Matthew 19:16-26

Preached Sunday Morning, March 15, 2009

 

 

I.                   The Wrong Question – What Good Thing Must I Do?

 

Matthew 19:16-17

16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

 

A.     There is no one good but God

 

Romans 3:10,23

10 As it is written,  There is none righteous, no, not one:

 

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

 

B.     All stand condemned, because we have all fallen short of perfection.

 

Romans 6:23

23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

Revelation 21:8

8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

 

C.     Therefore it is impossible to pay for sin by good deeds.

 

 

 

Romans 4:4

4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

 

Isaiah 64:6

6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

 

II.                The Wrong Understanding of the Law

Matthew 19:17-22

17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 18 He saith unto him, Which?  Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

 

A.     The law was made in order to expose unrighteousness, not create righteousness.

Romans 3:19-20

19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.  20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

B.     If one offends in one part of the law, he is guilty of breaking the whole law.

James 2:10-11

10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. 

C.     The law is a diagnostic tool to expose our need for salvation outside the law.

Romans 3:21-25

21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;  

III.             The Right Path to Salvation

A.     With man, salvation is impossible

Matthew 19:23-25

23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

Ephesians 2:8-9

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Galatians 2:21

21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

 

B.     With God, salvation is made possible, through the substitutionary work of Jesus on the cross.

Matthew 19:26

26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Romans 5:8

8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

John 3:16

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

2 Corinthians 5:21

21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

 

Romans 10:13

13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Matthew 19:1-12

Preached Sunday Morning, March 8, 2009

 

Introduction:

 

          What exactly is marriage?  What makes it binding?  Over half of marriages today end in divorce.  What about remarriage?  These questions foster much discussion and debate among Bible believing Christians.

 

          The issue was also a hot topic during Jesus’ day.  The Pharisees wanted to trap Jesus by discussing this controversial issue.  Perhaps Jesus would utter a quotable sound bite that would serve as a tool with which to discredit Him.  In response to their question, Jesus gave some very clear and concise teaching.  This morning let us set aside our own personal feelings and traditions and discover from God’s perfect and preserved word, the King James Bible, a biblical understanding of Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage.           

 

I.                   The Purpose of Marriage

 

Matthew 19:3-5

3 The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? 4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, 5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?

 

A.     God made humans to be male and female.  This was his plan for companionship and pro-creation.

B.     It is not generally good for man to be alone.

 

Genesis 2:18-20

18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.  19 And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.  20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. 

 

C.     God designs a woman specifically for a man.

 

Genesis 2:21-23

21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; 22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.  23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.  

 

D.    God’s perfect plan is a life-long marriage between one man and one woman.

 

Genesis 2:24-25

24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. 25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

 

1.     Leave their parents

2.     Stick to each other

3.     Become one flesh

 

1 Corinthians 7:1-2

Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. 2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.

 

Hebrews 13:4

4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

 

4.     Reflect a picture of Christ’s love for the Church.

 

Ephesians 5:22-27

22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

 

E.     Marriage is a public and binding covenant.

 

Malachi 2:14-16

14 Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. 15 And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.    16 For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.  

 

 

II.                The Provision of Divorce

Matthew 19:6-8

6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. 7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? 8 He saith unto them,  Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.

A.     Something that is one flesh should not be divided.

B.     Moses did allow for divorce.

Deuteronomy 24:1

When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house.  

C.     This provision was only made to deal with man’s intense depravity.

D.    Divorce was never intended to be part of God’s perfect plan.

 

1.     Love is a commitment, not just a feeling

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,  5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;  7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

2.     To end a marriage is to break a covenant

3.     Divorce should never be considered by Christians as a way to resolve a love grown cold

4.     “You deserve to be happy” is an empty thought because God’s perfect plan for your happiness is a life long marriage.

III.             The Prohibition of Remarriage

Matthew 19:9-12

9 And I say unto you,  Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery. 10 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry. 11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given. 12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.

 

A.     The General rule of marriage

1.     Marriage is a life long commitment

2.     If divorce happens, re-marriage should not happen because the covenant is still binding.

3.     Divorced couples are to remain single as long as the spouse is alive.

B.     The exception to the rule

1.     If a divorce is caused by infidelity, the offended spouse is not only allowed to divorce, but also to remarry.

2.     If an unbeliever leaves a believer over their faith – remarriage is allowed, not encouraged.

1 Corinthians 7:13-15

13 And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. 15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace. 

1 Corinthians 7:27-28

27 Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife. 28 But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.

