Recovering the Greatness of Christ’s Commission
TITLE: Recovering the Greatness of Christ’s Commission SCRIPTURE: Matthew 28:16-20 Quote Slide (centered): OUR MISSION “To glorify God by the fulfillment of the Great Commission in the spirit of the Great Commandment.” New Slide: BIG IDEA: We greatly underestimate the greatness of the Great Commission Sermon Points We must recover the conviction that Jesus Christ sends us as his ambassadors with 1. His Divine Power | He has ALL Authority (v.18) 1A. A Present Reality Scripture Slide: “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him [the Son of Man] was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.” (Daniel 7:13-14) 1B. A Pervasive Reality Quote Slide: “Who can fathom this brief utterance of Jesus? The kingly authority of Jesus embraces heaven, all that lives and has its being there, angels and archangels, powers, principalities, might, dominion, thrones, and the saints in glory. This authority is exercised also over the evil spirit world, whose prince is conquered and despoiled, and whose hosts lie in abject submission beneath Jesus’ feet. All the powers of heaven are in his hand to do his bidding without question or pause. This the disciples are to realize as Jesus sends them forth. Never did a human army have such resources behind it. All the earth is also subject to him, its inhabitants, both friend and foe, and all the powers that are in the earth.” (R.H. Lenski) 2. To Accomplish His Purpose | Make Disciples of ALL Nations (v.19a) Quote Slide: “The life of a disciple is different because of his attachment to Jesus. The Master is not giving a command that will merely secure nominal adherence to a group, but one that will secure wholehearted commitment to a person.” (Leon Morris) Quote Slide: “His "all authority" over "all the nations" demands we preach His crown rights over all men and all their institutions, cultures, societies, and nations. The saving of multitudes of individuals must eventually lead to cultural Christianization under Christ's rule and to His glory by His providence, in conformity with God's creational purpose.” (Kenneth Gentry) 3. According to His Plan | Baptizing and Teaching Obedience to ALL His Commands (v.19b-20a) Quote Slide: “A piety which concerns itself only with man’s soul and leaves the world to the devil is a profane piety.” (R.J. Rushdoony) Expectations of the Kingdom Growth The Mustard Seed (Matt. 13:31-32) The Leaven (Matt. 13:33-34) Mixed responses Parable of the Sower (Matt 13:1-23) Weeds and Wheat (Matt. 13:24-30) The Net (Matt. 13:47-50) Joy Hidden Treasure (Matt. 13:44) Pearl of Great Price (Matt. 13:45-46) Rewards for Faithfulness & Increase Faithful & Wicked Servant (Matt. 24:45-51) Talents (Matt. 25:14-30) 4. With the Promise of His Presence | He will be with us ALWAYS! (v.20b) Quote Slide: “The God of Israel, the Saviour, is sometimes a God that hideth himself (Isa. 45:15), but never a God that absenteth himself; sometimes in the dark, but never at a distance.” (Matthew Henry) New Slide: We must recover the conviction that Jesus Christ sends us as his ambassadors with His Divine Power to accomplish His Purpose according to His Plan with the Promise of His Presence.
