Sermon Nuggets Week of Sept 7 2009
Sermon Nuggets Mon Sept 7
Theme- Suffering and the Will of God
Verses- 1 Peter 4:12-19
The Pain of Suffering
David Mazel talked to his rabbi once when he was asked how things were going, He answered, "Things are going all right, but it wouldn't hurt if they went a little better." The rabbi said, "And how to you know it wouldn't hurt?"
A gardener said of his chrysanthemum that we concentrate all the strength of the plant in one bloom. If we would allow it to bear all the flowers it could, none would be worth showing. If you want a prize specimen you must be content with a single chrysanthemum instead of many. So too, God prunes from our lives certain habits and practices, which in themselves may not be wrong, so that He may perfect in us the qualities he desires for the purposes he desires and in that we are honored and blessed.
When bad things happen to good people it is normal to ask why? It is confusing knowing that a sovereign God is in charge, not only of the universe, but our lives. How does His power and wisdom fit in with something that hurts? It doesn’t make sense.
In this passage there is pain mentioned. It is part of suffering. Sometimes that pain is physical. The story of Job or even the experience of Paul in 2 Cor 12 speaks of physical pain that comes as a messenger of Satan, but allowed by God. It seems as if it is His permissive will to ultimately accomplish his perfect will. Good things come out of it, but it is normal to do everything one can to get out from it when it comes to sickness or pain.
But physical pain was also the beatings and the jailings that occurred by Christians under persecution. It might involve hunger and thirst when denied some of the basics for life. It might be sleeplessness and soreness when called or forced into uncomfortable environments. Missionaries who experience heat, cold, lack of physical comforts experience pain that is part of the will of God to spread the message. Doing what God calls us to do is not always comfortable.
Suffering can include emotional or psychological pain when people are insulted and harassed by others. This is a common suffering around the world when prejudice and hatred abounds toward the Christian in a non Christian environment. Many are kept from following Christ because of the painful cost of losing friends, acceptance, and ostracism from family is too high for them.
Abuses come to Christians as well as non Christians in our fallen world when there are robberies, rapes, and bankruptcies. Let’ s remind ourselves that we live in a cursed world. Until we see Satan defeated the pain of suffering is a fact. It is naïve to think all Christians can escape that. It is normal to question God when we are hurting. But in this passage of study Peter points us to look beyond the present. God is still on His throne.
The Lord produces vibrant, fruitful saints by allowing the painful experiences of sorrow and trials to touch their lives. Believers who have experienced testing can confirm that through it they developed character and stamina, not the sheltered oasis of peace and rest, but out in the difficult experiences of life.
In the pains of life we seek God harder. In our seeking we find Him in ways that we might not have guessed. We learn most in our sufferings. That is what Peter discovered and wants to pass it on to others.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Tues Sept 8
Verse 1 Peter 4:12 "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you."
The Promise of Suffering.
I introduced the topic of suffering in the life of the Christian yesterday as recorded by Peter in the last part of Chapter 4. Not only is suffering painful because of the fall of man and the call of Christ, it is also promised, so don’t be surprised. It will happen. It is proper to ask the why questions. It is a way of also crying out to God that we don’t understand the situations we face that cause us physical and emotional pain. But it is a road all of us walk down as humans, but don’t be surprised if this comes because of your faith in Christ.
There will be trials and temptations that affect us in this life. It is a promise. If you are a true follower of Jesus Christ, count on two things. Satan and his evil forces will be seeking to give you trouble. Persecution, discouragement, and problems come because you are His follower. And secondly, you will have times in your life when you will be tempted to want to quit the faith and question if God really does care and know what you are going through. It doesn't seem fair!
It is during those times that divine faith takes over; we walk by faith not by sight. Suffering is one of the tools that bring us into a closer walk with God.
There is a brand of Christian teaching that seeks some prayer formula where Jesus is a means to get our personal desires. When issues of persistence trust, commitment, obedience, and faithfulness to the Lord are raised they resist that teaching instead that suffering is not God’s design for a Christian. Yet here Paul says do not be surprised. Satan uses all kinds of tactics to discourage our faith walk. Pray. Petition, Cry out to God and be aware that He holds you in His hands when the days are dark. And know they will get better.
"How can God get us to do what He wants?", is a much more important question for all of us. God is not making deals with us. It never says in the Bible that if we are good and do what He wants we will get what we want in this world. It does say, "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you as well." What things? The things that we need to accomplish His righteousness and advance His kingdom. He will supply your needs in the riches of Jesus.
Where is your eye focused? Is it on Christ or things that you think He should provide for you?
Our lives should be different than those around us in that we seek to honor the Lord in the things we say and do. That should affect all of our lives- at home, school, work, community, and recreation. We become the conscience for society. Many people will not like that. Christians who are committed to the Lord will be rejected. Plan on it- sooner or later. People don't like guilty feeling and if we say some things are wrong and right, expect some form of persecution. However, be very much aware that even though people do not accept Christ or the morals of the Bible, do not hate or distain those who are victims of spiritual ignorance. The ones outside of Jesus Christ are to be pitied. Pray for them and show a deeper love even to our enemies. That is what Jesus did and taught.
Don’t be surprised when it comes, but be mindful Jesus knows and brings the victory as we walk with Him through it.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Weds Sept 9
Verses 1 Peter 4:13-16 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.
However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.
A Purpose of Suffering
Part of the purpose of suffering is to help determine if our faith is in religion, church, or Jesus Christ. There is a difference you know. If it is in Christ there is the commitment to Him regardless of what happens. Faith is gone quickly as the seed falling on shallow grown that has no root. When the hot sun comes out it is scorched and dries up. Part of the purpose of human suffering for Jesus sake is to not only reveal our hearts to true faith but other hearts as well.
In an article in the Standard Pastor Terry White told of his severe house fire. His daughter called him from his sleep. As he threw open the door there was heaving rolling wall of orange flames. Her bed, wall and ceiling were an inferno He shouted for everyone to get outside quickly and ran across the hall to call 911 at 3:13 am Sunday morning.
His house and virtually all his possessions were destroyed by fire that night set aflame by a candle which was left burning after a storm and power outage. They were heart broken over the damage and destruction of a perfectly lovely home now only charred insulation, gapping holes in the roof and floors sopping wet. The pain of lost history and mementos and photos and sentimental gifts was the hardest.
They were showered with gifts from church members and friends. What did the Whites learn?
1) that things are not as important as relationships- all family members escaped without serious injury or death. God has a plan for them and they seem more aware of it now than before.
2) They now were called upon be to gracious receivers. It was humbling to have well-meaning friends (and even strangers)tramping through smoking ruins, looking in the ashes of closets and dressers drawers. It is humbling to accept gifts and love from so many given out of love and received gratefully.
3) the fire made them more sensitive to others' hurt. Having experienced this trauma helped them to better identify with others who are in crisis. There were episodes of frustration, anger, nostalgia and emotional pain.
4) They had to learn to hold possessions lightly. Though they never considered themselves materialists they now realized they owned far more than really needed. Lots of it was junk. They had learned to live on a simpler scale. Jesus speaking of the rich fool in Luke 12:15 said, "A man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possession."
This is one type of suffering which allows God's purposes to be testing and trial grounds to perfect us. Then there is also the persecution that the Bible calls partaking of the sufferings of
Jesus. What does that mean? Romans 8:17 "Now if we are children, then we are heirs-heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Phil 3:10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so somehow to attain to the resurrection from the dead."
We identify with Jesus not in his atonement, for some people are known to believe our sufferings in some way help pay for the sins of the world. When Jesus said it was finished on the cross, He meant it. The cross was the means of his paying for the punishment of our sins and there is nothing we can add to that.
To participate in his sufferings simply means that we will suffer persecution for righteousness and seeking to live in God's will just as Jesus did. He is our example.
The cross was the way to crown. Now we are not saved if we suffer. We are saved because Jesus gave his life for us. We accept that free gift. We are drawn by His Spirit to repentance and confession of sin. We are desirous to want to please Jesus and make Him first in our lives. This act of salvation is Gods' glorious grace made known to us. But there are times in people's lives when the manifold strength and presence of Christ is shown in a most extra ordinary way.
We can rejoice therefore in persecution for it will cause for us not only the presence of God in the here and now, but glory, upon glory in the future when Jesus returns again. The blessed hope of the believer is the return of Jesus and making right again all wrongs, and rewarding especially those who gave their lives in martyrdom and in suffering for Jesus sake. He does not forget. He knows motive and purpose in each one.
Of course, you realize it is not for wrong things that we ought to suffer, we deserve that. I read about a young man in the armed forces facing court-martial because he insisted on carrying his Bible on guard duty even after he had been forbidden to do so. The base commander explained that he was not opposed to the Bible, but it simply was against regulations for anyone to be reading on sentry duty. It can be a distraction from his job of guarding the base. The serviceman defended himself by saying the Bible helps him concentrate on the job. This believer was not suffering for righteousness sake. In fact it was for insubordination. It is commendable that he wanted to read the Bible but the job requires that he have nothing hindering him from being alert at his post that was the soldier's first responsibility. He could read the Bible on his own time. Do not suffer for doing wrong and think it is for Jesus.
Look in this chapter how many times there is a reference to rejoicing or blessing: v. 13 Rejoice that you participate in the suffering of Christ. so you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.v.14 You are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. vs. 16 Praise God that you bear that name.
Just like Shaddrach, Meshach and Obendego went into the fiery furnace, so they were walking with one like unto the son of man. Like when Stephen was dying in his stoning it said of him that his face shown like that of an angel's and he saw the Lord.
The purpose of suffering is to look to Jesus and allow others to do the same. He is the anchor when the storms of life and faith are rough.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Thurs. Sept 10
Verses 1 Peter 4:17-18 For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
And, "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"
A Prediction of Suffering
There are different kinds of suffering as we have pointed out. There is a suffering for the cause of Christ that is a meaningful and purposeful suffering. In such suffering, as the context of Peter’s letter, the believers were being judged by their persecutors for their faith. The worse they could possibly do was to harm their bodies, or imprison them. The world judges Christians on their own standards. It is the judgment of men.
Polycarp was the Bishop of Smyrna about the middle of the 2nd century. He was arrested for his faith and threatened with death if he did not recant. "Eighty and six years have I served Him said the saintly Bishop, "and He never did me any injury. How can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?"
The Roman officer said, "I have respect for you age. Simply say, 'Away with the atheists' and be set free." By the atheists he meant the Christians who would not acknowledge that Caesar was Lord.'
The old man pointed to the crowd of Roman pagans surrounded him and cried, "Away with the atheists!" He was burned at the stake and in his martyrdom brought glory to the name of Jesus Christ.
That is an example of the manner of martyrs throughout much of history.
The Bible indicates that it is also a time for judgment to begin with the family of God. We might call that type of suffering discipline. It is judgment that is for believers to bring Christ in proper perspective. It is one of the means by which God desires the church to get its act together. Would that we can learn as a people to depend on Him rather than wait for the times of trouble before we depend on Him. Would that we confess sin rather than wait until sin has done its damage and many are hurt by it. Would that the church seek Jesus above all other desires than wait for discipline to take away our other loves. It is not that God doesn’t delight in providing for us in our temporary stay on earth, but the fact is too often we delight more in the gifts He provides than the GIVER. There comes a time that judgment falls on the faithful. There is it time for it to fall on Stanchfield before we come to search our own lives.
Yet the passage also addresses the suffering of the unsaved. Sin is does not bother our society much anymore. We have changed the definition. Anything is right in anyone’s eyes now. Even the church promotes and highlights sin in the rise of active homosexuals leading congregations and denominations and people want it that way.
When godly morals are dismantled our whole society suffers. We see injury upon injury in AIDS, Pre marital pregnancies, abortions, broken homes and lonely children. We see sin rear its ugly head under the guise of fun, when many gamble away their paycheck and have no money for rent or food, we take pleasure in adult entertainment and find children and women abused. We see pornography shops more prevalent than MacDonald restaurants. We are paying a deep price in our culture and we will see worse.
God will judge sin, not only the natural consequences of sinful actions, but God will judge the unsaved. The people who are looking self righteous will be condemned. So many leaders, stars, and CEOS of our nation are a disgrace to our land when greed, popularity, sex serves their selfish desires and honesty, integrity, and righteousness are no longer followed except as empty words. All will stand before the Lord first and foremost to answer in regards to what they have done with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. If we say we have believed in Him do we follow Him? God knows our hearts and sees the empty words of worship. Too often people come to praise only to run to their true desires of the heart. If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner? They will be lost forever. That is a prediction of suffering far worse that anything anyone goes through here.
Once when Babe Ruth was called out on strikes by the umpire, Ruth said, There are 40,000 people here who know that last one was a ball tomato head."
The ump replied "Maybe so, but mine is the only opinion that counts." We have one who does not get the calls wrong. For it really doesn't make a lot of difference what I, or others, think. There is only one opinion that counts and it is God's. Now is the time to respond to Jesus Christ, and turn from sin. At the judgment it will be too late.
To those outside of God's grace now is the time to turn to Christ for salvation. To those who live in disobedience now is the time to repent of sin and follow Him.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Fri Sept 11
Verses 1 Peter 4:19 So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
A Plan for Suffering
Well, suffering happens. We wish it didn’t. We pray. We evaluate our lives. We seek to do what we can to get out from under it. But it persists. We trust, we have faith and there is no place else to turn to but the Lord. He is not our last resort. He is our first resort. Our second resort, and all the resorts in the middle. Our job is persist in faith and in good works for His glory according to our ability. Do not give up.
One entrusts all of life to God. The Greek word means depositing money with a friend who can be trusted. A man or woman entrusts himself/herself to God who cannot fail. If a trust is sacred to man, how much more so to God?
Spurgeon’s quoted this verse. “When men unjustly criticize, May I in prayer to Thee resort? Although mistreated and maligned, May I rejoice and not retort.”
There is a plan that is in the Bible. It involves two simple points. First it involves commitment of yourself and your whole situation to God, who is your faithful Creator. There are many examples of people that give their burden to the Lord and then pick it back up again repeatedly. It never works. Leave it there. Or we may have to leave it there every day, but He is one who is trustworthy in His timing and in his way to see His perfect will done. Are you willing to Let God have his way with you?
Secondly, the plan involves responding the way Jesus would respond on this earth. It means responding by doing what is right and good.
That is what Jesus did. He also told us and showed us how to pray for those who persecute us and painfully abuse us for they are under the judgment of God and need forgiveness themselves.
No one likes to be criticized, especially when the judgment is unjust and arises from wrong motives. The natural reaction is to retaliate. If a person is right, however he doesn't have to worry about defending himself. When a Christian comes under fire, she should just keep on doing what is right and not be concerned about what others say. What God thinks is all that really matters.
When you give your day to the Lord, you are giving yourself as well. Let Him do His work and in time you will understand it better.
Pastor Dale
Friday, September 11, 2009
Friday, September 4, 2009
A Living Example 1 Peter 4:7-11
Sermon Nuggets Week of Aug 31
Sermon Nuggets Mon, Aug 31
Theme - A LIVING EXAMPLE
1 Pet 4:7-11
A Living Example
There is no question that the most effective teaching is done when someone watches you. More is caught than taught. How often we learn when we watch others put lessons into practice.
I think that is the same in faith. People read and heard the Scriptures from old, but it wasn’t until Jesus came that the world saw righteousness in action. It came from a heart toward His Father, God. It came from His love toward His disciples. It came from Jesus relating to the lost and hurting. It came from our Lord living in a corrupt political environment. But mostly they saw faith at work when it came to his suffering on the cross.
We can teach all we want, but what we do is more closely watched.
In a View from the Zoo, Gary Richmond tells about the birth of a giraffe: He talks about the first thing to emerge are the baby giraffe's front hoofs and head. A few minutes later the plucky newborn calf is hurled forth, falls 10 feet, and lands on its back. Within seconds, he rolls to an upright position with his legs tucked under his body. From this position he considers the world for the first time and shakes off the last vestiges of the birthing fluid from his eyes and ears, while kneeling on the ground.
The mother giraffes lowers her head long enough to take a quick look. then she positions herself directly over her calf. She waits for about a minute, and then she does the most unreasonable thing. She swings her long, leg outward and kicks her baby, so that it is sent sprawling head over heals.
