A study by Johns Hopkins University has discovered what the 3 things we forget the most. 3) Phone numbers, 2) location of things, 1) names.
In the Bible the word remember, memorial, or the root of the word is found 230 times.
Hebrews 10:32-36 - Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. 33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. 34 You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. 35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. 36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
The writer of Hebrews is writing to the Jews who have professed faith in Jesus. Their critics said you need to go back and renounce your past. But looking back to the past they recall how God has helped them. Because of their past they know that they can be helped in the NOW.
Today we are remembering two kinds of people - we are remembering our soldiers who gave their lives for our freedoms and the liberty we all enjoy. And we are remembering Christ for the forgiveness of the sins of everyone who has ever lived or will live.
In the Civil War - 498,000 Americans died; in WWI - 116,000; in WWII - 407,000; in Korea - 54,000; in Vietnam - 58,000; thus far, 5,000 in the Middle East. It is right and proper to remember these who made the ultimate sacrifice. Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day in 1868 and was established to remember the soldiers who died in the Civil War and place flowers on their graves. It was originally celebrated on May 5, 1968. Since then it was celebrated on May 30. Since 1970 it has been celebrated the last Monday in May. Americans who died overseas were buried in one of 8 cemeteries overseas, of which Flanders Field in Belgium was one of the eight. The poem In Flanders Field was written honoring those who died in WWI. Billy Graham was visiting a hospital in Korea and visited a soldier lying on his stomach whose spine had been blown up by a land mine. Billy said it will be worth it all if America keeps her freedom. Let us not forget their sacrifice.
TODAY... We all pledged Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Christian Flag.
We remember Joshua 4:1-9 where he called together twelve men who he selected to place a stone in the middle of the Jordan to remember how God had stopped the waters so the children of Israel could cross. Then they were to take the stones into their camp as a sign of remembrance to their children for ages to come. As soon as the priests left the Jordan, the waters resumed flowing at flood stage.
2 Timothy 2:8 Paul pleaded in his letter to Timothy to remember Jesus Christ who was raised from the dead, how he was stretched out on the cross before the crowd and the world. He suffered so we might be forgiven forever. Ezekiel 18 reminds us that the one who sins shall surely die. Paul said in Romans 6:23, the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Because of that everyone had to die but Jesus died for our sins and brought forgiveness from God available to all. Consequently, he took our place on the cross so we might have a place in heaven.
Jesus knew that we would forget, so he instituted the Lord's Supper so we would remember his sacrifice every time we participated in that memorial observance. Jesus said, "This do in remembrance of me." His suffering on the cross was for you and for me... for our forgiveness.
We remembered Jesus' sacrifice as we participated in the Lord's Supper.
In past history of the United States there were many battles that were fought... Bunker Hill, Bull Run, Shiloh, Vicksburg, Battle of the Bulge, Pearl Harbor, Danang, Operation iraqi Freedom...
But the greatest battle ever fought was on Mt Calvary. Now the Battle is over, the war has been won and Jesus is Lord! IT IS FINISHED!
Introductory Question - What are three things that if I could have them would make me happy?
There are a couple of formulas that have been around for a long time that have affected our living. 1) MATH - the Pythagorean theorem the basic mathematic equation that even today explains the triangulation upon which GPS works and it has been around for hundreds of years. 2) SCIENCE - the Theory of Relativity developed by Einstein is basic to most of science.
Paul said there is another formula that explains the secret of success in life. "Success equals C + C." in Philippians 4:12-13.
C = Contentment; C = Christ
Paul said I have learned that in whatever state I am, I have learned to be content. We are never satisfied. We would be happy if... we had a better job, a nicer house, a new car, etc but there is always something better that come up. The old Quaker went over to welcome his new neighbor and noticed that the neighbor was unpacking everything he would ever need. The Quaker said if you ever need anything, just ask, and I will tell you how to live without it.
1) The first C is contentment. What is contentment? Paul said I have been through many different trials in my life and have learned how to be content. (2 Corinthians 11) robbed, beaten 40 stripes save one, in prison, shipwrecked 3 times, stoned, nearly drowned, beaten with rods, forced labor, hunger, thirst, cold, and many more. And Paul was writing this from prison. He was acquitted this time but 4 years later he was arrested again and beheaded. Paul learned contentment because he had a dynamic relationship with Christ.
The second C is Christ. Success is based on a vertical relationship. Bobby Richardson, 2nd baseman for the New York Yankees in the 50's, was a devoted Christian and said "Christ is all I need. I need nothing more and I will settle for nothing less." Success equals contentment and Christ. The three things you wrote at the beginning... how many of them can be taken from you?
2) How do I attain contentment? There was a Russian lady who lived with her husband and children in a small house and she was miserable. She spoke to her wise counselor who said bring the cow in the house! Things got worse, so she went back to her wise man. He said bring your chickens into the house! It became unbearably awful. She went back to him for the third time and he said take the cow and the chickens out! Things were much better. Contentment is relative. Paul said I have learned contentment through my experiences with Christ. V.13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Not I can do anything I want but what Christ wants me to do. The poem "Invictus" by W E Henry concludes "I am master of my fate and captain of my soul." The Christian's response is "Christ is the Master of my fate and Captain of my soul."
3) Why bother with contentment?
a. Only in Christ can you release your past. 1 John 1:9
b. Only in Christ can you truly rejoice. Philippians 4:4
c. Only in Christ can you feel secure about your future. 2 Timothy 1:12
M L Haskins poem - Put your hand in the hand of God. It is better than a light and safer than a known way. Success is contentment in truly knowing Christ.
Since this is Mothers' Day, here is a wonderful old poem that you have probably heard before. It is appropriate for today. Mothers' Day poem
'M' is for the million things she gave me, 'O' means only that she's growing old, 'T' is for the tears she shed to save me, 'H' is for her heart of purest gold; 'E' is for her eyes, with love-light shining, 'R' means right, and right she'll always be, Put them all together, they spell 'MOTHER,' A word that means the world to me.
