Christmas...A Time of Mystery and Wonder 11-30-25

 For kids there is a lot of mystery surrounding Christmas, but the greatest mystery is around Jesus.

Matthew 1:18-23 (ESV) "Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, 'Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.' All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet. 'Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel' (which means, God with us)."

Luke 1:35 (ESV) "And the angel answered her, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy-the Son of God.'"

The Mystery of the Incarnation 

John 1:14 (ESV) "And the Word became flesh and dwelt 2among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the father, full of grace and truth."

Colossians 2:9 (ESV) "For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,"

The fullness of deity is imbodied in Jesus Christ. He is all man AND all God. There are a lot of mysteries in this world that we do not understand and yet accept we have a hard time comprehending the incarnation, even though we believe that the earth is round, the ability to split atoms to create a nuclear bomb, that the universe has no end.

I. But why the Incarnation? 

A. He came to be the sacrifice for our sins 

    Matthew 1:21 (ESV) "She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."

The Jewish system was a "sacrificial systems". In Hebrews 10:4 (ESV) "For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins." Jesus was a type/shadow of the sacrificial system.

Thru His sacrifice we have...

1. Redemption- bought back/paid for/purchased

2. Forgiveness- wiping away the debt. God is merciful but also just

3. Reconciliation- the bridge illustration- through Jesus' sacrifice we are reconciled to God.

4. Access- Ephesians 2:18 (ESV) "For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father." Hebrews 4:16 (ESV) "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."  We have access to the Father. Before Jesus access was limited to the High Priest/Priests/Levites. The veil was torn from top to bottom so that all have access to God. You can come before God with confidence.

5. Eternal Life-

6. Eternal Inheritance-

All of this is accomplished thru the Incarnation!

B. He came to defeat Satan 

By man (Adam and Eve) we lost paradise (Eden) and access to God. By a man (Christ) access to God is regained.

Hebrews 2:14-15 (ESV) "Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that trough death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery."

Revelation 20:10 (ESV) "and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever."

C. He came to defeat Death!

1 Corinthians 15:25-26 (ESV) "For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death."

1 Corinthians 15: 54-55 (ESV) "When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: 'Death is swallowed up in victory.' 'O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?'"

Revelation 20:14 (ESV) "Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire."

D. He came to identify with us 

Jesus suffered, he experienced fatigue, hunger, thirst, pain, emotional tension, stress, heartache, grief, loss and DEATH

Isaiah 53:1-3 (ESV) "Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not."

Hebrews 4:15-16 (ESV) "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin."

E. He came to Reveal God.

If God is transcendent, how can we imagine God or know about Him...except thru SELF REVELATION...thru Jesus Christ.

John 1:18 (ESV) "No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known."

Colossians 1:15 (ESV) "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation."

Hebrews 1:3 (ESV) "He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,"

If you see Christ, you see God.

F. He came to show us how we should live.

As Christ lived. We fall short, but Christ is the model/the goal. This is what we should strive for.

Christmas is a time of great mystery/wonder/awe, but the greatest mystery/the most awesome thing is the incarnation! Because Jesus/God became man we can be confident of forgiveness/salvation/eternal life/eternal inheritance etc. This is called Christian Hope/Christian Expectation and a reason for celebration, to stand in awe and WORSHIP!

If He came and did all of that for you what should your response be? He didn't do it for mankind...He did it for ME! 

Our response should be to serve Him...to worship Him.

Closing scripture

1 Timothy 3:16 (ESV) "Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory."

Why are there so many ingrates? Luke 17:11-19

 America didn't invent Thanksgiving, but we do it the best. Christians have been giving thanks for centuries. We are so blessed and yet we complain so much. We are materially rich, but spiritually poor.

Luke 17:11-19 (ESV) "On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as he was entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, 'Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.' When he saw them he said to them, 'Go and show yourselves to the priests.' And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, 'Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?' And he said to him, 'Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.'"

