How to See the Future | Revelation 18

How to See the Future | Revelation 18

Darien Gabriel

Series: Revelation: The Best is Yet to Come

Title: “How to See The Future”

Scripture: Revelation 18

Introduction: Makes me think of how quickly things can change in a nation. Afghanistan fell to the Taliban this week in 1 day. We know that the foundations of the existing government were weak already so while it fell suddenly, they were vulnerable as soon as our troops left.

Our nation (America) is sliding towards destruction too. And while this slide may be gradual, the crash will also likely to be sudden. Perhaps revival will delay or prevent this. Are you praying for revival in our land?

What will get us through the great tribulation as the church? We’ll have to figure out how to work together to live for Christ with the daily threat of dying for Christ.

What will get us through is this truth:

Bottom line: “The future is bright even though the day is dark.”

Our need: Eyes to see that these dark days as a blip on the timeline of eternity and live accordingly; a drop in the ocean of time.

Quote: “Today, the greatest challenge facing (evangelical, Bible-believing) American (Christians) is not persecution from the world, but seduction by the world.” —CJ Mahaney, pastor

Quote: “We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered to us, like an ignorant child who goes on making mud pies in the slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are too easily pleased.” -CS Lewis, Weight of Glory, pp. 25-26

Last week in Revelation 17 we saw how evil turned on evil when the Beast destroyed the Whore.

In Revelation 18 we will see more of the downfall of Babylon and how those seduced by her are drug down with her into destruction. Are you in that crowd? God calls you out today! (V. 4)

Context:

We have seen:

• Jesus and his churches (1-3)

• The throne and judgments of God (6-16)

• The whore, the King, and his bride (17-22)

Outline:

I. God judges the whore. (1-8)

II. The world laments over the whore. (9-19)

III. The angels sing of the doom of the whore. (20-24)

Conclusion:

Reminders of Afghanistan. Christians there are dying today for their unwillingness to be seduced by Babylon. They are the martyrs spoken of in Revelation.

Question: Would you be willing to die for what you believe in?

1. Where do you see yourself right now?

   1. Living in light of today?

   2. Living in light of eternity?

2. Where do you want to see yourself?

3. What’s keeping you from repenting and believing that the way of Jesus is the way to go?

Repent of your sins today. Trust and follow the Lord Jesus Christ who knows the way, the truth and the life.

Pray

Notes:

Rome was considered Babylon (code to the Church in John’s day) and he was prophesying it’s destruction around AD 95. In AD 410, after a long slide into destruction, Alaric, with his northern hordes of Goths, pillaged Rome and laid it waste in one week.

John wrote Rev 17-18 to (Bruce Metzger):

• Stimulate faithfulness in first century persecuted Christians

• To remind them of their ultimate victory in Christ no matter what

• It’s a warning to believers . Babylon is allegorical of the idolatry that any nation commits when it elevates

  • Material abundance

  • Military prowess

  • Technological sophistication

  • Imperial grandeur, and

  • Racial pride over the Creator.

This seems familiar to me as an American citizen.

Revelation concerns the character and timeliness of God’s judgment not only on people but also nations…and all authorities, corporations, institutions, bureaucracies, denominations and even churches. -Bruce Metzger

Questions: Are we drawn to the spiritual “Red light districts” of our world? Or are we drawn to the kingdom of God?

Other Illustrations:

dad joke/Funny: “Everybody is talking about the apocalypse like there’s no tomorrow…”

“Keep your eyes on the clouds and the crowds.” —Greg Stier

Live in light of his imminent return.

“Jesus didn’t give the Church the book of Revelation so we’d build ourselves bigger bomb shelters, but so we’d would build longer dinner tables” - @RayOrtlund

Other thoughts wrt joy and circumstances and Jane / Nightbirdie

“Sow a thought, you reap an action;

Sow an action, you reap a habit;

Sow a habit, you reap a character;

sow a character, you reap a destiny.”

-E. Stanley Jones

Main commentary help:

• Exalting Jesus in Revelation by Daniel Akin

• Revelation by Jim Hamilton

• Revelation by Paige Patterson, New American Commentary series

• Breaking the Code by Bruce Metzger

• 2020 Sermons by Matt Chandler

• ESV Global Study Bible

• Bible in One Year by Nicky Gumbel

• Bible Knowledge Commentary

• The Outline Bible, Wilmington

• Discipleship on the Edge, Darrell W. Johnson

How to prepare for the end | Revelation 6:1-8

How to Prepare for the End | Revelation 6:1-8

Darien Gabriel

Series: Revelation: The Best is Yet to Come

Title: How to prepare for the end

Scripture: Revelation 6:1-8

Main commentary help:

• Exalting Jesus in Revelation by Daniel Akin

• Revelation by Jim Hamilton

• Breaking the Code by Bruce Metzger

• Seven Seals by Matt Chandler, 2021 sermon

Last week: “How to Live in this world of suffering”
This week: “How to prepare for the end”

I. Intro

My dad died in 2014. He was in his 80s and died because of dementia. He forgot how to swallow. Watching him die like that was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. But because he knew the disease would eventually take him, he prepared himself financially, mentally, physically, relationally and spiritually. And when his brain forgot how to swallow, he started to die. But he knew that the best was yet to come. I realize that talking about God like this can get me canceled. When people don’t like what you’re saying, they want to just cancel instead of discuss and debate the issues. As a result, it’s getting riskier and riskier to speak truth—especially from the Bible. Yet Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney does so in the middle of the pandemic on a world-wide simulcast where he said the following:

“The best is not behind us. The best is yet to come, especially for those who know Jesus. I would not be able to do a positive summit and try to speak some hope and positivity if I did not say that because that is what I know. I know true peace and happiness comes from knowing Jesus. Jesus is the hope of the world. Always has been, always will be. The hope of the world is not a vaccine. It is not a politician. It is not some stimulus package. It is not any of those things. The hope of the world comes from knowing Jesus. That is what I believe and that is why I know that the best is yet to come.” -Dabo Swinney

https://www.powerofpositivesummit.com/

Where does the courage to say that and risk all he’s accomplished come from? Sheep among wolves, Luke 10:3Power of the resurrection, Phil 3:10How to prepare for what end? The end of my life or the end of the world? Yes, both. Because the answer is the same for both.

But he was ready. We talked about it often. He wasn’t wanting to leave this place but he was at peace about it whenever it happened. He’d trusted Christ at an early age.He’d led his family to follow Christ.He’d walked with Christ the best way he knew how.He’d had the important conversations while he was still thinking well. Hospice was called in when it was time.He was prepared for the end. Are you prepared for the end yet?

Bottom line: We must prepare for the end of life and the end of the world the same way: as if living and dying for Christ was worth it. And ordering our lives accordingly.

Let’s dive into the 5th and 6th seals. The 7th seal is the 7 Trumpets (judgments) we’ll learn about in the weeks to come.

II. The 5th Seal—Martyrs (6:9-11)

A. What’s a martyr? Martyr = witness. So a Christian martyr is someone willing to be a witness even if it kills them in the process.

B. Why were these people martyred? Because they were faithful to the word of God (Proclaim Jesus), and Because they were faithful to the testimony (Embody Jesus).Does your life do these 2 things?

C. They want vengeance, justice and vindication. After all, they died for loving God and loving people like Jesus did/does.

D. Vengeance is God’s job—not ours.

E. God’s character—holy and true.F. God’s method—sovereign and always on time.lG. Future martyrs? Church of Smyrna and us.

III. 6th Seal—The End. (6:12-17)

A. Common throughout scripture to be cosmic, cataclysmic destruction. Could be literal.Could be symbolic. No less real either way. Goal is to lead people to repent and believe. People would rather die than...

B. ...Face God and the wrath of the Lamb.

C. The great leveling begins. God’s justice and mercy are for all no matter your station or status in life.

D. What about you? What are you putting your hope in for your deliverance in the end? Politicians? World leaders? Scientists? Wealthy people? The Military?

Application
How do we prepare for the end?

Bottom line: We must prepare for the end of life and the end of the world the same way: as if living and dying for Christ was worth it. And ordering our lives accordingly.

Share story of Nigerian funeral

Decide if my faith is worth living for. If it’s worth living for, then it’s worth dying for. Saturate your mind and heart with scripture daily. Memorize it as if you might have to live without a printed copy one day. Pray like you might be martyred one day. Proclaim Jesus daily. Embody Jesus daily.

Bottom line: We must prepare for the end of life and the end of the world the same way: as if living and dying for Christ was worth it.We do this daily as we Proclaim & Embody Jesus.

Let’s pray.

Other notes:

How to Love

Four bullets hit Pope John Paul II – two of them lodging in his lower intestine, the others hitting his left hand and right arm. This assassination attempt on the Pope in May 1981 left him severely wounded and with considerable blood loss – his health was never the same again. In July 1981, the perpetrator, Ali Ağca, was sentenced to life imprisonment. Pope John Paul II asked people to pray ‘for my brother Ağca, whom I have sincerely forgiven’.

Two years later, he was to take the hand of Ali Ağca, then in prison, and quietly tell him that he had forgiven him for what he had done (even though his would-be killer had not asked for forgiveness). He developed a friendship over the years, meeting Ağca’s mother in 1987 and his brother a decade later. In June 2000 Ağca was pardoned by the Italian President at the Pope’s request. In February 2005 Ağca sent a letter to the Pope wishing him well. When the Pope died on 2 April 2005, Ağca’s brother, Adrian, gave an interview saying that Ağca and his entire family were grieving and that the Pope had been a great friend to them.

Pope John Paul II’s response of love and mercy is exemplary. God’s love and mercy is even more extraordinary because ‘At the cross of Jesus, pardon is complete. Love and justice mingle, truth and mercymeet.’

How to Make the Most of Your Life

‘People often ask me what Mother Teresa was like,’ writes Shane Claiborne in his book The Irresistible Revolution. ‘Sometimes it’s like they wonder if she glowed in the dark or had a halo. She was short, wrinkled, and precious, maybe even a little ornery, like a beautiful, wise old granny. But there is one thing I will never forget – her feet. Her feet were deformed.

Each morning I would stare at them. I wondered if she had contracted leprosy. One day a Sister explained, “Her feet are deformed because we get just enough donated shoes for everyone, and Mother does not want anyone to get stuck with the worst pair, so she digs through and finds them. And years of doing that have deformed her feet.” Years of loving her neighbour as herself deformed her feet.’

When people are asked about the person whose life they most admire, so often the answer is ‘Mother Teresa’. She made the most of her life. It is a paradox, because her life was a life of self-denial, taking up her cross and following Jesus.

Bible in One Year 2021 With Nicky Gumbel: Day 56 • Devotional

What You Don’t Realize Can Kill You | Revelation 3:14-22

What You Don’t Realize Can Kill You | Revelation 3:14-22

Darien Gabriel

Series: Revelation: The Best is Yet to Come

Title: “What You Don’t Realize Can Kill You” (Part 9)

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-22

Main commentary help:

• Exalting Jesus in Revelation by Daniel Akin
  Revelation by Jim Hamilton
  The Seven Churches by Mike Breen
  Breaking the Code by Bruce Metzger
  

Our series is “The best is yet to come” as we walk through the prophetic apocalypse that is the Revelation of the Risen Christ, a circular letter to the early church—and to us today. My prayer is that you’ll be strengthened, comforted and encouraged through this word today.

Need: Due to it’s enormous affluence, the Laodicean church was vulnerable to self-reliance. We, the American church, need to hear Jesus’s words to this church and evaluate ourselves in light of them. Main Point (Akin): Churches that lose sight of their dependence on Christ for all things are deceived and useless, but Jesus graciously promises healing to all who will rely on him for their every need. Main point (Hamilton): Jesus calls on the church at Laodicea to rely on him and his resources rather than their own. Outline (Hamilton): 3:14 Jesus is the true witness 3:15-17 Laodicea’s self-reliance 3:18-20 The counsel of the true witness: Rely on Jesus 3:21-22 Hear the promises that the Spirit speaks.

First Love | Revelation 2:1-7; 2 Tim 1:7

First Love | Revelation 2:1-7; 2 Tim 1:7

Darien Gabriel

Series: Revelation: The Best is Yet to Come

Title: “First Love”

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-7; 2 Tim 1:7 NIV

Main commentary help:

• Exalting Jesus in Revelation by Daniel Akin

• Revelation by Jim Hamilton

• Bible Knowledge Commentary

• Be The Church by Seth McBee

• Break the Code by Bruce Metzger

Last week’s title: “Motivated by the Risen Jesus...”

This week’s title: “First Love”

Our series is “The best is yet to come” as we walk through the prophetic apocalypse that is the Revelation of the Risen Christ, a circular letter to the early church—and us today. My prayer is that you’ll be strengthened, comforted and encouraged through this word today.

Now some of you may be thinking right now...things can’t get much worse. Better is good, best, well, I’m listening.

Tension:

What is it that happens to people between...

• Their wedding day and the day they sign divorce papers?

