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1 Thessalonians Sermon Series Standing Firm: Foundational Doctrine For New Believers “Standing Firm in Our Salvation” 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

1 Thessalonians Sermon Series

Standing Firm: Foundational Doctrine For New Believers

Standing Firm in Our Salvation

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Introduction

When Paul, Silvanus (another name for Silas), and Timothy enter into Thessalonica on their second missionary journey it would have been the first time that this city would have heard about Jesus and the Gospel. Acts 17 records the amazing results of their ministry of less than a month, Acts 17:4-5 “And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. 5 But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd.”

“In those few short weeks, a small group of Thessalonians came to know Jesus Christ as Savior. Persecution broke out almost immediately, forcing Paul and his companions to leave after ministering for three Sabbath days.”[1] So later he sends this young church a letter to encourage them in their new faith.

They didn’t have the New Testament, they were suffering under persecution, some had even died as a result – all they had were what Paul, Silas, and Timothy taught them over those few short weeks. Paul is concerned that this group of new believers would be discouraged and go back to what they knew before. So, he writes them a letter.

The Gospel is Powerful To Change Us (vv. 1-6)

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. 2 We give thanks to God always for all of you[2], constantly mentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit,

(v. 2) “We give thanks to God always for all of you,” – Paul is thankful for the church in Thessalonica because of (v. 3) “work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”[3] This triad of faith, love, and hope are a “shorthand summary of the essentials of Christianity: They are linked to something toilsome and hard – faith as the assurance that God has acted in Christ to save his people, love as the present expression and experience of the restored relationship between God and his people, and hope as the confidence that “he who began a good work . . .will carry it on to completion” (Phil. 1:6), and that the future, therefore, holds not “wrath but . . . salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.”[4]

Paul is thankful for how God has worked in the Thessalonian church, and he is praying for them because of their:

work of faith – Paul is clear that our salvation does not come from work, we cannot earn our salvation. But, when that is clearly understood Paul shows again and again that our salvation should produce a work – We work and serve because of our faith (Eph. 2:8-10; James 2:14). Hobbs says, “The word rendered “work” connotes the general idea of work or business, daily tasks or employment. Whatever they did, it was a work characterized by faith. It was the activity which faith inspired.”[5]

labor of love – labor means “toilsome, wearisome work. It is laborious toil done for love’s sake.”[6] Paul uses the word agape here for love, it is a love that characterizes God’s nature (1 John 4:8). We do the hard things because we love God, and other human beings. In other places, Paul tells us that even though we may toil and labor if there is no love behind it, it is worthless.

steadfastness of hope – William Barclay says: “It is the spirit which can bear things, not simply with resignation, but with blazing hope.”[7] The steadfastness connotes an athlete or soldier who could endure his opponent’s attack, yet possess reserve strength with which countercharge to victory.[8]

(v. 4) “For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you” – The emphasis is one of knowledge of their certainty of salvation, not on the reasons for their being chosen. These missionaries see in those that they shared the gospel with, a reaction to that message – they know that they are saved (or chosen by God unto salvation) because of what they are doing. “There is evidence of their genuine faith and fervent ministry for Christ. They are known by their fruits.”[9]

(v. 5) “because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.” There were times when Paul was told not to preach the gospel (Acts 16:6 f.), “Sometimes he had spoken fearfully and haltingly (1 Cor. 2:3). He had undoubtedly preached to people and felt it was hopeless, but here, with the Thessalonians, it was different.”[10]

The gospel came to them in power, this is where we get the word dynamite from – the gospel were not just words, the gospel was explosive, “it demolished the false idols” and false gods.

This power was linked with the Holy Spirit – the Spirit and power of the gospel go together. This was promised by Jesus in Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”[11] When Paul spoke, God spoke through him. When you speak the gospel – there is power there because God is speaking thorough you.

How does Paul know they are saved? How does anyone know if someone else is saved? Paul says their response to the gospel “came in power, it was not simply an emotional experience nor had they been swept off their feet by Paul’s oratory. This was unmistakably the power of the Holy Spirit at work. It all deals with the way the Word was received. It is one thing to preach the Word, it is another thing to receive the Word.[12]

They received the Word 1) and became followers of Paul, 2) they received the Word in spite of persecution 3) they received it with joy of the Holy Spirit.

Even though Paul, Silas, and Timothy were not there very long, there were those who would try to discredit them. These people would come behind them and try to get these new believers to doubt their decision to “turn to God” from idols.[13]

It is as if Paul was saying, “Do not be deceived by the enemies of the faith who are trying, by means of an attack on our integrity, to undermine your faith and your assurance of salvation. Our behavior among you was proof of our integrity and of the reliability of our message. . .”[14] Paul, Silas, and Timothy were focused on this new church receiving the gospel and teaching them foundational doctrines, not on their own welfare.

How is it that people know that we are genuine believers who only want others best interest? It’s not enough just to present the gospel, how the presenter shares it is also incredibly important. These missionaries had integrity and were a worthy example to follow. They were genuine in their faith and in their intention to see people saved for Christ. They practiced what they preached (genuine), and their concern was truly for others receiving the gospel (compassionate), “to be among you for your sake.”

(v. 6) “for you received the word in much affliction” – The word “affliction” outside of the Bible usually means pressure, and that of a severe kind. The word was used of pressing grapes in the winepress until they burst, and so metaphorically means very great trouble. Paul, Silas, and Timothy had been run out of town for their preaching, and now this young church was also being “afflicted.”[15]

“The city was the home of two of the recognized mystery religions that were to be found everywhere throughout the Hellenistic, or eastern, half of the Roman Empire. These were the religion of Dionysus the dying and rising god, and Orpheus . . . Both of them were fertility cults . . . Further, at that time emperor worship was becoming actively practiced. . .”[16]

“The refusal of new Christian converts to participate in “normal” social and cultic activities and the exclusivity of their claim to worship the only “living and true God (1:9) would have left non-Christian friends feeling offended, resentful, or betrayed; similarly, family members would have viewed a refusal to maintain ancestral traditions as evidence of an appalling lack of concern for family responsibilities.

Moreover, since civic peace, agricultural success, and freedom from natural catastrophe were thought to lie in the hands of the traditional gods, it was considered extremely dangerous to ignore or offend them.”[17]

Martin Luther once said, “If Christ wore a crown of thorns, why should His followers expect only a crown of roses?”