I. When we have it good we forget about God.

Deuteronomy 8:11-14 (ESV) "Take care lest you forget the LORD your God by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes, which I command you today, lest, when you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks multiply and your silver and gold is multiplied and all that you have is multiplied, then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery."\

When we get all the things we sometimes forget about God. When you get to the "Promised Land" don't be surprised when God has to remind you how you got there. The Israelites did this many times after they left Egypt. God would save them and in no time they would think they could make it on their own. Christians today do the same thing. When times are good don't forget who helped you get there...God.

II. Physical health is a poor substitute for eternal security

10 men were healed, but 1 man was saved. The Samaritan man knew what was really important...his spiritual healing. Christians should care about their physical health, but their spiritual  health is much more important. The Samaritan man was not worshiping how he should have been, but he was the 1 man who came back and gave thanks. Every true gift that we have is not deserved. Our salvation is an undeserved gift. 

2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV) "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

Americans gather around the table and generically give thanks but do we truly give thanks? We tend to gripe about the meal, a game or someone also sitting around the table. Are we really thankful? 

III. You can't truly be thankful unless you know who to thank!

James 1:17 (ESV) "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation of shadow due to change."

Our greatest need is our salvation. God's offer of grace is for everyone.

Galatians 2:20 (ESV) "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

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."

IV. Thanksgiving/gratitude is a mark of spiritual maturity.

Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV) "Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."

Seek to grow in gratitude everyday. Practice gratitude. Start every day with prayer and end everyday in prayer. Make it a habit. 

ACTS Prayer

A...Adoration

C...Confession

T....Thanksgiving

S...Supplication

Write out your prayers. Keep a prayer journal. It helps you stay on task and you can see your answered prayers. Walking outside while praying, pray before eating.

V. If you're truly thankful...it should flow out to others.

The Pilgrims who came over on the Mayflower were not perfect. They faced tough times, but they were trying to honor God. They were separatists. 102 set sail on September 6, 1620. The first Thanksgiving was in the fall of 1621. Almost 50 died before the fall of 1621, yet they gathered to give thanks. Their numbers grew and grew. New arrivals came and they were fruitful. They numbered in the thousands in just 71 years. They then merged with the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1691. They were Puritans and the two groups would form what would become Massachusetts. 10 million of the 340 million Americans are descended from those on the Mayflower. They suffered but God blessed them.

Closing Scripture

Psalms 67:1-3 (ESV) "May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, that your way may be know on earth, your saving power among all nations. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the people praise you!"

The Ministry of Encouragement 11-16-25

 People tend to avoid the word ministry. Most believe that ministry only applies to pastors, preachers, church officials and clergy, but ALL Christians are called to minister. 

The definition of ministry- to attend to needs/to give aid/serve/assist

Philippians 2:3-7 (NIV) "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of  others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness."

Matthew 23:11 (ESV) "The greatest among you shall be your servant."

Jesus came to minister and we are called to minister as well.

1 Corinthians 12:7 (ESV) "To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good."

To this you are called....For this you are gifted. Everyone is given a gift and you are called to share it.

Today we are focused on a ministry, a much needed ministry, a ministry that EVERYONE can do...The Ministry of Encouragement.

The English word "encouragement" comes from 2 French words "en" which means to put in and "corage/coeur" which means the heart. Put together it means to put into the heart.

New testament Greek has several words that are translated encourage/comfort/console/strengthen. Many of these words are also translated Exhort which is encouragement on steroids.

Synonyms of encouragement.... strengthen/ comfort/ console /urge forward/ inspire/ assure/ reassure/ nourish/ mature/ stir up/ provoke to better things/ assist/ motivate/ bold confidence.

To create or develop a sense of self worth.

Everybody needs encouragement at some point. Some people need it desperately...those going through a rough time, overwhelmed, beaten down. These people need encouragement to keep going, to push ahead. Anybody can do this. You can either be an encourager or a discourager.