• The day their child is born and the day they see their child as a disappointment and brat?

• The day a loved one is diagnosed with awful condition and the day that loved one, whom we cherish, becomes a burden?

What happens is a loss of first love.

Need:

Maybe this is how some of us feel right now about our faith in the risen Christ. We’re just going through the motions and doing our duty. This is not victorious living!

This week’s main idea: “Rev 2:1-7 teaches us that the great commandment matters to God. Jesus identified our greatest obligation was wholehearted love for God, which declares to us that God is not pleased by dutiful obedience that does not flow from genuine love. Here, Jesus mercifully reveals his glory to the church in Ephesus to summon forth from them the first love that he requires.” (Hamilton, p. 63)

My Bottom line: Remember how far you have fallen! Repent and return doing the things you did at first. (Remember, Repent, and Return)

Story: “First love”

First time I saw my wife. (Share story)

Overview/Preview:

• Revelation probably written to be read aloud in one sitting in the context of a church gathering. We will do this by the end of the series somewhere, somehow. (See promise of 1:3)

• From the risen Jesus Christ to the 7 churches in Asia Minor.

The church at Ephesus:

• Paul wrote letter to them 43 years earlier (AD 53)

• While there (several years) oversaw discipleship of entire region (Acts 19)

• Was most prominent church in the region at the time

• Temple to Artemis (Diana) goddess of love and other stuff; 7th wonder of the ancient world

• Silversmiths rioted when Paul came

• Nothing there since 14th century

Context: (by chapter)

1: Vision of Risen Christ

2-3: Letters to 7 churches from risen Christ

4-5: Vision of throne room of the risen Christ

6-16: Judgment of Risen Christ

17-22: Fall of Babylon and arrival of New Jerusalem

Structure: It’s a chiasm (# corresponds to 7 churches in order)

1 Ephesus - forsaken first love, Jesus

2 Smyrna - no rebukes

3 Pergamum - Several rebukes

4 Thyatira - Several severe rebukes

5 Sardis - Several more severe rebukes

6 Philadelphia - no rebukes

7 Laodicea - Lukewarm love, Jesus

• Bad news is that only 2 of 7 churches are not rebuked even though they are still in the apostolic age.

• Yet, there’s good news in that there is hope for every church because the risen Jesus tells them how to recover. Remember, repent and return.

  • Jesus is still among his church!

  • Jesus loves to reprove and discipline his church.

Outline:

2:1 The Authority of the Risen Christ

2:2-6 The Address to the church at Ephesus

2:7 The Call to hear and heed the promises

2:1

• John writes to the angel of that specific church

• Angel = messenger

• Writing down the words of the risen Christ

• We should read these letters to the churches in light of the glory of the risen Christ

• How would the demeanor of your worship service change if the governor came in and joined you for worship?

• Jesus describes himself using words from 1:12-16. He does this for each church he addresses.

  • Him who holds the 7 stars (angels) - Jesus is in control of his messengers

  • Him who walks among the 7 lamp stands (churches) - Jesus is present and at work

• The early church met in houses; so even though Jesus writes to “the Church” he’s writing to the network of churches that make up the church of Ephesus. (Kind of like if Jesus wrote a letter to the group at Grace, he’d be writing to all the different groups of people who gather under the banner of Grace Christian Fellowship)

2:2-6

• Risen Jesus had a lot to commend them for:

  • pure doctrine

  • Hard working

  • Persevering

  • Condemnation of wicked people

  • Not grown weary of doing good and working hard

  • Opposed practices of the Nicolaitans (probably encouraged idolatry and sexual immorality)

  • We can summarize these into 2 categories: Deeds (hands) and Theology (head):

    • Hands - hard working, persevering, not growing weary of doing good

    • Head - pure doctrine, opposing false teaching, church discipline of wicked people

    • What they are missing is Heart - Love for the risen Christ

• Risen Jesus had one rebuke:

  • You have forsaken/abandoned (not just lost) the love you had at first.

  • At first = when your eyes and ears were opened to the truth that sets you free.

• Remember (consider) how far you have fallen from that love you had at first

  • Not necessarily at the beginning of your walk with Christ; maybe at a significant spiritual marker

  • I remember having lots of tears at the altar during a service at summer camp—when I was the youth pastor! Then later wondering where that passion to surrender all went

  • Our faith ebbs and flows—where are you today?

  • Perhaps you’ve never experienced a moving, life-changing encounter with the living God. Try this:

    • Think about your sin before a holy, holy, holy God.

    • How do you propose to cleanse yourself from your sins? Good works are like mensural rags in God’s eyes when performed to be cleansed.

    • How to propose to satisfy God’s righteous wrath for your sins?

    • There is only one mediator—Jesus

    • He died to pay the penalty for sin.

    • If you trust him, God will forgive your sin and adopt you.

  • This line of thought—

    • from God’s holiness

    • To our sin

    • To God’s justice against sin

    • To the provision of God made for our salvation in Christ and the mercy he shows to those who trust him

    • —this thinking on the gospel is what will fire anew our first love.

  • Just as thinking on your need for Jesus will fan the flames of your love for him, so also thinking on God’s mercy in giving you a spouse you don’t deserve will refresh your zeal for your spouse...

• Repent turning from duty to delight; from self to others first; to living to please Jesus over pleasing yourself

  • The great commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength

  • And others as yourself

• Return and do the things you did at first

  • When your mind is consumed with devotion for the one you love, you do what pleases them

  • Evidently, this devotion waned in the church of Ephesus

• Warning and Reward

  • If you don’t repent, I’ll unchurch you

  • If you do, see v. 7

2:7

• Whoever has ears quickened by the power of the Holy Spirit listen up and follow

• Reward for those who overcome -

  • Right to eat from the tree of life

  • Be with risen Christ in paradise

Applications:

Remember how far you have fallen! Repent and return doing the things you did at first. How?

1. Remember (consider) how far you’ve fallen, (Admit that you’ve dropped the ball here)

2. Repent of sin, and (Confess and turn from your sin...)

3. Return to Christ by doing the things you did at first. (Turn...to (or back to) the risen Jesus Christ and savior and Lord). How?

   1. Be zealous for the gospel—fall in love with Jesus and his good news again!

   2. Be diligent about sound doctrine—be in the word!

   3. Be faithful in living out the gospel—be like the risen Christ!

Conclusion:

When we remember how far we’ve fallen, and humble ourselves, we repent of our sin and return to the risen Christ and the things we did at first. This is the way;-)...and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through the Son...the risen Christ Jesus.

“Believer or unbeliever, one sure way to grow in your love for God is to think on the gospel—

1. God’s holiness and justice against sin,

2. the peril of your condition,

3. the provision made in Christ, and

4. your need to trust in Jesus.” (Hamilton, p. 70)

Will you remember, repent and return to him today?

Let’s pray.

Other:

Hamilton’s notes on all 7 churches:

Verse: “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity but of...

“Power, love and self-control/sound mind” 2 Tim 1:7

Analogy: Head, heart, hands

Consider combining the two...

Head - Sound mind/self-control

Hands - Power

Heart - Love

If Jesus wrote a letter to GCF, what would it say?

Probably a summary of what he charged all 7 churches to do:

For the sake of Christ,

1. Be zealous for the gospel,

2. Reject false teachings, and

3. Live in a manner consistent with the gospel.

Greatest need of the early church (and today’s church) according to Hamilton:

“to be faithful to Jesus, to hold fast to the gospel, and to live lives that are pleasing to him.”

Good News: “God has given us everything that we need to know to be right with God through Jesus and live in a way that pleases him.” -Hamilton

Main Point (Hamilton): “For the glory of God, Jesus charges the churches to be zealous for the gospel, reject false teaching, and live in a manner that corresponds to the gospel.” (LGLP, xDM)

Generally, for all the churches...for the glory of God, Jesus charges the churches to...

1. Be zealous for the gospel, (pursue steadfast faithfulness to gospel—which 2 & 6 were commended for)

2. Reject false teaching, and (be diligent about sound doctrine)

3. Live in a manner that corresponds to the gospel. (Live in pure devotion to Jesus, avoiding idolatry and immorality that grows from false teaching (and unbelief))

4. Practice church discipline, when necessary.

5. Be faithful unto death (cf. 2:10)

Story: Pastor Greg Wills (Hamilton, p. 61)

Notes from Bible Knowledge Commentary (BKC) on Rev 2:1-7:

Verse 1: DESTINATION

• Paul had visited Ephesus about 43 years earlier in AD 53.

• Paul was there for several years and preached/disciples so effectively “that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in th province of Asia heard the word of the Lord” (Acts 19:10).

• Silversmiths started a riot because their business of making shrines of Artemis was threatened.

• Ephesus—long history; most prominent church in region.

• Uninhabited since 14th century. (Immediate area)

• Mostly 2nd+ generation Christians

• Note how Paul draws from the description of the risen Christ in ch. 1 to re-describe himself to the 7 churches:

  • ““To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands.”

  • ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭2:1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Verse 2-3: COMMENDATION

• Commended for their faithful service for 40 years! Specifically,

  • hard work

  • perseverance

  • condemnation of wicked people

  • identification of false apostles (false teachers in each of first 4 churches)

  • enduring hardships

  • not growing weary in serving God

Verse 4: REBUKE

• Despite many commendations, soundly rebuked for forsaking the love they had at first.

• Word order is emphatic: Literally, “Your first love (agape) you have left.”

• Agape - deep love God has for people (cf. Eph 1:15-16 (35 years earlier))

Therefore,

• Pure doctrine (HEAD)

• High level of service (HANDS)

• Devotion to Christ (HEART) ——LACKING!! HENCE REBUKE

• Risen Christ wants all three!!

Verse 5-6: EXHORTATIONS

1. “Remember the height from which you have fallen!”

2. “Repent”—Our love for risen Jesus should be greater than...

   • Spouse

   • Kids

   • Parents

   • Best friends

   • Boy/girl friend

   • Self

   • Idol

   • Hero

   • Cause, manifesto, dream

   • god

3. (Return) and “Do the things you did at first.”

Verse 7: WARNING & PROMISE

WARNING: “If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.” (Lampstand = light or presence of Christ in the church = church will die)

PROMISE: “To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is the paradise of God.”

• When you eat this fruit, you live abundant life forever.

• Tree that was in the garden of Eden is now in the New Jerusalem.

Illustration: (Cf. With Isaiah’s reaction in Isaiah 6:1-8) Isaiah went from “Woe is me” to “Here I am” in a very short time. How long would it take for you to surrender all to Jesus and let him send you wherever to do whatever? How long would it take for you to give Jesus a blank check? Not long if you see him as he is today.

Motivated by the Risen Jesus | Revelation 1:9-20

Motivated by the Risen Jesus | Revelation 1:9-20

Darien Gabriel

Series: Revelation: The Best is Yet to Come

Title: Motivated by the Risen Jesus...

Scripture: Revelation 1:9-20 NIV

Main commentary help:

• Exalting Jesus in Revelation by Daniel Akin

• Revelation by Jim Hamilton

Last week’s title: “The Best is Yet to Come”

This week’s title: Motivated by the Risen Jesus...

Last week’s Main idea: “Those who hear and obey God‘s word will be blessed by the Lord.”

Summarizing some of my thoughts lately...

1. We see the risen Jesus in all his glory and are motivated to trust and obey. (Rev 1:9-20)

2. When we trust and obey, we’re blessed beyond imagination. (Rev 1:1-8)

3. And finally, we’re blessed to be a blessing to others around the corner and around the world. (The Bible)

We’ll focus on 1 today.

This week’s main idea: “The risen Christ in glory summons forth obedience from his churches. The incomparable glory of the risen Christ motivates John’s audience to heed what John has been commissioned to write. The matchless splendor of Heaven’s King attracts the attention and compels the obedience of the churches John addresses.” -Hamilton

My Bottom line: When we (the Church) see the risen Jesus today, we’ll be super motivated to trust and obey.

Illustration: (Cf. With Isaiah’s reaction in Isaiah 6:1-8) Isaiah went from “Woe is me” to “Here I am” in a very short time. How long would it take for you to surrender all to Jesus and let him send you wherever to do whatever? How long would it take for you to give Jesus a blank check? Not long if you see him as he is today.

I hope your motivation for trusting and following Jesus will recalibrated today. Checked against the standard. The standard is truth and God’s word.

Why are you following Jesus?

Why are you following Jesus the way you are following Jesus? (Half-heartedly vs wholeheartedly)

I. Introduction: Story + Summary (Doignetus)

II. John’s situation and Commission to write (1:9-11)

III. John’s description of the risen Jesus (1:12-16)

IV. Jesus asserts his authority and commissions John to write (1:17-20)

V. Conclusion: Summary + Story + Application + Vision

Opening story/illustration

Diognetus about Christians to Mathetes (Hamilton, pp. 32-33, 37)

1:9-20 “John’s vision of the risen Christ”

I. “John’s situation and commission to write”

“Unlike the Roman Empire, which is promised peace but delivered brutality and fear, the Kingdom of God promises tribulation and delivers peace and confidence and eternal salvation to those who patiently endure.” Hamilton, Pp. 43-44

“Make no mistakes about it: Your best life is not now. Your best life will begin when the skies are split by the shout of the archangel.” Hamilton, p. 44

Churches listed in order an itinerant preacher would visit them beginning at Island of Patmos (where John was exiled) and moving around Asia Minor.