The Gospel is Powerful to Change Others (vv. 7-10)

7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. 9 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

The Thessalonians not only had the Word come to them, they not only had received the Word of God, but their salvation was manifested in their life and testimony. Their trust in Christ resulted in a transformed life that even other believers could follow their example. The result of the faithfulness of these Christians was that they became an example to other believers.

If we are to win the world for Christ, it won’t be with words only – “the evidence must come from our lives. The church must be ablaze with the divine nature, and the living Christ must spring into attractive vitality in the lives of its members. In them the vision must be verified, and Word made flesh. “Christ who lives in me.”” (Gal. 2:20)[18]

(v. 7) The Thessalonian church were imitators of Paul, Silas, and Timothy, and they “became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia”

“the word of the Lord sounded forth[19] from you” – “Sounded” means “to sound as a trumpet, to thunder, to reverberate like and echo.”[20] Even with all the persecution, and attacks, and inexperience, this church has found a way to transmit the gospel like a radio station to those all around them.

Paul didn’t have to tell others about what God was doing Thessalonica, “your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.” “The city was on a major trade route, the people passing through Thessalonica came into contact with the aggressive evangelism and testimony of these Christians who lived there.”[21]

(v. 9) “how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God” – The word “turned” here is given in the aorist tense, meaning a definitive decision made once. It was not a turning process, not “turning to” God – In a single, deliberate choice, they turned to God from idols. “There was a complete turn-about in the direction of their lives.”[22] That turning to God resulted in their serving Him.

Many say that Christians are intolerant and dogmatic – Here Paul says very clearly that Christianity, by its very nature, is intolerant. Paul is advocating the faith, not a faith. The Romans had no problem with Christians saying, they were on more religion, operating among the other religions. They had a problem when Paul quoted Christ, when He said, “I am the way, . . .no man comes to the Father except through me.” Jesus is the only way.

(v. 10) “to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come” – The Lord’s coming back is mentioned in every chapter in 1 Thessalonians. Paul tells them they have a present work to do now, share the gospel, continue to live out a life as an example, but also there is a future hope.

The word “wait” is given in the present tense. They had turned to God in one deliberate choice, but there remained the constant day-after-day expectation. They were constantly looking for the return of the Lord. But not as the early disciples who sat by Jesus’ tomb, the angel told them, Acts 1:1-11 “And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven?” Serving the risen Lord, and waiting for His return go together.

Paul reminds us that Jesus died for the sins of mankind (delivering us from the wrath to come) on a Roman cross and was placed in tomb, where he then was raised from the dead, and has returned to Heaven. Now we who have turned to God through faith in Christ wait for His return.

“from the wrath to come” – Paul closes chapter 1 with the reminder that there is a day of judgment that is to come. God is going to judge this sinful world. You don’t have to talk with people about Jesus, or share the gospel very long before you will hear someone says, “If God is all powerful then why is there sin in the world today.”

They will give an example of a horrific sin, and then say, if God is all loving then why would He allow an innocent to suffer in that way? (the Jewish Holocaust, child sex trafficking, rape, murder, etc.)

It’s because God has given people the dignity and freedom of choice. If nothing bad would ever happen as a result of those decisions, then there is no true freedom to choose. There is also the result of sin that caused the world to be fallen, so we have mental illness, disease, cancer, etc. There will come a day when all of the results of sin will be made right again.

Paul tells us here that judgment of sin is coming – there will be a day when the wrath of God will be poured out upon mankind for all those sinful decisions. But, “Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come . . .” These believers in Thessalonica can rest in the peace that God has provided a plan for them to escape from that wrath, through their faith in Jesus Christ.

The word used for wrath is When discussing God’s wrath John the Baptist used this same word (Matthew 3:7). He saw this wrath as a desert fire, everywhere, before which snakes would flee. Where can one find safety from a desert fire? Where the fire has already burned. Where may one find safety from God’s wrath, You can find safety where God’s wrath has already been poured out at its’ worst, at Calvary.

Our deliverer is Jesus, “the historic, crucified, risen, ascended, and returning Son of God.”

________________________________

[1] John F. Walvoord, The Thessalonians Epistles (Grand Rapids, Michigan; Dunham Publication, 1968) 7.

[2] A better translation is “for you all” – or “all y’all”

[3] Romans 5:1-5; 1 Corinthians 13:13; Galatians 5:5-6; Colossians 1:4-5; Hebrews 10:22-24; 1 Peter 1:21-22 – all have the triad of faith, hope, and love. Also, when these three words are given, the author usually places them in an order where the emphasis of the author is on the last word. Here, hope is given last and with the mentioning of Christ’s return in every chapter, hope of His return is emphasized.

[4] Michael w. Holmes, The NIV Application Commentary, 1&2 Thessalonians (Grand Rapids, Michigan; Zondervan Publishing, 1998) 48.

[5] Clifton J. Allen, General Editor, The Broadman Bible Commentary, 2 Corinthians-Philemon (Nashville, Tennessee; Broadman Press, 1971) 265.

[6] Ibid, 265.

[7] Leon Morris, The New International Commentary on the New Testament, The First and Second Epistles to the Thessalonians (Grand Rapids, Michigan; WM. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1984) 53.

[8] Allen, 265.

[9] Ibid, 266.

[10] Morris, 56.

[11] Concepts of Spirit and power going together; Romans 1:4; 15:13, 19; 1 Corinthians 2:4; Galatians 3:5; Romans 1:4; 2 Timothy 1:7,8.

[12] Walvoord, 15.

[13] William Hendriksen, New Testament Commentary, Thessalonians, Timothy and Titus (Grand Rapids, Michigan; Baker Publishing, 1987) 50.

[14] Ibid, 50.

[15] Morris, 58.

[16] George Arthur Buttrick, General Editor, The Interpreter’s Bible, Volume 11 (Nashville, Tennessee; Abingdon Press, 1955) 245.

[17] Homes, 48.

[18] Buttrick, 261.

[19] “to ring out” (execheo), found only here in the NT.

[20] Allen, 268.

[21] Walvoord, 16.

[22] Hendriksen, 51.

