Spirit Birthed, Spirit Empowered

“It is not only the first act of conversion which displays divine power; but the whole of the Christian disciple’s life, until he comes to perfection, it is all a clear display of God’s power. The spiritual life is similar to the burning bush which Moses saw on Mt. Horeb: it burnt, but it was not consumed. It’s the same with the Christian, like a bush, he is most fitting fuel for the flame; yet the flame does not hurt him. It kindles about him, but he is not destroyed. The Christian life may also be likened to walking on water. As Peter walked on the waves, and did not sink so long as his faith looked to Jesus; so the believer every day, in every footstep that he takes, is a living miracle. Faith too, in its life, may be compared to flying: “They shall mount up on wings like eagles.” The believer, every day takes venturesome flights into the atmosphere of heaven, rises above the world, leaves its cares and its wants beneath his feet, with no other wings but those of faith and love. This is a continued and beautiful miracle of God’s divine power." -Charles Spurgeon (abridged)

We begin a new series today called “Follow Me” the last words of Jesus to Peter in our last series. So we’ll call the series “Follow Me: Discipleship Keys from the Life of Jesus.” And in this series we will be touching on key points from the book of Acts. So we will be in Acts for much of the series, but, we will continuously jump back from Acts, to certain points in the life of Jesus, to reference the teaching the disciples live in Acts.

For many years the book of Acts was a bit of a mystery to me, and it wasn’t until I took a class on Acts in college that I truly began to understand what it’s about. Acts is listed in the Bible immediately after the four gospel books. It follows the activities of the early church, particularly Peter and Paul, and their actions to help build the early faith communities in the ancient Roman empire. It is comprised of 28 chapters and covers numerous years of activities. It was written by Luke.

During this series we are going to continuously go back to this formula.

1. Look at Acts - the actions of the disciples of Jesus

2. Look at Jesus teachings, as the disciples follow them

3. Look at how we today can act on the teachings of Jesus

Notice the title, Acts. What is an act? It is an action. One of the biggest things we are going to learn about what discipleship is, is that it’s an action.

Taking an action consistent with what you believe is what it really means to be a disciple of Jesus.

So let’s dive in, today we’ll be in Acts 1:1-11, and we’ll dip into John 3:3-6.

Acts 1:1, “In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.”

The former book referred to here is the gospel of Luke. Luke here, is writing Acts as a second book, to someone by the name of Theophilus. We don’t know exactly who Theophilus was, though he is referred to as “most excellent” so it is possible he was a Roman leader of some sort. But many have pointed out the name Theophilus in Greek actually means, “friend of God” or “loved by God.” So, it’s very easy to think that God set it all up as a letter written to us, who are loved by God.

First thing to notice here is, we have in Luke’s previous book, in fact in all four gospels, an account of those things Jesus did and taught.

We also have a helper who is with us always, that is the Holy Spirit. And the Holy Spirit’s job is to guide us in numerous ways, the most important of which is to constantly point us back to the words and actions of Jesus.

So the more we know the words and deeds of Jesus from the Bible, the more the Holy Spirit can point us to those things.

The book of Acts will be for us a historic explanation of those actions that the early disciples took in cooperation with the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Next, verse 3 “After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.”

The last seven weeks we’ve looked at many of those convincing proofs that Jesus is alive today. We have all that evidence, so we can confidently believe.

During Jesus’ life he kept talking about this mystery called the kingdom of God, that he said had arrived in his time. So another key for this series is going to be understanding what the kingdom of God is, and how it works.

Next, verses 4-5: On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Wait for the gift, is the instruction given by Jesus. After the departure of Jesus, the Holy Spirit would take over as the chief leader and guide of the body of Christ. And to this day, the Holy Spirit fills every true believer.

They are told to wait in Jerusalem, until the Holy Spirit comes.

We see the action that will take place is a baptism, but not simply one of water, but baptism in the Holy Spirit.

But what’s interesting is in John’s gospel, we see that in John 21, Jesus breathed on the disciples and they received the Holy Spirit. Yet we also see Jesus point to a separate incident which will occur later, which is baptism in the Spirit. What is going on here?

There appear to be two separate interactions with the Holy Spirit, the first is called regeneration, it occurs when we initially receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and savior. But there is a second work of grace, a second experience in which we are baptized in the Holy Spirit. This is a separate experience, that empowers us for service and is also connected with the Wesleyan concept of entire sanctification.

Next, verses 6-7: 6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

The disciples still don’t quite understand what is happening. They long for Israel to be restored as a nation, but God’s plan is so very different.

Next verse 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.”

Jesus’ response is fascinating. He doesn’t say, no, never. He says, not yet. Only the Father knows those dates. And it’s not for them to know.

We do know that one day Israel will be restored. In fact, it occurs at the conclusion of the end times, when Jesus returns, and sets up a one thousand year reign over the entire Earth, from Jerusalem. At that time, Israel will be restored. But that is future. 

It’s a tough thing when God tells us “not yet.” But in the meantime he has work for us to do in the here and now.

Being a disciple means letting go of what our plans were, and embracing what God wants for us. Do you think it was ever in my plans to live in Chicago, Escanaba, Owosso, Gary, Chicago again, and then Traverse City? I never planned any of that, but God did, and to be a kingdom disciple is to submit to His plans in place of our own.

Next, verse 8: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Jesus instantly redirects the disciples, I know you longed for Israel to be restored, however, here is my will and plan: You will receive new power when the Holy Spirit fills you. And you will be witnesses to all the Earth of this fact.

A kingdom disciple knows he or she is a witness of Jesus, and with power, with demonstration of that reality. To the ends of the Earth. From Jerusalem, to the ancient Roman empire, into north Africa, to India, across Europe, even to the Americas, and yes even to northern Michigan. 

Discipleship is to be a witness. And this ability to be a witness is not found within us, yet, it is found within us, because, the Lord, the Holy Spirit dwells within us.

An eastern cleric was challenged to read the Bible, and once finished, they questioned him on what he found to be most surprising part, and they thought well, he would certainly say Jesus being raised from the dead, or God creating the world, but his answer surprised them, he said the most amazing thing was, that in Christianity God dwells within human beings.

This hearkens all the way back to Jesus’ conversation one night, early in his ministry, with Nicodemus, a leader of the pharisees.

John 3:3-6: 3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”

5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.”

A person of flesh trying really hard to be good can’t inherit eternal life. Me or you, born from our mother, can’t enter the kingdom of God system. We never could. It’s just white washed tombs, self-righteousness. But, if we go through Jesus Christ, we will experience the new birth. A new birth given by God himself.

The Spirit gives birth to this new us. But he doesn’t stop there. There is much more to come, in the Spirit life. And in our surrender to Him, comes the next phase of that adventure.

Next, verse 9: “After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.”

