Sermon nuggets Friday April 4, 2008
Theme- Evidence for Truth
Verses- John 5:41-47
"I do not accept praise from men, but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts.
I have come in my Father's name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him.
How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God?
"But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set. If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?" (NIV)
THE TESTIMONY OF MOSES vs. 45-47
This week we looked at Jesus pointing to the Divine witness and testimony of who He is. God raised up the Prophet John the Baptist to point people to the Messiah. That is how the early group became followers. There was the evidence of miracles, the testimony by the Father Himself, the teachings of the Scriptures and prophets of the Old Testament. But He adds to that the testimony of Moses.
Moses was the authority for the Jews. He became the figure for the law as God gave it to Moses. Yet, Jesus is saying Moses points to Christ and if you follow Moses and not the one who he is pointing to, Moses’ testimony rejects you.
I read of this old carnival headliner nicknamed Cannonball. In his younger days he was blasted out of a cannon 1200 times. When asked why he did this, he replied, “Do you know what it’s like to feel the applause of 60,000 people? That’s why I did it.”
Many leaders, then and now, risk their lives because they love the approval of the crowd. Many are influenced by the crowds. The only approval that is important is God's approval. He provided a way in coming to earth to reveal truth and bring salvation. In refusing to believe on Him, they faced eternal condemnation, something far more serious than the death.
Moses is compared to Christ in many ways. As the deliverer of people from bondage into the Promised Land, so is Jesus into the eternal Promised Land. Moses was rescued as a baby into Egypt, so Jesus was rescued and went to Egypt as a baby. Moses instituted the Passover as directed by God pointing to the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, and whose blood was shed to give us salvation. Moses struck the rock giving living water. He lifted up the snake on the pole to which those dying people must look to be spared. The pictures and types comparing Moses to Jesus are remarkable, but Moses also was pointing to another deliverer to come to his people.
Jews accepted Moses completely but did not see how they pointed to Christ and they had an advantage over the rest of the world. I feel that today we have such an advantage over the rest of the world that there is no excuse to reject Jesus.
If some reject Jesus it is not so because of the lack of evidence, but refusal to receive the overwhelming evidence that the life and ministry of Christ presents.
As believers we reflect over these facts and worship and thank God for so great a salvation.
Pastor Dale
Friday, April 4, 2008
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Testimony of Scripture John 5:39-40
Sermon nugget Thus April 3, 2008
Theme – Evidence for truth
Verses- John 5:39-40
You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
THE TESTIMONY OF THE SCRIPTURES
Jesus is making another important claim that the scriptures point to Him being the Messiah; yet people who are diligent Bible scholars miss him. That was true when the wise men came to Herod to ask about the one born King of the Jews. Herod went immediately to the scribes, those versed in knowing the prophesies. They identified Bethlehem as the place the Messiah was to be born. Neither the scribes nor Herod went looking. The Bible scholars were more interested in studying their theology and exegesis, and parsing of verbs and dissecting prophesies than finding the Christ.
When Jesus rose from the grave the account reads that He was on the road to Emmaus walking with two men who were talking about the events of the day. Jesus opened up the Scriptures concerning himself. The story of the Old Testament points to the coming Jesus the first time as well as His coming again. Prophecy upon prophecy point to the Messiah, the chances of coincidence are impossible. The only rational explanation is Jesus is the Messiah sent from God and the Bible reveals the truth of who He is.
The Bible witnesses to the realities of Jesus if people want to know, but the Bible does not give life. The scriptures lead to the life giver. They reveal the true Christ and this fact is the key to all difficulties about the Bible and inspiration. As one pastor put it, “Does the knowledge of the Bible give us a big head or a burning heart?” It is a tool to Jesus and it is truth. It is the witness of who Jesus is.
It is hard to understand that since God has given to us this written revelation and people have been changed by Christ and witness to the fact of who He is, why are people so easily mislead? It is because they do not know the Scriptures.
