Sermon nuggets Fri March 28
Theme Easter benefits
Verses- John 5:25-30 I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.
28 "Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out-- those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.
30 By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me. (NIV)
Second Coming
Fortunately, we have more information than just his passage regarding the second coming of Jesus Christ. Yes we will rise again. We will hear his voice and come out of the grave. Just as Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come forth.” So it will be with the saints.
I have often received mail, material on the internet, and books claiming special insights and revelation from God to men claiming they know when Jesus is going to return. They are claiming something that Jesus couldn’t claim. They say things like-“after 1,000 of hours of Bible study, fasting and prayer”, “the Holy Spirit gave me this revelation”, “ “ I’ve had a vision from God that told me of Jesus return.”
I have to admit that I’ve become hardened to that. Most of the stuff ends up in the wastebasket or deleted. Is it because I am not interested in the timing of Jesus return? No, I am interested. I just believe that when God said no one knows, I take Him at his word and am not particularly interested in wasting my time plowing through those painstaking details of people who consider a part of a verse or some combination of numbers to be their final proof to have figured out the code, or puzzle hidden since the 1st century. Unfortunately, I’ve seen many such revelations divide the family of God and people in their pride. In pride some claim superior knowledge, or others ridiculing and disassociating with brothers in Christ because they make such statements.
Some of you might remember such grand predictions during a coming comet Kohoutek in 1973, or 88 Reasons Why Jesus Would Come In 1988 by Edgar Whisenant. Further predictions came from well meaning Christian leaders at the turn of the century in 1996 (since Jesus was born in 4 BC), and 2000. Well, those times came and are past.
Some people have looked at these writings, sermons, or blogs and have been convicted by God of their need for salvation. They realized they were not ready to meet the Lord and time on earth is short. They wanted to be sure where they would spend eternity. I praise the Lord that even through wrong information, some have come to faith. I don’t know how many left the churches because of false guessers.
There are signs and prophecies given to us. Yes, I believe the time is soon based on the world events, particularly in the Middle East. We need to be spiritually prepared. We need to tell others of our hope in Christ.
Jesus is claiming power to His listeners that He will raise the dead. He was raised from the dead. He showed by his resurrection that it is true; all people will get up again.
I read an article in Readers Digest of a poor lady selling flowers. PT Barnes picked a flower from her and said, “You look happy this morning.”
“Why not? Everything is good. When Jesus was crucified on Good Friday, that was the worst day for the whole world. Then 3 days later—Easter. So when I get troubles I’ve learned to wait 3 days. Somehow everything gets all right again.”
That’s good advice for most things do resolve themselves in 3 days, but there is a far greater significance as to what happened those three days. Jesus overcame Satan, death and was victorious over any power. That is why people in miserable situations hold fast to Christ and know they are on the winning team even if they sacrifice their lives. There is resurrection. He is coming again.
Pastor Dale
Friday, March 28, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Rising Again John 5:28-30
Sermon nuggets Thur March 27, 2008
Theme – Easter Benefits
Verses John 5:28-30 "Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out-- those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.
30 By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.
Our Resurrection
Another Easter benefit is the confidence of our personal resurrection. -But maybe not. Yes, there is a time when Jesus returns and at his return all believers will rise again. But notice in this teaching on the resurrection unbelievers will rise to life again too. Believers will be for eternal blessing and joy in heaven with God. The Bible teaches elsewhere that most others will rise to eternal condemnation and hell.
Other religions will teach about an afterlife. Many teach about the continuation of the soul, or reincarnation in various forms, but the doctrine of the bodily resurrection is unique to Jesus’ teaching. The body will rise again, not in its corruptible form, nor in any of the limitations of this earth. We will have new bodies. The way Scripture portrays it, there will be an opening of the graves, as His tomb was opened. No need to concern yourself with cremation or Christians who were eaten by lions or cannibals or all the other questions that some people ponder. God will bring to life, physical life again, all people. Jesus is coming again, there is no question about it.
