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! 

The Woman at the Well Pt 2 John 4:27-42

 Recap... Jesus said they "must go" to/through Samaria. This was part of God's divine plan. The woman comes to the well alone. Jesus starts a conversation about water and ends up talking about worship. He reveals her sin and who he is...Messiah

John 4:27-30 (ESV) "Just then his disciples came back. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but no one said, 'What do you seek?' or, 'Why are you talking with her?' So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, 'Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?' They went out of the town and were coming to him."

The disciples show up just at the right time. They didn't interrupt and just observed the interaction between Jesus and the Samaritan woman. We should imitate the disciples...quick to listen and slow to speak. 

Ephesians 5:1-2 (ESV) "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

1 John 2:16 (ESV) "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."

Proverbs 17:28 (ESV) "Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent."

The woman went to the town and shared what happened. She shared her "personal testimony" . They probably knew her history, but she is sharing with them that Jesus knew her sins. She poses a question to the people. She invites them to see with her boldness.

I. If you have truly met Jesus you have a testimony

There are no boring testimonies. It is important to share. A love for God compels you to have love for others and want them to know him. 

Romans 10:14-15 (ESV) "How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!'"

The woman showed love for the townspeople by sharing her testimony. She is humble and invites them to come and see.

John 4:31-38 (ESV) "Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, saying, 'Rabbi, eat.' But he said to them, 'I have food to eat that you do not know about.' So the disciples said to one another, 'Has anyone brought him something to eat?' Jesus said to them, 'My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, then comes the harvest'? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true, 'One sows and another reaps.' I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.'"

II God's Work is Satisfying 

Jesus was using common conversation to teach a lesson...bread. Jesus wasn't concerned with food, because God's work was "satisfying". If you try to God's work on your own you will burn out, but if you do it out of the overflow of God's pouring into you it is exhilarating! You will never regret it. Even if you stumble with your words you will see God working through you.

John 15:5 (ESV) "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

Be ready...be prepared to do God's work. Spend time in prayer and in the Word. Other scripture references...Matt. 4/Deut. 8 "Man shall not live on bread alone..." 1 Peter 2 God's word=pure milk

III God's work is worthwhile 

Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV) "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither mouth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." 

Working with God towards the eternal. Missionaries in Ecuador in the 50's (Jim Elliot) "He is no fool who gives what he can't keep to gain what..." These men were willing to sacrifice their lives for the spread of the gospel to unreached people. Their wives stayed and eventually reached these people for God. Are we willing to sacrifice things (a little time, money, energy, sweat, pride, embarrassment) for God's work.

IV Where is your mission field? 

"The fields are white for harvest"

- our own families and beyond

-All of us needs a mission field

-your job, your school

Luke 15:10 (ESV) "Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

God loves the work where we seek the lost. The angels rejoice in heaven when a sinner repents. The Prodigal son...

Luke 19:10 (ESV) "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."

God uses unwilling people to reach the lost...Jonah....Don't be like Jonah and be mad when the lost repent and are saved.

John 4: 39-42 (ESV) "Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, 'He told me all that I ever did.' So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, 'It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.'"

Jesus stayed for 2 days with the people in the Samaritan village. What an amazing time they must have had learning from him. They believed because of what he said. They were ready to believe, some because of the woman's testimony and some because of what they heard from him. We must all own our own faith. We must know what and why we believe.

V Jesus is THE Savior of the World  

The Samaritans declared that Jesus was for ALL, not just for the Jews. He was making new people and a new covenant.

1 Peter 2:9-10 (ESV) "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."

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."

From Samaria and to the ends of the earth. We should be grateful because someone shared with you. Now we have to do our part.

Challenge: Pray... Lord what can I do? Where is my mission field? Lord send me into the Harvest!

The Woman at the Well Pt 1 John 4:1-26

 In John 3 Nicodemus, who is part of the Sanhedrin, asks Jesus questions and then defends him to the Sanhedrin in John 7. After the crucifixion Nicodemus brought myrrh and aloes to wrap Jesus' body.  It shows us that God can change anyone and work through a man like Nicodemus. All are welcome to come to Christ. The lowly woman at the well could also come to Jesus.

John 4:1-3 (ESV) "Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John (although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples), he left Judea and departed again for Galilee."