When it doesn't get up, the violent process is repeated over and over again. The struggle to rise is momentous. As the baby calf grows tired, the mother kicks it again to stimulate its efforts. Finally, the calf stands for the first time on its wobbly legs. Then the mother does the most remarkable thing. She kicks it off its feet again. Why? She wants it to remember how it got up. In the wild, the baby giraffes must be able to get up as quickly as possible in order to stay with the herd, where there is safety. Lions, hyenas, leopards, and wild hunting dogs all enjoy young giraffes, and they'd get it too, if the mother didn't teach her calf to get up quickly.
It seems that when Christians rise up they get knocked down again, and again. Mostly out of persecution, but lots of experiences challenge the faith of the believer in Jesus. Complete dependency on the Lord is a life long lesson. We are placed in positions where there are times in our lives all the resources we can think of fail us and we have nothing more than faith in God. So I need to watch those who are more mature in the faith to see how they live not just when times are good, but especially when the resources of man no longer work and all they have is their faith that sustains them from the daily power and presence of the Lord.
It seems that God is helping us to remember how to get up when we have been knocked down. We need to be continually dependent upon Him for all things.
In Peter letter to a persecuted people he had pointed them to focus on the Lord's glorious coming for their rewards and His godly revenge on those who are ungodly. But until that time comes we are to demonstrate faith to the babes in Christ. We will be looking at some important ways to be an example to the believers in our faith walk.
Think on who might be watching you today. Are you a help to them in what they see in you?
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Sept 1
Verse-1 Pet 4:7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.
An Example in Prayer.
Peter taught the end was near. It was not as we look at linear time, but from God's eternal purposes and theological perspective. The subject of end times is really anytime after the resurrection. This is a reference to Christ's second coming and the judgment associated with it.
The New Testament insistence on the imminent return of Jesus arises from the teaching that the last days begin with the incarnation. We are living in the last days as Heb. 1:1 teaches us. The next great event in redemptive history is Christ's second coming. We do not know when, but it is certain. Believers are always encouraged to watch for it and especially be prepared. Therefore anticipating the end times, and Christ's return should influence our attitudes, actions and relationships.
Because we await the second coming, and because there is the judgment, we need to be diligent in much prayer. To be an example in prayer requires a prepared heart and prepared mind. The NIV uses the term clear minded, not cluttering out attentions with things of this world. We ought to clear our minds of things that would displease God and disrupt his priorities.
Christian are to be characterized by reason. They are to make wise, mature decisions and are able to seek the will of Christ.
Too often we clutter our minds with ungodly media. It is hard to watch a program which has a decent plot or entertaining story without the producers sticking in sex scenes or cursing. The talk shows mind have an interesting interview with a person only to make foul jokes. Most know the details of Michael Jackson or Brett Faurve but cannot find a common passage in the Bible or memorize a verse. Clear your minds.
One good piece of advice came from pastor friend who said we should go on a personal spiritual retreat once a year, a day a month for personal reflection and prayer. Also spend a day a week devoted to the Lord (Sabbath-Sunday) and some moments every day for spiritual prayer and devotion. I think that is good advice for a busy person.
Being self controlled is part of self discipline. It is easy to let everything else control us. Part of a pastor's day is being available to people. But there is also a time when my door needs to be shut and although appointments need to be made I am continually in need of making priories and not just be people lead, but God lead in my day.
The reasons the disciples first called deacons was so the apostles would give their great attention to the Word and to prayer. Spending time with God is one of the greatest challenges to make a priority. I believe Satan will fill our days.
Some versions translate the word sober instead of self controlled. The word sober seems to imply seriousness and lack of fun. What the Bible teaches is that we need to plan to pray or it would not get done. Who doesn’t need that challenge. It is so important and we know it, but give that our last priority when everything else demands our attention.
But the peace of God is available daily. It comes by grounding ourselves in the strength of the Lord and growing in our communication with Him by prayer and meditating on the Word of God in a personal way. Prayer provides the wisdom and the strength to made it during those hard days. Some may need to get to bed earlier so they can get up earlier. It is interesting that the consequences of sin is a prayerlessness, a result of holiness is effective prayer.
How is your prayer life?
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Weds Sept 2
Verse 1 Peter 4: 8,9 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
An Example in Love.
Many sermons have been preached on love. The emphasis of Peter is deep love. Be deeply and seriously committed to the Lord and to one another for it has many benefits as well as it models for us Jesus Christ.
A well-known TV personality was a handsome man and had a glamorous wife. They not only had good looks, but popular, wealthy and have been coveted by countless Americans. However the actor experienced great heartache because his wife had fallen for another man. The husband was quoted as saying "I will always be her friend. She's a great lady and can call on me for help anytime. I telephone her now and then to find out how she's doing and to keep her spirits high. We end every call by saying 'I love you.'" Of course that is true for both parties.
On the surface, that might look like a mature response in a difficult situation, but it is an example of the kind of love that lacks the most essential elements: faithfulness and commitment.
Many Christian try to maintain that kind of relationship with the Lord, but God does not value expressions of love that only sound good. Jesus said to his disciples if they loved Him they must keep his commandments. Empty words are not enough. Nor are empty words enough in our love relationships with brothers and sister in the Lord. The word said deeply love- desire to commit yourself to the others for their best good.
When a mother holds a little child in her arms there is an important question that needs to be asked. "What is my part and what is God's part in raising this child?" Unless the Lord works all a mother’s efforts are in vain. You can read everything on child rearing and closely supervise all their activities but still miss the target. Something spiritual happens in a child's life because God has done something.
Do you really want God to do something in their lives? Then pray, obey, and trust the Lord. By your example you show your children the importance of a relationship with Jesus Christ. Have you by personal commitment offered your children to Him and pray regularly for them? Being clear minded and sober so your prayers will not be hinders.
As parents our part is to nurture children by meeting more than just their physical needs of food, shelter and clothing. We can demonstrate a deep love. This verse is applicable for good parenting advice, but don't forget it is also written for all Christians toward one another. We love, encourage, build up one another like our children with words, acceptance, listening and making them feel you really do care because you do. But even if you make all kinds of mistakes they can be overlooked if you really have the person’s best interest in mind. Isn't that a relief? You will make mistakes, you will commit sins as parents, but a deep love will overshadow those sins and mistakes.
Forgiveness is related to love. Real love forgives and forgives again. It is true that love covers over a multitude of sins on both sides. God's love allows me to come to Him asking for forgiveness. It was the love of Christ allowing Him to die for my sins and therein am I forgiven as I respond to his love. The gift, the giver and the receiver are all part of the love equation.
How might you be an example of love today?
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Thurs Sept 3
Verses- 1 Peter 4:9,10 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.
An Example in Service
When we are saved the Bible tells us we receive gifts from the Holy Spirit. For many those gifts become part of their natural ability by which they serve the Lord. From time to time we have classes or sermons on the use of Spiritual Gifts. Do you see in the Scriptures here how they are to be used? “In service to others.” The gifts have been given to build others up in the faith and used to witness to God that he would receive glory and praise not us.
Certainly the place to begin is using your natural abilities and talents which are also God given. As the Spirit has control of you, He works in us as the Lord made us. If you are social or shy, musical or mechanical, athletic or academic, God uses who you are in ways that match your make up. But the gifts of leadership, helps, generosity, teaching, etc are the avenues those talents take place for the service toward others. There is a special anointing by the Spirit if God praised and honored in it, not the person. We are but vessels for His service.
There have been people with great musical ability who after their number get the accolades. I recently heard a lady sing and the Lord used that song and the humble spirit of her character to speak to me. There were people more talented that she was, but the manner of her singing was more for the glory of the Lord than the attention of man. I didn’t see anything wrong in thanking her for using her gifts to the Lord. It was my way to encourage her to keep looking up.
Interestingly on the internet today I watched a gospel duet musical video. What they do is between them and the Lord. They seemed sincere, but with all the glamour, dance steps, clothing and hair styles I tried to find Jesus. Maybe He was there, but I missed Him. They are making lots of money, putting on lots of concerts. I would just as soon listen to someone who loves the Lord and willing to share in a humble spirit than those who appeal to the physical senses.
One of the best gifts to help others in service is the gift of hospitality. Many can recognize the ones with the gift of hospitality when they make others feel right at home in their house and it seems not to be an imposition at all. Now I believe that even though some have the spiritual gift of hospitality and serve the Lord in that way, all are to be hospitable and have times when they reach out to others and see their homes and dinner table not selfishly, but freely offering it to God and the use of others as needed.
Hospitality is culturally defined. In some cultures any stranger that comes on the property is welcomed. In the city there is stress placed on danger and evil that people so filled with fear are willing to shoot others who get on their lawns. Some only provide socialization to those they like, others have an open door policy and never know from meal to meal how many will be eating with them. But hospitality in part in that day was a means of assisting the ministers, evangelists on their journey to spread the good news. Likewise it was the case that many other Christians were rejected by their families and fellow Jews so Christians began to look out for other Christians.
Now here is another important key to hospitality. That you do not gripe about it. Do you offer it to God and glad you can be used, or is the whole family in an uproar for two days because you have company coming? What is your response if asked to help out in the kitchen for a funeral or pot-luck, or asked to bring a dish? Are you able to do it? Never agree to something you cannot afford, or if you have gifts in different areas offer them. Say simply, “you know my area really isn't in serving it is in watching kids, but I'll be happy to teach a class” Don't make it a grumbling griping time.
Obviously, we need to understand that our house is the Lord's house. It is for use for his kingdom. Our dinner table and food is the same way. We are to show God's grace. We are to give out God's grace (undeserved kindness).
How are you seeking to serve the Lord today? What about others?
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Fri Sept 4
Verse- 1 Peter 4: 11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
An Example in Speech
As Peter talks about the importance of living for Christ it is a fact that others watch us in our successes and failures. There is no closer observers than our children and our own family. We must put aside quickly that we will be perfect examples for we all fall short. But no son or daughter expects perfection.
I read recently that G.K. Chesterton once remarked that the doctrine of original sin “is the only part of Christian theology which can really be proved.” I guess sin is so obvious that we cannot deny its presence.
So we are not always faithful in our walk, nor praying as we should, nor loving, nor serving. But are we growing? Do we keep getting up by the power of the Lord? Do we give in to the desires and weaknesses of our flesh?
If James tells us that the tongue is impossible to control, we learn that it must be yielded to the Lord and guided by the Holy Spirit. Who of us wishes we could take back things that were said in haste? Just yesterday I left a message on an answering machine that I feared the wrong person might hear and wished I didn’t say it.
In the context I am sure that Peter is also talking about the things we preach and teach. While passing on the principles of the Christian faith and instructing others in the Word of God we want to be Biblical and controlled by the Holy Spirit.
Whither one speaks from the pulpit or teaches children in Sunday School, or clubs what we say has tremendous impact on others in ways we may never know. I remember things my Sunday School teachers said 50 years ago and more. But I also remember my mother and father discussing the Bible at home and reading devotions and telling me about God. I remember them reading to me Bible stories and praying with me.
I knew when they didn’t practice always what they taught, but I also heard, “I’m sorry. Forgive me. And I am working on getting better.” I knew that though they were not perfect they still keep looking to the perfect example in Jesus Christ and wanted to be more like Him. I knew they were blind to some of their faults, but never held that against them because they believed what they taught even if they fell short of the goal.
There was a missionary family living in Hong Kong getting acquainted with Chinese language and life. Some people wanted to know more about Christmas in America so they planned a big party in December. The lady went to a storekeeper, who happened to be the chief of communistic party in that little village. She ordered nuts, mincemeat and other unusual things. She invited Mr. Wong to the party and he made excuses. As she was preparing one day the two boys were getting in her way.
One 11 year old wanted a Popsicle but she was afraid he would get his shirt dirty with stain, so sent them get ice cream. A little while the boys returned laughing with other friends. She noticed orange stains. "Why did you disobey" Mike said, “I don't know.” She reprimanded him.
The next morning she wrapped Christmas cookies and took them to Mr. Wong.
"How old is that son of yours?"
“Eleven. Why?”
"He will be a good man, tell me how do you teach him?"
Then he told the story how he came in the store to get ice cream with their Hong Kong dollar, but when he saw the other children without money, he turned to Mr Wong and changed the order to 10 popsicles.
She was quite proud of him and the example he was to his friends as well as Mr. Wong. He became an example to his mother as well as a witness to the boys and to the communistic leader. He used the example of love and service to honor Jesus.
Be an example in your faith, in your prayers, in your love, in your service, in your speech. Not so people will think well of you and give you the glory, but to point them to God of glory.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Mon, Aug 31
Theme - A LIVING EXAMPLE
1 Pet 4:7-11
A Living Example
There is no question that the most effective teaching is done when someone watches you. More is caught than taught. How often we learn when we watch others put lessons into practice.
I think that is the same in faith. People read and heard the Scriptures from old, but it wasn’t until Jesus came that the world saw righteousness in action. It came from a heart toward His Father, God. It came from His love toward His disciples. It came from Jesus relating to the lost and hurting. It came from our Lord living in a corrupt political environment. But mostly they saw faith at work when it came to his suffering on the cross.
We can teach all we want, but what we do is more closely watched.
In a View from the Zoo, Gary Richmond tells about the birth of a giraffe: He talks about the first thing to emerge are the baby giraffe's front hoofs and head. A few minutes later the plucky newborn calf is hurled forth, falls 10 feet, and lands on its back. Within seconds, he rolls to an upright position with his legs tucked under his body. From this position he considers the world for the first time and shakes off the last vestiges of the birthing fluid from his eyes and ears, while kneeling on the ground.
The mother giraffes lowers her head long enough to take a quick look. then she positions herself directly over her calf. She waits for about a minute, and then she does the most unreasonable thing. She swings her long, leg outward and kicks her baby, so that it is sent sprawling head over heals.
When it doesn't get up, the violent process is repeated over and over again. The struggle to rise is momentous. As the baby calf grows tired, the mother kicks it again to stimulate its efforts. Finally, the calf stands for the first time on its wobbly legs. Then the mother does the most remarkable thing. She kicks it off its feet again. Why? She wants it to remember how it got up. In the wild, the baby giraffes must be able to get up as quickly as possible in order to stay with the herd, where there is safety. Lions, hyenas, leopards, and wild hunting dogs all enjoy young giraffes, and they'd get it too, if the mother didn't teach her calf to get up quickly.
It seems that when Christians rise up they get knocked down again, and again. Mostly out of persecution, but lots of experiences challenge the faith of the believer in Jesus. Complete dependency on the Lord is a life long lesson. We are placed in positions where there are times in our lives all the resources we can think of fail us and we have nothing more than faith in God. So I need to watch those who are more mature in the faith to see how they live not just when times are good, but especially when the resources of man no longer work and all they have is their faith that sustains them from the daily power and presence of the Lord.
It seems that God is helping us to remember how to get up when we have been knocked down. We need to be continually dependent upon Him for all things.
In Peter letter to a persecuted people he had pointed them to focus on the Lord's glorious coming for their rewards and His godly revenge on those who are ungodly. But until that time comes we are to demonstrate faith to the babes in Christ. We will be looking at some important ways to be an example to the believers in our faith walk.
Think on who might be watching you today. Are you a help to them in what they see in you?
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Sept 1
Verse-1 Pet 4:7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.
An Example in Prayer.
Peter taught the end was near. It was not as we look at linear time, but from God's eternal purposes and theological perspective. The subject of end times is really anytime after the resurrection. This is a reference to Christ's second coming and the judgment associated with it.
The New Testament insistence on the imminent return of Jesus arises from the teaching that the last days begin with the incarnation. We are living in the last days as Heb. 1:1 teaches us. The next great event in redemptive history is Christ's second coming. We do not know when, but it is certain. Believers are always encouraged to watch for it and especially be prepared. Therefore anticipating the end times, and Christ's return should influence our attitudes, actions and relationships.
Because we await the second coming, and because there is the judgment, we need to be diligent in much prayer. To be an example in prayer requires a prepared heart and prepared mind. The NIV uses the term clear minded, not cluttering out attentions with things of this world. We ought to clear our minds of things that would displease God and disrupt his priorities.
Christian are to be characterized by reason. They are to make wise, mature decisions and are able to seek the will of Christ.
Too often we clutter our minds with ungodly media. It is hard to watch a program which has a decent plot or entertaining story without the producers sticking in sex scenes or cursing. The talk shows mind have an interesting interview with a person only to make foul jokes. Most know the details of Michael Jackson or Brett Faurve but cannot find a common passage in the Bible or memorize a verse. Clear your minds.