“Best Christmas Ever” Sermon Series, “Discovering the Joy of God’s Plan For Your Life” Week #3 Luke 1:26-45

Discovering the Joy of God’s Plan For Your Life
Luke 1:26-45

Introduction
When you’re a kid you think that you can do the impossible. My friend Lynn and I had been playing at her home and we came across this shed in her backyard and I had an idea. What is we hauled our bikes to the top of this shed and at break neck rode the bike down the slope? After some discussion Lynn seemed to be ok with it so up we went hauling our bikes to the top of this shed.
The theory was, that there was a layer of pine straw, so if we were not able to stick the landing, the straw would be a padding. We looked at each other, and I said “ladies first.” She climbed on her bike and off she went – things did not go as I had originally thought they would go – she sit the ground like bag of cement. She kind of rolled over, and I helped her back to the house. To this day we have never discussed the fact that I never went down the roof.

Anyway, I took away from this experiment that jumping with a bike from too high is not a good idea. Thank you Lynn for helping me learn that lesson. Eventually, in life we learn that there are some things that we can do, and some things that we can not do – but it is having a relationship with God that He works through us to accomplish the impossible.

God’s Plan For Mary (vv. 26-33)
26 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”

The sixth month refers to Elizabeth’s sixth month of pregnancy, not the sixth month of the year. God’s plan for Elizabeth, Zachariah, and John the Baptist have already been in place for six months. God had already began the process of birthing the one who would run ahead of Jesus in the desert.

Gabriel was sent to a virgin named Mary who was engaged to a man named Joseph. Their marriage process was slightly different than our own today. A father would seek to find a wife for his son. Once a girl was found the son’s approval was sought and then a dowry was paid to the father of the bride since he was losing a daughter and a valuable helper.

A written agreement was drawn up and the couple were considered to be married; but there was no sexual contact during this “engagement” time. The engagement could not be broken except in instances of adultery. But if this were the case then there would be great shame on the part of the offender.

Time would pass and there would be a religious ceremony and then the couple would consummate the marriage. It was between the engagement and the ceremony that Gabriel appears before Mary.

“Greetings, you who are highly favored!” – Luke is careful to let us know that this favor is not because Mary had any kind of special holiness in her life. There was nothing about her life that would have earned this type of privileged responsibility. God in His grace and mercy just chose her.

God in his grace and mercy has a very special plan for each of our lives as well. God desires to use us to do great things for His name. Mary is an example to us of a person who was called by God to do something wonderful and she did it faithfully. Let’s look to see how Mary sought to carry out her calling.

She Knew God Was With Her
“The Lord is with you” – This is not a wish that God would be with her, but a statement of fact – The Lord is with you. kurios meaning supreme in authority, the controller. The God who was with her was supreme, He was in control, He who has all authority would be with her. Not just in the beginning – but all the way through.

She would need to know that the Lord is with when she was to approach Joseph and tell him that she is pregnant. She would need to know that God is with her when she would have to travel from Nazareth to Jerusalem while she would be “great with child.” She would need to know that God is with her when she has to deliver this child in a filthy stable.

She would need to know the Lord was with her when she learns that Herod desired to kill her child – and as she escaped to Egypt. She would have to know that the Lord was with her when the child would become a man – she would watch as he would lay down his tool belt and leave for a public ministry. She would have to let him go.

She would have to know that the Lord was with her as she watched as he would be rejected, spit upon, cursed, ripped to pieces by a Roman cat-of-nine-tails. Mary would have clung to these precious words “The Lord is with you” as she watched her precious Son hang on an old rugged cross for the sins of the world.

As she heard him cry out, “IT IS FINISHED!” and sink into death. She would have to know that the Lord was with her as she looked into the face of her dead son, beaten beyond recognition, wiping his face and body of blood, wrapping his body in cloth and lying his limp body into a tomb. She would need these words from Gabriel.

Notice that Mary is not afraid at Gabriel’s presence, but it his words that cause her to be afraid. These words should cause us to cry out in joy “The Lord is with you!” These words should also drive us to our knees in prayer because if God has called us to accomplish great things for Him, things that can be accomplished only by “The Lord being with us” – then there will be great heartache and circumstances that require us to call out to Him and to cling to His Word.

Matthew 1:22-23 “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”-which means, “God with us.”

Not only would The Lord be with Mary but “God is with us.” Just as Mary would have clung to the words “The Lord is with you,” We can rejoice that God is with us. The Son of the Most High Stepped out of heaven and would come to be among us – to be with us.

John 1:1, 14 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”

She Knew God Called Her To Do Something Great
Gabriel gives several things that describe the son she was to name Jesus. “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. Whereas John would be known as a great man, the difference between John and Jesus is that His greatness would be related to His being the Son of God. Jesus was God in the flesh, who came from heaven to dwell with us.

This child that she would give birth to, would be a king; But he would be different than Saul, David, Solomon, or any other earthly king – The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; Not only would he be a king, but His reign will be for all of eternity.

Responses To Christ

Matthew 27:27-31 “Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. 30 They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. 31 After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.”

Revelation 19:11-16 “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”

Here are the two responses that people would have to the Son of God. One of mockery, and falsely following the King; or one of standing in awe and reverent fear of the Son of God.

The shepherds ran and told their town about what they had seen and heard, they later returned to worship and praise the Christ child. The Magi from the west came over long distances and brought gifts fit for a king. This evening as we re-discover Christmas, what is your response to Christ; a mocking bow or reverential following?

God’s Plan For Mary Was Impossible – for her (vv. 34-38)
34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God.” 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

Where Zechariah in the previous verses had wanted more proof from Gabriel that his message was going to come true, Mary asks about how this would come about (since she was a virgin.)

She is seeking to know more about God’s plan because she did not understand. The only explanation she gets is “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” God will make it so. There are several things in the Bible that we can not fully understand or explain.

We do not know how God created the world – only that he did. We have, for example, God the Father sending and angel, The Holy Spirit directing the pregnancy, and the Son Jesus being brought into the world – the Trinity is something difficult to grasp but none the less true.

This Jesus would be fully God and fully man at the same time. How do these things happen? God. Not a blind faith, but a faith upon the evidence revealed to us and taking Him at His Word. “For nothing is impossible with God.”