Standing in the Gap - Ezekiel 22:27-31
It was 591 BC in Jerusalem, the city of David, the place of the Temple of God... God's City. It had been 300 years since the time of David and the inhabitants of the city were living like heathen. The nation was no longer a holy nation - and God has had enough. The time for repentance was ended and God describes the conditions. There was a hole in the wall allowing the enemies to come in and harm the inhabitants. But even worse, there was a spiritual hole. God says their activity was more like that of Satan than Me. I looked for one person to stand in the gap and found no one. 4 years later Jerusalem was overrun. God pleads with us today to stand in the gap for our families. How do we do that? 1) in love; 2) in prayer 3) in teaching.
1) Stand in the gap in love - people say I love you when... or I love you because... God says I love you PERIOD! 1 John 4:19 - tells us that we love him because he first loved us. Paul wrote Romans 5:8 While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. He loves us in spite of our sin - Hebrews 12:6 those whom the Lord loveth, he chastens.
This week pick someone - a child, grandchild, friend - that you can write or send a note to that simply says I love you.
2) Stand in the gap in your prayers - James 5:16 the effectual, intense prayer of a righteous man avails much. Pastor says I can't prove it but I can show you. Exodus 32:9-10 - Golden Calf experience - God told Moses I have seen this people and behold they are stiffnecked. Now let me alone that my wrath may wax hot that I may consume them. And I will make of thee a great nation. Moses pleaded with God and said if you do that the Egyptians will say that their sin has caused God to bring them out to slay them in the mountains and consume them from the earth. Moses reminded God that he had promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob/Israel to multiply them and their seed and inherit the land that he had promised them. And the Bible says in Exodus 32:14 the Lord repented of the evil which he thought to do to his people. God changed his mind in response to Moses' prayer. This week pray for someone in a specific way.
3) Stand in the gap in teaching - 2 Timothy 2:2 Paul is telling Timothy The things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Paul had done that with Timothy and is encouraging him to pour out his faith into others through teachable moments.
Ezekiel 22:30 - The Lord is saying that he had sought for a man who would stand in the gap before me that I wouldn't have to destroy the land, but he had found none. How terribly disappointing. Remember Jeremiah and Baruch were living in Jerusalem at this time and they had not stepped forward. Will you be the one who will answer God's call to stand in the gap for your family... your children and grandchildren?
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Pastor closed Mothers Day with this by Erma Bombeck.
When the Good Lord was creating mothers, He was into his sixth day of “overtime” when an angel appeared and said, “You’re doing a lot of fiddling around on this one.”
And the Lord said, “Have you read the specs on this order?
The angel shook her head slowly and said, “Six pairs of hands... no way.”
“It’s not the hands that are causing me problems,” said the Lord. “It’s the three pairs of eyes that mothers have to have.”
“That’s on the standard model?” asked the angel.
The Lord nodded. “One pair that sees through closed doors when she asks, ’What are you kids doing in there?’ when she already knows. Another here in the back of her head that sees what she shouldn’t but what she has to know, and of course the ones here in front that can look at a child when he goofs up and say, ’I understand and I love you’ without so much as uttering a word.”
“Lord,” said the angel, touching His sleeve gently, “Go to bed. Tomorrow...”
“I can’t,” said the Lord, “I’m so close to creating something so close to myself. Already I have one who heals herself when she is sick... can feed a family of six on one pound of hamburger... and can get a nine-year-old to stand under a shower.”
The angel circled the model of a mother very slowly. “It’s too soft,” she sighed.
“But she’s tough!” said the Lord excitedly. “You cannot imagine what this mother can do or endure.”
“Can it think?”
“Not only can it think, but it can reason and compromise,” said the Creator.
Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek. “There’s a leak,” she pronounced. “I told You You were trying to push too much into this model.”
“It’s not a leak,” said the Lord. “It’s a tear.”
“What’s it for?”
“It’s for joy, sadness, disappointment, pain, loneliness, and pride.”
“You are a genius,” said the angel.
The Lord looked somber. “I didn’t put it there,” He said.
What do you think about doing when you are 85? George Herbert Walker Bush went skydiving. When Caleb turned 85, he said I am as strong as ever so give me that mountain.
Some 40 years earlier, he was one of the 12 spies sent into the promised land to scout out the land. Joshua was the other one who returned with a good report. They returned and said it is indeed a land flowing with milk and honey. But the other 10 said that is true but the people are strong and they have great, fenced cities. We will have to fight them to take the land. It was inhabited with the sons of Anak - giants -and we are like grasshoppers. Caleb said let's go in at once, but he and Joshua were in the minority. The majority was wrong and didn't trust God; so for 40 years they wandered in the desert until all the adult males died out... all but Joshua and Caleb.
Three things to remember today!
1) BELIEVE - His theology was young! Caleb's body was old but for 40 years he never stopped believing God. He had watched his old friends die and now 45 years later God will fulfill his promise. We would do well to remember 2 Corinthians 12:9 "My grace is sufficient for thee" and 1 John 4:4 "Greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world" and 2 Timothy 1:12 "I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I committed unto him against that day."
2) FOLLOW - His feet never stopped following God. Numbers 14:24 "But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit within him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went and his seed shall inherit it." The word "follow" is a hunting word and means to close the gap between the hunter and the hunted. Caleb was closing the gap between him and God. How close are you to God today? Isaiah 59:1 "The Lord's hand is not shortened that it cannot save neither his ear heavy that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you and your God and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear." So talk to God and confess the sins that separate you from his fellowship. 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sin, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
3) SERVICE - Caleb's hands never stopped serving. V11,12 - "...I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out and to come in. Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the Lord spoke in that day; So if the Lord be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the Lord said." V 14 - "he (Caleb) wholly followed the Lord God of Israel." So he was given the mountain and was met the resistance. But with God's guidance and help he took the mountain and his people lived there for years to come. A Dr. Graham's mother, a missionary, fell at age 75 and injured her hip and lay for 2 days before help came. When they found her, they put her on a jeep and took her over 200 miles for medical help. She survived the fall, the long ride and the medical procedures. She made herself crutches out of bamboo. He suggested that she retire, whereupon she replied "Why save the body if its not going to be used for the Lord?" She continued to serve the Lord until she turned 93. She died at 95.
Caleb drove the giants out of the land at age 85. He scaled that mountain.
Our message for this Senior Adult Sunday is 1) Believe, 2) Follow, 3) Serve - no matter your age.
When we were little we all learned the bedtime prayer... "Now I lay me down to sleep..." We also learned the mealtime blessing... "God is great, God is good..." Mot of us have taught them to our children and grandchildren.
