Sermons From My Heart

A little boy wanted to meet God. Not knowing where God lived, the boy packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a six-pack of root beer and started out on his journey. When he had gone a few blocks, he met an old woman who was sitting in the park staring at some pigeons. The boy sat down next to her and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the old lady looked hungry, so he offered her a Twinkie. She accepted it and smiled at him. Her smile was so pretty that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered her a root beer. Once again she smiled at him. The boy was delighted! Together they sat all afternoon eating and smiling.

As it grew dark, the boy realized it was time to go home, but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around and ran back to the old woman and gave her a hug. She gave him her biggest smile ever. When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, “What did you do today that made you so happy?” He replied, “I had lunch with God.” But before his mother could respond, he added, “You know what? She’s got the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen!”. 

Meanwhile, the old woman, also radiant with joy, returned to her home. Her son was stunned by the look of peace on her face and he asked, “Mother, what did you do today that made you so happy?” She replied, “I had Twinkies and root beer with God, and you know, he’s much younger than I expected.”

John 13:31-35 is part of Jesus’ farewell speech to his disciples. It takes place on the night before his crucifixion, and he is giving his disciples final instructions for continuing his work. Many of you have also provided instructions for loved ones at other points in your lives. For example, if you went away on trips you likely gave instructions to other people for picking up your mail, checking on your homes or mowing your lawns. Hopefully most of you have also prepared wills in which you give instructions about how your property is to be dealt with after you die.

In John 13:31-35, Jesus is teaching his disciples about humility, acceptance and love. This particular passage occurs just after Jesus has washed the disciples’ feet, and after Judas has left to betray Jesus. Judas’ departure began the process by which Jesus was glorified by God. Jesus knew that Judas’ actions would result in victory over sin and death, but the disciples didn’t realize it even though Jesus told them several times that he would die and rise again. Jesus was their source of comfort and strength, but he knew that they would have to learn to support each other after he returned to heaven. That’s one reason why he issued the commandment to love one another. It is also the new commandment that we as his modern disciples are to follow.

Jesus told the disciples that he will be glorified through his death and resurrection. His death and resurrection opened the door of salvation for us. Before we can walk through that door, we have to obey God’s commandments, including the new one Jesus introduces in his farewell speech-love each other just like I have loved you. This commandment is not entirely new. The Israelites were told in Leviticus 19:18 to love their neighbours, and Leviticus 19:34 told the Israelites to love both foreigners and fellow Israelites.

This commandment is new for four reasons. First, Jesus was a clear model of the love he requires, and he proved that by washing the disciples’ feet. Second, the commandment focuses on the Christian community. We are called on to love everyone-friends, enemies and total strangers. Third, it creates a new covenant based on love and not obedience to all of the Jewish laws. Fourth, this new commandment is open ended. There is no end to the requirement, so we can never say that we have obeyed it entirely. Even if we can’t feel affection for someone, we can still help them, and when we do, we show Christ’s love.

In his book “Miracle on the River Kwai”, Ernest Gordon described an incident in which British prisoners of war tended the wounds of injured Japanese soldiers and fed them. The Japanese soldiers were covered with mud and blood. Their wounds were infected, and they were left uncared for by their own people. The British prisoners saw them, took pity on them, bathed their wounds and gave them a little food to eat. They cared for the enemies who starved and beat them and killed their comrades. God broke down the hatred and conquered it with love.

We love our neighbours when we seek them out. We love our neighbours when we make ourselves available to serve them. We love our neighbours when we shepherd them in their walk with the Lord and teach them in God’s Word.

Jesus’ humility and service to others, especially when he washed the disciples’ feet, is a good example for us to follow. Here was the Master serving others, and not the other way around. If Jesus could serve others, so can we. He showed his love for others by serving them. If he can love others by serving them, we can also love others by serving them.

We don’t have the option of ignoring this new commandment. Obeying it is a sign of our love for Jesus. It requires us to throw ourselves on God’s mercy. It’s hard for us to love others as Jesus commanded because it goes against our human nature. It goes against human reasoning and logic. It’s not logical for us to love our enemies or those who hate us. It’s not logical to love people who are different from us, or at least that’s what the Jews thought. They did not want to love the Gentiles. In fact, the Jews often referred to the Gentiles by names that were rather uncomplimentary, such as “dogs”. God showed Peter in Acts 11:18 that he loves the Gentiles as much as he loves the Jews, and to refuse to accept the Gentiles would be hindering God and opposing his will. When we find it hard to love our enemies or those who are different from us, all we have to do is remember what Jesus did for us. All we have to do to respond to what he did for us to is love our neighbours just like Jesus loves us.

Bibliography

1. Exegesis for John 13:31-35. Retrieved from http://www.lectionary.org
2. Pastor Vince Gerhardy, “To Love As Jesus Loved Us.” Retrieved from http://www.lectionary.org
3. Dr. Randy L. Hyde, “Family Tales”. Retrieved from http://www.lectionary.org
4. Swindoll, Charles R., Swindoll’s New Testament Insights on John (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan; 2010
5. Bobby Schuller, “Living a Life of Love”. Retrieved from http://www.hourofpower.org
6. T.M. Moore, “How to Know When You Love Others”. Retrieved from http://www.colsoncenter.org
7. Exegesis for Acts 11:1-18. Retrieved from http://www.lectionary.org

Palm Sunday is a turning point in our journey of faith with Jesus. We walk alongside Him as He enters the holy city of Jerusalem for the last time. His fame as a messenger of God has travelled far. He is riding in triumph and humility on the back of a donkey. The crowd has spread their cloaks on the ground before Him and has strewn His path with palm branches.

Jesus had to go to Jerusalem for the same reason the apostle Paul knew he had to go to Athens, then Ephesus, then on to Rome. The gospel had to be declared in places that served as the crossroads of cultures and ideas. The message had to be preached in places where the world was always coming and going so people who heard it could take the message with them where they went. The same thing happened on the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came to the disciples and gave them the ability to speak in different languages. People who heard the Good News in their own language could take the message back to their home countries.

In Jesus’ time, spreading one’s garments on the street was an act of homage reserved for royalty. This suggests that the Israelites recognized Jesus’ claim to be King of the Jews. This claim was recognized by the crowd’s shout of “Hosanna!” The people showed that they were receiving Christ as royalty by spreading their clothes and palm branches on the road before Him and shouting words meant only for the Messiah.

Jesus entered Jerusalem not on a horse as a symbol of power, but on a donkey as a symbol of humility. He is the peaceful king of the people of God, not a revolutionary with political interests. Pride swells our heads and our hearts. We tend to think more highly of ourselves than we should. Jesus did not consider equality with God as something to flaunt. He humbled Himself to death on a cross. We as believers are challenged to follow the same example. Jesus kept His eye on God, and so should we.

The time had arrived for Jesus to be presented to Israel as the Messiah. Jesus chose to act out this truth in a public and memorable way, especially memorable for the two disciples who had the task of bringing Him the lowly animal He would ride on into Jerusalem. His instructions to them could only come from one with supernatural knowledge. Just as the donkey was untied for Jesus’ purpose, we must unleash ourselves for God’s business. He is preparing the church to be a vessel ushering in a great harvest of souls. He is preparing us to be a major force in His great harvest.

The Messiah would re-establish the kingdom founded by David-a kingdom reuniting feuding peoples into one nation. That kingdom would bring all the People of God from the far corners of the world back home where they belonged. The Son of David would establish an everlasting reign.

Jesus came on an animal of peace, not of war. The crowd wanted Him to grab a sword and wave that sword to show what He and His followers would do to the Romans. Instead, He had an olive branch between His fingers. The crowd that shouted “Hosanna” on Palm Sunday would shout “Crucify Him” on Good Friday.

As the crowds entered the city gates during Jesus’ Triumphal Entry, their zeal grabbed the attention of all of Jerusalem’s citizens. When Matthew wrote that the city was moved, he used a Greek term related to the English word “seismic.”

The pilgrims coming to Passover were excited. They were hoping for a new Exodus, for a new return from the captivity of Babylon, and freedom from Roman rule. Many people believed that Jesus was the Messiah. Pilgrims came to Jerusalem by the hundreds and thousands for the Passover festival. Since the people had a history of rebelling against the Romans, Roman governors would plan for additional security during Passover. As Jesus entered Jerusalem from the east, Roman soldiers were entering the city from the west. They were coming because of the crowds that were in Jerusalem for the Passover festival. They incited fear in the crowd. On the other hand, the crowd cleared the way for Jesus and hailed His presence.