When I was at Michigan State University I frankly thought agnostics and social activists would give compelling truths as to why they rejected the authority of the Bible. To my surprise those who chose to discuss it showed a remarkable ignorance of the Bible. They would take phrases and ideas and weave them into an argument that just didn’t hold up.
The reason so many people are led to false religions is the way people misuse the Bible. When they are taught the Scriptures they take verses out of context and change meanings of words, or obscure passages that “prophets of today” claim to have the insight interpretation by God
The Lord gave us the revelation of the Scriptures to study and apply to our lives and show us more fully the revelation of Jesus. Notice some of the things that Jesus says about his hearers. “You were willing to enjoy John for a little while, but you have not seen God nor heard him. You do not have his word abiding in you heart. You do not believe. You will not come to me. You have not God’s love in you.”
If you want truth, go to the Bible. Within it you will see Jesus. The faith committed to believe and obey is up to you.
Pastor Dale
Theme – Evidence for truth
Verses- John 5:39-40
You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
THE TESTIMONY OF THE SCRIPTURES
Jesus is making another important claim that the scriptures point to Him being the Messiah; yet people who are diligent Bible scholars miss him. That was true when the wise men came to Herod to ask about the one born King of the Jews. Herod went immediately to the scribes, those versed in knowing the prophesies. They identified Bethlehem as the place the Messiah was to be born. Neither the scribes nor Herod went looking. The Bible scholars were more interested in studying their theology and exegesis, and parsing of verbs and dissecting prophesies than finding the Christ.
When Jesus rose from the grave the account reads that He was on the road to Emmaus walking with two men who were talking about the events of the day. Jesus opened up the Scriptures concerning himself. The story of the Old Testament points to the coming Jesus the first time as well as His coming again. Prophecy upon prophecy point to the Messiah, the chances of coincidence are impossible. The only rational explanation is Jesus is the Messiah sent from God and the Bible reveals the truth of who He is.
The Bible witnesses to the realities of Jesus if people want to know, but the Bible does not give life. The scriptures lead to the life giver. They reveal the true Christ and this fact is the key to all difficulties about the Bible and inspiration. As one pastor put it, “Does the knowledge of the Bible give us a big head or a burning heart?” It is a tool to Jesus and it is truth. It is the witness of who Jesus is.
It is hard to understand that since God has given to us this written revelation and people have been changed by Christ and witness to the fact of who He is, why are people so easily mislead? It is because they do not know the Scriptures.
When I was at Michigan State University I frankly thought agnostics and social activists would give compelling truths as to why they rejected the authority of the Bible. To my surprise those who chose to discuss it showed a remarkable ignorance of the Bible. They would take phrases and ideas and weave them into an argument that just didn’t hold up.
The reason so many people are led to false religions is the way people misuse the Bible. When they are taught the Scriptures they take verses out of context and change meanings of words, or obscure passages that “prophets of today” claim to have the insight interpretation by God
The Lord gave us the revelation of the Scriptures to study and apply to our lives and show us more fully the revelation of Jesus. Notice some of the things that Jesus says about his hearers. “You were willing to enjoy John for a little while, but you have not seen God nor heard him. You do not have his word abiding in you heart. You do not believe. You will not come to me. You have not God’s love in you.”
If you want truth, go to the Bible. Within it you will see Jesus. The faith committed to believe and obey is up to you.
Pastor Dale
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Witness of the Father John 5:36-38
Sermon nugget Weds April 2, 2008
Theme- Evidence for truth
Verses- John 5:36-38 "I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the very work that the Father has given me to finish, and which I am doing, testifies that the Father has sent me.
37 And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. (NIV)
THE TESTIMONY OF GOD, THE FATHER vs.36-38
As far as Jesus is concerned the only evidence that is needed is what God the Father thinks. His voice was audible at Jesus’ baptism. "This is my beloved son with whom I am well pleased.” Maybe as the author, John, reflected over the events of Jesus Christ he recalled the most unusual experience up on the mountain top of the transfiguration and remembered again the witness of the Father who spoke those words again. Peter, James and John would not be the same.