Jesus left Judea because of the Pharisees. He knew that it wasn't time for him to be arrested and he still had things to accomplish. He was trying to avoid conflict so he went to Galilee, his home region and of all of the Disciples except 1...Judas Iscariot who was from Kerioth south of Jerusalem.

John 4:4 (ESV) "And he had to pass through Samaria." Samaria was about 35 miles from Jerusalem. Most Jews would not walk through Samaria. There were several routes to Galilee, but Jesus chose to go through Samaria.

History of the Jews and Samaritans... after Solomon's death Israel divided into the 10 northern tribes, Samaria, and the 2 southern tribes, Judah. In 722 B.C. the Assyrians exiled most of the people from the northern tribes. The transplanted people intermarried with the pagan people and adopted their idolatry. They believed in only the pentateuch (the first 5 books of the Bible). They built their own temple at Gerizim and built a "golden calf" as a seat of God. In 108 B.C. the Samaritans backed the Greeks in the Maccabean revolt. The Jews destroyed the Samaritan temple. the Samaritans later spread dead bones in the Temple complex in Jerusalem. Both the Jews and the Samaritans believed that a Messiah was coming.

John 4:5-6 (ESV) "So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob's well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour." 

Jesus was tired. The town was near where Josephs bones were buried after the exodus.

John 4:7-14 (ESV) "A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, 'Give me a drink.' (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, 'How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?' (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, 'If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.'  The woman said to him, 'Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.' Jesus said to her, 'Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again.  The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life,' "

The woman came alone to Jacob's well. She was separated from her peers. Jesus broke with the norms. A man would never talk to a woman that was not his wife. Jesus uses physical things to talk about spiritual things

Our deepest needs are not physical - Our deepest need is to be made right with God.

Jerimiah 2:13 (ESV) "for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water."

Zechariah 14:8 (ESV) "On that day living waters shall flow out from Jerusalem, half of them to the eastern sea and half of them to the western sea. It shall continue in summer as in winter."

Ezekiel 47:9 (ESV) "And wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish. For this water goes there, that the waters of the sea may become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes."

Jesus draws from the scriptures to show us who He is... His messiahship and his divinity. He does this with Nicodemus when he asks about being born again. Do we pray like we believe this truth?

John 4:15-18 (ESV) "The woman said to him, 'Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.' Jesus said to her, 'Go, call your husband, and come here.' The woman answered him, 'I have no husband.' Jesus said to her, 'You are right in saying, 'I have no husband'; for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.'"

God knows our deepest secrets.

Can you imagine someone telling you your deepest, darkest secret? God knows all of our secrets.

Psalms 139:1-4 (ESV) "O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether."

There will be a life review, maybe like a movie.

Matthew 12:36 (ESV) "I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every carless word they speak"

2 Corinthians 5:10 (ESV) "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil."

Revelation 20:11-12 (ESV) "Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done."

Even though he knew everything she had done, he chose to engage with her...and us

And he still sent his Son for us

Romans 5L8 (ESV) "but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

John 4:19-24 (ESV) "The woman said to him, 'Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.' Jesus said to her, 'Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.'"

The woman recognizes that Jesus was special...a prophet. She asks a spiritual question and wants the truth. True worship is not going to happen in a place, but in a people.

God is seeking true worshipers

What is true worship? God aligning his spirit to ours. It is submission to God. The first time worship is mentioned in the bible is when Abraham was taking Isaac to sacrifice him. Spirit, Truth, Head, Heart

God is doing something special right now. We need truth, but also enthusiasm and passion. Theology and also action. 

1 Timothy 4:16 "Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and you hearers."

Churches in Revelation, they tolerate lies or they lose their passion/1st love.

John 4:25-26 (ESV) "The woman said to him, 'I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he w.ill tell us all things.' Jesus said to her, 'I who speak to you am he.'"

Jesus clearly reveals who he is to her. He revealed plainly who he was to here, but not to Jewish leadership.

John 10:22-30 (ESV) "At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, 'How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.' Jesus answered them, 'I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one.'"

Jesus doesn't deny, but also doesn't come right out and say that he is the Messiah.

One other interesting fact is that this conversation took place at a well. All the patriarchs met their wives at a well... Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Rachel, Moses and Zipporah. Ephesians 5 paints the picture.

Matthew 9:15 (ESV) "And Jesus said to them, 'Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is taken away from them, and they will fast.'"

The "Bridegroom" completely united to his people. Jesus is talking with his bride...the church. Jesus is completely united to his people...his bride. Grow in your submission  and worship in spirit and truth.