But, why would Jesus say, “those who have done good will rise to life, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.”? Hasn’t the teaching of Jesus been clear that it is faith, belief and receiving Christ? What place does “done good” or “done evil” have in our living or condemnation?
Let me answer in two ways. First in the next chapter Jesus gives us His answer, John 6:28-29 Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?"
29 Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent." That is pretty simple and straightforward. Faith is the works!
Secondly, we are told in further Biblical teaching we will be judged in two parts-faith and works. There is, I believe, a temporary heaven. I have just been reading “Heaven” by Randy Alcorn who prefers to use that term than “paradise”. This intermediate place is clearly reserved for people of faith. Later, according to 1 Thess 4 and Revelations and other places in the Bible, Jesus will return and the bodily resurrection will result to judgment based on our works. We are saved by faith. But where we go immediately after death is a judgment of what we have done with Christ. And so we are with the Lord immediately as people of faith, or hades is where the unsaved souls go. You could call this an intermediate hell, I suppose. But our bodies do not come out of their graves until Jesus returns. That will be a time for our rewards or our condemnation. But that is a study for a different time.
Jesus teaches we will rise again and He will be our judge. Now is the time to put our faith to action and knowing Christ results in serving Christ. There are two options with the resurrection. Jesus wants everyone to be sure they are ready today. If you are, then be encouraged. All those who are dead in Christ will rise again to live. Those who are dead to Christ will rise again to condemnation. Are you ready?
Pastor Dale.
Theme – Easter Benefits
Verses John 5:28-30 "Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out-- those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.
30 By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.
Our Resurrection
Another Easter benefit is the confidence of our personal resurrection. -But maybe not. Yes, there is a time when Jesus returns and at his return all believers will rise again. But notice in this teaching on the resurrection unbelievers will rise to life again too. Believers will be for eternal blessing and joy in heaven with God. The Bible teaches elsewhere that most others will rise to eternal condemnation and hell.
Other religions will teach about an afterlife. Many teach about the continuation of the soul, or reincarnation in various forms, but the doctrine of the bodily resurrection is unique to Jesus’ teaching. The body will rise again, not in its corruptible form, nor in any of the limitations of this earth. We will have new bodies. The way Scripture portrays it, there will be an opening of the graves, as His tomb was opened. No need to concern yourself with cremation or Christians who were eaten by lions or cannibals or all the other questions that some people ponder. God will bring to life, physical life again, all people. Jesus is coming again, there is no question about it.
But, why would Jesus say, “those who have done good will rise to life, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.”? Hasn’t the teaching of Jesus been clear that it is faith, belief and receiving Christ? What place does “done good” or “done evil” have in our living or condemnation?
Let me answer in two ways. First in the next chapter Jesus gives us His answer, John 6:28-29 Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?"
29 Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent." That is pretty simple and straightforward. Faith is the works!
Secondly, we are told in further Biblical teaching we will be judged in two parts-faith and works. There is, I believe, a temporary heaven. I have just been reading “Heaven” by Randy Alcorn who prefers to use that term than “paradise”. This intermediate place is clearly reserved for people of faith. Later, according to 1 Thess 4 and Revelations and other places in the Bible, Jesus will return and the bodily resurrection will result to judgment based on our works. We are saved by faith. But where we go immediately after death is a judgment of what we have done with Christ. And so we are with the Lord immediately as people of faith, or hades is where the unsaved souls go. You could call this an intermediate hell, I suppose. But our bodies do not come out of their graves until Jesus returns. That will be a time for our rewards or our condemnation. But that is a study for a different time.
Jesus teaches we will rise again and He will be our judge. Now is the time to put our faith to action and knowing Christ results in serving Christ. There are two options with the resurrection. Jesus wants everyone to be sure they are ready today. If you are, then be encouraged. All those who are dead in Christ will rise again to live. Those who are dead to Christ will rise again to condemnation. Are you ready?