God encourages His people

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV) "fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Hebrews 13:5 (ESV) "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

His people are called to do the same thing!

1 Thessalonians  5:11/14 (ESV) "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." "And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all."

2 Timothy 4:2 (ESV) "preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching."

Throughout Acts Paul and Barnabas and the other apostles were encouraging believers.

Go deeper....

John 14:15-17a (ESV) "If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him or knows him."

Jesus is going away. He has had a fabulous ministry but it was limited to space and time, but when he goes away, he will send a "helper" to continue his ministry- the Holy Spirit, who transcended time and space. The Holy Spirit can go anywhere at any time.

The Greek word for Holy Spirit is a compound word "para" (alongside) and "kaleo" (to call). i.e. the Holy Spirit is "called alongside to help". Also translated counselor/ comforter/ advocate/ helper/ intercessor/ strengthener/ stand by.

When you encourage you are doing the same thing as the Holy Spirit. You are not replacing the Holy Spirit, but you are allowing the Holy Spirit to work through you.

1 Peter 4:10 (ESV) "As each has received a gift, use it to save one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace"

Some people are gifted at encouragement, it comes easily, but you can do it even if you are not gifted. Barnabas was his nickname, means encourager. His real name was Joseph.

One Another's in Scripture (New Testament)

Love one another, greet one another, encourage one another, edify one another, bear with one another, serve one another, admonish one another, confess (your sins) to one another, forgive one another, pray for one another. Also be devoted to one another, honor one another (above yourself), prefer one another, live in harmony with one another, stop judging one another, accept one another, be kind to one another, be compassionate with one another, submit to one another, offer hospitality to one another.

Summary verse... Romans 13:8 (ESV) "Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law."

One Another's NOT found in scripture... criticize one another, ridicule one another, make fun of one another, put down one another, belittle one another, ignore one another, discourage one another

Obviously it is not just Christians need encouragement. When properly (Biblically) encouraged lost people are more likely to consider Christ.

I. To Encourage 

1. To instill a sense of self worth. (significance)

2. To build confidence. (not ego) Biblical hope

Philippians 1:6 (ESV) "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."

3. To urge forward. (onward/upward)

Hebrews 10:23-24 (ESV) "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,"

4. When you encourage someone you make a difference in them and it will make a difference in YOU!.

II. Ways to Encourage (beyond cards, calls, cakes and candy)

1. Notice- sensitive to others not just self.

2. Be present- don't avoid people with serious problems, because you don't know what to say.

3. Listen- encouragement is about them, not you. Pour into their heart.

4. Assist- in small things, medium things and big things.

5. Be patient- it takes time to heal

6. WHEN APPROPRIATE offer biblical advice. There is a time for offering Romans 8:28, make sure it is the right time.

III. Helpful things in developing a ministry of encouragement 

1. Sensitivity- watch for signs of abuse

2. Sincerity- not flattery, sincere and honest complements

3. Intentionality- you may not be gifted at encouragement, you have to work at it.

4. Practice- it can become second nature

People are more apt to be encouraged if they have multiple people encouraging them at the same time.

IV. Octavia Baptist Church should develop a "Culture of Encouragement 

1. Attendance- It is encouraging to walk into a full church or see a full parking lot.

Hebrews 10:24 (ESV) "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works"

2. Greet guests- You might not think you are good at that, but how hard is it to offer a handshake and a "glad to see you" "A Holy Howdy"

Granted some people won't be encouraged, but most people welcome it and benefit from encouragement. You cannot encourage everyone, but you can encourage someone.

V. Options 

1. Pour into (Encourage)

2. Take out of  (Discourage)

3. Do nothing (Ignore the needs of others and focus on self)

It can be life changing and it can be ETERNALLY changing for someone.

Closing Scripture

Mark 9: 33-35 (ESV) "And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, 'What were you discussing on the way?' But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, 'if anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.'"

