Sermon nuggets Fri Oct 17
Theme; Prayer
Verses- John 16: 4 I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
Prayer of Commitment
In his private time with His Father, Jesus had committed Himself to the work of salvation by going to the cross. He did what He wanted to do, to give glory to the Father in His human relationships on earth by calling and preparing 12 men to take over empowered by His Spirit. He looks forward now to leaving this temporary dwelling and going to glory to be with His Father.
This tremendous truth confirms the deity of Jesus Christ. He existed before He was born of Mary. He was pre-existent before creation. He was the one from whom all things exist. He knows that by retuning He’ll be sharing in the glory.
This seems like a final conversation with a soldier who is about to perform his last duty before going home. He is looking forward to that last tasks for then he will be where he is loved and honored. Then the celebration begins. Even though that last duty is tough he keeps his eyes on the near goal which is only days away. The cross could be endured because it was the greatest duty and from it He glorified His Father in obedience.
Isaiah 42:8 “I am the Lord that is my name; I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols.” How can that truth be reconciled with the glory that is given to Jesus, except He is the Lord?
We will receive glory someday for our obedience but mostly for our faith in letting Jesus work though us. I think of the glory that tools would get from the carpenter. What are marvelous hammer and nail and saw. But he work of praise is what he carpenter did with those tools. When a job is completed and admired we don’t focus on the tools, only the product and the one who made it. We will not be praised like Jesus. But we are the workmanship upon which Jesus worked. We may be like the brushes the artist uses on his painting, but then we will see the painting is also us. That present will then be given to the Father. He looks forward to that.
In the redemptive plan Jesus changes His ministry from redemption to intercession. In this prayer He acknowledges His glory related to the cross and now takes up what He has done since His ascension and will continue to intercede for us until His return.
The heart of this portion of His prayer was “Lord, do what you have planned for in so doing I will be glorified by my obedience and by my giving eternal life and by my returning to you.” He is ready.
Pastor Dale
Friday, October 17, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Glory of Eternal Life John 16:3
Sermon nuggets Thurs Oct 16
Theme – Prayer
Verse John 16:3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
Glory of Eternal Life
If you were to receive a package all gift wrapped and had ribbons and bows with your name on it, you might be excited to open it. This would be the greatest gift of all. As you open it up realize the gift from God to you is Himself. Eternal life is not the main gift, God is. Eternal life is a by product of knowing God through Jesus Christ.
Eternal life doesn’t begin when you die and leave this body behind. It begins when you have by faith received the gift of God Himself into your life. Physical death does not change, for we have already been changed. We just continue in a different form with new perspective. We are with Jesus now. We will be with Him ever more intimately without the bonds of this physical limitation when we shed these mortal clothes. Eternal life is not just existence forever, for that would be true of all people. Some will exist forever in heaven and most will exist forever in hell. Eternal life here refers to the relationship that we have with God now and forever. Eternal life is godly life to experience His splendor and majesty, His joy and peace, His holiness and love.
I John 5:20 says, “We know also that the Son of God has come and had given us understanding so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true-even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.”
Notice He not only gives eternal life, He is eternal life. Eternal life is Jesus Christ.
A human mother can stand before you and say, “I have life. I am life” And also through the wonder of God ordained reproduction human life can give new life in a baby. You must have life in order to give life. Life is a reproduction of itself.
We cannot give eternal life for we can only give physical life. “That which is born of flesh is flesh and that which is born of spirit is spirit.” -1 John 3:6. Jesus is eternal life and only He can reproduce it and we receive it by the working of the Holy Spirit. When we do we are alive, born anew.. Death is the inability to respond physically. Spiritual death is the inability to respond spiritually. Jesus is glorified through the cross because He is eternal life, which will not die. That earthly body was put in the ground for three days, but we discover in other passages Jesus was ministering to the spirits who went on before and brought them into glory with Him. He was not dead. He was continuing his work of redemption and unifying His followers unto Himself.
