“THE MEMORIAL OFFERING” (Acts 10:4)

Memorial Day Sunday

Rev. Jeremy Stopford, Retired Pastor, May 24, 2015

“There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!” And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, Lord?” So He said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a MEMORIAL before God.” (Acts chapter 10).

INTRODUCTION

The origins of the first “Memorial Day” are varied, but one story stands out: “Memorial Day was started by former slaves on May 1, 1865 in Charleston, SC to honor 257 dead Union Soldiers who had been buried in a mass grave in a Confederate prison camp. They dug up the bodies and worked for 2 weeks to give them a proper burial as gratitude for fighting for their freedom. They then held a parade of 10,000 people led by 2,800 Black children where they marched, sang and celebrated.”

And in 1868, Major General John Logan ordered that the graves of all Civil War dead be decorated (hence, “Decoration Day”) with flowers on May 30. Eventually the last Monday of May was so designated “Memorial Day”.

There are several “memorials” in Scripture. Our passage talks of one which marks a huge transition in Bible times – and perhaps in ours today.

PRAYER

“There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!” And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, Lord?” So He said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a MEMORIAL before God.” (Acts chapter 10).

INTRODUCTION

The origins of the first “Memorial Day” are varied, but one story stands out: “Memorial Day was started by former slaves on May 1, 1865 in Charleston, SC to honor 257 dead Union Soldiers who had been buried in a mass grave in a Confederate prison camp. They dug up the bodies and worked for 2 weeks to give them a proper burial as gratitude for fighting for their freedom. They then held a parade of 10,000 people led by 2,800 Black children where they marched, sang and celebrated.”

And in 1868, Major General John Logan ordered that the graves of all Civil War dead be decorated (hence, “Decoration Day”) with flowers on May 30. Eventually the last Monday of May was so designated “Memorial Day”.

There are several “memorials” in Scripture. Our passage talks of one which marks a huge transition in Bible times – and perhaps in ours today.

PRAYER

#1 CORNELIUS—THE REMEMBERED SAINT (Acts 10:1-8)

What does this brief passage tell us about an obscure man named “Cornelius”?

First of all, he was a Gentile. Even by Acts 10, non-Jews were earmarked even by the church as being “untouchable” and “unreachable”. The church needed a fresh awakening to what God could do in any heart.

Hello !!! Does the church need a fresh awakening today to what God can do in any heart? Is there any heart which you have labeled “untouchable” and “unreachable”? Then you better read on!

He was a “saved” man by our terms. Note verse 2 calls him “devout” (that is, “pious, godly”). He “feared God” (that is, he worshipped the one true God). And he was a giver – he proved his love for God by his outward, but invisible, acts. He was a saved man.

And God noticed! The angel came down especially to Cornelius and said, “your prayers and your alms [which nobody else knew about] have come up for a MEMORIAL before God.”

What did the angel mean by “memorial” or a “memorial offering”? The “memorial offering” is that which keeps alive the memory of someone or something. When Jesus at the first communion said, “do this in REMEMBRANCE of Me”, do you know what He was saying? The very same thing! The first communion was a MEMORIAL before God, done to keep alive the memory of the Lord Jesus!

And isn’t it comforting to know that God never forgets people! In Isaiah 49:15 He says, “I will not forget you.” In Psalm 9:18, the psalmist writes, “God will never forget the needy.” And in Psalm 13:1, David prayed, “How long, O Lord, will You forget me forever?”. David felt free to approach God with his complaint!

BUT GOD DOES FORGET SIN!!! Jeremiah 31:34 says, “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more!”. Wow! And He does that for New Testament believers as well! Aren’t you glad?

Cornelius is at a turning point of church history as stated in the ensuing verses of Acts 10 (vs. 5-8). He was no longer “untouchable” or “unreachable”!!! And soon the whole church would know that God saves sinners – whether Jew or non-Jew! He can saved ANYBODY!

POINT: Is there anyone we as a church have forgotten? Is there anyone you have considered as “untouchable”? Is there anyone you have labeled with the horrendous marker, “God can never reach them!”? They may be the turning point of the ministry of our church, of the ministry of the Lord in our entire village!

#2 PETER – THE TEACHABLE JEW (Acts 10:9ff)

Note in these verses that Peter is taken from the known – God’s design seemingly has been just for the Jews, even in the early church – to the unknown, that His design also includes the whole world!

ILLUSTRATION: I have a box. I am in the box. I can only see what is in the box. I cannot see what is outside the box. Perhaps there is a world out there to which I could make a difference. But as long as I am not outside the box, my world is limited. It is NOT limited by God, but it is limited by ME.

Peter’s world was limited, partially by his cultural prejudices, and partially by his vision of the day. He needed a fresh vision – and God gave him one!

CONCLUSION

Why is this section of Scripture about the “memorial offering” important? Because God is taking Peter – and the then known church – to where God designed when He issued the church’s commanding orders. Remember what they are?

“Therefore GO and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

Who is “outside our box” that we are missing out on reaching for God’s glory today?

CLOSE IN PRAYER

“A MOTHER, A DAUGHTER, & JESUS” (Matthew 15:21-28)

Originally preached Mother’s Day May 11, 2014

Retired Pastor Jeremy Stopford

TODAY’S “SPECIAL”: “A Mom Funny”

One day a little girl was sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at the kitchen sink. She suddenly noticed that her mother had several strands of white hair sticking out in contrast on her brunette head. She looked at her mother and inquisitively asked, “Why are some of your hairs white, Mom?”

Her mother replied, “Well, every time that you do something wrong and make me cry or unhappy, one of my hairs turns white.”

The little girl thought about this revelation for a while and then said, “Momma, how come ALL of grandma’s hairs are white?”

INTRODUCTION

We will call our text as taking place on “Mother’s Day” – as a mother is mentioned here! Jesus just left “that place” – probably the outskirts of Jerusalem (v. 1) and headed to the area of Tyre and Sidon. He meets a woman, an unnamed mother whose daughter needs help. How does He respond to this needy woman? The lessons should affect us all for the rest of our lives! PRAYER

#1—A DEAFENING PLEA WITH A LOUD REPLY (vs. 21-24)

Tyre and Sidon together, cities of the Philistines, on the coast north of Israel, were longtime enemies of the Jews. In Ezekiel 28 is given one of the most blistering messages ever delivered against a city, much less against a king, identifying him as an instrument of Satan (if not Satan himself). In Genesis 10:15,19 Sidon is identified as a city of the descendants of Cain

The Savior is interrupted in His teachings by a plea from a lady identified only as a “Canaanite woman”, i.e., a woman from Canaan or the Canaan areas. We know this is the area and the people that the Israelites were to wipe out when they crossed the Jordan (How deep was the Jewish hatred for them: Note the lessons of Jacob and Esau (Gen. 28:1-3,6))

Jesus is in the enemy’s territory! In this realm of hatred comes to Him a woman identified as being from that region.

