Sermon Nuggets Mon March 14 Sermon on the Mount
Verses Matt 4:23-5:2 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
24 News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them.
25 Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.
5:1 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them, saying:
THE GREATEST SERMON EVER PREACHED
A young minister was preaching in South against gambling and found many in his congregation worked for the casino and was getting into trouble. Then he preached on the evils of smoking only to find a good percentage of farmers grew tobacco. The next Sunday he preached on the evils of drinking and was told to go light because an important member owned the distillery. The next Sunday he preached on the evils of fishing within the territorial waters of foreign country. They thought that was the best sermon ever preached.
The greatest sermon ever preached was by the greatest preacher,
Jesus Christ. It is also the longest sermon in the Bible and known to us as the Sermon on the Mount. Every time I read it I feel like Jesus is getting into trouble. Because unlike the preacher down south he steps on just about everyone's toes eventually.
There will be things Jesus tells us that will bother just about everyone because it deals with life as we know it also on the threshold of the 21st century.
It is called by some the Magna Charta of the Kingdom, the Manifesto of the King. Some think that it is for the future Millennium Kingdom, and not for our age; Some believe it is intended for the Jews and not the Gentile church, some feel it is the ideals of what a holy life is to be and by doing it you will find favor with God.
I read a tract that proposed salvation is possible during the tribulation, not by faith in Christ, but by obeying everything Jesus puts forth as righteousness. Many will agree these are impossible demands and when we realize God's righteousness we have no place to turn by to the grace of God. Therefore it, like the law, only points to our great need for salvation.
That is true we must trust the grace of God, but Jesus is doing more than. If we take those viewpoints, alone, I'm afraid then it doesn't speak directly to us and there is little reason to study it except as an historical document, or capture our curiosity of the future. If that is the case then it would be abusing the Christian responsibility of the attitudes so expressed within humility, mercy, righteousness, and service. He is calling us to commitment of a righteous life and expects us to be different than the world if we are to be members of His Kingdom. Jesus is calling kingdom people to faith and also to live differently than those of the world.
Jesus had just shortly begun his public ministry. He was with his disciples and showed His power and wisdom by the words He shared.
It is good for us to listen with open hearts seeking to understand more and obey and follow the Messiah and His teachings.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Tues March 15 Compassion
Verses Verses Matt 4:23-5:2 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
24 News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them.
25 Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.
5:1 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them, saying:
Jesus Brought Compassion
Notice what was on the mind and heart of Jesus that caused him to sit and begin teaching. He saw the crowds. These were people from Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, across the Jordan and they were following him, some out of curiosity, most because they were being healed. The whole story of God's revelation is a story of God's love.
There is no reason in the world why He needed to put up with us, not one reason why he should save us except for his glory that we might see His love. His love sent Christ to us and the character of God is seen in Jesus preaching good news, healing every disease.
Love brings us to God. Love brought Jesus to the cross. Love brings sacrifice for our sin. God is continually showing us his compassion.
Often in the Bible it is recorded that Jesus saw the multitudes and had compassion on them. It is said that he went preaching the good news; proclaiming the hope of the kingdom. He preached and taught.
It wasn't so surprising that Jesus went up to the mountain to get away from the crowd, especially those too sick to climb, or to be carried up, but it seems that some continued to follow. Maybe it was to pray or be alone, but when they came he sat down and gave more concentrated instruction to his disciples.
In that day a Rabbi would walk and teach, but when he sat down with his followers that as the official and significant instructions. That was the custom of that day, the rabbi sat while the others stood around and listened. This was particularly important.
He is officially laying out the manifesto for his Kingdom. It wasn't only the special disciples listening in, others hear him too. But the words are for followers of Christ. A disciples is a learner a follower of Jesus and if you seek to learn and follow him it this is for you today.
It is love that also causes us as parents to want to train the children and discipline them, instruct them. It is an unloving parent that leaves the children to fend on their own. Love is what motivates us to give time and energy to their well-being physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually. Parents that really love their children need to make sacrifices and efforts to see them grow spiritually.
I remember the two times where as a parent my emotions turned to terror when in large crowds we “lost” our son. I had heard the horror stories of little children being kidnapped in crowds and smuggled never to be seen again. Imagination runs away in our minds.
Judi and I went in opposite directions yelling at the top of our lungs feeling like a fool, but having love overcome inhibitions.
Well, in each case attractions to their little eyes caused them to leave us. Bryan was at Disneyland enjoying the parade and following some of the figures to shake their hands, Justin was at the fair and pigs seemed more interesting to him than the displays in the room.
