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1. The Abundant Life of Jesus: # 1 by Gary Waguespack..........................................................................................3 2. The Abundant Life of Jesus: # 2 by Gary Waguespack..........................................................................................9 3. The Abundant Life of Jesus: III by Gary Waguespack .........................................................................................14 4. The Abundant Life of Jesus: IV by Gary Waguespack .........................................................................................19 5. The Abundant Life of Jesus: V by Gary Waguespack ..........................................................................................25 6. The Abundant Life of Jesus: VI by Gary Waguespack .........................................................................................30 7. The Abundant Life of Jesus: VII by Gary Waguespack ........................................................................................34 8. By Grace Alone by Tom McCrossan ....................................................................................................................40 9. Jesus Christ: The Sound of a New Story by Michael Pahls .................................................................................46 10.Secrets to Joy and Peace by Samuel Stone .........................................................................................................49 11.By Scripture Alone by Tom McCrossan ...............................................................................................................53 12.Lesson 1 ( 23rd Psalm): The Lord Is My Shepherd* by Elmer Towns .................................................................56 13.Lesson 2 (23rd Psalm): I Shall Not Want* by Elmer Towns ................................................................................59 14.Lesson 3 ( 23rd Psalm): Green Pastures and Still Waters* by Elmer Towns ......................................................61 15.Lesson 4 (23rd Psalm): Paths of Righteousness* by Elmer Towns .....................................................................64 16.Lesson 5 (23rd Psalm): Walking Through Death?s Valley* by Elmer Towns ......................................................67 17.Lesson 6 (23rd Psalm): I Will Fear No Evil by Elmer Towns ................................................................................70 18.Lesson 7 (23rd Psalm): Thy Rod and Staff* by Elmer Towns ..............................................................................73 19.Lesson 8 (23rd Psalm): Thou Preparest A Table* by Elmer Towns .....................................................................76 20.Lesson 9 (23rd Psalm): My Cup Runs Over* by Elmer Towns.............................................................................79 21.Lesson 10 (23rd Psalm): Goodness and Mercy* by Elmer Towns ......................................................................81 22.Has Christmas Changed You. by Rick Gillespie- Mobley .....................................................................................84 23.A Journey Through the Stable part 1 by John Beehler .......................................................................................94 24.A Journey Through the Stable part 2 by John Beehler .......................................................................................96 25.A Journey Through the Stable part 3 by John Beehler .......................................................................................98 26.A Journey Through the Stable part 4 by John Beehler .....................................................................................100 27.Beginning All Over Again by Glenn Durham .....................................................................................................103 28.Remembering God This Year by Glenn Durham ..............................................................................................108 29.A New Day to Begin Life by Freddy Fritz ...........................................................................................................113 30.A New Year - a New Start! by Michael B. Perrott .............................................................................................117

The Abundant Life of Jesus: # 1 by Gary Waguespack

John 10:10-10:10 The Abundant Life of Jesus Part I - The Promised Life John 10:10 -- "The thief cometh, to kill, steal and destroy, but I have come that you might have life and this life MORE ABUNDANTLY! INTRODUCTION A little girl once went to visit her grandmother in the country. Things were fine until Sunday. This lady went to an very old fashioned Church that kept the Sabbath by forbidding all work, fun, levity, laughing and playing. The little girl woke up Sunday and started right off playing and laughing, as little girls do. Her grandmother immediately rebuked her for breaking the Sabbath. Well, she quieted down, went to Church and later went for a walk out by the barn. She went over to an old mule, a droopy eyed, sad faced, long-eared mule. She looked at the mule for a while, then said, "Mr. Mule, you look like you go to my grandmothers Church!" I think a lot of people in Churches are living in a place, I call "Depression Avenue." 201 Depression Avenue. You know the place; its on the corner of "Despair" and "Self-Pity." We all know the place, many of us live there, and many others spend a lot of time there. Its a place of darkness and gloom and doom, where sounds of complaining, condemnation, accusation and the "cants" are heard. "I cant do this, and I cant do that;" You know.

Well, the Lord Jesus, in John 10:10 is calling us to move! Let the old place go. Let it be condemned and torn down as it ought to be and MOVE! JESUS wants us to come and live with HIM over on the beautiful, marvelous, hillside estate called: ABUNDANT ACRES! Its on the corner of "Joy and Thanksgiving" surrounded by grace and mercy, overflowing with love, laughter, light and abundance of every kind. Theres a gate leading to a long driveway, and over the gate reads: WHOSOEVER WILL, MAY ENTER A smaller, sign says, IMMEDIATE OCCUPANCY PREFERRED!

4 The sad fact is, however, that "Depression Avenue" is teeming with people, crowded with sadness and sorrow, while "Abundant Acres," has hardly a soul to claim it. Most people would LIKE to believe its true, but CANT and so, eek out a miserable existance to their dying day . . . in the darkness. I say, LETS MOVE!!! I, for one am tired of living a life that is tossed about by every wind of circumstances that comes along. I believe Jesus came to give us this Abundant Life, and I mean to live it! How about you!

How CAN we do this? The Bible has the answer. We need to understand: (1) The Promise, (2) The Picture, (3) the Problem and the (4) Plan of the Abundant Life of Jesus. (1) The Promise of the Abundant Life of Jesus John 10:10 contains the word "More Abundantly." This is a fairly unique word in the Greek. "Abundance" is already a "superlative." You remember English, "Comparatives and Superlatives?" "Good, Better, Best?" Which is superlative? Best! Great, Greatest! Here in John 10:10, the word is "More." Its "better than the best!" Its "greater than the greatest." Its "fuller than the fullest!" And Jesus said, "I have come . . . ," remember how He came? Remember the pain of the nails driven into His flesh, the thorns pounded into His skull until his face was painted red by His blood, remember how his back was ripped to the bone, by the whip? Remember the PRICE HE PAID. And this was to give US LIFE, MORE ABUNDANTLY! How rude, and foolish for us NOT to live this life! It would be like being invited out to a nice restaurant by someone wealthy and who wanted to bless us with a wonderfully abundant feast. To go there and nibble at the salad, or take a bite of a roll and say, "No thanks, I dont want your lobster, steak, whatever, I dont even want a doggie bag, THROW IT AWAY!" If we ARENT living the abundant life of Jesus, thats what were doing to HIM!

Lets give ourselves a test, to see how were doing at living this Abundant Life of Jesus. On a scale of "1 to 10," "10," being Life More Abundantly, and "1" being the worst, most unhappy kind of life, where are YOU? If youre a "10," you are "more than a conqueror," you are

5 bold, unstoppable, in Jesus, you are doing great exploits, you are in Control, you are Joyful, and Successful in every area of life. Paul said, "Rejoice in the Lord always." (Doesnt that bother you? Doesnt Paul know that bad things happen to good people? Doesnt Paul know that sometimes life has a way of DUMPING on us?) If youre a "10," however you ARE rejoicing ALWAYS! But, if youre a "1," you fail at EVERYTHING. Youre like the guy that went out to kill himself. He took gasoline, a rope and a gun, went to a tree that went out over a lake. He tied the rope on a branch, put it around his neck, and doused himself with gasoline. He then, lit the gas, jumped off over the lake, and shot the gun. The gun hit the rope, he fell into the lake putting out the fire almost before it got started, and, since it was shallow, didnt drown. He crawled out on shore, mutterring, "I cant do anything right." "1," you feel so bad, you want to die. You know rationally, things may not be so bad, but you feel so depressed, you wish you were dead. Ive felt like this -- I think everyone has. Well, where are you? Be honest. Are you an "8," living pretty well, mostly happy? Are you a "6," pretty happy, but with a lot of sadness. Are you a "4," mostly, unhappy, messing up, failing. Are you a "2," nothing works out for you? Most people put themselves below "5." If youre not a "10," this Promise is for you! (2) The Picture of the Abundant Life of Jesus Luke 5:1-11 and Gal. 5:22-23 together make a wonderful picture of the Abundant Life of Jesus. Luke 5, you remember is the famous story of the Peter. Peter had his boat on shore and Jesus came and preached from the boat. THEN, things really started happening. Jesus told Peter to push the boat out for a catch (Imagine Jesus first public appearance, and He chooses to go fishing as the most "spiritual" activity of the day?!) Peter says, "But, Master, we have toiled all night and caught NOTHING!" Thats a picture of following the "thief." There is another, "calling" us in John 10:10. Jesus says, "The THIEF cometh to KILL, STEAL AND DESTROY. We work hard and get nowhere; we try so hard and do NOT overcome our bondages and addictions. Weve spent THOUSANDS to get peace and are no better but worse. Following the thief, we, indeed, FISH ALL NIGHT AND CATCH NOTHING. Now watch what happens when the Lord of the Abundant

6 Life takes over. Peter cast the net, and WOW. A good catch would be 10, a record catch would be 30, based on John 21, this catch must be over 300 fish! Their nets were bursting and their boats were sinking from the abundance! Now, in Gal. 5:22-23, God says, "The fruit, harvest, catch, of the Holy Spirit is, (now, this is what OUR nets are to be bursting with, and our lives to be sinking under the weight of!). The catch of the Spirit is: Love, (are your emotions bursting with love, is your life sinking under the weight of it?), Joy, (are your emotions bursting with Joy, Laughter, does your face get tired SMILING ALL THE TIME?), Peace, (full of certainty, overflowing with confidence, boldness, etc.?), Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness, Meekness, and Self-Control. SELF-CONTROL??? Are we actually, really supposed to have self-control? Yes, Absolutely! Yet, dont we all think, we cant! I dont have it, and cant stop this, and cant overcome that! Of course, everyone does in fact go fishing. But, most of us fill our nets with pain, despair, hopelessness; and our nets are bursting with darkness, depression and our lives are sinking under the weight of it all. Cheryl told me, that to talk this way is going to make everyone feel bad! Because no one can do it. Well, thats the next point. (3) The Problem with the Abundant Life of Jesus The Problem is, we sit there listening to this and we say, "I dont think SO!" "I CANT live THAT kind of life!" "I cannot overcome everything in my life." "I cannot have joy all the time." BUT JESUS SAID WE COULD! The problem is, we cant believe it; the solution is, weve got to believe it!" Weve got to switch our thinking. Ive always had trouble living the Abundant Life of Jesus consistently. I am living this life more consistently, now, than ever. I am overcoming more now, than ever. I am more joyful, more often, than ever! The beginning is to begin to believe: I CAN!!! This thought alone, is powerful and will move you from a 3 or 4 to a 6 or 7. I feel stronger, just to say: I CAN DO THIS! Lets think this through a bit. I found 4 reasons why we CAN DO THIS: 1-Jesus said so. If God said it, that settles it!

7 2-If we cant have this Abundant Life of Jesus, then it makes Jesus the worst sort of Person. It makes him mean and cruel and the kind of person that enjoys tormenting us. It makes Jesus like kids Ive seen that tease, meantease their baby brothers or sisters. You know, youve seen a boy, take a sucker and hold it close to his baby brother. The baby reaches out, the brother takes it away. The baby cries, the brother laughs. He does this over and over, tormenting the little guy, and laughing at his misery! Is this Jesus? Does He hold out His Abundant Life, then pull it away? Does He do this over and over tormenting us? Or is it, somehow, POSSIBLE? 3-Its all over the Bible. Rom. 8:37, "We are more than conquerors." 1 John 4:4, "Greater is He that is in us, than he that is in the world." Phil. 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Ps. 1, "whatsoever he doeth shall prosper" Joshua 1, " . . . wherever you shall go, you shall have good success." 4-Its the only way of fulfilling the Great Commission. The world has got to look at the Church and see something better than what theyve got. The genuine joy, power, peace, true success and prosperity that Jesus offers, should be like a beacon, or a magnet drawing people for miles around. Any Church that really begins to experience this Abundant Life will have to build a huge building to hold all the people, because this is what theyre looking for! (4) The Plan for the Abundant Life of Jesus Now, are you still sitting there thinking, "I still dont think so." "I still dont see how this is possible." Part of the reason is that we dont understand the Plan. Its called: "A" "A." AA. Awareness and Action. Well do "Action" next week. Today, Awareness. * (Hearing & Doing might be better, here, Mat. 7:24)

Awareness, Knowledge, Wisdom, Revelation. Someone has said, "Knowledge is Power." The better the Knowledge, the more the Power. Let me show you WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT WHO YOU REALLY ARE, and why, you can and should expect to really live the Abundant Life of Jesus. 2 Cor. 5:17, "If anyone (anyone, you and I and everyone here) is in Christ (this is a big "if," first, of course, settle your relationship with the Lord Jesus, ask Him into your life). But, if anyone is in Christ, he is a NEW CREATION! "Is!" Not, "will be someday." The old has (not will), has passed away, behold the new has, HAS, HAS come." God is saying that when Jesus came in, he brought something so great, so awesome, it can only be compared with a new Creation, a new heavens, and earth, a new, "Let there be light, and there was light." This is AWESOME!

8 Creation. Lets look at Gen. 1:26 and see another tremendous aspect of who we are. God says, "Let us (the Triune God) make man in Our Image." Hold it, follow the line here. Above, he talks about making the sea creatures AFTER THEIR KIND. And the birds, AFTER THEIR KIND. And the lions, tigers, cattle, etc. AFTER THEIR KIND. But, when he come to man, God does NOT say, "After their kind," because now, Hes doing something INFINITELY greater. Making man after !!HIS!! kind. Dont take this too far, but God IS SAYING, that He made us of the same "stuff" as He is made! AMAZING!! Even better is Heb. 2:11. That says that "Jesus," hold it! Lets put this into context. Jesus, Col. 1:16, "in Him, by Him and for Him, were all things created." John 1:1, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God." All things were created by this Word. So, back there in Genesis, when God said, "Let there be . . . ," THAT WORD WAS JESUS! Somehow, it was Jesus Himself, actually putting His Hands on the Sun, Moon and Stars. Molding in His own hands, to His own taste, Saturn, Mars, Venus and ALL CREATION! Now, Heb. 2:11 says that Jesus " . . . was not ashamed to call them (us) brothers." My Brother is Jesus?! I wouldnt have the audacity to say this, it would be arrogant in the extreme, but God said it. My Brother?! is the Creator of the Universe. He made me awesome, Ps. 139, wonderful, marvelous, of the same "stuff" as God, able, capable and powerful. Brilliant, able to to exceedingly abundantly more than any of us ever gave ourselves credit for. And then, on the Cross, He made me His brother! PERHAPS, we CAN actually live the Abundant Life of Jesus! I need to say a word about "sin," here. You might think, "Boy, if were THAT great, how could we ever sin?" Sin isnt about how miserable you are, its about where you submitt, and to whom. You can take your brilliance and strength and serve lust, greed, pornography and the like. Or you can take your brilliance and strength and serve Jesus. People serving sin are smart, figuring out amazingly creative ways to get pornography into your home. If you watch TV or are on the Internet, you know; theyve figured out ways to barge into your living room and computer with lust-filled commercials. Sin is not just victims in misery, Sin is rebellion! But, we do not serve sin! Paul said, in Romans. We serve One Who said, "I have come that you might have life, and this life MORE ABUNDANTLY!"

The Abundant Life of Jesus: # 2 by Gary Waguespack

John 10:10-10:10 The Abundant Life of Jesus Part II - The Greatest Life Introduction: Well, if you were living on "Depression Avenue," have you moved; have you moved to the "Abundant Acres of Jesus." John 10:10 invites all to come, the place is paid for, come on and see, what the Lord can do. A friend once lived in Atlanta doing intern work for a Church. He had to pass a Church every day and it had one of thos Church signs that usually contained a message. One day, he noticed, no message, but a prayer request. It read, "Pray for Pastor Richardson." This went on for quite a while, until one day he had to laugh. Because the permanent message on the sign read, "God is Good." But, that day, the other message read, "Pastor Richardson is Better." What is the greatest life? If you could choose another life, the greatest kind of life to live, what would it be? Would you choose riches? Would you choose fame? Would you choose adventure? Would you choose to be a great athlete? Well, Jesus tops them all. HIS abundant life is greater IN EVERY CATEGORY than anything else. You ever watch those "infomercials?" I do. Im fascinated by them. If you watch close, youll notice that they are not really selling money. Theyre selling what MONEY CAN BUY. We really dont want more money! I mean, who wants stacks of lousy pictures of dead presidents? And theyre green! Of course, theyre green, theyre all DEAD! We dont really want money, we want what money CAN GET US. We really want feelings like: Love, joy, peace, freedom, self-control and the like. And $50,000 a month seems like a good way to get it, depending on whose program you believe. Jesus said, in John 10:10, " . . . I have come (remember how He came) that you might have LIFE, and this life MORE ABUNDANTLY." This is the greatest life because it offers what the world is really seeking.

10 Luke 5:1-11 and Gal. 5:22-23 describes this life in more detail, and we dont have to pay three easy monthly installments of $125. We merely need to believe His promise and do what He said to do. I know, for me, I began getting these ends without those TV means. I began getting my nets full, and my boat sinking from Jesus Himself. Love, Jesus came to me with amazing love. There I was, a rebel, stiff-necked, arms folded, and my back to Jesus (you know, we are not poor little puppies, beaten down by life, abused children of sin, we are REBELS). I remember a time when I was all of this and more, I didnt seek Him, He sought me. He came to me, the rebel, and pulled me to Himself. I was not eager, but He was persistent. But, He didnt just love me. It wasnt, "Oh well, I guess Ive gotta love Gary Waguespack." He did it with JOY! With a smile and a chuckle, gladness in His countenance, He drew me to Himself. And, He shared a great PEACE with me. He took me to the end of my life and showed me my security. My name was written in His blood, in the Lambs Book of Life. I know, Im going to make it to the end. His blood cleanses A l l sin. And, boy, was He patienct with me. And KIND? Why should He bless me so, after my stubborn self-will. GENTLENESS, was always His manner, I deserved a good swift kick, many times, but it wasnt harshness that greeted me, it was always gentleness. And, so on through the fruit of the Spirit. Jesus fills our nets all by Himself. But, he goes beyond this. His life, is MORE abundant. He allows us to get blessed everywhere we go, by everyone we meet. Brothers and Sisters in Christ, add to the blessings. Family and Friends also squeeze more good feelings in. And, indeed, our lives are overwelmed, NOT BY THE WORLD, but by the Lord and His Blessings! Well, if were not living this, why not? There are reasons, and they all flow out of Mat. 7:24. "He that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them, is like a wise builder, who built his house on a ROCK." Wisdom is practical knowledge. Its knowing how to make life work. You know when you shake something to get it to work, or your computer isnt cooperating, so you turn it on, and turn it off, turn it on, and turn it off, until it works. Well God designed our lives to work in a certain way.

11 BY HEARING AND DOING, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE! Youve probably heard, "Knowledge is Power." But, thats not quite true. Knowledge ALONE is not power, it must also be accompanied by DOING. Did your mother or someone ever say, "If youre so smart, why arent you rich." Well, theres a reason, because we never put action with our "smarts." Jesus understood, it was hearing (knowledge) and doing )action that makes life work the way it should I seem to remember as story about Henry Ford. He had a problem with one of his factories; it was a major shutdown and all his experts couldnt fix it. He called a friend, a genius in this field, also a millionaire in his own right. He asked for help and the guy came. He tinkered for about a half an hour and then pushed a lever and: Wooosh! It worked. A week or so later, Henry Ford got a bill and it was for TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS. He was upset and called the guy and complaine. "10,000 dollars for a half hour of tinkering?! This is outrageous!" Henry said. The man said he would send another bill. This one read, "For 1/2 hour of tinkering, $5. For knowing where to tinker, $9,995." Knowledge, APPLIED, is power. And the better the knowledge, the more the power. When it comes to the Abundant Life of Jesus, there are 5 (?) areas of hearing and doing that we need to understand to fully release and begin to live the Greatest Life. 1. We need to hear, know and understand, that the Abundant Life of Jesus is real and meant for everyone, that we all CAN DO John 10:10. There are 4 reasons why we can. See Sermon 1. 2. We need to hear, know and understand, who does what, when. 3. We need to hear, know and understand, what really motivates us to do anything: Joy and Sorrow! 4. We need to hear, know and understand, how we work. The Lord has given us gifts, powers that can change anything we want to change: In the Creation it was "Having Dominion, but, sin damaged this capacity, but didnt completely destroy it, especially for Redeemed persons, 2 Cor. 5:17, we are new creations! 5. We need to hear, know and understand, how to change things we dont like into things we do like, that we can take true control of our lives. 6. We need to hear, know and understand, how to break up the sabotaging patterns of fear, procrastination, rejection, confusion, and depression. The Bible is full of information, directions on how to be

12 happy, successful, prosperous, take control, etc. but we dont do what the Bible says, therefore we dont get what the Bible offers. The first reason we dont is that many of us are confused over 1. Who does What, and When. Many of us are "waiting on the Lord" to do things, the Lord is waiting on US TO DO! Another way of saying the same thing is Nobody is going to life your life for you. Many of us seem to have the MISTAKEN idea that the Lord is like a drug or alcohol. He kind of, overwelmes us with good feelings so that we cant help ourselves, but to do wonderful things and feel a wonderful way. In this state, we are not ourselves, but mystically blended with Jesus. Then, this wears off and we struggle with sin, waiting on the Lord for another "fix" so that we can be blended with Him, not ourselves and do wonderful things. Thats not the Bible. Jesus didnt live anyones life FOR THEM. Take Peter in Luke 5. Jesus gave directions, but Jesus didnt push the boat our, nor did he throw the net, nor did He pull the nets in. Had Peter "waited on the Lord" the way many of us do, hed have caught NOTHING. Weve got a radically unbiblical notion of WAITING ON THE LORD, from a MISREADING of Isaiah 40:31. "He that waits on the Lord will renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles . . . ." So, we wait, and the Lord waits, and nothing happens. That passage comes from the science of birds. Apparently, a young eagle sometimes needed help to learn to fly high. I mean, "Buddy" Eagle, would jump out of the nest and fly a bit, but hed fly low. It was just easier, higher air is less dense and more difficult to maneuver, so "Buddy" eagle would simple do the easier thing. But, mother wanted little, "Buddy" eagle to be an eagle which means to fly HIGH! So, she would swoop down directly beneath the little eagle, lifting him in a gliding pattern, then letting him go. She would help him "rest," so that hed be able to ascend with her. Over and over she would do this, until hed be flying high, like he was created to do. This was a very active form of resting. But, we wait, Peter could have sat and waited. "Im waiting on the Lord." He could have said, sounding wonderfully "Spiritual." And, the Lord might have said, "But, I AM the Lord, and Im telling you to push the boat out, cast the nets." Peter could have replied, "No, I dont want to get in the way, of whatever

13 the Lord might be doing here, Ill just wait, Hell sovereignly move the boat, make the fish jump in the boats, and everything, Ill just wait." "But, I am the Lord," Jesus might have replied. "Push the boat out, cast the nets!!!" "You mean you want me to D O something?!" Peter might have responded. "YES!" Jesus might have said, to US! Confusion over Who does what has stopped many Christians before they get started, they never even get up to "bat," much less get to first base. "When" is the other part of this. When do we "do" what the Lord is saying? Now! See, I must do it, I can do it, and I must start NOW! The Lord provides the directions and the power and we do the rest. Let me illustrate my wife & I have a "Luke 6:38 testimony." Some years ago we had a desparate financial situation. We prayed and the Lord told us what to do (and it wasnt "wait"). He told us first to Increase our regular offerring. And second, for one month do not spend any of our salary on food, to trust Him to provide and spend the money on our bills. We did, and He did. We increased our offerring an food started showing up from near and far and without us telling anyone our need. 1. Who does What, When? We do, whatever God says, NOW!

