Rescue - Part 1 "Ready for Rescue" Exodus 1-12

I have heard so many say that they were not ready to be rescued until they hit rock bottom. I am not absolutely sure why this happens but I suppose there have been times in my life when I really was not ready to be made healthy. Perhaps I had lessons to learn by being in a mess. We have all been in messes but I would assume that sooner or later we would want to be rescued. So how do we get ready for rescue?

Being ready for rescue is a willingness towards obedience and faithfulness. As we look at the period of history most commonly known as the time if the exodus we can learn several ways to prepared ourselves for the freedom that comes from being rescued by God through others. First, I belive that we should recognize that oue mess has become unbearable. That it what the Israelites felt in Exodus chapter one. Here that had experienced population explosion and not everyone was thrilled at the rate by which God was blessing them. One of those not so thrilled was the Pharaoh who oppressed them greatly (Ex. 1)

A few things that we can learn from this begin with the fact that problems can become unbearable when others mistreat us as God is blessing us. This helps us understand that the existence of problems does not mean an absence of God. These types of problems are not because we have not anything wrong, but they become unbearable none the less. It is at those point when we must put our hope in the reality that God hears us as He heard the Israelites.

This leads us to our second thought on being ready for rescue. Believe that God will send a rescuer. The Israelites need a rescuer and God was raising up Moses for the job. Moses went through unimaginable difficulties as God matured him for his role in the work of God (Exodus 2-4). The account in these few chapters, reveal to us the reality that those God uses to help others often move through unimaginable difficulties themselves. These soon to be rescuers often have made huge mistakes. How they rebound from these mistakes through a willing to be used of God makes all the difference. This is what Moses did at his calling.

As God connects us with those He intends to use in our lives, we must realize that there may be moments when all is in the balance. This was true as Moses confronts Pharaoh in Exodus 5:1–11:10.  At this point in the story everything was at stake and God was working through Moses. For the majority of this account, things did not seem to be going very well at all. We even read of God hardening the heart of Pharaoh which seems to be counter-productive to what He had called Moses to do. Do you ever feel like God is working against what He called you to do? From this we learn that faithfulness is required as God works the hearts of those who don’t believe in Him.

Finally, in order to prepare ourselves to be rescued, we need to accept our invitation to participate. In Exodus 12 we see God requiring participation from the Israelites.  This participation in our own rescue is not without difficulty and faithfulness. Knowing that our rescue will positively affect the future generations of our families, will propel us to action.  The bottom line is, if you are not moving forward check your level of obedience and faithfulness to God’s process. As you prepare for your rescue, you may be becoming someone’s Moses.

The Path to Knowing

The Path to Knowing

As Seen in the Life if Thomas

Introduction:

Just because I believe something does not make it true even if I can justify it. Think about a time when you really believed something to be true. You had reasons why you believed it, but it turned out to the false all along. The disciple named Thomas was a very courageous man who believed that Jesus was dead and had justified reasons for believing so, but he turned out to be wrong. For a period of eight days Thomas believed that Jesus was dead, when in fact Jesus had risen from the dead. For eight days Jesus had been raised from the dead and Thomas did not know it. When Thomas came to know that Jesus had in fact raised from the dead, it changed His entire life. We have a natural need for knowledge. We were created to know and be known by God. Many believe that we can’t really know anything but must live based upon our own opinions. This belief leads to a society of chaos and regret.

What does it mean to know something? Knowledge is a justified true belief.  The difference between knowledge and opinion is justification. However, our justification must be based upon actual truth or we really don’t have knowledge. With this in mind, we should consider two types of reasoning that form the majority of what we believe. Inductive reasoning is belief based upon observation. In other words, we form our beliefs based upon what we see in the world. Deductive reasoning starts with a belief and through that belief we interpret what we see in the world.

So how are you forming your conclusions about the truth claims of Christianity? I would thank that we use both types of reason being discussed here. This message looks into how the Apostle Thomas came to believe that Jesus was in fact resurrected from the dead. By looking at this account we come to see how the path to knowing is one that requires courage and commitments.

Main Point: The path to knowledge is one of courage and commitment.

1.     Why I would rather travel a path than a road.

a.     A path is followed very slowly, while a road can be driven down at a high rate of speed.

b.     A path is contemplative while a road can simple be passed along.

c.     I can stop on a path without fear of being run over.

2.     Courage and commitment to go were the truth leads. John 11:1-17

3.     Courage and commitment to ask the difficult questions. John 14:1-6

4.     Courage and commitment to trust the evidence. John 20:24-29

Personal Challenge: Seek the comfort of truth rather that the delusion of you own opinion.

Resonsibily Well: What is Your Responsibility in Getting Well?

