The Apostle Paul calls us Jars of Clay (2 Corinthians 4:7). As followers of Jesus we must allow the Word of God to fill us with it's message of Truth and Grace. In this way, we become a "vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work" (2 Timothy 2:21).

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Where Death Casts its Shadow - December 23rd, 2012 Sermon

By Pastor Greg

It will be a difficult Christmas for our nation. It will be an even more difficult Christmas for the families and friends of those killed at the school in Connecticut. Not only will people be mourning the loss of loved ones, but many will find it difficult to think of Jesus, let alone celebrate His birth. Some wonder how it could have happened. Many wonder why. Some will even ask “where was God” during this time of terrible loss. And with such bitter resentment filling their hearts, there is no room for celebrating the birth of His Son.

What took place in Newton, Connecticut is not one of a long list of problems. It is merely a symptom of a far deeper problem; a problem those investigating the crime may quite possibly overlook. They will spend a great deal of time trying to figure out why it happened. They will investigate the killer’s childhood, his mental health, his emotional health, and his home life. They will investigate the gun manufacturer. Our Government will talk about what measures should be taken to keep a tragedy like this from happening again. Legislators will promote laws. But the problem is not access to guns or lack of funding for mental health. The problem is that darkness lurks within the heart of Man, and we have witnessed once again just how dark and evil and wicked the people of this world can truly be. And no amount of legislation or gun control; no law or restriction is ever going to change the heart of wicked men. If those investigating this crime would research the cause and not the symptoms, they would find that this crime, and others like it, happened because of the depravity of Mankind.

[On a side note, I do appreciate the sadness and grief demonstrated by our government over the death of these innocent children. I just wish they were as deeply troubled by the other innocent babies that are brutally murdered each day.]

Truthfully, wickedness and evil have haunted humanity almost since the dawn of time. We read story after story in the history books not of wars but of genocide; where innocent people have been killed for no apparent reason; stories where it seems that all which is right and good and noble and just in this world was overpowered by the darkness. Darkness even raised its ugly head during the birth of Jesus; a story of a heartless, senseless murder somewhat similar to last week’s tragedy in Connecticut (Read Matthew 2:13-18).

Such wicked deeds were not unusual. And it wasn’t just a random act of violence from some wicked, evil person. The event Matthew mentions came from the king; the ruler of the land. Years later, Pilate will murder Jews from Galilee who were offering sacrifices at the Temple (Luke 13:1), while countless Christians are brutally slaughtered by the Roman Empire simply because of their belief.

Darkness filled the land. Evil roamed to and fro in search of a heart dark enough to do its dirty deed. And nothing, it seemed, could turn the hearts of men away from evil and wickedness. "So there is no justice among us, and we know nothing about right living. We look for light but find only darkness. We look for bright skies but walk in gloom" (Isaiah 59:9). But into this darkness God sent His Son in the form of a tiny babe lying in a manger. In Isaiah 60 God says "Darkness as black as night covers all the nations of the earth, but the glory of the Lord rises and appears over you" (Isaiah 60:2). Matthew says “the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow, a light has shined” (Matthew 4:16). God’s solution to the problem of evil in this world was found lying in a manger in Bethlehem. And for the person who believes that Jesus is the Messiah and surrenders to Him as Savior, the darkness in their heart is taken captive. The solution to a land filled with darkness was to change the hearts of Men; to turn them away from evil and wickedness, and toward peace and love and compassion. Paul says, “For you all are sons of the light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of the darkness” (1 Thessalonians 5:5).

The solution to evil today is the same. We are a nation full of people needing a heart transformed by Christ. I believe the Church knows this. I suspect Christians everywhere know that this world needs Jesus to bind the darkness in Mankind’s heart. And so we pray. We pray that the Lord might work in the hearts of the people today who are still living in darkness. We pray that God might step in and prevent such wicked deeds. But there is a particular command given by Jesus that leads me to believe He expects Christians to play a major role in piercing that darkness.

In Matthew 5:16 Jesus command, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). And there is something about that command that makes me wonder if Jesus expects His Church to be actively involved in piercing the darkness of this world. Oh, we are not the ones who transform the heart, but we should be the ones living in such a way that those still living in darkness might see the light and might even desire the light. I get the impression that Jesus expects His Church to be testifying through word and deed that freedom from darkness can be found in Christ alone.

