Nominalism

Nominalism: I think what happens to most people is they begin to believe that religion and the gospel is the same thing so they start equating spiritualistic actions with a regenerated heart. And i think they've got it backwards...you don't do these set of actions in order to gain the favor of God, you are truly regenerated, gospel-enveloped and the understanding of who you are in Christ translates into how you live your life. I'm so convinced now that the reason why we don't see movement within the church is because of a terrifying fact - no regeneration. There's a lot of folk who have said a "prayer" but have no heart that has been penetrated by the gospel. How do i know that? Because biblically and historically, people who have an encounter with the gospel cannot live a nominal life. Those who have "accepted Christ" in fear of hell suppress the torment of hell but in reality that is only a topical medication that never really got to the root of the problem. As Matt Chandler says, "Heaven isn't for those who are afraid of hell, heaven is a place for those who love God". And the great theologians of history have understood the slow process of santification comes with some objective evidences - a sorrow over sin, a constant need of Jesus to reign, a love of his word, transformed heart that leads to a different worldview and the actions that follow...I've come to fear and be terrified with the verses that continue to say "broad is the path to destruction and many find it but narrow is the path to life and few find it" and "there will be many on that day that will come to me and say 'lord, lord..." and i [Jesus] will say 'depart from me for i do not know you'". But it's so easy to get wrapped up in religiousity...doing what is supposed to be done and not doing what you're not supposed to do. But in the end, living the nominalistic lifestyle doesn't bring about any more life! in fact it's the worst way to go out because you can't enjoy blatant sin nor could you enjoy the fullness of life. So where do you go from here? I think you seriously need to sit down and really do some soul searching - "am i really full-on saved by the gospel? or do i just know a checklist of religion? Do i really know the savior or do i just know about him?" I think scripture has it everywhere...the man who finds a pearl in a field and sells everything and buys the field...or the disciples that leave everything behind and follows after Jesus. Or...you can shut off your soul to this - not think, numb your mind and soul even if it shouts out to you...you can make your excuses - "i'll just wait till later to make a decisions...let me do this or that first and then i'll commit". I tell you it's not because Jesus wants to supress your life but because when you fall at his feet and admit that you can't, surrender your life to him he promises that his way of life is far greater, far more rewarding, far more satisfying than anything else. Nomalism will just drive you into the ground...in the end, it doesn't help anyone.

1 Chronicles 21:1-17

Introduction: Back in elementary school my parents enrolled me in this Friday night event called “Awana”. It was church event for kids and all they did was did like a lesson time, games, and snacks. And honestly, I don’t remember much other than the games we played and I think one of the reasons for that is because at the end of every year we would have some sort of Olympic-type competition. And I would look forward to that single moment in time where I would just let my frail little body shine for all the world to see. And I guess that’s one of my biggest problems…the one of pride. I mean, no matter what it is, I have to dominate in it…So if you challenge me to like a taco eating contest…I’m going to prep for it, train myself, just to destroy you in tacos. It’s a pride thing. So this one Olympic competition was the highlight of all events, it showed who is the greatest. And in years past, the 5^th graders would always claim the gold; which makes sense because they’re the biggest and stuff. So times comes for us to compete and my friends and I are all pumped for it. Event number 1 – dodgeball, no problem; Event number 2- team games…got it in the bag…and then event 3 – races. Our grade wins 2 of the 5 and it puts us tied with the 4^th graders. And that’s just like drama city. It would be the biggest upset ever. So for the tie-breaker the race is a long-distance race and my team elects one of the younger 5^th graders…and I go “Uh…let me takes this one, I’m older…I’m faster…don’t worry, I got it”. And my team says to me “Yeah, but look…it’s just a game, and plus Mike hasn’t even gone yet today”. “No, I think I should go…trust me” I say. The race starts and I just flew out of the starting line…I keep my head down the whole time so I know where I’m going. And I’m just like flying out there…and surely I was way ahead of the crowd. But it was a long-distance race right? So I remember thinking after 3 laps “you’re going to win and be famous forever Justin!” So I continue to keep my head down and just run…and as I pass the finish line I throw up my arms and yell “I am the greatest!” Little did I know…while I had my head down all the other grades had lapped me in the race. Actually everyone was watching me finish last and my team just starred at me.

Pride huh? I think some times God has to humble us to the point of where it hurts in order for us to put to rest our pride. And the crazy thing is that no one is immune to getting prideful. Not me, not you, not Kobe Bryant, not Moses, not even the man after God’s own heart.

And sometimes…pride can carry along with it devastating effects, not just on us…but on those around us. There’s a story in 1 Chronicles that I want you to look at with me that if we can pay attention and heed its warning and adhere to its advice, perhaps we might be saved.

Background: Now we have to set up some background information before we get started. As far as the Bible and the nation of Israel is concerned, we’re pretty far into history by the time we get to our story. Our main character is David, and if you don’t remember who he is…David was chosen by God to be Israel’s king and leader. He was the one who took out Goliath, he was the one who succeeded King Saul, and he was the one who ascended to the throne. But at the time when David was King, if you remember God had promised him that someone who always be on the throne if they obeyed God. So David put on this massive campaign throughout the Promised Land to take out the other nations. And if you read the accounts of his life, David does fairly well…God tells him, “Alright, take your army and go wipe out this nation” and he does…and adios friends…Israel takes out another one. And sooner or later it becomes obvious who is going to win at these wars…it’s like “Oh man…here comes the Israelites again with their Lord” and it’s funny because you read the accounts and people know this and try to join up with them just so they’re not wiped out. Well…sooner or later, David’s army becomes this colossal beast. He has charioteers, he has foot soldiers, if there were guns…he would have those too. But when someone starts to get big…I mean, they start to really flourish and succeed in a way where everyone takes notice, it usually gets to their head or they get prideful…and they do stupid things. Does this happen to everyone? Does pride affect everyone?...even kings?

Pride comes before destruction (Proverbs 16:8)

1 Chronicles 21:1-2: Now Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel. ² So David said to Joab and to the leaders of the people, "Go, number Israel from Beersheba to Dan, and bring the number of them to me that I may know it."

David must have an idea of how big and mighty his army and renown is getting. Nations fear him and he’s winning battles left and right. It’s sort of like coming into the Olympics with the Dream Team in 1992 and you just know that you’re going to dominate. David feels it and it says that he was moved to number Israel. However, we need to address the fact that the author said that “Satan stood up against Israel”. While Satan can’t force people to sin, he can surely tempt, seduce, and allure them. He plays to David’s pride and he says, “Hey…that’s a pretty nice army you have, how big is it again?” What you and I have to remember is that back in Exodus 30 God speaks about taking censuses. The principle behind Exodus 30 was speaking about God’s ownership of His people and when a man counted, he should only be counting what belonged to him.

Many times today we don’t think twice about this principle…while it seems like an arbitrary rule, God understands the motive of the heart better than you and I can. And tell me every person doesn’t wrestle with this problem. “Look at my house, look at my success, look at how well my kids are doing…do you see that car outside? Yeah…that’s mine!” We want people to notice us, we want people to give us compliments…at the depth of our soul, our pride craves attention. “It’s about me…and how great I am”. David doesn’t even think twice and says to his commander “Hey Jo! Tell me how massive my army is”.

Pride and Arrogance are two people with bad hearing (Proverbs 21:24)

1 Chronicles 21:3-7: ³ And Joab answered, "May the LORD make His people a hundred times more than they are. But, my lord the king, are they not all my lord's servants? Why then does my lord require this thing? Why should he be a cause of guilt in Israel?" ⁴ Nevertheless the king's word prevailed against Joab. Therefore Joab departed and went throughout all Israel and came to Jerusalem. ⁵ Then Joab gave the sum of the number of the people to David. All Israel had one million one hundred thousand men who drew the sword, and Judah had four hundred and seventy thousand men who drew the sword. ⁶ But he did not count Levi and Benjamin among them, for the king's word was abominable to Joab. ⁷ And God was displeased with this thing; therefore He struck Israel.