14

The Abundant Life of Jesus: III by Gary Waguespack

John 10:10-10:10

The Abundant Life of Jesus: Part III Not a Pigeon, an Eagle! Intro: A pigeon had babies. Most of them grew up and flew away as pigeons are supposed to do, but one stayed. He stayed, enjoying room service, food, mother cleaning up, right into his "teenage" pigeon years. It was totally frustrating and one day, Mother had had enough and said, "If you dont get out of this nest, and fly and I mean NOW, Im gonna get a rope and tie it around your neck and tow you around behind me everywhere I go." Well, that did it; the pigeon took off, flying quite well and mother flew after him and asked what finally made him get out and fly. The pigeon said, "Mom, I just couldnt stand the thought of growing up: Pigeon Towed." God has called us to get out of our nests, but not as pigeons, as Eagles; he made us with the capacity of living an Abundant life, but most of us settle for a "barely gettin by," kind of life. Well, lets switch. Someone has said, "Knowledge is power." But thats not quite true, APPLIED knowledge is power. The secret power of the abundant life is found in: Mt. 7:24, Jesus said, "He who hears these words of mine and does, does, does them . . . Is the wise [, successful, joyful,] builder." Another way of saying this is that you need to know: Who does What, When, Why, Where, How, and How Long! Today: Who does What, When! The bible speaks to every area of life, so understanding how to make Gods word work can help in things like finances, relationships, health,

15 etc.! 1. The power of Who! Nobody can live your life for you, not even God. We make the mistake of thinking that some wonderful and powerful FEELING from God will come upon us and enable us to do, easily, the things we struggle with, normally. Not so. Remember Peter walking on Water? All THE apostles are on the boat; its calm, then waves, storm, winds, and rain. Jesus is not in the boat, and soon, he comes walking ON WATER. Peter says, "Lord, if its you bid ME COME!" Jesus did, and Peter got out and walked on the water over towards Jesus. Now Who did What, When? Jesus did NOT go over, wrestle a reluctant Peter into submission, drag him out of the boat and then, holding him by the collar, enable him to walk on water! Not! It was up to Peter to take the step, Jesus gave him directions and he supplied the power! In America today, we all seem to want to "hire it done." We all want to find someone to live our lives for us! We "hire" TV, Movies, Professional sports, drugs, alcohol, counselors, institutions, doctors to change our feelings to the point where we are enabled to live a more interesting, comfortable, powerful life! FOR US! But, youve got to live your own life. Jesus said, in effect, "If you want to walk, you can, and if you dont want to, like Thomas, Andrew, or the others, stay in the boat! But, I am NOT going to come and get you and drag you out." A supposedly true story comes from the Ukraine about a eagle egg that somehow fell out of its nest and found its way into a Goose nest. It hatched and the goose mothered the eagle and it grew up, acting like a GOOSE! It tried real hard to walk like a goose, eat like a goose and quack like a goose, badly, but it tried. Then and eagle flew by, and something about that eagle called to the true

16 nature of the "goose" eagle. It took a few steps and flew, following the other eagle, high, as it was created to do. Arent we like that, created to fly right into the Presence of God, enjoy the fellowship of angels, cherubim and the worship of Heaven itself, and we live like geese! Waiting for someone to change us into eagles, but we already are! 2. The Power of What! Action! God created all things, Moving, in great Variety and Good! It is eastern philosophy that says material things are evil. First, Moving. All things? Hey, were standing still, right here. No, the earth is moving 36 thousand miles a day, aroung 1500 miles an hour. And the earth is going around the sun around 60 thousand miles an hour, then theres the solar system, rotating, constellations EVERYTHING IS MOVING! Then we come to church and DISCOURAGE MOVEMENT! "Hey, kid, sit still, be quiet, dont move too much, we dont want to disturb the ?sanctity? of worship." Wrong, move, clap, lift your hands, heads, kick your heels up every now and then and Shout! Second, Variety! It should be so obvious, but everybodys different! Even twins, every leaf on the same tree is different, and snowflakes and then we come to church and we have to be the SAME! And, its all good! God didnt "take back" his asessment of creation, when he said it was Good, he meant it, then, and now! All creation is good. Eastern religions do strange things. Eastern religions, Budhism, Hinduism Confuscionism are all CONFUSEDISMS. Theyre ideal life is to separate mind and body. Get in a lotus position, stationary, blend in with the eternal consciousness, SAMENESS! Put body, mind and spirit in a blender with the eternal consciousness and THERE, thats HEAVEN????? I want to say, "Hey, Mr. Buddha, Mr Consfuscious

17 (and, by the way, you guys could stand to lose a few pounds, if your way is so great, how come it doesnt affect your APPETITE?), why dont you go outside and look around??!!" You might notice the incredible variety, Vishnu, Krishna, all you guys LOOK AROUND!" Is "heaven" really a contradiction of everything we see? Of course not, but we bring THAT IDEA into church and our Christian faith. 3) The Power of When! "When" is one of the greatest and most difficult words in our language. "When" is "when" things happen! "When" is the difference between winners and losers. "Losers," is a harsh word, but it has to do with people who lose, or miss the Abundant Life of Jesus because theyre always talking about: SOMEDAY, while winners are always starting, NOW! Ps. 126:1-2, "When, WHEN, the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion we were like them that dream and our tongues were filled with joyful laughter!" Lets procrastinate PROCRASTINATING! When? Its what almost everyone says, "When were good and ready." Ill diet, get fit, pray more, quit smoking, etc. WHEN IM GOOD AND READY! How can we get "Good and ready," sooner than other times. My Mom smoked for years, then she developed heart disease, needed open heart surgery and, she got "good and ready" fast. She quit smoking, changed her diet, and really pursued health. And, although she did eventually die, she lived a good 20 years longer by changing her habits. How can we get "good and ready" sooner? Accelerate the process! Check out Part IV, Next week.

18 Let me close with this. You all probably heard about the 2 mountain men laying out on the hillside, one is big, 6 feet, 10 inches, the other barely 5 feet. The little guy said, "You know what Id do, if I was as big as you? "What?" "Id go over to them mountains, find me a bear and wrestle him to the ground." "You know what," said the big guy to the little guy. "What?" asked the little guy. "Theres lots of LITTLE bears in them woods."

19

The Abundant Life of Jesus: IV by Gary Waguespack

John 10:10-10:10 The Abundant Life of Jesus: Part IV: The Power of Why! John 10:10 & Luke 11:28 Intro: Today were going to follow up on the last sermon which left us with the problem of "How to get good and ready." Remember, well stop procrastinating and start doing the things we know we should, "WHEN WERE GOOD AND READY?!" Well also deal more directly with the # 1 obstacle, sabotaging pattern of behavior, keeping most people from living the Abundant Life of Jesus: Procrastination, and were not "putting it off." Today! Well, a part of the secret to getting ready sooner is the proper use of QUESTIONS?!! And "Why" questions are among the best. For the first time in a long time, we DONT have 3 teenagers. Our oldest child, Joy, just turned 20, she called and told me she was feeling old, oh, dont you feel sorry for her. But it reminds me of a time, way back in New York, when we adopted her, (she was adopted as a baby from Korea) we worked with a Christian adoption agency in Syracuse. The time came when they were to come and inteview us; the mans name was "Bear." Mr. Bear was a good christian guy. Anyway, we told Joy, who was about 2 then, that "Mr. Bear" was coming to visit with us. I didnt think much about it, but Joy seemed uneasy. The day came and she was real nervous and when the guy finally came, she said, "Youre not Mr. Bear." She was expecting a real, furry bear. Kids are great, did you hear about the updated version of Goldilocks? Well, she sued the 3 bears, the porridge was too hot, the judge and the jury awarded her the house, and the bears were forced into homelessness, somewhere out west.

20 When we talk about the Abundant Life of Jesus, it sounds too good to be true. It sounds like Snow White, Prince Charming or something. But, Jesus DIED to make this happen. And further, it would make Jesus the meanest sort of person to OFFER such a life, but then not REALLY let anyone actually live it, like teasing a child, or animal mercilessly. So it must be possible, more, it must be HIS desire for ALL who want it. The picture of this life, I think is found in Luke 5:1-11 and Gal. 5:22-23. The miraculous catch: He threw the net and the nets were full, breaking and the boat was sinking under the ABUNDANCE! The abundance of WHAT? Of: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, etc. the fruit of the Spirit. Are OUR NETS BURSTING, and are our boats sinking under the weight? "But, Pastor, I would LOVE to live that kind of life, but I cant, Im not that determined, Ive got lots of problems, I just cant," you may be saying in your mind, "and now youre making me feel guilty for NOT living it!" Well, theres hope and the questions we used last week can help, remember: Who does What, When, Why, Where, How, and How Long? Questions are great, Jesus used them. Psychologically our brains are "wired" so that, if we ask a question, we have to find an answer. Our minds cant endure unanswered questions; it forces us to think. For instance, "Why cant I lose weight?" Our minds will find an answer, but the nature of this question always yields a NEGATIVE answer. "Well, because Im too fat, I have no will power, Im big boned, Im Italian." Better, "How can I lose weight and enjoy the process?" Much better! And your mind will answer, "Learn to love vegetables, fruit, exercise, find a friend, join a gym, etc." Better. The wise use of questions can do wonders in our battle against procrastination and many other problems of life. Jesus is famous for using questions to literally force his ENEMIES to THINK in his direction. For instance, in Mark 3:1-6, the story of Jesus healing the man with the withered hand, Jesus asks the Pharisees, "Is it lawful to do good or evil on the Sabbath?" Now they CANT NOT answer this. They HAVE to say, "Well, to do good!" And in the context, he

21 says, in effect (this is not a quote, but an inference) "Lets let God decide." Jesus then calls the man forward, DOES NOT TOUCH HIM, lay hands on him, rebuke the affliction, or speak to the illness in any way! He simply says, "Stretch forth your hand." He did and it became whole! Who healed him? God! God answered the question! Both in the minds of his enemies, and in fact. When it comes to THE ABUNDANT LIFE, answering all those questions will yield the information we need to actually live that life: Who does What, When, Why, Where, How and How Long. The power of Who, the power of What, Last week today, the power of When! But the "power of when," is helped by the power of "Why." Today, the Power of "Why?!" Jesus got people "Good and Ready" pretty quickly; really he DIDNT wait around very much and he did this by getting them to see the URGENCY OF THE MOMENT! Develop a positive, aggressive habit of using the question, "WHY?" Why SHOULD I do this NOW???!!! If we can ask and answer this question with enough wisdom and determination, we will find ourselves DOERS of the word and not hearers only and well actually live the Abundant Life. There are many things that can get us answer to the "Why" question, "to seize the day," among which are the following: 1. Crises. Every time youre tempted to procrastination, youre in a crisis and CRISES CAN MOTIVATE. They help us REALLY SEE the dangers of procrastination. We must learn to ask ourselves questions that can heighten our awareness of the Urgency to do something now. What if I do this? What if I dont? Where will I be next year at this time? Where in 5 years? Ask questions that will move you to ACTION! A fact. The largest single group of people in America that practice daily exercise, health and fitness are those who have had heart attacks. The "why" question is answered by "or else I die." And, SUDDENLY, normally sedentary people become fanatics and are

22 motivated to get out and walk, eat better and really work hard at fitness on a DAILY BASIS!

2. Kids. Kids present a different sort of "crisis" and questions can help us here too. What will this mean for them? If I do, if I dont, make the questions as dramatic as possible because your kids future depends on it. Ive been called to a principles office more than once for my kids; SUDDENLY, I know Ive got to do something, had I asked questions sooner, I might have avoided that embarrassment. Illus. I heard about a lawyer, typical, shady, deceitful, kind of lawyer. At home he was different, nice, good, church man, elder at the local Presb. church, a real hypocrite. One day he came home early and overheard his son, a 4 year old boy, in the living room chattering with his friends. They were talking about "Heroes." All the boys had typical heroes, like John Wayne, Superman, but his son said, "My dads my hero." The man felt ashamed, he knew the truth. He went out, had a long talk with God and himself and resolved to BECOME THE MAN HIS SON THOUGHT HE WAS. Great! Kids can definitely motivate you. I remember when our daughter Joy was just 3, becoming aware of life, and my other son, also adopted, and part Korean, was 1. I was a badly out of shape pastor, pudging out of everything I owned. I went for a walk on the circle, (a 3rd mile circle where we lived). I thought about my kids growing up and what image they would have of their dad. I looked at myself and asked, "Is this the image you want your kids to see?" I decided I wanted a more athletic image, so I "took off running." Well, I ran half way around the circle, 1/6th of a mile, nearly collapsed, gasped for air; someone has said "A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step," for me it was a shuffling gait vaguely resembling running, but I was resolved. Over the next few months I became a runner. I ran races, did fairly well, 10 Ks, 20 Ks and a marathon (I came in 3rd in the 1985 Ketchikan Marathon, of course there were only 3 in the race). My daughter became a runner, one son a football player, other son track and cross country. Joy won a 10 K race a couple of years ago. Wow, Motivation! Somewhere along the line, we have to find a good answer to the question, "Why?" "Why should I do this, pray harder, fast, seek, try, etc.?" "Why should I change?" We must see the crisis as just that and the answer is always: "Ive got to do something N O W!"

23

3. Doing right! Can motivate, too. "IF YOU DO THE RIGHT THING, YOULL FEEL THE RIGHT WAY." Someone once said. Thats good. We usually wait until we feel right and then we do. The question is: WHATS THE RIGHT THING?" The right thing is Gods "THING." Not the gallup poll. When Clinton got caught, everyone knew what hed done, yet 65% of Americans said it was OK, as long as the country was doing all right. Illus. Rahab. Remember Rahab? She helped the spies of Israel when they and Joshua were coming to attack Jericho. Now, what do you think the gallup poll, or wise advisors would have told her to do in order to survive the Israelites conquest? Leave town, build a fortress, ignore the threat? God "right thing" for her was to stay IN THE WALLS. She lived in the Walls of Jericho!!!!! Imagine that! But that was the right place for her. The right thing. Peter, in Luke 5, is told to go fish. "But I fished all night and caught nothing!" "Go fish, Peter!" The right thing may not FEEL LIKE the right thing. Illus. Years ago, I worked at a Motel. I worked the night shift and every day I had to deal with the manager who came in to relieve me. She hated me, always found fault, criticized without compassion, and seemed to really have it in for me. She made my life miserable. I told my wife, Cheryl, and SHE said, "You really ought to do something NICE!" "NICE???" I said, "I dont want to be nice, I want a little revenge." "Here," Cheryl said, "Ill make a batch of fudge, you give it to her and just wait and see." She did, I gave it to her and a miracle occurred. From that day on, that lady was NICE! Kind, compassionate, normal. Amazing! I did the right thing which was Gods thing, reluctantly, with OPPOSITE FEELINGS, and it changed everyones FEELINGS.

24 YOU WANT TO FEEL BAD, OR GOOD? Ask the question, "Whats the right, Gods, thing?" Then, Do it, no matter what and you will feel better and things will probably be better.

4. Move. This is physical therapy with an exclamation point on physical. Science has discovered the "body/mind" connection, and its corollary, "the unity of the person." I find this fascinating. But it seems the mind seeks unity between its feelings and its actions and it doesnt seem to care which starts which; feelings dont have to go first! If you can make your body do something, your mind will seek a way to make your feelings correspond. What this MEANS is that if you want to be depressed you can, just let your shoulders sloop, let your head and eyes rest on the ground, sigh, and act depressed, and very soon, you will feel just that way. If you want to feel joyful, look up, smile, do the things you WOULD DO, if you felt joyful, and your mind will follow suit and make your feelings match. Sounds awfully superficial doesnt it, but it WORKS. So the questions we need to ask is "What would I do, PHYSICALLY, if I wanted to be motivated, determined, and not quit on a spiritual discipline like prayer, fasting, memorizing scripture, or fitness, dieting, and health?" And then do, whatever the answer is. Ultimately answering the "Why" questions of behavior can get us Good and Ready to Change almost anything.

25

The Abundant Life of Jesus: V by Gary Waguespack

John 10:10-10:10

The Abundant Life of Jesus: Part V: The Power of Where! John 10:10 & James 1:2 Abundant Life Questions: Who does What, When, Why, Where, How, and How Lord! Today, Where? Where do we need to apply the principles of positive, God-Directed action? James 1:2, right where it hurts; exactly where the trials, pains, struggles, tragedies and troubles of life are. Today, also we want to deal with probably the second biggest sabotaging pattern of thinking (Procrastination is the first), and that is the belief that "I cant!" We believe our most fundamental problem and obstacle to living the Abundant Life of Jesus is WEAKNESS, but, as someone once said, "Miracles come in CANS!" And God says, I CAN do all things through Christ, Who Strengthens me!"

Some years ago I heard about a man who was called to be a minister among American Indians out westa hundred years ago, or so. This man was a good, sincere, dedicated man who loved the Indians. He learned a lot from them and was always fascinated at their ability to put their ears to the ground and tell who, and how many horses, or wagons were coming. The minister would try, putting his ear to the ground and always come up wrong, but, it seemed, every time the Indians saw him, he was practicing. One day they came and found him with his ear to the ground. He said in stilted tones, "Two wagons, one with 4 horses, one with 2; one horse brown, two white, the rest black; two men in first wagon, woman and dog in second." "Wow," the Indians said, "weve never been able to do THAT, how can you tell all that?"

26 "Not tell," minister said, "wagons-run-over-me-20-minutes-ago!" *************** When it comes to the Abundant Life of Jesus, we need to realize the most amazing truth: We can, CAN, REALLY WE CAN, live this life, exactly where we need it most: In the hard times, trials, tragedies, sorrows, griefs, etc. of life. Paul makes this clear in Phil. 4:4, the famous, "Rejoice in the Lord Always, Again, I say Rejoice." He doesnt say, "when you feel like it, rejoice," nor, "when everythings going well, rejoice," nor, "grit your teeth and smile," which is not rejoicing but running away from the pain. He says, in effect, "Look your pain, sorrow, tragedy, failure, etc. right in the eye, and, with tears and a sigh, perhaps, rejoice in the Lord!" The word, "Rejoice," can be translated, "Do the things that resemble Joy!" "Repeat, the joyful pattern!" Of course, if youre human and honest, you looks at this and say, "Sounds good, but nobody can to that." "I would LOVE to, but I cant." Why cant we; inevitably we say, "Im just too weak!" But, according to the Bible, were not weak, were rebels. Its not that we "cant" it is that we wont. We take our strength and yield it to sin, self, and situations outside of the will of God and we CAN yield our strength to God, but we dont. NO MATTER HOW GOOD THINGS ARE WE OFTEN FIND A REASON TO COMPLAIN!" Reverse this. No matter how bad things are, find a reason to rejoice! Were not weak, were rebels! Its often our very strength, stubborness, pride, arrogance, that gets us in the biggest trouble. Illus. 1978, I was called to a situation in which a married couple was threatening each other with violence. I came into a situation of yelling and broken pieces of plates and things on the floor. I sat there and tried to reason, calm, comfort, and generally diffuse the situation, to no avail. It seemed out of control and I thought the police would have to be called.

27 Then, the telephone rang. A TELEPHONE. Theyre in the midst of SEEMINGLY UNCONTROLABLE rage and shouting, when the telephone rang, THEY BOTH STOPPED! Aburptly. The silence was deafening. The lady answered the phone, while her husband waited, politely, said something like "I cant talk right now." Hung up and went right back to yelling. "Wait," I said, "do you see what just happened?" They both looked surprised when I pointed out that they both calmed down enough for the phone, how about for some real communication. They are still together, by the way.

But I learned something, they (and we) were not weak, nor out of control, they had control, and they had strength; its just how they were CHOOSING TO USE IT, that made it such a bad scene. Now, if youve ever said "No!" to something bad, food when youre dieting, a bad TV program, etc. you exercised your STRENGTH in that situation, then you CAN do that more often! You already know how, you just need to do what you already know more consistently! Have you ever changed your feelings? You felt bad, depressed, and you went and visited someone who made you feel better, or you went for a walk and felt better, or you just took charge, and said, "I am NOT going to let this get me; I am NOT going to feel sorry for myself today!" Then, you CAN TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR EMOTIONS. You already know how, you just need to do it more consistently Now, where do we need to do this. Where it hurts. Anyone remember Merthiolate? That pink liquid like Iodine that burned worse than alcohol? Remember running around with pink patches all over your knees, arms and elbows? Now, they didnt put it on your elbow if it was your knee; or on your face if it was your knuckles, because it only works if you put it WHERE IT HURTS, where it hurts. James tells us to Put the Joy of the Lord all over the Trials, Pains, and Hurts of life, and that joy might sting for a while, but it will help! And the Love of God, and the His Peace!

28 At this point many may be thinking, "Pastor, you must live a pretty sheltered life; you dont know troubles like I know them." I could tell you stories that would make you cry and shudder, and I could find 10 reasons to be depressed anytime I want to, but I dont, I work hard at doing what God said, "Count it ALL joy." I might do it with tears, and sometimes a sigh of disbelief, but I still say the words, and I feel better. Gods calling us to be different, not to submitt to every wind of emotions, of the negative opinions of friends, and especially not to culture, hollywood, or congress. By the way, if the opposite of "Pro," is "Con," whats the opposite of "Progress?" A digression here. Theres been long and serious debate over what the Image of God is in Genesis. Remember God created man, us, in His Own Image. Ever since then people have been trying to figure it out. I heard, havent verified it yet, but heard that according to Martin Luther in his discussions of Genesis, early commentators, people like Athanasius, Crystostosom, Origen, believed that the Image of God is the ability to stand upright. It was called the "Posture of God." Man, unlike every other creature, PREFERS, chooses to stand upright. Now remember, its choice, here. Bears stand upright, but they PREFER, to be down; monkeys, gorillas and apes stand upright, but they too, prefer to be down. Only man CHOOSES, this posture. You can teach a dog to walk on his hind legs, but he REALLY doesnt like it. The posture of God. Stand up, put your shoulders back and get your chin up. Its amazing how much better you feel when you do that simple thing. 1956, Mrs. Mitchell was my teacher; I was in the 5th grade and she was a fanatic for posture. "Sit up straight, get your head up, God didnt make you to slouch, get your eyes off the floor," shed say, slap the ruler on the desk, even at lunch and recess. "Act like a human being," shed say. You know what, that was the only class I had in which NO ONE FAILED. Imagine that, the "posture of God" can even help your studies. To this day, this teacher is the one I recognize as having made the most positive contribution to my life. Years later I thanked her, personally, she said I was the only the second person to ever do that, she cried. (By the way, Anyone YOU need to thank?)

29 Of course, the early Allegorical commentators certainly took this way beyond physical, but apparently projected the idea of "Standing up Straight" to other things. Standing up to the evil forces, evil feelings, circumstances, not letting any little thing push us around. Jesus certainly had this posture before Pilate, when Pilate said of him, "Behold the man!" One of the most powerful thoughts you can get, is that We CAN, have all the strength we need to really live this abundant life and we can even do this where it hurts. I like King Arthur and probably have read all the stories of the Knights of the round table ever written. Theres one story that, I think may illustrate the idea that were not weak, but rebels. It seems King Arthur was confronted by a Black Knight. He challenged the king, they fought. Eventually they dismounted and began the sword fight. It was going badly for the King, he was wounded and on the verge of defeat or death. There was a lake near by, and the Black Knight, realizing his advantage, took a step back to enjoy the victory, when he stumbled and fell into the lake. In a suit of armor, he was helpless and would drown soon. But, good King Arthur, wounded and weak, dragged himself to the lake, reached down, and WITH THE STRENGTH OF A KING, pulled the Black Knight out. The Black Knight still had the advantage and came forward with his sword drawn. King Arthur was thoroughly spent and could offer no resistance. But the Black Knight turned his sword around and knelt, with his head down, he yielded, saying, "King Arthur, as hard as I fought as your enemy, I will fight as your friend, I yield all my strength to you." Not weak, but strong, let US yield our strength to JESUS!

30

The Abundant Life of Jesus: VI by Gary Waguespack

John 10:10-10:10 The Abundant Life of Jesus: Part VI: The Power of How? John 10:10 Are we living an Abundant Life? Or are we barely getting by, hoping to make it throught the day? Jesus wanted us to live this life. so lets really try. Questions can help. Ive shared that God "wired" our brains such that if we ask, or hear a question, we HAVE TO ANSWER IT. We cant NOT ANSWER. Our brains, wont let us. So, asking negative questions, yields negative answers, "Why CANT I Lose weight?" "Well," your brain will respond EVEN IF IT DOESNT KNOW THE ANSWER, "Because, uh, youre big boned, a slob, Italian, something, but its probably not your fault!" Weve been using questions, good positive questions to think aboutand remove obstacles to this Abundant Life, the following are really helpful: Who does What, When, Why, Where, How, and How Long? (Check out previous sermons in these areas) The power of Who, the power of What, the power of When, the power of Why, the power of Where, and today, the power of How! INTRO: A famous story is told about Albert Einstein, how he used to travel around lecturing. He didnt like to do a lot of work, so he prepared a single lecture, a "canned" lecture he used everywhere. His chauffeur, after 20 or 30 times, told Mr. Einstein, he thought he could give it. So Albert decided to have some fun and let him. The chauffeur did pretty well, nearly perfect, until they came to questions. One question was particularly difficult, to which the man said, "Why that is so easy, even my chauffeur can answer it!" And he let Mr. Einsein answer. When it comes to this Abundant Life, many of us may think that only a "rocket scientist" can do this thing. Not! Everything you really need to know to live this life, you already know, and everything you really need to do, you already know how to do, to live the Abundant Life of Jesus.