The crowd proclaimed Jesus as the king in Jerusalem who has come as an outsider, a prophet from Galilee. He was proclaimed as Lord. He came to replace Pilate’s system of rule. When we proclaim Jesus as Lord, we proclaim that it is possible for those with power to use it as Jesus used His power.

Jesus, as God’s all-knowing Son, saw humanity more clearly and completely than any sociologist or psychologist. He wasn’t surprised by the change in the crowd’s attitude mere days after His triumphant entry. He had seen it before. He was there when ten divine miracles paved the way for freedom of God’s people from the Egyptians. He heard the Israelites’ complaints in the desert. He saw their reluctance to immediately entering the Promised Land.

The crowd heard His words and believed that He was the man who had been sent to free them. Unfortunately they were disappointed. He didn’t do any of the things they expected of Him. Instead, He threw the moneychangers out of the temple. He cursed a fig tree. He told the people to pay their taxes to the oppressive Roman government. He taught the people that true greatness is to be found in servanthood.

For the crowd, this was a disappointing experience. The people wanted Jesus to give them earthly freedom, but God had a higher purpose in sending Jesus into Jerusalem. He sent Jesus to free humanity not from earthly oppression, but from the oppression of sin. Jesus came in peace. He came to bring peace between mankind and God. He came to break the barriers that exist between God and us. He came so that we may find a peace that passes all understanding.  

All of these events were part of God’s plan. What happens to our plans if we pause to confirm whether or not the Lord has need of all we are doing? Do all of our preparations reflect what God has planned for us? Do we respond to what God has asked of us? When we obey God, we are given an opportunity to bring others to Jesus.

During Passover week, Jesus taught about faithful workers in God’s kingdom. He encouraged people to work faithfully without delay, and He encourages us to do the same thing today. Do it now! If you died today, would you be happy with the level of service you have given to God’s kingdom? if not, we must be more involved in serving others.

Bibliography

1. Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible: New King James Version (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013; p. 1318)
2. Augsberger, M.S. & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Col. 24: Matthew (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1982; p. 24)
3. Stanley, C.F. The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible: New King James Version (Nashville, TN: Nelson Bibles; 2005)
4. MacArthur, J.F. Jr.: The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)
5. Lucado, M.: The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson; 2010)
6. The Rev. Dr. Ken Klaus, “The Latest Polls.” Retrieved from www.lhm.org
7. Ron Moore, “Abandoning My Agenda.” Retrieved from www.ronmoore.org
8. Os Hillman, “Loose your Donkey.” Retrieved from tgif@marketplaceleaders.org
9. Marvin A. McMickle, “A Question in the Crowd: Who is This?” Retrieved from https://www.preaching.com/contributors/marvin-a-mamickle
10. Joy Moore, “Matthew 21:1-11.” Retrieved from communic@luthersem.edu.
11. “Progressive Involvement: Lectionary Blogging: Palm Sunday: Matthew 21-1-11.” Retrieved form www.progressiveinvolvement.com/progressive_involvement/2011/04/
12.  Sarah Dylan Breuer, “Dylan’s Lectionary Blog: Palm Sunday, Year A.” Retrieved from www.sarahlaughed.net/lectionary/2005/03/palm_sunday_yea.html
13. The Red. Edward Markquart, “What Are You Doing for Lazarus?” Retrieved from www.sermonsfromseattle.com/series_c_hey_sanna.htm
14. The Rev. Susan Sparks, “The Only Train in the Storm.” Retrieved from http://day1.org
15. “Volume 2 Palm Sunday, April 5, 2020.” Retrieved from volume2@lists.opsouth.org

When someone makes a promise to you, do you expect them to keep it? I certainly do, and after reading Genesis 17:1-7,15-16, we can expect God to keep His promises to Abraham. God was committed to the covenant He made with Abraham and his descendants. God declared Abraham righteous in Genesis 15 simply because Abraham believed, but this faith must never be separated from obedience that flows from faith.

In contrast, many of us have had the unhappy experience of making an agreement only to find that it benefitted us far less than we had hoped for and been led to expect. The more we learn about God’s promises, the richer the blessings they contain.

When God spoke, Abraham fell on his face. When God and man are in relationship, God must be the communicator and man must have a listening, obeying attitude. If men and women are not willing to assume a listening attitude, there will be no relationship with God.

The covenant was introduced with a revelation by God of His name. This might not be of great importance to us, but in Eastern thought to reveal a name was to reveal the person and to invite intimacy. Similarly, when God reveals Himself to us, He invites us to have an intimate relationship with Him.

When a promise or agreement is made, there is usually some tangible sign of the agreement. It could be a signed document or a handshake. In the case of God’s covenant with Abraham and subsequently the Israelites, it was the requirement that males be circumcised. It was a bodily mark that identified each male as belonging to God. God’s very words were carved into their flesh. Their deepest and truest identity was as God’s own people.

Similarly, we as Christians are marked and named in our flesh as God’s own. The difference is that instead of circumcision, our baptism is the physical sign. It gives us our true identities the moment it takes place. Our names are stated and written in the book of eternity.

When the covenant requirement to be blameless is applied to people, it means that their approach to God should be wholehearted. It does not mean sinless perfection. This wholeheartedness was demonstrated by Abraham and Sarai in their willingness to accept a change of name, which would have special significance for them.

Abraham and Sarah’s original names honoured pagan deities. Now that God had promised they would be the father and mother of nations, including the Hebrew people, God gave them new names that signified their relationship with the one true God. The Lord changed the name of Abram from “Exalted Father” to Abraham, which means “Father of Multitudes,” and changed Sarai’s name to Sarah. Both Sarai and Sarah mean “Princess,” but the new name has a new dimension: she would henceforth be a “Princess (of God).”

God’s covenant with Abraham means that all those who bless Abraham will be blessed and given the gift of the Promised Land. Similarly, all those who accept Jesus as their Saviour will be blessed. Through the waters of baptism, God has named us, claimed us and promised us the gifts of forgiveness and new life. Through Christ’s death and resurrection, God has defeated the powers of death and declared that we too will live.

This was an everlasting covenant-so even if Abraham’s descendants proved faithless, God would remain faithful in fulfilling His promises. God never wavered in His commitment to the covenant despite the repeated disobedience of the Israelites. God keeps His promises and rewards our obedient faith. Divine attestations of Abraham’s obedience were pronounced years after the formal establishment of His covenant. When He promises to direct our paths we can be confident He will carefully lead us.

We as Christians are a covenant people. Christianity is not a religion of the individual. It is a covenant between a community of faith (the church) and the God revealed in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. That’s why we gather every week. We remember the covenant, especially during Lent. We remember that because of Christ’s death, true life can be given to everyone, and God will be our God and we will be God’s people.

God is the love that never leaves us alone, even when we would be content to settle for that which is more reasonable. God is the love that wakes us from our slumber and lets us know that we are loved and wanted. God’s promise endures in spite of life’s trials. No matter what we face, we are not alone. We walk with God, and we are claimed and called by the one who spoke creation into existence.

When God made the covenant with Abraham, everything in Abraham’s life changed. When Abraham said, “As for me, whatever God has said is true for me!”, God’s thoughts became settled and established in his way of thinking. When we make the same statement, God’s thoughts become settled and established in our own way of thinking.  If we make the practice of doing the following five things we will start each day on the right course so it can be filled with God’s power and presence. We can turn our life around-one day at a time:

1. Imagine the good things God wants for the day.
2. Pray in faith and receive God’s blessing on the day.
3. Plan a good day.
4. Be grateful.
5. Sow the right seeds. Our thoughts, words, attitudes and actions are all seeds that will set a course. The fruit of the spirit within will bring self-control to the surface and override our feelings, filling us with God’s joy and peace.

