Sermon nuggets Thurs June 19
Theme- The Good Shepherd
Verses- John 10:14-16
14 "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me--
15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father-- and I lay down my life for the sheep.
16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.(NIV)
A GOOD SHEPHERD KNOWS HIS SHEEP.
The word, know, means more than intellectual awareness. It also means an intimate relationship between God and His people. The Eastern shepherd knows his sheep personally and therefore knows best how to minister to them.
It says that He calls them all by name. Our Lord knows and cares about all who are His. He cares about you and knows you by name. Isn't it amazing that the one born 2,000 years ago, and of course existed before the world began thinks you are important to Him? He notices and cares about individuals. The Psalmist tells us before we are born God formed us and created us for Himself just as He wanted.
Jesus knows our natures. While all sheep are alike in their essential nature, each sheep has its own distinctive characteristics; and the loving shepherd recognizes these traits. One may be afraid of heights another of dark shadows. Because Jesus knows our natures, he also knows our needs. The 23rd Psalm reminds us that in the pastures, by the waters, and even through the valleys, the sheep need not fear, because the shepherd is caring for them and meeting their needs.
The Word also tells us that not only did he know the lost sheep of Israel, but that He knows another flock. Aren't you glad that Jesus did not leave salvation only for the Jews like they once thought? Jesus has more sheep. We gentiles were included in this one flock. The church was not to remain a Jewish flock. Peter and Paul took the message to the Gentiles and God prepared their hearts to receive it. There is but one flock. The people of God who belong to the Good Shepherd and follow him are God’s sheep. There are not two groups of sheep that belong to God has some teach. There are Jews and Gentiles who are following Christ.
The unity of the flock is not that there will be one denominational church. The correct translation, as NIV also has it, is one flock, not one fold. There is a difference. "They shall become one flock and there shall be one shepherd". Unity comes from the fact that all the sheep hear and answer and obey one shepherd and that is Jesus Christ. Unity is not an ecclesiastical unity; the unity is a unity of loyalty to Jesus the Good Shepherd.
The love of the Shepherd is not in a large generic way, but in an intimate and personal way. The Hymn writer sings, “He walks with me and talks with me and tells me I am His own. And the joy we share as we tarry there none other has ever known.”
The joy for the believer is that we each one can know the Lord because we are personally known and loved by Him.
Pastor Dale
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Saving the Sheep- John 10:9,10
Sermon nuggets Weds June 18, 2008
Theme- The Good Shepherd
Verses- John 10:9-10 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (NIV)
A GOOD SHEPHERD SAVES HIS SHEEP.
When Jesus referred to himself as the door He was not only referring to their protection, but also through Him and through Him alone men find access to God. Jesus opens the way to God. Until Jesus came men could only think of God as a stranger, someone to be worshiped in fear. Jesus came to tell and to show mankind what God was like. He came to open the way to God.
It is Jesus' claim that He came that men might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. The phrase more abundantly is Greek phrase which means to have a surplus, a super abundance of something. Life in Christ is far greater than people can realize.
I remember being at a meeting where people went around at Christmas time sharing Christmas memories. One man had his eyes light up and said simply, “Christ makes Christmas meaningful.” As he lived in a non-Christian home there was love, there were presents, there was fun and activities, but there was not Jesus Christ. But when he accepted Christ into his life as an adult, he became aware of the spiritual reality of the abiding presence of God who loved him and saved him from his sin and eternal death. That thought was overwhelming.
Christ was always part of my Christmases growing up in a Christian home and accepting Jesus early in life. But for many who grew up without the reality of Jesus' personal presence, they understand even more fully the meaning of this statement, “I will give you life and give it to its fullest.” He not only gave eternal life, but meaningful life for the here and now.
The disciples considered it pure joy to suffer for the sake of Christ. They did not have material goods; they did not have lives of ease when they were jailed, beaten, and persecuted. But they had something the others didn't. They had the joy within that made it all worth it.
Beware however of the false shepherds. I read a testimonial yesterday of a woman who had given up on church. She was involved in a smaller congregation when the beloved pastor of many years was forced out. The people wanted someone who was dynamic in the pulpit. The church then grew. The new pastor asked her to go with him in her teens to witness in the community. When they returned he invited her into his home for ice cream. She was confused when he snuggled up to her and starting feeling her. He was a man of God so it must be okay she thought. But since that day she kept her distance, until he was forced out two years later for adultery.
The next pastor was found to have a stash of pornography. The following pastor introduced a false teaching and split the church down the middle. She gave up on church.
