Author: E. DeWayne Swann

Sitting at the Table

I grew up in a family of hunters and fishermen, (and fisherwomen my sister and Mother really love fishing too) and when uncles and cousins would drop by, we would sit at the table with my Dad. My Mother would usually prepare a meal or at least a snack and some coffee, and then the stories would start.

My Dad told the best stories, and he really had a way of telling them. You would feel as if you could almost step into the adventure as it unfolded. There was always a lot of laughing, and at times, the others involved in the story would jump right in and add some more parts of the story. Some sounded unbelievable, and when it looked like we were not buying the story you would hear, “isn’t that right Jimmy, or Charles, or Dee, or Glenn” or whoever was part of the adventure. They all had a chance at telling their stories too. And again, when they needed affirmation you would hear “Isn’t that right, whoever?” usually they would turn to my Dad to confirm the story. Sometimes he would say “it didn’t happen that way,” just to get a rise, but then he would agree and say “that’s just how it happened.”

Over the years a lot of the stories about how many fish were caught, or how big that deer was, were told over and over. They never grew old and as the years went on more and newer stories were added on, and one of the greatest days for me was when my Dad was telling one of his adventures, and he said “Isn’t that right Dink?” (I am Dink) Now I’m part of the story; not just a listener, but someone in the story.

Over time as I grew older more and more stories including me were added. My Dad would say, “Me and Dink were at Flying S, or Pine Valley, or Big Canoe fishing,” and the story would start; I started hunting, more stories with me in them were told, like, “we were at the hunting camp, or over at the “he did church””. (that’s what we call one of our hunting spots and that’s another story for another day) See the more time I spent with my Dad, the more stories we had to tell.

I was taught not to just go kill something to be killing it, I was taught to hunt for what you would eat, I hunted for 23 years before dropping my first (and only) deer. The main reason I hunted was to spend time with my Dad, and brothers, nephews and friends. I just love getting away and some of my best prayer times are and were in the “deer woods” hunting. Some of the best bible discussions and witnessing to friends and family is on the lake or in a boat. They have to listen in the boat they have nowhere to go.

My Dad taught me that every hunt and every fishing outing can be an adventure, and a possible story; it’s up to us.

While we sat at the table with my Dad, and others, we would get comfortable and know this is going to be a good night of adventures with people we that love.

On July 4^th, 1990, I took the pulpit for the very first time. I brought my very first sermon. The title of that sermon was “Sitting at the table with Jesus.”

In the course of the weeks prior to that Wednesday Night, I received all kinds of advice, some solicited, some not so much; For instance a preacher friend named Tiny called and gave me some verses to read and then ask “if I had butterflies in my stomach,” my reply was “yes, very much so,” and he added “don’t worry they will turn to alligators before it was over.”

Another piece of advice was from one of my greatest friends Margie Sprayberry. She said “when you run out of soap, get out of the tub”. In other words when you’ve said what needs to be said, shut up and sit down.

That should tell you a lot about my support system at that time.

My sermon was based on the text in John12 after Lazarus was raised from the dead. Lazarus had a chance to just sit down with Jesus and tell him about his adventure.

I thought that was very cool, sitting with the very creator of the universe. Having a meal with the Gentle Shepherd, and listening to His stories.

John 12:1 Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead. 2 There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him.  NKJV

In another translation it is rendered “reclining at the table with Him.”

John 12:2 So they made Him a supper there, and Martha was serving; but Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him. NASU

Now that is when it really got me thinking, reclining with Him, Wow just sitting back and taking it easy with Jesus. Being that comfortable around Jesus that you would just lay back, and take in what is being said. Listening to His adventures and telling of the things to come.

They may have heard of the meal that Martha worked so hard on and Mary just sat and listened to the stories as in Luke;

Luke 10:38 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore, tell her to help me.”

41 And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.  42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”  NKJV

Or how Peter got out of the boat, or the feeding of thousands with a kid’s sack lunch, I am sure there were stories after stories.

We don’t meet Lazarus until John 11. And as that story goes, he gets sick, and the sisters send for their friend and healer Jesus. Now four days later Jesus shows up and well just read it for yourself.

John 11:17 So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days. NKJV

We look at our guy Lazarus, God didn’t let him know when he was laying there dying that everything would turnout okay. Or that it was, so he could be in one of the greatest stories in the bible. God didn’t let him know what kind of witness he was going to become because of what happened to him. He and his sisters just had to trust Jesus, even to them being four days late, that He (Jesus) knew just what had to happen. But look what did happen.

John 11:40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?”  41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.  42 And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.”  43 Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!”

I heard a preacher say one time He had to call Lazarus by name or that whole grave yard would have emptied out.

44 And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with grave clothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”  NKJV

“Loose him and let him go.”  Now that is one great ending.

While sitting at the table with Jesus in John 12 we meet Mary the Worshiper and Martha the Worker. But now Jesus adds Lazarus name to his list of stories, and Lazarus is now in the story, as I was with my Dad.

Not only does Lazarus get to hear Jesus tell his story, he gets to put some personal input in the story as well, and people come to hear Lazarus’ take on the story and how Jesus raised him from the dead.

John 12:9 Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. NKJV

So, we see the Worshiper and the Worker but now we meet the Witness.

I believe that God wants the same for us, and it’s up to us, if we sit at the table with Him.

In Revelation Jesus said to the church, us Christians.

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.  21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

22 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”  NKJV

The more time you spend with The Heavenly Father the more stories you will have to tell as well. And that is our responsibility, to share the Gospel with the world.

Are you telling the friends and family the stories of what Christ has done for you? Even in the hard times that we go through, share how God brought you through them. There is a reason for them so you also can have a story to share.

The very purpose of the book “Something to Ponder.” is to share a few of the stories I have. This is Chapter One of the book.

So, if you will, pull up a chair and sit with me as we,

 Ponder over what God has to say.

As “We sit at the table with Jesus”.

Launch Out into The Deep Part 2

 

1. The Fish v.5 Last week we saw the Fish now we look at the Fear.
2. The Fear v7-9

God uses a miracle not to catch the fish but to catch these Men.

7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.

5:6-7 – BECAUSE he gave to Jesus WHAT HE HAD … BECAUSE he made himself and what he had AVAILABLE to Jesus … SEE THE RESULTS!

It is interesting to note that IF he would have cast in ALL his nets (like he was told to) … they would not have broken – 5:6.