Wait for the Holy Spirit. You will be witnesses everywhere. And then… Jesus begins rising up to heaven. And that is the last time they saw Jesus in the flesh, rising into the sky.

Can you imagine the grief of the disciples? Their teacher would no longer be with them. Yes, he would send a new helper, the Holy Spirit, but I’m sure they would always long, the rest of their lives, to be with Jesus again face to face.

Similarly, we as kingdom disciples also carry a mysterious pain within us, a longing to see our dear savior Jesus face to face. We long to be with him in paradise. Every soul knows it's pain, the pain of longing for our true home.

Next, verse 10: They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them.

Suddenly, angels stood with them. It’s a great reminder that angels continue to stand with us today. Jesus may have ascended, but the angels remain with us, protecting us, and delivering messages to us from God.

Discipleship is knowing we have angelic support all around us. We are not alone. God is with us. The Holy Spirit is with us. Jesus is with us. But we also have angel armies surrounding us. They fight off the demonic hordes all around us. 

Next, verse 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Why are you staring up into the sky? Perhaps they hoped he might come back. The angels explain to them, Jesus has been taken to heaven.

Jesus is now seated in heaven, on a throne, at the right hand of God the Father. One day he will return. And he will return literally from the sky, and the word says "Every eye will see Him."

For now, he lives forever to make intercession for us. What does that mean? He’s making the case for us before the Father, every step of the way, praying for us, speaking for us, covering us, standing with the Father, as the Father guides our lives, giving us exactly what we need.

How does God the Father and Jesus do this? They do it through the Holy Spirit, who is the Lord, living within us.

The Holy Spirit is even called in scripture, the Spirit of Christ. The Holy Spirit points us to Christ, and Christ communicates to us through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Sometimes I talk to Jesus when I pray, sometimes I talk to the Father when I pray, but the Holy Spirit is always speaking to me. And he’s always speaking to you.

Jesus is in heaven. Yet he is with us through the Spirit.

Chelsey and I went to a play recently in Hillsdale, a play called The Pilgrim and it tells the story, with creative license, of John Bunyan’s classic book, the Pilgrim’s Progress.

But in the play the director actually plays Jesus, God, standing in the background, unseen by the main character, but seen by us. There’s a scene, spoiler alert, where the main character Christian, loses a dear friend, and he is weeping uncontrollably, and he’s angry at God because his friend had died. But as the audience we can see God holding the friend with him, weeping just as hard as he is. It gives an entirely new perspective to our sufferings, to see Jesus crying with us through our struggles and losses. Christian cries out to God, do you even care, and as the audience, we could all see God weeping desperately with Him, there was no question that he cared even more deeply than Christian did, for his beloved one who had died.

But every step of the way, the God character in white was with Christian, invisible to Him, but always with Him. So it is with Jesus. He is always with us, invisible to our eyes, yet always with us, through the Holy Spirit within us.

So in conclusion today, very simply, the first principle we want to understand about discipleship, and the command to “follow Jesus” is that this journey is Spirit birthed in us, it is not something we create in ourselves, but a gift from God. It is not trying harder, but it is being born again.

Secondly though, it is also Spirit empowered. Once we receive the new birth, and we surrender, and receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit, we are empowered for service. And we cooperate with the Holy Spirit synergistically, listening for his voice, and following Him, which truly is to follow Jesus. And this Spirit gives us power, power to proclaim Jesus, power to heal, power to pray, power to manifest the fruits of the Spirit, and power to overcome our own fears and inadequacies.

So if we walk by the Spirit, let us then keep in step with the Spirit. Hallelujah. Praise the Lord!

The Crucifixion of Jesus: What It Means

In 1947, a young New Yorker named Glenn Chambers decided to recognize his lifelong dream to work with the Voice of the Andes ministry in Ecuador.

The day of departure, he arrived at the Miami airport and realized he’d forgotten to buy a card to send to his mother. There was no time to select and purchase one before he had to rush onto his flight. Spotting a piece of paper on the terminal floor, he scooped it up.

The paper was part of an advertisement with ‘Why?’ featured prominently.

Glenn scribbled his note around the single word then stuffed it in an envelope and dropped it in a post box. Minutes later, he boarded a DC-4 bound for Ecuador’s capital, Quito.

The giant prop plane rumbled through the growing gloom as night fell and clouds began to thicken over Colombia’s humid jungles. The pilot squinted as a sudden darkness filled his view, then the plane smashed into the side of the 14,000 foot peak El Tablazo with a deafening scream of warping metal.

Everyone aboard died instantly.

Glenn’s mother received his note some days later, emblazoned with the haunting question, “Why?” -Rachel Chimmit

Why do bad things happen to good people? Why is there evil in the world? We often wonder why. And for all those why questions, why this, why that, we need to go back to the ultimate why question.

The question that causes us to either understand or misunderstand our Christian faith: Why did Jesus have to die?

The Lord laid it on my heart for us to go to the cross, and examine exactly what took place. And then to ask the question: Why? Why did this need to happen this way for us to saved?

We’re going to Matthew chapter 27. At this moment Jesus has been ministering, healing, and shaking things up for three years. He spread the word and healed in numerous towns, but now he’s in the capital city of Israel, Jerusalem. The religious leaders have plotted and schemed against Jesus. And one of Jesus’ own disciples, Judas, has secretly met with the Jewish leaders to plot to turn Jesus over to them.

Jesus knew ahead of time that all this would happen. He knew it was meant to happen. In God’s word, in books like Isaiah and Psalms, the persecution and death of Jesus was predicted.

Jesus told his disciples ahead of time: “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” -Luke 9:22

The first important truth you must remember today is that God planned for Jesus to be crucified before the creation of the Earth, to become a ransom offering for our sins.

If you read the crucifixion of Jesus as a sad thing happening to a nice man you’ve completely missed the purpose for why Jesus died.

After being betrayed by Judas, Jesus was taken before the high priest, questioned, then taken before the romans, and questioned again. He was sentenced to death for the charge of claiming to be the king of the Jews. Pontius Pilate the roman governor ordered Jesus flogged, and then turned over to be crucified.

So let’s jump into the scripture, starting with verses 27-31:

"Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. 30 They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. 31 After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.”

It says Jesus was brought in front of a whole company of soldiers. That’s not the best translation, the word there is actually "cohort." A cohort was part of a roman military unit, and it would typically have 480 soldiers attached to it.

So Jesus was being publicly mocked in front of hundreds of soldiers, who were all laughing at him. I’ve experienced a few times in my life when I was publicly mocked by a group of people, and it was very painful and ugly.

But notice what the soldiers are doing. Jesus really is the king of the Earth. He really should be worshiped by every human being on the planet. Yet the opposite happens. They mock his kingship. They put a robe on him to mock him, a staff in his hand, and a crown of thorns onto his head.