She recognizes that she is a servant of the Lord, and He has the right to do with her anything He desires. But she is a servant of one where nothing is impossible. A servant follows her master.

You may be here tonight, and your life is not where you thought it would end up, give it to God “For nothing is impossible with God.” No matter how damaged the marriage, no matter how wayward the child, no matter how little in the checking account, “For nothing is impossible with God.” no matter how strong the urge, no matter whether you see how it will work out or not “For nothing is impossible with God”

If God can make a virgin girl become pregnant, if He came shape time and space to orchestrate a star for shepherds and Magi to see and move it at will, if God can fulfill hundreds of prophecy regarding Jesus’ birth and life, if he can give Zechariah and Elizabeth a child in their old age, than he can surely handle anything you desire to lay at his feet.

There will be a time in your life when God will desire to use you to be a part of something amazing, beyond anything you ever could have imagined – and He may just say, “follow me into the impossible.” Our response must be like Mary’s; “Lord, I don’t know how you are going to do this, but here I am. . . “May it be to me as you have said.” God is the God of the impossible.

Mary Raced To See Elizabeth (vv. 39-45)
39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!”

Immediately after discovering God’s plan for her life, she got ready and went to celebrate with Elizabeth and her miraculous pregnancy. The angel had told Mary that God had allowed Elizabeth to have a child. So she goes to see it for herself. One impossibility coming together with another impossibility.

How is it that we have been so blessed by God in so many ways? Hebrews 10:25 “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” God is always working impossibilities in the lives of those who say, “May it be to me as you have said.” God desires that we meet together to share these things and encourage each other.

Elizabeth says, “But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” Whereas before they would have met and talked about the mundane things of life, even seeing their relationship as casual.

But now she feels honored, “favored” that Mary would come by. Oh, how their conversations would change – what would the two ladies who had experienced the impossible say to each other? Let us meet and discuss the things of God regularly.

Conclusion
The fact that God would gives us an opportunity to receive Christ and how God made the impossible possible is the wonder of Christmas. In order for God to work in your life; realize that He is with you. He has directed you here tonight – because for His love and desire to do great things through you.

Secondly, realize that it is impossible for you to go to heaven or do great things – without God’s help. That is why Jesus was born into the world, to save us from our sins. What is impossible for us, is possible for an almighty God.

If you would like to ask Christ to come into your life and forgive you of your sins, you can say a prayer something like this: “Dear Jesus I know that I am a sinner and need Your forgiveness. I believe that you died for my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I now invite you to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as Lord and Savior. Amen.”

“Best Christmas Ever” Sermon Series, Week #2, “Peace” Luke 2:1-16

Peace
Luke 2:1-16

Introduction
Trees are beginning to appear in windows, radio stations have begun 24 hour rotations of Christmas music and our communities are being transformed into winter wonderlands. Why do we put ourselves through all the paces each year when Christmas comes?

Maybe we’re trying to recapture the magic of our childhoods. Or maybe we believe if we work hard enough we’ll end up with a Christmas similar to those described in all of our favorite Christmas tunes.

This year, let’s celebrate the true meaning and spirit of the season. Coming home means more than a hearth and a tree. It also means remembering, and renewing our faith in Christ and our church which is our spiritual family. I am looking forward to the best Christmas Ever.

I. A Humble First Home (vv. 1-7)
“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”

A. Coming Home to Purpose
A rich man was determined to give his mother a Christmas present that would outshine all others. He read of a bird that had a vocabulary of 4000 words, could speak in numerous languages and sing 3 operatic arias. He immediately bought the bird for $50,000 and had it delivered to his mother. The next day he phoned to see if she had received the bird. “What did you think of the bird?” he asked. She replied, “It was delicious.”

In the opening verses of Luke chapter 2 there are many details that are given. What was going on, who issued the decree, who the governor was, where they went from and where they went to — how everyone was moving and the mood of the opening was chaotic.

These details are given so that we can verify historically that this story really happened as it is given to us in Scripture, and that Jesus Christ’s birth fulfilled prophecy that had been given many years before to show that He was the Messiah.

First we see “a decree” was given. This is an imperial edict (Acts 17:7). The decree was for tax purposes. Registration required a personal appearance at one’s principal place of residence. For the Jews this meant their ancestral home. Since Joseph was of the lineage of David, he was required to go to Bethlehem.

The law required that only the men need travel to the ancestral home, register, and travel back – but we see that Mary went with Joseph on this awful trip. “From …Nazareth … to Bethlehem” This would entail a trip of eighty-five to ninety miles if they went through Samaria, the trip would have included mountainous and rough terrain.

They would have traveled through the land of Ruth and Boaz, and the ancient home of their great-great-grandfather King David. For a woman “great with child,” it would have been miserable.

Why would Mary have gone? Was it to get away from the stigma of having a child without a husband? Was it to just to be with Joseph because she wanted him to be there for the birth? Did she realize that in order to fulfill prophecy her son needed to be born in Bethlehem? For whatever reason she went, they both find themselves in a foreign city, away from their families, away from the comfort of home, and with no proper place to deliver a child.

“And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.” – After being required by law to travel a very long way, and being away from all they know that is familiar, “the time came for the baby to be born.”

We see that even in the midst of chaos and change – Mary gives birth to Jesus, wraps him in strips of cloth, and places him in a make shift bassinet, a manger. All of these are normal activities for a mom – the problem is that it is under extreme conditions and the world is swirling in chaos around them. Mary and Joseph were able to be normal parents and do what parents naturally but under extreme conditions.

They could have yelled and argued about the government and its’ edicts. They could have yelled at each other, and how each had added to this situation, “Why did you have to come? Why don’t you make more money so we can live better than this? They could have even argued with God, “Why is this happening to us?” We deserve better!”

But they don’t. We see a young couple, in spite of all the difficulty surrounding their lives doing the best they can with a very difficult situation – a child has been brought into the world. This was not just any child, it was a child that angels had spoken with them about (Matt. 1:20 Joseph, Luke 1:26 Mary)

So we see that in this time of chaos the child brought them hope – he was the Messiah, the promised one, who would as the angel said in Matthew 1:21 “save his people from their sins.” Mary and Joseph were able to see past the difficulty and even the pain they were experiencing, because they understood that they had something much bigger to do.