One good piece of advice came from pastor friend who said we should go on a personal spiritual retreat once a year, a day a month for personal reflection and prayer. Also spend a day a week devoted to the Lord (Sabbath-Sunday) and some moments every day for spiritual prayer and devotion. I think that is good advice for a busy person.
Being self controlled is part of self discipline. It is easy to let everything else control us. Part of a pastor's day is being available to people. But there is also a time when my door needs to be shut and although appointments need to be made I am continually in need of making priories and not just be people lead, but God lead in my day.
The reasons the disciples first called deacons was so the apostles would give their great attention to the Word and to prayer. Spending time with God is one of the greatest challenges to make a priority. I believe Satan will fill our days.
Some versions translate the word sober instead of self controlled. The word sober seems to imply seriousness and lack of fun. What the Bible teaches is that we need to plan to pray or it would not get done. Who doesn’t need that challenge. It is so important and we know it, but give that our last priority when everything else demands our attention.
But the peace of God is available daily. It comes by grounding ourselves in the strength of the Lord and growing in our communication with Him by prayer and meditating on the Word of God in a personal way. Prayer provides the wisdom and the strength to made it during those hard days. Some may need to get to bed earlier so they can get up earlier. It is interesting that the consequences of sin is a prayerlessness, a result of holiness is effective prayer.
How is your prayer life?
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Weds Sept 2
Verse 1 Peter 4: 8,9 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
An Example in Love.
Many sermons have been preached on love. The emphasis of Peter is deep love. Be deeply and seriously committed to the Lord and to one another for it has many benefits as well as it models for us Jesus Christ.
A well-known TV personality was a handsome man and had a glamorous wife. They not only had good looks, but popular, wealthy and have been coveted by countless Americans. However the actor experienced great heartache because his wife had fallen for another man. The husband was quoted as saying "I will always be her friend. She's a great lady and can call on me for help anytime. I telephone her now and then to find out how she's doing and to keep her spirits high. We end every call by saying 'I love you.'" Of course that is true for both parties.
On the surface, that might look like a mature response in a difficult situation, but it is an example of the kind of love that lacks the most essential elements: faithfulness and commitment.
Many Christian try to maintain that kind of relationship with the Lord, but God does not value expressions of love that only sound good. Jesus said to his disciples if they loved Him they must keep his commandments. Empty words are not enough. Nor are empty words enough in our love relationships with brothers and sister in the Lord. The word said deeply love- desire to commit yourself to the others for their best good.
When a mother holds a little child in her arms there is an important question that needs to be asked. "What is my part and what is God's part in raising this child?" Unless the Lord works all a mother’s efforts are in vain. You can read everything on child rearing and closely supervise all their activities but still miss the target. Something spiritual happens in a child's life because God has done something.
Do you really want God to do something in their lives? Then pray, obey, and trust the Lord. By your example you show your children the importance of a relationship with Jesus Christ. Have you by personal commitment offered your children to Him and pray regularly for them? Being clear minded and sober so your prayers will not be hinders.
As parents our part is to nurture children by meeting more than just their physical needs of food, shelter and clothing. We can demonstrate a deep love. This verse is applicable for good parenting advice, but don't forget it is also written for all Christians toward one another. We love, encourage, build up one another like our children with words, acceptance, listening and making them feel you really do care because you do. But even if you make all kinds of mistakes they can be overlooked if you really have the person’s best interest in mind. Isn't that a relief? You will make mistakes, you will commit sins as parents, but a deep love will overshadow those sins and mistakes.
Forgiveness is related to love. Real love forgives and forgives again. It is true that love covers over a multitude of sins on both sides. God's love allows me to come to Him asking for forgiveness. It was the love of Christ allowing Him to die for my sins and therein am I forgiven as I respond to his love. The gift, the giver and the receiver are all part of the love equation.
How might you be an example of love today?
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Thurs Sept 3
Verses- 1 Peter 4:9,10 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.
An Example in Service
When we are saved the Bible tells us we receive gifts from the Holy Spirit. For many those gifts become part of their natural ability by which they serve the Lord. From time to time we have classes or sermons on the use of Spiritual Gifts. Do you see in the Scriptures here how they are to be used? “In service to others.” The gifts have been given to build others up in the faith and used to witness to God that he would receive glory and praise not us.
Certainly the place to begin is using your natural abilities and talents which are also God given. As the Spirit has control of you, He works in us as the Lord made us. If you are social or shy, musical or mechanical, athletic or academic, God uses who you are in ways that match your make up. But the gifts of leadership, helps, generosity, teaching, etc are the avenues those talents take place for the service toward others. There is a special anointing by the Spirit if God praised and honored in it, not the person. We are but vessels for His service.
There have been people with great musical ability who after their number get the accolades. I recently heard a lady sing and the Lord used that song and the humble spirit of her character to speak to me. There were people more talented that she was, but the manner of her singing was more for the glory of the Lord than the attention of man. I didn’t see anything wrong in thanking her for using her gifts to the Lord. It was my way to encourage her to keep looking up.
Interestingly on the internet today I watched a gospel duet musical video. What they do is between them and the Lord. They seemed sincere, but with all the glamour, dance steps, clothing and hair styles I tried to find Jesus. Maybe He was there, but I missed Him. They are making lots of money, putting on lots of concerts. I would just as soon listen to someone who loves the Lord and willing to share in a humble spirit than those who appeal to the physical senses.
One of the best gifts to help others in service is the gift of hospitality. Many can recognize the ones with the gift of hospitality when they make others feel right at home in their house and it seems not to be an imposition at all. Now I believe that even though some have the spiritual gift of hospitality and serve the Lord in that way, all are to be hospitable and have times when they reach out to others and see their homes and dinner table not selfishly, but freely offering it to God and the use of others as needed.
Hospitality is culturally defined. In some cultures any stranger that comes on the property is welcomed. In the city there is stress placed on danger and evil that people so filled with fear are willing to shoot others who get on their lawns. Some only provide socialization to those they like, others have an open door policy and never know from meal to meal how many will be eating with them. But hospitality in part in that day was a means of assisting the ministers, evangelists on their journey to spread the good news. Likewise it was the case that many other Christians were rejected by their families and fellow Jews so Christians began to look out for other Christians.
Now here is another important key to hospitality. That you do not gripe about it. Do you offer it to God and glad you can be used, or is the whole family in an uproar for two days because you have company coming? What is your response if asked to help out in the kitchen for a funeral or pot-luck, or asked to bring a dish? Are you able to do it? Never agree to something you cannot afford, or if you have gifts in different areas offer them. Say simply, “you know my area really isn't in serving it is in watching kids, but I'll be happy to teach a class” Don't make it a grumbling griping time.
Obviously, we need to understand that our house is the Lord's house. It is for use for his kingdom. Our dinner table and food is the same way. We are to show God's grace. We are to give out God's grace (undeserved kindness).
How are you seeking to serve the Lord today? What about others?
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Fri Sept 4
Verse- 1 Peter 4: 11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
An Example in Speech
As Peter talks about the importance of living for Christ it is a fact that others watch us in our successes and failures. There is no closer observers than our children and our own family. We must put aside quickly that we will be perfect examples for we all fall short. But no son or daughter expects perfection.
I read recently that G.K. Chesterton once remarked that the doctrine of original sin “is the only part of Christian theology which can really be proved.” I guess sin is so obvious that we cannot deny its presence.
So we are not always faithful in our walk, nor praying as we should, nor loving, nor serving. But are we growing? Do we keep getting up by the power of the Lord? Do we give in to the desires and weaknesses of our flesh?
If James tells us that the tongue is impossible to control, we learn that it must be yielded to the Lord and guided by the Holy Spirit. Who of us wishes we could take back things that were said in haste? Just yesterday I left a message on an answering machine that I feared the wrong person might hear and wished I didn’t say it.
In the context I am sure that Peter is also talking about the things we preach and teach. While passing on the principles of the Christian faith and instructing others in the Word of God we want to be Biblical and controlled by the Holy Spirit.
Whither one speaks from the pulpit or teaches children in Sunday School, or clubs what we say has tremendous impact on others in ways we may never know. I remember things my Sunday School teachers said 50 years ago and more. But I also remember my mother and father discussing the Bible at home and reading devotions and telling me about God. I remember them reading to me Bible stories and praying with me.
I knew when they didn’t practice always what they taught, but I also heard, “I’m sorry. Forgive me. And I am working on getting better.” I knew that though they were not perfect they still keep looking to the perfect example in Jesus Christ and wanted to be more like Him. I knew they were blind to some of their faults, but never held that against them because they believed what they taught even if they fell short of the goal.
There was a missionary family living in Hong Kong getting acquainted with Chinese language and life. Some people wanted to know more about Christmas in America so they planned a big party in December. The lady went to a storekeeper, who happened to be the chief of communistic party in that little village. She ordered nuts, mincemeat and other unusual things. She invited Mr. Wong to the party and he made excuses. As she was preparing one day the two boys were getting in her way.
One 11 year old wanted a Popsicle but she was afraid he would get his shirt dirty with stain, so sent them get ice cream. A little while the boys returned laughing with other friends. She noticed orange stains. "Why did you disobey" Mike said, “I don't know.” She reprimanded him.
The next morning she wrapped Christmas cookies and took them to Mr. Wong.
"How old is that son of yours?"
“Eleven. Why?”
"He will be a good man, tell me how do you teach him?"
Then he told the story how he came in the store to get ice cream with their Hong Kong dollar, but when he saw the other children without money, he turned to Mr Wong and changed the order to 10 popsicles.
She was quite proud of him and the example he was to his friends as well as Mr. Wong. He became an example to his mother as well as a witness to the boys and to the communistic leader. He used the example of love and service to honor Jesus.
Be an example in your faith, in your prayers, in your love, in your service, in your speech. Not so people will think well of you and give you the glory, but to point them to God of glory.
Pastor Dale
Friday, August 28, 2009
Considering Committment 1 Peter 4:1-6
Sermon Nuggets Mon Aug 24
Theme- Considering Commitment.
Verses 1 Peter 4:1 1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin.
Considering Commitment.
Christianity Today reported that Banto Masih, A Pakistani Christian was accused by a Muslim acquaintance of "insulting the Prophet Muhammad." His accuser tried to stab him at the court hearing; If convicted Masih will be sentenced to hang to death, as required by Islamic law. If the Shari'a Act was being enforced Christians could not publish anything about their faith. They could not hold annual Christian conventions either because they are evangelistic. And it's considered an attack against Islam to ask people to become Christians.
Christians all around the world are now being revealed to have to decide whether following Jesus Christ is worth the suffering and reject by the political forces, family, and friends. Following Jesus is not a matter of discussing various belief systems. It is a commitment to the person of Jesus as Lord that may require persecution, torture and death.
People who have been touched by the Spirit of Jesus have a unique place in the midst of suffering. Since the first century when all the disciples had to give their lives on the line for their commitment to Jesus followers demonstrated hope in despair, victory even in persecution or death because Jesus has given us hope.
As we focused on the resurrection last week we were reminded of the victory won for us by Jesus Christ. The main message of Peter was let those who harm you be ashamed for they do so because of your good actions, not for any evil reason. Then as an illustration of one suffering for good rather than for evil he points to Jesus who died for our sins. He was righteous we are the unrighteous ones, and he did so in order to bring us to God. He died, and was buried, and rose again.
This is also symbolized in baptism. When we so identify ourselves with Jesus that we are willing to die to old self and live a new life we symbolize that by water baptism. Faith in Jesus saves us just like faith in the work of God by having Noah build an ark saved them. Now Jesus is interceded for us at the right hand of God and all powers are in submission to him.
Augustine was faced with his sinful life and was weeping in remorse. “I was weeping in the most bitter contrition of my heart, when I heard the voice of children from a neighboring house chanting, "take up and read; take up and read." I could not remember ever having heard the like, so checking the torrent of my tears, I arose, interpreting it to be no other than a command from God to open the book and read the first chapter I should find. Eagerly then I returned to the place where I had laid the volume of the apostle. I seized, opened, and in silence read that section on which my eyes first fell: "Not in revelry and drunkenness, not in licentiousness and lewdness, not is strife and envy; but put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts." No further would I read, nor did I need to. For instantly at the end of this sentence, it seemed as if a light of serenity infused into my heart and all the darkness of doubt vanished away. (Augustine)
The commitment to follow Jesus brought Augustine a sense of release from sin and burden from guilt. The path which he would take would be used by God to influence people in remarkable ways for centuries that follow.
The question of suffering causes Christians to evaluate their lives as to what they really believe, and if following Jesus is worth it.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Tues Aug 25
Verses. 1 Peter 4: 1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin.
Suffering can Cause us to look to Christ
When I am going through tough times I certainly do more thinking about my life and what might be wrong with it. I usually don’t give a lot of thought of life choices when things are going well. Why is that? We want pain of all sorts to go away and if there is anything we can do, especially in a spiritual commitment, we want to know it. Interestingly, suffering causes us to review our priorities:
I think Peter is reviewing a thought he had given before. Jesus was the suffering servant and prepares His people to do the same. There is a variety of types of suffering which can include physical, spiritual, mental, emotional, and social. The world is fallen. But the suffering implied in this context is when the desire to live for Jesus Christ runs in conflict with the world, and specifically the problems we face with decisions to live by a different value. When we say no to sin and fitting in with those around us it can mean a job loss, or family problems, or lawsuits, or hatred, or ostracism.
It seems Peter is referring us back to the point of 1 Pet 2:20-25 “But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
"He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth."
When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”
The attitude of Jesus that becomes the armament for us in suffering is to do what is right. Jesus did what was right and it resulted in our salvation. Faith is knowing we are on the winning team and this world is a light and momentary affliction. In following the attitude of Jesus in our spiritual attack is knowing in His time God will bring about good. But from a worlds point of view it may not seem like it.
I do not like it when Christians are not allowed to worship in freedom. Many in the world, like in the US, have that privilege. It really is not hard to be a Christian. Not like it is in most of the world. I am thankful that we do not meet in secret, or worry about families killing us when we turn to Jesus. I am grateful I can write openly devotions, or preach (so far) on the radio Biblical convictions. Certainly, when sin is addressed some people do not like it. But I also am aware that pressure from within can influence me in more ways than I care to admit.
One lady from our church recently remembered how lonely it was during her high school days when she did not have friends because she refused to do some of the things her classmates were doing. She remembered the hurts when others teased her and made fun of her. Her personal commitment to Christ means she was going to live for His glory and not for her pleasures. She said she sees how her children are experiencing the same loneliness and social rejection because others do not share the same faith and lifestyle. That is why Christian fellowship is so important.
The hard thing for most of our youth is the temptation to want Jesus and friends also by going along with whatever crowd they happen to be around. It is easy to cheat, lie, smoke, drink, curse, do drugs, or have sex when everyone around them seems to be doing it. Then they can go to church and youth group and talk about Jesus. But down deep, if they are saved, the Holy Spirit gnaws at their conscience and they know they are living a lie. There is little joy in knowing the Lord.
But many adults have also fallen into the worldview of materialism, or political commitment, or social relationships that can results in compromise with seeking to live for God’s glory. Drunkenness and drugs as well as shady business deals can influence people to seek the good life when again there is something missing in their soul relationship with the Lord. Sin does get in the way.
For the godly person who seeks to live a life on integrity, honestly, purity, and victory others too often feel uncomfortable around them and just as soon leave them alone.
One church attendee shared how doing a good job at work caused other workers around him to ridicule him for trying to get it well with the management at their expense, making them look bad. They thought management would expect more out of them if this man produce more work in the same amount of time. He would get promotions they felt they deserved because some of them had worked their longer. To fit in he was pressured to do less than his best. It was like the crabs wanting to pull him down when he was succeeding. That work ethic came from his Christian commitment to honor the Lord and do right. What was he to do?
Have the same attitude as Jesus. Arm yourselves knowing that if you live for the Lord you will experience various degrees of rejection, loneliness, persecution, but do right anyways as this is pleasing unto the Lord.
We do not live in judgment or superiority to others, but humility to let Christ be seen in us in love and in faithfulness first to Him. What would Jesus do if He were in your situation?
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Weds Aug 26
Verses 1 Peter 4: 2 As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.
Suffering Can Cause us to seek God’s Will
We do some self evaluation when we are hurting. Peter’s point was to be encouraged by looking to Jesus and His suffering which came as a result of his commitment to the will of the Father. He suffered and died out of love.