They grabbed the staff and struck him with it. They spat on him. They pretended to worship him.

This is a nightmare beyond imagining, for someone to experience something like this is brutal. But Jesus was willing to experience this for us.

Jesus is forced to carry a wooden cross to the place where they are going to execute him.

Next, verses 32-34: "As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. 33 They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). 34 There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it.”

I think it’s fascinating that Simon of Cyrene carries Jesus’ cross for him. It’s believed Simon was an African man, since Cyrene was located in Libya, in north Africa.

I believe that Simon of Cyrene should’ve been Simon Peter. If Simon Peter had stayed awake and prayed, he would’ve not fallen into temptation, and been filled with fear and fled from the persecution of Jesus.

I imagine if Peter had been there through the crucifixion, he would’ve been the one who would’ve ran over and helped Jesus carry his cross. I can’t prove that, I have no scripture to back that up, it’s just a theory that I have.

But it’s an interesting reminder I think, don’t let the enemy stop you from being where you’re supposed to be, in the will of God. Now Jesus forgave Peter later, even though Peter abandoned Jesus during his sufferings. But, imagine if Peter had been there to the very end.

Next, they brought Jesus to the hill of Golgotha, and drove rusty metal spikes into his hands and feet. He was hoisted up on this piece of wood, and it was dropped into a hole in the ground. The trauma would've been intense as the base of the cross landed in the hole and jostled the wounds in Jesus' body. 

Next, verses 35-37: "When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 36 And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. 37 Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is jesus, the king of the jews.”

Crucifixion was invented by the Persian empire, and later practiced extensively by the roman empire, until later in the 4th century AD it was outlawed as a form of execution by Constantine. Crucifixion was so severe that it was actually unacceptable for a roman citizen to be crucified, if they were executed it was done by decapitation, not by crucifixion.

Verse 35 tells us that they divided up his clothes and cast lots. That was predicted in the Old Testament as well.

Notice also the crime he committed was nailed to the cross on a plank of wood above his head. Interesting that the "crime" that he committed, that he was the king of the jews is actually true. Jesus is the king of all Jews, indeed he’s, the king of all peoples everywhere.

So at this point Jesus is now on the cross. He’s been flogged. He’s been humiliated. They’ve robbed Jesus of his dignity. They’ve forced a crown of thorns on his head. Jesus has been beaten and spat on. He is bleeding profusely. Yet he is still alive.

Next, verses 38-44:38 "Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. 39 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads 40 and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” 41 In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. 42 “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.”

Next to Jesus on the left and right are two men who are being crucified with him on that day. In Luke’s gospel we get the dialogue between the two men, one of which begs Jesus to help them escape, the other of which admits his own wrongdoings and asks Jesus to remember him in paradise. Jesus responds by saying that he will be with him in paradise on that day.

Also in this moment we see the final temptation of the devil against Christ. I believe Satan inspired the people walking by, including the religious leaders to tempt Jesus to come down from the cross.

“Come down from the cross” is the last temptation of Christ. It’s spiritual warfare, Satan trying to tempt the all powerful son of God to use his power to escape his own death. How tempting that would be, when you are going through such incredible horrible suffering. We can’t even imagine the kind of pain Jesus was in, and yet, he refused to leave the cross.

The son of God refused to leave the cross, what about you? Can you endure the struggles you’re going through without giving up your faith. The enemy may whisper to you, and try to convince you that if you just give up this Jesus thing, life will be easier. Don’t listen to those lies. Even in the struggle, stand firm in Jesus. He’s suffered much worse than you have. He knows what it means to suffer.

Next, verses 45-50: "From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,[a] lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).

47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”

48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 49 The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”

50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.”

Suddenly at noon, the brightest moments of the day, it goes completely dark. And it’s dark for three hours. Can you imagine this? You're out there watching Jesus getting crucified. Many are celebrating this moment, and yet, suddenly at noon it goes dark in the sky, for three hours.

Might you stop and think to yourself, maybe we’ve made a serious mistake. Something is not right here.

For three hours it’s dark as night. Something evil and horrible is happening.

Gospel means good news. How is this good news? It’s horrible beyond imagining what happened to Jesus that day. Yet the symbol we Christians use, the emblem we wear around our necks is in the shape of a cross. 

Jesus cries out to the heavenly father, and says, “Why have you forsaken me?” In that moment I believe the presence of God departed from Jesus, and he was left utterly alone on the cross, so that he could die for our sins.

He was completely alone in those moments. The Old Testament law says cursed is anyone who is nailed to a tree, Jesus became cursed for us in those moments.

His blood was poured out, dripping from the wounds on his head, his back, his hands and his feet. His body was broken. He was humiliated and shamed in front of hundreds. People walking by shook their heads. He became cursed.

At 3pm, after the three hours of darkness, Jesus screamed out in utter horror and suffering one last time, a brutal cry, and then he died.

How is this good news for you and for me?

Sin are the things in our lives that separate us from God. Sin are those times when we’ve hurt someone we love, made our children feel inferior and alone, made our wife/husband feel empty and disappointed, sin is when we’ve taken something that wasn’t ours, used a substance that did damage to our own body, used someone for our own pleasure, all of these things separate us from God.

In God’s universe, meaning the one you live in, sin is serious, so serious it warrants the death penalty from God.

In the old Testament if you sinned, you had to bring a sacrifice to the temple, a sheep or a dove, and it would be slaughtered, it’s blood would be poured out, and that sacrifice would cover over the sin you had committed.

The sins we commit can only be washed away with blood. But the blood of animals was never enough to cover our sins.

All of that was pointing to the future, when Jesus would come into the world, for the purpose of going to the cross, to be crucified, to have his blood poured out as an offering to take away our sins.

That’s why this brutal crucifixion event of Jesus that is so ugly and horrifying and dark, became life and salvation to us.

You can’t understand how wonderful the bloody death of Jesus was until you understand just how offensive your sins are to God. One of the worst things we can do is pretend that we don’t have them. God’s law makes it very clear that we’ve all sinned. We’re lying if we say we haven’t sinned. We all know what it sin is deep down and we all know we’re guilty of it. We can say things like "hey it’s in the past" but that isn't how God sees it.

God will deal with our sins, and it will either be that Jesus died for our sins, and reconnected us to God, or our sins remain on us, and on judgment day God will turn us over to outer darkness, a place set aside for sinners, away from the light of God’s presence.

We can pretend like we have no sins. But we all know we do. We can hide from God. But in the end, we all have our meeting with God face to face.

Get your sins under the blood of Jesus. Only His sacrifice on the cross is sufficient to pay off your debt. We all know that deep down. It’s hard to admit, I get it. But if you can admit it, and ask for forgiveness, Jesus will forgive you.

Let’s see what happened immediately after Jesus died:

"51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52 and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and[c] went into the holy city and appeared to many people."