Prayer has been defined as a conversation between two people who love each other very much. Rosalind Rinker wrote several books on prayer including "Prayer: Conversing with God." Isn't it amazing that we can pray and talk to the God of the Universe?! Sometimes people, when praying, feel like they need to remind God what the ball score was and who was playing. Personally, I believe God wants to hear your heart's concerns and not the latest news or ball scores. Besides, he already knows the news and the scores.
The Bible tells us that Jesus felt the need to pray many times in his life. He addressed God as Father for that was his relationship with God.
The little boy who was acting up in church was taken by the hand and being led out by his mother, when he let out the cry, "No Mama. Let's pray." Too many times we wait to pray when we are in trouble, when the time to pray is before we get into trouble... "without ceasing." It is amazing that we can talk to God anytime and anywhere. You don't have to be in church to pray and for God to hear your prayers. God is like the wind, we can't see the wind, but we can see the effects by the limbs on the trees moving. We can't see God but we can see the effect he has on changing our ways if we will allow him to.
In Colossians 4:2 we find three attitudes in prayer.
1) Pray with devotion That word means to adhere firmly to, whether you think you need to or not. It literally means stick to it!
2) Pray with alertness - for the Christian it means to be aware there is an enemy who does not want you to pray. We are in a spiritual battle. Hal Lindsay wrote about that battle between God and Satan in his book "Satan is Alive and Well on Planet Earth." 1 Peter 5:8 reminds us that Satan is like a roaring lion moving about the earth seeking whom he may devour. James 4:7 tells us to submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you. You alone cannot resist the devil, you need God's help. The battle is real - be alert. You need to pray. Billy Graham said his greatest regret is that he did not spend more time in prayer.
3) Pray with thanksgiving Colossians 1:3-4 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus... They showed Paul - Jesus - by sharing of their faith. Who showed you Jesus? Answer that question - was it a father, mother, brother, sister, preacher, Sunday School teacher, aunt or uncle, cousin, or a good friend? Colossians 1:12-14 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
So what should your prayers include?
A - Adoration and praise
C - Confessions 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
T - Thanks Psalm 107 15 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind. Your prayer should not be a shopping list
S - Supplication - asking Psalm 55:22 - Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you;
We can get help from the Lord through prayer.
In today's message in Matthew 7:24-29, Jesus uses a parable about two men who are each building a house and says that the most important thing about building a house is the foundation.. and it must be safe, secure and strong. One is a good foundation the other is not so good. In our state, before you can occupy a house, there is a city or county building inspector, who goes through the building to make sure that the foundation is safe, and secure and strong... as well as building codes being correct before you can live in it.
Almost all the world's religions know about Jesus, but not as the only begotten Son of God; they see him as a good teacher or a prophet. In this passage, Jesus is concluding his lengthy sermon in Matthew 7:24-29, by saying that a wise follower will not only listen to his words but will do what he says. His parable is comparing the building of a house with the building of a life.
The wise builder looks for bedrock before building. When building your spiritual life you should look for spiritual bedrock. The writer of Psalm 18:2 reminds us that "The Lord is my Rock... in whom will I trust." In 1 Corinthians 10:4, Paul reminds them that "the spiritual Rock is Christ." Paul also said in 1 Corinthians 3:10-11 "...Every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." The only true foundation for the Christian is Jesus Christ and his teachings. Peter tells us in 1 Peter 2:6 that Jesus is the chief cornerstone upon which we need to build our lives. The Sermon on the Mount is summarized by these words of Jesus in Matthew 7. You are wise if you not only hear but actually do what I have taught you. TRUST AND OBEY.
The foolish builder hears Jesus's words too but doesn't obey and he is like the man who built his house on sand. The two houses may have looked just the same but when the rains fell and the floods came and the winds blew, the house built on sand fell. Everything that we depend on will ultimately fail... we Christians must choose wisely to obey or not obey. Our spiritual life depends on what we choose. James tells us that a faith without works is dead and cannot save you, nor can works without faith save you. But faith that creates a genuine relationship with Jesus and causes a change in your life and you obey Christ in your daily living can and will indeed save you. But don't be misled, you are saved by grace through faith and nothing else.
In chapter 5, Jesus repeats over and over again "You have heard it said... but I say to you..." The people recognized that Jesus was not like other teachers. Matthew 7:28 - The people were astonished for he taught them as one having authority. Jesus is not after astonishment but after obedience. We sing the old hymn, "Trust and obey for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey." That is what he wants from me and you... obedience.
Perhaps it would be well if we had a "spiritual house inspection" of our own lives... to see how obedient we are and if our spiritual house is safe... and secure... and strong! Do we trust and obey?
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand, ALL OTHER GROUND IS SINKING SAND!
Robert Frost - The Road Not Taken
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood, And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh, Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Two Roads - You have a choice
Matthew 7 - Two roads - Gates V.13-14; Teachings V.15-20; Glory V.21-23
Context of this passage... Jesus is talking to the Jews who thought that they were OK. They tithed, attended the synagogues, made sacrifices, etc. Today we think we are OK if we attend church, read the Bible, got our name on the roll, etc. Jesus said that broad is the way that leads to destruction and many travel it. But narrow is the way that leads to life and few find it.
1) Gates - 82% of Mississippians call themselves Christians... 31% of the world's population claim to be Christians... 69% do not. Jesus said many people are traveling the broad way, following each other because the crowd is going that way, everyone else is going that way. In comparison - kind of like I-55 broad way and everyone seems to be going that way. Like it is with life, there are little winding dirt roads and few find it. Why? it is a difficult path... denying self, thinking of God and others first. The greatest Joy is given by Jesus; the greatest Love is given by the Father, the greatest Life is given by the Spirit. Which road will you choose? Wisdom is choosing now, what will satisfy you later?
2) Teachings - Jesus warns us of false teachers. We will recognize them by their "fruits." They are wolves disguised in sheep's clothing. To determine the difference between false and truth teachers, you must become a "spiritual fruit inspector." Jesus desires us to grow to be more like him... "study to show thyself approved unto God." "Grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." False teachers talk more about themselves and less about Jesus himself working in them. They talk more about physical blessings. We need to ask for discernment. Read your Bible. The author and teacher is willing to teach you all things... about him. We grow through the Word, through prayer and through church.