Jesus prayer was the marvel before His Father that we now can know Him in a manner than the world had never experienced. It filled Him with excitement and anticipation.
Pastor Dale
Theme – Prayer
Verse John 16:3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
Glory of Eternal Life
If you were to receive a package all gift wrapped and had ribbons and bows with your name on it, you might be excited to open it. This would be the greatest gift of all. As you open it up realize the gift from God to you is Himself. Eternal life is not the main gift, God is. Eternal life is a by product of knowing God through Jesus Christ.
Eternal life doesn’t begin when you die and leave this body behind. It begins when you have by faith received the gift of God Himself into your life. Physical death does not change, for we have already been changed. We just continue in a different form with new perspective. We are with Jesus now. We will be with Him ever more intimately without the bonds of this physical limitation when we shed these mortal clothes. Eternal life is not just existence forever, for that would be true of all people. Some will exist forever in heaven and most will exist forever in hell. Eternal life here refers to the relationship that we have with God now and forever. Eternal life is godly life to experience His splendor and majesty, His joy and peace, His holiness and love.
I John 5:20 says, “We know also that the Son of God has come and had given us understanding so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true-even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.”
Notice He not only gives eternal life, He is eternal life. Eternal life is Jesus Christ.
A human mother can stand before you and say, “I have life. I am life” And also through the wonder of God ordained reproduction human life can give new life in a baby. You must have life in order to give life. Life is a reproduction of itself.
We cannot give eternal life for we can only give physical life. “That which is born of flesh is flesh and that which is born of spirit is spirit.” -1 John 3:6. Jesus is eternal life and only He can reproduce it and we receive it by the working of the Holy Spirit. When we do we are alive, born anew.. Death is the inability to respond physically. Spiritual death is the inability to respond spiritually. Jesus is glorified through the cross because He is eternal life, which will not die. That earthly body was put in the ground for three days, but we discover in other passages Jesus was ministering to the spirits who went on before and brought them into glory with Him. He was not dead. He was continuing his work of redemption and unifying His followers unto Himself.
Jesus prayer was the marvel before His Father that we now can know Him in a manner than the world had never experienced. It filled Him with excitement and anticipation.
Pastor Dale
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Acknowledging the Gifts John 16:2
Sermon nuggets Weds Oct 15
Theme- Prayer
Verse- 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.
Acknowledging the Gifts
The story is recorded by William Barkley of an engineer fixing a field telephone line during World War I. This line gave essential messages to the troop leaders. He just completed the line when he was shot and killed. There is a picture which showed him in the moment of death and beneath it there is one word, “Through”. He had died. He had given his life so that essential message saved the lives of many others. His job was completed.
Of course that illustrates what Jesus did for us, but Christ did far more. This verse mentions three gifts. First the gift of authority is given to the Son by the Father. He had the power to act on behalf of the Father. That was true in His teachings, in His miracles, in His life. But this is especially true in his death. He is the only one authorized to be your Savior.
There is a discussion within the Roman Catholic church of Mary being the co-redeemer. This authority apparently is thought to be granted to her posthumously by the pope and the church. But it has not been granted by the Father. Mary cannot save you. There is salvation is no other name than Jesus Christ. There may be others claiming that power but there is nothing behind those words or claims. The Father planned salvation and His plan is through the sacrifice of Christ.
A crook may come in and demand power by the use of force or a gun, but he has no authority. A policeman on the other hand can come in with power and authority for he has been authorized to use and have a gun which has been granted to him by a higher authority. But that authority is recognized by the government of the people. He can not do what he wishes, but only under the guidelines and direction of the law.
The authority granted to Jesus is over all people to give them the gift of eternal life. The second gift is eternal life, of which we will speak more tomorrow looking at verses 3 and 4.
The third gift is the people given to Jesus by the Father. Believers are love gifts from the Father to the Son and elsewhere He reveals we in turn are the gift from the Son to the Father.