31 Eph. 2:10, "You were created in Christ Jesus for a life of good works which God has already prepared for you to do, that we should walk in them." God is saying, Hes already put it in us, we have to figure out HOW to let it out. Peter didnt have to learn how to fish, or walk, he knew how to do both; the miracle was how many fish he caught, and where he walked (on water). You probably ALREADY know everything YOU NEED to know, and ALREADY know how to do everything you need to do in order to live this life! Anyone ever fish with a net. A round net. My uncle taught me how to throw a round net; bite it in the center, hold it at 2 and 8 OClock and kind of fling it out there. I can do that, if I went fishing, I wouldnt have to relearn that, I already know how. Peter didnt go to "fishing school, or walking school." Peter already knew how to fish, Jesus didnt teach him how to throw the net, or pull it in. The miracle was how many fish wound up in the net. Neither did he learn how to walk, when he walked on water. Walking was something he already knew and he was good at it, the miracle was where he walked and not sinking. Jehosaphat didnt have to learn how to sing and praise the Lord, it was something he was already good at; but, when in 2 Chr. 20, he applies it TO THE HOPELESS SITUATION in which he is confronted by 3 armies, it was the 3 armies who were defeated by something Jehosaphat did, probably every day! God takes ordinary things and makes them extraordinary and thats H O W God makes miracles happen. So, we already know and can do everything we need to live this abundant life! Lets dramatize the story of Jehosaphat for a minute. I need some people to knock, Knocking, let me hear someone knock. (Rap, rap)

32 Is that the best you can do? You really dont want to come in do you (Bang, bang, bang!) In 2 Chr. 20, a knock comes, a servant rushes in telling of an army coming and how we have no hope. Another knock, another knock, 3 kings, 3 armies (let the audience participate by knocking). the Amorites, Meunites, and "Termites?" Well, good king Jehosaphat knows what to do, he prays and fasted, skipped the salad bar that night. A prophet came in and said, "Youre not in trouble, THEY ARE!" "You wont even have to fight." "You do something you already know how to do: Sing, praise the Lord and go for a walk!" And the song was not: "No body knows the trouble Ive seen." No, it was joyul singing, IN THE FACE OF HOPELSSNESS, they had to sing a JOYFUL SONG! And, the enemy fought among themselves and when they were done, they were all dead. Thats hard to do, how is it there wasnt a man left? Amazing! They all did what they knew how to do. Lets transfer this to the Fruit of the Spirit (GL. 5:22-23): Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Meekness and Self-control. God is the Sovereign God of Eternity and He was working in my live, A L L of my life, putting into me the things I would need to live the Abundant Life. He didnt just show up in 1966 when I asked Jesus to come into my heart, HE WAS ALWAYS THERE, WORKING IN ME THAT WHICH IS WELL-PLEASING IN HIS SIGHT! Do you know how to be Loving? Joyful? Peaceful? Etc. Of course you do, you learned it a long time ago. You also know how to be Mean, Sad, Fearful, you learned that a long time ago. Illus. A little girl just loved one of her elderly aunts. She told her mom how much she loved her and, especially the wonderful smile and pleasant lines she had in her face for everyone, she asked her mother how she got to look so nice at her age. Her mother said, pointing to the little girl, "Well, she started when she was YOUR age." If youve done any of the "Fruit of the Spirit, ever, even once, then

33 you know how; you just need to do it more consistently. I met a pastor from Illinois, near Chicago, started a church and set as his "thing," the MINISTRY OF JOY. Every service was a joyful service and, he said, "We dont sing any, ANY sad songs at this church!" The whole church bought into it and they were famous for NOT SINGING any sad songs. Now, they had tragedies, deaths, losses and everything that happens to us, happened to them. But, when they came to church, they made themselves take the "Joyful Posure of God." Some days it was with tears, but they did it. One day, a baby died, a 2 year old girl. The parents wanted to meet with the pastor to talk about the funeral. He figured and thought, "Well one exception to the rule, I guess theres no way around singing sad songs in this situation." But when the parents came, THEY requested that the service be conducted in a Joyful manner. "I mean," the mother said, "our little girl wasnt supposed to even be born, then they said shed die in a few days, then weeks, and every day we had her was a gift and we hjad over 700 gifts of days with her and WE DONT WANT ANY SAD SONGS! We actually have a request, a song you sing in church sometimes about heaven, please sing, We will dance on the streets that are golden!" Wow! I can do that, I already know how!

34

The Abundant Life of Jesus: VII by Gary Waguespack

John 10:10-10:10 The Abundant Life of Jesus: Part VII - How Long?! John 10:10; and 10:7-15 Weve been following a series of questions to help us thing properly about the Abundant Life of Jesus, asking the questions: Who, does What, When, Why, Where, How and How Long! Theres power in each of these, check out previous sermoms in the series, to fill in any gaps. If youve been thinking about todays question, "How Long?", you might think about the idea of NOT QUITTING! Not quitting, persevering, dont give up, this is a good thing. A man had a son who was having a hard time in Algebra and wanted to drop the course, and take an easier math. Dad gave him the "Dont quit," lecture. "Hey, dont quit, what would have happened if Albert Einstein would have quit, or Thomas Edison, or Frank Shorter, the last American to win the Olympic Marathon, or George Kefunkle?" At this the boy piped in, and asked, "Who??!!" And dad said, "Right you dont know who he is, you know why, because HE QUIT!" Well, I DONT want to talk about persistence, as helpful as that might be, I want to talk about living the abundant life, ALL YOUR LIFE! How long? A life time long! Ive been a Christian 35 years and its different. I remember when I was little, we lived about a mile away from the French Quarter in New Orleans and every year our family would hike down during the parades of Mardi Gras and hike home. It was relatively safe then, a real family outing, and my brother, Wilson and I just love it, playing with all the other kids, excitement, interesting food. I was just about 3 or 4 years old then and I remember walking home and I was so tired, I just sat down on a curb and fell asleep. Now, I wasnt really "little," I come from an Italian family where "Skinny people were UNHEALTHY people." I was definitely HEALTHY!, Well I fell asleep and I remember waking up in my bed the next

35 morning. A miracle? No, my dad. You see, I was tired, really couldnt hardly go another step, I needed someone big enough and strong enough to help me, to actually carry little? me home. That someone was my dad. Big enough, Strong enough! Thats what we need, WE CANT LIVE THIS LIFE ON OUR OWN! We need someone big enough and strong enough, when were tired, when we want to quit, when we cant go on, we absolutely need Jesus, Jesus, Jesus! Now, following through on much that we have said in recent weeks, we dont have to GO AND GET JESUS. Hes right here. His strength is always working with us to help us live this life. Hes like the dad that holds his sons hands whcn hes learning how to help him walk. Jesus is here; all of Jesus is here! The Lamb and the Lion, the Rider upon the White Horse, the Bridegroom, the Rock, the Fortress, all that Jesus ever was, or will be is HERE! Let the Holy Spirit work with your mind and see, look around and see Jesus! He is right here in this room. And he has a message for YOU! Mt. 11:28, "Come unto Me," Jesus said, "I will give you rest!" Hes big enough and strong enough to carry us and our burden and to live the Abundant Life! Illus. A pastor in Korea was riding a city bus when a lady got on. She was carrying a big, and obviously heavy package. She juggled the package to pay the fare then stood (no seats available), held on and kept holding her package. The pastor (also standing) said, "Lady, why dont you let the bus carry your package? Put it down, the bus is strong enough!" She smiled and did. What a relief. Well, John 10:10 is in the context of Jesus teaching on the Good Shepherd. And, of course Jesus is a really, really G O O D Shepherd.

10: 14, Three points (1) I am the good shepherd (2) I Know my sheep (3) They know me. 1) I am the Good Shepherd. This is in the context of the bad shepherds, the false shepherd, the legalist, the fatalist, the religious person who is not a christian,

36 of whom the pharisees were the chief examples. Legalists love rules and use them to control and hurt people. Legalists are mean, expressing no love at all. In John 9, Jesus healed a man born blind. A great miracle, the Legalist, Pharisees, Bad Shepherds called the man in and said, "You broke the rules," "But, Ive been healed," he said. "Who helped you break the rules," the bad shepherds angrily asked. "But," the ex-blind man said, "I was born blind, Who do you Think??? healed me?" "You cant talk to us that way," the bad shepherds said. They eventually kicked the man out of the Church (Synagogue)! Because the only thing that mattered was the rules. (Now rules are fine, but they are not to be used as a weapon in church administration. In that context, Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd." Philip Keller is famous for his comments from a Shepherds point of view, of the 23rd Psalm. He tells, (I think it was him, you know after 30 years of sermons, sources get vague and, although I do have a photographic memory, I have no film) about a time he was visiting a neighboring shepherd. They walked over by some cliffs when they heard a sheep crying. They went to see and there was one of the neighbors sheep, it had obviously been there some time, emaciated, starving, hair matted, probably something broken and a real mess. Philip asked if he wanted help getting him and the guy said, "No, well just leave him there, hes been nothin but trouble and its good riddance." Philip was appalled and asked if he minded if he got the sheep. "No," he said, "go ahead, hes no good and will be nothing but trouble for you, too." Philip got the sheep, took it home. He cleaned it, bound its wounds, fed it and befriended it. The sheep seemed to know that Philp was its savior and became as docile and good a sheep as any shepherd could ever want. Some time later the neighbor shepherd came to Philips for a visit, Philip brought him to where the dying sheep was, now healthy and fine looking. The shepherd didnt even recognize him, and Philip

37 asked what he thought of THAT ONE, pointing to the, now healthy sheep. Why, the man said, thats a fine sheep, I would pay good money for a sheep like that. Mr. Keller responded, "Thats the sheep you threw away." Now, thats us. Were the rebels, in trouble, starving ourselves trying to eat the food of the world, and Jesus comes just keeps loving us, over and over and over, because hes a really gooood Shepherd! 2) I know my sheep. Jesus calls each one by name. In shepherding in Jesus time, shepherds DIDNT give every sheep a name. There were too many, it would have been cumbersom. But, they did give a few names. Those were the favorites, perhaps used for breeding, definitely NOT destined to be lamb chops. To Jesus, were ALL favorites! He calls us, each, by name. Have you every heard Jesus call YOUR NAME! In salvation? When we stray away? When we are rebellious? Illus. Theres a prison cemetary in New York; prisoners who died without a family were buried there. Some years ago, a man was tried for multiple murders. In the court everyone just hated and despised this man, and rightly so, hed killed, malisciously, many people. There was one person on his side, his mother, only one who loved him. He was convicted and sentenced to death. He died in the electric chair and then came the burial. His home town wouldnt let him be buried there, for the shame of it so, he was buried in the Prison Cemetary. Years later, his mother was dying and she requested that she could be buried in the prison cemetary, next to her son. This was the first time anyone had ever requested such a thing, but it was granted. She knew her son, and loved him, in spite of things. Jesus knows us, he knows the dark parts of our lives, and he still loves us and is IS, our Good Shepherd. 3) They know me. During Jesus time, shepherds would come to large holding places, one of which was near Bethlehem. Some, not all, but, some would

38 put all their sheep in one place. They would mingle, but there was no danger of getting the sheep mixed up, because when the shepherd would come, hed call out, and ONLY HIS SHEEP, would come. Amazing, they would sort themselves out. Do you know Jesus voice? I know, sometimes the wolfs voice seems more urgent, and sometimes it sounds close to Jesus, they threaten us, the wolves may come really close, but the Shepherd wont let them devour us, he may let them take a bite or nibble, and it may seem like were being devoured, but, really, not. And, as bad as you think things may be W I T H Jesus, they would definitely be worse W I T H O U T Jesus. Ive performed about 35 weddings, and only once did we have to delay the ceremony. A couple had a little girl in a wheel chair they wanted to be in the processional, but they forgot the wheel chair. It was a half hour away. The groom, note, THE GROOM, said, "Ill go get it." (We were just a little worried, sounds like that Diet Pepsi commercial), but the whole thing had to wait an hour. We had to wait, cant start the wedding without the groom! And we cant life the Abundant Life of Jesus, without Jesus! No way, we must make sure Jesus is with us in every detail of this life! But, the glorious fact is we dont have to wait, Hes HERE! Let me close this sermon, and series with my absolutely most favorite story. It seems a small boy got interested in God. He went to his mom and asked if she ever saw God. Strange question, but she honestly said, "No, I dont think anyone has." He went to his dad and asked if HE ever saw God? He said, "No, I dont think anyone has. He went to church and asked the minister if HE ever saw God, and he answered, "No, I dont think anyone has, at least not since the days of the Bible." The Boy kind of gave up. One day he was out fishing with his grandfather, not a particularly religious person. The sun was setting and it was beautiful, so he decided to ask anyway.

39 "Grandfather, have you ever seen God?" Grandfather was looking at the sun setting, seemed to get a tear in his eye, seemed to be seeing something wonderful and said, "Son, its getting so, I dont see, anything else!"

40

By Grace Alone by Tom McCrossan

Ephesians 2:4-2:10 By Grace Alone -- Ephesians 2:4-2:10 Grace It is UNDESERVED KINDNESS. Someone has said, Grace is everything for nothing to those who dont deserve anything. An atheist once said, If there really is a God, may He prove Himself by striking me dead right now. Nothing happened. The atheist proudly announced, You see, there is no God. His friend responded, Youve only proved that He is a gracious God. Grace is the power of God made available to meet all our needs. - Joyce Meyer MAIN IDEA: Only by Gods grace can we be saved. ILLUSTRATION: You may know the story about the Sunday School teacher who wanted to teach her class about grace. And so one day she asked them, If I sold my house and my car and gave all my money to the church, would I get into Heaven? NO! the children all answered. Again she asked, If I cleaned the church every day, mowed the yard, and kept everything neat and tidy, would I get into Heaven? And again, the answer was NO! Well, she continued, then how can I get to Heaven? In the back of the room, a five-year-old boy shouted out, You gotta be dead! Christian faith is not about what we can do for God, but what God has done for us. What Luther saw in the spring of 1513 turned the world of religion on its head. In Luthers time, the church was basically teaching that God was passive, but humanity was to be active. That is, God was on His throne reigning. And human beings were to be scurrying around seeking to win Gods favor. Luthers eyes were opened to another reality--that it is God who is active. Salvation is all about what God has done in Jesus Christ. Because Christ gave himself as a sacrifice for the sins of the world, our debt to God is forever paid. Why do I need to be saved? Because I am a sinner and the wages of sin is death; eternal separation from the life of God. During a British conference on comparative religions, experts from around the world debated what, if any, belief was unique to the Christian faith. They began eliminating possibilities. Incarnation? Other religions had different versions of gods appearing in human form. Resurrection? Again, other religions had accounts of return from death. The debate went on for some time until C. S. Lewis wandered into the room. Whats the [commotion] about? he asked, and heard in reply that his colleagues were discussing Christianitys unique contribution among world religions. Lewis responded, Oh, thats easy. Its grace.

41 The notion of Gods love coming to us free of charge, no strings attached, seems to go against every instinct of humanity. The Buddhist eight-fold path, the Hindu doctrine of Karma, the Jewish Mosaic covenant, and the Muslim code of laweach of these offers a way to earn approval. Only Christianity dares to make Gods love unconditional [Perfect Illustrations for Every Topic and Occasion, pp. 116-117; citation: Philip Yancey, Whats So Amazing about Grace?]. I. I can NEVER DO ENOUGH to deserve salvation. In 2001, Readers Digest asked Muhammad Ali what his faith meant to him. Ali replied, [It] means [a] ticket to heaven. One day were all going to die, and Gods going to judge us, [our] good and bad deeds. [If the] bad outweighs the good, you go to hell; if the good outweighs the bad, you go to heaven. Thats what many people believe. But thats not what the Bible says. For by grace you have been saved through faithand this not from yourselvesit is the gift of Godnot by works, so that no one can boast (Eph. 2:8-9). READ James 2:10; and Rom. 3:19. I need to be saved by grace. I need undeserved salvation. II. Christ DID ENOUGH to provide salvation for me. There are only two principles by which God deals with peoplegrace and law. Think of the nature of God: 1) God is all-powerful, the Creator. 2) God is everywhere. 3) God is personal. 4) God is holy; the Righteous Judge. And 5) God is love. These all fit together in the Biblical portrait of God. But you cannot have love without holiness; nor holiness without love. In human judges, or in almighty God! According to the principle of grace, God deals favorably with people in a way they do not deserve. Law requires Him to deal with people in a way they deserve. Since sinners deserve hell, they cannot be delivered from this penalty by law. The spiritual blindness of man is evident in that all their religions teach that people are saved by their works, the very principle which bars them from acceptance with God. No one can ever be saved from his sins apart from Gods grace. This is exactly what Martin Luther experienced for himself. He knew he was a sinner, and he knew he could not by himself escape Gods justice. He felt condemend. Until he understand Gods grace in Christ. What has Jesus done for me? Here are 7 different words the NT uses to describe Jesus gracious action on our behalf. A. SUBSTITUTION: Jesus died in my place (1 Peter 3:18). B. JUSTIFICATION: Jesus made me right with God (Rom. 4:25). A word from the courts. God sees me innocent, no longer guilty. C. RECONCILIATION: Jesus made peace with God possible(2 Cor. 5:19). Jesus the bridge

42 D. ADOPTION: Jesus made me a part of Gods family. He predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will (Eph. 1:5). E. REDEMPTION: Jesus purchased my salvation with his blood(1 Peter 1:18-19). A marketplace word, refering to slaves being purchased. We were slaves to sin until Jesus purchased us out of the slave market and set us free from sins bondage; now we belong exclusively to Him. F. ATONEMENT: Jesus satisfied Gods justice (1 John 2:2; 4:10). In heathen circles it was a word that meant to appease the anger of the gods. Biblically to satisfy the justice of God and his anger at sin, so that mercy is given. G. FORGIVENESS: Jesus sent my sins away from me. (Eph. 1:7). In the movie Saving Private Ryan, a group of Army Rangers receive a mission to go deep into enemy territory to save Private Ryan. They hit skirmish after skirmish, and some of them are killed along the way. They finally get to where Private Ryan is holed up, and they say, Come with us. Were here to save you. He says, Im not going. I have to stay here because theres a big battle coming up, and Im not going to abandon my fellow soldiers. What do the Rangers do? They all stay and fight, and almost everyone dies except Private Ryan. At the end, one of the main charactersplayed by Tom Hanksis sitting on the ground. Hes been shot and hes dying. But the battle has been won. Private Ryan leans over to him, and Tom Hanks whispers, Earn this. A Christian pastor who was a Ranger, has written: "Its very unlikely that any Ranger would say, Earn this. Why? Because the Ranger motto for the past two hundred years has been I chose this. In other words, I volunteered for this. So, if Tom Hanks was really a Ranger, he would have said, I chose this. You dont have to earn this. I give up my life for you. Thats my job. And so, when you look at the cross and see Jesus hanging there, what you dont hear is Earn this. What He says is I chose this. You dont have to pay anything for it [adapted from Perfect Illustrations for Every Topic and Occasion; citation: Tom Allen, Preaching Today #200]. Not "earn this;" but Jesus said, "Remember this!" Grace is often defined by using the five letters of the word: Gods Riches At Christs Expense. III. Salvation is a GIFT for me to RECEIVE, not a REWARD for me to EARN (Rom. 6:23). ILLUSTRATION: A student in a youth ministry class at Hannibal-LaGrange College in Missouri learned this lesson from his professor. This student had left work early so he could have some uninterrupted study time right before the final in his Youth Issues class. When he got to class, everybody was doing their last minute studying. The teacher came in and said he would review with them for just a

43 little bit before the test. They went through the review, most of it right on the study guide, but there were some things the teacher was reviewing that this student had never heard of. When questioned about it, the teacher said that this material was in the book and they were responsible for everything in the book. The class couldnt really argue with that. Finally it was time to take the test. The prof. instructed the class to leave the exam booklets face down on the desk until everyone had one and then he would tell them to start. When the students turned the exam booklets over, every answer was already filled in! The bottom of the last page said the following: This is the end of the Final Exam. All the answers on your test are correct. You will receive an A on the final exam. The reason you passed the test is because the creator of the test took it for you. All the work you did in preparation for this test did not help you get the A. You have just experienced . . . grace. The teacher then went around the room and asked each student individually, What is your grade? Do you deserve the grade you are receiving? How much did all your studying for this exam help you achieve your final grade? This student, writing about this experience, says, Now I am not a crier by any stretch of the imagination, but I had to fight back tears when answering those questions and thinking about how the Creator has passed the test for me. Afterward his teacher had this to say: I have tried to teach you all semester that you are a recipient of grace . . . The teacher went on to say he had never done this kind of final before and probably would never do it again, but because of the content of many of their class discussions, he felt like they needed to experience grace. Not just talk about it, but experience it. [From Mikes Funnies List. Cited on Pastor Tims Illustrations List.] All of us here need to EXPERIENCE grace--not just know about it intellectually. Many of us grew up in homes where love was conditional. We were not conscious of it, but that is how we experienced life as a child. Our parents acceptance was performancebased. If we did well, we experienced our parents approval. If not, we experienced their disapproval. And so, at a level at which we are not even aware, all our lives we have been trying to measure up to our parents expectations. And the sad thing is that we never can. And so many of us have this deep sense of unworthiness. And you know something interesting--its some of the finest people in the church who have this sense of unworthiness. And its robbed us of our joy. Weve tried to do the right thing all our lives and all it has gotten us is that we are standing on the outside looking in at the joy others seem to have. All our lives we have been taught about salvation by faith, but we have not associated it with that deep unhappiness that many of us feel. Here is the good news: You do not have to measure up. You do not have to be at the top of your class. You are accepted. You are loved. Salvation, wholeness, healing of the inner person by God is not performance-based. In fact, in order to experience Gods grace, you and I have got to somehow forget everything weve ever learned about being good. That sounds radical, doesnt it? But that is what Luther saw half a millennium ago. We are saved not by our performance, but by our faith in an omnipotent and all-loving God. Salvation is a GIFT for me to RECEIVE, not a REWARD for me to EARN. How do I receive the gift of salvation?

44 By ADMITTING that I am a sinner. By BELIEVING that Jesus Christ died from my sins and rose from the grave. By CALLING to God for salvation. These are the ABCs of salvation: Admit, Believe, and Call. If you would like to receive Gods gift of salvation today, would you please repeat this prayer after me: (Sinners Prayer) Sources: Wayne Brouwer, STANDING OUTSIDE GRACELAND, www.sermons.com Jonathan McLeod, "Amazing Grace" (August 2006). BY GRACE ALONE What is grace? It is __________________________________. Only by Gods grace can we be saved. Why do I need to be saved? Because I am a sinner and the wages of sin is death; eternal separation from the life of God. I. I can _____________________________________ to deserve salvation. (Eph. 2:8). II. Christ ____________________________ to provide salvation for me. A. _____________________: Jesus died in my place. (1 Peter 3:18). B. _____________________: Jesus made me right with God. (Rom. 4:25). C. _____________________: Jesus made peace with God possible. (2 Cor. 5:19). D. _____________________: Jesus made me a part of Gods family. (Eph. 1:5). E. __ ___________________: Jesus purchased my salvation with his blood. (1 Peter 1:1819). F. ______________________: Jesus satisfied Gods justice. (1 John 2:2). G. ______________________: Jesus sent my sins away from me. (Eph. 1:7). Grace is often described as Gods Riches At Christs Expense. III. Salvation is a ____________ for me to ____________, not a ____________ for me to ____________. (Rom. 6:23). The Gospel is good news of mercy to the undeserving. The symbol of the religion of Jesus is the cross, not the scales.John Stott How do I receive the gift of salvation? By ADMITTING that I am a sinner. (1 John 1:8-9).

