Sermon nuggets Fri Oct 10
Theme Hope
Verses- John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (NIV)
A Time of Victory
The hope we have as believers is- Jesus wins. We do have victory after death. Immorality does not abide in our earthly accomplishments, but our spiritual ones, which are based on what Christ has done, not on what we have done.
Recently I watch on the news the memorial dedication to Lady Diana. Many people wanted to remember her life and the humanitarian efforts she put forth. A number of British people exclaimed she has done more for Britain in recent years than anyone else has. She will always be remembered.
It was said of Elvis. “He is not dead, he will continue to live on through his music." His music will certainly live on.
Such memorials are common with movie stars, musicians, artists, authors, politicians, and leaders. Rich people leave money behind to have a building at a school or institution named after them. But after a few years what does that name mean to the students? Not much.
My mother died a decade now. I will always remember her as long as I live. I will remember her mother as long as I live. That's it. I can't go back any further. My kids might remember their Grandma, they will never remember their grandpa because he died before they were born.
I have boxes of my aunt and Uncle and their achievements and I wonder what I should do with them, because I am their closest relative and it has no meaning to my boys. Soon it will go into the trash and that will be the extent of the memories of that generation. So much for their human immortality.
My message at funerals of believers is that Christ has given victory over death and therein is our immortality. The names of Mathew Mark, Luke, John, Paul, Abraham, Mary live on because of the grace of Jesus Christ. But we can include your name and mine in there even though our names are not in the Bible because our names are in the Lamb’s book of life! That is what counts. The resurrection of Jesus Christ after death is the proclamation that this life is temporary. Jesus gives what is needed for our short term journey with constant reminders to keep our eyes on what is ahead. He will return and make things right, not just for a season, but for all eternity.
He left the grave and banished death and sin: He opened wide the gates of heaven, That we might enter in. Jesus has overcome the world. That is such a great testimony.
John 20:21 "As the Father has sent me, I am sending you" How was Jesus sent? He was sent to suffer with a suffering world. I think what the world needs to see is not that Christians do not have pain, or grief or problems, but rather that we can experience firsthand His power in the midst of pain and give others hope. God takes our wounds and uses them to minster to others who are fellow suffers.
Let's face it. We can't be absolutely certain from Christ's teachings alone that He was the Son of God. We can't be absolutely certain from His miracles that He was the Son of God; we can't be absolutely certain from His holy life that He was the son of God. But when arose from the dead He settled that fact once and forever. The crowning proof of His deity was not His virgin birth, His authoritative teaching, His mighty works. The crowning proof of His deity was overcoming death with victory. When asked what proof did he have that He was the Son of God, He told them, "Destroy the temple and in three days I will raise it up again."
Jesus is alive now and alive to you who wait upon Him. When my bones are laid to rest they point to the release from the struggle, the freedom from the trouble, the completion of grief and victory, peace, and joy forever more. After death there is abiding victory! That gives us hope in our unsettled times. We cannot lose.
Pastor Dale
Friday, October 10, 2008
Thursday, October 9, 2008
A Time of Peace John 16:29-33
Sermon Nuggets Thur Oct 9
Theme: Hope
Verses- John 16:29 Then Jesus' disciples said, "Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech.
30 Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God."
31 "You believe at last!" Jesus answered.
32 "But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.
33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
A time of Peace
It is hard to see when we are in the midst of difficult and turmoil how situations could possibly work themselves out. But to the believer God wants us to know the truth of Romans 8:28. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
There are people who are carrying weights of trouble 10 times of anything I have experienced. I know that. I also know that Jesus carried weights of trouble 1,000 times greater than anything you are carrying. I believe that. In faith there is peace.
Jesus told them trouble will come upon them so they might have peace in Him. What did He mean? I believe He told them about their disloyalty before it happened so that they would know that it will not come as a shock to Jesus when they are disloyal. It won't make a difference to His love. Peace is ours. I believe He told them these things so they would know He understands completely when we grieve and when we are faced with trouble. Such experiences do not mean God is not working in our lives, but indeed He is.
Peace isn't the absence of trouble or turmoil in this world, but it is the presence of the Savior in our troubles. It is the calm confidence that God is still on the throne. It is the realization that trouble will not defeat us. It is the confidence that peace will rule in our lives and in our hearts. In Christ there is a day when all this trouble will be over. Just like having a baby he says. Peace and joy follow pain and sorrow, and it is worth it.
After the Russian cosmonauts spent 211days in space, they suffered from dizziness, high pulse rates, and heart palpitations upon their return. They couldn't walk for a week, and were undergoing therapy for atrophied muscles and weakened hearts. At zero gravity the muscles of the body begin to waste away because there is no resistance. To counteract this a running suit laced with elastic bands was utilized. It resists every move the cosmonauts make, forcing them to exert their strength. It worked. Years later astronauts found when they had resistance their muscles were strong and prepared them for recovery back into the earth’s atmosphere.
