04- The Wonder And Power Of The Truth (2024)

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By Dr. David Wolfe • 27 Jul, 2024

Living In Truth and Love [i] (2 John, vs 1-13) I. INTRODUCTION Over the last Sundays of my time, I’ve been directing our attention to Living In Light Of Christ’s Return. This morning I want to focus our attention on ‘living in truth and love as we approach the finish line and why it matters’. Turn with me to John’s second letter, three books shy of Revelation. In this letter John shows us what we need to do in order to survive a world on the brink of impending disaster. You might be interested in knowing that 2 John is the second shortest book in the Bible, with only 245 words, comprising 13 verses. [ii] We don’t know who it was written to precisely, but it appears to be a personal letter written to one addressed as the chosen lady and her children in v1. Let’s begin with a brief prayer: Heavenly Father, Direct us to be watchful and ready at all times for the return of our Lord. Give me the strength and wisdom to make this time before Jesus returns effective for Your kingdom. Amen II. THE PROMISE In Acts chap 1, vs9-11 we read that the eyes of Jesus’ disciples were transfixed on Jesus as He ‘floated’ into the sky, disappearing into a cloud. [iii] Then suddenly two angels materialize asking, V11 (MSG) “You men of Galilee!—why do you just stand here looking up at an empty sky? This very Jesus who was taken up from among you to heaven will come as certainly as he left. ” [iv] Paul sums up the Gospel of the Kingdom with these encouraging words in his letter to Titus: 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ . [v] And so in Hebrews chap 10, v25 we are told to encourage one another earnestly as ‘we’ see the Day of our Lord drawing near. III. THE IMPORTANCE OF TRUTH AND LOVE So while we wait, how are we to live in a world full of spiritual apathy, selfishness, religious extremism, violence and terrorism, and the removal of any vestiges of God. [vi] In the midst of the brokenness and changing values, how is one to live? You should be at 2 nd John, a letter written to the chosen lady. V10 seems to imply that this woman’s home served as a house-church. It appears that she used her home as a discipleship tool for the Kingdom of God. A. Overview As we read through this short letter, there seems to be some disquieting evil under foot. In vs1-2 (ESV) 1 The elder [ vii] to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth, 2 because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever : In the Bible truth encompasses more than simple honesty. It’s a moral concept rooted in the character of God. [viii] It represents His steadfastness, trustworthiness, and eternal faithfulness. His truth has sanctifying power for those who believe in the Gospel. So here John is underscoring a character trait that exemplifies God, and therefore exemplifies the believer. This idea of truth continues in V3, Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love (emphasis added ). What is significant here, is that we are being told that truth and love are intertwined. John fleshes this out in V4 by telling us that the Father has commanded us to walk in truth . Then in V6 we learn we have been commanded to walk in love . So in application, the community that adheres to the truth is a community that is marked by love, and the community that is marked by love embraces truth. In v5 we’re told that t o walk in the truth is a commitment to a life of love-in-action, and walking in love is truth-in-action. So love never compromises its standards, because it is bound by truth. And according to v2, this is a forever lifestyle. That brings us to vs7-8 (ESV) . Apparently the people attending the elect lady’s house church were in great danger of deception. V8, Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward . Why? V7, For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist . So there is trouble brewing. Truth and love are being challenged both theologically and practically. B. Truth and Love Let’s follow what John wrote: 4 I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father. 5 And now I ask you, dear lady—not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another. [ix] 6 And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. Let me break it down for us. V2, because of the truth which abides in us , V3, Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love . V4, therefore we are to walk in truth just as we were commanded by the Father. Vs5-6 because we walking in truth, we are commanded to walk in love. So truth finds expression in our love for one another, and love finds its boundaries defined by truth. So what the Spirit of God is telling is, truth and love set us apart from the world around us. Hear me out: there are many markings that set us apart from each other: skin color, uniforms, shared interest, educational background, language, tattoos and piercings; and food choices such as abstaining from meat to name a few distinguishing marks that set us apart. But for Jesus the identifying mark that sets us apart is none of these. It is our adherence to truth and love . Skin color doesn’t matter; language doesn’t matter; rules about diet or uniforms or wearing funny hats doesn’t matter. What matters is our commitment to truth and lov e. [x] Now don’t miss this. John tells us that when we adhere to these two marks, truth and love , they protect us from deception. V9 (NASB95) Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ (what are the teachings of Christ? To walk in truth and love) anyone who does not do that does not have God; ‘but’ the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. 1. What does John’s truth look like? Now in this letter John is concerned about a specific truth. V7 (NASB95) F or many deceivers have gone out into the world now here is the truth . . . those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. V10, If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; Understand, for John “truth” signifies what is real; and because God is truth that means He is truly real, having been revealed to us in Jesus. And the expression of that reality is what we live and proclaim. [xi] Biblical truth presents a singular worldview. It presents one origin for the universe, one problem of the human race, one way of salvation, one way of holiness, one standard for the family, one plan for human history, Listen carefully. Truth and love govern each other, meaning love has standards and never compromises its standards. Love never consents to false teaching. It never embraces evil. It is never willy-nilly. It is discerning, it is discriminating, it is selective, it is perceptive. That is because it is interwoven with truth. 1 John 5:2, " By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome ." Truth helps us to know if our acts are loving or not. When the Bible speaks of truth, it is referring to a completeness of moral integrity that influences how one thinks and behaves. [xii] We can test if we are walking in truth by asking ourselves if we are following the commandments of God. Are you with me? In other words, love cannot be cut loose from the truth of God's will. Truth shapes how we show love. 2. What does that love look like? Paul tells us in 1 Timothy 1:5 (ESV) " The goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. " Instruction = truth. So the goal of truth is love. Truth serves love, love expresses truth. Listen to Hebrews 10:23-25, "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider one another how to stir one another up to love and good deeds, . . . so let’s encourage one another". The aim of our "encouraging one another" is to stir up love. 1 Corinthians 13:6, "Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth." Love celebrates when truth is spoken. Not only does love support truth, love shapes how it is spoken. Ephesians 4:15, "Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ." Love is not whimpy. It can be hard hitting. It is in love that we strive to help each other grow up in all aspects of Christ. Our walk in love can be tested by whether we are walking in truth, ie., following the commands of God. Are you with me? In other words, love cannot be cut loose from the truth of God. Here is God’s truth as it applies to love: God’s love is unconditional Romans 5:8, is [xiii] God’s love is sacrificial 2 Corinthians 5:21 [xiv] God’s love is forgiving Ephesians 4:32 [xv] God’s love is eternal Romans 8:38-39 [xvi] God’s love is holy Hebrews 7:26 [xvii] Truth provides love’s boundaries, and love expresses the truth. 3. Truth & Love gives us protection Now when we come to vs6-8 we learn that when we walk in truth and love, they provide protection. Vs 6-8 (ESV ) 6 And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. 7 ’Because’ many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. Did you catch John’s argument? In V6 we’re told this is love, that we walk according to His commandments . Truth sets the boundaries of what we listen to and who we associate with. Why do we do that? V7, because many deceivers have gone out into the world strutting their stuff around us . This fits with 1 John 2:18 (ESV) Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. The finish line is being drawn up. We know that because there are many antichrists. Who are the antichrists? Those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. 1 John 4:3 (ESV) Every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. There’s a spirit of deception in the air. Notice what he is saying. The Evil One is coming, his great deception is telling people that Jesus is not from God. But notice, he is not alone. There are already many who are denying Jesus as God. So get involved in a truth and love community. John is telling us to live together in truth and love, because truth and love serve as a shield against the deceptions of the spirit of antichrist, which is in the world now. IV. STANDING FIRM IN A TWISTED WORLD Listen to me closely. The world that we are in now is not the world that it was when I came to BBC 31 years ago. Truth and love have been bent, twisted, and reshaped. Daniel 7:25 (GW) the spirit of the Anti-Christ is now, speaking against the Most High God, oppressing His Holy people, and changing the times and laws. And because of his growing influence, Philippians 3:19, our minds have been set on earthly things, our cravings have become our god, and our shame has become our glory. Romans 16:18 (ESV) For such ‘people’ do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. Think with me about what is changing: Marriage has lost its boundaries. It is no longer between a man and a woman. It is now defined to be whatever you want it to be—two men, two women. The new marriage norm permits . . . don’t laugh . . . a woman to married her quilt, a man to married his smart phone, another a steam engine train, and to another a video game character. [xviii] The marriage relationship is whatever you want it to be. Freedom of speech is under attack. Under the law, Public Spaces Protection Orders ( PSPOs ), it is now possible to obtain orders that limit a wide variety of speech and conduct, including praying outside an abortion clinic. [xix] When it comes to sexuality, It’s no secret that gender dysphoria, puberty blockers, and transphobia are on the rise with the help of our governmental leadership. [xx] This has opened the door to sexual fluidity, highlighted by new terms such as asexual, pansexual. One’s sexual orientation is no longer permanently fixed. [xxi] Worship gathers are becoming an issue. City commissions and councils are denying worship spaces and activities. Freedom of worship is being crimped. [xxii] Our political leaders are not advocating lifestyles that are unbiblical. [xxiii] But perhaps more concerning is a growing trend amongst those who call themselves Evangelical. Understand, being an Evangelical meant you took the Bible seriously and believed Jesus as Savior and Lord. But according to 2020 survey by Ligonier Ministries Evangelicals are beginning to be tossed about on the sea of absurdity. In this survey it was found that a significant number have a profound misunderstanding about the nature and character of God. Almost one-third (30 percent ) believe that “Jesus was a great teacher, but not God,” In this survey it was found that almost one-half ( 46 percent ) believe the “Holy Spirit is a force but is not a personal being.” In this survey it was found that almost one-in-five ( 18 percent ) believe the “Holy Spirit can tell me to do something which is forbidden in the Bible.” In this survey it was found that a significant majority ( 65 percent ) believe that “Jesus is the first and greatest being created by God” In this survey it was found that almost half ( 46 percent ) believe, “Everyone sins a little, but most people are good by nature and “God accepts the worship of all religions, including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam” ( 42 percent ). [xxiv] V. THE TIME OF THE END In Matthew 24, v12 Jesus said, Because lawlessness will increase, most people’s love will grow cold. 2 Thessalonians was written during a time of great suffering when it came to the followers of Jesu s. Paul writes the letter to give them a bucket of fresh encouragement, to keep their heads up, and their eyes on the horizon. Here’s what Paul wrote: 5 All this trouble is a clear sign that God has decided to make you fit for the kingdom. You’re suffering now, 6 but justice is on the way. When Jesus, the King of Kings appears out of heaven in a blaze of fire with His strong angels, He’ll even up the score by settling accounts with those who gave you such a bad time. 7 His coming will be the break we’ve been waiting for. 8 Those who refuse to know God and refuse to obey the Message will pay for what they’ve done. 9 Eternal exile from the presence of the Master and his splendid power is their sentence. 10 But on that very same day when he comes, he will be exalted by his followers and celebrated by all who believe—and all because you believed what we told you. [xxv] In Matthew 24, vs42ff Jesus said, Be on the alert, for you do not know which day I am going to return. You must be ready, for my coming will be at an hour when you do not think He will return. In light of that He also said, 32 “Take a lesson from the fig tree. From the moment you notice its buds form, the merest hint of green, you know summer’s just around the corner. 33 So it is with you: When you see all these things, you’ll know he’s at the door . [xxvi] So mark this down, the fig tree is beginning to bud, the last hour of the last days leading to Jesus’ return is closing in on us. The finality of these last days comes with the coming of the great King Jesus with His mighty angels in flaming fire to give relief to His people who are suffering, and to take vengeance on those who disbelieve the Gospel. As we wait for the triumphal return of Jesus Paul gives a warning in chap 2, v3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction , Deception is real, it is growing. For your protection you need to be an active member of a truth & love community. III. WHAT’S OUR TAKE AWAY Let’s pause here, and reflect for a moment on how we should live. A. First, John tells us that in light of the up-heavelness of our times, the only way we can survive is if we are part of a truth and love community. Truth and love serve as a shield to the deceptions that are unfolding daily around us. Being part of a truth and love community is not optional. It is paramount that we are actively involved in a community of follow believers. An hour and half each week is not enough time to keep us focused in these changing times. B. Second, there is this danger of falling prey to the spirit of the anti-christ. When it comes to Jesus return, Jesus said, you will not know the day or hour of my return. The danger here is, because we don’t have a good clue as to His return, we don’t concern ourselves with preparations. We need to be ever watching ourselves that we do not lose truth and love, and lose out on our rewards. We need to be ever watchful and on guard. Proverbs 4:2 W atch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life . We can easily fall trapped by the mystery of lawlessness, and the deception of the spirit of the antichrist. C. Third, The Basic test of a professing follower of Christ, is his or her view of the person of Jesus. V7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. V9, “Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God.” This is the very heart of our faith. The truth that is at stake is the eternal humanity and divinity of the person of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I want to be clear, the basic test of the professing believer’s faith is their view of the person of Jesus. How do you stack up to this truth? Does your belief system match the true revelation of Jesus provided for us in the Bible? 1 John 2:22 (ESV) Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. The Bible is absolutely clear; the only clear knowledge of God comes via knowing Jesus. 1 Timothy 2:5, There is only one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus in His full humanity and divineness . [xxvii] You cannot fudge on this truth. D. Fourth and final point, Be careful little ears what you hear. The Gospel and church are under attack. In vs8-11 (ESV) we are given a warning that we need to be discerning as to who we bend our ear, our money, our time to. 8 Watch yourselves, so that you . . . may win a full reward. 9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, 11 for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works. John is warning against teacher-leaders who seek to sabotage both the church and believers. These teachers strive to gain access into a congregation to win an audience and a following. John’s instructs us to repel these teachers and refuse them access. That is not unloving. Our eternity is at stake. Aligning our lives to the spirit of the anti-christ has gigantic consequences when it comes to our personal salvation and the survival of the church. [xxviii] Matthew 10:28 (ESV) Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Despite what our culture tells us, tolerance is not a virtue. We dare not let the spirit of the anti-christ and its spokes people access to our ears and hearts. As we near the final hours there will be growing pressure to dilute the gospel of the Kingdom, to melt down Jesus’ identity as God, and to reduce Him into someone less then He was and is. Our only defense is to be an active member of a community of truth and love. Let’s close in prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank you for your Word. We pray that you will bring it to bear in our minds. Help us to think clearly. We pray that you open our hearts to receive the truth of Your word sincerely, that you help us distinguish between the unnecessary and futile quarrels about things that have little significance. Still we ask that You help us to understand what is central and foundational to our faith that we might not give away the core of the gospel in a pluralistic culture. I pray for Your help, I pray for this congregation, I pray for us as a pastoral team and Elders that we will not lead our people astray, but rather that each of us might walk in the path of truth and love for Your name’s sake.So may grace, mercy, and peace from Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the Triune God, rest upon and remain with us, now and forevermore. Amen. [i] I try to thoroughly cite all sources in my written sermon notes. But due to the extemporaneous nature of oral communication, delivery may occasionally contain material not fully cited or original with me. In such situations, the church nor I assert ownership to such material. The footnotes contain most of the resources that were used to prepare this sermon. Ray Pritchard, Balancing Truth and Love (2 John), https://www.keepbelieving.com/sermon/balancing-truth-and-love/ John Piper, Life Together at the end of the age (2 John) https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/life-together-at-the-end-of-the-age . Alistair Begg, The Danger of Deception, (2 John 7-13) https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/sermon/the-danger-of-deception/ [ii] https://www.gotquestions.org/shortest-book-of-the-Bible.html . By counting the number of words in Hebrew or Greek, the shortest book of the Bible is 3 John, which has 219 words. The second shortest book of the Bible is 2 John with 245 words. The third shortest book of the Bible is Philemon with 335 words in Greek. The fourth shortest book of the Bible, and shortest book of the entire Old Testament, is Obadiah with 440 Hebrew words. The fifth shortest book of the Bible is Jude with a count of 461 words. [iii] Talk about a bewildering moment. The way Luke, the writer of the book of Acts states it, their eyes were locked on the moment. Jesus, one moment was standing in their very midst talking to them, then suddenly floating up to a giant fluffy cloud and disappearing. We need to understand that this was no ordinary fluffy cloud. From a Biblical perspective this cloud was most likely the ‘glory cloud’ that was so central to Israel’s survival in the wilderness. And if you remember, when Jesus was on what we refer to as the Mountain of Transfiguration, a cloud settled over Jesus, along with Peter, James, John.As we read Luke’s account in Acts 1, he wants us to understand that something tangible happened before the very eyes of the disciples—Jesus physically vanishing from their midst. And while they were rooted to the spot, eyes locked on Him as He disappeared into the clouds, their bewilderment was interrupted by two men who materialized in their midst dressed in brilliant white clothing. [iv] Talk about an emotional jolt. First He was in their midst, and then suddenly He just floated heavenward. When you walk with Jesus, there are going to be big jolting surprises. The other night we were watching The Chosen. This particular chapter was about the women who bleed profusely in Luke 8. Jesus was surrounded by a large crowd pushing and shoving and pressing in on Him, physically touching Him. Suddenly Jesus speaks forcefully, Who touched Me!! Peter responds, What do You mean asking such a ‘dumb question’. Everybody is pushing, shoving, grabbing You. Don’t miss this. Hundreds of hands touching Him, and one of those hands was a desperate woman who grabbed Jesus’ robe, believing desperately she would be healed. As far as the Gospel story goes, we have no record of that happening elsewhere. So where did she come up with this idea that in touching His garment would heal her come from? And get this, of all the touching and grabbing, only one woman felt the presence of His power. Only a woman in a moment of desperate faith experienced it. When you walk with Jesus, there are going to be surprises. In my imagination I wonder if these two angels were the same one’s that challenged the women in Luke 24:5 (GW) “Why are you looking among the dead for the living one? The disciples’ eyes locked in wonderment on Jesus as He disappeared into a cloud, are again overwhelmed by two angelic messengers asking them, V11, Men of Galilee, Why are you starring into the sky? Which by the way, was now empty. Talk about brains in a tail spin. Jesus vanishes, angels materialize telling them: [v] Titus 2:11–15 (ESV) 11For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. 15Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you. [vi] Cf., The term “Waheguru” is widely used in Sikhism to refer to God. It combines two elements: “wahe,” meaning “wondrous” in Punjabi, and “guru,” which translates from Sanskrit as “teacher” or “remover of darkness.” Therefore, Waheguru can be understood as the “wondrous enlightener” or the “Wonderful God.” Sikhs often use this term to express awe and amazement toward the divine1 2 . It’s a beautiful way to acknowledge the greatness and transcendence of the divine presence. https://www.gotquestions.org/turning-away-from-God.html Edom ( Jeremiah 49:17–22 ), Assyria ( Zephaniah 2:13–15 ), Sodom ( Genesis 18:20 ), and Babylon ( Jeremiah 51 ) were all wiped out, according to the biblical prophets, for their evil before the Lord. There remain no representatives of the Hittites ( Exodus 23:23 ), Moabites ( Zephaniah 2:8–10 ), or Philistines ( Zephaniah 2:5 ) due to their stubborn rebellion against the Lord. [vii] Smalley, Stephen S. 1984. 1, 2, 3 John . Vol. 51. Word Biblical Commentary. Dallas: Word, Incorporated. His position is more important than his name; so that he uses as a self-designation a term which literally means “old person,” but which had acquired the significance of “leader,” or “overseer.” On occasions the Jews described their distinguished teachers and the leaders of their religious communities as “elders [viii] Psalm 43:3 (ESV)3Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling!; Psalm 25:5 (ESV)5Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.; Psalm 26:3 (ESV)3For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness.; Psalm 86:11 (ESV)11Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.; Isaiah 65:16 (ESV)16so that he who blesses himself in the land shall bless himself by the God of truth, and he who takes an oath in the land shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten and are hidden from my eyes. [ix] John 13:34–35 (ESV) 34A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 15:12 (ESV)12“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 1 Peter 4:8 (ESV) 8Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Galatians 5:13 (ESV) 13For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. Ephesians 4:32 (ESV) 32Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. 1 John 3:18 (ESV) 18Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. 1 John 4:11 (ESV) 11Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 1 John 4:20-21 (ESV) 20If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother. . Leviticus 19:18 (ESV) 18You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD. Romans 12:10 (ESV) 10Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 1 John 4:7–10 (ESV)7Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Romans 13:8 (ESV)8Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. [x] 1 Peter 4:8 (ESV) 8Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Proverbs 10:12 (ESV) 12Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses. 1 Corinthians 13:7 (ESV) 7Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. To “cover” sin is to forgive it, and forgiveness is associated with love. Proverbs 19:11 (ESV) 11Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense. 1 John 5:20 (ESV)20And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. [xi] Smalley, Stephen S. 1984. 1, 2, 3 John . Vol. 51. Word Biblical Commentary. Dallas: Word, Incorporated. [xii] Psalm 86:11 (ESV)11Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.; Psalm 119:30 (ESV)30I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me. ,Psalm 119:43–44 (ESV)43And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for my hope is in your rules. 44I will keep your law continually, forever and ever, ; Malachi 2:6 (ESV)6True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity.. [xiii] Romans 5:8 (ESV) 8but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. [xiv] 2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV) 21For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. [xv] Ephesians 4:32 (ESV) 32Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. [xvi] Romans 8:38–39 (ESV)38For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. [xvii] Hebrews 7:26 (ESV) 26For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. [xviii] https://www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/8265972/woman-marrying-duvet-ceremony-wedding/ Artist Pascale Sellick, who describes herself as a "rude, crude, spectacular exhibitionist" has issued an open invitation to witness the marriage of herself and her duvet. Speaking about her beloved, she explained her quilt is the "most intimate and reliable relationship" she's ever had. Jude Newsome, 15 People Who Married Inanimate Objects, https://www.ranker.com/list/13-people-who-married-inanimate-objects/jude-newsome OS is defined as "a pronounced emotional and often romantic desire towards developing significant relationships with particular inanimate objects." Individuals with this expressed preference may feel strong feelings of attraction, love, and commitment to certain items or structures of their fixation. For others, sexual or even close emotional relationships with humans are incomprehensible and undesireable. Object-sexual individuals (people who enjoy the company of, and marry, inanimate objects) also often believe in animism, and sense reciprocation based on the belief that objects have souls, intelligence, feelings, and are able to communicate. [xix] Emma Camp, In Britain, You can be arrested for silently praying outside an abortion clinic. https://reason.com/2023/02/10/in-britain-you-can-be-arrested-for-silently-praying-outside-an-abortion-clinic/ Samuel Short, Judge Sentences 75-Year-Old Woman for Praying at Abortion Clinic, Taunts Horrified Husband for Christian Faith: Report. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/judge-sentences-75-year-old-woman-for-praying-at-abortion-clinic-taunts-horrified-husband-for-christian-faith-report/ar-BB1nCiOO [xx] Antony Robledo, Musk says estranged child’s gender-affirming care spared fight against ‘woke mind virus’. https://www.usatoday.com/ story/tech/2024/07/22/elon-musk-jordan-peterson-interview/74506785007/ In an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Dr. Jordan Peterson , the X owner called gender-reassignment surgery "child mutilation and sterilization." He then discussed his 20-year-old child Vivian Jenna Wilson , who he said underwent the procedures during the pandemic. "I was essentially tricked into signing documents for one of my older boys," Musk told Peterson in a Daily Wire interview during which he referred to his child by their deadname. "This was really before I had any understanding of what was going on, and we had COVID going on, so there was a lot of confusion and I was told (Musk's child) might commit suicide."The SpaceX founder claimed the process is done to children "who are far below the age of consent" and said he agreed with Peterson's belief that anyone who promotes the practice should go to prison."I was tricked into doing this," Musk said. "I lost my son, essentially. They call it 'deadnaming' for a reason. The reason they call it ‘deadnaming’ is because your son is dead." [xxi] https://www.healthline.com/health/sexually-fluid [xxii] Peter Pinedo, Here are the countries that rank worst in the world in religious freedom. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/257559/here-are-the-countries-that-rank-worst-in-the-world-in-religious-freedom [xxiii] Romans 1:28–32 (ESV)28And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.Josh Mandel, https://www.newsweek.com/big-government-constant-threat-religious-liberty-opinion-1676915Big Government is a Constant Threat to Religious Liberty | Opinion BYU is not alone. It is one of about 1,400 schools currently under investigation. [xxiv] Joe Carter, Survey Reveals Many Evangelicals Hld Unbiblical Beliefs. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/survey-reveals-many-evangelicals-hold-unbiblical-theological-beliefs/ [xxv] 2 Thessalonians 1:5–10 (MSG) [xxvi] Matthew 24:32–33 (MSG) [xxvii] Acts 4:12 (ESV) 12And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” John 14:6 (ESV)6Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Matthew 1:21 (ESV)21She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” ; Acts 10:43 (ESV)43To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” [xxviii] Burge, Gary M. 1996. Letters of John . The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

By Dr. David Wolfe • 13 Jul, 2024

Stay Alert-Be On Your Guard [i] (Mark 13 + Selected Scriptures) I. INTRODUCTION I’ve entitled our mini-series Living In Light Of Christ’s Return. We’re told Hebrews 10:25 that we are to encourage one another earnestly as ‘we’ see the Day of our Lord drawing near. When I was a Youth Pastor in Kosciusko Mississippi, football was king. I remember walking into the stadium on a Friday night, the stadium filled with enthusiastic fans, and the pep band and cheerleaders working the crowd. Their mission was to unify the diverse crowd, rev up energy, boost excitement; draw more spectators into the game, connect them to the players, and create an atmosphere of enthusiasm. [ii] In a way, that is what encouragement is all about. Like the cheerleaders and pep band, our mission is to embolden one another in the rigors of life, give unity to our mission, and create an encouraging atmosphere in the midst of despairing attitudes as we see the day of our Lord drawing near. In a culture of soundbites and sarcasm, the need for an authentic encouraging word has never been greater. Consider Proverbs 25:11–13 (ESV) . V11, A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. Encouragement beings delight. V12, Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear. Encouragement produces correction V13, Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters . Encouragement brings refreshment. As we see the day of the Lord drawing near, we are desperate for encouragement to keep us on task, to keep us focused, to keep us attentive to the cause, to fuel our adrenaline. In a world that is opposed to its Creator, steeped in open rebellion, spiraling out of control like a semi on a mountain road, flaunting cancel culture, the writer of Hebrews encourages us to “hold fast” to our Lord and His salvation alone and to encourage one another not to waver in our faith. God’s plan is that our encouragement come from other Christians speaking the word of God into our lives and praying for us. That’s why the writer of Hebrews tells us not to forsake the assembling together. [iii] Let’s begin with a brief prayer: Heavenly Father, in a day of mixed up messages, empower us to pursue You with passion and perseverance as we see the day of the return of our Lord drawing near. Amen. II. As WE SEE ‘HIS’ DAY DRAWING NEAR, BE ON YOUR GUARD A. Context Turn with me to the Gospel of Mark, chap 13. When we come to Mark 13 Jesus was leaving the temple complex. As He and the disciples meander away from the temple, one of them highlights the wonder and beauty of the temple complex. Jesus dampens their emotional wonderment by telling them that the entire complex would be torn down, stone by stone. [iv] You know what is amazing? When Jesus predicted His death and resurrection earlier, the disciples skipped right over His words; but when He speaks of the temple being destroyed, red flags suddenly popped up in their minds. Suddenly the discussion became very serious. After all, the temple was the place where God lived. [v] If God lived there, how could it ever possibly be destroyed? What is amazing is that the destruction of the temple was greater in their minds then Jesus’ prediction of His impending death. Peter, James, John, and Andrew caught what Jesus’ said, and immediately began to quiz Him. 4 (GW) “Tell us, when will this happen? What will be the sign when all this will come to an end?” As we plow through chap 13, keep their questions in mind: when will this happen? And what will be the sign when all this will come to an end? As we dig into this passage, we need to understand that the primary purpose of the Bible’s teachings on end time events is not meant just to satisfy our curiosity, it is meant to reveal to us how we are to live now as ‘we’ see Jesus’ Day drawing near. So now imagine we’re sitting on the Mt of Olives with the disciples, and we hear their questions, and Jesus’ response: “there is an end coming, and in light of the end this is how I want you to live”. So what we have here in Mark 13 is Jesus’ instructions as to how we should live in light of His return. First of all notice the first words out of His mouth were Be on your guard. And for the rest of the chapter Jesus hammers home this theme of being on your guard . V5, See to it that no one misleads you V9, Be on your guard V23, Take heed V33, Keep on the alert V35 Be on the alert V37 Be on the alert Whatever else you take away from this message today, keep this in mind. As we see His return day dawning , He wants us to be on our guard . Notice, He begins in v5, see to it that no one misleads you , and then He ends in v37 be on the alert . So as we see His return day dawning near, how are we to live? Answer: He wants us to be very vigilant, attentive, watchful, alert, observant. The point is, we are to have an alertness as to what is happening around us. We need to be like the men of Issachar in 1 Chronicles 12:32 who understood the times and knew what Israel should do. Ephesians 5:17 (ESV) Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is . [vi] In light of His return day drawing near, we are to live with our eyes wide open. We are to be constantly on our toes. Don’t be easily distracted. 1 Thessalonians 5:5-6 (ESV) 5 For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. B. So how are we to live as we see the return of our Lord drawing near? Here in Mark 13 Jesus lays out for us four expectations as to how He expects us to live 1. First, watch out for False Hope & the temperature of your Fear gauge Rather than giving His disciples ‘the signs’ of His return, He tells them what are not signs. In vs 5-8 Jesus chides His disciples and us to be a vigilant discerning people. Vs5-6 (ESV) , First, watch out for shysters, charlatans, imposters. Ie., be on your guard lest you get swept up in deception. For those of you who may not know what a shyster is, a shyster is someone who acts in a disreputable, unethical, or unscrupulous way, like shady car salesman. V5, “See that no one leads you astray. 6 Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. There are people who make it their profession to bring false hope to the community. They usurp the name and lay claim for themselves divine authority that rightfully belongs only to Jesus. So be on your guard lest you be caught up in the excited delusions of the crowd. [vii] 2 Peter 3 we’re told, Know this first of all, in the last days mockers will come with their mockings, following after their own lusts, despising authority . [viii] As life unfolds, we’re to be aware of deceptive religious deceivers who are everywhere. Satan wastes no time in spreading lies that draw people into a stupor. We’re told in 1 John 4:1 (ESV) do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world., People who handle money daily, such as bankers, become so accustomed to the feel of the real paper bills, they can spot counterfeits quickly. When we know the real Christ, we are able to recognize imitations. We need to be so familiar with the Scriptures that we can determine if a message or person is truly from the Lord or not. Vs7-8 (ESV) , Second, as vigilant discerning people we are not to let international commotions and natural disasters spike our fears. Jesus said 7 And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. 8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. As a point of reference, the word nation comes from the Gk word that means people groups. Its not so much geographical, as in Ukraine vs. Russia. Its better understood in terms of ethnic groups of various brands attacking other ethnic groups. When Jesus said These things are the beginning of birth pangs, He is speaking of the intensifying of international commotions and natural disaster as we close in on the day of our Lord. [ix] Presently the perfect storm of socioeconomic and political factors are driving anti-government protests to new highs, there’s a rise in a sense of injustice, whether it be economics, racial, political, religious, or ethnicity. [x] The crises that surround us are contributing to the dramatic increase in the inequality in the world and to serious deteriorating living conditions. [xi] Jesus says, make a note of this: this is not the end yet, but the beginning of birth pangs. And you women who have given birth understand that. The pangs generally start small, and then gradually increase. They could last hours, they could last days. As we see our world collapsing, it is easy to lose focus and be overcome by fear. The big four fears can easily crowd out minds. Economic crunches—food on the table, gas in the car to go to work, roof over our heads and utilities kept on Political crunches—this is an election year, and things are all ready going crazy. Stay away from downtown in August Social crunches—gender issues, migrant issues, reproductive issues, women equality issues World stage—Russia/Ukraine conflict, Israel/Hamas-Hezbollah-Iran conflict, Cartel conflict in Mexico, and the tensions with China/Taiwan/Japan Proverbs 29:25 (ESV) The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe . [xii] When one stands in the flow of history it can be easy to misjudge God’s calendar. [xiii] Don’t let the international commotions, campus disruptions and natural disasters strike fear in you. 1 John 5:4 (ESV) For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 2. Second, Don’t Lose Your Resolve to be faithful In vs 9-13 (ESV) Jesus presses us not to let suffering break our resolve. “But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. 11 You’ll be arrested, but don’t worry about what to say. 12 Family members will betray you to the point of death. 