These cities seemed to be natural centers of communication for itinerant ministry and 7 focal cities with respect to the church’s organization and distribution.

• all but Thyatira had temples dedicated to emperors

• all but Philadelphia and Laodicea lead imperial priests and altars

Note, though an apostle, John shared in the suffering of the church.

John shares why he writes Revelation: Because Jesus told him to!

Read 3rd paragraph in Hamilton, p. 45–it’s powerful!

This is meant to motivate the Church to gladly submit to the word of the risen Christ! This will become clear in chapters 2-3.

1:12-26 “John’s description of the risen Jesus”

• Jesus described in priestly terms

  • References to Zechariah 4

  • 7 lamp stands point to the presence of God in the tabernacle and temple; hence priestly terms

  • Like a priest, Jesus calls the churches to repentance (Chs 2-3)

  • Jesus’ clothing points to a heavenly high priest

• Jesus described in kingly terms

  • References to Daniel 7

  • “Like a son of man” is kingly/messianic term

  • Jesus receives an eternal kingdom (Dan 7 & 10); cf. Rev 1:6 & 9

2 major influences on John’s first vision:

1. The letters to the churches—When you compare Revelation 1 with Revelation 2-3 you see Jesus described the same way

2. The vision of Daniel in ch. 10.

   1. Revelation is fulfilling Daniel’s vision in Daniel 10

   2. When you compare Revelation 1 with Daniel 10 you see Jesus described the same way

   3. Jesus is unveiled as deity in Rev 1:14 in describing like Ancient of Days (reference to God the Father)

“Eyes like a flame of fire” 1:14

3 implications of his blazing eyes:

1. No sin that we commit will escape his notice,

2. He will see every faithful thing his people do, and

3. He will note every injustice done to his people by their enemies.

“Feet like burnished bronze, refined” points to the absolute purity of Jesus.

“Powerful voice” = communicating authority this is to be obeyed. His voice is to drown out other voices that would call you away from true faith and holiness that marks those who truly know God.

Sometimes he does speak in a still, small voice. But there are times when he wants to drown out everything else.

Are you listening? To whom?

3 more...

7 Stars - messengers of 7 churches (Angels, not pastors). Jesus holds in right hand = he is in control

sword in mouth - symbolically Jesus will speak decisive words of judgment.

“Face like the sun” - painful brightness of the sun shining full strength, on which we can’t look

“The risen Christ in glory summons forth obedience from his churches.”

1:17-20 “Jesus asserts his authority and commissions John to write”

John literally blown away by God’s glory in Jesus. No power on earth does this.

Jesus doesn’t leave John. He tells him not to be afraid. Why?

Because he lives forever and holds the keys of death and hell. That is, he defeated death and the cross as seen in the resurrection.

Jesus is terrifying in his holiness. We should tremble, humble ourselves and repent of our sin before him. But no need to fear for our own lives if we repent and we trust him for he empowers us to live with him forever.

Jesus among 7 lamp stands = Jesus is present in and with his church.

Conclusion:

John’s situation and commission is to write down this vision (Revelation), which includes this powerful description of Christ himself in all his glory so that we will rightly be motivated to 1) Worship Jesus, and 2) Obey him.

“Jesus reveals himself to John the way he does to compel John’s audience to

1. Heed the 7 letters he is about to dictate to John about the present, and to

2. Convince them of the truth of...the end of history in Chs 4-22.” -Hamilton

What is God saying to you right now?

What are you going to do about it?

These are not rhetorical questions. Take some time to stop and pray right now.

Let’s pray. Amen.

Trust God to Put Things Right

Pippa and I enjoy doing crosswords together. When we are stuck on one clue we don’t give up, we move on to the next clue. Every time we find an answer it helps us in resolving some of the other clues. In the end, we are sometimes able to solve most of the puzzle.

In a way, reading some of the difficult parts of the Bible is like trying to solve a crossword puzzle. Rather than getting bogged down in a tricky section, you can use the passages you do understand to help you resolve some of the more difficult ones.

Often I find it hard not only to understand some of the difficult passages in the Bible, but also to understand why certain things are happening in our world. There seems to be so much injustice. There are no easy answers.

I love the second great rhetorical question from yesterday’s passage, ‘Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?’ (Genesis 18:25). One thing that you can be sure about is that on the last day, when all is revealed, you will see God’s perfect judgment – and everyone will say, ‘That is absolutely right.’ Each of today’s passages tells us something about the fact that, in the end, God will put things right.

The Best is Yet to Come | Revelation 1:1-8

The Best is Yet to Come | Revelation 1:1-8

Darien Gabriel

Series: Revelation: The Best is Yet to Come

Title: The Best is Yet to Come

Scripture: Revelation 1:1-8 NIV

Main commentary help:

• Exalting Jesus in Revelation by Daniel Akin

• Revelation by Jim Hamilton

• Breaking the Code by Bruce Metzger

Last week’s title: As We Wait in Uncertain Times, Put Your Hope in Him for All Time (Psalm 146)

This week’s title: “The Best is Yet to Come”

Main idea: “Those who hear and obey God‘s word concerning who Jesus is and what he does will be blessed by the Lord.”

Bottom line: No matter how bad things get, the best is yet to come. And his name is Jesus.

Opening story/illustration

The Matrix

In the sci-fi movie The Matrix, Neo is told that the truth of their world is that they are shielded from reality by an illusion created by machines that control everything. Then Neo is given a choice. He can take the blue pill and forget what he just heard and live on in ignorance asleep to the truth. Or, he can take the red pill and become empowered to live in that true world that true reality.

We have a choice too. Revelation and God’s word tell us that we’re asleep and unable to see the reality of our spiritual condition unless someone opens our eyes with truth. God opens our eyes to see the truth through his word. But we have a choice to believe or not believe. We can remain skeptical and ignore the truth putting our heads back into the sand or we can “swallow the pill” of truth and live in reality fully aware of the dangers that surround us.

Other illustrations:

Persecuted Pastors

Dr. Danny Akin (professor at SEBTS.edu) asked a pastor in a persecuted country what his favorite books of the Bible were. He said Daniel and Revelation. (See story at bottom)

9/11 vs 9/10

What would you do if you knew with complete and total certainty what would happen on Sep. 11, 2001 on Sep. 10, 2001? What would you do? Something? Nothing? We would start telling people, of course.

There’s something coming that makes 9/11 and COVD-19 and WW II look like birthday parties. It’s described in Revelation.

And you and I know that it’s God’s word and therefore will come to pass.

It’s like 9/10/01. We know what’s coming. What will we do about it? Will we dare to share?

Prologue with doxology to introduce this circular letter to the churches.

“The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭1:1‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/111/rev.1.1.niv

• Revelation = unveiling, revealing

• Apocalypse = unveiling how it all ends

• From God—>to Jesus—>to the angel—>to John—>to the 7 churches—>to the rest of the churches in that day—>to the universal church—>to us and our churches—>His servants = us

• “Soon take place” means this could happen at any time.

  • We’re lulled to sleep because it hasn’t come in 2,000+ years so we think what’s one more day.

  • But whenever it does happen, we’ll feel that way. Is that the mindset you want? Really?

“who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭1:2‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/111/rev.1.2.niv

• Word of God= truth; do you believe?

• Testifies to what he saw (and heard) in his visions on the island of Patmos around AD 90 (60 years after the resurrection)

• It’s all about Jesus Christ

“Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭1:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/111/rev.1.3.niv

To obey this because you want to. Glad obedience from the inside.

Not like when you’re asked to take out the trash. You do it, but your heart isn’t into it. That’s not what “take it to heart” means.

What will Revelation call us to do?

• Act justly

• Love mercy

• Walk humbly with our God

• Glorify and worship God for his justice and his mercy

• Walk in hope believing that the best is yet to come no matter what we’re going through now

When?

The “time is near” reminds us of the urgency and posture in which we are to live. Like in the time of the Passover, we live with our shoes on, our bags packed, ready to roll. It’s living in this world holding everything loosely except his word.

“John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne,”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭1:4‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/111/rev.1.4.niv

• Grace and peace - the order matters; Know Grace, know peace. No grace, no peace.

• Peace = complete wholeness and holiness

• Number 7 is used a lot by John; complete or all; comprehensive

• Describes Jesus here as timeless One and king/Lord

“and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood,”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭1:5‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/111/rev.1.5.niv

Who is God...who is Jesus and what has he done/is he doing?

• Jesus called “the faithful witness”

• “The firstborn from the dead” - who is second, third...us!

• “Ruler of the kings of the earth” - sovereign

• Love - “loves us”

• “Freed us from our sins by his blood” - the lamb of God who was our substitutionary atonement on the cross

• Many reasons to worship/revere/fear him already

“and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭1:6‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/111/rev.1.6.niv

Who are we and what do we get to do?

• He anoints us as kingdom priests. What do priests do?

  • Represent God before people

  • Represent people before God

• The makes him worthy of all praise forever!

““Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.” So shall it be! Amen.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭1:7‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/111/rev.1.7.niv

• Greg Stier likes to say, “Keep your eyes on the clouds ️ and on the crowds.”

  • Clouds - watching and ready for Jesus’ imminent return

  • Crowds - to be a witness in the meantime; a sacrificial lamb among wolves

• Everyone will see him - even those who know and reject

• Everyone will mourn him

  • For their sin

  • For their loss

• “So shall it be! Amen.” It is certain.

““I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.””

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭1:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/111/rev.1.8.niv

• Beginning and the end (outside of time)

• Timeless One

• End of prologue

Conclusion

Think about some of our several sermon series titles from last year. And I am not this good:

• Joy No Matter (what)

• As We Wait (for his return)

• The Best is Yet to Come (His name is Jesus)

• Undeserved Grace

• Better Together

• Jesus Manifesto

As we wait for his return, we walk better together in joy and undeserved grace no matter what our circumstances because the best is yet to come and his name is Jesus.

Am I ready?

Do I believe this yet?

Am I prepared to take to heart what is written here today?

Will I worship God for his justice and mercy in our world?

Will I love God and love people by mercifully and gently giving people the reason for the hope that I have? (1 Peter 3:15)?

9/11 vs 9/10: What would you do if you knew with complete and total certainty what would happen on Sep. 11, 2001 on Sep. 10, 2001? What would you do? Something? Nothing?

There’s something coming that makes 9/11 and COVD-19 and WW II look like birthday parties. It’s described in Revelation.

And you and I know that it’s God’s word and therefore will come to pass.

It’s like 9/10/01. We know what’s coming. What will we do about it? Will we dare to share?

What is God saying to you right now?

What are you going to do about it?

These are not rhetorical questions. Take some time to stop and pray right now.

Let’s pray. Amen.

Basic outline of the book

The Christ of...

1. Communication - he is the God who reveals his will to his people.

2. The Churches (vision)

3. The Cosmos (vision)

4. Conquest (vision)

5. Consummation (vision)

6. Challenge

Theme:

“The majesty and glory of the warrior lamb, King Jesus, who is coming again to rule and reign forever!”

Notes:

Intro/Prologue (1:1-3)

Doxology (1:4-6)

”The revelation” or unveiling of the mystery of who God is and what he’s up to. (Hint: Kingdom of God in our world)

We’re called “servants” which is someone who gladly serves his master no matter what the task or cost.

Seems like v. 1 is the purpose: (1-2)

• To reveal, unveil the word/testimony of God

• From God the Father

• To and through Jesus Christ

• Through an angel

• To John

• To the Churches in that day

• To us, the universal Church

• What must soon take place/happen in our world

• To servants of Jesus Christ i.e. the Church

v. 3 The beatitudes

• the person...

• who reads/listens to this prophecy aloud (to hear, believe and take to heart)

• w/ urgency (time is near)

”Unveiled/revealed will of God to bless

“revelation: God’s will is to bless his people”

Revelation: Encouraged by victory

“He is the God who communicates his will to his people.”

Title as truth: God reveals his will to his people.

vv. 4-6 Writing to (audience) the 7 churches (representing all the churches forever) of Asia Minor.

Grace + Peace

Who is God?

1. God, the Father, Timeless One

2. Jesus Christ, Messiah/King, Faithful son, firstborn from the dead, resurrected one

3. Holy Spirit, 7 spirits

Jesus also...