Why do we sometimes feel like we have a HOLE in our nets?

We try to WITNESS … hole in our net.

We try to TEACH … hole in our net.

We try to LIVE the Christian life … hole in our net.

We see our inadequacies … our shortcomings… our inabilities … our weaknesses. BUT … NOTICE that … with all Peter’s faults, failures, and even his disobedience … EVEN with a broken net … HE STILL CAUGHT FISH! 5:7.

7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.

WHY? 5:5 – “Nevertheless, at thy word, I will let down the net.” He made himself available to Christ … with what he had … to do what he could. Let’s see what happens next.

8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:

5:8-9 – “he was astonished”. You will be AMAZED at what God can do with your broken net …

with your inadequacies …

with your weaknesses.

You just need to make them AVAILABLE to Him to use.

 

This experience HUMBLED Peter – 5:8. Peter realized he was NOTHING … that Christ was EVERYTHING.

He knew he couldn’t have done it … he tried and failed.

BUT … he found out that … if you give to God the NOTHING that you have … the NOTHING that you are … THEN … Jesus can make you into SOMETHING for Him!

 

Peter knew that he was not fit to be in the same boat as Jesus.

Neither are we. BUT …

Peter WAS in the boat. Peter knew the boat was not a worthy pulpit for Jesus … BUT … it WAS a pulpit.

You & I are unworthy to be a PULPIT for Christ … BUT … that is what Jesus wants from us.

AND … He will use us … IF … we make ourselves AVAILABLE to Him.

 

THEN … He will give us the OPPORTUNITY to be used by Him.

 

10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.

CONCLUSION: 5:10-11 – Jesus had better things in store for them …

to CATCH MEN!

Jesus wanted them to go from LITTLE things …

to BIGGER things.

He wanted them to go from fishers of FISH … to fishers of MEN.

 

1. I. The Fish v.5
   II. The Fear v7-9
   III. The Forsaking    v11a

No one deserves to be blessed and used of God but God is looking for vessels he can bless and use

11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.  KJV

 

1. The Fish v.5
   II. The Fear v7-9
   III. The Forsaking    v11a
   IV. The Following    v11b

The Lord is calling will you follow him?

11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.  KJV

 

Look at what they did:

• PETER – On the Day of Pentecost, 3000 were saved.
• ANDREW – Went to Asia with the Gospel.
• BARTHOLOMEW– Went to India with the Gospel.
• SIMON ZELOTES – Went to Africa with the Gospel.

They became fishers of MEN!

They learned some valuable LESSONS in the boat that day:

• When Jesus speaks … you listen.
• Where the Lord leads you … you go.
• What the Lord gives you … you make available to Him.

Is Jesus in your boat? OR … are you sailing through life alone? CHRISTIAN … you will never be blessed unless Jesus is the Lord of your life … AND … you’re in the boat with Jesus. You need to give your TIME, your TALENTS … and your DEVOTION to the LOST … Don’t leave Jesus on shore. If you do, you will be sailing alone, and you will end up ship-wrecked on the shores of eternal Hell. Invite Jesus into your life this day.

I Am Available Lyrics

I don’t have much to offer you, I don’t have much to give

There’s so much I may never be as long as I may live

And I may never be all I want to be although I’ll always try

But if you choose me, to use me, there’s just one reason why

I am available, I am available, I will go when you say go

I am available, I am available, I will stop when you say no

My whole life was incomplete, till I laid it at your feet

So use me as you will, I am available

I’m not the most dependable, sometimes you can’t rely

There’s no excuse, there is no defense, there’s only one reply

I am available, I am available, I will go when you say go

I am available, I am available, I will stop when you say no

My whole life was incomplete, till I laid it at your feet

So use me as you will, I am available

I know that my ability is not your main concern

It’s my availability and willingness to learn

I am available, I am available, I will go when you say go

I am available, I am available, I will stop when you say no

My whole life was incomplete till I laid it at your feet

So use me as you will, I am available

So use me as you will, I am available

Available, I am, I am

Are you? Are you Available?

PRAY!!

Launch Out into The Deep Part 1

“The Ministry of Availability”

 

5:1 And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,

5:1 – “to hear the Word of God.”

Is that why you are here?

That is my MISSION … that is the GOAL … that is the means to SPIRITUAL GROWTH … the means to SALVATION.

 

Romans 10:17 – “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

That is why we invite people to church … tracts … witnessing … Sunday School …, and Small Groups… It is so they can hear the Word of God.

 

How does God get the Word out to a lost & dying world?

ANSWER: He uses whatever source is AVAILABLE.

What did Jesus find here?

 

2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.

 

5:2 – Jesus was being pushed into the water by the crowd –

5:1. They were thirsty for the Word of God. To a preacher, that is like saying “Sick-em!” to a dog!

Everybody wanted a front-row seat.

They must not have been Baptists!

Jesus needed a pulpit.

He sees a boat … in the ship, He could be both seen and heard.

 

3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.

5:3 – Jesus uses Simon’s boat. WHY? BECAUSE … it was AVAILABLE! It was ready for the Master’s use. Simon was willing to give up what he had … EVEN IF … it was a dirty, smelly, old fishing boat. God will use whatever we make AVAILABLE to Him.

 

NOTICE – Jesus did not DEMAND the use of the boat.

He did not just TAKE it … He “prayed” … i.e., he ASKED.

Peter could have refused.

Jesus does not FORCE us to be an instrument in the process of leading others to Christ.

We are supposed to be a link in the chain … NOT … the “missing link.”

He may make us wish we HAD yielded to His will … BUT … He will not force us. He uses only what is made AVAILABLE to Him.

 

4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.

 

5:4 – NOTICE – 5:3 = “out a little from the land”.  – “Launch out into the deep.”

LESSON – When we make available what LITTLE we have …

He will lead us into deeper & greater things.

Do not give up if you are not winning 10 people to the Lord a day … or every month … or every year.

Do not give up even if you are NOT TRYING to win people to the Lord.

Jesus will not ask you to “Launch out into the deep” … UNTIL … you first go out “a little from the land.” Jesus will lead you one step at a time.

 

Every Christian here would LIKE to lead 10 people to the Lord every day. BUT … maybe your ministry is not to be the LAST link in the chain … the REAPING part.

 

MAYBE … the very thought of leading someone to Christ makes you say, “I just can’t do it!”