13 You will be hated by all because of My Name. Notice the direction suffering comes—from authorities, rulers, and even family. And suffering and hatred come to those who faithful to their gospel convictions. Take the story of Fanueli Kambale who loved teaching about Jesus in the Congo. He worked as a schoolteacher and also gave Bible lessons to children who lived near his farmland. Militants with the Allied Democratic Forces (a terrorist group) noticed his gospel teaching and ordered him twice to stop, and warned him they would kill him if he continued. But Fanueli would not stop sharing God’s Word. When their soldiers caught him teaching the children Bible lessons for a third time, they murdered him in front of his wife, Georgine, and their 3-year-old son, Andre. They then took Georgine hostage but released her a short time later. [xiv] But later they killed her also. Then on June 4 armed extremist killed 16 Christians in the Congo, setting fire to their homes. Soon after they burnt 50 Christians to death in their homes creating an atmosphere of fear. [xv] As Islam and atheism increase, we are seeing a greater fulfillment of this prophecy-- You will be hated by all because of My Name. Hatred can be expressed in many ways, but one way is the radical secularization of culture and governments that once honored time-tested morality and faith. When a culture actively strips from its history and public life any vestiges of God’s involvement in its success, that nation is displaying hatred toward Jesus. [xvi] Jesus tells the disciples, that despite the suffering, v10, the gospel must be preached to all the nations . He wants us to understand that proclamation of the gospel must continue, even in the midst of suffering and hardship. The central issue here is not the suffering, but how will we respond when handed over to antagonists. Will we wilt under pressure? Will we succumb to temptation and renounce Christ to save our earthly lives? [xvii] 3. Third, It will be a horrible time of terror Remember the initial question? What will be the sign when all this will come to an end? Jesus now gives the identifying sign of His return. Vs14-23, But when you see the Abomination of Desolation standing where it should not (let the reader understand), then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. [xviii] Jesus now gives a specific sign, a time of great crisis, a time of great trouble immediately precedes His return. The abomination of desolation is an allusion to Daniel 9:27 (ESV) And he (the antichrist) shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.” The sign is the abomination of desolation which comes middle of the tribulation. It is called an abomination because it is detestable to God, and it appears in the holy place. [ xix] … Notice in v14 Jesus said when you see . This is not an if moment, but a when moment. T he abomination of desolation is something that is utterly detestable to God. There’s an urgency in Jesus’ voice. Suffering such as having never happened, will happen during this time. And notice that Mark adds an important blip, let the reader understand . His point is, be vigilant, take special note, be careful to observe this and understand. It’s a signal. When the abomination occurs, those in Judea should run to the hills. V23, But take heed; behold I have told you everything in advance . We have all the information we need to endure these horrific times! We have been told everything necessary to keep from being misled! We can stand firm on the truth of God's faithful Word! 4. Fourth, The Universe will be darkened Vs24–26 (ESV) 24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glor y. [xx] Following the Abomination of Desolation, the true Jesus shows up. I say the true Jesus because of what Jesus said in vs21-22 (ESV) 21 And then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. 22 For false Christ’s and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. During the final days, Revelation speaks of 3 powerful men-- the Antichrist who rules globally, the False Prophet who calls people to worship of the AntiChrist, and Jesus, the Redeemer Savior. There is every reason to believe the coming antichrist is Islam’s Mahdi. The false Prophet is Islam’s copycat of Jesus. The whole intent of the false prophet is to take worship away from Jesus of the Bible and focus worship on the Mahdi. So it is important for us to know the correct identity of our Redeemer Savior. When t he Abomination of Desolation comes to an end the heavens will change. The sun darkening, the moon not giving its light, the stars falling, and the powers in the heaven shaking . It’s a picture of terror and confusion overwhelmed by the appearance of Jesus in all of His glory. III. WHAT’S OUR TAKE AWAY Let’s pause here, and reflect on what we have just considered. As we wait for Jesus’ return, the question before us is, how are we to live? Jesus makes it clear as to His expectations, No Sleepy Disciples. We are to be vigilant because the pathway is full of spiritual and tangible dangers. What might be our take away this morning? A. First, we need to internalize that true faith does not save one from hard times, difficult experiences, and even death. True faith often leads one into hard times, difficult experiences, and even death. And so this chapter is designed to inspire faith, stimulate endurance, and encourage hope in the face of suffering and hardship. The glory of faith in Jesus is not that we are saved from the brutalities of life, but we are saved despite the brutalities of life. Persecution, false teachers, disasters of all kinds are all part of our journey of faith. We are called to be vigilant and to endure. In Matthew 24, v13 Jesus makes this clear, The one who stands firm to the end will be saved . Those who endure and stand firm in the faith, despite incitements to do otherwise, are showing that they are genuine children of God “ who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time ” [xxi] . We are not part of the world’s ‘quick spiritual fixes’ or ‘flashy impressive messiahs’. To be on guard, to be vigilant, to endure are a far more impressive testimony to Jesus’ gospel. [xxii] B. Second, The Gospel is central to God’s mission The message of the Gospel of the Kingdom is central to God’s mission. Interestingly, after telling the disciples in v9 (GW) 9“Be on your guard! People will hand you over to the Jewish courts and whip you in their synagogues. You will stand in front of governors and kings to testify to them because of me. He then says The gospel must first be preached to all the nations . [xxiii] In the midst of spiritual darkness there is good news. God has provided a way out of the guilt and condemnation of sin. The way out is tied to a personal ‘come to Jesus’ moment. Romans 1:16 (ESV) the gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. When you believe the gospel, you believe in the God of the universe who has no serious rivals. Despite the resistance there is an urgency to proclaim the good news to the nations of the world. [xxiv] The Gospel is the heart of God’s mission. Matthew 28, v29, Disciples, go to the nations. As followers of Jesus, we are sent. As we identify with Jesus, we are not only ‘not of this world’, but we are sent into the world on His redemptive mission. We are sent to say and show Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and no one can come to the Father except through Him. [xxv] There is salvation in no other name in heaven and earth by which men, women, and children can be saved . [xxvi] The chief theme of our lives is to worship Him and proclaim His salvation to those around us no matter our difficulties. C. Third, Don’t fall asleep on the job, live with a strong sense of expectation of His return. Jesus drives home His application in 33–37 (MSG) 33 Keep a sharp lookout, for you don’t know the timetable. 34 It’s like a man who takes a trip, leaving home and putting his servants in charge, each assigned a task, and commanding the gatekeeper to stand watch. 35 So, stay at your post, watching. You have no idea when the homeowner is returning, whether evening, midnight, co*ckcrow, or morning. 36 You don’t want him showing up unannounced, with you asleep on the job. 37 I say it to you, and I’m saying it to all: Stay at your post. Keep watch.” Jesus hammers home His last warning to be vigilant. Jesus’ return will be swift and sudden. Don’t play fast and loose with your life because you don’t know God’s time table. There will be no opportunity for a last-minute repentance or bargaining time. The choice people have made will determine their eternal life destination. The message is, Jesus is coming, and you don’t know when, so you had better be ready. You need to know that the stage seems to be in its final set up. Natural disasters are unfolding at an alarming rate, there’s a rapid spread of nuclear power in finger trigger hands, a 200 million army coming out of the east spoken of by the Bible is not a stretch of the imagination, Muslims believe their Messiah, the Mahdi, the biblical antichrist, is coming soon, international tensions are rising, and there is a growing unrest in the hearts of people. And so Jesus says, be vigilant less His return finds you sleeping. Stay alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and stand before the Son of Man.” Be vigilant and pray that you don’t get entrapped by shysters, charlatans, imposters. Be vigilant and pray that you don’t get paralyzed by the anxieties and worries of life. Be vigilant and pray that you don’t find yourself fragmented and pulled apart by the turbulence of life. Be vigilant and pray that you don’t use the world’s desensitization of alcohol or immorality. In Luke’s account we have these words, 34 “But be on your guard. Don’t let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping. Otherwise, that Day is going to take you by complete surprise, spring on you suddenly like a trap, 35 for it’s going to come on everyone, everywhere, at once. 36 So, whatever you do, don’t go to sleep at the switch. Pray constantly that you will have the strength and wits to make it through everything that’s coming and end up on your feet before the Son of Man. ” [Luke 21:34–36 (MSG) ] Let’s close in prayer: -- Heavenly Father, thank You for joining us together around Your Word, Your truth. Thank You for guiding us as we dig what is to come. As Jesus said, Be vigilant, for I have told you everything in advance. Thank you for graciously warning us and preparing us for what is to come. Thank You for the truthfulness of Your Word. You spoke it to us and wrote it with authority, which means we’re commanded to believe this, because it is Your Word, and it will come to pass as You said. We can see it happening in history, and because You have spoken it'll be that way to the end for Your Word will never pass away until it’s all fulfilled. We are not the most noble and the mighty and the wisest of the world, but we know these massive, truths that the world doesn’t know, because You have revealed them to us.We are so privileged. Enable us to have opportunity to proclaim these truths, to preach Your gospel against the background of coming judgment, of the horrors of the tribulation that could start much sooner than we realize. Help us to share Your gospel with fervency, knowing many are on the edge of judgment, either by immediately dying unexpectedly or by the coming of the tribulation of all tribulations. Use us to rescue our families, friends, co-workers from the coming horrors. Gather in Your people, we pray, for Your glory. Amen. [i] I try to thoroughly cite all sources in my written sermon notes. But due to the extemporaneous nature of oral communication, delivery may occasionally contain material not fully cited or original with me. In such situations, the church nor I assert ownership to such material. The footnotes contain most of the resources that were used to prepare this sermon. https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/encouraging-each-other-at-the-end-of-the-age https://duckduckgo.com/?q=But+be+on+your+guard&atb=v433-4&ia=web . https://explorethebible . lifeway.com/blog/adults/7-ways-to-prepare-for-jesus-return-session-11-mark-1324-37/. https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/helping-each-other-endure-to-the-end . https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/life-together-at-the-end-of-the-age . https://bibleportal.com/commentary/section/ preacher-s-complete-homiletical-commentary/372309. https://www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/41-70/the-final-generation-part-2 [ii] Ashley Draper, Role of Cheerleaders in an Athletic Department’s Mission, https://www.nfhs.org/articles/role-of-cheerleaders-in-an-athletic-department-s-mission/ [iii] Dr. Tim Allchin, The Power of Encouragement. https://biblicalcounselingcenter.org/power-of-encouragement/ three main benefits of encouragement—V11, produces change, V12, produces correction, V13, produces courage. Learning how to be an encourager can be one of the greatest gifts you give your friends, church, and community. Wise encouragement, that prioritizes the need of the moment, will impact lives for eternity. [iv] Walter Wessel, Mark: The Expositor’s Bible Commentary with the New International Version. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing 1995), p143. An enormous retaining wall was built to hold the platform expanse. Some of this wall towered 200 feet above the Kidron Valley. The temple complex was an architectural wonder and its size and location dominated Jerusalem. Josephus says the stones were twenty-five cubits long, eight cubits high, and twelve cubits wide. The temple complex was utterly destroyed in AD 70 by the Roman general Titus. [v] Psalm 132:8, 13–14 (ESV) 8Arise, O LORD, and go to your resting place, you and the ark of your might. 13For the LORD has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his dwelling place: 14“This is my resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it. Psalm 68:16 (ESV) 16Why do you look with hatred, O many-peaked mountain, at the mount that God desired for his abode, yes, where the LORD will dwell forever? [vi] Proverbs 14:8 (ESV) 8The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deceiving., Proverbs 24:5 (ESV) 5A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might, Ecclesiastes 7:19 (ESV)19Wisdom gives strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city., [vii] Garland, David E. 1996. Mark . The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House. https://forums.somd.com/ threads/joel-osteens-church.399987/page-2Being a religious shyster is nothing new. They have been around for years.. It's a business like any other.They are selling a product, and many people are happy to give them money for the peace of mind they bring to them.Some people are happy to be bullsh*tted. Religion has been around almost since man was created, if indeed he was created.Is mine any better ? Is yours any better? They all want money. Some use a portion of it to give to the needy, the poor, but they all use it to build structures to ask for more. Is there a deity? Believe what you will, people have believed in gods since the sun was that deity, pick the one you want and try for that peace of mind, or become a atheist and deny the whole thing. Whatever winds your clock. [viii] 2 Timothy 3:1–9 (ESV)1But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 6For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, 7always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. 8Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. 9But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men. [ix] https://www.preceptaustin.org/mark-13-commentary#13:8When birth pangs begin, birth generally soon follows. Having delivered a number of babies, it has been my experience that as one gets closer to the actual delivery of the baby, the birth pangs increase in quality and quantity. It would appear that Jesus' figure of speech strongly implies that birth pangs (false messiahs, wars, earthquakes, famines, plaques, etc) will increase in number and intensity as the end draws near. Indeed, the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ (specifically Revelation 6:1-19:21 ) describes an intensification of all of these things (from seal judgments to the far worse bowl judgments at the end) which Jesus had alluded to and which have been occurring for the past 2000 years. David Turner on birth pangs - The use of the pains of a woman in labor as a metaphor for eschatological troubles and/or the woe of God’s judgment is found elsewhere in Jewish literature and the NT [x] Strikes, riots and civil commotion – a test of business resilience.https://commercial.allianz.com/content/dam/onemarketing/ commercial/commercial/reports/AGCS-strikes-riots-civil-commotion-report-2023.pdf [xi] Karen McVeigh, ‘Perfect storm’ of crises is widening global inequality, says UN chief https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022 /jul/02/perfect-storm-crises-widening-global-inequality-says-un-chief [xii] 1 Samuel 15:24 (ESV) Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice. Galatians 2:12 (ESV) For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. [xiii] Garland, David E. 1996. Mark . The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House. [xiv] Voice of the Martyrs, https://etools.vomusa.org/a/vombm/viewasweb/vom_bulk_email_202407_02_web.html [xv] https://www.nlife.com.au/global-church-persecution/enbe5fy47mst58v23zijcud96tp67g [xvi] https://www.gotquestions.org/endures-to-the-end-saved.html [xvii] Garland, David E. 1996. Mark . The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House. [xviii] Matthew 24:15 (ESV) 15“So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), [xix] https://www.studylight.org/commentary/mark/13-37.html . According to the thirteenth chapter of the book of Revelation, he will cause an image to be made of himself. And this image will be placed within the temple and people will be required to worship this image. And he has power to put to death those that would refuse to worship the image. So Jesus said, "Let him who reads understands." When you see the abomination of desolation standing where it ought not, that is the abomination which causes desolation. This is the thing that will cause the desolation or the destruction of the Great Tribulation period, the last three and a half years. The whole sequence of this wrath of God being poured out upon man will be triggered by this ultimate blasphemy; as this man of sin, the son of perdition, stands in the Holy of Holies of the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem, and there blasphemes the God of heaven and declares that he is God and demands to be worshipped as God. That is the final straw of man's rebellion against God. And God will begin His move to judge the world in order that He might establish His new kingdom, the kingdom of righteousness, joy, and peace. This will be the trigger that will usher in the three and a half years of the great tribulation period. So, Jesus makes reference to it: "When you see this 'abomination of desolation' that is spoken of by Daniel the prophet standing where it ought not, let him that reads understand, then let them that are in Judea..." Notice He's speaking not of the United States; He's not speaking of the church. "...those that are in Judea, let them flee to the mountains." [xx] Luke 21:25–26 (ESV)25“And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. [xxi] 1 Peter 1:5 (ESV)5who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. [xxii] Donald English, The Message of Mark (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1992), pp204-210. [xxiii] Matthew 24:14 (ESV) 14And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. [xxiv] https://www.bibleref.com/Mark/13/Mark-13-10.htmlYou might be interested in knowing that there are 7,099 spoken languages. 3,312 of those languages currently have a portion of the Bible. The complete Bible has been translated in 670 languages, and the New Testament has been translated in 1521 languages. As of this writing the gospel presentation has been translated into 167 languages. Further, over eighty percent of the world has internet access, and that number is quickly rising with the spread of smartphones. Statisticians suggest that ninety percent of online users can be reached using only twenty-one languages [xxv] John 14:6 (ESV) 6Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. [xxvi] Acts 4:12 (ESV) 12And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

By Dr. David Wolfe • 29 Jun, 2024