Responsibly Well

John 5:1-17

1After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.2Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic^a called Bethesda,^b which has five roofed colonnades. 3In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed.^c 5One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” 7The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” 8Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” 9And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. Now that day was the Sabbath. 10So the Jews^d said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed.” 11But he answered them, “The man who healed me, that man said to me, ‘Take up your bed, and walk.’” 12They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” 13Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. 14Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” 15The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him. 16And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. 17But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” (ESV)

 

I have heard it said that if something good takes place then it was God Who acted, but if something negative occurs than the I did it or even worse the Devil is responsible. I must admit that I don’t always know who is responsible for what takes place in my life or the world around me, but I do know that I am not left without responsibility either in the good or the bad. I terms of the miraculous, I don’t believe that I have ever passively experienced one. I don’t doubt the existence of miracles but by definition I understand them to be rare and when God performs one He expects the participation of His people.  

What we need to understand from miracle stories is that God, when He performs them, gives us a responsibility. And though our view of the immediate need is the biggest concern, God is always doing so much more. The specific miracles within the New Testament miracle stories were not the point of the story. Miracle stories display the following:

1.     God was at work in Jesus.

2.     Jesus’ benevolent concern for all life both physical and spiritual.

3.     How people respond to Jesus.

The main point of this post is that we have a responsibility in getting well. Please consider the following thought in accordance with the corresponding verses.

1.     Stop making excuses. V. 1-7

2.     Act on the words of Jesus.8-9

3.     Move away from religiosity. 10-13

4.     Don’t repeat your sin. 14

5.     Work with Jesus.15-18

With the above in mind, how will you answer Jesus' question, “do you want to be healed”? What responsibility must you accept?

Taking Jesus at His Word - John 4:43-54

When I was growing up, my two sisters and I would often seal our promises with the words, "cross my heart and hope to die, stick a needle in my eye." Though we said this many times and did not keep all the promises that the words were supposed to seal, I am glad to say that my sisters and I still have good eyesight and have not died. Such words are a testimony that we really struggle to take people at their word. We are jaded by broken promises and unfulfilled expectations.

As we think about the promises of God and the trustworthiness of His word we are confronted by the same issues of trust. We want a something tangible that will assure us that God is true to His word. This issues is present in John 4:43-54 as Jesus leaves the Samaritan city in which revival broke out through His encounter with the woman at the well. Here we see a certain nobleman for the palace of Herod seeking the help of Jesus because his son was dying. As this man requested that Jesus come personally and heal his son, Jesus says something that at first glance appears harsh and rude, when is says they would not believe unless they see a sign. I don't believe the man cared much for what other people needed or what Jesus was trying to get teach. He simply wanted his son to live.

Jesus, instead of physically going to heal the man's son, simply stated that the boy would be well and the man would have to make a days journey with no sign at all or the comfort of having Jesus directly with him. He needed to take Jesus at His word. By doing so he is an example of what means to have to trust Jesus when all we have is a promise. With the remainder of this post, I hope to encourage you to take Jesus at His word.

If we are going to do this, we need to believe in the power of His word as described in Hebrews 1:3 as the author states, "3 The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” The word of Jesus is sustaining our very lives. If your life seems out of control perhaps you have been attempting to sustain it on your own.
 

To take Jesus at His word is also important because of its authority: John 12:47b-48 In John 12:47-48 we read, "As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it. 48 There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my word; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day." Here Jesus point out the fact that His word is the authority by which people will be judged. Jesus came save and He does so as we put out trust in Him. I believe that Jesus is speaking directly to His word as His promises to save and declarations of His identity as our redeemer.

It may also be said that by taking Jesus Because moves our faith from partial to mature. Notice in our main text that when the man requested that Jesus come with Him to heal is son, he was displaying a basic faith in the fact that Jesus was a healer. By the end of the text, he and his household believe in the person of Jesus not just His ability to heal. This is a sign of maturing faith.

         

 

If we are to experience the growth in faith that comes from taking Jesus at His word we must act on His word prior to seeing any evidence or reason to do so. It may appear as though I am promoting blind faith, but I am not. Jesus has already done enough to call us to this challenge. He lived in perfect character and wisdom as well as returning from the dead. Now it is our turn to move. As we do, our faith will become settled in our souls and others will come to faith as well.    

Approaching God

I did not come to God on my own terms and neither can I bring others to him on my or their own terms. I must come to Him on His terms and in His prescribed method. I can see this as harsh and restrictive, or I can see this as being humble, respectful, and honoring.