 

WHAT IS THE KEY?

You have got to make yourself AVAILABLE first with what you HAVE … THEN … you can go deeper and further with Him.

BUT … what do you have to do FIRST?

FIRST … you must let Jesus into your boat.

 

Too many Christians have not let Jesus into their boat.

He is still on shore.

You are glad to let Jesus save you & take you to Heaven.

BUT … you do not want Him in the boat with you.

You do not want Jesus to get too involved in your life.

You do not really want Jesus as the LORD of your life.

You FIRST must come to the point where you are willing to be AVAILABLE … to be WILLING for Jesus to use you.

You must be AVAILABLE to be a link in His chain.

 

NOTICE what Jesus told them to do – 5:4 – “Let down your nets for a drought.”

If you want to catch fish … you have to let down your nets.

Fish do not usually jump into the boat.

If you ignore the lost condition of those around you, the lost will not get any closer to Heaven.

 

What did they have AVAILABLE? NETS!

Jesus did not tell them to use what they didn’t have.

SO … Jesus tells them, “Put what you have AVAILABLE to use.” MAYBE … you do not have very much.

“Preacher, now you’re talking to me!”

FINE! BUT … put what God HAS GIVEN YOU to use.

Make it available to Him. PRAY!  All of us can pray… Do what you can.

 

Mark tells the story of a woman who took an alabaster box of perfume and poured it on the head of Jesus. Some of the Disciples rebuked her, saying that she could have sold it and given the money to the poor. LISTEN to what

Jesus said – Mark 14:8 – “She hath done what she could.” If you do not do what you CAN DO … you will never “launch out into the deep” to do MORE.

 

Do not cry over what you CAN’T DO … do what you CAN.

What if I said that I will not preach at all, because I cannot preach like Billy Graham?

What if a High School quarterback said that he would not play football, because he cannot play like Brett Farve?

Well, we cannot!

BUT … instead of doing NOTHING … do what you CAN … AND … do it the very best you can!

 

1. The Fish v.5

The Lord is waiting to bless us the moment we are willing to obey

5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.

 

5:5a – This is a verse where DOUBT tries to sneak in. Up to this time, there has been GROWTH. They got into the boat … they went out a little way …

they launched out into the deep.

As we grow in the Lord, we become better & more useful witnesses.

 

The Disciples cited a previous experience … “worked all night … caught nothing.”

At NIGHT, the fish were closer to the surface.

LESSON – Perhaps you have failed Christ in the past.

 

Do not let that keep you from a ministry NOW. This is a new day … This is the first day of the rest of your life. This is the first day of the rest of your Christian ministry. Do not let past failures keep you from going on.

 

NOTE: “Nevertheless.” Here is where VICTORY comes.

“In spite of the fact that I cannot see what good it will do …

I cannot see how it will work …

I cannot see how God can use me …

I will do it!” WHY?

Because Jesus says so!

 

When Peter obeyed look what happened!

6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.

Launch Out into The Deep

INTRODUCTION:

 

Petra

I Am Available Lyrics

“I don’t have much to offer you, I don’t have much to give

 There’s so much I may never be as long as I may live

 And I may never be all I want to be although I’ll always try

 But if you choose me, to use me, there’s just one reason why

I am available, I am available, I will go when you say go

 I am available, I am available, I will stop when you say no

 My whole life was incomplete, till I laid it at your feet

 So use me as you will, I am available

I’m not the most dependable, sometimes you can’t rely

 There’s no excuse, there is no defense, there’s only one reply

I am available, I am available, I will go when you say go

 I am available, I am available, I will stop when you say no

 My whole life was incomplete, till I laid it at your feet

 So use me as you will, I am available

I know that my ability is not your main concern

 It’s my availability and willingness to learn

I am available, I am available, I will go when you say go

 I am available, I am available, I will stop when you say no

 My whole life was incomplete till I laid it at your feet

 So use me as you will, I am available

 So use me as you will, I am available

Available, I am, I am”

 

Our Text

1 Corinthians 1:26-29 (NKJV) ²⁶ For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. ²⁷ But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; ²⁸ and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, ²⁹ that no flesh should glory in His presence.
On this day Christ was the fisherman and he caught men to do his eternal work
“The Ministry Of Availability”

God has a ministry for every one of His children … NOT JUST the Pastor. EVERY Christian has a ministry … every one of YOU!

Not all will be great soul-winners … BUT … we all have a part in leading others to Christ. We are ALL a link in the chain although not all are the LAST LINK. For some, it’s inviting … bringing … personal testimony … teaching … praying … Nursery … Children’s Church …

I want to talk to you about the “Ministry of Availability.” Whatever ministry God has given you (and He HAS) … you need to be AVAILABLE to DO it.

Before God will use anybody, they must be AVAILABLE to be used … AMEN? NOBODY was consistently and mightily used of the Lord in the Bible … UNLESS … they were first willing to be made AVAILABLE.

EXAMPLE:

• SAMUEL – 1 Samuel 3:4 – “The Lord called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.” SAMUEL was mightily used by God.

WHY? BECAUSE … he was AVAILABLE.

• MARY – She was the mother of Jesus. There were thousands of virgins in Galilee … perhaps hundreds in Nazareth. BUT … Mary was the one who went down in history.

WHY? NOTICE what Mary said when the angel told her of her chosen ministry –

Luke 1:38 – “And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” In other words, “I’m available!”

• DISCIPLES – They were mightily used … BECAUSE … they were AVAILABLE.

Matthew 4:22 – “And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.”

• PAUL – When God called him, he was the worst sinner around … killing or putting into prison as many Christians as he could get his hands on … a blasphemer.

How could God use him so mightily? LISTEN to what he said after his confrontation with Christ –

Acts 9:6 – “And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” He made himself AVAILABLE to Jesus.

• JESUS – He walked perfectly in the will of God. WHY? Jesus was AVAILABLE. As the Son of God, He wanted ONLY to do the will of God. His 1st recorded words showed His availability –

Luke 2:49 (NKJV) And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”

He said “I’m available!”

“But” … you may say … “I am no Samuel, Mary, Disciple, Paul, or Jesus. I am just ME!

God cannot use ME like that! I am a nobody!”

Sure, He can! Just like Jesus used the little boy to feed 5000 people. What did the boy have? All he had were 5 biscuits and 2 sardines! He did not have MUCH … BUT … all he did was make it AVAILABLE for Jesus to use. Jesus took what he had multiplied it, used it … AND … there were 12 basketfuls left over!