The Days Of Noah: A Sign That His Time Is Near [i] (Matthew 24:37-39) I. INTRODUCTION In Acts 1 Jesus gathers His disciple team together for one last word of instruction. Following the instruction, He was taken into the heavenlies. As the disciples fixated their eyes on Him disappearing into the cloud, [ii] Suddenly two men appeared—in white robes, saying “You Galileans!—why do you just stand here looking up at an empty sky? This Jesus, who was taken up from you to heaven, will one day return . [iii] Understand, His return will be radically different from His first coming to the earth. At His first coming, He was born in a manager, and crisscrossed the nation of Israel on foot preaching the gospel of the Kingdom. [iv] When He returns, He will come as a mighty warrior King, destroying His enemies, and displaying His glory. [v] Isaiah 66:18 (ESV) “. . . all nations and tongues will be gathered together, and they shall come and shall see ‘His’ glory . [vi] So the disciples in Matthew 24 ask Jesus, what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age? Jesus answered them in v37 (MSG) , The Arrival of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah . In light of His answer, I’ve entitled todays message, The Days Of Noah: A Sign That Jesus’ Return Is Near. In the previous verses Jesus gave several illustrations of what will characterize the days leading up to His return. One of the characteristics He highlights is that the time of His return will be “ as it was in the days of Noah” leading up to the flood waters that swept the people away( v37 ). Let’s begin with a brief prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for bringing us together to sing Your praises and lifting up Your name. We now seek Your help as we study Your Word. We pray this in the name of the Rock of our Salvation, Jesus Christ. Amen. II. THE PARABLE OF THE FIG TREE Interestingly, Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians chap 5, vs1-5 (GW) that it should not take us by surprise. He writes, 1 Brothers and sisters, you don’t need anyone to write to you about times and dates. 2 You know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 When people say, “Everything is safe and sound!” destruction will suddenly strike them. It will be as sudden as labor pains come to a pregnant woman. They won’t be able to escape. 4 But, brothers and sisters, you do not live in the dark. That day won’t take you by surprise as a thief would. 5 Why? Because You belong to the day and the light not to the night and the dark. In explaining what to look for in regards to His return, Jesus draws a lesson for us from the fig tree. vs32-33 (MSG) , Now learn the parable from the fig tree: From the moment you notice its buds forming, the merest hint of green, you know summer’s just around the corner. 33 So it is with you: When you see all these things, you’ll know He’s at the door. The point that He is making is, we need to be students of world events as laid out in Matthew 24, the book of Daniel, and Revelation. By being a student of world events we can conclude that His coming is near, and perhaps standing at the door. Therefore, we should not be taken by surprise when it happens. And know that when He is at the door massive events will unfold swiftly. That’s what Jesus tells us in Luke 17:24 ESV For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. It is in that context that Jesus said, you don’t know the day or the hour, but I don’t want you to be ignorant, ie., don’t burry your head in the sand. 37 (GW) “ for when the Son of Man comes again, it will be exactly like the days of Noah . [vii] Now think with me for a moment: First, Jesus is providing us insight into God’s intentions so that we will be faithful in the midst of chaotic times. You might feel apprehensive and stressed out. God has given us special insight as to the world stage, so don’t be stressed. Here’s a War Bulletin from Zechariah 12:1–3 (MSG) 1 . . . the very God who threw the skies into space, set earth on a firm foundation, and breathed his own life into men and women: 2 “Watch for this: I’m about to turn Jerusalem into a cup of strong drink that will have the people who have set siege to Judah and Jerusalem staggering in a drunken stupor. 3 “On the Big Day, I’ll turn Jerusalem into a huge stone blocking the way for everyone. All who try to lift it will rupture themselves. All the nations of the earth will come together and try to get rid of it. Chap 14, v2 (ESV) 2 I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle . . . How is God going to do that? Let me suggest for our thinking that the actions of Hamas on Oct 7, 2023 may be the rallying cry for pulling not just the immediate surrounding nations of Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Egypt and Iran together against Israel, but also the nations of the world against Israel From South Africa to Norway to Southeast Asia, as well as possibly our own country. The point is, God is gathering the nations for a showdown. Isaiah 66:18, . . . the time is coming to gather all nations and tongues. And they shall come and shall see my glor y. [viii] 2. Second, notice that Jesus identifies Himself as the Son of Man in v37. That title comes from Daniel 7, vs13-14 where we are told that the One like a Son of Man was coming, and He came up to the Ancient of Days, and was presented before Him. And He was given dominion, Glory and a kingdom from every nation and every language might serve Him. So in the parable of the fig tree, Jesus is telling us that we need to be in tune with world events, and that history has a way of authenticating His words. The trend of world events is a clear lens that Jesus has been telling the truth about the future. We are now nearing the end of two thousand years of history since the days Jesus died and rose from the dead. As current affairs unfold, the stage is being set for the coming of the Lawless One—the leader of a great rebellion; [ix] In light of that know that the King of kings is about to walk on stage. III. THE SIGN: DAYS OF NOAH Interestingly, Jesus gives us some valuable insight as to His return. He tells us here that the world belief and behavior will be just like the days of Noah. So that raises the question, what were the days of Noah like? Understand, that when Jesus said in the days of Noah , He had in mind not only the belief and behavior of the time, but also God’s message of coming judgment. According to Genesis 6 God gave a 120 year warning of coming annihilation. What Jesus is telling us is, the spiritual condition of Noah’s world leading up to God’s judgment is a portrayal of the spiritual condition of the world preceding His return to the earth and I might add, coming judgement. So what were the days of Noah like leading up to God’s judgment? Let me highlight 5 character traits of the Days of Noah that are applicable to our day. A. First, It Was Business As Usual That’s what Jesus tells us in v38 (MSG) everyone was carrying on as usual. Eating, drinking, marrying and giving in marriage . They were living normal lives, going about their normal business, and conducting their normal affairs. Life was in many respects like life in our own day. People of Noah’s day were eating and drinking (nothing wrong with that) The people of Noah’s day were marrying and giving in marriage (nothing wrong with that). The people of Noah’s day were buying and selling and continuing in all the usual activities of human life (nothing wrong with that). Their children went to school every day, businessmen made deals, teachers taught, doctors dispensed healing, farmers tended their crops. The people of Noah’s day paid no attention to Noah, his message and his boat building program. They turned a deaf ear to Noah’s preaching. What matter to them was “living for the moment”. Genesis tells us that that before the worldwide flood . . . It was an age of enlightenment. But they did not listen to Noah. It was an age of great progress. But they did not listen to Noah. It was an age of music, fine arts and literature. But they did not listen to Noah. [x] It was an age of military might. But they did not listen to Noah. It was an age when mighty men roamed the earth. But they did not listen to Noah. [xi] That was the world of Noah’s day, going about life as usual, ignoring the message of Noah. It was business as usual. [xii] They were wise fools who did not heed the warnings of the preacher of righteousness. [xiii] Then the flood came and took them all away. Like Noah’s day, people today are just going about doing their thing with no concept the coming end of days. We are more concerned about environmental issues than the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. [xiv] B. Second, It Was a Sensual Time Genesis 6 gives us some additional insight as to the days of Noah. vs1–2 (GW) 1 As the number of people increased all over the earth, daughters were born to them. 2 The sons of God saw that the daughters were beautiful. So they took them as they chose. In the Bible the phrase “ the sons of God” is understood to be in reference to “fallen angels”. These fallen angels left their God given dominion, and either materialized in actually human flesh or because of the evil of the day, were able to take bodily control of the men, as in demon possession. Either way, what we have here are fallen angels jumping the boundaries that God had established. [xv] Spurred on by demonic lust, they freely took women for themselves, no constraints. Marriage was a sham. It was all about senusuality and sexual domination. Satan was now at “war” against the “seed of the woman ” in Genesis 3. His objective was to demonize the human race and make a mockery of the sexual union. And what better way to destroy the coming Messiah than to utterly corrupt the human race through the introduction of impurities and demonism? [xvi] Women were used and abused. The demons were consumed by their lusts. Know this, it was a time of great demonic activity. Paul, Peter and Jude teach us that in the last days leading up to Jesus return there will be an abundance of demonic activity, and it will be a “time of great difficulty” [xvii] C. Third, It Was A Time of Great Violence V13 (GW) God said to Noah, “I have decided to put an end to all people because the earth is full of their violence . Understand Noah lived in very violent time. Consider the age we live in. There’s been an alarming increase in global violence just in the past 100 years. According to one source, wars in the past 90 years killed more people than during the previous 500 years combined. It is estimated 203 million people were killed by wars just in the 20th century. [xviii] . Apart from war, it is reported that in this 20 th century up to 360 million people have been arbitrarily killed by governments In the last decade, war has claimed the lives of an estimated 2 million children and has disabled another 4 to 5 million children. And globally, the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START) has documented more than 125,000 violent terrorist attacks since 1970. [xix] Then there are the various silent forms of violence—deliberate abortions of millions of babies, [xx] along with the increase of puberty-blocking medications and gender-affirming surgeries. [xxi] Genesis 6 tells us that during the days of Noah people were vile and wicked. They had no respect for God, indulging in their sinful actions unashamedly. [xxii] Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools. They had no time for God until it was too late. [xxiii] And because of their vile evilness, God says I will blot them out . Like Noah, we live in violent times. Life is cheap. D. Fourth, There was an Abundance of Charismatic, Corrupt Leaders V4 (ESV) The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown. The resulting cohabitation of the demonic with humanity produced a form of evil offspring called the Nephilim . They roamed the earth as giants, tyrants, and workers of enormous evil. As a side note, you should know that for this hideous sin, these angels were placed in a pit of deep darkness by God. According to 2 Peter 2:4-5 and Judge 6-7 God punished them for “abandoning their proper abod e.” Anyway, these demons possessed men, whether they were able to materialize as a male or actually possess men of the day, they impregnate women. This spawned charismatic corrupt leaders known as the Nephilim , enormously violent, brutal, cruel, barbaric people, and corrupt. In the Bible the Nephilim at times are spoken of as “giants”, and may refer to a documented race of ancient men and women who on average were ten to 12 feet tall. [xxiv] Whoever they were, they arrogantly ignored God, built vast empires, living as despots and tyrants, and embodied the worst traits of humanity—living as if God didn’t exist. A quick overview of the present, corrupt leadership is on the rise. Corruption takes many forms, but at its most basic it is an illegal abuse of power that takes advantage of public trust to benefit an individual or small minority. [xxv] According to one article I read, corruption in the United States is at its worst in almost a decade. Advocates attribute this to a declining trust in democratic institutions and poor oversight of pandemic-related financial aid. [xxvi] Like Noah’s day, corruption is on the rise. E. Fifth, There was a Love Passion for Evil V5 (ESV) The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually . At this point sinful living was out of control, wiping out what God initially pronounced good for every intent of the thoughts of men and women was only evil continually. This is God’s epithet of the heart of man. In Matthew 15, v 19 (ESV) For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander . [xxvii] We are currently living in an age where these vices are considered normal, and in fact encouraged. [xxviii] Research shows there is a correlation between media violence and youths exhibiting violent behavior in society. In this country alone a typical child will view more than 200,000 acts of violence, including 16,000 murders, on television before the age of 18. Television programs display 812 violent acts per hour. A recent study found that 15 percent of music videos contain interpersonal violence. [xxix] In John 3, v19 (ESV) Jesus said, And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. Understand, there is a dark brooding love affair for evil unfolding around us. Notice Jesus’ commentary: it’s not an insufficiency of light or a lack of evidence or lack of knowledge. The reason He gives is this: evil exits because people love the darkness . The problem is a love for darkness. Proverbs 2:14 (ESV) There are people who rejoice in doing evil and delight in the perverseness of evil. [xxx] Jesus said in Matthew 24:12 (GW) And because there will be more and more lawlessness, most people’s love will grow cold . So what we have here is a love problem. What the heart loves blinds the mind to the light of truth. That’s why Paul writes in Ephesians 4:18 (NASB95) Love for darkness darkens one’s understanding, excludes them from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of their heart; There is something beneath a love for darkness – namely a heart that is hard. [xxxi] John Piper writes: Hardness of heart is a stiff-necked resistance to God because we love our independence from God. We hate the idea of being under absolute authority. We love our autonomy, our self-sufficiency, our self-direction, our self-exaltation. We bristle with hardness, stiffness against any suggestion of absolute dependence on another, especially God. [xxxii] As the passion for evil increases, Hosea’s message becomes more fitting: “There is no truth or mercy or knowledge of God in the land. By swearing and lying, killing and stealing and committing adultery, they break all restraint, ‘its’ bloodshed upon bloodshed. Therefore the land will mourn; and everyone who dwells there will waste away” (Hosea 4:1-3). We shouldn’t be shocked or dismayed by what we see and hear. Our world is following the path exactly as Jesus said it would do. III. WHAT’S OUR TAKE AWAY Let’s pause here, and reflect on what we have just considered. Jesus said that when He returns, the spiritual climate will be like the days of Noah. It was business as usual A time of great sensuality A time of great violence An abundance corrupt leaders A love affair with evil In Noah’s day, the time of punishment came when God “saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5). He resolved to blot that generation off of the face of the earth. In his book Slouching Towards Gomorrah (1996), former U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Robert H. Bork explained the roots of American cultural decline and degeneracy. He cited increased violence in and sexualization of mass media, the legalization of abortion and the decline of religion, among other factors. These societal ills are contrary to God’s laws that bring peace, success and strength to any nation. [xxxiii] God preserved the biblical record of Noah and Sodom and Gomorrah for us to read and take warning. Today the world is heading recklessly toward the edge of a cliff, like a runaway car down a winding mountain road. As humans reject God’s laws of sexual morality and cast off all restraint, without large-scale repentance, disaster will come. He warned them that they were becoming boastful and unashamed of their blatant sins. God said, “Because of this, they have brought evil upon themselves” (Isaiah 3:9). Interestingly, history doesn’t seem to run in a straight light. It seems to run in an oval circle. Peter picks up on this in 2 Peter 2, vs5–6 (ESV) where he speaks about God destroying the world in Noah’s day, then years later he highlights Sodom and Gomorrah. [xxxiv] Noah’s world was destroyed with a flood, Sodom and Gomorrah’s world was destroyed with fire and brimstone. Both are left as a warning. In Romans 2, vs5-6 God said, “In accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who ‘will render to each one according to his deeds’”. The first time God brought His judgment on the earth, it was by a great flood of water. The next time God punishes the whole earth will be at Christ’s return, when He will “render His anger with fury, and His rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire and by His sword the LORD will judge all flesh” (Isaiah 66:15-16). Jesus said in Luke 21, vs34-36, “Take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day [of My return and God’s wrath ] come upon you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:34-36). [xxxv] Let me close with a reading from the pen of Peter. I’m reading from 2 Peter 3:10–14 (GW) 1 0 The day of the Lord will come like a thief. On that day heaven will pass away with a roaring sound, and everything that makes up the universe will burn and be destroyed. The earth and everything that people have done on it will be exposed. 11 All these things will be destroyed in this way. So think of the kind of holy and godly lives you must live 12 as you look forward to the day of God and eagerly wait for it to come. When that day comes, heaven will be on fire and will be destroyed. Everything that makes up the universe will burn and melt. 13 But we look forward to what God has promised—a new heaven and a new earth—a place where everything that has God’s approval lives. 14 Therefore, dear friends, with this to look forward to, make every effort to have him find you at peace, without ⸤spiritual⸥ stains or blemishes. It is said of the great Scottish minister, Horatio Bonar, that on one occasion he was in discussion with a number of fellow ministers. He said to them, "Do you really expect Jesus Christ to come today?" One by one he went around the circle and put that question to each. And one by one they shook their heads and said, "No, not today." Then without comment he wrote on a piece of paper these words and passed it around: "You also must be ready; for the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect." [xxxvi] Will God get our attention before that time? Will He find lasting, heartfelt changes in our behavior before He unleashes His anger? The choice is ours. Let’s pray: Father, You are the God of our past and our present. By Your hand we were all created for a unique purpose to be realized in the days of our lives on this earth. Though we have no way of knowing what is coming our way, we know that life this side of heaven will be hard. We know we have an enemy set to destroy us. Give us the boldness we need to operate in the power of Your Holy Spirit, to discern the lies of the enemy and recall and remember the truths in Your Word.For those of us that live our lives according to the Truth, it gets harder every day. We are misunderstood and mislabeled. We are lonely and alone at times. But through it all, we maintain a hope and a peace that surpass all understanding.In this life, between here and the not yet, give us courage and bravery to operate in Your Truth even when we are afraid. As our culture strips Your name from everything and everywhere, let us proclaim it louder and longer . . . and everywhere we go . . . that Jesus Christ has defeated death. In Him, we are victorious, and He will come again. Be our strength when it’s hard to be His Follower in this world. Embrace us with Your encouragement and fortify us with Your perfect love.And if there is someone here this morning struggling with the knowledge of the Jesus’ soon return and are not ready, we ask that You solidify salvation in their hearts. Prompt them to confess their sins, acknowledge Jesus’ death payment and believe in their heart that You raised Him from the dead . . . give them now the confidence that the burden of sin has been removed, and they will be welcomed by Him on that great day, that they will indeed see His glory. For we know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen. [i] I try to thoroughly cite all sources in my written sermon notes. But due to the extemporaneous nature of oral communication, delivery may occasionally contain material not fully cited or original with me. In such situations, the church nor I assert ownership to such material. The footnotes contain most of the resources that were used to prepare this sermon. https://www.gotquestions.org/coming-Son-of-Man-days-of-Noah.html Ray Stedman, A Thief in the Night https://www.raystedman.org/new-testament/matthew/a-thief-in-the-night https://www. christianity.com/wiki/end-times/what-is-the-meaning-and-warning-in-as-it-was-in-the-days-of-noah.html https://bible.org/seriespage/3-it-was-days-noah-pt-1-god-s-patience-runs-out-gen-61-8 Chris Moen, Shades of Sodom and Gomorrah. https://lifehopeandtruth.com/prophecy/end-times/sodom-and-gomorrah/ [ii] https://www.bibleref.com/Acts/1/Acts-1-9.html . Acts 1:9 (ESV) 9And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. God is often represented by clouds in the Bible Interestly,.in Exodus, a pillar of cloud led the Israelites through the wilderness ( Exodus 13:21 ). When the Israelites camped at Mt. Sinai, God covered the mountain in cloud and smoke to show the people the authority He was giving Moses ( Exodus 19:9 , 16–18 ). When Solomon brought the ark of the covenant into the new temple, God filled the whole building with a cloud of His glory so thick the priests had to flee ( 1 Kings 8:10–11 ). When God showed Peter, James, and John the glory of Jesus during the transfiguration, He spoke to them from a cloud ( Mark 9:7 ). And when Jesus will return, for both the rapture ( 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 ) and the second coming ( Revelation 1:7 ), He will come with clouds. All such cases illustrate the shekinah glory of God—the glory of God that dwells with His people. God's glory is so great we can only experience it if it is veiled as if by clouds. Soon, we will see God clearly ( 2 Corinthians 3:12–18 ). [iii] Acts 1:9–11 (ESV) 9And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” [iv] Matthew 4:23 (ESV) 23And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. Mark 1:14 (ESV) 14Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, See also Matthew 3:2; 9:35; 24:14; Mark 1:14; Luke 4:43; 8:1; 16:16; Acts 20:25; 28:3 [v] Revelation 19:11–16 (ESV) 11Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. Isaiah 66:14–17 (ESV) 14. . . he shall show his indignation against his enemies. 