So the story continues to build in anticipation. We, as readers and listeners, see the next scene unfold. David’s general, Joab, goes to him and says “Hey…I know that your army is great and mighty, but aren’t you forgetting something kind of important?” See Joab knows better and tries to warn his king that this perhaps isn’t the wisest action to take. If you look at his last question, “Why should he be a cause of guilt in Israel?” Joab knows that this isn’t just a simple command that is to be carried out, but this is going to have consequences. He warns him “Are you sure you want to do this?’ But pride and arrogance doesn’t allow David to hear even when one of his closest friends is telling him. It says in verse 4 “nevertheless the king’s word prevailed against Joab”. The author of Chronicles actually puts an ironic negative spin on this word “prevailed”. This word is defined “to be strong” and every time he uses it it is in the context of “Be strong and courageous” just when Israel is about to defeat another nation. But David’s words, the word of the king over rules Joab’s warning and he plugs his ears and “prevails” over it.

Have you ever been in the situation where you or someone you know has gotten to that place where they’re blinded by their own pride? And you go up to them and say “Hey…you might want to consider this, or changing that because I think you’re headed in the wrong direction” but they fire back “Don’t worry about it, I know what I’m doing…I’ve done this before” or they try to pull rank on you? Are you in the position where you don’t take people’s advice or suggestions any more? That’s pride and arrogance plugging up your ears. Pride says “I know what is best, I don’t need to listen to anyone else…or I’m going to listen to them, but in the end, I know what I need to do” and we don’t sit back and evaluate if there might be any truth in what they are saying. It is a dangerous place to be in when we disregard wisdom…

Pride always wears his guilty backpack on his shoulders (Psalms 109:7)

1 Chronicles 21:8 So David said to God, "I have sinned greatly, because I have done this thing; but now, I pray, take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have done very foolishly."

The story continues with David finally being crushed by the weight of his sin. He finished counting his people and laying in bed terror grips him…”Why did I do that? Not only did I sin against my people and brought calamity upon them…but against a Holy God”. And the weight and the guilt and just knowing that he stands in front of a just God all come to David’s mind. And when you and I have the fog of pride lifted up from us and are finally exposed what will we do? You’re finally told that you’re not big enough to handle your marriage…all of your resources are stripped from you…now what? David’s pride is shattered and runs crying back to God.

And what does God do? Does he forgive him? Psalms 51 tells us that the broken and contrite he does not despise. And in Hebrews 8 we know that Jesus died on the cross for us so that we always have a place to go…and we can always come running back to God. But like a loving Father, God punishes those he loves.

Pride invites his cousin Consequence over

1 Chronicles 21:9-14 ⁹ And the LORD spoke to Gad, David's seer, saying, ¹⁰ "Go and tell David, saying, 'Thus says the LORD: "I offer you three things; choose one of them for yourself, that I may do it to you." ' " ¹¹ So Gad came to David and said to him, "Thus says the LORD: 'Choose for yourself, ¹² 'either three years of famine, or three months to be defeated by your foes with the sword of your enemies overtaking you, or else for three days the sword of the LORD -- the plague in the land, with the angel of the LORD destroying throughout all the territory of Israel.' Now consider what answer I should take back to Him who sent me." ¹³ And David said to Gad, "I am in great distress. Please let me fall into the hand of the LORD, for His mercies are very great; but do not let me fall into the hand of man." ¹⁴ So the LORD sent a plague upon Israel, and seventy thousand men of Israel fell.

God sends David a message and tells him “Bad news…you’re either going to have 1) 3 years of famine; 2) 3 months of your enemies hunting you; or 3 days of plague…but the good news is that you get to choose one”. But look closely at this passage…he says in verse 11 “Choose for yourself”. The first two options are implied that David is going to suffer these consequences…and the third the author adds “the plague in the land…all the territory of Israel”. 3 years of famine would mean that Israel would be dependent on other countries to provide for them. 3 months of their enemies overtaking you would seem counterproductive to his whole military campaign. But David chooses what seems to be the quick fix…3 days of the plague.

Pride doesn’t just affect us and our well being…but it is like a mist that engulfs everyone around us. Our personal decisions affect those around us. David’s position as the king of a nation led to 70,000 deaths. It is a scary thing to think about isn’t it? That our decisions as leaders could cause such large repercussions? But the story continues…

God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6)

1 Chronicles 21:15-17 ¹⁵ And God sent an angel to Jerusalem to destroy it. As he was destroying, the LORD looked and relented of the disaster, and said to the angel who was destroying, "It is enough; now restrain your hand." And the angel of the LORD stood by the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. ¹⁶ Then David lifted his eyes and saw the angel of the LORD standing between earth and heaven, having in his hand a drawn sword stretched out over Jerusalem. So David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell on their faces. ¹⁷ And David said to God, "Was it not I who commanded the people to be numbered? I am the one who has sinned and done evil indeed; but these sheep, what have they done? Let Your hand, I pray, O LORD my God, be against me and my father's house, but not against Your people that they should be plagued."

So as God was exercising his punishment over the nation of Israel for David’s sin…something in the heart of God was moved and he says to his angel “stop…no more”. But we see as readers that David doesn’t know that the punishment is over. He looks up and sees the angel of the Lord about to continue his destruction and at that moment, his pride is stripped away and he and his elders fall to the floor with their faces. And finally, David finally takes full responsibility for his action…”I am the one who has sinned…but these sheep, what have they done?” Unfortunately, it takes David guilt, punishment, and death before he finally understands that pride is a stifling evil.

Romans 12:9-13

I love hanging out with these guys because no matter how much we might be we’re not…you know what I’m talking about? Like even though we all might be yellow…we all have our own personalities, we have our own backgrounds…like some of us came from these really good homes were Jesus was preached and the scriptures were read, but some of us came from really dysfunctional families, and some of us went to ivy leagues and some of us never made it beyond high school…and it got me thinking…isn’t this the church? Like if you look around…ok, maybe we might look the same but we all come from different parts right? And the gospel still captures the same and differently. But I soon realized that ok…well this is church then. It’s all of us…but how are we suppose to act? The passage today talks about that…it talks about us, as a body of believers, how we’re supposed to act, how we’re not suppose to act…and what a church looks like.

Love must be sincere

So here we go…this is the first part of this huge, weighty text. This is the key and the foundation for the rest of the passage. Let love be sincere. Well right when we look at it we say “ok…love has to be sincere…um, it has to be real (not fake)” Yeah you can do that but there’s another way you can interrupt this passage in the Greek that says the same thing but carries a little bit more umph behind it. NIV says “love must be sincere”…it can also be translated “let love be without hypocrisy”. And this word “hypocrisy” literally means “without play-acting”. Typically the textbook definition to this word is what? Saying one thing and doing another right? Yeah…but it’s more than that. So in everyday language we’ll define it as this – hypocrisy is pretending to be or act in a manner that is not really how things are.

If we are to live in deep community with one another you and I cannot live in hypocrisy. So hypocrisy is that moment when we walk into the church world and put on the “Christian self”. Do you know what I’m saying? Like we pretend that we’re walking intimately with Jesus, we have this deep connection with him when that’s not the case. So we get around our church group, or we come to some kind of Friday night church activity and despite the fact that our week was horrendous…we pull this 180 and all of the sudden we’re “oh, hey brother…how

are you doing? Oh, I’m fine…how’s life? It’s beautiful…I love Jesus”. And the reality of it all is that life is anything but…like it’s been forever since we’ve really felt near to God, and our children are spinning out of control…and our sins are just owning us in the face. But we still play this church game huh? Yeah…it’s tough huh? Paul goes “yeah…the church cannot be this place…it can’t.”