TURN with me to our text – Luke 5:1-11 (don’t read yet). NOW … let us look at the END RESULT … the salvation of souls. READ 5:10b.

¹⁰ and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.”

OUR STORY – Jesus had just healed Peter’s Mother-in-Law. He had healed the sick & cast out demons. The next day He went to a deserted place to rest. The people flocked to hear Him. Jesus then went to the cities of Galilee to preach. They flocked to hear Him there.

NOW … He is at the Sea of Galilee.

Luke 5:1-11 (NKJV) ¹ So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, ² and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. ³ Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. ⁴ When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” ⁵ But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” ⁶ And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. ⁷ So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. ⁸ When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” ⁹ For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; ¹⁰ and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” ¹¹ So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.

 

Next week we look at the way these verses break down.

This Means War

Eph 6:10-18

Barclay Commentary

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

      As Paul takes leave of his people he thinks of the greatness     of the struggle which lies before them. Undoubtedly life was much more terrifying for the ancient people than it is for us today.

     They believed implicitly in evil spirits, who filled the air and     were determined to work men harm. The words which Paul uses, powers, authorities, world-rulers, are all names for different classes of these evil spirits. To him the whole universe was a battleground. The Christian had not only to contend with the     attacks of men; he had to contend with the attacks of spiritual     forces which were fighting against God.  We may not take Paul’s     actual language literally; but our experience will tell us that     there is an active power of evil in the world.

Robert Louis Stevenson once said: “You know the Caledonian Railway Station in Edinburgh? One cold, east windy morning, I met Satan there.” We do not know what actually befell Stevenson, but we recognize the experience; we have all felt the force of that evil influence which seeks to make us sin.

   Paul suddenly sees a picture ready-made. All this time he was     chained by the wrist to a Roman soldier. Night and day a soldier was there to ensure that he would not escape. Paul was literally     an envoy in a chain. Now he was the kind of man who could get   alongside anyone; and beyond doubt he had talked often to the     soldiers who were compelled to be so near him. As he writes, the soldier’s armor suggests a picture to him. The Christian too has     his armor; and part by part Paul takes the armor of the Roman soldier and translates it into Christian terms.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

        There is the belt of truth. It was the belt which girt in the     soldier’s tunic and from which his sword hung, and which gave him freedom of movement. Others may guess and grope; the Christian moves freely and quickly because he knows the truth.

         There is the breastplate of righteousness. When a man is     clothed in righteousness, he is impregnable. Words are no defense against accusations, but a good life is.

Once a man accused Plato of certain crimes. “Well then,” said Plato, “we must live in such a way as to prove that his accusations are a lie.” The only way to meet the accusations against Christianity is to show how good a Christian can be.

15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

        There are the sandals. Sandals were the sign of one equipped and ready to move. The sign of the Christian is that he is cager to be on the way to share the gospel with others who have not heard it.

 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

        There is the shield. The word Paul uses is not that for the     comparatively small round shield; it is that for the great oblong   shield which the heavily armed warrior wore. One of the most     dangerous weapons in ancient warfare was the fiery dart. It was a dart tipped with tow dipped in pitch. The pitch-soaked tow was set alight, and the dart was thrown. The great oblong shield was   made of two sections of wood, glued together. When the shield was presented to the dart, the dart sank into the wood and the flame was put out.  Faith can deal with the darts of temptation.

With Paul, faith is always complete trust in Christ. When we walk close with Christ, we are safe from temptation.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

        There is salvation for a helmet. Salvation is not something     which looks back only. The salvation which is in Christ gives us   forgiveness for the sins of the past and strength to conquer sin     in the days to come.

         There is the sword; and the sword is the word of God. The word of God is at once our weapon of defense against sin and our weapon of attack against the sins of the world. 

Cromwell’s Ironsides fought with a sword in one hand and a Bible in the other. We can never win God’s battles without God’s book.

 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

        Finally, Paul comes to the greatest weapon of all–and that is prayer. We note three things that he says about prayer.

(a) It must be constant. Our tendency is so often to pray only in the great crises of life; but it is from daily prayer that the   Christian will find daily strength.

(b) It must be intense. Limp prayer never got a man anywhere. Prayer demands the concentration of every faculty upon God.

(c) It must be unselfish.  The Jews had a saying, “Let a man unite himself with the community in his prayers.” I think that often our prayers are too much for ourselves and too little for others. We must learn to pray as much for others and with others as for ourselves.

         Finally, Paul asks for the prayers of his friends for himself.     And he asks not for comfort or for peace but that he may yet be   allowed to proclaim God’s secret, that his love is for all men.

     We do well to remember that ever Christian leader and every     Christian preacher needs his people to uphold his hands in    prayer.

 

 

 

The 5th Commandment Is for Adults Too

April 02, 2021by: Jen Wilkin

 

An Obligation to Honor

Though parents may quote it to small children, the primary audience of the fifth command is adult children. It is found in the middle of a list of commands clearly addressed to adults, targeting issues that are, developmentally speaking, primarily the concerns of adulthood. Small children, though certainly sinners, do not generally carve graven images, plot murderous acts, or bear credible false witness against a neighbor. Note the clue to the audience in the blessing that accompanies the command: longevity of life. We might paraphrase the fifth commandment as “Adult children, honor your aging parents whose days have been long upon the land, that your days might be long as well.”

The command bears weight on the entire length of our relationship with our parents—not just the days we lived as children in their homes. It speaks to our obligation to honor them into old age, as elaborated in Proverbs 23:22: “Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.”

As we noted at the outset, God’s laws allow us to live in community. It is good for the community when children honor their parents by caring for them and treating them respectfully into their old age. But it is not always easy. If it were, there would only be nine commandments. Those of us who are blessed with healthy and happy relationships with our parents can still find it difficult to trade the role of cared-for for that of caregiver.

 

Aging is, among other things, the steady progression of relinquishing one’s decision-making authority. It requires deep courage and can cause strain in even the healthiest families, as the dignity of the aging parent becomes more challenging to preserve. Under the best of circumstances, the fifth word can ask much of us.

And under hard circumstances, it can feel absolutely crushing. Those who have suffered physical, emotional, or spiritual neglect or abuse at the hands of a parent may feel at a loss as to how its requirements can (or should) be met. Here, as in all things, there is good news for those with ears to hear: “Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me” (Ps. 27:10 NIV).