John 11 The Resurrection and the Life

 This story is only found in the Gospel of John. Death is difficult and will affect us all at some point in our lives. The story of Lazarus is a crucial story and the last miracle before Jesus' crucifixion. The story of Lazarus' resurrection should be encouraging to all believers. Jesus had fled from Jerusalem because the Jews were going to stone Him and it wasn't "his time yet"

John 11:1-3 (ESV) "Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent to him, saying, 'Lord, he whom you love is ill.'"

Jesus and the disciples had a close personal relationship with the family of Lazarus. His sisters were Mary, who was relationship driven and Martha, who was task driven. Jesus loved this family.

John 11:4-6 (ESV) "But when Jesus heard it he said, 'This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.' Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was."

Jesus says that the illness will not lead to Lazarus' death. Jesus "knew" something. It is possible that by the time Jesus and the disciples got word of his illness Lazarus could have already been dead. Jesus still waited 2 days before leaving. He knew that the result would bring glory to God. Jesus sees the big picture, we don't. Jesus knows all things. 

I. Jesus sees the big picture. We don't 

John 2:25 (ESV) "and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man."

John 16:30 (ESV) "Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God."

John 18:4 (ESV) "Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, 'Whom do you seek?'"

John 21:17 (ESV) "He said, to him the third time, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me?' Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, 'Do you love me?' and he said to him, 'Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.' Jesus said to him, 'Feed my sheep.'"

Suffering leads to God's glory.

II. Jesus has great love for us. 

Ephesians 5:2 (ESV) "And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

Romans 8:38-39 (ESV) "For I am sure that neither death or life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." 

If not true these verses wouldn't make sense. Trust God even when hurt. He's going to do something so much better than they expected. God had a great plan. Many would believe because of Lazarus, but also put into motion the events that lead up to Jesus' death.

John 11: 7-14 (ESV) "Then after this he said to the disciples, 'Let us go to Judea again.' The disciples said to him, 'Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?' Jesus answered, 'Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.' After saying these things, he said to them, 'Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.' The disciples said to him, 'Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.' Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. Then Jesus told them plainly, 'Lazarus has died,'"

Jesus is in time with God's timing. The cross is so close, but Jesus was focused on the task at hand.

John 11:15-16 (ESV) "'and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe, But let us go to him,' So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, 'Let us also go, that we may die with him.'"

For thee sake of the disciples and those attending to Lazarus' family so that they may believe. Jesus knows that His disciples  needed to learn to see His power. Was Thomas speaking heroically, sarcastically or pessimistically? They were scared!

John 11:17-27 (ESV) "Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. Martha said to Jesus, 'Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.' Jesus said to her, 'Your brother will rise again.' Martha said to him, 'I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.' Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and  everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?' She said to him, 'Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.'"

Martha and Mary sent for Jesus because they believed that He could heal their brother. Probably frustrated Martha knew that Lazarus would rise on the last day. This belief came from the end of the book of Daniel. The Pharisees believed in the resurrection on the last days, but the Sadducees did not.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 (ESV) "But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep."

If you are in Christ you do not really die. This life is the worst it is going to get for the believer. For those not in Christ this life is the best that it will ever be. It is not a cliché. It is the truth. Christians never truly say goodbye. No greater comfort. We cling to this life because it's all we know, but something so much greater. This is Martha's confession...is it yours?

III. Jesus IS the resurrection and the Life.

This is the 5th of the 7 I am statements found in John, Jesus is not a conduit. He is the source. There had been 3 resurrections found in the bible....Elijah, Elisha and Elisha's bones. Jesus has recorded 3 in detail  and this 3rd one; Lazarus had been dead for 4 days. He stinks! Jesus is more than the other prophets. Jesus is God in the flesh.

John 1:1-4 & 14 (ESV) "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men."  "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, ad we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."

You have a decision about Jesus. No neutrality. Jesus asked Peter "Who do you say that I am?"