We have all have made the mistake of being flippant or fearful when approaching God and do the same when bringing people to Him. It seems that we swing back and forth from flippancy to fear and sermons can be heard on both extremes. These extremes are the cause of many staying away from God altogether.  The narrative commonly known as, "The Woman at the Well", in John chapter 4 helps us understand how Jesus defined the appropriate approach to God. As you read the narrative please keep in mind the the manner in which God called His people to approach Him was temporary. The Old Testament method of worship was to prepare a people to be used of God to bring about the Messiah. Once Jesus came, the whole method of approach changed because it was fulfilled in Him. 

The Jews of Jesus day that rejected Him as Messiah would never had recognized this change and neither would the Samaritans who were rejected by the Jews because of their mixed racial heritage. Thus when Jesus speaks to the Samaritan woman, He is defining our approach to God.

1. Jesus defines who can be accepted by God.

In Jesus day Samaritans where told that they were not welcome in Jerusalem and thus could not approach God in the Temple. They were a rejected people but Jesus explained that Jerusalem nor the temple were the means by which to approach God. He explained that all who would worship Him in spirit and truth were welcome and that God was searching for such worshipers. This clears up the notion of geographic location or national heritage keeps people from approaching God. 

We can also notice here how Jesus invites all to approach God. First, by offering His Spirit which is the only way in which we can come to God. He then reveals the truth about our personal sin which fulfills the promises of God that the Messiah will reveal all things. Lastly Jesus invites us to approach God by revealing that He Himself is the fulfillment of the all of the promises of God. 

 

2.   Jesus defines what it means to approach God in worship. 

Here Jesus disposes the woman's excuse for not worshiping God and continuing to live in a sinful life-style. He speaks of approaching God in spirit and truth. By saying that we are to worship God in spirit, Jesus is explaining that there are not geographic or physical boundaries that would keep us from worship. Again I remind you that the Old Testament method for worship was to form a distinct nation that would then open the door for all to come to God in spirit and truth through the Messiah Jesus. Worship is not concerned with externals, but the inner person is the place of worship. 

When Jesus speaks of worshiping God in truth, He is clearing up all the misconceptions based upon the traditions of men based upon a wrong understanding of the commands of God. Each generation of Christians from the first century forward had its hang up concerning style and methodology. May we ever mistake these for worshiping in truth. 

3. Jesus defines what it means to bring people into relationship with Him.

As the disciples returned from their trip to purchase food, they encountered Jesus speaking with the Samaritan woman. To their surprise many of that city would begin to follow Jesus based upon the witness of the woman but more importantly their own encounter with Jesus. This teaching us that our witness can only go so far in bringing people into relationship with Jesus. We can make them curious, but only Jesus can truly convince people to follow Him. 

In conclusion, I wish to give you thought to consider. Consider your own misconceptions on approaching God and bringing people to Him. We must cast off the arrogance that demands God to accept any approach. Many say that it is arrogant for the Christian to believe that Jesus is the only way to God. I believe that it is not arrogant at all because it simply means that we have humbled ourselves to the point of coming to Him as we has called us. We cannot approach God however we deem appropriate. 

 

   

The Worst Advice in the World

Each year is filled with messages. Emails, texts, instant messages, phone calls, Facebook posts, instagrahams, and tweets ring of the same advice. At times this advice is nearly impossible to ignore. The advice that I am referring to is, "follow your heart". How you choose to respond to this advice will determine the course and quality of your life. Why is this the worst advice in the world? To begin understanding this question read the passage below.

Read 1 John 3:19-23 (ESV)

19 By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him;

20 for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.

21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God;

22 and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.

23 And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.

Based upon this passage I would suggest ignoring the worst advice in the world by listening to God, not your heart. When the Bible refers to your heart it speaks about your thoughts, emotions and desires. Please consider the following reasons why I am suggesting this. 

1.   Our hearts need reassurance that we are in the truth. V. 19

2.   Our hearts will condemn us. V.20

3.   God is greater than our hearts and He knows everything. V.20

4.   An uncondemned heart has confidence before God. V.21

5.   Confidence before God is lived out by keeping His commandments of believing in Jesus and loving others. V.22-23

You may find it very difficult to reject the worst advice in the world because of your heart's power to hinder you with condemnation. What you need to understand is that you can always get up again. Consider Proverbs 24:16, "for the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity." I want to highlight the fact that this verse speaks of the righteous fall completely. Our heart tell us that if we fall then we must not really be a Christian. The truth is, the righteous fall. In fact people who do well in life are those who know how to get up even when their hearts condemn them. Also consider the following two verses from the New Testament. 

Romans 5:19 ESV 19 For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous.

1 Peter 3:18 ESV 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,

After reading this I prayerfully home that you agree that we cannot follow or give the worst advice in all humanity.