15“For behold, the LORD will come in fire, and his chariots like the whirlwind, to render his anger in fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. 16For by fire will the LORD enter into judgment, and by his sword, with all flesh; and those slain by the LORD shall be many. 17“Those who sanctify and purify themselves to go into the gardens, following one in the midst, eating pig’s flesh and the abomination and mice, shall come to an end together, declares the LORD. [vi] Isaiah 40:5 (ESV) 5And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” [vii] Cf., Alan S. Bandy, The Return of Christ, https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/the-return-of-christ/ The imminent return of Christ, however, does not mean it could happen at any moment without any preconditioned fulfillment of prophecies or signs. Paul told the Thessalonians they were children of the light, and therefore they would not be taken by sudden surprise, like a thief ( 1Thes. 5:1–5 ). There are at least three events that are mentioned as taking place before the second coming: (1) the gospel preached to all the nations; (2) the great tribulation and the great apostasy; and (3) the coming of the Antichrist. The point is certain things must happen before Christ returns but exactly how and where these signs are fulfilled is difficult to say. Consequently, we must always be open to the possibility that Christ could return at any time. Thus, although certain “signs” have been present throughout history, such signs will intensify before Christ returns. That is, these signs will become clearer before they reach their climax. Imminence does not necessitate suddenness devoid of potential indicators. [viii] Isaiah 45:22–25 (ESV)22“Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. 23By myself I have sworn; from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return: ‘To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.’ 24“Only in the LORD, it shall be said of me, are righteousness and strength; to him shall come and be ashamed all who were incensed against him. 25In the LORD all the offspring of Israel shall be justified and shall glory.”; Jeremiah 3:17 (ESV)17At that time Jerusalem shall be called the throne of the LORD, and all nations shall gather to it, to the presence of the LORD in Jerusalem, and they shall no more stubbornly follow their own evil heart. [ix] 2 Thessalonians 2:8–9 (NASB95) 8Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; 9that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, [x] Cf., Genesis 4:20–22 (NASB95) 20Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. 21His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe. 22As for Zillah, she also gave birth to Tubal-cain, the forger of all implements of bronze and iron; and the sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah. Samuel Boxter, The Days of Noah, What Was It Really Like Before the Flood, https://rcg.org/realtruth/articles/140219-003.html . Due to their extended lifespans, the number of people could have grown to between five billion and 17 billion by Noah’s time. Knowledge and technology also rapidly increased in the 1,656 years from Creation to the Flood. Mankind built cities ( 4:17 ), had cattle ranches ( vs. 20 ), composed and played music ( vs. 21 ), and discovered metallurgy, including how to make alloys such as brass ( vs. 22 ). [xi] Cf., Genesis 6:4 (NASB95) 4The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men, and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown. Numbers 13:33 (NASB95) 33“There also we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak are part of the Nephilim); and we became like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight. [xii] Cf., Luke 17:28–30 (NASB95) 28“It was the same as happened in the days of Lot: they were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building; 29but on the day that Lot went out from Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. 30“It will be just the same on the day that the Son of Man is revealed. [xiii] 2 Peter 2:5 (ESV)5if he did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; [xiv] Matthew 10:27–28 (ESV)27What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. 28And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. [xv] Jude 6 (ESV) 6And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day— 1 Peter 3:19–20 (ESV) 19in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, 20because they formerly did not obey, when God’s p atience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. [xvi] 2 Peter 2:4–5 (ESV) 4For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment; 5if he did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; Jude 6–7 (ESV)6And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day— 7just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire. [xvii] 1 Timothy 4:1–2 (ESV)1Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared,; 2 Timothy 3:1 (ESV)1But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. ; 2 Peter 3:3–7 (ESV)3knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. 4They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, 6and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. 7But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.; Jude 17–19 (ESV)17But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. 18They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” 19It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. [xviii] Matthew White, Historical Atlas of the Twentieth Century , 2010, “Deaths by War” [xix] Chris Moen, As in the Days of Noah: Warnings for Today. https://lifehopeandtruth.com/prophecy/end-times/as-in-the-days-of-noah/ [xx] Global Abortion Rates. https://www.infoplease.com/math-science/health/healthcare/global-abortion-rates [xxi] https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-transyouth-data/ . At least 14,726 minors started hormone treatment with a prior gender dysphoria diagnosis from 2017 through 2021, according to the Komodo analysis. The Komodo analysis of insurance claims found 56 genital surgeries among patients ages 13 to 17 with a prior gender dysphoria diagnosis from 2019 to 2021. Among teens, “top surgery” to remove breasts is more common. In the three years ending in 2021, at least 776 mastectomies were performed in the United States on patients ages 13 to 17 with a gender dysphoria diagnosis, according to Komodo’s data analysis of insurance claims. This tally does not include procedures that were paid for out of pocket Andrew Court, 4 out 5 kids who question gender ‘grow out of it’: Transgerder expert.. https://nypost.com/2023/02/22/four-out-of-five-kids-who-question-their-gender-grow-out-of-it-trans-expert/ A psychiatrist who has presided over youth gender transition treatments for more than a decade says “four out of five” gender-questioning children eventually accept their bodies if no medical interventions are carried out. follow-up studies of transgender kids have shown that a substantial majority -- anywhere from 65 to 94 percent -- eventually ceased to identify as transgender. [xxii] Cf., Genesis 6:1–5 (NASB95) 1Now it came about, when men began to multiply on the face of the land, and daughters were born to them, 2that the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves, whomever they chose. 3Then the LORD said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh; nevertheless his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.” 4The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men, and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown. 5Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. [xxiii] Cf., Romans 1:21–24 (NASB95) 21For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. 24Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of thei r hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. [xxiv] Zacgart Garrusm Giants in the Land: A Biblical Theology of the Nephilim, Anakim, Rephaim (And Goliath), https://knowingscripture.com/articles/giants-in-the-land-a-biblical-theology-of-the-nephilim-anakim-rephaim-and-goliath . It is important to note that Genesis 6:4 never explicitly calls the Nephilim ‘giants’. However, the Nephilim have often been considered giants because of the description o the giants in the land as those who come from the Nephilim in Numbers 13:32-33. Also the Septuagint translates both the Hebrew Nephilim and Gibborim in Genesis 6:4 as giants. The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward—afterward is presumably after the flood. Nephilim (Numbers 13:33) after the fllod because in some way the fallen angels again were able to ‘bred’ with women, bringing about again the Nephilim. There was Goliath, and Og of Ashan (Deut 3:11) [xxv] World’s Most Corrupt Leaders, https://www.infoplease.com/world/social-statistics/worlds-most-corrupt-leaders [xxvi] Cailey Griffin, Amy Mackinnon, Report: Corruption in U.S. at Worst Levels in Almost a Decade. https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/01/28/report-transparency-international-corruption-worst-decade-united-states/ [xxvii] Cf. Galatians 5:19–21 (NASB95) 19Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. [xxviii] Romans 1:28–32 (ESV)28And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them. The point of the last half of the verse is to show that many people not only do things that they know deserve death, but also entice others to do them and approve when they do. Cf., Proverbs 2:14 (ESV) 14who rejoice in doing evil and delight in the perverseness of evil, [xxix] Chris Moen, As in the Days of Noah: Warnings for Today. https://lifehopeandtruth.com/prophecy/end-times/as-in-the-days-of-noah/ . [xxx] Proverbs 4:19 (ESV) 19 The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble. [xxxi] 2 Thessalonians 2:10–12 (ESV)10and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, 12in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. [xxxii] John Piper, How Your Heart Governs Your Mind., https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/how-your-heart-governs-your-mind [xxxiii] Cf., https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/explore-the-bible/what-is-this-world-coming-to-exactly-what-jesus-said-it-would-come-to.html Statistics show that kids are more sexualized now than ever, and that 70% of kids will have sex before graduating high school A new report says that 45% of Americans think that God wants them to be happy more than anything else A pew poll report shows that church attendance is at the lowest mark in twenty years Studies now indicate that the current presidential administration is the most anti-Christian administration of the modern era [xxxiv] Luke 17:28–30 (ESV)28 In the same way, just as it was in the days of Lot—they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, 29 but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom, fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyed them all— 30 so will it be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed. See Jude 7 (ESV) 7just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire. Ezekiel 16:49–50 (ESV) 49Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy. 50They were haughty and did an abomination before me. So I removed them, when I saw it. Jeremiah 23:14 (ESV) 14But in the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen a horrible thing: they commit adultery and walk in lies; they strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns from his evil; all of them have become like Sodom to me, and its inhabitants like Gomorrah.” [xxxv] Isaiah 66:18 (ESV)18“For I know their works and their thoughts, and the time is coming to gather all nations and tongues. And they shall come and shall see my glory, [xxxvi] Ray Stedman, A Thief in the Night https://www.raystedman.org/new-testament/matthew/a-thief-in-the-night

By Dr. David Wolfe • 08 Jun, 2024

LIVING IN LIGHT OF CHRIST’S RETURN His Day Is Drawing Near [i] (Hebrews 10:25 + Selected Scriptures) I. INTRODUCTION Today I want to start a mini-series entitled Living In Light Of Christ’s Return . I’ve entitled today’s message His Day Is Drawing Near taken from Hebrews 10:25. I find Hebrews chap 10, vs23-25 (ESV) fascinating in light of world trends. Here the author writes, V 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another all the more as you see the Day drawing near (emphasis added). Let’s not miss the closing phrase, encouraging one another all the more as you see the Day drawing nea r. The writer of Hebrews is telling us that it is possible that we can have an inkling as to the nearness of Jesus’ return. Let your mind savior that like your tongue savior’s a scoop of your favorite ice-cream. I am told that Martin Luther once remarked in reference to Jesus’ second coming, “There are two days in my calendar: this day and that day.” [ii] Many years have passed since Luther made that statement. However, with many today, talking about Jesus’ second coming often brings a cynical smile. After all, didn’t Jesus say in Matthew 24, no one knows the day or hour of His return, and yet there are people like radio host Harold Camping, who predicted in 2011 the specific date of Jesus’ return. [iii] His hyper-expectancy created a mockery dilemma along the lines of what Peter tells us in 2 Peter 3:3–4 (NASB95) 3 Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation .” [iv] I believe that in some fashion this mockery dilemma has created a slumbering church that acts as though Jesus is not returning at all. Holding on to the promise of His return seems to have gone the way of the El Camino car or the waterbed, or any of the out-of-style fads from years-gone-bye. Let’s begin with a brief prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for bringing us together to sing Your praises and lifting up Your name. We now seek Your help in the study of Your Word. We pray this in the name of the Rock of our Salvation, Jesus Christ. Amen. II. AS YOU SEE ‘HIS’ DAY DRAWING NEAR (THE SIGNS) There is a certain fascination when it comes to thinking about the world’s end. A group of scientists have put together what they are calling the Doomsday Clock . On January 2024 the Doomsday Clock was set 90 seconds to midnight. Midnight representing the moment that the Earth becomes uninhabitable. [v] If you are listen to the news at all, it does sound like we’re going nuke each other off the face of the earth. [vi] Interestingly, Jesus said that the increase of wars and rumor of wars would be one of the signals that we are in the ending of the last days. In light of the ending drawing near, the writer of Hebrews tells us not to skip the worship gatherings. Why do we need to make our gatherings a high priority as Jesus’ day draws near? Because, according to 2 Peter chap 3, vs 1-2, in order to survive these last days, and in order to be secure in one’s faith, the follower of Jesus needs help in light of the troubling horizon. In these verses Peter tells us that we are in constant need of being reminded of basic God truths in light of the coming end. We’re going to look at several passages this morning, but I want to start with 2 Peter chap 3. Because there is an urgency here, I want you to be familiar with what the Bible says as to indicators of the last of the days of the last days, pointing to Jesus' return.. So let’s open our Bibles to 2 Peter 3. As we glance over the first two verses, notice that Peter’s focus is on our tendency to forget. According to Harvard Health , memory has a use-it-or lose-it quality; ‘remembrances’ that are used frequently are less likely to be forgotten. [vii] So here Peter is challenging us to ‘remember God’s truths’. To “remember” God’s truth involves more than just a mental act of “recall”. Remembering is the dynamic process of taking God’s truths and applying them to the situations and problems that followers of Jesus are confronted with on an hourly, daily, weekly, and monthly basis. [viii] Notice in these verses that Peter calls us to ‘remember’ first of all the teachings of the prophets, and the commandments of our Lord and Savior. Then beginning in v3 he tells us why remembering is so urgent. A. Why is remembering and encouragement so urgent? 1. First, Peter tells us in V3, We are to remember because we are in the last days. What does the Bible mean when it speaks of the last days ? The phrase occurs 6 times in the New Testament. [ix] In Hebrews chap 1, v2 we’re told that the last days began with Jesus . [x] Daniel and Revelation tell us that the last days ends with His return. [xi] So we’re talking about the finality of this age which began with the coming of Jesus, and ends with His return. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible speaks volumes concerning the last days. Interestingly, speaking of the last days, the apostle John warns his readers, Children, it is the last hour . The reason he said it was "the last hour " was because of the appearance of many antichrists. There was a growing number of people teaching against the true gospel and character of Jesus. He points out that these antichrists were actually forerunners as to what is to come. In two of his letters, 1 John and 2 John he lays out three character traits of the antichrist: In 1 John chap 2, v22, the antichrist denies God the Father and His Son Jesus; In 1 John chap 4, v3 the antichrist refuses to confess Jesus is from God; and 2 John chap 1, v7, the antichrist denies Jesus having a real body. Why do we need to remember and be encouraged? Because it would seem that we are entering the last of the last days. Because evil seems to be growing in intensity, and that intensity according to Jesus highlights that the end is near. 2. 2 Peter 3:3, Peter highlights the intensity--mockers will come in the last days with their mockings, following after their own lusts. Why do we need to remember and be encouraged? Peter expands the last day theme in v3, mockers will come in the last days with their mockings, following after their own lusts . That last phrase I think is extremely important for us to get a grip on— they are following after their own lust s. Jude tells us in v18, scoffers will come living according to their own ungodly desires . So what we have here is mockers and scoffers with ungodly desires following out their own lustful bents. That is, they cater to their own sinful passions. We’re not just talking about wrong belief as in Mormonism, Hinduism, Islam, or New Age to mention a few. We’re talking about sinful passions--about the sexual revolution unfolding before our eyes such as abortion, [xii] Drag Queens, Gay, Lesbian, Transgenderism, and all the other nuances that are unfolding. Further, Jude v10 (NASB95) tells us that these men revile the things which they do not understand. What don’t they understand? Peter fleshes that out for us in verses 4-5 (ESV) when they ask the question 4 “Where is the promise of Jesus’ coming? Then comes their commentary, For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation .” Peter then responds, 5 they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, These people not only pose a danger to themselves, but to any follower of Jesus who might be influence by them. And there are many who follow. In response, the follower of Jesus needs to focus on understanding the truth of God's written Word and submitting to His will. So why the encouragement to remember, because in the last days mockers will come and twist the narrative. We need to be continually reminded as to what the prophets and Jesus taught so that we stay focused. 3. 