They realized that their lives were not about finding a more comfortable saddle, with a cup holder, or booking ahead at the Bethlehem spa and suite – there was a much bigger plan that they were to be a part of. God has a purpose for your home, and it is a part of a larger plan in which you are to share the story of the one who can “save his people from their sins.”

The ancestral homes of Mary and Joseph originally came from the dividing up of the Promised Land (Joshua 14 ff.). God’s people were to go into this new land and conquer their enemies, and as a whole nation, they were to draw the surrounding nations to worship the One True God.

God began the nation with one man named Abraham and God told him that He would bless him so that the world would be blessed through Abraham’s family. Genesis 12:3 “I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

So Mary and Joseph are returning to their ancestral home where God promised that He would bless the world through their family – now Christ was born who will “save his people from their sins.” John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

They are returning to an understanding of why they exist as a family. Do you and your family need to return to a “spiritual place, a spiritual home” where you are reminded of why God has blessed you? Do you need to see beyond your current difficult experiences to understand that there is a bigger picture that you are a part of – a plan to share Christ with the world? Christmas loses its excitement when we forget the meaning behind the tinsel.

B. Coming Home to Provision
Why would God allow the King of Kings and Lord of Lord to be born in a stable? Why not wait until they were close to a palace or a nice home? God is sovereign and His timing is perfect. Galatians 4:4-5 says “But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.” In the fullness of time. It was God’s will for His Son to be born in humblest of circumstances.

Micah 5:2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

God used the imperial decree in the lives of Mary and Joseph to bring about the fulfillment of Scripture. The Messiah or The Deliverer was prophesied to be born in Bethlehem so God had to get them both to Bethlehem. Bethlehem means “house of bread” and now the “Bread of Life” (John 6:35) was about to be born there.

So now, the one who provides for all of our needs (specifically salvation) has been born. John 1:14 “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” There in that shelter, was born the Son of God, the Savior of the World, the Mighty God, the Eternal Father, the Prince of Peace, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Immanuel.

Christ was in a crude shelter, because there was no room for them in the inn – That night swirled in hurriedness, distraction, and everyone was trying to find comfort in a busy time. Everyone was trying to bring order to their lives. To be in a city were everyone was trying to take care of the government business so that they could return to their normal life to go back home to life as usual.

So as everyone was trying to do these things they missed the one who would “save his people from their sins.” Another part of coming home is to remember that Christ is the only one who can give us what we truly need. The longer we try to bring order to our lives, our marriages, our families, our jobs, in our own effort the more miserable we will be.

But if we allow God’s plan to happen in our lives (stinky manger, sleeping on hay, smell of animals – messiness) and follow Him on obedience, seek His provision then Jesus will fill that emptiness within us.

Tennis star Boris Becker was at the very top of the tennis world — yet he was on the brink of suicide. He said, “I had won Wimbledon twice before, once as the youngest player. I was rich. I had all the material possessions I needed … It’s the old song of movie stars and pop stars who commit suicide. They have everything, and yet they are so unhappy. I had no inner peace. I was a puppet on a string.”

Becker is not the only one to feel that sense of emptiness. The echoes of a hollow life pervade our culture. One doesn’t have to read many contemporary biographies to find the same frustration and disappointment. Jack Higgens, author of such successful novels and The Eagle Has Landed, was asked what he would like to have known as a boy. His answer: “That when you get to the top, there’s nothing there.” Christ fills that emptiness.

II. A Heavenly Eternal Home (vv. 8-16)
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.

Shortly after the birth of the Savior of the world, an angel appeared and stood before a group of shepherds in the hills of Bethlehem to announce the birth of the “Shepherd of Israel” (Gen.48:15).

Scripture in many places refers to Jesus as a shepherd. For instance, in Psalm 23 he is called the faithful shepherd; in Isaiah 40:11, the tender shepherd; in Ezekiel 34, the caring shepherd; in John 10, the good shepherd; in 1 Peter 5, the chief shepherd.

Shepherds were despised by the orthodox Jews of the day because they could not keep up the requirements of the ceremonial laws, the feasts, the washing of hands, etc. Thus, shepherds were very much part of the lost sheep of their day.

But the angel’s announcing to shepherds the birth of the Shepherd of Israel was designed to give hope to these men, Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” A humbly born Savior reaches out first to the lowliest of people in society, shepherds.

Not only had Jesus been born to seek and save these lost shepherds but also, as Luke details in chapter 4, quoting Jesus’ words from, Isaiah 61:1-2 “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,.”

The angel’s first words to the frightened shepherds were, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” He was declaring good news to a society suffering from insecurity, meaninglessness, and the futility of life. And this good news was for all the people.

Jew, Samaritan, Roman, Greek and Barbarian, regardless of their position in life, whether they be master, slave, rich, poor, king, peasant. This was good news for all, regardless of sex, color, and class, the good news of salvation by grace through faith was given for everyone.

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior.” The long-awaited Messiah, God’s Anointed One who is the Lord God, had been born in the flesh so that man, who has rebelled through Adam against the Creator, and had no power to save himself from the bondage of Satan and the power of sin, could be born again. God became man, so that as a man (the perfect man, the sinless man), He could take God’s punishment for sin upon Himself.

“a Savior” – If Jesus was mankind’s Savior, what was He saving it from? What do we need to be saved from? Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” It is our sin that creates a separation between us and God.

Because we are sinners, there is nothing that we can ever do to earn a place in heaven – we will always have sin on us. Christ would be born into the world and never sin – a perfect man with no sin could act as a substitute for you. Our sins could be placed upon Him.

“And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger,” declared the angel. The Savior of the world was placed in a feeding trough for his bed. God gave the shepherds directions – God wanted the Shepherds to see and experience Christ themselves not just hear about Him.

God coming to the earth is not knowing about Jesus, knowing facts about the plan for mankind’s sins to be dealt with, but it’s all about meeting Christ Himself – the angel said to the shepherds “you will find” there involves a seeking on the part of the hearers.

Matthew 7:7-8 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” This morning are you seeking to fill the emptiness and lack of purpose? There is an answer – His name is Jesus Christ.

Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”

There is an immense difference between knowing about the Christ of Christmas, and knowing the Christ of Christmas. This morning do you know Him? Would you like to meet the one who will bring peace to your troubled soul? Would you like to meet the one who was born in a manger and eventually died on a cross – all for you?