Matthew 16:13-16 (ESV) "Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, 'Who do people say that the Son of Man is?' And they said, 'Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.' He said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?' Simon Peter replied, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.'"

John 11:28-35 (ESV) "When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying in private, 'The Teacher is here and is calling for you.' And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him. Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha had met him. When the Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary rise quickly and go out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, 'Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.' When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. And he said, 'Where have you laid him?' They said to him, 'Lord, come and see.' Jesus wept."

Jesus does really care. There would have been tears and loud wailing from the Jews there attending to Mary and Martha. Mary fell at Jesus' feet and he wept. We see his compassion and his love in this moment. Poor Lazarus had to die twice. The worst part of death is dying!

John 11:36-43 (ESV) "So the Jews said, 'See how he loved him!' But some of them said, 'Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?' Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, 'Take away the stone.' Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, 'Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.' Jesus said to her, 'Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?' So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, 'Father I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.' When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come out.'"

Jesus prays before telling Lazarus to come out, what a miracle! Many believe.... the Jews wanted to put Jesus to death... and Lazarus, because  his testimony was powerful and many believed because of that testimony.

We all have a testimony...we should serious about our testimony and following Christ. Why don't you become dangerous like Lazarus.

Challenge...Invite someone to church this week

Closing Scripture

1 John 2:15-17 (ESV) "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world-the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life-is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."

5 Loaves 2 Fish Many Lessons John 6:1-15

 5000 men + women and children. Jesus did a lot and taught a lot through 5 loaves and 2 fish. This story was recorded in all 4 Gospels.

John 6:1-15 (ESV) "After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with the disciples. Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews was at hand. Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, 'Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?' He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, 'Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.' One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, 'There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?' Jesus said, 'Have the people sit down.' Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, 'Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.' so they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, 'This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!' Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself."

I. Jesus has compassion for the multitudes 

When we see Jesus, we see God as a person. Through Jesus we see God's heart.

Matthew 14:14 (ESV) "When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick."

Mark 6:34 (ESV) "When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things."

Compassion led him to meet their physical, but also their spiritual needs. Jesus doesn't just love us to meet our physical needs. He wants to meet our spiritual needs as well. He draws from the Old Testament especially Psalms 23. He healed the lame, the blind, he raised the widows son, he touched and cleansed the leper, but he didn't stop there.

Romans 5:8 "but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Jesus demonstrates great love... Do we?

In Luke 10 Jesus describes the story of the good Samaritan. A Priest, a Levite and a Samaritan, the one who showed great mercy was the Samaritan. 

II. God can do a lot with a very little 

5 loaves and 2 fish...5000 men had "Eaten their fill" "All ate and were satisfied" It started with a boys lunch and ended with 12 baskets of leftovers.

Proverbs 28:20 (ESV) "A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished."

We will not out give our faithful God.

III. God gives good return on our investment 

Malachi 3:10 (ESV) "Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need."

This is tied to financial giving, but God blesses all of our giving...time, talents etc. Sometimes we don't give our best to God. All that we have belongs to God. God can use what you can give.

IV. God wants to work through his people 

Mark and Luke Jesus passed out the bread through his disciples. God doesn't need us. He wants us. God does love you and He wants to work in and through you.

Philippians 2:13 (ESV) "for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."

Edward Kimball lived in the 1800's. Through his ministry hundreds of people have come to know the Lord. He was a school teacher, a carpet salesmen and a volunteer Sunday school teacher. He volunteered for youth ministry. He taught a boys Sunday school class. Mr. Kimball had a 18 yr. old Sunday school student who was kind of rough. He went to visit the boy's uncle's shoe store where he worked and led him to the Lord. This young man was Dwight L. Moody...who became the founder of the Moody Bible Institute and has educated thousands of students. In his early ministry Moody did children's ministry in a one time saloon teaching and reaching the most destitute in Chicago. He also ministered to both sides of the civil war. He also had a preaching tour in England where 7 men, known as the Cambridge 7 took the gospel to inland China. Another man in England touched by Moody was Frederick B. Meyer. Meyer played a key role in the life of a man named J. Wilbur Chapman while preaching on American campuses. Chapman employed Billy Sunday (a former baseball player) at the YMCA. At a Sunday evangelist meeting in North Carolina a man named Mordecai Ham. Ham led a revival in Charlotte that where a young man heard the gospel and yielded his life to Christ....Billy Graham. How many millions came to Christ through the work of Mr. Kimball?

