Sermon nuggets Thurs May 22
Theme Confronting Sin
Verses- John 8:9-11 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.
10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"
11 "No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."
Consider Compassion
One of the Christian teen magazines was given this question: "About the middle of last year a girl I'll call Robin started coming to our youth group At first lots of people thought she was a little weird because of the way she dressed. More and more we began to see what Robin was like: loud, bossy, disrespectful, etc. This turned people off before they had really talked to her. She could, at times, be friendly and nice, and she could tell a story or joke that would send everyone into fits of laughter.
Robin came to youth group look for a friend, someone to talk to, to express how and why she was hurting; but it didn't work out that way. We didn't accept her. When we would go to youth groups outings people would say, "Why doesn't Robin just stay at home? And once we got to our destination, the only people who would stick around her were my two friends and me. One time on our camping trip not one but us was willing to share a tent with Robin. I know that I reached out only because I felt sorry for her, and I feel bad that she was treated that way. Then Robin was gone. She had run away again and wasn't found for a long time.
One night at a youth group meeting, Robin's name camp up, and I found out that she had been working the streets and was now in a half-way home in Vancouver, B.C. Our youth group leaders always stressed the importance of showing Christian love, especially accepting those who are different from us. What I would really like to know is where was that Christian love when people were talking behind her back or not accepting her or yelling at her?
Now I understand why she never became a Christian, we didn't show that love which all Christians are suppose to have.
The challenge of Jesus is also to us. You who are without sin cast the first stone. Any time of self-righteous indignation needs to a time for self analysis. The prayer of King David is appropriate "Lord, search me, and know my heart, try me and see if there be any wicked way in me."
Jesus is not saying the woman did not sin. He is not acknowledging that it is o.k. to continue this activity. Instead Jesus demonstrates both the law and grace. He demonstrated the Law in that although she was under the condemnation of death, there was now no one who could witness against her. Since the law says there must be at least two witnesses to make it a valid death penalty, she was free to go. He also adds that he does not condemn her either. Jesus is the giver of grace. She doesn't deserve forgiveness, but He grants it.
Do not forget, even if someone is not disciplined, even if a sin is secret, even if there is not substantial evidence to concern anyone with evil practices, one is still guilty in the eyes of the Lord and must face Him. But it is understanding our guilty that leads us to understand His grace.
Compassion is the means given by Jesus that can bring about change. It is God’s first response since the Fall to have people see their sin, see the love of God and seek repentance.
Pastor Dale
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Challenge John 8:7-9
Sermon nugget Weds May 21
Theme- Confronting Sin
Verses- John 8:7-9 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her."
Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. (NIV)
Consider the Challenge
Notice what the law says, Leviticus 20:10 "..and the man that commiteth adultery with another man's wife, even he and the adultress shall be put to death. Deut. 22:22 "If any man be found lying with a woman married to a husband, then they shall both of them die."
Adultery is not a solitary sin. It takes two to tango. Where was the man? Why did they just pick on the woman? It's the age-old problem of a double standard. It is sexism, pure and simple. There are many women who are raped and it is automatically assumed that she must have asked for it. Why is it that many blame women and not the men?
Jesus knew the hearts of the accusers. Perhaps they had set up this woman with the intention of trapping Jesus. They were not following the letter of the law if that was what they were interested in doing.
Jesus appears to ignore their questions. Notice by Jesus initial silence the point of attention is diverted from the woman to Jesus, why won't he answer. "Come on Jesus, give us an answer."
He got up from the ground and looked at the accusers and said, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." The challenge was to examine your own lives and see if theirs are any better than hers. I think there was also the non-verbal communication going on. Jesus gave time to let them think.
But after he makes His statement, then the focus of attention is not on Jesus any longer but on the people and their self evaluation concerning their own sins. Instead of passing judgment on the woman, Jesus passed judgment on the judges.
What was it he was writing on the ground? We do not know. It is believed by some that Jesus was writing on the ground the list of secret sins of the men who were accusing the woman. They saw them written down and became convicted. Maybe they were afraid that Jesus would reveal them publicly. One by one they left from Jesus presence.
Romans 2:1 says ,"You therefore have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things."