3) Glory - Getting to heaven is based on a "WHO" not ON what you do. James tells us faith without works is dead just as works without faith is dead. If you have faith your life will produce works of righteousness. Just saying or doing is not Christianity. It is a relationship! Must have a relationship with Jesus to get into heaven. It is a choice to trust him or not to trust him as your personal Savior and Lord. The closing words of Robert Frost's poem - And I took the one less traveled by, and it has made all the difference. When did you make the choice of which road to take? When did you go through the gate? Are you growing in your relationship with him? When you get to glory, what will you answer the Lord when he asks you... Why should I let you into my heaven?
In a Dear Abby column years ago, the story is told that it was customary for one affluent family to give a new car to the children who graduated. Bill and his father had found the perfect car for his graduation. Upon graduation, the father gave him a box and in it was a Bible. Bill was so mad when it didn't have the keys to a car that he threw the Bible down and walked out and said he would never return. He didn't. Years later finding out that his father had died he did return for the funeral. He saw the Bible he had thrown away and opened it, only to find a check for the exact amount of the car his father had promised him and dated with his graduation date. Bill had thrown away a wonderful promise his father had made because he was angry and upset and refused the gift his father gave him. Sometimes we do that. We miss out on God's best gifts because we are too impatient or are too upset over something that happens.
EMPTY PROMISES - LUKE 24:1-8
In our world TV ads promise that we will become wealthy, or happy or healthy if we buy their product. When we do, we discover that the promise was not true. It was a promise that was full of emptiness.
God had three things that appear empty that are full of promise. 1) the Empty Cross, 2) the Empty Tomb, 3) the Empty Grave clothes.
1) Empty Cross - The Promise of Forgiveness
everyone knew that Jesus was indeed dead... they had all seen him die on the cross - soldiers, his mother, the Sanhedrin. In fact, three days later when the women came back to the tomb to finish the burial procedure, they could see the empty cross on the hill. The Bible says that Jesus' death on the cross was payment for our sins. His promise of forgiveness was made once for all time for all people.
He lived a perfect life, died a perfect death and was a perfect sacrifice.
Romans 3:23, we have all sinned; Romans 5:8, Christ died for us as sinners; Acts 4:12, salvation is through the name of Jesus alone; John 14:6, Jesus is the only way to heaven!
2) Empty Tomb - the Promise of Hope for the Future. When the women got to the tomb on that first Sunday, they found the soldiers gone, the stone moved and the tomb empty. The two angels told them he was risen. They went and told the disciples who didn't believe them and had to see for themselves.
One Easter at school, Philip, a special needs child and his 8 yr old classmates were given empty plastic eggs and were told to go outside and find something alive to put inside it and bring it back to the teacher. The teacher opened the eggs and it was "show and tell time." One child brought a small flower, another brought some grass, another brought an insect. But one egg was empty. The teacher asked who brought the empty one, and Philip proudly said. "I did." It's empty because Jesus is alive and the tomb was empty. The empty tomb promises new life and new hope for anyone who trusts Jesus to be their Savior and Lord.
3) Empty Grave Clothes - When Peter and John got to the tomb, they found Jesus was not there but the grave clothes were still there and there was something unusual about them. The clothes were lying in the same manner as when Jesus was laid. It was just as if Jesus had vaporized right through the clothes. And the napkin for his face covering was neatly folded and placed aside. If the soldiers' story that Jesus' body had been stolen was true, then the clothes would not be there. No one planning to steal a body would undress it and take the time to neatly place the grave clothes. The only conclusion was that Jesus was alive and he had risen just as he said! Reading on in the gospels and Acts and 1 Corinthians, we find that Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene, several women, individual disciples several times, his apostles several times, and to a crowd of as many as 500 at one time. He no longer needed his grave clothes for they were a reminder of death and separation of fellowship from his followers.
Today he is not some invisible force, but a living Savior. He is alive today and lives within us by his Spirit. He offers the promise of a new changed life from a selfish and self-centered life to a new life of a relationship with God and others.
Easter, Resurrection Sunday, is all about the Empty Cross which provides forgiveness for our sins; the Empty Tomb which provides for us the promise of a future hope and the Empty Grave Clothes which provides for us the promise of a renewed fellowship with God.
So instead of promises that are full of emptiness, GOD'S "EMPTY PROMISES" ARE FULL OF PROMISES OF FORGIVENESS, HOPE AND FELLOWSHIP.
The first half of chapter 7 deals with our two relationships - with man and with God. The second half of the chapter deals with our destiny. These are two relationships we need to get right... how we treat others and how we act toward God. Last week we looked at "Do you improve others' lives when you are around them? We should."
Today we are looking at how we are to act toward God.
1) God is a good God and wants to give us good gifts. James 1:17 tells us "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights." God gives us good gifts.
Matthew 7:9 tells us “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"
There are three things we must do in order for God to give us good gifts... Ask, Seek, and Knock.
1) Ask - we are to ask God. James 4:2 says... You do not have because you do not ask God. - 2) Seek - to seek means to have a focused desire to find something. 3) Knock - when you knock on someone's door you are asking permission for them to open the door and let you come inside into their presence. Our Heavenly Father has a lot and is generous and wants to give us his good gifts, but he wants us to ask, seek and knock. So how do we do that? Through prayer which brings us into his presence and through Bible study which allows us to hear what he is telling us to do and to be like.
2) Then he wants us to receive. Notice that each of these has a promise with it... ask and you WILL RECEIVE... Seek and you SHALL FIND... Knock and IT SHALL BE OPENED TO YOU! "For everyone who asks receives, and him who seeks finds and to him who knocks it shall be opened."
He goes on to say that "if you, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good gifts to them who ask him." God is the ultimate perfect giver. What kind of gifts does God want to give you? His "good gifts" are according to his values... they are not monetary. Some of them are, firstly, eternal life and hope, and righteousness, and faith, and forgiveness. God's gifts are always appropriate and they are the ones that are really needed and the ones we should ask him for. There is no greater giver than God and his gifts are always the best.