We need to be both evangelist, reaching the lost and also refreshing to the saints.

How to be a shepherd

 1 Peter 5:1-5 (ESV) "So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'"

This is Peter's exhortation to the leaders of the church...pastors and elders. We can also find qualifications for church leaders in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.

James 3:1 (ESV) "Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness."

1 Peter 5:1 starts with So....so let's go back and look at the verses before chapter 5. 1 Peter 4:12-19 (ESV) "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgement to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And 'if the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?' Therefore let those who suffer according to  God's will entrusts their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good."

In these verses we see Peter weaving his Old Testament knowledge in his message to New Testament believers. He probably had Ezekiel on his mind especially chapters 8-9. Ezekiel had visions of Jerusalem and it's idolatry and the corruption of its elders/leaders and how it was leading to God's judgement on them in 586 BC. Peter was weaving his knowledge of suffering and purification.

Leaders matter, where they lead matters, how they lead matters. Jesus looked at the multitudes with compassion, but harshest words for....leaders.

An elder's (Presbooteros) is to shepherd the flock. The word shepherd in Latin is "pastor". Shepherds feed and watch over the flock. Biblical shepherds...Abraham, Isaac, Jacob Moses, David, Jesus, the Shepherds at Jesus' birth, the Shepherd of Psalms 23.

John 21:15-19 (ESV) "When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?' He said to him, 'Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.' He said to him, 'Feed my lambs.' He said to him a second time, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me?' He said to him, 'Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.' He said to him, 'Tend my sheep.' 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. Truly, truly, I say to you when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.' (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, 'Follow me.'"

Peter is encouraging the leaders to protect the sheep- the believers. Psalms 23 show us that God is our shepherd.

Jobs of the Shepherd 

1. Care for God's people. 

Hebrews 13:17 (ESV) "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give and account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you."

2. How to care for God's people. 

Not under compulsion, but do so willingly. It is a get to, not a got to. What is our attitude in service. 

CS Lewis quote "A perfect man would never act from a sense of duty; he'd always want the right thing more than the wrong one. Duty is only a substitute of love (of God and other people) like a crutch which is a substitute for a leg. Most of us need the crutch at times; but of course it is idiotic to say the crutch when on our own legs (our own loves, tastes, habits, etc) can do the journey on their own."

Do the right thing even when you don't feel like it, but we need to have that love of it.

Not greedily, but eagerly. Peo1ple have been using Christianity to build their kingdoms for a long time. Musicians, writers, politicians and pastors. 

1Timothy 3:3 (ESV) "not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money."

An elder must not be...Charismatic.

2 Timothy 3:2 (ESV) "For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy," in vs 5 it tells us to avoid such people.

Titus 1:7 (ESV) "For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain," Overseers (elders) must not be greedy for gain. Some pastors are MVPs (Multi Vocational Pastors) and lead churches for free. Serve because you love the LORD and are called.

Not domineering, but examples Some pastors keep themselves separate...disconnected from others. You cannot be too "good" to do any job in the church.

Mark 10:45 (ESV) "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Jesus came to serve...

VS 4

Be connected to the chief Shepherd. 

We should not be motivated by duty, greed or power, but to please the Lord. We want to please the Lord. 

John 15:5 (ESV) "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

Spending time in the word and in prayer.

There is a great reward coming for the faithful. 

There is a reward for the persecuted (Matt 5:12, Luke 6:23, 1 Peter)

Crown of Glory...it is a reward from Jesus! How cool is that!

Matthew 6:19-20 (ESV) "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal."

Vs. 5

Let's all be legendary in our humility 

We all ought to be known for our humility

James 4:5-6 (ESV) "Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, 'He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us'? But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'"

Proverbs 3:34 (ESV) "Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor."

Not only does God give grace to the humble, but opposes the proud.

Let's continue to grow in humility together.

 

1 Peter 4:1-11

 Today we are going to start with a "problem" verse and then go back and look at the rest of the verses.

1 Peter 4: 5-6 (ESV) "but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does."

The they here is the nonbelievers. All will answer to the Lord on the day of judgment...whether alive (at His return) or died (before His return).

vs. 6 - "preached to those who are dead" what does this mean?. There are 4 basic views.

1. Some believe Jesus descended into "hell" and preached (during the 3 days in the grave). But why would He do this if there are no 2nd chances?