Jesus said to beware of false teachers, prophets, and leaders. False shepherds are in it for what they want and not for the love of the sheep. Behind these false shepherds is the thief probably a reference to Satan. The thief wants to steal the sheep from the Master, and have eternal punishment as they consequence. He wants to destroy them, and us. He wants you to think there are other ways to be saved than trusting and following Jesus. He wants you to think you must earn your way, or that you are without hope for forgiveness, or that you will be so embittered with life that you will hate God. He will cause circumstance to be so good you will not want Jesus, or so bad you will blame Jesus. Some will see shepherds get abused. Others will see the shepherds doing the abusing. But keep looking to the good Shepherd and persevere in what you know He says and wants of you.
When you go through the door you receive life and you are saved. As you go in and out, you enjoy abundant life in the rich provision of the Lord. God's sheep enjoy fullness and freedom. He who enters by the door will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.
Pastor Dale
Theme- The Good Shepherd
Verses- John 10:9-10 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (NIV)
A GOOD SHEPHERD SAVES HIS SHEEP.
When Jesus referred to himself as the door He was not only referring to their protection, but also through Him and through Him alone men find access to God. Jesus opens the way to God. Until Jesus came men could only think of God as a stranger, someone to be worshiped in fear. Jesus came to tell and to show mankind what God was like. He came to open the way to God.
It is Jesus' claim that He came that men might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. The phrase more abundantly is Greek phrase which means to have a surplus, a super abundance of something. Life in Christ is far greater than people can realize.
I remember being at a meeting where people went around at Christmas time sharing Christmas memories. One man had his eyes light up and said simply, “Christ makes Christmas meaningful.” As he lived in a non-Christian home there was love, there were presents, there was fun and activities, but there was not Jesus Christ. But when he accepted Christ into his life as an adult, he became aware of the spiritual reality of the abiding presence of God who loved him and saved him from his sin and eternal death. That thought was overwhelming.
Christ was always part of my Christmases growing up in a Christian home and accepting Jesus early in life. But for many who grew up without the reality of Jesus' personal presence, they understand even more fully the meaning of this statement, “I will give you life and give it to its fullest.” He not only gave eternal life, but meaningful life for the here and now.
The disciples considered it pure joy to suffer for the sake of Christ. They did not have material goods; they did not have lives of ease when they were jailed, beaten, and persecuted. But they had something the others didn't. They had the joy within that made it all worth it.
Beware however of the false shepherds. I read a testimonial yesterday of a woman who had given up on church. She was involved in a smaller congregation when the beloved pastor of many years was forced out. The people wanted someone who was dynamic in the pulpit. The church then grew. The new pastor asked her to go with him in her teens to witness in the community. When they returned he invited her into his home for ice cream. She was confused when he snuggled up to her and starting feeling her. He was a man of God so it must be okay she thought. But since that day she kept her distance, until he was forced out two years later for adultery.
The next pastor was found to have a stash of pornography. The following pastor introduced a false teaching and split the church down the middle. She gave up on church.
Jesus said to beware of false teachers, prophets, and leaders. False shepherds are in it for what they want and not for the love of the sheep. Behind these false shepherds is the thief probably a reference to Satan. The thief wants to steal the sheep from the Master, and have eternal punishment as they consequence. He wants to destroy them, and us. He wants you to think there are other ways to be saved than trusting and following Jesus. He wants you to think you must earn your way, or that you are without hope for forgiveness, or that you will be so embittered with life that you will hate God. He will cause circumstance to be so good you will not want Jesus, or so bad you will blame Jesus. Some will see shepherds get abused. Others will see the shepherds doing the abusing. But keep looking to the good Shepherd and persevere in what you know He says and wants of you.
When you go through the door you receive life and you are saved. As you go in and out, you enjoy abundant life in the rich provision of the Lord. God's sheep enjoy fullness and freedom. He who enters by the door will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.
Pastor Dale
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Protection John 10:7,8,11
Sermon nuggets Tues June 17
Theme- The Good Shepherd
Verses- John 10:7-11Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.
8 All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.
9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.(NIV)
A GOOD SHEPHERD PROTECTS HIS SHEEP. V..7,8,11
The fact that this teaching follows the episode of the one born blind being excommunicated from the synagogue is not coincidental. Jesus showed himself to the man and that man became a believer. Jesus' response was to say they can throw you out of a synagogue but they cannot throw you out of the Kingdom of Heaven, because I am the door, and they are not. Only the door can shut you out and I am it. No church, no pastor, no denomination, no pope or priest is the door, only Christ. He opens and closes and no man can do that.
Out in the fields, the sheep fold was usually an enclosure made of rocks, with an opening for the door. The shepherd would guard the flock, at night by lying across the opening. Quite literally he was the door, or gate keeping sheep in while he slept and keeping out other thieves, or protecting them from beasts. This is the type of figure that Jesus used when he called himself the door.