The temple in the times of Jesus had three courts, and in the third court there was a curtain that blocked access to the most holy place. When Jesus died, that curtain was ripped in half. 

It says an earthquake occurred. Old Testament heroes rose from their graves and appeared to people throughout the city of Jerusalem. This was truly a day unlike any other!

Lastly, verse 54: "When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”

We started in verse 27 with the roman soldiers mocking Jesus and pretending to worship him. Now, we see the same romans terrified by what they’re seeing, the earthquake, the darkness that came over the land, and one centurion calls our, “Surely Jesus is the son of God!”

In conclusion today, I know if you were there that day you would say the same thing, "Jesus is the son of God, Jesus is the King." Yet we only have these words to tell us that Jesus really did die for us.

I understand that sometimes it's hard. We've never met Jesus face to face. We only have the words on the page and the sense of His presence within us. Sometimes it feels far away and difficult to understand. Yet somehow we know deep within: It's real. It's all real. 

Yet the question remains: Why? We all want to know why. Why am I here? What is the meaning of my life? Why is sin so bad? Why did Jesus have to die?

I know we get so lost in our own thoughts. We try to rationalize our sins, we try to hide them in our own minds. We try to ignore the problem. We even lash out at God and call him bad. We try philosophy, psychedelics, politics, social justice, post-modernism, self help psychology, new age ideology, anything to escape from our sins, to explain away our sins, to prove that our sins really don’t matter that much.

Set all that aside and simply confront your sins. See them. See how they are wrong. Face them, and then instead of running from them, trying to bury them in dirt, or put a pretty ribbon on them and call them good, instead, take them, carry them over to Jesus, and leave them at the foot of the cross. Jesus will forgive them all.

I know it’s hard. I know we want to look away. I know it makes us angry. I know we want to lash out. I know we want to use our mind to explain it all away…

But if you will reach out for Jesus right now, and even examine your own heart, and your own sins, you will see that everything written here is true. Jesus did die for you that day. As you turn toward Jesus, you will sense His love for you. And that what Jesus wants most, to be with you in love relationship. That is also the answer to the question of why…

Why did Jesus have to die?

For His love for you, he came on a rescue mission, to bring you back home to him, after you got lost in a dark, dark place. He saw you there in that dark dark place, and came riding into this world, for love, for a restored connection with you, that is why he had to die for you. And why he would do it all over again, to come and get you today.

He sent out an army to find you, in the middle of the darkest night. 

Did he die on the cross to tell you how bad you are? To make you feel bad? No. Does it take an admission of our sins to Him? Sure. But the real purpose was love. Jesus’ desire to have you with Him in heaven, in love relationship, forever.

Give your life to him. It's ironic, as a Christian, you understand completely how much Jesus loves you, the meaning of the cross becomes radically clear. But before we know Jesus, it feels blurry, far away, in a cold dark reality, that seems devoid of the love of God. That is the challenge, a challenge of faith. Will you dare to reach out in that cold, cold reality in which you live, toward a love that will cut through that darkness faster than the curtain ripped in the temple when Jesus was crucified? The darkness around the dead savior of the world, breaks to light beyond imagining bursting forth in our world as we call on Jesus name in faith, faith that He really loves us!

Let’s pray a prayer of surrender, and give our lives to Jesus Christ, who will forgive all of our sins.

Lord Jesus, we admit freely that we've sinned in numerous terrible ways. We don't hide it Jesus, we show it all to you. Here it is Jesus, all of it. We see you Jesus nailed to the cross, bleeding and dying, and we know you did it for us. You did it for me. I believe in you Lord Jesus Christ. I believe you are the savior I need, that your sacrifice is sufficient to pay off all my sin debt. And I believe you rose from the dead, you're a living savior. Thank you! I'm set free! I receive the gift of the Holy Spirit within to guide me always. I embrace God as my Heavenly Father. Thank you Lord Jesus for your amazing gift! I am born new of the Spirit. I repent of every sin in my life. I renounce the evil one and all his evil schemes. I embrace Christ in all things! In Jesus name, amen.

The Return of Jesus: A Shining Sun in our Christian Sky

When talking about a vision from God, we have to understand that we can't take it at the same level as scripture. It's a testimony, a vision, something we test against the word of God and prayer. But I sensed God asking me to share a bit of this testimony.

I had a vision from God when I was twenty years old. I was addicted to drugs, totally lost, and did not believe in God. Many were praying for me. So I believe God was giving me a warning. I saw myself seeing a bright shining glorious nexus, it was God’s presence and power and glory. And then I saw myself drifting from it. I had missed it. And I found myself in hell. I saw this in a vision from God. I was in hell. And I was being tormented. Yet even from hell I could see above the glory of God, everything I had missed. I had sinned. And I had lost everything.

I gave that testimony a few years ago, and shared it on a video online. And I watched it a few times, and I saw the way it was recorded, behind me was the big light in my kitchen, and it showed me as I watched the video, that I was now with the light, the light was with me, in me, and I now have the hope of salvation.

God had warned me that I was headed in the wrong direction. But praise God he has brought me to that bright shining light of hope and salvation.

We’re talking about the bright shining hope of every Christian who is alive today and every Christian who has ever lived. That is the return of Jesus Christ.

The world lives in the fear of death. I recall being afraid of death. I remember how empty it felt. I remember how scary it seemed. When you know that you’re really all alone, well, that’s terrifying.

But, we are not like the world. We have a great and powerful hope.

In 1st Thessalonians 4 it says in verse 13, “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.”

The scripture talks about those who sleep in death. This is a picture that Jesus gave us, when speaking about Lazarus. He said Lazarus is sleeping, but I will go and wake him up. His disciples were confused, they asked him what he meant. He said Lazarus is dead. But Jesus would raise him from the dead.

The word tells us not to grieve for the dead in Christ like the rest of the world. Because though the world doesn’t have hope, we have an eternal hope.

It’s bright and it’s shining, it’s strong and consistent, much like Earth’s sun. It shines day and night. Whether we see it or not, it keeps shining. At night it keeps shining. During the day it shines. We don’t worry that it will run out of fuel. We don’t worry that it won’t shine. It always shines. It burns brightly in space.

What is this eternal hope? It’s the Return of Jesus. He will come again. He will not leave us as orphans. He has gone to prepare a place for us. And he will return to bring us there. God doesn’t lie. If he says it, it’s true. You can take that to the bank.

In verse 14, “For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.”

We know for certain two key facts: One, Jesus died. He was crucified. Second, Jesus rose from the dead.

And Jesus will bring back those who died in Him.

Jesus said, “Lazarus, come out!” And Lazarus rose from the dead. Jesus spoke to Jairus’ daughter, she was dead, and then she was alive.

