Sermon Nuggets Week of August 10, 2009
Sermon Nugget Mon Aug 10
Theme- A REAL WITNESS
Verses: 1 Pet 3:13-17
A Real Witness
There are two reasons for suffering. First, because we are part of humanity. All of us experience difficulties as part of our fallen world, all people in all faiths and all over the world.
Then there is suffering that is for being a Christian. This may come in various forms and sources. It may be from Satan that seeks to discourage or discredit our testimony for Christ. It may come to us from God to discipline us, teach us, strengthen us, or cause us to be witnesses.
Before I had the privilege of teaching in Russia on a short term missions trip, I read an article entitled, "Praying with the KGB" by Philip Yancey. He addressed the religious changes going on in Russia. 19 evangelical leaders were invited to Moscow to advise the government on rebuilding moral values of Christianity. Yancey accompanied them. They were invited to the headquarters of the KGB who oversaw the vast network of prisons. Some people estimate the KGB were responsible for up to 70 million deaths not to mention many tortures against all political enemies of Communism.
The Vice President of the KGB stood to speak, among other things he said, "Political questions cannot be decided until there is sincere repentance, a return to faith by the people. That is the cross I must bear. In the study of scientific atheism, there was the idea that religion divides people. Now we see the opposite: love for God can only unite. Somehow we must learn to put together the missionary role- absolutely critical for us now- and also learn from Marx that man can't appreciate life if he is hungry. "
Alex was one of the visitors. He had been born in the Soviet Union. He had escaped during Stalin's reign of terror and immigrated to the US 46 years earlier. He had been broadcasting Russian Christian programs by shortwave radio for a number of years. It was illegal to listen to Alex Leonovich. The Soviet government tried to jam the reception. He knew personally many Christian who had been tortured and persecuted for their faith. Now for him to be received by the high officials of the KGB was incomprehensible. They were saying that repentance was needed before rebuilding was possible.
Alex epitomized the old guard of warriors who have prayed, sometimes believing and sometimes not, for more than 50 years that change might come to the nation. He said, "General, many members of my family suffered because of this organization. I myself had to leave the land that I loved. My uncle, who was very dear to me, went to a labor camp in Siberia and never returned. General, you say that you repent. Christ taught us how to respond. On behalf of my family, on behalf of my uncle, who died in the gulag, I forgive you." He reached over to the vice chairman and gave him a great Russian bear hug.
The General whispered, "only two times in my life have I cried. Once when my mother died and the other is tonight."
Many Christian Soviets still questioned if this was only a cover-up by the officials. But meeting after meeting astounded them. The editor in chief of Pravda the communistic publication said, "Morality is the worst crises, worse than the economic and political problems. Christian values may be the only thing to keep our country from falling apart."
Mikhail Gorbachev himself addressed the group, "Let me to honest with you-I am an atheist. Even so I have profound respect for your beliefs. This time, more than ever before, we need support from our partners and I value solidarity with religions. But I must say for a long time I have drawn comfort from the Bible. Ignoring religious experience has meant great losses for society and I must acknowledge that Christians are doing much better than our political leaders on the important questions facing us. We welcome your help, especially when it is accompanied by deeds."
Two years later I was able to go to Southern Russia and teach pastors for the first time. I met a Communist director of a region who detested Baptists and didn’t like my being at an orphanage. I was invited into a school to speak on America and we were allowed to pass out Bibles. It seems the mood of openness is changing as Putin is returning to some more oppressive restrictions when it comes to faith matters. But what type of witness does a commitment to Jesus Christ leave for those watching us? What does the Lordship of Jesus Christ mean for us? What does it mean of the people of USSR? How important is a little religion in one's life? How important is complete and total dedication to Christ because He is God and there is none like Him.
The Lordship of Jesus affects all areas of life.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Tues Aug 11
Verse- 1 Pet 3:15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
Jesus Makes a Difference in our Affections
I will address verse 15 again but when Peter addresses the subject of making a difference in our witness the focal point of it all is the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Our commitment to the lordship of Jesus Christ certainly is a matter of obedience and faithfulness and commitment but above all is affection. Love God with all your heart. Love Him with your strength. Love Him with your mind.
Col 3:2 “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”(KJV) Our desires, our attention, our attraction is all on the one we love. We love because God first loved us. How does that love show in our lives? Is Jesus our secret love or do people know it?