Family of Origin, Family of Faith

The church is the family your family of origin could not be. In the Gospels, Jesus applied familial language to his followers: “Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother” (Matt. 12:49–50). Because of their controversial faith, first-century believers could not rely on natural family relationships. Many indeed had to leave father, mother, and brothers to follow Jesus.

The church became their spiritual family, the network of love, honor, and accountability that they needed for spiritual, emotional, and even physical support. Familial language pervades the New Testament Epistles. The Epistles address their hearers as brothers and sisters. Paul instructs Timothy to relate to younger members of his church as siblings. We will need a deep appreciation for spiritual siblinghood to navigate the remaining five commands. But for the fifth command, we must pay attention to the parent language of the New Testament. Paul instructs Timothy to relate honorably to older members as spiritual mothers and fathers (1 Tim. 5:1–2). He says to the church at Corinth, “For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel” (1 Cor. 4:15). He even honors a spiritual mother of his own when he sends greetings to the mother of Rufus “who has been a mother to me as well” (Rom. 16:13).1

This expansive application of honoring parents was not lost on earlier generations of the church. Who are we to honor in the fifth commandment? The Westminster Larger Catechism, written in 1647, responds:

By father and mother, in the fifth commandment, are meant, not only natural parents, but all superiors in age and gifts; and especially such as, by God’s ordinance, are over us in place of authority, whether in family, church, or commonwealth.2

Put another way, respect your elders in the broadest sense.

Note that, in alignment with the language of the Epistles and the fifth command itself, the catechism places equal emphasis on the honoring of both fathers and mothers. A healthy family is one in which both father and mother are valued for their wisdom and contributions. The family of God, like any healthy family, should strive to show such value to both fathers and mothers in the church. If one parenting presence is minimized or neglected, the family risks all manner of dysfunction. How beautiful is the household of God when both mothers and fathers receive the honor they are due!

How beautiful is the household of God when both mothers and fathers receive the honor they are due!

Note that the catechism includes those “superior in age” under the parent umbrella. Leviticus 19:32 says, “Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly, and revere your God. I am the Lord” (NIV). It is not just aging biological parents we honor, but the elderly in general. Here is a clear way to live honorably among unbelievers. In a culture that is obsessed with worshiping youth, the fifth command offers Christians a simple means to be light in the darkness.

Rather than adopt the common mantra that the elderly are adorable, irrelevant, burdensome, or expendable, we instead show them honor as full image bearers, filled with a kind of wisdom that only the passage of time can impart. By seeking out and valuing this wisdom, we honor the giver and we gain from the gift. Psalm 90:12 asks the Lord to “teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” How very likely that God answers this prayer through the wisdom of a saint who has numbered more days than we.

Note that the catechism further includes governing authorities under the parent umbrella, echoing Paul’s admonition to give “honor to whom honor is due” (Rom. 13:7 NET). The fifth commandment reminds us that the one who holds all authority has delegated some of that authority to human rulers. By honoring those in authority over us, we fulfill the fifth command.

Notes:

1. Portions of the following first appeared in my article, “The Church Is Not a SingleParent Family,” ChristianityToday.com, November 23, 2016, christianity today.com/ct/2016/december/church-is-not-single-parent-family.html.
2. Westminster Larger Catechism, Q. 124; Larger Catechism: Questions 121–130, Reformed Forum, April 21, 2008, reformedforum.org/podcasts/larger-catechism -questions-121-130/.

This article is adapted from Ten Words to Live By: Delighting in and Doing What God Commands by Jen Wilkin.

________________________________________

 

Jen Wilkin is a Bible teacher from Dallas, Texas. As an advocate for biblical literacy, she has organized and led studies for women in home, church, and parachurch contexts and authored multiple books, including the best seller Women of the Word. You can find her at JenWilkin.net.

Don’t you Care??? Part 3 of 3

 We learn from the storms!!!….from the fire, from the disappointments,      from the rejections, from the heartaches

This is why.

2 Corinthians 4:7-18

Cast Down but Unconquered

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed — 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death is working in us, but life in you.

13 And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, 14 knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.

Seeing the Invisible

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.   NKJV

Back to our text:

He never answered their question!!!   “Do, you care?” it is to ask questions, but pay close attention to how He answers.

39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.

Could you imagine what that was like? Jesus got up and the winds lay down, He got up and the storm sat down!

Winds listen (His deity)

40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”  

Look at what you have been through before and now this is what it takes to lose your faith?

We often doubt what God will do because we have forgotten what God has done!

Why are you so fearful and have no faith?   365 times the Bible says to fear not.

Back to our text:

41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be,

(What manner of man is this,) that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

Here is the whole reason for the story. Fear God more than circumstances.

 After Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection they feared very little.

Hebrews 13:6 (NKJV) So we may boldly say: “The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

And then the question What manner of man is this?

Ben Turner said in his message “What Manner of Man Is This”??

Everybody sees Him different

3 Hebrew boys would see Jesus as the 4th man in the fire

Ezekiel saw Him as the wheel inside a wheel

Noah saw Him as an arc of safety

Solomon saw Him as the rose of Sharon

Jacob saw Him as a golden ladder top in heaven and the base on the earth.

Israel saw Him as a star out of Jacob

David saw Him as the great Shepard

Daniel saw Him as a Stone cut out of a Mountain

Abraham saw Him as the great and mighty builder

Ruth saw Him as the provider of hands full on purpose

Moses saw Him as the smitten rock

Church saw Him as the foundation of the rock on which it was built

Sad sees Him as the comforter

Leper sees Him as the healer (great Physician)

Lost sees Him as the way

Hungry sees Him as the bread

Thirsty sees Him as the water

Pilgrim sees Him as the faithful guide

The accused sees Him as the faithful witness

Disciple sees Him as the teacher

Weary sees Him as the rest

Pilot or boat captain sees Him as a compass

Weak sees Him as the strength

Sheep sees Him as the Shepard

Astronomer sees Him as the bright and morning star

Bride sees Him as the fairest among 10,000

Gentiles see Him as a light to lighten the way

Merchantman see him as the purchaser

Ship of Zion sees him as the captain

Preacher sees Him as the energizer

Tired sees Him as the strength

Troubled sees Him as a builder of the mansion

Captive sees Him as the deliver

Unhappy see Him as joy without end

Dead see Him as the resurrection and the life

The sinner I hope they would see him as the pleading savior caring for their soul.