Bibliography

1. Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible: New King James Version (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013; pp. 25-26)
2. Briscoe, D.S. & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 1: Genesis (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1987; pp. 148-150)
3. Stanley, C.F.: The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible: New King James Version (Nashville, TN: Nelson Bibles; 2005)
4. MacArthur, J.F. Jr.: The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)
5. Lucado, M.: The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson; 2010; pp. 21-22)
6. David Wyrtzen, “Fruitfulness and the Demand for Integrity.” Retrieved from truthnote@gmail.com
7. Kenneth L. Samuel, “Still on the Chase.” Retrieved from dailydevotionals@ucc.org
8. Paul Clark, “Genesis 17:1-7,15-16.” Retrieved from communic@luthersem.edu
9. Jessie Gutgsell, “Bible Study: 2 Lent (B).” Retrieved from www.episcopaldigitalnetwork.com
10. Pastor Dave Risendal, “Promise.” Retrieved from http://onelittleword.org?p=6790
11. “Personal Life: Face Down Listening.” Retrieved from Biblegateway@e.biblegateway.com
12. Vikki Burke, “As for Me.” Retrieved from dbm@dennisburkeministries.org
13. Elizabeth Webb, “Commentary on Genesis 17:1-7,15-16.” Retrieved from www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=1223
14. Geoff McElroy, “Desert Scribbling: March 8, 2009.” Retrieved from https://gmcelroy.typepad.com/desertscribblings/2009/03/march-8-2009-second-sunday-in-lent
15. “Grasping the Great Truth of God (Genesis 17:1-27).” Retrieved from https://bible.org/seriespage/18-grasping-great-truth-god-genesis-171-27

The passage from John 11:30-47 shows Jesus at some of the highest and lowest points in his ministry. Jesus was told a few days earlier that his friend Lazarus was sick, but he waited for two days before he and the disciples went to the home of Mary and Martha, who were Lazarus’ sisters. By the time he arrived, Lazarus had been dead for several days, so it’s not surprising that Mary and Martha were disappointed with Jesus.

Sometimes Jesus disappoints us as well. We’ve prayed, but no answers have come. We’ve pleaded, but God has delayed. We’ve waited, but he hasn’t arrived. Why has Jesus waited? Possibly it is because our faith and hope in Jesus have to be proved and/or tested. Our faith depends on the faith that comes from experiencing God’s power in our lives. That faith needs to be as deep as Martha’s was when she said that God could do for Jesus whatever he asked. She had a faith experience because she had seen him work miracles throughout his ministry and she knew what he was capable of.

When he saw the mourners and their raw grief, Jesus wept. Why did he weep? There are several possible reasons. Jesus could have been genuinely moved by his grief and that of the other mourners. After all, Jesus was both fully God and fully human, and as a human he experienced human emotions. Jesus was also in awe of the power of God that was about to flow through him to triumph over death. Jesus’ tears could also have been caused by grief for a fallen world that is caught up in sorrow and death caused by sin.

Jesus could have also been grieving because the people could not see that the Messiah had come and therefore they could not see what God would do through him. This is a good lesson for the church to learn. The church can be unbelieving, unconcerned and indifferent toward Jesus and God. Regardless of the reason for his weeping, the knowledge that resurrection and joy would follow were the underlying points of his grief.

It might be hard for us to believe that Jesus could cry. After all, we’ve been told for years that only babies cry, but as Dr. Phil said in an episode of the Dr. Phil Show a few years ago, “Big boys don’t cry, but real men do”. I’ve even cried. Jesus wept because he was sad and hurt, and his tears provided relief. Jesus was sad over Lazarus’ death. He could have spared everyone grief by coming sooner, but he didn’t because it benefitted them in the end to witness his power over death. His actions proclaimed his power and glory.

Jesus’ prayer to God shows the intimacy of their union and the gratitude that God heard and answered Jesus prayer. Jesus always did what his father asked him to do, so all he does is in reality a prayer to God. Jesus hoped that everyone who heard him pray to God would know that he was the long-promised Messiah.

Our suffering and grief matter to Jesus, and he wept in empathy many times. When we get to heaven, there will be no more sorrow, pain or tears. We will experience love like we have never experienced it before. This miracle set the stage for Jesus’ death and resurrection. It was his last miracle. Some of the people who witnessed the miracle reported it to the Pharisees, and that led to Jesus’ arrest, trial, crucifixion and resurrection. If Jesus can raise Lazarus from the dead, and if Jesus can rise from the dead, he can bring new life to us as well if we are willing to profess our faith in him.

Jesus asked the people to unbind Lazarus and let him go. He could have done it himself, but when human beings are capable of doing something themselves, God will not intervene. Jesus calls us to unbind people as well-people who are bound up in prejudices, bad habits or other problems. They’ve heard the saving word of Christ, but they still need to be delivered from the bondage of sin. That is the ministry we care called to. When we unbind people, we show God’s love.

There is a lot of emotion in this story-grief/sorrow, sympathetic neighbours who shared the grief of Mary and Martha, Jesus weeping. In the midst of these emotions, there is an abundance of faith-faith in the words of Mary and Martha and faith in Jesus’ prayer to God. The most important feature in this story is the love of Jesus, especially as shown in his weeping. His love shows us God’s mind and nature, especially his compassion and sympathy.

The people were sad because they were stifled. Their lives were constricted. They could only see the darkness and finality of death. They knew that when Jesus’ hour came, he had to meet it and that there was no way out, and they also knew that the same thing would be true for them. They could not see the sunlight and eternity of life with Jesus in heaven until he died and rose again. Only then did they realize that Jesus made it through the valley of the shadow of death and came out on the other side. The other side was filled with light and glory.

Lazarus heard the voice of Jesus and answered the call. The voice of God reassures us and calls us from the past into the present. The voice of God keeps our faith alive. Jesus always seeks people out. He comes to us wherever we are. He calls us whoever we are. He can use us whatever we are.

When Jesus called to Lazarus, he brought Lazarus from death this time. Lazarus eventually died again. There will be a time when Jesus will call our names and bring us out of death into everlasting life. Jesus’ raising of Lazarus sent the people running for cover, and it should also send us running for cover too. We and they finally see that Jesus is Lord and liberator of all the people of God. Those who are oppressed in any way by society will be convinced that his power came from on high and could not be defeated by the evil forces of the world. Evil plotted to silence Jesus by crucifying him, but Jesus has silenced evil through the hope that his resurrection offers each and every one of us.

Bibliography

1. ESV Study Bible. Part of Wordsearch 10 Bible Software package.
2. Frederickson, R.L. & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 27: John (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1985)
3. “Bottle of Tears”. Retrieved from keys@lists.cbhministries.org
4. Stanley C.F.:  The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible, NASB (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 2009)
5. MacArthur, J.F. Jr., The MacArthur Study Bible, NASB (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 2006)
6. Joni Eareckson Tada, “God Weeping”. Retrieved from www.joniandfriends.org
7. Harvey Stob, “He Will Call Our Name”. Retrieved from www.thisistoday.net
8. The Rev. Charles Hoffacker, “Who Gets the Last Word?” Retrieved from www.lectionary.org
9. Dr. Mickey Anders, “Waiting and Weeping”. Retrieved from www.lectionary.org
10. The Rev. John Bedingfield, “Deconstruction”. Retrieved from www.lectionary.org
11. Dr. Philip W. McLarty, “The Raising of Lazarus”. Retrieved from www.lectionary.org
12. Dr. Keith Wagner, “A Voice You Can Be Sure Of”. Retrieved from www.lectionary.org
13. Maxie Dunnam, “The Ministry of the Unbinding”. Retrieved from www.esermons.com
14. Eric S. Ritz, “Called by Life”. Retrieved from www.esermons.com
15. James W. Robinson, “A Cup Running Over”. Retrieved from www.esermons.com
16. Thomas Peterson, “Come Out!” Retrieved from www.esermons.com
17. Carlyle Fielding Stewart III, “Take Off the Grave Clothes”. Retrieved from www.esermons.com

Doug peered out the van’s back window as his dad drove down the cemetery’s narrow path past rows and rows of small gray tombstones. Snow and ice covered the ground from the last winter storm. When they reached the second to last row of tombstones, Dad pulled to the side of the road and turned off the engine. They all got out of the van, and Mom opened the back door and pulled out a colorful cross made of purple flowers. Purple had been Doug’s grandma’s favorite color.

Doug pulled his hood tightly around his head as he and his parents walked slowly down the row of graves. He counted the tombstones as they passed each one. He knew his grandma’s grave was the seventh in the row. When they reached it, the family stopped and read the inscription once again: “Beloved wife, mother, and grandmother.”

They stood silently for a moment as a bitter wind pierced the air. Then Doug spoke up. “It’s so sad and depressing coming out here.” He looked around the cemetery and shivered. “Just thinking about how many dead people are buried in these graves gives me chills.”