When I see someone the young infatuated with their boyfriend or girlfriend he/she makes it known. Even if it is a secret love it usually shows by the way they look at another. They will think about this person, take notice about their actions and voice and friendships. When that relationship moves from secret to open in their feelings, it is more visible from an outward appearance. Sometimes they will advertise on t-shirts with pictures, or lockets around their neck, or friendship rings. If they are young, you can bet they have Facebook pictures full of the love of their life, and cell phone photos as their background picture than includes images of the other. Text messages abound back and forth.
When someone talks all the time of their girl or guy, I frankly get a bit turned off thinking they don’t really understand the depth of love that comes from commitment through had times, making tough decisions about finances, helping one another in sickness and it raising kids, and through the struggles of ego and pride and in-laws and priorities that are life changing.
The love-affection of mid years shows itself differently than up front advertisement. And to see the love of an older couple also has a richness where such partnership has earned a respect that when you see one, you have seen the other since their lives are so intertwined, not in infatuation, but a deeper identity that comes with time of walking, talking and living in closeness together.
Peter learned a lot when he was walking and talking and living together with Jesus. He learned about how his passions needed to channeled into ways filled by the Holy Spirit instead of his fleshly zeal. He needed to sit a listen a lot more and speaking a lot less until he knew Him of whom he spoke.
He needed to know that even when he blow it the love of Jesus toward him sustained him, forgave him, and because the very reason of his living. The priorities of Jesus changed his outlook toward family, vocation, and faith. Peter’s growing love for Jesus came from understanding the depth of Jesus love for Peter. Now the Lordship issue was more important than life itself. Jesus was more than a devotional time in the morning, or temple time at mid-day. His life was to be lived through Peter and Peter wanted it that way.
Perhaps the most significant conversation is found in John 21 when Jesus asked three times if Peter loves him. “You know that I do,” Peter replies. He is almost frustrated with Jesus who keeps facing him with the heart issue more than the call to action. The Greek words used included an affection of friendship, but also a commitment that was self giving. Why is it men have a harder time saying "I love you." What is it about intimacy that make some people reserved? Maybe when one gives their heart to another they are no longer as much in control. They have given themselves away and that threatens control. That is exactly the point of Lordship. It is saying that I am off the throne of deciding what I want to do with Jesus and now He is in control of my affections and has desires of what He wants to do through me. For Peter it was to tend his sheep and catch men for the Kingdom.
Love is more than advertising on a t-shirt, or web page. When someone really loves another, people notice it. It would be impossible to hide Peter’s affection toward Jesus, even if he said no words. So he writes to these sheep of Jesus, “In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.”
The beauty of the stain glassed windows of cathedrals are best seen when the light shines from within. It is the inner light that reflects the glory of Christ in your talking, walking, living and loving our Lord.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nugget Weds Aug 12
Verses- 1 Peter 3:13-14 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?
But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened."
Jesus makes a Difference in our Actions.
When we have made the Lord the focus of our affection it changes how we live, which becomes a witness to others. Similar to the advice that Peter gives to slaves, the readers are told to do good. For in doing what is right and good, people will give you respect more often than not. However even if they do not like you Jesus said you will be blessed if you suffer for doing what is right and good. It is better to be blessed at the hand of God than it is to be blessed at the hand of men. It is better to be harmed at the hand of men than to be harmed under the discipline of the Lord. Let Jesus be Lord over all your life and your actions.
I think of people at Stanchfield that have been very kind and loving people, but who have been the recipients of criticism and unjust accusations. Certainly they were hurt since it was not their intention to harm anyone’s feelings. They felt misunderstood and tried to correct it. They prayed for their critics.
As I look back with many years now, I can tell you one thing- I wish the Spirit of God would speak to anyone here who is holding grudges. I know their critics who refused to release their anger did not seek to forgive or make amends. They are no longer in the church; they have become spiritually weak. They are, I believe, under the earthly judgment of God and if they do not repent of their sin and also give up their bitterness and make things right they will pay a greater spiritual consequence. Those who did what was right even when falsely accused continued to grow and honor the Lord in their lives.
The Lordship of Jesus Christ affects our Actions. Do good regardless of what people do to you.