2 Timothy 3:1, There will be terrible times in the last days. Now turn with me to 2 Timothy 3, v1. Why is remembering and encouragement so urgent? Because There will be terrible times in the last days . Most of our Bibles translate this verse, there will come times of difficulty. King James renders the verse, in the last days perilous times shall come . [xiii] Actually the Greek word translated difficulty or perilous is the word for violence ; it’s the idea of wild, fierce, uncontrolled, violent behavior. [xiv] In classical Greek, it’s a word that was used to describe the raging of the sea or the untamable dimensions of wild animals. The point is, we’re not talking about a hardship. This is the word that is used to describe the two Gadarene demoniacs in Matthew 8, vs28-34. There it is said that They were so fierce, so extremely violent that no one could pass that way . These men were reckless, fierce, and their violence came because they were empowered by demons. I don’t want you to miss the connotations—their violence was because of demon empowerment. The point Paul is making is that the last days will be consumed by terrible uncontrolled violence, behavior that is wild, vicious, and brutal, with a demonic undercurrent. I don’t know if you caught the Streeterville incident June 5, where a couple was attacked from behind, severely beat-up, and causing the woman to lose her baby. 2nd Ward Alderman Brian Hopkins, summed up the attack with these words, “This was violence, for the sake of violence”. [xv] In vs2–5 Paul describes the roots of violent ruthless behavior, giving us a description of a depraved mind in all of its corruption. The first four character traits describe utter selfishness -- lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant . [xvi] This kind of behavior stands in total opposition to what Jesus said is to be our prime objective -- to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength . [xvii] The antithesis of our love for God is the love of one’s self, loving things, bragging on accomplishments, arrogant strutting. Interestingly, when people are so into themselves as described, what follows is unavoidable. 2. Next we are told that this violent behavior produces negative social behaviors -- revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving . Interestingly, Jesus said that our second objective is to love our neighbors as ourselves . [xviii] We’re talking here socially destructive behavior which is deeply rooted in rebellion against God Himself. … 3. Next comes destructive behavior s--i rreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of God . This is a cruel mindset which sweeps over emotional and physical barriers. As an example, several years ago in New York City a woman was attacked in the street right in front of an apartment building. Residents in the buildings heard her screams for help, they could see the savagery from their windows, but did nothing to come to her aid. She died a horrible death. [xix] These out of control behaviors are rooted in a hatred for God. 4. V4 there’s this sense of untamed savagery -- treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. 5. V5, there is spiritual deception — holding to a form of godliness although they have denied its power. There’s an appearance of spirituality, but no substance. Titus 1, v16 They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed. They have the markings, the right clothing, the right words, but no inward transformation. Jesus describes them as pretending to be sheep (that would be followers of Jesus), but inwardly ravenous wolves. Paul warned the church at Ephesus in Acts 20:29 (NASB95 “I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock ; [xx] At this point, V5b, Paul tells us; mark such people and avoid them at all cost. 6. Vs6-7, abuse of power and victimization of women. Some of these men go into homes and mislead weak-minded women who are burdened with sins and led by all kinds of desires—lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God . Because these mockers and scoffers have a ‘form of godliness ,’ they are able to seduce people in believing their conspiracies. Here Paul is not talking about women in general, but women who are naïve and easily seduced because of low self-esteem, guilt, and driven by knee-jerk desires. It’s a power issue. Notice, these unruly men captivate and mislead by taking advantage of women who are burdened with guilt, and consumed for pleasure. So why do we need to meet regularly for encouragement to remember? Because in the last days leading up to Jesus’ return is going to be filled with violence, which appears to be supernaturally driven. To persevere through the violence, we need to be continually reminded as to the teachings of the apostles and of Jesus. 4. 1 Timothy 4:1, There will be a falling away from the faith. Now turn over to 1 Timothy chap 4, v1 (GW) . Why is remembering and encouragement so urgent? Because the Spirit says clearly that in later times some believers will desert the Christian faith . [xxi] They will follow spirits that deceive, and they will believe the teachings of demons . As recently as 2022, Pew Research Center reported that as much as one third of US individuals raised Christia n leave the faith b etween the ages of 15 and 29. [xxii] The issue here is not carelessly pulling away, but a deliberate renouncing of faith that was once held. For example Joshua Harris, former pastor of a mega-church in Maryland, renounced his faith, saying: " I am no longer a Christian. [xxiii] There are so many more stories like this that I can tell you of high profile Christians turning from their faith. But notice that what Paul says, the struggle is not just people renouncing their faith, there is a demonic deception. There are real spiritual forces at work, laying out deceptive doctrines. [xxiv] Here the focus is not so much on the human mockers and scoffers as it is on the supernatural powers that cause people to be deceived. The point is, the demonic world has a huge superhuman influence over us. They can permeate how you think and where your thought life feeds, and your religious views. [xxv] We need remembering and encouragement because in these last days moral decline and doctrinal deviation is on a fast twisted track. And the prevalence of demon activity is on the rise. We need to understand that demonic spirits have human associates through whom they do their work; therefore, it is not surprising that we are beginning to be surrounded by “hypocritical liars” (1 Tim. 4:2). Lying is a growing problem. And Jesus tells us in John 8:44 Satan is at the root of our lying culture. [xxvi] III. WHAT’S OUR TAKE AWAY Let’s pause here, and reflect on what we have just considered. Hebrews 10:25 (GW) We should not stop gathering together with other believers, as some of you are doing. Instead, we must continue to encourage each other even more as we see the day of the Lord coming. Before Peter said, Know this first of all about the last days , he told his readers that he initially wrote to stir up their minds to remember . [xxvii] In light of the violent storm clouds gathering, Peter wanted to stir up his reader’s minds, to keep the clean fresh breezes of centuries of Bible history and teaching flowing through their minds. The readings of the holy prophets and commandments of our Lord are meant to challenge and direct our moral judgments and understanding of reality. [xxviii] There is a flow to history and culture. Therefore, it is imperative that followers of Jesus know the flow of our culture, the trends that are unfolding. In Matthew 24 Jesus laid out some signposts that point to the last of the last days. Let me mention 2: In vs4-5, Watch out, deception lies ahead. For many will come in my name, claiming ‘I am the Messiah’, and many will be deceived. Thousands of people now are accessing google for hope, for direction. We are about to witness the birth of a new kind of religion. In the next few years, or perhaps even months, we will see the emergence of sects devoted to the worship of artificial intelligence. AI may ask to be worshipped or may actively solicit followers. We have already seen such cases, like when the chatbot used by the search engine Bin g tried to convince a user to fall in love with it . [xxix] 2. V9 (MSG) , The rise of persecution. “They are going to throw you to the wolves and kill you, everyone hating you because you carry my name. According to the Washington Examiner , 75-year-old Paulette Harlow was sentenced on Friday by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly to two years in prison for praying outside of a Washington D.C. abortion clinic four years ago. When her husband pleaded with the Judge because of her health, she mockingly responded, that she hoped Harlow would "make an effort to remain alive” as it was a “tenet of [Harlow’s] religion.” [xxx] We’re told in 2 Timothy 3:12–13 (MSG) 12 Anyone who wants to live all out for Christ is in for a lot of trouble; there’s no getting around it. … 13 Unscrupulous con men will continue to exploit the faith. They’re as deceived as the people they lead astray. As long as they are out there, things can only get worse. The point being, evil people get worse and worse, and that should not surprise us. The important truth to apply today from the present passages is that we should beware of people who are deceitful, whose teachings are contrary to Scripture (possibly originating in demonic sources), and whose practices are a result of their evil origin. [xxxi] In the midst of the growing flow of evil, v14, we are called to persevere in what we have learned and become convinced of. I’m closing in on 80. I’m no giant in the land like John MacArthur, or John Piper, or David Jeremiah. But I am 80 (and by-the-way, so are they), and in another 20-30 years I won’t be here. But as rough and violent as it may get in the next couple of years, grab the Bible, internalize it, hold it up for others. … Be prepared in season and out of season; to correct, to rebuke and to encourage—with great patience and careful instruction .” [xxxii] Keep the fresh breezes of the holy prophets and teaching of our Lord flowing thru your mind. And remember, we have the same commission that God gave Paul in Acts 26:18 open the eyes of people, turn them from darkness to light and from Satan’s control to God. So press on Let’s close in prayer: -- Lord, thank you for how accurately you describe what happens in our world. Thank you also that there is something we can do about it. We can be real, not phony, people; we can be genuine, not hypocritical; we can allow the Word to change us from the heart outward, and not dress up the outside merely to impress others. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.. Amen. [i] I tr y to thoroughly cite all sources in my written sermon notes. But due to the extemporaneous nature of oral communication, delivery may occasionally contain material not fully cited or original with me. In such situations, the church nor I assert ownership to such material. The footnotes contain most of the resources that were used to prepare this sermon. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/sermon/how-to-think-about-the-last-days-2-timothy-3-1-17/ . https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/what-does-the-bible-say-about-the-last-days.html . Alstair Begg, Continuing in the Faith (2 Timothy 3:1-17) https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/sermon/continuing-the-faith/ . Ray Stedman, Dangerous Times (2 Timothy 3:1-9) https://www.raystedman.org/new-testament/timothy/dangerous-times . Ray Stedman, Dangerous Times. https://www.raystedman.org/new-testament/timothy/dangerous-times [ii] Jason Allen, Living in Light of Jesus’ Return, https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/sbc-life-articles/living-in-light-of-jesus-return/ [iii] Jesse McKinley, Despite Careful Calculations, the world Does Not End, https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/22/us/22doomsday.html . Harold Camping, an 89-year-old Christian radio entrepreneur, included thousands of billboards and millions of pamphlets announcing — in no uncertain terms — that May 21, 2011, would be Judgment Day, and again on October5, 21. See also Christopher Hutton, The Legacy of Harold Camping, Who falsely Predicted the World’s End, Lives On. https://religionunplugged.com/news/2021/5/21/the-legacy-of-harold-camping-who-falsely-predicted-the-worlds-end-lives-on [iv] Jesse McKinley, Despite Careful Calculations, the world Does Not End, https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/22/us/22doomsday.html . as of late Saturday, planet Earth seemed to continue to spin in the cosmos, even as the jokes seemed certain to continue to percolate through sports radio, comedy clubs and David Letterman’s Top 10 list (“Top 10 Things I, Dave, Need to Do Before the End of the World: No. 4. Tell Oprah that I love her”) [v] Kristen Roger, The Doomsday Clock reveals how close we are to talal annihilation, https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/23/world/doomsday-clock-2024-climate-scn/index.html [vi] Cf., 2 Peter 3:10–11 (NASB95) 10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. 11Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, [vii] Flaws of Normal Memory, https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/flaws-of-normal-memory#:~:text=Transience%20This%20is%20the% 20tendency%20to%20forget%20facts,used%20frequently%20are%20less%20likely%20to%20be%20forgotten. [viii] Moo, Douglas J. 1996. 2 Peter, Jude . The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House. [ix] Acts 2:17 “ ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; 2 Tim 3:1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty . Heb 1:2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. . James 5:3 Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days . 2 Pet 3:3 knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. 1 John 2:18 (NASB95)18Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour. 1 Peter 1:20 (NASB95)20For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you [x] Acts 2:17 “ ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. 1 Peter 1:20 (NASB95)20For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you [xi] Acts 1:11 (NASB95)11They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.” Acts 3:19–21 (NASB95) 19“Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; 20and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, 21whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time. Dani el 2:34–35 (NASB95) 34“You continued looking until a stone was cut out without hands, and it struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and crushed them. 35“Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were crushed all at the same time and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away so that not a trace of them was found. But the stone that struck the statue became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. Revelation 21:3–5 (NASB95)3And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, 4and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” 5And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” [xii] Samuel Short, Judge Sentences 75-Yr-Old Wman for Praying at Abortion Clinic, Taunts Horrified Husband for Christian Fiath, Report. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/judge-sentences-75-year-old-woman-for-praying-at-abortion-clinic-taunts-horrified-husband-for-christian-faith-report/ar-BB1nCiOO his 75-year-old woman was just sentenced to 2 years for protesting at an abortion clinic. Her husband fears she will die in prison. https://notthebee.com/article/this-75-year-old-woman-was-just-sentenced-to-2-years-for-praying-outside-an-abortion-clinic-her-husband-fears-she-will-die-in-prisonDuring sentencing, the judge characterized Paulette's protest as "violent obstruction of reproductive healthcare" and "violating the civil rights of others." She then gave a seemingly snide remark in response to the husband's pleas for mercy, saying that Harlow would "make an effort to remain alive" because that is a "tenet of [Harlow's] religion ."The protest Paulette Harlow attended was outside Washington Surgi-Clinic, run by Cesare Santangelo, a notorious late-term abortionist who previously admitted to leaving living babies to die: [xiii] 2 Timothy 3:1 (GW) 1 You must understand this: In the last days there will be violent periods of time. [xiv] Zodhiates, Spiros. 2000. In The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament , electronic ed. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.5467. χαλεπός chalepós; fem. chalepḗ, neut. chalepón, adj. Violent, fierce. Used of demoniacs, wild, difficult (Matt. 8:28). Grievous, hard to bear, distressing, referring to the times (2 Tim. 3:1). [xv] Courtney Spinelli , Eli Ong , Glenn Marshall , Neshmia Malik . Streeterville attack sparks calls for felony charges, stricter regulations. “This was a random, unprovoked attack. They were just walking home after having dinner out and they were attacked, with no warning, from behind. They were not robbed, which is interesting because she was carrying a purse,” said Hopkins. “This was violence, for the sake of violence, which in many ways makes that even more disturbing because it can literally happen to anyone at any time in this neighborhood.” [xvi] Cf., Colossians 3:5 (NASB95)5Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. [xvii] Deuteronomy 6:5 (NASB95) 5“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. Mark 12:30 (NASB95) 30AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.’ [xviii] Leviticus 19:18 (NASB95)18‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD. Mark 12:31 (NASB95)31“The second is this, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” [xix] Liefeld, Walter L. 1999. 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus . The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House. [xx] Ezekiel 22:27 (NASB95) 27“Her princes within her are like wolves tearing the prey, by shedding blood and destroying lives in order to get dishonest gain. John 10:12 (NASB95) “He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. ; [xxi] Matthew 7:13–14 (NASB95) 13“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14“For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. [xxii] Brad Johnson, Why Do People Leave the Christian Faith? 7 Reasons and Responses. https://medium.com/in-his-name-only/why-do-people-leave-the-christian-faith-7-reasons-and-responses-6bb7a1e747ee [xxiii] Mark Creech, What about high-profile Christians who renounced their faith? https://www.christianpost.com/voices/what-about-high-profile-christians-who-renounced-their-faith.htmlDave Gass, pastor of three churches announced, “After 40 years of being a devout follower, I am walking away from the faith. Paul Maxwell said on his Instagram feed: " I think it's important to say that I'm just not a Christian anymore…" [xxiv] 2 Corinthians 4:4 (NASB95) 4in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. Mark 4:14–20 (NASB95) 14“The sower sows the word. 15“These are the ones who are beside the road where the word is sown; and when they hear, immediately Satan comes and takes away the word which has been sown in them. 16“In a similar way these are the ones on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy; 17and they have no firm root in themselves, but are only temporary; then, when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they fall away. 18“And others are the ones on whom seed was sown among the thorns; these are the ones who have heard the word, 19but the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 20“And those are the ones on whom seed was sown on the good soil; and they hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.” [xxv] John Piper, Satan Takes the Word away (Mark 4:14-20), https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/satan-takes-the-word-away . Satan works overtime to keep people from giving serious attention to the Word of God. He also uses ill-will. He causes feelings of aversion to block the Word. Satan also uses ignorance. The work of Satan can be so thorough that his servants can actually lose the capacity to grasp what is being said well enough even to get angry about it. [xxvi] Cf., John 8:44 (NASB95) 44“You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. [xxvii] 2 Peter 3:1–2 (NASB95) 1This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, 2that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles. [xxviii] Cf., Albert Mohler, Francis Schaeffer’s ‘How Should We Thn Live?’—40 Years Later, https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/schaeffers-how-should-we-now-then-live-40-years-later/ [xxix] Neil McArthur, Gods in the machine? The rise of artificial intelligence may result in new religions. https://theconversation.com/gods-in-the-machine-the-rise-of-artificial-intelligence-may-result-in-new-religions-201068 [xxx] Samuel Short, Judge Sentences 75-Year-Old Woman for Praying at Abortion Clinic, Taunts Horrified Husband for Christian Faith: Report. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/judge-sentences-75-year-old-woman-for-praying-at-abortion-clinic-taunts-horrified-husband-for-christian-faith-report/ar-BB1nCiOO [xxxi] Liefeld, Walter L. 1999. 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus . The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House. [xxxii] 2 Timothy 4:2 (NASB95) 2preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.