Some parents will go through great deal of suffering and inconvenience out of love for their children. It gives purpose for their pain. Love for freedom or for the country motivates soldiers to sacrifice themselves in harms way in war.
There are many Christian volunteers who suffering hardship while serving the Lord in difficult situations and circumstances. Missionaries and pastors have suffered so lost people can know Jesus Christ to be their Savior. By our witness are we willing to suffer if it becomes a testimony to others of truth of God?
I have often visited with people who were suffering who wanted to understand the will of God in their situation.
Peter is addressing Christians and is calling them to a life of holiness. He is calling them to follow Jesus by repudiating sin. It is a call to distinguish between human desires and sinful desires.
Peter calls us to arm ourselves with that same attitude that Jesus had by submitting ourselves to God's will. To arm yourself pictures a warrior putting on armor for protection and weapons for offense. When we are in God's will we do have spiritual protection against the temptations of the evil one. According to Ephesians 6 our offensive weapons become prayer and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Having the Holy Spirit dwell in our lives opens us up to a greater will for which we live. But it seems when suffering comes we have to ask if we really are in His will and doing what He wants or have we missed something.
Jesus purpose is also stated in John 4:34 "My desire is to do the will of Him who sent me and to accomplish His work." When someone is suffering for any reasons, his priorities change. When one man was diagnosed with terminal cancer he said new cars and new suits are no longer important, but God, family, and church are. One person going through the pains of divorce said, “All the things I thought were so important and I worked so hard to obtain really are nothing compared to my family, but it's too late now.”
Suffering many times brings people to their knees before God. Words of commitment are often spoken in foxholes in the midst of attack and unfortunately forgotten when all is safe again. That is true in others circumstances of tragedies and difficulties. I hear little of prayer mentioned on the news these days, but when 9/11 attack occurred there was hardly a news station and political leader that didn’t speak of prayer.
When Christians face suffering for their faith they evaluate their real desires and material possession and ask, “is it really worth it?” There are many Christians who have become spiritual giants through painful crises in their lives and said such things like, "This experience drove me to my knees. I vowed that when I got out of the hospital, I'd be all out for God from now on.
What is God’s will for my life? It is more in the letting Him work where you are than what you do. When you are yielded in your will to follow Him, don’t worry about where or when He leads. Obey today what you know you should be doing.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Thurs Aug 27
Verses- 1 Pet 4: 3-4 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do-- living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you.
Suffering can cause us to Leave Sin
With re-evaluation of life many will be confronting with sin while experiencing suffering. Sometimes suffering is a result of sin or misdeeds. But if we suffer as a Christian it can also be a purifying experience. I am not saying, like some superstitious people, that we will hurt ourselves to pay for sin, but rather like Peter said in Chapter 1:6-7 “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith-- of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-- may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”
Suffering purifies us and causes us to reflect on how we are living and what changes might be made. The list here depicts the former life. Former friends do not understand. They might get angry that we don't join them in sin or party with them any longer. For many getting a high, getting drunk, having sex, partying are the greatest pleasures. They don’t understand the joy of Jesus in a proper relationship lasts in the long run.
Jesus preached in Matthew 24:36 "As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding in the hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. Therefore keep watch because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. "
I believe the message in Noah's day is the same in Peter's day and is the same today. I believe Peter uses the people of Noah's day who lived in debauchery as the ones who symbolize those who continue in their selfish, ego pleasing, God ignoring lives. Pleasure is for the now and eating and drinking and making marry is more important than the warning to repent of sins. They had no idea how they would be judged of God.
This is now the message of Christ to you. If you continue to live in selfish, pleasure seeking, God ignoring lives, refuse to repent of your sin and seek forgiveness from Christ who died for your sin, then there will be judgment for the living and the dead.
Susannah Wesley mother of John and Charles Wesley summed it up once in this striking way, "Whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, or removes your relish for Spiritual things that is sin to you."
Lloyd Steffen wrote in the Christian Century how when King Frederick II 18th century king of Prussia, was visiting a prison in Berlin, the inmates tried to prove to him how they had been unjustly imprisoned, All except one. That one sat quietly in the corner, while all the rest protested their innocence. Seeing him sitter there oblivious to the commotion, the king asked him what he was there for. "Armed Robbery, your honor." The king asked, "Were you guilty?" "Yes, Sire" he answered. "I entirely deserve my punishment."
The king then gave an order To the guard; "Release this guilty man. I don't want him corrupting all these innocent people"
The people to whom Peter was writing could all say, yes, that was my life. I am guilty of being earth bound. Now I repent of that and will follow Jesus wherever he leads. Repentance is our key of being released from the lusts of this flesh and finding the joy of Jesus.
When he is talking about ceasing from sin, Peter is not saying there is sinless perfection. In an article called Discipline of the Darkroom, B.C. Lovelace compares the Christian experience to photography. He says that in taking a snapshot, an image is made on the exposed negative the instant the shutter opens. Before the picture can be seen however, the film must go through the developing process. So too at the moment of conversion the light of the Savior floods the heart of the new believer and Christ's own likeness is indelibly impressed on his spirit. Then this miracle of grace also must be followed by a process of development. The Savior's image becomes visible as we are changed into His likeness. This involved the darkroom experience of adversity. In addition to trials, the Lord's correcting hand may also have a sanctifying effect on the Christian, Difficult as your darkroom experience may be, you should thank the Lord for you are being developed.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Fri Aug 28
Verses-1 Pet 4: 5,6 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.
Suffering Can cause us to consider Eternity.
This is a most interesting passage. There is an accounting in the judgment and Jesus judges the living and the dead. Each one must stand before God. That is why the gospel is preached. It is preached to those who are spiritually dead to Jesus Christ so they might accept the Lord and turn to salvation even though the bodies die, their spirits might live. Or specifically that men who persecute the Christian be it in Soviet Union, or Pakistan, or Cuba, can only harm the body, the worse things anyone can do is persecute the body, but the spirit is God's and that is how we live.
Living for Jesus Christ is not easy. When we live for Christ, really live righteous and godly lives, the unbelievers of the world reject us. They want little to do with pure righteousness and pure godliness. A godly life convicts them and demands that they live like God or else face His judgment.
There is a day coming when God Himself, by the Lord Jesus Christ, will judge both the living and the dead. There is a judgment for the Lord's people so that our works might be appraised. We are given rewards according to our works or suffer loss accord to our works (1 Cor 3 and 2 Cor 5) There is the great white throne judgment when all who have died in unbelief, who have rejected or put off trusting in Christ to save them and coming to him by commitment of their lives and receiving God's Holy Spirit into their lives. All will be judged and all whose names are not in the book of life will be cast into the lake of fire, or hell. Rev. 20:11-15 is clear about that. This is what is referred as the judgment of the dead.
Jesus said He that heareth my word and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but is passed out of death into life.(John 5:24) The message of repentance was true of Noah's day it is true today. It is a message that for a time people will suffer ridicule and rejection for following God. That was true for Noah, that was true for Jesus and that was true for Peter's readers the first century Christian? Is that true for you and me? When take heart God provides a way of escape. That was the Ark that is Jesus. This message is victorious.
Our time to respond to Jesus is now. It seems to me that the gospel is preached that enlivens men to God and deadens men to the things of the flesh. The reverse is true to be alive to the fleshly things is to be dead to Christ. That which brings life from death is the response and acceptance of the preaching of the good news.
Pastor Dale
Theme- Considering Commitment.
Verses 1 Peter 4:1 1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin.
Considering Commitment.
Christianity Today reported that Banto Masih, A Pakistani Christian was accused by a Muslim acquaintance of "insulting the Prophet Muhammad." His accuser tried to stab him at the court hearing; If convicted Masih will be sentenced to hang to death, as required by Islamic law. If the Shari'a Act was being enforced Christians could not publish anything about their faith. They could not hold annual Christian conventions either because they are evangelistic. And it's considered an attack against Islam to ask people to become Christians.
Christians all around the world are now being revealed to have to decide whether following Jesus Christ is worth the suffering and reject by the political forces, family, and friends. Following Jesus is not a matter of discussing various belief systems. It is a commitment to the person of Jesus as Lord that may require persecution, torture and death.
People who have been touched by the Spirit of Jesus have a unique place in the midst of suffering. Since the first century when all the disciples had to give their lives on the line for their commitment to Jesus followers demonstrated hope in despair, victory even in persecution or death because Jesus has given us hope.
As we focused on the resurrection last week we were reminded of the victory won for us by Jesus Christ. The main message of Peter was let those who harm you be ashamed for they do so because of your good actions, not for any evil reason. Then as an illustration of one suffering for good rather than for evil he points to Jesus who died for our sins. He was righteous we are the unrighteous ones, and he did so in order to bring us to God. He died, and was buried, and rose again.
This is also symbolized in baptism. When we so identify ourselves with Jesus that we are willing to die to old self and live a new life we symbolize that by water baptism. Faith in Jesus saves us just like faith in the work of God by having Noah build an ark saved them. Now Jesus is interceded for us at the right hand of God and all powers are in submission to him.
Augustine was faced with his sinful life and was weeping in remorse. “I was weeping in the most bitter contrition of my heart, when I heard the voice of children from a neighboring house chanting, "take up and read; take up and read." I could not remember ever having heard the like, so checking the torrent of my tears, I arose, interpreting it to be no other than a command from God to open the book and read the first chapter I should find. Eagerly then I returned to the place where I had laid the volume of the apostle. I seized, opened, and in silence read that section on which my eyes first fell: "Not in revelry and drunkenness, not in licentiousness and lewdness, not is strife and envy; but put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts." No further would I read, nor did I need to. For instantly at the end of this sentence, it seemed as if a light of serenity infused into my heart and all the darkness of doubt vanished away. (Augustine)
The commitment to follow Jesus brought Augustine a sense of release from sin and burden from guilt. The path which he would take would be used by God to influence people in remarkable ways for centuries that follow.
The question of suffering causes Christians to evaluate their lives as to what they really believe, and if following Jesus is worth it.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Tues Aug 25
Verses. 1 Peter 4: 1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin.
Suffering can Cause us to look to Christ
When I am going through tough times I certainly do more thinking about my life and what might be wrong with it. I usually don’t give a lot of thought of life choices when things are going well. Why is that? We want pain of all sorts to go away and if there is anything we can do, especially in a spiritual commitment, we want to know it. Interestingly, suffering causes us to review our priorities:
I think Peter is reviewing a thought he had given before. Jesus was the suffering servant and prepares His people to do the same. There is a variety of types of suffering which can include physical, spiritual, mental, emotional, and social. The world is fallen. But the suffering implied in this context is when the desire to live for Jesus Christ runs in conflict with the world, and specifically the problems we face with decisions to live by a different value. When we say no to sin and fitting in with those around us it can mean a job loss, or family problems, or lawsuits, or hatred, or ostracism.
It seems Peter is referring us back to the point of 1 Pet 2:20-25 “But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
"He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth."
When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”
The attitude of Jesus that becomes the armament for us in suffering is to do what is right. Jesus did what was right and it resulted in our salvation. Faith is knowing we are on the winning team and this world is a light and momentary affliction. In following the attitude of Jesus in our spiritual attack is knowing in His time God will bring about good. But from a worlds point of view it may not seem like it.
I do not like it when Christians are not allowed to worship in freedom. Many in the world, like in the US, have that privilege. It really is not hard to be a Christian. Not like it is in most of the world. I am thankful that we do not meet in secret, or worry about families killing us when we turn to Jesus. I am grateful I can write openly devotions, or preach (so far) on the radio Biblical convictions. Certainly, when sin is addressed some people do not like it. But I also am aware that pressure from within can influence me in more ways than I care to admit.
One lady from our church recently remembered how lonely it was during her high school days when she did not have friends because she refused to do some of the things her classmates were doing. She remembered the hurts when others teased her and made fun of her. Her personal commitment to Christ means she was going to live for His glory and not for her pleasures. She said she sees how her children are experiencing the same loneliness and social rejection because others do not share the same faith and lifestyle. That is why Christian fellowship is so important.
The hard thing for most of our youth is the temptation to want Jesus and friends also by going along with whatever crowd they happen to be around. It is easy to cheat, lie, smoke, drink, curse, do drugs, or have sex when everyone around them seems to be doing it. Then they can go to church and youth group and talk about Jesus. But down deep, if they are saved, the Holy Spirit gnaws at their conscience and they know they are living a lie. There is little joy in knowing the Lord.
But many adults have also fallen into the worldview of materialism, or political commitment, or social relationships that can results in compromise with seeking to live for God’s glory. Drunkenness and drugs as well as shady business deals can influence people to seek the good life when again there is something missing in their soul relationship with the Lord. Sin does get in the way.
For the godly person who seeks to live a life on integrity, honestly, purity, and victory others too often feel uncomfortable around them and just as soon leave them alone.
One church attendee shared how doing a good job at work caused other workers around him to ridicule him for trying to get it well with the management at their expense, making them look bad. They thought management would expect more out of them if this man produce more work in the same amount of time. He would get promotions they felt they deserved because some of them had worked their longer. To fit in he was pressured to do less than his best. It was like the crabs wanting to pull him down when he was succeeding. That work ethic came from his Christian commitment to honor the Lord and do right. What was he to do?
Have the same attitude as Jesus. Arm yourselves knowing that if you live for the Lord you will experience various degrees of rejection, loneliness, persecution, but do right anyways as this is pleasing unto the Lord.
We do not live in judgment or superiority to others, but humility to let Christ be seen in us in love and in faithfulness first to Him. What would Jesus do if He were in your situation?
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Weds Aug 26
Verses 1 Peter 4: 2 As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.
Suffering Can Cause us to seek God’s Will
We do some self evaluation when we are hurting. Peter’s point was to be encouraged by looking to Jesus and His suffering which came as a result of his commitment to the will of the Father. He suffered and died out of love.
Some parents will go through great deal of suffering and inconvenience out of love for their children. It gives purpose for their pain. Love for freedom or for the country motivates soldiers to sacrifice themselves in harms way in war.
There are many Christian volunteers who suffering hardship while serving the Lord in difficult situations and circumstances. Missionaries and pastors have suffered so lost people can know Jesus Christ to be their Savior. By our witness are we willing to suffer if it becomes a testimony to others of truth of God?
I have often visited with people who were suffering who wanted to understand the will of God in their situation.
Peter is addressing Christians and is calling them to a life of holiness. He is calling them to follow Jesus by repudiating sin. It is a call to distinguish between human desires and sinful desires.
Peter calls us to arm ourselves with that same attitude that Jesus had by submitting ourselves to God's will. To arm yourself pictures a warrior putting on armor for protection and weapons for offense. When we are in God's will we do have spiritual protection against the temptations of the evil one. According to Ephesians 6 our offensive weapons become prayer and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Having the Holy Spirit dwell in our lives opens us up to a greater will for which we live. But it seems when suffering comes we have to ask if we really are in His will and doing what He wants or have we missed something.
Jesus purpose is also stated in John 4:34 "My desire is to do the will of Him who sent me and to accomplish His work." When someone is suffering for any reasons, his priorities change. When one man was diagnosed with terminal cancer he said new cars and new suits are no longer important, but God, family, and church are. One person going through the pains of divorce said, “All the things I thought were so important and I worked so hard to obtain really are nothing compared to my family, but it's too late now.”
Suffering many times brings people to their knees before God. Words of commitment are often spoken in foxholes in the midst of attack and unfortunately forgotten when all is safe again. That is true in others circumstances of tragedies and difficulties. I hear little of prayer mentioned on the news these days, but when 9/11 attack occurred there was hardly a news station and political leader that didn’t speak of prayer.
When Christians face suffering for their faith they evaluate their real desires and material possession and ask, “is it really worth it?” There are many Christians who have become spiritual giants through painful crises in their lives and said such things like, "This experience drove me to my knees. I vowed that when I got out of the hospital, I'd be all out for God from now on.
What is God’s will for my life? It is more in the letting Him work where you are than what you do. When you are yielded in your will to follow Him, don’t worry about where or when He leads. Obey today what you know you should be doing.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Thurs Aug 27
Verses- 1 Pet 4: 3-4 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do-- living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you.