Matthew 18:21-35

Preached Sunday Morning, March 1, 2009

Introduction:

 

          How often must we forgive our erring brother, seven times?  Peter thought that he had come up with a generous number.  After all, sometimes people apologize and don’t even mean it.  Sometimes someone quickly quips the words “I’m sorry” and then turns around to commit the same offense over and over again!

 

          Bitterness grows as an unseen malignant root in the life of a Christian.  This bitterness is created when we harbor unforgiveness.  Jesus answers Peter’s question with an astonishing response:  It is not seven times, but seventy times seven.  Now this does not mean that after 490 offences that we are off the hook.  Jesus is using this expression to show us that we are always to forgive.  If someone asks for forgiveness, we grant it.  If they do not, we forgive anyway.  If they mean it, we forgive.  If they are insincere and repetitive in their offenses, we forgive.

 

          To many people, this may seem like an unreasonable standard to meet.  This is why Jesus gave us this parable.  Tonight we will study a picture of just how hypocritical it is when we, as Christians, do not forgive.

 

I.                   You have been shown great mercy

 

A.     The symbols of this parable:

 

Matthew 18:23 – Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.

1.     The king = God the Father

2.     A certain servant = a believer

3.     Fellow servant = another believer

B.     The servant owed a great deal to the Master

Matthew 18:24 – And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.

1.     The servant owed 10,000 talents

2.     In our sinful state we owed everything to God

Romans 3:23 – For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Romans 4:4 – Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

C.     Judgment was about to be executed upon the servant

Matthew 18:25 – But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

1.     The servant would be imprisoned until he could pay

2.     Once in prison the servant could no longer work, so he could never pay.  The situation would be hopeless and irreversible

3.     We owe death for our sin

Romans 6:23 – For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

4.     The second death is final, our situation would be hopeless and irreversible

D.    Justice was replaced with mercy

Matthew 18:26-27 – 26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.  27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

1.     The servant worshipped

2.     The servant cried for mercy

3.     The servant promised to pay

4.     The master was moved by compassion

5.     The master erased the debt

6.     Our sin debt was erased when we came to Jesus

Romans 8:1 – There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

II.                You show no mercy to your fellow servants

A.     The fellow servant owed much less than the wicked servant did

Matthew 18:28 – But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.

1.     One hundred pence

2.     Whatever the offence committed against us, it is much less than what we have committed against God

B.     The wicked servant turned malicious

1.     Beyond even what was just

2.     It became personal

3.     It became vicious

    a. Laid hands upon him

    b. Held him by the throat

C.     The fellow servant begged for mercy

Matthew 18:29 – And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

1.     Humbled – even though they were really equals

2.     Offered to pay all

3.     Since the servant was forgiven the 10,000 talent debt, he could afford to forgive a 100 pence debt

D.    The wicked servant showed no mercy

Matthew 18:30 – And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.

1.     Placed him in prison

2.     Put his fellow servant in a hopeless state

3.     The wicked servant gained nothing except personal vengeance through this action.  He would not get his money back.

III.             You will receive mercy no longer

A.     Fellow servants brought the wicked servant to the master

Matthew 18:31 – So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.

1.     Your actions toward another brother are seen by many

2.     Some can call your unforgiveness to God’s attention

B.     God hates the sin of unforgiveness

1.     Because of His example of forgiveness

Matthew 18:32-33 – 32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

2.     He will deliver you to the tormentors

Matthew 18:34 – And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

    a. Chastisement

b.     Guilt

c.      Loneliness

d.     Bitterness

Hebrews 12:14-15

14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; 

e.      Anger

f.       Envy

Ephesians 4:30-32

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

 

3.     God will not grant practical forgiveness and restoration if you do not forgive those who wrong you

Matthew 18:35 – So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

Mathew 18:15-20

Preached Sunday Morning February 22, 2009

 

Introduction:

 

          This morning we are going to talk about a wonderful privilege that you have as a member of a local church.  As a member of Christ’s local body, you are loved so much that you are subject to church discipline.  You may think that this is a contradictory statement, but Jesus tells us that the ones that He loves, He chastens.  When a believer falls into a pattern of unrepentant sin, God has a specific path to restoration.  This morning we are going to study the very important subject of how to turn the trespasser through the loving process of Church discipline.