Jesus responded to their charge by challenging them to look at themselves. The danger with accusing people of sin is that we too are sinners in need of God's forgiveness. I remember the condemnation that Jimmy Swaggert publically had against Jimmy Bakker and his sexual exploit. It wasn’t long that Swaggert was caught in the crime of visiting prostitutes the same time he was condemning Bakker for sexual impropriety. It is hypocritical. Ted Haggard led the Association of Evangelicals that stood against the sin of homosexuality while visiting homosexual prostitutes. There is a public role and a private actions that make their piety a farce. That is why Scripture is plain, Galatians 6:1 " Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted."
As the Holy Spirit evaluates your life, where is the challenge that points to the needed change and repentance?
Pastor Dale
Theme- Confronting Sin
Verses- John 8:7-9 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her."
Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. (NIV)
Consider the Challenge
Notice what the law says, Leviticus 20:10 "..and the man that commiteth adultery with another man's wife, even he and the adultress shall be put to death. Deut. 22:22 "If any man be found lying with a woman married to a husband, then they shall both of them die."
Adultery is not a solitary sin. It takes two to tango. Where was the man? Why did they just pick on the woman? It's the age-old problem of a double standard. It is sexism, pure and simple. There are many women who are raped and it is automatically assumed that she must have asked for it. Why is it that many blame women and not the men?
Jesus knew the hearts of the accusers. Perhaps they had set up this woman with the intention of trapping Jesus. They were not following the letter of the law if that was what they were interested in doing.
Jesus appears to ignore their questions. Notice by Jesus initial silence the point of attention is diverted from the woman to Jesus, why won't he answer. "Come on Jesus, give us an answer."
He got up from the ground and looked at the accusers and said, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." The challenge was to examine your own lives and see if theirs are any better than hers. I think there was also the non-verbal communication going on. Jesus gave time to let them think.
But after he makes His statement, then the focus of attention is not on Jesus any longer but on the people and their self evaluation concerning their own sins. Instead of passing judgment on the woman, Jesus passed judgment on the judges.
What was it he was writing on the ground? We do not know. It is believed by some that Jesus was writing on the ground the list of secret sins of the men who were accusing the woman. They saw them written down and became convicted. Maybe they were afraid that Jesus would reveal them publicly. One by one they left from Jesus presence.
Romans 2:1 says ,"You therefore have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things."
Jesus responded to their charge by challenging them to look at themselves. The danger with accusing people of sin is that we too are sinners in need of God's forgiveness. I remember the condemnation that Jimmy Swaggert publically had against Jimmy Bakker and his sexual exploit. It wasn’t long that Swaggert was caught in the crime of visiting prostitutes the same time he was condemning Bakker for sexual impropriety. It is hypocritical. Ted Haggard led the Association of Evangelicals that stood against the sin of homosexuality while visiting homosexual prostitutes. There is a public role and a private actions that make their piety a farce. That is why Scripture is plain, Galatians 6:1 " Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted."
As the Holy Spirit evaluates your life, where is the challenge that points to the needed change and repentance?
Pastor Dale
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
The charges agsint sin John 8:1-6
Sermon nugget Tues May 20, 2008
Theme- Confronting Sin
Verse- John 8:1-6 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
2 At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them.
3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?"
6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger.
Consider the Charge
Jesus was teaching near the temple early the next day following the Feast of the Tabernacles. You might remember they were contemplating making a decision about who Jesus was and what they should do with Him. When our political candidates are presenting their views the media does a wonderful job of presenting tough cases to them to respond to in order to expose their real views and however they answer there are people for whom they alienate. That is clearly the motive behind this charge of sin.
The Pharisees interrupted his teaching with a the disturbance of a crowd coming with a woman. They made their charge against her. "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery, In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?"
She broke the moral law and there are consequences for such sins. She was to pay the price for her sin. Now since they knew what the law said, why bother Jesus? It seems they wanted to cause trouble for Jesus more than wanting to punish the adulteress. The woman’s sin was an excuse to really charge Jesus. Was He going to follow the law or not?
They knew that he was spending time with sinners; perhaps this woman was known to Jesus. But they were really trying to trap Jesus in publicly condemning her and personally getting involved in killing this woman. If he refused, they would have brought charges against him for teaching against the Law of Moses.