The easier our life, the weaker our spiritual fiber, for strength of any kind grows only by exertion. Peace follows trouble, and sometimes is only experienced as a result of trouble.
There was one thing we realize with all the people who saw the resurrected Lord. No one stayed the same after seeing Jesus alive. When Jesus showed the wounds in the upper room appearance he simply said, "Peace be unto you."
We think peace comes from knowing the right things. But peace comes from knowing the right person. If we can just know the right things, we think, we'll be in control, safe from harm. But knowledge does not mean control. Knowledge doesn't protect us. Peace comes not from knowing the right things but from knowing Jesus and trusting Him for the future.
“And in this world you will have tribulation but be of Good cheer I have overcome the world”, Jesus said. After trouble there is peace.
Pastor Dale
Theme: Hope
Verses- John 16:29 Then Jesus' disciples said, "Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech.
30 Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God."
31 "You believe at last!" Jesus answered.
32 "But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.
33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
A time of Peace
It is hard to see when we are in the midst of difficult and turmoil how situations could possibly work themselves out. But to the believer God wants us to know the truth of Romans 8:28. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
There are people who are carrying weights of trouble 10 times of anything I have experienced. I know that. I also know that Jesus carried weights of trouble 1,000 times greater than anything you are carrying. I believe that. In faith there is peace.
Jesus told them trouble will come upon them so they might have peace in Him. What did He mean? I believe He told them about their disloyalty before it happened so that they would know that it will not come as a shock to Jesus when they are disloyal. It won't make a difference to His love. Peace is ours. I believe He told them these things so they would know He understands completely when we grieve and when we are faced with trouble. Such experiences do not mean God is not working in our lives, but indeed He is.
Peace isn't the absence of trouble or turmoil in this world, but it is the presence of the Savior in our troubles. It is the calm confidence that God is still on the throne. It is the realization that trouble will not defeat us. It is the confidence that peace will rule in our lives and in our hearts. In Christ there is a day when all this trouble will be over. Just like having a baby he says. Peace and joy follow pain and sorrow, and it is worth it.
After the Russian cosmonauts spent 211days in space, they suffered from dizziness, high pulse rates, and heart palpitations upon their return. They couldn't walk for a week, and were undergoing therapy for atrophied muscles and weakened hearts. At zero gravity the muscles of the body begin to waste away because there is no resistance. To counteract this a running suit laced with elastic bands was utilized. It resists every move the cosmonauts make, forcing them to exert their strength. It worked. Years later astronauts found when they had resistance their muscles were strong and prepared them for recovery back into the earth’s atmosphere.
The easier our life, the weaker our spiritual fiber, for strength of any kind grows only by exertion. Peace follows trouble, and sometimes is only experienced as a result of trouble.
There was one thing we realize with all the people who saw the resurrected Lord. No one stayed the same after seeing Jesus alive. When Jesus showed the wounds in the upper room appearance he simply said, "Peace be unto you."
We think peace comes from knowing the right things. But peace comes from knowing the right person. If we can just know the right things, we think, we'll be in control, safe from harm. But knowledge does not mean control. Knowledge doesn't protect us. Peace comes not from knowing the right things but from knowing Jesus and trusting Him for the future.
“And in this world you will have tribulation but be of Good cheer I have overcome the world”, Jesus said. After trouble there is peace.
Pastor Dale
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
A Time of Prayer John 16:23-28
Sermon nuggets Weds Oct 8
Theme: Hope
Verses- John 16:23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.
24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
25 "Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father.
26 In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf.
27 No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.
28 I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father."
A Time of Prayer
Certainly people have prayed from the beginning of time. Prayer is talking to God. Many people, Christian and non-Christian have let their thoughts and requests be known to God. But real communication with the Lord is not possible without our sins being forgiven. Our sins cannot be forgiven unless we have placed our faith in Jesus Christ to save us. That did not happen without His going to the cross. The connection we have with God is the righteousness granted to us by Christ’s death, burial and resurrection, but the gift of the Holy Spirit allows us to pray in a different way.
When Jesus tells His disciples they can ask the Father in Jesus’ name, it is not a formula that we recite, but by the means and authority we have being God’s child because of the blood of Jesus Christ has been shed to forgive us our sins.
An interesting phrase, “In that day you will no longer ask me anything.” Did He mean He was not going to be physically around to talk to because He would have ascended unto His Father?
I believe Jesus is telling His disciples and us that the barrier between a Holy God Father and sinful man has been broken. Just like the veil in the temple was torn in two. We are no longer separated from the Father but can come into his presence because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Until that time people have not asked anything in the authority of Jesus Christ. But now we have this privilege. Some people misuse this verse thinking God is like a Santa Claus at Christmas appealing to our materialistic and human wants. The fact that the Holy Spirit now dwells within helps us understand the significance of how were should pray.