Suffering can cause us to Leave Sin
With re-evaluation of life many will be confronting with sin while experiencing suffering. Sometimes suffering is a result of sin or misdeeds. But if we suffer as a Christian it can also be a purifying experience. I am not saying, like some superstitious people, that we will hurt ourselves to pay for sin, but rather like Peter said in Chapter 1:6-7 “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith-- of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-- may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”
Suffering purifies us and causes us to reflect on how we are living and what changes might be made. The list here depicts the former life. Former friends do not understand. They might get angry that we don't join them in sin or party with them any longer. For many getting a high, getting drunk, having sex, partying are the greatest pleasures. They don’t understand the joy of Jesus in a proper relationship lasts in the long run.
Jesus preached in Matthew 24:36 "As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding in the hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. Therefore keep watch because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. "
I believe the message in Noah's day is the same in Peter's day and is the same today. I believe Peter uses the people of Noah's day who lived in debauchery as the ones who symbolize those who continue in their selfish, ego pleasing, God ignoring lives. Pleasure is for the now and eating and drinking and making marry is more important than the warning to repent of sins. They had no idea how they would be judged of God.
This is now the message of Christ to you. If you continue to live in selfish, pleasure seeking, God ignoring lives, refuse to repent of your sin and seek forgiveness from Christ who died for your sin, then there will be judgment for the living and the dead.
Susannah Wesley mother of John and Charles Wesley summed it up once in this striking way, "Whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, or removes your relish for Spiritual things that is sin to you."
Lloyd Steffen wrote in the Christian Century how when King Frederick II 18th century king of Prussia, was visiting a prison in Berlin, the inmates tried to prove to him how they had been unjustly imprisoned, All except one. That one sat quietly in the corner, while all the rest protested their innocence. Seeing him sitter there oblivious to the commotion, the king asked him what he was there for. "Armed Robbery, your honor." The king asked, "Were you guilty?" "Yes, Sire" he answered. "I entirely deserve my punishment."
The king then gave an order To the guard; "Release this guilty man. I don't want him corrupting all these innocent people"
The people to whom Peter was writing could all say, yes, that was my life. I am guilty of being earth bound. Now I repent of that and will follow Jesus wherever he leads. Repentance is our key of being released from the lusts of this flesh and finding the joy of Jesus.
When he is talking about ceasing from sin, Peter is not saying there is sinless perfection. In an article called Discipline of the Darkroom, B.C. Lovelace compares the Christian experience to photography. He says that in taking a snapshot, an image is made on the exposed negative the instant the shutter opens. Before the picture can be seen however, the film must go through the developing process. So too at the moment of conversion the light of the Savior floods the heart of the new believer and Christ's own likeness is indelibly impressed on his spirit. Then this miracle of grace also must be followed by a process of development. The Savior's image becomes visible as we are changed into His likeness. This involved the darkroom experience of adversity. In addition to trials, the Lord's correcting hand may also have a sanctifying effect on the Christian, Difficult as your darkroom experience may be, you should thank the Lord for you are being developed.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Fri Aug 28
Verses-1 Pet 4: 5,6 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.
Suffering Can cause us to consider Eternity.
This is a most interesting passage. There is an accounting in the judgment and Jesus judges the living and the dead. Each one must stand before God. That is why the gospel is preached. It is preached to those who are spiritually dead to Jesus Christ so they might accept the Lord and turn to salvation even though the bodies die, their spirits might live. Or specifically that men who persecute the Christian be it in Soviet Union, or Pakistan, or Cuba, can only harm the body, the worse things anyone can do is persecute the body, but the spirit is God's and that is how we live.
Living for Jesus Christ is not easy. When we live for Christ, really live righteous and godly lives, the unbelievers of the world reject us. They want little to do with pure righteousness and pure godliness. A godly life convicts them and demands that they live like God or else face His judgment.
There is a day coming when God Himself, by the Lord Jesus Christ, will judge both the living and the dead. There is a judgment for the Lord's people so that our works might be appraised. We are given rewards according to our works or suffer loss accord to our works (1 Cor 3 and 2 Cor 5) There is the great white throne judgment when all who have died in unbelief, who have rejected or put off trusting in Christ to save them and coming to him by commitment of their lives and receiving God's Holy Spirit into their lives. All will be judged and all whose names are not in the book of life will be cast into the lake of fire, or hell. Rev. 20:11-15 is clear about that. This is what is referred as the judgment of the dead.
Jesus said He that heareth my word and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but is passed out of death into life.(John 5:24) The message of repentance was true of Noah's day it is true today. It is a message that for a time people will suffer ridicule and rejection for following God. That was true for Noah, that was true for Jesus and that was true for Peter's readers the first century Christian? Is that true for you and me? When take heart God provides a way of escape. That was the Ark that is Jesus. This message is victorious.
Our time to respond to Jesus is now. It seems to me that the gospel is preached that enlivens men to God and deadens men to the things of the flesh. The reverse is true to be alive to the fleshly things is to be dead to Christ. That which brings life from death is the response and acceptance of the preaching of the good news.
Pastor Dale
Friday, August 21, 2009
The Work of Christ 1 Peter 3:18-22
Sermon Nuggets Week of Aug 17 1 Pet 3:18-22
Sermon Nugget Mon Aug 17
Theme -The Work of Christ
Verses I Pt. 3:18-22
This passage talks about baptism and I would like a reminder of the teachings from Scriptures. Every time someone is baptized they symbolize the work of Jesus Christ and their faith in what He has done for his or her life.
Next Sunday we will be witnessing two baptisms during our morning service. I wish there were more. I don’t think many people today realize this is a commandment by our Savior.
According to Romans 6 it ties readily into identifying with the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord. I am a Baptist by conviction. Among the other distinctives we follow the teaching of a believer’s baptism. I remember having to do a study during my Sunday School days in 5th and 6th grade class to look up baptism in the New Testament and check off if faith or belief comes first or baptism comes first. I got a prize for my Bible study. But more importantly it was very clear that never was water baptism mentioned in the Bible without faith and belief being the condition of baptism. It is to be practiced by a believer in Jesus not done to a baby or a child.
When many people within the Christian faith baptize babies they do so believing that baptism and salvation is so closely tied together that if someone wasn’t baptized they were not saved. I was attending a Church of Christ denomination at the time where salvation was preached but it was not complete until one followed the Lord in baptism by immersion. The verses quoted included Acts 2:37b-38 “When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" 38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Mark 16:16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”
My church taught that if someone accepted Jesus in the morning service they better get baptized that same day unless they die or the Lord comes and they are not fully saved.
The passage that convinced me otherwise was 1 Cor 1:14-18 when Paul stated, “I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else.)
For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel-- not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. ‘
Indeed if baptism was a requirement for salvation Paul would have not made such a radical statement. It was based on acceptance of the message, the preaching of the gospel on the cross and why Jesus died.
If baptism was a pre-requisite for salvation Paul would have sought to baptize every one he could but Christ did not send him to baptize but to preach the gospel.
The facts are there- we are not saved by water baptism; only believers should be baptized. But it is commanded by Jesus. It is the public witness that we trust in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. He wants all followers to be baptized. The word means immerse.
I talked with a man and his wife about joining Stanchfield. He confessed his salvation by faith in Jesus but since baptism is clearly not part of salvation he didn’t see any reason why he should. I turned to the passages that commanded it. Would that not be a good enough reason? If my child loved me he would obey me. That was Jesus point. Why call Him Lord, Lord and not do the things He tells us?
Out of obedience we submit ourselves to Him in following the commitment by water baptism. The more we ignore his commands the more we create what we are willing to do and not do our of our conveniences or wisdom rather than submit to his will and let him do with that as He wishes.
I was baptized at the age of 9 in a Baptist church. The Lord convicted me that I did so for the wrong child hood reasons and I indeed never trusted Christ for forgiveness of my sins. When the Holy Spirit spoke to me of my need I trusted him to save me. It wasn’t until I was in Seminary that I was “re-baptized” in a Baptist Church as I realize my baptism was not a believers baptism. It is a doctrine that I think has been pushed in the background of importance in our day.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Tues Aug 18
Verse 1 Peter 3: 18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,
The Christian message is about a Death
Peter points to the work of Jesus beginning with His death. He was put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit. There is body and there is spirit. The way the Bible explains death humanly is when man's spirit leaves body. The resurrection has no meaning apart from death. Jesus died once for all.
The Salvation story begins with the physical death of Jesus, as the Son of God. There are many modes of capital punishment, sawing people in half, being thrown to lions. According to some commentaries some people were also drowned, suffocated, and beaten to death, or put to the sword. But crucifixion was considered the worst.
We are reminded that Jesus was falsely charged. The arrest, the trials, the mockery, the scourging with whips, the humiliation, was all part of the suffering of our Lord prior to the cross. The carrying of the cross with a raw and ripped bleeding back, the nailing of his hands and feet to the cross, were part of His bearing with our sin. It was not only the suffering in his body, but the point that hatred, lies, hypocrisy, man made religion, abuse, rejection, mockery are all part of the human heart against God.
During a crucifixion the victim was offered a drug to deaden the pain, but Jesus refused that. Left to heat, bleeding, fever, headache, thirst, anxiety, but when all was accomplished and his work on earth was finished, he gave up the ghost as according to Scripture.
Peter previously pointed people who were suffering to think of Jesus suffering. He suffered in order to bring us to God. This death is to introduce us to the king. Jesus continually brings us to God. In the name of Jesus we have fellowship with Almighty God. He died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust. He paid our penalty and removes our sin.
But the baptism story is not only about the death of Jesus, but about our own death too. Romans 3:23 says For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” 6:23 tells us that price for our sin is death. Death is a physical and spiritual curse that affects each and every person. We are all spiritually dead to God. Our sin has to be removed for us to be alive to God.
There is another term for sin which translated means missing the mark. There are lots of good deeds, and many religions activities, and noble actions, but regardless how happy we feel about it or what others think it all misses the mark of God’s righteousness. It is sin.
Jesus paid the price for our offense and character. He is innocent, but he died for me because I am not innocent.
Did you notice that, once for all? Christ is not and cannot be crucified again according to the Bible. That's also why the temple veil was torn in two and the priests need not offer sacrifices any longer for the perfect sacrifice was paid. We completed the job and there is no more suffering that can be added by other people to complete salvation's requirements.
When A.J. Gordon was a pastor of a church in Boston, he met a young boy in front of the church carrying a rusty cage in which several birds fluttered. He discovered that the boy had trapped them out in the field and was going to play with them and feed them to his cat. Gordon offered to buy them,
"Mister, you don't want them" he told him. "They're just little old wild birds and can't sing very well."
"I'll give you $2 for the cage and the birds." "Okay, its a deal, but you're making a mistake."
Gordon walked around the back of the church property opened the door and let the birds soar into the air. The next Sunday he took the empty cage into the pulpit and used it to illustrate his sermon about Christ coming to seek and save the lost-paying for them with His own precious blood. "That boy told me the birds were not song birds, but when I released them, they winged their way heavenward and it seemed to me they were singing, "Redeemed, redeemed, redeemed."
You and I have been held prisons, we have been dead but Christ death purchased our pardon and set us free.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Weds Aug 19
Verses- 1 Peter 3:19-21 He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also-- not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God.
The Christian message is about a Burial.
Proclamation is not evangelism, it is heralding an announcement.
Often the phrases I am using for this week’s devotional become foundational for the faith. Paul affirms this bedrock truth by stating
1 Cor 15:3-4 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,” He preaches the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.
Why is make the point that He was buried? That seems to be an important part of the dogma. What happened from the time Jesus died until he rose again? Scholars give us different answers.
These verses are quoted and interpreted differently, so there is no firm agreement as to what exactly Peter means. One interpretation is that the Spirit of Christ was with Noah preaching repentance to the people before the flood came. They rejected the gracious message of God even then. Now they are doomed to destruction.
Another interpretation indicating by the Apostle’s Creed that when Jesus died His Spirit went to the place where dead souls are kept and preached to those who didn't have a chance to hear Noah's message before destruction came and now they could know the truth. Such preaching gave them a chance to respond to faith in Jesus.
There is also the interpretation that the word, Spirit, doesn't refer to the human dead. It is used for angels. So that when Jesus was in the Spirit He went to the fallen angels and proclaimed victory. He proclaimed defeat over Satan. Fallen angels or demons were the recipient of Christ message and Jesus proclaimed their eternal doom. They lost the war. It is now too late.
Now which do I think is right? I favor the thought that He preached to those who died and brought the faithful with Him to glory. But one thing is sure- Jesus was not resting. He was proclaiming victory.
There is a spiritual consciousness after death. The souls of the saved and the unsaved have some awareness after death. When we are buried, we do not lose consciousness, but rather expand our consciousness in new dimensions. Whomever Jesus was preaching to He was busy while His followers were grieving.
For His followers Jesus burial was an event of sadness. It was the time to prepare His body for the tomb and grieve His physical death. It seemed as if all their dreams and hopes were also buried. There was the sense of disappointment and loss. But something was going on with those who had already departed. The world of the unseen were being introduced to the living Lord before His bodily resurrection.
He pictures for us salvation by the type of Noah and the Ark. Judgment came. The water was the means of destroying the earth. It was buried in water. God graciously provided an Ark to save some of his creation and 8 people who were saved. Before the “burial” of the earth, people refused to accept the message of repentance and faith. Peter takes this picture and applies it to the New Testament preaching. The message of repentance and faith in Christ is preached and still many do not respond. As Noah was saved through water by the safety of the Ark, so the baptized are passed through the water or made safe through Jesus Christ. Water didn't save them, the ark did. Water doesn't cleanse us spiritually, it is the clear conscious. How do we get the clear conscious? We are having all our guilt taken away. There is only one way that happens and that is by Jesus. We trust in His works, not ours, and commitment ourselves to him.
Burial means the old is dead. Sin is destroyed for the one in faith. Our old nature is put to rest. The sin put upon Christ is also buried. But there is the wonderful news of the resurrection.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Thur Aug 20
Verses- 1 Pet 3:18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,
Christian message is about the Resurrection.
We talked about the phrase “made alive by the Spirit” when we acknowledged death was from a bodily perspective but Jesus was conscious and working among the spirits-either those who died before and/or angels and demons.
But there is another victorious truth. By the power of the Holy Spirit Jesus also bodily arose from the grave. Death could not even hold his body. Our Savior died, but He rose again. On the first day of the week as it began to dawn, as the sun was gleaming through the olive trees and lit up the garden of Joseph of Arimathea the early arrivals to the tomb found it was empty. They found the grave clothes left there. They wondered what could have happened.
The first to see Jesus, according to John 20, was Mary Magdalene. She saw Him in the garden with a new white robe of righteousness. He left the grave clothes for us. The angels touched the stone which covered the tomb. It was removed. Jesus came forth from its vault. Do you know that as just a sign for the soldiers and for the women and disciples? None of that was needed in the new resurrected body. In fact when he met the disciples later in that night he did need a door to be opened, or an opening to let him in or out. I believe that open grave was for our benefit. It was necessary to give witness and glory to the watching world that the grave was opened in this glorious resurrection.
Jesus stayed around on the earth for 40 more days, a time sufficient for the confirmation of his identity and teaching. People saw and talked with Him as proof He really did rise from the grave. I don’t know for sure, but the Scripture passages only included sightings by believers in Jesus. Were those the only ones?
We remember when Thomas doubted Jesus alive He invited Thomas to put his finger in the print of the nails and hand into the side. 500 people at one time according to Paul's account in Corinthians were eye witnesses of His appearances. His appearance was not a vision held by one or two but before a great company of people in various stages of acceptance of the resurrection.
During those days He brought comfort to his disciples. He wiped away their tears. They were no longer sorrowful.
But as we think of the resurrection of Christ we cannot minimize the hope that is ours of our personal resurrection. When will that take place? At the glorious return of Jesus Christ.
That is why we have hope. “We serve a risen savior who is in the world today!” “He walks with me and He talks with me and He tells me I am His own.”
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Fri Aug 21
Verses -1 Pet 3:22 who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand-- with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
Christian Message is about the Ascension
The ascension of Jesus is part of the Christian story. Jesus’ physical body is no longer on earth as described more clearly in the first chapter of Acts. But His physical and resurrected body ascended up into the clouds and out of sight with the promise of returning again in the same manner.
The ascension message is that He is at “God’s right hand”. The picture is one of authority and intercession. In the role of the high priest Jesus represents us before the Father in heaven. The Son is before the Father interceding on our behalf. His prayers are ever within the holy place. He is now in heaven as our representative.