Or it was not unusual for several flocks to be sheltered together in the same fold in a small town or village. Sometimes there would be a paid guard, or porter who would make the shepherd identify himself if he was to get into the sheep fold. In the morning the shepherds would come, call their sheep, and assemble their own flocks. The thieves and robbers could never enter through the door, so they have to climb over the wall and enter the fold through deception.
Such protection was needed to keep the flock safe from wild animals, and evil men. Jesus tells the truth that there are also evil people out to divide, spoil and steal believers. Satan seeks to destroy churches and cause new and Christians to give up their faith. The church is always liable to attack from outside like the wolves and the robbers, and it is always liable to trouble form the inside from the false shepherd or a hireling. The church risks double danger. If the shepherd is faithful and good there is strong defense from the attack from the outside; but if the shepherd is faithless then the foes from outside can penetrate and destroy the flock.
There are cults outside of the truth of the Bible that will twist Scripture and prey on people's ignorance of the Bible. There are people who will show you another way to salvation, and use human reasoning to convince you. There is a tactic of Satan to take a flock and divide it through dissension. There are plenty of churches that split, not over doctrine, but over attitudes of pride, power, selfishness, and immaturity. How different is the spirit of Jesus. The church's first essential is a leadership which is based on the example of Jesus Christ. A good shepherd protects his sheep. There is protection for you and me in the security of the sheep fold, under the protection of our Master. Keep in the word. Keep in prayer. Keep in the fellowship of believers. Keep active in your spiritual faith and walk. Flee sin and temptation. These are the instructions of our Shepherd.
Pastor Dale
Theme- The Good Shepherd
Verses- John 10:7-11Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.
8 All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.
9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.(NIV)
A GOOD SHEPHERD PROTECTS HIS SHEEP. V..7,8,11
The fact that this teaching follows the episode of the one born blind being excommunicated from the synagogue is not coincidental. Jesus showed himself to the man and that man became a believer. Jesus' response was to say they can throw you out of a synagogue but they cannot throw you out of the Kingdom of Heaven, because I am the door, and they are not. Only the door can shut you out and I am it. No church, no pastor, no denomination, no pope or priest is the door, only Christ. He opens and closes and no man can do that.
Out in the fields, the sheep fold was usually an enclosure made of rocks, with an opening for the door. The shepherd would guard the flock, at night by lying across the opening. Quite literally he was the door, or gate keeping sheep in while he slept and keeping out other thieves, or protecting them from beasts. This is the type of figure that Jesus used when he called himself the door.
Or it was not unusual for several flocks to be sheltered together in the same fold in a small town or village. Sometimes there would be a paid guard, or porter who would make the shepherd identify himself if he was to get into the sheep fold. In the morning the shepherds would come, call their sheep, and assemble their own flocks. The thieves and robbers could never enter through the door, so they have to climb over the wall and enter the fold through deception.
Such protection was needed to keep the flock safe from wild animals, and evil men. Jesus tells the truth that there are also evil people out to divide, spoil and steal believers. Satan seeks to destroy churches and cause new and Christians to give up their faith. The church is always liable to attack from outside like the wolves and the robbers, and it is always liable to trouble form the inside from the false shepherd or a hireling. The church risks double danger. If the shepherd is faithful and good there is strong defense from the attack from the outside; but if the shepherd is faithless then the foes from outside can penetrate and destroy the flock.
There are cults outside of the truth of the Bible that will twist Scripture and prey on people's ignorance of the Bible. There are people who will show you another way to salvation, and use human reasoning to convince you. There is a tactic of Satan to take a flock and divide it through dissension. There are plenty of churches that split, not over doctrine, but over attitudes of pride, power, selfishness, and immaturity. How different is the spirit of Jesus. The church's first essential is a leadership which is based on the example of Jesus Christ. A good shepherd protects his sheep. There is protection for you and me in the security of the sheep fold, under the protection of our Master. Keep in the word. Keep in prayer. Keep in the fellowship of believers. Keep active in your spiritual faith and walk. Flee sin and temptation. These are the instructions of our Shepherd.
Pastor Dale
Monday, June 16, 2008
The Good Shepherd Calls Us. John 10:1-6
Sermon nuggets Mon June 16
Theme THE GOOD SHEPHERD John 10:1-21
Verses- John 10:1-6 "I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice."
6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them.
A GOOD SHEPHERD CALLS HIS SHEEP. v. 1-6
One of the most endearing figures in the Bible of the relationship of God to his people is the figure of being a Shepherd to Sheep. The Jews well knew the allegory of David's 23rd Psalm, and many others also. Now Jesus uses this same figure to describe himself in relationship to his followers. He is the good shepherd. This is another allusion to Jesus divinity. The Church is His sheep.