If we were to be honest, this is totally the game we play right? I mean from day one we’ve learn how to say the right church words, we know how to put on the correct church clothes, and play it off like we have it all together. But deep down inside we know that it’s so far from that. But you wanna know why this is hard? Why this phrase “love must be sincere” is first? It’s because it grates against everything we’ve been told – that you can handle it, you can fix it, don’t show your weakness. And culture tells us “no! don’t expose yourself…” And it’s hard because we have this thing called “pride” right? And especially for guys because I am one of them…I don’t know about you but I have this horrendous pride issue. And you tell me this isn’t the conversations with most guys…”hey, what’d you do this weekend mike?” “went fishing…caught a trout” “what’d you do?” “oh, I went fishing too” “yeah?” “yeah” “get anything?” “yeah…caught me a shark. I mean, I use to catch trout when I was like 3 but whatever.” And pride is why we have such a hard time confessing who we really are. Because we don’t want people to know who we really are. And this…if it’s carried out becomes really really really dangerous. Because what will happen is that when you start pretending that everything is good and fine when it’s really not…is that you’ll numb and silence those voices and put on that fake you. And in order to hide who they are and their weaknesses and their sins…they point out everything that is wrong with other people and they don’t deal with their own junk. Beware of those who always have an enemy. And so we don’t want people to know our marriage is failing, that we don’t know how to read the bible despite the fact we’ve been coming to church for 30 years…So scriptures tells us that in order to walk in genuine community, in order to walk in deep life…you and I cannot pretend. Let love be without hypocrisy. The church has to be a safe place…it has to be a place where it is ok to not be ok. It has to be a place where we can come in and say “dear God someone help me because I don’t know what’s going on in my life”. It has to be a place where we can go “my sin is completely owning me right now and I can’t shake it…help me, please teach me”

So where do you go from here huh? He’s going to say something next that taken outside its context it can be horribly mispreached.

Hate what is evil; cling to what is good

So we ask ourselves…why is this phrase here? Is this saying just hate anything that’s evil? And whatever is good (like candy or fudge) cling to that? Well…read in context he’s going “within the body of the church…there are things that can kill us; there are things that can destroy our unity…beware of such things. I live in the apartments at seminary and most of the complexes are two-ones and I wanna say that a lot of families live there. So in my complex there are several Korean families. And there’s this one family with two little boys…it’s funny because they can’t really speak English so they just assume all Asians are Korean so they just speak to me in Korean and all I can say is “hi”. But they’re usually out playing on the lawn or whatever and one day they were playing and one of the little ones looses his toys into the street and takes off running after it. And I’m just passing them by on my way to my room upstairs when I see this…and in my mind going “I wonder where the parents are”. But out of the corner of my eye I see this car come around the curb and it’s coming down this street. So I drop my stuff and both the mom and I fly toward the child. The car eventually turned but still that really doesn’t matter right? I mean regardless of who you are if you see someone who is in immediate danger you’re going to do what you can and save them. Just like how it would be completely twisted to just watch the kid run into the street and go “well I am holding a lot of stuff and well I don’t want to really break a sweat today…I “hope” that car doesn’t hit them or I “hope” that kid jumps out of the way…in the same way if we see a brother or a sister in danger and just hope for the best how wicked would that be? No…hate what is evil. If you see a brother in trouble you go “dude…c’mon don’t you know the path you’re walking on is leading toward destruction? Get away from that…it’s going to end up bad for you…how can I help you? Do you want me to walk with you until we get over this? And the absolute truth about this is that how in the world are we ever going to know who’s in trouble if we’re not honest about it? When we see someone in trouble we loving call them out on it. You should love enough…and take those we know who are openly walking in sin or getting dangerously close to it and take them to coffee and go “how can I help you?” hate what is evil…and on the flip side cling to what is good. Find the things that can build up your brother or sister and share in that. Like there are some things in my life that if I’m around it or doing it I feel drawn to God. Like eating a good, long meal with friends…because one point in that dinner I’ll just sit back and go “there’s something holy about this moment”. And that’s me…so I seek those out. We eat a lot. And so let’s be honest with one another…let’s not pretend to be someone we’re not…and if we see a brother in danger, let’s love them enough to call them out so they don’t die…and let’s find things that draw us towards God and do them often.

And then Paul goes…but do this in a way where it builds up the body and not because you have to.

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourself.

This idea builds off the previous phrase…these things we do, it’s because you’re family. This word “brotherly love” is translated from the Greek as “Philadelphia” – literally means “sense of love for a blood brother/sister”. When we stop playing this church game and we finally realize that we’re all apart of the same family…if that’s the case, then I am violently for you good. This is how the church operated from day one remember? Turn real quick to Acts 2:42-47. They’re at this place where they do live so intimately that when someone needed a couch because theirs fell apart another person sold their car to buy them a couch. It’s this community where “I am for you and you are for me”.

But let’s be honest here…I think I can do this with some people in this church…but everyone? And surely you can’t argue this point right? I mean…there’s just some people whose personality just doesn’t jive with yours. In fact every time you get around them you kind of want to punch them in the eye. But Paul feels this argument coming on and goes…

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

He goes “yeah, remember what I said about them being your family? That’s who they are…remember that you’re no better than they are because you were at once horrible sinners too. You guys are in this together.” And he tells the church “ok…I know this is hard, I know being honest is hard…that confronting someone doesn’t feel good…and there will be people who grate against you…but press on”. Why? Why does Paul go “never be lacking in zeal but keep your spiritual fervor”? Because he knows that this stuff doesn’t happen all at once. Marriage is the perfect example of this. Right? What marriage doesn’t take work? It takes time, money, energy, and thousand cups of coffee…the things that are truly valuable in our life takes time, energy, and effort. This community you’re seeking…if you want to operate in a way where Christ is exalted in your church, you’re going to have to work at it because this doesn’t happen all at once. And he adds this at the end of this phrase “serving the Lord”. As to remind us…”yeah…you’re doing this as to serve the Lord…not yourself”.

Then Paul goes“not only is this going to take time but there are going to be some hard days…”

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.

He’s going to do this…you guys, you’re going to experience three things out of this journey: one is hope, one is affliction, and one is prayer. I found it interested that Paul says we’re to be joyful in hope…I had always thought that you’re already happy when you hope for something. Paul is going we “hope” because we don’t have it yet. Like if you’re hoping to be married, you’re currently not. Secondly, he says stay patient in affliction. This goes contrary to what a lot of people tell you nowadays. Paul goes…this stuff is coming for you. The weather is not always going to be cool and sunny…sometimes it’ll get to be about 130 in April. Yeah…and this community that you’re fighting for…it’s going to take work. Be joyful…be patient, and be faithful in praying for it. And when all is said and done…

Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Paul lists two groups here in this last part of the verse…those inside the church and those who are strangers. This is what we already talked about before…Acts 2. There are those in your midst that truly do need your help. But he also goes…”yeah, but don’t forget that what you have is given to you by God so let’s use that to push back the darkness”. And again he pleads with you…you know what you need to do…so do it. James 2:14-17.

I love how he adds this last part in here…hospitality. It’s actually the biblical art of doing dinner. I say “art” because for most of us dinner is shoving a big mac in our faces while we drive to wherever. But if you read in the bible, dinner is this sacred thing where people all gather…and they eat good food, and drink good non-alcoholic wine, and they talk about what Jesus has been doing in their lives. That’s why in Rev. 19:9 it talks about the wedding supper of the lamb…and I can just sorta picture it. It’s this huge banquet room and we’re all gathered around this gigantic table and there’s Kirby queso (because this is how I picture it), and corned beef hash, and don juans, and soup dumplings…and we’re going to sit and eat and tell of the stories of our great God and king. And one by one the stories will start flowing…so like Moses will get up and tell his deal about the Israelites and how God did all these miracles…and then David will get up and then Peter…and down the line – Luther, Calvin, Bunyun, Billy…and then everyone gets quiet and turns our way…and now it’s our turn to tell our story.

So what’s your story huh? How did you live your life? Did just sit back and just play the game? When you saw your brother in trouble…did you help them? Did you realize that those who you were fighting with were in fact your own blood? Did you give up? Did you press on when unity couldn’t be found? Did you use what God gave you to push back the darkness? Were you really acting like a church.