There was another political as well as religious factor in play. Rome had reserved for itself the right to capital punishment. If Jesus would be considered the one who authorized the stoning of this woman, then he could be breaking Roman law. If he stated that she should go free then he was breaking the Law of Moses. The leaders felt they had him either way. It is clear that justice was not the motive behind the accusers, rather it was entrapment.
When it comes to the matter of the church we need to realize we have no authority over those who are non Christians or non members. But does the church have any right to address sin other than speaking and teaching against it? The Bible is clear that we cannot let ongoing sin affect the body of Christ, or our own relationships with one another. Paul gave instructions to the church at Corinth when a man is having an affair with his step-mother that he needed to be disciplined and to ignore it was something even non Christians would not do. ( I Cor. 5) Jesus taught how important it was to reconcile with a brother or sister in the Lord in Matthew 18. If there is ongoing sin of pride, anger and lack of repentance or no desire to reconcile then others should be involved. And if there is still no change with the recommendations of church leaders it is a matter of church discipline resulting in disassociation. There are moral laws, civil laws, and church laws. All interplay when it comes to sin.
There are situations that occur that are not just one's private matter. What we do as Christians is not just our own business. The world may view it so, but the Lord of the Church does not. Christianity is personal, but never private. When you or I become part of a fellow we agree to the support and cooperation with one another. We need each other for encouragement and accountability to help us in our Christian growth. Whatever happens in the body that is harmful and destructive to life and health of the body is the concern of the body. O how we wish sexual sins of priests and pastors could have been stopped in our day instead of ignored. Much more damage was done with unresolved sin.
The charges are ways to discover the facts, the implications, and the decisions of how best to handle sin. It seems the teaching follows the pattern of dealing with private sin privately, and public sin needs to have some public response. Sin is damaging personally and publically and so is the manner and attitude in which it is handled. I cannot be taken lightly.
Pastor Dale
Theme- Confronting Sin
Verse- John 8:1-6 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
2 At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them.
3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?"
6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger.
Consider the Charge
Jesus was teaching near the temple early the next day following the Feast of the Tabernacles. You might remember they were contemplating making a decision about who Jesus was and what they should do with Him. When our political candidates are presenting their views the media does a wonderful job of presenting tough cases to them to respond to in order to expose their real views and however they answer there are people for whom they alienate. That is clearly the motive behind this charge of sin.
The Pharisees interrupted his teaching with a the disturbance of a crowd coming with a woman. They made their charge against her. "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery, In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?"
She broke the moral law and there are consequences for such sins. She was to pay the price for her sin. Now since they knew what the law said, why bother Jesus? It seems they wanted to cause trouble for Jesus more than wanting to punish the adulteress. The woman’s sin was an excuse to really charge Jesus. Was He going to follow the law or not?
They knew that he was spending time with sinners; perhaps this woman was known to Jesus. But they were really trying to trap Jesus in publicly condemning her and personally getting involved in killing this woman. If he refused, they would have brought charges against him for teaching against the Law of Moses.
There was another political as well as religious factor in play. Rome had reserved for itself the right to capital punishment. If Jesus would be considered the one who authorized the stoning of this woman, then he could be breaking Roman law. If he stated that she should go free then he was breaking the Law of Moses. The leaders felt they had him either way. It is clear that justice was not the motive behind the accusers, rather it was entrapment.
When it comes to the matter of the church we need to realize we have no authority over those who are non Christians or non members. But does the church have any right to address sin other than speaking and teaching against it? The Bible is clear that we cannot let ongoing sin affect the body of Christ, or our own relationships with one another. Paul gave instructions to the church at Corinth when a man is having an affair with his step-mother that he needed to be disciplined and to ignore it was something even non Christians would not do. ( I Cor. 5) Jesus taught how important it was to reconcile with a brother or sister in the Lord in Matthew 18. If there is ongoing sin of pride, anger and lack of repentance or no desire to reconcile then others should be involved. And if there is still no change with the recommendations of church leaders it is a matter of church discipline resulting in disassociation. There are moral laws, civil laws, and church laws. All interplay when it comes to sin.