What are we doing with the gifts God has given us?

V. Jesus used the physical to get to the spiritual 

John 6:14-15 (ESV) "When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, 'This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into world!' Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself."

"The Prophet" was like Moses in Deut. 18:15...He wasn't doing it their way. He was the savior they were looking for, but not what they expected. In John 18:36 Jesus said to Pilate "My kingdom is not of this world."

Jesus was not just a Savior for the Jews, but as Samaritans would in John 4:42 "Savior of the World"

What are you doing to bring others to Christ? Jesus will use the bread to point to a spiritual truth. Are we using the physical gifts given to bless others and to point them to Christ? How can we do it more and better?

Closing Scripture

John 6:25-40 (ESV) "When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, 'Rabbi, when did you come here?' Jesus answered them, 'Truly, truly I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.' Then they said to him, 'What must we do, to be doing the works of God?' Jesus answered them, 'This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.' So they said to him, 'Then what sign do you do that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'' Jesus then said to them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.' They said to him, 'Sir, give us this bread always.' Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.'"

John 9 Blind Eyes and Hard Hearts

 It helps to see who Jesus is (and who God is) and who we are. It is good to do a self examination...what do the scriptures mean to me.

The point of the Gospel of John is found in John 20:30-31 (ESV) "Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." John wants us to know that Jesus is the Christ.

John 8:58-9:1 (ESV) "Jesus said to them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.' So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple. As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth."

Jesus had a confrontation with a group of Jews where he plainly tells them who he is and they are about to stone him when he slips away out of the temple, but he sees a blind man; who has been blind since birth. The man is sitting outside the temple, probably begging. Jesus does not just walk by the man as he is escaping the mob, he has compassion for the man.

John 9:2-3 (ESV) "And his disciples asked him, 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?' Jesus answered, 'It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.'"

The disciples ask him a "doctrinal" question and Jesus corrects their doctrine that had been passed down since the exodus. This doctrine taught that the "iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and 4th generation. Some even believed that you could even sin in the womb and be punished once you were born. (sickness, affliction, difficult life) We must look at and interpret the Old Testament scriptures through the New Testament and through Jesus. Jesus is the best biblical commentator. Have you ever blamed yourself for a bad circumstance? Could it be a result of your behavior? Could it be punishment? Could it be a fallen world?

I. God can use your difficulty for His glory and your good. 

God wants to use your difficulty for good. The story of Joseph. Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery, he spent time in prison for something he did not do. He ended up saving his family from starvation and ultimately the Jewish nation that came out of the 12 tribes, because of the position he was in.

Galatians 4:13 (ESV) "You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first," Paul preached to the Galatians because of an "ailment"

John 9:4-7 (ESV) "'We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.' Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man's eyes with the mud and said to him, 'Go, wash in the pool of Siloam' (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing."

Why did Jesus heal him this way? Was there something in the mud or his saliva? Was it the length of time that it took him to walk to the pool of Siloam? Jesus used saliva to heal in Mark 7 and 8. How did the man find the pool? I don't know. Maybe he was healed because he trusted and obeyed.

II. Do we really trust and obey Jesus? 

John 14:15 (ESV) "If you love me, you will keep my commandments."

John 15:14 (ESV) "You are my friends if you do what I command you."

Jesus can do a lot with obedience.