Note:

1. Her deafening plea: she obviously had heard of Jesus, identifying Him as Lord [God!], Son of David [Messiah!], possessor of mercy. Her insights crossed religious borders. But in front of His disciples, was Jesus going to cross those borders, too?

2. Her description of her daughter: no name, demon-possessed, suffering terribly – the very description the Jews have forever given to non-Jews – she admitted was the condition of her daughter [and is the description of all people, Eph. 2:1-3]

3. His disciples’ response: “send her away, she is a bother, an interruption, an irritation to us and our

love for You, our walk with You, our service for You! Send her away!”

Someone once wisely observed: “People are not irritations to ministry. People ARE ministry.” The disciples hadn’t learned that yet!

4. The Lord Jesus response: Silence. Why? He answers His disciples: “I’m sent only to the lost of

Israel.” For 2500 years, that seemed to be the only mission the Jews remembered. He was confronting them with an age old prejudice. But they had forgotten their own Scriptures.

Note Isaiah 49:6, “Indeed He says,‘It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, That You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.’”

Simeon quotes this at Jesus’ birth. And Paul quotes it twice in the book of Acts as referring to the Lord Jesus! Jesus’ response was to teach eternal truth to those He was mentoring – and to us – to see people as He does!

#2—A DEVOTED PLEA WITH A QUALIFIED REPLY (vs. 25-26)

A “devoted” plea – this was a plea of worship – she got on her knee and publicly worshipped Jesus! Her devotion was to Him alone! Do you think that could have been said of those disciples with Jesus? Or of us?

Paul said told the Romans that he prayed for them “without ceasing”. He told Timothy that he prayed for him “without ceasing.” He advised the believers at Thessalonica to “pray without ceasing.” She doesn’t give up on her daughter, or on the Savior!

The Savior’s reply: “the bread of the children (Israel) is not to go to the dogs (Gentiles).” He was reminding her – and in particularly the listening disciples – of the long-time understanding of God’s supposed care for people.

QUICK QUESTION – is that ours? Is there ANYONE that you purposefully believe is not worthy of the grace of God? ANYONE?

#3 —A DEPENDENT PLEA WITH A MOVING REPLY (vs. 27-28)

Verse 27 shows where her true dependence lay: she was identified as an enemy, but her heart was in His territory. She belonged to Him.

Verse 28 His moving reply: He identifies her as a woman of faith!

“You have GREAT faith!” The Message: “your faith is something else”

The subsequent action is almost spontaneous and quick:

(1) The silent Savior speaks to her

(2) The rejected woman is acknowledged

(3) The request is granted

(4) The daughter was healed instantly

CONCLUSION

#1 “I have met the enemy and the enemy is us” – are you willing to step in the enemy’s territory to make an impact for eternity?

#2 The disciples wanted the enemy’s woman – a mother of faith – to be sent away: “she is an irritant, a bother to our love for Jesus.” Who do we send away with our disciple-like lack of spiritual eyes?

#3 The Lord Jesus identified her as a mother of great faith. To our mothers today, would He say that of you? To all of us, would He quickly say that we are people of great faith?

#4 The unnamed mother never gave up on behalf of her stricken daughter. When people are indifferent and even in opposition to the gospel we love, do we give up on them?

AREN’T YOU GLAD THE SAVIOR DIDN’T GIVE UP ON US?

“The knowledge that God has loved me beyond all limits will compel me to go into the world to love others in the same way. I may get irritated because I have to live with an unusually difficult person. But just think how disagreeable I have been with God! Am I prepared to be identified so closely with the Lord Jesus that His life and His sweetness will be continually poured out through Me? Neither natural love nor God’s divine love will remain and grow in me unless it is nurtured.” OSWALD CHAMBERS

CLOSE IN PRAYER

SERIES: “HONOR” Message #5, Originally preached March 18, 2012

Rev. Jeremy Stopford, Retired Pastor

TODAY’S SPECIALS:  “Children Are Quick!“

TEACHER: Why are you late?

STUDENT: Class started before I got here.

TEACHER: Winnie, name one important thing we have today that we didn’t have ten years ago.

WINNIE: Me!

TEACHER: Clyde, your composition on ‘My Dog’ is exactly the same as your brother’s. Did you copy his?

CLYDE: No, sir. It’s the same dog.

TEACHER: Harold, what do you call a person who keeps on talking when people are no longer interested?

HAROLD: A teacher

INTRODUCTION 

Today’s message concludes our series on “honoring God”.  We have learned that to “honor” means “to give the highest respect.”, “to draw attention to the one (One) you love.”

Today we are going to look at the end of honor – in glory.  And when that is offered, that truly will be ETERNAL HONOR.     

PRAYER

GOD WILL RECEIVE ETERNAL HONOR BECAUSE:

#1. HE IS CREATOR  (Rev. 4:9-11)

“The Jack Frost Syndrome” is eliminated in Heaven. You will have no one exclaiming “Jack Frost is nipping at my nose”, or “Mother Nature is upset”, or “wish you luck!” in Heaven.  All honor is to the true Creator!

I came across this song’s original lyrics, as written in 1873 by Lutheran minister, Joseph Seiss:

“Fairest Lord Jesus”

Beautiful Savior, king of creation

Son of God and Son of Man!

Truly I’d love Thee, truly I’d serve Thee,

Light of my soul, my joy, my crown.

Fair are the meadows, fair are the woodlands,

Robed in the flowers of blooming spring;

Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,

He makes our sorrowing spirit sing.

Fair is the sunshine, fair is the moonlight,

Bright the sparkling stars on high;

Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer

Than all the angels in the sky.

Beautiful Savior, Lord of the nations,

Son of God and Son of Man!

Glory and honor, praise, adoration

Now and forevermore be Thine!

SO…If God will receive ETERNAL HONOR because He’s your Creator, we need to heed the warning that the prophet Amos gave: prepare to meet your Creator! (Amos 4:12-13)

#2.  HE IS THE LAMB WHO WAS SLAIN (Rev. 5:12-13)

Can we look with John for a minute at the Throne of God in Heaven? Here’s what John wrote:

“Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders: and the number of them was

ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands,”

[THAT MEANS A LOT OF PEOPLE AROUND THE THRONE IN HEAVEN !!!]