Rom 8:26-27 says, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.”
To pray with the intercession of the Spirit and in the authority of Jesus Christ means that we are praying according to the will of the Father, not according to our own whims and wishes. When we delight ourselves in the Lord, He will give us the delights of our hearts. He is the object of our delight and to desire things that are not according to His will is not in the Spirit. But now we seek the mind of the Lord by the Spirit and let our requests and petitions be known to God and can come boldly before the throne.
Jesus says there is prayer that unites us with the Father in the name and authority of Christ. We have privilege of presence of God working in our lives. Not just in the lives of the world in general sense, but specifically with you and me as followers of Christ. What a blessing.
Three reasons are given for their enablement to ask in the name of Jesus: 1) The Father's love for them. 2) Their love for Jesus. 3) Their belief that Jesus came from God. These three factors will prompt them to petition the Father "in Jesus' name ," to ask as Jesus would ask. Their transformation into people who think like Jesus begins with the Father's love for them, and this love will be more fully understandable after they see how He has given up his Son. Already, they have loved Jesus and have believed in His divine origination.
When people ask about prayer, the best advice I can give is, when Jesus taught the disciples to pray He instructed them to pray to the Father who is in Heaven. When He met with them in the upper room he once again said we have access before the Father and can ask whatever we will. Because the Father loves the Son so now we have been granted this wonderful privilege of being in the presence of our creator!
How offensive it must be to think He delights in the thought we must go through “saints” or other sinners. We can come in no other way and to no one else than the Holy One of God, Jesus Christ.
Pastor Dale
Theme: Hope
Verses- John 16:23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.
24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
25 "Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father.
26 In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf.
27 No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.
28 I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father."
A Time of Prayer
Certainly people have prayed from the beginning of time. Prayer is talking to God. Many people, Christian and non-Christian have let their thoughts and requests be known to God. But real communication with the Lord is not possible without our sins being forgiven. Our sins cannot be forgiven unless we have placed our faith in Jesus Christ to save us. That did not happen without His going to the cross. The connection we have with God is the righteousness granted to us by Christ’s death, burial and resurrection, but the gift of the Holy Spirit allows us to pray in a different way.
When Jesus tells His disciples they can ask the Father in Jesus’ name, it is not a formula that we recite, but by the means and authority we have being God’s child because of the blood of Jesus Christ has been shed to forgive us our sins.
An interesting phrase, “In that day you will no longer ask me anything.” Did He mean He was not going to be physically around to talk to because He would have ascended unto His Father?
I believe Jesus is telling His disciples and us that the barrier between a Holy God Father and sinful man has been broken. Just like the veil in the temple was torn in two. We are no longer separated from the Father but can come into his presence because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Until that time people have not asked anything in the authority of Jesus Christ. But now we have this privilege. Some people misuse this verse thinking God is like a Santa Claus at Christmas appealing to our materialistic and human wants. The fact that the Holy Spirit now dwells within helps us understand the significance of how were should pray.
Rom 8:26-27 says, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.”
To pray with the intercession of the Spirit and in the authority of Jesus Christ means that we are praying according to the will of the Father, not according to our own whims and wishes. When we delight ourselves in the Lord, He will give us the delights of our hearts. He is the object of our delight and to desire things that are not according to His will is not in the Spirit. But now we seek the mind of the Lord by the Spirit and let our requests and petitions be known to God and can come boldly before the throne.
Jesus says there is prayer that unites us with the Father in the name and authority of Christ. We have privilege of presence of God working in our lives. Not just in the lives of the world in general sense, but specifically with you and me as followers of Christ. What a blessing.
Three reasons are given for their enablement to ask in the name of Jesus: 1) The Father's love for them. 2) Their love for Jesus. 3) Their belief that Jesus came from God. These three factors will prompt them to petition the Father "in Jesus' name ," to ask as Jesus would ask. Their transformation into people who think like Jesus begins with the Father's love for them, and this love will be more fully understandable after they see how He has given up his Son. Already, they have loved Jesus and have believed in His divine origination.
When people ask about prayer, the best advice I can give is, when Jesus taught the disciples to pray He instructed them to pray to the Father who is in Heaven. When He met with them in the upper room he once again said we have access before the Father and can ask whatever we will. Because the Father loves the Son so now we have been granted this wonderful privilege of being in the presence of our creator!
How offensive it must be to think He delights in the thought we must go through “saints” or other sinners. We can come in no other way and to no one else than the Holy One of God, Jesus Christ.
Pastor Dale
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Time of Grief John 16:20-22
Sermon nuggets Tues Oct 7
Theme: Hope
Verses- John 16:20-22
20 I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.
21 A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.
22 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.
A Time of Grief.
