Angelic Visit Luke 1:26-38

Sermon Nuggets Mon Dec 5 Angelic visit

Verses- Luke 1:26-27

26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

Angelic Visit

My brother went into professional theatre after college graduation until he got older and realized there was more job security doing voiceovers for commercials and documentaries. But as I was a 6 ½ years younger it was exciting to see what went on both on-stage as well as back stage for plays he was in. I became aware there were lots of people that made a production work. Not just actors, but lighting, and sound, and make up, and properties, and costumes, and set design and construction people were needed. Then I met people in charge of the house- ticket sales, and cleaning and ushers and phone reservations and banking. While the play was going on stage hands were busy getting things ready for the actors.

There was one of the biggest dramas ever to occur in the world when God planned to execute coming to earth as a human. We are not talking about fictional presentation. There were no rehearsals at the first Christmas where people tried to get their lines right for others’ entertainment. The script was, however, pre-written. The characters were chosen carefully to fit their prescribed parts. The stagehands as it were, were the heavenly beings getting things in order for God to not only direct, but participate as the star of the greatest performance the world has ever seen.

In professional theatre there is someone behind the scenes that cues the performers when it is coming close to their time to be on stage.

Last week we looked at the preparation giving through the angelic announcement to Zechariah that his wife, Elizabeth would give birth to a child in her old age. This was part of the script. It was to coming of John the Baptist, a cousin to Jesus. He had a purpose to prepare also the way of Jesus during his public ministry.

The cue prompters in this Christmas story seem to be the angels. They are the one given lines, but do so as announcer to the characters in the story. We know that angels are messengers of God. They go and do what God desires. The Hebrew word translated angel, literally means a sent one. “Angelos” the Greek word, means messenger. They were the messengers to prepare by letting Mary and Joseph and the Shepherds know their parts. And in fact there was even a crowd scene for them coming up as part of the chorus.

. This day Gabriel is a chosen angel to deliver the Christmas message to Mary. Gabriel is a special messenger mentioned a number of times in the Bible

Wouldn’t it be great if we were as eager to give the messages from God to men and women? We have been given a message of Good News. To whom can we share it this week?

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Tues Dec 6 Luke 1:28-29

Verses- Luke 1: 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

Blessed Art Thou

This time of year FedEX, UPS, and the USPS are all folks delivering packages. The workers look at the name and the address of a package and are paid to see that household gets it. If their customers are like me they really aren’t that interested in the delivery person, but what is in the package and who it was that was sending them this gift. What most folks don't do is go to the door and gush all over the delivery person, "Oh! I'm so glad you came. Please come in for some lunch, sit down, tell me all about yourself." But some people treat the heavenly messengers that way.

Some will sin by worshipping angels and praying to angels. There are passages I the Bible where they speak to angels, but not pray for them Those requests and words of praise are reserved for the sender. The sender is God.

Angels are so much part of our society’s folklore and decorations, and Christmas cards, movies and TV programs.

We know the name of the special delivery agent to Mary the Mother of Jesus. The angel’s name was Gabriel who appeared in Galilee, in the town of Nazareth, to Mary, a virgin, engaged to marry Joseph and announced to her that she would miraculously conceive a son and bring forth Jesus, the Son of God.

Heb 1:14: reminds us "Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?" So they are ministering spirits sent by God to serve the saints. If we fuss over them, we miss the point. What's important is who sent them. He's the one to pursue.

“Blessed,” cried a woman one day to Jesus, “is she that bare thee” He added “Yea, rather blessed are they that hear the Word of God and keep it.” This Mary is blessed among women. The word of the Lord’s angel is true. She is highly favored of God. It is a personal blessing. Gabriel said twice that Mary was favored by God. God favored Mary, but she is not our intercessor between us and God. 1 Timothy 2:5 ‘For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus”

The Bible never says that Mary is anything more than a regular human being who found favor with God. And she is the one who humbly believes and receives with joy the good news. In that is she most blessed.

What has the eyes of the angels seen? They have seen the Lord up in the heavens preparing his coming. They have seen how in his sovereignty he has planned out each person’s part to fulfill prophecy and those he picks are humble, but blessed. Gabriel was picked to give the word to Mary. The angel understood the blessing of that appointment. Gabriel was in awe that an earthly woman would be chosen of God to deliver Jesus, divine in a fully human body.

This was a once in a lifetime experience never to be repeated again. She was to be the object of the grace of God. This was not a position she earned, but received. Many other people can share in the grace of God with various tasks. Eve was the first woman and God’s grace to be a mother. There were women leaders and judges too. There are men chosen to lead Israel as prophets and priests and kings. But to deliver God the Son into the world is a privilege granted to just Mary. Gabriel understood how highly favored she was.

Can you image the responsibility it would be to raise from babyhood the Son of God? Can you imagine the many thoughts that went through her mind? Who would be worthy? No one. But by God’s grace he involves humans in his greater plan for various purposes and tasks. To all of that we see the blessing from above and give God the praise.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Weds Dec 7 Fear Not

Verse Luke 1: 30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Fear Not

Can you imagine the scene as Mary is about her business and this heavenly messenger materializes and Gabriel stands before her? Of course she would be afraid. But Gabriel wanted to put her mind to rest. Good things would came from this message. The good news was she had found favor with God. The angel wanted her to know what he knew. She was to be blessed for grace was given to her. This gift had noting to do with anything she did. It happened to her.

Obviously the explanation needed to be required. Since she is a virgin what happened was impossible from a human perspective. It was a child unlike any other. He would be hers, but without any husband or man. The Lord would see to it He would come through her.

The angel had seen some of the script, but not all of it 1 Peter 1:12 “It was revealed to them (prophets) that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven — things into which angels long to look.”