Since God made the universe, since he placed the sun burning at the center of our solar system, since he placed planet earth here, also, God is able to raise the dead and bring them back to life. One of my favorite Christian apologists Prof. Frank Turek often says, if God made the universe from nothing, is it really so hard for Him to raise Jesus from the dead? Not really. If God can make space, time, reality, and the human race, it can't be too hard for Him to raise Jesus from the dead. 

So when considering this bright shining hope that we cling to, this sun in our sky, of the return of Jesus, it includes a formula that we believe that Jesus died, and Jesus rose from the dead. Those facts, those historical truths are things we remember when considering the fate of the dead.

Next in verses 15-16 it says, “According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.”

Jesus promised to return again. And we know he will. The Lord himself will come down from heaven above, he will speak, a command, a trumpet blast will sound, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

There are all sorts of issues we could get into here. Don’t the dead in Christ immediately go to heaven? Do some wait in their graves? Or is it just their bodies being raised at this point but their souls were already with God? I don’t want to get into a lot of this. It’s enough for our purposes today to understand that the dead in Christ will live again, when Jesus returns.

Then, in verse 17 we see the rapture, “After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”

In other words, those who are alive when Jesus returns, will never die, they will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. We call this the rapture. The lucky people who are actually alive on Earth when Jesus returns will be changed as they are caught up in the air.

But here is where the controversy comes. Because the main event at the end of the book of Revelation is when Jesus Christ returns to Earth, with the saints, and defeats the anti-christ and sets up his millennial reign on Earth.

So some would say the rapture event is the same as the second coming of Jesus. But right here in 1st Thessalonians we see it says Jesus catches them up, takes them to heaven. But at the second coming Jesus is coming to Earth. So, some believe the rapture event is a separate event, where Jesus pulls the saints off the Earth, and takes them to heaven, before the great tribulation starts. And then, the saints come back with Jesus at the end of the tribulation, at the moment of the second coming, when Jesus returns to defeat the anti-christ.

The main question is simple, how can the saints be “going up” if Jesus is coming down? In this event in 1st Thessalonians, it appears that Jesus is appearing in the clouds, calling the saints up, and then going back up with them.

So then his second coming to Earth must be a separate event? Or is it just that the language is symbolic, and the saints being caught up, means they go up, are changed, and immediately they come back down again at the same event? It’s a debate in Christian circles.

But suffice to say, for us today, we know in general, that Jesus will raise the dead in Christ, and Jesus will also raise the alive in Christ. We are adding these elements to our understanding of the eternal hope we have after death.

Next it says in verse 18, “Therefore encourage one another with these words.”

Use this picture that God is creating, of the living hope, the bright shining Sun, to encourage each other that there is hope after death.

We’re going to continue into 1st Thessalonians 5, where it talks about the day of the Lord.

It says, “Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.”

Apparently, the church at Thessalonica had been wondering about dates and times for the day of the Lord, but, Paul writes to them telling them, it will come like a thief in the night.

What is the day of the Lord? Well, when speaking about the rapture, the catching up, it’s spoken of with excitement and joy. But, with the day of the Lord, it’s spoken of in scripture with warning, and intensity, and judgment.

The day of the Lord is spoken of numerous times in the scripture, as a day of judgment and retribution. Zechariah 14:1-3 speaks of Jerusalem being destroyed, and the Lord coming down and fighting against the nations that attacked Jerusalem.

In 2 Peter 3:10 it says, “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.”

So what do you think? Is the day of the Lord and the rapture the one in the same event? Or are they two separate events? I tend to believe they are separate events, that the rapture occurs, Jesus catches up the saints, the tribulation takes place, and the saints return with Jesus, at his second coming when he defeats the antichrist and sets up his millennial reign.

Others believe that the moment Jesus returns in the rapture, the saints are caught up, the anti-christ is destroyed, and the millennial reign begins then.

It’s what you call an “in family” debate. Christians debate it back and forth, and we agree that other views are acceptable within the Christian family. It’s in family. Now, a non in family debate would be whether Jesus is really the son of God. It’s not debatable in the family. If you don’t believe Jesus is the son of God, you aren’t a Christian, plain and simple.

In any case, it’s clear to me Paul is not trying to delineate here between the rapture and second coming and day of the Lord and everything else. He is making general statements to arm this church with the living hope, the sun in their sky, of the return of Jesus in general.

Yet Paul gives us further details, it says, 3-5, “While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.”

The Lord is explaining to us here that though the world will be surprised by everything that takes place, we will not be. We are not of the darkness. We do not walk in darkness. We wear the pendant of the son of God.

So think of this sun picture we’re putting together as a pendant that you wear on your chest, that reminds you everyday of the living hope you share in.

I’ve seen the horrors of destruction. I’ve seen the emptiness and despair of life without God. I’ve walked in pitch darkness. Now, I walk in the brightness, deep brightness surrounds me. I walk in the light as He is in the light. And the blood of Jesus cleanses me from every sin. You, saints, walk in the light as well, you are children of the light, and the light defines you. The light of God surrounds you. Like the sun over the morning fields in the farmlands of Shiawassee county, so the son Jesus shines over us each us day. Bright, steady, constant, firm, and true.

Yet Paul also gives us a warning, he says, “So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.”

Because Christians sometimes end up mirroring the ways of the world. That’s why we get reminders like these, be awake and sober. Focus in on Jesus. Stay active in your faith walk. Laser focus on the Lord. Be awake. Be alert.

Paul does this all the time in all his letters, he makes the statement essentially, “You are, so be.”

“You are this, so be this.” You are light in the Lord, so be light, be awake and alert.

Why? Because it’s incredibly common for our talk to not match our walk. Paul reminds me, make sure it does match more and more. It’s something I try to do in my life, doesn’t always work, but I’m growing. Match the two, walk and talk!

Paul continues along these lines, in verses 7-8, “For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.”

Many of us here once lived “the night life” of parties and drinking and deeds done in darkness. But not anymore. We belong to the day now. To the Lord now. So...

Put on faith and love as a breastplate, and hope of salvation as a helmet. Those three words remind me of something, 1st Corinthians 13, but these three remain: Faith, Hope, and Love, but the greatest of these is love.

As we wait for the return of Jesus we will need these three characteristics: Faith, Hope, and Love. One we will need faith, to trust God, that he really will do these things he’s promised. That’s faith. Second, we will need hope, hope encourages us to be excited about what Jesus will do when he returns. Hope is powerful. It stirs us to not give up. Hope is the key of this whole formula of life after death. It’s hope. But also, love, love binds it all together, faith, with hope, with love as well. Love means to love God, love others, and love His coming. With these three we cannot fail.