This morning if you would like to meet Christ, if you would like for your sins to be taken away, for that emptiness to be filled, is there room in your heart for Christ? “Dear Jesus I know that I am a sinner and need Your forgiveness. I believe that you died for my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I now invite you to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as Lord and Savior. Amen.”

“Best Christmas Ever” Sermon Series, Week #1 “HOPE” Isaiah 9:1-7

“Best Christmas Ever” Sermon Series

HOPE

Isaiah 9:1-7

Introduction

I love the Christmas season. I love going to the tree farm with the kids and cutting down the tree, having an open house for friends, seeing the kids open their gifts. Having a candlelight service on Christmas Eve – one thing in particular I enjoy about Christmas is getting Christmas cards. They are often very pretty and we use them to decorate our home.

It is a way that people say what’s going on in their lives or just to say, “We are thinking about you this year.” Did you know that God wrote the very first Christmas Card to you and to me in the Bible – but he sent it early, in fact it came hundreds and hundreds of years early. Let’s see what He wrote in His card.

Christmas is a time when we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ—the promised Seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15), the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Judah, a prophet greater than Moses, the Son of David, who will rule forever, He is the Righteous One, the King-Priest, the suffering savior, he is the babe born of a virgin who will be born in Bethlehem. He is Immanuel – We celebrate the birth of the Son of God who dwelt among us.

Seven hundred years before the birth of Jesus Christ, Isaiah prophesied, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14). Immanu means “with us,” and El means God.

This promised child would be the “with-us God.” Just as God was with Israel in the wilderness, so also Jesus Christ, as God-with-us, saves us, guides us, protects us, and provides for us. Because God is with us in Jesus Christ, we can always be triumphant and rejoice.

We can do all things through Christ! We can resist temptation and cause the devil to flee. In Christ we have all that we need. We can rejoice in tribulations and be fearless in the face of death.

725 BC N. Assyrian evil empires are poised to attack the morally bankrupt Jews. There is darkness and despair all around them. They about to be crushed from all sides, there seems to be no hope. It is at that moment that now they have a word from God.

This morning, you may feel completely surrounded by a dark world, and you feel crushed, and you have come here maybe, just maybe for a word from the Lord. Let’s see what He wants to tell you.

Isaiah 9:1-7

“But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.3 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. 3 You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. 4 For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as son the day of Midian. 5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.”

The gloom of verse 1 turns to brightness in verse 3. The darkness is turned to rejoicing. The perfect tense is used when referring to these various things, therefore it is so certain to happen that it as if they already have happened.

Many years before the wise men came, centuries before the shepherd’s bent a knee a king is foretold of coming who will be marvelous, a king is coming who is majestic, watchful and wonderful. We are told in Isaiah 11:1 that this king is the stem of Jesse, and in v. 53 he will be the suffering Savior.

He is Marvelous in How He Came

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given”

This king came in earthy humanity “a child is born” – child is emphasized. In the Hebrew text the emphasis is on “child.” Children represent newness and change. There is a new day coming, a new day is born. This king will bring about a change in the lives of His people. Thank God that he is a king of change who does not change. I thank my king that he changed my life!

James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” God does not change, His word does not change, but when this king comes He changes you.

A child is born for us! That is speaking about the human nature of Jesus Christ. Then we read, “to us a son is given.” This is emphasizing the divine nature of Jesus Christ. God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son.

A change is coming “for us,” it was for us that he was born. Gal. 4:4-5 “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.”

He came in heavenly diety – “a son is given” – son is emphasized; an eternal being, the God of Glory. Given not born, a son not child – John. 1:1-2 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God.”

There was never a time when “the Son” has not existed. Hebrews 1:1-2 “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but bin these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed ethe heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.”

God translated deity into humanity – a perfect wedding of the two. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

He is Majestic in Who He Is

Matthew 1:23 says “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel.” A Jewish name described both character and activity. There are four names given to describe the character and activity of this king who was given to us.

4 Names

(v. 6) “. . . his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

He is a Wonderful Counselor who soothes my conscience

In Isaiah 9 we are told, “And he will be called Wonderful Counselor.” In the Hebrew text we read, “He is” Jesus Christ is the greatest wonder imaginable because his very person is wonder: As God/man, there is no one else like him.

Is Jesus a wonder to you? Have your eyes been opened to the person of Jesus Christ? He is wonder, especially to his people. He is Wonder of wonders.

As the Wonderful Counselor the war boots and bloody blankets are used not for battle but for fire, the forces of evil will be over. This king will defeat the Enemy, and he brings peace to our hearts.

Counselor – solves my confusion, he is glorious, unfailing in His wisdom. He is our advisor and teacher – Hebrews 4:1-2 “Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. 2 For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened.” The Counselor makes salvation very easy to understand. As we have seen this morning, even young children can grasp sin and forgiveness of that sin.

Joshua failed to seek God’s counsel and was deceived by the Gibeonites. Saul, after being abandoned by God, sought the counsel of a witch. The people of the world seek the counsel of mediums, spiritists, and so called “experts” who whisper and mutter nonsense: Isaiah 8:19 says, “And when they say to you, “Inquire of the mediums and the necromancers who chirp and mutter,” should not a people inquire of their God? Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living?” But God has given us the counsel of his Son, Jesus Christ, in the Bible.

He is a Worthy Defender who fights before me – Mighty God ; warrior God (El Gabor), the child was nothing less than God.

He fought a battle far greater than Gettysburg, he fought a battle far more strategic than D-Day, he fought a battle far more crucial than any battle waged in Iraq. He fought the ultimate battle on the battleground called Calvary – where He conquered death, hell, and the grave – the empty tomb stood open as a memorial of this great battle.

He is a Watchful Father who showers me with affection, Jesus is the

Everlasting Father, it is a title, who he is to us:

He is the Father of Eternity – the source and origin of order, he is Alpha and Omega. John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

Hebrews 1:8 tells us that His thrown is forever and ever “But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.”

As a Father he is compassionate, a provider, a protector, and it is forever. He is always faithful and He will never leave. He is with us every step of the way. Think about the father of the prodigal son, waiting for his child to return. He received him with great joy, saying, “Let’s celebrate! This son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” Jesus Christ is such a Father to us.