John continues. What are those people saying with a LOUD voice?

“Worthy is the Lamb Who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom,

And strength and HONOR and glory and blessing!” (Revelation 5:12-13)

The Throne in Heaven is the scene of ongoing worship for all eternity. But we shouldn’t be surprised. When was the last time you read from the book of Zechariah? He prophesied a future conversation between the Messiah and Israel,

“And one will say to Him, ‘What are these wounds between your arms?’ Then He will answer, ‘Those with which I was wounded in the house of My friends.’” (Zechariah 13:6)

One day, we will worship FACE TO FACE the Lamb Who was slain. But until then, we can worship Him FAITH TO FAITH, if only you have trusted Him as your personal Lord and Savior, the one Who was slain for YOUR sins.

#3. HE IS THE ONLY SAVIOR (Rev 7:9-12)

We shouldn’t be surprised that the the “One on the throne” & the Lamb receive equal worship. Jesus said, “I and My Father are one” (John 10:30)

John once again writes,

“…behold, a great multitude…standing before the Lamb,

Clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands,

And crying out with a loud voice, saying,

‘Salvation belongs to our God Who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.’”

John continues:

[they] “fell on their faces before the throne and worshipped God, saying:

‘Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, thanksgiving and HONOR

and power and might,

Be to our God forever and ever. Amen.’” (Revelation 7:9-12, in parts)

There will be NO self-sufficiency in Heaven!  So why is there any now? Our sufficiency is Jesus alone!

The Lord Jesus will be the center of worship in heaven ALONE!  Is He of our hearts today?

#4. HE IS THE ONLY TRUE JUDGE  (Rev. 19:1-3)

This is a tough truth. Listen to a portion of this passage:

“I heard a voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying,

‘Alleluia! Salvation and glory and HONOR and power belong to the Lord our God!

For true and righteous are His judgments…’”

In Heaven, there will be no question Who the true Judge is. There will be no unfair judgments. And as a result, ETERNAL HONOR will be brought to our Savior!

The passage goes on to say,

“…and He has avenged…the blood of His servants shed…” 

In Heaven, there will be no more opposition to the truth! In Heaven, those of God’s servants whose blood has been shed through martyrdom will be avenged by the True Judge.

And ETERNAL HONOR goes to Him!

#5.  HE IS THE ETERNAL KING  (Rev. 21:22-26)

Have you read the last couple of chapters of Revelation lately? Listen to some of the descriptions of the Holy City:

No temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its tempe

No need of the sun or of the moon, for the glory of God illuminates…the Lamb is its light.

The kings of the earth bring their glory and HONOR into it

There shall be no night there

[The Kings] shall bring the glory and the HONOR of the nations into it

[The only ones in it are] ONLY those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life

Jesus is the Eternal King receiving Eternal HONOR. Have you read Philippians 2:9-11 recently?

“That at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow,

Of those in heaven, and those on earth, and of those under the earth,

And that every tongue should confess that

JESUS CHRIST IS LORD

To the glory of God the Father.”

One wonders how the cults – much less those who “say” they love Jesus – will feel then? How will YOU feel?

CONCLUSION

If He is given ETERNAL HONOR in Heaven, why not give Him ETERNAL HONOR NOW

CLOSE IN PRAYER

Message #4 in the “Honor Series,” originally preached March 11, 2012

Rev. Jeremy Stopford, Retired Pastor

TODAY’S SPECIAL:   “A ‘Drive Funny’“

A teenager who had just received her learner’s permit offered to drive her parents to church. After a hair-raising ride, they finally reached their destination.

When the mother got out of the car she said emphatically, “Thank you!”

“Anytime,” her daughter replied with a smile.

As her mother headed for the church door, she said, “I wasn’t talking to you. I was talking to God.”

INTRODUCTION

Today’s message continues our series on “honoring God”.  We have learned that to “honor” means “to give the highest respect.”  It could also be defined as “drawing attention to the one you love.”

Today we are going to look at two lives – David and his son, Solomon – both of whom are described at the start of their lives as men of “honor”.  Let’s see what each of their lives of honor look like. 

    PRAYER

1. LIFE OF DAVID  (1 Chronicles 29)

A. He sacrificed (vs. 1-5a)

David’s heart’s desire was to build a temple for the Lord – an house of worship for all Israel. The Lord had shown David that because he had been a man of war, he was not to build the temple. However, long before Solomon was even “thought of” (much less born!), God promised to David a son who would build the temple.

Although he could not build the temple, he could provide for it! And provide he did! Check out all that he gave from HIS OWN BELONGINGS! That was a sacrifice.

He recognized a tremendous Biblical principle: “you are not your own, for you were bought at a price…”. (1 Cor. 6:19b, 20a).

Am I holding on to ownership of anything the Lord has wonderfully giving me, or is He free to use all that I am and have for His glory?

B. He encouraged sacrifice (vs. 5b-9)

David asked (v. 5b), Who then is willing to consecrate himself this day to the Lord?”.

Isn’t that a funny question? Note that he DIDN’T say, “all right – you’ve seen how much I GAVE, let’s see how much YOU can give!”

David told his people, “who is WILLING TO CONSECRATE himself…to the LORD”. True giving comes first of all from a sacrificial spirit. David led by example, and as a result, his people – interestingly, the LEADERS first of all – were willing to follow.

Am I willing to follow? Am I first of all consecrated to the Lord?

C. He praised God (vs. 10-15)

Here comes the neat part. David gives 3 eternal principles which no doubt were the foundation for his life. And please note this: David is near the END of his life. Yet these principles were still his foundation, the roots of all he did:

PRINCIPLE #1: God is the Source, v. 12

“Both riches and HONOR come from YOU, and YOU reign over all”.

WAIT! WAIT! WAIT! Isn’t DAVID the KING???

But David recognized that, FIRST OF ALL, the Lord Himself is King, and all “HONOR” comes from Him!

That’s a good principle for our lives, too!

PRINCIPLE #2: We are His vessels, v. 14

I really like this line. David is praying. That’s right! After the leaders and he gave all that they gave, David leads his leaders in prayer. And one of the things he prays is, well, are you ready for it, could we pray it, are you sure you even WANT to think about praying like this? Well here goes:

“For all things come from YOU, and of YOUR own we have given YOU”.

“OF YOUR OWN” literally means, “OF YOUR HAND”.