• freed us from our sins, by his blood

• loves us

• made us a kingdom of priests to serve

• worthy of all our praise

• eternal one

Who is coming again

from the heavens...in the clouds...every eye...

conviction and repentance

beginning and end

Almighty God

Who he is and what he does...who we are and what we get to do (make list)

Believe It Or Not, Jesus Is Coming | Luke 1:5-38

Believe It Or Not, Jesus Is Coming | Luke 1:5-38

Darien Gabriel

Believe it or not, Jesus is coming

Series: As We Wait (for His Second Coming) #Advent

Scripture: Luke 1:5-38

Bottom line: whether you believe God’s word or not, Jesus is coming...again.

A dog and the point

“If you try to point out something to a dog, the dog will often look at your finger instead of at the object you’re trying to point out. This is frustrating, but it illustrates a natural mistake we all make from time to time. It’s the mistake many people make when reading the Christmas story in Luke’s Gospel: focusing on the manger—the Christmas crib. The most famous animal feeding-trough in all history. To concentrate on the manger and to forget why it was mentioned in the first place is like the dog looking at the finger rather than the object.

The point Luke is making is clear. The birth of this little boy is the beginning of a confrontation between the kingdom of God and the kingdoms of the world. (Caesar) Augustus never heard of Jesus of Nazareth. But within a century or so his successors in Rome had not only heard of him; they were taking steps to obliterate his followers. Just over three centuries later, a Roman emperor became a Christian.

Luke’s narrative reminds us not to stop at the manger but to see the explosive truth it’s pointing to.”

-NT Wright, Luke: 26 studies for individuals and groups, p. 23

Advent wreaths

I grew up with advent wreaths...

Advent = Coming

1st advent = 1st coming of Jesus (as a baby/Christmas/incarnation)

2nd advent = 2nd coming of Jesus (as a warrior-king/consummation of his earthly reign)

Luke 1:5-38

Compare and contrast 2 faith responses to God’s word (truth).

Applications

Whether you believe God’s word or not, it will come to pass.

Even when you fail to believe, God’s mercy is there for you. He disciplines his children when they fail to trust him. But he brings them back into fellowship as well. Just ask Zechariah.

You can please God when you take him at his word. Just ask Mary. (Cf. Heb 11:3)

Make sure you don’t miss the point for the pointer. The point is that God wants to walk in fellowship with you. He sent Jesus to restore our fellowship with him. That’s why he came the first time. The second time he’s coming to finish what he started. Are you ready?

Cross-reference

I want to be “confident and unashamed” at Jesus’ return. 1 John 2:28

Illustration

We're all waiting for something, but the Christian hope is the difference between waiting impatiently and waiting expectantly. Waiting for time to heal wounds is an exercise in futility. We sit impatient while growing both more agitated and more numb. But waiting expectantly means we hope in the healing that God promises, while expecting the world we live in to continue in its brokenness. In the hope of Advent, we’re not surprised by the darkness, but we’re not consumed by it either.

This is not a fine and theological distinction that has no bearing on life today. In fact, I would suggest this is the only way to make sense of your life today. Hoping in Jesus’ return is the only way to look at the brokenness of reality and maintain hope despite it all. And this takes practice. Just like our waiting impatiently is a learned practice reinforced through daily habits of expecting news and notifications and clicks to make us feel better, so waiting expectantly is a learned practice reinforced through communal spiritual disciplines of reading, praying and carefully directed longing.

-Justin Early, email

Be Prepared To Answer | 1 Peter 3:15-16

Be Prepared To Answer | 1 Peter 3:15-16

Darien Gabriel

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:15-16
Title: Be Prepared to Answer

Bottom line: Doing good means always being prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you why you have hope and to do so w/ gentleness, respect, and a clear conscience. That includes your enemies and your persecutors.

Be prepared & ready to share with anyone why you have hope.

Open with motto of the Boy Scouts: Be prepared. I tried and gave up after 2 months.

Prepared for tests?

I walked into physics class one year after spring break fresh and rested from no studying. But I wasn’t ready or prepared for the test they handed out unexpectedly (to me) that day. I promptly left to withdraw from the class.

I was ready but not necessarily prepared for my first SAT test. We didn’t study for them back in my day. So taking the test was really a way to answer the question, “Am I ready for college?”

Where is God?

Elie Wiesel was born into a Jewish family in Romania. He was only a teenager when he and his family were rounded up by the Nazis and taken first to Auschwitz, and then to Buchenwald. In his book, Night, he gives a terrifying and intimate account of the increasing horrors he endured – the death of his parents and eight-year-old sister, and the loss of his innocence by barbaric hands.

In the foreword to the book, François Mauriac writes of his encounter with Elie Wiesel: ‘On that most horrible day, even among all those other bad days, when the child witnessed the hanging (yes!) of another child who, he tells us, had the face of a sad angel, he heard someone behind him groan: “For God’s sake, where is God?” And from within me, I heard a voice answer: “Where He is? This is where – hanging here from this gallows.”’

...His words point to the most profound answer to the question, ‘Where is God?’ God is in Christ. He was on the cross bearing our sins in his body. Now the crucified is among his people. Not only has he suffered for you, but he now suffers with you. (Bible in One Year 2020 With Nicky Gumbel: Day 327 • Devotional)

Peter exhorts the early church to be prepared to give an answer for the hope they carried in Christ. He knew, however, that he was writing to a suffering people. The time was one of persecution and opposition. From family, friends, religious institutions, philosophical discussions, employers and, of course, the government.

He wants them to do good (like Titus) but he accounts for their suffering.

We just finished Paul’s letter to Titus where we emphasized the principle that good deeds/works flow from good doctrine taught and lived in a community united in Christ.

Here we see Peter also talking about “doing good.” More specifically, he talks about suffering for doing good.

Thanksgiving is a time when family, food, politics and religion collide for a few hours resulting in a wide range of reactions. Maybe you experienced that this year. 2020 is the year of disruption and as a result we’re all not at our best. Things have been amplified and accelerated—good and bad things. As a result, our cultural norms have changed quickly.

Ex. We now have a cancel culture where people are much quicker to write someone off for something they said even long ago with no second chance.

Ex. We are much more polarized than in the past.

Ex. So much has been politicized too. Your views on race, immigration, borders, guns, marijuana, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, and police move people to make assumptions about you and put you into stereo-typed groups so that they can label you for or against them. Tribes are becoming our new identities.

As a result, people are quicker to condemn, criticize and cancel you. We are often guilty by perceived association whether it’s true or not.

But the biggest one we’re going to be dealing with in the months ahead is where you are religiously.

Like it or not, if you are a Christian who is committed to the Bible in that you believe it and live it and share it, you will be stereo-typed and labeled horrible things. Things that aren’t even true about you. And gradually, as it becomes more socially acceptable, you will be persecuted.

What can you do this about this? I have a few suggestions:

1. Decide who you really are? Where do you really stand? What’s your story? How does it fit in God’s epic story?

2. Prepare yourself and your family for the coming storm; for persecution. We’ve been saying for years it’s coming. COVID accelerated everything. It’s here. Prepare for suffering.

3. Decide how you are going to respond to this personally?

   1. Will you push back? Demand to be understood? For you will be misunderstood. Jesus was and he never once defended himself.

   2. Or will you lean in? Bless instead of curse. Return good to your tormentors? Will you reinforce their stereotypes or will you show them a better story?

4. Do you have hope? What or who is it in? Why? Know the answers to these questions.

The Apostle Peter spoke to early Christians about this very thing in 1 Peter 3:8-22. It is there I believe God led me to this week to share before we head into the Christmas season of sermons. It seems extremely fitting and timely.

Many of us are experiencing a crisis of faith. Do we really believe this Bible is really a word from God? If so, then let’s prepare together. If not, then it will be extremely hard for you to move forward with other believers. This is why people are leaving churches in droves. This is why churches are closing all over America.

Caution for new persecution

“In the first two chapters Peter referred to “all kinds of trials” (1:6), accusations of “doing wrong” (2:12), “the ignorant talk of foolish men” (2:15), and “the pain of unjust suffering” (2:19). All these persecutions seem to have resulted from the natural reactions of a pagan society against Christians who faithfully obeyed Jesus Christ.

Peter then warned that a time of more severe persecution and suffering was close at hand. He cautioned Christians to keep clear consciences when facing injustice, to endure the inevitable suffering with Christlike courage.” (BKC)

I. Overcoming Injustice in the coming days

1 Peter 3:8–12 (BKC): “Peter used both Christ and Noah to illustrate the principle that in times of rising persecution the right response to injustice results in blessing.“

“Finally” introduces a new section.

“Peter now addressed all his readers (all of you) and gave practical principles for living peacefully in a hostile pagan culture. First Peter 3:8–9 is Peter’s exposition of Psalm 34:12–16, which he then quoted (1 Peter 3:10–12). Peter constructed his thoughts around the three exhortations in the psalm.”

A. A Compassionate Conduct - 1 Peter 3:8-12 - 3 practical exhortations from Peter from David:

1. Keep from speaking evil. This includes what you say to someone AND what you type/write to someone via text, email or social media. (10)

2. Turn from evil and do good. (11a) “Turn the other cheek” -Jesus (Matt 5:39)

3. Seek and pursue peace with God and man. (11b) Respond to insult with blessing. Start with what you say then with what you (or refrain from).

B. A Clear Conscience - 1 Peter 3:13-22

“Persecution occurred, however, in spite of believers’ desires to live peacefully and their eagerness to do good. Peter encouraged his readers with the fact that the right response to undeserved suffering results in blessing. He presented the principle in verses 13–17 and provided examples in verses 18–22.”

1. Who is going to hurt you? (13-14) Blessed here means “highly favored”, not feel delighted.

   1. Fear God over men. Isaiah 8:12 (ESV): “Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread” (14)

2. Overcoming fear requires us exalting Christ as Lord (15)

   1. Reason = apologia or defense for why you believe what you believe about Christ Jesus.

   2. 1 Peter 3:15 (BKC): As a result Christians should always be prepared (hetoimoi, “ready”; cf. 1:5) to give … the reason (apologian, the “defense” which a defendant makes before a judge; cf. Acts 22:1; 25:16) for their hope in Christ. Such an oral defense should be consistent with one’s “set-apart” conduct.

   3. There’s the posture of prepared.

   4. There’s the work of prepared.

   5. There’s the willingness of prepared.

3. Give your reason in a way that honors Christ. How you do this matters. (16)

   1. Perhaps Peter is recalling how he did not do this when confronted 3 times after Jesus’ arrest. (Mark 14:66-72)

   2. Yet it may be God’s will for you to suffer for doing good. (17)

4. Illustrations on the above principles (18-22)

   1. Jesus is our supreme example. He suffered greatly for doing nothing but good. (Healing, miracles, preaching, serving, and the cross) Great summary: “1 Peter 3:18 (BKC): In verses 18–22 Peter illustrated the principles given in verses 13–17. Once again Christ provided the perfect example. He suffered for doing what was right (2:14). His sinless life provoked the unjust hostilities of evil men. However, He did not fear men but trusted Himself to God. Christ clearly stated His purpose and committed Himself to a course of action. He died in mankind’s place, keeping His conscience clear (cf. 2:23). As a result He received tremendous blessing and reward in His own resurrection and exultation.” (18) Maybe the greatest summary of the gospel in one verse in the Bible.

      1. Christ (anointed one) suffered once for sins (fully sufficient sacrifice for all sin)

      2. the righteous for the unrighteous (our substitute)

      3. to bring you to God (to reconcile us to God)

      4. Put to death in the body (cross)

      5. Made alive in the Spirit

   2. Through whom he preached to the spirits in prison (19-20)

      1. Noah kept hammering and preaching to encourage others to repent and believe despite incredible oppositions and hostility. So must we.

      2. Noah feared God over men.

      3. Noah’s reward was salvation for he and his family.

   3. Water (21)

      1. Baptism represents a complete break from the past.

      2. 1 Peter 3:21 (BKC): He exhorted them to have the courage to commit themselves to a course of action by taking a public stand for Christ through baptism. The act of public baptism would “save” them from the temptation to sacrifice their good consciences in order to avoid persecution. For a first-century Christian, baptism meant he was following through on his commitment to Christ, regardless of the consequences.

      3. Baptism doesn’t save you from sin but from a bad conscience.

Notes

WW notes

Preparing for the Best (3:8-17)

Peter is preparing believers for the fiery trials of persecution that were coming. But preparing for the best, not the worst. Hope-filled words!

III. God’s grace in suffering

A. Cultivate Christian Love (8-12)

B. Practice the Lordship of Christ (13-15)

C. Maintain a good conscience (16-17)

Bible in One Year 2020 With Nicky Gumbel: Day 327 • Devotional

Where is God?

Elie Wiesel was born into a Jewish family in Romania. He was only a teenager when he and his family were rounded up by the Nazis and taken first to Auschwitz, and then to Buchenwald. In his book, Night, he gives a terrifying and intimate account of the increasing horrors he endured – the death of his parents and eight-year-old sister, and the loss of his innocence by barbaric hands.