Interesting that angels are outsiders looking in like a FedEx delivery person watching as we open up a package addressed to us. They were excited for us. For not only did they know the sovereignty of God who could do the impossible but they knew what was in the package and what wonderful gift that was given. It was to be the gift that would bring about salvation. This was promised from the line of David. As king he shall rule over the house of Jacob and of his kingdom there shall be no end. The angel knew Mary and Joseph were descendants of David, Jacob, Judah, and Abraham, just as the script said it would be.
The angel was revealing that when God makes a promise, He keeps His Word, even if it takes thousands of years .We usually have a very difficult time waiting on God, but not the angels because they see things we do not. They see a sovereign God who will do what he says in his time. They have the insight of eternity. We do not. This angel of the Lord revealed that God keeps His promises long after many would forget for He is faithful.

But more importantly that being a king over the household of Judah He shall be called Son of the Highest. He is Gods’ son. His name shall be Jesus. The name Jesus means Jehovah saves! There is salvation in no other! Had salvation been possible any other way Jesus wouldn’t have had to be born those many years ago. But there’s salvation no other way. Jesus said that He was the way, the only way, "for no man comes to the Father except through me." The plan was to see this son grow to take our place for the punishment of sin by dying as the punishment so we can be free.

What Gabriel was proclaiming was not only a Sovereign God, but a Saving God. The saving of human beings and the keeping and blessing of the saved is the greatest business that even God Himself in Heaven, and Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit and all the angels of God, can occupy themselves with! Up in Heaven their attention is centered primarily on earth. How the angels delight to see sinners converted! And how lovingly they minister to the saved! And this gift is given to you and me and all who by faith will receive Him. That certainly would take away any fear.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Thurs Dec 8

Verses- Luke 1: 34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.

Impossibilities

“The power of the Most high will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. “ What was Mary’s response? I am the Lord’s servant,” and her song is the soul glorifies the Lord, nothing about praise for the angel. But all the praise goes to God. Gabriel is delighted to do the marvelous work seeing God get glory.

What the angels see at Christmas is the power of God to do what he wants and the excitement that it is going to be revealed so others will get a glimpse of his glory. God can do the impossible. He is to be praised. They saw God create the world out of the power of his WORD. They saw the way he fashioned mankind out of dust and decided to make it a living soul. They saw the God who does the impossible by taking a rib and creating a helpmate for man. He can blow the waters of the Red sea part. He can make rock give water. He can change dew into bread. There is nothing he cannot do. So it takes angels eyes to know this lady needed convincing that virgin can give birth to a son if this is what the sovereign director says He wants. It will be. For nothing is impossible with God!”

How do we reveal the power of God to so whatever He wants? The angel told Mary that God had the power to make her cousin Elizabeth to get pregnant, even though she was too old to have kids and she had so far been barren. Gabriel was telling Mary that if God had the power to make a woman have a child who was an old woman and who had never been able to have any kids, then he could surely cause Mary to have a child without having a husband and this child was going to be Son’s son. If God had the power to create the universe by simply speaking it into being, He can surely create a child in a virgin! If God had the power to create Adam from the dust of the earth with no father OR mother whatsoever, then He could surely create a child from just a woman! If God had the power to use a small shepherd boy to kill a nine-foot-tall giant, He could surely create a child in a virgin! If God had the power to cause a great rain to flood the entire earth, He could surely create a child in a virgin! If God had the power to start a fire on a heavily water-soaked pile of wood, He could surely create a child in a virgin!
I heard recently there are companies that take an ultrasound picture of unborn children to give the parents their first pictures of their child. It takes a few weeks in the womb before they can determine if it is a boy or girl. In Mary’s case, however, the divine messenger declared that Mary is to give birth to a son, and this declaration was made before the child was even conceived.

But the angel delighted to bring the message of how a great God was going to accomplish benefits for you and me in their life. And what they saw was the power of God to do the impossible. This time he was going to outdo Himself, by becoming a baby from a virgin.

The message of power is summed up in these words “Nothing is impossible.”

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Fri Dec 9 -

Verse Luke 1:38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Trust

As we have been looking at the angelic visit to Mary to announce God’s plan for this virgin to deliver the Son of God, we should remind ourselves some things about Mary. She was young. Mary was pledged to be married. At that time, it was customary for girls to be engaged around the time of reaching puberty. One reason was to ensure girls maintained their virginity until marriage. It’s very possible that Mary could have been as young as 13, or as old as 16 when Gabriel visited her.
She was poor. We understand that also from when Mary and Joseph went to the temple to have Jesus circumcised. Their sin offering was two doves used by the poor instead of a lamb for those with more money.

She also was rural, from Nazareth. Is that reason for humility? We know lots of prideful people out in the country. Remember what Nathanael said when He learned Jesus from Nazareth? “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” I am assuming that was so because of being less educated, less economy, maybe a reputation of poorer communities with crime and lack of social skills.

Yet Mary had two vital characteristics God looks for: humility and faith. She knew she wasn’t worthy of the honor God offered her. Yet she still believed God could use her, if she trusted Him. Do you believe God can use you? Or do you think you’re too small—too young, too poor, too weak to be used by Him?
“If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in bed with a mosquito.” - Betty Reese.
Do you think you are useless to God? Think again. God is searching for humble people to use. Mary teaches us no matter who you are, God can use you.

When she heard she was a going to have a baby without being with a man and God’s Spirit would provide the conception, she didn’t doubt it. God can do whatever He chooses. “Let it happen just as you said.” Even though the angel’s news was unbelievable, she believed it. Mary didn’t understand it, but she also didn’t doubt it. She believed that no matter what He has promised, the Lord is sovereign.

Mary believed that “nothing is impossible with God.” Whatever God promises, He will do it. She believed!
What promises of God are you tempted to doubt? Are there areas of your life that you do not wish to yield to the Lord’s control? Are you willing to do whatever He asks of you? Do you realize His power is manifested in people who are obedience, of faith, and humble?