Lastly, in verses 9-11, “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”

Verse 9 is sometimes pulled out of context to imply some intense form of predestination. But that isn’t actually what it’s saying. In it’s context, it’s contrasting for the Thessalonian Christians the day of the Lord with the rapture event. It’s saying, you are appointed, you have an appointment to keep, for salvation in Christ, while many yes have another appointment they are headed toward, to wrath, unfortunately.

I like also that Paul writes in verse 10, Jesus died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him. That’s the goal. To live with Jesus with all the saints in paradise. I think Paul is also hinting, that it’s OK to literally sleep at night. He was using a metaphor for staying awake. But it’s still ok to sleep at night. Thankfully.

He's also of course saying, whether a Christian is right now dead, or right now alive, when Jesus returns, we will all be together again, alive and well.

And in verse 11, use all this to encourage each other as Christians and build each other up. And he’s pleased to see the Thessalonians are already doing that. Praise the Lord.

In conclusion brothers and sisters, this sun shining in our Christian skies, in each of our lives, is shining in the end with the radiance of eternal hope, which is our salvation. Glowing from the center of this moment, the return of Jesus, glows with radiance. It’s your salvation. The day of your salvation.

So return again and again to look at this hope. Look at it again and again. Encourage yourself with it. Jesus will return. Jesus will make all things new. Jesus will bring us to a new heavens and new earth.

Keep that in the sky of your mind as your live your life, just as the sun shines over the Earth, let the thought of the return of Jesus shine over your life, as a firm, fixed, powerful, and ever-present hope.

As firm and powerful Earth’s sun is, the return of Jesus is even more certain than the sun in the sky each day. It’s a fact, it will happen, and when it does, everything will change for us. Hallelujah. Come Lord Jesus!

Let’s Review Our Main Points Today:

1. We have an eternal hope to look to: The Return of Jesus

2. Jesus died and rose again (so he can do the same for us)

3. The dead in Christ will rise to life

4. Those living at the time of Jesus coming will rise to life

5. Encourage each other with the hope of life after death

6. The Rapture references the rising of the saints

7. The Day of the Lord references the judgment of God on the inhabitants of Earth

8. We are children of the day, so be awake and sober

9. Put on faith, hope and love as armor and helmet

10. The return of Jesus is the radiance of joy in your life, your salvation

The Infinite Worth of Christ: And your worth in Him

Have you ever ridden the Polar Express? One of the key attractions for the city of Owosso, Michigan is the North Pole express train, it’s a train known of across the country, even around the world, as the Christmas train. To ride the train brings back memories of a different time in our country. Trains often bring a sense of awe and mystery.

It brings to mind past memories I’m sure of earlier eras in American society. It brings to mind movies, and it brings to mind the spirit of Christmas.

Why is it so important? Why do people pay so much to ride the train? Because in their minds they’ve ascribed a high value to that experience.

They’ve decided in their mind and heart that it matters greatly to them, to do that.

Similarly, two of our bell ringers have been dressing up as the Grinch this year. And people also ascribe value to that as well, dozens of people have been very excited, wanting pictures with the Grinch around town, telling friends, and donating money just for the opportunity.

Again, why? They’ve ascribed in their mind value to that experience.

It’s very interesting to me, to observe as a pastor, a Christian, what people ascribe value to in society.

What I valued before I became a Christian was movies, videogames, parties, television, drinking, and I would get excited when I thought I might meet a pretty girl. I ascribed little to no value to things like faith, church, Jesus, the Bible, or Christmas.

But after becoming a Christian, what I value has completely flipped. Now I value Jesus and the Bible and attending church at the top of my list of what matters most in my life.

I changed what I ascribe value to in my life. And that will be our challenge for today I think, to begin to change what we value in life, to make sure it lines up with what God’s word says.

Recall our foundation scripture for God's entry into Earth: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.“ -John 1:14

That is what we want to ascribe value to in our minds and hearts, the fact that Jesus Christ came in human form, full of grace and truth.

We’re going to be exploring two broad concepts, worth and worship. So through the message we’re going to bounce between those two concepts, and what they mean for us as Christians.

What is your worth? Why do we struggle to value ourselves? And we’ll also see the danger of over-valuing ourselves.

Also, why do we struggle to ascribe proper value to Christ? A concluding theme is worship, and we’ll see how our view of the worth of Christ will be linked to our worship of Christ.

All of this I want to place on the backdrop of the visit of the magi to the new born Jesus, two thousand years ago.

What does it mean when we call something worthy? To answer this question I had to turn to a work by a man named Noah Webster, who felt God had called him to write a dictionary. When I question what a word means, I like to look at his original work, the 1828 Webster’s dictionary.

And for worthy we find this definition: WORTHY, adjective

1. Deserving; such as merits; having worth or excellence; equivalent; with of, before the thing deserved. She has married a man worthy of her.

2. Possessing worth or excellence of qualities; virtuous; estimable; as a worthy citizen; a worthy magistrate.

3. Suitable; having qualities suited to; either in a good or bad sense; equal in value; as flowers worthy of paradise.

4. Suitable to any thing bad.

5. Deserving of ill; as things worthy of stripes. Luke 12:48.

Point 1: Seeing your Worth

I need to allow myself to see my worth in Christ. That if I’ve put on Christ as Lord, as my savior, and I’ve been born again, I have great value in the sight of God. I have an identity rooted in Christ.

Can you see your own worth? For some of you that’s very easy. You see your worth. Many people see their worth and value. Sometimes too much. They think too highly of themselves. For you, keep that worth in check. Make sure it doesn’t become pride.

Some of you have a hard time seeing your own worth. You tend always view yourself as unworthy. Unworthy of God. Unworthy of love. Unworthy of even basic kindness from others. The world has taught you that you don’t have value. But the world lied to you.

And God speaks truth. Train yourself to read and reread the scriptures which speak of your value in Christ. Read those scriptures and embrace them saying yes, this is talking about me, I’m this in Christ.

A scripture which reveals this truth is found in 2nd Peter 2:7,9-11 which says:

"To you who believe and depend on Him, He is precious... But you are a chosen people, set aside to be a royal order of priests, a holy nation, God’s own; so that you may proclaim the wondrous acts of the One who called you out of inky darkness into shimmering light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received it.

Beloved, remember you don’t belong in this world. You are resident aliens living in exile, so resist those desires of the flesh that battle against the soul." -1 Peter 2:7,9-11 (VOICE)

The plain fact is this: If you have indeed received Jesus Christ as savior, you have entered a state in which you are entirely worthy of God’s love. That’s a scandalous statement for some. But it’s true. Christ has made you perfect with His blood. That’s not of ourselves, it’s of Him. But if he’s made you that, then you need to understand you are now adopted as a child, and thus entirely worthy of God’s love right now. If you will believe that, you’ll be able to receive that love freely.

Point 2: Seeing Christ’s Worth
Next, we consider something even more important than seeing your own worth. It’s seeing the all encompassing worthiness of Christ Jesus.