3) SHARE - So what should we do with the gifts he gives us? Because you have received his good gifts, you are to do something. If you have received his grace and mercy, you are to give the same to others. V12 - "As you would that men should do to you, do you even so to them." We all learned this early in our Christian lives... it is the Golden Rule. Treat others like you want them to treat you. If you have received these good gifts from God, share them. The Sea of Galilee is a beautiful body of water, crystal clear and it remains so because water flows through it into the Jordan River. The Jordan flows into the Dead Sea, so called because it has no outlet. It has no place to flow into. It is full of debris and is not clean and clear.
Lesson: WHEN GOD GIVES YOU A GOOD GIFT, LET IT FLOW THROUGH YOU INTO OTHERS' LIVES!
The most familiar verse in the Bible for the Christian is without question, John 3:16. But the most familiar verse for the rest of the world is Matthew 7:1, Judge not. The world never finishes the rest of the verse and the next... judge not, that you be not judged. for with what judgment ye judge, you shall be judged... It is interesting that the people who use this verse are not interested in quoting the rest.
So what did Jesus mean when he said that? He didn't mean that we were to accept whatever people did or said and make no sensible conclusions especially when they are contradictory to our morality. He didn't say that we should not make moral judgments because we all know, or should know, the difference between right and wrong. Matthew 7:15-16 warns us of false prophets who come in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.Ye shall know them by their fruits. We must make moral judgments. Peter also warns us of false teachers 2 Peter 2:1. It is the Holy Spirit who helps us make the determination of which people are false teachers or false prophets, especially when their words are contrary to the Word of God. We are to stay away from such people. Ephesians 5:11 tells us that we have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of the darkness but rather reprove them.
He is saying that we are not to judge with harshness or in a condescending manner... not in a harmful way but in a helpful way.
Such people are not interested in the fact that they too are sinners and will stand in judgment one day too. Romans 14:10 But why do you judge your brother? why do you set at nought your brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
We remember the parable of the publican and the Pharisee who went to the Temple to pray in Luke 18:10-14. The Pharisee judged the publican when he said, I thank you Lord that I am not like this publican, extortioners, unjust. 18:11. The publican simply prayed Lord be merciful to me a sinner. Luke 18:13. Jesus said this man went to his house justified rather than the other.
We are not to judge. God alone is the Judge! You are not the ultimate judge! Genesis 18:25 says shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?
We all sin either willfully, intentionally or by not doing what we know we should have done. Matthew 6:12 reminds us that we ask God to forgive us in the same way that we forgive those who sin against us. When we don't practice that we are actually building a wall of unforgiveness and we prohibit the mercy of God and his forgiveness for us. One of the most beautiful verses in the Bible is Romans 8:26 where we read that the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. He pleads with the Father for his children... on our behalf, interceding for us.
We need to judge ourselves 1st! Nobody knows your sin like the Father does and it is hypocritical to say that you care about someone else's sin more than you should care about your own. Matthew 7:5 Jesus says it this way thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam that is in your own eye and then you can see more clearly to cast out the speck that is in thy brother's eye. He is saying that both the speck and the beam need to be removed... yours first. And do it gently. Galatians 6:1 says that if a man be overtaken with a fault, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thous also be tempted. Have a gentle spirit.
He ends with the admonition Don't give what is holy to dogs or hogs. Dogs in Jesus' day were not the domesticated animals we have in our homes today. They were scavengers. He is saying there were people who were antagonistic toward God. We cannot force someone to be saved. The Holy Spirit does the drawing and he works in God's timing. Abraham Lincoln when asked what they should do with the Rebels, rebuked those who wanted to hang all the rebels. He said don't hang them but hang on to them. When people sin, when you and I sin, God hangs on to us. We need to relate to others the way Jesus did, he forgave them.
In the Greek culture, lots of people believe that "worry beads" can help them ward off bad luck or even stop smoking, so you see many people wearing them. Tourists can make their own "worry beads." It is said it gives you something to do with your hands when you are in stress... when you worry.
We all worry... 4 yr old worries about the dark; 14 yr old about fitting in; 34 yr old about paying off a loan; 54 yr old about getting laid off; 74 yr old about health. We all worry, therefore we suffer from our worries... can't sleep, fatigue, etc. Jesus knew and recognized the drain that worry takes on our bodies. 1/7 of the Sermon on the Mount, he addressed worry. Here he tells us how to win over worry.
1) He gave us a command to obey - 6:25 - DO NOT WORRY about what you will eat, wear or drink. The word "worry" means to divide the mind. Jesus said don't be that way. There is a difference between concern and worry. When you worry you run around in circles crying oh me, what can I do. But concern looks at options for solving the situation... here's what I can do. The opposite of concern is indifference... the opposite of worry is faith.
2) He gave us a principle to learn - 6:26-32 - SEE THE LARGER PICTURE. Life is more than eating or drinking or clothing. Consider the birds, God provides for them. Consider your height, can you add one inch by worrying? Consider the lilies and the beauty God gives them. Even the wisdom of Solomon cannot compare with such beauty. "Every good and perfect gift comes from above," from the God who made us. Just as he cares for them, he cares for you. He will not abandon you. He gives you all you need. He is our great Provider if you will trust him. Three reasons not to worry. 1- worry is unsuccessful; 2- worry is anti-Christian; 3- worry is unnecessary
3) He gave us an activity to practice to defeat worry. - 6:33 - PRAY, EXERCISE YOUR FAITH, TRUST HIM AND SEEK HIS WILL "Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you." First - seek, continue to seek him as you read and study his word. Second - the kingdom of God which is where he has the right and the authority to reign in your life. Third - righteousness which is simply doing the right thing, having the presence of God controlling your life. Nothing can separate you from His love for you. Let his will control your life. Have a singleness of heart... to do his will "Thy will be done."
We are sustained by his presence... we should be focused on one thing, obeying him... we are sustained by his presence and his promise to never leave us.
5 fingers of faith to deal with worry
Isaiah 26:3 Thou will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee.
Psalm 56:3 What time I am afraid, i will trust in thee
1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your cares on him for he careth for you
1 John 4:18 perfect love casteth out fear
Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden on the Lord and he shall sustain you
Take your worries to the Lord and leave them there.
Better than worry beads - PRAY, EXERCISE YOUR FAITH, TRUST GOD.
Two Treasures - Material and Heavenly
1) Material - There were several types of treasures in Jesus' day. Clothing and metals. You were considered wealthy if you had fine clothing and you were considered wealthy if you possessed precious metals. This is why Jesus said in verse 19 that on this earth, moths can eat up those beautiful clothes. And rust can destroy your precious metals and devalue them. Also in those days there were no locks on the clay hut homes that so many lived in and thieves could easily steal what valuables one had. If these are your priorities, you lose.
