Mary Sat and Listened to Jesus

Sermon July 21, 2013   Mary Sat and Listened

Old Testament Amos 8:1-12

The time is surely coming says the Lord God, when I will send a famine on the land; not a famine of bread, or a thirst for water, but of hearing the WORDS of the Lord.  They shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they shall run to and fro, seeking the Word of the Lord, but they shall not find it.

This of course was given to Israel but has an application to us today.

I hear it constantly that people are not hearing the Word of God in their churches. There are nice stories and such but people across this nation are starving for good old fashioned preaching of the Word of God.

The Word of God Saves, Heals, and Sets Free.

The Bible says if we will humble ourselves and pray God will forgive us.

Psalm 51

A prayer that we could pray daily comes from this text in Psalm 51 :10-12

¹⁰ Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
¹¹ Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
¹² Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
I see repentance in this prayer. Something of which we should do daily.

Epistle- Colossians 1:15-28

v.25-26  I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of His body, that, the Church. I became its servant according to God’s commission that was given to me for you, to make the Word of God fully known.

Paul asserts that the love shared within the Christian community includes bearing affliction for the sake of the gospel. Paul uses himself as an example of this suffering.  While the Christ hymn indicates that God has reconciled to himself all things through the blood of Jesus Christ, Paul identifies  the activity of the church as completing this mission in Christ for the entire world.  This pushes the Church beyond its doors and embraces the suffering that Christians experience in proclaiming the gospel as the fruit of the faith, hope; and love of their community.  The struggle itself is not an individuated experience.  Instead, it is the completion of the very suffering of Christ through which redemption occurred.

He that listens to the Word of God or the Words of Christ will follow the commands of God.

Just as the great commission that Jesus gave to us in Matthews Gospel saying….

¹⁸ And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
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 always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Gospel Reading ( Please Stand if Able)  Luke 10: 38-42

Mary Sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying.

Turn in your bibles to Deuteronomy 30:19-20

¹⁹ I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
²⁰ That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.

Proverbs 18: 20 and 21

 A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

God has placed authority in us by the power of our tongue.

Think for just a moment how much power God has placed in your tongue.

Authority over life and death. Same authority to speak words to command life and death.

God Gave us his Words to place in our mouth and it carries his authority coming out of our mouth.

Prov. 21: 23 Whoso keepeth his mouth, and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

If you find that you are speaking on the side of sin and death then change your confessions or words coming from your mouth.

Romans 8: 2

² For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death
 Unless one accepts Christ the bible says in Romans 6:23 ²³ For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord

The law that was set in motion when Adam and Eve fell was sin and death. To supercede that law one must accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

How does that happen?  With the confession of their mouth.

Romans 10:9-10

⁹ That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
¹⁰ For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Certain laws are set in motion and  unless they are negated by a higher law they will continue until they accomplish what they are designed to do.

One law superceding another one…..

For example :  The law of Gravity.  We understand how it works. And that law can be superceded by the Law of Lift.

In an airplane there is the law of lift

In operation thrust (power)  overcoming drag creates lift and the thing will fly. It is superceding the law of Gravity….the law of gravity is still there.

Shut the power of the engine off….law is still there but you have to put the nose down and keep the speed going so now no thrust. Gliding but still flying.

Where sin does abound Grace does much more abound. We live in a world of sin.

The law of sin and death is in motion but the Law of Grace supercedes that law when applied.

Life & death blessing & cursing. When you  Choose life  you have to choose words.

The scriptures tell us that The authority of life and death are in the power of the tongue.

You have to choose Christ Jesus Words….because that law is based on Words.

Proverbs 4:24 Put away from thee a forward mouth and perverse lips put far from thee.

Forward mouth is a disobedient mouth. A mouth yielded to sin and death words.

 

Proverbs 12: 17-18

¹⁷ He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.
¹⁸ There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

Words are containers- spiritual containers : faith comes by hearing….

Gods words are filled with his faith.

Words can carry fear, love, hate.

One Can say a phrase that affects a persons life for the rest of their life.

Put the word in your mind ,heart and mouth.

Folks we are living in a time that the bible has spoken of since we have had the word of God.

Today we are living in perilous times according to 2 Timothy 3:7 where it says: ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Jesus said He is the Truth.

And then in 2 Timothy 4: 3-4 says:  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away  their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

We have so many bible translations today people are confused and it is as scriptures say -----they have made the Word of God of none effect.

This is serious….because most preachers coming out of Seminary Do Not Believe that the Bible is the Infallible Word of God.

The Word of God is Life. If they do not believe the Bible their preaching is not producing Life.

God is not the author of Confusion.

Mary was listening intently at the feet of Jesus because she knew that he was speaking words of Life.

We can learn from this lesson today that we must once again sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to what He is saying. After all HE IS THE WORD.

Go and Do Likewise

Sermon July 14, 2013   Go and Do Likewise

Old Testament Amos 7:7-17

A plumb line represents a balance.