Pastor Dale.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
From Death to Life John 5:24-27
Sermon nuggets Weds March 26
Theme Easter Benefits
Verses- John 5:24-27 "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.
25 I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.
26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself.
27 And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.(NIV)
Granted Life
What a wonderful thought this Easter season, “he (who believes) has crossed over from death to life”.
We talked about faith all last week. Part of faith is believing, and part is receiving. He gives us this Easter privilege of passing also from death to life, just as He did.
“The dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.”
A street preacher was preaching on the London sidewalks when a personal servant of the queen, a woman by the name of Lady Anna, passed by in a gorgeous carriage. She stopped to listen. The speaker directed his attention toward her. In a voice loud enough for all to hear he exclaimed, “Brethren, may I have your attention a moment? I am going to have an auction. I intend to sell that young lady to the highest bidder. I know of three who want to buy her; the world, the devil and Christ. World, what will you pay for her? Riches, honor and pleasure? Not enough, she is worth far more than that. Devil, what will you bid? All the possessions, fame and riches of this earth? Not enough, riches disappear like the night when the morning sun comes up. I hear the voice of the 3rd buyer, Jesus Christ. What do you bid Lord Jesus? ‘I give her my grace here and in eternity, I bid my life.’”
Turning to the surprised and embarrassed young lady, the speaker went on. “What do you think of this bargain? Remember you are eternally the property of the Lord Jesus, He died for you. Can you, will you dare to refuse to surrender to Him?”
The promise is life, not only now, but forever. The dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live, now and in the future. Jesus never had any doubts as to the outcome. The truth of the Son of God is believed even when he was arrested, beaten crucified and placed in the grave. The triumph of Jesus resurrection is believed by the disciples and followers for the centuries upon centuries that followed. The ultimate victory is in the power of who He is. Who He is was finally determined at His resurrection. That life is now available to you and me and whoever will hear.
What a wonderful Easter blessing!
Pastor Dale
Theme Easter Benefits
Verses- John 5:24-27 "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.
25 I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.
26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself.
27 And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.(NIV)
Granted Life
What a wonderful thought this Easter season, “he (who believes) has crossed over from death to life”.
We talked about faith all last week. Part of faith is believing, and part is receiving. He gives us this Easter privilege of passing also from death to life, just as He did.
“The dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.”
A street preacher was preaching on the London sidewalks when a personal servant of the queen, a woman by the name of Lady Anna, passed by in a gorgeous carriage. She stopped to listen. The speaker directed his attention toward her. In a voice loud enough for all to hear he exclaimed, “Brethren, may I have your attention a moment? I am going to have an auction. I intend to sell that young lady to the highest bidder. I know of three who want to buy her; the world, the devil and Christ. World, what will you pay for her? Riches, honor and pleasure? Not enough, she is worth far more than that. Devil, what will you bid? All the possessions, fame and riches of this earth? Not enough, riches disappear like the night when the morning sun comes up. I hear the voice of the 3rd buyer, Jesus Christ. What do you bid Lord Jesus? ‘I give her my grace here and in eternity, I bid my life.’”
Turning to the surprised and embarrassed young lady, the speaker went on. “What do you think of this bargain? Remember you are eternally the property of the Lord Jesus, He died for you. Can you, will you dare to refuse to surrender to Him?”
The promise is life, not only now, but forever. The dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live, now and in the future. Jesus never had any doubts as to the outcome. The truth of the Son of God is believed even when he was arrested, beaten crucified and placed in the grave. The triumph of Jesus resurrection is believed by the disciples and followers for the centuries upon centuries that followed. The ultimate victory is in the power of who He is. Who He is was finally determined at His resurrection. That life is now available to you and me and whoever will hear.
What a wonderful Easter blessing!
Pastor Dale
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Knowing God John 5:17-23
Sermon nuggets Tues March 25, 2008
Theme Easter benefits
Verses –John 5:17-23 Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working."
