Developing Christian Priorities - October 25, 2015 sermon

By Pastor Greg

A sports fan was sitting in the top row at the Super Bowl, barely able to see the field. He noticed a vacant seat about 3 rows back on the 50-yard line. It was still vacant when the second quarter started, so he went down and asked the man seated next to it if anyone was sitting there.  The man said, "No, have a seat." A few minutes later he asked the man if he knew whose seat this was and why they weren't here at such an important event. The man said that it had been his wife's seat for ten years, but she had passed away.  Feeling sorry for the nice man, the fan asked if he didn't have a friend or family member that he could have offered the seat to instead of just leaving it vacant. The man replied, "No, they're all at the funeral."

This husband apparently had misplaced priorities.  It’s obvious who or what was more important than his wife.  He may have said, “I love you”, but his behavior and his actions indicate that she wasn’t the most important thing in his life.  I believe we can tell the same thing about Christians.  You can tell what kind of relationship they have with Jesus based upon their actions and their priorities.

Did you know that our priorities in life actually reflect our love for Jesus?  Did you know that saying you love Jesus means nothing unless you allow your life to be rearranged around Jesus?  Did you know that Jesus is aware when we make something else a higher priority than Him?  Peter struggled with this.  His priorities in life became confused.  After the death and resurrection of Jesus, the group of disciples returns to Galilee and Peter decides to go fishing.  He decided to go back to his old career.  He served his three-year term with Jesus, but now it was time for things to return to normal.  However, Jesus knew what was happening in Peter’s life, and when the group drags the net of fish up on shore, Jesus asks a very bold question.

¹⁵ After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”  “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.  ¹⁶ Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.  ¹⁷ A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”  Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep ^[1] (John 21:15-17).

Pointing to the fish, Jesus asks Peter which he loved more.  Did Peter love fishing for fish or fishing for men?”  To Jesus, it appeared fishing for fish was a higher priority.  By his actions, it was clear that Peter was more interested in his life on earth than in serving the Lord.  This is why Jesus asks the question.  Of course, Peter replies by saying “Yes I love you Lord”, but his present actions did not demonstrate this.  Twice the Lord asked Peter if he would demonstrate a sacrificial love.  Twice Peter said that Jesus was just his good friend.  In the end, Jesus points out that even a good friend should be a higher priority than a bunch of fish.

I understand that we read this story and think of Peter and of Jesus, but do we have the courage to read this story and think of ourselves?  Are we willing to allow Jesus to ask us the same question?  As we examine our own lives and our own priorities, to what would Jesus point and ask, “Do you love Me more than these?”

Few marriages would survive if husbands and wives treated one another the way many people treat Jesus.  He gets our leftovers, at best.  We’re more passionate about the Orioles than we are about the Lord.  We fuss about chairs and pews, but will drive 500 miles to watch a race in the rain.  We give Him three years of our time and then go back to keeping a pew warm.  Then we wonder why the Lord seems distant in our lives.  It’s because we come to church when it is convenient rather than be the church even when it involves personal sacrifice.  Just like a marriage, saying “I love you” means nothing unless our actions and priorities demonstrate that love.  The Lord deserves our best, not our leftovers.

I’m not sharing this story about Peter to make you feel guilty enough to fill and empty leadership position in our church.  I tell you this so you might realize how important it is that we make Jesus the highest priority in our life.  Rearranging our life so Jesus is the most important thing is the best way to demonstrate the depth of our love for Him.  We say that He is our “All in all”; that He is the treasure that we seek.  If that is true, then our life should reflect this.  Jesus should never have to ask, “Do you love me more than these.”  He should know of our love by the deeds of our hands and the words of our mouth.

 “Do you love me more than these?  What a powerful question!  Can you imagine Jesus looking at you and asking this?  Would He need to?  That’s what makes this story so relevant for you and me.  So let’s end with an important exercise.  If Jesus were standing next to you right now, would He need to ask that question?  If so, then what in your life has become more important than your relationship with Jesus?  What “thing” draws you away from being the Lord’s servant?  What has become so important in your life that you rob Jesus of the time and attention He deserves?  Where is Jesus on your list of priorities?

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^[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2007). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (3rd ed.) (Jn 21:15–17). Carol Stream, IL

Sinners Serving a Holy God - October 11, 2015 sermon

By Pastor Greg

A preacher is driving down the road.   He notices that he's low on gas so he stops at the gas station.  While he's pumping his gas, he notices that he has locked his keys in the car.  When he goes inside to pay, he asks the attendant for a coat hanger so he can attempt to open the door himself.  He goes outside and begins to jimmy the lock.  Ten minutes later, the attendant goes outside to see how the preacher is faring.  He notices the preacher outside the car moving the hanger around and around, while inside the car another preacher is saying, "A little more to the left... a little more to the left!!"