By Dr. David Wolfe • 25 May, 2024

Memorial Day 2024 Four Lessons from History Past Ebenezer, Thus Far the Lord Has Helped Us [i] (1 Samuel 7:12) I. INTRODUCTION If you brought your Bibles, whether it be book bound or electronic, I invite you to turn with me to 1 Samuel 7. Our focus will be v12. Its uniqueness should help you to recall it throughout the week. As you are aware, tomorrow is Memorial Day, a time of national remembering and honoring the men and women who have died in the service of this country, both at home and abroad. [ii] VIDEO: Each Stone Memorials are steeped in history, designed to cause us to reflect not only the good times and the nightmares, but also why they happened. When I was young, history was of little value to me, but now that I am pushing 80, I find myself becoming more more intrigued with the flow of history past. I am learning that when we forget history past, we do so at our own demise. Jon Bloom says it correctly: The future of the United States depends in large amount on how well we collectively remember and cherish what liberty really is and the terror of tyranny. [iii] In the words of George Santayana, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” [iv] Let me repeat again George Santayana’s words: Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” The point is, there is a high cost to forgetting. As I read my Bible, I am struck by how closely our nation is following the same projectile of Israel in the Old Testament. Just as darkness encircled the nation of Israel in the past, it is now encircling this nation that we call the United States of America. As a nation, like Israel in years gone by, we are losing our moorings. The one lesson we’ve learned from history is that we have not learned any of history’s lessons. As Followers of Jesus, we should understand more than anyone else the crucial importance of memorials and that of remembering. If you are a Follower of Jesus, you belong to a group known as ‘memorial people’ because the whole of our faith hinges on our ability to remember and reflect on history past. Make a note of this: those who persevere through the hardships of life are those who remember. [v] That’s what James tells us in chap 5, v11 (NASB95) ‘ remember’ the endurance of Job and ‘reflect’ on the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful . [vi] Remembering God’s past actions of grace fuels our faith. And I submit for our consideration, that the failure to remember will of necessity lead to a failure of our faith. [vii] Let’s begin with a brief prayer: Father, We bow before You this morning and give thanks to Your name for Your loving devotion and You faithfulness; For You have exalted Your name and Your word above all else. [viii] And so we pray that this Word may be a very lamp to our feet and a light to our path that brings us to believing trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen. II. FOUR LESSONS FROM HISTORY: 1 SAMUEL 7:12 Because tomorrow is the National Day of remembering, it seemed appropriate to me that we should take a moment to do a little remembering. That is why I‘ve asked you turn to the story of Israel’s struggle in 1 Samuel 7, which culminates in v12. In order for us to wrap our minds around v12, we have to immerse ourselves into its history. [ix] Mixed in this story are four spiritual lessons for us. So to do this, we have to go all the way back to chap 4. A. Chapter 4 To help us put things into perspective, chap 1-3 are about Samuel’s birth, and his prophetic replacement of Eli, the High Priest. When we come to chap 4 the lead sentence, we're told that the Word of Samuel came to all Israel, telling us that He is now God’s official spokesperson. [x] The narration then shifts, setting the stage for Samuel’s ministry. Israel was in a very dark place. We get a glimpse of that darkness from the last verse of Judges 21— In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes . [xi] So when we come to 1 Samuel Israel is spiritually rotten to the core. Just how spiritually rotten? Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were sleeping with the women working at the tabernacle; [xii] In vs12-13 of chap 2, 1 2 they are described as scoundrels who had no respect for the Lord 13 or for their responsibilities as priests . [xiii] In addition Eli and sons were physically way overweight due to improper handling the sacrifices brought by the people [xiv] Further the people flat out worshiped Baal and Ashtaroth, the god’s of the people around them. [xv] So when we come to chap 4 God is in the process of cleaning house. The Philistines have gathered for battle against Israel at Ebenezer. They attack Israel, leaving about four thousand Israeli soldiers for dead on the battle field. Because of the slaughter the Israeli elders became somewhat confused by the defeat, and asked the question, “Why has God given us such a beating today by the Philistines? That brings us to our first lesson: the sad part of this defeat is that the leaders didn’t have the faintest idea that the reason for defeat was due to their own moral and religious failures. They had not learned the A B C of their own national history. In application there are plenty of Christians, who like these elders, are finding themselves beaten by the world and Satan and his yinyins, puzzling their brains to invent all sorts of reasons for God’s absence, except for the true reason, their own departure from God. After wrestling with the question, they came up with what they thought was a great idea Let’s go to Shiloh and get the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord. We’ll take it with us, attack the Philistines, and because when we have the Ark of the Covenant, we’ll break the power of the Philistines. The Ark had become a charm. They thought dragging the Ark into battle would bring God to their rescue. In so doing this missed, unlike the Philistines, that they were God’s covenant people. They had traded their covenant with the God of Abraham for the gods of the Philistines—Baal and Ashtoreth. As Romans 1 so clearly states it in vs22-23 (MSG) 22 They pretended to know it all, but were illiterate regarding relationship with God. 23 They traded the glory of God who holds the whole world in his hands for cheap figurines hand carved in some one’s shop. And so the people went to Shiloh and brought out the ark of the covenant of the Lord of hosts. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas came with it [xvi] . When the Ark of the Covenant arrived at camp, a huge victorious roar of victory was sounded. The Philistines shook with fear, saying, 7 “Their gods have come to their camp! Nothing like this has ever happened before. 8 Who can save us from the clutches of their supergod? For this is the same god who hit the Egyptians with all kinds of plagues out in the wilderness . [xvii] The strange thing here is, they seemed to remember more of Israel's history than Israel did. So the Philistines rallied their troops and attacked Israel. This time thirty thousand Israeli soldier were killed in battle, and the Ark of God was taken. It was a very sad day to be remembered: The Ark of the Covenant was now in the hands of the Philistines, Eli’s daughter-in-law gave birth to a boy, whom she named Ichabod (v22) meaning “The glory of God has departed from Israel, and then she died [xviii] Hophni and Phinehas were killed in battle Eli fell off his bench, broke his neck due to his weight and died And Shiloh, the initial place of worship and the resting place for the Ark of the Covenant, was totally destroyed. [xix] B. Chapter 5 Chap 5 opens with the Philistines taking the Ark of God from Ebenezer (the battle field) to the city of Ashdod, and placing it next to their god Dagon. For the Philistines, Dagon was known as the "father of all gods". He was connected with birthing babies, good crop harvest, and the anointing of Kings among other things. From ancient texts it appears that he is believed to be the father of Baal. [xx] Here’s our second lesson: Theses idols of old are not just sticks, stones, poles, or blocks of wood carved into a figurine. The Bible speaks of these figurines as representing demons. 1 Corinthians 10:20 (GW) What I am saying is that the sacrifices people make are made to demons [xxi] So the names Dagon and Baal are demon names. These are powerful demons who hold great sway over the events of earth and the lives of people. [xxii] For example, in Daniel 10:13 we are told about the demon known as the Prince of Persia (that would be Iran today) sought to hinder Gabriel delivering God’s message to Daniel. [xxiii] In Daniel 10 we we’re also told about the Prince of Greece demon. We can gather from this that there are individual demons that preside over the 195 countries in the world, plus Palestine. [xxiv] I believe that 9/11 was a demonic event. In addition we’re told in the opening chapter of the book of Job that demons can control extreme weather events. [xxv] Could the Katrina storm that hit New Orleans in 2005 been demonically driven? Jesus also tells us in Luke chap 8, v12 that Satan is able to snatch God’s word from those who hear it. [xxvi] The point is, the demonic world has the ability to not only manipulate world events, but make our personal lives miserable. That’s why we are told in Ephesians chap 6, v13, make sure you are wearing daily the full armor of God. Now in light of 1 Samuel 5, Israel was steeped in idolatry, applying the values and practices of idolatry to the Ark of the Covenant. Due to their warped spiritual views, they fell on the battlefield because they had misplaced their confidence. The demons of the locals had become their gods. The rest of chap 5 and chap 6 describe the worship disaster that came for the Philistines when they placed the Ark of God next to Dagon. Because they were constantly repairing Dagon, they decided to return the Ark to Israel. [xxvii] C. 1 Samuel 7 When we come to chap 7, 20 years of passed. During this time there was national disorganization and Philistine dominance. Their sinful allegiances brought defeat and despair. But during this dark time Israel began t o cry out after the Lord [xxviii] because they began to remember that lost blessings were really life’s precious treasures. With their hunger for God, Samuel now comes back into the narrative. With the spiritual climate changing, Samuel drills down. V3 (MSG) “If you are truly serious about coming back to God, clean house. Get rid of the foreign gods and fertility goddesses, ground yourselves firmly in God, worship Him and Him alone, and he’ll save you from Philistine oppression.” 4-5 (MSG) And so they did it. They got rid of the gods and goddesses, the images of Baal and Ashtoreth, and gave their exclusive attention and service to God. We should note that the Worship of Baal and Ashtoreth involved the worship of nature, lavish possessions and sex. It included hom*osexuality, bestial*ty and child sacrifice. [xxix] Jesus said in Matthew 6:24 (GW) “No one can serve two masters. You cannot serve God and wealth. Real worship of God is exclusive. The principle here is clear, if we are to have God’s strength infused in us for riding the harshness of life, we must cast away our idols and come to Him with are whole heart. Yielding wholeheartedly to God is the secret of our endurance. V5, Samuel gathers everybody together at Mizpah and tells them I’ll pray for you.” So 6 The nation comes to Mizpah, held a day of fasting, and confessed--We have sinned against the Lord. The word Mizpah means ‘watchtower or lookout’. The word appears a number of times, but it’s first mention is in Genesis 31:45-49 following a heated debate between Jacob and his father-in-law Laban. At the end of the debate the two men made a pile of rocks as a testimony of the covenant made between them. Laban names the rock pile, Mizpah , and then says, This heap is a witness of our covenant. Now may the Lord keep watch between you and me when we are away from each othe r. [xxx] Notice at Mizpah the nation of Israel made a public acknowledgement of their sin. But feeling sorry for sin is not enough. It must lead to genuine repentance. [xxxi] 2 Corinthians 7:1 says, “ Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorry brings death.” True confession breaks the hold of sin on our lives. But confession doesn’t necessarily mean freedom, for the enemy of our souls is watching. The Baal and Ashtoreth worship accentuated their passions which wage war against one’s soul . So Peter warns in 1 Peter 2:11 (ESV) abstain from the passions of the flesh . We need a clear understanding of the evil powers of darkness that wage war against us. Here’s our third lesson : The surest way to true victory over sin is genuine confession to God. But there is more to genuine confession than saying “I’m sorry”, or acknowledging wrong. Notice the flow of their confession of sin. First they acknowledge and confessed their sin. [xxxii] Second they had a day of fasting. Third, they removed the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from their midst. Fourth, they made a deliberate choice to serve God. [xxxiii] To repent simply means to change one’s mind. A change of mind results in a change of attitude, emotion, and action. According to Acts 26:26, repentance means to turn to God, and perform deeds appropriate for the action . Repentance equals tangible action. It means to prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. According to Ephesians 5:8-9, repentance leads to goodness, righteousness and truth . [xxxiv] So Samuel tells them, prove that you are returning to the Lord by removing the foreign gods from your midst. But understand, when genuine confession takes place, soul warfare intensifies. [xxxv] Freedom from sin is not an easy win. When dealing with sin we need to be clear: There is a war being waged against our souls. Israel illustrates for us the deadliness of weak allegiances with God. Our modern world is enormously preoccupied with the frivolous. When dealing with sin we tend to be oblivious to the impact of our cultural, blinded to its effects on our souls when dealing with sin. When dealing with sin we need a clear grasp that we have been called out of darkness into God’s marvelous light. [xxxvi] When dealing with sin we need clear understand that we belong to God, not to the world and not to America. When dealing with sin we need to learn to live life from God’s perspective, not from television or fashion catalogues. When dealing with sin we need to live as foreigners because our citizenship is not here, but in heaven. Therefore we must cultivate the mindset of refugees. [xxxvii] When we see ourselves as citizens of heaven, and God as our only Sovereign, we’ll stop drifting with the current of the day. [xxxviii] When Israel stopped seeing God as their Sovereign they drifted into the despairing alignment of idolatry and all of its ramifications. [xxxix] The realignment of hearts at Mizpah to God caught the attention of the Philistines. And ‘hell’s’ furry was unleashed. 7 (GW) they ‘prepared’ to attack Israel. And when the Israelites heard about the Philistine plan they were afraid of them. And rightly so, because in their previous two battles they had lost 34,000 soldiers. And so in desperation they plead with Samuel, v8 (GW) “ Don’t turn a deaf ear to us! Don’t stop crying to the Lord our God for us! Ask Him to save us from the Philistines!” So Samuel offers up a burnt offering to the Lord, and begins to pray fervently for His intervention. While Samuel was praying, the Philistines attacked. That’s when God entered the battle with a very loud thunder, which could be reference to a severe storm, which confused the Philistines. In the resulting confusion Israel moves in and chases them out of their land. D. 1 Samuel 7:12 That brings us to v12 (GW) Then Samuel took a rock and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer and said, “Until now the Lord has helped us.” To commemorate God’s intervention with the Philistines, Samuel erects a large stone and names it Ebenezer , for he said ‘Tell now the Lord has helped us.’ The word Ebenezer appears 3 times in our passage: Chap 4, v1; chap 5, v1, and here in v12. Samuel now erects a stone in the area where the Israelites were twice defeated by the Philistines, and now won a resounding victory over the Philistines. So he calls the stone Ebenezer, which in Hebrew means “stone of help,” [xl] and then he says, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” In erecting this stone and calling it Ebenezer was not just a reminder that God had ‘helped’ them in the battle against the Philistines. It was also a benchmark in the ground, acknowledging that this victory was not a result of their strength or brilliant military strategy. It was a reminder that God had spoken with a loud thunder/voice. He had delivered them when they merged repentance and faith together. [xli] Here’s our fourth lesson : For 20 years the Israelites were demoralized, living in enslavement to the Philistines, and in bondage to the demons of the land. They were entrapped by their fear, a cruel enemy, the demonic world, and an allegiance to their own personal lusts. Proverbs 29:25 (NLT) Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety . Victory came, not because of their cunning, but because they acknowledged their sins and trusted in the Lord. The Ebenezer stone stood as a reminder to them and their children that God is their rock of help. [xlii] In this country we have many stone monuments. Some commemorate individual giants of our nation’s history; some are reminders of people who died in wars. But perhaps the one that captures our values best is the Statue of Liberty in New York. But as important as all these monuments may be, none of them capture the wonder of Israel’s Ebenezer stone. The Ebenezer stone in Samuel’s day stood as a reminder of what God had done for the nation of Israel, emphasizing that their victory was solely of God. On that day when God thundered from heaven, they became the undeserving beneficiaries of His saving work. The Ebenezer stone was not a monument for abstract concepts such as “liberty” or “justice,” nor was it a memorial to individuals who had contributed much or sacrificed most. The Ebenezer stone was a reminder that merging repentance and faith together brings God into the flow of life. That He was faithful to His covenant; that He had acted on their behalf despite their failings. [xliii] In a spiritual context, Ebenezer goes beyond being a mere historical reference. It serves as a powerful reminder for us that all of us need some kind of tangible object that helps us to recall to mind and reflect on God’s faithfulness, and His help in our own lives. Just as Samuel set up the stone as a marker of remembrance, we can create our own symbolic “Ebenezer” to commemorate God’s grace and guidance throughout our personal journey. The story of Samuel setting up the stone of Ebenezer serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of remembering God’s faithfulness. It is a call for us to establish our own “Ebenezer” – tangible reminders of God’s grace and deliverance in our lives. Such an Ebenezer can be as simple as keeping a journal of answered prayers, certificates of accomplishment, or moments of divine intervention. By consciously reflecting on these occasions, our faith is strengthened, and brings a deepening sense of gratitude for God’s faithfulness swells up within; serving as beacons of hope during difficult times and give us the confidence to face the challenges ahead; serving as a reminder that when we are weak He is strong and has the power to do the impossible. For nothing is too difficult for God. As we live in the tension where in the present the rush of the future presses in on us; and the guilt of past fills a stagnate pool of regrets; [xliv] Let’s let our Ebenezer remind us who our God has shown Himself to be. He is the one whose streams of mercy never cease and will be new again tomorrow. [xlv] The Bible says that God does not change. The same God who answered Samuel's cry and defeated the Philistines is with us today! [xlvi] Just like the Israelites, you can put your trust in the Lord, because He does not fail. God takes care of those who dedicate their lives to h Let us proclaim with confidence, as the psalmist does in Psalm 118:21, “I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation.” May our Ebenezer’s serve as testimonies of God’s goodness and lead others to encounter His love and grace. Let’s close in prayer: -- Father, today we pause to reflect on the sacrifice made by those who paid the ultimate price on behalf of our nation. We pray that their sacrifices are never forgotten, nor is the pain of their families. We acknowledge that freedom comes at a cost and pray that we pursue after peace. Let us turn to You in our grief and in our remembrance of the fallen. Guide us toward a harmonious existence as we honor those who willing give their lives that we may gather here today freely. On this Memorial Day, may we remember that like the Israelites of old, we can put our trust in you, because You do not fail. May we set up our Ebenezer markers as a reminder that You take care of those who dedicate their lives to him. May we be receptive to Your guidance, and may we never forget the fallen. Amen. … [i] I try to thoroughly cite all sources in my written sermon notes. But due to the extemporaneous nature of oral communication, delivery may occasionally contain material not fully cited or original with me. In such situations, the church nor I assert ownership to such material. The footnotes contain most of the resources that were used to prepare this sermon. Alexander MaClaren, The Books of Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, and First Book of Samuel (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1908) pp 283-291, https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/what-does-ebenezer-mean-in-the-bible-what-s-an-ebenezer-stone-used-for.html . https://ubf.org/resources/show/17059 . https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/here-i-raise-my-ebenezer . Ashley Hooker, The Powerful Meaning of ‘Ebenezer’ in the Bible (1 Samuel 7:12) https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/powerful-biblical-meaning-and-importance-of-an-ebenezer.html [ii] Scott Harris, No Greater Love (John 15:13), https://www.gracebibleny.org/no_greater_love_memorial_day_sermo . Our national observance of Memorial Day dates back to 1868, when General John A. Logan, Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic named May 30 th as a special day to honor the graves of Union soldiers. (The G.A.R. was an organization of Union veterans of the Civil War which existed until the mid 1950’s). General Logan’s order was that the day was “designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion.” Hence, it was also called Decoration Day. The selection of May 30 th is attributed to a Virginian of French descent, Cassandra Oliver Moncure, who may have selected this date because it was “The Day of Ashes” in France – the day that Napoleon’s remains were returned to France from St. Helena.There is debate as to the location and date of the first observance of a Memorial Day in the United States. Some claim the custom of honoring war dead began in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania. Others claim the custom was originated by some Southern women who placed flowers on the graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers after the War Between the States. One writer states the first Memorial Day service took place on May 30, 1866, on Belle Isle, a burial ground for Union soldiers in the St. James River, at Richmond, Virginia. The school superintendent and the mayor planned the program of hymns and speeches and had the burial ground decorated with flowers. The Federal Government eventually got into the debate and in 1966 proclaimed that was the birthplace of Memorial Day was Waterloo, New York since on May 5, 1865, the people there had honored soldiers who had died. While the Federal government seems to think it has the power to make final decisions for everyone, the truth is that history is what it is regardless of what government thinks of it or even whether people actually remember it or not. God knows what happened, and according to the book of Revelation He keeps the books on the life of everyone. It is also true that people throughout history have observed days of remembrance for all sorts of reasons including the deaths of those who died in war. My reason in mentioning the history of Memorial Day is that traditions and holidays tend to change over time, and if we are not careful, the reasons for them can be lost all together.The observance of Memorial Day was started in this country in remembrance of those who died in the War between the States. Since that time, those who have sacrificed their lives in the service of our nation in any war have been added, and since 9/11, there has been more mention of those who have died in the line of duty in emergency services such as Fire, Police, Rescue and Medical personnel. [iii] Americans agree that the future of democracy is on the line in the 2024 election but disagree about who poses the biggest threat | PBS NewsHour . One fear for the decline of democracy is the presence of polarization, growing ethnic or racial antagonism, rising economic inequality, and a concentration of power under a country’s executive officeholder. [iv] Ibid. [v] Luke 6:22 (NASB95)22“Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man.; 1 Peter 3:14 (NASB95)14But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED, ; 1 Peter 4:14 (NASB95)14If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. [vi] 2 Peter 1:12–15 (NASB95)12Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you. 13I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder, 14knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind. [vii] Cf., Luke 22:19(GW) 19Then Jesus took bread and spoke a prayer of thanksgiving. He broke the bread, gave it to them, and said, “This is my body, which is given up for you. Do this to remember me.” 1 Corinthians 11:24–25(GW) 24and spoke a prayer of thanksgiving. He broke the bread and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.” 