disciples went into the rural area and people came out to Him to be baptized. According to John 4:2 Jesus was not baptizing but in fact his disciples did. I can imagine the comparisons some would have comparing and contrasting their experience with others. "I was baptized by Jesus; you were only baptized by John."
“I was baptized by Jesus, you got stuck with Bartholomew"
Competition began to set in with John the Baptist's disciples. What they were fussing about was who was having the most baptisms. That can be as common for jealously and competition as clergy comparing sizes of congregations.
In Corinthian's letter Paul confronts this competitive, divisive spirit when people were following the different preachers instead of Christ. In Phil 1:15-18 Paul's concern was that people were dividing themselves into different groups according to the evangelist that God used to bring the message of salvation. He writes, "It is true that some preach Christ out of envy, rivalry, but others out of good will. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motive or true, Christ is preached and because of this I will rejoice."
Pastor Charles Cerling accepted a church as their pastor. Going to a ministerial conference he saw a classmate of his- same age, same education, same experience but was serving a church of 2,500. He was jealous. He felt like such a failure. Finally he decided he wanted to confront his feelings and confessed to his successful classmate. That pastor laughed and admitted, "every time I see you I have told myself what a failure I am, because you have a book published, and write in many magazines, and all I get are rejection slips."
God has given to us Jesus. Jesus confronts our petty competitions so that we when look to Him we realize all power and authority is His, not ours, and not our neighbors. Our focus is on the wrong one if we do not lift up the name of Jesus together. John the Baptist was not concerned about anything but Jesus being glorified. Jealousy was not his problem. He knew that each player, each servant of God has his own part to play. So play it well for Jesus only.
Pastor Dale
Monday, February 25, 2008
Competitive Spirit-John 3:22-26
Sermon Nugget, Mon. Feb 25
Theme- Unity
Verses- John 3: 22-26 After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized. Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were constantly coming to be baptized. (This was before John was put in prison.)
An argument developed between some of John's disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing.
They came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan-- the one you testified about-- well, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.
Evaluating the Competitive spirit.
My friend, pastor Joel Severson from Princeton, also serves as a military Chaplain. Part of his responsibility with the Army is to go to with the national guards to local disaster areas. I asked him about priorities to how to help so many people. I was surprised to have him describe the competitive spirit between the volunteers from the Salvation Army and the Red Cross. Each group, from his perspective, is seeking to get there first and setup the command center. Since the military oversees the operation under the governor’s direction immediately competition sets in as to who gets what turf, who has the authority to replace someone who was there first, which group provides which services for those affected by the disaster.
In times of chaos someone has to be in charge to organize the operation. But the competitive spirit gets in the way of the tasks. Some of the directors of local agencies do not get along because each seeks to outdo the other.
But while some people are trying to get in the media photos and putting together the numbers of how many they help, others who are not part of any agency or organization, are the real first responders. The neighbors and locals are looking for the injured and dead. The community brings the homeless into their houses for food, emergency need. Churches start kicking in to help one another. Strangers take those injured, who can walk, in their cars to drive them to hospitals and urgent care facilities. From Joel's perspective people helping people who are not interested in notoriety are the real heroes.
This week we will look at some more teaching by John the Baptist. He is getting complaints by his disciples how Jesus is baptizing more people than “their group”. Jealousy is creeping in.
The competitive spirit is one of the barriers to doing the Lord’s work. Pride and jealousy have to be continually evaluated as we work together for greater goals.
For whom do you feel jealous? Why? What if someone is outshining you in your tasks? Where do personalities and competition get in the way of accomplishing the needed tasks? How does our society promote competition so that it spills over into our churches and ministries?
Pastor Dale
Theme- Unity
Verses- John 3: 22-26 After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized. Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were constantly coming to be baptized. (This was before John was put in prison.)
An argument developed between some of John's disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing.
They came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan-- the one you testified about-- well, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.
Evaluating the Competitive spirit.
My friend, pastor Joel Severson from Princeton, also serves as a military Chaplain. Part of his responsibility with the Army is to go to with the national guards to local disaster areas. I asked him about priorities to how to help so many people. I was surprised to have him describe the competitive spirit between the volunteers from the Salvation Army and the Red Cross. Each group, from his perspective, is seeking to get there first and setup the command center. Since the military oversees the operation under the governor’s direction immediately competition sets in as to who gets what turf, who has the authority to replace someone who was there first, which group provides which services for those affected by the disaster.
In times of chaos someone has to be in charge to organize the operation. But the competitive spirit gets in the way of the tasks. Some of the directors of local agencies do not get along because each seeks to outdo the other.
But while some people are trying to get in the media photos and putting together the numbers of how many they help, others who are not part of any agency or organization, are the real first responders. The neighbors and locals are looking for the injured and dead. The community brings the homeless into their houses for food, emergency need. Churches start kicking in to help one another. Strangers take those injured, who can walk, in their cars to drive them to hospitals and urgent care facilities. From Joel's perspective people helping people who are not interested in notoriety are the real heroes.
This week we will look at some more teaching by John the Baptist. He is getting complaints by his disciples how Jesus is baptizing more people than “their group”. Jealousy is creeping in.
The competitive spirit is one of the barriers to doing the Lord’s work. Pride and jealousy have to be continually evaluated as we work together for greater goals.
For whom do you feel jealous? Why? What if someone is outshining you in your tasks? Where do personalities and competition get in the way of accomplishing the needed tasks? How does our society promote competition so that it spills over into our churches and ministries?
Pastor Dale
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)