What does this have to do with prayer? This is a prayer. This is not a just a theological discussion on the workings of the trinity, but rather an expression of thanksgiving by the Son to the Father. By acknowledging these things in his prayer to his Father Jesus is reflecting over the marvelous plan and wonderful gift He has received.
When we recite the gifts we have received from God and offer ourselves to the Lord’s disposal- it is worship.
“Lord, you have given me a wonderful wife. I have prayed for such a gift and Judi is far more than a helpmate. She is a friend, a comfort, an encourager a counselor. She loves you and her faith also teaches me of Your love and commitment. I marvel at your plan, Lord, of calling us Your bride. The love you have is far greater than any I can experience on this earth. Thank you Lord for such a plan and the expressions of love you allow us to experience, now and for all eternity in knowing You”
Such a prayer is not only an expression of appreciation for my wife to God, but it is thanksgiving to God for his grace and involvement in my life with my partner.
Jesus is expressing truth. But that truth is also an expression of thanksgiving and joy.
When someone is honored his or her achievements, that person’s character and accomplishments are recited as part of the appreciation event.
When you pray this morning, reflect over the gifts that God has given to you. And reflect on the greatest gift He has given to you, Himself in the person of Jesus Christ and the person of the Holy Spirit and receiving that gift you have eternal life.
Pastor Dale.
Theme- Prayer
Verse- 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.
Acknowledging the Gifts
The story is recorded by William Barkley of an engineer fixing a field telephone line during World War I. This line gave essential messages to the troop leaders. He just completed the line when he was shot and killed. There is a picture which showed him in the moment of death and beneath it there is one word, “Through”. He had died. He had given his life so that essential message saved the lives of many others. His job was completed.
Of course that illustrates what Jesus did for us, but Christ did far more. This verse mentions three gifts. First the gift of authority is given to the Son by the Father. He had the power to act on behalf of the Father. That was true in His teachings, in His miracles, in His life. But this is especially true in his death. He is the only one authorized to be your Savior.
There is a discussion within the Roman Catholic church of Mary being the co-redeemer. This authority apparently is thought to be granted to her posthumously by the pope and the church. But it has not been granted by the Father. Mary cannot save you. There is salvation is no other name than Jesus Christ. There may be others claiming that power but there is nothing behind those words or claims. The Father planned salvation and His plan is through the sacrifice of Christ.
A crook may come in and demand power by the use of force or a gun, but he has no authority. A policeman on the other hand can come in with power and authority for he has been authorized to use and have a gun which has been granted to him by a higher authority. But that authority is recognized by the government of the people. He can not do what he wishes, but only under the guidelines and direction of the law.
The authority granted to Jesus is over all people to give them the gift of eternal life. The second gift is eternal life, of which we will speak more tomorrow looking at verses 3 and 4.
The third gift is the people given to Jesus by the Father. Believers are love gifts from the Father to the Son and elsewhere He reveals we in turn are the gift from the Son to the Father.
What does this have to do with prayer? This is a prayer. This is not a just a theological discussion on the workings of the trinity, but rather an expression of thanksgiving by the Son to the Father. By acknowledging these things in his prayer to his Father Jesus is reflecting over the marvelous plan and wonderful gift He has received.
When we recite the gifts we have received from God and offer ourselves to the Lord’s disposal- it is worship.
“Lord, you have given me a wonderful wife. I have prayed for such a gift and Judi is far more than a helpmate. She is a friend, a comfort, an encourager a counselor. She loves you and her faith also teaches me of Your love and commitment. I marvel at your plan, Lord, of calling us Your bride. The love you have is far greater than any I can experience on this earth. Thank you Lord for such a plan and the expressions of love you allow us to experience, now and for all eternity in knowing You”
Such a prayer is not only an expression of appreciation for my wife to God, but it is thanksgiving to God for his grace and involvement in my life with my partner.
Jesus is expressing truth. But that truth is also an expression of thanksgiving and joy.
When someone is honored his or her achievements, that person’s character and accomplishments are recited as part of the appreciation event.