Grief is adjustment to loss. We grieve over the loss of a loved one to be sure. But our adjustment to loss can include the loss of a house, the loss of a spouse in divorce, a child that leaves home, a job loss, a death of a pet, as well as financial crises. We grieve in different ways for different things in our life.
What if you lose Jesus? What if Jesus were not involved in your life, would that be a loss? For some, I am afraid, would not experience grief because though He is around we hardly notice. A neighbor may move away and she might have brought an occasional conversation, or even a meal, or sharing of pleasantries of the day. But other people and things occupy our time and attention more.
The closer we are emotionally and physically to people, or things, the greater the grief. But let’s face it, every one in this world and everything in this world will someday be lost. Either they will move, get sick, die, or we will. All the important things in this will be left behind. But that is not true with Jesus, if He is in our lives by faith.
The disciples were to start on a path that would be unbelievable. They would minister in the power of the Holy Spirit to unreceptive people as well as hearts that are prepared to hear and receive the truth. They would do miracles as allowed by God. They would never experience the loss of Jesus again since He will be with them in the person of the Holy Spirit. They will talk with Him every day. They will get guidance every day. They will receive power every day. And most importantly even if they could do nothing they will experience His love, presence and relationship every day. And that will not end at death it will only increase in glory.
Having a baby is not fun. Being pregnant is not fun. It is painful. A mother to be experiences weakness, sickness, change of emotions, temperature, and sometimes depression. But when a healthy baby girl or boy is brought into the world those 9 months are worth it. When the little life cries out and one witnesses the miracle of birth sorrow turns into joy.
In the Old Testament book of Isaiah the nation of Israel is pictured as a woman about to give birth. Jesus sees the disciples, all Jews, as faithful Israel on the verge of giving birth. No longer does faithful Israel constitute the 12 tribes but the 12 disciples. The disciples will experience the birth pangs of bringing forth the promised Son of God. The disciples have sorrow now, but just like a joy of a new mother, the disciples will experience joy when Jesus sees them again.
What will it be when the pain of this life is over and we are brought into the glories of heaven in the presence of Jesus? Jesus contrasted grief and sorry for joy. The temporary world is contrasted for the eternal relationship that is ours in the presence of the Lord.
As we witness the ongoing events in our nation and the world there is rejoicing when Jesus is not around. There is happiness when people eliminate any godliness because they want to rule their own lives without the intervention of a divine being that controls their lives. The religious leaders wanted Jesus gone; the political leaders wanted Jesus gone; the crowd wanted Jesus gone. Jesus forces people to confront the painful truth of their rejection of God, so they run from Jesus. Many in the world today are very uncomfortable with Jesus. Nations overseas try to persecute Christians, eliminate the Bible and hate anything Christian.
There is something in this passage that I missed for years. You would think the joy would seemingly be attributed to our seeing Jesus. But that's not what Jesus says. v. 20 ways the joy comes when Jesus see them. vs. 22 “I will see you again and you will rejoice.”
How is being seen by Jesus a source of joy? How does being seen by anybody affect us? It all depends on how we perceive that person seeing us. If we think someone is happy to see us, we'll be happy. If we think someone is sad to see us, we'll be sad. It's usually not that difficult to tell. Someone's face usually gives away how he or she feels.
Initially it was Jesus who saw Peter and James and John. He first saw Nathaniel under the tree. He called people to Himself out of His love and He call us to be His followers. We love because He first loved us. Clearly, being seen by Jesus is a source of joy for disciples of Jesus.
You may be sorrowful, feeling somehow that Jesus is far away, maybe you might feel as if Jesus wouldn't want to see you, you are not worthy, or you are not the way you want to me. This causes us inward anxiety. Jesus knows all about Thomas and his doubts, all about Peter and his failures. He knew all about the heart of the disciples who down deep thought they were really better than the others. He knew all about the anger problem with James and John, the fear, the pride, the selfishness within us, yet He still says you're going to be so happy when He sees us again. So it is true for you and me. After grief comes joy.
The resurrection brought victory from the grave. It brought hope far beyond the disciple’s dreams. They realized that even this world was temporary. We will experiences loss in this world, but Easter reminds us there is joy after grief.
Pastor Dale.
Theme: Hope
Verses- John 16:20-22
20 I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.
21 A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.
22 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.
A Time of Grief.
Grief is adjustment to loss. We grieve over the loss of a loved one to be sure. But our adjustment to loss can include the loss of a house, the loss of a spouse in divorce, a child that leaves home, a job loss, a death of a pet, as well as financial crises. We grieve in different ways for different things in our life.
What if you lose Jesus? What if Jesus were not involved in your life, would that be a loss? For some, I am afraid, would not experience grief because though He is around we hardly notice. A neighbor may move away and she might have brought an occasional conversation, or even a meal, or sharing of pleasantries of the day. But other people and things occupy our time and attention more.