We can know this in our mind. We can know the theology. But can it go from head to heart? Do we know it, or do we really know it?

Often in the psalms we’re commanded to “ascribe to God…” this or that, to ascribe to God glory, honor, praise, goodness, faithfulness.

The meaning of that, is the psalmist is telling you to write it on your heart, to believe it in your heart, and set that standard in your soul, that Christ is… worthy. Christ has high value. Set that in your soul and believe it.

The wise men understood this idea that Christ was and is of great value. That’s why they left the east on a mission to discover the birth of a messiah.

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” -Matthew 2:1-2

The magi set out, not even knowing for sure what was happening, but they went, seeking after God. They weren’t Jews. But they knew God was calling them to something special. They valued God’s messiah so incredibly greatly. That's special. That's rare.

Some of you don’t value Christ like you should. You’ve set the value in your mind as low, or medium, and I need you to turn that thermostat up to high. I need you take the value in your mind from 10 to 10,000.

Over our lifetimes, I think, if we’re doing it right, it will be like a ladder, or staircase, going upward. As we learn more and more about Jesus, and as we pray, and read his word more and more, we will ascribe to Christ higher and higher values.

We will reverence Christ as holy. We will think of God as perfect. We will be amazed at the love of Christ. We will value Christ more than gold. We will value Christ more than our 401k, more than our politics, more than nice cars or music or social media, or marriage or family. 

Slowly over time we'll learn to esteem Jesus Christ more and more highly in our hearts. And as we do that, over the years, and decades, we’ll be seeing Christ more and more as he truly is. It’s a stairway leading upward, to seeing Christ as King of the universe. 

That is our future, our destiny. We've been predestined for adoption to sonship. But not everyone will want to worship Christ. Many will resist him. And even try to stop his coming. Many in our world desire that Jesus would never return. They want power. They want to control the world. But their kingdoms will all submit to Christ one day. It was the same when Jesus came the first time. We see that with King Herod, when he heard the news of the magi coming to Jerusalem. Herod is greatly troubled. 

It says in Matthew 2:3-6: “When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.”

Then Herod meets secretly with the Magi. It says next... 

"Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” -Matthew 2:7-8

King Herod tries to set up the Magi, to find the messiah, and then report it back to him, so he could cause trouble. The magi are honest seekers. They simply want the truth. But Herod is not an honest broker. He has an agenda he brings to the whole situation.

Similarly in our day and age we find false teachers in the world today, they bring their own agenda to the Bible, they bring their own agenda to the body of Christ, and they teach false doctrines. They teach that Christ encourages sin. They teach that we can’t really trust certain parts of God’s word, like the parts about biblical marriage, or parts about what sin is, and they twist the word of God, to claim that Christ would encourage sinful lifestyles if he were alive today. They don’t reverence Christ in their hearts. They reverence their own opinions, their ideologies and they want to be liked by the masses. They want to be liked by the cameras and the media.

We must always resist a view of Jesus that whitewashes all the scriptures about sin, and heaven and hell, and turns Jesus into something different. That’s a different Jesus. A Jesus who teaches niceness, not truth. A Jesus who teaches inclusion of sin not biblical repentance, a Jesus who teaches popularity, not taking a stand for difficult truths. Our Jesus, the real Jesus, the Jesus of the Bible, is the only Jesus I will ever worship, I will not worship the mass marketed jesus of the culture who is no Jesus at all, but an idol of popular culture and modern outrage politics.

Point 3: Worth turns to Worship
As we value Jesus more and more, we find ourselves increasingly in a place of being set apart for special use. We find ourselves in a “silent night” of sorts. We find ourselves in a place of reverence for God. That’s when purity takes over. The purity of Christ overwhelms us. His presence, his holy love takes over, and the whole environment changes. That perfect purity of Christ, I strive to walk in step with that. To really live that. 

We have that now. We have to remember, and yet we also strive toward it. Justification and sanctification. We have it now, perfect in Christ, yet he’s conforming us in his likeness. Sometimes we backslide, sometimes we draw nearer, sometimes we sin and repent, yet we keep walking in the faith, in it now ,yet seeking Him still. That’s the lifestyle of the true Christian I think, a lifestyle of worship…

We walk in faith, having the promise, yet we strive for more of Christ, and to leave behind more of sin and the world each day, repenting anew, turning again, believing by faith, and at the same time living out our faith by works of goodness, faith without works being dead, bouncing between resting faith in Christ, and dutifully serving Him in our works.

In all that, the value we have for Christ, turns into worship. And it was the same for the wise men…

“After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.” -Matthew 2:9-12

The wise men believed by faith and walked by faith following the star.

We too believe in Jesus by faith, and walk by faith in Christ

The star we follow now is the leading of the Holy Spirit within us. That start of the Holy Spirit leads us forward each day where he wants us next.

And in all that like the wise men we find Jesus more and more and we worship Him. We worship Him by faith.

Yet we live out our faith by our works, by bringing our gifts to God, like the wise men brought gold, frankincense and myrrh. We bring our gifts to God, evangelism, discipleship, meeting needs, feeding people, giving people rides, visiting those in sorrow, and so on and so forth.

It all fits together just right.

Challenge: Do you know your worth in Christ? Do you know Christ’s great worth? Does your heart overflow with worship?

Review:
1. Your value is great – valued by God
2. Christ’s value is greater – infinitely great
3. Seeing Christ and ourselves in Christ, worth turns to worship of Christ – worship is our destiny

Jesus is our King Right Now: Is Jesus King of your Life?

What does it mean for one to be a King? It is to be unchallenged leader of a nation, or group of nations. There have been many kings and presidents and prime ministers and dictators and leaders on planet Earth. Many have longed for that position, and done anything to get power over civilizations.

Thinking of one of the great leaders of history George Washington, he knew the importance of submission to God, when it came to power.

He said, in his thanksgiving proclamation so long ago…

Washington knew how important it was for those in power and indeed all free people to acknowledge and humbly submit to God.

Many empires and kingdoms and nations have been founded through power and violence and force. Think of great conquerors like Napoleon Boneparte. Here’s what Napoleon had to say about Jesus, the great king of the earth.

He said…

That’s how Jesus won our hearts, through His love and goodness. He is the perfect king. The king who makes you smile because he always does what’s right. He conquers our hearts through love. And right now many of us here would literally die for him. That’s an amazing thing.

Imagine if all we Christians stood together for our savior. Unfortunately the enemy often keeps us divided.

But perhaps we can learn from the words of John Wesley:

"Would to God that all names, and unscriptural phrases and forms, which have divided the Christian world, were forgot; and that we might all agree to sit down together, as humble, loving disciples, at the feet of our common Master, to hear his word, to absorb his Spirit, and to transcribe his life in our own!"