Our job is to trust. His job is to do the wondrous works for His glory.

Pastor Dale

Baby of Promise Luke 1;1-24

Sermon Nuggets Mon Nov 28 The Baby of Promise Luke 1:1-25

Verses Luke 1:1-4 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word.

3 Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

Baby of Promise

Beginning January 29^th I will begin a preaching series from the Gospel of Luke. Since we will have gone through Christmas I decided to begin those first two chapters by means of our December and January sermon Nuggets.

The story of Luke begins with the story of a couple of miracle babies-John the Baptist to Elizabeth and Zarariah, and Jesus to the virgin Mary. The gospel of Jesus is hard to believe with miracles and the incarnation and resurrection and God’s establishing a new Kingdom with spirit filled followers. That is why Dr. Luke makes a point of beginning his writings from an historical perspective. He researched carefully eye witness accounts the things that happened. There were miracles babies born.

Dr. Joseph MacDougall told a story that happened a number of years ago that he called a Christmas Miracle. His patient Eleanor Munro was 23 years old devout, religious woman, the mother of a one year-old child. She was so near to death from tuberculosis. She asked for only one thing from the doctor. "If I'm still alive on Christmas Eve would I have your promise that I can go home for Christmas."

Dr. MacDougal was disturbed because he knew she shouldn't go, She had what the doctors call open TB and could spread the germs by coughing. But he promised because he was sure she'd be dead before Christmas. The doctor phoned another specialist in New York who thought if a needle could be injected into the peritoneal cavity it might force in air and push the diaphram up against the lung. If they could get pressure against the lower lobe it might force the TB cavity shut. Then it might have a change to close and heal the cavity by letting the sides grow together. In trying that procedure she almost died and they did everything that medical science could do. He told her that her Creator now had the final verdict.

Dr. MacDougal was amazed that she as still alive on Christmas Eve though just barely. She held him to his promise. The smile on her face made it worth it. When she returned every day her condition grew just a bit worse, yet she clung to life.

Toward the end of February, she was down to 80 pounds; she couldn't eat and a new complication set in. She became nauseated and began to vomit even without food in her stomach. The doctor was stumped. The symptoms were odd, she acted like someone pregnant, but everything he knew about medicine added up to that she was so ill, so weak, she couldn't possibly have conceived. Her body just wasn't up to it. Nevertheless, he did take a pregnancy test and to his astonishment it was positive. She now bore a second life within her. It was impossible but true. Legally and medically she could have and should have taken that child through abortion because it imperiled the life of the mother. She could not live long enough to deliver. The patient and her husband were strongly against it. Beside she was so far gone that he was sure her body would reject the baby anyway.

Then an incredible thing began to happen. By late March her temperature began going down. For the first time there was some improvement in her condition. She began to eat and gain weight. The X ray showed that the growth of the TB cavity had stopped. Soon after another X-ray showed that her diaphram was pushing up against the lower lobe of her diseased lung to make room for the child she bore.

Through the child, God was doing what the doctors failed to do. The pregnancy was pressing the sides of that cavity together. The child was literally saving the life of the mother. Indeed as the baby grow it gave the mother needed time to have the hole mend and when the baby was born a natural healthy, the TB cavity was completed closed.

She was soon allowed to go home for good. She continued to send her doctor cards each Christmas, to remind him of the Christmas baby.

The doctor made a promise he didn't want to keep, but God honored that woman and gave her a child that saved her life.

Each baby is planned by God. Luke begins to tell us the tale of two other miracle babies unlike has happened since.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Tues Nov 29 Prepared Parents

Verses- Luke 1:5-14 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.

6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.

8 And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course,

9 According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.

10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.

Prepared Parents

God decided to honor Zechariah and Elizabeth by personally promising to them a miracle child. God's promises are given because of God's love and grace that are even extended to individuals.

The parents of this special child to come were godly. Zechariah faithfully served the Lord in a small rural area as a priest. As was the custom, a lot was cast for a priest each year to take the responsibility of carrying out the function into the Holy area of the temple of the Lord. Different groups of priests would carry out functions at different times in the year. This year Zechariah’s group would prepare the temple in the morning for the daily activities. When the assignments were given a lot was cast to choose the one who would go into the Holy area by himself and prepare the daily incense and take out the ashes. One only did this once in his life time. Most never did. This was the day Zechariah would be chosen for this responsibility.

But God had more in mind. They were pious folk, beyond the age of child bearing. This was the day their prayers would be answered to have a child, even though they probably gave up praying in their older years. Not only would they be parents but parents of a promised child from the prophets. This would be the one who would prepare the way of the Lord.

There are many other things we can say about this couple as revealed in this passage. Both were upright in the sight of God. There are a lot of people who are upright in the sight of people, but this was in the sight of God.

There are lots of people that would be greatly embarrassed if other people were privy to what goes on in the homes. But even more so what about in the sight of God?

Hypocrisy can be easily hid from other people, and sometimes even from family members, but never can we hide our thoughts and motives from God. So when the Bible says they were upright in the sight of God, He saw their motives and their hearts. They were upright and godly.

They observed the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly. They were people who kept both the letter of the Law and the spirit of the law.

We are reminded by Jesus that unless our righteousness exceeds the Scribes and Pharisees we cannot see the kingdom of Heaven. When we read all the rules and regulations the Pharisees followed, our mind begins to swim and we wonder who then can possibly be saved? It would take more than what we can possible do. But that was Jesus’ point. As hard as we might try all of our righteousness is as filthy rags. The way our righteousness can exceed that of the Scribes and Pharisees is that our righteousness is an imputed righteousness from Jesus Christ. It is given to us based on his grace and our faith. We trust him and are justified.