In the foreword to the book, François Mauriac writes of his encounter with Elie Wiesel: ‘On that most horrible day, even among all those other bad days, when the child witnessed the hanging (yes!) of another child who, he tells us, had the face of a sad angel, he heard someone behind him groan: “For God’s sake, where is God?” And from within me, I heard a voice answer: “Where He is? This is where – hanging here from this gallows.”’

François Mauriac goes on, ‘And I, who believe that God is love, what answer was there to give my young interlocutor... What did I say to him? Did I speak to him of that other Jew, this crucified brother who perhaps resembled him and whose cross conquered the world?

‘Did I explain to him that what had been a stumbling block for his faith had become a cornerstone for mine? And that the connection between the cross and human suffering remains, in my view, the key to the unfathomable mystery in which the faith of his childhood was lost... That is what I should have said to the Jewish child. But all I could do was embrace him and weep.’

His words point to the most profound answer to the question, ‘Where is God?’ God is in Christ. He was on the cross bearing our sins in his body. Now the crucified is among his people. Not only has he suffered for you, but he now suffers with you.

In the Old Testament, the tabernacle (and later the temple) was the place where people went to meet with God. This was God’s home as we see in our Old Testament passage for today (Ezekiel 43:5).

The message of our New Testament passage though is that the glory and presence of God is to be found supremely in Jesus. It is at the very moment that Jesus is rejected and crucified that God’s presence among people is finally and fully realised. From that point on there is no need for a physical temple. The only church building the New Testament speaks about is a building made of people (Ephesians 2:20–22), founded and built upon Jesus, the chief cornerstone. The holy temple in the New Testament is one made of ‘living stones’ (1 Peter 2:5) – in other words, people like you and me. This is God’s new home.

The Amazing Grace of God | Titus 2:11-15

The Amazing Grace of God | Titus 2:11-15

Darien Gabriel

The Amazing Grace of God

Titus 2:11-15

11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

15 These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.”

Bottom Line for this message” Grace has a Face”

Verse 11

11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.

1. First, the use of the word “for” connects this verse to the previous verses. Because we are the recipients of God’s grace and salvation, we should reflect the values and engage the behaviors that Paul promoted in verses 2-10. Paul previously discussed preaching, leadership and teaching, all of which is important to the Christian lifestyle (making disciples who make disciples), but what God does in verse 11 can be summed up in one work: GRACE

2. What is grace?

   • Many say “unmerited favor” or “God’s favorable attitude towards us”, but these definitions are too abstract relative to this verse. Websters has several definitions, but Websters doesn’t define Grace for us, God does.

   • The grace of God is an ACTION, not an ABSTRACTION. It’s a PERSON, not a CONCEPT.

3. Grace is an actual event in space and time. Grace has a face – Jesus Christ Scarred, bloody and in agony A face of the person that suffered and died on the cross for your sins and mine. A face of grace- bringing salvation to all people

4. Grace isn’t cheap…it comes at such a great cost, but our modern theology sometimes attempts to cheapen it by offering people what Dietrich Bonhoeffer called “cheap grace”: Cheap grace is:

   • the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance

   • Baptism without church discipline

   • Communion without repentance

   • Absolution without personal confession

One thing that I believe has made Grace appear cheaper is the modern American church.

- Modern American church grace says: “all are welcome. Come as you are. The coffee’s on us, sit back and relax…and don’t worry about changing. We couldn’t ask you to do that. We don’t want to offend you.”

- Grace says: “all are welcome. Come as you are and be prepared and willing for God to change you. Because when you recognize the true cost of grace, you recognize that it is a debt that you cannot pay, and you are compelled to change…out of gratitude. You will have to die to yourself. Be prepared to sacrifice parts of your sinful lifestyle that the world accepts, and says it’s OK, but God doesn’t.”

Galatians 5:24

24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Grace says “I created man and woman”. Modern American grace says “it’s all good…whatever you want to be. God probably made a mistake” in an effort to avoid looking intolerant. God says “I created marriage between a man and a woman”. Modern American grace says “it’s all good…marry who you want. Who are we to judge? Besides, our numbers are low”. God says “I knit babies together in their mother’s wombs”. Modern American grace says “It’s a woman’s body and she has right to choose”. Who are we to judge?

Bonnhoeffer went on to say:

“Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it a man will go and sell all that he has. It is the pearl of great price to buy for which the merchant will sell all his goods. It is the kingly rule of Christ, for whose sake a man will pluck out the eye which causes him to stumble; it is the call of Jesus Christ at which the disciple leaves his nets and follows him.”

“Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son: “ye were bought at a price,” and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us. Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon his Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered him up for us. Costly grace is the Incarnation of God.”

-Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship

It’s not popular to say that Jesus is the only way to God. Modern culture and theologies…even some in the Christian Church…see this as too narrow and restrictive, intolerant and unloving. But to say there are many ways, makes no sense, and stands in the face of the sacrifice of true Grace.

God would not have sent His only Son to die on a cross if He could have saved us by any other means.

No Grace would mean no salvation. If there were a bunch of ways to get to heaven, then why did Christ die?

When Jesus was praying in Luke 22:42

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”

Basically asking…if there’s any other way. God didn’t say, “well, actually there are a thousand ways, but

I’m going to make you go through this anyway”. Just No.

Grace has a Face. The face of Jesus

Galatians 2:21

21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”

Back to Verse 11

11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people

What is salvation?

While sometimes in the Bible, salvation is being saved from one’s enemies, in the New Testament, it refers more to end of time events…God’s judgement. Salvation, in this sense, is being saved from God’s perfect judgement…through His perfect GRACE

• Grace makes all people savable – every sin of every person has it’s answer in Jesus.

• “Every person who ends up in hell steps over a blood-stained cross with their name on it to get there”

Grace has a Face…the face of Jesus. The face of salvation.

1. Grace TRAINS us. (verse 12)

12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,

1. Grace doesn’t flatter us…it teaches us…it trains us

-It doesn’t tell us all is well, but speaks bluntly, directly and lovingly-for our own good.

Titus 2:12 puts an end, once and for all to any theology that separates salvation from the demands of obedience to Jesus Christ.

-Grace teaches us that our lifestyle is suicidal…not in a worldly way, but in an eternal way.

-Grace teaches us what we need to do, and what not to do in order to change.

-Grace educates us, trains us and to reform and transform. God expects us to go in a new direction when we experience His Grace…His Son…His salvation.

If you have you accepted His Grace…His son, and have not been changed, maybe you didn’t.

-Grace trains us to live better lives according to God’s standards and priorities and not our own.

-Our works become the natural response to HIS works

- Grace teaches us to live a certain kind of life, to live in a particular way, and defined by particular character qualities.

1. Develop self-control

2. Live uprightly

3. Live Godly lives…for NOW, not for some other place and time, but for here and now.

What does that training look like?

1. Sometimes it looks like Divine discipline – sometimes it’s difficult circumstances.

Hebrews 12:7-11

7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.

Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

- If you feel that the circumstances of life are stretching you beyond what you think you can bear, or beyond what you want to bear, it may well be the Grace of God training you.

Like a serious workout at the gym…it hurts, and isn’t pleasant at the time. But if we recognize it as Grace and embrace it for what it is, then it will have that amazing strengthening, fruit-producing effect.

Embrace it…embrace the training of Grace

HOW?

1. Training requires some degree of cooperation or response on our part.

Anyone who has been to the gym or worked with a trainer understands that you can’t just show up for training and watch the trainer do all the work and somehow benefit from it. You have to actively engage and actively participate if you expect to be changed by it.

2. We have to deny ourselves

The first step is self-denial.

You can’t train for a marathon without first denying various habits and behaviors in your life that would get in the way of you preparing for the race….like diet and lots and lots of running.

Training in grace is like training for a marathon- you have to say NO to several things as a first step, in this case: 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions

UnGodliness – Whatever actions or attitudes undermine God’s centrality in your life (If it makes God marginal, it is ungodly)…like cheap American Christian Church Grace.

Godliness is having a regard for God’s glory and God’s will in every aspect of our lives, doing everything out of reverence and love for Him.

Worldly Passions – The result of a hungry soul that doesn’t have God at the center.

Anything that steals your focus away from God…like maybe politics?

Saying NO is not a one-time thing. It’s an ongoing part of training.

We’re called to take up our cross, the cross of self-denial every day.

Count the cost of what training will require.

Luke 14:28

28 “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? 29 For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, 30 saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’

2. Grace is POWERFUL

-Just as God redeemed Israel from Egyptian bondage, so too the Son of God redeems, with great power, a new covenant people from bondage to lawlessness and sin. Only the Grace of God, through the death of His Son can redeem from lawlessness, can liberate from sin and can set the captive soul free. Nothing else will…nothing else can.

Jesus described the reason for His coming in this way:

Mark 10:45

45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Paul described it this way…

2 Corinthians 5:21

21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God

Grace has the power to conform us into the righteousness of God

2. Grace teaches us to WAIT for what we hope for…to wait expectantly for His coming

13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

-Waiting sometimes seems passive, like we are not doing anything, but Biblically speaking, waiting is not passive…it’s ACTIVE

- Waiting in this sense draws us forward into action, rather than causing us to relax

- Like a bridegroom waiting for his bride, there’s nothing passive about waiting if the focus of your wait is your primary desire.

It’s important to realize that there is a profound difference between passive waiting and active waiting.

Passive waiting can take the form of cynicism, complaining, or simply doing nothing.

Active waiting, however, is a posture that seeks to cultivate habits that are focused on intentional preparation.

It is a blessed hope because unlike every other hope we might have, it cannot be disappointed….Jesus is coming back.

We are waiting for “the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ”.

Are you waiting on the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior? If you are excitedly waiting for Jesus to come, your waiting looks like preparation. Your preparation looks like fruit. If you’re not prepared, and not bearing fruit, then what are you waiting for??

(Grace is Powerful) (Grace teaches us to actively wait)

2. Grace is PURIFYING

14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

-It cleanses, washes and renews: The death of Christ cleanses us

-It purifies our hearts by faith and our lives by the Holy Spirit.

Proverbs 25:4

Remove the dross from the silver, and a silversmith can produce a vessel;

The Refiner’s fire is purifying: When precious metals are refined the impurities (dross) must first be removed. These pollutants are burned away as the metals are subjected to intense heat. As a result of the refining process the craftsman is given pure silver to work with as he crafts the metal into a beautiful masterpiece. Without first removing the dross, the precious metal would be unworkable. The silversmith knows when the silver is pure because he can see his reflection in it.

Have we allowed God to purify us through His grace? Can He see His reflection in our lives?

3. Grace is POSSESIVE

Verse 14 …to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

-Kind of paradoxical – even though grace is incredibly generous, it is also tremendously possessive…even jealous.

He PURCHASED us. To PURIFY us to POSSESS us…literally for Himself.

…a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

1 Peter 2:9-10

9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

-When Grace comes into your life, it takes over…it buys you and makes you its own. That’s a very good thing…that’s SALVATION.

-When you encounter the Grace of God…the cross of Christ, you are no longer your own, but His own possession. Grace is possessive because it is costly. It cost God the life of His only Son.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

Grace appeared at the climax of history through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, but Grace is always there for us in the continual self-giving of the Son, like a steady, never-ending stream.

• Have you embraced Grace, and all He provides and requires?

• Am I now living a life defined by Grace? - You will know by the fruit.

• God’s Grace appears in verse 11, and God’s glory appears in verse 13. The grace that has appeared speaks of His first coming, and the Glory that will appear speaks of His second coming.

God’s Grace teaches us who is Lord.

God’s Grace teaches us what we should learn.

15 These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.”

• Learn doctrine…these are the things you should teach – refers to the entire letter-a letter filled with sound teaching

• Learn duty…encourage with authority. Go alongside and challenge in the way we should all live as we look for “the blessed hope”.

• 3. Learn discernment: if “encourage” speaks to us about the way we should go, “rebuke” admonishes us concerning the way we should NOT go. When we confront or correct, we do so with all authority. We don’t compromise…Grace cost too much to compromise.

• Learn dedication: Speaking the truth will not always be popular, but it will always be necessary. It will require courage, conviction, the confidence of Christ – and will always require love as it’s foundation. This will enable you to humbly stand tall, refusing to be intimidated by Christ’s opponents. In this, you will not let anyone disregard or despise you.

Don’t worry about the nay-sayers. Be above reproach and love them. (Like Paul and Timothy)

Recap

1. Grace isn’t cheap. Don’t treat it cheaply and don’t represent it as cheap. That’s false teaching. Grace Christian Fellowship –the sign says: “Love God, Love People”. We love God, and we love people because we so strongly desire to show people the true Grace of God through Jesus Christ. That tells people

   • the message is more important than the brand…

   • that love is more important than a logo…

   • that the objective is more important than optics

   • that it’s better to be a hospital for the lost, than a country club for the saved

   • that Grace itself is precious…that time here is short, but eternity isn’t…

   • that conviction is more important than comfort

   • we can’t say “we’re good”, when we know we’re all bad

   • Grace is costly. Grace is Honest. And Grace is redemptive but at the same time, any of this done without love is worthless.