But most did not have those experiences. Since God is spirit He is not seen with our physical eyes. His witness is also an internal one. People have experienced that divine touch that is so hard to put into words, that you cannot put on an observation table or under a microscope. Just like you cannot analyze love, so God cannot be analyzed by science but that does not deny reality. Unfortunately, many people have hardened their inner hearts to God. They would know him if they wanted to, but since they do not want to they do not know him. "His word does not dwell in you, for you do not believe in the one he sent."
C. S. Lewis observed, “There is no neutral ground in the universe; every square inch, every split second, is claimed by God and counterclaimed by Satan.”
Astronaut James Irwin was a Christian before he was chosen for the three member Apollo 15 crew but it profoundly and permanently influenced his faith. “The hours spent on the moon were the most thrilling of my life, not because I was there, but because I could feel the presence of God. I returned determined to share with others that profound experience with God on the moon and to lift man to his highest flight through life…that Jesus walking on Earth was more important that man walking on the moon.”
Charles Duke did not become a believer until a number of years after he and other members of Apollo 16 crew blasted off for the moon. He believed Jesus was a great teacher but his marriage was breaking apart and his goal of being rich did not satisfy him. He saw a change in his wife who told him she found a peace and purpose to her life that she had never known. He decided to explore what she was talking about. He writes “As I sat in the easy chair with a cup of coffee in my hand and the Bible in my lap the scales suddenly fell from my eyes. I saw that God had loved Charles Duke from the time He created the world and all of a sudden I realized I was faced with the most important question I had ever faced. In my heart Jesus was saying to me, who do you say that I am? The only choices I could see were that Jesus was either the Son of God or a big liar.”
Duke says his conversion resulted in a healed marriage. Later a ministry developed in which he and his wife pray for the sick. “I have never known such an exciting life, a life filled with the love, peace, joy and power of God.”
God gives witness to the reality and truth of the person of Jesus Christ in many ways if we but listen.
Pastor Dale.
Theme- Evidence for truth
Verses- John 5:36-38 "I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the very work that the Father has given me to finish, and which I am doing, testifies that the Father has sent me.
37 And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. (NIV)
THE TESTIMONY OF GOD, THE FATHER vs.36-38
As far as Jesus is concerned the only evidence that is needed is what God the Father thinks. His voice was audible at Jesus’ baptism. "This is my beloved son with whom I am well pleased.” Maybe as the author, John, reflected over the events of Jesus Christ he recalled the most unusual experience up on the mountain top of the transfiguration and remembered again the witness of the Father who spoke those words again. Peter, James and John would not be the same.
But most did not have those experiences. Since God is spirit He is not seen with our physical eyes. His witness is also an internal one. People have experienced that divine touch that is so hard to put into words, that you cannot put on an observation table or under a microscope. Just like you cannot analyze love, so God cannot be analyzed by science but that does not deny reality. Unfortunately, many people have hardened their inner hearts to God. They would know him if they wanted to, but since they do not want to they do not know him. "His word does not dwell in you, for you do not believe in the one he sent."
C. S. Lewis observed, “There is no neutral ground in the universe; every square inch, every split second, is claimed by God and counterclaimed by Satan.”
Astronaut James Irwin was a Christian before he was chosen for the three member Apollo 15 crew but it profoundly and permanently influenced his faith. “The hours spent on the moon were the most thrilling of my life, not because I was there, but because I could feel the presence of God. I returned determined to share with others that profound experience with God on the moon and to lift man to his highest flight through life…that Jesus walking on Earth was more important that man walking on the moon.”
Charles Duke did not become a believer until a number of years after he and other members of Apollo 16 crew blasted off for the moon. He believed Jesus was a great teacher but his marriage was breaking apart and his goal of being rich did not satisfy him. He saw a change in his wife who told him she found a peace and purpose to her life that she had never known. He decided to explore what she was talking about. He writes “As I sat in the easy chair with a cup of coffee in my hand and the Bible in my lap the scales suddenly fell from my eyes. I saw that God had loved Charles Duke from the time He created the world and all of a sudden I realized I was faced with the most important question I had ever faced. In my heart Jesus was saying to me, who do you say that I am? The only choices I could see were that Jesus was either the Son of God or a big liar.”