45 By BELIEVING that Jesus Christ died from my sins and rose from the grave. (John 3:1617). By CALLING to God for salvation. (Rom. 10:13). These are the ABCs of salvation: Admit, Believe, and Call. RESPONSIVE SCRIPTURE READING: Gods Amazing Grace LEADER: From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. ALL: For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (John 1:16-17) LEADER: For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, ALL: That though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, LEADER: So that you through his poverty might become rich. (2 Cor. 8:9) ALL: This is how God showed his love among us: LEADER: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. ALL: This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1 John 4:9-10) LEADER: He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. ALL: For as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; LEADER: As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. (Ps. 103:10-12) ALL: For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, LEADER: And are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. (Romans 3:23-24) ALL: Where sin increased, grace increased all the more. (Rom. 5:20) LEADER: But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressionsit is by grace you have been saved. ALL: And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, LEADER: In order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. ALL: For It is by grace you have been saved, through faithand this not from yourselves, LEADER: It is the gift of Godnot of works, so that no one can boast. ALL: For we are Gods workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:4-10) LEADER: God demonstrates his own love for us in this: ALL: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

46

Jesus Christ: The Sound of a New Story by Michael Pahls

John 1:1-1:18 JESUS CHRIST:THE SOUND OF A NEW STORY INTRO: THE WRONG STORY Before we look more carefully into Johns Gospel I want to speak with you about an event that happened to the stepson of a friend over the holidays. Derrick was thirteen years old and was spending the night at the home of a friend the night after Christmas. Apparently there were several guys there that were approximately that age. After watching some movies, the boy who was hosting the group broke into his grandfathers gun cabinet with a stolen key and took out a 357 magnum handgun and loaded it. He pointed the weapon at one of the other boys and pulled the trigger, he turned to a second boy and fired the weapon again. Fortunately, there was not a bullet in the chamber the first two times. The boy then pointed the gun at Darren* and after making some threats pulled the trigger. This time the gun went off and Darrens young life was tragically snuffed out. Now after the hundreth such story we have gotten used to asking how such a senseless even could ever happen. We look to blame the parents, the gun manufacturers, the entertainment industry, the schools, peer pressure, and the kids themselves, but few answers really present themselves. What would cause an ordinary teenage boy with his whole life ahead of him to demonstrate such wanton disregard for the sanctity of human life? The answer is that he is living out the wrong story. * Not his real name I. WHERE THE WORLD LOST ITS STORY A. All of us live life in light of a story. Think for a minute if I ask you who you are you will likely tell me your name. If I press for details however, you will begin to tell me your life story. If I dig even farther you will tell me the story of your family origins, how your family came to be in the United States, you might go into the history of our country. Broaden that far enough and you can see that our very self-understanding is expressed by telling the story of the world and where we fit within it. As you are probably aware, however, there are different versions of that world story. B. The boy that shot Derrick was living out the implications of a God forsaken story. From the day that Adam rebelled against God in the garden, and sin entered the world we humans have crafted a story where the self is the center of the narrative. Remember the temptation of the serpent Whats in it for you, Adam? C. Our culture has picked up on that story and has sold us on a version of the world that is completely devoid of the active, personal presence of God. We have been told our whole life that the goal of living is to have more money, more toys, more power than anyone else. Live fast, get as much as you can. Other people are the means to that end, mere objects to be manipulated for my benefit. Is it any wonder that violence and murder have become such a part of the stories we tell. D. Often when my father was correcting me as a child he would say that the whole world

47 did not revolve around me, but that is the new story. This story is all about me and my desires. Inexplicable as it may seem, this is story of the world that sinful human beings have chosen to create, to live in, and to understand themselves by. This is the world that Johns Gospel addresses. . . I. IN THE BEGINNING WAS A GOD WHO SPEAKS AND SHOWS HIMSELF 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. A. Against this story, John enters with an alternative story. We can see that this story is instantly different because it is set to music. The beginning of Johns Gospel is poetry not prose. One must sing and exult and resound with joy in worship because this is not the story of a God forsaken world. It is the story of a world where God is present and speaks. B. In the beginning... Johns is telling recalling us to us the story of the world (Gen. 1:1). The story of the God-forsaken world must be completely re-written. C. Who is the center to this story? We see very quickly that this lyrical story is about a person whom John calls the Word who perfectly reveals God and tells of what God is like. But who is this Word? And why would John use such a cryptic title to describe this person? D. The title Word tells us something about the nature of God namely that he is by his very nature self-communicating. At the very beginning we are confronted with the story of a God who is there and who is not silent. He speaks, and he reveals himself personally. This person who John calls the Word of God is the embodied self-communication of God II. HISTORY. . . 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. A. This person is central to story of the world because it was through him that the world came into being. Through him all things were made. Before the world began he was with God and was God and the world came into being through him. B. In him was life and that life was the light of men. The payoff for us is that we are not our own. We have come into being through him. We have been created at his good pleasure. We exist for him and not for ourselves. John removes us from the center of our own stories as certainly as he removes us from the center of the worlds story. . . .the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husbands will, but born of God. C. And yet in being de-centered, this person, Gods Word opens to us the intimacy with God that he himself enjoys. In becoming less we are given more than we ever could have hoped.

48 III. THE WORD BECAME FLESH 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 16 From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Fathers side, has made him known. A. So what keeps this from becoming simply a new spin on the world an alternative explanation of the world that is simply one among many? What is to keep this from becoming a mere fairy tale that we tell our children so that they will be good? Only a fool could look at a world of 5+ billion people, most of whom are not Christians (and thus do not assent to the story) and not wonder about that. If you are here this morning and you are a little skeptical maybe offended by the notion that you are not the central figure in your own story. Maybe you are here investigating. You want something real and spiritual but you havent bought into all of this yet. B. Word becomes flesh - God dwells with us. Not a fictional reworking of the world, but flesh-and-blood history. Johns lyrical story comes to its climax when the Word takes on human flesh and is revealed to the world as Jesus of Nazareth the one who was born to poor parents in Bethlehem, crucified in history under a Roman procurator named Pontius Pilate, and who suffered, who died, and who was resurrected. In his life and death and resurrection we see the embodied self-communication of God. Jesus Christ is the story. It is all about him! C. As human beings we are entitled to ask who is God and what is God like. God answers are searching question with the story of Jesus. IV. WITNESSES TO HISTORY 6 There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. 15 John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, `He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me." A. Who are we and why are we here at Peace Church. Like John, we bear witness to the story and to the power of that story as we live it out in our lives. Through sin the world lost its story and substituted a false and God-forsaken story. We are heralds, bards that sing the song of the new story a God-infused world. B. Notice how John is de-centralized. He knew that it was not all about him. He found his story in the story of Jesus Christ. John bore witness to him and so must we.

49

Secrets to Joy and Peace by Samuel Stone

Philippians 4:4-4:7 Secrets to Joy and Peace Stress Sweeping Strategies Series Samuel M. Stone Philippians 4:4-7 4 Rejoiceq in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.r 5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. I saw many of you wearing the green button on your clothes that says Merry Christmas, emphasizing Christ in the word Christmas. Nowadays, some people start to pronounce Xmas, instead of Christmas. Xmas means Christmas without Christ. I want to show you a video about a Christmas linebacker. Each time someone say Xmas, he would attack that person and "knock a little sense" into the meaning of Christmas. [Video Clip Christmas Linebacker from SermonSpice.com] I hope this clip bring you some laughter and joy, especially to the football lovers. The scripture lesson for this morning is from the lectionary reading of the epistle of Paul to the Philippians. This is one of the most beautiful passages in the scripture that you all need to memorize it, and I am sure some of you have already done so. The passage is very useful because it can help you sweep your stress away when time gets tough. Like the prophet Jeremiah we talked about two weeks ago, Paul wrote this letter in prison. Normally, he should have been under a great deal of stress, yet he is able to rejoice and invite others to rejoice with him. Our question is, What is his secret? Many of us have a great deal of stress, especially at this time of the year, but I am sure we are not as bad as a prisoner like Paul. If he could use his God-given wisdom and peace to face his highly stressful condition, you and I can definitely deal with our situations with the same wisdom. Rejoice in all circumstances Paul says, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice." He repeats it twice to make sure people heard him. In this brief letter, Paul uses the word "joy" or "rejoice" more than ten times, even though this is not the theme of the letter. To Paul, being joyful is a not a feeling, but it is a choice. He uses an action word rejoice rather than a feeling word. He is saying that you can rejoice in any condition. In the book of Acts, Paul and Silas were beat up, thrown into prison and shackled. But they were still able to rejoice. Acts 16:23-25, "After they had given them a severe flogging, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to keep them securely. Following these instructions, he put them in the innermost cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them."

50 Now Paul is in another prison. With his life in danger, Paul urges the people to rejoice with him. You might ask, "How can I rejoice when I am under stress? I have no reason to rejoice in that kind of circumstances, unless I am crazy." But, Paul wasnt crazy. In this verse he tells us the secret, which is in the phrase "in the Lord." He doesnt just say, "Rejoice, like a fool." He says, "Rejoice in the Lord." Stressful times can make us lose focus on who we are. We forget that we are Gods beloved children. If you come to the small group lately, we are studying a very important lesson this past week, that is to recognize that you are not who you think we are, or who other people think you are. You are who God created you to be. One of the most important messages from the Bible is that you are Gods beloved. Thats what the phrase "in the Lord" means. You are in, like inside, the Lord. Have you been to some small villages where people raise chickens in their yards? I think one of the cutest creatures in the world is the little chicks, so fluffy and delicate. You would see them running after the mother hen. I once saw in a friends backyard a falcon circling in the air waiting for the opportunity to catch one of the chicks. As soon as that falcon shot down for a catch, the mother hen would stretch out her wings and the little chick would run under her wings and hide in her belly. Whats interesting is that they continue to chirp joyfully beneath their mothers wing. When you are under stress, you can still chirp and rejoice in the Lord. Even if physically you are under stress, spiritually you need to know that you are you are in the Lord, and nothing can harm you. Dont let your stress define you. Let Gods word define you. You are Gods beloved. So you can rejoice. Secret: Stay in the Lord. Be gentle to everyone Paul says, "Let your gentleness be known to everyone." Some people think gentleness represents weakness. In fact Leo Buscaglia says, Only the weak are cruel. Gentleness can only be expected from the strong. You cant be gentle when you are stressed out. Why? Because when you are stress out you perceive yourself as a weak person. When I think I am a weak person, I want to prove that I am not weak by acting harshly. When you are stressed out, you tent to believe that you are not in control, so you want to grasp the control by pushing people down. Paul says, be gentle to everyone, and he gives a reason why. It is because the Lord is near. This nearness has two meanings. It is generally interpreted as that the Lord is coming. Thats why this passage is part of the Advent season lectionary reading. But this nearness also means the Lord is close to you. To use the previous analogy of the chicks and the mother hen, the chicks that are running near the mother hen knowing that their mother is near. If there is any danger, the mother hen will run to the rescue. We live in a fallen world. Life is full of stress and full of injustice. Life is harsh, and we want to harsh back. We want to take control of the harsh world and in order to do that we want to appear tough rather than gentle. But, when you realize deep inside that the Lord who has the last word, and he is near, you can relax and be gentle. Only a strong person can be gentle. The 28th Psalms says,

51 "The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts; so I am helped, and my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him." The Lord is your strength, therefore you can be gentle. St. Francis of Sales says, Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength Secret: Realize that the Lord, your strength, is near. Dont worry about anything Some of you might say, "Its easy for you to say." Or "Its easy for Paul to say." But Paul wasnt the only one in the Bible that teaches people not to worry. Jesus did it in the sermon of the mount, saying, "Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow." Peter says, "Cast all your worries on Christ, for he cares about you." The word translated worry (merimna) literally means a divided mind, and it carries the sense of being harassed by care. Always remember that worry doesnt accomplish anything. It is stewing without doing. Worry is like a car engine running at a high RPM without going anywhere. It just wears the engine away. Earl Nightingale said, that 40 percent of the things you worry about will never occur anyway. 30 percent of the things you worry about are the things in the past that cant be changed by all the worry in the world. 12 percent of the worries are needless worries about our health. 10 percent of them are petty, miscellaneous worries. Only 8 percent are real and legitimate worries. So 92% or your worries are pure fog with no substance at all. Paul tells us how he manages worry. He says, "Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." He says there are three things we need to do to keep worries away: First pray to God about it. The Greek work Proseuchomai is translated as pray," but because of the prefix pros, it should be more precisely translated as pray toward. The pros gives a vital clue that biblical prayer is focused primarily on or toward the one to whom we pray. It is different from other religious prayer. It is a relational prayer. Whats important is whom you pray to rather than that you pray. If you pray to Buddha, it wont have any effect because Buddha can not help you. Buddha only teaches people to help themselves. So you have to pray to the Lord who promises to help. Second, the Greek word desis is translated as "supplication" and it means the specific request made to God. Prayer in the Bible is specific and tied to real-life concerns. Prayer is what we bring to God when we lay our life and thoughts before God. Paul encourages exactly this kind of thoughtful prayer by his use of this word. We are invited by Jesus Christ, who showed us how to pray in the Lords Prayer, to bring the requests and real concerns of our daily lives, including our need for our daily bread, to our Father in heaven. The third key word in Pauls invitation to prayer is thanksgiving. We must focus not only on what we need, but also on whom God is and on what God has given us. Thanksgiving is a response to the gracious generosity of God. Paul urges that prayer be offered in everything, with thanksgiving. Just as he called them to rejoice at all times, he also urged them to pray with thanksgiving in all circumstances. This is possible only through trusting that Gods greatest gift is already ours: in life and death we are not our own, but belong to God through Jesus Christ (1:1924).

52 Secret: Prayer, Supplication, and Thanksgiving in everything The benefit "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." The first benefit of following this wisdom is that you will have peace. Paul is not talking about the kind of peace that human beings easily understand. Even though this passage is written in Greek, he is referring to "Shalom, from his Jewish tradition, which is a very rich word that contains the sense of wholeness and health. He is talking about the kind of peace that you cant even describe; the kind of peace that will guard your heart, so that your heart wont be worn out by the worldly stress. The Greek word used here "phroursei" means to guard or garrison, and its noun form is the word for fort or fortress. Paul declares that Gods peace is able to guard your heart and mind like a fortress from the stresses and pressures that bring harassment and fear. When the Bible says Jesus is the Prince of Peace, this is the kind of peace it is talking about. This peace from this Prince will guard your heart! Your home work this week, as you wait for the Prince of Peace, is to memorize this passageonly four versesand practice it in your daily life because it will bring you enormous peace that will give you a strong sense of security by guarding your heart and mind. May God bless you all, amen!

53

By Scripture Alone by Tom McCrossan

John 5:30-5:47 By Scripture Alone John 5:30-47 Four key questions of Protestantism: How is a person saved? Where does religious authority lie? What is the church? What is the essence of Christian living? Luthers new answers: Salvation by faith alone, not by works. Religious authority is not in the institution of the Roman church, either councils or Pope, but in Scripture alone. The church is all the people of God; all believers are priests before God (the priesthood of all believers). And the essence of Christian living is serving God in any useful calling, ordained or lay. Today: By Scripture Alone A. THE CHURCH IS FACING A CRISIS OF AUTHORITY AGAIN. 1. Today reflects 2 Tim. 4:3-4 [READ]. Some 1/3 Americans claim to be born again, yet so little positive impact on society. Like days of the Judges: Judges 21:25, "There was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes." 2. From sexuality issues, to the environment, to war, to how to relate to other religions, to basic doctrines... how do we determine what is right? -Human reason? -Experience? Whose, mine or others? -Tradition? -Science? -Some new prophet? -Or the Bible? We will decide by an authority--but by what authority? B. JESUS LIVED UNDER AUTHORITY; BIBLICAL AUTHORITY 1. Jesus fulfills Scripture. READ Matthew 5:17-20. Cf. the Temptations in the wilderness, Matt. 4:1-11, where Jesus knew and had memorized OT Scriptures. QOUTE: "The truth, paradoxical yet inescapable, is this: there is no freedom apart from external authority. To say, I am my own authority, a law to myself is to enslave myself to myself, which as Seneca the Roman moralist said, is the worst bondage of all. Only as I bow to an authority which is not myself am I ever free" (J.I. Packer, Freedom and Authority, I.C.B.I., 1981, p. 7). 2. Jesus was under the Fathers authority. READ John 5:30.

54 Was Jesus less or more free, for being under authority? Was he less or more whole and fulfilled? In fact, He was given authority (John 5:27), for the very reason he did not become his own authority. READ Philippians 2:5b-11. C. THE AUTHORITY OF THE BIBLE 1. The Uniqueness of the Bible -66 smaller books by some 44 authors over a period of 1600 years -first 39 called OT, the Jewish Scriptures, mostly in Hebrew -27 called NT, by Christians in Greek -OT divided into Law (first five), Prophets (early- historical books, and later Major and Minor), and the Writings (Psalms, Proverbs, etc.) -NT divided into Gospels (first four) and Letters with Acts as an historical bridge; ending with Revelation, a prophetic and apocalyptic finale. -Thread through all is story of human rebellion and Gods merciful seeking of human repentance and faith. -It is no myth! Really happened. Historical faith. -About a nation, Israel; and a person, Jesus. -Yes, history with a point of view, but history! -Authors selective; write about the salvation provided by God. 2. The Bible is Revelation from God The eternal God made himself known in time. - READ Psalm 33:6; General revelation in creation. - READ Hebrews 1:1-2; More clearly by prophets; then especially by Son. - READ John 1:14; perhaps most astonishing statement in the Bible. - READ Romans 10:17; the Word of God is both act and utterance; power and truth. By proclaiming this revelation of God, Christians make spiritual life available to those who belive the message. Men and women find genuine faith in the way they hear the Word, and gain new life by its power. 3. The Bible, as Revelation, is Authoritative. This power to demand our obedience is called divine authority. -Authorities are appealed to to settle disputes, whether a law book, a medical journal, or a TV Guide. -About God and his relationships with humanity, the authority is the Bible. -The stories of the Bible record Gods words and acts, and they also tell us the meaning of Gods acts in history. -They also act upon our souls and call for a response to God. -Truth is in the Biblical story, and power in its telling. General principles of truth cannot be extracted from the history of Israel or from Jesus teaching and then the events discarded as myth. -Without a real resurrection there is no truth or power. READ 1 Cor. 15:12-14, 17, 19. 4. The Bible is Inspired, "God-breathed."

55 -READ 2 Timothy 3:16. The Bible came about because of Gods initiative, not mans. -READ 2 Peter 1:20-21. Men carried along by the "wind" of Gods Spirit wrote the Bible. D. HOW TO READ THE INSPIRED AND AUTHORITATIVE BIBLE The Bible is both a Divine and Human book; both the words of God and the words of men. 1. Therefore it demands submission and faith, but also at the same time, study and interpretation. ILLUSTRATION: "If God does speak in Scripture, what language does he use? There is a story about an elderly lady who took up Hebrew in her advanced years because she wanted to be able to greet her Maker in his native tongue. That, I fear, is taking a biblical figure of speech to a humorous extreme. "The Bible often speaks of the spiritual realities of the Hidden World. To make these realms intelligible to us it employs symbolic or metaphorical language. That poses a troublesome problem for many people. If we take these expressions literally, as the elderly lady did, they will mislead us. We use no scales to measure the weight of an argument and no mathematics to calculate the height of a lofty ideal. We never get a suntan from the glow of a sunny disposition or the illumination of a brilliant scholar. In day-to-day conversation we seem to manage metaphors quite well. Why should we have so much trouble understanding the Bible?" [Bruce L. Shelley, Christian Theology in Plain Language (Word, 1985), p. 39] -"Hellfire" is not just inward remorse; it is the reality of eternal separation from the presence of God. -"Walking in the newness of life" is not just a respectable life, but is a radical new life of becoming like Jesus in everything we do by the power of the Holy Spirit. 2. It requires an open mind and heart. READ John 5:39-40, 44-47. - Jesus opponents were religious, but read Scripture with a closed mind. -QUOTE: "They didnt really love God; they loved thier own ideas about him" (William Barclay) -This can be a problem for liberals or conservatives. -They also stopped at the words of Scripture and failed to continue on to the living God who gave that Scripture. -Like treasuring a letter more than the person who wrote it! -QUOTE: "There is no life in the Scriptures themselves, but if we will follow where they lead, they will bring us to Christ; and so we find life, not in the Scriptures, but in Him through them" (G. Campbell Morgan). As Paul writes: READ 2 Timothy 3:14-17. 3. And it requires daily reading with a view to being "thoroughly equipped for every good work" that Christ wants us to do. READ Matthew 28:18-20. By what authority will you live your life?

56

Lesson 1 ( 23rd Psalm): The Lord Is My Shepherd* by Elmer Towns

Psalms 23:1-23:6 Psalm 23 Series By Elmer L. Towns Lesson 1 (23 Psalm): The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want A. WHY IS THIS THE FAVORITE PSALM? 1. Easy to memorize. These six verses are a short self-contained picture of our relationship with God. 2. Intimate fellowship. Promises Gods comfort and protection when we remain close to the Shepherd. 3. Personalized identification. Demonstrates how our spiritual needs are met in the Lord. 4. Its a story. Has action, testimony, characterization and plot. 5. Tells about the Lord. Israel knew God primarily by His power and holiness, but in Psalm 23, they learn of His personal love and compassion. B. THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD 1. What is meant, if you dont call him Lord? a. If He is called God, Elohim, i.e., creative power, it implies an impersonal mighty Being. But this Psalm is about relationship. b. If He is called Master, Adonai, i.e., it implies slaves to serve. But we are sheep to be cared for by the Lord. c. If He is called King, Rock, Fortress, Almighty, or Holy One, it implies impersonal terms. But the term Lord is a term of personal relationship meaning you can get close to Him. 2. What does the word is imply? a. Some only testify to past experiences with God, i.e., Duncan Campbell. The Lord was my Shepherd. b. Some only plan to get close to the Lord-Shepherd in the future, i.e., the Lord will be my Shepherd. 3. What two things can I count on when you use the verb IS? a. Right now. The Lord will care and protect you today. b. Right here. You dont have to go some place else to get into the Shepherds care. 4. What would it mean if the pronoun my were left out? a. The Lord is a shepherd, means He is one among many. Who or what is your shepherd? Job? Family? Retirement fund? b. The Lord is the shepherd means He has the priority, but He is not personal. The shepherd giveth his life for the sheep (John 10:11). c. The Lord is our shepherd means He relates to me in a crowd. Im only one among many. 5. Why are we likened to sheep? a. Stray. All we like sheep have gone astray (Isa. 53:6). What man having a hundred

57 sheep, if he lost one . . . will go after that which was lost (Luke 15:4). b. Satisfy self. Sheep will only eat what is in front of them. c. No sense of danger. Sheep have no instinct to warn them of snakes, wolves, bears, parasites, etc. d. Defenseless. Sheep have no weapons to defend themselves, no claws, teeth, fangs, etc. The wolf catcheth them (John 10:12). e. Dumb. As a sheep before a shearer is dumb (Isa. 53:7). f. Target of the enemy. Grievous wolves shall enter, not sparing the flock (Acts 20:29). 6. Why is the Lord likened to a shepherd? a. He knows us. I am the good Shepherd, and know My sheep, and am known of mine (John 10:14). b. He relates to us. He calleth His own sheep by name and leadeth them out and when He putteth forth His own sheep, He goeth before them and the sheep follow Him, for they know His voice (John 10:3,4). c. He loves the sheep. He (Jesus) was moved with compassion on them, because they were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd (Matt. 9:36). d. He provides for the sheep. I am come that they might have life, and have it more abundantly (John 10:10). e. He sacrifices for the sheep. The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep (John 10:10). I lay down my life for the sheep (John 10:15). f. He protects the sheep. Thy servant (David) kept his fathers sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: and I went after him . . . and caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him (I Sam. 17:34,35). g. He feeds the sheep. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies (Ps. 23:5). C. I SHALL NOT WANT 1. What does the word shall mean to me? a. Purpose of the will. I can make definite plans about the future. This is a word of intention. b. Faith-desire. I expect the Lord to take care of me. Whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive (Matt 21:22). c. Future state. I know the Lord will care for me. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it (I Thess. 5:24). 2. What shall we not want? a. What are the four greatest wants in life. (1) Love me. He gave His love to us (Rom. 5:8). (2) Accept me. He that comes to me, I will not cast out (John 6:37). (3) Exalt me. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself . . . the same is the greatest (Matt. 18:4). (4) Protect me. My sheep . . . no one shall take them from Me (John 10:27,28). b. We shall not want what the Shepherd gives. This is an incomplete sentence, it applies to what the Shepherd gives. Doesnt apply to: I want fun, because He gives satisfaction. I want to fulfill my lust, because He cannot tempt us. I want money, but He gives what money buys. I want better circumstances, but He gives abundant life. PRAYING THE 23rd PSALM Because Thou art my Shepherd,

58 I commit my needs to Thee. Provide green pasture for me to lie in, Lead me beside still waters. Restore my soul when Im empty, Lead me in right paths for Your names sake. Be with me in danger when I walk, Through the valley of the shadow of death. Deliver me from evil, And protect me with Your rod and staff. Prepare a table to feed me. So my enemies can see Your provision. Anoint me with the oil of Your healing, Let me drink from the full cup of Your provision. Surely goodness and mercy will always follow me, And I want to live with You forever. If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart: Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus name, Amen.