Preachers are not the “best of the best”.  Consider the fact that in my wallet there is a key that will unlock the doors to my truck (That’s all I’m going to say about that).  I hang around with a lot of preachers and sometimes we just don’t act too bright.  And yet God still called these men and women to stand before a congregation and lead.

I think one of the more unfortunate attitudes that has found its way into the church is intolerance.  And what I mean is an intolerance for mistakes.  We see this in the world around us.  One little slipup and a coach can find himself fired.  A CEO can be terminated for not turning a sizable profit for the company.  Public officials are held to an impossible standard of excellence.  The word expects nothing less than perfection from everyone, and those who don’t measure up are considered second-class citizens.   Sadly, this attitude infects us as individuals and, as I said, it has found its way into the Church.  Even in the life of a local congregation, people feel they must perform flawlessly.  And if they cannot, they conclude they are not fit for leadership and view themselves as unfit to serve.  That is, of course, a blatant lie the Devil wants us to believe.

In his letter to the Corinthian Church, Paul writes, “Think about the circumstances of your call, brothers and sisters. Not many were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were born to a privileged position.  But God chose what the world thinks foolish to shame the wise, and God chose what the world thinks weak to shame the strong.  God chose what is low and despised in the world, what is regarded as nothing, to set aside what is regarded as something, so that no one can boast in his presence” ^[1] (1 Corinthians 1:26-29).  Yes, some people are more qualified than others.  But God does not always call the qualified.  However, He does qualify the called.  This truth can be seen in the life of Peter, especially in the events shortly after the resurrection of Christ.

After Jesus appeared to the Apostles in Jerusalem, the group eventually returns to Galilee.  When they arrive, Peter makes a stunning announcement.  He says “I’m going fishing”.  So six of them head out to sea, not catch anything at all.

“⁴ At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. ⁵ He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?” “No,” they replied. ⁶ Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it. ⁷ Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore. ⁸ The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only about a hundred yards from shore. ⁹ When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread. ¹⁰ “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus said. ¹¹ So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish, and yet the net hadn’t torn. ¹² “Now come and have some breakfast!” Jesus said. None of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. ¹³ Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish” ^[2] (John 21:4-13).

Peter didn’t suggest they get their rods and reels and head out for a relaxing evening on the shore.  He got out the big boat, drug out the good nets, and headed out to fish all night – something a professional fisherman would do.  It seems that Peter decided to go back to his former life and end this whole “Fishers of Men” nonsense.  I suspect Peter wanted to return to his fishing career because he was ashamed of himself and he worried what people might say.  He had denied Jesus three times.  The whole group knew this.  Yet Jesus teaches him a valuable lesson during the “Last Breakfast”.  You see, even as a fisherman, Peter still needed the Lord’s direction and guidance.  Based upon what we read in scripture, Peter’s greatest successes in his personal life came when Jesus was involved.  It would be the same throughout his ministry.  What Peter needed to learn was that a servant of the Lord is not perfect.  They simply depend on the Lord, not on themselves. 

Not everyone is an apostle.  Not everyone is a teacher or a prophet.  Yet everyone has been gifted in some way that benefits the church and strengthens other believers.  However, I am aware that many Christians never utilize these gifts within the life of a church.  I suspect it’s because we are afraid of embarrassing ourselves.  We are convinced our brothers and sisters will not tolerate a mistake.  Like Peter, we are convinced that our past disqualifies us to serve.  Like Peter, we need to learn that this concept is a lie.  If the Lord was willing to reach into Peter’s personal life and make such a huge difference (they probably sold the 153 fish at the market), think about how much more willing He was to make a difference in Peter’s ministry.

Things are no different today.  Jesus continues to call those who are less than perfect.  He calls them to lead, to serve, and to be His hands and feet.  He still reaches into a person’s life so that in whatever way they serve, their toil for the Lord will not be in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Each one of us is a sinner serving a Holy God.  Each one of us needs His direction and guidance.  A real servant of the Lord understands they are not perfect, and allows Jesus to direct their work and their labors.   A real servant doesn’t have all the answers, and they know this.  That’s why they have learned to let the Lord show them where to cast their nets.

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^[1] Biblical Studies Press. (2006). The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible (1 Co 1:26–29).