He is a Prince of Peace who calms my storms

Isaiah 66:12 “For thus says the LORD: “Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream.”

John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” When this king comes we have peace.

Peace with God as in Romans 5:1-2 “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

And we have the peace of God as in Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

He is Mighty With What He Will Do

II Sam. 7:12-13 “When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.”

This king will rule completely and the rule of all of creation will be on “his shoulders” – no one will vote him into office no one will ever vote him out of office. And his rule will be for all of eternity “there will be no end”

There will be peace from peacelessness, justice from injustice – He will rule powerfully, the Father will see that the Son will reign. In fact, it says that he is zealous to make it happen.

In heaven there is no confusion about Christmas— God has burned for the glory of His Son. – in whom he takes delight.”

This One is the prince who brings peace, not by negotiation, but by the conquest of all his enemies. Peace comes to us from the cross of Jesus Christ: Isaiah 53:5 says, “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.”

Ultimately nothing else matters except what we think about Jesus and God will never be able to give a greater gift then His Son. The first Christmas Card was telling us of a Savior for all of mankind, but as with any Christmas Card you have to do something with it.

You can place it on a shelf and treasure it, or you can toss it in the trash. This morning what will you do with Jesus? Will you become his disciple and allow Him to become your Wonderful Counselor, your Mighty God, your Everlasting Father, and your Prince of Peace? Not only is He mighty in what He will do in the world, but it also true of what a mighty work he can do in your heart.

“Dear Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and need your forgiveness. I believe that You died for my sins. I want to turn from my sins, I now invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as Lord and Savior.” In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Gratitude Sermon Series Week #5: “What Do Grumblers Look Like?” Numbers 14

Gratitude Sermon Series

Week #5: What Do Grumblers Look Like?

Numbers 14

Introduction

On a sunny July afternoon my cousin Clay challenged me to a race. He had a brand new Honda four-wheeler. I was beautiful, bright orange with a engine that started with a simple press of a button and gentle tug of a rope. It would fly over the Alabama clay.

I on the other hand had to use cunning to outsmart this technological giant. I had had a Manco, three-wheeler that had a lawn mower engine, that I had painted myself, jet black, with a red stripe. It had no switches just full throttle. The race was this, he would go left and I would go right around a huge hilly cow paster. Whoever got back first was the winner – Only we had not counted on one thing (the mid-way point.)

As he topped the hill we both fixed on each other’s eyes, He swerved right and then suddenly left, I swerved left and then suddenly right at the same time – there was no stopping – POW! We both were half-hearted in our turning, If I would have stayed right and he left, I would have won. But instead, we couldn’t decide left or right.

This week we are going to look at a portrait of people who claim to be God’s people but are only half-hearted in their attempt in following Him. It is a pictures of what grumblers look like.

***see article below “Rise and Fall of the Three-Wheel ATV”

Grumblers Always Want To Go Back (vv. 1-10)

Then all the congregation raised a loud cry, and the people wept that night. 2 And all the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The whole congregation said to them, “Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness! 3 Why is the LORD bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become a prey. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?” 4 And they said to one another, “Let us choose a leader and go back to Egypt.”5 Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the people of Israel. 6 And Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes 7 and said to all the congregation of the people of Israel, “The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceedingly good land. 8 If the LORD delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey. 9 Only do not rebel against the LORD. And udo not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the LORD is with us; do not fear them.” 10 Then all the congregation said to stone them with stones. But the glory of the LORD appeared at the tent of meeting to all the people of Israel.”

“Upon hearing the evil report of the majority of the scouts, the Israelites weep, complain, imply that God has evil motives, and desire to change leadership in order to go back to Egypt.”[1] The story told by the 10 spies spread throughout the people like a wildfire, that by nightfall “all the people” believed and wept. Joshua and Caleb’s voices could not be heard over the wailing and lies.

No one talked of God’s grace, or his many miraculous deeds that had been done over the two years. They only focused on the giants, the grapes, and them being grasshoppers.

They then look to put blame on this anger and so they “grumble” against Moses and Aaron. We are to imagine the worst sort of rage, a picture of screaming, rending of clothes, throwing, cursing in anger – completely given over to grief and despair.

As the Israelites are given over to fear and grief they begin to say that it would be better for them to die in Egypt as slaves, or to die in the desert, than to get this close to the Promised Land only to be unable to enter. “In addition, they begin to skeptically suspect God of evil intentions: “Why is the LORD bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword?” Their skepticism distorts their vision so that the slavery in Egypt looks better than following after God.”[2] And they will soon discover that this will become their own self-fulfilling prophesy.

In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve sin against God in pride that they know as much about how to live their lives and make decisions as God does, or even more. Also, in the Garden there is peace with God, harmony, there is no poison or death. Satan’s lie to Adam and Eve is “you will not die.” In Numbers 14, we see a lie but it is the opposite for the Hebrew people. The Promised Land represents a restoration of the Garden. God has promised that He will be with them in the Promised Land, where there can be unity, peace, harmony, and the promise, “you will not die.” But the people believe the lie and it leads to anxiety, fear, and eventual death.[3]

The Israelite sin is not pride, but fear and this anxious fear leads them to finally reject God and His plan for them. Matthew 6:25, 33 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?. . . But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Two things were needed: the people needed to stop their rebellion against the Lord, and they must cease to be afraid of the people in the land. The Israelite people choose laziness and despair “over a path of courage, effort, and hope leading toward the promised land.”[4] God wants us to trust in Him, but also to fight for His plans.

Joshua and Caleb also say that the land’s protection is gone. There are no walls, no fortification, no factors of size, and certainly no gods that can withstand the onslaught of the people of God when they know that the Lord is with them.

The word translated “protection” often is translated as “shadow” or “shade.” In the hot regions of the Middle East, the notion of a shadow is a symbol of grace and mercy, a relief from the searing heat of the sun.

Luke 9:62 “Jesus replied, “Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” We cannot keep looking back to the way our lives were, if we are to be of any use to God today and in the future, especially when our lives were much worse.