My Eyes Have Seen Your Salvation
MY eyes have seen your salvation TEXT: Luke 2:22-38 1) Lord, fill all of me with your Spirit (v22-27) -- And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. Eph 5:18-21 -- 2) Lord, Open my eyes to see your salvation (v28-33) Phyllip Ryken quote: All [Luke] tells us is that once Simeon had seen Jesus, he was ready to die—to be released from his watch post. This was partly because of the special promise that he would not see death until he had seen the Christ. But the principle also has a wider application. Anyone who has seen Jesus with the eyes of faith is prepared to die. And anyone who has not seen him—whether young or old—is not ready to die at all. When we see Jesus and his salvation, we are ready to be dismissed from this life in peace and enter the life to come. Have you seen Jesus by faith? Have you seen him crucified for your sins? Have you seen him raised for your salvation? It is then and only then that you are prepared to die. 3) Lord, Ready my soul to receive the sword (v34-35) Phillip Ryken quote: With these words, Simeon offered the first hint of the great suffering that Jesus would endure to bring salvation. From the former prophecies of Mary, Zechariah, and the angels, we have learned about the glory and greatness of Jesus Christ. We have heard of his royal kingship, his divine lordship, and the peace he brings to his people. But here we learn that he will also be the object of opposition. Jesus is the “sign that is opposed” (Luke 2:35). People will despise him, reject him, and take their stand against him. In the end, of course, they nailed him to a tree and left him to die. This was the sword that pierced Mary’s soul. -- Matt 10:34-39 34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. 37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
Everyone Responds to Christmas
TITLE: Everyone responds to Christmas TEXT: Matthew 2:1-12 Dr. John Koessler – “The miracle of Christmas is the miracle of Christ’s Incarnation. The Incarnation is one of the foundational truths of the Christian faith. The doctrine of the Incarnation is the good news that, at an appointed moment in human history, God became flesh and lived among us (Gal. 4:4; John 1:1, 12). Because He is the Creator, Jesus Christ has first place over all created things and holds them together by His power (Col. 1:17). Yet in the Incarnation, the One who always existed as God entered His own creation, was conceived in the womb of a virgin, and took upon Himself a human nature (Phil. 2:6–7). Poet Richard Crashaw captured the mystery of our Lord’s birth with these words: Welcome, all Wonders in one sight! / Eternity shut in a span. / Summer to winter, day in night, / Heaven in earth, and God in man.” Everyone responds to Christmas…Some respond with: 1 – HOSTILITY – V.1-4 2 – APATHY – V.4-6 3 – WORSHIP – V.1-2, 7-12 A Christmas prayer: - Lord Jesus, be the source of my joy - Lord Jesus, be the center of my affections - Lord Jesus, I offer you ________________________
The Holy and the Lowly
Sunday December 12th 2021 Share FileEditViewInsertFormatToolsAdd-onsHelp TITLE: The Holy & the Lowly TEXT: Isaiah 57:15 Our great need today… 1 – A RENEWED VISION OF GOD: TRANSCENDENT & HOLY – V.15A Paul Tripp – “Awe means that you will look at everything in your life through the lens of Gods existence and glory, and you will surrender all your life to his purpose , humbly recognizing that, when you do this, you are not offering what is yours to him but returning what he already owns back to him for his use.” A.W Tozer – “Always the most revealing thing about the Church is her idea of God, just as her most significant message is what she says about Him or leaves unsaid, for her silence is often more eloquent than her speech. She can never escape the self-disclosure of her witness concerning God.” 2 – A RIGHT VIEW OF SELF: BROKEN & LOWLY – V.15B
Distraction and Devotion
SERMON: DISTRACTION AND DEVOTION TEXT: Luke 10:38-42 LUKE 10:38-42 38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Eight observations from this Story Martha loved to serve 38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. Mary loved to listen 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. Martha was distracted with details 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. Mary was focused on Jesus. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. Martha was emotionally overwhelmed with her responsibilities. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” *Your identity as a Christian is not found in what you do but rather it is in who you belong to. Remember that you are a child of the King and that you belong to Him. Remember that He loves you and that you are His.- Rev. Bill Lippman (*SLIDE ON ITS OWN) Mary chose the most important thing. 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” *The Lord is our portion Psalm 72:26- My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 119:57- The Lord is my portion; I promise to keep your words (*SLIDE ON ITS OWN) Jesus cared about Martha and taught her. 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her. Jesus reminded both Mary and Martha that His words will last forever. 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.
Broken by His Glory
“BROKEN BY HIS GLORY” Isaiah 6:1-8 You must see His Glory You must feel the weight of His glory You must be broken by His glory Sin Repentance Reconciliation You must respond to His Glory Salvation Surrender Worship Obedience Service So What!?
At His Feet and Desperate
TITLE: At His Feet and Desperate TEXT: Mark 5:21-43 OUTLINE: God is my HELPER.. 1.) I must AKS (21-24) 2.) I must BELIEVE (24-34) 3.) I must NOT LOSE FAITH (37-39)
Who is like our God?