There are situations that occur that are not just one's private matter. What we do as Christians is not just our own business. The world may view it so, but the Lord of the Church does not. Christianity is personal, but never private. When you or I become part of a fellow we agree to the support and cooperation with one another. We need each other for encouragement and accountability to help us in our Christian growth. Whatever happens in the body that is harmful and destructive to life and health of the body is the concern of the body. O how we wish sexual sins of priests and pastors could have been stopped in our day instead of ignored. Much more damage was done with unresolved sin.
The charges are ways to discover the facts, the implications, and the decisions of how best to handle sin. It seems the teaching follows the pattern of dealing with private sin privately, and public sin needs to have some public response. Sin is damaging personally and publically and so is the manner and attitude in which it is handled. I cannot be taken lightly.
Pastor Dale
Monday, May 19, 2008
Confronting Sin- John 8:1-5
Sermon Nugget Mon. May 19
Theme: Confronting Sin
Verses John 8:1-5 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them.
3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?"(NIV)
Private Sin, Public Sin
This week we are going to look at the story of the woman caught in adultery. The teachers of the law wanted to catch Jesus in the dilemma of choosing death or mercy, law or grace, holiness or sin.
There is much debate over how churches ought to handle sin among the members. Ought it to be private matter, or a public matter, and what ought to be our attitude toward it?
The story of Marian Guinn made national news some years ago. She was a 36 year old divorced mother of four. She had gotten mixed up in an affair with the town mayor in Oklahoma. The elders of her church visited her and she admitted the affair and promised to break it off. She understood that her confession was to remain confidential. The elders insisted that she repent publicly before the church congregation. She refused. The elders insisted that if she did not do so in two weeks they would issue a formal statement to the congregation branding her as a fornicator and admonish the congregation to withdraw fellowship from her. She withdrew from the congregation, but they went ahead anyway.
She became angry and filed a million dollar lawsuit. The Tulsa jury agreed with her and awarded her a judgment of $390,000- more than the entire income of the church for 6 years.
Was the woman right? Was the church right? Is there a place in our society for church discipline described as mentioned in Oklahoma? Is there a place for church discipline at our church?
We live in a culture were there is place a great deal of attention on sex. Sex sells. Much of the advertising has sex appeal. We can watch our television sets, and media in the US and quickly conclude that the values of society have changed drastically. People are continually having sexual encounters, before marriage, after marriage, and with homosexual couples. It is considered almost abnormal to be a virgin anymore by classmates in college, not to mention the sexual pressure within high school dating also. If you think that church in Oklahoma was tough, consider the scene when a group of religious leaders brought this woman before Jesus who was caught in the very act of adultery. What ought they to do? The law said stone her.
As we look at this story we will consider sin and the different responses to it. Sin that we think is private ends up being public whether we realize it or not. It affects a lot of people in families, among friends, and in the church. Ignoring it seems to only make the matters worse.
Pastor Dale
Theme: Confronting Sin
Verses John 8:1-5 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them.
3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?"(NIV)
Private Sin, Public Sin
This week we are going to look at the story of the woman caught in adultery. The teachers of the law wanted to catch Jesus in the dilemma of choosing death or mercy, law or grace, holiness or sin.
There is much debate over how churches ought to handle sin among the members. Ought it to be private matter, or a public matter, and what ought to be our attitude toward it?
The story of Marian Guinn made national news some years ago. She was a 36 year old divorced mother of four. She had gotten mixed up in an affair with the town mayor in Oklahoma. The elders of her church visited her and she admitted the affair and promised to break it off. She understood that her confession was to remain confidential. The elders insisted that she repent publicly before the church congregation. She refused. The elders insisted that if she did not do so in two weeks they would issue a formal statement to the congregation branding her as a fornicator and admonish the congregation to withdraw fellowship from her. She withdrew from the congregation, but they went ahead anyway.
She became angry and filed a million dollar lawsuit. The Tulsa jury agreed with her and awarded her a judgment of $390,000- more than the entire income of the church for 6 years.
Was the woman right? Was the church right? Is there a place in our society for church discipline described as mentioned in Oklahoma? Is there a place for church discipline at our church?