The New Testament also speaks of leaders of the Church as shepherds and people as flock. It is the duty of the leader to feed the flock of God, to accept the oversight willingly and not by constraint, to do it eagerly and not for the love of money, not to use the position for exercise of power but to be an example to the flock. These teachings are in I Peter 5:2,3.
A shepherd is known by the sheep. They follow his voice. They trust Him. It is not uncommon even today in various parts of the world for flocks to intermingle. Shepherds would get together and visit, eat, socialize, or sleep, and in the morning would call their own flocks and amazingly the sheep would divide up according to the voice of the shepherd. There was a special relationship between good shepherds and sheep.
The relationship is quite different in Palestine because sheep are largely kept for wool and milk, so it was the case that sheep were often with the shepherd for years. The shepherd would often give his sheep special names. He would call them by their names. The shepherd went down a path first to see that it was safe, and there were no dangers. Then call the sheep that would follow his voice. A thief could never get sheep to follow him, because they would not recognize his voice, so he must steal them.
It is clear in the Gospels that the religious rulers of Israel were interested only in providing for themselves and protecting themselves. The Pharisees were covetous, and even took advantage of the poor widows. They turned God's temple into a den of thieves robbing the poor people by requiring them to purchase at inflated prices special blessed animals. They exchanged money at enormous rates. They plotted to kill Jesus so that Rome would not take away their privileges.
Lewis Timberlake wrote when Dr. David Livingstone was working in Africa, "We would like to send other men to you. Have you found a good road into your area yet?"
Dr. Livingstone sent this message in reply: "If you have men who will only come if they know there is a good road, I don't want them. I want men who will come if there is no road at all." It was a pointed reply. We are not looking for the easy road, but rather the road where Jesus calls us for he goes before us and the easy road where he is not will only lead to destruction.
There are others who will call us to follow them and do what they want us to do, but the follower of Jesus will commit himself of listening to the voice of the good shepherd. Any other voice will only mislead us.
Pastor Dale
Theme THE GOOD SHEPHERD John 10:1-21
Verses- John 10:1-6 "I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice."
6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them.
A GOOD SHEPHERD CALLS HIS SHEEP. v. 1-6
One of the most endearing figures in the Bible of the relationship of God to his people is the figure of being a Shepherd to Sheep. The Jews well knew the allegory of David's 23rd Psalm, and many others also. Now Jesus uses this same figure to describe himself in relationship to his followers. He is the good shepherd. This is another allusion to Jesus divinity. The Church is His sheep.
The New Testament also speaks of leaders of the Church as shepherds and people as flock. It is the duty of the leader to feed the flock of God, to accept the oversight willingly and not by constraint, to do it eagerly and not for the love of money, not to use the position for exercise of power but to be an example to the flock. These teachings are in I Peter 5:2,3.
A shepherd is known by the sheep. They follow his voice. They trust Him. It is not uncommon even today in various parts of the world for flocks to intermingle. Shepherds would get together and visit, eat, socialize, or sleep, and in the morning would call their own flocks and amazingly the sheep would divide up according to the voice of the shepherd. There was a special relationship between good shepherds and sheep.
The relationship is quite different in Palestine because sheep are largely kept for wool and milk, so it was the case that sheep were often with the shepherd for years. The shepherd would often give his sheep special names. He would call them by their names. The shepherd went down a path first to see that it was safe, and there were no dangers. Then call the sheep that would follow his voice. A thief could never get sheep to follow him, because they would not recognize his voice, so he must steal them.
It is clear in the Gospels that the religious rulers of Israel were interested only in providing for themselves and protecting themselves. The Pharisees were covetous, and even took advantage of the poor widows. They turned God's temple into a den of thieves robbing the poor people by requiring them to purchase at inflated prices special blessed animals. They exchanged money at enormous rates. They plotted to kill Jesus so that Rome would not take away their privileges.
Lewis Timberlake wrote when Dr. David Livingstone was working in Africa, "We would like to send other men to you. Have you found a good road into your area yet?"
Dr. Livingstone sent this message in reply: "If you have men who will only come if they know there is a good road, I don't want them. I want men who will come if there is no road at all." It was a pointed reply. We are not looking for the easy road, but rather the road where Jesus calls us for he goes before us and the easy road where he is not will only lead to destruction.
There are others who will call us to follow them and do what they want us to do, but the follower of Jesus will commit himself of listening to the voice of the good shepherd. Any other voice will only mislead us.