Matthew 5:13-16

Howdy doody buckeroos…we are not going long this morning I promise. So let’s just pretend that I gave you this outstanding introduction and how about we just get into the message huh? Alright…if you have your bibles, turn with me to Matthew 5:13. Actually, before we even get to our passage I need you to look with me at the context. One of the things I always tell my youth back at Arlington Chinese Church is you gotta look at the context. So here we go…if you look at chapter 4 we get a glimpse of who Jesus is talking to and what he’s doing. In verse 18 we’re introduced to his disciples and in 23, Matthew (the author) lets us in on what’s going on. So what’s going on here? Well he’s teaching, preaching, healing every disease and sickness, sending demons out of people and bam! A huge crowd starts following him. And why wouldn’t they right? I know you would be following him too…but he sees that it’s getting kinda overwhelming and in chapter 5 he withdraws and pulls in his inner circle and starts teaching them. So this is the context here…he’s teaching who again? That’s right…the disciples. This is important for you and I because Jesus will peer into eternity and give you and I that same calling…he goes, “hey so-and-so, yeah you…would you like to follow me?”

Alrighty then chapter 5 verse 13. You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good fro anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. We gotta stop here and explain some stuff. I don’t know if you’ve grown up in the church or not…maybe you’ve heard this before and are already tuning me out. But don’t do it just yet…we can’t go too quickly here because Jesus has some pretty important things to say to us. You are the salt of the earth. What in the world does that mean? Historically if you’ve heard this preached…the pastor would explain it like this, “You’re like salt…you’re a flavor additive. So you’re supposed to make people yummy tasting.” Or “You’re salt…salt is a preservative. So you’re supposed to preserve people from evil things”. Are these illustrations correct? Well…yes and no. If you look up the definition of “salt” it’s talking about a seasoning for food or a preservative. But I think there’s more to it than just those attributes. Why? Because look what Jesus does…he asks this rhetorical question But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? I say rhetorical because if you think about it…how can salt be non-salty? Jesus is going salt should function always as salt. So let’s kinda redefine salt. Salt is functioning the way you’re made…it is the spiritual act of being transformed. Here’s an example…you and I are just wandering around in our lives when one day…either at church or at some camp thing or a friend tells us about this Jesus guy. And maybe it wasn’t your first time hearing it…maybe it was like #92582 but at that moment something in you changes. You realize you’re a sinner and that you have no hope on your own and you truly, honestly devote your life to following Jesus. Now the guy who use to not care what the church had to say or strived for social perfection now has a totally new mindset. He actually believes that when he prays he doesn’t pray to where he’s noticed by men…or he begins to see marriage as a picture of Christ and the church. He’s transformed…not just in his mind, but in his heart. But ok…that sounds good and all but if that’s the call from Jesus that we should all be transformed then something is wrong because I have eyes. I mean…I see people that say they’re Christians but they don’t act anything like what they belief, ha! Or even worse. You know what? I absolutely agree with you…and I have a few theories on why that is. 1) I think transformation doesn’t fully develop because of compartmentalization. This is what we do…and tell me this isn’t the truth. We come to church on Sundays…we wake up, put on “our Sunday best” drag ourselves into the pew and we sing. Maybe we sing…depends on if we like the music or not. Then we listen to the preacher…he’s good…nah, he’s bad. And then afterwards we talk about “what’d you think? Ahhh…he’s ugly” ok…and then we leave. And we go “check” I was spiritual. And we just live however during the week…and wait again till Sunday. We’re these “part-time” Christians if you will. There’s no real hunger or thirst to really draw closer to God…no desire to understand truth. Just give me enough Jesus on Sunday to last me till the next one. 2) We’re a culture built around speed. 30-minute meals, hot-pockets, drive throughs…and don’t get me wrong I love hot pockets but this is how we treat our spiritual lives too. We hear something about small groups and how we should be honest with each other…and so we’re pumped and we try it. But 3 weeks later nothing has happen, so what do we do? We give up! “This doesn’t work for me!” Or how about this? Ok…I want to know God’s word more so we start reading our Bible. Genesis 1:1…and then 2 weeks later “booorrringg” Discipleship doesn’t happen overnight guys…it is a crawl! And you wanna hear something worse? Some times you don’t even see it! And I want you to see what Jesus says happens when you give up too early Or you wanna see what Jesus says when we say one thing but don’t live it out? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. Yeah…it’s so true. Biggest argument against most Christians is that they live these double lives. Because people aren’t stupid either. No wonder we get made fun of huh?

But Jesus doesn’t stop there…because I’m asking “then what are we as disciples suppose to be?” verse 14, you are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. So if being “salt” is transformation…”light” is imitation that leads to exaltations. One more time…if being “salt” is us being transformed by the power of God…then “light” is the effects of salt which leads to God being glorified. Earlier this summer I went with my youth from ACC to this thing called “World Changers”. It’s a missions based program and what they do is they go to different cities and their job is to build and restore homes in the name of Jesus Christ. So a whole bunch of us from all different cities came together in New Orleans and for a week, we hammered, we put up sheetrock, we sweat and stank up the place…and labored in the hot New Orleans sun. These middle schoolers and high schoolers took a week out of their vacation, raised their own money and sacrificed their time, comfort, and energy to come work on these random houses. Some time during the middle of the week one of the home owners saw our crew working on a house and came up to one of the youth and go, “Why are you doing this? What are you here for?” and the youth just simply looked them in the eye and go “we’re here doing this not because we want to make you Christian…but because we are Christian”. Do you see the difference? We don’t transform in hopes of becoming godly people…we’re godly people that has been transformed! That’s why the gospel isn’t that we have to do this or that in hopes of God accepting us…he just says “come!” and let me transform you. And once he gets a hold of you…you become the light of the WORLD. And everyone sees that you’re not a faker…that you’re genuine…and they praise the God who made you that way.

Ephesians 6:1-4 (Sermon Outline)

Passage: Ephesians 6:1-4 “Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother,’ which is the first commandment with promise: ‘that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.’ And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” (NKJV)

Main idea: Obedience should characterize a Christian home

Introduction: Story of a boy with long hair wanting a car.

Background: I guess before we start we have to take a look at the context of this passage. I would be easy if this section was just chapter in a book but it’s not…it’s part of a letter. Actually, the letter was written to the recent Gentile converts in Ephesus. And Ephesus was like Austin, Texas of ancient Asia Minor. And what you find there is a huge metropolis, all sorts of religions, and people…it was your cultural melting pot back in the day. And in the middle of all of this you have this church trying to thrive in the midst of all these competing things. So they send out a request for help…someone to explain to them how things are suppose to work…what should they do, not do? And one day in the mail they get a letter by Paul…and it’s a short letter, but very thorough. In it they are reminded that they were chosen by God, they were redeemed by Jesus, and they are sealed by the Holy Spirit. They are told that both Jew and Gentile are united in Christ by grace through faith…and that through them – the church…they show the world God’s wisdom. They continue to read on…they should act as one body, not behaving like they use to, but submitting to each out of reverence for Christ. And while the letter reader continues to read a child in the crowd gets restless and nudges his father “I’m bored! It’s hot…there are ants crawling into my pants” And the father, trying to listen, gets frustrated and yells out, “BOY! You better listen or else I’m going to sell you to the nearest vendor”. And the letter reader continues…

1. “Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right”

Observation: Children are put in the same position as wives and slaves. There is a biblical model of submission that takes place between the child and the parent. Much like a wife must be willing to submit in order for her husband to lead her, a child must also submit to their parents.

Explanation: “Children” here refer to those born of human parents. None of us can really escape this categorization. The first imperative is for the child to “obey” – it is the same word in (6:5) in regards to slaves. Whenever Paul uses the word “hupakouete” only 5 times – it is either in reference to children or slaves. Obeying is in reference to submitting to one’s authority you are under. It is not that all freedom is lost, but that it models how God has ordered things. “Because you are under the care, provision, and protection of your parents…obey”. In Colossians 3:20, Paul says, “Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.” But Paul doesn’t carelessly say “obey your parents” so that you may appease them, but “obey your parents in the Lord”. Paul is reiterating 5:21 when he says we are to “submit to one another out of reverence for Christ”. He concludes his first command with an addendum, why should children obey their parents? He answers, “For it is right”. There is an ordered law mandated by God to be followed. Like intricately designed puzzle pieces, God has specifically carved and shaped the way a child and parent should interlock with one another.