In seeking to save the lost, many have their attention captured by pigs and Mickey mouse and leave the source of our creator's protection and care. Many do not even know the are lost. It was love that brought Jesus to man. It is love that caused him to view the multitudes and sit and teach important lessons to his children.
We are guilty when we see how much Jesus loved the multitudes and how little we do. When missions has workers wanting and willing to go and not the funds, when economic security is high on our reason for war, when homes are broken and people sick and world lost, but God gives us the compassion shown by Jesus. Each one of you is loved of God far more than any human relationship could love you. He died to prove it.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Weds March 16 Contentment
Verses- Matt 5:1 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them, saying:
Jesus Taught Contentment
Jesus began to teach them. Surprisingly He tells them how they can be happy and blessed. I can't think of too many who characterize this sermon by the word contentment, but that is what comes to my mind. However, contentment comes as we commit all areas of our lives to the Lordship of Jesus. The source of happiness is Jesus. What Jesus gives is a life that is committed to him regardless of the cost to the world.
The Greek word for blessing of happiness is "makarios" meaning you are living in a state of contentment, fulfilled joy. True happiness is only found in the right relationship with God. Its greatest hindrances are selfishness, and sinfulness.
The world will tell us in many ways, "Happy are the rich for they will have an easy life; Happy are they who find success for life is going to go their way; Happy are those who laugh and never let life hurt them. Happy are they who have no troubles, for then life is a bed of roses."
Isn't that what you long for- wealth, no troubles, getting what we want all the time, one great big party?
Most are not rich. Not one I know is without troubles. I know of none who do not cry. The ones that are partying all the time are not doing so because of joy, but are terribly seeking it as an escape from the unfulfilled mundane experience.
Jesus is teaching His followers to be different from the world, and how the world thinks and acts. Christians are different in value systems, in ethical standards, in religious devotion, in attitudes of their possession, in ambition, in life style, and in social and religious relationships.
In our world we are seekers of pleasure. We have made this point before but the problem isn't the goal, it is the object of that pleasure. Pleasure that is lasting and fulfilling isn't in money, cars, jobs, girl friends, boyfriends, education or sex. Pleasure in God is a worthy pursuit. For when we seek the pleasure in God we will not be disappointment, nor will it be taken away.
Jesus teaches that if you are really going to be my people you will go against the way your friends and relatives will want you to live. Even many church members want you to have Jesus, but not to the degree that you make Him first in all areas of life.
As we look at the happy people, the blessed people we soon discover is that they are poor in spirit, mourners, meek, hungry, thirsty, merciful, and pure in heart, peacemakers persecuted, reviled. That hardly characterizes contentment does it?
The Sermon on the Mount portrays a repentance and righteousness which belongs to God's kingdom. Jesus tells us what life should be like when it is under the direct and complete rule and authority of God.
Yet when we know who we are in Christ, we can be like Paul content “in every circumstance, whether well fed or hungry, whether in plenty or in want.” As we take a thumb nail sketch of the Sermon on the Mount you will find contentment is a characteristic given to us by God when we are seekers of Him. Contented people do not have to cover up lies. They do not have to seek to steal, or kill or destroy.
When people are content with the Lord, they do not have to worry about what other people think of them. We are to influence our society around us with godliness even if we are persecuted for it. We are to live the way God wants us to lives.
Although, Jesus is challenging all the way people live, piety comes from within not in outward performance.
When we think of marriage we talk a lot of love and commitment, but love is displayed not in words, but in deeds and that is the significant ingredient to a lasting marriage. We submit ourselves one to the other for the good of the relationship. Without commitment there is no marriage. Without commitment to Christ there is no salvation. Without commitment there is no true contentment, blessing or happiness.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Thurs March 17 Conversion
Verses- 5:2ff "Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of God. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are those how hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled.
Jesus Sought Conversion
The righteousness of God is far beyond our capabilities. We are sinful people and even when we give our hearts to Christ, we struggle. But to come to the Lord there is hope for those who are struggling.
Listen to this "Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of God. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are those how hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled.”
We cannot begin our walk with God unless we realize that we are spiritually depraved. We do not have anything really to offer God. We cannot live by God's standards until we are converted, meaning that we turn from our evil ways and let the Holy Spirit take over. It is yielding to God's call on our life. Salvation is through new birth given to us by God, will you receive it?
The essential theme of this Bible and this sermon is God calling out a people for Himself. True contentment is to be set apart for God our creator. Law isn't what does it, humility and trust does.