Pastor Dale
Friday, June 13, 2008
Spiritual Blindness John 9:35-41
Sermon nuggets Fri June 13, 2008
Theme- Spiritual Blindness
Verses John 9:35-41 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?"
36 "Who is he, sir?" the man asked. "Tell me so that I may believe in him."
37 Jesus said, "You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you."
38 Then the man said, "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped him.
39 Jesus said, "For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind."
40 Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, "What? Are we blind too?"
41 Jesus said, "If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains. (NIV)
Blinded by Ignorance vs 35-41
I saw a play that deal with this subject called the Lamp at Midnight. It was a biographical play about the physicist Galileo in the 1600s. Galileo worked long hours studying what he observed in his telescopes. He plotted the stars, and carefully researched what was occurring. To his surprise he discovered the data revealed that the sun was the center of this galaxy, just as Copernicus suspected over 100 years before him, Galileo showed how the planets revolved around in ellipses, like lopsided circles. And there were periods when the moon was actually closer to the earth and periods that the earth was closer to the sun. All these astronomical theories we accept as fact today. But there was one problem in Galileo's day. The Catholic Church taught God was perfect in all things, and everyone knew that the perfect geometric figure was the circle, not an ellipse. Since man as the center of God's activity Earth therefore must by the center of the universe. In other words Galileo's discoveries did not fit in the church's theology. Bishops were called, the Pope was even asked to look into the telescope and see for himself.
Some officials thought Galileo had painted spots on the other end to confuse them. But theology superseded a man's notions, regardless what he saw in the telescopes. They made Galileo recant his discoveries and banned his books during the inquisition. They refused to see the wonders of the heavens and the further glories of God because of pride. They were not humble enough to admit they were wrong.
It wasn’t until this decade that Pope John Paul II apologized in 2000 for that sin.
That is no different in Jesus day or in our day. Some are not the least bit interested in the facts only in how they might win their argument. They cannot admit wrong, that is an admission of weakness.
Ignorance and the refusal to be open to truth kept them spiritually blind.
There are times when God doesn't fit into our preconceived ideas we must be humble and admit that God's ways are not always understood by mankind. We must never take pride of our understanding. It is hard to admit that our understanding is limited. It is hard to admit that we don't know it all. But there is knowable truth. Jesus is the light. Faith is found in Him and Him alone. There are the truths of the Bible that are stated clearly and plainly and repeatedly, believe them strongly.
Paul Stookey, of Peter, Paul and Mary fame sang in one of his songs, “Passing conversations where they mentioned your existence, and the fact that you had been replaced by your assistants. The discussion was theology and when they smiled and turned to me, all that I could say was, ‘I believe in you.’” All the blind man could say, was "once I was blind, but now I see."
If I were to pick one most common mistake people make in misinterpreting the Bible it is taking a verse or portion out of context. Many pick a verse here and there and fail to read and understand each verse in relationship to the previous verses and the following verses. Lots of cults will try to quote the Bible to you, but if you read those verses for yourself and study what goes before it and after it, you will save yourself lots of errors that are floating around.
How do we correct these blind spots in our eyes, our spiritual eyes?
I believe it is the desire to know and look to the light, the Son of God, Jesus Christ. Jesus turned to the man having revealed himself now to Him, Do you believe in the Son of Man? "Who is he sir that I am believe in him? Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you." Then the man said, "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped him. This miracle was greater than the first. Jesus healed him and now spiritually for the first time in his life he could see. There are some who are blind but who see Jesus. There are many that think they can see, but are blind to Jesus. That is also what Jesus told the Pharisees. They see only the law, they see only other men and women around them, they see only pride of their theology and that keeps them from seeing Jesus.
Pastor Dale
Theme- Spiritual Blindness
Verses John 9:35-41 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?"
36 "Who is he, sir?" the man asked. "Tell me so that I may believe in him."
37 Jesus said, "You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you."
38 Then the man said, "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped him.
39 Jesus said, "For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind."
40 Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, "What? Are we blind too?"
41 Jesus said, "If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains. (NIV)
Blinded by Ignorance vs 35-41
I saw a play that deal with this subject called the Lamp at Midnight. It was a biographical play about the physicist Galileo in the 1600s. Galileo worked long hours studying what he observed in his telescopes. He plotted the stars, and carefully researched what was occurring. To his surprise he discovered the data revealed that the sun was the center of this galaxy, just as Copernicus suspected over 100 years before him, Galileo showed how the planets revolved around in ellipses, like lopsided circles. And there were periods when the moon was actually closer to the earth and periods that the earth was closer to the sun. All these astronomical theories we accept as fact today. But there was one problem in Galileo's day. The Catholic Church taught God was perfect in all things, and everyone knew that the perfect geometric figure was the circle, not an ellipse. Since man as the center of God's activity Earth therefore must by the center of the universe. In other words Galileo's discoveries did not fit in the church's theology. Bishops were called, the Pope was even asked to look into the telescope and see for himself.