Compare the Gospel text with balance and keep this thought in your mind.

Also keep the thought of Servant hood in mind.

A priest passed by on the other side

A Levite passed by on the other side.

A Samaritan hated by the Jews did what was right.

In every age the question has been asked, “By what authority do you speak?”  Every generation is concerned about whether its leaders have the appropriate credentials to fulfill their responsibilities.

What if God called you _______ to go give a message to the President?

Amaziah mocks Amos directly, as he dismisses him and his message by saying, “ O seer, go, flee away to the land of Judah, earn your bread there, and prophesy there; but never again prophecy at Bethel”

Amos counters by saying, “ I am no prophet, nor a prophet’s son”  He asserts that he is only a shepherd and a dresser of sycamore trees.   He does not point out his degrees or his station in life to justify his call as a prophet.  He merely notes the source of the calling; “The Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lord said to me, “Go prophesy to my people Israel”

Psalm 82

This psalm displays passion for justice and a clear eyed vision of God as one who speaks and acts powerfully on behalf of God’s people. God is a almighty God but he is servant to His people.

God is always merciful to those that are less fortunate. He that lends to the poor lends to God.

The theme of today’s messages from scripture focuses on service to others.

God has always been a servant to us. Jesus came to serve. How much do we Serve God?

This psalm calls us to look to God for Vision, and to depend on God with humility as we go about seeking justice.

Epistle- Colossians 1:1-14

To be rescued from the “power of darkness” and moved to the kingdom of the beloved Son is to be transferred from the hopelessness of ignorance toward becoming a community made alive in the truth of the Word.

Hosea says my people are destroyed for their lack of knowledge….

So many Christians have a head knowledge of Jesus but it stops there.

The Word has to be IN you not just in your head.

Head knowledge is fine but it is powerless for using Faith. Faith is a force that activates the knowledge. Faith to heal the sick. Faith to move mountains. Faith that pleases God.  The God kind of Faith that can speak and see results.

I am talking about keeping the Word of God before you both day and night. Meditating on the Word of God. When a problem comes up the Word of God pops up instantly.

Rom 10:6-8 Paul says that “the righteousness which is of faith says…the word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth and IN THY HEART.”

Did the Priest have knowledge that we are to be servants to all?  Yes. But he rejected that knowledge. He had knowledge of the Word but it was not in his heart.

Did the Levite have knowledge that we are to be servants to all? Yes. But he rejected that knowledge. He had knowledge of the Word but it was not in his heart.

Do we have knowledge today that we are to be servants to all? Yes. Of Course. Why do we neglect to do so on a daily basis? Do we have head knowledge of the Word but it is not in our heart?

Paul’s assertion is that hope in Jesus Christ produces the fruits of the Christian life that are the product of Christ’s love.

Through their union with the crucified and risen Christ, the Colossians participate in a hope for salvation that entails a form of living visible in Christian community anywhere the gospel is faithfully proclaimed.

Gospel Reading ( Please Stand if Able)  Luke 10: 25-37

Todays lesson from this Gospel story is a blunt way of saying BEWARE….Pay Attention….. Look in the mirror. We can all compare ourselves at different times of our lives to all three characters in the story.

The Priest – knows to do right but does the opposite. A priest, who holds one of the highest positions in the Jewish ranks walks by and does not help the man.  Priest were not allowed to touch blood for a fear of being seen unclean and risking losing their jobs.

The Levite- the lay leadership of the Jews comes by and does nothing.

The Samaritan-The one hated and despised and the one most think would be the least likely to do the right thing did what was right in the sight of God.

Who is my neighbor?  Who are we to serve?

News reports call anyone who does a good act for someone else a good Samaritan. For many of us the story is all too familiar….

We pass by the stranded motorist out on the freeway changing a tire in the pouring rain.  Should I stop or is it a trick? So much has happened that is bad we have become fearful of helping the stranger.

I hope the light stays green long enough to avoid being confronted by the man holding a cardboard sign, while taking a load of teenagers on a ski trip.

We avoid the elderly lady down the street walking her dog because we know that thirty minutes later she will still be talking about how hard her husband had worked to get the yard in order and now look at all those weeds. “Can’t do things like I used to,” she’ll say.

Is the story of the good Samaritan just about guilt?  Is it like the commercials that disrupt our favorite television show and display starving children in developing countries or malnourished and abused animals?

No, the story is not about guilt.  The Lawyer has one simple question, “Teacher, what must I do to gain eternal life?”  Notice the words  I  and Gain.

Does the story of the good Samaritan stem from the root of selfish intent?  Is the Lawyers question self=centered?  Is reward of eternal life the motivation for helping someone?

Perhaps the lawyer really wanted to understand the way of righteousness. Maybe he had a similar goal of Jesus to usher in the Kingdom of God.

Remember the story of the rich young ruler?  Go and sell what you have and give to the poor. There is no such command on the Lawyer….just the story to reflect on what it meant.