We live in a culture were there is place a great deal of attention on sex. Sex sells. Much of the advertising has sex appeal. We can watch our television sets, and media in the US and quickly conclude that the values of society have changed drastically. People are continually having sexual encounters, before marriage, after marriage, and with homosexual couples. It is considered almost abnormal to be a virgin anymore by classmates in college, not to mention the sexual pressure within high school dating also. If you think that church in Oklahoma was tough, consider the scene when a group of religious leaders brought this woman before Jesus who was caught in the very act of adultery. What ought they to do? The law said stone her.
As we look at this story we will consider sin and the different responses to it. Sin that we think is private ends up being public whether we realize it or not. It affects a lot of people in families, among friends, and in the church. Ignoring it seems to only make the matters worse.
Pastor Dale
Friday, May 16, 2008
Conclusions on Christ John 7:53
Sermon Nuggets Fri May 16, 2008
Theme- Calling for a Decision
Verses- John 7:53 Then each went to his own home.
Matt 16:15-16 "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"
Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Conclusions
Most people have made up their minds about what presidential, or political candidate they are going to vote for long before the election day. Some make that choice while in the voting booth. Some choose not to vote since they cannot make up their minds. It is a right of Americans to voice their opinions and make their conclusions that affect all of nation for four more years.
What are the conclusions regarding Jesus? The choice we make affects eternity and to ignore making a decision as to His rulership in your life is to reject Him.
Some followed Jesus as the Christ. Most did not. Some put Him in the category of being a good man, and a great prophet, even the best and greatest of prophets, but they are lost, because they have not put their saving faith in Jesus. Some completely rejected Him as not being from God at all. Their hearts were hardened. And some people acknowledge that He was from God and even Messiah, but out of fear for the leaders, people, family, and personal pride did not humble themselves to put their complete faith in Jesus.
People have to evaluate the claims now as they did then. They must look at the concerns and consider them. Then they must come to some conclusion based on their inquiry. Jesus says if they really want to know, they will if they obey. But notice it is the most important decision they make in all the world. Jesus gives us an invitation. Many of you have responded and accepted Jesus as your Savior and choose to make him Lord of your life.
Are you thirsty today? Maybe your thirst is for pleasure, Ps. 16:ll At thy right hand there are pleasures for ever more." no other pleasure can offer that. Maybe your thirst is wealth. Jesus isn't talking about the type of wealth the world talks about, but listen, Rom. 8:17 calls us heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. Mk. 8:36 asks what does it profit us if we gain the whole world, but lose our own soul? Perhaps you are thirsting for joy, peace, life, freedom these are all found in a much greater way in Jesus than what the world can imagine. Do you know what most of the cry is in our culture today? it is to be loved. The Bible tells us, "No greater love has any man that this, that one would lay down his life for another." That is the love Jesus has for you.
Today there will be the premiere showing of another one of C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia books, Prince Caspian. The tales of this fiction also runs close to many Scriptural and theological implications. In these books, Lewis has the creator and ruler of Narnia depicted as a lion "The Great Aslan, who is the son of the Emperor from beyond the sea."
In the book the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, Lewis tells of a girl who is very thirsty, but she sees the great lion and is terrified. Aslan is sitting beside a stream of cold water. She is shocked when the great lion speaks to her: "You may drink if you are thirsty." she wants to drink but fear makes her hold back. She asks the lion if he will promise not to do anything while she drinks, and the Lion answers her, "I make no promise." Indeed the dilemma is which is greater, her need for water or her fear of the Lion. She eventually trusts Aslan and takes of the cool clear water. That decision is based on trust in who He is, not how we want Him to be.
Pastor Dale.
Theme- Calling for a Decision
Verses- John 7:53 Then each went to his own home.
Matt 16:15-16 "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"
Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Conclusions
Most people have made up their minds about what presidential, or political candidate they are going to vote for long before the election day. Some make that choice while in the voting booth. Some choose not to vote since they cannot make up their minds. It is a right of Americans to voice their opinions and make their conclusions that affect all of nation for four more years.
What are the conclusions regarding Jesus? The choice we make affects eternity and to ignore making a decision as to His rulership in your life is to reject Him.
Some followed Jesus as the Christ. Most did not. Some put Him in the category of being a good man, and a great prophet, even the best and greatest of prophets, but they are lost, because they have not put their saving faith in Jesus. Some completely rejected Him as not being from God at all. Their hearts were hardened. And some people acknowledge that He was from God and even Messiah, but out of fear for the leaders, people, family, and personal pride did not humble themselves to put their complete faith in Jesus.