The closer we are emotionally and physically to people, or things, the greater the grief. But let’s face it, every one in this world and everything in this world will someday be lost. Either they will move, get sick, die, or we will. All the important things in this will be left behind. But that is not true with Jesus, if He is in our lives by faith.
The disciples were to start on a path that would be unbelievable. They would minister in the power of the Holy Spirit to unreceptive people as well as hearts that are prepared to hear and receive the truth. They would do miracles as allowed by God. They would never experience the loss of Jesus again since He will be with them in the person of the Holy Spirit. They will talk with Him every day. They will get guidance every day. They will receive power every day. And most importantly even if they could do nothing they will experience His love, presence and relationship every day. And that will not end at death it will only increase in glory.
Having a baby is not fun. Being pregnant is not fun. It is painful. A mother to be experiences weakness, sickness, change of emotions, temperature, and sometimes depression. But when a healthy baby girl or boy is brought into the world those 9 months are worth it. When the little life cries out and one witnesses the miracle of birth sorrow turns into joy.
In the Old Testament book of Isaiah the nation of Israel is pictured as a woman about to give birth. Jesus sees the disciples, all Jews, as faithful Israel on the verge of giving birth. No longer does faithful Israel constitute the 12 tribes but the 12 disciples. The disciples will experience the birth pangs of bringing forth the promised Son of God. The disciples have sorrow now, but just like a joy of a new mother, the disciples will experience joy when Jesus sees them again.
What will it be when the pain of this life is over and we are brought into the glories of heaven in the presence of Jesus? Jesus contrasted grief and sorry for joy. The temporary world is contrasted for the eternal relationship that is ours in the presence of the Lord.
As we witness the ongoing events in our nation and the world there is rejoicing when Jesus is not around. There is happiness when people eliminate any godliness because they want to rule their own lives without the intervention of a divine being that controls their lives. The religious leaders wanted Jesus gone; the political leaders wanted Jesus gone; the crowd wanted Jesus gone. Jesus forces people to confront the painful truth of their rejection of God, so they run from Jesus. Many in the world today are very uncomfortable with Jesus. Nations overseas try to persecute Christians, eliminate the Bible and hate anything Christian.
There is something in this passage that I missed for years. You would think the joy would seemingly be attributed to our seeing Jesus. But that's not what Jesus says. v. 20 ways the joy comes when Jesus see them. vs. 22 “I will see you again and you will rejoice.”
How is being seen by Jesus a source of joy? How does being seen by anybody affect us? It all depends on how we perceive that person seeing us. If we think someone is happy to see us, we'll be happy. If we think someone is sad to see us, we'll be sad. It's usually not that difficult to tell. Someone's face usually gives away how he or she feels.
Initially it was Jesus who saw Peter and James and John. He first saw Nathaniel under the tree. He called people to Himself out of His love and He call us to be His followers. We love because He first loved us. Clearly, being seen by Jesus is a source of joy for disciples of Jesus.
You may be sorrowful, feeling somehow that Jesus is far away, maybe you might feel as if Jesus wouldn't want to see you, you are not worthy, or you are not the way you want to me. This causes us inward anxiety. Jesus knows all about Thomas and his doubts, all about Peter and his failures. He knew all about the heart of the disciples who down deep thought they were really better than the others. He knew all about the anger problem with James and John, the fear, the pride, the selfishness within us, yet He still says you're going to be so happy when He sees us again. So it is true for you and me. After grief comes joy.
The resurrection brought victory from the grave. It brought hope far beyond the disciple’s dreams. They realized that even this world was temporary. We will experiences loss in this world, but Easter reminds us there is joy after grief.
Pastor Dale.
Monday, October 6, 2008
A Time of Confusion John 16:17-20
Sermon Nuggets Mon Oct 6
Theme – Hope
Verses: John 16: 17 Some of his disciples said to one another, "What does he mean by saying, 'In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,' and 'Because I am going to the Father'?"
18 They kept asking, "What does he mean by 'a little while'? We don't understand what he is saying."
19 Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, "Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, 'In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me'?
20 I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.
A Time of Confusion
I was taken by the phrase, “What does he mean” in verses 17, & 18 & 19. That question the disciples were asking among themselves came as a result of Jesus telling them part of the story, but not the whole thing. He would be with them for awhile. They would see not see Him. Then they would. He was going someplace.
I certainly identify many times with the disciples. More than I want to admit. I don’t have a clue what God is up to. I feel confused. I find myself not able to explain why God does what He does sometimes. I am not able to explain His purposes in some of life’s unanswered questions. I don’t know why sometime He leads in ways that do not turn out the way I anticipate or expect. I am confused!
If the disciples were confuse knowing more of the story than the prophets of old, how might our Old Testament saints felt? The promises given to Abraham certainly didn’t come about in his lifetime. The fact that the descendent of Isaac were inheriting the promised land, yet Jacob and his family had to leave for Egypt or starve to death. That must have brought about confusion to the unfilled or partly fulfilled promises. It was 400 years before Moses re-entered the land. How confused those leaders must have been during that times of slavery.