2. Let Grace train you…like a marathon. Training can hurt, but understanding what you’re training for puts everything in perspective.

3. Put away anything in your life that doesn’t bear fruit for God’s kingdom, and keep Him as your main focus.

4. Know His word and teach it with authority.

5. Stand tall, confidently and passionately love God and love people.

Our hearts should well up with praise in response to the Grace of God.

Grace has a Face and He truly is amazing.

The War on Error | Titus 1:10-16 | Undeserved Grace

The War on Error | Titus 1:10-16 | Undeserved Grace

Darien Gabriel

Series: Underserved Grace

Scripture: Titus 1:10-16 (Main passage)

Title: The War on Error

Bottom line: 

For the Church to be sound in the faith (doctrine & deed; belief & behavior; creed & conduct), we must confront false teachings and the Errorists who spread them.

Remember what an elder does:

1. Lead - Follow me as I follow Jesus

2. Feed - Teach/Train

3. Protect - Confront/Rebuke/Correct

Opening comments

When we were talking on our Virtual Church Project on Zoom last Sun night.

Extremes of blogging about false teachers.

Some false teachings that we may be more acquainted with ( and many not even realize is false) include:

”Coffee cup theology”

• Co-habitation is a good idea before you get married. (Not biblical or wise—see Proverbs)

• If someone hits you on the playground, son, you’d better hit them back. (So much for turn the other cheek)

• You deserve God’s blessing (when all we deserve is eternal wrath of God)

• If you’re suffering or sick, it’s because you sinned and God is punishing you. (It sometimes is a consequence but)

• You don’t have enough faith if God didn’t heal you. (This can be the reason but to say it’s always the reason...)

• You aren’t a true Christian if you can’t or haven’t spoken in tongues. (Not true)

• If you commit suicide, you are going to hell no matter what. (Not true)

• Falling out of love with your spouse is grounds for divorce. (Nope)

• It’s not a sin to worry about things. That’s just natural. God understands and overlooks that.

• God and country:

  • God loves America and would never allow anything bad to happen to her.

  • Not distinguishing between America and the kingdom of God. They are not the same thing.

• All religions basically teach the same thing. No. Christianity is fundamentally different than the rest.

• Hell isn’t real.

• All things are possible with God. (Context is being content in all things at all times)

• God is a God of love, therefore, he would never send people to hell. (He’s also a God of justice)

• I’m free in Christ. Therefore, no one has the right to tell me what to do. (Freedom in Christ doesn’t = freedom from responsibility)

• God helps those who help themselves. (God helps those who can’t help themselves)

• If you obey God, he’ll have to bless you financially or materially. (I guess Jesus wasn’t blessed)

• God doesn’t ask anything of you but to trust Jesus. (Actually, he asks a lot of you. Come and see. Come and obey. Come and die)

In the Bible...

• 1 Corinthians - bodily resurrection of Christ

• Galatians - Salvation is grace alone—no works required

• Colossians - Adding of Jewish myths and Greek philosophies

• 1 John - That Jesus was truly God in the flesh

What makes this so difficult is that these carry some truth in them. And they are often from the Bible.

Errorists almost always appeal to the Bible because people respect it.

What does Paul say to Titus (and us) about this war on error?

We must confront them.

Why?

Because that’s what pastors/elders train their people to do.

How?

Lead, feed and protect and leading others to do the same.

When we think of false teachers, we tend to think of crazy, religious cult leaders wearing purple Nike’s and drinking cyanide-laced Kool-aide. But false teaching permeates our culture. It’s in churches and our homes. It’s on talk radio and NPR. It’s on YouTube, Facebook and Snapchat. We cannot escape it. We can only prepare ourselves for it’s onslaught.

Are you preparing yourself?

Are you preparing your children? You can’t prepare them if you aren’t preparing yourself.

Studying the Bible regularly will prepare you to recognize the false teaching like studying authentic currency helps you identify counterfeit money.

Much of the NT was written to deal with false teaching. Examples include:

1 Corinthians - bodily resurrection of Christ

Galatians - Salvation is grace alone—no works required

Colossians - Adding of Jewish myths and Greek philosophies

1 John - That Jesus was truly God in the flesh

Paul equips us to win the war on error by:

Matthew 7:15 (Jesus)

Acts 20:29-30 (Paul)

2 Peter 2:1-3 (Peter)

1 John 4:1-3 (John)

Jude 3-4 (Jude)

2 Tim 3:16

While God has called us to a ministry of reconciliation he has also called us to a ministry of rebuke. That’s Paul’s focus here.

Whether at church or where you live, work, learn, and play, there’s a time to rebuke or confront false teachings.

We know this is effective for we do it with our kids. We rebuke, then correct them, then train them. (2 Tim 3:16) This is how we prepare our children to walk fully and faithfully with Christ.

Episodes:

Notes from Warren Wiersbe in BE Commentary

3 Responsibilities of Titus:

1. Preach God’s word. (1:1-4)

2. Ordain Qualified leaders. (1:5-9)

3. Silence False teachers. (1:10-16)

The enemy is the father of lies; the chief errorist.

Silence False Teachers/ Errorists. (1:10-16)

1. 3 Facts about False teachers:

   1. What they were personally. They were...

      1. “Rebellious” people—actively resisting obedience and authority.

      2. ”Full of meaningless talk”—hot air and claiming but not doing (16)

      3. ”Deceptive” people—“Errorists”

      4. “Liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.” (12)

         1. Appetites (idols over spirit-filled life)

         2. Notice adjectives

         3. Celebrities—not servants

         4. Lived it up at other’s expense

      5. Paul summed them up in v. 16:

         1. detestable—disgusting character.

         2. Disobedient—will not be persuaded.

         3. Unfit for anything good—Not able to pass the test.

   2. What they did. They...

      1. Told lies from “home to home” (whole families led astray)

      2. Lie upset faith because faith rises and falls on truth.

      3. Jewish legalism (circumcision)

      4. Jewish myths—“When the plain sense of scripture makes good sense, seek on other sense.” -Dr. David Cooper

   3. Why they did it.

      1. They did it for “dishonest gain” or greed/money.

      2. Testimony—I went into engineering in college for 1 reason: I could make a good living financially. My motives were mixed. They likely included greed. Well, God has a sense of humor! Every time I’ve taken a new job, I’ve taken a pay cut. It was not a surprise to get a pay cut going from Civil engineering to a youth pastor in ‘97. But it was going from a youth pastor to a pastor. Yet, God continuously provides for our family. Even without financial help from family or other financial windfalls (other than 1 family), we are 18 months away from putting 4 daughters through college debt-free. And Anita was not working outside the home until our last daughter’s senior year in high school. God’s grace + Faithful giving to God + Minimizing debt + Living within our means + our girls working from 16/17 on = No student loans or major debts. We only owe for our house.

      3. I share all of that to show that to encourage you in how and why you do what you do to make money. These false teachers were all about dishonest gain. Greed.

      4. BTW, you can be a pastor and be greedy. It’s ultimately a matter of the heart. Which is why Paul makes such a big deal about it with Titus and Timothy.

      5. Reason behind their covetousness:

         1. ”Corrupted” conscience.

         2. They lived a double-life. Outwardly teaching, inwardly corrupt.

         3. You cannot serve 2 masters, said Jesus.

      6. Teachers have corrupted minds and consciences so when they look at innocent foods they are sin because sin has defiled their vision; it’s blocking the light of truth.

   4. One further matter...what Titus must do:

      1. ”Encourage others by sound doctrine and rebuke those who oppose it.” (9) “Sword of the Spirit”

      2. ”They must be silenced” (11)

      3. ”Rebuke them sharply” (13)

      4. 2 Tim 3:16

      5. False teaching is like yeast:

         1. It enters subtly

         2. Grows quickly

         3. Permeates completely

         4. Therefore, the time to rebuke/confront is asap.

      6. The worlds attitude: It doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you believe and do so sincerely. Contrary to the conductor’s words on Polar Express, it matters completely what you believe, no matter how sincerely you believe. (Ex. Terrorists)

      7. Jesus said, “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”

Other intro thoughts...

One of the most frustrating things about our culture today is how difficult it is to discern what is true.

Whether you’re hearing about:

• COVID-19

• Historic racism

• Debate points

• Campaign ads

Truth in religion is no different.

Even truth in Christianity is a challenge these days.

Whether it’s

• Healing ministries

• Prosperity gospel ministries

There’s no shortage of distortion and deception.

And some are even worse because they do it for dishonest financial gain. I call these folks Errorists.

Sons & Daughters, Saved, Selected, & Sent to Serve | Titus 1:1-4 | Undeserved Grace

Sons & Daughters, Saved, Selected, & Sent to Serve | Titus 1:1-4 | Undeserved Grace

Darien Gabriel

Series: Undeserved Grace

Scripture: Titus 1:1-4

Title: “Sons & Daughters, Saved, Selected, & Sent to Serve”

Episode 1 - Introduction

Today’s message is entitled: “Sons & Daughters, Saved, Selected, & Sent to Serve”

Our bottom line (and prayer) today is that we would recognize that (in Christ) we are sons and daughters of God who have been saved, selected, and sent to serve God and people. This is undeserved grace.

This is true of those who are “in Christ”. Share illustration.

Episode 2 - Who are we?

Illustration: 

Understand Your Value

https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/13685/day/265?segment=0

Have you ever felt like a failure, or of no use to God, or thought that God wouldn’t want to answer your prayers?

Until I first read Colin Urquhart’s book, In Christ Jesus, I had never realized how significant that little word ‘in’ is in the New Testament. Understanding that, as a Christian, you are ‘in’ Christ Jesus revolutionizes how you see yourself, your self-image, your identity and how you understand your value to God.

Write your name on a piece of paper. Take hold of your Bible to represent Christ. Place the paper in the book and close it. You are in Christ. Where the book goes you go. Where the paper goes he goes. You are not part of the book, but you are now identified totally with the book.

Paul uses this expression, ‘in Christ Jesus’, over and over again. God has taken hold of you and placed you inChrist. In Christ, you have received ‘every spiritual blessing’ (Ephesians 1:3). All of the blessings, including those that the Old Testament speaks about, are yours in Christ.

Who are we? Why are we (still) here?

Root to Fruit

1. Who is God?

2. What has he done?

3. Who am I? (In light of who God is)

4. What do I get to do as a result?

Who are we? What do we get to do?

We are sons and daughters of God who have been saved, selected, and sent to serve God and serve people. Let me show you where I see this.

Episode 3 - We are Servants of God

Servants or bond slaves meaning we willfully surrender our rights, preferences and dreams to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We do this because he freed us from being enslaved to sin and death, shame and guilt, and hell itself.

Episode 4 - We are Sent-ones (Apostles) of Jesus Christ.

Like an email, we carry a message (hopefully one written in grace and truth) that is for the world to see and read in us as we show and tell the good news that the kingdom of God is near.

Episode 5 - We are selected-ones of God.

None of us deserve to be chosen or elected into his family. Some are. 

• It still is incumbent on me to freely respond by grace through faith. 

• But remember that God provides the faith. We are called to exercise it.

• As selected ones, what do we do?

• We live sent with great confidence that this was no accident.

Episode 6 - We are sons and daughters of God the Father.

As family, we’re living in the community of God reaching out to the community around us. And we must do this together!

As family, we are reminded that we are beloved no matter what we do nor how we live. But the family business is to rescue others as we have been rescued.

Dave Dravecky story on identity and how it affects how we live.

Episode 7 - What now?

Grace = getting what you don’t deserve. 

G.R.A.C.E. = God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense

Do you recognize your undeserved grace? 

(Bottom line) Do you recognize that (in Christ) you are a son or daughter of God, saved, selected, and sent into the world to serve God and to serve people undeserved grace?

This is why we are still here. 

Will you exchange your worldly identity for the one God selected you to flesh out? Will you live as his selected sent servant and son/daughter?

Other

“Root to Fruit” comes from Jeff Vanderstelt of Soma. @jeffvanderstelt on Twitter.com.

Root to Fruit

1. Who is God?

2. What has he done?

3. Who am I? (In light of who God is)

4. What do I get to do as a result?

Better Together | Turning the World Upside Down | Acts 17:1-15

Better Together:

Darien Gabriel

“Turning The World Upside Down” (Acts 17:1-15)

Series: Better Together

Bottom line: Paul and Co. gives us a battle plan for turning things around (180˚) where we live, work, learn, and play. 

INTRO

When I trusted Christ as a freshman at Clemson, my main motivation was that I wanted to make a real difference in our world. I wanted to turn the world upside-down, so to speak. Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke did too.

Episode 1 - The Power of Love 

The power of God (resurrection) flows through the love (cross) of God. In receiving it we are empowered to love others sacrificially through word and deed.