Duke says his conversion resulted in a healed marriage. Later a ministry developed in which he and his wife pray for the sick. “I have never known such an exciting life, a life filled with the love, peace, joy and power of God.”
God gives witness to the reality and truth of the person of Jesus Christ in many ways if we but listen.
Pastor Dale.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Testimony of Works John 5:36
Sermon nugget Tues April 1
Theme- Evidence for truth
Verses- John 5:36
36 "I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the very work that the Father has given me to finish, and which I am doing, testifies that the Father has sent me.
(NIV)
God’s TESTIMONY OF WORKS – vs. 36
The works of Jesus become a testimony of who He is. Do you remember why Nicodemus came to Christ? “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God for no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.” Many say, “I would believe in God if only he would show me a miracle.” Herod said that when Jesus was on trial. Some mocked him on the cross, “if you are the Son of God, come on down.” Jesus rebuked the Israelites by saying, “Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders you will never believe.”
But in fact, people did witness miracles, and healings that served as a witness to His identity. Hebrews 2:3, 4 “how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will.”
When John questioned what was going on when he was in prison Jesus tells the messenger to tell John what you have seen and heard. “The blind received sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”
The works of Jesus include more than miracles, they include His words, His love, and kindnesses, teachings, the social needs, the washing of feet, and the manner of His character. We know someone not just by what he says, but by what he does, and those who have lived and walked with Christ point to his works.
The main work of Jesus was to bring to mankind redemption. It included the cross, the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord, which we recently celebrated. Although there were many who have performed miracles, only Jesus claimed to be the Son of God. All the disciples and prophets point to Jesus and made no personal claim of spiritual power. But the one miracle that separates Jesus from all the rest is the cross and resurrection -the one sign that testifies of His reality then and now.
Pastor Dale
Theme- Evidence for truth
Verses- John 5:36
36 "I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the very work that the Father has given me to finish, and which I am doing, testifies that the Father has sent me.
(NIV)
God’s TESTIMONY OF WORKS – vs. 36
The works of Jesus become a testimony of who He is. Do you remember why Nicodemus came to Christ? “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God for no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.” Many say, “I would believe in God if only he would show me a miracle.” Herod said that when Jesus was on trial. Some mocked him on the cross, “if you are the Son of God, come on down.” Jesus rebuked the Israelites by saying, “Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders you will never believe.”
But in fact, people did witness miracles, and healings that served as a witness to His identity. Hebrews 2:3, 4 “how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will.”
When John questioned what was going on when he was in prison Jesus tells the messenger to tell John what you have seen and heard. “The blind received sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”
The works of Jesus include more than miracles, they include His words, His love, and kindnesses, teachings, the social needs, the washing of feet, and the manner of His character. We know someone not just by what he says, but by what he does, and those who have lived and walked with Christ point to his works.
The main work of Jesus was to bring to mankind redemption. It included the cross, the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord, which we recently celebrated. Although there were many who have performed miracles, only Jesus claimed to be the Son of God. All the disciples and prophets point to Jesus and made no personal claim of spiritual power. But the one miracle that separates Jesus from all the rest is the cross and resurrection -the one sign that testifies of His reality then and now.
Pastor Dale
Monday, March 31, 2008
Evidences for Truth John 5:30-35
Sermon nugget Mon March 31, 2008
Theme- Evidence for truth
John 5:30-35
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. If I testify about myself, my testimony is not valid.
There is another who testifies in my favor, and I know that his testimony about me is valid.
You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth. Not that I accept human testimony; but I mention it that you may be saved. John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.
The Prophet
We had looked at the influence of testimonies from people whose lives have been changed because of Jesus. He had met a Samaritan woman who listened to His words and accepted him as Messiah. Other Samaritans believed because they went to investigate further, heard him and told others of their experience.