Argumentation: But what if your parents tell you to go against what you know to be biblically wrong? 1 Peter 2:21 says, “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps” Our authority comes first and foremost from God. It is he who governs and it is he who judges.

Illustration: Growing up as a child and refusing my parents’ instructions…and later regretting it.

Application: Children often have a very limited view of reality. What they understand has not expanded beyond what they interact with or perhaps it is emulsified by the popular sludge being presented on television. We usually suppose that we have all the answers…that our way is better. Parents don’t know anything right? Culture has far lapped them centuries ago what knowledge could they possibly understand about my world? Ironic though isn’t it? We question the intelligence of the ones who gave birth to us. Parents do know than their children…why? Because they have outlived you, if anything they raised you. Should we really plug our ears and refuse their instruction?

2. ‘Honor your father and mother,’ which is the first commandment with promise: ‘that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.’

Observation: The command is taken from the Ten Commandments given by God to Moses for the nation of Israel. More specifically, Paul is quoting from Deut. 5:16. The command to honor your father and mother remains as one of the central tenants of God’s law. According to Scripture, Christ has sufficiently fulfilled the law and it is through Christ we stand justified. Christ has also redefined murder and adultery as matter of the heart…yet God has still commanded that we must honor our father and mother. I find it odd that in passages like the Ten Commandments and in Romans 1:30, those that are key texts, honoring your father and mother are lumped in with serious commands. Why is this command so serious?

Explanation: Paul uses this word “honor” only twice in his epistles (the other time in 1 Tim. 5:3 when he’s talking about widows). This is second command in this paragraph addressing children and parents. He is quoting from Deut. 5:16. The promise given in Exodus 20:12 was more of a national promise rather than an individual one. The obedience given to parents by their children ensured a survival within the Promised Land. However, there is mention of a long life (great age of individuals – c.f. Deut. 6:2; 22:7; 1 Kings 3:14). Calvin notes that fellow men or neighbors are to be loved: parents, on the other hand, are to be honoured and feared; reverence is to be shown to them with heart, mouth, and hand – in thought, word, and deed. The term “father and mother” are closely related to that of those who are founders, protectors, and promoters of our spiritual life, such as prophets and teachers.

When Moses was giving the Israelites these commands, it was just before they were to enter the Promised Land. They were to learn, understand, and apply these laws so that when they arrive at the Promised Land, they would know how to act. Could this crucial commandment be for the physical and spiritual preservation of the nation? How do you “honor your father and mother?” and how is that different than “obeying” them? Honoring one’s parents is an action done when nobody brings it up. Obeying is the result of a request or a demand on behalf of the parent, honor, on the other hand, is an involuntary action that is on the part of the child. It is unspoken, it is much much deeper. While you can get away with begrudgingly submitting to your parents…you cannot honor them with that same attitude. But Paul notes that with proper actions come promises. What is the promise? The promise is that it may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth. Notice that these are conditional statements…it follows the “if…then” formula.

Illustration: Negative: children suing their parents; resenting parental control. It is also providing for them when they can no longer provide for themselves. And it is not talking about just sending them money once in awhile. Personal example – being embarrassed with them in public (Olive Garden)

Application: Do you heed their warnings? Do you get frustrated when you talk to your parents? When was the last time you’ve done something for them when it wasn’t expected of you? Have you passed on some of their knowledge to the next generation?

3. And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.”

Observations: He continues his teaching by addressing the fathers. It’s interesting that he doesn’t address mothers. While commentators have said that “fathers” here mean both “mom and dad”…the text doesn’t really allow you to do that. It specifically says “fathers”. I found that in listing fathers here, God is continuing his universal imagery of a husband-wife; Christ-church; Master-slave relationship. It seems as though God is holding the father responsible for the leadership not only of his family, but of his children. The first imperative here is a negative one.

Explanation: In that culture back then in Ephesus…a Father had every right over their children. By Roman law of patria potestas a father had life and death over his household. It was even said that unwanted babies were thrown out because of deformities and such. Studies show that delinquency is not a result of MTV, drugs, violence in movies, gangs…but it is rooted in dysfunctional families. The command here for fathers to “not provoke your children to wrath”. Other versions read “do not provoke/exasperate your child to anger”. It can also be translated “make resentful”. This word suggest a repetition of actions done by one person. Normally the child doesn’t explode on the parents after one instance…it usually takes a constant pecking at their soul. Like a stubborn bird, the parent continues to chip away at the soul of their child. With every confrontation without explanation…the parent-child bond becomes more and more fragile until one day…the child breaks away.

But how? How does the father provoke their children or have them resent his authority? I think the text gives us a hint by saying “but”…why do your children not listen to you? Because you didn’t “ektrephete” (train them up from childhood) – which includes discipline and correction; nor did you “nouthesia” (instruct/admonish) – which includes avoidance/cessation of an improper course of conduct. 1) Fathers are to train them from childhood. This passage screams out Deut. 6:7-9 “"You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. ⁸ "You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. ⁹ "You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” More than your child needs a friend, he needs a parent. Where else is he going to learn these things? Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” Gather the people to Me, and I will let them hear My words, that they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children.' (Deut 4:10); 2) This word “instruction” envelops the idea of “avoidance/cessation of an improper course of conduct”. Fathers are also to be held accountable for their child’s behavior “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of correction will drive it far from him.” (Prov. 22:15). It is only loving that a father sees his own child heading towards destruction and does anything he can so that his son doesn’t die.

Illustration: God commands fathers to teach their children in the same way he teaches you and I…he says, “Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.” (Ps 34:11);

Argumentation: “But my son won’t listen to me” – our call as fathers is to faithfully fulfill our role regardless how our children act. God does not say “Well do these things only if your child will listen…” “But I don’t want to cause my child any pain” or “I’ll just someone who is more qualified do it”.

Application: How do you do discipline in your home? If you’re single…do you know how you would do it? Do you know what your child/teenager is going through? Have you lost the connection with your child either through constant fighting or lost of trust? It is wrong, if not outright sinful to provide for your family at the cost of your family. When the father neglects his responsibility he is not only adding to the destruction of society, but he is preaching a false gospel. When a father doesn’t teach his kid, discipline him, correct him…is he not communicating a false gospel? It challenges the manifold wisdom of God.

The Atonement

Introduction: This assignment was birth out of a simple question I have always asked myself, “What did the cross really accomplish?” I guess the typical Sunday school answer was, “to save me”. Alright, but surely there’s more to it right? What I realized though is that the more I read through texts of Scripture and working my way through systematic theology book, it completely threw me for a something (I don’t really know the word I’m looking for here)…but it was more than I had expected. So I went to do some research. Ha…I even asked some other people what they thought about it.

And I realize there’s no possible way to detail everything there is to know about the cross within a word document but I’ll just hit the high points. I hope that at the end of all of this you might: a) have a fuller grasp of what exactly the cross of Christ accomplished; b) be able to take texts of scripture and see how God relates to us; c) experience a fuller life. I think it’s useless if we go “ok…that’s some good research” and walk away not changed.

Semantics: I found it very interesting when you do a word search on the original Greek word (stauro,j)[1] “cross”. You’ll come up with three different meanings

1. a pole to be placed in the ground and used for capital punishment: So here’s your typical word for cross – the actual physical cross. It was a way of torture and resulted in an extremely painful death. You’ll find this word in the latter part of the Gospel narratives (Mt. 27:40; Mk 15:30; Jn 19:25)

2. the cross, with focus on the fate of Jesus Christ: Here’s where the New Testament writers will refer to the cross. It was Christ’s death on the cross that brought salvation (Eph 2:16; Col 2:14). This is probably the word we’re going to have to focus on throughout this study.

3. the suffering/death which believers endure in following the crucified Lord: Now this was an interesting find. You’ll remember in Matthew 10:38 when Jesus tells his disciples “and whoever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me” (c.f. Mt. 16:24; Mk 8:34; Lk 9:23). I find this interesting because Jesus uses this word “cross” and he hasn’t been nailed to the cross yet. It’s very weird I think because up to this point that word is associated only with pain, suffering, and death.