2) Spiritual - But Jesus quickly added that there are treasures that you can lay up in heaven. You have a choice. What is Jesus talking about... relationship with God the Father through Jesus himself; living - Christ. Paul said it in Philippians 1:21 "for me to live is Christ and to die is gain." In the KJV the word is, is in italics, indicating that the word is not present in the Greek. So the reading was actually Living... Christ, living equals Christ; and Dying...Gain, dying equals gain. All of heaven is our gain when our living is in Christ. Revelation 3:18 tells that the "gold" of his is tried by fire and does not rust and the clothing by which we are clothed is white raiment and we are not ashamed... moths cannot eat up his clothing.
His treasure is 1- the perfect Presence of God; 2- the perfect protection of God; 3- the perfect provision of God, all we could ever need or want.
Two Visions - Earthly and Spiritual
90% of what we learn, we get through the eyes. Matthew 6:22 tells us that the eye is the light of the body. I Corinthians 13:12 tells us that now we see through as through a darkened glass. We cannot see clearly the spiritual ways of God. We have spiritual cataracts that cloud our spiritual vision... such things as apathy, jealousy, laziness, prejudice, conceit. What is keeping me and you from seeing spiritually clearly? The Bible says in 1 John 1 that we are not to walk in darkness but in the light. John goes on to say that when he appears, we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is. The Bible also says that "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor has entered into the heart of man,the things that he has prepared for those who love Him." So walk in the light of his presence and let his light be your light to the darkened world around you.
Two Masters - God or Materialism
There is only room for one! Remember the first Commandment - Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 1 Peter 1:4 tells us that we have an inheritance, incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. Colossians 2:2-3 - believers hearts should be comforted being knit together in love and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of thee mystery of God, and of the Father and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
The Treasure Hunt then is for a relationship with Jesus Christ, which Matthew likens unto a "Pearl of Great Price."
In these verses, Jesus gives us 2 powerful analogies. More than just "being," we are to DO RIGHT.
SALT/LIGHT
You are the salt of the earth. In Jesus day, sometimes Roman soldiers were paid in salt... our word "salary" is derived from this idea.
SALT HAS MANY QUALITIES
1) It is a preservative, to keep meat from spoiling, In the past generation, before there was refrigeration and vacuuming packaging, people had a smoke house where the meat was rubbed down with salt to preserve it and hung on hooks. Christians are to be "preservatives" of a decent and orderly society. Imagine a society without Christianity - society and morality would spoil.
2) Salt adds flavoring and zest to food. If salt loses it saltiness, it is then good for nothing. Christ adds to the quality of life for Christians. "Jesus said I am come that they might have life and have it more abundantly. Christians are to add to society a better way of life.
3) Salt is an antiseptic. In the last century, especially in the "wild west," when people got sores , salt was used to clean out infections. Christ cleans out our bad attitudes and actions when we come to Him in trusting faith. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and CLEANSE us from all unrighteousness."
4) Salt creates thirst. As Christians we are to create in others in the world a thirst for knowing Christ by the way that we care, and love and help and live. Salt make us thirsty... so Christ in us should make others thirsty for knowing Christ. Does he in your life?
LIGHT HAS MANY QUALITIES
A definition of light is that which illuminates.
1) Light dispels darkness. You can light one little candle in a darkened room and it will give light to everyone in the house. Christians are to dispel spiritual darkness in this world, by letting the light of Christ shine in our lives.. "So that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven."
2) Light reveals truth. Jesus said I am the way the TRUTH and the life. As Christians we need to focus on Jesus Christ, who is the Truth. Philippians tells us that we are to think on several things, and the first thing among them is truth, Philippians 4:8. To be like Jesus - the Truth - should be our goal.
3) The light of the sun awakens us in the morning to a new day. So also does the Son of God awaken us to real life. There is a song that says... "In the morning when I rise, give me Jesus." As Christians, we should be awake to the Presence of Jesus every moment of the day.
4) Light can also warn us of danger. When walking around the woods at night in total darkness, you can't see anything... or in a cave when they turn the lights off, you can't see your hand in front of your face. When ships are sailing in the dark of night, they count on the lighthouse on the shore to guide them to safety. God expects us to be the light of the world showing them of the danger of a life without Christ.
So how are we to make impact them? We are to take the command of Christ personally - you means YOU. You are to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Be a "thermostat" which controls the influence of Christ in the world. Light loses its saltiness when it is mixed with other things. Stay close to God. Just as the "glow toy" which loses its shine if it doesn't stay close to the light.
Punch holes in the darkness by your witness for Christ, allowing the light of God to permeate the world through you. We have someone to point them to... Jesus Christ the only begotten Son of God who died and rose again for them.
Attitudes affect all of us - is the glass half-full or half-empty; is it partly sunny or partly cloudy?
Each beatitude has 2 parts - your attitude and God's blessing. The word "blessed" can also mean fortunate or happy.
1. "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" : I cannot make it without You__
Poor - down on your luck or "po" - bankrupt. Here it means bankrupt in spirit... we need God. We need to be rich in spirit; rich in Jesus - 1 Peter 1:4 - as Christians we are rich in His mercy, we are rich in His hope, we are rich through the resurrection of Jesus and we are rich in our inheritance in heaven.
2. "Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted"; I am not satisfied with things as they are, but God comforts me. "mourn" those who weep over a loss or illness or wayward child. 2 Corinthians 1:3 - He is the God of all comfort. He sent the Comforter, the Holy Spirit to comfort us, John 14.
3. "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth"; I am teachable, humble myself - in Jesus' day "meek" was used to describe a horse that had been broken, he was no longer wild and although his great strength remained he was trainable, could be taught to obey commands. Meekness is one of the fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5:23. 1 Peter 3:4 - meek and quiet spirit
4. "Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled" -Pursuing God is our #1 priority. pursuing a relationship with God is like a thirsty or hungry man, seeking sustenance. Philippians 3 like a runner who is pursuing and straining toward the finish line - for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
5. "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." treat others like God treats you. C.S. Lewis said for the Christian not to forgive is inexcusable. 1 John 4:19-20, we are to love others because God loved us first. If we say that we love God and hate our brother, we are a liar and the truth is not in us. We are to have mercy to all!
6. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" we should do right whether it feels right or not. Keep doing right until it feels right. Keep on doing right anyway. 1 Corinthians 13, for now we see through a glass darkly but then one day we will see him face to face. The pure in heart are the non-pretenders, they are genuine believers and followers.
7. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God." Jesus was and is the Prince of Peace. Be like him. There are three kinds of people... there are peace breakers, there are peace makers and there are peace fakers. Hebrews 12:14, we are to follow peace with all men. 2 Corinthians 13:11, we are exhorted to live in peace.
8. "Blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." The world does not understand you, but you are to continue to go on sincerely living for God. Jesus was persecuted and so were the prophets before him and we should expect persecution just as he did. But you will be rewarded in heaven. "If you haven't met the devil today, it may be because you are going the same way."
So show the right attitudes and receive blessings from God. He is the great Giver of blessings!
The Sermon on the Mount, in Matthew chapters 5-7, is the longest sermon of Jesus. He had two strategies in his being here... 1) Doing things and 2) Teaching things... his message was both verbal and visual.
He was called Rabbi because he, like other rabbis, was teaching in the synagogue. They taught in the daytime, which Jesus did but Jesus also taught at night. In John 3 we find Nicodemus coming to Jesus at night. He recognized that Jesus was a teacher sent from God. Paul tells us in 2 Tim. 2:15 to study to show thyself approved unto God... Now since Jesus was called a teacher, why are his teachings so important?
1) Because of who it was that was doing the teaching... He taught and actually lived the teachings. He was and is the One who died for the sins of the people and rose again... he was so much more than just a teacher.
Why are his teachings so important? 2) Because of the depth of his teachings. His teachings meet our deepest needs - hope, comfort, peace, guidance. Psalm 23; John 14:1-4. These were not just words to hear, but words that gave real strength for daily living, life-changing words.
Why are his teachings so important? 3) because his teachings have consequences and everyone needs to hear and act on them. Matthew 7:24-27 That is what a wise man would do. He taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. Hearing and doing - there is a difference in just hearing. One day there will be a test. Revelation 20 tells us that the Book of life has the name of every genuine Christian in it. But there are also books which have recorded in them the works which we have done, good or bad. Once our name is in THE BOOK, then we are to begin filling up the books with our good works. So how are you doing? And how am I doing?
If you were celebrating the new year in the Philippines, you would find the children jumping up and down. In the Middle East, they would be hitting their pots and pans to scare away the evil spirits. Here in the USA, we have a traditional meal of cabbage and black-eyes peas on New Years Day.
But the Bible tells us in Ephesians 5:15-17, Ephesians 5:15-17 English Standard Version 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. That is the way to a happy new year. V 15 - as you walk through these days, look carefully and look all around you. V 16 - redeeming the time. To redeem was an old term that was used when going to a slave auction and buying them off the slave block. All of us are on sin's slave block and Jesus is our Redeemer. so let us make the most of our time. V 17 - Understand what the will of the Lord is and seek to do it. Understand what your commitments are between you and God. It is his will that we obey.
1) MINE - to believe that you are a child of God and He is your God. Sometimes we are overloaded with commitment and possessions and information. We need to simplify 1 John 1:7 New International Version 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. "I will take care of your past and your future." He leaves the present, the art of daily living to us one day at a time as we walk with Jesus. When something bad happens, I am still his and he is still mine.
2) ALIGN - The Hebrews had forsaken the assembling of themselves to Him, although they were still his chosen people. In the scripture we find several images of the church - the body of Christ, a building, the bride of Christ. It was Jesus who thought the church up... upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. During the French Revolution, when the troops came marching through town there was a little old lady who joined them in marching with a broom on her shoulder. While I can't go into battle, I can show whose side I'm on.
3) SHINE - 2 Peter 3:18 New International Version 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen and Matthew 5:16 let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. A lit candle is never very far from the match! Acts 4:13 - When they saw the boldness of Peter and John, they took note that they had been with Jesus. Accept the challenge to grow and accept his life.
Look forward to the next day with enthusiasm. Revelation 21:5 - God makes all things new.
The first color we are considering is a color we do not often connect with Christmas - BLUE. The first Christmas was not perfect. There was no room for the Christ child to be born in a comfortable place. Jesus had to be born in a feed trough. Then later they had to leave because the king sought to kill all the male children under 2 years old. This Christmas may not be perfect for you either. You may experience a blue Christmas because there may be an empty chair at your table because a loved one will not be there. (Elvis sang "Blue, blue Christmas without you"). You may have experienced a change of job or a move to a new house. Zig Ziglar said a house does not make a home; a bed does not mean you will sleep; possessions do not equal peace. We find in Esther 8:15 that the High priest wore a robe of blue.
Most of us would think of Christmas colors as red or green. 40% of sales gross for the year are made at the Christmas holiday. Christmas celebration should point us to helping the many who are in need around us not to money. Theodor Geisel, the author of Dr. Seuss said "the grinch stole Christmas because his heart was 2 sizes too small." "What if Christmas didn't come from a store, what if Christmas actually meant more?"
The best color of Christmas should be white. Bing Crosby sang the Christmas song, "White Christmas." It spoke of a time of happiness and goodness. Christ came as a gift from God bring us hope, love, joy, peace, faith... but most of all forgiveness for our sins. to The Bible says "thanks be to God for His unspeakable GIFT!" "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow, though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."
Isaiah 53:5-6 - "But he was wounded for out transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all."
Luke 1:57-80 - How to make the HOLLOW DAYS of the HOLIDAYS into the HOLY DAYS of Christmas! 3 boxes to check - challenge to do 3 things this week -
1) REPEAT THE TRUE STORY OF CHRISTMAS. V 57-68 Repeat the sounding JOY of the story. 1:19... the angel Gabriel appears to Zacharias in the Temple as he was carrying out his priestly duties. "You and your wife will have a son." We can't because we are too old. Zacharias would not be able to speak until the child was born, 9 months later. For us today, by the goodness of God he has redeemed us, but we too have become silent.The world says we cannot say "Merry Christmas," but we can say "Happy Holidays." We must repeat the mighty deeds of God... the miraculous birth of John, who would be the forerunner of our Lord and baptize him... beginning his earthly ministry and showing God's great love for all mankind. Challenge number one - ask God to direct you to someone to whom you can repeat the Christmas story.