Some officials thought Galileo had painted spots on the other end to confuse them. But theology superseded a man's notions, regardless what he saw in the telescopes. They made Galileo recant his discoveries and banned his books during the inquisition. They refused to see the wonders of the heavens and the further glories of God because of pride. They were not humble enough to admit they were wrong.
It wasn’t until this decade that Pope John Paul II apologized in 2000 for that sin.
That is no different in Jesus day or in our day. Some are not the least bit interested in the facts only in how they might win their argument. They cannot admit wrong, that is an admission of weakness.
Ignorance and the refusal to be open to truth kept them spiritually blind.
There are times when God doesn't fit into our preconceived ideas we must be humble and admit that God's ways are not always understood by mankind. We must never take pride of our understanding. It is hard to admit that our understanding is limited. It is hard to admit that we don't know it all. But there is knowable truth. Jesus is the light. Faith is found in Him and Him alone. There are the truths of the Bible that are stated clearly and plainly and repeatedly, believe them strongly.
Paul Stookey, of Peter, Paul and Mary fame sang in one of his songs, “Passing conversations where they mentioned your existence, and the fact that you had been replaced by your assistants. The discussion was theology and when they smiled and turned to me, all that I could say was, ‘I believe in you.’” All the blind man could say, was "once I was blind, but now I see."
If I were to pick one most common mistake people make in misinterpreting the Bible it is taking a verse or portion out of context. Many pick a verse here and there and fail to read and understand each verse in relationship to the previous verses and the following verses. Lots of cults will try to quote the Bible to you, but if you read those verses for yourself and study what goes before it and after it, you will save yourself lots of errors that are floating around.
How do we correct these blind spots in our eyes, our spiritual eyes?
I believe it is the desire to know and look to the light, the Son of God, Jesus Christ. Jesus turned to the man having revealed himself now to Him, Do you believe in the Son of Man? "Who is he sir that I am believe in him? Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you." Then the man said, "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped him. This miracle was greater than the first. Jesus healed him and now spiritually for the first time in his life he could see. There are some who are blind but who see Jesus. There are many that think they can see, but are blind to Jesus. That is also what Jesus told the Pharisees. They see only the law, they see only other men and women around them, they see only pride of their theology and that keeps them from seeing Jesus.
Pastor Dale
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Blinded by Pride John 9:24-34
Sermon Nuggets Thurs June 12
Theme Spiritual Blindness
Verses - John 9:24-34 A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. "Give glory to God," they said. "We know this man is a sinner."
25 He replied, "Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!"
26 Then they asked him, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?"
27 He answered, "I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?"
28 Then they hurled insults at him and said, "You are this fellow's disciple! We are disciples of Moses! 29 We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don't even know where he comes from."
30 The man answered, "Now that is remarkable! You don't know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will. 32 Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing."
34 To this they replied, "You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!" And they threw him out. (NIV)
Blinded by Pride.
The accusers of the blind man were not at all concerned about him or about the truth of what happened to him. They were proud of their theology, their education, their status, their power, and their religious training. Their pride kept them from seeing Jesus as the Son of God.
They asked the man a second time about the details of his healing. Perhaps they would find something else to criticize or condemn Jesus. But they couldn't escape the fact that the man was totally, physically blind and now he was healed by the supernatural powers of Jesus.
The man who was blind challenged them to open their own eyes. He asked how Jesus could receive just such power unless it was divine power. The man's eyes were opened, and so was his understanding of who Jesus must be. No one could open eyes blind from birth. Since God heard him then Jesus must be from God.
This infuriated the Jews and they rebuked him. "You were born in utter sin," And they kicked him out of the temple.
What was the power of this man's witness? He was changed and he knew it and wasn't afraid to tell people the truth. He didn't need to understand all doctrine, or comprehend all the answers to his doubts. He was living proof of a living and powerful God. He told his story. All he needed to do was to trust what he did understand. All the opinions in the world would not change this man's mind, because simply put, "I was blind, and now I see". He gave God the glory. It worked for Him.
Jesus is worth following. People can say anything they want. They can debate, argue read Greek, Hebrew, and hieroglyphics. They can have committee meetings and hold councils, and test-tube experiments, but it all came down to one final argument as far as the man was concerned, "I was blind, and now I see." People can believe him or not. They can think what they want to about Jesus, but he experienced God’s power and freedom of from that which kept him in darkness all my life. Nobody can deny that and what difference does it matter that others say and think. Jesus made him whole.