John 9:8-12 (ESV) "The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar were saying, 'Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?' Some said, 'It is he.' Others said, 'No, but he is like him.' He kept saying, 'I am the man.' So they said to him, 'Then how were your eyes opened?' He answered, 'The man called Jesus made mud and anointed my eyes and said to me, 'Go to Siloam and wash.' So I went and washed and received my sight.' They said to him, 'Where is he?' He said, 'I do not know.'"

This man was willing to share his story.

John 9:13-16 (ESV) "They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. Now it was a Sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. So the Pharisees again asked him how he had received his sight. And he said to them, 'He put mud on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.' Some of the Pharisees said, 'This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.' But others said, 'How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?' And there was a division among them."

The man continues to share his story. The Pharisees said Jesus had broke God's law by healing him on the Sabbath. Jesus perfectly kept God's law, but not their traditions.

Matt. 5:17 (ESV) "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them."

Mark 7:6-9 (ESV) "And he said to them, 'Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written,' 'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' 'You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.' And he said to them, 'You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition!"

The Pharisees had "extra laws" or traditions that Jesus did not keep those traditions. Jesus says it is important to keep God's commandments, but not man's traditions.

John 9:17-23 (ESV) "So they said again to the blind man, 'What do you say about him, since he has opened your eyes?' He said, 'He is a prophet.' The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight, until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight and asked them, 'Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?' His parents answered, 'We know that this is our son and that he was born blind. But how he now sees we do not know, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself.' (His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone should confess Jesus to be Christ, he was to be put out of the synagogue.) Therefore his parents said, 'He is of age; ask him.'"

The "blind man" called Jesus a Prophet, so did the Woman at the Well. Jesus did "prophet things". The parents response was a let down after what Jesus had done for their son. 

III. Love Jesus more than the approval of man 

John 12:42-43 (ESV) "Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God."

If God has been good to you, you need to talk about what He has done. We cannot be ashamed of Jesus or His work. The blind man's parents were afraid that they would be put out of the synagogue. Are you being bold with what God has done in your life?

John 9:24 (ESV) "So for the second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, 'Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner."

The Pharisees were not open minded

John 9:25-31 (ESV) "He answered, 'Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.' They said to him, 'What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?' He answered them, ' I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?' And they reviled him, saying, 'You are his disciple but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.' The man answered, 'Why, this is an amazing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him.'"

This man has guts! He is talking to very powerful men. He believes that God has clearly done something in him. He knew Jesus had healed him. He knew that Jesus was "close" to God.

Proverbs 15:29 (ESV) "The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous."

In Matthew 12 and Mark 3 the scribes and Pharisees attributed the miracles to Satan. 

John 9:32-41 (ESV) "'Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.' They answered him, 'You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?' And they cast him out. Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, 'Do you believe in the Son of Man?' He answered, 'And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?' Jesus said to him, 'You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you.' He said, 'Lord I believe,' and he worshiped him. Jesus said, 'For judgement I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.' Some of the Pharisees near him heard these things, and said to him, 'Are we also blind?' Jesus said to them, 'If you were blind, you would have no guild; but now that you say, 'We see,' your guilt remains.'"

Was this blind man was the first Christian to be kicked out of the Synagogue? Jesus revealed himself to this man. The man believed and bow down to worship him and Jesus accepted his worship. The blind man was not only healed of his physical blindness, but also his spiritual blindness.  His spiritual healing was greater than his physical healing. The Pharisees refused to see. The act of healing the blind to see was the mark of Messiah. No where in the Old Testament do you find where someone healed sight.

Isaiah 29:18 (ESV) "In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see."

Isaiah 35:5 (ESV) "Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped;"

Isaiah 42:7 (ESV) "to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness."

Isaiah 61:1-2 (ESV) "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; to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;"

The Pharisees failed to see who he was.