59

Lesson 2 (23rd Psalm): I Shall Not Want* by Elmer Towns

Psalms 23:1-23:6 Psalm 23 Series By Elmer L. Towns Lesson 2 (23rd Psalm): I shall not want A. ABOUT RELATIONSHIP 1. Why can I say, The Shepherd is mine? a. Because He gave His life for me. The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep (John 10:11). I give unto them (the sheep) eternal life (John 10:28). b. Because He called me. He calleth his own sheep by name (John 10:3). He hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4). c. Because He guides me through life. He leadeth them (John 10:3). d. Because He provides for me. Green pastures . . . still waters . . . restored soul . . . table full of food . . . overflowing cup . . . house to live in forever. e. Because He protects me. Thy rod and thy staff. f. Because He sends two sheep dogs to watch over me. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me. g. Because He gives me abundant spiritual blessings. I am come that (the sheep) they might have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10). 2. Why does the Shepherd say I belong to Him? a. Because He created me. The Lord calls us, my sheep. b. Because He loves me. c. Because He brought me back when I went astray. Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost (Luke 14:6). d. Because He rejoices over me. There is joy by God in the presence of the angels over one sinner that repents (Luke 14:10 ELT). e. Because He has a home waiting for me. I shall live in Gods home forever. 3. What is the Shepherd not called in Psalm 23? a. God (Elohim) is my shepherd, this means power. b. The Master (Adonai) is my shepherd. This implies servant. c. The King is my shepherd. This suggests rule. d. Other titles, Holy One, Rock, Almighty, Fortress, and the Possessor of Heaven and earth. e. The Lord is my Shepherd suggests what kind of relationship? Personal, caring, intimate, peaceful, and secure. 4. When is the Lord your Shepherd? a. The Lord was my Shepherd live in the past. b. The Lord will be my Shepherd, live in the future. c. When can you have His protection? Right here, right now. 5. Is the Lord your personal Shepherd? a. The Lord is a shepherd, suggests one among many. b. The Lord is the shepherd, suggests not personal. c. The Lord is our shepherd, suggests a crowd. d. The Lord is my shepherd suggests personal relationship. 6. What does the phrase I shall not want suggest? a. Will I die? Yes. b. Will I get sick? Yes.

60 c. Have Gods people been martyred? Yes. d. Have Gods people suffered financial reverses? Yes. I I I I I shall shall shall shall shall not not not not not want want want want want His presence. His plan for my life. His protection over evil. spiritual satisfaction. what my Shepherd can give.

Doesnt apply to: I I I I want want want want fun, because He gives satisfaction. to fulfill my lust, because He cannot tempt us. money, because He gives what money buys. better circumstances, because He gives abundant life.

7. When shall I not want? a. I shall not want in the future, Heaven. b. I shall purpose not to want, yield to Him. c. I expect the Lord to take care of me, so I will not want, Faith statement. d. I shall not want, resting in Him. PRAYING THE 23rd PSALM Because Thou art my Shepherd, I commit my needs to Thee. Provide green pasture for me to lie in, Lead me beside still waters. Restore my soul when Im empty, Lead me in right paths for Your names sake. Be with me in danger when I walk, Through the valley of the shadow of death. Deliver me from evil, And protect me with Your rod and staff. Prepare a table to feed me, So my enemies can see Your provision. Anoint me with the oil of Your healing, Let me drink from the full cup of Your provision. Surely goodness and mercy will always follow me, And I will live with You forever. If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart: Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus name, Amen.

61

Lesson 3 ( 23rd Psalm): Green Pastures and Still Waters* by Elmer Towns
Psalms 23:1-23:6 Psalm 23 Series By Dr. Elmer L. Towns Lesson 3 (23rd Psalm): Green Pastures and Still Waters A. INTRODUCTION 1. What are our two greatest needs? a. Food, i.e., green pastures. b. Drink, i.e., still waters. 2. How can the Shepherd meet our needs? Relationship. B. LIE DOWN IN GREEN PASTURES 1. Why do sheep lie down? a. Natural. Standing people naturally want to lie down. b. Tired. The Lord gives us rest in green pastures. c. Sleep. We need rest to replenish our strength. d. Hide. Sheep want to hide from danger. e. Stop working. When we lie down, we stop working. f. To be in His presence. Sometimes we want to be near the one we love. 2. Why does our Shepherd choose green pastures? a. Chosen pastures. The original language suggests choice pastures. (1) Why not the pastures of another? Best for our need. (2) Why not the pastures of the past? Not help us today. (3) Why not the pasture of next year? We are not ready. (4) Why not lie in the desert? The Shepherd always gets us home. b. His choice. The Shepherd knows us . . . knows the pastures . . . knows the future; so His choice is best. 3. The original words suggest tender new green grass. What vegetables are best tasting? Tender grass is best. 4. What does the Lord not do with the grass? a. Does not choose what grass for us to eat. b. Pick it for us. He leads us to the Scriptures, but we must, (1) listen, (2) read, (3) study, (4) memorize, (5) meditate. c. We must lie in it and eat it. The Shepherd chooses the pasture for us. We choose when, how much, and what to eat. 5. What does it mean because the word lie down is a continuous verb form? a. Repeated. The Lord will feed us this day our daily bread. b. Not just once. Every time the Lord gets us to a pasture of green grass, He gives us food. c. Daily. We get food, protection, fellowship and strength every day. C. WHY DOES THE SHEPHERD MAKE US LIE DOWN?

62 1. What does the word maketh not mean? a. To face down. b. To ride down c. To pull down. 2. What does the Lord not use to make us lie down? a. Sheep dog. b. His club. c. His strength. d. Punishment. 3. The word maketh means, to cause me to lie down. The emphasis is on me. What does this picture? a. God creates circumstances. The green grass looks so good the sheep want to lie down. Mother feeds and rocks the baby to get the baby to lie down and sleep. b. God creates appetite. After a long walk, the hungry sheep want to lie down. c. God creates desire. When Israel would not obey, God sent the hornets to make them willing to obey. D. WHY DOES THE LORD LEAD BY STILL WATERS? 1. What does the word lead suggest? a. Not drive the sheep. He knows the way. b. Not force the sheep. He faces danger first. c. Not point the way. We dont obey well. d. Not tells us when to find water. He takes us to water. 2. What does the word by suggest? a. Not into the water. b. Not within sight of water. c. Not maketh us drink from still water. We all have a thirst indicator that lets us know when we are thirsty. d. He leads beside still waters so we can drink when thirsty. 3. What does the word still suggest? a. Able to drink without choking. b. Not to a river or waterfall to feel its power. c. Not to a lake to enjoy its beauty. d. Still suggests a place to rest and relax. 4. What does water do for us? a. Keeps us alive. A well of water springing up into everlasting life (John 4:14). b. Refreshes. As the deer thirsteth after a stream of water, so panteth my soul for you, O God (Ps. 42:1, ELT). c. Enjoyment. Oh that one would give me a drink of water of the well of Bethlehem (II Sam. 23:15). d. Cleansing. Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow (Ps.51:7). PRAYING THE 23rd PSALM Because Thou art my Shepherd, I commit my needs to Thee. Provide green pasture for me to lie in, Lead me beside still waters.

63 Restore my soul when Im empty, Lead me in right paths for Your names sake. Be with me in danger when I walk, Through the valley of the shadow of death. Deliver me from evil, And protect me with Your rod and staff. Prepare a table to feed me, So my enemies can see Your provision. Anoint me with the oil of Your healing, Let me drink from the full cup of Your provision. Surely goodness and mercy will always follow me, And I will live with You forever. If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart: Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus name, Amen.

64

Lesson 4 (23rd Psalm): Paths of Righteousness* by Elmer Towns

Psalms 23:1-23:6 Psalm 23 Series By Elmer Towns Lesson 4 (23rd Psalm): Paths of Righteousness A. INTRODUCTION 1. The shepherds main task is leadership. 2. What type of leader was Jesus? a. Not dictatorial. He let Judas betray, and Peter deny. b. Not democratic. He never took a vote. c. Not Laissez Faire. He doesnt let sheep do what they want to do. B. WHY MUST THE SHEPHERD LEAD ME? 1. Sheep have no sense of direction. All we like sheep have gone astray (Isa. 53:6). 2. Sheep dont know where to go. We have turned everyone to his own way (Isa. 53:6). 3. There are necessary places sheep dont want to go. When he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them (John 10:4). 4. Sheep are not sure-footed. 5. The shepherd wants to encounter our dangers first. 6. The shepherd knows where to go, (direction). How to get there (method), why we are going, (purpose) and when to move (timing). C. WHAT THE SHEPHERD DOES NOT DO 1. Call to us from the destination. 2. Drive us to the right paths. 3. Paces us to walk faster. 4. Measures us to see how far we walk. 5. Challenges us to walk further each day. Its not how fast or how far We walk with Him. He wants us to follow right paths And arrive at the destination with Him. D. WHAT ARE RIGHTEOUS PATHS? 1. The word righteous scares us or doesnt have any meaning. The original suggests right

65 paths. 2. Since he leads in right paths, then there are wrong paths. How to find wrong paths? a. Ignore Gods Word. b. Violate your conscience. c. Go against good advice. d. Disobey Gods commandments. e. Feed on the wrong food. f. Search for the wrong goals. g. Follow ungodly friends. 3. How does the shepherd lead? a. Slowly. The shepherd does not lead too fast for lambs to keep up. b. Straight. The shepherd would not lead astray. c. Purposefully. The shepherd does not waste time or energy. 4. How can you find Gods choice of right paths? a. Follow. Come after Me (Mark 1:17). b. Get close to the shepherd. Come unto Me (Matt. 11:28). c. Remain. Abide in me (John 15:4). 5. What does right paths mean? Gods choice is best. FINDING THE RIGHT PATH a. There is a right path for you. Someone elses right path is probably a wrong path. b. There is a right path today. Yesterdays right path may be todays wrong path. c. There is a right path tomorrow. Its hard to find tomorrows right path if you are on the wrong path today. d. Are you on the right path now? E. FOR HIS NAMES SAKE 1. The name of God represents the reputation of God. Therefore, you can depend on God to do what He promises. 2. Put your name of your workmanship, i.e., Stradivarius, Baldwin, etc. God puts His name on us. I will write upon him, the name of my God (Rev. 3:12). 3. How dependable are the promises of Psalm 23? As dependable as God Himself. Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it (I Thess. 5:24). PRAYING THE 23rd PSALM Because Thou art my Shepherd, I commit my needs to Thee. Provide green pastures for me to lie in, Lead me beside still waters. Restore my soul when Im empty, Lead me in right paths for Your names sake.

66 Be with me in danger when I walk, Through the valley of the shadow of death. Deliver me from evil, And protect me with Your rod and staff. Prepare a table to feed me, So my enemies can see Your provision. Anoint me with the oil of Your healing, Let me drink from the full cup of Your provision. Surely goodness and mercy will always follow me, And I will live with You forever. If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart: Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus name, Amen.

67

Lesson 5 (23rd Psalm): Walking Through Death?s Valley* by Elmer Towns

Psalms 23:1-23:6 Psalm 23 Series By Elmer Towns Lesson 5: Walking through deaths valley A. INTRODUCTION: WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT VALLEYS? 1. Surrounded by high mountains. There are cliffs or obstacles that will keep you in shadows or the dark. 2. There are mountain barriers to keep you from reaching your goal, but a valley goes through them. 3. There are wrong paths through the mountains that end up in box canyons or a wrong trail just evaporates. 4. Only a shepherd can get sheep through dark valleys. B. YEA, THOUGH I WALK 1. The dark valleys are my choice, the shepherd does not lead into them. 2. Adam and Eve chose death and darkness (Rom. 5:12). 3. Sheep ignorantly stray into the valley of trouble, All we like sheep have gone astray (Isa. 53:6). a. They do not see danger. b. They follow their food. c. They are defenseless. 4. Sheep are always selfish, And have turned to their own way (Isa. 53:6). C. THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH 1. A deep narrow valley is dark. WHY DARKNESS SCARES US a. We are afraid of the unknown. b. Darkness covers the evil of evil people (John 3:19). c. We stumble or fall. d. We remember. e. Darkness is Satans kingdom. 2. What causes shadows? A barrier to the light or a distortion to the light. 3. The original suggests it is a valley of shadows not a valley of death. WHAT SHADOWS DO TO US 1. Our active imagination scares us. We have nothing to

68 fear but fear itself. 2. Our guilty memory. 3. We imagine the worst not best. 4. Shadows make us hurt ourselves. 5. Shadows steal happiness. 4. Shadows are illusions, what we imagine is not there. 5. Shadows cannot hurt us, but they make us hurt ourselves. 6. What is the greatest shadow to scare us. Death. 7. Since shadows are caused by light, what should be our response? a. Come to the light, I am the light of the world (John 8:12). b. Walk in the light, He that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness (John 8:12). c. Trust the Lord. Shall have the light of life (John 8:12). 8. Death Shadows. Dont scare the Lord. Why? He was born with a death shadow on the manger. He became obedient to death, even the death of the cross (Phil. 2:8). 9. Remember, our death is only a shadow. WHY DOES DEATH SCARE EVEN BELIEVERS? 1. We cannot see what is there. 2. We do not want physical pain. 3. We do not want to give up anything. 4. Because of sin, we have doubts. 5. We have not finished everything. 10. When the bony hand of death reaches for you, it is the hand of Jesus. I am alive forever more and I have the keys of death (Rev. 1:18). D. THE WONDERFUL WORD THROUGH 1. What does the shepherd not do? a. Lead us into the valley and leave us there. b. Watch us from outside the valley. c. Does not call to us from the other side. d. The shepherd is with us through the valley to the other side. 2. Death is real to the unsaved, but a shadow to believers. Death momentarily obscures the light when we pass through the shadow of death, but instantly on the other side we enter the light. 3. Our present troubles are mountains barriers that block us. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MOUNTAINS 1. There is a valley through problems (John 14:6). 2. People make their problems, not God. 3. Valleys have shadows that scare us.

69 4. Shadows make us hurt ourselves. 5. The Lord is with us in shadows and valleys. 6. He will lead me through if I let him. PRAYING THE 23rd PSALM Because Thou art my Shepherd, I commit my needs to Thee. Provide green pastures for me to lie in, Lead me beside still waters. Restore my soul when Im empty, Lead me in right paths for Your names sake. Be with me in danger when I walk, Through the valley of the shadow of death. Deliver me from evil, And protect me with Your rod and staff. Prepare a table to feed me, So my enemies can see Your provision. Anoint me with the oil of Your healing, Let me drink from the full cup of Your provision. Surely goodness and mercy will always follow me, And I will live with You forever. If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart: Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus name, Amen.

70

Lesson 6 (23rd Psalm): I Will Fear No Evil by Elmer Towns

Psalms 23:1-23:6 Psalm 23 Series By Elmer L. Towns Lesson 6 (23rd Psalm): I Will Fear No Evil A. WHAT DOES PSALM 23 TEACH US ABOUT OPPOSITION? 1. The existence of evil. 2. Evil is in conflict with you. 3. You should not let evil scare you. 4. You can overcome evil. 5. The shepherd is your deliverer. 6. Deliverance comes by relationship to the shepherd. B. WHAT ARE WE NOT TO FEAR? 1. Not fear death. I have the keys of death (Rev. 1:18). 2. Not fear trouble. Walk through the valley. 3. Not fear death shadows. The valley of the shadow of death. WHY DEATH SHADOWS SCARE ME 1. I will be hurt. 2. I will lose control. 3. I will be embarrassed. 4. I will lose love. 5. I will lose power. 6. I do not know what will happen. 4. Not fear a little bit of evil. 5. Not fear the evil one at all. Greater is He that is within you, than he that is in the world (I John 4:4). C. THE EXISTENCE OF EVIL 1. Evil or trouble begins within, Yea, though I walk . . . 2. Evil or trouble attacks from without. Through the valley . . . I will fear no evil. 3. Man kept praying, Clean the cob webs out of my mind. Rather kill the spider. 4. Take D out of Devil and make it evil. The great dragon . . . that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world (Rev. 12:9). Jesus called him A

71 murderer . . . a liar (John 8:44). 5. The deceivers main job is to deceive you about himself. D. EVIL IS IN CONFLICT WITH YOU 1. The name Satan means adversary. 2. What does Satan want to do with sheep? The thief cometh . . . to steal . . . kill . . . destroy (John 10:10). a. Possess them . . .steal. b. Eat them . . . kill. c. Corrupt . . . destroy. 3. Satan hates the Lord. When Satan gets to you, He gets to God. Satan gets to us if we have an unforgiving spirit. I forgive them, because . . . I am not ignorant of Satans devices to get to me (II Cor. 2:10, 11 ELT). E. YOU SHOULD NOT LET EVIL SCARE YOU 1. The nature of evil is to deceive, deny or hide, i.e., darkness and shadows. 2. Do not fear evil because, you have the light. God is light and in Him is no darkness at all ( John 1:5). 3. The greatest fear of darkness seldom happens. Thou art with me. F. YOU CAN OVERCOME EVIL 1. Do you expect defeat and think victory is impossible? This is looking at the strength of the enemy, not Gods power. Thanks be unto God who always makes us victorious (II Cor. 2:14 ELT). 2. Do not fear Satan but respect him, as you would a snake. FOUR STEPS TO VICTORY 1. Respect. Dont rail on Satan (Jude 9). 2. Remove. Abstain from all appearance of evil (I Thess. 5:22). 3. Resist. Resist the devil (James 4:17). 4. Respect. Watch . . . lest ye enter into temptation (Mark 13:38). G. THE SHEPHERD IS YOUR DELIVERER 1. There must be a fight before victory. 2. The Lord has weapons. Thy rod and thy staff. 3. It is more likely the Lord, rather than Satan, will win. H. DELIVERANCE COMES BY RELATIONSHIP TO THE SHEPHERD 1. Do sheep have weapons of defense or attack? None. HOW TO GET VICTORY 1. The shepherd goes with us. 2. The shepherd leads us.

72 3. We must follow His paths. 4. We must stay close to Him. 5. Victory is a daily walk. 2. What is the secret of victory for the sheep? The shepherd. My Father in Heaven can beat your father in Hell. 3. What has the shepherd promised? My sheep hear my voice . . . and follow me, I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand (John 10:27,28). Assurance. PRAYING THE 23rd PSALM Because Thou art my Shepherd, I commit my needs to Thee. Provide green pastures for me to lie in, Lead me beside still waters. Restore my soul when Im empty, Lead me in right paths for Your names sake. Be with me in danger when I walk, Through the valley of the shadow of death. Deliver me from evil, And protect me with Your rod and staff. Prepare a table to feed me, So my enemies can see Your provision. Anoint me with the oil of Your healing, Let me drink from the full cup of Your provision. Surely goodness and mercy will always follow me, And I will live with You forever. If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart: Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus name, Amen.

73

Lesson 7 (23rd Psalm): Thy Rod and Staff* by Elmer Towns

Psalms 23:1-23:6 Psalm 23 Series By Elmer L. Towns Lesson 7: The Rod and Staff A. INTRODUCTION: TWO POWERFUL HELPERS 1. This word is not our home, there is little comfort, but the Lord has, a rod and staff to comfort you. 2. Usually, people think rod and staff are the same thing. But each is a different instrument. 3. The word rod is more than a stick, it is a club to beat off enemies, i.e., the wolf, bear, or robbers. It is protection against negative attacks. 4. The word staff is used as a positive tool. It is used for direction, assistance in walking, pointing, lifting, etc. 5. Historically, these two tools are called battling and building. B. COMFORT ME 1. What do most first think of the word comfort? A blanket or being at ease. 2. The old word is comfort but the original language suggests help. 3. Think cause and effect to understand comfort. Effect Cause Thy rod helps me I feel comforted Thy staff directs me I feel assured 4. Jesus called the Holy Spirit a helper when he used the title comforter. I will pray the Father and He will give you another comforter . . . even the Spirit of Truth (John 14:16, 17). 5. A comforter is parakletos, i.e., one called along side to help. The Lord comes to our help in both positive and negative situations. 6. What are some positive ways the Holy Spirit uses the rod and staff to help us? Teaching. Leading into truth Guidance. Walking in the Spirit Abundance. Fullness of the Spirit. Power. Anointing of the Spirit C. ROD OR CLUB?

74 1. In the dangerous valley, the shepherd is: a. With me and He has something b. To protect me 2. The rod is kept for the enemies of the sheep, never to beat the sheep. 3. Negative ways the Lord helps me: Aware of sin. Conviction of sin. Lead around danger. Providential grace. Protection. Guardian angel. Uncomfortable with sin. Grieving the Holy Spirit. Keeps away evil. Intercessory prayer. Inner confidence. Assurance of salvation. 4. Who are the enemies of the sheep? The The The The thief (John 10:10) false religious teachers. stranger (John 10:5) non-committed ministers. hireling (John 10:12) unprepared ministers. wolf (John 10:12) Satan.

5. The shepherd has as much trouble with internal attacks from his fellow-workers, as he does from without by known enemies. 6. The family genealogy was carved in the rod. Write thou every mans name upon his rod (Numb. 17:2). a. Spanked with family history. He that spareth his rod, spoileth his son (Prov. 13:24). b. Corrected with family authority. I will visit their transgression with a rod (Psa. 89:32). c. The standard for correction, Shall I come to you with the rod (I Cor. 4:21). D. THE STAFF 1. The staff is the positive instrument used by the shepherd in tending his flock. 2. The shepherd led the sheep with the staff, direction. 3. The staff was used to lift sheep, rescue. 4. The staff was used to divide sheep, separate to himself. 5. The staff was used in walking, assistance. 6. The uplifted staff blessing. I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand . . . when Moses hold up his hand, Israel prevailed (Ex. 17:9-11). PRAYING THE 23rd PSALM Because Thou art my Shepherd, I commit my needs to Thee. Provide green pastures for me to lie in, Lead me beside still waters. Restore my soul when Im empty, Lead me in right paths for Your names sake. Be with me in danger when I walk,

75 Through the valley of the shadow of death. Deliver me from evil, And protect me with Your rod and staff. Prepare a table to feed me, So my enemies can see Your provision. Anoint me with the oil of Your healing, Let me drink from the full cup of Your provision. Surely goodness and mercy will always follow me, And I will live with You forever. If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart: Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus name, Amen.

76

Lesson 8 (23rd Psalm): Thou Preparest A Table* by Elmer Towns

Psalms 23:1-23:6 Psalm 23 Series By Elmer L. Towns Lesson 8: Thou Preparest A Table A. INTRODUCTION: WHEN THE TABLE IS SPREAD. 1. You have just come back from straying. 2. You have just come from a dark valley. 3. You have just escaped death shadows. 4. You get the opposite of punishment grace factor. B. WHY A TABLE? 1. Not a picnic, it is just temporary. 2. Not a T.V. table, it is just for one. 3. Not a hot dog, you eat a snack standing up. 4. Rest. You get to sit down after a long walk. 5. Fellowship. You can enjoy others at the table. 6. Choices. A table means lots of food and lots of different kinds. C. THOU: WHO PREPAREST THE TABLE? 1. You do it. In the green pastures. 2. You do without. In the valley of shadows. 3. Give me this day my daily bread. It is good to know that you have a breadmaker, rather than a warehouse of stale bread. 4. God is your chief. The Lord does not get an angel, prophet or king to cook for you. D. HOW DOES THE LORD PREPARE YOUR FOOD? 1. Repeatedly. The word preparest is continuous action. 2. Continuously. The Lord prepares food more than once. 3. Daily. The Lord prepares food daily because we get hungry daily. WHAT FOOD DO WE LIKE?