 

Everybody sees him differently!!!

How do you see Him?

John 1

The Eternal Word

(Gen 1:1-2:3)

1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. NKJV

 

What Jesus called Himself 7 I am’s of John

1

John 6:35-36 And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.

2

John 8:12

12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

3

John 10:7-10

Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.  8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.  9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.

4

John 10:14-16

14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.  15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.

5

John 15:5-6

5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

6

John 14:6

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

7

John 11:25-26  Jesus talking to Mary on the way to Lazarus’ grave:

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.  26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

 

back to “Intense Moments with the Savior”

But learning to feel carries with it both a blessing and a curse: a blessing because those feelings are what lead us out of ourselves; a curse, because once out we can never again go back and enjoy the simple pleasures of a self-absorbed life.

(Field of dreams when the doc steps off the field he cannot go back)

Suffering sensitizes us not only to the world around us, which is needy, but to the world within us, which is needier still, and ultimately to the world beyond us, which we long for in so many ways. Yet in so few ways do we ever fully realize it. Until we suffer.

When He was on the Cross…

Matthew 27:40 (NKJV) and saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”

Matthew 27:42 (NKJV) “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him.

Matthew 27:54 (NKJV) So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!”

He will put you in whatever you need to go through to get you to a point to say “Truly this is the Son of God”

His Cross where God Himself would die.

Why did He come to earth the way He did? Cause He could not die in heaven, so He came here…

 

Back to “Intense Moments with the Savior”

Then we realize that this is not our home, that our home is with him who suffered and died and left this earth to prepare a place for us. Once we understand that and who it is that keeps a candle burning for us in the window, then the road ahead, however long, however difficult, is infinitely easier to travel.

 

When the storm is past and it will pass there will be work to do.

 

Then we see in Mark 5:1 A Demon-Possessed Man Healed and in Mark 5:21 A Girl Restored to Life and a Woman Healed. All after going through the storm.

 

Now the question is do you care?

Pray    Aman!

 

 

 

 

Don’t you Care??? Part 2 of 3

Then the question.

Do You not care that we are perishing?

Don’t you Care???

38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

Alistair Begg said, “Notice what they ask, this is the worst of all questions. This is a terrible question. Teacher (didaskala) don’t you care If we drown, oh ask Jesus something else don’t ask him this. don’t you care if we drown, Jesus must have looked up into the eyes of the questioner and thought to himself, hey I called you into my band didn’t I? I wouldn’t have called you if I wasn’t gonna take care of you, don’t I care, the reason I’m in the boat is because I care, the reason I’m in the world is because I care, the reason that I’m going to go to the cross and die for you guys is because I care.”

Have you ever felt that way?

Ever wonder if you were all alone and God didn’t care?

I have, that all-alone feeling… when at night in bed and your ears fill up with tears.

When I stood in the pulpit and helped with a funeral for a 17-year-old girl, I wanted to ask it.

When I fell through a ceiling and messed up my back, I wanted to ask it.

When my cousin Ricky Harper passed, I wanted to ask it.

When every time my family got smaller here, we have had right over 30 family members pass away since my Dad died in 2017.

And every time I wanted to ask it.

When I held my Dad’s hand as he took his last breath, I wanted to ask it.

But I did not because I KNOW HE CARES.  And you can too.

Does He care?

John 11:35 Jesus wept. 36 Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!”

Jesus in his humanity crying.  

John 11:35 he wept because He hurt when the ones He loves hurt.

He loves you just the same.

Jesus in His deity Raised the dead

He cries when we hurt

Does He care?

Acts 6:1 Seven Chosen to Serve

Acts 6:2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, 6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.

7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

NKJV

Stephen Accused of Blasphemy

Acts 6:8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.

Acts 7:1 Stephen’s Address: The Call of Abraham

Acts 7:9 The Patriarchs in Egypt

Acts 7:17 God Delivers Israel by Moses

Acts 7:37 Israel Rebels Against God

Acts 7:44 God’s True Tabernacle

Acts 7:51 Israel Resists the Holy Spirit

We need more preaching like this. Of course, you see at what cost.

Acts 7:51 “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. 52 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, 53 who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it.”

Stephen the Martyr

54 When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 56 and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”

57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; 58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.  NKJV

Stephen being stoned stood

When you are in trials he stands and takes notice.

He stands at Gods right hand interceding for you.

 

Does He care? Ray Botz, …  Who nailed Him there this child of peace and mercy who nailed Him there come face me like a man who nailed Him there. Then I turned and saw the hammer in my hand.

I nailed Him there with my sins and my transgressions,

Does He care?

3 Hebrews was being burned and He got in the fire. …

Dan 3:22 Therefore, because the king’s command was urgent, and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. 23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?”

They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.”

25 “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”

Oh, King God can deliver “but if not”   you lose oh King

Nevertheless

Sometimes we must get the old stuff tying us down burned off.

The fire freed them of their binding. And He was with them through it all.

When we are in the fire, He is there with us.!

We never never, never go through the fire alone.

He is there with us in the fire.

Does He care?

Job …

Job’s Repentance and Restoration

Job 42:1Then Job answered the LORD and said:

2 “I know that You can do everything,

And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.

3 You asked, ‘Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?’

Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,

Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.

4 Listen, please, and let me speak;

You said, ‘I will question you, and you shall answer Me.’

5 “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear,

But now my eye sees You.

6 Therefore I abhor myself,

And repent in dust and ashes.”  NKJV

It comes with a price but look what you learn, you learn more about God through the trials

Charles Spurgeon “God is too good to be unkind, to wise to be mistaken,

And when you can’t trace His hand, trust His heart.”

Does He care?  How much does God care???

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

The most important question you must ask yourself is what Brennan Manning said in the book “Ragamuffin Gospel,” “Do you believe that God loves You?” 

Well, Do you?

Does He Care????

John 11:23-27 (NKJV) ²³ Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
²⁴ Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” ²⁵ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. ²⁶ And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” ²⁷ She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

I think God allows us to go through stuff just to ask “Do you really trust Me.?”

He was in the Ship with them. They were never alone.

Heb 13:5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”   6 So we may boldly say: “The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”   NKJV

Even Jesus was in the middle of the Storm. Listen they were never alone.