What is David praying? He is telling God what God already knows: that EVERYTHING David and his leaders gave CAME FROM GOD in the first place! They all belonged to God! And all they were doing was acknowledging HIS ownership! They were returning to God what He both owned and gave to them for their stewardship! Wow!

Do I hold on to ownership of anything?

PRINCIPLE #3: Our lives are short, v. 15

In his prayer, David states, “our days on earth are as a shadow, and without hope.” Earlier he says, “we are aliens and pilgrims before You”. Literally, we are sojourners and temporary residents.

Why, even one day the house David build will belong to someone else! Even the horse he bought will belong to someone else, or be buried. Why, even the clothes, the books, the STUFF he accumulated will either belong to someone else, or be in the fire for starter kindling.

If that is true of David, is that not only true of us!

PRINCIPLE #4: God is the chief end, v. 16

David prayed, “all this…is from Your hand, and is all Your own.”

Paul wrote, “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the GLORY OF GOD.” (1 Cor. 10:31)

Our Presbyterian friends’ first creed is, “The chief end of man is to know God and to enjoy Him forever.”

David understood that. Paul understood that.

Do we?

D.  He finished well, (v. 28)

A friend of mine once said, “I read the obituary page first thing every morning. And if I don’t see my name in it, I go ahead and shave!”

I LOVE obituaries! I have access to the web site of EVERY funeral home in our area!

OK – before you say “he’s gone off the deep end” (well, you MAY be right!) – listen to what the Chronicler says about how David finished:

“So he died in a good old age, full of days and riches and…HONOR.”

David lived well, and he died well. While the Scriptures are not silent to the struggles David had in his spiritual life, the Scriptures well sum up his entire 70 years: “he died full of HONOR”.

As per our definition, he gave the highest respected, he drew attention to the ONE HE LOVED.

I sure hope that at the end of my days that is said of me!

Wouldn’t you like that to be said of you?

2. LIFE OF SOLOMON (2 Chronicles 1; 1 Kings 11:41-43; 2 Chron. 9:29-31)

Solomon was now the new king of the combined kingdom of Israel and Judah.

At the start of his ministry as king, Solomon received a visit from the Lord. The Lord asked Solomon, “what can I give you?” And Solomon asked simply for wisdom.

Note the Lord’s response to the new King Solomon’s request:

“Then God said to Solomon: “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches or wealth or honor or the life of your enemies, nor have you asked long life—but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge My people over whom I have made you king—

wisdom and knowledge are granted to you; and I will give you riches and wealth and HONOR such as none of the kings have had who were before you, nor shall any after you have the like.”

(2 Chronicles 1:11-12).

Solomon’s new kingship began with…HONOR. How did he finish?

Scriptures give us the tenor of his life. In one sentence: God didn’t own him, but things and pleasures owned him.

He knew the testimony of his Dad’s life. He had watched it for the first 30 years of his own life. And he knew that when his dad David died, he did have a full life. And he did have riches. But most importantly, his life could be summarized with this: he lived a life of HONOR!

And what do the Scriptures say about Solomon?

“Solomon rested with his fathers [a fancy Biblical phrase which means, “he died and joined his ancestors”], and was buried…” (1 Kings 11:43; 2 Chron. 9:31”.

That’s nice. That’s what I often read in obituaries today. But what is missing?

He didn’t die a GOOD OLD AGE although both his father and he died at the same age, 70 years].

He didn’t die FULL OF DAYS AND RICHES.

And most importantly, he didn’t die FULL OF HONOR. In fact, the fact that it is not mentioned means he died WITHOUT HONOR!!!

What a sad commentary on a life that was given by God – and by his father, David – so much wisdom and instruction. Yet he threw it all away for…STUFF AND PLEASURE. 

CONCLUSION

We all must ask ourselves: When our name appears in the obituary page of the paper, will it be said of us, “his was a life of HONOR?”

Such a summary statement of our lives can only be said based upon how we live our lives from this day forward. Let us each ask ourselves:

  Is my life a life of sacrifice, or of accumulation?

  Is my life a life of praise, or of self-gloating?

  Is my life a life centered in God, His Word, and His people?

  OR is my life a life lived ONLY for today?

Is my life a life of HONOR?

CLOSE IN PRAYER

“BUT YOUR HONOR!” (“honor” as in Psalms)

Message #3 in the “Honor Series,” originally preached March 4, 2012

By Rev. Jeremy Stopford, Retired Pastor

TODAY’S SPECIAL  “A taxi funny“:

The passenger tapped the cab driver on the shoulder to ask him something. The driver screamed, lost control of the car, nearly hit a bus, went up on the sidewalk, and stopped inches from a department store window.

For a second everything went quiet in the cab, then the driver said, “Look mister, don’t ever do that again. You scared me half to death!”

The passenger apologized and said he didn’t realize that a little tap could scare him so much.

The driver replied, “You’re right. I’m sorry. Really, it’s not your fault. Today is my first day as a cab driver. I’ve been driving a hearse for 25 years.”

INTRODUCTION

Today’s message continues our series on “honoring God”.  We have learned that God wants to be honored at every age – especially as we grow older and seemingly more frail.  We learned that God wants to be honored in our daily lives and our worship. Last week we learned that honor is a choice – and when we chose to dishonor God we actually are despising Him.  

Out of the 179 times that the word “honor” appears in Scripture, twelve of those are in Psalms.  Today we are going to zero in on the use of “honor” in Psalms.

ILLUSTRATION:  “Judge Joe Brown”, “Judge Judy”, “Judge Alex”, “People’s Court”: These programs all show the defendants and plaintiffs at their worst, and, especially in “Judge Joe Brown”, a witness is often heard crying out, “But your Honor!”. 

Can we so protest against God Himself?  PRAYER

1. GOD IS GLORIOUS – PRAISE HIM!  (Ps. 66:2)

“Sing out the honor of His name;

Make His praise glorious.”

In this verse, the word “honor” means “glory to God alone” !!!

This psalm resonates with PRAISE!

What a JOY to HONOR our God this way! Let’s SING OUT His HONOR today!

2.    MAN IS HEAVY – BE HUMBLED  (Ps. 7:5)

“Let the enemy pursue me and overtake me; Yes, let him trample my life to the earth, And lay my honor in the dust. Selah”

In this verse, the word “honor” means “to be heavy, to get glory [in contrast to being despised]”.

Did you notice the word “Selah” at the end of the verse? Do you simply skip over that word when you see it in Scripture? DON’T!!! It means, “PAUSE! THINK ABOUT THAT!”