Let me be straightforward with this. We’ve all heard the question, “Where was God during this tragedy”, but maybe we should be asking, “Where was the Church?” Where was the Church when this murderer was young and impressionable? Was the Church busy arguing over music or carpet or predestination instead of being out among the young people who are in darkness and without hope? If it is the Church’s responsibility to introduce people to Jesus so that He may bind the darkness in their heart, is it possible that this tragedy, and the many like it, are the result of the Church not doing what it was called to do? I know not everyone will be saved, and I know wickedness will always be among us. But has the darkness been allowed to grow because the Church has been preoccupied with other things instead of bringing the people living in darkness to the light?

I don’t know the answer to that question. I could only speculate. But I do know this; when we see such dark and sinister deeds, the church needs to be reminded of the task set before us, and get cracking. This is a call to action for the church. This is a wake-up call that says there’s still work to be done. Oh I know it seems like an impossible task; to fight against darkness with the light of Christ. But Jesus isn’t asking you or me to win the war against evil. He is asking us to touch a person here or there with kindness, grace, and love; to let the light of Christ penetrate a person’s heart so they might turn to Him, instead of being held prisoner in a land where death casts its shadow.

In the movie The Hobbit, the character Gandalf says, “Saruman believes it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love”. And I believe there is a great deal of truth in that statement because Jesus apparently feels the Church has a stronger influence in this world than it may realize. He compares the Kingdom of Heaven to a Mustard Seed (Mark 4:30-32), insinuating that though the work may seem small and insignificant, it has the potential to grow and overtake the entire garden. He says that even a simple cup of cold water given in His name is a significant gesture in His Kingdom (Matthew 10:42).

This Christmas season we’ve caught a glimpse into the darkness that lurks within our land. And at times the darkness looms large and menacing; a great giant against tiny insignificant people like you and me. But can you imagine how much different this world might be if each one of us would let our light shine for all to see. Oh, the work you and I do in the Lord’s name may seem simple and insignificant, but we need to remember that the small seed we plant may one day change an entire life. No deed done in the name of Jesus is too small or too insignificant. We are called not to judge the size of the deed or the simplicity of the message we shared. We are called to be faithful, and let God do the mysterious work within that person’s heart.

Saturday, December 22, 2012

In the Arms of Simeon - December 16th, 2012 Sermon

By Pastor Greg

Tom went out shopping for a Christmas present for his wife. "How about some perfume?" he asked the cosmetics clerk. She showed him a bottle costing $50. "That's a bit much," said Tom, so she returned with a smaller bottle for $30. Tom frowned, "That's still quite a bit". Growing disgusted, the clerk brought out a tiny $15 bottle. Tom grew agitated, "What I mean," he said, "is I'd like to see something real cheap." So the clerk handed him a mirror. Ouch. Sometime the truth can be quite painful. It kind of reminds me of a similar lesson Jesus taught one day. Yes, Jesus; the One who we worship, especially during this time of the year.

It seems okay to talk about Jesus during the Christmas season. Even church attendance increases during this time of the year. It’s the time when many thank God for sending us His greatest gift; the "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 6:6). But as this child was held in the arms of a man named Simeon, God revealed something more. We learn that the Son was not given just to be worshiped, but also to be followed, something many in Israel were not prepared to do (read Luke 2:25-35).

Simeon, guided by the Holy Spirit, pronounces that in his arms that day was the Light of revelation to the Gentiles, and Israel's glory. Even though many had not been watching and waiting for the coming of the Messiah, most Jews were aware of Isaiah's prophecy. But what they were expecting was not quite what they received. They were expecting a King to unite the nation, to restore the nation to its former glory. They were waiting for a King to show the rest of the world that God favored Israel above all others. But instead of getting a King who they could worship, they received a King who called them to follow. This is why Simeon looked upon the Child in his arms and added, "Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed" (Luke 2:34).