That would describe Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth. They kept the law, not because they thought they would be made right by it, but rather they kept the law because they loved the Lord and trusted him and desired to please him in their actions as well as in their desires.

James says. You say you Have faith, I'll show you faith by the works they do. The character of Zechariah and Elizabeth was pleasing to the Lord for they were pure in their hearts and active in their expression of faith, not to gain righteousness but out of their love for God.

What would God have to say about you? - Righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless? We don’t have the Old Testament law, but we have a greater law of love to follow.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Weds Nov 30 Barren Parents

Verse Luke 1: 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.

Barren Parents-

They had no children. In that culture there is disgrace and humiliation many women face when they are childless. The woman’s worth is in child bearing; it affects their status in the community; it affects sometimes their own spiritual relationship because many of the people felt that if you did not have children and did not have sons, then God was punishing you for some sin or you weren't pleasing God.

That raises a couple of issues that I feel can be a problem when it comes to unanswered prayers. For Zechariah and Elizabeth it was a delayed answer. For others the answer is no.,

The problem can be the judging from others. Some people come to conclusions that if a person's prayers are not answered then they aren't really in God's will. Sometimes sickness is an illustration of that.

Paul had a thorn in the flesh. Some groups will accuse those who've prayed and not gotten well as having weak faith or some spiritual problem because God was not answering their prayers for healing. Sometimes financial or job situations illustrate that. People that are unemployed or whose bills pile up are looked down upon as having something spiritually wrong or God would answer their prayers for financial stability.

Too often people judge others and their spirituality when they do not know their hearts or their relationship with God. Now there are those who indeed are demonstrating decisions and actions that are in disobedience to God and out of the fellowship of the church and decisions they made that have consequences whereby the Lord is teaching them lessons.

There are things that grieve me, such as young people who think they are not affected by the friends they make. It always happens that the close friends will influence us into their way of thinking. Girls and boys who date non-Christians when an emotional attachment and love develops and they want to get married. There are consequences to disobediences.

I see parents for whom church is very little priority but down the line years later they wonder why their children have no spiritual desires. Friends, let be honest. Many times the conclusions are direct results to our choices and many times they are not.

Zechariah and Elizabeth were upright, good, blameless even in the eyes of God, although other people may have been judging them.

The other item relates to the encouragement of perseverance. We talked about that last week in perseverance in prayer. I want to stress in our society that is so impulsive and instant everything that faith is in a different category. We are to be faithful to God in the big and little things in life even then great exciting things are not happening. We praise God for this experience that Zechariah had, but it was have years of consistent service to God and even when their prayers were not answered they did not turn their backs on doing what was right. They continued even if God choose not to give them a child. Do you understand? We can have are hearts set on something, but our faith walks is dependent upon God's timing and wisdom not on the ups and downs of our experiences.

When things are going well, praise God and serve him with all your heart. When things are not going well, pray to God and continue to serve him with all your heart. In growing experiences where prayers are not answered the question isn’t so much, “Why God?” as it is “What God?” “What is it that you want me to learn and allow my faith in you to grow?”

In His time for His reasons God decided to in this life honor Elizabeth and Zechariah with a son. Not any son, but a special son, even in their old age. He would be a blessing to them, and they would find delight in this child. This baby was a personal promise to a couple who had a personal walk with God.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Thurs Dec 1 Prophetic Promise

Verses- Luke 1:11-17

11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.

12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear.

13 But the angel said to him: "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.

14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth,

15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth.

16 Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God.

17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous-- to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."

(NIV)

Prophetic Promise

It was 400 years since God had spoken to his people you may wonder if God is really alive, or did our ancestors have their stories straight. If we put us 400 years ago that would place it in the 1590s.

Put yourself in their shoes. In the 1590 America wasn't a nation, King Henry the VII broke for the catholic church and declared himself as the head of the church. The reformation had begun with Luther and Zwingli, Calvin were differing their interpretation of Scripture. The church was becoming alive gain and the work of God was promoted, Is it any wonder that we might doubt if that was the last time that God had direct contact with his people. Now the last prophet of Malachi of which we studied in sermons this fall we read.

Mal 4:5-6 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: 6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

The beginning words in Luke's account shows how God sought to fulfill that prophecy by the coming of this baby. After Zechariah met the angel he questioned if indeed this could be possible, but after all God is the God of impossibilities.

A prophetic word always means more than can be understood at the time. There are hidden meaning in them that cause us to thrill and wonder when they come about. We see much better picture with hindsight than with foresight. We know that the Messiah that Zechariah is just referring to. We have seen how God did so much more than what Zechariah could have imagined. But he did know the prophets and he did believe that just as God promised a Messiah would come and redeem the people from the enemies. Prophets of old spoke right from God throughout the ages.

Now they were thinking the enemies were the Egyptians, and they Assyrians and the Babylonians and the Philistines, and the Romans and Greeks. It was the thinking of the people that the Messiah was to deliver them from the political powers to make Israel the number one power in the world, but our worse enemies are not political enemies but Spiritual unbelief, falsehood and discouragement from Satan.

Jesus came to conquer evil from within to establish the Spiritual kingdom that will last far after this world is destroyed.

We marvel at all the promises of the Bible that we see fulfilled during this time of Christmas. We see how John the Baptist fulfilled the prophecy of the Old Testament and Jesus proclaimed him the one who is Elijah. Meaning he came in the same power and spirit. He was not afraid to declare repentance to the people.

We have the greatest book that looks into the future by the prophecies fulfilled and yet to be fulfilled. We have a God who keeps his promises, maybe not when we think, or how we thing, but He will.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Fri Dec 2 Purposed baby

Verses- Luke 1: 13 But the angel said to him: "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.

14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth,

15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth.

16 Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God.

17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous-- to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."

(NIV)

Purposed Baby

God had a planned purpose for John the Baptist even before he was born. He had a part in the redemptive history as it was to be played out.