“Intense Moments” with the Savior by Ken Gire

INTRODUCTION

Our Savior’s life was not an unbroken succession of intimate moments that changed people’s lives, or incredible moments that captured their attention, or instructive moments that challenged their thinking. There were intense moments too. Moments when he overturned the tables of moneychangers and moments when money changed hands and his enemies turned the tables on him.

As we focus on these intense moments, we see the Savior as a son who learned obedience through the things he suffered. But through this apprenticeship of suffering,

Jesus learned something else.

He learned to feel…?

He learned the feeling of hunger from his forty days in the wilderness and thirst from his feverish hours on the cross. But he learned to feel a greater hunger in the wilderness than bread alone could satisfy and a greater thirst on the cross than mere water could relieve. He learned the pain of rejection and the sorrow of unrequited love.

We learn to feel in much the same way. We learn to feel when our faith is tested in some wilderness. When our best-laid plans go awry and our bravest prayers go unanswered. When we’re belittled by a crowd or betrayed by a colleague. When we’re deserted by our friends or done in by our enemies.

Whether it is a single thorn in the flesh or a crown of them mashed on our heads, suffering teaches us to feel

 

We learn from the storms!!!….from the fire, from the disappointments,      from the rejections, from the heartaches

 

Next week we will see why.

Don’t you Care??? Part 1 of 3

 I invite you to turn with me to the book of Mark and look over a few familiar verses. We need not get ahead of the story but look with me at what God might show us with these accounts that are recorded here in God’s holy word. …

Mark 4:35-41

Wind and Wave Obey Jesus

(Matt 8:23-27; Luke 8:22-25)

35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.”  36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

 39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”   41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, (What manner of man is this,KJV)  that even the wind and the sea obey Him!” NKJV

 

I wrote most of this sermon on August 11, 2014, the day that Robin Williams died of suicide of Lewy Body Dementia. (I know depression) I also know what it is like to ask God the question that the disciple asked. “don’t you care?”

“I think the saddest people always try their hardest to make people happy because they know what it’s like to feel absolutely worthless and they don’t want anyone else to feel like that.”  Robin Williams

I also know what it is to walk with God.

In our text: Jesus has been teaching parables all day and he is tired.

Mark 4:1 The Parable of the Sower

Mark 4:10 The Purpose of Parables

Mark 4:13 The Parable of the Sower Explained

Mark 4:21 Light Under a Basket

Mark 4:26 The Parable of the Growing Seed

Mark 4:30 The Parable of the Mustard Seed

Mark 4:33 Jesus’ Use of Parables

33: And with many such parables He spoke the word to them as they were able to hear it.  34 But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples.

I ask that you come with me and get ready for a little boat ride.  As we get in this boat with the Apostle and of course with Jesus. 

 And just because you get in the boat with Jesus does not mean everything will be smooth sailing from here on out…

Jesus needs rest after a long day of Preaching and teaching.

35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” 

Jesus said let us pass over… when Jesus says you going to the other side, you are going to the other side.

Jonah had to take a fish ride to where he needed to be and learned that it is a lot easier if we do it God’s way!

36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him.

Sometimes He leaves the multitude and deals with the few or with the individual.

When you are sitting in a Church with a couple thousand people sometimes, He singles one person out and it seems that He is only talking to you

Others get caught up in our storms “And other little boats were also with Him.”

It never just affects us.  People are watching, you are not alone in the storm others are with you going through it with you, maybe even because of you.

WE NEVER WALK ALONE   people are watching.

Charles Stanley: How to handle your adversities “Nothing speaks louder to an unsaved world than a Christian that suffers successfully ”

37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat so that it was already filling.

Ben Turner had said several times “You either are going into a storm, you are in a storm or coming out of a storm.”

We can have bright sunny days, but they are few and far between.

If Satan is not after you and things go great all the time it is because you are no threat.”

The Greek word for storm here is; NT:2978 ailaps (lah’-ee-laps); of uncertain derivation; a whirlwind (squall): KJV – storm, tempest.

NT:3173megas (meg’-as); [including the prolonged forms, feminine megale, plural megaloi, etc.; compare also NT:3176, NT:3187]; big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application):

KJV – (+fear) exceedingly, great (-est), high, large, loud, mighty, (be) sore (afraid), strong, to years.

exceedingly, great, high, large, loud, mighty (squall): – storm, tempest.

Life is going well then, suddenly out of nowhere storms arise.

They were seasoned fishermen and knew how to read the weather, red at night, sailors delight, red in the morning, sailor take warning. It is even in the Bible;

Matthew 16:1-3 (NKJV) ¹ Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven. ² He answered and said to them, “When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’; ³ and in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times.

Do not miss this, you are going through what God said to do.  v35 He (Jesus) said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.”

They were not warned at all about the rising storm.

The ship is filling with water and the circumstance causes them to forget who they are with.

I do not blame them

Is your ship sinking around you?

After teaching a lesson called “Can you sleep on a stormy night?” A lady in my class wrote and brought me this poem.

“Why Trials Come Our Way.”

By Norma Head

It seems when times are getting hard,

And things are looking bad,

That’s when we call on the Lord the most,

When we are very sad.

But if you stop and think a while,

We need Him most of all.

When things are good and we can smile,

But then we seldom call,

Why trials come our way?

They help to keep Him in our hearts,

When on our knees, we stay.

 

Back to our text: Big, Big Storm is here BUT.

He did not leave them in the storm He said “But” which tells me there is more to the story.

AND their story is not over, and neither is your story over He is not done!

38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

stern, = NT:4403 prumna (proom’-nah); feminine of prumnus (hindmost); the stern of a ship: KJV – hinder part, stern.

We see Jesus in his humanity sleeping.

He laid down (His humanity)

Laid His head on a pillow, likely a sandbag used as a ballast

They forgot who was on the boat with them. We seem to forget way too often!

Can you sleep on a stormy night????

How to Sleep on a Stormy Night

Matt 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

Matt 7:25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

Matt 7:26 And everyone that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

Matt 7:27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

Matt 7:28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:

Matt 7:29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Been there not just read about it.

What is your spiritual life built on????

Ps 11 if the foundation be destroyed what will the righteous do?

What kind of foundation are you built on, and can you sleep on a stormy night?

38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

Ever feel like God is asleep and not there?  He is not asleep!!!

 Psalms 121

God the Help of Those Who Seek Him

A Song of Ascents.