People have to evaluate the claims now as they did then. They must look at the concerns and consider them. Then they must come to some conclusion based on their inquiry. Jesus says if they really want to know, they will if they obey. But notice it is the most important decision they make in all the world. Jesus gives us an invitation. Many of you have responded and accepted Jesus as your Savior and choose to make him Lord of your life.
Are you thirsty today? Maybe your thirst is for pleasure, Ps. 16:ll At thy right hand there are pleasures for ever more." no other pleasure can offer that. Maybe your thirst is wealth. Jesus isn't talking about the type of wealth the world talks about, but listen, Rom. 8:17 calls us heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. Mk. 8:36 asks what does it profit us if we gain the whole world, but lose our own soul? Perhaps you are thirsting for joy, peace, life, freedom these are all found in a much greater way in Jesus than what the world can imagine. Do you know what most of the cry is in our culture today? it is to be loved. The Bible tells us, "No greater love has any man that this, that one would lay down his life for another." That is the love Jesus has for you.
Today there will be the premiere showing of another one of C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia books, Prince Caspian. The tales of this fiction also runs close to many Scriptural and theological implications. In these books, Lewis has the creator and ruler of Narnia depicted as a lion "The Great Aslan, who is the son of the Emperor from beyond the sea."
In the book the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, Lewis tells of a girl who is very thirsty, but she sees the great lion and is terrified. Aslan is sitting beside a stream of cold water. She is shocked when the great lion speaks to her: "You may drink if you are thirsty." she wants to drink but fear makes her hold back. She asks the lion if he will promise not to do anything while she drinks, and the Lion answers her, "I make no promise." Indeed the dilemma is which is greater, her need for water or her fear of the Lion. She eventually trusts Aslan and takes of the cool clear water. That decision is based on trust in who He is, not how we want Him to be.
Pastor Dale.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Considerations John 7:40-52
Sermon nuggets Thur May 15, 2008
Theme Calling for a Decision
Further Considerations
As our political candidates express their claims and people comment on their concerns and evaluate their own opinions, we listen and see if these things are true or make sense to us. As we consider the campaign, some things we haven’t thought about before consider if this isn’t just another political ploy or taken out of context or if it is legitimate. Sometimes the news broadcasts will do “reality check” or factual evaluation on the claims and the counterclaims and political ads allowing us to re-evaluate our choices.
It is healthy to listen to the concerns and hear differing viewpoints. After hearing discussions about Jesus the people might ask for the reality check if the Messiah was to come from Galilee? The Pharisees and teachers of the law were implying that Jesus is to come from Judea. This concern is based upon a lack of information concerning Jesus' tie to Bethlehem. Had the Pharisees been desirous to know, they would have inquired and discovered indeed, Jesus was born in the City of David, and was from the lineage of David, just as the prophets predicted.
There was another consideration when the guards listened to Jesus and discovered He spoke like none other. He was quite a public speaker. But He spoke with authority and power. There was something that prevented that arrest. They heard him say concerning Himself, v.28,29 "Yes, you know me, and you know where I am from. I am not here on my own, but he who sent me is true. You do not know him, but I know him because I am from him and he sent me.". He is more than a prophet, and certainly the conclusion of the words bothered the guards. At this point they were not willing to arrest Jesus.
The leaders and Pharisees ignored his claims and more concerned with the political implications of their position if they went against party lines. There was prejudice in their evaluations, even against the kinds of people who were Jesus’ followers. They had no status. Their votes would not be based on facts and evaluations, but only what their leaders and the rich told them to think. When Nicodemus questioned this, they started attacking his loyalty.
Of course, there were followers of Jesus who were well learned in the law and in Scripture. From time to time even priests and Scribes were included in the lists of believers. So it was that Nicodemus was convinced they were not giving Jesus a fair hearing. It is apparent that Nicodemus took Jesus words seriously that night that they visited as recorded in John 3. Nicodemus was challenging them to consider the words and works of Jesus.
People in looking at making a decision need to evaluate the concerns and give further considerations as to what is behind the opinions. But when it comes to Jesus we will be judged based on our own conclusion and commitment, not what others conclude.