18 For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
19 Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these. For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it.
22 Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him. (NIV)
Knowing God
The Jews were upset because Jesus healed the lame man and happened to pick the wrong day of the week. When God created the world He said He rested on the seventh day. When He gave the commandments to Moses He told them to honor the Sabbath. It was a day for the Lord and no one was to do work on that day.
Now when the people began to define work the lists got very very long and one of the things on the list of no-nos was to help someone get better. You could prevent them from getting worse, but not to get better. Jesus healed the man but instead of being excited about this man who for 38 years could not walk, the Jews were upset that Jesus did it on the Sabbath so they concluded he couldn’t possibly be from God.
Jesus claimed to be doing the work of God. He also called God “my Father”, indicating an intimacy not expressed by Jews to God before.
How do we explain the concept of the trinity or divinity and humanity of Jesus, the duel natures that seem to be a contradiction? We must remember that language is accommodating to our limited comprehension and God can only tell us things that we have some knowledge in order to get a fuzzy, but incomplete understanding. We have one God. The Bible explains Him in three persons.
This unique relationship tells us the Son will judge all people. The Jews believed only the Father could judge, so in placing himself in that role is making Himself equal with God. The Jews caught on to it. That is why they tried all the harder to kill him. He not only broke Sabbath laws, but he was calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God. Acts 17:31 tells us the Father appointed the Son to judge the world. Jesus is qualified to be the judge because of the unique relationship of being God-Man. He knows exactly all that is in the heart and mind of the person as well as the actions. He knows the holiness of God and the purity of the Father. He has participated in the life on earth and understands the working of mankind. He knows temptations and He knows power. He is divine and he is human. He has sympathy for our weakness, and knows our considerations, but there is no other who can better judge us in righteousness and in truth.
What would your reaction be to a man who would tell you he was equal to God? That He would sit in judgment upon the entire world? That the whole world would honor Him and that honoring Him would be the same as to honor the Father?
The alternatives are either complete rejection or complete acceptance. The Easter blessing is to now know the truth. In knowing that truth we can have a relationship with God almighty based on what He did for us on the cross. Based on that relationship, it gives us a new direction and purpose in living temporarily on this earth. We can know and serve our God!
Pastor Dale
Theme Easter benefits
Verses –John 5:17-23 Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working."
18 For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
19 Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these. For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it.
22 Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him. (NIV)
Knowing God
The Jews were upset because Jesus healed the lame man and happened to pick the wrong day of the week. When God created the world He said He rested on the seventh day. When He gave the commandments to Moses He told them to honor the Sabbath. It was a day for the Lord and no one was to do work on that day.
Now when the people began to define work the lists got very very long and one of the things on the list of no-nos was to help someone get better. You could prevent them from getting worse, but not to get better. Jesus healed the man but instead of being excited about this man who for 38 years could not walk, the Jews were upset that Jesus did it on the Sabbath so they concluded he couldn’t possibly be from God.
Jesus claimed to be doing the work of God. He also called God “my Father”, indicating an intimacy not expressed by Jews to God before.
How do we explain the concept of the trinity or divinity and humanity of Jesus, the duel natures that seem to be a contradiction? We must remember that language is accommodating to our limited comprehension and God can only tell us things that we have some knowledge in order to get a fuzzy, but incomplete understanding. We have one God. The Bible explains Him in three persons.
This unique relationship tells us the Son will judge all people. The Jews believed only the Father could judge, so in placing himself in that role is making Himself equal with God. The Jews caught on to it. That is why they tried all the harder to kill him. He not only broke Sabbath laws, but he was calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God. Acts 17:31 tells us the Father appointed the Son to judge the world. Jesus is qualified to be the judge because of the unique relationship of being God-Man. He knows exactly all that is in the heart and mind of the person as well as the actions. He knows the holiness of God and the purity of the Father. He has participated in the life on earth and understands the working of mankind. He knows temptations and He knows power. He is divine and he is human. He has sympathy for our weakness, and knows our considerations, but there is no other who can better judge us in righteousness and in truth.