The ultimate purpose of God was salvation from our sins and from death. The plan in carrying it out was the coming of Jesus Christ into the world to be born as a baby. It was a planned promise whereby he gave them glimpses of what would happen in prophecy. But they had no idea it was so great a plan, They had no idea it was so great a promise.

The significance of John’s coming was the fact that he was the forerunner of the Messiah. Even in the following passage Zechariah's song of praise is celebrating not only the birth, but the purpose of his birth will have in the unfolding of god's promise. His son will play an honored part. He is to be the prophet of the Most High God.

God is a God of love, who sympathetically stands by his children. He heard their cries and saves them, I must confess to you I do not understand that type of love of God when He could have and should have said that man is not worth saving. "I have created but man has turned his back on our creator and gone his own way." God could have said "I've had enough, he has already too many chances I will do away with the whole human race", but as if that was not enough God in reasons that are far beyond my understanding to take the place of man and paid the penalty himself for all our sin.

The purpose planned by God for this child was to be a proclaim repentance. There needed to be a moral change of the people to trust God and obey Him to leave their sins. He was to proclaim righteousness and make straight the paths for Jesus. He was to prepare the way of the Lord and when Jesus arrived on the scene there was a group ready to follow. They knew He was the Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world.

As John’s life unfolds he confronted people for their sin. He was to be take the vow of a Nazarite without alcohol, cutting of his hair and restricted in diet. He was to be bold in his message. Because of that he was beheaded. Was that the wonderful plan for his life? He was wearing skins of animals, and camel hair coats, what that the wonderful plan for his life? He was denounced by the Jews and his job was not popular with important people but only those who felt lost in need of direction from God. That purpose was to be used for God's glory and of this earth not to be attached. Let us not become so earthly minded that we think only of earthly blessing and comforts of this world. That is a lie.

There was a child who was promised to precede the Messiah and prepare for people to receive Him.

Pastor Dale

Delightful People Titus 3:12-15

Sermon Nuggets Mon Nov 21 Delightful People

Verses- Titus 3:12-15

12 As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there.

13 Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need.

14 Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives.

15 Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.

Delightful People

“Greet those who love us in the faith”.

Friends are important in life. A true friend is someone with whom we enjoy mutual affection, interests and respect. The best friends are those helpers in times of trouble. Solomon once wrote, "A brother is born for times of adversity, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother”

A British publication once offered a prize for the best definition of a friend. Among the thousands of answers received were the following:
"One who multiplies joys, divides grief, and whose honesty is inviolable."
"One who understands our silence."
"A volume of sympathy bound in cloth."
"A watch that beats true for all time and never runs down."
The winning definition read: "A friend is the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out."

We know the importance of friendship as we read about the life of Jesus. Part of His earthly purpose was to train disciples who would go into the world by the power and giftedness of the Holy Spirit to share salvation’s message. He spent quality time with them where they first watched him. Then He watched them as they went two by two into the various cities. They did not go alone, but paired up as one needs another. Then they were ready to go out with the presence of the Holy Spirit to do God’s work after Jesus ascended into heaven.

But when Jesus needed prayer and comfort during His time of need there were Peter and James and John on different occasions. Jesus had the 3, the 12, the 120 and the women, and many followers on his earthly journey.

As Paul was writing to Titus he commented on the various friendship that he has made and those who are living in the area. There are people that Paul was sending to also encourage the brothers and sisters in Titus’s work. He asks the Christian family to help them and show hospitality when they arrive.

As is the case, the church expands our family of friends. There are obviously some we are closer to than others. They are some who we barely know but appreciate their ministry in the church and we feel like we are friends in the Lord. There are others with whom we can feel free to share the concerns and burdens we face and know they will treat us with love that is reserved for a few. In order to have friends, we must be a friend.

One of the problems many pastors face is loneliness for although they are friends with many they do not feel they can have special friends with whom they are accepted, not for the role they play, but for human bonding. Some will close themselves off even from other pastors as they feel threatened or jealous. Those who tend to get into trouble do so because they are carrying burdens that are not shared with someone they can call a friend.

Paul had many people, who there are some he was especially close to. At first Barnabas was the friend God provided. Then it was Silas. He embrace Luke and then took on Titus and Timothy to work and share life with.

We spent last week discussing those who are difficult people in the church and unfortunately they can get too much attention. Paul shares now about those with whom he shares in the work and in love. These are the delightful people.

Dr. Jerry Healy tells of the Church hall of fame with his kids growing up. He reminded them of people in the church they can look up to. There are people who show love and integrity and faith. He sought to offset the grumpy people with the lovely people and reminded them regularly of the saints who stand out as lights to darkness.

They are part of the reasons the family are all committed in their adult lives to the church. They are real. They are used of God.

How about you?

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Tues Nov 22

Verses Titus 3:12=15

Devoted

As Paul reflects on the people who give him delight there are qualities implied in this passage. The first and most important is these are friends who share a common faith. They are not just believers in Jesus but committed to the cause of advancing the gospel and working together with Paul. They are devoted to Jesus and to Paul and the church.

There is the motivation for devotion that comes not by manipulation, not by twisting someone's arm. To serve Christ doesn't work very well if one is pressured out of guilt, or seeks to work off their

salvation. What motivates devoted people?

The two great commands of Jesus are to love God with all your heart, soul strength and mind and love others as yourself. A devoted person is motivated out of love, not guilt; out of an awareness that Jesus saved us, Jesus died for us. If you were the only one living Jesus Christ would have gone to the cross for just you. Do you believe that?

One of the motivating factors in the live of a devoted person is to see the change from what they were to where they are going. It was fun to hear a speaker to our men’s group a few years ago say for years he had tried to stop smoking. The only solution was to cut off his head, but when he received the freedom that God gives even to Christians as if the chains have fallen off, and now for the first time in his life has been smoke free for 10 months. When people see the work of God in their lives then they are willing to say ‘Here Am I Lord, send me.’