The Psalmist wants his reader to pause. Why? Well, if we read the previous verses, David is concerned with two things, as we should be! First (vs. 1-2), he reminds God in prayer that God is HIS trust, and his only Hope in the battle.

But having said that, David spends a moment – as should we! – in self-inspection (vs. 3-5). He asks God to check him out – and if there is iniquity in him, if he has repaid evil to the one who was at peace with him, or if he has plundered his enemy without cause – THEN “LAY MY HONOR IN THE DUST!” Let it get heavy! Let my honor be so heavy in the dust that it can’t get up. David saw relationships with all people – especially with those who didn’t agree with him – as vital in his walk with the Lord. Whoa! Do we? Do I?

3.  GOD IS ON DISPLAY – BE SAFE  (Ps. 91:15)

[God speaking] “He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble: I will deliver him and honor him.”

Here, “honor” means “safety in abiding in God’s presence”

How?  by God’s glory on display in His child!

*  Note the tender verses of intimacy, vs. 1-4,14-16. Verse 1 was one of the theme verses of Elizabeth Eliot in her radio program:

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” 

The Psalmist hungered to know God in a most intimate way – and so should we! And in turn, the Lord promised that vessel that His child would “safely abide in God’s presence”.

Wow! I sure need to hear that today! Don’t you?

4.  MAN IS AT WAR – BE SERVING  (Ps. 149:6,9)

“Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand…

To execute on them [God’s enemies] the written judgment –

This honor have all His saints. Praise the Lord!”

God’s people are to have high praises of God. That I understand. But to have a two-edged sword in my hand? To execute judgment on God’s enemies? This is my honor to do?

In this verse, “honor” means “majesty”, on display like a Christmas ornament!

God should be praised in our service!

Did you note the “two-edged sword” in verse 6? Should be a familiar item for battle!

Let’s see Hebrews 4:12:

“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

So for the New Testament saint, the war against those that don’t know God is won through our wise use of…His Word! Are we in the Word of God daily? Are we being instructed personally from Him on a regular basis? Are we equipped to use God’s two-edged sword?

For further study!!! Look up: Psalms 15:4; 21:5; 49:12,20; 96:6; 104:1; 112:9

CONCLUSION:  JESUS BECOMES MAN – WORSHIP HIM!  (Ps. 8:5)

“For You [the Father] have made Him [the Son] a little lower than the angels, And You [the Father] have crowned Him [the Son] with glory and honor.”

The word “honor” here takes on a special meaning: “an object of reverence or majesty”.

The author of Hebrews notes the fulfillment in Hebrews 2:6,9 in the Lord Jesus!

Honor! He is THE Object of reverence and majesty for all eternity!!!

Is Jesus the Object – the Goal, the One and ONLY Center – of reverence and majesty in your heart today?

CLOSE IN PRAYER

1 Samuel 2:27-33

Message #2 in the “Honor Series,” February 26, 2012

Rev. Jeremy Stopford, Retired Pastor,

TODAY’S “SPECIAL: “Car keys, a senior moment”

Several days ago as I left a meeting at our church, I desperately gave myself a personal TSA pat down. I was looking for my keys. They were not in my pockets. A quick search in the meeting room revealed nothing. Suddenly I realized, I must have left them in the car.

Frantically I headed for the parking lot. My wife, Diane, has scolded me many times for leaving the keys in the ignition. My theory is the ignition is the best place not to lose them. Her theory is that the car will be stolen. As I burst through the doors of the church, I came to a terrifying conclusion. Her theory was right. The parking lot was empty. I immediately called the police. I gave them my location, confessed that I had left my keys in the car, and that it had been stolen.

Then I made the most difficult call of all, “Honey,” I stammered. I always call her “honey” in times like these. “I left my keys in the car, and it has been stolen.”

There was a period of silence. I thought the call had been dropped, but then I heard Diane’s voice, “Ken,” she barked, “I dropped you off!”

Now it was my time to be silent. Embarrassed, I said, “Well, come and get me.”

Diane retorted, “I will, as soon as I convince this policeman I have not stolen your car!”

INTRODUCTION

Today’s message is an appropriate follow-up to last Sunday’s message on “HONORING God”. Last week we learned that God wants to be honored at every age – especially as we grow older and seemingly more frail. We learned that God wants to be honored in our daily lives and our worship.

In reading through the Old Testament this past week – at a clip of 30 chapters a day in order to get done a college class before we go to Florida next month- I was amazed at a couple of verses which fit in with the second part of the verse. “Those who despise Me” – or “dishonor” God. Is it possible for we who love God to dishonor Him? God invites us to a spiritual self-examination. PRAYER

27 Then a man of God came to Eli and said to him, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Did I not clearly reveal Myself to the house of your father when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh’s house? 28 Did I not choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be My priest, to offer upon My altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod before Me? And did I not give to the house of your father all the offerings of the children of Israel made by fire? 29 Why do you kick at My sacrifice and My offering which I have commanded in My dwelling place, and honor your sons more than Me, to make yourselves fat with the best of all the offerings of Israel My people?’ 30 Therefore the Lord God of Israel says: ‘I said indeed that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever.’ But now the Lord says: ‘Far be it from Me; for those who honor Me I will honor, and THOSE WHO DESPITE ME SHALL BE LIGHTLY ESTEEMED 31 Behold, the days are coming that I will cut off your arm and the arm of your father’s house, so that there will not be an old man in your house. 32 And you will see an enemy in My dwelling place, despite all the good which God does for Israel. And there shall not be an old man in your house forever. 33 But any of your men whom I do not cut off from My altar shall consume your eyes and grieve your heart. And all the descendants of your house shall die in the flower of their age. (1 Samuel 2:27-33)

I. THE WORLD’S CULTURE – reaping what you sow

DID YOU KNOW THESE FACTS? Death is certain but the Bible speaks about untimely death! It is written. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked for whatsoever a man sow, that shall

he also reap..” (Galatians 6:7)

Here are some men and women who mocked God (from an email received February 2012):

(1) John Lennon—During his interview with an American magazine, he said: ‘Christianity will end, it will disappear. I do not have to argue about that… I am certain. Jesus was ok, but his subjects were too simple, today we are more famous than Him’ (1966). Lennon, after saying that the Beatles were more famous than Jesus Christ, was shot six times.

(2) The man who built the Titanic—After the construction of Titanic, a reporter asked him how safe the Titanic would be. With an ironic tone he said:’Not even God can sink it’ The result: I think you all know what happened to the Titanic

(3) Marilyn Monroe (Actress)—She was visited by Billy Graham during a presentation of a show. He said the Spirit of God had sent him to preach to her. After hearing what the Preacher had to say, she said: ‘I don’t need your Jesus’. A week later, she was found dead in her apartment.