77 1. Fresh. Preparest. 2. Ready. Table. 3. Personal. For me. 4. Celebrate with others. 5. Good. A good God prepares good food. 4. What is your favorite meal? 5. O taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8). And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst (John 6:35). E. IN THE PRESENCE OF MINE ENEMIES. 1. For God. To show your enemies Gods care and provision. 2. For you. To celebrate your deliverance, i.e., V.J. DAY. 3. For your enemies. To demonstrate Gods power. 4. For your peace. They can see you but cannot touch you. 5. For your testimonies. Your table tells others they can have one. 6. The word enemies is plural, remember you have more than one. F. ANOINTEST MY HEAD. 1. Messiah. The word anoint is the Hebrew Old Testament word for Messiah or Deliverer. 2. Christ. The Greek New Testament word. THE 3-FOLD ANOINTED OFFICE Prophet. He is the Word of God. Priest. He did the work of redemption. King. He rules us. 3. The anointing has a two-fold meaning: a. To honor. A respected guest was given the best seat and honored with oil. b. To heal. Oil was medicine for those who got wounds in the valley. PRAYING THE 23rd PSALM Because Thou art my Shepherd, I commit my needs to Thee. Provide green pastures for me to lie in, Lead me beside still waters. Restore my soul when Im empty, Lead me in right paths for Your names sake. Be with me in danger when I walk, Through the valley of the shadow of death.

78 Deliver me from evil, And protect me with Your rod and staff. Prepare a table to feed me, So my enemies can see Your provision. Anoint me with the oil of Your healing, Let me drink from the full cup of Your provision. Surely goodness and mercy will always follow me, And I will live with You forever. If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart: Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus name, Amen.

79

Lesson 9 (23rd Psalm): My Cup Runs Over* by Elmer Towns

Psalms 23:1-23:6 Psalm 23 Series By Elmer L. Towns Lesson 9: My Cup Runs Over A. RELATIONSHIP IS THE KEY TO UNDERSTANDING PSALM 23 1. The Shepherds relationship to me begins with His commitment. a. Possession. His own sheep (John 10:4). b. Sacrifice. The good shepherd giveth His life (John 10:11). c. Transforms. He restoreth my soul (Ps. 23:3). d. Care. Calleth His own sheep by name (John 10:3). e. Guides. He leadeth me (Ps. 23:2). 2. My commitment to the Shepherd. a. Obey. He leads me in right paths (Ps. 23:3). b. Trust. Thou art with me (Ps. 23:4). c. Nearness. As long as I am close to the Shepherd, He can take care of my needs. B. THE PRONOUN MY 1. Personal. Not the cup runs over. 2. Favorite. Not a cup runs over. 3. Parents religion. Not the parents cup runs over. 4. Pastors religion. Not the pastors cup runs over. 5. Sunday religion. Not the Sunday cup runs over. 6. What can we learn from the pronoun my? Do you have a favorite cup? Past good memories Future anticipation Now available 7. The Shepherd wants to satisfy your thirst by giving you a drink from your favorite cup. C. THE CUP 1. What happens when you stick your face down into a pond to drink? a. Hard to swallow. b. Inconvenient kneeling. c. Messy. When the Shepherd gives you a drink, He does not make you kneel down to suck up the water, but He gives you a drink from your favorite cup. 2. Why does the Shepherd use a cup? a. He wants to make it as convenient as possible.

80 b. He cares that you drink the right way and that you drink the right stuff. Character is habitually doing the right thing in the right way. D. RUNNETH OVER 1. Notice what the shepherd does not offer. a. Empty cup. Tells you to go fill it up. b. Half-filled. Drink this and I will give you more. c. Filled to brim. The law required exact fulfillment, but grace gives abundantly more. d. Abundance. What is meant by runneth over? 2. Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly, above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us (Eph. 3:20). 3. Jesus created wine at the wedding. a. Plenty. Six water pots of 2 or 3 fur skins (106-154 gallons). b. Excellent. Thou hast kept the good wine till now (John 2:10). 4. What fills your life? a. Salvation. The cup of salvation (Ps. 116:13). b. Satisfaction. Filled the hungry with good things (Luke 1:53). c. Happiness. Filled our hearts with . . . gladness (Acts 14:17). d. Peace. Filled you with joy and peace (Romans 15:13). e. Holy Spirit. Be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18). PRAYING THE 23rd PSALM Because Thou art my Shepherd, I commit my needs to Thee. Provide green pastures for me to lie in, Lead me beside still waters. Restore my soul when Im empty, Lead me in right paths for Your names sake. Be with me in danger when I walk Through the valley of the shadow of death. Deliver me from evil, And protect me with Your rod and staff. Prepare a table to feed me, So my enemies can see Your provision. Anoint me with the oil of Your healing, Let me drink from the full cup of Your provision. Surely goodness and mercy will always follow me, And I will live with You forever. If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart: Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus name, Amen.

81

Lesson 10 (23rd Psalm): Goodness and Mercy* by Elmer Towns

Psalms 23:1-23:6 Psalm 23 Series By Elmer Towns Lesson 10: Goodness and Mercy A. WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? 1. Stopped following. He leadeth me. 2. Straying. Yea though I walk through the valley. 3. Death shadows. The valley of the shadow of death. 4. Protected. I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me. 5. Deliverance. He leadeth me beside still waters. 6. Feasting. Thou preparest a table before me. 7. Testimony. In the presence of mine enemies. 8. Abundance. My cup runneth over. B. MOVING ON You have been feasting in a protected pasture, but now it is time to move on. WHY MUST WE MOVE ON 1. Growth produces new needs. 2. Food is gone. 3. Weather changes. 4. Challenge of growth. 5. Gods will. As you move from one pasture to another, you feel something nipping at your heels. Because we are sinful and guilt ridden, we think it is a death shadow chasing us again. But it is Gods two sheep dogs, i.e., goodness and mercy. C. TWO SHEEP DOGS, i.e., GOODNESS AND MERCY. 1. Why does God send sheep dogs after us? a. Not to scare us. b. Not to hurt us. c. To keep us in the fold. d. To guide us to the next pasture.

82 e. To scare off predators. f. Because He loves us. 2. When you begin to stray, what God doesnt do or say? a. He does not yell at you. b. He does not throw a rock at you. c. He does not send a pit bull after you. d. He does not say, serves you right if you get lost. e. He does not leave you. 3. The sheep dog named goodness. The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance (Rom. 2:4). What good things has God done for you? 4. The sheep dog named mercy. Where do the sheep dogs get their names? From God. When Moses asked to know God, this was the answer, The Lord God merciful and gracious, long suffering and abundant in goodness (Ex. 34:6). THE TWO SIDES OF MERCY 1. Forgiveness, The Lord will restore you. 2. Grace, The Lord gives you the opposite of what you deserve. 5. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief . . . for this cause I obtained mercy (I Tim. 1:15-16). 6. When the two sheep dogs lay at your feet and wag their tails, what are they saying? Pay attention to us. 7. Can you shake the sheep dogs? No! They will follow: all the days of your life. 8. When you tried to ride a bicycle that was too big for you, and you fell, what did your mother do? Did she yell and punish you? With mercy she patched you up and in goodness she gave you a hot biscuit and milk. WHERE DO THE SHEEP DOGS PURSUE YOU? 1. Only to church? 2. Only when you do right? 3. No, they follow you everywhere all the time. D. DWELLING IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD FOREVER 1. Where do shepherds usually sleep? a. On the ground. b. Under the open sky. c. In all kinds of weather. d. Away from their loved ones. 2. Where did David want to dwell? a. In Gods house. b. Enjoying Gods presence. c. Protected from the elements.

83 d. In peace and security. PRAYING THE 23rd PSALM Because Thou art my Shepherd, I commit my needs to Thee. Provide green pastures for me to lie in, Lead me beside still waters. Restore my soul when Im empty, Lead me in right paths for Your names sake. Be with me in danger when I walk, Through the valley of the shadow of death. Deliver me from evil, And protect me with Your rod and staff. Prepare a table to feed me, So my enemies can see Your provision. Anoint me with the oil of Your healing, Let me drink from the full cup of Your provision. Surely goodness and mercy will always follow me, And I will live with You forever. If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart: Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus name, Amen.

84

Has Christmas Changed You. by Rick Gillespie- Mobley

Isaiah 9:2-9:7 CHRISTMAS, HAS IT CHANGED YOU 12/20/92 Matt. 1:18-2:12 Isaiah 9:2-7 Text Isaiah 9:6-7 .ls2 Christmas, has it changed you? When asked how had Christmas changed his life, one man responded, well I had a lot more money before Christmas than I have after it. Christmas changes us into frantic shoppers, busy house cleaners, talented decorators, traveling visitors, hospitality hosts for family members and excited young people looking forward to the gifts that we might receive. Christmas changes businesses by brining in billions of dollars on presents that will be given to others. Christmas changes our work and school schedules by giving us days off. Christmas changes our church giving, as we use what should have been Gods money upon ourselves and our friends for presents. Yet despite all these changes, somehow, thats not what God is looking for when He asks us the question, "Has it changed you yet." The world would have us believe that Christmas is the happiest time of the year, and that we are all going to have a great time, with great gifts, and great get togethers. We think that the lights, and the decorations, and the beautiful trees, and the presents are going to transform our lives into some kind of miraculous peace and joy and happiness. The reality however is that when Jesus is left out of Christmas, nothing really changes. More people will feel lonely this week than any other time of the year. More people are going

85 to commit suicide this week than any other time of the year. During the next two weeks, more people are going to lose family members killed by drunk drivers than any other time of the year. There will be parties and alcohol and drugs will be abundant, and more wives and children will probably be abused this week because 7 3 of them than any other time of the year. You see for these reasons, the thought of Christmas is going to bring up a lot of hurtful memories, a lot of pain, and a lot of sadness. Some of you know what Im talking about because you had someone very close to you die or killed around Christmas time. I can remember as a child, the joy I felt on Christmas morning was shattered by the pain I felt Christmas night when my parents returned home from the club, drugged with alcohol and fighting accusing each other of all kinds of things. I thank God that my parents have since came to the Lord and all that is in the past. But for some of us, that same scene will be repeated in our families this coming weekend. This Christmas is going to be hard for some of us because it will be the first one we spend without our mother, our grandmoth er, our husband, our wife, our children, our brother, our sister or our real good fried. The family get togethers that many of us will have, are not all going to be pleasant. Old rivalries be tween children who are now adults will flare up. Some of us will have to be with those who sexually abused us. Some of us will have to be with those who have used us, lied about us, and done us wrong, and yet they will be there with a smile as though nothing ever happened. Some of us know that once so and so in

86 our family picks up the bottle, its going to mean hell for every body else around. Some of us are going to go through undo tension because we dont have the money to get our children the things they wanted. We hate to see the disappointment on the their faces because we we would get it, but we now know that we cant. Some of us are going to be hurt because someone we love very much, is not even going to take the time to have purchased us just a little gift. My friends the way we celebrate Christmas, opens the door for a lot of pain, hurt, rejection and loneliness to pour into our lives. That hurt overshadows the gift of God, and somehow some of us will just want the day to hurry up and be over. God has a different view in mind when He gives us Christmas. In our Scripture reading today it says in Isaiah 9:2 "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned." When we are hurting , and we are lonely, and we are disappointed, God wants us to know that the darkness around us is not all there is. A great light has come into the world. We may feel as though we are in shadow of death, but God wants to shine His light and give us a new dawn. What is this light? Jesus says, I am the light of the world. How are we going to deal with our problems? By allowing the light of Jesus Christ to shine upon our lives and to give us wisdom in the decisions that we must make, we can be changed by Christmas. Let us recog nize that the greatest change that needs to take place in our lives is not in the size of our incomes, but in our attitudes.

87 Charles Swindoll gives an excellent word on attitude. Im paraphrasing some of his words. The longer I live, the more important I realize the impact of attitude on my life. Attitude to me is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than fail ures, than successes, than what other people think, say or do. 7 3 Attitude is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. Attitude will make or break a company, a church, a marriage or a home. The remarkable thing is that we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the string we have, and that is our attitude. Life is 10% what happens to us, and 90% of how we react to it. We are in charge of our attitudes. A lot of useless arguing and complaining is going to take place in the next week. "You spent too much on that. Why cant we go over there this time? How come you took so long shopping? Why did you spend so much time with them? and the list goes on. " Can we resolve to make this Christmas as enjoyable as possible for those in our family and in this church? Can we agree to accept the light that Jesus Christ wants to pour into each of our lives? A joyous Christmas is not going to be determined by the size and the number of gifts. Its going to be determined by how much we allow Jesus to be Lord of our tongues and our actions. A kind

88 word all day on Christmas day is priceless. An ill spoken word or an unkind deed can spoil the gift of a diamond ring. You see life is not found in things, as nice as things may be. The Bible tells us that life is found in Jesus Christ. There is no greater celebration of Christmas anywhere, than to be in a home where the presence of Jesus Christ is. You may be the only one in your family thats a Christian. Thats enough to make Christmas a better day for everyone else in the home. Saints every day is a gift from God. We should not squander it. We should not waste it by being angry with anyone. We should not let it slip away by feeling sorry for ourselves. God wants us to know joy in life. Let us be grateful for this precious gift of live and spend it by being as happy and as thankful as we possibly can. Let our minds dwell on the good things that have happened to us. As we remember our loved ones who are not here this Christmas, let us dwell on the jewel of moments that the Lord blessed us with, rather on the sorrow of being left behind. Let us take control of our attitudes so that no one can completely spoil the day for us. We can add to the joy of each day by making someone else happy. God has already made provisions for our change this Christ mas season. We find in Isaiah 9:6-7 "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoul ders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. {7} Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on Davids throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.

89 The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this." This prophecy of the birth of Jesus Christ came hundreds of years before Jesus was born. Surely if God could plan hundreds of years into the future with detailed accuracy, God can effec tively plan to see us through our problems and our difficulties. Some of us didnt know how we would make it this far, but weve made it. Some of us lost our jobs this year and was scared in it all, but were still here and God has not forgotten us. Some of us went through the pain of divorce, and others the agony of abortion, but God has not left us. His love is still here. Christmas should change us by giving new focus and direction in our lives as we ask God, "Lord, what would you have me to do." We are never going to know what life is until we ask "Lord what would you have me to do?" And then my friends, we must be will ing and go forth and do it. I can tell you now, it is not Gods will for any of us to get drunk this holiday season. The bible says drunkards shall not inherit the kingdom of God. It is not Gods will for any of us to walk around with an attitude this Christmas. The Bible says, let this attitude be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. It is not Gods will, for any man to abuse his wife this Christmas, for the Bible says Husbands love your wives as Christ loved the church. It is not Gods will for any of us to cuss out any body this Christmas, for the Bible says, Let no unwholesome words come out of your mouth but only what is helpful for build ing others up according to their needs. It is not Gods will for

90 any of us to have sex with anyone who is not our husband or wife this Christmas season. The Bible says no one who practices sexually immorality will inherit the kingdom of God. It is Gods will for us to be kind to each other this Christmas for the Bible says love is kind. It is Gods will for us to be forgiving this Christmas, for the Bible says forgive one another as God in Christ forgave you. It is Gods will for us to give to those who have nothing this Christmas for the Bible says, 7 3 look out not only for your own concerns, but also for the needs of others. My friends, God wants Christmas to change us. God knows that the changes can only be done by allowing Jesus to have control over us. God is not simply interested in a change for Christmas, God wants to change us for a life time. The funny thing about Christmas is that the change can be risky. Mary and Joseph lost their good reputation because of Christmas. Very few people believed that she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit any more than we believe some young girl got preg nant by the Holy Spirit today. When Jesus got to be an adult, the religious leaders went back into his past, and brought the fact that He had been conceived before Mary and Joseph got mar ried. The wise men lost their comfort of being at home with their families and friends. They may have followed that star for months. Traveling in those days was anything but easy and but pleasant. Christmas changed their lives. They were a lot poorer materially when they left Jesus, put they were spiritually rich er. When they first came through the city, King Herod was glad

91 to see them and welcomed them in. But when it was time to leave, that same King was ready to torture them to the point of death if necessary to force them to tell him where Jesus was so that he could go and kill the child. Christmas changed them by giving them a new sense of hope while at the same time putting their lives in jeopardy. The shepherds were changed by Christmas. Now shepherds were not little boys in their daddys house robes with a nice stick with a curve at the top. Shepherds were the rough, foul lan guage, red necks of the society. They carried clubs that could smash the skull of a lion or of a thief. It didnt matter much to them which one it was because both were trying to take their property. When this colossal angel appeared to them they were terrified. They probably felt that Gods judgment was about to hit them, because the only time they used Gods name was to cuss. Now their sheep was the same as their bank account. Their money was completely tied up in their sheep and if they lost sheep, that was money down the drain. Yet after the angel told them about a Savior being born in Bethlehem, they said to one another, "Lets go to Bethlehem and see thing this thing has happened, which the Lord told us about." Then they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph. Christmas changed them so much, they left all their possessions at risk in order to see Jesus. There may not have been any sheep left when they got back to the fields. Herod was changed by Christmas. He had been a king who felt

92 secure in his thrown until one day the wise men showed up asking where is this new king who is to be born for we have seen his star in the east. The wise man naturally thought that the King would be born in the Kings palace. But Herod learned the proph ecies said the king was to be born in Bethlehem. Christmas changed Herods ability to sleep at night. He could not allow this new born king to live and challenge his authority to rule. At first he was only going to kill Jesus. But instead he changed his mind and killed every male child in Bethlehem under two years of age to make sure he got Jesus in the process. 7 3 Where are we today with the changes of Christmas? Are we like Mary and Joseph, willing to risk being made fun of at being a Christian in our family, at school, or on the Job? Are we like the Shepherds, our lives being in a mess, without much intention of serving God at all, yet open to the call of God on our lives? Are we like Herod, refusing to allow Jesus to do anything that might upset our authority to do what we want to do, how we want to do it and when we want to get it done? There was one other person changed by Christmas and his name was Simeon. Simeon was a righteous and devout old man who had been praying for the Savior to come. God had told him that He would not die, until he had seen the Savior. Moved by the Spirit, Simeon went to the temple court at the same time Mary and Joseph was there. He went and took Jesus in his arms and praised God saying ,Luke 2:29-32 "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. {30} For my eyes have seen your salvation, {31} which you have prepared in the sight of all

93 people, {32} a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." When Simeon saw Jesus, he knew Jesus was enough for joy, reconciliation and happiness to take place. The greatest gift that we can give to others, is to become a disciple of Jesus Christ. Thats truly the gift that keeps on giving. Can we be changed like Simeon by Christmas in knowing that having Jesus is enough for joy and reconciliation to take place. I close with a paraphrase of a prayer my mother gave me this Christmas. Let us pray. Our Lord and our God, help us to be grateful be being alive right now. Help us to realize that no 7 3 matter what our problems may be, where there is life, there is hope. Help us to have faith and to realize that thousands of miracles are happening every day. Help us to pray and to remem ber the times when prayer brought us through. Let us be better listeners and less self centered. Help us to realize that If we get our minds occupied by helping and cheering up other people, we will be healthier than if we were always checking our own pulse. Let us realize that we cannot change others. Only by living for Jesus Christ and setting a good example may we influence someone to change their behavior. Let us realize that You have a plan for each of our lives, and that You are always with us to guide us and comfort us. May we allow your love to flow into our lives, that we may in turn pour it upon others. For it is in the name of Christ that we ask it. Amen

94

A Journey Through the Stable part 1 by John Beehler

Matthew 24:36-24:44 A Journey Through the Stable part 1 Happy New Year! You might think Im rushing it a little but, to Christians everywhere, Advent is the beginning of the new year according to the church calendar. So, Happy New Year! Students of all ages look forward to the Christmas break. Children look forward with excitement to the Christmas presents they hope to get. Families look forward to family gatherings. But Advent means more than just looking forward to our Christmas breaks and celebrations. Advent is a season of deep spiritual longing and hope. Are you hungry this morning? You might say, "Yeah. I got up late and had to skip breakfast to get to church on time." You might say, "No, Im not hungry. I had a good breakfast. Besides, Ive been feasting on all that leftover turkey, so I am not hungry at all." Now lets think about that question in a spiritual sense. "Are you spiritually hungry?" Are you ready for Jesus to break forth into your life and into the world? Are you hungry for Christmas? Are you hungry for the Christ of Christmas? The four Sundays before Christmas is the season known as Advent. Advent is Latin meaning an arrival. Advent gives us four weeks to ponder where we are in Gods creation of things. But we get so focused on the coming event, and all the preparations that go with it, we often lose sight of the things going on around us during these 4 weeks. What were going to do these next 4 Sundays is look at some of those things. Were going to take a journey through the stable. We all know that Mary, Joseph, and some animals are in this stable. We see those things every year. But there are other things there every year as well and, as we prepare for the arrival of Jesus, I want us to notice those other things. Have you ever walked into a room and noticed that it smelled clean? Not just looked clean but smelled clean? As we walk through the door of the stable, maybe the first thing we notice as we look around is not so much something we see as something we smell. A lot of you know what Im talking about. Fresh straw has that kind of clean smell. Somebody probably spread some straw around to help make the stable clean, maybe they knew a baby was going to be born there. In Jesus time, straw consisted of wheat or barley stalks cut to 1 1/2-2 inch lengths in the process of threshing. It had other uses, too. It was also used for food, mixed with grains, and used as a binder in brickmaking. But in this case it was used in cleaning and preparation, like when company is coming. During Advent were supposed to be getting ready. The straw says, get ready. Maybe you notice the big timbers that hold up the walls and ceiling. They help you feel that its safe in here. Wood was used for many things besides shelter in those days. Fuel, boats, utensils, idols, musical instruments, yokes, burnt offerings. There were many different types of wood, as well. Gopher wood, Acacia, Cedar, Pine, & Olivewood. The beams in our stable were most likely made of Cedar or Pine. Someday Jesus would be nailed to wooden timbers like these, formed into a cross. The reason?: to provide protection, to take our sins away and cover us with his strong love, like a roof over our heads so we can feel safe. The wood in our stable says, Here you are safe. Do you notice the stones? Stones come in many sizes. Palestine is a stony country and stones were a very common feature and, like wood, had many different uses. The most important use of stone was for building. Big stones to build things like

95 walls to keep out what you dont want in. Stones had military uses, a convenient missile for the hand. Remember a shepherd named David who used a small stone in a sling to defeat a giant. And one day, a huge stone would be rolled away from in front of Jesus tomb to let us know that the worst enemy had been defeated. All of these stones tell us, God will take care of you. Dirt? Yeah, dirt. Look around the stable and theres bound to be dirt. Theres dirt everywhere. Dirt is basic. The Bible tells us that God created man from the dust of the earth. God breathed into dirt and gave us life. Now in Advent we are looking forward to the time Jesus came from heaven to where we are, to be one of us, to breathe life into us all over again. The dirt says, Jesus meets us right where we need him. What would a stable be without a coil of rope? While the Bible gives no details of how ropes were made, it does tell us of their many uses. Harnessing & leading animals, snares, hauling stones, a measuring line, ships tackle, tying things together. A hymn we all know uses that image when it says, Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love. What things can use to stay fastened to Jesus? Can you picture your Bible as a rope? your church? your family? The rope says, stay connected to Jesus. Water is very important. There is more water on the face of the earth than anything else. Everyone needs water to survive. Water is used as a symbol in our baptism. Jesus represents the living water. While he dying on the cross, Jesus cried out, I thirst. Because he suffered, Jesus promised to give us living water. This is the Bibles way of saying in heaven well never thirst again; well never run out of what we need to survive. Water reminds us that God provides for our every need, always. Look around the stable. If you can see, its probably because there is some light lit. In Bethlehems stable, this light was probably a lamp with a flame that burned oil. Jesus told a story of 10 bridesmaids that were supposed to have their lamps ready for the wedding. But half of them forgot to bring enough oil (kind of like having a flashlight with no batteries). Actually, it was a story about being ready when Jesus comes. Jesus told us to let our lights shine and not hide them under anything. So other people can see and also be ready, this light reminds us to be ready for when Jesus comes. Would you live life differently if you expected the unexpected? When you were preparing for church this morning, you probably expected to hear Gods word proclaimed, prayers said, songs sung, and all of the other things we normally do in our worship service. You expected that I would be preaching a sermon about Advent or Christmas or the coming of Jesus today. But did you expect to take a journey through the stable? That first Advent, people knew Mary was having a baby - they just didnt expect what they got. As we go through this Advent season, as we go through our preparations to celebrate the occasion of Jesus first coming, we need to be reminded by todays scripture and will be reminded each week by our journey through the stable of our need to be ready for Jesus to come. The fact is, we dont know when God will come into our own lives. We must wait and watch and be open and make ready.......... Let us pray.......... God of peace, whose ways are not our own and whose coming among us cannot be predicted, we dare to welcome your surprises, seeking to be awake and alert to fully embrace the unexpected, that we might be changed by your appearing and transformed into a peaceful, loving community, for the sake of your house. Amen.