Dad put his arm around Doug. “I know, buddy. But we know the grave’s not the end. We have hope for eternal life. Jesus said that He is the resurrection and the life, and anyone who believes in Him will live forever. Grandma trusted Jesus as her Savior. Even though our physical bodies die, Jesus has promised us eternal life if we trust in Him. After we die we’ll go to be with Him, and one day He will give us new bodies that will never die. Nothing beats that hope.” Dad gave Doug a pat on the shoulder.

“Do you want to put the flowers on Grandma’s grave?” Mom asked, holding out the flowered cross.

Doug took the cross from his mother and stooped down beside his grandmother’s tombstone. He pushed the stake down firmly into the ground. As he started to stand up, Doug noticed something green behind the grave. A few blades of grass were poking up out of the snow. There in the cemetery, out of the deadness of winter, the new life of spring was on its way.

Why doesn’t God stop suffering and pain? It is because he has given us a free will to choose-either to follow Him and obey Him or go our own sinful, evil way. When we choose the way of evil, God’s heart is grieved. In fact, because God loved us so much, He gave His Son Jesus to die for our sins and deliver us from evil and from sin’s eternal consequences-hell and eternal separation from Him, who is the source of all love and life.

In times of despair, we often ask, “Where is God?” It’s okay to ask that question. Many of God’s faithful servants such as Abraham, Moses, David and Jesus have questioned God’s decisions. God’s heart breaks for us in response to the pain of death and grieving. He doesn’t resent our honest questions about His plans, but if we refuse to trust Him because we don’t like how He has spent His power, we cut off our source of comfort.

We often say, “I don’t understand why God let my loved one be taken. I don’t understand why He is allowing me to suffer physically. I don’t understand the paths by which He is leading me. I don’t understand why plans and purposes that seem good to me should be baffled. I don’t understand why blessings I need badly are so long delayed.” We don’t have to understand all of God’s ways. In fact, God doesn’t expect us to understand them, but some day we will see the glory of God in the things which we don’t understand.

Jesus meets us when we mourn, just like He met Mary and Martha in John 11:1-45. He meets us where we are with our needs and what little faith we have. God is far more concerned with growing our faith than with making us comfortable.

Why would Jesus not rush to Bethany? Jesus’ plan made no sense by human standards, but His friends would have to trust Him-for the timing and the outcome. Sometimes God asks His followers to walk by a different light source than that of their limited human judgment.

Sometimes Jesus disappoints us. We’ve prayed, but no answers have come. We’ve pleaded, but God has delayed. We’ve waited, but He hasn’t arrived. Why has Jesus waited? Possibly it is because our faith and hope in Jesus have to be proved and/or tested. Our faith depends on the faith that comes from experiencing God’s power in our lives. That faith needs to be as deep as Martha’s was when she said that God could do for Jesus whatever He asked. She had a faith experience because she had seen Him work miracles throughout his ministry and she knew what He was capable of.

Jesus was glad that Lazarus had died without Him. That doesn’t mean that He enjoyed knowing Lazarus had died or that He enjoyed thinking about the family’s grief and despair. He was teaching His disciples and us that there is a greater miracle than physical healing. It is the miracle of the Resurrection. Jesus was glad because He knew God would be glorified to a far greater extent by the death and resurrection of Lazarus then He would have been by Lazarus’ healing and recovery from sickness.

Jesus was continually teaching and preparing the disciples for life after He was gone. The raising of Lazarus from the dead did result in greater faith among them. In all circumstances-even in times of waiting-believers should interpret circumstances by the love of Christ rather than trying to interpret Christ’s love by the circumstances.

When Jesus saw the tears of Mary and her friends, He wept, responding both physically and emotionally as He identified with their sorrow. The Lord sees and feel the anguish of God’s people when their loved ones die. Why did He weep? There are several possible reasons. Jesus could have been genuinely moved by his grief and that of the other mourners. After all, Jesus was both fully God and fully human, and as a human He experienced human emotions. Jesus was also in awe of the power of God that was about to flow through Him to triumph over death. Jesus’ tears could also have been caused by grief for a fallen world that is caught up in sorrow and death caused by sin.

Jesus could have also been grieving because the people could not see that the Messiah had come and therefore they could not see what God would do through Him. This is a good lesson for the church to learn. The church can be unbelieving, unconcerned and indifferent toward Jesus and God. Regardless of the reason for his weeping, the knowledge that resurrection and joy would follow were the underlying points of his grief.

Jesus would perform the miracle, but He wanted someone to take away the stone, demonstrating that human obedience often has a place in His supernatural work. In telling others about Jesus, the Christian may have to roll away the stone of ignorance, error, prejudice, or despair. But it is still God-not the effectiveness of a person’s witness-that “raises the dead.”

Jesus assured Martha that everything would happen just as He promised-the way God intended-and that all would see the glory of God. Her role, and ours, would be to simply trust Him.  Jesus prayed aloud for the benefit of the Jews who were watching: “that they may believe that You sent me.” Belief was on the line, and Jesus wanted everyone to know that the resuscitation of Lazarus would clearly be the result of cooperation between God the Father in heaven and God the Son on earth.

The Greek word for “cried” conveys that Jesus was shouting, both for Lazarus and the people to hear. His was the voice of divine authority. Had Jesus not specifically called Lazarus, perhaps all the dead would have been raised. That is the power of God!.

Jesus asked the people to unbind Lazarus and let him go. He could have done it himself, but when human beings are capable of doing something themselves, God will not intervene. Jesus calls us to unbind people as well-people who are bound up in prejudices, bad habits or other problems. They’ve heard the saving word of Christ, but they still need to be delivered from the bondage of sin. That is the ministry we are called to. When we unbind people, we show God’s love.

Lazarus heard the voice of Jesus and answered the call. The voice of God reassures us and calls us from the past into the present. The voice of God keeps our faith alive. Jesus always seeks people out. He comes to us wherever we are. He calls us whoever we are. He can use us whatever we are.

When Jesus called to Lazarus, he brought Lazarus from death this time. Lazarus eventually died again. There will be a time when Jesus will call our names and bring us out of death into everlasting life. Jesus’ raising of Lazarus sent the people running for cover, and it should also send us running for cover too. We finally see that Jesus is Lord and liberator of all the people of God. Those who are oppressed in any way by society will be convinced that His power came from on high and could not be defeated by the evil forces of the world. Evil plotted to silence Jesus by crucifying him, but Jesus has silenced evil through the hope that His resurrection offers each and every one of us.

Do you know someone who has died? Are you afraid of dying yourself? Death can be a difficult reality to face, but those who trust in Jesus have hope beyond the grave. If you don’t know Jesus as your Savior, you can trust in Him today. If you do know Him, share His truth with others so they can have the hope that comes with knowing Him too.

Bibliography

1. Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible: New Kings James Version (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013; p. 1460-1462)
2. “Dead Man Walking: Again, If You Had Been Here.” Retrieved from ysu@youthspecialties.com
3. Fredrikson, R.L. & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol 27: John (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1985; pp. 185-194)
4. Stanley, C.F; The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible: New King James Version (Nashville, TN: Nelson Bibles; 2005)
5. Craig Condon, “Jesus and the Power to Overcome Death.” Retrieved from the author’s personal sermon library.
6. “Day 6 These: The Gospel Message.” Retrieved from Oneplace@crosswalkmail.com
7. Anne Graham Lotz, “A Greater Miracle.” Retrieved from info@angelministries.org
8. Vanessa Small, “Hope Springs Up.” Retrieved from info@keysforkids.org
9. Richard Innes, “Where Was God?” Retrieved from www.actsweb.org

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The first seven chapters of the Book of Romans focused on the power of sin in our lives, and they have set the stage for chapter 8 by discussing Paul’s ideas about sin. Our reading today from Romans 8:1-11 is an entrance into friendly territory. It talks about the Holy Spirit, which was not mentioned in the previous seven chapters. In chapter 8 alone there are 21 specific references to the Holy Spirit because this chapter is practical in showing us how important the Holy Spirit is in our daily lives.

Paul contrasts life in the flesh with life in the Spirit, and Romans 8:1-11 focuses on setting our minds on the things of the Spirit. Paul works with the idea that God’s Spirit raised Jesus’ dead body and that same Spirit lives in each and every one of us. The Holy Spirit gives life to our bodies and personalities. We are like God because we are made out of the same stuff and substance as God. God’s Spirit sets off our spirits inside of us.