When you pray this morning, reflect over the gifts that God has given to you. And reflect on the greatest gift He has given to you, Himself in the person of Jesus Christ and the person of the Holy Spirit and receiving that gift you have eternal life.
Pastor Dale.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Pray for Glory John 17:1
Sermon nuggets Tues Oct 14
Theme- Prayer
Verse: John 17:1 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.
Pray for Glory
As Jesus prayed to His Father He looked heavenward. If prayer was a ritual there would proper postures of prayer. As a child my mother taught me to get on my knees and bow my head and close my eyes. It was to represent humility and respect. It was to keep my attention on God and not wandering eyes on things around my room. It was to represent my sincerity.
In church and at the kitchen table it was acceptable to bow one’s head with closed eyes. Many will hold their hands together in a sign of pleading (and to keep from poking your neighbor or playing with something during children’s church).
Real conversation with God can be expressed however we feel if it is personal. Jesus does not bow His head, does not knell, does not apparently fold His hands, but is having a heartfelt conversation with His Father who is in heaven. Yet those postures are recorded in other places. The heart is what prays.
What was on the heart of Jesus was to glorify His Father by taking on the responsibility of the cross. His delight was to do what the Father wanted Him to do. His delight was to bring glory to the name of the Lord. Just as He reminded Nicodemus of the bronze serpent what was lifted up on the pole in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up and glorified that all would look upon Him for their salvation. Jesus is to be honored for carrying out the plan the Father had for the Son. The Father is to be honored and glorified for the plan to save the world.
Atheist Christopher Hitchens attacks the cross. He says “Christianity is not only untrue but immoral. It offers vicarious redemption. You are told that by applauding a horrific human sacrifice that took place 1,000s of years ago, to fulfill a prophecy in which you had no say, condemns you eternally if you do not accept that, or offers you a chance that your own sins can be forgiven you… To be exempt from any of our crimes or sins without personal responsibility should be rejected by anyone with self respect.”
Professor Hitchens has rejected the plan of God for our salvation. Jesus embrace the plan and saw it for what it was-glory to the Father to save the world and provide an escape from the consequences of sin. It was justice and love combined that allowed Jesus to take the path the Father prepared for Him and even counted that as joy amidst the suffering. If Christopher Hitches desires to pay for his own sins and not allow Jesus death to be his substitute God allows that. He will face his own consequences. But God came up with a better idea for us.
There were a number of times when Jesus told His followers that His time had not yet come. He would explain that according to the divine timetable preparation must be done before certain actions could be accomplished and the cross was the greatest of events that was prepared long ago at a time known to the Father. Now the time is right. Now the events begin. Now curtain goes up that the unveiling of the glory of the Father and His plan will be demonstrated far greater than any other miracle previously preformed.
Jesus preached, He taught his disciples, He trained them, He declared his power over Satan. Now at the time Passover when people killed the best lambs to cover their sins, the Lamb of God was to be slain to take all sin away to all who will receive Christ. He is the gift.
In your prayer today, how would it be that God gets the glory? Offering yourself to be used by Him. Live in according to His word and will. Do what He asks of you. Be diligent to the call and gifts God has given to you. Love Him and love others. Show patience. Speak the truth in love. Is that your prayer?
Jesus’ delight was to give glory to His Father and His Father honored that.
Pastor Dale
Theme- Prayer
Verse: John 17:1 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.
Pray for Glory
As Jesus prayed to His Father He looked heavenward. If prayer was a ritual there would proper postures of prayer. As a child my mother taught me to get on my knees and bow my head and close my eyes. It was to represent humility and respect. It was to keep my attention on God and not wandering eyes on things around my room. It was to represent my sincerity.
In church and at the kitchen table it was acceptable to bow one’s head with closed eyes. Many will hold their hands together in a sign of pleading (and to keep from poking your neighbor or playing with something during children’s church).
Real conversation with God can be expressed however we feel if it is personal. Jesus does not bow His head, does not knell, does not apparently fold His hands, but is having a heartfelt conversation with His Father who is in heaven. Yet those postures are recorded in other places. The heart is what prays.