The result will be 2-fold:

1. Movement: A great, fruitful Jesus movement of power and love. 

2. Suffering: A great anti-Jesus movement of fear and hate.

How do we do this strategically? 4 “E’s” - Here’s 1-3:

1. Establish point of contact with people. Paul started with ✡️ synagogue  

2. Expound the word (teach/preach/proclaim/share)  

   1. Christologically (Jesus is Lord/Messiah)

   2. Boldy (conf faith)

   3. Intelligently (reasoned, explained, proved) over emotion

   4. with personal integrity

3. Expect dramatic responses

   1. good 

   2. bad

Truth: Jesus is Lord, no matter what. #authority

Application: Our job is to proclaim the word in power and love. Casting seed in anticipation of a great harvest. Pray for harvesters.

Episode 2 - Noble Bereans

The word of God reveals the truth about God’s power of love story. It also reveals how we can enter that story personally.

The result will be 2-fold: (again)

1. Movement: A great, fruitful Jesus movement of power and love. 

2. Suffering: A great anti-Jesus movement of fear and hate.

1. Fourth “E” - Encourage examination of what is taught. The Bereans studied:

   1. openly

   2. eagerly

   3. carefully

   4. daily

Truth: We fight not against flesh and blood but rulers and powers not of this world. #war #spiritualwarfare 

Application: Our job is to proclaim the word in power and love. Casting seed in anticipation of a great harvest. Pray for harvesters.

“Body Builders” | Better Together | 1 Corinthians 12

Better Together: Body Builders (1 Corinthians 12)

Darien Gabriel

Series: Better Together

Scripture: 1 Cor 12

Title: “Body Builders”

Bottom line: God sovereignly arranges the body of Christ with his spiritual gifts for the common good.

INTRO

In the early 90’s, I woke up one morning to a scratch on my eye. After putting my contacts in, I got no relief. In fact, it got worse. Soon I realized I had a real problem and I was in a new city. I had to find a new eye doctor fast.

I did. And he looked through is instrument to see white blood cells (??) attacking the infection happening on the cornea of my eye. He said I had a cornea ulcer.

My nerves told me through pain that something was wrong. 

My hand covered my eye to bring temporary relief.

My brain worked hard to figure out what to do next.

My fingers did the walking through he yellow pages to find an eye doctor.

My feet propelled me to the dr. Office. 

My body parts—each member—suffered together with my eye and worked in unity to serve the eye. This is how the human body is designed to work. This is also how the church—the body of Christ—is designed to work.

EPISODE 1 - Gifts

Episode 2 - Body

Episode 3 - God’s sovereign will (note how the structure of this chapter highlights the most important point of all—God is sovereignly at work in and through his body)

Episode 4 - Body

Episode 5 - Gifts

Conclusion/Applications

• Believing that God is sovereignly at work in and through his body should encourage and comfort us. Does it?

• Recognize that every Christ-follower has at least one spiritual gifts assigned to them by God for the common good. 

• Recognize that no Christ-follower has all of the spiritual gifts (or they wouldn’t need each other).

• Recognize that every spiritual gift is for the common good.

• Decide whether or not you really believe that we, the body of Christ, are better together and that we truly need each other. 

• In light of this fact, how is God leading you to be a blessing to the body of Christ THIS WEEK?

Chris & Amy Karpus Share Their Testimony of Miracles God Did

Testimony

Chris & Amy Karpus

Chris & Amy Karpus share about their extraordinary experience of multiple miracles that brought Chris back from cardiac arrest (2x) and a “Brain dead” diagnosis in late July 2020. Just over a month later, Chris shares from the heart and from God’s word lessons learned along the way. Amy shares lessons too but also a lot of the medical details that help us see how miraculous this really was

The Great Blot Out | Psalm 51:1-9

The Great Blot Out | Psalm 51:1-9

Darien Gabriel

The Big Blot Out Psalm  51:1-9

1.   Broken People Need Forgiveness.  vv1-9

2.   Forgiven People Need Renewal.  vv10-12

3.   Renewed People Need to Serve.  vv13-17

Backstory 2 Sam 11:1-12:23

Wise warning:  Wrong person + wrong time + wrong place = wrong thing happening

Only God Can Fully Forgive vv1-3

David Confesses vv4-6

God Cleanses vv7-9

1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all righteousness.”

If you are coming to God for the first time, He is ready to respond to your cry of repentance.

If you are a follower of Christ and have sin in your life, take a moment to repent and have your fellowship restored.

He’s Able. He’s Worthy. But Count the Cost | Matt 8:18-34

Bottom line: Because Jesus has absolute authority in the world and deserves absolute allegiance from the world, we trust, rest, submit to and rejoice in that authority. But we must count the cost. 

He’s Able. He’s Worthy. But Count the Cost | Matt 8:18-34

Darien Gabriel

I. Jesus has authority over disciples. (18-20) i.e. I trust Jesus no matter what.

    A. Jesus is worthy of unconditional trust, even if it means giving up earthly security and comforts. (Matt 8:18-20; parallel Luke 9:57-62)

“If you follow me, I’m all you’ve got.” -David Platt

• There’s a steep cost in following Jesus because he wants everything. (Time, talent, treasure, temple, testimony)

• Teacher of the law thinks he wants to follow Jesus. Instead of saying “fall-in”, Jesus discourages this by calling him to count the costs.

• Our security is in our home

  • security systems

  • watch dogs

  • locks

  • insurance

  • fences

• Jesus tells him he cannot even guarantee a roof over his head if he follows him. He may be homeless or a wanderer. 

• “If you follow me, I’m all you’ve got/“ -David Platt  Are you ready to embrace that?

• Jesus is worthy of our unconditional trust, even if it means giving up everything else. Why trust? Because he’s good. Therefore, I don’t need to look elsewhere for satisfaction.

Jennifer and Chears had to count the cost of buying a dog. (Vet bills, food, time, damage) We do too.

Application: Count the costs of following Jesus.

    B. Jesus is worthy of undivided affection, even if it means giving up easy access to our earthly relationships. (21-22)

• Disagreement over what is actually being requested here.

  • Does he want to give his deceased father a proper funeral, or

  • Does he want to wait until his living father dies and he gets his inheritance before agreeing to follow Jesus?

  • It doesn’t matter. The lesson is the same.

  • “Jesus’ response is direct, ‘Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.’” -Platt quoting Jesus

• Therefore, more important than honoring your father or collecting your inheritance (both of which matter) is following Jesus promptly and completely.

• Seeing Jesus as Sovereign authority in the world —> gladly surrendering total allegiance in life.

Jesus said, ““If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭14:26‬ ‭NIV‬‬

https://www.bible.com/111/luk.14.26.niv

JC Ryle quote, “Nothing, in fact, has done more to Christianity than the practice of filing ranks of Christs’ army with every volunteer who is willing to make a little profession.”

“Remember, Jesus is not begging for followers. He’s actually turning them away because he warrants unconditional trust and undivided affection from those who follow him. When Jesus speaks, leprosy, paralysis, and fever obey. The question is, ‘Do you obey?’” - Platt

"Just say the word, Lord” should be our mantra.

Count the costs.

II. Jesus has authority over demons. (Matt 8:28-34)

We have a picture of demons who 

1. Violently possess 2 men, and yet, are

2. Hate Jesus, and yet, are

3. Deathly afraid of Jesus

4. Are powerless to do anything without his permission

Satan on a leash 

“Satan can do nothing in the world, and nothing in your life, apart from the sovereign permission of God. Satan is (like) a lion (1 Peter 5:8), but he is a lion on a leash. And God holds the leash.”

Jennifer’s new Lab

Our daughter Jennifer got a new yellow lab. Even walking him as a gangly puppy quickly found him dragging her down the street as she tried to walk her undisciplined puppy. So she stopped taking him thinking he’s grow out of it and mature becoming more calm and obedient over time. Now she realizes that he’s still growing stronger (but not more disciplined because of lack of training) and so now he’ll only pull harder.

Satan is on a leash. 

God is holding the leash.

Neither demons nor Satan himself have all authority. Only Jesus does.

Remember 2 weeks ago we saw Jesus say 2 things to the 12 after he calmed the storm on the sea:

1. You of little faith? (Why do you doubt?)

2. Why are you so afraid?

In other words, why don’t you believe that I am God and in control having absolute authority in the world?

Dallas Willard said, “To believe something is to act as if it were true.”

Clearly, we have a gap between what we say we believe and what we actually believe. 

God can close your gap when you cooperate with him. 

When you place your unconditional trust and your undivided affections on Jesus, he transforms you to act as if you really do gladly and whole-heartedly submit to him. 

Faith

Our tendency to fear is why we must remember Jesus’ authority. 

Jesus is encouraging us to believe he is able and near.

Sometimes we believe in Jesus even less than the demons do!

What do I mean?

The half-brother of Jesus, James, writes to believers scattered all over the world, “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.” James 2:19

1. The demons have fear because of their belief. Why? Because they know Jesus is God and are therefore terrified of him. We see this in Scripture every time Jesus confronts them.

2. But we often fear because we don’t believe Jesus is God and has absolute authority. 

What if we believed with the confidence of the demons? (I get it, they’ve seen Jesus in the spiritual realm as he truly is now)

Conclusion

Jesus is the son of God (God incarnate) with all authority over disease, disaster, and demons. Nothing can touch us apart from his sovereign will and power. 

Therefore, we should and can be the most secure people on the planet. 

Our security isn’t based on our house, our good job, the strength/stability of the economy, or who is president. It’s based on believing we are in the hands of the One with all authority in this world.

He is great and able and willing to provide for us and protect us.

He is good and wants to provide and protect us...as we seek first his kingdom...(Matt 6:33)

Hear the demon’s questions (29)

“What do you have to do with us, son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?”

Their day of final judgment is coming. (25:41)

As believers, we look forward to the coming day of judgment. Why, you ask?

Because Jesus showed he also has authority over death. So as a believer of that trusty and follower of his way and life, I know my just and holy judgment fell on Jesus at the cross instead of on me. Therefore, I will live in mercy and not under his judgment.

You can too! This is our great hope in Christ!

We don’t like authority. But we should. We will never thrive apart from healthy authority. 

Bottom line: 

Because Jesus has absolute authority in the world and deserves absolute allegiance from the world, we trust, rest, submit to and rejoice in that authority. But we must count the cost. 

Coast Guard

The coast guard has a mission to defend the shoreline of our nation and to rescue people who’s lives are in jeopardy outside our shorelines. They have a chain of command with people in authority all the way up to the President, congress and Supreme Court. They function effectively to the extent that they respect the authorities over them.

The Church has a mission to defend the front lines of the kingdom of God (the Church IS the FOB). In addition, we rescue people far from God but close to us (physically, relationally, emotionally, experientially) under the authority of God through Jesus. 

We will function effectively to the extent that we respect and revere and follow the authority of Christ.

Application

1. Trust wholeheartedly in Jesus’ authority! (Put your full weight on the brake or chair)

2. Rest peacefully in Jesus’ authority! (Like Jesus sleeping in the boat in the storm sleep through the night no matter the storm)

3. Submit completely to Jesus’ authority! (Get off your hands and praise him as your Ultimate authority in life—Jesus is Lord of all!)

4. Rejoice gladly in Jesus’ authority! (Smile often)

Notes:

As revival scholar James Edwin Orr said, “The only proof of the new birth is the new life.” Or, in the words of Jacob (James), “someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works” (James 2:18).

Jesus Is Lord Over Disease | Matt 8: 5-17

Jesus has absolute authority in the world and deserves absolute allegiance from the world.

Jesus is Lord over Disease | Matt 8:5-17

Darien Gabriel

Listening to a podcast yesterday (Donald Miller, Story Brand), I learned that Elon Musk’s great dream and therefore goal in life is to colonize Mars as a backup for when humanity destroys the earth. His biographer Ashlee Vance said in all his interviews in preparing to write the book he only teared-up when he talked about this.

He also talked about how this is what drives him—saving the human race. He’s driven by logic.

When I see him building multiple successful companies to accomplish this noble goal, I am left wondering if he doesn’t have more zeal for his life mission than I do for mine. I realize his motives are not pure—but he’s driven but this goal to save humanity as if it’s logically the most important thing he could do in life. And, if this were all there was, he’d probably be right.

But it isn’t.

There’s life beyond this universe. Jesus is preparing a place for us. God is creating a new heaven and new earth to replace the current ones.

His mission may be unnecessary (probably). Yet, his zeal drives him.

What about mine?

Rom 12:11

• Jesus is always able but not always willing.

• When tempted to doubt or fear, remember who you’re dealing with. Jesus has absolute authority in the world because he as God created it.

I. (Centurion) Jesus heals the ethnically outcast. (8:5-13)

A gentile approaches Jesus... (Ethnically outcast (diff “race” or culture; invader even)

A gentile approaches Jesus in faith...

A gentile approaches Jesus in faith and Jesus responds with amazement.

Why? Jesus was amazed by his faith.

David Platt says this should cause us to ask, “What kind of faith is this?”

Here’s the picture Matthew gives us: “Faith is humble trust in the authority of Jesus.”