All spiritual powers are in submission to him. All angels and demons are in submission to Him. At the present time not all creation is acting according to the will of Jesus, but some day at the Father’s timing it will do so.
Jesus did not go to heaven until it was settled and confirmed by the believers that He was alive again. He had the power over death itself. During this time He also prepared them for His departure. He made them see that it was to their advantage that He goes away because then the Holy Spirit would come and commune with them and they would be filled with His peace.
They were children now of a different world. They were strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. They heard Him speak to them and they were commissioned to proclaim the truth.
Verse 22 points to the glorification of Christ. He is gone into heaven and is on the right hand of God. They could not embrace his feet or listen to his stories. But neither is Peter at home on earth anymore. Just as he longed to be with Jesus also in Heaven, so he is now.
The right hand of God is a place of honor. This expression of course, is a figure to point to the shadow of human authority and honor before a sovereign king. It helps us better grasp the heavenly truths of respect love, power and honor to Jesus in the Heavenly is giving. He has conquered and is presently ruling. Jesus is the victor! He is in control. He is preparing a place for us and will come again to receive his bride. As He loves us, the Father loves Him and receives us as His own through the work and will of the Son, who delights in serving the Father. It is a beautiful picture causes us to trust in not only what Jesus did, but what He is presently doing.
As William Barclay writes, "Here is the great belief that there is no created being in heaven or earth outside the empire and the power of Christ. Christ the sufferer has become Christ the victor, and Christ the crucified has become Christ the crowned?"
In the passages of this week Peter pointed to Jesus as our example for being a sufferer, but at the end the proclamation is victory. That's the story! There is victory even in your suffering. It was the will of a loving God that His Son suffers. It was God's will that He be buried, and praise God it was the plan even from the Old Testament that He be raised to life again. All that happened was according to God's great design. The Death, Burial and Resurrection are the heart of the Christian message. The ascension reminds us it is already done, but not quite yet realized until He returns.
Come, Lord Jesus.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nugget Mon Aug 17
Theme -The Work of Christ
Verses I Pt. 3:18-22
This passage talks about baptism and I would like a reminder of the teachings from Scriptures. Every time someone is baptized they symbolize the work of Jesus Christ and their faith in what He has done for his or her life.
Next Sunday we will be witnessing two baptisms during our morning service. I wish there were more. I don’t think many people today realize this is a commandment by our Savior.
According to Romans 6 it ties readily into identifying with the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord. I am a Baptist by conviction. Among the other distinctives we follow the teaching of a believer’s baptism. I remember having to do a study during my Sunday School days in 5th and 6th grade class to look up baptism in the New Testament and check off if faith or belief comes first or baptism comes first. I got a prize for my Bible study. But more importantly it was very clear that never was water baptism mentioned in the Bible without faith and belief being the condition of baptism. It is to be practiced by a believer in Jesus not done to a baby or a child.
When many people within the Christian faith baptize babies they do so believing that baptism and salvation is so closely tied together that if someone wasn’t baptized they were not saved. I was attending a Church of Christ denomination at the time where salvation was preached but it was not complete until one followed the Lord in baptism by immersion. The verses quoted included Acts 2:37b-38 “When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" 38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Mark 16:16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”
My church taught that if someone accepted Jesus in the morning service they better get baptized that same day unless they die or the Lord comes and they are not fully saved.
The passage that convinced me otherwise was 1 Cor 1:14-18 when Paul stated, “I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else.)
For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel-- not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. ‘
Indeed if baptism was a requirement for salvation Paul would have not made such a radical statement. It was based on acceptance of the message, the preaching of the gospel on the cross and why Jesus died.
If baptism was a pre-requisite for salvation Paul would have sought to baptize every one he could but Christ did not send him to baptize but to preach the gospel.
The facts are there- we are not saved by water baptism; only believers should be baptized. But it is commanded by Jesus. It is the public witness that we trust in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. He wants all followers to be baptized. The word means immerse.
I talked with a man and his wife about joining Stanchfield. He confessed his salvation by faith in Jesus but since baptism is clearly not part of salvation he didn’t see any reason why he should. I turned to the passages that commanded it. Would that not be a good enough reason? If my child loved me he would obey me. That was Jesus point. Why call Him Lord, Lord and not do the things He tells us?
Out of obedience we submit ourselves to Him in following the commitment by water baptism. The more we ignore his commands the more we create what we are willing to do and not do our of our conveniences or wisdom rather than submit to his will and let him do with that as He wishes.
I was baptized at the age of 9 in a Baptist church. The Lord convicted me that I did so for the wrong child hood reasons and I indeed never trusted Christ for forgiveness of my sins. When the Holy Spirit spoke to me of my need I trusted him to save me. It wasn’t until I was in Seminary that I was “re-baptized” in a Baptist Church as I realize my baptism was not a believers baptism. It is a doctrine that I think has been pushed in the background of importance in our day.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Tues Aug 18
Verse 1 Peter 3: 18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,
The Christian message is about a Death
Peter points to the work of Jesus beginning with His death. He was put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit. There is body and there is spirit. The way the Bible explains death humanly is when man's spirit leaves body. The resurrection has no meaning apart from death. Jesus died once for all.
The Salvation story begins with the physical death of Jesus, as the Son of God. There are many modes of capital punishment, sawing people in half, being thrown to lions. According to some commentaries some people were also drowned, suffocated, and beaten to death, or put to the sword. But crucifixion was considered the worst.
We are reminded that Jesus was falsely charged. The arrest, the trials, the mockery, the scourging with whips, the humiliation, was all part of the suffering of our Lord prior to the cross. The carrying of the cross with a raw and ripped bleeding back, the nailing of his hands and feet to the cross, were part of His bearing with our sin. It was not only the suffering in his body, but the point that hatred, lies, hypocrisy, man made religion, abuse, rejection, mockery are all part of the human heart against God.
During a crucifixion the victim was offered a drug to deaden the pain, but Jesus refused that. Left to heat, bleeding, fever, headache, thirst, anxiety, but when all was accomplished and his work on earth was finished, he gave up the ghost as according to Scripture.
Peter previously pointed people who were suffering to think of Jesus suffering. He suffered in order to bring us to God. This death is to introduce us to the king. Jesus continually brings us to God. In the name of Jesus we have fellowship with Almighty God. He died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust. He paid our penalty and removes our sin.
But the baptism story is not only about the death of Jesus, but about our own death too. Romans 3:23 says For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” 6:23 tells us that price for our sin is death. Death is a physical and spiritual curse that affects each and every person. We are all spiritually dead to God. Our sin has to be removed for us to be alive to God.
There is another term for sin which translated means missing the mark. There are lots of good deeds, and many religions activities, and noble actions, but regardless how happy we feel about it or what others think it all misses the mark of God’s righteousness. It is sin.
Jesus paid the price for our offense and character. He is innocent, but he died for me because I am not innocent.
Did you notice that, once for all? Christ is not and cannot be crucified again according to the Bible. That's also why the temple veil was torn in two and the priests need not offer sacrifices any longer for the perfect sacrifice was paid. We completed the job and there is no more suffering that can be added by other people to complete salvation's requirements.
When A.J. Gordon was a pastor of a church in Boston, he met a young boy in front of the church carrying a rusty cage in which several birds fluttered. He discovered that the boy had trapped them out in the field and was going to play with them and feed them to his cat. Gordon offered to buy them,
"Mister, you don't want them" he told him. "They're just little old wild birds and can't sing very well."
"I'll give you $2 for the cage and the birds." "Okay, its a deal, but you're making a mistake."
Gordon walked around the back of the church property opened the door and let the birds soar into the air. The next Sunday he took the empty cage into the pulpit and used it to illustrate his sermon about Christ coming to seek and save the lost-paying for them with His own precious blood. "That boy told me the birds were not song birds, but when I released them, they winged their way heavenward and it seemed to me they were singing, "Redeemed, redeemed, redeemed."
You and I have been held prisons, we have been dead but Christ death purchased our pardon and set us free.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Weds Aug 19
Verses- 1 Peter 3:19-21 He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also-- not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God.
The Christian message is about a Burial.
Proclamation is not evangelism, it is heralding an announcement.
Often the phrases I am using for this week’s devotional become foundational for the faith. Paul affirms this bedrock truth by stating
1 Cor 15:3-4 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,” He preaches the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.
Why is make the point that He was buried? That seems to be an important part of the dogma. What happened from the time Jesus died until he rose again? Scholars give us different answers.
These verses are quoted and interpreted differently, so there is no firm agreement as to what exactly Peter means. One interpretation is that the Spirit of Christ was with Noah preaching repentance to the people before the flood came. They rejected the gracious message of God even then. Now they are doomed to destruction.
Another interpretation indicating by the Apostle’s Creed that when Jesus died His Spirit went to the place where dead souls are kept and preached to those who didn't have a chance to hear Noah's message before destruction came and now they could know the truth. Such preaching gave them a chance to respond to faith in Jesus.
There is also the interpretation that the word, Spirit, doesn't refer to the human dead. It is used for angels. So that when Jesus was in the Spirit He went to the fallen angels and proclaimed victory. He proclaimed defeat over Satan. Fallen angels or demons were the recipient of Christ message and Jesus proclaimed their eternal doom. They lost the war. It is now too late.
Now which do I think is right? I favor the thought that He preached to those who died and brought the faithful with Him to glory. But one thing is sure- Jesus was not resting. He was proclaiming victory.
There is a spiritual consciousness after death. The souls of the saved and the unsaved have some awareness after death. When we are buried, we do not lose consciousness, but rather expand our consciousness in new dimensions. Whomever Jesus was preaching to He was busy while His followers were grieving.
For His followers Jesus burial was an event of sadness. It was the time to prepare His body for the tomb and grieve His physical death. It seemed as if all their dreams and hopes were also buried. There was the sense of disappointment and loss. But something was going on with those who had already departed. The world of the unseen were being introduced to the living Lord before His bodily resurrection.
He pictures for us salvation by the type of Noah and the Ark. Judgment came. The water was the means of destroying the earth. It was buried in water. God graciously provided an Ark to save some of his creation and 8 people who were saved. Before the “burial” of the earth, people refused to accept the message of repentance and faith. Peter takes this picture and applies it to the New Testament preaching. The message of repentance and faith in Christ is preached and still many do not respond. As Noah was saved through water by the safety of the Ark, so the baptized are passed through the water or made safe through Jesus Christ. Water didn't save them, the ark did. Water doesn't cleanse us spiritually, it is the clear conscious. How do we get the clear conscious? We are having all our guilt taken away. There is only one way that happens and that is by Jesus. We trust in His works, not ours, and commitment ourselves to him.
Burial means the old is dead. Sin is destroyed for the one in faith. Our old nature is put to rest. The sin put upon Christ is also buried. But there is the wonderful news of the resurrection.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Thur Aug 20
Verses- 1 Pet 3:18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,
Christian message is about the Resurrection.
We talked about the phrase “made alive by the Spirit” when we acknowledged death was from a bodily perspective but Jesus was conscious and working among the spirits-either those who died before and/or angels and demons.
But there is another victorious truth. By the power of the Holy Spirit Jesus also bodily arose from the grave. Death could not even hold his body. Our Savior died, but He rose again. On the first day of the week as it began to dawn, as the sun was gleaming through the olive trees and lit up the garden of Joseph of Arimathea the early arrivals to the tomb found it was empty. They found the grave clothes left there. They wondered what could have happened.
The first to see Jesus, according to John 20, was Mary Magdalene. She saw Him in the garden with a new white robe of righteousness. He left the grave clothes for us. The angels touched the stone which covered the tomb. It was removed. Jesus came forth from its vault. Do you know that as just a sign for the soldiers and for the women and disciples? None of that was needed in the new resurrected body. In fact when he met the disciples later in that night he did need a door to be opened, or an opening to let him in or out. I believe that open grave was for our benefit. It was necessary to give witness and glory to the watching world that the grave was opened in this glorious resurrection.
Jesus stayed around on the earth for 40 more days, a time sufficient for the confirmation of his identity and teaching. People saw and talked with Him as proof He really did rise from the grave. I don’t know for sure, but the Scripture passages only included sightings by believers in Jesus. Were those the only ones?
We remember when Thomas doubted Jesus alive He invited Thomas to put his finger in the print of the nails and hand into the side. 500 people at one time according to Paul's account in Corinthians were eye witnesses of His appearances. His appearance was not a vision held by one or two but before a great company of people in various stages of acceptance of the resurrection.
During those days He brought comfort to his disciples. He wiped away their tears. They were no longer sorrowful.
But as we think of the resurrection of Christ we cannot minimize the hope that is ours of our personal resurrection. When will that take place? At the glorious return of Jesus Christ.
That is why we have hope. “We serve a risen savior who is in the world today!” “He walks with me and He talks with me and He tells me I am His own.”
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Fri Aug 21
Verses -1 Pet 3:22 who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand-- with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
Christian Message is about the Ascension
The ascension of Jesus is part of the Christian story. Jesus’ physical body is no longer on earth as described more clearly in the first chapter of Acts. But His physical and resurrected body ascended up into the clouds and out of sight with the promise of returning again in the same manner.
The ascension message is that He is at “God’s right hand”. The picture is one of authority and intercession. In the role of the high priest Jesus represents us before the Father in heaven. The Son is before the Father interceding on our behalf. His prayers are ever within the holy place. He is now in heaven as our representative.
All spiritual powers are in submission to him. All angels and demons are in submission to Him. At the present time not all creation is acting according to the will of Jesus, but some day at the Father’s timing it will do so.
Jesus did not go to heaven until it was settled and confirmed by the believers that He was alive again. He had the power over death itself. During this time He also prepared them for His departure. He made them see that it was to their advantage that He goes away because then the Holy Spirit would come and commune with them and they would be filled with His peace.
They were children now of a different world. They were strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. They heard Him speak to them and they were commissioned to proclaim the truth.
Verse 22 points to the glorification of Christ. He is gone into heaven and is on the right hand of God. They could not embrace his feet or listen to his stories. But neither is Peter at home on earth anymore. Just as he longed to be with Jesus also in Heaven, so he is now.
The right hand of God is a place of honor. This expression of course, is a figure to point to the shadow of human authority and honor before a sovereign king. It helps us better grasp the heavenly truths of respect love, power and honor to Jesus in the Heavenly is giving. He has conquered and is presently ruling. Jesus is the victor! He is in control. He is preparing a place for us and will come again to receive his bride. As He loves us, the Father loves Him and receives us as His own through the work and will of the Son, who delights in serving the Father. It is a beautiful picture causes us to trust in not only what Jesus did, but what He is presently doing.
As William Barclay writes, "Here is the great belief that there is no created being in heaven or earth outside the empire and the power of Christ. Christ the sufferer has become Christ the victor, and Christ the crucified has become Christ the crowned?"
In the passages of this week Peter pointed to Jesus as our example for being a sufferer, but at the end the proclamation is victory. That's the story! There is victory even in your suffering. It was the will of a loving God that His Son suffers. It was God's will that He be buried, and praise God it was the plan even from the Old Testament that He be raised to life again. All that happened was according to God's great design. The Death, Burial and Resurrection are the heart of the Christian message. The ascension reminds us it is already done, but not quite yet realized until He returns.
Come, Lord Jesus.
Pastor Dale
Friday, August 14, 2009
A Real Witness 1 Peter 3:13-17
Sermon Nuggets Week of August 10, 2009
Sermon Nugget Mon Aug 10
Theme- A REAL WITNESS
Verses: 1 Pet 3:13-17
A Real Witness
There are two reasons for suffering. First, because we are part of humanity. All of us experience difficulties as part of our fallen world, all people in all faiths and all over the world.
Then there is suffering that is for being a Christian. This may come in various forms and sources. It may be from Satan that seeks to discourage or discredit our testimony for Christ. It may come to us from God to discipline us, teach us, strengthen us, or cause us to be witnesses.
Before I had the privilege of teaching in Russia on a short term missions trip, I read an article entitled, "Praying with the KGB" by Philip Yancey. He addressed the religious changes going on in Russia. 19 evangelical leaders were invited to Moscow to advise the government on rebuilding moral values of Christianity. Yancey accompanied them. They were invited to the headquarters of the KGB who oversaw the vast network of prisons. Some people estimate the KGB were responsible for up to 70 million deaths not to mention many tortures against all political enemies of Communism.