What was on the heart of Jesus was to glorify His Father by taking on the responsibility of the cross. His delight was to do what the Father wanted Him to do. His delight was to bring glory to the name of the Lord. Just as He reminded Nicodemus of the bronze serpent what was lifted up on the pole in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up and glorified that all would look upon Him for their salvation. Jesus is to be honored for carrying out the plan the Father had for the Son. The Father is to be honored and glorified for the plan to save the world.
Atheist Christopher Hitchens attacks the cross. He says “Christianity is not only untrue but immoral. It offers vicarious redemption. You are told that by applauding a horrific human sacrifice that took place 1,000s of years ago, to fulfill a prophecy in which you had no say, condemns you eternally if you do not accept that, or offers you a chance that your own sins can be forgiven you… To be exempt from any of our crimes or sins without personal responsibility should be rejected by anyone with self respect.”
Professor Hitchens has rejected the plan of God for our salvation. Jesus embrace the plan and saw it for what it was-glory to the Father to save the world and provide an escape from the consequences of sin. It was justice and love combined that allowed Jesus to take the path the Father prepared for Him and even counted that as joy amidst the suffering. If Christopher Hitches desires to pay for his own sins and not allow Jesus death to be his substitute God allows that. He will face his own consequences. But God came up with a better idea for us.
There were a number of times when Jesus told His followers that His time had not yet come. He would explain that according to the divine timetable preparation must be done before certain actions could be accomplished and the cross was the greatest of events that was prepared long ago at a time known to the Father. Now the time is right. Now the events begin. Now curtain goes up that the unveiling of the glory of the Father and His plan will be demonstrated far greater than any other miracle previously preformed.
Jesus preached, He taught his disciples, He trained them, He declared his power over Satan. Now at the time Passover when people killed the best lambs to cover their sins, the Lamb of God was to be slain to take all sin away to all who will receive Christ. He is the gift.
In your prayer today, how would it be that God gets the glory? Offering yourself to be used by Him. Live in according to His word and will. Do what He asks of you. Be diligent to the call and gifts God has given to you. Love Him and love others. Show patience. Speak the truth in love. Is that your prayer?
Jesus’ delight was to give glory to His Father and His Father honored that.
Pastor Dale
Monday, October 13, 2008
Personal Prayer John 17:1-5
Sermon Nuggets Mon Oct 13
Theme- Prayer
Verses John 17:1-5 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.
3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
4 I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.
5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
Personal Prayer
We have recorded for us one of the most intimate prayers of Jesus. Some will call this the real “Lord’s Prayer” whereas what we sometimes recite together from the illustration on prayer in Matthew might be called “The disciple’s prayer” teaching us how to prayer.
This is a personal time Jesus spends with His Father. It is communication and intimacy with one another while the Son is in the human body. We are blessed to be allowed to hear it as recorded by the Apostle John.
Fellowship with a Holy God produces holiness among us. That cannot be accomplished any other way than communication without Heavenly Father. I read somewhere, “Prayer is so simple; It is like quietly opening a door and slipping into the very presence of God. There in the stillness to listen to His voice; Perhaps to petition, or only to listen; It matters not. Just to be there in His presence is prayer.
One mother noticed her little girl was in her room a long time to say her prayers before going to bed. Finally when she was done her mother asked her what she was doing? “I was just telling Jesus that I love Him and He was telling me that He loves me. And we were just loving each other.”
I am afraid too many people miss out on that element of prayer. Prayer is not just the means by which we make requests of the divine and put in our orders like at McDonalds. It is seeking the presence of our Creator. It is the desire to know Him and His glory and to see His power and experience His love.
Prayer is not a ritual to go through, but heartfelt conversation with God. Here Jesus and His Father are loving one another in prayer. It was intended for our spiritual benefit as well. Prayer became the avenue of expression and receiving the comfort and strength prior to Jesus going to the cross. Gethsemane is yet to come when other matters need to be discussed and communicated. Now is just the time to share appreciation and enjoy the relationship.