Text/title: Who is Like Our God! Acts 16:16-40 1. Who is like our God…Who brings freedom out of slavery! (v16-18) 2. Who is like our God…Who brings worship out of pain! (19-26) 3. Who is like our God…Who brings life out of death! (27-40)
Worthy of our Worship
Worthy of Our Worship Mark 14:3-9 Introduction What we treasure occupies our hearts. Jesus warned uw that there is only room for one true treasure in our lives. Matthew 6:21-“where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” The battle for our hearts is over whether Jesus is our true treasure. Today we are looking at Mark 14:3-9 and turning our attention to the town of Bethany before the Passover Big Idea: When Jesus becomes invaluable (priceless, precious, treasured) your worship of him will be incredible PRAY Context: 14:1-2 – 2 days before; CP and Scribes plot to kill Jesus 14:10 – plan to betray Jesus (Judas) READ 14:3 – woman celebrating Jesus at Simon the Leper’s house John 12:1-3 ON SCREEN – parallel story 6 days before Passover; Lazarus (raised), the disciples, Martha (serving), and Mary (the woman) “They gave a dinner for him there” - guest of honor, appreciation dinner Why? - John 11 – Lazarus resurrection (11:25 – I am the resurrection and the life; 11:43 – Lazarus come out). This house is full of joy, celebration, and love towards Jesus! The mood in this house is that Jesus is worthy of our worship . . . .He is worthy of … Extravagant Worship, 14:3-5 READ 14:3 What do we learn about her worship . . . It was Expensive – very costly Imported perfumed oil from India Street value is 300 denarii – worth over a year of wages – could have fed at least 300 families food for a day. Where did she get it from? Family heirloon passed down, dowry, did they all pitch in? We do know it is expensive! It was Sacrificial Not only very expensive but it cost her something. It was Excessive/Elaborate Poured it over his head Not unusual to anoint the head of the guest of honour (Psalm 23:5) (John 12) flows down to his feet; hair to wipe with oil There is a totality and completeness in this – from head to toe! No holding back – full out honor, celebration and worship of Jesus. It was Misunderstood/ Challenged/Condemned READ 14:4-5 Wasteful - Why was the ointment wasted like that? She is doing this to Jesus; wasted; indignantly (angry) Under the disguise of wisdom they express condemnation Almsgiving to the poor during Passover time They scolded her (snorted like horses at her) – What are you doing? Application When it comes to Jesus are you more like Mary or more like the disciples? Mary – full out, no holding back extravagant worship of Jesus Disciples – they don’t see worship or celebration but a lack of wisdom and waste. Examples: Widow’s Offering (Mark 12:41-44) – she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on. Worship?/Wisdom?/Waste Rich Young Ruler (Mark 10:17-31); - Go sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me. Worship?/Wisdom?/Waste? Adoniram Judson’s request to his Father in Law to marry Ann Hasseltine; 1812 would be married and then 2 weeks later off to India and then Burma Quote ON SCREEN – Worship?/Wisdom?/Waste? We need wisdom but there are times that we use “wisdom” as a disguise for our idols of security, significance, acceptance, love and meaning! THE QUESTION: Why aren’t more of us worshiping Jesus like Mary? Where does this extravagant worship come from?? All-Encompassing Worth, 14:6-8 BIG IDEA: When Jesus is invaluable our worship becomes incredible READ 14:6 Jesus rebukes his disciples, 14:6 Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? . . . Stop bothering her! Jesus reveals her worship as beautiful, 14:6 Wouldn’t you love to have Jesus say, you have done a beautiful thing to me? “Beautiful” – pure, noble, perfect, complete Jesus tells his disciples this is what you should be doing – don’t stop her What makes this so beautiful to Jesus? The cost of the sacrifice - pouring out this expensive oil on Jesus?? NO – it’s not the size of the cheque but it is her heart Her worship reveals that Jesus is her PRIORITY, READ 14:7 Jesus is not against ministry to the poor. - Luke 4:18 – The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor; The Scriptures: God loves the poor and calls us to care for the poor Point is that Jesus is her priority – she has made me her priority Play on you always have you will not always have It is beautiful because Jesus is her priority – he is worth everything to her. That should not be too surprising: She had experienced the grace and mercy of Jesus in her own life. She a disciple of Jesus sat at his feet and listened to his teaching She loved Jesus and he loved her She had experienced the power of Jesus in the resurrection of her brother – when you see your dead brother walking out of a grave – it is going to bring great affection, thankfulness, and wonder. Yet not all disciples who experience the same things respond in the same way. Jesus is everything to her! He is her priority. This is what makes her worship beautiful. And it is beautiful because . . . Her worship was PREPARATORY, READ 