(4) Bon Scott (Singer)—The ex-vocalist of the AC/DC. On one of his 1979 songs he sang:

‘Don’t stop me; I’m going down all the way, down the highway to hell’. On the 19th of February 1980, Bon Scott was found dead, he had been choked by his own vomit.

(5) Campinas (in 2005)—In Campinas, Brazil, a group of friends, drunk, went to pick up a friend… The mother accompanied her to the car and was so worried about the drunkenness of her friends she said to the daughter who was already seated in the car, “My Daughter, Go With God And May He Protect You.” She responded: “Only If He (God) Travels In The Trunk, Cause Inside Here…..It’s Already Full.” Hours later, news came that they had been involved in a fatal accident, everyone had died. The car could not be recognized what type of car it had been, but surprisingly, the trunk was intact. The police said there was no way the trunk could have remained intact. To their surprise, inside the trunk was a crate of eggs, none was broken.

(6) Christine Hewitt (Jamaican Journalist and entertainer) —She said the Bible (Word of God) was the worst book ever written. In June 2006 she was found burnt beyond recognition in her motor vehicle.

2. THE CHRISTIAN’S CHALLENGE

The Bible gives us several glances at those who struggled with this question: “in this incidence, will I honor or dishonor God?”:

The challenge of PRIDE

“But when he [Uzziah the King of Judah] was strong HIS HEART WAS LIFTED UP, to his destruction, for he transgressed against the Lord his God by entering the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense. 17So Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him were eighty priests of the Lord—valiant men. 18And they withstood King Uzziah, and said to him, “It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord, but for the priests, the sons of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense. Get out of the sanctuary, for you have trespassed! You shall have no honor from the Lord God.” 19 Then Uzziah became furious; and he had a censer in his hand to burn incense. And while he was angry with the priests, leprosy broke out on his forehead, before the priests in the house of the Lord, beside the incense altar. 20And Azariah the chief priest and all the priests looked at him, and there, on his forehead, he was leprous; so they thrust him out of that place. Indeed he also hurried to get out, because the Lord had struck him. 21 King Uzziah was a leper until the day of his death” (2 Chron. 26:16-21a).

What can happen when being in the forefront is more important than being honoring to God?

The challenge of OBEDIENCE

“Now the Lord said to Moses: “Go up into this Mount Abarim, and see the land which I have given to the children of Israel. 13And when you have seen it, you also shall [a]be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother was gathered. 14For in the Wilderness of Zin, during the strife of the congregation, you rebelled against My command to hallow Me at the waters before their eyes” (Num. 27:12-13).

Notice the progression:

Ex. 17:6: “STRIKE the rock”

Num. 20:8: “SPEAK to the rock”

1 Cor. 10:4-6: CHRIST is the ROCK !!!

Most theologians believe that “striking the rock” represents the crucifying of our Savior. The second time the Israelites needed water, they were told by God “SPEAK” to the rock because Jesus was already crucified, as it were, and He did not need to be crucified again! “SPEAK”ing is a symbol of rich fellowship, not of crucifixion. Moses and Aaron did not get it.

We want to finish well; Moses did not.

The challenge to TRUST & REMEMBER

“They refused to obey, and they were not mindful of Your wonders that You did among them. But they hardened their necks, And in their rebellion, they appointed a leader to return to their bondage” (Nehemiah 9:17a).

We need to ask ourselves constantly, “are we better off now than when we were before we came to the cross?” See 1 Cor. 6:9-11 – do you want to return to “Egypt”?

CONCLUSION: How NOT to DISHONOR God

Remember HIS Word:

“For all those things My hand has made,

And all those things exist,”

Says the Lord.

But on this one will I look:

On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit,

And who trembles at My word.”

(Isaiah 66:2)

Remember HIS Name:

“Let Your name be kept holy”

(Luke 11:2, God’s Word version)

Remember HIS purpose, His delight:

“that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.”

(Ephesians 1:12)

“So Haman came in, and the king asked him, ‘What shall be done for the man whom the king delights to honor?’ Now Haman thought in his heart, ‘Whom would the king delight to honor more than ME?’”

(Esther 6:6)

CLOSE IN PRAYER

“HONOR” SERIES, Message #1

Originally preached February 12, 2012

Rev. Jeremy Stopford, Retired Pastor

Today’s “Special”: “Ethel“

An elderly man lay in a hospital, with his wife of 55 years sitting at his bedside. “Is that you, Ethel, at my side again?” he whispered.

“Yes, dear,” she answered.

He softly said to her, “Remember years ago when I was in the Veteran’s Hospital? You were with me then. You were with me when we lost everything in a fire. And Ethel, when we were poor—you stuck with me then too.” The man sighed and said, “I tell you, Ethel, you are bad luck!”

INTRODUCTION

Today’s passage has a 5 letter word that we may use a lot, but may be surprised that it’s original intent, it’s highest purpose, is to be used in reference to God.

To “honor” means to give the highest respect. We call judges, “Your Honor” as a means of respect. To place high. To give the place that only they deserve. To honor.

Israel needed to learn what it means. We need to learn how to apply it to our lives.

PRAYER

I Samuel 2:27: Then a man of God came to Eli and said to him, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Did I not clearly reveal Myself to the house of your father when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh’s house? 28 Did I not choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be My priest, to offer upon My altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod before Me? And did I not give to the house of your father all the offerings of the children of Israel made by fire? 29 Why do you kick at My sacrifice and My offering which I have commanded in My dwelling place, and HONOR your sons more than Me, to make yourselves fat with the best of all the offerings of Israel My people?’ 30 Therefore the Lord God of Israel says: ‘I said indeed that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever.’ But now the Lord says: ‘Far be it from Me; for those who HONOR Me I will HONOR, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed. 31 Behold, the days are coming that I will cut off your arm and the arm of your father’s house, so that there will not be an old man in your house. 32 And you will see an enemy in My dwelling place, despite all the good which God does for Israel. And there shall not be an old man in your house forever. 33 But any of your men whom I do not cut off from My altar shall consume your eyes and grieve your heart. And all the descendants of your house shall die in the flower of their age” (1 Samuel 2:27-33).

IT’S A FAMILY THING

a. The encouraged heritage of Aaron, vs. 27,28

b. The disgraced heritage of Eli, vs. 29-31a

c. The potential to age “gracefully”, vs. 31b-33

Gen. 21:7: “(Sarah) borne him a son in his old age.”