• He calls Jesus “Lord”

• He’s too overwhelmed to have Jesus in his house

• He knows he merely needs to speak the word

• v. 9 explanation shows his understanding perceiving Jesus’ authority over disease

Jesus doesn’t appear to have healed in this way before (not going himself) either. So he’s just believing Jesus has absolute authority over disease. He does.

Platt says further, “He simply and humbly had absolute trust in the authority of Jesus in a way that no one else among the Jewish people, including the disciples, had displayed up to this point.”

He then says that “servants of the kingdom”l must have this same faith for salvation. 

Do you? Follow the Centurion’s example and simply and humbly believe Jesus has absolute authority in this world.

What authority matters? Jesus’ authority over sin—to save you from your sins and to rule over you as Lord of your life. (We don’t like the second part, just the first. But the second part proves you get the first part)

Authority over disease:

1. He cleanses the physically unclean (Leper) (8:1-4)

2. He heals ethnical outcast (Centurion) (8:5-13)

3. He restores the culturally marginalized (Peter’s mom-in-law, a woman) (8:14-17) Now Jesus heals a woman defying the traditions and practices of his day.

16-17 Healing “many”

V. 17 is a quote from Isaiah 53:4 from the suffering servant passage. See vv. 5-6)

Isaiah’s prophecy concerns Jesus’ substitutionary death in place of sinners...how does this relate?

No, by connecting Jesus’ healing authority to Isaiah’s prophecy, Matthew is showing that Jesus has the power to overcome all our suffering. 

Matthew attributes this power and authority to Jesus because he paid the price to overcome all our sins. That is the point of the cross.

Consider the larger context of redemptive history.

All suffering in the world ultimately goes back to sin. (This was my point with Elon Musk's dream)

• Before sin, there was no suffering. (Gen 1-2)

• After sin, suffering entered. (Gen 3)

• Result, the world marked with evil, suffering, sickness and pain.

So, when Jesus came to die on the cross, he came to address the root problem—not suffering, but sin.

The price was his life to over our sins.

Does that mean his will for the world is we no longer experience pain, sickness, and suffering? No.

These pictures of miraculous healings are to give us a picture of what is to come in the fullness of God’s kingdom when Christ fully exerts his absolute authority and reign over the earth. But not yet.

In the meantime, we live in a world of suffering and pain. In fact, suffering will actually increase as a result of trusting Christ for salvation. So consider that before trusting and following Jesus. Lots of words from Jesus and Paul confirm this will happen. 

Jesus’ substitutionary death on the cross has killed the root of sin, but not the fruit. Not yet.

14th

But, this conquering sin should enable you to endure the suffering of disease, sickness, suffering, and pain with courage and faith that it’s temporary for those in Christ. 

There’s a day coming when death, mourning, crying, and pain will be no more. (Rev 21:4)

As we wait, don’t run from suffering. Rejoice in suffering for our future hope.

2 kinds of suffering:

1. Due to the general effects of sin in the world. 

2. Suffering for God’s purposes, though often hidden. 

   1. Humbly embrace this suffering as you trust him. Rejoice in it, even.

3. Due to a particular sin in someone’s life.

4. When a Christian continues to sin, he will inevitably suffer, for God disciplines those he loves.

   1. It may be physical, mental, emotional, relational, or spiritual, but sin leads inevitably to suffering. 

   2. Response? Not rejoicing but run from sin.

Storms of Life | Matt 8:1-4, 23-27

Jesus has absolute authority in the world and deserves absolute allegiance from the world.

Storms of Life

Darien Gabriel

Jesus shows us His authority over all things, even the weather when he commands the storm to cease. Only God can speak things into being. Only God can command the winds and the waves and have them obey. This same Jesus, fully God and fully man is sovereign over every circumstance in your life.

There is no question that this is a season of crisis as a country and as individuals. The whole world is in a crisis. Understanding that God is in control changes everything.

As we see, he is in control of our health:

“When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. 2 And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” 3 And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 And Jesus said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to them.””

— Matthew 8:1-4

And He is in control of natural events:

“23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25 And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” 26 And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?””

— Matthew 8:23-27

Love Mercy | Micah 6:8

Love Mercy | Micah 6:8

Darien Gabriel

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly[a] with your God.  -Micah 6:8

ACT JUSTLY & TO LOVE MERCY 

1. In order to understand what acting justly and loving mercy looks like, we need to look at the perfect embodiment of justice, mercy AND humility – Jesus Christ 

2. God’s justice is perfect 

a. In God’s perfect justice, the payment for sin is blood. 

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Romans 6:23

For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life. 

Leviticus 17:11 

b. BLOOD = LIFE 

22 In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. 

Hebrews 9:22 

C. WHY? 

d. Sin isn’t just a lie here or there. Sin is rebellion against God, and it is serious because of the greatness of the ONE we are rebelling against. 

e. Our sin in THAT bad because God is THAT good. 

f. The punishment for sin (death) is blood (life). 

Think of it this way: the punishment for the treasonous crime of rebellion against the perfect king (sin against God), is the death penalty. 

Death is the payment for the crime of rebellion against the KING. 

WHY? 

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you. 

Psalm 89:14 

God is perfect, so it’s impossible for HIS justice to be anything but perfect. 

3. You have to start at the beginning when Adam and Eve sinned (rebelled) against God. They sinned and realized they were naked and ashamed. 

21 The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. 

Genesis 3:21 

a. Out of God’s justice and mercy, He made skins to cover Adam and Eve’s shame...their sin. Something had to die to cover their sin and shame. 

4. Later, we see it demonstrated again after 400 years of captivity in the Passover 

Passover – Lambs blood over the door for protection and deliverance. They were instructed to take a spotless lamb...take care of it for 4 days. Then, they were to kill it and put it’s blood over the doorpost of their home. They were also instructed on how to eat it  

12 “On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD. 13 The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt. 

Exodus 12:12-13

5. Not too much later, we see it in the Law – God requires His people to make animal sacrifices to atone for their sin... a life sacrificed as a payment for death (sin) 

The Point: God’s perfect justice requires a payment for sin. The payment for sin is death. God’s justice in perfect. 

But why Jesus?  

6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 

9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 

Romans 5:6-10

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 

John 3:16 

a. Don’t you think that if it were possible for God to just ignore our sin...our rebellion, He would have done that? If there was any other way to forgive sinners while still upholding justice, don’t you think He would have taken that option rather than coming in the flesh and suffering the unspeakable agony of dying on the cross? 

Godʼs mercy is perfect. 

Sin is THAT bad, because God is THAT good. Sin is that bad, but God is THAT good. 

Jesus represents God’s mercy shown through His justice. 

a. God is just, and he wants His people to be just. God is merciful and wants us to be merciful. 

Isaiah 1:17 

17 Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed.[Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow 

Luke 6:36 

Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. 

b. God wasn’t giving His people a checklist by saying to act justly and love mercy, He was saying: 

3. I’m not looking for people who play at religion...I want people who love Me, and because they love me, they want to be like me. Then, their lives, their families, their priorities, their nations and MY CHURCH will reflect ME to the world. 

c. When we think of the concept of justice, we should keep 3 other ideas in mind: 

1. Integrity – consistent application of the Bible 

2. Honesty – commitment to God’s truth 

3. Concern for the oppressed or those who cannot pursue justice on their own 

d. If we aren’t passionate about the things God is passionate about, then all of our “religious activity” means nothing. We aren’t always going to get it right, but we must strive daily to treat people justly for the glory of God...especially in the spirit of reconciliation. 

2 Corinthians 5:18-21 

18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin[a] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 

1. Don’t just talk about justice, do the just thing yourself. 

a. Acting justly is not the same as acting, then justifying your own position. 

b. Using black celebrities who say there is no race issue in America to justify our own position. We’re not easing racial tension or uniting the church when we profess that it’s not an issue to those who have felt it all their lives. At that point, we’re not seeking justice, we’re seeking justification...we’re trying to justify ourselves. 

Romans 3:21-26 

21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in[a] Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,[b] through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. 

a We are justified, declared righteous, through Christ at the moment of our salvation. Justification does not make us righteous, but rather pronounces us righteous. 

2. Love Mercy - So, what is mercy? 

One definition is: Love that responds to human need in an unexpected or unmerited way. 

a. the Hebrew word used for MERCY is HESED. It’s used 250 times in Scripture and is loosely defined as “loyal love that contains mercy”. 

1. This is a character trait of God 

b. We know that we are LOVING MERCY when we begin to view the world the way God does. 

Jesus paid for every single sin ever committed; thus, God was just in punishing sin, and He can also justify sinners who receive Christ by faith. God’s justice and His mercy were demonstrated by Christ’s death on the cross. At the cross, God’s justice was measured out in full (upon Christ), and God’s mercy was extended in full (to all who believe). So God’s perfect mercy was exercised through His perfect justice. 

3. Jesus didn’t just come to die for us, he lived for us too. 

a. The point of the Gospel is that the justice is real—God really laid our sins on Christ. And the mercy is real – He really transferred the righteousness of Christ to us. He is our Savior, not just because He died, but because He lived a sinless life before He died, as only the Son of God could do. 

b. He lived for the same purpose for which He died – to reconcile us with God. 

4. Make a list of 3 things / people / groups / beliefs that you would die for...these are our priorities. 

a. Change the word “die” to “live”. Would we live for the same things you would die for? 

1. Jesus lived and died for us in a perfect balance between justice and mercy. 

b. How do our lives represent those priorities? Do those priorities match up with God’s priorities? Where is OUR balance between justice and mercy? Where do WE demonstrate the spirit of reconciliation talked about in 2 Corinthians? 

1. Are we focused primarily on politics or those priorities? Look at our last social media post. 

2. Are we focused on reconciliation with our black brothers and sisters or justifying our position? 

c. What “hill” are we willing to “die” on that isn’t Calvary? 

1. Our jobs? Our political party? Statues? A flag? Masks? Our rights? Our government? Any organization that does not honor God? Our history? Our future? The color of our skin? 

The Gospel must inform the culture, not the other way around. 

Romans 12:1-2 

12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. 

5. Would we...would you...would I...in an effort to align our priorities with those of our Savior, to act justly and love mercy to the point of living and dying for unity in the church if it meant complete and final reconciliation with all of our brothers and sisters of color?...especially knowing that if we are unified, the world around us will know who Jesus is? Are we willing... 

a. ...to put aside our biases and self-justification? To live like Jesus? 

b. ...to bury our flawed past, and commit a racially divided present and any hope for a peaceful future to Jesus...just to show Him we’re serious? 

c. ...to cling so hard to the justification that His life, death and resurrection bought us...in perfect balance of justice and mercy, that we let go of our idols? 

d....to act justly and stand for our brothers and sisters of color who haven’t shared the same freedoms and privileges that we may have? 

e....to love mercy enough to even show it? 

6. Do you know what mission creep is? 

When you have a mission (love God, love people)...(be the best neighbor ever where you live, work and play)...(to make disciples who make disciples) Mission creep is where you end up spending a lot of resources, time and energy on something that ultimately was not what you were called to pursue and does not directly enhance the end goal of your cause. And often, it actually dilutes and discredits the efforts you have in place that are impacting your original intent. 

1. What’s the mission of the church? 

2. Be clear about the mission 

3. Learn to say no to cultural influences 

4. Use your mission as a filter for decision-making 

5. Show the world that the church...that the members of the body of Christ, are willing...like our Savior...BECAUSE of our Savior...to humble ourselves, to live and even die for our God-given mission, for reconciliation within the Body of Christ, for everyone to know who He is by our unity. That we Love God...that we love ALL people, not just ones that look like us...That we prove it...that we’re willing to act justly and love mercy...just like Him.

Act Justly | Micah 6:1-8 | How God Wants Us To Respond to Racial Injustice, part 1

Act Justly | Micah 6:1-8

Darien Gabriel

Scripture: Acts 10:1-11:4; James 2:1-9; Galatians 3:26-29; Micah 6:1-8

Bottom line: Let’s practice what we preach on how we interact with anyone different than us by acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with our God.

Not limited to black-white relations but that’s a huge part of this today. Includes people of all cultures (not races).

One race - the human race started in Eden. Many ethnicities scattered at tower of Babel. 

Micah 6:1-8

I. God confronts Israel and Judah because of their sin. (6:1-50

II. I & J make their “defense” before God. (6:6-7)

III. God answers I & J (6:8-12)

    A. Act justly.

    B. Love mercy.

    C. Walk humbly with God.

IV. Apply to racial tensions in America today - How do we “act justly”?

1. Look up. Pray. It starts with us admitting we need God.

2. Bow down. We can’t unless we love mercy and walk humbly with our God.

3. Wake up - Admit that we are either part of the problem or part of the solution. Resolve to be part of the solution by acting justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with our God.

4. Catch up - 

5. Listen to their stories

   1. Learn about their history

   2. Lean in without being defensive or dismissive 

6. Stand up - 

7. For God’s way - act justly for all

   1. For positive change that dismantles unjust systems and attitudes