I am so glad I live after Jesus came to earth. I understand so much more revealed in the Bible how Jesus fulfilled the prophecies in His life and in His death. The cross makes so much more sense 2,000 years later than it did during the disciple’s day. The resurrection puts things in amazing perspective as revealed by the Lord. The ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit answer so many questions and brings perspective to some of the promises.
Even knowing Jesus is coming again which will fulfill prophecies that haven’t been completed yet allows for excitement and hope and increases faith and trust.
Still I am humbled by the fact that I do not understand the mind of God and why He does some of the things He does. I have been given so much more information than people of old, but there is still so much that is a mystery. I identify with confusion.
Yet I take comfort in two things- I only know part of the bigger story. And secondly, He knows what He is doing and it will all work out for good and for His glory. I take comfort in the fact that He wins. There are no surprises. He is not confused. There is more to be revealed. And there is one reason that he keeps us in the dark. It is not time yet for all things to be completely revealed. Jesus doesn’t mind the questions. But knowing the WHO is more important than knowing the WHY.
When we are confused, the answer is to trust in the sovereignty of God and grow in the faith that comes from what we do know. God is love. God is powerful. God is carrying out His plan. God desires us to love Him. God wants us to obey Him. God never asks us to be part of His advisory committee but to ask for wisdom. The rest is up to Him. Some day we will understand. Until then don’t let your confusions bog you down in your faith walk. Jesus certainly understands. There is more to come.
Pastor Dale
Theme – Hope
Verses: John 16: 17 Some of his disciples said to one another, "What does he mean by saying, 'In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,' and 'Because I am going to the Father'?"
18 They kept asking, "What does he mean by 'a little while'? We don't understand what he is saying."
19 Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, "Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, 'In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me'?
20 I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.
A Time of Confusion
I was taken by the phrase, “What does he mean” in verses 17, & 18 & 19. That question the disciples were asking among themselves came as a result of Jesus telling them part of the story, but not the whole thing. He would be with them for awhile. They would see not see Him. Then they would. He was going someplace.
I certainly identify many times with the disciples. More than I want to admit. I don’t have a clue what God is up to. I feel confused. I find myself not able to explain why God does what He does sometimes. I am not able to explain His purposes in some of life’s unanswered questions. I don’t know why sometime He leads in ways that do not turn out the way I anticipate or expect. I am confused!
If the disciples were confuse knowing more of the story than the prophets of old, how might our Old Testament saints felt? The promises given to Abraham certainly didn’t come about in his lifetime. The fact that the descendent of Isaac were inheriting the promised land, yet Jacob and his family had to leave for Egypt or starve to death. That must have brought about confusion to the unfilled or partly fulfilled promises. It was 400 years before Moses re-entered the land. How confused those leaders must have been during that times of slavery.
I am so glad I live after Jesus came to earth. I understand so much more revealed in the Bible how Jesus fulfilled the prophecies in His life and in His death. The cross makes so much more sense 2,000 years later than it did during the disciple’s day. The resurrection puts things in amazing perspective as revealed by the Lord. The ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit answer so many questions and brings perspective to some of the promises.
Even knowing Jesus is coming again which will fulfill prophecies that haven’t been completed yet allows for excitement and hope and increases faith and trust.
Still I am humbled by the fact that I do not understand the mind of God and why He does some of the things He does. I have been given so much more information than people of old, but there is still so much that is a mystery. I identify with confusion.
Yet I take comfort in two things- I only know part of the bigger story. And secondly, He knows what He is doing and it will all work out for good and for His glory. I take comfort in the fact that He wins. There are no surprises. He is not confused. There is more to be revealed. And there is one reason that he keeps us in the dark. It is not time yet for all things to be completely revealed. Jesus doesn’t mind the questions. But knowing the WHO is more important than knowing the WHY.
When we are confused, the answer is to trust in the sovereignty of God and grow in the faith that comes from what we do know. God is love. God is powerful. God is carrying out His plan. God desires us to love Him. God wants us to obey Him. God never asks us to be part of His advisory committee but to ask for wisdom. The rest is up to Him. Some day we will understand. Until then don’t let your confusions bog you down in your faith walk. Jesus certainly understands. There is more to come.
Pastor Dale
Friday, October 3, 2008
Focus of the Spirit John 15:26; 16:14,15
Sermon Nuggets Fri Oct 3
The Work of the Spirit
Verses John 15:26 "When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me.
John 16:14,15 He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.
15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.
The Focus of the Spirit
I read a book by David Howard, The Holy Spirit. In it he told of his experience as a missionary in Columbia. He told how some friends wanted to discuss the work of the Holy Spirit so he could have a deeper understanding and experience the closenss of the Spirit. The more they talked he sensed they had an interpretation of the Scriptures that was very limited and one-sided.