The power of evil is not dumb. It always attacks us when we are the most vulnerable and the weakest. Paul identifies our four weakest areas as sex, anger, drunkenness and orgies and pride. In other words, we are at our weakest when we are in our sin-filled nature. Romans 8:1-11 crucifies and kills our sinful nature and lets the Spirit gush out with great power.

Life in the flesh means a life of sin, selfishness and worldliness. In contrast, life in the Spirit is a life of holiness, giving and Christ-centeredness. Life in the flesh leads to a body that is dead in sin, but a life in the Spirit leads to a life in Christ. When the Spirit lives in us, we are brought to life and we are redeemed from the grave just like Jesus was brought back to life and redeemed from the grave after his crucifixion.

When Paul talks about the sins of the flesh, he talks about all the sinful behaviour that exists in our world, and that is in contrast to the peace, joy and love that exists in the Spirit. We have been created as embodied persons, claimed by the promise of baptism and focused on the Spirit who redeems us to all that is good and true. Concern for worldly pleasures is bad, concern for spiritual life is better. This is often difficult for us to do, especially if we have to work on Sundays or when we are tempted by the sinful world. If we have the Holy Spirit, God will give us the strength to resist temptation.

The Old Testament law was weak because humans could not keep it, so God sent Jesus. Jesus met the demands of the law that were rightly made against the people. The Holy Spirit living in us allows us to obey God’s laws. It helps us reject our old earthly ways. It is also the hope of every believer. It regenerates our human spirit when we accept Christ as our Saviour.

By sending Jesus, God fulfilled the law for us and condemned sin. We are freed by the Holy Spirit. The law of the Spirit is in contrast to the law of sin and death. The Spirit gives us a new focus and a new freedom. We do not need to fear death or God’s wrath. Death is not the end. It is the beginning of unending, complete redemption.

God is a powerful judge who punishes us when we need it just like a parent punishes a child when the child needs it. God punishes us because he loves us and he wants to keep us on the straight and narrow path. God convicts us of sin, but he sets the conviction aside when he says, “Go, and sin no more.” God will not judge us unless we have never been saved. Our good deeds are not enough to save us because even our greatest deeds are filthy rags in his sight because of his perfect standards. If we are in Christ, our punishment has been transferred to Jesus, so we are not condemned. Judgement Day for us took place at Calvary, so our judgment days is behind us. Non-believers still have to face their own Judgment Day. As pardoned sinners, we live our lives by following the Spirit. Only then can we be a true image of God.

Christ and the Spirit are fully God and work together. Since Christian bodies are not yet redeemed, they still die even though they are freed from the condemnation of sin. The presence of the Spirit within believers testifies to the new life they enjoy because of the righteousness of Christ that is now theirs.

The Holy Spirit is the cure for sin and death. The law of sin and death is more deadly than an electric shock. Life in the Spirit changes us. Sin has killed our bodies and we can’t help ourselves, but Christ helps us. To live in Christ requires a radical transformation that renews our minds. That does not mean that we will not have any more struggles. In fact, Paul mentions his own struggles with sin in Romans 7:15-25. Walking in the Spirit is a relationship issue. Specifically, it is an issue of our relationship with God.

A few years ago,  the Huffington Post ran an article about the brain-training secrets of the athletes. Gold medal champions know how to train their minds like they train their bodies. Using mental exercises, they’ve learned to tune out distractions, reduce stress and focus on staying on top of their game. Using mental imagery, they visualize their performance in exacting detail, for studies have found that mental practice is almost as effective as physical training. Olympians meditate to calm themselves down. When they get into a “flow mindset,” they say they’re “in the zone.”

Christians should be experts at cultivating the mind and soul. The Bible tells us to train our minds as we train our bodies—to reject anxiety, to focus on trusting the Lord, and to visualize the green pastures, still waters and abundant life God has promised. The Bible tells us to meditate on His Word and get “into the zone” of the spiritual mind. Peace comes from trusting our Saviour—to be spiritually minded is life and peace—and that’s why he keeps those in perfect peace whose minds are stayed on him.

When we set our minds on the things of God, we do not allow sin to gain a foothold in our lives. If we do not forgive ourselves we remain enslaved to sin because we still feel guilty. We still condemn ourselves, but Jesus will never condemn those who believe in him. If we do not believe in Christ, we can’t please God by being good.

God does not save people who do good deeds unless they believe in Jesus. We can‘t escape sin by our own efforts. We can only escape sin through faith in Christ as mentioned in Romans 7:26.

Good deeds by themselves do not fulfill God’s law because they are produced for selfish reasons by a heart that is opposed to God. Jesus even said in Matthew 9:13,”I desire mercy, not sacrifice.”  

To put it another way, a couple recently wrote a letter to Billy Graham. In that letter they stated that another couple in their apartment complex said they know they’re going to go to heaven when they die. The writers asked how the couple could say that. The writer added that the couple seem like good people, that it’s arrogant for anyone to claim they’re good enough to get into heaven. Here is Billy Graham’s reply:

“Many people, I’m afraid, hope that God will let them into heaven, since they’ve been honest and good and kind toward others. After all, they think, isn’t this what God expects of us?

But you may be surprised to learn that the Bible tells us otherwise. The Bible says God’s standard is nothing less than perfection — and who can claim to be perfect? In other words, if you had committed only one sin — just one — it would be enough to keep you out of heaven. God is absolutely pure and holy, and we’ll never be able to stand in His presence on our own. The Bible says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

This is why we need Christ, for only He can forgive us and cleanse us — and He will, as we turn in faith to Him. And this, I suspect, is what your neighbors have discovered. They know they aren’t good enough to go to heaven on their own, and they have turned to Christ for the forgiveness and mercy they need.

And this can be true of you. God loves you, and He offers you the gift of eternal life right now — a gift paid for by His Son, Jesus Christ. Why not reach out and accept that gift today, by inviting Christ to come into your life? The Bible’s promise is true: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).”

Jesus said in effect that the things we offer to do and the promises we want to make in exchange for our forgiveness are just offerings to help us get over our guilt. He would rather give us forgiveness as a gift. The Holy Spirit is a gift for all believers. It does not have to be earned. When we are saved we can repeat the words of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: “Free at last, free at last. Thank God Almighty I’m free at last!”

The process of change from life in the flesh to a life in the Spirit is a gradual one. This can be very frustrating to us because we live in a society that promises instant results and instant gratification. We want to make real changes in our lives, but many of us are looking for a magic pill to solve all of our problems. We have to open ourselves to the wonderful and unpredictable Spirit that is flowing so freely and so full of life all around us. True change is a long, slow process. It is a daily practice that will eventually result in change and growth.

Bibliography

1. Cecil Murphy, “My Powerful Judge.” Retrieved from www.cecilmurphy.com
2. Dick Inness, “The Law of Life.” Retrieved from www.actsweb.org
3. Dr. Tony Evans, ”Extreme Makeover.” Retrieved from Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com
4. Exegesis for Romans 8:1-11. Retrieved from www.lectionary.org
5. Dr. Neil Anderson, “Relationship, Not Regime.” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
6. Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible, NKJV (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing, 2013)
7. Dr. Ed Young, “Watch Your Mindset.” Retrieved from Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com
8. Briscoe, D.S. & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 29: Romans (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1982)
9. MacArthur, J.F. Jr.: The MacArthur Study Bible, NASB (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 2006)
10. ESV Study Bible. Part of Wordsearch 10 Bible software package.
11. Dr. David Jeremiah, “Get in the Zone.” Retrieved from www.davidjeremiah.org
12. Jon Walker, “Jesus Offers Mercy, Not Condemnation.” Retrieved from www.purposedriven.com
13. Stephen Davey, “Hiding Our Sin.” Retrieved from Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com
14. Pastor Edward Markquart, “Christ’s Spirit and My Spirit.” Retrieved from www.sermonsfromseattle.com
15. Pastor Edward Markquart, “Christ’s Spirit and Put to Death Our Human Nature.” Retrieved from www.sermonsfromseattle.com
16. Billy Graham, “How Can Someone Know They’re Going to Heaven?” Retrieved from www.arcamax.com

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is the story that won the amateur writing contest,” she said, and then she began reading. “There was excitement in the courtroom as one witness after another told of his relationship with the defendant. All agreed that he was fun to be with. He amused and entertained them, he told them of his travels, and he passed along a wide range of knowledge. But after he had established himself in their houses, many parents noticed he often used very bad language, he told dirty stories, he often displayed anger and violence, and he taught their children evil ways.