Now I am aware the some are freed from addictions instantaneously and others over a longer period of time, but the source of our change is not our own motivation or desire, it is yielding by faith to Christ and be devoted to keep on letting Him do his sanctifying work in our lives.

If brothers and sisters in Christ are trusting Christ that makes us family, for we have same Father, Black, white, Chinese, Indian are one together, rich and poor, educated and uneducated. There is a bond to the family of believers regardless of denominations.

But let me also add the devotion to a friend is not just for fellow Christians. Few people seem to be willing to extend friendships to people before are saved. IT is important that we guard ourselves and be separate from worldly things and sinful influences others may have, but may the Lord help us to be kind to all, friendly, and willing to serve those around us by extending a helping hand. The Lord befriended many as a way of demonstrating the love that gives, even when others misunderstand, ignore or criticize the giver.

Devotion to the Father allowed for that. It still does.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Weds Nov 23

Verse Titus 3:12 As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there.

Desirous to Help

Swindoll tells this story. During his days as president, Thomas Jefferson and a group of companions were traveling across the country on horseback. They came to a river which had left its banks because of a recent downpour. The swollen river had washed the bridge away. Each rider was forced to ford the river on horseback, fighting for his life against the rapid currents. The very real possibility of death threatened each rider, which caused a traveler who was not part of their group to step aside and watch. After several had plunged in and made it to the other side, the stranger asked President Jefferson if he would ferry him across the river. The president agreed without hesitation. The man climbed on, and shortly thereafter the two of them made it safely to the other side. As the stranger slid off the back of the saddle onto dry ground, one in the group asked him, "Tell me, why did you select the president to ask this favor of?" The man was shocked, admitting he had no idea it was the president who had helped him. "All I know," he said, "Is that on some of your faces was written the answer ’No,’ and on some of them was the answer ’yes.’ His was a ’Yes’ face."

Paul could call on delightful people who are willing to help. They are the backbone of church work. Artemas and Tychicus and Titus were desirous to do what needed to be done for God and for Paul.

Now contrast that situation with the other folk who when asked to do something complain, feel put out and seem to do things for the Lord out of compulsion instead of desire and joy.

vs. 8 reminds us they are devoted and ready to do what is good. Artemas is mentioned only here but Tychicus name is mentioned in three other letters. He delivered Paul's letter to the Ephesians, he wrote as Paul's secretary and delivered and read it to the people at Colossi. He was with Paul in Rome and ministered with and was sent to as a postman and informed Paul of news that was happening. Now we see he is sending them to Titus to relieve him. They are willing to take the job that needed to be done by helping Titus. When they come they will relieve Titus from his responsibility so that he can be with Paul in the winter. They are desirous to do whatever they can do. God bless such people who are willing to take responsibility. They know their gifts and of the character of trustworthiness and of such the churches are built.

God’s design is for the body of the church to love Him and one another. His plan is that people work together each doing something according to their gifts, but even if something needs to be done instead of begging for help to have people see the bigger picture of serving God and desirous to do so.

May their numbers increase!

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Thurs Nov 24 HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Verse- Titus 3: 13 Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need.

Thankful

On this Thanksgiving Day I have seen people are getting together with family and/or friends. I think of the people who are overseas in the military or in missions work who are away from family and friends. I think of those who are in beds of illness and unable to enjoy company or a good meal. I think of those with whom we minister in prison on a monthly basis. Usually during holidays the inmates are not allowed to congregate due to a reduced number of staff who are off. Many are required to just be in their cells.

But the loneliest of all I believe are those who have no hope and are outside of the saving grace of Jesus Christ. The greatest part of thanksgiving is knowing who to thank. It is a friendship with God by the works of Jesus.

Paul’s closes friends were people who he could call brothers and sisters in the Lord. The family that meant so much were those who were ostracized by the community because of their faith. They would watch out and take care of one another.

In a survey of more than 40,000 Americans said these qualities were most valued in a friend: 1. The ability to keep confidences 2. Loyalty 3. Warmth and affection.
Adding to that list Paul would say a common faith.

These are delightful people with whom Paul could give thanks for they are helped by strangers who are Christians. They are lodged and fed and in many cases given money for their journey of spreading the gospel and carrying out functions for discipleship

Titus and the church were willing to provide resources to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and would see that they have everything they need. Dedicating friends also are willing to pay the costs for ministry according to their means.

I was talking with one of our members who has the right idea when he said that what he has is the Lord and however the Lord can use it car, house, money is a privilege. That's what we are here for. I think of the gift hospitality of Amy and Melvin who ministered by providing resources and food and invitation for all people.

Titus is instructed to do whatever he can to help these believers on their missions trip. We have folks we can help.

Be thankful for friends for such people are richer by far than in material goods.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Fri Nov 25 Diligent

Verses Titus 3: 14 Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives.

15 Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.

Diligent People

As we conclude the delightful saints Paul sees they are ones who keep doing what friends do. They do what is good and godly. They keep working to provide for their needs and those who can share when others are doing the Lord’s work without regular income. They are productive and not depended people. They are diligent to work.

They make good citizens in both the nation as well as the kingdom of God. They are respected and loving people.

There is the responsibility there is also the need to work. To doing what is good. To accomplishing tasks, to provide for their own needs not to just sit and do nothing. Responsibility of believers is to do what they can to take care of their own needs and help of the needs of those who cannot. But many who cannot usually assist with a servant attitude also and not just on the take. How can we help those in need, so that they can be brought to their feet until they can assist others? There are some who are terminal or infirmed for whom work cannot be expected.

Diligent people are willing to cooperate lovingly. They share in the joy of the relationships with Jesus and with others in the Lord. There is a unity of the brethren.