He visited with his pastor about his concern. His pastor said, "Dave, whenever you hear someone who talks constantly about the Holy Spirit, you have reason to doubt that he really knows the Lord the way he should."
He could hardly believe his ears? How could anyone who talks about the Spirit be deficient or in error in his knowledge of God? But his pastor had him look up the verses we are looking at today.
He pointed out the work of the Spirit is to glorify and testify of Jesus Christ, not Himself. The work of the Son is to glorify the Father and the Father glorifies the Son. He said, “I have never found in the Bible were the Father or the Son seek to glorify the person of the Holy Spirit. We have strong warning never to blasphemy the Holy Spirit. We are instructed never to quench the Holy Spirit, we are told to receive the Holy Spirit. But the work of the Spirit according to Scriptures is to glorify Jesus Christ and take what Jesus Christ taught and bring it to our awareness.”
David Howard thought back on what his friends had said. They talked much of the Spirit, but very little about Christ. They conversed much of their own experiences, but little about the objective Word of God. They departed from him convinced he was unspiritual.
I recognize the unique ministry of the Apostles to testify and share the words that Jesus passed on through them, but now that we have the word and the Holy Spirit in us, we too are to share the testimony and witness for Christ. The Bible tells us that "You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you..You shall be my witnesses."
It seems to me that the New Testament teaches us to think of the Spirit and His ministry in terms of a personal sovereignty whereby He uses us, not we Him. He changes us internally first by opening our eyes to reality-the reality of God , of Christ, of our sin and need, of the spiritual realm, of the demonic and so on; and then through uniting us to Christ. He changes us so that our desires and attitudes move to become those of Jesus. We should have an increasing drive to please and glorify Jesus and walk in His holiness.
Christ does not call us to be His servants and then utterly neglect to give us any orders as to our work. The trouble is that we have not looked to Him for our directions. Too often we have chosen to work by our own plans instead of asking Him to show us Himself. The focus of the Spirit is to help us see Jesus who helps us see the Father. When we do, and it is from the Spirit, we glorify Him and worship. From that focus He directs our paths.
Pastor Dale
The Work of the Spirit
Verses John 15:26 "When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me.
John 16:14,15 He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.
15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.
The Focus of the Spirit
I read a book by David Howard, The Holy Spirit. In it he told of his experience as a missionary in Columbia. He told how some friends wanted to discuss the work of the Holy Spirit so he could have a deeper understanding and experience the closenss of the Spirit. The more they talked he sensed they had an interpretation of the Scriptures that was very limited and one-sided.
He visited with his pastor about his concern. His pastor said, "Dave, whenever you hear someone who talks constantly about the Holy Spirit, you have reason to doubt that he really knows the Lord the way he should."
He could hardly believe his ears? How could anyone who talks about the Spirit be deficient or in error in his knowledge of God? But his pastor had him look up the verses we are looking at today.
He pointed out the work of the Spirit is to glorify and testify of Jesus Christ, not Himself. The work of the Son is to glorify the Father and the Father glorifies the Son. He said, “I have never found in the Bible were the Father or the Son seek to glorify the person of the Holy Spirit. We have strong warning never to blasphemy the Holy Spirit. We are instructed never to quench the Holy Spirit, we are told to receive the Holy Spirit. But the work of the Spirit according to Scriptures is to glorify Jesus Christ and take what Jesus Christ taught and bring it to our awareness.”
David Howard thought back on what his friends had said. They talked much of the Spirit, but very little about Christ. They conversed much of their own experiences, but little about the objective Word of God. They departed from him convinced he was unspiritual.
I recognize the unique ministry of the Apostles to testify and share the words that Jesus passed on through them, but now that we have the word and the Holy Spirit in us, we too are to share the testimony and witness for Christ. The Bible tells us that "You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you..You shall be my witnesses."
It seems to me that the New Testament teaches us to think of the Spirit and His ministry in terms of a personal sovereignty whereby He uses us, not we Him. He changes us internally first by opening our eyes to reality-the reality of God , of Christ, of our sin and need, of the spiritual realm, of the demonic and so on; and then through uniting us to Christ. He changes us so that our desires and attitudes move to become those of Jesus. We should have an increasing drive to please and glorify Jesus and walk in His holiness.
Christ does not call us to be His servants and then utterly neglect to give us any orders as to our work. The trouble is that we have not looked to Him for our directions. Too often we have chosen to work by our own plans instead of asking Him to show us Himself. The focus of the Spirit is to help us see Jesus who helps us see the Father. When we do, and it is from the Spirit, we glorify Him and worship. From that focus He directs our paths.