Have you experienced the reality of Jesus in your life? Your witness is what God has done for you. Tell others of your experience, and how God has affected your life and leave it at that. Nobody can deny it, and if they do, it really doesn't make a difference. Truth is not truth because people vote on it. Truth is truth based on what is revealed. That is why I found an article in the Minneapolis Star and Tribune a few years ago both funny and sad. A group of church people from the Disciples of Christ Church couldn't agree whether non-Christians could go to heaven, so they referred it back to committee. How prideful! They don't make up the rules God does. We can think what we like, but one who has experienced the reality of God in their life doesn't need an argument. "Once I was blind, and now I see."
Pastor Dale
Theme Spiritual Blindness
Verses - John 9:24-34 A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. "Give glory to God," they said. "We know this man is a sinner."
25 He replied, "Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!"
26 Then they asked him, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?"
27 He answered, "I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?"
28 Then they hurled insults at him and said, "You are this fellow's disciple! We are disciples of Moses! 29 We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don't even know where he comes from."
30 The man answered, "Now that is remarkable! You don't know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will. 32 Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing."
34 To this they replied, "You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!" And they threw him out. (NIV)
Blinded by Pride.
The accusers of the blind man were not at all concerned about him or about the truth of what happened to him. They were proud of their theology, their education, their status, their power, and their religious training. Their pride kept them from seeing Jesus as the Son of God.
They asked the man a second time about the details of his healing. Perhaps they would find something else to criticize or condemn Jesus. But they couldn't escape the fact that the man was totally, physically blind and now he was healed by the supernatural powers of Jesus.
The man who was blind challenged them to open their own eyes. He asked how Jesus could receive just such power unless it was divine power. The man's eyes were opened, and so was his understanding of who Jesus must be. No one could open eyes blind from birth. Since God heard him then Jesus must be from God.
This infuriated the Jews and they rebuked him. "You were born in utter sin," And they kicked him out of the temple.
What was the power of this man's witness? He was changed and he knew it and wasn't afraid to tell people the truth. He didn't need to understand all doctrine, or comprehend all the answers to his doubts. He was living proof of a living and powerful God. He told his story. All he needed to do was to trust what he did understand. All the opinions in the world would not change this man's mind, because simply put, "I was blind, and now I see". He gave God the glory. It worked for Him.
Jesus is worth following. People can say anything they want. They can debate, argue read Greek, Hebrew, and hieroglyphics. They can have committee meetings and hold councils, and test-tube experiments, but it all came down to one final argument as far as the man was concerned, "I was blind, and now I see." People can believe him or not. They can think what they want to about Jesus, but he experienced God’s power and freedom of from that which kept him in darkness all my life. Nobody can deny that and what difference does it matter that others say and think. Jesus made him whole.
Have you experienced the reality of Jesus in your life? Your witness is what God has done for you. Tell others of your experience, and how God has affected your life and leave it at that. Nobody can deny it, and if they do, it really doesn't make a difference. Truth is not truth because people vote on it. Truth is truth based on what is revealed. That is why I found an article in the Minneapolis Star and Tribune a few years ago both funny and sad. A group of church people from the Disciples of Christ Church couldn't agree whether non-Christians could go to heaven, so they referred it back to committee. How prideful! They don't make up the rules God does. We can think what we like, but one who has experienced the reality of God in their life doesn't need an argument. "Once I was blind, and now I see."
Pastor Dale
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Blinded by Fear John 9:18-23
Sermon nuggets Weds June 11, 2008
Theme Spiritual Blindness
Verses John 9:18-23 The Jews still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man's parents.
19 "Is this your son?" they asked. "Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?"
20 "We know he is our son," the parents answered, "and we know he was born blind.
21 But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don't know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself."
22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for already the Jews had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Christ would be put out of the synagogue. That was why his parents said, "He is of age; ask him."
Blinded by Fear
There are many who are blind to spiritual truths because of fear of others. What would others say if they knew you were a Christian? What would others do if you didn't want to go along with the crowd? Are am afraid you would lose popularity, or friendship with some people if you don't act like them or go along with their activities that makes you feel accepted. Young people fight with this temptation often.
Many youth want to fit in with the crowd, but so do adults. People want to dress like others when they go some place so they won't be overdressed, or underdressed. Some of this is cultural style. What is okay to wear at certain events?
But beyond dress many Christians will say, "My faith is something private. I don't talk about it. Why? May I advise you and all young people not to let fear of others blind you spiritually. Don't do what you know is wrong because fear of what others might say. Your life and decisions are far more important than letting someone else run your life. Truth will always win in the end. Have patience.