One clear message throughout the Old Testament is God's call to follow. From Adam to Nehemiah, God continually asked His people to follow. He called Adam and all of Israel to follow His commands. He called Israel out of Egypt, asking them to follow Him to the Promised Land. He called Israel to follow His Law. He called people to follow His guiding and counsel. He called people to follow the words of the Prophets. He called people out of Jerusalem when Babylon came to conquer. He called Nehemiah back to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls. But in spite of the many times God called, few were willing to follow. Oh, Israel loved believing in God. That was the easy part. And they loved being loved by God, especially when He protected and provided. But the moment God called people to obedience and surrender, the people complained about how hard and how demanding God was. They simply would not follow.

Throughout His ministry, Jesus would do the same. He announced that the only way to enter the Kingdom of God was through Him. He stretched out His hand to someone and beckoned, "Follow Me". Some did follow. Many did not. Some followed for a while, especially when Jesus provided for them and made life easier for them. But the moment Jesus started asking them to submit and surrender, many walked away (see John 6:66). Oh, they desired Jesus for what He could do for them, but Jesus came asking them to submit and surrender; to make Him Lord of their life.

As He ministered, Jesus traveled throughout Israel calling people to follow Him. And as I said some did reject Him. They flatly denied that He was anything more than some illegitimate carpenter from Galilee. But others, it seems, were right there with Him. The walked with Him, they listened to His teachings, they ate with Him. And you would think that these were the ones who followed Jesus. But one day, as Jesus was teaching in a town, someone asked how many of them would be saved. And shockingly Jesus replies that many gathered there that day would not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. He warns, “Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able” (Luke 13:24). Agonize to enter is what He literally said. And why will many not be able to enter? It’s because they ignored the call to follow Jesus, and instead merely wanted to fellowship with Jesus. “Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets’; and He will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you are from; depart from Me, all you evildoers’ (Luke 13:26-27).

As Simeon held the infant Jesus in his arms and uttered those words about who the Child is, he also pointed out what the Child will do. But I doubt many who heard his words truly understood just how narrow this child would make the road to God’s Kingdom. This Child would announce that being a Jew was not sufficient, that obedience God’s Laws was not sufficient, that being good was not sufficient, and that even fellowshipping with Him was not sufficient. To enter the Kingdom of God, a person would need to pick up their cross and follow Jesus. Sadly, many only desired Jesus. Few truly surrendered.

I don’t know how this affects you, but it really concerns me. If people who walked and talked and fellowshipped with Jesus could be excluded from the Kingdom of Heaven, what does that say about me; about you? Are we just as deceived as these people were; deceived into believing that fellowship with Jesus means that we are following Jesus? How can we keep this from happening to us?

One of the greatest deceptions by the enemy is to get people to believe that socializing with Jesus is the same as surrendering to Jesus. Many have been deceived into believing that they will be granted entrance into the Kingdom of heaven by socializing with Jesus. But hanging around Church or reading your Bible or staying awake during the sermon does not guarantee entrance into the Kingdom; does not mean you are saved. Jesus is to be followed if we are to be saved, not just adored or worshiped. And when I say follow I mean we are to lay down our lives; we are to surrender and submit to Jesus. We must admit that we are lost. We must admit that we need saved. And we must admit that Jesus is the only one who might save us.

To agonize about entering the Kingdom of Heaven is to admit we are not good enough to enter on our own, to admit that we have done nothing to deserve entrance into the Kingdom. To agonize is to realize that the door to God’s Kingdom would remain closed to all of us had it not been for the birth of one small Child, held in the arms of Simeon. And when we realize this, we will do far more than simply desire Jesus. We will surrender to Jesus. We will understand that He is more than a King to be worshiped, but a Lord to be followed; that He alone can lead us to life.

Entrance into God’s kingdom is not by birth, not by merit, and not by fellowship. Entrance to the Kingdom rises or falls on this one thing; whether we accept or reject the out-stretched hand of the Savior as He calls “Follow Me”.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

A Faithful Servant - December 9th, 2012 Sermon

By Pastor Greg

In autumn, the Indians asked their Chief if it was going to be a cold winter. Not really knowing an answer, the Chief replied that the winter was going to be cold, and that the members of the village were to collect wood to be prepared. Later, He called the National Weather Service and asked, "Is this winter to be cold?" The man on the phone responded, "This winter is going to be quite cold indeed." So the Chief went back to tell his people to be prepared and collect even more wood. A week later he called the National Weather Service again asking, "Is it going to be a very cold winter?" "Yes," the man replied, "it's going to be a very cold winter." So the Chief goes back to his people and orders them to gather every scrap of wood they can find. After two more weeks he calls the National Weather Service again asking, "Are you absolutely sure that the winter is going to be *very* cold?" "Absolutely" the man replies, "the Indians are collecting wood like crazy." It sounds like no one knows how cold it will be. And I thought predicting weather was a science.