How do you deal with them? You deal with them in loving relationships in encouraging and praying and helping and cooperating and sharing and working and blessing one another that the cause of Christ can advance.

Let me say that this book is a book gauge in character connect, and conduct. It is important to learn doctrine and live out our witness, It is important to act with humbleness and changed lives. It is important to minimize divisiveness and maximize their devotion. which are you?

In a church newsletter Earl Balley wrote “The commitment of a Christian.”

"I have made a covenant with God of the universe. I am part of the fellowship of the faithful. I have been filled with Holy Spirit power. The dye has been cast. I have crossed the line. The decision has been made and I am unashamed. I will not look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still.

I no longer need to have preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I do not have to be right first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded. I will now give others the right to be wrong, in my eyes. I, by God's grace, will live by faith, lean on his presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer and labor by His power.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Jesus- the Author and finisher of my faith. My road is narrow the way is rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear. By God's grace, I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. Lord help me not to flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or flow with the tide of mediocrity.

By God' matchless Grace I will not give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, prayed up and stored up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ and then taken up. Because Jesus paid it all, I am a DISCIPLE of the LORD JESUS CHRIST. I must go ‘til He comes, give ‘til it hurts, preach till all know, and work while He give me breath. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me-my banner will be clear - JESUS IS LORD OF MY LIFE!"

We will deal with divisive people and we will deal with the devoted,

but the devoted will have something to rejoice about and people to rejoice with when Jesus comes. Which are you?

Pastor Dale

Saints Below Titus 3:9-11

Sermon Nuggets Mon Nov 14

Verses Titus 3:9-11

The Saints Below

Most know what I mean when I talk about the saints below. It is a take off on a now well known ditty. "To dwell above with the saints I love, Oh that will be glory, But to dwell below with the saints I know, Well, that's another story!"

But until we are with the saints above we must learn to put up with them and they with us. That's what makes the writings of Paul so practical.

We know it is God's design as a church to work together in cooperation and appreciation of the variety of gifts. It is not God's plan to live our Christian life in isolation of other believers. The

Bible tells us to submit our rights unto Jesus Christ and by His Spirit let him assign to us the task to carry out his work together in His love and in his power.

But Satan keeps us separated with envy, selfish ambition, competition, individualism, and dissension.

The story is told of a bright yellow highway department truck that creeps along a quiet, city street. A worker slowly climbs out of the truck and laboriously digs a large hole between the sidewalk and the street. A few minutes later, the second worker gets out, fills in the hole, and taps down the dirt. A few yards down the street they repeat the same procedure. Then again and again.

An elderly lady was been watching. She walks over and asks. "What in the world are you doing? " The workers says, "We're on an urban beautification project." She asks with dismay.

"What's' so beautiful about all these filled-in holes?”

"Well, you see," says the worker, the man who actually plants the trees is out sick today. And we're certainly not to going do his job too."

In a ridiculous way that little story reminds us that different people play different roles. When one person does not do his or her job, there is a hole. When there is a spirit of shortsightedness we lose the purpose behind what we are doing.

The apostle Paul gave Titus a job to do. It was to work in cooperation with other believer to grow disciples of the new believers on the island of creed. He instructs them to pick qualified leaders, to guard against false teachers. He tells Titus to instruct the people how they ought to live as the people of God. Doctrine is important. Good works is important. He concludes this book by reminding us of the saints below. There are two kinds of people identified: The Divisive and the Devoted. Now I am sure there are also a bunch in between these two extremes, but we learn from God's word how to work with them.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Tues Nov 15 Differences

Verses- Titus 3:9-11

9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.

10 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him.

11 You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

Dealing with Differences

One important way of working together is to determine in a church what the major and minor issues are and be willing to go to the wall for the majors, but allow flexibility to the minors. Of course who determines what is major and what is minor?

The clear doctrine of Scriptures we do not change. But not everyone is going to experience the same priorities and gifts. How can a healthy dialogue occur? Ought we to go around walking on eggs never mentioning the things that need to be addressed? Ought we to expose and bring out for open vote and discussion everything that anyone has that comes to mind?

Three words which might help explain what I mean. There are differences, difficulties, and divisions. I believe that differences which can bring some tension are inevitable in the church of Jesus Christ. People just are not going to think alike, act alike, enjoy the same music, dress the same way. Who knows some might even like clean shaven faces and others prefer beards. People are different.

People are going to have different gifts and abilities, and sometimes some will step on another’s toes. Love is like that if you are committed together to work on those differences.

Newlyweds often move from a glowing ideal romantic relationship to discover that a deep love comes through continually adjusting in this new found entity called love in marriage. Working out differences doesn't mean one loves the other less, but learning to adjust to moods, to habits, and preferences is part of what makes the task of commitment important.

Stewart Briscoe in his book “Purifying the Church” identifies several common differences in church people. There is the difference with knowledge, difference in spiritual experience and how some are saved and mature. There are differences in social graces and backgrounds differences in psychological makeup, and different personality. We can learn to agree to disagree, without being disagreeable.

Now where to have differences you will also have some difficulty. We still need to treat brothers and sisters with respect. There is something I've learned in time and it is that some people don't necessarily say what they mean. So many arguments are over what one said instead of what one meant. Also people don't necessarily hear what you say. This is a communication problem. But instead of calling it a communication problem people make it into personal problems. People not having expressed themselves properly or not having been heard adequately attributes motives to those related to the problem. Once you have people anticipating motives, problems often occur.

Be committed not only to forgiveness but clarification. The cause of Christ and unity in the church is worth it.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Weds Nov 16 Divisive

Verses- Titus 3:10-11 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him.

11 You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

Dealing with Divisiveness

A divisive person seeks to divide people onto their side and against the side and opinions of others. Now that is the way politics works, you understand. We have some people who are democrats and some who are republicans. I am here to tell you that those who are really into their party find absolutely no good in anything anyone says from the other party. Even if they say the right things their motive are questioned.