Pastor Dale
Theme Calling for a Decision
Further Considerations
As our political candidates express their claims and people comment on their concerns and evaluate their own opinions, we listen and see if these things are true or make sense to us. As we consider the campaign, some things we haven’t thought about before consider if this isn’t just another political ploy or taken out of context or if it is legitimate. Sometimes the news broadcasts will do “reality check” or factual evaluation on the claims and the counterclaims and political ads allowing us to re-evaluate our choices.
It is healthy to listen to the concerns and hear differing viewpoints. After hearing discussions about Jesus the people might ask for the reality check if the Messiah was to come from Galilee? The Pharisees and teachers of the law were implying that Jesus is to come from Judea. This concern is based upon a lack of information concerning Jesus' tie to Bethlehem. Had the Pharisees been desirous to know, they would have inquired and discovered indeed, Jesus was born in the City of David, and was from the lineage of David, just as the prophets predicted.
There was another consideration when the guards listened to Jesus and discovered He spoke like none other. He was quite a public speaker. But He spoke with authority and power. There was something that prevented that arrest. They heard him say concerning Himself, v.28,29 "Yes, you know me, and you know where I am from. I am not here on my own, but he who sent me is true. You do not know him, but I know him because I am from him and he sent me.". He is more than a prophet, and certainly the conclusion of the words bothered the guards. At this point they were not willing to arrest Jesus.
The leaders and Pharisees ignored his claims and more concerned with the political implications of their position if they went against party lines. There was prejudice in their evaluations, even against the kinds of people who were Jesus’ followers. They had no status. Their votes would not be based on facts and evaluations, but only what their leaders and the rich told them to think. When Nicodemus questioned this, they started attacking his loyalty.
Of course, there were followers of Jesus who were well learned in the law and in Scripture. From time to time even priests and Scribes were included in the lists of believers. So it was that Nicodemus was convinced they were not giving Jesus a fair hearing. It is apparent that Nicodemus took Jesus words seriously that night that they visited as recorded in John 3. Nicodemus was challenging them to consider the words and works of Jesus.
People in looking at making a decision need to evaluate the concerns and give further considerations as to what is behind the opinions. But when it comes to Jesus we will be judged based on our own conclusion and commitment, not what others conclude.
Pastor Dale
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Expressing Concerns John 7:40-52
Sermon Nugget Weds May 14, 2008
Theme- Calling for a Decision
Verses-John 7:40-52 On hearing his words, some of the people said, "Surely this man is the Prophet." Others said, "He is the Christ." Still others asked, "How can the Christ come from Galilee? Does not the Scripture say that the Christ will come from David's family and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?"
Thus the people were divided because of Jesus. Some wanted to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him. Finally the temple guards went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, "Why didn't you bring him in?"
46 "No one ever spoke the way this man does," the guards declared.
47 "You mean he has deceived you also?" the Pharisees retorted.
48 "Has any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him? No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law-- there is a curse on them."
50 Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked, "Does our law condemn anyone without first hearing him to find out what he is doing?"
52 They replied, "Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee."
Expressing Concerns
It seems to me that the presidential race has developed into something it has never been before-an agonizing marathon. Each year as we get closer to elections I am already so tired of TV ads, commentaries on TV, talk shows on the radio, letters to the editor, lawn signs, telephone solicitations and the like. When asked about my choice for President almost a year ago I said that I don’t get involved until April because that is about all I can take of endless bantering of opinions and by April there will be a clearer choice of candidates since most have been eliminated in the last 12 months.
What do other people think? They are expressing their concerns, their opinions, and their biases. This is an important part of how we make decisions.
Jesus made claims that were words like a bombshell on the crowd. No wonder there was tremendous controversy as he was symbolically and verbally telling them the Messiah was here. "God, save us", was their prayer and that was what Jesus had come to do. People start arguing and choosing sides. "He is the prophet." "No he is the Christ" "No it is impossible for him to be the Christ. He wasn't from the right town."
Jesus often brought controversy. He even told us in Matt. 10:34-36:" Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in law- a man's enemies will be the members of his own household."
Those who thought Jesus was the prophet thought He was to prepare the people for the true Messiah. Since John the Baptist was dead they wondered if this was the one who was to come. Many reasoned He could not be the Messiah himself. He didn't fit the image.