2. Some believe that these were the Old Testament saints and all Pre-Resurrection saints held in "Paradise"; Christ went there, preached, and lead them to heaven.

3. Some believe the "dead" means they were spiritually dead (not physical). I don't personally think this fits the context.

4. Some believe these people were the people who heard and trusted God or Christ while living but now were deceased. (both Old Testament and New Testament saints) "those who are now dead."

All people will be judged according to what they DID in the life given to them. Believers (followers) will "live on" in the spiritual realm (with God).

Verse 6 is very confusing, but how do we deal with confusing texts in the Bible? Peter knew what he meant, but that doesn't mean we do. He was taught by Christ himself for 3 years and then the 40 days post resurrection. He had more knowledge than we do. If 2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV) "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness," is true then there is practical meaning here. 

We should....

1 Read, study and ATTEMPT to understand

2. Form and opinion BASED ON SCRIPTURE, not on personal preference.

3. Do not be dogmatic. (if the scripture is obscure then you can't be sure).

4. Move on to things we CAN comprehend and ones that can shape our life for the better. Focus on things that MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

1 Peter 4:1 (ESV) "Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,"

I. Arm Yourself  

    A. With an attitude...a perspective....a point of view.

        What attitude? Philippians 2:5-8 (ESV) "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, through he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." Christ emptied himself and took on the form as a servant...even unto death. We should be determined to serve God (not self/society/sin/Satan).

1 Peter 4:2 (ESV) "so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God."

II. "ceased from sin"  

No longer sin...no longer server the flesh...the old man, but now serve the Lord

Romans 6:11-14 & 19 (ESV) "So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Let no sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace." vs 19 "I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification."

1 Peter 2:24 (ESV) "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed."

Don't follow the "flesh"...don't follow "heart"....Now follow the Lord!

1 Peter 4:3 (ESV) "For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry."

III. "all that is behind you"  

Paul tells us to "put off/put on...but this is your decision/your actions. God helps you but wont do it for you.

1 Peter 4:4 (ESV) "With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you;"

1. Nonbelievers are surprised that you don't join them in their debauchery. They cannot comprehend your way of thinking.

2. So they "malign you" to ridicule you. Repentance and following Christ begins first in the mind.

Romans 12:2 (ESV) "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good acceptable and perfect."

3. They attempt to persuade you to their lifestyle. (this is not specifically in the text). These people revel in bringing you down...to leave your Christian life behind.

1 Peter 4:5 (ESV) "but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead."

IV. "they will give an account"  (all of us will)

Rev. 20:11-13 (ESV) "Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done."

Salvation is by grace. Works follow salvation that align with God's will. The change of heart and mind will change one's actions.

1 Peter 4:7-9 (ESV) "The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling."

V. "end is near" ?  

Every generation has thought that the end is coming....but....

Acts 1:7 (ESV) "He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority."

2 Peter 3:3-5 (ESV) "knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, 'Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.' For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God,"

BE....

1. Self-controlled...not controlled by society

2. Sober minded....clean mind and rational

3. Earnestly loving (of one another) "love covers sin" Proverbs 10:12 (ESV) "Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses." Love bears with offenses and moves on. Hatred puts fuel on the fire.

4. Hospitable...friendly....welcoming...neighborly

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

VI. Spiritual Gifts  

1. "As you have received"... 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (ESV) "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given manifestation of the Spirit for the common good."

2. So use for service not for show. Your gift is to be used for the benefit of others

3. To serve... You are given the gift for the common good and not for self satisfaction. 1 Corinthians 12:7

4. As a good steward...manager of the gifts

5. Of God's grace

1 Peter 4:11 (ESV) "whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies-in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."

So exercise your spiritual gifts "in order that"

1. People be served (ministered to) 1 Corinthians 12:14 (ESV) "For the body does not consist of one member but of many."

2. God be glorified (revealed as glorious)

3. Christ be lifted up

1 Peter 3:18 (ESV) "For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,"

Connecting People to God

Closing Scripture

2 Peter 3:13-18 (ESV) "But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."

Odd things, Christ's Example and Suffering Well

 All scripture is good, it is God breathed. It serves a purpose and we can learn. The more we learn the more we understand like the Apostles. John 12:16 (ESV) "His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him." We don't want to skip the hard stuff, so we are going to go back and look at the section we skipped last week. 