 

 

I.                   The Candidates for Church Discipline

 

Matthew 18:15

15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

 

1 Corinthians 5:11

11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

 

A.     A Brother in Christ – born again believer

B.     One who calls himself a brother in Christ

C.     A trespasser – one who has crossed a clear Biblical line.

D.    One who is unrepentant

E.     The Public offender

 

 

1 Corinthians 5:9-11

9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: 10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. 11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

 

 

F.      The Sower of Discord

 

Romans 16:17

17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

 

G.    Teacher of false doctrine.

 

2 Timothy 3:4-5

4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

 

II.                The Purpose of Church Discipline.

 

A.     Restoration of a brother in Christ

 

1.     To fellowship with God.

 

James 5:19-20

19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

 

2.     To fellowship within the church.

 

“…thou hast gained thy brother.”

 

3.     To credibility in the community.

 

B.     Rebuke of the unrepentant brother.

 

 

1 Corinthians 5:1-5

It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. 2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. 3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,  4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

 

C.     Purity of the Church

 

Jude 3-4

3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. 4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

1 Corinthians 5:6-7

6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?

7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: 

 

1 Corinthians 5:12-13

12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?  13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

 

III.             The Process of Church Discipline

 

Matthew 18:15-17

15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

 

A.     One on one confrontation

 

1.     Private sin = private rebuke – anything different is gossip

 

Proverbs 25:9

9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another: 

 

2.     Public sin = public rebuke

 

1 Corinthians 5:1-2

It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. 2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.

 

B.      Two or three to establish a record of the confrontation

C.     Tell it to the church – put them on discipline, removing the privilege of fellowship for a time

 

1 Corinthians 5:11-13

11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. 12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?  13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

 

1.     The church is to back the confrontation that has gone on already.

2.     The church is not primarily to determine if the team is correct.

3.     The church is to act in one voice, giving authority to the discipline in action.

4.     The church must not flinch from her duty to the offender, the offended, and the Name of Christ.

 

D.     Remove from church membership

 

 

IV.              The Authority of Church Discipline

 

A.     Given by Christ to the Local Church

 

Matthew 18:17

17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

 

1 Corinthians 5:4-5

4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

 

B.     Church discipline that is enacted by a local church is universally binding.

 

Matthew 18:18-19

18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

 

C.     Church discipline removes the offender from the privilege of meeting where the special presence of Christ is revealed, in the assembly of the local Church.

 

Matthew 18:20

20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

 

 

Mathew 18:1-14

Preached Sunday Morning February 15, 2009

 

 

I.                   Who is the greatest in the kingdom?

 

Matthew 18:1-2

At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,

 

A.     He or she is not necessarily:

 

1.     Rich

2.     Powerful

3.     Educated

4.     Well connected

5.     The greatest soul winner

6.     The most frenetically active

7.     The most popular

8.     The one with the largest ministry

 

B.     He or she is like a little child

 

1.     Humble

2.     Teachable

3.     Obedient

4.     Vulnerable

5.     Powerless

6.     Dependant

 

 

 

II.                We must become like that little child

 

Matthew 18:3-4

3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

 

A.     We must be converted = turned

 

1.     Turn from complex excuses to simple faith

 

Acts 16:31

31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

 

2.     Turn from self reliance to total dependence

 

1 Kings 3:7

7 And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.

 

3.     Turn from our own plan to God’s plan

 

Romans 10:1

Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

 

B.     Once we come to Christ by simple faith, we must then embrace humility in order to serve Him effectively.

 

Isaiah 57:15

15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

 

 

 

 

III.             We must humbly receive the little child.

 

Matthew 18:5

5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

 

A.     Receive = taking by the hand, taking hold of, accepting

 

1.     Children do not build a budget

2.     Children do not shoulder the burden of the work

3.     Children require a lot of maintenance

4.     Children are messy

5.     Children often misbehave

6.     Children are noisy

7.     Yet, children are of the greatest value in the Kingdom of Christ!

 