In Philip Yancey’s article he talked about being at a meeting in Russia when an ex-convict named Basil unexpectedly showed up. Basil had been listening to reports of their visits all over the Soviet national radio network. For years he had tuned in secretly to short-wave programs listening to gospel messages. Now these men were meeting with President Gorbachev, the Supreme Soviet, KGB, and Kremlin. He couldn't believe it so he got on a night train and rode 14 hours to see if it was really true.
Basil had broad, hulking shoulders and rugged weather beaten features of a farmer. Two front teeth on top row were missing and when he smiled, gold fillings gleamed from the back of his mouth. He asked for 5 minutes to address the Christian visitors.
1962 He was publishing gospel tracts and had been witnessing and giving them away. The KGB arrested him and sent him to a labor camp. He was perplexed. Why would God punish him for serving Him? Then one morning he saw God had given him a new opportunity. Every morning before sun-up prisoners from the labor camp had to assemble in a open space for roll call. Camp commanders insisted on strict punctuality from them but not from the guards. As a result 1,000s of prisoners stood outdoors for several minutes each morning with nothing to do. Basil decided to start a church.
He preached daily to a captive audience. He had from 2 to 5 minutes before guards arrived and it may have taken him 2 weeks to deliver a sermon. He had to shout to be heard by several 1,000 prisoners outdoor so his voice developed into the largest and loudest Yancey ever heard.
“Many Prisoners came to faith in Jesus Christ.” He said, "There were many years when I had no encouragement" now he was weeping openly, and voice cracked, "The words of from this radio minister I carried in my heart and encouraged me when my hands were tied behind my back."
Yancey wrote, "Suddenly, I burned with shame. Here we were 10 evangelical professional who made a good living from our faith, sitting in a luxurious hotel. What did we know about the kind of bedrock faith needed in this nation, of people who had endured such suffering? What gave us the right to represent the Basils of USSR before the Supreme Soviet and the KGB?"
There were people who when Jesus said come and follow me, gave up their jobs, their families and their freedom and went to the worse prisons of USSR because they knew Jesus was Lord of their lives. They witnessed there, they preached there, they prayed there. They longed to see a Bible. They passed secret messages. They gave away their food and took care of some of the sick. Basil's prayers, work and witness were being realized. He lived out the Lordship of Jesus in action.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Thurs 1 Peter 3:15
Verse- 1 Pet 3:15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
Jesus Makes a Difference in our Answers.
From this verse we already discussed the priority of affection and love for the Lord. Now I want to center on the importance of our answers we give for our hope.
The word is apologia, literally meaning a defense of our faith. We “apologize” when seeking forgiveness, but that is an added meaning of the word. Peter says give reasons for your hope. Hope comes by trusting in Christ. When Christians are under trial and persecution our attention is pointed in the future. Christians going under persecution look forward to Christ’s return and fulfillment of His promises.
When Christians were arrested fellow prisoners took notice for the believers had a hope others did not have. They were asked how they can be joyful, have peace, and be optimistic knowing they will suffer or die. They had an opportunity to point to a world beyond the immediate. They had hope.
Peter tells his readers to plan, be prepared, be aware that you will be asked about your faith. Have an answer ready for everyone. If you let the light of Christ shine there will be times God will open up doors of conversation. Pray for opportunities to arise that may occur. Our faith is not just a belief in practices and customs of ancient religion 1,000s of years ago. It is a vital and living reality and relationship with Jesus Christ who is alive today. Do you know what you believe? Do you know why you believe?
Some people look upon religion as a crutch. Some feel they are self-sufficient and able to stand on their own feet. Many think it is all right for weak women and children but they don't need it. What do you tell such people?
Phillip Yancey expected the Soviet news reporters to be full of critical attacks against their faith. Instead the types of questions they were asked were "What is forgiveness?” “How can you know God?" I trust you would be able to give an answer to someone if they asked how to become a Christian.
He recounts only one visit when professors at a University verbally attacked the Christian visitors to Russia in 1992. They charged that with recent openness to capitalism they had not seen any improvement. One professor noted capitalism flourished where teenagers were employed by the Russian mafia exploiting foreign tourists, the only people with hard cash. The soft-porno magazines sprang up and TV programs from the West were shocking the people. Their daughters were talking about becoming hookers. Their sons were scheming for profits on the black market. Where was the new ethics in this new freedom?
