April 26 2009

Consider Your Calling

1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Have you ever considered that life is one consideration after another?  To that we might say, “Hum, never considered that.” 

To consider something means to … “think carefully about that something” … “regard a matter”.  To consider something is close to the old word “ruminates” meaning “to turn it over in one’s mind” so as to be clear in thinking and acting.

It shouldn’t surprise us to know the Bible asks the believers on many occasions to “consider” … for instance:

• Consider the ravens and lilies of the field … when you think God doesn’t care (Lk 12:24,27)
• Consider yourself dead to sin … and alive to Christ (Rom 6:11)
• Consider the pains in this life are not comparable to what God is doing and revealing in  us (Rom 8:18)
• Consider how to stir up love and good works … in others (Heb 10:24)
• Consider Jesus how He endured hostilities … when you think you have it bad (Heb 12:3)

There’s a lot to consider there.  One more for good measure …

1 Corinthians 1:26-35 (ESV) For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

Paul says “consider your calling” … it is an expressed COMMAND (an imperative).  Paul desires his readers to “think carefully” their call to salvation … the call of God … who called you out of darkness and into His marvelous light. (1 Pt 2:9)

In their consideration they needed to …

1.       Consider What You Weren’t

The Corinthians were guilty of “glorifying” man … let no one boast in men (1 Cor 3:18-21)

When we get to praising man … we make less of Jesus … our call of salvation … work of God, etc. etc.

A friend of mine on his blog wrote … NOTE TO SELF: BIG JESUS … Take note – your view of Jesus tends to shrink over time. 

It’s true we all have a tendency to reduce to common grounds (rather than holy grounds) Jesus, His work, worth, and His person.  When Jesus becomes “little” in our sight, man tends to become “big” in our sight.

This is why Paul writes with passion and command for us to consider our calling to salvation.

Summer baseball!  I grew up with sandlot pick-up games where there were two captains choosing their teams one by one.  With great consideration, choices were made based on the known skills of batting, fielding, running.  My friend Tony Boyer was always chosen last and sometimes the last captain to choose would say, “You guys can have him.”  Tony was better known as a “sure out.”  He lacked the basic skills of playing baseball.

Paul tells us that in the scope of salvation … we were all “Tony Boyer’s”

not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.

Though it might hurt our feelings we need to consider and understand had nothing of our own to impress God to pick us.  We were at best … stupid, weak and nobodies.  We had a “humanly unimpressive pedigree!” (Wiersbe)

If God would have used “sandlot choosing” based on skill & talent … He would have passed us by … looked over us!  We need to consider what we weren’t!

“But God Chose” … in His sovereign freedom, He chooses (present tense) people, times and circumstances … so as to cancel (nullify) human pride.  And here is the reason why.

1 Cor 1:29 (ESV) so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.

It bonds with what Paul says in Ephesians …

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)  For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

God turns things up side down when choosing …

• What is “foolish” … shame the wise
• What is “weak” … shame the strong
• What is “low/despised” … shame what is (man thinking much of himself)

The good news about this is … the TONY BOYER’S of the world are chosen!  That’s us!  We were chosen not because of our wisdom, strength and good looks … but because we are foolish, weak and lowly.

Paul wanted them to consider again … “God called them, not because of what they were, but in spite of what they were!” (Warren Wiersbe, Bible Exposition Commentary)

“God doesn’t call the qualified, but qualifies the called.” – Wellington Boone

If you are saved and part of the born-again chosen of God … rejoice you made the team!

2.       Consider What You Are

1 Cor 1:30-31 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

Paul reiterates that because of “God’s choosing” not based on merit, but on His grace … For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Eph 2:8-9 ESV) … the one who believes on Christ is IN Christ.

Paul wanted to remind them of ALL they had IN Christ.

• Chosen before the foundation of the world … Eph 1:4
• Redemption through His blood … Eph 1:7
• Have obtained an inheritance … Eph 1:11
• Sealed with the Holy Spirit … Eph 1:13

Ephesians 2:13 (ESV) But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ

Paul wanted to remind them that ALL they had become IN Christ

“But by the grace of God I am what I am …” (1 Cor 15:10)

• Wisdom … “all the treasures of wisdom & knowledge” (Col 2:3)
• Righteousness … “He became sin, we become the righteous” (2 Cor 5:21)
• Sanctification … “sanctified in the truth” (Jn 17:19)
• Redemption … “justified by His grace” (Rom 3:24)

When you get Christ you get it all!  We lack nothing! ALL that we were NOT … we have BECOME IN Christ!