What would your reaction be to a man who would tell you he was equal to God? That He would sit in judgment upon the entire world? That the whole world would honor Him and that honoring Him would be the same as to honor the Father?
The alternatives are either complete rejection or complete acceptance. The Easter blessing is to now know the truth. In knowing that truth we can have a relationship with God almighty based on what He did for us on the cross. Based on that relationship, it gives us a new direction and purpose in living temporarily on this earth. We can know and serve our God!
Pastor Dale
Monday, March 24, 2008
Power John 5:16-21
Sermon nugget Mon March 24
Theme- Easter Benefits
Verses-John 5:16-21 So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jews persecuted him.
17 Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working."
18 For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
19 Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these. For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it.
Easter benefits us with Power.
Yesterday at our Easter services, I reflected on Easter being an Historical Event, An Annual Event, A Weekly Event, and A Personal Event.
Although this passage doesn’t deal directly with Easter it does point to the event in vs. 21 “For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it.”
During our nugget devotions last week we discussed how Jesus healed this man who was an invalid sitting near the pool bemoaning the fact he could never be healed because no one is available to get him into the pool when their believed an angel stirred the water. First one in gets healed.
The gist of the story is, -does the man really want to get healed? Or does he have excuses, blaming life and others for his hard life? There is nothing really he can do until he is confronted with Jesus. Faith is believing in Christ resulted in obeying him. The man was healed by the power of the divine.
The Father does not stop working because it was the Sabbath. He is always working. The Sabbath was set aside to remember His work. Jesus is only doing what the Father tells him to do and it is our understanding that the Father told him to heal this man. Jesus was also obedient.
Our worship on the Lord’s day (weekly event) points to the work completed by Christ in his death, burial and resurrection. Far greater than walking for the first time in 38 years, is walking, dancing, praising in the presence of the Lord forever.
Easter reminds us of “even greater things that these.” It reminds us that Jesus confronted us one time and in a way asked us that question, "Do you want to be healed? -Healed of sin, of death, of the mandane life this world offers. Or are you comfortable where you are? Trusting Him to heal us produces a new life never imagined.
Pastor Dale
Theme- Easter Benefits
Verses-John 5:16-21 So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jews persecuted him.
17 Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working."
18 For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
19 Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these. For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it.
Easter benefits us with Power.
Yesterday at our Easter services, I reflected on Easter being an Historical Event, An Annual Event, A Weekly Event, and A Personal Event.
Although this passage doesn’t deal directly with Easter it does point to the event in vs. 21 “For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it.”
During our nugget devotions last week we discussed how Jesus healed this man who was an invalid sitting near the pool bemoaning the fact he could never be healed because no one is available to get him into the pool when their believed an angel stirred the water. First one in gets healed.
The gist of the story is, -does the man really want to get healed? Or does he have excuses, blaming life and others for his hard life? There is nothing really he can do until he is confronted with Jesus. Faith is believing in Christ resulted in obeying him. The man was healed by the power of the divine.
The Father does not stop working because it was the Sabbath. He is always working. The Sabbath was set aside to remember His work. Jesus is only doing what the Father tells him to do and it is our understanding that the Father told him to heal this man. Jesus was also obedient.
Our worship on the Lord’s day (weekly event) points to the work completed by Christ in his death, burial and resurrection. Far greater than walking for the first time in 38 years, is walking, dancing, praising in the presence of the Lord forever.
Easter reminds us of “even greater things that these.” It reminds us that Jesus confronted us one time and in a way asked us that question, "Do you want to be healed? -Healed of sin, of death, of the mandane life this world offers. Or are you comfortable where you are? Trusting Him to heal us produces a new life never imagined.
Pastor Dale
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