According to the Gospels: At the moment of death

Matthew 27 46 “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" that is, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

51 “And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. ⁵² The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, ⁵³ and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many.

Mark 15 37And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. ³⁸ And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.

Luke 23 44 It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, ⁴⁵ while the sun's light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. ⁴⁶ Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!" And having said this he breathed his last.

John 19 28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), "I thirst." ²⁹ A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. ³⁰ When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, "It is finished," and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

The Atonement: So we gotta figure out what exactly this word means but then we also have to understand all the factors that go along with it. I betcha you have no clue what the word “atonement” means outside of the 2008 movie starring Kiera Knightly. But again, I think in order to get the full weight of what Jesus did on the cross you gotta look at the entire picture…and that my friend starts at the nature of God.

Background

Nature of God: It all starts with God’s holiness – his “sacredness, righteousness”. It pretty much means He is completely apart from all creation and evil. If you check out verses like Exodus 15:11 it says “Who among the gods is like you, O LORD? Who is like you – majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?”[2] I mean, God is so above everything else that when you even try to compare anything to Him, it falls shorts by a bunch. But the thing is He doesn’t have holiness – God is holy by His very nature. Does that make sense? He can’t decide to not be holy, righteous. Alright…so you get it? God is by his nature, from all of eternity, holy.

Not only is God holy, but he’s also just right? I mean throughout the Bible it is clear that God is out for his own glory. His justice comes from who he is. He has to judge those who have belittled his name right? I mean if God just allows us to sin and get away with it, he ceases to be just. It’s like a judge going “yeah…you’re a murder, rapist, and terrorist. But I’ll let you off this time” Uhhh…that judge would be unjust and probably lose his license right? God has to judge righteously or he ceases to be God.

Nature of Man: I think a lot of us think that we’re born and somewhere in our life nature kinda influenced us and we became infected with sin. Or some of us think that sin is that moment when we said a curse word or lied about something to get ahead…something like that. But if you take a look at Eph. 2:3, Paul says “Like the rest, we were by nature objects of God’s wrath”. Just the fact that we were born meant that we are sinners. Want more? Gen. 6:5; Romans 1:18-32; 2 Tim. 3:2-5…even King David in Psalms 51:5 goes “I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me”. Man is totally depraved. Because of sin, all parts of who we are fall prone to sin – our thoughts, emotions, will, even our good deeds (because if you remember Ecclesiastes, he’ll talk about him doing something for others but then it’ll turn into self-righteousness). If you get the time go study the doctrine of “total depravity” – first put forth by St. Augustine and developed by John Calvin and other great men of the faith. But just for the sake of time and space and our discussion we’ll just keep it there. Humans not only perform acts of sin that ought to be accounted for, they are born with a natural bent towards evil. And then thing is that there’s no way for any of us to get out of it. Like have you ever tried to “work” your way out of a particular bad habit or sin? I mean…you, with all your might, try to beat it and perhaps you do a great job for a week or so but then it somehow creeps up and gets you again. It seems almost hopeless right?

The Old Testament System: I think some people hit on this point when they talk about the death of Jesus…but most people miss it. You can’t forget about the system that set up. So back in the Old Testament God instituted the sacrificial system to pay off the sins that were committed. When there was an offense against God (say someone punched another dude in the eye) they would have to bring a sacrificial animal but get this…it had to be spotless. So like the man had to bring a goat that didn’t have any defects or a broken leg or anything like that – it had to cost something ya know? And then the one whom atonement had to put his hands on the animal (Lev. 1:3-4). This part symbolized a transfer of guilt from the sinner to the victim (poor animal). Then it was handed off to the priest so the priest could go present it before God. They would take sacrifice, put a knife to its jugular, pour the blood over the altar and burn it up. It all symbolized something – like God going “see that blood…so what your sins cost you? But now look at the fire consuming it…I see it no more”. So yeah, that was the Old Testament sacrificial system.

Was it necessary? You have to realize that Jesus coming to this earth and dying wasn’t plan B. Luke 24:25-26 “O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” or what about Romans 3:26 – “It was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies him who has faith in Jesus”. But I think the most telling is found in the book of Hebrews – “He had to be make like his brethren in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make expiation for the sins of the people” (Heb. 2:17). There was no other way for a broken humanity to be saved…none whatsoever. “it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins” (Heb. 10:4). Do you hear it? No matter how many sacrifices people tried to give back to God, it still wasn’t enough…why? Because the blood of bulls and goats were God’s to begin with. But also the sacrifices of sinful man falls short because of sin, pride, self-righteousness, and so forth.

Propitiation: Romans 3:25 says God put Christ as a “propitiation” which means “a sacrifice that bears God’s wrath to the end and in so doing changes God’s wrath towards us into favor”. The wrath of God couldn’t just be erased or forgotten…remember, he’s a just God? So the punishment for sins past, present, and future were absorbed by Christ on the cross.

The Shed Blood: “You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your fathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot” (1 Pet. 1:18-19). Heb. 9:14 says that by Jesus’ blood our consciences are cleansed, we can enter the throne room of God boldly (Heb. 10:19) – alright…now that’s gotta be somewhat crazy. If you really know who you are and all the things you think, fall short on, not do…then you’re not going to stand in front of an all-powerful, creator, holds-everything-together, all just God. But still…1 John 1:7 says that we are progressively cleansed from remaining sin and not only that be there’s finally an escape out of our sinful life (1 Pet. 1:18-19). We are set free to understand all of life because the one who died promised us life to its fullest (John 10:10)

Sacrifice: There’s all this symbolism when it comes to sacrifice. If you look at Hebrews 9:6-15 it’ll reference the Old Testament Day of Atonement – Christ being the high priest who entered into the Holy Place to offer sacrifice. And then when you look at Hebrews 10:5-18, Christ’s sacrifice is “once and for all”. And this is where it blows my mind…when you and I feel disjointed from God, when we openly sin or realize that we have sinned, we run to the alter and try to lay something on it right? Usually in the form of praying more, or church attendance, or lent…just so we can alleviate some of the guilt we feel. But after Jesus died on the cross…when we run to the alter and try to lay our stuff on it God goes “Sorry, the alter is closed. Get your stuff off of my alter…it’s been paid for already. You want right standing with me? Don’t lay your stuff on the alter…you lay on the alter” That’s why all over the Gospels you have Jesus going “I am the vine, you are the branches…if a man remain in me” (John 15:5) Because when we stand in front of God, all he sees now is Jesus’ shed blood and counts us as righteous.

*like I said earlier…there’s a bajillion things that I haven’t even mentioned (i.e. reconciliation, penal-substitution, propitiation, example theory…) but hopefully this is just a brief overview into the depth that is the atonement of Jesus Christ. In writing this short little blurb I used the following: BibleWorks 6 Bible software (BDAG & Halot); Systematic Theology by: Norman Geisler; Matt Chandler; Systematic Theology by: Wayne Grudem; Christian Theology by: Millard Erickson; and Manual of Theology by J.L. Dagg…oh yeah, and the Bible.

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[1] The Greek definitions are taken from BibleWorks 6 software (BDAG & HALOT lexicons)

[2] Other verses that talk about God’s holiness – Lev. 20:7; 1 Chron. 16:29; Ps. 78:41; Ps. 99:9; Mark 1;24; Luke 1;35; Deut. 33:2; 2 Kings 4:9; Neh. 11:1; Dan. 9:20; Rom. 12:1

The Lost Gospel

You know what I realized? I have been on missions to 23 places - China, Mexico, Alabama, Washington, Louisiana, Tennessee, Georgia, Texas, and Colorado. I have preached 34 sermons and spoke at 5 retreats. I have attended 41 conferences. I have taught Sunday School for 8 years and personally discipled 7 people. I have lead bible study for 10 years and have taken 185 hours of theological coursework. I have listened to 2041 sermons and spent every waking moment surrounded by church life. Yet I’m just now beginning to understand what the gospel of Jesus really means.