2) REFLECT ON THE MARVELOUS PLAN OF GOD. V 69-73 God's plan since the beginning of time has always been to save his people... all of them, We see that all through the Old Testament. Spurgeon said that God has made many promises to his people and those promises are like a check God wrote you on the Bank of Heaven. The check is a personal check to you with your name on it and it is no good unless it is received. His plan is to save every person but each one must receive the check and endorse with his own name. Reflect on God's plan; receive the gift of His Son.
3. REJOICE THAT YOU HAVE A PART IN HIS PLAN. V 74-79 Zecharias had an important part in the Christmas story. He finally declared that his son would be called JOHN. Jesus would say of John that there was none greater than him. Zacharias was the father of the prophet who would be the forerunner of our Lord and would introduce him as the one who would turn the hearts of the people back to God. Zacharias expressed his great joy in this passage. We too can find that same great joy by introducing people to Jesus.
Setting - Mary in Nazareth, (pop. ~300). Angel Gabriel appeared to her in the 6th month of her cousin Elisabeth's pregnancy. We remember from the Old Testament the Archangel Gabriel appeared to Daniel and now in the New Testament he appears to Zacharias and Mary. Mary and Joseph were poor, (made poor man's sacrifice); were young (between 13-18); in a planned marriage (betrothed); were teenagers deeply in love; something so unbelievable was going to happen to them.
1. GOD HAD A PLAN - v. 26-33 - v. 28 you ARE highly favored; the Lord IS with you; blessed ARE you among women. All these are in the emphatic present tense and did not depend on if she did this.
2. MARY HITS THE PAUSE BUTTON - "How can this be, seeing I have not been with a man?" This cannot happen. Gabriel told he that with God nothing is impossible. v 37. New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees said "if God brings you to it, God will see you through it." Mary said be it unto me according to thy word, even though there would come with it humiliation and shame. She eventually would have to make a trip of 90 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem. She said "Yes." What does God want from you? I believe he wants your "Yes." He wants to occupy that holy space in your life. Have you made room in your life for him?
Song, "O come to my heart, Lord Jesus, there is room in my heart for thee."
The Glenco Corporation produced nativity scene sets for sale to the public.Their advertisement in the newspapers was; The Nativity Scene: Behold the Glad Tidings Anew! Their idea was that you could see something new and fresh when you bought their nativity set.
Let's take a fresh insight into looking at a manger scene. Most of us have several nativity sets that we put out at Christmas. Unfortunately familiarity has become our enemy and we fail to recognize the exact meanings of the set... we think we do but do we really?
The Living Manger Scene - In Bethlehem, God had a Living Manger Scene... real people whose world would be turned upside down by the birth of a real baby. Alta Woods has a living manger scene.
The Familiar Look:
1) The stable: had no room. It was not like a hotel or motel. The "rooms" were like ropes in a yard with blankets draped over them... virtually no privacy. Perhaps like a cave. Bethlehem was a small town but because of the census it was overrun with people.
2) the Couple: Mary and Joseph were young. Likely she was between 14-16. Joseph was probably a little older, awaiting an arranged marriage. They were tired, had traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem on a donkey(about the distance from Jackson to Meridian). They were poor, the temple offering was that of a poor couple. They were in love, he never left her side. They were faithful, God chose them to be the parents for his Son.
3) the Shepherds - worked all night, watched someone else's sheep, and they smelled of the sweat and stink of dirty sheep. They couldn't go to the temple to worship because they were "unclean." couldn't observe the prescribed purification rites. But excited they had seen and heard a group of angels in the sky. They were hoarse and tired.
4) the Wise Men - because there were three gifts many believe there were three kings. Probably not really kings, but quite possibly of a priestly caste, ie, astrologers, astronomers, studied the heavens and stars. They looked different and spoke different (probably language). They came later to Bethlehem, journeyed perhaps 800 miles, which took months and came to a house where the couple now lived with the child.
5) the Baby - Always in the center of the scene. The people were always facing the baby in the center not facing in other directions.
The song : "That Night" That night in all of heaven there wasn't a sound, as God and the angels watched the earth. For there in a stable the Father's only Son chose to give Himself through human birth. And when the cry of a baby, pierced the universe, once for all men were shown their worth! And the heavens exploded with music everywhere and the angels spilled over heavens edge and filled the air. And the Father rejoiced for He did not lose His Son, but He gained to Himself forever those who'd come!
The Church is a Living Manger Scene... God has a living manger scene at Alta Woods - you and me. What was it that brought all these people together from so many different places, backgrounds, occupations? They had nothing in common. It was the baby and God's invitation... to Mary - may it be done to me; to Joseph - God spoke through an angel "the baby is my child"; to the shepherds, the angels said go and find the baby; to the wise men, a new star in heaven was placed there by God. In spite of their differences they all wound up meeting the baby. And so it is with us as church members, from so many different places but we have all met the Christ child and that is what brought us together. We have responded to God's invitation and that which unites us is so much stronger than that which divides us. We are kept together by God's Spirit dwelling with us and in us. Emmanuel! It is not THOSE people... it is My Family.
Notice that none of them stayed. they were sent with the message of God. Mary and Joseph went to Egypt; the shepherds left telling the story; the wise men left not going to Herod but back to their own country. The manger scene is empty. On Sundays we are the church gathered, but the rest of the time we are to be the church scattered, going and telling.
Great black preacher Howard Thurman said
When the song of the angels is stilled... when the star in the sky is gone...
when the kings have gone back to their homes, when the shepherds are back with their flocks
THE WORK OF CHRISTMAS BEGINS
to find the lost... to heal the broken... the feed the hungry... to release the prisoner...
to rebuild the nations... to bring peace among sisters/brothers... to make music in the heart...
THE WORK OF CHRISTMAS BEGINS
For you and me three fresh looks at the nativity scene
1) Wise men still seek him Come and worship. gifts of gold, fit for a king; frankincense offered by the priest at the sacrifice; myrrh rubbed on a dead body to preserve the body
2) Shepherds commanded to go and tell
3) Mary - pondered al these things in her heart, Pause and meditate