14:8 Did she know? Not sure. Jesus recognizes what God is doing. Her act of anointing is God’s sovereign way of preparing him for what is about to happen next. Attributes her act as an act of preparation for his burial. It is a Gospel act: death, burial and ultimately resurrection Application: Many/Some – admire Jesus, appreciate Jesus, respect Jesus This does not lead to beautiful, extravagant worship. Our hearts have to be full of delight in, devotion and dedication to Jesus and that comes from his all-encompassing worth to us. REALITY CHECK – for some of us the good news of Jesus has become old news. We can’t let that happen. What happens in Mark 14-16, what really happened over 2,000 years ago changed everything. Where would /we be without Jesus? He rescued us/me from . . . Judgement – Romans 3:23 – all have sinned …we all disobey God, live for ourselves and our glory and not God’s. There is none that are righteous. God’s holiness demands judgment – God saves sinners; Jesus took my place – died on the cross and on took on God’s judgment – my Lets rejudgment. Restlessness – no one is righteous – he rescued me from trying to earn God’s favour and acceptance. There is nothing I can do for God to love me more or love me less. By grace through faith. Lostness – I am convinced that without Jesus I would be living a life addicted to feeling good and living for the moment . . . my heart on its own Jesus saved us/me to New life – because I am in Christ and he is in me I am able, in his power in my life, to say no to ungodliness Eternal Family – Father who loves me, protects, provides, guides, is good to me; brothers and sisters from every nation by grace through faith Hope – Meaning and Purpose – live on mission for him Let it be known that in Christ alone my joy is found! She has done what she could. , 14:8 No hesitation just a complete and total response in her life . . . she looks around and grabs the one thing that she believes will express to Jesus how much she loves him! What about us? What about you? Are we doing what we could in worship? In response to the all encompassing worth of Jesus are we worshiping Jesus extravagantly? Is our worship beautiful. What can you do? The one thing that you can give in response to Jesus? Romans 12:1-2 (ON SCREEN) – our alabastar flask - ourselves Parents – offer your kids as an act of worship to God Students – offer your dreams of the future to seek first God’s Kingdom . . . to go and make disciples of all people groups Retired – Live your days for the Kingdom of God This leads to . . . An Enduring Witness, READ 14:9 Jesus loves this extravagant/beautiful worship so much so that he memorializes her worship.(WOW!) Jesus loves extravagant worship of him that responds to the all-encompassing worth of Jesus. Conclusion: No holding back because when Jesus is invaluable our worship becomes incredible Some of us – like the Church at Ephesus in Revelation 2 – abandoned the love that they had at first. YES – good works, orthodox in doctrine - testing false teachers, persevering – patient endurance. But there was no extravagant worship of Jesus because they had lost the all encompassing worth of Jesus – Jesus warns us “repent”! Lord help us to repent and rejoice along with all the saints in the throne room of heaven where the worship of Jesus is eternally extravagant. Sermon Title – Worthy of Our Worship Text – Mark 14:3-9 Slide One When Jesus becomes invaluable your worship of him will be incredible! Slide Two Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. 3 Mary therefore took a pound[a]of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. John 12:1-3 Slide Three (Main Point #1) Extravagant Worship, Mark 14:3-5 Slide Four I have now to ask whether you can consent to part with your daughter early next spring, to see her no more in this world? Whether you can consent to her departure to a heathen land, and her subjection to the hardships and sufferings of a missionary life? Whether you can consent to her exposure to the dangers of the ocean; to the fatal influence of the southern climate of India; to every kind of want and distress; to degradation, insult, persecution, and perhaps a violent death? Can you consent to all this, for the sake of Him who left His heavenly home and died for her and for you; for the sake of perishing, immortal souls; for the sake of Zion and the glory of God? Can you consent to all this, in hope of soon meeting your daughter in the world of glory, with a crown of righteousness brightened by the acclamations of praise which shall resound to her Saviour from heathens saved, through her means, from eternal woe and despair?” – worship? Wise? Adonirum Judson Slide Five (Main Point #2) All-encompassing Worth, Mark 14:6-8 Slide Six I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.[b] 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect Romans 12:1-2 Slide Seven (Main Point #3) Enduring Witness, Mark 14:9
Bring Them Here to Me!
Bring them here to Me! Matthew 14:13-21 Intro: JESUS is our SUFFICIENCY! JESUS is therefore our SATISFACTION! JESUS is our SUBSTANCE!