“‘Because of a story he told, I ran away from home,’ testified seventeen-year-old Sally when she was put on the witness stand.

“‘He taught me that it’s smart to drink,’ added Julian.

“Another boy was crying as he said, ‘He told me and my friend Josh that he had a foolproof plan for robbing a store. We tried it, but the store owner had a gun. Josh was killed.’

“‘He told me that whatever I want to do is okay-even if it goes against the Bible-and that others should accept me as I am,’ stated a girl.

“So it went. Finally the defendant himself was called to the stand and asked to state his name. ‘I am Mr. T. Vee,’ he said. ‘I was only exercising my rights to freedom of speech. Besides, I was invited into each home by parents and children. They could have asked me to leave, but they never did.’

“When all testimony had been heard, the judge spoke. ‘Although I believe Mr. T. Vee is guilty of the charges brought against him, I cannot convict him,’ stated Judge Smith. ‘He was an invited guest in each home, and the law does allow free exchange of ideas. It was the responsibility of those in the home to ask him to go. Since they did not, they are as guilty as he! Case dismissed!'”

Dad looked at the family. “I hope this helps you understand why Mom and I don’t allow you to watch certain programs,” he said. “Let’s all share the responsibility of turning off the TV when bad programs come on.”

We live in a dark world that is full of temptation and evil. We try to live our lives as Christians, and sometimes we go astray. Most temptations are not great, obvious ones. We may never have been tempted to murder, commit adultery, or worship idols. Can we say the same thing about common sins like gossip or backstabbing? Have we never repeated a juicy rumour, even though we knew it was hurting a friend’s reputation? Have we assumed that everything we read on social media is true?

What about quarreling and refusing to forgive other people? It only takes a moment for a difference of opinion to turn into a nasty argument. We stomp away and vow never to speak to that person again, and a friendship is lost, a marriage is ruined, or a church is divided. The darkness creeps in. Too many people, including Christians, are living carelessly, without an appreciation of the dangers they face. The devil is at work in our lives, and some of his favourite tools are his lies. If we believe them, our relationships can disintegrate before our eyes and we’ll wonder what has happened.

In Ephesians 5:8-14, the apostle Paul laid out a counter attack. He calls on us as Christians to pursue goodness, justice and truth. Pursuing truth involves exposing that which is false (also known as sin) or secretive to community discernment.

How can we determine what is good and what is evil? We can’t make that determination on the basis of outward appearance. What is good in the world’s eyes can actually be evil. The only way to determine what is evil is to study the Scriptures.

We should live like people who have seen the evil of sin. By doing so, we will do what is acceptable in God’s eyes. Evil hurts the body and the soul. By living Christ-like lives, we rebuke a sinful world. Evil is so bad that its deeds can’t be described or spoken unless we as Christians rebuke them. Believers must not only remove themselves from darkness, but they also have a responsibility to expose and stand against the darkness. This is hard to do. We want to be minor players who move in and out of God’s plan of redemption as we please. It can’t be so. When we shine the light of Christ, we must do so in love and with a lifestyle that honors God.

Sins are called “works of darkness” for two reasons:

1. They spring from darkness or the ignorance of God.
2. They are committed in darkness. They shun the light.

Christ’s light shines anywhere and everywhere. It cleanses and purifies. It shows the way to spiritual safety for those who are about to sink into the abyss of sin.

The church is called to let its light shine. It is to be a beacon of light in a sin-filled world. The light should attract people like a light attracts moths in warm weather. It should draw people away from the darkness of our sin-filled world and lead them to the light of Christ. It must make people dead to sin and alive to Christ.

Before we can be like Christ, and before we can shine His light in the world, we need to have the nature of Christ within us. Only after He does this will our identity be changed. Only then can we change our behaviour.

When we face life’s trials, we will always find a verse in God’s Word to sustain us. Becoming strong in faith and strong in the Bible happens as we apply the truth of His Word in our lives. Then we will grow spiritually and live lives that will please Him.

Paul declares that believers were once darkness, not that they were in darkness. In other words, they were not innocently surrounded by sin and evil but were wholly part of that environment. Now they have become light and should have no fellowship with darkness. We as Christians are called to walk as children of light. We are to determine what is acceptable to God, and the only way we can do that is to study the Scriptures.

Life without Christ is like a power outage-survival mode in pitch darkness. Without Christ, there are no absolutes. Hope, truth and even morality are relative. When Christ is not the foundation of our lives, we spend our lives stumbling around in spiritual darkness hoping that we don’t bump into anything.

Many years ago, a prominent minister had a very eccentric man in his congregation who was trying to be a zealous Christian. Unfortunately, he usually did the wrong thing. He was a barber, and one day he was lathering up a customer for a shave. He came at the man with the razor in his hand and said, “Sir, are you prepared to meet your God?” The customer was scared out of his senses, jumped up and fled the barbershop with lather on his face!

It’s easy to allow our zealousness to get in the way of our common sense. We are to be zealous for God, but we must do it with wisdom. We are to love others in a way that is guided by the Holy Spirit and truly communicates God’s love for people. We are to speak the truth in love as a means to grow and as a goal for growing. We are not to go along with abusive behaviours or turn a blind eye to any kind of sin.

 In the darkest places and the darkest times in our lives, we realize the true power of light. When we seek out the caves and darkness of truth, we see that the depth of darkness can’t put out even the smallest spark of light.

Exposure of negative behaviour and lifestyles by positive Christian conduct and speech can become a tool for evangelism. When those who commit sin see how we as people of light walk the walk of our Christian faith, they have the potential to be converted so that they also become light.

Darkness is not the problem to be solved by God’s light. Paul is speaking of the foolishness of hiding in the darkness of the world. It makes us prisoners of fear. It doesn’t let us be free to live in faith. We don’t need a great light to banish the darkness of this world. All we need is faith. p:non�:��U

How many of your either know or knew someone who people might say is “different?”

They end up in this category for many different reasons-race, colour, creed, beliefs, religion, the community they live in, or even a disability. I can tell you from personal experience that it is no fun to be labelled as “different.” I can sympathize with the blind man in John 9:1-41. I hope that all of us as Christians can sympathize with him as well.

When the disciples saw the blind man, they saw an object of theological curiosity. In contrast, Jesus saw a man in need. There was a common belief at that time that suffering was the result of sin. The New Testament argues that this is not necessarily true, although situations such as cirrhosis of the liver and lung cancer are caused by the sins of drinking and smoking respectively. Even today, there are some people who look for someone to blame when tragedy strikes. They would rather call it a curse of God or a fitting punishment for some previous fault or crime instead of admitting that such things just happen or might happen to them.

Jesus used the metaphors of night and day to highlight His identity as the light of the world. Then he brought light to the blind man by healing him. Jesus could have simply spoken and restored the man’s sight, but his instructions to go and wash in the pool of Siloam were perhaps intended to test the man’s faith.

Jesus saw the blind man who was in physical and spiritual darkness and responded to his need. Similarly, he responds to our need for spiritual light because we live with the handicaps of our sin, limitations and false ideas about God. Baptism gives us our initial sight, just like washing in the pool at Siloam helped to give the blind man his physical sight. As we continue our journey through Lent, we have a chance for a spiritual eye exam. Just as we need to have physical eye exams on a regular basis, we need to have our spiritual eyesight checked regularly.

Sometimes our spiritual blindness is the result of the influence other people have on us. As someone once told me, “You are who you associate with.” We live in a world where sin is waiting to pounce on us just like a lion or a tiger pounces on its prey.

Spiritual vision allows us to see who we are before God, where we are going and what we have to do along the way. Jesus’ gift of spiritual sight gives us the direction we need in our lives today.  Sin is the rejection of the light that was brought into this world by the Light of the World. Our response to that light is important.  The Light of the World has the purifying power that cleanses the worst of sins just like many cleaners can clean the worst types of physical dirt.

The way the formerly blind man reported his encounter with Jesus provides a pattern for sharing faith: “Here is my story. This is who I was—blind, helpless and hopeless in my sin. Then I met Jesus, and this is how my life changed.” It is difficult for people to argue with a person’s story.