As we reflect on the story we put ourselves in each of the characters trying to make sense of it.

It gives hope for the broken and gives purpose to the powerful.

Jesus said he did not come to be served but to serve.

IN VBS the children learned how we can serve God. Loving our neighbors whoever they may be is a good start. V.36 which of the three was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves? “He that shewed mercy…..Jesus said:  Go and do likewise.

Whoever listens to you, listens to me (Jesus)–

Sermon  July 7, 2013   Whoever listens to you, listens to me (Jesus)–

Old Testament 2 Kings 5:1-14

So he went down and immersed himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the WORD of the Man of God;  his flesh was restored like the flesh of a young boy, and he was clean.

Naaman came seeking help. When he was told what he must do it seemed to be beneath his dignity to do as the Man of God commanded. His servants had to persuade him to go and do as Elisha said. {A powerful passage to show the power of Words.}

Psalm 30

For his anger is but for  a moment; his favor is for a life-time.  Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning.

Hear, O Lord,  and be gracious to me! O Lord, be my helper! [Asking , Believing, and}

{receiving} You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, so that my soul may praise you and not be silent. O Lord, my God, I will give thanks to you forever.

Epistle- Galations 6:1-16

My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness.  Take care that you yourselves are not tempted.  Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the Law of Christ.

The Law of Christ is :  Love the Lord thy God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And to Love your Neighbor as yourself.

Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow.

For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything; but a new creation is everything.

Jesus said to Nicodemus (John 3:3) Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. {Spiritual eyes are opened}

Can you say today that you have been born again…..if there is doubt in your mind then it is time that you start asking some questions.

I John 4:7 Beloved let us love one another; for love is of God; and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth Him.

I John 5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God; and everyone that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

Gospel Reading ( Please Stand if Able)  Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

Whereas Jesus sent the Twelve out in mission in Chapter 9, now he sends seventy (or seventy-two as the LXX reads).  The number seventy implies all of humanity, as Genesis 10 provides a list of all the nations of the world, numbering seventy. The theme of Luke is repeated: Salvation is for all humanity. God is not willing that any should perish.

The mission is holistic – preaching, teaching, and healing – and the apostles have the same authority for these ministries that Jesus himself has.

As Born Again believers we have been commissioned by Jesus to go forth and preach, and teach, and heal and to make disciples….Jesus said All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth and he is implying that he is giving us the same power.

He has also told us to Keep HIS Words: John 15:23…If a man love me, he will keep my words; and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.  He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which you hear is not mine, but the Father’s who sent me.

The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest…

Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.

BECAUSE you are speaking what you have heard from Jesus (the Word).

John 15:7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you.

Mark 9:23 “Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, ALL things are possible to him that believeth.”

The disciples came to Jesus once when they could not cast out a demon and Jesus plainly told them in :

Matthew 17:20 says, “And Jesus said unto them, because of your UNBELIEF: for verily I say unto you, If you 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.

Mark 11:23 says, “ For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not DOUBT in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he SAITH shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he Saith.”

Words are containers. They carry faith, or fear, and they produce after their kind.

So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God” (Rom. 10:17)

Faith comes more quickly when you hear yourself quoting, speaking, and saying the things God said.  You will more readily receive God’s word into your spirit by hearing yourself say it  than if you hear someone else say it.  Start proclaiming what Thus saith the Word of God> You will be amazed at how your faith will be increased. Don’t wait 7 days before you come to hear the word preached. Start quoting the Word Daily in your Morning Devotionals…Quote it throughout the day. Profess the Word.

Deuteronomy 6:6-9. And these words that I command you today shall be in your heart.. And you shall teach them  diligently to your children, and you shall speak of them when you sit at home, and when you walk along the way, and when you lie down and when you rise up.  And you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be for frontlets between your eyes.  And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates….

In other words God’s words must be a priority in your life. It starts with salvation.

For instance: “ Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” Rom. 10:13

And

If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shall believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” Rom. 10:9-10…

The peace the apostles are to offer is more than a greeting or demeanor.  Peace is representative of the kingdom of God, the salvation that is  shalom. John 14:27  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Trouble is anxiety….worry…..being afraid is operating in the side of Fear which is not of God but from the evil one. Fear is where the trouble started in the Garden of Eden.  If Satan can get you to fear your peace is shaken. The Peace that Jesus Gives is the Peace that passes all understanding.  The peace in the midst of trials and tribulations. The Peace when the storms of life come against you.

As messengers, we have a powerful calling.  The Lord appoints us to go out into the world ahead of him. We should be proclaiming that The Lord is coming. Prepare ye the way of the Lord. We need to start revealing to the World that the time is near.

Very clearly the focus of our message is on the Coming of Christ and our call to live each day in HIS Name.

As present day messengers, the joy is ours as well, for we have been appointed by Christ to share the good news of the coming of the kingdom. Rejoicing that our names are written in the Lambs Book of Life.