So we boast (brag) not in ourselves (not heritage, wealth, education, position) … but in Christ … “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (vs.31; Jeremiah 9:24)

Consider this … everything we do, accomplish or complete should be tagged with a humble submission of “Thank You Jesus.”

Amen!

April 19 2009

Heartburn In Emmaus

Luke 24:13-35

 

If I were to tell you that “heartburn” is beneficial to your spiritual walk would you believe me?  Would you eat that which gives you heartburn, in order to walk more closely with the Lord Jesus?  Let’s let the scriptures speak for themselves.

 

Luke 24:13-35 … “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”

 

The impact of the scriptures came to “heartburn” as I was mulling over in mind and prayer what was most needed to incite the men of our church body to be disciples of Jesus Christ so as to be godly men, husbands and fathers.

 

I came away from a two-day asking, seeking and knocking with the realization that there are no easy answers, no formulas, no programs to turn men’s hearts (or anyone’s) back to God and that it will only come through seeking God, His face, His person, His Work in and through His Word. 

 

NOTE:  I have more to share with you men tonight as we introduce the biblical study of “Follow Me” looking into the character of Christ.

 

I had no intentions to address these scriptures this morning, but God has prompted me otherwise.  So this morning may our hearts burn within us for having opened up the Scriptures.

 

Many of us are most like these “two guys” on the road to Emmaus.  What they had hoped would happened didn’t happen, at least from all visible aspects and they found themselves disappointed, discouraged and even doubting.  We’ll call this HEARTBREAK in the 2Guys from Emmaus.

 

1.  HEART-BREAK IN EMMAUS (13-24)

 

These 2Guys … most likely disciples of Jesus, after experiencing the crucifixion (death) and though hearing the reports of “missing body” did the only thing they knew to do … go home.

 

As they walked the seven miles from Jerusalem to Emmaus they talked about … all the things that had happened … the past few days.

 

As they walked and talked Jesus (incognito) comes along side them and enters into conversation with them.  They did not recognize Jesus … but their eyes we kept from recognizing him. (vs.16)

 

Why?  For the purpose of God we don’t always “see” or understand.

 

§ Looking at Jesus but not Seeing Jesus … “When did we see You?” … done or not done to the least of these (Mt 25)

§ The baggage of doubt obscured their eyes from seeing.

§ Some suggest they were so “self-absorbed” they couldn’t have recognized Him.

§ Mark 9:31-34 … Jesus telling of His coming death & resurrection, but the disciples are “self-absorbed” in who was the greatest!

 

What has you and me so “self-absorbed” that we wouldn’t recognize Jesus if He were to come in and sit down next to us?

 

From the question Jesus asks … what they were talking about … these 2Guys rattle off … the things and events “Concerning Jesus.” (vs.19)

 

§ Jesus WAS a prophet … mighty in deed & word

§ Hoped Jesus WAS the One to redeem Israel

 

*Note: “WAS” … speaks to the fact the 2Guys now saw Jesus as not relevant to the present.  Is Jesus in the “was” of your life?

 

§ Condemned to death and crucified

§ “Besides all this” (vs.21) … it is now the “third day” … in other words “He’s DEAD!”

§ Some women report the tomb empty and an angel saying “HE WAS ALIVE”  (See: Luke 24:11 … idle tale) … but HIM they did not see (report believed).

 

These 2Guys had “Good Theology” … but lacked “Good Faith”.  Faith eluded them!

 

Luke 8:25 “Where is your faith?” (calming the storm)

 

§ What “heartbreak” has us blinded to the truth? 

§ How long does God have to go around incognito, unrecognized, unseen as alive and active in our lives?

 

In these 2Guy’s life, Jesus takes them from heartbreak to “heart-exam” on the way to Emmaus.

 

2.  HEART-EXAM IN EMMAUS (25-27)

 

As Jesus joined these 2Guys He entered the conversation with the “basic” and moved to the “specific.”

 

Basic Questions:  “What are you talking about?” … “What things happened?” 

 

The reaction of the 2Guys … “And they stood still, looking sad” … “Are you the only one in town who does not know what’s going on?”  Perhaps they thought “GOOD LORD! Who is this guy?”

 

Specific Exam: Jesus moves the 2Guys into the specifics of the SCRIPTURES!  

 

He takes no opinion polls … shows no Discovery Channel’s “Who Is Jesus?” (Speculation upon speculation of untruth) … no extracurricular reading … but moves them into the Scriptures.