121:1 I will lift up my eyes to the hills —

From whence comes my help?

2 My help comes from the LORD,

Who made heaven and earth.

3 He will not allow your foot to be moved;

He who keeps you will not slumber.

4 Behold, He who keeps Israel

Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The LORD is your keeper;

The LORD is your shade at your right hand.

6 The sun shall not strike you by day,

Nor the moon by night.

7 The LORD shall preserve you from all evil;

He shall preserve your soul.

8 The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in

From this time forth, and even forevermore. NKJV

 

 

 

Then the question.

Do You not care that we are perishing?

When the Lord Enlarges Us Part 2

Psalm 4:5-8 (NKJV)

⁵ Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And put your trust in the LORD.
⁶ There are many who say, “Who will show us any good?” LORD, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us.
⁷ You have put gladness in my heart, More than in the season that their grain and wine increased.
⁸ I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

 

Psalm 4:5 (NKJV)
⁵ Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And put your trust in the LORD.

Offer the right sacrifices.

Consider this, When you are angry, don’t you want to sacrifice the offender?

Ephesians 4:26-27 (NKJV)
²⁶ “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, ²⁷ nor give place to the devil.

In Ephesians 4:26, the Apostle Paul quoted Psalms 4:4 and in Greek, it said, * “Be angry (orgidzo-angered or infuriated) and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.”

Get glad in the same britches you got mad in!!!

The Holy Spirit through the great Apostle interpreted the Hebrew word for our generation.

There is no sin in being angry or hurt. However, we are not to use it as an excuse to sin.

As someone said, “It is not a sin to give anger a ride, but a big mistake to let it drive.”

Anger can bring out angry responses, hurtful words, poor attitudes, and other sins.

Again, God is telling us that we can carry the hurt and not change our words, attitudes, and responses.

Here is a key. When you get alone, off to yourself, lying in your bed, thinking, when you are hurt or have hurt feelings, you will either get better or madder.

Many times, people have said to me, “It didn’t bother me when you said it, but I got to thinking about it, and the more I thought, the madder I got.”

The Psalmist saw the secret. When you ponder, don’t ponder on the offense. Don’t think about the offender.

Ponder your own heart. Ponder what God is doing. Search for God’s hand in your life.

I told someone once after observing a conflict, “If looks could kill, you would at least be limping throughout the rest of your life.”

When we are mad and/or hurt, we want someone to pay.

None of us have a natural desire to bear the pain ourselves.

However, look at how our Supreme Example modeled it.

There are two kinds of forgiveness; two levels of forgiveness.

The first is to release the offender from the consequences of causing suffering.

The second, more complete forgiveness is the total restoration of the relationship.

It can come when the offender seeks forgiveness and it is granted by the offended.

The first one is modeled by Jesus Christ on the Cross when He said, “Father, forgive them. They do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34

That first level not only releases the other person from retribution for the pain they caused, but it also releases us from the damage and the bond to the offender that the offense creates.

However, it does not restore the relationship because it is unilateral.

Yet it is extremely important for, not only our emotional and psychological well-being but our spiritual development also.

It means “bearing the pain, bearing the shame, carrying the hurt, releasing the other person from hatred and anger, by accepting the pain.”

Read Colossians 3,

Colossians 3:12-14 (NKJV)
¹² Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; ¹³ bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.¹⁴ But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”

That is the right sacrifice from verse 5, the sacrifice of self, instead of demanding payment or pain on the offender.

Psalm 15:4 (NKJV) In whose eyes a vile person is despised, But he honors those who fear the LORD; He who swears to his own hurt and does not change;

Excepting the suffering

1 Peter 4:12-19 (NKJV)
¹² Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; ¹³ but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. ¹⁴ If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. ¹⁵ But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. ¹⁶ Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. ¹⁷ For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? ¹⁸ Now “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?”
¹⁹ Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

That is focusing on our tasks and our spiritual growth instead of majoring in others’ offenses.

The Lord works in and through the lives of people.

 

3). The Pathway to Being Enlarged

Psalm 4:6 (NKJV)
⁶ There are many who say, “Who will show us any good?” LORD, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us.

There are many watching us in this life.

They are asking, “Has Christ really made a difference in your life?”

“Show us how Christ would respond in this situation. Show us a real Christian.”

“Lift up your face in us, Oh Lord, in how we respond to offenses.”

God uses distress to enlarge us.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NKJV)
³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

 

4). The Peace from the Enlarged Life

We will have peace when we give it to all to Jesus

Psalm 4:7 (NKJV)
⁷ You have put gladness in my heart, More than in the season that their grain and wine increased.

There is always a pay-off in letting Christ shine through us.

It is joy in our hearts; more joy in our hearts than in the farmers at harvest and the winemakers in a good year.

More than partygoers when the food is flowing and the wine is abundant.

More than the harvest celebrations in farming communities in a bountiful year.

Our joy does not come from circumstances and situations, but from God’s smile upon us.

There is always a pay-off in letting Christ shine through us.

We will have peace when we give it to all to Jesus

Psalm 4:8 (NKJV)

⁸ I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

Healing! Peace and restoration.

Too many times when I am hurt and I began to regain my right mind, I have to deal with my self-serving, self-defending responses before I can have peace.

I have done more damage than the original offense.

I have to deal with more damage that I have created than caused by my offender.

But when I respond through God’s way, I have peace that goes beyond reason, understanding, and circumstances.

Philippians 4:7-9 (NKJV)
⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things. ⁹ The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

David acknowledged that his relationship and security were not based on who he was or what he did. His eternal safekeeping was completely from God. He declared,

If we follow the Bible’s simple instructions on how to be saved, we will make a safe landing yonder in heaven to be with the Lord and all that He has made for us to enjoy.

Two skydivers jump from a plane at 15,000 feet. Both are wearing parachutes. One of them folds his arms, ignores the ripcord, and says to himself: “I’m perfectly safe because of my parachute.” He is still saying these words as he hits the ground. The other skydiver knows he will be safe only if he follows the instructions he was given. He pulls the ripcord and lands safely.

That is where all mankind is today. Either we pull the cord and head for safety or we ignore the sacred Manufacturer’s instructions.

Many people are swiftly falling with a closed mind.

They gaining speed as they are looking for peace and safety in the things that promise life here with gusto while ignoring the “Manufacturer’s” instructions.

Conclusion: We will have peace when we give it to all to Jesus

Through trusting God in our distress, he brings us peace