sermon from Nov. 21

Hope for Mature, Godly Men

I John 2:12-17

Series on “Our Mission” (part 11)

John writes letters of encouragement to a church. He talks about “little children” in the faith, “fathers” in the faith, and “young men” in the faith. The terms are somewhat generic and do not exclude women. It underscores the need for all kinds of people at different levels of spiritual maturity. It particularly underscores the importance of having “fathers” in the faith who live for more than money, sex and power and actually have a legacy that continues into future generations.

THREE KINDS OF PEOPLE THE CHURCH NEEDS

• Little children (new babes in the faith who are immature), vs. 12 – “I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake and because you know the Father?” Have you been overwhelmed by the fact that your sins are forgiven and that God has become our good Dad? If you have had that experience, do you still have the “first love” of your new birth, or have you become stale and lost your amazement for grace?
• Fathers (and Mothers, the spiritually mature), vs. 13 – “I am writing to you fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning.” Do you have fathers and mothers in the faith who don’t just know about God, but know God and do you aspire to be like them?
• Young Men (and women, maturing Christians), vs. 13 – “I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one…. And you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.” Do you have these marks in your life? Are you growing in the Word, meditating on it, and connecting with other Christians? Are you growing in Christ? Are you different today than two years ago?

THE SPECIAL NEED OF FATHERS IN THE FAITH, I.E. GODLY MEN

• Why the Chinese church is made up of 80% women
• Why modernity attacks manhood

1. The pagan view of manhood (fierce but not tender)

2. The Confucian view of manhood (scholar, breadwinner, but often emotionally detached from family)

3. The modern, western view of modern (soft men)

• Why Jesus is the only path to healing for men. He is the only man’s man (fierce) who is also tender with women and children. See him casting the money changers out of the temple and his relationship with children and people like the adulterous woman.
• Why men need to band together (“fight clubs”?) to encourage, confess and challenge each other to be adventurous, sacrificial, men who have a vision of nurturing “this generation and the generations to come”.

sermon from Nov. 14

Hope for the Church

Hebrews 10:19-25

Series on “Our Mission” (part 10)*

Some people have the idea of “going to church”, i.e. something you do one day a week and then where you live your individual life in the world. Actually, it is God’s indispensable way of growing people so they become more like Christ. Do you have a rock-solid conviction about the indispensability of the church in your life and for your family? Here is a definition of the church: The church is God’s people (who we are), who are saved by God’s power (what He has done and is doing) for God’s purpose (the good works he created us in Jesus Christ to do (Jeff Vandersteldt). If so the church is who we are and it is a 24/7 activity!!!

THE INDISPENSABLITY OF THE CHURCH

• Vs. 25 – “Let us not neglect to meet together as the manner of some is.”
• The key word is “together” (eat together, learn together, love one another together, confess sins to one another, be on mission together)
• Christianity is “good infection”. You catch it from each other...
• Why Sunday mornings are not enough.

FOUR INDISPENSABILE ACTIVITIES FOR US TO “BE THE CHURCH”

• Vs. 24 – “Let us consider one another”

1. Do you have anyone in your life who is considering how you can better grow into the likeness of Jesus?

2. Not just the job of the pastor, but everyone!

3. For men as much as women!

• Vs. 25 – “Spur one another to love and good deeds” (KJV)

1. Like a horse’s spur, we are to irritate each other in a positive way.

2. We are to give permission to one another to do this (and not give in to

Eastern “face” or Western “individualism)”.

• Encourage one another (just read the book of I Thessalonians for a great example; how do your words compare to Paul’s?)
• Be on mission together.

THE INDISPENSABLE PRIVILEGE OF THE CHURCH, vs. 19-24, “Access to God through the blood of Jesus.”

* Some material has been drawn from Jeff Vandersteldt and Tim Keller.

sermon from Nov. 7

Hope for Your Pride

Daniel 4

Series on “Our Mission” (part 9)

What do you think your biggest problem is? Think hard on this. You may think that it is a problem with work, relationships, marriage, or children. The Bible says something different. The Bible says that actually your biggest problem is “pride” (not in the fact that God made us), but in our poor attempts to fail to admit our moral bankruptcy and to try to create life and significance apart from Him. Today we will learn about the cancer of pride and how it almost destroyed one man by the name of Nebuchadnezzar and how he was healed:

STAGE ONE: PRIDE. vs. 29 – “Is this not the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?”

STAGE TWO: BAD DREAMS. vs. 5 – ‘I had a dream that made me afraid.”

STAGE THREE: A WILLINGNESS TO HAVE SOMEONE SPEAK INTO HIS LIFE

STAGE FOUR: GOD’S SEVERE MERCY

• God’s plan A: instruction, Isaiah 6, “Come now let us reason together though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as the snow”
• God’s plan B: discipline, Psalms 32 – “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go (plan A). Do not be like the horse or mule which has to be controlled by bits and bridle (plan B).
• Because Nebuchadnezzar fails to listen to Daniel, God disciplines him severely. He loses his sanity and is reduced to a form where he is like the beasts of the field.

STAGE FIVE: REPENTANCE, SANITY, REBIRTH

• “He raises his eyes to heaven” (to this point all he could see was his self-absorbed self).
• He acknowledges that all he is and has is a gift from God and that he cannot boast in it, but only God
• John Newton: “Grace has taught his heart to fear, and grace his fears relieved.” What about you?