Grumblers Have a “Plan B” Life (vv. 19-24)

19 Please pardon the iniquity of this people, according to the greatness of your steadfast love, just as you have forgiven this people, from Egypt until now.”20 Then the LORD said, “I have pardoned, according to your word. 21 But truly, as I live, and as all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD, 22 none of the men who have seen my glory and my signs that I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and yet have put me to the test these ten times and have not obeyed my voice, 23 shall see the land that I swore to give to their fathers. And none of those who despised me shall see it. 24 But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed me fully, I will bring into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it.

Moved by Moses’ plea to forgive the people for their rebellion, God pardons their sin. But forgiveness in this case in not complete. The people who have behaved so intolerably will not be put to death, but neither can things go back to the way they were on the day before the rebellion. Forgiveness here has nothing to do with forgetting – there is no mention of wiping the score clean. “God’s forgiveness is a gritty patience and willingness to continue on in relationship in spite of the past.”[5]

The people who had rebelled against God, could not enter the Promised Land and had to go to “Plan B” which is to wander in the desert. Which life would you prefer? Yet there are so many people who instead of following God and His Word, rebel against Him. It is as if God from heaven is saying, “I want to do great things through you, but you just won’t listen.

“tested me ten times” – God is gracious and merciful, but there is a limit, and once that line is crossed there is no going back. This limit of grace is limited to those who will not believe. The words of God in v.21 are forceful “as surely as the glory of the LORD fills the whole earth” There is a certainty that these people will never see the promised land. Hebrews 9:27 “Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,”

V. 24 The Lord singles out Caleb and calls him “my servant”, and remarks with affection about his “different spirit.” But his reward for this faithfulness came forty-five years later. (Josh. 14:10). We as Christians should not expect to be blessed or rainbows to open before us now, but one day – in heaven He will remember our deeds and our works for Him.

We see that for those that do not believe God, He keeps an account. He knows every sin, and on judgment day will bring this list out and this like the words of the Israelites will be our judgment upon ourselves. However, for the believer, the Christian – Heb 8:12 “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

Grumblers Waste Their Lives (vv. 28-30)

Say to them, ‘As I live, declares the LORD, what you have said in my hearing I will do to you: 29 your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness, and of all your number, listed in the census from twenty years old and upward, who have grumbled against me, 30 not one shall come into the land where I swore that I would make you dwell, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun.

The rash words of the people asking to die in the desert become in a sense the judgment of the Lord. They have brought on themselves their punishment. This is the way it is in most rebellious people. The sin that we give ourselves over to will eventually destroy us. For the Israelites it was “doubting God” – this doubt sentenced them to 40 years of wandering aimlessly in the desert.

“I will do to you the very things I heard you say” – The four different punishments of God’s people were all based on what they had said. 1) They did not want to follow God in His purpose for them, so they wandered in the wilderness 2) for every day the spies were in the Promised Land would be a year they would be in the wilderness 3) they used their children as pretext to say why they shouldn’t go in, so only the children would enter 4) Does God want us to die in the wilderness? So the first generation would die in the wilderness.

They believed in knew the Lord but they did not believe the Lord. This would cause them to mark time in the desert until they died. Not believing God’s Word causes us do things that “mark time” in the desert of life. God’s desire is that the Israelites go in and conquer the Promised Land, to enjoy the land flowing with milk and honey, to be a city on a hill, a peculiar people, that would draw the people’s of the earth to God.

People would have looked at this people and their “surly good” land and would have said God is truly with these people. But now they are dust covered and miserable – would the world look upon them and say the same? No.

When we doubt God and live a life of rebellion, then in the end when we look back we will say “what did I do with my life, what a waste!” The apostle Paul said “Philippians 3:7-10 “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having fa righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.”

Heaven is the Canaan set before us, a land flowing with milk and honey; there are many people who says that heaven is going to be wonderful, except is hard to get to it. The Israelite’s problem was that they thought following God was too hard, because they thought that is was they who was going to fight the battle.

I have heard many people say “yeah, but Drew, you don’t know what I’ve done.” The Bible says in John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” God always fights the battle for us. But we must have faith in Him to do it!

Not only does disbelief keep the half-hearted from heaven (the promised land) but it also keeps one from the peace and joy God has promised in this life. John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

Grumblers Want To Follow When It Suits Them (vv. 39-45)

39 When Moses told these words to all the people of Israel, the people mourned greatly. 40 And they rose early in the morning and went up to the heights of the hill country, saying, “Here we are. We will go up to the place that the LORD has promised, for we have sinned.” 41 But Moses said, “Why now are you transgressing the command of the LORD, when that will not succeed? 42 Do not go up, for the LORD is not among you, lest you be struck down before your enemies. 43 For there the Amalekites and the Canaanites are facing you, and you shall fall by the sword. Because you have turned back from following the LORD, the LORD will not be with you.” 44 But they presumed to go up to the heights of the hill country, although neither the ark of the covenant of the LORD nor Moses departed out of the camp. 45 Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites who lived in that hill country came down and defeated them and pursued them, even to Hormah.

Here is the classic example of too little, too late. Now too late to be in faith, the people determine to go up to the land they had refused. They confessed that they had sinned (v. 40). But, even in their desire to enter the Promised land, they rebel because God had already told them what His desire for their lives would be.

Their actions were rash and not thought out, but worse of all was that God was not with them. They brought about another judgment upon themselves. They thought they could change their future after God had spoken.

There are many people who delay following God, delay trusting Him with their lives, thinking I can “do the God thing later.” Don’t be like the Israelites who when it was too late decided that they wanted to enter the Promised Land.

Matt 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons vin your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”

Conclusion

This morning if you are over 20 and fall into the Israelite camp of doubt and rebellion, it’s not too late. You can still turn form your sins and follow God in faith. Ask for His forgiveness and begin to live a life that is a life of purpose, calling, and direction. Allow God to use you build His kingdom, a lasting and eternal accomplishment. If you are under 20 and a child of someone like the Israelite people, have hope, one day you can be free of your parent’s rebellion and you can live a life pleasing to God.

If you are like Joshua and Caleb, hold fast and your faithfulness will be recognized and blessed.

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***https://partdiscounter.com/blogs/news/the-rise-and-fall-of-the-three-wheel-atv

[1] David L. Stubbs, Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible, Numbers (Grans Rapids, Michigan; Brazos Publishing, 2009) 129.

[2] Stubbs, 130.

[3] Ibid, 130.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Ibid, 133.