Gen. 24:1: “(Abraham)..old, well advanced in age, the Lord had blessed Abe)… in all things”

Gen. 25:8: “(Abe) breathed his last and died in a good old age, full of years…”

Gen. 37:3: “Israel loved Joseph…because he was the son of his old age.”

2 Sam. 19:32: “Barzillai…aged man, eighty years old, he had provided the king with supplies.”

1 Kings 15:23: “Asa…in the time of his old age he was diseased in his feet.”

Ps. 92:13,14: “Those who are planted in the house of the Lord…shall still bear fruit in old age…”

How about us?

II. IT’S AN HONOR THING, vs. 29-30

1. Who did Eli honor more than God? His sons!
2. Who will God honor if we honor Him? Us!

c. How does God like to be honored?

* By honoring our parents (Ex. 20:12)

• By honoring the presence of the gray headed (Lev. 19:32)
• By honoring God with our possessions and our increase (Prov. 3:9,10)
• By exalting wisdom (Prov. 4:8)
• By regarding a rebuke (Prov. 13:18)
• By having mercy on the needy (Prov. 14:31)
• By the testing of our faith (1 Pet. 1:7)

* By our singing (Ps. 66:2)

* By our worship (Rev. 5:12, 13)

* By our seeing Him in the sanctuary (Ps. 96:6)

* By extolling Him Who is clothed with HONOR (Ps.. 104:1)

* By our worship of the Lord Jesus (Hebrews 2:9)

CONCLUDING ILLUSTRATION:

Eric Liddell, 1924 Olympic champion in Paris. Eric, representing Great Britain, was training for the Olympics in the 100 meter dash. When he was advised that his heats would be on Sunday at the Olympics, he withdrew even though he was the favored to win. He said, “that is the Lord’s Day – I will rest on His day.” He was ridiculed greatly throughout the world, much less his nation, for that stand. He was invited to compete in the 400 meter dash, an event for which he had never competed. Just before the race, a friend handed him a note. It read in part, “The Old Book says, ‘those who HONOR Me, I will HONOR.”

Eric ran like the wind, came in first place, setting a world record.

He later was martyred as a missionary to China.

CLOSE IN PRAYER

“JESUS SAID, ‘I AM THE LIFE’” (John 14:6)

SERIES: THE WAY, THE TRUTH, THE LIFE

Originally preached June 1, 2014

By Rev. Jeremy Stopford, Retired Pastor

“Jesus said…, ‘I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life; No one comes to the Father but by Me'” (John 3:16).

TODAY’S “SPECIAL: “Fun answering machine messages”

~ I can’t answer the phone now because I have amnesia and I feel stupid talking to people I don’t remember. I’d appreciate it if you could help me out by leaving my name and telling me something about myself. Thanks.

~ Hi. I’m probably around, but I’m just avoiding someone I don’t like. Leave me a message, and if I don’t call back, it’s you.

~ This is not voicemail. This is a telepathic thought-recording device. After the tone, think about your name, your reason for calling, and a number where I can reach you, and I’ll think about returning your call.

~ Roses are red, Violets are cheap, Leave your message After the beep.

INTRODUCTION

We are in the 3rd and final week of a series on the verse, John 14:6. First, Jesus said “I am THE way”. Perhaps the word “the” needs to be underscored – as the only other way, according to Scripture, is the “way of death”. Jesus is “the” way which leads to life, righteousness, faithfulness, wisdom, insight, holiness, peace, love, and truth!

Last week, we discussed Jesus being “the truth.” From the gospel of John, we learned that He is the eternal Savior Who bases His mission on the truth of the Living Word, and He encourages growth through the truth, the written Word of God.

This week we are looking at “I am the life.” And it shouldn’t surprise us that Scripture will once again help us to learn what this means, and how God intends to apply this to our life.

AND it shouldn’t surprise us that the Scriptural use of “the life” encompasses every part of the seasons of life.

PRAYER

I. PREVIOUS (before salvation)

“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived” (Colossians 3:5-7).

This is a description of the life you once lived – it was the lifestyle of before you knew Jesus.

This was a lifestyle that God doesn’t want us to live anymore – the old lifestyle should not be the new lifestyle.

HOWEVER, the baggage is not lost when we find Jesus. So God says “put it off” – God can’t do that, nobody else can do that; we must do that for ourselves.

And when we focus on the new, the new will become our new lifestyle

II. PERSONAL (faith in a personal God)

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us” (1 John 1:1-2).

The life appeared. True faith is a faith in a Person, NOT in a church, a religion, a religious system.

We’ve seen it for ourselves. It is personal. The only ones who know that you have true faith is you – and God.

“The life” appears when we examine the evidence and trust what we have explored for ourselves

III. PRESENT (NOW!)

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20)

Two guidelines:

#1 This is described as “the real life” (Living Bible) – some of us remember the 60’s, and those who were stoned out of their mind saying, “this is really living, man”. In contrast to what the world has to offer, the Christian life is real life!

#2 “The life you see me living is not “mine”” (The Message) The Owner of this life, today’s life, is not me. The Owner is the Lord Jesus. And the battle line of this life is over Who is the owner at this moment – Him, or me?

IV. PROSPECT (future!)

“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26).

Because of this future hope, we live today with a present hope based on that future hope. Got it? And Who is the One Who has accomplished that? The Lord Jesus, our Hope!

CONCLUSION

PRACTICAL (local body that shares the life)

“During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea” (Acts 11:27-29).

ILLUSTRATION: The story of The Hedgehogs

It was the coldest winter ever. Many animals died because of the cold.

The hedgehogs, realizing the situation, decided to group together to keep warm. This way they covered and protected themselves; but the quills of each one wounded their closest companions.

After awhile, they decided to distance themselves one from the other and they began to die, alone and frozen. So they had to make a choice: either accept the quills of their companions or disappear from the earth.

Wisely, they decided to go back to being together. They learned to live with the little wounds caused by the close relationship with their companions in order to receive the heat that came from the others. This way they were able to survive!

“The best relationship is not the one that brings together perfect people, but when each individual learns to live with the imperfections of others an can admire the other person’s good qualities.” — Author unknown

This is called Body Life, a term coined by Pastor Ray Stedman back in the 1970’s. When the local body of believers does what God calls it to do, and cares for one another, and sees every person and every need as God’s assignment, then it is living THE LIFE that God intends us to live!

APPLICATION:

There is often a tender thread, an almost invisible “fine line” where people are trying to determine where they belong. Where do you fit in in this “body life”? Do you know that you are vitally needed? AND that you are vitally needed in this local body life?