Then Jesus makes some remarkable claims. He told the disciples that his only goal in this life on earth was to do the will of the Father and it was the Father’s will that he die to save people from eternal death. When he came back to Jewish land, an official traveled several miles to pled for His son’s healing. He but spoke the word and several miles away the boy was healed. Next we saw Jesus going into Jerusalem and at the pool of Siloah and a crippled man for most of his life got up and walked.
When the leaders challenged him regarding his work on the Sabbath, He taught them that he was equal with God, He would raise from the dead, He gives life, physical as well as spiritual, that He will judge all men, He is to receive the same honor and glory as the Father, that He was coming again and all the people will come to life again who trust in Christ. Fantastic claims. How do we know it is true?
Jesus handled His defense as a lawyer argues his case. He presented his claim, supported his claim, called on witnesses and then gave a conclusion and summary. Lets look at the witnesses he pointed to of the fact that He is the Son of God.
Many people accepted the fact that John the Baptist was from God by his word, life and pointing to the passages about the coming Messiah. When John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” Some in the audience were probably there when they witnessed the Spirit of God coming down from heaven as a dove upon Jesus at his baptism. Some heard the voice of God say “This is my Son with whom I am well pleased.” John says, “I have seen and testify that this is the Son of God.”
Now from Jesus perspective He is not the Son of God because John says so, however Jesus does admit that many will listen to John and therefore be saved, but Jesus doesn’t need human testimony. I John 5:9 “We accept man’s testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son.”
Many people have come to faith in Christ because of his servants. Although many have rejected the message of Billy Graham, his influence worldwide is remarkable. That is something that cannot be denied. Yet many had looked at Jesus because they had come to believe he is a man of God. The prophet from God, John the Baptist, kept pointing people to Jesus and said, “Follow Him.”
A person’s life does cause some to look more closely at their testimony.
Pastor Dale
Theme- Evidence for truth
John 5:30-35
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. If I testify about myself, my testimony is not valid.
There is another who testifies in my favor, and I know that his testimony about me is valid.
You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth. Not that I accept human testimony; but I mention it that you may be saved. John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.
The Prophet
We had looked at the influence of testimonies from people whose lives have been changed because of Jesus. He had met a Samaritan woman who listened to His words and accepted him as Messiah. Other Samaritans believed because they went to investigate further, heard him and told others of their experience.
Then Jesus makes some remarkable claims. He told the disciples that his only goal in this life on earth was to do the will of the Father and it was the Father’s will that he die to save people from eternal death. When he came back to Jewish land, an official traveled several miles to pled for His son’s healing. He but spoke the word and several miles away the boy was healed. Next we saw Jesus going into Jerusalem and at the pool of Siloah and a crippled man for most of his life got up and walked.
When the leaders challenged him regarding his work on the Sabbath, He taught them that he was equal with God, He would raise from the dead, He gives life, physical as well as spiritual, that He will judge all men, He is to receive the same honor and glory as the Father, that He was coming again and all the people will come to life again who trust in Christ. Fantastic claims. How do we know it is true?
Jesus handled His defense as a lawyer argues his case. He presented his claim, supported his claim, called on witnesses and then gave a conclusion and summary. Lets look at the witnesses he pointed to of the fact that He is the Son of God.
Many people accepted the fact that John the Baptist was from God by his word, life and pointing to the passages about the coming Messiah. When John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” Some in the audience were probably there when they witnessed the Spirit of God coming down from heaven as a dove upon Jesus at his baptism. Some heard the voice of God say “This is my Son with whom I am well pleased.” John says, “I have seen and testify that this is the Son of God.”
Now from Jesus perspective He is not the Son of God because John says so, however Jesus does admit that many will listen to John and therefore be saved, but Jesus doesn’t need human testimony. I John 5:9 “We accept man’s testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son.”
Many people have come to faith in Christ because of his servants. Although many have rejected the message of Billy Graham, his influence worldwide is remarkable. That is something that cannot be denied. Yet many had looked at Jesus because they had come to believe he is a man of God. The prophet from God, John the Baptist, kept pointing people to Jesus and said, “Follow Him.”
A person’s life does cause some to look more closely at their testimony.
Pastor Dale
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