The Sabbath was established as a day of rest, but the Pharisees had added numerous regulations to make sure everyone “rested.” In their thinking, this healing—if in fact the man had actually been healed—was “work” and thus violated the Sabbath. The law about not healing people on the Sabbath was not God’s law. It was their interpretation of God’s law. To make matters worse, the Pharisees were important, educated, prosperous, respected—and it went to their heads. As we might say locally, they were “too big for their britches.” They assumed that they had the answers, so they closed their minds to new ideas. Instead of celebrating the man’s good fortune, they saw only a violation of their rules and a threat to their power.

Their power was also threatening. The man’s parents acknowledged that he was their son. They acknowledged that he was born blind and could now see, but they either did not know or were afraid to acknowledge the source of his healing. Perhaps they were afraid that if they said that he was healed by Jesus, they would also be expelled from the temple.

Unfortunately, a similar situation exists today, especially for our Christian brothers and sisters in the Third World. Many of them face opposition and persecution because of their faith. The difference between them and the blind man’s parents is that these Christians are proud of their faith and are not ashamed to speak about Jesus.

God’s healing presence was felt through the healing of the blind man’s sight. If people believed that his blindness was the result of sin, then Jesus’ healing should have proved to them that God works through Jesus to forgive sin. The blind man saw what the Pharisees refused to see. Jesus was more than a mere man. The blind man could see God and His truth. The Pharisees could not see this.

The Pharisees rejected the blind man’s healing as a miracle. They held on to their understanding of the man born blind as a product of sin and nothing else. They rejected the evidence of the miracle for the sake of the comfortable worldview that they had been trained to hold.

The worst thing the Pharisees could have done was to assert that they were not sinners. The best thing they did was cast the man out of the synagogue, where he saw Jesus with his own eyes and worshipped Him. Jesus did not rob the Pharisees of their sight, but they were blinded by their refusal to see. They assumed that they could see clearly and rejected anything that was different from their beliefs. Jesus did not condemn them, because they are condemned already because they did not believe in the Son of God.

As is often the case with those who reject Christ, the Pharisees were blinded by their pride, not by ignorance. They chose not to understand. They preferred the darkness of their own self-interests to the Light of Christ. The Pharisees are on trial, not the blind man. His newly found freedom judges their darkness. The Pharisees used their so-called superior spiritual position as teachers of the Law as a weak, pathetic defense. Those of us who are Christian leaders can be tempted to fall back on our credentials such as a seminary degree or certificate of ordination when we are confronted by the witness of a newly born disciple of Jesus.  

The Old Testament phrase, “Give God the glory” is a Hebrew phrase that often meant “Confess your sins and repent.” Many religions will say we know, just as the Pharisees did, but traditions and prejudices blind their followers. The newly sighted man challenged Jesus’ opponents with his “I know” declaration. His experience was not second-hand faith but the result of a direct encounter with Jesus. In anger, the Pharisees threw the man out of the synagogue. When Jesus heard about this, He sought out the man, just like he seeks us out, offers us His help and encourages us in our walk with God.

There have always been people who reject the truth in order to maintain the status quo, but there have also been those who are willing to stand up and speak up about this bad habit. When someone who tries to live up to the truth is rejected by society, he or she will be sought out by Jesus and called to a new life in Christ.

Through His healing of the blind man, Jesus confronts our spiritual blindness and reminds us that we must look beyond our own perceptions, rules and biases. If we allow our self-righteousness to blind us, we will never see the face of Christ. We will never meet him if we close our eyes to His presence in the world. We can learn to see clearly by doing these three things:

1. Changing how we see God.
2. Changing how we see and what we see in our lives.
3. Changing how we live.

Like Jesus, we must work the works of him who sent us while it is day. That work is the work of shining light into the darkness and leading those who seek the light of God’s truth into Christ’s presence. It is there where we will find life eternal and light perpetual-and that, ladies and gentlemen, is the best light to see.

Bibliography

1. Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible, New King James Version (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013, pp. 1456-1458)
2. ESV Study Bible. Part of Wordsearch 11 Bible software package.
3. Jude Siciliano, OP, “First Impressions, Fourth Sunday of Lent (A).” retrieved from www.preacherexchange.org
4. Frederikson, R.L. & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 27: John (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1985; pp. 162-173)
5. MacArthur, J.F. Jr.: The MacArthur Study Bible, New American Standard Version. (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)
6. Stanley, C.F.: The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible, New King James Version (Nashville, TN: Nelson Bibles; 2005)
7. Pastor Dick Woodward, “A Definition of Sin.” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
8. Bayless Conley, “Not Ashamed.” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
9. Ryan Duncan, “Born Blind.” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
10. Exegesis for John 9:1-41. Retrieved from www.sermonwriter.com

John 4:5-42 marks a shift in Jesus ministry. It marks a shift from ministry to the Jews only to ministry to both Jews and Gentiles. Jesus had to go through Samaria. God is willing to go anywhere to meet us as sinners. No one is outside the reach of God’s love. God’s gifts are for outsiders. Those who consider themselves worthy of those gifts will be in for a nasty surprise!

It was ironic that he, as a Jew, went through Samaria. The Assyrians defeated Samaria and took many Samaritans into captivity. Those remaining in Samaria intermarried with non-Jewish people, which compromised their ethnic identity and went against many Jewish customs regarding cleanliness.  Later, the Babylonians defeated Judea and took many Judeans into captivity.  The Judeans managed to maintain their identity while in captivity.  When they were finally allowed to return to Judea, they rebuilt the temple.  The Samaritans offered to help, but were rebuffed because of their mixed heritage.  They later built their own temple on Mount Gerizim, which started a continuing controversy regarding the proper place of worship. John Hyrcanus destroyed the Gerizim temple in 128 B.C.

Because he was human, Jesus was tired. To make matters worse, he was travelling during the hottest part of the day, so he was thirsty. Jesus took the initiative by speaking to the woman. In Jewish society, that was a taboo. It was against the culture and traditions for a man to speak to a woman in public unless she was his wife. The woman also broke with tradition by going to the well during the hottest part of the day. Normally women came to the well in the morning or in the evening. While they were getting water, they would catch up on all the news or gossip (much like people do when they go to the barber, the beauty salon or a local coffee shop). If the immoral woman showed up at the same time, she would have been the target of their gossip.

Jesus often used physical things to teach spiritual lessons. When he mentioned living water, he was referring to the spiritual water that he can offer to all believers, but the woman thought he was referring to physical water. Jesus knew that the woman was searching for something that would give her life meaning. That is why he offered her living water. That is also why he made the comment about her five husbands. The woman did have a spiritual hunger, and so did the Samaritans. They thirsted for the truth, and their thirst made it possible for them to see that Jesus was the living water gushing up to eternal life.

We are also restless and unsatisfied even though we have access to all sorts of earthly treasures. Just look at all of the rich celebrities who have died because of drug overdoses. The world searches for relevance and significance without success. People go from one relationship to another, from one activity to the next, and from one fashion or “in thing to do” to the next. They are literally dying of thirst and hope that the “new drink” will satisfy them. It never does. Earthly “drink” can never satisfy our desires like the living water Jesus offers can.

Once we have tasted Jesus’ living water, nothing else will satisfy our thirst. The living water provides cleansing and a spiritual life. It flows through true worshippers who worship God and Jesus with all of their heart. In order to drink the living water, we have to repent. That is why Jesus brought up the woman’s past. She needed to see and admit that she messed up and needed God’s help. We also need to admit that we are messed up and that we need God’s help. When God looks into our souls and sees our dark side, our secrets, our guilt and our motivations, he loves us anyway. That love is the living water that renews us and restores us. When God sees how we are dying inside, and when he tells us everything we have ever done, he still gives us living water. The Holy Spirit helps us to see our mistakes and failures.

The woman was open to the truth that Christ taught. As a result, she came to faith in Jesus. She reminds us who doubt or struggle with faith to stay in a conversation with Christ. God’s grace drew her to Christ, and she became an evangelist. Likewise, God’s grace draws us to Christ, and now we can be evangelists. We, like the woman, are to listen to the Word of God and look for opportunities to share it with others. We will never be alone, because Jesus’ living water will stay with us and will be there when we need it. 