Luke 7:18-23 (ESV)"The disciples of John reported all these things to him. And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, saying, 'Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?' And when the men had come to him, they said, 'John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, 'Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?' In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind the bestowed sight. And he answered them, 'Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.'" (Reference Isaiah 35:5-6)

Luke 4:17-21 (ESV) "And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, 'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.' And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, 'Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.'" (Reference Isaiah 61:1-2)

Jesus read these Old Testament scriptures in the Synagogue.

IV. Only Jesus can give sight. 

Ananias is the only other person to heal sight. He healed Paul's sight in Acts 9 through Jesus.

Acts 4:12 (ESV) "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

The Pharisees thought they could see, but they were blind and sick.

Matthew 9:12-13 (ESV) "But when he heard it, he said, 'Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.'"

10 Ways to Increase your Faith

 After Jesus, Peter, James and John came down from the mountain after the 3 disciples witnessed Jesus' transfiguration they came to a gathering of the other disciples and others, including a demon possessed boy and his father. The father had asked the disciples to cast out the demon but they were unable to. The father then asks Jesus to cast out the demon.

Mark 9:22-24 (ESV) "'And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.' And Jesus said to him, 'If you can! All things are possible for one who believes.' Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, 'I believe; help my unbelief!'"

Do you identify with the father?

Definition of faith is confidence... Biblical faith is confidence in God not in ones self. These are some simple doable ways to increase your faith (confidence in God)

1. Pray for faith. 

James 4:2 (ESV) "You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask." 

Ask for your faith to increase, but beware God often develops our faith in difficult circumstances.

2. Increase you knowledge (i.e. of God)

Romans 10:17 (ESV) "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ."

    A. The Bible is God's self revelation. 

    B. The more you know of Him, the easier it is to trust Him.

3. Apply the word apply the teachings

Obey-Experience-Confidence

We are often told not to tempt God, but if instruction with a promise then test Him.

Malachi 3:10 (ESV) "Bring the full tithe into storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need."

When you obey, the outcome is good and then you trust Him more.

4.Recall past victories

1 Samuel 17:36-37 (ESV) "'Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defiled the armies of the living God.' And David said, 'The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of the Philistine.'" And Saul said to David, 'Go, and the LORD be with you!'"

There is a benefit to journaling. It helps you to see where you have been and how God worked in different situations.

5.Seek His presence

You cannot conjure up His presence (séance). He is sovereign and He chooses. You can position yourself for His presence. Be prepared for when He chooses to reveal Himself to you. (i.e. worship-bible study-quiet time-church attendance)

6.Associate with faithful people

Treat non Christians with respect, but don't hang out with them. Hang out with mature Christians.

Proverbs 13:20 (ESV) "Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm."

7. Practice "Holy Discontent" 

Matthew 5:3-6 (ESV) "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."

Be content with THINGS you have, not with your spiritual condition! Most are content with their spiritual condition and discontent with the things. Backwards! Americans are the opposite of what the Bible teaches.

8. Pursue Christian virtues 

2 Peter 1:5-8 (ESV) "For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness,"

God gives us a lot through grace (salvation/forgiveness/reconciliation/inheritance). We must work at developing Christian virtues.

9. Be consistent 

Philippians 4:11-13 (ESV) "Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me."

How did Paul learn this? By being consistent in his Christian walk. PRACTICE! You are going to have highs and lows in your faith, but being consistent in your walk will cause you to gain faith as you grow.

10. Be patient 

We want to grow all at once, but growth takes time be patient.

Bonus

11. Serve

Matthew 20:25-28 (ESV) "But Jesus called them to him and said, 'You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them, It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.'"

Matthew 23:11 (ESV) "The greatest among you shall be your servant."

Don't think your faith will grow if you ignore this fundamental principle. You will not grow your Christian faith if you don't serve. We are called to be blessed, but also called to be the blessor.

What about accepting Christ? What about being born again? Isn't that essential to biblical faith? Yes, but it matters not which way you approach this. Accept Christ...then do these things...then you will increase your faith. Or do these things...and they will lead you to Christ and then growing your faith!