1 Peter 3:13-22 (ESV) "Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is eight persons, were brought safely through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having ben subjected to him."

We are going to work backwards through the scriptures.

VS 18-20 "Christ descended and proclaimed..."

What did Martin Luther say about these verses "A wonderful text is this, and a more obscure passage perhaps than any other in the Testament so that I do not know for a certainty just what Peter means...I cannot understand and I cannot explain it. And there has been no one who has explained it."

Another commentator wrote... "The exegetical questions basically come down to these:

Where did Christ go?

He preached through Noah in spirit in his day. "Preacher or herald of righteousness". He preached a message of repentance.

When did he go?

He descended to the place of the dead, sheol/hades during the time between death and resurrection. (Thief on the cross and parable of rich man and Lazurus), Apostles Creed "Hell, the dead"

To whom did he speak?

Spirits in prison were unsaved in the day of Noah.

Spirits were fallen angels who rebelled and particularly heinous in days of Noah. (Gen 6)

What did he say?

Proclaimed the gospel in order to offer second chance? No! Hebrew 9:27 (ESV) "And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgement," You don't have a chance to repent once your life is over. 

Baptism symbolizes Christ's death burial and resurrection

Baptism...a parallel to the flood and Ark. The righteous are saved from judgement

Romans 6:3-4 (ESV) "Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into his death? 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."

We believe that baptism doesn't actually save you, but it is an example of what has happened in your life. The appeal to God is what saves and the baptism represents that. Jesus' work saves. We don't believe baptism saves because of the thief on the cross and the plethora of Faith alone in scriptures. John 3:16, John 5:24, Romans 3:28, Romans 4:4, Romans 5:1, Romans 11:6, Ephesians 2: 8-9.

Genuine faith produces good work. Ephesians 2:10 (ESV) "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

John 15:5 (ESV) "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

Believers should be baptized

If you are a believer in Jesus Christ you need to be baptized. Baptism is closely tied to salvation and clearly commanded. This whole section is illustrating that Christ suffered, follow his example and Christ's suffering brought about victory. 

Don't fear wicked men

1 Peter 3:13-17 (ESV) "Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil."

Who is there to harm you for doing good? Not God. Wicked people crucified Jesus, who died for wicked people. Ironic!  But look what they accomplished. Everything! You too might suffer at the hands of evil men (vs. 14) and if you do you are blessed. Because God chose you, he's refining you, he sees you and will greatly reward you. 

We are not to fear their intimidation. Do not let wicked men knock you off the course Christ has set you on. Do not let them dictate how you live, think, worship and serve. Fear of wicked men and their schemes is not from God.

Joshua 1:9 (ESV) "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV) "for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."

Romans 8:31 (ESV) "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?"

Matthew 10:26-28 (ESV) "So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell."

Peter seems to be quoting Isaiah 8:12 (How Judah should prepare for Assyrian invasion.) Fear God more than the Assyrians. We ought to be different as believers. No panic, no despair. Easier said than done. 

vs 15, but instead in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy. Submit to him. Set your hearts to his service. When you do you look different. When given the platform share the truth.

Always be prepared to give a reason for your hope

Our youth are learning (training) how to give a defense of what they believe called apologetics. We should not just say "because the bible tells me so". The bible stands alone through prophecy, historical, accuracies, testimony of apostles. It is good to know things like the argument for the existence of God.

Cosmological argument-uncaused first cause.

Teleological argument-complexity, design, purpose in nature.

Ontological argument

Moral argument-objective morality exists. That requires a transcendent foundation. God. When an Atheist makes moral claim say..."By what standard?"

You don't know everything, but you do have to know something so that you can be able to vocalize why we have the hope that we do. God reveals himself to us. He gives you what you need. Spend time with God, read, pray. 

Matthew 10:19-20 (ESV) "When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you."

When you spend time with God, in his word, in prayer, he has a way of speaking to you and through you.

Be gentle and respectful

You are not going to argue anyone into the kingdom. How we speak and conduct ourselves matters. It is not just the content. The way you present something (with love/graciousness) will make a greater impact.

Matthew 5:43-44 (ESV) "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,"

We have to love those who hate us.

Best witnessing comes with a good conscience

Our practices ought to match our preaching. 

Repent...live pure....peaceable....humble....loving....hospitable

Psalms 34:1-3 "I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boasts in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!"