Pastor Dale
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Guiding of the Spirit John 16:12,13
Sermon nuggets Thurs Oct 2
Theme- The Work of the Holy Spirit
Verses- John 16:12-13 "I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear.13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
The Guiding of the Spirit
In our summer Bible study on Heaven a new thought was impressed on me. That thought was from the word of God and illuminated by the Holy Spirit. It was simply this- We will be spending all of eternity discovering more of God-the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. God will be continually creating and His abilities, characteristics, and wonder are inexhaustible. We will find our delight and joy in our relationship with Him and seeing His wonder in new ways forever.
As a child I had been brought repeatedly to Sunday School and church, VBS, Camp, and children’s clubs. I had a mother who read Bible stories to me before bedtime, and when I could read well enough was given Hulburt’s story book of the Bible. In time I would to get bored going to Sunday school hearing the same stories over and over again. I defiantly told my mother I didn’t want to go anymore because I had heard it all and knew it all. I couldn’t count the number of times I had heard about Adam and Eve, Babel, sacrifice of Isaac, Moses and the Red Sea, David and Goliath, Daniel and the Lion’s Den, the Firery furnace. I knew the story of the Christ and the cross and most of the parables.
As I grew in my faith in the Lord I came to understand more about these stories. My greatest discovery was the Bible was not from man’s point of view, but God’s point of view. I came to learn these were not about us, they were about Him.
The guidance of the Holy Spirit wasn’t so much which color of shirt I should wear, or even which bike I should buy. It was about a life seeking to get beyond the mundane human pattern to see the work and wonder of God in and around me that allowed me to love Him more. It wasn’t about the activities, it was about the relationship. The older I get I need to be guided into the truth that it isn’t about what I do for Him. IT is to love Him more and from that love God will do what he wants in me if I am willing to let Him. It wasn’t that if I had enough faith I could kill a giant, but God desires my daily trust as I seek to obey Him and allow His spirit to guide me throughout the day.
Jesus said the disciples cannot bear all that He wanted them to know and learn. They were limited in their ability to appreciate all that was happening to them. The walk in following Him will be ongoing and their need for guidance from the temporary to the eternal needed the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. In the world of lies they needed to see truth. They needed to be life long learners and God was not done with them yet.
The paths He leads through the guidance of the Holy Spirit will be filled with learning more about Him. Life will not be about the activities, for they will be both good and bad, hard and pleasurable, but it will be about connected with the glory of God to prepare us for the inexhaustible wonders ahead. He will tell you what is to come.
Pastor Dale
Theme- The Work of the Holy Spirit
Verses- John 16:12-13 "I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear.13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
The Guiding of the Spirit
In our summer Bible study on Heaven a new thought was impressed on me. That thought was from the word of God and illuminated by the Holy Spirit. It was simply this- We will be spending all of eternity discovering more of God-the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. God will be continually creating and His abilities, characteristics, and wonder are inexhaustible. We will find our delight and joy in our relationship with Him and seeing His wonder in new ways forever.
As a child I had been brought repeatedly to Sunday School and church, VBS, Camp, and children’s clubs. I had a mother who read Bible stories to me before bedtime, and when I could read well enough was given Hulburt’s story book of the Bible. In time I would to get bored going to Sunday school hearing the same stories over and over again. I defiantly told my mother I didn’t want to go anymore because I had heard it all and knew it all. I couldn’t count the number of times I had heard about Adam and Eve, Babel, sacrifice of Isaac, Moses and the Red Sea, David and Goliath, Daniel and the Lion’s Den, the Firery furnace. I knew the story of the Christ and the cross and most of the parables.
As I grew in my faith in the Lord I came to understand more about these stories. My greatest discovery was the Bible was not from man’s point of view, but God’s point of view. I came to learn these were not about us, they were about Him.
The guidance of the Holy Spirit wasn’t so much which color of shirt I should wear, or even which bike I should buy. It was about a life seeking to get beyond the mundane human pattern to see the work and wonder of God in and around me that allowed me to love Him more. It wasn’t about the activities, it was about the relationship. The older I get I need to be guided into the truth that it isn’t about what I do for Him. IT is to love Him more and from that love God will do what he wants in me if I am willing to let Him. It wasn’t that if I had enough faith I could kill a giant, but God desires my daily trust as I seek to obey Him and allow His spirit to guide me throughout the day.
Jesus said the disciples cannot bear all that He wanted them to know and learn. They were limited in their ability to appreciate all that was happening to them. The walk in following Him will be ongoing and their need for guidance from the temporary to the eternal needed the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. In the world of lies they needed to see truth. They needed to be life long learners and God was not done with them yet.
The paths He leads through the guidance of the Holy Spirit will be filled with learning more about Him. Life will not be about the activities, for they will be both good and bad, hard and pleasurable, but it will be about connected with the glory of God to prepare us for the inexhaustible wonders ahead. He will tell you what is to come.
Pastor Dale
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