Another one of the Marxist professors stood in anger and said things like "We need not have God to have morality. Why pretend there is a God?” It didn't matter to him if he was the last one in all of Moscow to believe in Marxist philosophy. He shouted, "Marxism had not failed. Yes, Stalin made mistakes. Yes even our beloved Lenin made mistakes. Perhaps even Marx made some mistakes, but go back to the young Marx and there you will find the purity of the socialist vision. There you will find a morality based on Man with the capital M. That is what we need. As for Christianity, we have tried that in Russia for 1,000 years. It has failed.” He continued his defend of atheism and Marxism for 15-20 minutes.
There was great tension in the room. One of the Christian visitors, Kent Hill, rose and spoke in a soft measured tone. He had a Ph.D in Russian studies. He responded, “Freedom of religion includes the freedom for those who do not believe in God." The professors nodded in approval. He told them the issues raised are important. They are of ultimate meaning for humanity and for the universe. But one night's discussion would hardly do justice to these issues. He offered to return to the academy with some Christian friends and set up a means to answer these important matters. Then he shared his personal story.
Kent told of the times of doubts in his life He began reading Dostoevsky’s great novel, The Brothers Karamazov. He was attracted to the character, Ivan the agnostic who had many good arguments against God. They were powerful especially concerning the problem of evil. Kent added, “But to my surprise I was eventually won over by the love shown by Ivan's brother, Alyosha. Ivan had fine argument but he had no love. He could reason his way to a morality, but he could not create the love necessary to fulfill it. I came to believe in Christ because I found in him a source for that love."
The meeting was transformed. Kent Hill had done far more than any professors’ arguments. He begun with a respect for their beliefs and was courtesy and compassionate. He then tried to let them see Jesus in Him.
A witness just shares what they know or what they have experienced. We grow in our understanding by being consistent learners of the Scriptures. We grow in our relationship to other believers and develop conversations with those who do not know Christ. Most people are not antagonistic to faith issues. They are ignorant of them. If presented in a personal and loving way, God uses your story more than you can imagine.
The Lordship of Jesus is seen in answers that are guided by His Spirit, spoken in love. Think about how you can give a hope for your faith.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Fri Aug 14
Verses- 1 Peter 3:16,17 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
Jesus makes a Difference in our Attitudes.
Although not a Christian, Ghandi learned the tactic of non-violence from the New Testament. Martin Luther King was inspired also from passages like this one to stand strong but in respectful and gentle ways without violence. I think Peter is realizing the fight against evil is not something man can win. It is only by the power of the Lord that the Kingdom of God advances, and his tactic is to have is people show love, even to enemies. Sharing our faith and hope is to be done with gentleness and respect even to those who seek to do us evil, for they will be guilty of their actions based on our good responses. God will avenge and reward.
We must keep a good conscience. Live according to the moral teachings of the Bible. It is possible for your conscience to be deadened to the Spirit of God when evil, lying, cheating, covering things up do not affect us anymore. Commitment to holy living and yielded spirit are weapons God uses in us.
I see many preachers who are arrogant or belligerent people. Some Christians carry a superior attitude toward others that is resented. God uses the humble. Humility comes not by doing or saying nothing, but being aware all we have comes from God. Any illumination or insight in truth is by the enlightenment of God’s Spirit. It amazes me that God would take his glorious truths and use clay pots like us to be vessels of His service. Such a witness has an attitude of winsomeness and love and reverence.
If a believer is faithfully serving Christ he will be criticized. If everybody speaks well of him perhaps something is wrong. But as a Christian you can gain from criticism by revealing weaknesses that need addressing, and if the charge is untrue, it can help one grow and bring glory to Christ. This attitude of turning it over to Christ, showing love and being kind even in the midst of persecution is what toppled communism with all of its tyranny and abuses.
A Christian witness must be prepared rational, gentle and maintain respect and all with a clear conscience. Those who speak maliciously against good behavior in Christ will be ashamed of their slander.
When Philip Yancey arrived back in the United States from his initial trip to Russia in 1992, most of the media reported symptoms of a fatally flawed economic system. Interestingly Yancey said that not one mentioned what every Soviet leader insisted that the grave crisis is not economic or political, but rather moral and spiritual. Alexander Solzehnitsyn said it 10 years ago "Men have forgotten God. Marx predicted Religion will disappear and its quaint belief will be made obsolete by a New Socialist Man.”
The Lordship of Jesus Christ impacts your affection, your actions, your answers, and your attitude. When Jesus is first in our lives He is able to do work through us in ways we cannot imagine.
Pastor Dale