96

A Journey Through the Stable part 2 by John Beehler

Isaiah 9:1-9:7 A Journey Through the Stable II Christmas really begins in the Old Testament. The promise of a coming Messiah filled the pages of the Hebrew Bible. The Old Testament was the Bible of Jesus, and he understood that he was the fulfillment of its prophesies. Jesus fulfilled these prophesies by coming to earth, in human form, born as a baby in a stable. On October 30, 1938, a science fiction story called The War of the Worlds was heard. People heard about a supposed invasion of Martians. Some 2000 years ago an invasion actually did take place but this invasion is not a work of fiction, it did not take place from outer space, but according to the Bible, from heaven itself and, unlike the fictional invaders in The War of the Worlds, he did not come announced to millions of listeners, but silently, almost unnoticed, except to a few relatively minor people of that day and a few animals. How about the role of animals at Jesus birth? Animals play a role in the greatest story ever told. Being animals, they could not sing of it or talk of it. Nevertheless their role was very important. What would a nativity scene be without stable animals? One of the animals we always see in the stable is the donkey. Donkeys are humble animals. People often make fun of them because of their long ears and criticize them for being stubborn. A donkey had many uses back then: pack animal, riding animal, even food. But the donkey was a beast of burden. Its main job was to carry things for people. Not a very glamorous job, but one that needs doing. Jesus came to bear our griefs and carry our sorrows, like a beast of burden. He carried them all the way to the cross. Not a very glamorous job, but one that needed doing. If we look around we would probably see a cow in the stable, as well. Whenever we see a cow, naturally we think of milk. Milk is one of our most basic foods and its one of the first foods that babies take. You know, its hard to imagine Jesus, our Lord, who was there from the very beginning of everything, coming down from his place in heaven to start life here on earth at the beginning as a baby. But thats exactly what he did. The cow reminds us that Jesus started all over again, with baby food, like milk. If you look around the stable at all the animals, I would guess you might find the goat to be the most comical. Bouncing around, they seem to be having the fun. But as with most animals in Jesus time, they had a variety of uses. They gave milk (like cows), people ate them, their hair was used as tent material, their hides as bottles. They also served as sacrifices during Passover. I think one of their best uses, though, stems from their demeanor. They always seem to get into mischief, which can be frustrating, but it usually makes people laugh. Kind of like our own children, dont you think? Do you think Mary and Joseph shared a laugh or two in the stable watching the goat? When you think about it, isnt it nice that God gave us some things to make us laugh. The goat is Gods invitation to laugh and rejoice. Look up on the crossbeam. Some people think that the rooster is Gods alarm clock. Roosters crow at dawn, kind of like telling the world to wake up, a new day is here! Look at the season of Advent as Gods rooster, in a way. Advent tells us to wake up - because God has something new for us, a gift of his perfect grace. The rooster says, Wake up and live like a child of God! How many of you have ever been in a stable or a barn? Or live anywhere within 5 miles of a farm? Then you all know about flies. Do you think there were flies in the

97 stable where Jesus was born? There probably were. I mean, animals were there, (thats what a stable is for) and where there are animals , youll find flies. The Bible tells us in 2 Kings 1:2-3 that the inhabitants of Ekron worshipped the god of flies, Baalzebub, to avert the evil done by flies . Flies may not be pleasant but they serve a useful purpose in providing food for birds and other creatures. Flies remind us that not everything in life is pleasant, but even unpleasant things have a purpose. In the Bible, the dove serves as different symbols. The psalmist uses the dove to designate Israel, another symbol is one of innocence. The most common symbol of the dove is one of peace. A sign that everything is the way its supposed to be. Noah sent out a dove and it came back with an olive branch. Everything was all right again. At Jesus baptism, Matthew tells us that the Spirit of God descended on Jesus like a dove. Because Jesus came, everything was going to be all right again. The Christmas angels sang about peace, the message of the dove. Everything is going to be all right. Over in the corner we see the picture of the perfect sacrifice, the lamb. Sweet, gentle, pure, innocent - the way God would like all of us to be. The lamb is the dominant sacrificial victim, the central symbol and sacrifice of the Passover. Isaiah 53:7 - He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. John the Baptist said that about Jesus, pointing to Jesus as the perfect sacrifice. The kind of person God would like all of us to be. We pray to the Lamb of God. Jesus came down to earth and sacrificed his life to give us peace. Theres no denying it. In His birth Jesus identified with the animal kingdom. He was born in a stable meant for the shelter of animals. He was laid in a manger meant for the feeding of animals. The first sounds baby Jesus heard might have been the sound of animals. He was first announced to the shepherds whose whole life revolved around the care, feeding, and protection of animals. The wise men, who represented the Gentile world, made their journey to worship Him on animals, probably camels. Mary likely made it to Bethlehem riding on a donkey. As we view the animals of the nativity this Christmas, I hope we will be reminded of the service God desires, the sacrifice God expects, and the future glory God has promised.

Let us pray...... Good and loving God, whose offering of rebirth and renewal has been poured out for us in Jesus, take us again to the stable where we may receive your gifts in awe and humility, that our lives may reflect our service and sacrifice to you, Lord, and that we may reflect the joy you intend, giving glory to your holy name. Amen

98

A Journey Through the Stable part 3 by John Beehler

Matthew 3:1-3:12 A Journey Through the Stable III Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Hearing that makes you take notice, doesnt it? These are words that let you know that something important or relevant to you is about to be said. Now we dont know if John the Baptist actually said those words but we do know that people listened to him. The Jews had endured over 400 years of silence. God had always spoken to His people through a man, but now the prophetic voice of God was silent. Malachi closed out the Old Testament with the prophecy of another prophet coming before the day of the Messiah. John the Baptist was that prophet. Matthew doesnt give the Jewish readers any background on him because he was famous. John the Baptist was the Billy Graham of his day. His message for all the people was simple, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near. Advent is a season that invites us to anticipate and prepare for Christs coming. It is certainly a suitable time for reflecting on this biblical promise of the coming kingdom, since it is also the time which prepares for the celebration of the birth of Jesus. So as we gather on this third Sunday of Advent, let us continue to prepare for Christs coming by continuing our journey through the stable. I asked you the first week of Advent if you were hungry. Today if you were hungry, you would go into the kitchen and get something to eat. Well, like people, animals have to eat, too. Grain in the stable would serve as food for the animals, but it is also important that the animals dont eat all the grain. It is important to save some for planting, so that next year there will be more grain. You know, seeds are strange things. Theyre small and they dont really look like the big plants they will become. But they do. In the same way, these seeds are like Gods promises. Lying in the manger, Jesus probably didnt look like the Savior of the world he would grow up to become. But the promise of God was there...Jesus did grow up to make sure we have hope for the future. Look around the stable. The grain says, Trust Gods promises. What looks like a rake in our stable is actually a winnowing fork. A winnowing fork separates the grains of wheat from the chaff. When tossed into the air the heavier, good grains would fall to the ground while the lighter chaff would be blown away. Sometimes separating things like that is important, like when you peel a banana or orange and throw away the peel (no good to eat) and keep the good part. This winnowing fork can reminds us that Jesus came to separate our sins from us so that what remains can be good. The winnowing fork says, Your sins are taken away. In most stables then (or barns today) you will probably find tools. A plow is a tool, the kind that farmers would use to prepare the ground for the planting of their seeds. Tools are important. There are different types of tools for different kinds of jobs. Joseph was a carpenter. One of his jobs was to make tools so other people could do their jobs. I think its part of Gods plan to provide work for people to do and to make it possible for us to have or make the things we need to do our work. The plow can remind us that Jesus had a job to do, too, and he did it for all of us. Some people were called away from their work to come to the stable and see baby

99 Jesus. Shepherds were the first ones to be told the good news that Jesus had been born. After Mary and Joseph, shepherds were the first people Jesus met. Remember last week we looked at Jesus as the Lamb of God. Sheep need a shepherd, maybe thats why later Jesus called himself The Good Shepherd. A good shepherd cares for his sheep, he leads them, guides them, feeds them, and protects them from harm or wandering off. One of the ways shepherds protect and care for their sheep is with a staff. This staff can be used as a weapon against predators, as a guide for the sheep, or lifting them out of dangerous situations. All of those things our Good Shepherd does for us. He even laid down his life for his sheep. We should be happy to follow him. Do you see the travel bag? For people in Jesus day, travel often consisted of using animals such as donkeys, oxen, or camels. Those who used these animals carried their clothes and such in saddlebags, which is kind of like a suitcase. It was something to help make sure you took everything along that you might need for a trip. What do you think Mary and Jesus packed for their trip to Bethlehem? Later when they fled to Egypt, what would they take? What would they leave behind? They wouldnt forget the baby Jesus, would they? The saddlebag tells us, Jesus traveled all the way to earth to be our Savior. We know Jesus probably wasnt born in December but there were times it did get cold in the stable. Animals would be protected from that by their fur or feathers. But people would need some kind of covering to protect them. Blankets are good for keeping us warm and covered. After they had sinned, Adam and Eve needed a covering. They tried to make their own but finally God had to provide the covering they needed. The blanket reminds us that Jesus came to be a covering for us, too. We started our journey today with grain. And now it ends with bread, something that is made from grain. In between, we noticed some tools and signs of the different kinds of work people do. When you put all of these things together - the things God provides and the work God provides for us - then things happen. In the Lords Prayer we ask God to give us this day our daily bread. God does this and so many other things, as well. Look around the stable - the Lord provides. John the Baptist tried to get those who gathered around him to prepare the way of the Lord in their hearts. Repent, he said, which is defined in the original terminology as turning oneself around and changing ones direction, to change ones mind in regards to the worldly old ways and to begin walking toward God. It isnt easy to prepare for anything big or great. Preparation is time consuming. It takes time for the seeds to germinate, to grow into the wheat that you can make the bread from. Preparation is energy demanding. It takes hard work and the right tools. Preparation requires patience and persistence. Preparation is often 90% of all that we do in life. And if we are prepared, if we are prepared, God will give us exactly what we need, when we need it.....like Jesus coming to the stable that first Christmas night. Let us pray......... Gracious Father, whose claim on us is strong enough to change our direction, I pray that you look with favor on this gathered congregation, that no one follows the wrong path but that all may respond with joy to your promises and go out to share your good news with everyone this Advent season. Amen

100

A Journey Through the Stable part 4 by John Beehler

Luke 1:46-1:55 A Journey Through the Stable IV Well, its getting close isnt it? Only two more days and Christmas will be here. And you know if you were to poll the western world youd probably find that Christmas is the most popular time of the year, for Christians and non-Christians alike. Much of what makes this time of the year special is the music. The sacred, O Come all Ye Faithful, Angels From the Realms of Glory, Silent Night to the secular Frosty the Snowman Jingle Bells White Christmas and, of course, my personal favorite, Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer Much of how we feel about the Yuletide season is wrapped in songs. That first Christmas was full of singing and songs. Songs and music were a vital part of the Jewish culture into which Jesus was born. From the very announcement of the conception of the Christ child until his circumcision and blessing the songs of praise were lifted into the heavens. Lets join Mary today in rejoicing at the coming of Jesus our Savior. There is a certain timelessness in the words of Marys song. The coming of Jesus affects all times and places in a similar way. And He does this is because He is with us on every step of our journey. Like our journey through the stable that weve been on the past 3 weeks. I suppose that I should have warned you about wearing comfortable shoes on this journey. A journey usually involves a lot of walking, so its important to wear shoes that are comfortable. Jesus walked everywhere he went wearing sandals. Sandals are like shoes and putting on shoes can be a way of saying you have somewhere to go. Maybe out to play, or to school or work, or maybe just to visit. We all know at this time of year there can be so many places to go. While its good to visit, but its also good to come home, too. Isnt it good to come home and kick off your shoes and get comfy? as we look around the stable, we realize it wasnt much of a home for Mary and Joseph to come home to. The stable reminds us to be thankful for the home that God has given each of us - and the heavenly home that awaits us. In every Nativity scene you will find Joseph and Mary, generally kneeling, looking down at where the baby Jesus lay, with hands folded as if in prayer. Did you know (and you can look this up in Matt. 1 & 2 and Luke 1 & 2) you wont find a single thing Joseph said? As famous as he is, Marys husband is never quoted in the Bible, not a single word. Now, Joseph may not have been quoted as saying anything but what he did was extremely important. Joseph obeyed. When the Angel of the Lord told him (despite his misgivings) to take Mary as his wife, he obeyed. When he was told to take Mary and Jesus and flee to Egypt and then later return, Joseph obeyed. Sometimes actions speak louder than words and Joseph spoke volumes with his actions. Joseph wasnt the only one to obey in this scenario. Mary probably had more to lose here than Joseph. He planned to dismiss her quietly it tells us in Matt. 1:19, but Mary still wouldnt have been able to hide that fact that she was a unwed, pregnant teenager. But Mary obeyed and became the mother of Jesus. Mothers are usually the first person we ever knew and, for most babies, the most important person in their lives. For many that feeling can last for years. I think the

101 world is a better place to live in because God gave us mothers. Joseph and Mary in the stable reminds us of Gods love through the love of our parents. In Jesus time, olive oil had many uses. Oil was considered to be one of the necessities of life then. It was used, of course, in cooking (as it still is today), as fuel in lamps, and today we use it in the soaps and lotions we use on our bodies to keep them clean and soft. Mary probably used olive oil on Jesus the way we use baby oil on newborn babies today. The Bible speaks of the oil of gladness. Being rubbed with oil probably made baby Jesus glad. Maybe thats why the Psalm says, You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows, to help describe the gladness God gives to each of us. Today we use diapers, blankets, booties, cap, and one-piece outfits on babies. Mary used swaddling cloths. To be wrapped in swaddling cloths the way it has been explained to me is to literally wrap the baby completely up in cloths, form head to toe. That is probably what Mary did for baby Jesus. The purpose was to keep him warm and comfy, a way of letting him know that he welcomed and cared for. I guess you could say the swaddling cloths were giving him a hug. The swaddling cloths around Jesus remind us that God is giving us a hug, too. God has wrapped us up in His love, warm, tight, and caring. Looking around the stable we see something that has been here all along but we often overlook it because were more interested in what it holds. Im talking about the manger, a simple trough or box for feeding livestock. It may not be the fanciest baby bed in the world, but it is certainly the most famous. For in it was laid the very Son of God, born to be our Savior. As we end our journey through the stable, its time to look beyond. If you look through the window you can see the star. This star that guided the wise men is still here today, guiding us. The Christmas star has become a special sign from God inviting other people to come and worship the Christ child, too. Because Jesus wasnt just born for you and me - He came to be the Savior for the whole world. Wally was a 7th grade student who was bigger than any of the other students in his Sunday school class. His mother had been an alcoholic when he was born, & as a result, Wally just did not have all the mental capabilities that the rest of his classmates had. But somehow he managed to get by. Christmas time came & his class decided to put on a Christmas pageant. Since he was the biggest, Wally was selected to be the innkeeper. After all, the innkeeper is kind of a villain in the Christmas drama. So they coached Wally to be just as mean as he possibly could be. Well, the night came for the Christmas play. And in it, Mary & Joseph came to Bethlehem, went to the Inn & knocked on its door. Wally opened the door & said, "What do you want?" just as mean & gruff as he could possibly be. Joseph said, "We need a room. We need a place to stay tonight." "Well, youll have to stay someplace else," said Wally, "because theres no room here. Theres no room in the Inn." Joseph said, "But my wifes expecting a baby just any time now. Isnt there someplace where we can stay, where we are protected from the cold & where she can deliver her child?" "No," said Wally, "Theres no room here." Then silence. Wally had forgotten his lines. From behind the curtains you could hear

102 someone saying, "Begone. Begone." Finally, Wally managed to say, "Begone." Mary & Joseph sadly turned to leave. But just as they did, Wally said, "Wait a minute. Wait a minute. You can have my room." The director of the play was ready to pull out her hair because she knew that the whole Christmas pageant had been ruined. But had it? Maybe Wally, better than anybody else communicated the real spirit of Christmas. "You can have my room." "You can have my life." That is what God said at Christmas time. "You can have Me. I give Myself." That is still the greatest gift of all. Are you ready for Christmas? I dont know if you have all your shopping done or not. I dont know if you have attended all the events you wanted to attend. But I hope that you are ready in attitude. I hope you are ready for the real spirit of Christmas to come, because if youre ready for that, itll happen. Itll happen in the greatest way of all.

Let us pray....... Good and loving God, whose offering of rebirth and renewal has been poured out for us in Jesus Christ, take us again to the manger in the stable where we may receive your gifts in awe and humility, that our lives may reflect the joy you intend, winning others to the freedom you offer, and giving glory to your holy name. Amen.

103

Beginning All Over Again by Glenn Durham

Proverbs 1:1-1:7 Scripture Introduction Some pastors call Proverbs, The Young Peoples Book. Solomon himself notes in the preface that he writes to give knowledge and discretion to the youth. Matthew Henry picks up that idea as he pleads with young folk to pay special attention: Youth is the learning age, catches at instructions, receives impressions, and retains what is then received; it is therefore of great consequence that the mind be then seasoned well, nor can it receive a better tincture than from Solomons Proverbs. Youth is also rash, and heady, and inconsiderate; and therefore needs to be broken by the restraints and managed by the rules we find here. And, if young people will but take heed to their ways according to Solomons proverbs, they will soon gain the knowledge and discretion of the ancients. But this is also for all who need teaching, the simple he calls us, whether we are old or young. Matthew Henry: He that has been sinfully foolish, when he begins to govern himself by the word of God, becomes graciously wise. So this is for our youth; and for everyone desperate for wisdom. But lest any imagine they have matured beyond Proverbs, remember that the truly wise recognize they have much to learn. Matthew Henry: A wise man is sensible of his own defects and still presses forward, that he may increase in learning, may know more and know it better, more clearly and distinctly, and may know better how to use it (in loc.). The Greek philosopher, Zeno, lived 300 years before Jesus, but archeologists have found some of his writings. One of his most famous saying is: The reason why we have two ears and only one mouth is that we may listen the more and talk the less. That is good advice; let us listen all the more as we expect Gods wisdom to guide us in the new year. [Read Proverbs 1.1-7. Pray.] Introduction The young boy said, Daddy, if three frogs are sitting on a limb hanging over a pool, and one frog decides to jump, how many frogs are left on the limb? His dad replied, Two. No, the son said. Listen carefully, daddy. There are three frogs and one decides to jump. How many are left? Dad says, Oh, I get it, if one decides to jump, the others would too. So there are none left. No daddythere are three left on the limb. The first frog only DECIDED to jump. Kids jokes are great, arent they? I wonder, though. Are some of us still sitting on the limb? Maybe you decided last year to jump in deep with God, but are now surprised that twelve months have passed with less progress than you hoped for. We may need reminding that it does not do any good to sit-up-and-take-notice, if we just keep sitting. But maybe others are liable to leap without looking. We need to listen, to think before we

104 act, to train our minds as well as move our feet. Solomon preaches both. This is not a dry, doctrinal dissertation, an inspired cure for insomnia. Proverbs preaches the practice of the faithhow to walk on the road, how to bargain at the market, how to live well in a wicked world. But it is not simply a how to manual. Proverbs preaches the faith which is to be practicedand faith requires some scratching of the head and scrutiny of the heart. Both are herethe practice of the faith and the faith which must be practiced. I find that the end of the year conveniently causes me to examine where I have been and where I am going. Maybe you, like me, feel heavy your failures. Dare we hope that this year could be different? Is there a chance? Is it worth trying? God says, Yes. God loves his people, and he wants us to live well, even in this wicked world. What if we have lost our way? The other day I drove to a part of Cincinnati I had never been to before. My directions said, Turn left here, go 0.4 miles, turn right, stand up, sit down, spin around, cry for help. Pretty soon I was in a place where the directions refused to help. But it was not time to panic. I pulled off the road near an intersection where I could see street signs. I got out a map of Cincinnati, and from the cross-streets, found my location. Then, I searched for Selby Court, and figured out how to get there. I had to do some backtracking, but once I found where I was and where I was going, I could get there. If we have veered from the path, God asks us to stop, reassess, and begin again on a course to walk happy and holy all the way home. To do so, first note: 1. To Live Well in a Wicked World, We Must Be Changed By Grace (Proverbs 1.7) Jesus calls it being born again; Paul in Ephesians calls it saved by grace; Solomon here tells us it is fearing God. Whichever you prefer the point is identicalGod must do a supernatural work in our souls before we can hear and live Proverbs. Even a cursory reading of this book reveals that practical advice pours out. If we were building a house, this book would provide framing instructions. We would turn here for details about roofing and weather-stripping and carpeting and water and sewer pipes. But regardless of how well our house is assembled, there is no stability without a solid foundation: the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. No one profits from the practical advice in Proverbs unless and until they possess the right attitude toward God. Jesus used this same analogy when he was here. The wise and the foolish, he noted, may build identical houses; but while the wise pay careful attention to the foundation, the foolish think only of outward appearances. So when the storms come (and they surely will) the house of the foolish man, which was built on sand, crumbles and collapses. Digging down to lay a foundation on solid rock is much harder; but the house will weather every storm. Now the foundation for living well in a wicked world is to fear God. That does not mean to quake in our boots and run from him as we would a Tyrannosaurus Rex. When the Bible uses the phrase, the fear of the Lord, it refers to a holy reverence, a desire to please him, and a willingness to ask what God thinks before we do what we want. That requires grace. Proverbs 10.1 provides an example. It says: A wise son makes a glad father. We may think: No trembling before God is necessary to grasp that. Dads like it when their children

105 are wise. True enough, but for a child to want to please his father rather than his own fleshnow that requires a work of spiritual transformation. None of us was born willing to sacrifice self-pleasure to please our fathereither the Father in heaven or the one given us on earth. To the natural person, Proverbs 10.1 is foolish: Yes, it may make my father glad for me to obey him, but that does not make me wise nor does it make me happy. That is precisely what Paul observes in 1Corinthians 2.14: The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. It is the same with the fear of the Lord. Even non-Christians have a concept of fearing Godthey see him as a wrathful deity who must be obeyed lest we be cursed. There is, of course, a sliver of truth there. But that incomplete answer does not draw us to God; wrath along only drives us away when we fail. But note well, the Bible preaches that with God there is forgiveness, that you may be feared (Psalm 130.4). And Paul adds in Romans 2.4, that it is Gods kindness which leads us to repentance. In summary, we must believe differently in order to fear God biblically. Here are three other reasons why hearing and living Proverbs requires a work of Gods grace. First, the wisdom here assumes that another knows best what will make you happy. Few people like to be told what to do. But we like even less being told that we do not know what makes us happy. Yet God claims precisely that: I tell you what you would want to be and do if sin had not made you a fool. A three year old boy was playing outside when he found a snake. His mother screamed: Drop it and run. But the boy did not, for he knew he had a fun toy. It wasnt a toy; it was a snake. But refusing to believe his mother knew best, he held tight. Only by new birth convinces us that sin is a deadly snake. A second reason that hearing and living Proverbs requires Gods grace is because this wisdom assumes we need teaching. The caricature of a male who is lost and refuses to ask directions is well known; but none of us likes admitting that we are simple. Unless the Spirit gives humility, we blame others for our problems, we defend our failures, see magnify others flaws, and we despise instruction. The third reason we must have a work of Gods grace to appreciate Proverbs is that this book places ultimate happiness in the hereafter rather than the here and now. God does want us to live well in a wicked world, but that is not the same as health, wealth, and success. For example, a false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight (Proverbs 11.1). So Gods people live well when they are scrupulously honest in business and life; but that will not make us rich. Cheating pays, but some would rather please God than line their pockets. In 1972, Rick Nelson sang: But its all right now, I learned my lesson well. You see, ya cant please everyone, so ya got to please yourself. Nelson was correct; you cannot please everyone; but he was wrong tooyou do not have to please yourself. Whom will we fear? Whom will we live to please? Unless you are born again, you cannot truthfully and sincerely make it your aim to please God, and you cannot live well in this fallen world. 2. To Live Well in a Wicked World, We Must Be Students of Scripture (Proverbs 1.1-6) Harry Ironside (well-known pastor in the early 1900s at the Moody Church of Chicago): It

106 is only the self-confident blusterer who considers himself superior to instruction. Readiness to learn is ever characteristic of the truly wise. Someone reminded me that a leader in the church has to be FAT. I liked that! But F. A. T. stands for Faithful, Available and Teachable. Teachableno one lives well unless they live as students. And the Bible is the perfect teacher. Gods word teaches us to speak well, to handle business, to act wisely and to give instruction to others. It counsels us so that we can distinguish between truth and falsehood, good and evil. The Bible protects us from error and guards against sin; it enables you to approve what is excellent and profitable to life and soul. Truth, justice, equitythese insights guide us through difficult paths. Here is the lamp for your feet. Will you take it up and turn it on? The elders and I are encouraging you to read through the Bible this year. There is no magic to be found in reading the whole Bible in one year as opposed to 6 months or three years. In fact, if the whole is too much for you, then I have a reading guide that will take you through the New Testament, Psalm and Proverbs in 200 days. The particular plan is not as critical as the discipline of committing to being a student of Scripture. If I offer free iPods, most young folk will clamor for one. Yet few read the Bible every day, marking it for correction and discipline, memorizing it for training in righteousness. Even though the promise of God is that this is better than silver and gold. But we do not believe. We know the right answers; do we practice what we profess? 3. To Live Well in a Wicked World, We Must Practice What We Know (Proverbs 1.5) The September 30, 2007, London Times told of Indian entrepreneur, Bahadur Chand Gupta, selling tickets on a flight to nowhere. He bought a wrecked airplane and books virtual flights for those who are too poor to ever purchase a ticked on a real flight. Captain Gupta sits at the controls and makes regular announcements as if they were flying: We will soon be passing through a zone of turbulence; We are about to begin our descent into Delhi. The plane has no lighting and the lavatories are out of order. The airconditioning is powered by a generator. There is no tail and only one wing. But passengers are looked after by a crew of six, including Guptas wife, who goes up and down the aisle with her drinks trolley, serving meals in airline trays. Of course there is nothing wrong with wanting to see inside of an airplane. But it is also a parable. Could we sometimes confuse owning a Bible, listening to sermons, being served communion, and attending church with advancing the kingdom? Surely each is important, even necessary to growth in knowledge. But when our knowledge is not put into practice, we sit on the tarmac. William Carey made shoes. But while doing so, he also looked at the globe on his desk and prayed for the worlds lost people. Eventually he decided he was called to be a missionary, but when he suggested this at a meeting of ministers, a Dr. Ryland said, Young man, sit down: when God pleases to covert the heathen, He will do it without your aid or mine. Carey is remembered, among other things for a sermon he preached entitled, Expect Great Things from God Attempt Great Things for God. It was his conviction that God equipped his people to advance his kingdom and complete the great commission. So he went to India to attempt great things. When he died in 1834, at the age of 73, he had overseen the Scriptures translated and printed into forty languages, he had been a college professor, and founded a college at Serampore. He opened India to missionaries, and pushed through the banning of sati

107 (burning widows on the funeral pyres of their dead husbands), and he been instrumental in the conversions of many to Christ. We are not Carey; but are we attempting anything great for the kingdom? Or are we sitting on the tarmac? 4. Conclusion The beginning of a new year prompts people to make resolutions, many of which will involve the pursuit of personal happiness. Unfortunately, what many want cannot be obtained. The self-esteem movement may promise that everyone can reach their dreams, but we cannot. Steve Salerno, in his book, SHAM: How the Self-help Movement Made America Helpless, writes that he was 13 when he asked: Dad, are you happy? To which his dad answered, Son, a man doesnt have time to think about that. A man just does what needs doing. Mr. Salerno was not quite correct. He was close, though. The more we chase personal pleasure, the more discontent and dissatisfied we will be. True happiness is found in selfforgetfulness, in delight in God, in fearing the Lord. Jesus did that. He laid aside all that was his to take the cross that was rightfully ours. He chose to suffer for the joy set before him. The joy of living out Gods will in a wicked world. Let us believe, and follow him.