^[2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2007). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (3rd ed.) (Jn 21:1–14). Carol Stream, IL

Why it is Important to Forgive - October 4, 2015 sermon

By Pastor Greg

Coming home from work, a woman stopped at the corner deli to buy a chicken for supper. The butcher reached into a barrel, grabbed the last chicken he had, flung it on the scales behind the counter, and told the woman its weight. She thought for a moment. "I really need a bit more chicken than that," she said. "Do you have any larger ones?"  Without a word, the butcher put the chicken back into the barrel, groped around as though finding another, pulled the same chicken out, and placed it on the scales. "This chicken weighs one pound more," he announced. The woman pondered her options and then said, "Okay. I'll take them both."

Jesus reminds us that, “just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions” (Matthew 7:26).  I think we all know what kind of person the butcher is, but what about the woman.  If the story continued, we might be able to tell what she is like based on her response.  And how she responds to being wronged would give us a pretty good idea what kind of heart she has.

You probably know that the Lord speaks against lying and deception.  We like to hear the Lord condemn those types of people.  However, what we may not like to hear is that the Lord also condemns those who remain bitter; those who refuse to forgive when they have been wronged.  According to the Lord, we must learn to forgive.

There are many places in the New Testament where believers are called to act in ways far different from the world.  Jesus teaches us to turn the other cheek when wronged, to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:39-44).  These are actions that identify us as a Christian – the fruit that shows what kind of tree we are like.  When we are hurt or wronged by someone, Jesus tells us to speak to them face-to-face about what they have done.  Instead of hanging on to bitterness, and allowing anger to poison their life, Jesus says, “If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back” (Matthew 18:15).  I could go on, filling several pages with statements like “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31).  But the point is that Jesus expects those called by His name (Christian) to conduct themselves in this world in ways that are not of this world.  He expects us to put on a new nature.

In Ephesians 4:17-32, Paul writes, ¹⁷ With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. ¹⁸ Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. ¹⁹ They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.

²⁰ But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. ²¹ Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, ²² throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. ²³ Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. ²⁴ Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

²⁵ So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. ²⁶ And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.”  Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

²⁸ If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. ²⁹ Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

³⁰ And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

³¹ Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. ³² Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Much of what Paul says here deals with our Christian conduct toward other people, not just our personal vices.  That’s the real shocker for many people.  Paul insists that it is sinful to harbor bitterness and unforgiveness in our heart.  Paul insists that a true believer seriously considers their interactions with other people and decides to change their ways.  They choose words that are helpful and encouraging.  They choose to be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving.

In anticipation of our Love Feast and Feet Washing service, I want to focus on the last part Paul mentioned here; the part about forgiving.  The Lord has said, “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:14-15).  Forgiveness is an essential “fruit” each Christian must bear in their life.  However, forgiveness is a fruit that is difficult to grow, especially if we continue to hold on to past hurts and wounds.  When we continue to dwell on a past “wrong”, we have not truly forgiven, and that “wrong” continues to infect our lives as Christians and as a Church.  According to Paul, only a person hopelessly confused would continue to harbor anger and bitterness over what has been done.  Paul says that to refuse forgiveness is to bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit.  In other words, if a Christian or a church wants to move on and move forward, they will need to find a way to let go of that “wrong” and instead embrace forgiveness.

This idea of forgiveness is the background behind the lesson Jesus taught His Apostles in the Upper Room during that final Passover celebration.  A big part of what He was teaching focused on letting go of hurt and embracing forgiveness.

Before the events in the Upper Room, two of His Apostles had tried to gain positions of power.  This “wrong” began to infect the group, which is part of the reason Jesus washes everyone’s feet (Read John 13:12-17).

More than simply a lesson on serving others, Jesus is teaching us to be kind to each other, to be tenderhearted, and to be forgiving.  And I can’t help but wonder if this is a lesson you and I need to learn as well.  I can’t help but wonder if we have allowed a “wrong” to infect us.

No matter where we go or what church we attend, someone will eventually say something or do something that offends us.  It even happens here.  It has happened here.  Something was said or done that caused hurt and woundedness.  However, if we take the words of the Bible seriously, there needs to be forgiveness.  Oh, we may be tempted to think that we have indeed forgiven and moved on.  However, if this were true, then we would not continually drift back to that event and relive what was said and done.  Every time we resurrect the pain, it’s a sure sign that we have not moved on; that we have not been able to forgive.

Tell me, don’t you want others to forgive you for the things you have said and done?  Don’t you want others to be patient with you?  Don’t you want others to be understanding and make allowance for your faults?  Then maybe you need to remember what the Lord taught us to do.  He said, Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.  This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets”.  Do to others as you would like them to do to you.  It is time for us to let go of the bitterness and anger over the things that were said and done.  It is time for us to forgive and move on.  It is time to wash one another’s feet.