 

“He accepts their skepticism and doubt and weaves it into the tapestry of scripture.” – Owen Bourgaize

 

Don’t Miss This! …  Jesus gives a gentle admonition … not a stirring rebuke for their lack of faith … “Oh foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe …” (vs.25)  Jesus comes to enlarge our faith … not diminish it with a harsh reply.

 

Galatians 6:1 (ESV) Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.  (fruit of the Spirit … gentleness, Gal 5:22-23)

 

With the Scriptures He begins to dissect and cut through and away their doubt to bring them to belief.

Hebrews 4:12 (ESV) For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

 

§ Nature of God’s Word is that of “LIFE-GIVING” communication.

§ Nature of God’s Word is a critic to the “THOUGHT-LIFE” motivations.

§ Nature of God’s Word is to discover and reveal the “HEART-LIFE”

 

God’s Word is about life … as it is the “word of life”.  (1 Jn 1:1)

 

Luke 24:26 (ESV) Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?”

 

The problem of the 2Guys was “How to make sense of the cross.”

 

Luke 24:27 (ESV) And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

 

ü  Moses & Passover Lamb (1 Cor 5:7)

ü  Serpent Lifted Up in Wilderness (Num 21 & Jn 3;14-15)

ü  Suffering Servant … (Is 55)

 

A “Suffering-Servant-Messiah” didn’t fit their idea of the saving Messiah they wanted.

 

Acts 1:6 “Lord will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel”

 

Jesus refutes such “political” babbling speculation with … “that is not your business, but this is …

 

Acts 1:8 (ESV) 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.”

 

Here is the purpose of the cross … “in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself …” (2 Cor 5:19)  Remaking man to be in a right relationship with God … as the Scriptures so say.

 

From the Scriptures Jesus interpreted them showing Himself to be God’s Son, man’s Savior.  And from heart-break and heart-exam He moves these two men to “heartburn”.

 

3.  HEART-BURN IN EMMAUS (28-35)

 

The seven-mile journey to Emmaus must have passed quickly with such deep biblical discourse.

 

§ Jesus awaited their invitation to ask Him in.

§ “Day is far spent” … how much will we spend and expend before inviting Jesus in?

 

Revelation 3:20 (ESV) 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.

 

§ Jesus in Emmaus took the bread, blessed it, broke it and gave it.

§ Recollection of a previous meal?  The actions reminded them of Jesus.

 

Luke 22:19 (ESV) And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

 

Two INDISPENSIBLE thoughts ….

 

§ And their eyes were opened … and they recognize Jesus

§ He opened to us the Scriptures.

 

“Opened hearts to the Scriptures open eyes to see Jesus.”

 

§ One big case of “HEARTBURN”!

 

Jeremiah 20:9b (ESV) … there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot.

 

§ Heartburn to heart sharing … they BELIEVED and now had something to share!  Jesus IS alive!  He’s my Savior!  He’s my Lord!

 

Luke 24:34a (ESV) “The Lord has risen indeed …”

Oh men … people …

 

§ Let Christ meet us in the ordinary places … home, work, play!

§ Let us SEE Christ of the Scriptures! (no opinions, etc)

§ Let us have“heartburn” for the Scriptures!

 

Let us begin this morning to journey to Emmaus, and may we see Jesus.

 

Amen!

* Outline borrowed from Owen Bourgaize “Emmaus Experience”  … 1. Heart-Breaking Experience 2. Heart-Searching Experience 3. Heart-Burning Experience

April 12 2009

Resurrection Driven Life

Romans 6:4 & Selected Scriptures

 

He Is Risen! Such words are not to be some Christian catch phrase spoken of once a year like a “Merry Christmas”.  No, these words “He is risen” are the absolute indispensible and irreducible truth of God’s infallible Word. 

 

The ladies who had witnessed the crucifixion and death of Jesus were making their on that first day of the week (Sunday) to anoint the body of their fallen rabbi and friend.  As they approached the tomb they were greeted by an angelic being much like those lowly shepherds who had heard the announcement of the Savior’s birth, they were given first news … I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. “He is not here; for HE IS RISEN … go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen. (Mt 28:5,6,7)

 

Those words “define” the born-again in Christ, as well as “drive” their lives in the “Resurrection Driven Life.”

 

Sometimes we grow complacent with what is familiar, even precious diamond like truth.  Take the resurrection for instance.  Jesus being raised after three days, has become the Christian’s “happily ever after” conclusion.  My hope this morning is to stir our thoughts concerning the resurrection so that we might understand it as the beginning of our life in Christ, not the conclusion.  So let’s consider the resurrection driven life this morning.