Jesus also offered something meaningful to her, and it is the same thing he offers us. He offered her the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit would live in her like it lives in us. God is not made of physical matter, so he can be everywhere and with everyone all at the same time. Spiritual food is important to our eternal life, just like physical food is important to our physical life. Spiritual food was more important to Jesus than physical food. That is why he dismissed the disciples’ concern that his behaviour with the woman was caused by physical hunger.

The other aspect of food and water that this reading talks about is the process of growing food. Those of you who have grown vegetables or flowers know that it takes time for a plant to grow from a seed. The same thing happens in the spiritual realm. It takes time for a spiritual seed to mature once it is planted in our souls. In addition, one person can plant the seed while another person waters it and still another person reaps it. There are times when sowing and reaping take place at the same time, as was the case with the woman at the well and the people of her village.

The spiritual harvest is now, and we are missing it. We can stay by Jesus’ side and be part of powerful encounters by doing the following things:

1. Ask God every day where he is at work around us.
2. Be open to the Spirit if he asks us to go into an unlikely area.
3. Understand the harvest is now.
4. Press in a bit. We need to get people alone, ask some questions and find out what God is doing below the surface of their lives.

Jesus made himself known to the Samaritans as the Messiah. How ironic it was that he made himself known as the Messiah to people who were seen as outsiders. By doing so, he made them insiders in his kingdom. The insiders of society often became outsiders in his kingdom. Sometimes God uses the most unlikely people to do his work, while those who should have been at the forefront of God’s work fail him. The heart of a worshipper is the most important thing to Jesus. He hates pompous attention-getters and loves true believers. He seeks out authentic worshippers, and when he asks them to do something, he gives them greater things to do. Legitimate testimony glorifies Jesus rather than the person making the testimony.

So how should we share the Good News with people, especially people from different backgrounds? Jesus shows us how.  We must put aside our own agendas and ask questions. We must not condemn them or condone their sin. We must offer them the bright hope of a future that is God’s gift. We must look beyond their sins, their outside appearance and their cultural differences. We, like Jesus, must see everyone as someone God loves and not as a person of a certain race, background or reputation. When we approach God in spirit and truth, we touch his heart and move him in a special way. In return, we are to reach out to others and spread our faith by reaching out to one person at a time.

It might seem as if the task is hopeless, but it’s not.  It might seem as if our neighbors are hopeless, but they aren’t.  We don’t have the responsibility to bring them into the church.  We have only the responsibility to be godly people in their midst.  We have only the responsibility to invite.  We have only the responsibility to plant the seed.  God will send other people to water it, and others still to harvest. God doesn’t need us to succeed.  God just needs us to be faithful––to do our part. The Samaritan woman was faithful. She did her part.  She ran into town to tell her neighbors about a Jew who might just be the Messiah

Sometimes we are reluctant to do this. Why? It is because we are comfortable with our existing lives. Sometimes we don’t want to take the simple actions we need to change our lives or the lives of other people. Making small changes in our lives or the lives of others can have big impacts, especially since we live in an area that is spiritually dry and thirsty.

In his article entitled “The Last Crusade”, Major V. Gilbert told of the early 20^th century battle for Palestine against the Turks. At one point Allied forces outpaced the camel caravan that was carrying their water. There were wells in the territory occupied by the enemy. Gilbert rote, “We fought that day as men fight for their lives. If such were our thirst for God and for righteousness, for his will in our life, a consuming, all-embracing, preoccupying desire, how rich the fruit of the spirit would we be.” This is a good lesson for all of us to learn.

Bibliography

1. Exegesis for John 4:5-42. Retrieved from www.lectionary.org
2. ESV Study Bible. Part of Wordsearch 10 Bible software package.
3. Frederickson, R.L. & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 27: John (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1985)
4. White, J.E.: Holman Concise Bible Commentary: John (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998)
5. Stanley, C.F.: The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible, NASV (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 2009)
6. MacArthur, J.F. Jr.: The MacArthur Study Bible, NASV (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 2006)
7. Radmacher, G.D.; Allen, R.B. & House, H.W.: Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1999)
8. Michael Youssef, Ph.D., “Conveying Eternal Love.” Retrieved from www.leadingtheway.org
9. Joni Eareckson Tada, “Heartfelt, Honest Prayers.” Retrieved from www.joniandfriends.org
10. Don Johnson, “From Facebook to Faithbook.” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
11. Don Johnson, “What Are You Doing With Your Life?” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
12. Pastor David McGee, “Give Me Some Water.” Retrieved from Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com
13. Jennifer Hereen, “How to be a Witness for Christ.” Retrieved from www.christianity.com
14. Stephen Davey, “Thirsty People…Living Water.” Retrieved from Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com
15. Beau Crosetto, “The Disciples Missed It!” Retrieved from http://blog.exponential.org
16. Rev Dr. David Sapp, “He Gets Me!” Retrieved from www.day1.org
17. Jude Siciliano, OP, “First Impressions, Third Sunday of Lent (A), March 23, 2014.” Retrieved from www.preacherexchange.org
18. John van der Laar, “Out of the Shadows.” Retrieved from http://sacredise.com/blog/?p=889
19. Peter Woods, “High Noon at Jacob’s Well.” Retrieved from http://thelisteninghermit.com

Good morning boys and girls!

Who likes getting gifts? I certainly do.

Let me ask you this. Is something a gift if you have to pay for it? If you have to pay for it or do something for it, it isn’t a gift. When someone gives you a gift, it doesn’t cost you anything. All you have to do is accept it. What is the one thing you should not do when someone gives you a gift? The one thing you should never do is ask “How much did it cost?”

What do you think is the greatest gift anyone can receive? It is the gift of eternal life. Jesus talks about this gift in John 3:1-17.

Now let me tell you a story that will explain why Jesus gives us the gift of salvation. It’s a story about Mia, Rafael and a dog. As Mia and Rafael walked down Main Street with their father, Rafael noticed an unusual display in a shop window. “Hey, Dad!” he exclaimed. “There’s a real dog in that cage!” Rafael stooped and looked at the small, brown dog. A large hand-lettered sign was attached to the cage.

Mia read it aloud. “Death row! Without your help, this animal will have one more day to live. Call the local animal shelter and make arrangements to adopt this puppy.” She looked at her father. “What does that sign mean, Dad?” she asked.

“It’s a new program the animal shelter is trying,” said Dad. “They can’t take care of all the stray animals they find, so by letting people know about the problem, they give the animals a better chance to be adopted out. If no one takes this dog, they’ll have to put it to sleep.” The kids stared in dismay at the little animal. “I’ve heard that the program is very successful,” Dad assured them. “I’m sure someone will claim this cute little puppy.”

“But, Dad! What if nobody does?” wailed Mia. “Can’t we take him home with us? Look-he likes us already. He’s wagging his tail!”

“Yeah, and he needs us, Dad!” Rafael pleaded.

“Well . . .” Dad hesitated. “Let’s wait till this evening, and I’ll call and check on him. If nobody rescues this little guy by then-and if Mom agrees and you kids promise to take care of him-we’ll come back and get him tomorrow. Okay?” Mia and Rafael nodded eagerly.

When Dad called the animal shelter, he learned that the dog was still waiting to be rescued. Since Mom had agreed, they went the next day to get the puppy. As they drove home, Mia looked up at Dad. “It’s kind of like what Jesus did, isn’t it, Dad?” she murmured.

“What do you mean?” Dad asked.

“When we had devotions yesterday, the verses you read from the Bible said that before Jesus saved us, we were condemned,” explained Mia. “In a way, that’s like being on death row, isn’t it? But Jesus died on the cross to take our punishment. When we trusted in Him, He rescued us-kind of like we rescued this puppy.”

Dad smiled. “Good thinking,” he approved.

“The puppy will be a reminder that we’ve been rescued by Jesus,” Rafael added.

Boys and girls, God loved us so much that he sent Jesus to earth to die on the cross so that we could have the gift of eternal life. Can you imagine how much Jesus loved us to be willing to die on the cross so that we can have eternal life in heaven? Jesus paid the price so we could receive the greatest gift of all.

Let’s bow our heads for a moment of prayer. Dear God, thank you for the greatest gift of all. Thank you for Jesus, who loved us so much that he paid the price for our sin to give us the gift of eternal life. In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN.

Bibliography

1. “The Greatest Gift of All.” Retrieved from www.Sermons4Kids.com
2. “Rescued.” Retrieved from newsletter@cbhministries.org.
3. Real Life Devotional Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zonderkidz; 2008)