What the sermon does is bring us back to the preacher, to Jesus Christ, who not only shows us our need, but offers us the way to meet that need. The sermon's realities keep bringing us to Him as we walk daily by faith trusting the one who shed his blood and broke his body for us. The sermon shows us the necessity of the new birth, which is the only way to happiness.
Jesus came not to bring a new law, but to bring a new covenant, or agreement by which we might have our hearts changed from sinner to saint from the desire for worldly things to heavenly things, the re-emphasis on conversion from making self the boss to making the Savior our King.
So in life where is happiness? What assure us of future riches and blessing that this heart craves for? Jesus said unless you can come to me needy, broken, and aware of your sin and poverty you cannot see the Kingdom of Heaven.
I believe that as we see the beatitudes; they are like stepping stones that build upon one another. The prerequisite for blessing is realizing our spiritual need. We are lost and without God when God is outside of our lives. We have nothing good in ourselves that we are needy.
The word for poor in the Greek means complete abject poverty. The one who is poor has no earthly resources and must put his whole trust on God. But the word does not mean all the poor people are blessed. He speaks of those who are poor in spirit. We are to strip ourselves of pride and self-righteousness, and selfishness, and sin.
Prov. 16:5 says, "The Lord detest all the proud of heart, but be sure of this: They will not go unpunished" Compare that with David’s prayer in Psalm 51:17 "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."
Jesus compares the prayers of the Pharisee to the prayer of the publican. One prays with thoughts on how good he is, the other with the realization that he needs mercy for he has sinned against God. When we all compare ourselves to God are destitute spiritually, completely lacking all in righteousness are as filthy rags.
He calls people to change. He calls people to conversion. He does more than that. He makes it happen to any who will receive Him.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Fri March 18 Comfort
Verses- Matt 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Jesus Brought Comfort
As we will look at the beatitudes next week we see the formula of three parts of the phrases and truths Jesus uses. The “Blessings” or happiness that he pronounces to begin the truth, the situation as it is with the struggles and difficulties people face, and thirdly, the results desires and promised for those he loves.
These promises might be called (by me) the comforting parts of the beatitudes. The conclusion of old novels would read, “And they lived happily ever after.” The conclusion of God’s big book is the same way. There has been a fall, destruction, situations that are brought about because of the antagonist (Satan) the struggle and the rescue and defeat of the bad guys or the overcoming of the odds and conflict until it results in an end that is satisfying and enjoyable.
I believe theses types of stories which we see played out in story after story is what is implanted in our hearts for these are shadows of the BIG story of God intervening and directing our world. We the comfort and conclusion of it all is blessedness, peace, salvation, and comfort.
Blessed is the one who mourns for he will be comforted. Who is our comforter? He is revealed by Jesus in John 16-17 as none other than the Holy Spirit. The comforter is called to walk along side to help to support, and strengthen. The only comfort we can receive for mourning over our sin is free and complete forgiveness.
David was full of remorse and tears when faced with his sin. He realized his poverty and mourned. Nothing broke his heart more than how he hurt God. When we look upon the cross of Christ we see the ultimate effect of our sin and what it did to Him.
One poet wrote, "I walked a mile with pleasure; she chatted all the way, but left me none the wise for all she had to say. I walked a mile with sorrow, and never a word said she, but oh, the things I learned from her, when sorrow walked with me."
Barclay paraphased it, "O the bless of the man whose heart is broken for the worlds suffering and for his own sin, for out of his sorrow He will find the joy of God."
Malcolm Muggeridge was a British author and social critic. He made much of his living criticizing virtually all of this society's institutions. He made the church the object of much satire. However at the age of 70 years we was converted to Christ.
Muggeridge wrote " I may, I suppose, regard myself or pass for being a relatively successful man. People occasionally stare at me in the streets-that fame. I can fairly easily earn enough to qualify for admission to the higher slopes of the Internal Revenue-that's success.
Furnished with money and a little fame, even the elderly if they care to, may partake of trendy diversions-that's pleasure. I might happen once in a while that something I said or wrote was sufficiently heeded for me to persuade myself that it represented a serious impact on our time-that's fulfillment. Yet I say to you- and I get you to believe me-multiply these tiny triumphs by a million add them together, and they are nothing-less than nothing, a positive impediment-measured against one draught of that living water Christ offers to the spiritually thirsty irrespective of who or what they are."
Jesus shares with us of the Kingdom life. It is a call to commitment, but it is more than that it is a look at Jesus who brought compassion, who taught contentment, and sought for us conversion and we are in the comfort of his relationship, love, and presence.
Pastor Dale