"No" said some, "He is the Messiah". He is more than a good man, or a wise man, he is the one sent from God". But most of the world would not follow Him. Many believed, but still did not follow. That is true today too isn't it. Many will know the truth of Jesus believe Him to be the Son of God, died for sins, buried, resurrected, and coming again, but never committed their life to Him and are still lost in their sins.
There are many ideas as to who Jesus was. Indeed that is a natural and normal concern. People also want to know what are others saying.
Sometimes where there is a resolution on the floor of the Baptist General Conference I am interested in what others have to say because I have not studied the ramafications of each ammendment as some have. What appears to me to say one thing on the surface often has different interpretations that aren’t seen until they are pointed out by other people’s concerns. Many times the resolution is clarified, or voted down.
When it comes to who Jesus is and what does this mean in my life, many people desire to weigh the issues out and listen to others share their thoughts about their experience of accepting Jesus to be their savior, or what they think of the Christ.
If you were part of the crowd, what would you say? Your words about Jesus are listened to if you express them. You actions are watched about what you believe. You are a witness to the cause. Think and pray about that today.
Pastor Dale.
Theme- Calling for a Decision
Verses-John 7:40-52 On hearing his words, some of the people said, "Surely this man is the Prophet." Others said, "He is the Christ." Still others asked, "How can the Christ come from Galilee? Does not the Scripture say that the Christ will come from David's family and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?"
Thus the people were divided because of Jesus. Some wanted to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him. Finally the temple guards went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, "Why didn't you bring him in?"
46 "No one ever spoke the way this man does," the guards declared.
47 "You mean he has deceived you also?" the Pharisees retorted.
48 "Has any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him? No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law-- there is a curse on them."
50 Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked, "Does our law condemn anyone without first hearing him to find out what he is doing?"
52 They replied, "Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee."
Expressing Concerns
It seems to me that the presidential race has developed into something it has never been before-an agonizing marathon. Each year as we get closer to elections I am already so tired of TV ads, commentaries on TV, talk shows on the radio, letters to the editor, lawn signs, telephone solicitations and the like. When asked about my choice for President almost a year ago I said that I don’t get involved until April because that is about all I can take of endless bantering of opinions and by April there will be a clearer choice of candidates since most have been eliminated in the last 12 months.
What do other people think? They are expressing their concerns, their opinions, and their biases. This is an important part of how we make decisions.
Jesus made claims that were words like a bombshell on the crowd. No wonder there was tremendous controversy as he was symbolically and verbally telling them the Messiah was here. "God, save us", was their prayer and that was what Jesus had come to do. People start arguing and choosing sides. "He is the prophet." "No he is the Christ" "No it is impossible for him to be the Christ. He wasn't from the right town."
Jesus often brought controversy. He even told us in Matt. 10:34-36:" Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in law- a man's enemies will be the members of his own household."
Those who thought Jesus was the prophet thought He was to prepare the people for the true Messiah. Since John the Baptist was dead they wondered if this was the one who was to come. Many reasoned He could not be the Messiah himself. He didn't fit the image.
"No" said some, "He is the Messiah". He is more than a good man, or a wise man, he is the one sent from God". But most of the world would not follow Him. Many believed, but still did not follow. That is true today too isn't it. Many will know the truth of Jesus believe Him to be the Son of God, died for sins, buried, resurrected, and coming again, but never committed their life to Him and are still lost in their sins.
There are many ideas as to who Jesus was. Indeed that is a natural and normal concern. People also want to know what are others saying.
Sometimes where there is a resolution on the floor of the Baptist General Conference I am interested in what others have to say because I have not studied the ramafications of each ammendment as some have. What appears to me to say one thing on the surface often has different interpretations that aren’t seen until they are pointed out by other people’s concerns. Many times the resolution is clarified, or voted down.
When it comes to who Jesus is and what does this mean in my life, many people desire to weigh the issues out and listen to others share their thoughts about their experience of accepting Jesus to be their savior, or what they think of the Christ.
If you were part of the crowd, what would you say? Your words about Jesus are listened to if you express them. You actions are watched about what you believe. You are a witness to the cause. Think and pray about that today.
Pastor Dale.
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