B.     In my name = for my sake

 

1.     Follow Christ’s value system

 

Luke 19:10

10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

 

2.     Do not follow the world’s “bottom line” value system.

3.     This is why the bus ministry still makes sense.

 

C.     Receiving a little child is just like receiving Jesus.

 

Matthew 25:45

45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

 

IV.              We must protect the little child.

A.     God will deal severely with offenders

Matthew 18:6-7

6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

1.     Offend = cause to stumble

2.     Those who do something that would make it difficult for a child to believe.

3.     Those who do something that would make a child turn away from the faith.

4.     Those who do something that would hinder a child’s spiritual growth.

 

B.     A drowning death is better than what God has planned for those who cause children to stumble.

C.     It would be better to lose a body part than to offend.

 

V.                 We must seek the lost child.

Matthew 18:10-14

10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. 11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. 12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? 13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. 14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

 

A.     Do not despise them

1.     Despise = think down upon, think lightly of

2.     They are so valuable; they have an angel personally responsible before God for their welfare.

B.      Their lost souls are of great value

C.     Jesus wants every child to be saved.

2 Peter 3:9

9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Mathew 17:14-27

Preached Sunday Morning February 8, 2009

 

Introduction:

 

          Have you ever had a car that badly needed a tune up?  I remember several old vehicles I had with big eight cylinder engines.  When all was well, the engine would roar into action, catapulting the vehicle into action.  Sometimes dirt and grime would foul the spark plugs so that all eight cylinders would not work.  The engine would chug, chug, and labor.  The gas would not last, and the old one ton ford van would barely get out of its own way.

 

          Some kind men at Scranton Revival Baptist Church helped me to change my plugs and wires.  All of a sudden, all eight cylinders worked again, and I was running on full power.

 

          Our Christian life has some similarities to those old eight cylinder engines.  If there is a lack in one or more areas of our life, the momentum of our success is greatly reduced.  This morning we will see three areas of power available to the born again Christian.  Perhaps you need a tune up in one or more of these areas so that you can be restored to full power Christianity.

 

I.                   The Power of Deliverance

 

A.     People will look to believers for that power.

 

Matthew 17:14-16

14 And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, 15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. 16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.

 

1.     They recognize satanic bondage

2.     They see that you are no longer bound

3.     They seek your input

 

B.     You must be running on full power in order to help.

C.     Jesus has all the power that you need

 

Matthew 17:17-18

17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me. 18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.

 

1.     Power over demons

2.     Power available to Jesus’ servants.

 

Matthew 28:19-20

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

 

D.    Repair the connection to this power of deliverance

 

Matthew 17:19-21

19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? 20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. 21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

 

1.     Unbelief blocks power

2.     Repentance restores power

3.     Prayer and fasting boosts power.

 

II.                The Power of Sustaining Grace

 

Matthew 17:22-23

22 And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: 23 And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.

 

A.     Found in total submission to God’s will.

 

 

James 4:7-10

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

 

B.     Found in total dependence upon Jesus

 

2 Corinthians 12:7-9

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

 

C.     Found in total trust in God’s Plan

 

Matthew 26:39

39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

 

III.             The Power of a Proper Perspective

 

Matthew 17:24-27

24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?  25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? 26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. 27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee. 

 

A.     The tribute was a temple tax

B.     Jesus was temple royalty and did not need to pay that tax.

C.     Jesus paid that tax in order to reach the most people possible

 

 

Luke 19:10

10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

 

D.    We must have a souls first perspective in all that we do.

 

1 Corinthians 9:18-22

18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.

19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. 22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

Mathew 17:1-13

Preached Sunday Morning February 1, 2009

 

Introduction:

 

          Just who is Jesus Christ?  The answer to this question provides the foundation for all of Christianity.  Many people, Jesus, Christians, Muslims, and Agnostics, acknowledge that Jesus was a powerful teacher or a wise prophet.  I have talked to many folks who applaud their own religious open mindedness when they confess Jesus as one of the world’s greatest prophets.

 

          Our passage this morning continues to dwell on the subject of Jesus’ true identity.  In the previous chapter we read about Jesus’ questions to the disciples regarding His identity.