The Vice President of the KGB stood to speak, among other things he said, "Political questions cannot be decided until there is sincere repentance, a return to faith by the people. That is the cross I must bear. In the study of scientific atheism, there was the idea that religion divides people. Now we see the opposite: love for God can only unite. Somehow we must learn to put together the missionary role- absolutely critical for us now- and also learn from Marx that man can't appreciate life if he is hungry. "
Alex was one of the visitors. He had been born in the Soviet Union. He had escaped during Stalin's reign of terror and immigrated to the US 46 years earlier. He had been broadcasting Russian Christian programs by shortwave radio for a number of years. It was illegal to listen to Alex Leonovich. The Soviet government tried to jam the reception. He knew personally many Christian who had been tortured and persecuted for their faith. Now for him to be received by the high officials of the KGB was incomprehensible. They were saying that repentance was needed before rebuilding was possible.
Alex epitomized the old guard of warriors who have prayed, sometimes believing and sometimes not, for more than 50 years that change might come to the nation. He said, "General, many members of my family suffered because of this organization. I myself had to leave the land that I loved. My uncle, who was very dear to me, went to a labor camp in Siberia and never returned. General, you say that you repent. Christ taught us how to respond. On behalf of my family, on behalf of my uncle, who died in the gulag, I forgive you." He reached over to the vice chairman and gave him a great Russian bear hug.
The General whispered, "only two times in my life have I cried. Once when my mother died and the other is tonight."
Many Christian Soviets still questioned if this was only a cover-up by the officials. But meeting after meeting astounded them. The editor in chief of Pravda the communistic publication said, "Morality is the worst crises, worse than the economic and political problems. Christian values may be the only thing to keep our country from falling apart."
Mikhail Gorbachev himself addressed the group, "Let me to honest with you-I am an atheist. Even so I have profound respect for your beliefs. This time, more than ever before, we need support from our partners and I value solidarity with religions. But I must say for a long time I have drawn comfort from the Bible. Ignoring religious experience has meant great losses for society and I must acknowledge that Christians are doing much better than our political leaders on the important questions facing us. We welcome your help, especially when it is accompanied by deeds."
Two years later I was able to go to Southern Russia and teach pastors for the first time. I met a Communist director of a region who detested Baptists and didn’t like my being at an orphanage. I was invited into a school to speak on America and we were allowed to pass out Bibles. It seems the mood of openness is changing as Putin is returning to some more oppressive restrictions when it comes to faith matters. But what type of witness does a commitment to Jesus Christ leave for those watching us? What does the Lordship of Jesus Christ mean for us? What does it mean of the people of USSR? How important is a little religion in one's life? How important is complete and total dedication to Christ because He is God and there is none like Him.
The Lordship of Jesus affects all areas of life.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Tues Aug 11
Verse- 1 Pet 3:15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
Jesus Makes a Difference in our Affections
I will address verse 15 again but when Peter addresses the subject of making a difference in our witness the focal point of it all is the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Our commitment to the lordship of Jesus Christ certainly is a matter of obedience and faithfulness and commitment but above all is affection. Love God with all your heart. Love Him with your strength. Love Him with your mind.
Col 3:2 “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”(KJV) Our desires, our attention, our attraction is all on the one we love. We love because God first loved us. How does that love show in our lives? Is Jesus our secret love or do people know it?
When I see someone the young infatuated with their boyfriend or girlfriend he/she makes it known. Even if it is a secret love it usually shows by the way they look at another. They will think about this person, take notice about their actions and voice and friendships. When that relationship moves from secret to open in their feelings, it is more visible from an outward appearance. Sometimes they will advertise on t-shirts with pictures, or lockets around their neck, or friendship rings. If they are young, you can bet they have Facebook pictures full of the love of their life, and cell phone photos as their background picture than includes images of the other. Text messages abound back and forth.
When someone talks all the time of their girl or guy, I frankly get a bit turned off thinking they don’t really understand the depth of love that comes from commitment through had times, making tough decisions about finances, helping one another in sickness and it raising kids, and through the struggles of ego and pride and in-laws and priorities that are life changing.
The love-affection of mid years shows itself differently than up front advertisement. And to see the love of an older couple also has a richness where such partnership has earned a respect that when you see one, you have seen the other since their lives are so intertwined, not in infatuation, but a deeper identity that comes with time of walking, talking and living in closeness together.
Peter learned a lot when he was walking and talking and living together with Jesus. He learned about how his passions needed to channeled into ways filled by the Holy Spirit instead of his fleshly zeal. He needed to sit a listen a lot more and speaking a lot less until he knew Him of whom he spoke.
He needed to know that even when he blow it the love of Jesus toward him sustained him, forgave him, and because the very reason of his living. The priorities of Jesus changed his outlook toward family, vocation, and faith. Peter’s growing love for Jesus came from understanding the depth of Jesus love for Peter. Now the Lordship issue was more important than life itself. Jesus was more than a devotional time in the morning, or temple time at mid-day. His life was to be lived through Peter and Peter wanted it that way.
Perhaps the most significant conversation is found in John 21 when Jesus asked three times if Peter loves him. “You know that I do,” Peter replies. He is almost frustrated with Jesus who keeps facing him with the heart issue more than the call to action. The Greek words used included an affection of friendship, but also a commitment that was self giving. Why is it men have a harder time saying "I love you." What is it about intimacy that make some people reserved? Maybe when one gives their heart to another they are no longer as much in control. They have given themselves away and that threatens control. That is exactly the point of Lordship. It is saying that I am off the throne of deciding what I want to do with Jesus and now He is in control of my affections and has desires of what He wants to do through me. For Peter it was to tend his sheep and catch men for the Kingdom.
Love is more than advertising on a t-shirt, or web page. When someone really loves another, people notice it. It would be impossible to hide Peter’s affection toward Jesus, even if he said no words. So he writes to these sheep of Jesus, “In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.”
The beauty of the stain glassed windows of cathedrals are best seen when the light shines from within. It is the inner light that reflects the glory of Christ in your talking, walking, living and loving our Lord.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nugget Weds Aug 12
Verses- 1 Peter 3:13-14 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?
But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened."
Jesus makes a Difference in our Actions.
When we have made the Lord the focus of our affection it changes how we live, which becomes a witness to others. Similar to the advice that Peter gives to slaves, the readers are told to do good. For in doing what is right and good, people will give you respect more often than not. However even if they do not like you Jesus said you will be blessed if you suffer for doing what is right and good. It is better to be blessed at the hand of God than it is to be blessed at the hand of men. It is better to be harmed at the hand of men than to be harmed under the discipline of the Lord. Let Jesus be Lord over all your life and your actions.
I think of people at Stanchfield that have been very kind and loving people, but who have been the recipients of criticism and unjust accusations. Certainly they were hurt since it was not their intention to harm anyone’s feelings. They felt misunderstood and tried to correct it. They prayed for their critics.
As I look back with many years now, I can tell you one thing- I wish the Spirit of God would speak to anyone here who is holding grudges. I know their critics who refused to release their anger did not seek to forgive or make amends. They are no longer in the church; they have become spiritually weak. They are, I believe, under the earthly judgment of God and if they do not repent of their sin and also give up their bitterness and make things right they will pay a greater spiritual consequence. Those who did what was right even when falsely accused continued to grow and honor the Lord in their lives.
The Lordship of Jesus Christ affects our Actions. Do good regardless of what people do to you.
In Philip Yancey’s article he talked about being at a meeting in Russia when an ex-convict named Basil unexpectedly showed up. Basil had been listening to reports of their visits all over the Soviet national radio network. For years he had tuned in secretly to short-wave programs listening to gospel messages. Now these men were meeting with President Gorbachev, the Supreme Soviet, KGB, and Kremlin. He couldn't believe it so he got on a night train and rode 14 hours to see if it was really true.
Basil had broad, hulking shoulders and rugged weather beaten features of a farmer. Two front teeth on top row were missing and when he smiled, gold fillings gleamed from the back of his mouth. He asked for 5 minutes to address the Christian visitors.
1962 He was publishing gospel tracts and had been witnessing and giving them away. The KGB arrested him and sent him to a labor camp. He was perplexed. Why would God punish him for serving Him? Then one morning he saw God had given him a new opportunity. Every morning before sun-up prisoners from the labor camp had to assemble in a open space for roll call. Camp commanders insisted on strict punctuality from them but not from the guards. As a result 1,000s of prisoners stood outdoors for several minutes each morning with nothing to do. Basil decided to start a church.
He preached daily to a captive audience. He had from 2 to 5 minutes before guards arrived and it may have taken him 2 weeks to deliver a sermon. He had to shout to be heard by several 1,000 prisoners outdoor so his voice developed into the largest and loudest Yancey ever heard.
“Many Prisoners came to faith in Jesus Christ.” He said, "There were many years when I had no encouragement" now he was weeping openly, and voice cracked, "The words of from this radio minister I carried in my heart and encouraged me when my hands were tied behind my back."
Yancey wrote, "Suddenly, I burned with shame. Here we were 10 evangelical professional who made a good living from our faith, sitting in a luxurious hotel. What did we know about the kind of bedrock faith needed in this nation, of people who had endured such suffering? What gave us the right to represent the Basils of USSR before the Supreme Soviet and the KGB?"
There were people who when Jesus said come and follow me, gave up their jobs, their families and their freedom and went to the worse prisons of USSR because they knew Jesus was Lord of their lives. They witnessed there, they preached there, they prayed there. They longed to see a Bible. They passed secret messages. They gave away their food and took care of some of the sick. Basil's prayers, work and witness were being realized. He lived out the Lordship of Jesus in action.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Thurs 1 Peter 3:15
Verse- 1 Pet 3:15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
Jesus Makes a Difference in our Answers.
From this verse we already discussed the priority of affection and love for the Lord. Now I want to center on the importance of our answers we give for our hope.
The word is apologia, literally meaning a defense of our faith. We “apologize” when seeking forgiveness, but that is an added meaning of the word. Peter says give reasons for your hope. Hope comes by trusting in Christ. When Christians are under trial and persecution our attention is pointed in the future. Christians going under persecution look forward to Christ’s return and fulfillment of His promises.
When Christians were arrested fellow prisoners took notice for the believers had a hope others did not have. They were asked how they can be joyful, have peace, and be optimistic knowing they will suffer or die. They had an opportunity to point to a world beyond the immediate. They had hope.
Peter tells his readers to plan, be prepared, be aware that you will be asked about your faith. Have an answer ready for everyone. If you let the light of Christ shine there will be times God will open up doors of conversation. Pray for opportunities to arise that may occur. Our faith is not just a belief in practices and customs of ancient religion 1,000s of years ago. It is a vital and living reality and relationship with Jesus Christ who is alive today. Do you know what you believe? Do you know why you believe?
Some people look upon religion as a crutch. Some feel they are self-sufficient and able to stand on their own feet. Many think it is all right for weak women and children but they don't need it. What do you tell such people?
Phillip Yancey expected the Soviet news reporters to be full of critical attacks against their faith. Instead the types of questions they were asked were "What is forgiveness?” “How can you know God?" I trust you would be able to give an answer to someone if they asked how to become a Christian.
He recounts only one visit when professors at a University verbally attacked the Christian visitors to Russia in 1992. They charged that with recent openness to capitalism they had not seen any improvement. One professor noted capitalism flourished where teenagers were employed by the Russian mafia exploiting foreign tourists, the only people with hard cash. The soft-porno magazines sprang up and TV programs from the West were shocking the people. Their daughters were talking about becoming hookers. Their sons were scheming for profits on the black market. Where was the new ethics in this new freedom?
Another one of the Marxist professors stood in anger and said things like "We need not have God to have morality. Why pretend there is a God?” It didn't matter to him if he was the last one in all of Moscow to believe in Marxist philosophy. He shouted, "Marxism had not failed. Yes, Stalin made mistakes. Yes even our beloved Lenin made mistakes. Perhaps even Marx made some mistakes, but go back to the young Marx and there you will find the purity of the socialist vision. There you will find a morality based on Man with the capital M. That is what we need. As for Christianity, we have tried that in Russia for 1,000 years. It has failed.” He continued his defend of atheism and Marxism for 15-20 minutes.
There was great tension in the room. One of the Christian visitors, Kent Hill, rose and spoke in a soft measured tone. He had a Ph.D in Russian studies. He responded, “Freedom of religion includes the freedom for those who do not believe in God." The professors nodded in approval. He told them the issues raised are important. They are of ultimate meaning for humanity and for the universe. But one night's discussion would hardly do justice to these issues. He offered to return to the academy with some Christian friends and set up a means to answer these important matters. Then he shared his personal story.
Kent told of the times of doubts in his life He began reading Dostoevsky’s great novel, The Brothers Karamazov. He was attracted to the character, Ivan the agnostic who had many good arguments against God. They were powerful especially concerning the problem of evil. Kent added, “But to my surprise I was eventually won over by the love shown by Ivan's brother, Alyosha. Ivan had fine argument but he had no love. He could reason his way to a morality, but he could not create the love necessary to fulfill it. I came to believe in Christ because I found in him a source for that love."
The meeting was transformed. Kent Hill had done far more than any professors’ arguments. He begun with a respect for their beliefs and was courtesy and compassionate. He then tried to let them see Jesus in Him.
A witness just shares what they know or what they have experienced. We grow in our understanding by being consistent learners of the Scriptures. We grow in our relationship to other believers and develop conversations with those who do not know Christ. Most people are not antagonistic to faith issues. They are ignorant of them. If presented in a personal and loving way, God uses your story more than you can imagine.
The Lordship of Jesus is seen in answers that are guided by His Spirit, spoken in love. Think about how you can give a hope for your faith.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Fri Aug 14
Verses- 1 Peter 3:16,17 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
Jesus makes a Difference in our Attitudes.
Although not a Christian, Ghandi learned the tactic of non-violence from the New Testament. Martin Luther King was inspired also from passages like this one to stand strong but in respectful and gentle ways without violence. I think Peter is realizing the fight against evil is not something man can win. It is only by the power of the Lord that the Kingdom of God advances, and his tactic is to have is people show love, even to enemies. Sharing our faith and hope is to be done with gentleness and respect even to those who seek to do us evil, for they will be guilty of their actions based on our good responses. God will avenge and reward.
We must keep a good conscience. Live according to the moral teachings of the Bible. It is possible for your conscience to be deadened to the Spirit of God when evil, lying, cheating, covering things up do not affect us anymore. Commitment to holy living and yielded spirit are weapons God uses in us.
I see many preachers who are arrogant or belligerent people. Some Christians carry a superior attitude toward others that is resented. God uses the humble. Humility comes not by doing or saying nothing, but being aware all we have comes from God. Any illumination or insight in truth is by the enlightenment of God’s Spirit. It amazes me that God would take his glorious truths and use clay pots like us to be vessels of His service. Such a witness has an attitude of winsomeness and love and reverence.
If a believer is faithfully serving Christ he will be criticized. If everybody speaks well of him perhaps something is wrong. But as a Christian you can gain from criticism by revealing weaknesses that need addressing, and if the charge is untrue, it can help one grow and bring glory to Christ. This attitude of turning it over to Christ, showing love and being kind even in the midst of persecution is what toppled communism with all of its tyranny and abuses.
A Christian witness must be prepared rational, gentle and maintain respect and all with a clear conscience. Those who speak maliciously against good behavior in Christ will be ashamed of their slander.
When Philip Yancey arrived back in the United States from his initial trip to Russia in 1992, most of the media reported symptoms of a fatally flawed economic system. Interestingly Yancey said that not one mentioned what every Soviet leader insisted that the grave crisis is not economic or political, but rather moral and spiritual. Alexander Solzehnitsyn said it 10 years ago "Men have forgotten God. Marx predicted Religion will disappear and its quaint belief will be made obsolete by a New Socialist Man.”
The Lordship of Jesus Christ impacts your affection, your actions, your answers, and your attitude. When Jesus is first in our lives He is able to do work through us in ways we cannot imagine.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nugget Mon Aug 10
Theme- A REAL WITNESS
Verses: 1 Pet 3:13-17
A Real Witness
There are two reasons for suffering. First, because we are part of humanity. All of us experience difficulties as part of our fallen world, all people in all faiths and all over the world.
Then there is suffering that is for being a Christian. This may come in various forms and sources. It may be from Satan that seeks to discourage or discredit our testimony for Christ. It may come to us from God to discipline us, teach us, strengthen us, or cause us to be witnesses.