108

Remembering God This Year by Glenn Durham

Judges 2:6-3:6 Scripture Introduction We could summarize the book of Judges with one word: Forgetting. Here appear some of the Bibles most colorful characters and interesting stories, but the theme of forgetting God unites all. In his departing messages to Israel, Moses warned of this very real temptation. He mentions it explicitly at least six times: Deuteronomy 4.9: Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your childrens children. Deuteronomy 4.23: Take care, lest you forget the covenant of the LORD your God, which he made with you. Deuteronomy 6.12: [T]ake care lest you forget the LORD, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. And three times in Deuteronomy 8 (verses 11, 14 and 19): 11 Take care lest you forget the LORD your God by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes. 14 then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 19 And if you forget the LORD your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish. After these sermons, Moses dies, leaving Joshua to take the people into the promised land. Joshua does so, and then Judges picks up the narrative. Unfortunately, the people do not heed Moses warning; they forget the Lord who bought them, and they find the suffering of rebellion a great misery. As we look toward a new year, God challenges us, in this passage, to remember him in all things. [Read Judges 2.6-3.6. Pray.] Introduction On Friday we watched the film, Glory Road, the 1966 story of how the integrated Texas Western basketball team defeated Adolph Rupps all-white Kentucky Wildcats. At a time when schools in the Southeastern Conference refused scholarships to black students, Don Haskins shook up the world by coaching the first team in NCAA history to win a title with five starting black players. Young Haskins had seen racism first-hand when his teenage friend, Herman Carr, was denied a chance to play college basketball simply because he was black. Recalling the event that forged his understanding of 1940s racial realities, Haskins said, When I left and went to college at Oklahoma A&M, Herman couldnt go anywhere. I felt bad. We worked together at the feed store. I drank out of the white water fountain, and he drank out of the other one. It bothered me. When Haskins arrived at Texas Western in 1961, the school already had some history of recruiting black athletes. Former Arkansas coach Nolan

109 Richardson, a holdover recruit, was on Haskins first team. Still, Haskins intensified the issue by intentionally recruiting and starting many more black players than had ever been done. As a result, the game between staid and traditional Kentucky and upstart Texas Western provided a chance for Haskins to both win and make a statement. He played only black kids on a day when bigots still said publically that people who were not white were inferior. Now, many historians say it was the most important basketball game ever, a key turning point in integration and increased equality in athletics. If we knew in advance what events were pivotal, which moment would be our most important, we could prepare, get ready to do the right thing. But it does not work that way. Haskins knew the issue was important, certainly, but it was only retrospect which revealed that night as the turning point in the fight for respect for black athletes. None of us know what turning points 2009 will reveal. So how do we prepare so that we respond well when the situation presents itself? I believe God provided this passage in Judges to help us do just that. 1. We Must Remember that God is Good (Judges 2.6-7) Samuel (who is traditionally thought to have written this book) wants us to reflect on the goodness of God. He signals that by directly connecting the events that happen in Judges with those of Joshua. The book of Joshua tells of Gods faithful promises fulfilled. Lets go back a couple of generations from the time of Judges and get our bearings. Moses was the greatest leader Israel had ever known. He was the redeemer from Egyptian slavery and the Lawgiver from the hand of God. So when Moses died, we naturally wonder what will happen to Gods people. Then we find, in the book of Joshua, that God is still alive, and God leads Israel into the promised land by raising up a new leader, Joshua. But now he dies. Are the promises still good? Is God still faithful? Does he still love his people? These questions would be asked around dinner tables and in the marketplaces especially during the time of the Judges, when Gods displeasure is evident and his favor withdrawn. So Samuel, in introducing the story of the Judges, reminds us that God is good, and his faithfulness endures. He does so by repeating some of the very words that end the book of Joshua. (I have already read the Judges verses, but note how they parallel Joshua 24.) Joshua 24.28,31: So Joshua sent the people away, every man to his inheritance. Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua and had known all the work that the LORD did for Israel. Judges 2.6-7: When Joshua dismissed the people, the people of Israel went each to his inheritance to take possession of the land. And the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great work that the LORD had done for Israel. Samuel reminds us that the problems we are hearing about are not due to Gods unfaithfulness. God does exactly what he promised in Deuteronomy 28. As long as Israel remembered the Lord and served him only, they drove out their enemies and took possession of the land. But (as we will see) Israel soon forgot God and his mighty works. So God wants us to remember his goodness, his great works of redemption and his favor.

110 I went to seminary in Jackson, and while there I worked at a PCA church which partnered with a inner-city, mostly black congregation. We lived and modeled the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace by working together on mercy projects and evangelism ministry, as well as having joint worship services. The folks at New Horizon Baptist Church taught me something interesting about evangelism. Like us, they had trained with Evangelism Explosion, but they had tweaked it for their needs. When they went out they always asked this question: Has God been good to you? In the inner city, in places of poverty and crime, in good times and bad, virtually everyone said, Yes, God has been good to me. The New Horizons Evangelism Teams asked that question to bring to the surface a remembrance of Gods goodness. Samuel does something similar. God would have us do the same. Has not God been good to us? Do we not have the Word of life in our laps? Do we not know freedoms and wealth sufficient for our every need? Have we not know joys and friendships and family loves which thrill our hearts? Do we not have here, at The Church of the Covenant, a solid foundation upon which to build a healthy and dynamic church that is a light for Forest Park and Fairfield? Have we not felt through Whiz Kids and Angel Tree and the ministry of the deacons the privilege of serving others in the name of Jesus? Psalm 77.11: I will remember the deeds of the LORD. Psalm 105.5: Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered. Psalm 143.5: I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands. This is but a sample of three from the worship songs of Gods people remembering the goodness of God is the first step to deliverance from a cycle of defeat, and for being prepared for the turning points we will encounter this year. 2. We Must Raise a Knowing Generation (Judges 2.8-10) Joshu dies, and also all the people who had personally seen Gods glorious provisions. Then these sad words: there arose another generation, who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done. Here is an often repeated curse: the new generation tries to live off the successes of the former. Instead of knowing God and experiencing his great works personally, our children man know about God, having only heard the stories. Samuel Ridout (Commentary, 43): How easy it is for the second generation of any movement to have truth in the head, but not in the heart. You have all these truths on your bookshelves. You can buy them for a few dollars, but it is one thing to pay for a thing out of your pocket, and another thing to pay for it out of your soul. It is one thing to get it into your head, and another to get it into your heart. And it was one thing for Joshua, and the elders, men of living personal faith, to take hold of things, and quite another for the generation that followed them to do the same thing. It is good for us to have heroes from the churchs past. But some of us may be living in the past, so that, rather than passing on a living faith, we only speak of those who are dead. Each generation must enter its own living experience of Christ. Passing on the faith is not simply teaching our kids about God or telling them the words of the confession. Discipling

111 requires that we walk with others as they practice the faith. Not only bringing your children to worship, but make sure they are preparing for it and fully participating. Not only saying that we should do evangelism, but standing beside your kids as they present the gospel to a friend their own age. Not only teaching your kids what the Bible says, but helping them prepare and present Bible lessons to the whole family. Not only praying for and with your children, but having them pray for you and your needs. Not only bringing food for the city gospel mission, but allowing your kids to buy some groceries out of their own money, contributing to the needs of the poor. When I read this, my question was: Why is this verse in the Bible? It is not simply so that we can criticize Israel of old, but so that we will be proactive and intentional in giving the next generation a personal and real experience of Gods grace. It is good for us to know our history we should know and speak of how God worked at the time of the Reformation. But raising a knowing generation requires that they known how God has worked in their lives too. 3. We Can Be Rescued from a Cycle of a Graceless Religion (Judges 2.11-3.6) Judges 2.11-3.6 is a theological summary of what happens through the rest of the book. Bible students call it the cycle of the Judges, a repeating pattern of: disobedience, defeat, distress and deliverance. Once you see the pattern, reading Judges is something like seeing again a play where every time you get to a certain part, even though you know what will happen, you say, Please do not do it this time! Juliet visits the Friar and he offers her a drug which will put her into a death-like coma for two and forty hours. A message is sent to inform Romeo so he can rejoin her when she awakens. On the night before the wedding, she takes the drug and, when discovered apparently dead, she is laid in the family crypt. The messenger, however, does not reach Romeo. So when he seeks his beloved Juliet, apparently dead, he drinks poison. Every time I see the play I want to grab Romeo and say, Wait, she is only asleep. The cycle of Judges begins with disobedience: a people who forget God fall quickly into sin. God therefore allows their enemies to defeat them, bringing great distress. So they cry out for help, and God graciously delivers. Then they forget again, and we say, No, not this time, Israel, trust the Lord. Now clearly, it is a gracious work of God to rescue again and again his people. Each Judge is a Savior and deliverer, undeserved and unmerited. Judges tells the story of how God rescues the undeserving. Yet when the leader is done, they fall back into our old ways, they again take the poison of disobedience and die. We need a Judge who lives forever, one with no flaws or failings, one who saves eternally. The New Testament tells us that Judge is Jesus. God sent his son to be the judge of all the world. He judges with righteousness; he rules with wisdom; he delivers faithfully. Each of us is in the cycle. We all have failures; we all experience divine discipline; we all know the misery of disobedience. The difference is that there is now a judge who rescues his people

112 from the cycle. As we look forward to the new year, many people are afraid that our nation (even our world?) is entering a downward cycle like happened during the time of the Judges a time of disobedience that will end in defeat for our nation, like what Carl Henry called The Twilight of a Great Civilization. Maybe we are; I certainly do not know. What I do know is this: we cannot solve the nations problems on our own. We can do this: we can make a commitment as a people, individually and as a church, to be a people in 2009, who remember Gods goodness, who personally experience Gods grace, who disciple a new generation in the knowledge of God and the works that he has done, and who cry out for Gods help and favor. Then when our turning point arrives, we will be a light and hope for all people. You think about that.

113

A New Day to Begin Life by Freddy Fritz

John 1:1-1:18 Scripture The Advent and Christmas season focus on the coming and birth of Jesus Christ. We read and sing about the baby Jesus, angels, shepherds, infancy stories, and wise men. It is all marvelous stuff, but what does it really mean? Todays Scripture text for the sermon explains it. John 1:1-18 is one of the most magnificent pieces of literature ever written. John 1:1-18 is often called the prologue, and it is. It is an introduction to the entire Gospel of John. But John 1:1-18 is also like an overture, in the sense that it introduces some key themes and words which John will use over and over in the course of his Gospel. And yet, like many musical overtures, it also stands alone in its own right, and is heard on many different occasions. Let us read John 1:1-18: 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. 9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, This was he of whom I said, He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me. ) 16 And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Fathers side, he has made him known. (John 1:118) Introduction Do you like sunrises? Early risers who see the rising of the sun see great beauty as darkness turns to light. Sunrises are glorious reminders that God has given us a new day to begin life. Sunrises speak to us about a new beginning with potential, possibility, and a positive future. We can never undo the previous days actions and happenings. Unlike filming for a scene in a movie, we dont have the opportunity to have two, three, four, or a dozen re-takes in order to get it right. We must move into a new day knowing that yesterdays blunders,

114 mistakes, and sins actually took place. But a sunrise is a reminder to us that we can begin each new day with optimism. A sunrise reminds us that it is indeed a new day to begin life, a new day to begin again, a new day to begin afresh. A sunrise reminds us that while we have breath God delights to turn darkness into light. Lesson The Gospel of John states that God has sent the Word to us in Jesus. In him is the originator of good news about what life can be when we receive it on his terms. I. The Beginning of Life Is in the Word (1:1-5) First, the beginning of life is in the Word. John says in John 1:1-5, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Have you ever tried to give directions to someone who speaks another language? It can be very frustrating for both parties. In an episode of I Love Lucy, Lucy tells Ricky she wont let him talk to their baby until little Ricky is 25 because big Ricky will have the poor kid confused with his mixed-up Spanish and English. The Apostle John was having a rough time communicating to his readers just who Jesus. He bridges the Greek and Jewish worlds with his concept of the Word. In essence, John tells them that if they want to see God, then they need to look to Jesus. Now, John could not have been any clearer than he was in this passage. He is saying, as clearly as he can, that Jesus is God. If you have ever talked at some length with a Jehovahs Witness, at some point you will come to this passage. Jehovahs Witnesses claim that the phrase, the Word was God (1:1), merely identifies Jesus as a god rather than identifying Jesus as God, because the Greek word for God, Theos, is not preceded by a definite article. However, in Greek grammar, Colwells Rule indicates that the translation of a god is not required, for lack of an article does not necessarily indicate indefiniteness (a god) but rather specifies that a given term (God) is the predicate nominative of a definite subject (the Word). This means that the context must determine the meaning of Theos here, and the context clearly indicates that this God that John is talking about (the Word) is the one true God who created all things. Furthermore, if one were to use the Jehovahs Witness principle of saying that when God appears without a definite article it should be translated as a god, then we should do the same in verses 6, 12, 13, and 18. However, in each of those verses, they correctly translate the passage as God. Clearly, as I mentioned, John is saying that Jesus is God. And John wants us to know that the beginning of life is in the Word. II. The Beginning of Life Is in Radiant Light (1:4-9) Second, the beginning of life is in radiant light.

115 John says in John 1:4-9, In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. Jesus is the brilliance of the light of God. Johns audience was acquainted with the religion of Zoroastrianism. The followers of this dualistic religion believed there were two opposing powers of the universe, the god of light (Ahriman) and the god of darkness (Ormuzo). The universe was their battle ground in this eternal, cosmic conflict. John understands that the eternal cosmic conflict is occurring. The Creator God, the Father of mankind has sent his eternal Son into the world to be the light that shines in the darkness. When darkness dominates our lives, we stumble and fall because we cannot see the truth, understand love, experience hope or openly share with others. But when the light of the Son of God rushes into our sinful lives, we receive Christ, receive his forgiveness, experience his redemption, and our lives are completely transformed! We can walk confidently into any shadow of life because the light will dispel the shadow. So, the beginning of life is in the Word. And the beginning of life is in radiant light. III. The Beginning of Life Is in Faith (1:7, 10-18) And third, the beginning of life is in faith. John 1:7, 10-18 says, He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. . . . He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, This was he of whom I said, He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.) And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Fathers side, he has made him known. God calls us to respond to the light with faith. We are to believe that Jesus is indeed God, that he was sent by God to save us, and that salvation is found in no one else except in Jesus. Sadly, the people to whom Jesus came, the Jews, for the most part rejected Jesus. They refused to believe that he was the light. They refused to believe that he was God in human form who came to take away their sin. And because they rejected him, they did not enjoy salvation. But, as John so marvelously declares, to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God (1:12-13). William Cowper wrote a number of marvelous hymns. His hymns were not written in a vacuumhis life was haunted by problems. On one occasion he decided to commit suicide by jumping off a bridge.

116 When he got to the bridge, it was crowded with people milling around talking and laughing. Dejectedly, he walked home. He decided to attempt it againat home this time. Going to the attic, he took a piece of rope and tied it to a beam, put the rope around his neck, climbed onto a chair, then kicked the chair awayonly to have the rope break! He failed again. Again he tried to take his own life. This time he entered his study and took down an old sword hanging on the wall. He held it to his chest and fell on it. One would think this would have killed him; but no, the point nicked his rib and broke off! Again he survived. Later in the evening he wrote, I was suddenly overwhelmed by Gods presence and love. I fell on my knees and cried out, Oh Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner. Save my immortal soul. He wrote that he felt a surge of new life and hope as his faith soared to God. He said he was a new person! Cowpers lifejust like our livesbegins in faith in the living God through Christ! Later, Cowper wrote God Moves in a Mysterious Way: God moves in a mysterious way his wonders to perform; he plants his foot-steps in the sea and rides upon the storm. Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, but trust him for his grace; behind a frowning providence faith sees a smiling face. Come to the light of a new yearand face it with the light of Christ! Conclusion May God grant us a new day to begin life in the Word, in radiant light, and in faith. Amen.

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A New Year - a New Start! by Michael B. Perrott

Mark 1:4-1:11 Mark 1:4-11 A New Year a New Start So, here we are at the start of a New Year! Its mind-boggling to think that it is now more than 2000 years since the birth of Jesus Immanuel (God-With-Us) there in Bethlehem; more than 2000 years have passed since the visit of the of the shepherds, and over 2000 years since the long journey of the Magi, who travelled all that way from the East. Last Tuesday we celebrated Epiphany - the travelling, and the visit, of the Magi to the baby Jesus. I have to admit that I am still reflecting upon that journey and visit, even though we are in the second weekend of the New Year now! Its just such an amazing story, made in such faith and trust! Epiphany means appearance or showing, and by it we remember how Gods promise of renewed hope and light for the world was revealed to ALL people in the world. For we remember that the Magi were not of the Jewish faith, but of (it is thought) a Persian mystic tradition which placed great importance on reading the signs in the skies, to tell them about important events to come. So it is that Matthews Gospel (2:1-11) tells us how the Magi from the East had seen that special star in the night skies, and how they interpreted this to be a sign heralding an event of great importance for all people, for all time to come. A star they felt they had to follow as it travelled westward in the skies, so they could find out what the nature of this event would be. For they knew the star announced the birth of a New King, and that his coming would mean great change (perhaps upheavals) in the lives of a great many people. What sort of world did these mysterious travellers find as they journeyed through Judea, and set foot in the little Town of Bethlehem, where the star seemed to rest? On their way they had paid a visit to the royal palace, as they had assumed (as we might have too!) that the new king would be born there. But instead they found King Herod, who was so jealous in guarding his position and status, and was so suspicious of the motives of others including those closest to him that he trusted no-one. Indeed, he had had two of his own sons executed because he thought they would try to usurp his power and crown. Herod listened very carefully to the Magi as they shared their insight and news with him. He seemed very interested too, and wanted the travellers to return to him to tell him the precise location of the New Kings birth, so he too could go and pay homage or so he said! Overall, the world of the West that the Magi found was badly in need of change. The people of God were living under the oppression of the Roman Empire, and many of the kings of Judea (like Herod) were power-crazy politicians who looked to their own welfare, over and above that of the people. They were corrupt servants, not of God, but of Rome. The people, on the other hand, were generally poor and getting poorer. They were becoming very influenced by the materialism that the pagan lifestyle of Rome offered, and many were becoming indifferent to the true faith of Judaism. There were wars and rumours of wars; there were radicalised, revolutionary groups who sought to further their own ends by the use of violence and terror; many people became innocent victims to the inhumanity of others. Land had been, and was continuing to be, robbed from the people by the more powerful oppressor. Certainly, their time was in need of great change they needed a new spirit of hope, justice and peace in their lives.

118 For the Magi, the star in the sky was a sign indicating the possibility of such change. A New King who would bring peace with justice, new hope and renewed faith into the lives of His people. And when they found the new-born child, there in the manger, they offered him their gifts: gold (indicating his royal status); frankincense (indicating the power he would receive through prayer), and myrrh (the gift of bitter, extremely long-lasting perfume, indicating the eternal reign that would be His). Yes, there in that humble dwelling lay the New King who would make possible such great change in the hearts of people, from that time onwards. The birth of the Holy One of God, news of which would spread from Bethlehem that day, and continue to the corners of the world, beginning with the Magi from the east as they secretly went on their way and began their long journey home. So, for us today, perhaps we can relate to the world as it was found by the Magi, that eventful day. As we look at our world, we see examples of the same corruption, the same self-seeking, power-crazed individuals and governments. We see the same violence and oppression perpetrated by one people against another. We have met with wars, and heard of rumours of wars, in our own time. Some things do not change, it seems. Yet change is what is needed now as in the time of Jesus birth. And change is what we have the chance of this New Year. A new sense of the spirit of hope; of peace with justice, of renewed compassion and love, towards all people. God was, and continues to be, revealed in the life and teaching of Jesus, the Word-made-Flesh, and through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in our lives. This we see in our verses from Marks Gospel. Some 30 years after his birth, Jesus is baptised by John, and the Holy Spirit is SEEN to be active and working in his life. The Voice of God is heard to speak of pleasure and love in Jesus and the renewal made possible for us through Jesus baptism (repentance speaking of change of heart, of life direction). Gods Holy Spirit is still there here amongst us to show us the ways of God, the ways of change-for-the-better. If only we would be open to the Holy Spirits inspiration and listen! For being open to the Holy Spirits inspiration means we need to repent. Like in Johns baptism, our (and the worlds) old life needs to be washed away, and change brought about in-line with the will and purpose of God and our commitment in faith to see it happen! You know, I remember that at the eve and dawning of the new Millennium, Christians and people of other world faiths joined together in the spirit of such faith as the Millennium Resolution was recited: Let there be respect for the earth, Peace for its people, Love in our lives, Delight in the good, Forgiveness for past wrongs and, from now on, A new start. Here lays, in faith, the possibility of real change, and a new start. A new desire for peace with justice, forgiveness, and love for all people is revealed as the will and desire of God for us and all people today. Just as the love of God was revealed to the Magi (and hence to the whole world) over 2000 years ago through the birth of Jesus, Gods will and purpose continues to be revealed to us if we would but repent and be open to Gods Holy Spirit. It is a matter of sadness that the Millennium Resolution still needs so badly to be heard and acted upon - today. What will we do about it! Amen.