 

Matthew 16:13-16

13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist:  some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

 

          Most folks acknowledged that Jesus must be some kind of prophet.  In contrast, Peter boldly proclaimed that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God.  Jesus continued His teaching by adding the truth about His mission to the truth about His identity.  It took some adjusting, but Peter and the others worked at getting their minds around the suffering that was to come.

 

          This morning we will see a miraculous illustration of the truths taught in the previous chapter.  If you are still one of the many that view Jesus only as a great teacher, I trust that God open your eyes to the truth that Jesus was not just another prophet.

 

 

 

I.                   Jesus had light in Himself

 

Matthew 17:1-2

And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, 2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

 

A.     This event was a glimpse of the glory of the kingdom

 

Matthew 16:28

28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

 

B.     Jesus was transfigured

 

1.     Transfigured = metamorphe- a change in form revealing Christ’s divine nature.

2.     His pre-incarnate glory

 

John 17:5

5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

 

3.     Believers will some day see Him as He is.

 

1 John 3:2

2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

 

C.     The Light came from within, unlike Moses.

 

Exodus 33:18-23

18 And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. 19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy. 20 And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. 21 And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: 22 And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by: 23 And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.

Exodus 34:29-30

29 And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses’ hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him. 30 And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him.

 

“…a revelation of Deity breaking out in that glorified face and form, which appealed to something deeper than sense and confirmed the words from heaven…”  Vincent.

 

Matthew 17:5

5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

 

 

II.                Jesus was God’s Son

 

A.     Talking with the departed saints.

 

Matthew 17:3

3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

 

1.     They wanted to talk to him

2.     Moses = The Law

3.     Elijah = The Prophets

 

B.     Peter still did not completely understand Christ’s unique identity.

 

Matthew 17:4-5

4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. 5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

 

C.     Christ accepted worship

 

Matthew 17:6-8

6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. 7 And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. 8 And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.

 

John 20:26-28

26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

 

Revelation 22:8-9

8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. 9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.

 

III.             Jesus is the fulfillment of prophecy

 

Matthew 17:9-13

9 And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead. 10 And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? 11 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. 12 But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. 13 Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.

 

A.     In John the Baptist

 

Malachi 4:5-6

5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: 6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

 

B.     In Christ’s Death

 

Isaiah 53:6,10

6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.  10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. 

 

C.     In Christ’s Resurrection

 

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.   3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Stick to the Plan!

Mathew 16:21-28

Preached Sunday Morning January 25, 2009

 

Introduction:

 

          God has a perfect plan for each one of our lives.  The problem is we all have selfish and fleshly plans.  Sometimes we seek soft choices that preserve our temporary comfort and happiness rather than the harder choices that are better for us in the end.

 

          Peter flinched when he realized that Jesus was about to go through the suffering of the cross.  He wanted to avoid that hard path in favor of one less painful.  This placed Peter’s plan in opposition to God’s plan.  Peter temporarily became Jesus’ adversary.  Jesus rebuked Peter using the word for adversary, Satan.  Today let us search our hearts and see if we are willing to submit our own desires to God’s perfect will and stick to His plan.

 

 

I.                   God has a perfect plan.

 

Matthew 16:21

21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

 

A.     For every sinner to be saved

 

2 Peter 3:9

9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

 

 

1.     Christ suffered

 

Isaiah 53:3-6

3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 

4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.   6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. 

 

2.     Christ died

 

Isaiah 53:10-11

10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.  11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

 

Romans 5:8

8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

 

2 Corinthians 5:21

21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

 

3.     Christ rose from the grave

 

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.   3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

 

4.     Christ surrendered to God’s perfect plan

 

 

B.     For every saint to be conformed into the image of Christ

 

Romans 8:29

29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

 

1.     Through the washing of the water of the Word

 

Ephesians 5:25-26

25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

 

2.     Through trials

 

James 1:2-4

2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;  3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

 

Romans 5:3

3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

 

2 Corinthians 12:7-9

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

 

3.     Through discipline

 

Hebrews 12:5-8

5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

 

4.     Through fellowship

 

Hebrews 10:24-25

24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

 

II.                Man has a selfish plan.

 