If predicting the future was as easy as some claim, then why don’t we hear about the local psychic winning the lottery? I mean, I’m just saying that’s what you would expect, yet it never seems to happen. Kind of like these preachers that go around announcing the “End of the World”. After a while you just stop believing that they really know what they are talking about. Sure, we know that Jesus will return someday, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone” (Matthew 24:26). Because many people know this verse, even the un-churched, many have developed a bit of cynicism toward Christians who start predicting the end of time.

Most people feel this way especially when someone comes along predicting when the Lord will come. And I can understand why. People have been doing it for over a thousand years, and yet Christ still remains in Heaven. Well, in thinking about the Christmas season and the First Advent of Christ, I started wondering if people had the same attitude before Jesus was born. It seems they did. And I’m not sure why, considering all the signs and the prophecies given long before His birth.

Unlike the second advent of Jesus (His Second coming), His first advent was clearly spelled out in scripture. But somehow I get the feeling that people were not watching or waiting for the day. Matthew indicates several prophecies were fulfilled by the birth of Jesus. Jeremiah says that the Messiah would be a descendant of King David. “For the time is coming,” says the Lord, “when I will raise up a righteous descendant from King David’s line. He will be a King who rules with wisdom. He will do what is just and right throughout the land. (Jeremiah 23:5). Isaiah 7:14 says, “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.” And it was not by chance that the Wise Men came to the little town of Bethlehem to visit the King. Micah, the prophet, had announced, “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past” (Micah 5:2).

Long before Jesus was born, God spoke of how it would happen (through a virgin), through whom it would happen (a descendant of David), where it would happen (in Bethlehem), and even when it would happen. Yes, that’s right. God even indicated when the birth of Jesus would take place. In Daniel 9, God lays out a time-table for when the Messiah would appear.

Now listen and understand! Seven sets of seven plus sixty-two sets of seven will pass from the time the command is given to rebuild Jerusalem until a ruler—the Anointed One—comes. Jerusalem will be rebuilt with streets and strong defenses, despite the perilous times. (Daniel 9:25)

This time of counting would begin once a decree is given to rebuild Jerusalem. After that, a period of 49 years and 434 years would go by, and then the Messiah would come. Incidentally, the decree to rebuild came in 444 BC (see Nehemiah 2:1-8). So to a Jew who was alert and paying attention, they would have realized that the appearance of the Messiah was imminent; that it could happen at any moment. So God gave the how, who, what, and when, long before Christ was born. Yet it almost seems that many were not even paying attention. It seems they were focused on other things.

Christ’s Second Advent will not be the same. Jesus says that, “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. 38 In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. 39 People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.” (Matthew 24:37-39). No one knows the day, so a believer is to be prepared. A believer should be expectantly waiting.

I suspect you and I know this. But it sure seems that the people of this world do not. As a matter of fact many people seem to have their eyes fixed upon something else. On any given night the media is talking either about how to survive the apocalypse, or talking about doomsday (and I don’t mean the cartoon). People are obsessed with the Mayan calendar that ends on midnight, December 21st, 2012. That, they surmise, means an end (probably just the end of a calendar. Their local insurance agent can provide them with a new one). Isn’t it strange that these same people who believe that the Mayan’s could predict the end of the world scoff at Christians who try and do the same?

The world was distracted by other things when the flood came in Noah’s time. The world was distracted by other things when Christ was born in Bethlehem, even though God had spoken so precisely. Are things any different today? Hardly. So what should a Christian do about this? How should a Christian respond to a world distracted by a rising national debt, by killer asteroids from outer space, or ancient calendars from a lost civilization? Jesus says we should serve. He says we should care and love and be the source of hope to those who have none. He calls His Church to faithfully serve in love until that day He returns (compare Matthew 24:46).