CLOSE IN PRAYER

INTRODUCTION

Last week, we discussed Jesus being “the way”. Scripture indicates that there are TWO ways known in the world: the first is the many other ways to God – and ultimately they are all on the “way of death.” That’s pretty simple when you think about it. All cults. All non-religions. All nice people. They are all on the way of death.

The SECOND way is the ONLY true way – the way of the Lord! It encompasses the way of life, righteousness, faithfulness, wisdom, insight, holiness, peace, love, and truth! Are you SURE you are on the way of the Lord? Aren’t you glad you are? Don’t you wish everyone would be?

TODAY we are going to look at the phrase, “the Truth”. The Lord Jesus said, “I AM the truth”. The phrase “I AM” which introduces it is a phrase marking eternity. It is identifying Himself with the God of eternity Who said to Moses, “I AM has sent you”. The God Who sent Moses, and the Lord Jesus, are One and the Same! He is eternally “the truth”.

The phrase “the truth” is found 88 times in our NIV. The first time is in Genesis 42:16 where Joseph was encountering his brothers in Egypt with “the truth”. The last usage is in 3 John 1:12 where John tells us that Demetrius is a man of “the truth”. [could John say that of us? That’s a good testimony!’].

But I found it interesting that the phrase is used 9 times in the gospel of John, 5 times in chapter 8 alone! Using only the gospel of John as our foundation, we will find that “the truth” is involved in EVERY part of the life of the believer.

Open in Prayer

Follow along in your Bibles in the Gospel of John:

THE HEART OF THE SAVIOR (John 18:33-38)

Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”

Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” (John 18:37-38a)

He knew that “the truth” was His mission, and the dividing line separating all from God!

II. THE HEART OF SALVATION (John 3:16-21)

But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” John 3:21

v. 16 “one and only”. When “begotten” is referring to humans = “child of the one who gave me life”; but when referring to Jesus, it is an expression of eternal Sonship!

vs. 18-21 how we respond to “the truth” is the basis of our salvation. The foundation of faith is this Book!

III. THE HEART OF SANCTIFICATION (John 17:14-19)

As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. John 17:18-19

If you were to define your mission, your one purpose in life, what would you say it is? Verse 18 is Jesus’ purpose for us.

In order to accomplish that, He prays for us concerning 2 things:

#1 our focus: not of this world

#2 our help: the Word enables us to live in accordance with God’s home and purposes

IV. THE HEART OF THE BELIEVER’S STATEMENT OF FAITH (John 19:34-36)

And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true;

and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe John 19:35

The foundation of OUR faith is the fact that there were those before us who based their testimony on “the truth”.

Now we are to live by “the truth” as giving evidence to the death, burial, and resurrection of our Savior and the change He can make in our hearts and in our lives.

John understood that – do we?

CONCL USION

• Jesus mission: the truth
• Our help: the truth
• Salvation’s purpose: the truth
• Our heart: the truth

Got it?

CLOSE IN PRAYER

John 10:22-30

“FOLLOW ME” SERIES – #8. Originally preached October 30, 2011

Rev. Jeremy Stopford, Retired Pastor

INTRODUCTION

Today’s “Special”: “Golf Funny” The hacker hit the ball into the rough and landed on an anthill. He tried three times to hit the ball and each time he missed the ball and hit the anthill.. Ants went flying all over the place.

One ant turned to the other ant and said, “If we are going to survive, we had better get on the ball.”

***

This message is the last in our series on the Biblical topic of “following” Jesus. Whether it is watching what He does, or leaving everything and submitting our whole lives to Him, Jesus wants us to follow Him.

Our text today shows the fellowship to which we are invited to enjoy with God. The old salts called this “Communion.”

Observe how it connects with “follow” (v.27).

PRAYER

22. Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. 23. And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch. 24. Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, “How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25. Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. 26. But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. 27. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30. I and My Father are one.”

1. TRUE SHEEP COMMUNE WITH DEITY (vs. 22-25)

Jesus says (v. 25) that what He does He does through His Father. And if we are following Him, in essence, so are we. That is fellowship!

How would you respond if you knew that to fellowship with God is an invitation personally from Him to you?

Revelation 3:20: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”

Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

ILLUSTRATION: Martin Luther – today marks the anniversary of the start of the Reformation. Martin Luther is famous for many things, but especially for his private walk with the Lord. He once commented, “I have so much to do today that I need to spend at least 4 hours in prayer before I do anything.” Do we understand “communion with God” in the same manner Martin Luther did?

2. TRUE SHEEP COMMUNE AS TRUE SHEEP (vs. 26)

This is a brutal accusation. I’m glad I wasn’t at the receiving end of that accusation, aren’t you?

So… what are some indications that true sheep are truly communing as God has newly created them to do?

1 John 1:5-9 There will be a consciousness of walking in light

Acts 2:42-47 There will be a hunger to be identified with God’s people

3. TRUE SHEEP COMMUNE WITH ONLY ONE SHEPHERD (vs. 27)

(a) vs. 3-5 The sheep hear only the Shepherd’s voice “they are familiar with His voice” (Message)

ILLUSTRATION: Three flocks of sheep – whose voice do they hear? Phillip Keller, a shepherd turned pastor, once told the story of coming up on a stone fenced-in area with many sheep within the walled in area. At the “gate” or entrance by the walls were 3 men. They were each shepherds. The first shepherd called out, and a good number of the sheep perked up and followed him out. Then the second shepherd called out, and another group of sheep followed him. Finally all were left were a small flock of sheep and the third shepherd. The sheep even then did not move until the shepherd called out to them in his all too familiar voice. All three groups of sheep were familiar only with their shepherd’s unique voice.

Any other voice – any other shepherd – is a THIEF! He wants to steal you from following the true Shepherd! (vs. 8-10) – only He gives “abundant life”!

(b) Vs. 11-14 The true Shepherd gives His life for the Sheep!

Chicken “Funny”: So a gentleman walks into a restaurant and asks the maitre d’, “Can you please tell me how you prepare your chicken?” To which the maitre d’ replies, “Yes. We let them know right up front they’re not going to make it.”

The true shepherd is focused on giving His life for His sheep.

Commune with the One Who is the Source of true communion!

CONCLUSION It’s exam time!

Have you responded to the Savior’s invite to commune with Him?

Do you hunger to commune with God’s people?

Are you familiar with communing with the Savior’s voice? In Scripture? In His house?

Where He takes you in your journey?

CLOSE IN PRAYER