I find this realization terrifying on multiple levels. Could it be true that you can spend all of your life ingesting theological facts, knowing the “right” things to say – when to say it & when not to say it, learning how to play the church game and yet end up lost? Could you even be a teacher of the things of Jesus and still miss him all together? You know what scares me? The Bible scares me…why? Because it’ll say stuff like this “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the raod that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matt. 7:13-14). I looked up the word “few” in the Greek to see if it meant something else…the word (ovli,goi) means “few”…crap! Or what do you do with “Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'” (Matt. 7:21-23)? Yeah…it seems like Jesus is saying there’s a lot of people who do “church” but a few people are my disciples. Man, that has gotta be the scariest thing in the world huh? Like standing there at the end and Jesus going “yeah…who are you?”

Us church folk have been coming to church…well, forever right? (That’s why they call us church folk) And I think the word “gospel” has been thrown around out there almost as much as the word “love” has been misused. Gospel…gospel, well I think I know what it means but I don’t know if I can really explain it to you…let me Wikipedia it real quick. Sound familiar? See I think a lot of us get confused about what the gospel of Jesus really is. You look in the church now and people think and swear that it’s a system of rules to follow (and nobody will openly say that) but if you look at their life and what they communicate, it’s definitely true. Or the gospel is some kind of moral standard that we have to live up to. So what is this gospel?

Plain and simple – “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). It seems almost too easy though…but read through the first four books of the New Testament again and you’ll see it for yourself. In the middle of all of our junk, in the middle of our divorce, in the middle of our bondage from lust, in the middle of all of the rage, vengeance, and hate that controls our heart…Jesus Christ goes “that’s all you got? Ahh, c’mon…I can deal with that. What? Porn…that’s cool, I can handle that. Come to me and let me heal you so you can be free”. It’s the moment when you and I are so freakin’ tired of running and we lay bare our sinful heart at the feet of Jesus and we find no condemnation…just mercy and love. You tell me that’s not good news!

And what you realize after you come to him and confess and be open is that he begins to work on you. And as he begins to chisel away at your chains you begin to taste freedom and start living life how it was meant to live – not necessarily the easiest way…but certainly the most fulfilling way. You think of the implications of this though…if this is the good news (the gospel) then there’s much to celebrate. If this is the foundation of our faith, then the church should always be a place of honesty and brokenness (i.e. just a ghetto, dirty, authentic place) where we all come to seek the way of Jesus (not rules). And sooner or later all parts of our lives are taken over by this man Jesus that has so captured our hearts. The way we spend our money is a reflection of it; the way we support each other – financially, spiritually, emotionally; the way we learn at church; the way we go about deciding our future and careers…

You see, being a church person is the easiest thing in the world. I mean once you learn how to pay the game then you’re in. And man…you can excel as high as you can. But what you have done is damned yourself…because you can get just enough of Jesus to be content, but never really know him. When he begins to really press into you – just wait till he starts talkin’ to you about honesty, just wait till he gets into your money, your career, your relationships. What I’ve learned from one of my favorite pastors is that “many people have tried church…few people have tried Jesus”.

My challenge to you, dear friends, is to finally shut off your ipods, turn off your tv, close aim and facebook for just a minute and really sit back and ask yourself “Do I really know who Jesus is? Am I honestly following him or am I just playing some kinda game?” And maybe you started off really good and now found yourself on the religious treadmill…John writes to you in Revelation 2 “Repent and do the things you did at first” Let’s finally take stock in Jesus Christ and let us make him the object of our affections and his heart our heart.

“How To Read The Bible More Gooder”

Introduction: I think one of the biggest questions out there is “Where in the world do I begin?” Because seriously, when you walk on this road following after Jesus there’s like a bajillion things you can do right? I mean do I need to read my bible more? Do I need to learn how to have a “quiet time”? Is it prayer…or what? And look, I can’t answer that for you…probably because there’s no formula for these things. You and I operate differently. However, there are common things we all can do to push us a little further along. And you’ve guessed it – reading your Bible. And it’s not like ok you read it and then you’re super Christian. I think we begin to read it to understand how God really works, who he really is, what he’s really like and not what people want to make up about him. Reading – easy enough right? My 3 year old can do that. Well good for them…but what about you? We all say that we should be reading…but do we? That’s the first question…but then how should we be reading it? This is where I come in. And no, I’m not a professional by any means…but someone once took me and sat me down and taught me the tools that I shall pass on to you. It is my goal that this might fuel your thirst to read the bible differently; to engage the words of God and perhaps gain more life.

All I’m going to do is just walk you through what has helped me and we’ll start there alright? So I figured we go to a very familiar story – Jesus walking on water. I’m pretty sure you’ve at least heard of it right? But do you remember what it talks about? What was the main point of the story? Uhhh…walking on water? Sorry, guess again. Who were the characters? Ummm…Jesus? Peter? Moses? Allllrrriiigghtt, let’s look at it and we’ll move on.

Matthew 14:22-32

Context: This is probably the first thing I tell people to do when they decide to study a passage. We often like to take one verse here and form some kinda theology about God that’s like way out of context. For example, in this story people remember Jesus saying to Peter “You of little faith” and they go “Man…Peter should have had more faith in Jesus. What a loser!” Yeah…that’s an example of taking something out of context. You’ll see in a bit. You want the full story…so ask yourself “What happens before and after this passage?” What you’ll realize is the Bible is to be read as a whole. You’ll understand that the Bible all connects together in ways that will blow your mind.

Alright so let’s see what happens. Go ahead and on a sheet of paper write down your main passage of study and you can even use the Bible’s subheadings if you want. Next write down the last main thing that has happened: Matthew 14:13-21 “Jesus Feeds Five Thousand” and jot down a quick note about it. “Jesus had compassion on the people from the towns and healed their sick (vs. 14) He performs a miracle by feeding the large crowd with just 5 loaves and 2 fish.” You might wanna ask yourself “What is the main point of this passage?” Hmmm…what is the main point? Well you see in verse 15 and 16 that the disciples are getting kinda worried about food – maybe their lack of faith. Now do the same with the story that follows your passage of study – Matthew 14:34-36 “Jesus Heals All Who Touch Him”. “People are coming in great faith to be healed by Jesus because they just wanna ‘touch’ the edge of his cloak (vs. 36)” It kinda gives you some perspective as to what might be the main point of your passage…but we’ll see.

Exegesis (“drawing out”): I think when I study a passage all I do is just go really slow and start observing and really just trying to find stuff. Trust me…the more you do it, the better you get. I would talk about Bible versions because believe it or not, it does play a big deal (like you want more a word-for-word translation – i.e. NASB or ESV) but for now I’m pretty sure you have a NIV bible so we’ll use that.

22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.

I find it interesting that the author (Matthew) uses immediately here at the start of 22. I’m trying to figure out why Jesus made the disciples go off into the boat. What were they doing before? Well…I figured it was because the disciples had just spent like the whole day feeding what – “five thousand men, besides women and children (vs. 21)”? Oh yeah, look out for the verb tenses also like how I underlined “made”. It gives weight behind the action and action moves the story. Eh…you’ll see.

23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone

“After he had dismissed them” Who’s them? The disciples? Nope…look right before this verse…after Jesus dismisses the crowd. Now let me ask you – how long does it take to dismiss the crowd? Well it depends on the crowd right? What if the crowd was “five thousand men, besides woman and children”? Ok…keep this in mind. It takes a long time to dismiss all those people and where are the disciples now? Well they’re in a boat going to the other side apparently. I’m guessing it takes hours upon hours right? But then what does Jesus do? He goes on a mountainside by himself to pray. Here’s a side note…when you’re reading verses always look out of “key words” I would venture a guess and say “mountainside” is a key word. And this is just me thinking…biblically, what happens on “mountainsides”? I remember Moses and Ten Commandments; The Configuration; Calling of the Twelve…so something important usually happens. And Jesus goes up there to pray to God – uhhh, who is Jesus. Well that might be something to note. Why in the world does Jesus need to pray? And what is he praying for? But that’s not your main point yet I don’t think. The author says Jesus had prayed so long that when evening came, he was there alone. This is odd because well of course he’s alone…earlier it said “after he had dismissed the crowd”. So why did the author write this? Hmmm…look at verse 24

24 but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

So the end of 23 was to set up verse 24. What boat is this? It’s the boat that the disciples are on. What’s the setting right now? I’m guessing it’s kinda crazy right now – the boat was buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Remember to pay close attention here because you might just gloss over it. This is some weird language because it’s odd to say the wind was “against” something…the author is letting us know that there’s a storm and some nasty weather. Probably wanna keep your pets and children at home. Which leads me to remind you - you probably wanna note the physical setting in these narratives. Ok…so the boat is nowhere near the shore because it is a “considerable distance” and weather.com says its crazy outside. Remember this…trust me.