Since no one knows when, the Church must face each day with the reality that Christ’s return is imminent; it could happen at any moment. The Church must be expectantly anticipating the Master’s return. The Church must believe that He is coming at any moment. And at times I wonder if we really do believe this, because if we did we would be ministering with a great sense of urgency.

Almost the entire world missed His first coming. But if the Church is truly faithful, we can prepare as many as we can for the time He comes again.

Monday, December 3, 2012

A Lesson from Linus - December 2nd, 2012 Sermon

By Pastor Greg

Linus has become famous for his explanation of Christmas. I would venture a guess that more people hear it from him than from any other source. But what Linus says is only part of the story. From the book of Matthew we learn of other events that took place as Jesus came into this world.
This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, her fiancĂ©, was a good man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’ ” When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus (Matthew 1:18-25).
As we think about the Christmas season, our minds naturally are drawn to the story of Jesus' birth. After all, this is what the Christmas season is all about. It's about the birth of our Savior. But what has caught my attention this year is how God accomplished all of this.
One day in Heaven God announces that the time has arrived for His redemption plan to begin. The Kingdom of Heaven would come to earth, and the Messiah would be none other than His Own Son. I can picture the excitement in Heaven as the plan was revealed. At last, the angels would have exclaimed. God will at last reveal His plan of Salvation for all of humanity. But could you imagine their shock when God informed them that the plan will unfold through the very people who are in need of a Savior. The Redeemer of all humanity would arrive on earth as an infant needing to be protected and nurtured. And Mankind’s greatest gift would be entrusted into the hands of two humans much like you and me; imperfect and weak. God did not choose two humans high on the social ladder or respected in religious circles. And instead of choosing Jerusalem, the hub of all religious activity, He selects a town far removed from the spotlight. God decided to entrust the Savior into the hands of a carpenter and his betrothed who lived in Nazareth, a small village on the other side of the kingdom. God didn’t choose the High Priest and his wife. God selected Joseph, the carpenter, and Mary, the young girl, to raise the Son of Man. And what we often miss is that God's faith in these two people was greater than we sometimes imagine.
Working through less-than-perfect people has been part of God’s plan all along. Matthew (a far from perfect Tax-collector by the way) begins his gospel account describing the ancestry of Jesus. In Matthew chapter one there is a long list of names that played a significant role in preparation for the day Jesus would be born. Among the names listed we find people with problems and weaknesses and sins in their life, just like you and me. Abraham told lies. Jacob deceived his own father. Tamar pretended to be a prostitute. Rahab was a prostitute. David committed adultery and murder. Bathsheba committed adultery. Solomon contaminated an entire nation by introducing pagan worship. But each of these individuals, imperfect as they were, were used by God in preparation for the day the Kingdom of Heaven would come to earth; the day the Messiah would be born.
God's faith in us never ceases to amaze me. His faith in us is greater than we often imagine. When God was working out His redemption plan, He included people not so different than you or me. And He brought the Kingdom of Heaven to the earth in the form of a helpless child dependent upon the care and protection of Mary & Joseph.
To me, this is one of the great mysteries about the Kingdom of Heaven. Not that God would send His Son to save humanity, but that God would choose to work through the very people needing to be saved. But this is the Divine prerogative; that God would chose to work out His redemption plan not through sinless people, but through people with flaws and weaknesses; those whose very sin nature were in need of a Savior.
Throughout the history of humanity God has chosen to work through imperfect people. And of course He can do that; He is, after all, God. But the fact that He does choose the weak and the lowly; the outcast and the despised, is a testimony to the depth of His faith in us. God actually believes that people like you and I can effectively witness for Him in this world. And instead of giving Him a thousand and one excuses why we can’t, maybe we need to realize just how much faith he has in us and accept what He is calling us to do.
The way I look at it, if a blanket toting boy with separation anxieties can effectively tell the world the meaning of Christmas, surely I can do the same. And as the world continues to ponder what Christmas is all about, I would hope that you and I would learn the lesson from Linus. Not to memorize the words as written in scripture, but to realize that even people like you and me can be used by God to tell a neighbor or a friend all about Jesus. And the truth is the world still needs to hear this. The world still needs to know this. And God still demonstrates an incredible amount of faith by using people just like you and me.