Do you ever think aloud? Do you talk to yourself? How can one God expressed in three distinct persons have a conversation? God is talking to Himself in terms of the Son and the Father and the Holy Spirit.
After preparing His disciples for His departure and endurance on a cross Jesus is praying something like ‘Let it happen Lord, just like you planned.” This chapter 17 He prays for Himself His disciples and for all believers yet to come. But this week I want to just think together on the personal prayer communication with God the Father.
There is a glory that is to be revealed that is the plan of God for our benefit. There is a glory that is to be revealed for our benefit also in prayer.
I had a very intelligent professor at Bethel whose favorite Hymn was “In the Garden”. It wasn’t all the knowledge and insights he discovered and could pass on to his students that excited him as much as the intimacy of a personal relationship with Almighty God.
“And He walks with me and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own; And the joy we share as we tarry there, None other has ever known.” It is the personal communication that is just between the two of them that is most awesome.
Imagine that in your personal time with God there is a desire on His part to spend uninterrupted time just with you and you with Him. It is no one else’s business. But it is to be your delight.
Pastor Dale
Theme- Prayer
Verses John 17:1-5 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.
3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
4 I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.
5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
Personal Prayer
We have recorded for us one of the most intimate prayers of Jesus. Some will call this the real “Lord’s Prayer” whereas what we sometimes recite together from the illustration on prayer in Matthew might be called “The disciple’s prayer” teaching us how to prayer.
This is a personal time Jesus spends with His Father. It is communication and intimacy with one another while the Son is in the human body. We are blessed to be allowed to hear it as recorded by the Apostle John.
Fellowship with a Holy God produces holiness among us. That cannot be accomplished any other way than communication without Heavenly Father. I read somewhere, “Prayer is so simple; It is like quietly opening a door and slipping into the very presence of God. There in the stillness to listen to His voice; Perhaps to petition, or only to listen; It matters not. Just to be there in His presence is prayer.
One mother noticed her little girl was in her room a long time to say her prayers before going to bed. Finally when she was done her mother asked her what she was doing? “I was just telling Jesus that I love Him and He was telling me that He loves me. And we were just loving each other.”
I am afraid too many people miss out on that element of prayer. Prayer is not just the means by which we make requests of the divine and put in our orders like at McDonalds. It is seeking the presence of our Creator. It is the desire to know Him and His glory and to see His power and experience His love.
Prayer is not a ritual to go through, but heartfelt conversation with God. Here Jesus and His Father are loving one another in prayer. It was intended for our spiritual benefit as well. Prayer became the avenue of expression and receiving the comfort and strength prior to Jesus going to the cross. Gethsemane is yet to come when other matters need to be discussed and communicated. Now is just the time to share appreciation and enjoy the relationship.
Do you ever think aloud? Do you talk to yourself? How can one God expressed in three distinct persons have a conversation? God is talking to Himself in terms of the Son and the Father and the Holy Spirit.
After preparing His disciples for His departure and endurance on a cross Jesus is praying something like ‘Let it happen Lord, just like you planned.” This chapter 17 He prays for Himself His disciples and for all believers yet to come. But this week I want to just think together on the personal prayer communication with God the Father.
There is a glory that is to be revealed that is the plan of God for our benefit. There is a glory that is to be revealed for our benefit also in prayer.
I had a very intelligent professor at Bethel whose favorite Hymn was “In the Garden”. It wasn’t all the knowledge and insights he discovered and could pass on to his students that excited him as much as the intimacy of a personal relationship with Almighty God.
“And He walks with me and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own; And the joy we share as we tarry there, None other has ever known.” It is the personal communication that is just between the two of them that is most awesome.
Imagine that in your personal time with God there is a desire on His part to spend uninterrupted time just with you and you with Him. It is no one else’s business. But it is to be your delight.
Pastor Dale
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