Before I had the privilege of teaching in Russia on a short term missions trip, I read an article entitled, "Praying with the KGB" by Philip Yancey. He addressed the religious changes going on in Russia. 19 evangelical leaders were invited to Moscow to advise the government on rebuilding moral values of Christianity. Yancey accompanied them. They were invited to the headquarters of the KGB who oversaw the vast network of prisons. Some people estimate the KGB were responsible for up to 70 million deaths not to mention many tortures against all political enemies of Communism.
The Vice President of the KGB stood to speak, among other things he said, "Political questions cannot be decided until there is sincere repentance, a return to faith by the people. That is the cross I must bear. In the study of scientific atheism, there was the idea that religion divides people. Now we see the opposite: love for God can only unite. Somehow we must learn to put together the missionary role- absolutely critical for us now- and also learn from Marx that man can't appreciate life if he is hungry. "
Alex was one of the visitors. He had been born in the Soviet Union. He had escaped during Stalin's reign of terror and immigrated to the US 46 years earlier. He had been broadcasting Russian Christian programs by shortwave radio for a number of years. It was illegal to listen to Alex Leonovich. The Soviet government tried to jam the reception. He knew personally many Christian who had been tortured and persecuted for their faith. Now for him to be received by the high officials of the KGB was incomprehensible. They were saying that repentance was needed before rebuilding was possible.
Alex epitomized the old guard of warriors who have prayed, sometimes believing and sometimes not, for more than 50 years that change might come to the nation. He said, "General, many members of my family suffered because of this organization. I myself had to leave the land that I loved. My uncle, who was very dear to me, went to a labor camp in Siberia and never returned. General, you say that you repent. Christ taught us how to respond. On behalf of my family, on behalf of my uncle, who died in the gulag, I forgive you." He reached over to the vice chairman and gave him a great Russian bear hug.
The General whispered, "only two times in my life have I cried. Once when my mother died and the other is tonight."
Many Christian Soviets still questioned if this was only a cover-up by the officials. But meeting after meeting astounded them. The editor in chief of Pravda the communistic publication said, "Morality is the worst crises, worse than the economic and political problems. Christian values may be the only thing to keep our country from falling apart."
Mikhail Gorbachev himself addressed the group, "Let me to honest with you-I am an atheist. Even so I have profound respect for your beliefs. This time, more than ever before, we need support from our partners and I value solidarity with religions. But I must say for a long time I have drawn comfort from the Bible. Ignoring religious experience has meant great losses for society and I must acknowledge that Christians are doing much better than our political leaders on the important questions facing us. We welcome your help, especially when it is accompanied by deeds."
Two years later I was able to go to Southern Russia and teach pastors for the first time. I met a Communist director of a region who detested Baptists and didn’t like my being at an orphanage. I was invited into a school to speak on America and we were allowed to pass out Bibles. It seems the mood of openness is changing as Putin is returning to some more oppressive restrictions when it comes to faith matters. But what type of witness does a commitment to Jesus Christ leave for those watching us? What does the Lordship of Jesus Christ mean for us? What does it mean of the people of USSR? How important is a little religion in one's life? How important is complete and total dedication to Christ because He is God and there is none like Him.
The Lordship of Jesus affects all areas of life.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Tues Aug 11
Verse- 1 Pet 3:15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
Jesus Makes a Difference in our Affections
I will address verse 15 again but when Peter addresses the subject of making a difference in our witness the focal point of it all is the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Our commitment to the lordship of Jesus Christ certainly is a matter of obedience and faithfulness and commitment but above all is affection. Love God with all your heart. Love Him with your strength. Love Him with your mind.
Col 3:2 “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”(KJV) Our desires, our attention, our attraction is all on the one we love. We love because God first loved us. How does that love show in our lives? Is Jesus our secret love or do people know it?
When I see someone the young infatuated with their boyfriend or girlfriend he/she makes it known. Even if it is a secret love it usually shows by the way they look at another. They will think about this person, take notice about their actions and voice and friendships. When that relationship moves from secret to open in their feelings, it is more visible from an outward appearance. Sometimes they will advertise on t-shirts with pictures, or lockets around their neck, or friendship rings. If they are young, you can bet they have Facebook pictures full of the love of their life, and cell phone photos as their background picture than includes images of the other. Text messages abound back and forth.
When someone talks all the time of their girl or guy, I frankly get a bit turned off thinking they don’t really understand the depth of love that comes from commitment through had times, making tough decisions about finances, helping one another in sickness and it raising kids, and through the struggles of ego and pride and in-laws and priorities that are life changing.
The love-affection of mid years shows itself differently than up front advertisement. And to see the love of an older couple also has a richness where such partnership has earned a respect that when you see one, you have seen the other since their lives are so intertwined, not in infatuation, but a deeper identity that comes with time of walking, talking and living in closeness together.
Peter learned a lot when he was walking and talking and living together with Jesus. He learned about how his passions needed to channeled into ways filled by the Holy Spirit instead of his fleshly zeal. He needed to sit a listen a lot more and speaking a lot less until he knew Him of whom he spoke.
He needed to know that even when he blow it the love of Jesus toward him sustained him, forgave him, and because the very reason of his living. The priorities of Jesus changed his outlook toward family, vocation, and faith. Peter’s growing love for Jesus came from understanding the depth of Jesus love for Peter. Now the Lordship issue was more important than life itself. Jesus was more than a devotional time in the morning, or temple time at mid-day. His life was to be lived through Peter and Peter wanted it that way.
Perhaps the most significant conversation is found in John 21 when Jesus asked three times if Peter loves him. “You know that I do,” Peter replies. He is almost frustrated with Jesus who keeps facing him with the heart issue more than the call to action. The Greek words used included an affection of friendship, but also a commitment that was self giving. Why is it men have a harder time saying "I love you." What is it about intimacy that make some people reserved? Maybe when one gives their heart to another they are no longer as much in control. They have given themselves away and that threatens control. That is exactly the point of Lordship. It is saying that I am off the throne of deciding what I want to do with Jesus and now He is in control of my affections and has desires of what He wants to do through me. For Peter it was to tend his sheep and catch men for the Kingdom.
Love is more than advertising on a t-shirt, or web page. When someone really loves another, people notice it. It would be impossible to hide Peter’s affection toward Jesus, even if he said no words. So he writes to these sheep of Jesus, “In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.”
The beauty of the stain glassed windows of cathedrals are best seen when the light shines from within. It is the inner light that reflects the glory of Christ in your talking, walking, living and loving our Lord.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nugget Weds Aug 12
Verses- 1 Peter 3:13-14 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?
But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened."
Jesus makes a Difference in our Actions.
When we have made the Lord the focus of our affection it changes how we live, which becomes a witness to others. Similar to the advice that Peter gives to slaves, the readers are told to do good. For in doing what is right and good, people will give you respect more often than not. However even if they do not like you Jesus said you will be blessed if you suffer for doing what is right and good. It is better to be blessed at the hand of God than it is to be blessed at the hand of men. It is better to be harmed at the hand of men than to be harmed under the discipline of the Lord. Let Jesus be Lord over all your life and your actions.
I think of people at Stanchfield that have been very kind and loving people, but who have been the recipients of criticism and unjust accusations. Certainly they were hurt since it was not their intention to harm anyone’s feelings. They felt misunderstood and tried to correct it. They prayed for their critics.
As I look back with many years now, I can tell you one thing- I wish the Spirit of God would speak to anyone here who is holding grudges. I know their critics who refused to release their anger did not seek to forgive or make amends. They are no longer in the church; they have become spiritually weak. They are, I believe, under the earthly judgment of God and if they do not repent of their sin and also give up their bitterness and make things right they will pay a greater spiritual consequence. Those who did what was right even when falsely accused continued to grow and honor the Lord in their lives.
The Lordship of Jesus Christ affects our Actions. Do good regardless of what people do to you.
In Philip Yancey’s article he talked about being at a meeting in Russia when an ex-convict named Basil unexpectedly showed up. Basil had been listening to reports of their visits all over the Soviet national radio network. For years he had tuned in secretly to short-wave programs listening to gospel messages. Now these men were meeting with President Gorbachev, the Supreme Soviet, KGB, and Kremlin. He couldn't believe it so he got on a night train and rode 14 hours to see if it was really true.
Basil had broad, hulking shoulders and rugged weather beaten features of a farmer. Two front teeth on top row were missing and when he smiled, gold fillings gleamed from the back of his mouth. He asked for 5 minutes to address the Christian visitors.
1962 He was publishing gospel tracts and had been witnessing and giving them away. The KGB arrested him and sent him to a labor camp. He was perplexed. Why would God punish him for serving Him? Then one morning he saw God had given him a new opportunity. Every morning before sun-up prisoners from the labor camp had to assemble in a open space for roll call. Camp commanders insisted on strict punctuality from them but not from the guards. As a result 1,000s of prisoners stood outdoors for several minutes each morning with nothing to do. Basil decided to start a church.
He preached daily to a captive audience. He had from 2 to 5 minutes before guards arrived and it may have taken him 2 weeks to deliver a sermon. He had to shout to be heard by several 1,000 prisoners outdoor so his voice developed into the largest and loudest Yancey ever heard.
“Many Prisoners came to faith in Jesus Christ.” He said, "There were many years when I had no encouragement" now he was weeping openly, and voice cracked, "The words of from this radio minister I carried in my heart and encouraged me when my hands were tied behind my back."
Yancey wrote, "Suddenly, I burned with shame. Here we were 10 evangelical professional who made a good living from our faith, sitting in a luxurious hotel. What did we know about the kind of bedrock faith needed in this nation, of people who had endured such suffering? What gave us the right to represent the Basils of USSR before the Supreme Soviet and the KGB?"
There were people who when Jesus said come and follow me, gave up their jobs, their families and their freedom and went to the worse prisons of USSR because they knew Jesus was Lord of their lives. They witnessed there, they preached there, they prayed there. They longed to see a Bible. They passed secret messages. They gave away their food and took care of some of the sick. Basil's prayers, work and witness were being realized. He lived out the Lordship of Jesus in action.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Thurs 1 Peter 3:15
Verse- 1 Pet 3:15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
Jesus Makes a Difference in our Answers.
From this verse we already discussed the priority of affection and love for the Lord. Now I want to center on the importance of our answers we give for our hope.
The word is apologia, literally meaning a defense of our faith. We “apologize” when seeking forgiveness, but that is an added meaning of the word. Peter says give reasons for your hope. Hope comes by trusting in Christ. When Christians are under trial and persecution our attention is pointed in the future. Christians going under persecution look forward to Christ’s return and fulfillment of His promises.
When Christians were arrested fellow prisoners took notice for the believers had a hope others did not have. They were asked how they can be joyful, have peace, and be optimistic knowing they will suffer or die. They had an opportunity to point to a world beyond the immediate. They had hope.
Peter tells his readers to plan, be prepared, be aware that you will be asked about your faith. Have an answer ready for everyone. If you let the light of Christ shine there will be times God will open up doors of conversation. Pray for opportunities to arise that may occur. Our faith is not just a belief in practices and customs of ancient religion 1,000s of years ago. It is a vital and living reality and relationship with Jesus Christ who is alive today. Do you know what you believe? Do you know why you believe?
Some people look upon religion as a crutch. Some feel they are self-sufficient and able to stand on their own feet. Many think it is all right for weak women and children but they don't need it. What do you tell such people?
Phillip Yancey expected the Soviet news reporters to be full of critical attacks against their faith. Instead the types of questions they were asked were "What is forgiveness?” “How can you know God?" I trust you would be able to give an answer to someone if they asked how to become a Christian.
He recounts only one visit when professors at a University verbally attacked the Christian visitors to Russia in 1992. They charged that with recent openness to capitalism they had not seen any improvement. One professor noted capitalism flourished where teenagers were employed by the Russian mafia exploiting foreign tourists, the only people with hard cash. The soft-porno magazines sprang up and TV programs from the West were shocking the people. Their daughters were talking about becoming hookers. Their sons were scheming for profits on the black market. Where was the new ethics in this new freedom?
Another one of the Marxist professors stood in anger and said things like "We need not have God to have morality. Why pretend there is a God?” It didn't matter to him if he was the last one in all of Moscow to believe in Marxist philosophy. He shouted, "Marxism had not failed. Yes, Stalin made mistakes. Yes even our beloved Lenin made mistakes. Perhaps even Marx made some mistakes, but go back to the young Marx and there you will find the purity of the socialist vision. There you will find a morality based on Man with the capital M. That is what we need. As for Christianity, we have tried that in Russia for 1,000 years. It has failed.” He continued his defend of atheism and Marxism for 15-20 minutes.
There was great tension in the room. One of the Christian visitors, Kent Hill, rose and spoke in a soft measured tone. He had a Ph.D in Russian studies. He responded, “Freedom of religion includes the freedom for those who do not believe in God." The professors nodded in approval. He told them the issues raised are important. They are of ultimate meaning for humanity and for the universe. But one night's discussion would hardly do justice to these issues. He offered to return to the academy with some Christian friends and set up a means to answer these important matters. Then he shared his personal story.
Kent told of the times of doubts in his life He began reading Dostoevsky’s great novel, The Brothers Karamazov. He was attracted to the character, Ivan the agnostic who had many good arguments against God. They were powerful especially concerning the problem of evil. Kent added, “But to my surprise I was eventually won over by the love shown by Ivan's brother, Alyosha. Ivan had fine argument but he had no love. He could reason his way to a morality, but he could not create the love necessary to fulfill it. I came to believe in Christ because I found in him a source for that love."
The meeting was transformed. Kent Hill had done far more than any professors’ arguments. He begun with a respect for their beliefs and was courtesy and compassionate. He then tried to let them see Jesus in Him.
A witness just shares what they know or what they have experienced. We grow in our understanding by being consistent learners of the Scriptures. We grow in our relationship to other believers and develop conversations with those who do not know Christ. Most people are not antagonistic to faith issues. They are ignorant of them. If presented in a personal and loving way, God uses your story more than you can imagine.
The Lordship of Jesus is seen in answers that are guided by His Spirit, spoken in love. Think about how you can give a hope for your faith.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Fri Aug 14
Verses- 1 Peter 3:16,17 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
Jesus makes a Difference in our Attitudes.
Although not a Christian, Ghandi learned the tactic of non-violence from the New Testament. Martin Luther King was inspired also from passages like this one to stand strong but in respectful and gentle ways without violence. I think Peter is realizing the fight against evil is not something man can win. It is only by the power of the Lord that the Kingdom of God advances, and his tactic is to have is people show love, even to enemies. Sharing our faith and hope is to be done with gentleness and respect even to those who seek to do us evil, for they will be guilty of their actions based on our good responses. God will avenge and reward.
We must keep a good conscience. Live according to the moral teachings of the Bible. It is possible for your conscience to be deadened to the Spirit of God when evil, lying, cheating, covering things up do not affect us anymore. Commitment to holy living and yielded spirit are weapons God uses in us.
I see many preachers who are arrogant or belligerent people. Some Christians carry a superior attitude toward others that is resented. God uses the humble. Humility comes not by doing or saying nothing, but being aware all we have comes from God. Any illumination or insight in truth is by the enlightenment of God’s Spirit. It amazes me that God would take his glorious truths and use clay pots like us to be vessels of His service. Such a witness has an attitude of winsomeness and love and reverence.
If a believer is faithfully serving Christ he will be criticized. If everybody speaks well of him perhaps something is wrong. But as a Christian you can gain from criticism by revealing weaknesses that need addressing, and if the charge is untrue, it can help one grow and bring glory to Christ. This attitude of turning it over to Christ, showing love and being kind even in the midst of persecution is what toppled communism with all of its tyranny and abuses.
A Christian witness must be prepared rational, gentle and maintain respect and all with a clear conscience. Those who speak maliciously against good behavior in Christ will be ashamed of their slander.
When Philip Yancey arrived back in the United States from his initial trip to Russia in 1992, most of the media reported symptoms of a fatally flawed economic system. Interestingly Yancey said that not one mentioned what every Soviet leader insisted that the grave crisis is not economic or political, but rather moral and spiritual. Alexander Solzehnitsyn said it 10 years ago "Men have forgotten God. Marx predicted Religion will disappear and its quaint belief will be made obsolete by a New Socialist Man.”
The Lordship of Jesus Christ impacts your affection, your actions, your answers, and your attitude. When Jesus is first in our lives He is able to do work through us in ways we cannot imagine.
Pastor Dale
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