Here the man's parents were asked to identify their son and give witness that he was indeed blind from birth. With much fear they did so, but they would not commit themselves to Jesus because they did not want to be kicked out of the group. The Jews had already agreed that if anyone should confess him to be the Christ, he was to be put of the synagogue.
Often people's relationship to God is dependant on their commitment to other people, not to God. The Apostle Paul said, "I become all things to all people that I might win some." Does that contradict what I said? No. For the cause of Christ Paul will do what it takes so other people will understand the truth of the Gospel. If dressing like a china man means that the china man will be more open to listen to Jesus then missionary Hudson Taylor will dress like a china man. If plowing a field helps to gain friendship with a farmer so that he might open up his life to Christ, then be willing to plow a field. If going to a football game helps some athletes discover Spiritual truth, then one should be willing to do that. What is the bridge to help others open up dialogue on Spiritual things, but ask what are the barriers that encourage your silence?
Notice what happened when Peter began to discriminate against the Gentiles when others of his own race walked in the door. Now we are talking about conviction of principle. We are talking about salvation and the place of the non-Jew in God's eyes. Paul stood and publicly criticized the Apostle Peter's actions because it was wrong, and it was going to affect others.
I read of Harry Ironsides, one of the great preachers of the last century tells a story of one of His mother's lessons to him. Mother told Harry as a youngster to trust in the Lord with all his heart. He said, "Well Momma, I would like to do it, but he boys will laugh at me." His Momma looked at him and said, "Harry remember, they may laugh you into hell, but they can never laugh you out of it." Harry thought about that and followed the Lord ever since.
Perfect love casts out fear, the Bible tells us. Knowing the truth of God gives us courage. Having the Spirit of God helps us stand up against our fears. Notice the lack of fear of the blind man.
Pastor Dale
Theme Spiritual Blindness
Verses John 9:18-23 The Jews still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man's parents.
19 "Is this your son?" they asked. "Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?"
20 "We know he is our son," the parents answered, "and we know he was born blind.
21 But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don't know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself."
22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for already the Jews had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Christ would be put out of the synagogue. That was why his parents said, "He is of age; ask him."
Blinded by Fear
There are many who are blind to spiritual truths because of fear of others. What would others say if they knew you were a Christian? What would others do if you didn't want to go along with the crowd? Are am afraid you would lose popularity, or friendship with some people if you don't act like them or go along with their activities that makes you feel accepted. Young people fight with this temptation often.
Many youth want to fit in with the crowd, but so do adults. People want to dress like others when they go some place so they won't be overdressed, or underdressed. Some of this is cultural style. What is okay to wear at certain events?
But beyond dress many Christians will say, "My faith is something private. I don't talk about it. Why? May I advise you and all young people not to let fear of others blind you spiritually. Don't do what you know is wrong because fear of what others might say. Your life and decisions are far more important than letting someone else run your life. Truth will always win in the end. Have patience.
Here the man's parents were asked to identify their son and give witness that he was indeed blind from birth. With much fear they did so, but they would not commit themselves to Jesus because they did not want to be kicked out of the group. The Jews had already agreed that if anyone should confess him to be the Christ, he was to be put of the synagogue.
Often people's relationship to God is dependant on their commitment to other people, not to God. The Apostle Paul said, "I become all things to all people that I might win some." Does that contradict what I said? No. For the cause of Christ Paul will do what it takes so other people will understand the truth of the Gospel. If dressing like a china man means that the china man will be more open to listen to Jesus then missionary Hudson Taylor will dress like a china man. If plowing a field helps to gain friendship with a farmer so that he might open up his life to Christ, then be willing to plow a field. If going to a football game helps some athletes discover Spiritual truth, then one should be willing to do that. What is the bridge to help others open up dialogue on Spiritual things, but ask what are the barriers that encourage your silence?
Notice what happened when Peter began to discriminate against the Gentiles when others of his own race walked in the door. Now we are talking about conviction of principle. We are talking about salvation and the place of the non-Jew in God's eyes. Paul stood and publicly criticized the Apostle Peter's actions because it was wrong, and it was going to affect others.
I read of Harry Ironsides, one of the great preachers of the last century tells a story of one of His mother's lessons to him. Mother told Harry as a youngster to trust in the Lord with all his heart. He said, "Well Momma, I would like to do it, but he boys will laugh at me." His Momma looked at him and said, "Harry remember, they may laugh you into hell, but they can never laugh you out of it." Harry thought about that and followed the Lord ever since.
Perfect love casts out fear, the Bible tells us. Knowing the truth of God gives us courage. Having the Spirit of God helps us stand up against our fears. Notice the lack of fear of the blind man.
Pastor Dale
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)