Matthew 16:22-23

22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.  23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

 

A.     Avoid suffering at all cost

 

1.     Avoid the sacrifice of one’s body

2.     Avoid the sacrifice of one’s schedule

3.     Avoid the sacrifice of one’s money

4.     Avoid the sacrifice of one’s priorities

5.     Avoid the sacrifice of one’s relationships

 

B.     This mindset makes you God’s adversary

C.     We must savor ( set our minds upon) the things of God

 

III.             True life is found in complete surrender to God’s will.

 

è    Everybody dies but not everyone truly lives

 

Matthew 16:24

24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

 

A.     Follow Christ

B.     Deny self

C.     Take up YOUR cross- God has a personal plan opf surrender designed just for you.

D.    Find your life through surrender

 

Matthew 16:25-28

25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. 28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

 

1.     Reward and fulfillment in this life

 

John 10:10

10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

 

Luke 18:29-30

29 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you,  There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake, 30 Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.

 

 

2.     Reward in eternity based upon works now.

 

1 Corinthians 3:11-15

11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.  14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

 

1 Corinthians 15:58

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

 

2 Corinthians 4:17-18

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

I Will Build My Church

Mathew 16:13-20

Preached Sunday Morning January 18, 2009

 

Introduction:

 

            There is a great deal of confusion out there about the Biblical definition of the church. Historically, there has been one denomination, established over 300 years after New Testament events, that claims to be the Church.

 

            It is commonly thought that this one denomination was the one started by Christ, and every other denomination is a break off from the One True Holy Universal, or Catholic Church.

 

            This morning we are going to study the word of our savior, Jesus Christ. We will discover that the church is not a denomination or sect, but rather a local organized assembly function. We will see that the local New Testament church is the body of Christ.

 

 

I.                   The Church has one founder

 

A.    Jesus wanted to know who people said that He is.

 

Matthew 16:13-14

13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist:  some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

 

1.      This is the fundamental question that must be answered.

2.      Many men think that Jesus was a good teacher, but that will not save anyone.

 

 

B.     Jesus wanted to know what the disciples thought.

 

Matthew 16:15-18

15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  

 

1.      Peter confessed Jesus as the Messiah

2.      This confession came as a spiritual awakening.

3.      The conversation was about Jesus not Peter.

4.      Peter = little stone

5.      Rock = foundation stone

 

C.     The Church is not founded upon a sinful man

 

1.      Peter’s denial

2.      Peter in the boat

3.      Peter vs. Paul

 

D.    The Church is founded upon Jesus Christ

 

1.      He is the Foundation

 

            1 Corinthians 3:10-11

10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

 

Acts 4:10-12

10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

 

2.      He is the Protector

3.      He is the Builder

 

E.     The Church is a local body

 

1 Corinthians 12:25-27

25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.  26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

 

1.      Ekklesia= called out assembly

2.      A fellowship of Born again Christians meeting locally

 

Acts 2:41-42

41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

 

F.      The local church operated under the authority of Christ and that authority is recognized in Heaven and on earth.

 

Matthew 16:19-20

19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.

 

II.                The Church has one main mission in the world

 

A.    Its mission is to support truth, not define it.

1.      Truth is found in the Word of God

 

John 17:17

17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

 

2 Timothy 3:16

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

 

2.      The Church is a pillar of truth, not the foundation of truth

 

1 Timothy 3:15

15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 

 

B.     Its mission is to reach the world with the truth of the Gospel

 

Matthew 28:19-20

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

 

1.      Go and make disciples

2.      Baptize them

3.      Teach them

 

III.             The Church has one main mission to believers

 

A.    Perfecting the Saints

 

1.      Prepared as a bride

 

Ephesians 5:25-27

25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

 

2.      Perfected

Ephesians 4:11-13

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:  

 

B.     Fellowship of the Saints

 

Acts 2:41-47

41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,  47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

 

Hebrews 10:25

25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

 

James 5:16

16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

 

C.     Exercise of Spiritual gifts

 

Romans 12:3-8

3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.  4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.  