Advent beckons all who consider themselves Christians—to come to the stable and there fall on our knees, yielding our allegiance, our hearts, and our will to the newborn King. That will be our purpose today, to come together at the feet of the Master, Jesus, and to learn from Him.

What is the incarnation? The incarnation describes the concept that God became a human being, that Jesus the son of God was born as a human being.

Martin Luther said about the incarnation…

"The mystery of the humanity of Christ, that He sunk Himself into our flesh, is beyond all human understanding." -Martin Luther, Table Talk.

John wrote about it in John 1:14. Which says in the NIV: 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Jesus is the King of every nation on planet Earth. He's king right now. 

Point 1: Jesus is King (right now)

When we talk about Jesus being King, it’s easy to think that yes, Jesus will be king one day. When he returns at his second coming he will be king. When the kingdom of God comes, Jesus will be king. But that’s not quite right. Those things are true.But, right at this moment, Jesus is king,

Though most on planet earth don’t acknowledge that, they are in fact rebels against the true king. We true Christians, do currently, right now, have Jesus as our king. Period. He is the king, right now, not later, right now!

Point 2: Jesus is our King (Community)

Luke 1:26-33 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

His kingdom will never end. He will be enthroned over all. It says this in Isaiah as well, a prophecy about the coming of Jesus, from Isaiah 9:6-7

6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.”

So we ought to follow the leading and guidance of Jesus Christ our King, as a community. That’s why we gather together on Sundays to worship God together. That’s why we gather with other churches and worship Jesus. That’s why we as a nation, ought to worship God together. That’s why the body of Christ, the church, should work together to help people in our community and spread the gospel.

But it’s easy enough to say the community should worship Jesus, though most do not. Jesus is the perfect King. He’s the perfect leader.

And he’s not just for Americans, or for one nation, or just for Israel, or just for India or Rome or any one particular group, but for all peoples, of all nations.

His incarnation was and is for the redemption of the whole world. Do you understand why we celebrate? He is the perfect true leader who can bring together people from all nations, all those willing to repent of their sins and put their faith in Him.

No wonder Herod, the roman leader, was threatened. No wonder that Rome was threatened at the spread of the gospel 30 years later. They were still threatened because they were all vying for power and control against the One who already had all of the power and control. Jesus is THE King! Is Jesus YOUR King? Or are you still vying for power and control? Trying to manipulate events to your personal desire? Let it all go. Drop the control. Let Jesus be King. He’s the only one qualified.

So fair enough, we see Jesus is king of the world, for all who will believe. Easy enough to say it’s about community. But let’s make it more personal, what about you?

Point 3: Jesus is my King (personal level)

Is Jesus the King of your heart, mind, and life, or have you put yourself (or maybe something else) on the throne of your heart? 

When you pray, do you pray as Jesus taught us in Matthew 6:10, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done”? Or really, are your prayers more in the line of “My kingdom come, my will be done”?

This is where the rubber meets the road. I’ve talked to enough people. Even people who go to church regularly. And often when you really get down to it, they come to church, they even read their bible and pray, but they don’t really allow Jesus to be king of their life. They are their own god. And when it comes down to it, they do what they want ot do, and no one is going to stop them from doing what they want to do.

And that is not a Christian. That is someone playing church. Period. They are not on their way to heaven, because they don’t really know Jesus. He isn’t their lord. They are their own lord.

Is Jesus your King? This is what Christmas and this advent season is all about: recognizing, remembering, and reorienting your life to your King. And when we do, something beautiful happens.

Luke 1:32-38 “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”

38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

Remember that promise from verse 37: “For nothing is impossible with God” (NRSV). And second, look at Mary’s response in verse 38: “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Mary’s response to God’s will—to God’s kingdom come in flesh and blood to Earth—was recognizing herself in relationship to the Lord and responding with obedience. Maybe the response you need to have to Jesus our King today is vs. 38. Put yourself in that verse. Can you say, “I am the Lord’s servant! Lord, what are you asking me to do?” May it be so.

First, Submit to God, Lord, I’m your servant. Say it with me, Lord, I’m your servant.

Second, ask him, again and again in prayer, What is your will? What are you asking me to do today? Lord, I have this idea, is it your will? Lord, this job, this person, this relationship, this house, what’s right Lord? And God will lead you.

So again, reflect within yourself, for the challenge today…

Challenge: Is Jesus the King of your heart? Embrace a new allegiance to Christ, an allegiance that goes beyond mere words, but flows into your actions and how you plan your future. 

The lights, the traditions, the reminders of Christmas all around us are beautiful symbols of who God is, but none of the symbols or the celebrations can replace the One who wants to be in relationship with you. Jesus deserves your allegiance.

Too many people separate their spiritual lives from their everyday living lives. What do you think might happen if we started living in a way that showed our allegiance to Jesus, instead of…well...ourselves?

Let me remind you that Jesus is more than a story. He is the only One who truly has dominion, and power, and authority. Will you worship Him?

Jesus is the One, True King who deserves our allegiance.

So in the end what does all this mean? It’s easy enough to say “Jesus is king. Jesus is our king. Jesus is my king. But the test will come with how you live your life. Whose running the show? Is it you or is it God? Do you check your decisions with God? Do you pray about the big decisions first?

Are you really led by the Spirit of God? Or are you doing your own thing? Jesus said not everyone who says to me Lord lord will enter eternal life, but only those who do the will of my father in heaven.

So I think it’s fair to say, one who is truly made Jesus king of their life is practically led by Jesus through life on a daily basis. They truly have Jesus as king of their heart and life. That’s how you’ll know, if you really have made Jesus king. You’ll be a servant like Mary, a servant of God, who obeys God’s leading in your life.

Otherwise you’ll simply do whatever you want, and if that’s you, then saying Jesus is king is just words. It’s not really true. But, if you really let God lead your life, then Jesus is your king, and you belong to Him.

That’s the difference. Maybve you need to to resubmit your will to God today, and say God, take over, I don’t want to be in control of my own life, I need you to run my life and guide it all. Come and pray and name him king of your life once again, or for the first time, and watch what he does with it!

So to review:

1. Jesus is King right now - in heaven (and over every true Christian on alive Earth)

2. Jesus is our King – as a community we are called to obey Jesus’ leading

3. Jesus is my King – individually we must make Jesus King of our lives

"Praise Him for the incarnation,
for the word made flesh.
Tonight I will sing praise to the Father
who stood on heaven's threshold
and said farewell to his Son
as he stepped across the stars
to Bethlehem and Jerusalem.
And I will sing praise to the infinite, eternal Son,
who became most finite, a baby
who would one day be executed for my crime.
Praise him in the heavens,
Praise him in the stable,
Praise him in my heart." -Joseph Bayly.

Sources:

-Includes quotes and references from materials associated with Incarnation by Adam Hamilton