 

Romans 6:4 (ESV)  We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

 

Up to this point Paul has looked into the depths of the sin of man using terms like … “judgment” … “condemnation” … “disobedience” … “made sinners” … “death reigned” with the conclusion … for all have sinned … the wages of sin is death.  (Romans 3:23; 6:23 ESV)  

 

However, the solution to the conclusion rests in God’s loving-merciful grace … to which God provides the “CROSS” the death of Christ for the solution of sin.

 

Romans 4:25 (NIV)  He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

 

In the cross we are forgiven of the “penalty” of sin and in the resurrection we are freed from the “power” of sin to live a resurrection driven life.  But too many Christians today want to “lower” the bar for Christian living, but Paul “raised” the bar. 

 

So here is the HIGH BAR … THE RAISED (resurrected) LIFE IS OUR PRESENT & FUTURE.

 

Let me speak first to the “future” of the raised (resurrected) life though it is not the crux of my message.  Yes, I am encouraged by the truth of the resurrection of the dead … but is it the resurrection of the living dead that I want to center on in this resurrection message.  So a word first on the future and then on the present.

 

ü  FUTURE … raised & changed with Christ

 

Paul in 1 Corinthians chapter 15 gives a “sterling” argument for the realities of the resurrection … as the “IRREDUCIBLE” foundation.  The “resurrection” of Christ is so important that every aspect of the Christian life HINGES on the reality of the resurrection. (Mark Coppenger)

 

He says … “if Christ isn’t raised from the dead then our preaching is in vain … faith is vain … still in our sins … and we are to be pitied!  But then he says, “But in fact Christ has been raised!” (1 Cor 15:20)  He goes on to speak of the eternal benefits of the resurrection.

 

The resurrection has ETERNAL significance … we will be changed and live forever with Christ.

 

1 Corinthians 15:42-44 (ESV) So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. 43 It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.

 

§  Perishable RAISED Imperishable

§  Dishonor RAISED in Glory

§  Weakness RAISED in Power

§  Natural Body RAISED a Spiritual Body

 

Think about it … all that sin has affected the resurrection will produce these realities as well as others in the after-life of the believer.  We can rest and glory in them, for Christ is risen!

 

ü  PRESENT … raised to a “newness” of living

 

Paul speaks to the reality of the resurrection in the “present” this ways … we too might walk in newness of life.

 

§  Newness is a renewal to which we are renewed again and again in the resurrected life of Christ.

 

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (and continues to come)

 

§ Is there any part of life that God cannot bring “newness” into?  Spiritual, Emotional, Physical, Relational, Psychological … all things are possible with God (Lk 18:27)

 

Colossians 3:1 (ESV) If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God

 

§  Newness of Life … sin no longer defines us … died to sin!

§  Newness of Life … the Risen Lord defines us … alive to Christ!

§  Newness of Life … is devoted & dedicated to righteous living … offer yourselves as living sacrifice

 

BE DONE WITH THE OLD LIFE AND BEGIN WITH THE NEW LIFE

 

Too often the “resurrected” life is put off to the “here after” … but it is so contemporary in the “here and now!”

 

§ I AM THE RESURRECTION … John 11:24-26 … the dialogue … Martha believes in the resurrection of the “here after” … but Jesus is asking her if she believes that Lazarus would be raised this day!

 

§ Testimony to the Resurrection … Acts 4:33 … telling with words and testifying with changes lives … and great grace was on them!

 

§ Fellowship of the Resurrection … Philippians 3:10-11 …

 

Philippians 3:10-11 (ESV) 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.

 

Paul’s goal was to experience the resurrected driven life, not just in heaven to come, but in the daily grind of life … I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

 

Dr. Ralph Kupier says of this attainment … “As I walk your streets, as I walk into your homes, as I walk into your stores, as I walk into you offices, as I mingle among the sons of men, I want to be so living for Christ, so outstanding for Him that you can see that I am a living one among the dead ones.”

 

Paul says … Philippians 3:12 (ESV) Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.

 

Be driven to PURSUE in your PRESENT living the resurrection of Jesus Christ!

 

Romans 6:4 (ESV)  We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

 

On this RESURRECTION Sunday it is a radical call to examine our lives in light of the resurrection of Christ to see if our present living is being shaped by the reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

 

He is risen!  He is risen!

 

Amen!