 

1 Corinthians 12:12-27

12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.  14 For the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 19 And if they were all one member, where were the body? 20 But now are they many members, yet but one body. 21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.  24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: 25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.  26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

 

 

Three Paths to Deliverance

Mathew 15:21-39

Preached Sunday Morning January 4, 2009

 

Introduction:

 

          We need the touch of God!  We need His mighty deliverance!  We need His deliverance from the bondage of sin, from the curse of sin, physical problems, and from the affect of sin, corrupted society.  If you languish today in despair and hopelessness, this message has been providentially prepared for you.  Our passage this morning tells us of three kinds of deliverance that Jesus provides. We read about Jesus providing deliverance from satanic bondage, from a physical and financial problem, and from a lack of faith.  Each deliverance here comes through a different path.  This morning, let us gain hope as we discover three paths to deliverance.

 

I.                   Pleading with the Master

 

A.     There is no claim of merit

 

Matthew 15:21-24

21 Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. 23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. 24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

 

1.     Her daughter was demon possessed

2.     This woman was a Canaanite

3.     She had no personal claim on the Son of David

4.     She had not earned His favor

 

B.     Jesus is her only hope of deliverance

 

1.     Have mercy

 

a.     She needed mercy

b.     Mercy is not getting what you deserve

c.      She acknowledged her lack and insufficiency

 

2.     Lord

 

a.     She acknowledged Jesus’ absolute authority

b.     She acknowledged His kingship

 

3.     Son of God – acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah

 

C.     Do not be deterred by an apparent lack of response.

 

Luke 11:7-10

7 And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. 8 I say unto you,  Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. 9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

 

1.     Silence from Jesus – She kept pleading

 

Matthew 15:23

23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.

 

2.     She was identified as outside physical Israel

 

Matthew 15:24

24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

 

Romans 15:8

8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:

 

3.     She responded with worship- Acknowledging Jesus’ righteous judgment.

 

 

Matthew 15:25

25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.

 

4.     He remained distant referring to her as a Gentile dog.

 

Matthew 15:26

26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs.

 

Matthew 7:6

6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

 

5.     She humbly asked for the crumbs of deliverance and received them!

 

Matthew 15:27-28

27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. 28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

 

D.    Take lessons from this story to heart

 

Lamentations 3:8-26

8 Also when I cry and shout, he shutteth out my prayer. 9 He hath inclosed my ways with hewn stone, he hath made my paths crooked. 10 He was unto me as a bear lying in wait, and as a lion in secret places. 11 He hath turned aside my ways, and pulled me in pieces: he hath made me desolate. 12 He hath bent his bow, and set me as a mark for the arrow. 13 He hath caused the arrows of his quiver to enter into my reins.  14 I was a derision to all my people; and their song all the day. 15 He hath filled me with bitterness, he hath made me drunken with wormwood.  16 He hath also broken my teeth with gravel stones, he hath covered me with ashes.  17 And thou hast removed my soul far off from peace: I forgat prosperity.  18 And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the LORD: 19 Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall.  20 My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me. 

21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.  22 It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. 24 The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. 25 The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. 26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

 

1.     God is always right

2.     God is merciful and will respond, when we come to Him based on His mercy, not our merit.

3.     God will sometimes withdraw Himself to see if we will keep coming.

II.                Seeking the Master

 

Matthew 15:29-31

29 And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there. 30 And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus’ feet; and he healed them: 31 Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.

 

A.     Jesus went to be alone

B.     Thousands of people followed Him.

 

1.     They sought deliverance

2.     They changed their schedule to be in His presence

3.     They exerted a great deal of physical energy to go so far out into the wilderness.

4.     They were willing to go without fool in order to be in the presence of the Master.

 

C.     Jesus met their needs as a reward for seeking Him

 

1.     Healed them

2.     Miraculously healed them

 

D.    What will you be willing to do to be in the presence of the Master?

 

1.     His special presence is manifested in the assembly of the believers.

2.     Do you need the presence of Jesus?

3.     Is there anything that keeps you from Him?

 

III.             Obeying the Master.

 

Matthew 15:32-39

32 Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way. 33 And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude? 34 And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes. 35 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. 36 And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. 37 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full. 38 And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children. 39 And he sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala.

 

A.     He acts out of compassion

B.     He could have made food out of nothing

C.     He required the surrender of what little food was there

D.    Upon complete surrender and obedience, Jesus met every need.