25 During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.

What in the world is the fourth watch? Well for those who aren’t really accustomed to ancient biblical language you might want to get some help here. A good bible dictionary/encyclopedia is a good investment. Also bible commentaries like NICOT, Fortress Press, or Word Biblical are some of my favorites. But if you don’t have the time or resources check out blueletterbible.org or biblegateway.com and you’ll usually find what you’re looking for. Anyways I saved you some time and the fourth watch of the night is 2:30am. Why is this important? Well…you’ll see in a second. And now the narrative gets a little nutty…at 2:30am Jesus walks to the disciples on the lake. We already discussed that the boat was already far off but also…there’s a storm going on. Crazy! But have you ever stopped and considered what he’s walking on? Sorry the NIV says Jesus walks on the “lake” but if you read all the other translations including the Greek text all of them say he walks on the “sea”. Jesus is walking on the sea…not your 4 feet deep pond. Wikipedia says that the Mediterranean Sea is about 5000 ft. Good job Jesus.

26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried in fear.

Alright, what time is it again? 2:30am What’s the weather like? There’s a storm going on outside. Where are the disciples? Pretty far away from the shore. Yeah I would be terrified too. Could you imagine? Its dark, the boat is rockin’ and all of the sudden you see some dude walking to you ON THE SEA? Do you see why they said “it’s a ghost”?

27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

So the disciples are freaked out BUT Jesus. Always look out for conjunctions (But, and, then…) they’ll tell you the shift in the story. You want to see something cool though? “Jesus immediately” is a repeated phrase…from where? Yup, verse 22 when he was talking to his disciples. Just note that and we’ll catch that later. Now Jesus talks to the disciples and he says “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid”. Why is that weird? Well because Jesus never says “Hey, it’s me Jesus!” all he says is “It is I”. Honestly, if I were the disciples and it’s late and there’s a storm I would be like “what? I who?” Oooh, but then where have you heard “It is I” before? Perhaps back when Moses asks God “What is your name?” and God responds “tell them ‘I AM’ sent you”. Maybe Jesus is identifying himself with someone here…interesting huh?

28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

So out of all the disciples in the boat Peter is the only one who speaks out. I use to give Peter a lot of junk for sinking in the sea or denying Jesus but in this narrative, he’s the only one who is willing to put his words into action. And look at what he says “Lord, if it’s you…tell me to come to you on the water”. That’s weird on several levels. First off he hears Jesus’ voice and recognizes it and calls him “Lord” while everyone else called Jesus “a ghost”. Secondly, Peter wants to go out there on the water. He doesn’t ask Jesus to hurry it on up and climb into the boat or questions his safety.

29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.

And now Jesus replies “come” – short, simple. And then Peter gets down out of the boat. I don’t know if this has any weight at all but I just found it interesting. I always imagined for some reason that the disciples were all in a canoe or something. But he has to actually climb down off the side of a boat in the middle of the storm and actually put his feet on the water. Can you stop and think about this real quick? You’re coming off of the boat and you reach the end of the ladder and you feel for the floor and instead of a floor it’s the sea. And what’s crazier is that Peter “walked on the water and came toward Jesus”. What do you think is going on in that head of Peter’s? I’d be like “this is craazzzzyyy” and like shuffle my feet ever so softly.

30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

There’s another one of your conjunction words. Peter is walking on the water towards Jesus BUT. Here’s another thing that puzzled me. The verse says that Peter sees the wind and that causes him to be afraid right? But all throughout this narrative the wind is there, why now Peter? Hummm…anyways, this leads me to remind you that asking questions isn’t a bad thing. Actually, the more questions you ask the deeper you’ll get into the text. Watch what the author does with the narrative. Peter is “beginning to sink” and cries out “Lord, save me!”

31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

Jesus doesn’t let Peter sink to the bottom and go “um, alright…I better go get him”. He, for the third time, immediately (look out for repetition) reaches out and saves him. Notice that Jesus saves him first and then makes the comment, not the other way around. I think a lot of us think that Jesus wants us to do this or do that first and then he’ll save us. Profound. Well here’s what most people will blame Peter for. Jesus says “you of little faith…why did you doubt?” And we go “that’s right…Peter should have more faith in Jesus”. But wait…is that right? Peter trusted Jesus enough to call out and go to him on the sea…Peter had enough faith in Christ to call out to him and trust that he’ll save him. So what is it? Peter heard the call of Jesus and started off strong…but somewhere between the boat and Jesus he saw that it was tough if not “impossible” and perhaps thought “this isn’t supposed to happen to someone like me”.

32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.

Do you realize that the entire story occurred mainly in a storm and it wasn’t until both Jesus and Peter climbed into the boat the wind died down? I don’t think you can say “Well, if you climb in the boat with Jesus…the wind and storms of your life will die down”. Why not? Because the focus wasn’t directed mainly on the storm. If you continue to think about location in this story…Peter walks out to Jesus on the sea right? And when Peter starts to sink Jesus is there to reach out to him. And this is just me thinking and this is not in the text…but could it be possible that Peter and Jesus after the whole ordeal walked back to the boat? Just a question.

33 Then those who were in the boat worshipped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

You want to see something interesting? The disciples who, at the beginning, claimed “it’s a ghost” now claims “truly you are the Son of God”. They saw it all – the wind, Jesus walking on water, Peter going out there…and now they believe. But they only saw it. Peter was the only one who actually got to experience it all. It leads me to ask the question “Do you live vicariously through other peoples’ interaction with God?”

Main Idea: Every time you study a passage or you listen to a sermon you gotta ask yourself “what is the main idea of the text?” In this passage there are a lot of good points you can draw from – i.e. Jesus prays – we should all pray; Living vicariously through others. Those are good…but what is the main idea of the passage? There are a couple of hints you can look out for. Once you’ve studied the mess out of the passage figure out what is it that the text screams out? Also, from earlier we talked about context…does the story flow from the surrounding themes? The story of feeding five thousand talks about faith…so does the one about Jesus healing all who touch him. Another interesting technique (though it might not work for all texts) is that of a chiastic structure.

Chiasm: try this with me…on your piece of paper write down all the quotes and who they’re given by. So like in verse 26 the disciples say “It’s a ghost” and on the next line write “take courage, it is I. Don’t be afraid” – Jesus and so on and so for.

At the crux of all the action usually hints at the main idea. It is Jesus calling out to Peter, to you…to me to “come”. In the middle of the crazy will you go out? The story of the five thousand was directed at the faith of the disciples; here the story singles out Peter; right afterwards people flock to Jesus just to touch the “edge of his cloak”.

Your application then flows from your main idea first and then from your sub points. And I think this is where you need to do something real thinking and self reflection. Do you have the faith to listen to Jesus’ call? Are you personally investigating whether or not Jesus is some kinda ghost or Lord…or are you just going to stay in your boat? Don’t miss out on the fuller life that comes when scripture finally reads us and we respond. I think too many times we know the stories, we get good at studying…yet we’re not doing anything about it.

*Well…I hope this “short” little brief gave you some insight into how to treat the text of God. I think a lot of it has to do with reading slowly and carefully. You just get a lot more out of it right? I encourage you to keep on digging into what God has to teach us…hey, nobody wakes up one day and knows all of this…you gotta put some effort into it.