When division begins in a church it makes enemies of friends we are called to love for Jesus sake. Trust is breaking down.

A divisive person will take offense if everyone doesn't agree in most issues with him/her. A divisive person in the church will live as if they have a chip on their shoulder and love to have people make choices as to which camp or opinion they belong?

Legalistic churches are well known for fighting about anything and everything. I asked one person who had been in a number of churches what some do not get along with others when I could not see any difference in their theology. The answer he gave was a true, but sad one. They cooperate based on who they are against, not what they are for. Now that is division and inbreeds divisiveness.

People get into arguments on the dates and details of Jesus return; people have church splits as to how long men's hair can be, or whether women can where slacks or shirts. People love to argue and divide as to which Bible version they should be reading, people will insist on areas of how many angels can fit on a head of a pin.

Paul tells us to avoid such arguments. Don't waste your time. If people want to argue about non essentials and confusing verses with such adamantly it will ruin the reputation of a church and not let people work together for the common good of the fellowship and the advancement of Christian growth, evangelism and discipleship.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Thurs Nov 17 Discipline

Verses- Titus 3:10-11 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him.

11 You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

Dealing with Discipline

What should be done? There are practical instructions when it involves the church, which is God’s plan for all believers to work and worship together for service and for outreach.

Vs 10 “Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him.” Frankly, we are directed to discipline a divisive person. It is important to talk with them and if it doesn't work then warn them against such activities. If there is no change then give them another chance, and three strikes and you're out.

I was talking with a former missionary to who said that pastors in Brazil used to brag about how many they would kick out of the church. There was a spirit among some like a witch hunt where they are looking for infractions by which they can rebuke and in need be reprimand and kick out of the fellowship people that didn't change quickly enough. A purified church was more important than seeking to bring someone into growth or repentance.

Robert Moeller wrote an article on church fighting. He spoke of one pastor who was so concerned about keeping the peace and offending no one that he rarely called anyone to account with their divisive behaviors and words. If volunteers handled the financial affairs in a slipshod way, he said nothing. He didn't want them to quit or offend them. If a SS teacher led questionable life, the church said nothing If staff members didn't do their jobs, he pretended everything was fine. He reasoned love is what builds a church. But over the years problems accumulated. Without providing discipline and correction divisive people cause others to leave the church and it became another statistic of spiritless religious organization.

On the other hand, some pastors thrive on confrontation. Some call people on the carpet for the least bit of infraction that may not be sin, but even differences in lifestyle questions. Sermons sound like scolding. They berate people for their lack of faith, prayer, and service. Such churches train people to be sharks. That group can become very defensive and judgmental and results in power plays in congregations where various groups will gather to divide others from one another. All in the name of Christian purity, mind you.

The Bible says in Ephesians "speak the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is Christ."

According to Matt 18 Jesus says if someone has something against another go to that person and work it out, If that doesn't work then bring along a witness or two if that doesn't work then let the church decide and if a person is still unrepentant then treat him as a tax collector. That may mean some people might be asked to leave the church or leave their positions of official service for the sake of the rest of the group. It may mean removing people from fellowship for a time until repentance and restoration occurs, which ought always to be the goal.

These actions are not to be taken lightly, but neither ought they to be ignored. Pray that we become people who delight in pleasing God and not ourselves and one another.

When it comes to individual matters this instruction is seeking to reconcile, but if attempts have been made without success and even involved others to help clarify matters, then leave them alone and let God deal with them. Have nothing to do with them until they are willing to cooperate in Christ. They are warped, sinful and self condemned.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Fri Nov 18 Destructive

Verse Titus 3: 11 You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

Dealing with Destructiveness

What is the character of one who refuses to submit and be cooperative? The disposition that leads to destruction is revealed. “You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.” The reason why a divisive person or factions in a church need to be warned and warned and then disciplined is because their true colors are showing. They are not concerned about the church, they are not concerned about unity in the Lord, they are concerned about their own pride, popularity, and most importantly, power. Words and actions are more than seeking to build up the church it is to tear down. It is not the work of the Holy Spirit it is the work of the unholy spirit. It is devious and determined. Even if with good intentions there are times when faced with how they are coming across becomes a challenge to a fight instead of evaluation of the situation. Paul has seen and over critical people affects the work and destroys others.

Sinfulness is evil and they are condemned if they do not respond to authority. Some people in one setting are very controlling and in another setting fit in much better. The goals of disciple ought never to be ostracism; it ought always to be reconciliation.

Robert Moeller tells of a church in Southern US that no longer exists, due in part to an incident that took place in the church kitchen one Sunday afternoon. A new family had arrived to take part in their first pot-luck luncheon. The aroma of tuna casseroles, baked beans and Tater-Tot dishes waft through the building. The unsuspecting wife cheerfully brought her red gelatin salad to the kitchen then headed back to the fellowship hall to join her family.

After folks started going in the line the husband couldn't find her salad. "There must be some mistake" she said, "I'll find out what happened.” She reached the kitchen door in time to witness the queen of the kitchen ladling the last of her salad in the garbage disposal.

"What are you doing?" the newcomer shrieked. "That's my salad." without batting an eye, the woman looked up and said, "You're new to this church. You'll, soon learn we use only real whipped cream around here, not Cool Whip." One incident started a significant church battle that escalated into all out war.

The problem was they focused only on their own desires and what they wanted. Problems begin when people elevate personal convictions to the level of absolutes. It's when we insist on having things done our way and our way only, that shows character that is sinful and self-centered.

For the sake of God's kingdom if someone isn't' willing to face sin or spiteful attitudes then it is better if they not be part of the church and discipline by asking them to leave is required. Their disposition is destructive.

Pastor Dale