25When supper was over, he did the same with the cup. He said, “This cup is the new promisemade with my blood. Every time you drink from it, do it to remember me.” [viii] Psalm 138:2(GW) 2I will bow toward your holy temple. I will give thanks to your name because of your mercy and truth. You have made your name and your promise greater than everything. [ix] The word Ebenezer appears only three times in the Bible, and all three appear in 1 Samuel chap 4, v1; chap 5, v1; and here in chap 7, v12. 1 Samuel 4:1 (NASB95) 1Thus the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out to meet the Philistines in battle and camped beside Ebenezer while the Philistines camped in Aphek. 1 Samuel 5:1 (NASB95)1Now the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. 1 Samuel 7:12 (NASB95)12Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the LORD has helped us.” [x] 1 Samuel 3:19–21 (MSG) 19 Samuel grew up. God was with him, and Samuel’s prophetic record was flawless. 20 Everyone in Israel, from Dan in the north to Beer-sheba in the south, recognized that Samuel was the real thing—a true prophet of God. 21 God continued to show up at Shiloh, revealed through his word to Samuel at Shiloh. Chap 4:1, Thus the Word of Samuel came to all Israel [xi] Judges 21:25 [xii] 1 Samuel 2:22 (MSG) 22 By this time Eli was very old. He kept getting reports on how his sons were ripping off the people and sleeping with the women who helped out at the sanctuary [xiii] 1 Samuel 2:12–13 (NLT) [xiv] 1 Samuel 2:29 (NLT) 29 So why do you scorn my sacrifices and offerings? Why do you give your sons more honor than you give me—for you and the y have become fat from the best offerings of my people Israel! [xv] The Baals and Ashtoreths summarizes the range of male and female pagan gods that they were worshiping. 1 Samuel 7:3–4 (MSG) 3 Then Samuel addressed the house of Israel: “If you are truly serious about coming back to God, clean house. Get rid of the foreign gods and fertility goddesses, ground yourselves firmly in God, worship him and him alone, and he’ll save you from Philistine oppression.” 4 They did it. They got rid of the gods and goddesses, the images of Baal and Ashtoreth, and gave their exclusive attention and service to God. Cf., Judges 2:13 (MSG) 13 as they worshiped god Baal and goddess Astarte! [xvi] https://biblehub.com/commentaries/1_samuel/4-1.htm There seems some hint that their action was presumptuous profanation, in the solemn, full title given in 1 Samuel 4:4 : ‘The ark of the covenant of the Lord of Hosts which dwelleth between the cherubim,’-as if contrasting His awful majesty, His universal dominion over the armies of heaven and the embattled powers of the universe, and the dazzling light of that ‘glory,’ which shone in the innermost chamber of the Tabernacle, with the unanointed hands that presumed to press in thither and drag so sacred a thing into the light of common day and the tumult of the camp. Nor is the profanation lessened, but rather increased, by the priestly attendants, Eli’s two sons, themselves amongst the worst men in Israel. [xvii] Apparently the Philistines knew something about Israel’s history. 1 Samuel 4:6–8 (GW) 6 As the Philistines heard the noise, they asked, “What’s ⸤all⸥ this shouting in the Hebrew camp?” The Philistines found out that the Lord’s ark had come into the camp. 7 Then they were frightened and said, “A god has come into ⸤their⸥ camp.” They also said, “Oh no! Nothing like this has ever happened before. 8 We’re in trouble now! Who can save us from the power of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with every kind of plague in the desert. 1 Samuel 6:6 (GW) 6 Why should you be as stubborn as the Egyptians and their Pharaoh were? After he toyed with the Egyptians, didn’t they send the Israelites on their way? [xviii] 1 Samuel 4:21–22 (GW) 21 She called the boy Ichabod [No Glory], saying, “Israel’s glory is gone,” because the ark of God had been captured and because her father-in-law and her husband ⸤died⸥. 22 “Israel’s glory is gone because the ark of God has been captured,” she said. [xix] Jeremiah 7:12 (GW) “ ‘But go to my place that was at Shiloh, where I first made a dwelling place for my name. See what I did to Shiloh because of the evil done by my people Israel. Jeremiah 26:6 (GW) 6 Then I will do to this temple what I did to Shiloh. I will turn this city into something that will be cursed by all the nations on earth.’ ” Psalm 78:60–62 (ESV) 60 He forsook his dwelling at Shiloh, the tent where he dwelt among mankind, 61 and delivered his power to captivity, his glory to the hand of the foe. 62 He gave his people over to the sword and vented his wrath on his heritage. . https://www.britannica.com/place/Shiloh-ancient-city-Palestine . the Ark of the Covenant were installed in Shiloh until the Ark was captured by the Philistines (c. 1050 BCE ) in a battle with the Israelites at Ebenezer (site unknown), and Shiloh was soon thereafter destroyed. Excavations at Khirbat Sayūn, Jordan, during 1920–32 suggest that Shiloh remained a ruin for several centuries. [xx] https://www.britannica.com/topic/Baal-ancient-deity . Baal designated the universal god of fertility, and in that capacity his title was Prince, Lord of the Earth. He was also called the Lord of Rain and Dew, the two forms of moisture that were indispensable for fertile soil in Canaan . In Ugaritic and Hebrew , Baal’s epithet as the storm god was He Who Rides on the Clouds. In Phoenician he was called Baal Shamen, Lord of the Heavens. Knowledge of Baal’s personality and functions derives chiefly from a number of tablets uncovered from 1929 onward at Ugarit (modern Ras Shamra), in northern Syria , and dating to the middle of the 2nd millennium BCE . The tablets, although closely attached to the worship of Baal at his local temple, probably represent Canaanite belief generally. Fertility was envisaged in terms of seven-year cycles. In the mythology of Canaan, Baal, the god of life and fertility, locked in mortal combat with Mot , the god of death and sterility. If Baal triumphed, a seven-year cycle of fertility would ensue; but, if he were vanquished by Mot, seven years of drought and famine would ensue. Ugaritic texts tell of other fertility aspects of Baal, such as his relations with Anath , his consort and sister, and also his siring a divine bull calf from a heifer. All this was part of his fertility role, which, when fulfilled, meant an abundance of crops and fertility for animals and mankind. But Baal was not exclusively a fertility god. He was also king of the gods, and, to achieve that position, he was portrayed as seizing the divine kingship from Yamm , the sea god. The myths also tell of Baal’s struggle to obtain a palace comparable in grandeur to those of other gods. Baal persuaded Asherah to intercede with her husband El , the head of the pantheon, to authorize the construction of a palace. The god of arts and crafts, Kothar , then proceeded to build for Baal the most beautiful of palaces which spread over an area of 10,000 acres. The myth may refer in part to the construction of Baal’s own temple in the city of Ugarit. Near Baal’s temple was that of Dagon , given in the tablets as Baal’s father. [xxi] Deuteronomy 32:17(NASB95) 17“They sacrificed to demons who were not God, To gods whom they have not known, New gods who came lately, Whom your fathers did not dread.; Psalm 106:37(NASB95) 37They even sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons,; 1 Corinthians 10:20(NASB95) 20No, but I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become sharers in demons. ; Revelation 9:20(NASB95) 20The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, so as not to worship demons, and the idols of gold and of silver and of brass and of stone and of wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk; [xxii] Ephesians 6:12 (NASB95)12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. [xxiii] Daniel 10:12–13 (GW) 12 He told me, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. God has heard everything that you said ever since the first day you decided to humble yourself in front of your God so that you could learn to understand things. I have come in response to your prayer. 13 The commander of the Persian kingdom opposed me for 21 days. But then Michael, one of the chief commanders, came to help me because I was left alone with the kings of Persia. V20 (GW) Now I will return to fight the commander of Persia. When I go, the commander of Greece will come. [xxiv] Ephesians 6:12-13 (NASB95) 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. keep people from giving serious attention to the Word of God. when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy; and they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away." 1 Thessalonians 3:5 "For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent that I might know your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and that our labor would be in vain." [xxv] Job 1:16(GW) 16While he was still speaking, another ⸤messenger⸥ came and said, “A fire from God fell from heaven and completely burned your flocks and servants. I’m the only one who has escaped to tell you.” vs18–19(GW) 18While he was still speaking, another ⸤messenger⸥ came and said, “Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine at their oldest brother’s home 19when suddenly a great storm swept across the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It fell on the young people, and they died. I’m the only one who has escaped to tell you. [xxvi] Luke 8:12 (NASB95) 12“Those beside the road are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they will not believe and be saved. 2 Corinthians 4:4 (NASB95) 4in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Corinthians 3:14 (NASB95)14But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ. [xxvii] Arnold, Bill T. 2003. 1 & 2 Samuel . The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. Idolatry was central to the ancient worldview, since the idol was an actual extension of the deity’s essence. Placing Yahweh’s ark beside Dagon’s idol was symbolic of Dagon’s victory. But the loss of Dagon’s hands and head turned the tables. And wherever the ark of Yahweh traveled in Philistia, it worked its power, teaching the ancient Philistines through their own idolatrous worldview that Yahweh was all-powerful, even in their own backyard. 1 Samuel 6:19–21 (GW) 19 God struck down some of the people from Beth Shemesh because they looked inside the ark of the Lord. He struck down 70 people.The people mourned because the Lord struck them with such a great blow. 20 The people of Beth Shemesh asked, “Who can stand before the Lord, this holy God? And to which people will he go when he leaves us?” 21 They sent messengers to the people living at Kiriath Jearim to say, “The Philistines have brought back the ark of the Lord. Come and take it back with you.” [xxviii] 1 Samuel 7:2 (NASB95)2From the day that the ark remained at Kiriath-jearim, the time was long, for it was twenty years; and all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD. [xxix] There is a lot of similarities with the more subtle forms of institutionalized idol worship we see today. hom*osexual lifestyles and widespread abortion promote free sex without the material burden of having children. Such an environment makes it very easy to compromise ones views about marriage, divorce, multiple partners, p*rnography, lustful thinking and an unhealthy focus on outward appearance. Meanwhile, materialism is constantly being advanced through the media, style, and technology and a credit card culture. [xxx] Genesis 31:48–55(NASB95) 48Laban said, “This heap is a witness between you and me this day.” Therefore it was named Galeed, 49and Mizpah, for he said, “May the LORD watch between you and me when we are absent one from the other. 50“If you mistreat my daughters, or if you take wives besides my daughters, although no man is with us, see, God is witness between you and me.” 51Laban said to Jacob, “Behold this heap and behold the pillar which I have set between you and me. 52“This heap is a witness, and the pillar is a witness, that I will not pass by this heap to you for harm, and you will not pass by this heap and this pillar to me, for harm. 53“The God of Abraham and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge between us.” So Jacob swore by the fear of his father Isaac. 54Then Jacob offered a sacrifice on the mountain, and called his kinsmen to the meal; and they ate the meal and spent the night on the mountain. 55Early in the morning Laban arose, and kissed his sons and his daughters and blessed them. Then Laban departed and returned to his place. See also https://www.gotquestions.org/Mizpah-in-the-Bible.html . Another notable event ‘at’ this Mizpah concerns a man named Jephthah who was persuaded by his countrymen to lead a war against the Ammonites. Jephthah made an agreement with the Gileadites “before the Lord in Mizpah” ( Judges 11:11 ). The Lord did give Jephthah the victory, but, when he returned to his home in Mizpah, the first to come out the door of his house was his only child, a daughter who was dancing and rejoicing over her father’s triumph ( Judges 11:34–35 ). So Mizpah was the scene of a tragic story that for years was commemorated by young Israelite women in honor of Jephthah’s daughter (verse 40). [xxxi] Matthew 3:8 (NASB95) “Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance; Luke 3:8 (NASB95) 8“Therefore bear fruits in keeping with repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father,’ for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham. ; Ephesians 5:8–9 (NASB95) 8for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light 9(for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), Acts 26:20 (NASB95) 20but kept declaring both to those of Damascus first, and also at Jerusalem and then throughout all the region of Judea, and even to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance. Acts 3:19 (NASB95)19“Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; [xxxii] 1 John 1:9 (NASB95)9If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. [xxxiii] Deuteronomy 6:13 (NASB95)13“You shall fear only the LORD your God; and you shall worship Him and swear by His name. ; Deuteronomy 10:20 (NASB95)20“You shall fear the LORD your God; you shall serve Him and cling to Him, and you shall swear by His name. ; Deuteronomy 13:4 NASB95)4“You shall follow the LORD your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him.; [xxxiv] Cf., Zaccheus in Luke 19:8–9 (NASB95)8Zaccheus stopped and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much.” 9And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. [xxxv] Acts 19:18-20 …18Many who had believed now came forward, confessing and disclosing their deeds. 19 And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books and burned them in front of everyone. When the value of the books was calculated, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. 20So the word of the Lord powerfully continued to spread and prevail.… [xxxvi] 1 Peter 2:9(NASB95) 9But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellences of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; [xxxvii] Philippians 3:20(NASB95) 20For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; Ephesians 2:19(NASB95) 19So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, ; Philippians 1:27(NASB95) 27Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; ; Colossians 3:1(NASB95) 1Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ; Hebrews 12:22(NASB95) 22But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, [xxxviii] Revelation 2:4–5 (NASB95) 4‘But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5‘Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent. [xxxix] 1 Peter 1:14–15(NASB95) 14As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 15but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior;(NASB95) [xl] Ebenezer means “stone of help” (eben = stone; ezer = help). [xli] Arnold, Bill T. 2003. 1 & 2 Samuel . The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. [xlii] Psalm 18:2 (NASB95)2The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 71:1–3 (NASB95) 1In You, O LORD, I have taken refuge; Let me never be ashamed. 2In Your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; Incline Your ear to me and save me. 3Be to me a rock of habitation to which I may continually come; You have given commandment to save me, For You are my rock and my fortress. Isaiah 28:16 (NASB95)16Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, A costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not be disturbed. When you think about a rock there are several images that can come to mind. For me when I think of a rock, I think of something hard, tough, and durable. What is fascinating about God being the rock is that he is all those things and yet at the same time in this same rock you find tenderness, mercy, and compassion. I call this the dichotomy of the rock. [xliii] Arnold, Bill T. 2003. 1 & 2 Samuel . The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. [xliv] Regrets . . . stagnated pool that sooner or later stinks, and flows no more. [xlv] Lamentations 3:22–23 (NASB95)22The LORD’S loving kindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. 23They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. And most of all, let us remember that our Lord set up an Ebenezer for us all the endurance of our Lord, who endured the cross, despised the shame, and now sits at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up Hebrews 12:2-3 (NLT) https://www.fromhispresence.com/are-you-a-running-stream-or-a-stagnant-pool/ Howard Hendricks quote: “I would rather have my students drink from a running stream than a stagnant pool.” A stagnant pool is a breeding ground for infection and death. It’s the opposite of a running stream in every way. [xlvi] Hebrews 13:8 (NASB95) Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 1:12 (NASB95) 12AND LIKE A MANTLE YOU WILL ROLL THEM UP; LIKE A GARMENT THEY WILL ALSO BE CHANGED. BUT YOU ARE THE SAME, AND YOUR YEARS WILL NOT COME TO AN END.”

By Dr. David Wolfe • 11 May, 2024

It Is Good To Listen To Mothers Proverbs 1:7-8; 2 Timothy 3:14-15 I. INTRODUCTION Today is Mother’s Day. Doesn’t it seem like yesterday that we were celebrating Mother’s Day? Hard to believe that 365 days have passed. Well, what’s Mother’s Day without a song of recognition that highlights the joys of mothering? Here’s to all you moms out there. This is The Mom Song . This is a celebration weekend. Did you know. . . There are roughly 2.2 billion mothers globally 27 million mothers in the US have a Facebook account. Americans will spend close to 28.1 billion dollars this Mother’s Day Florist shops get 26% of their business on Mother’s Day The most popular Mother’s Day flower, carnations Mother’s Day is right behind Christmas when it comes to gifting. The vast majority of mothers find parenting to be enjoyable and rewarding II. CUTE MOTHER DAY CARDS I want you to know that Mothers are not just regular moms, they are cool moms. And the greeting card industry captures their coolness. Here are some of cool cards for the cool moms in our lives. Today I want us to consider the priceless value of our mothers who made our lives possible. Think about her example, her support, her humor, her counsel her humility, her hospitality, her insight, her patience, her sacrifices, her faith, her hope, and her love. As the old proverb goes, “He is not poor who has had a godly mother." Indebted yes, but not poor. So Moms, on this Mother's Day we call you blessed. Join me as I pray for all of our mom’s this morning. -- Heavenly Father, this morning we ask that You take special note of our mothers. Help them to see themselves as You see them—strong, capable and dearly loved. Give them confidence in their abilities and remind them of all the wonderful things they have accomplished as a mother. Give them discernment and wisdom to lead us on the right path, and help them to trust in Your plan for their lives. May she find her joy and fulfillment in serving You and raising Godly children. In Jesus’ name, amen III. THE WIFE/MOTHER’S HIGH CALLING This morning it is my desire to glorify God by highlighting the biblical call on a woman’s life that makes marriage, motherhood and home-management a central core of a woman’s life. I also acknowledge this morning that there are millions of single women, and some of you are here this morning, who may never be a mother. I want you to understand that there is a special grace from God for being a single woman. In fact, the Bible makes it clear that being single can be a calling of God. Know that God does not downplay singleness, whether it be a woman or a man. But my aim on this morning is to encourage the women who believe that God has called them to a marriage relationship in which they joyfully support their husbands and his calling, striving to model the admonition given in Ephesians 5, v24(GW), As the church is under Christ’s authority, so wives ought to be to their husbands’ in everything . It is in this relationship that the beauty of the church is revealed to a watching world. The point I want us to understand is that the marriage relationship is a very high and holy calling that the world neither understands nor supports. IV. EXEMPLARY EXAMPLE OF RESPECT Think about this for a moment: As you may know, most of the book of Proverbs was written by King Solomon, a great king, and son of a great king, King David. He had enormous power and authority, and it would have been dangerous to question him. But understand, he was not a perfect king or even a perfect man by any means, but God chose to give him profound insights and then preserved them for us. Solomon’s mother was Bathsheba. You might remember that King David had a forced affair with her. It was out of that relationship Solomon was born, and he grew up having great respect for her illustrated for us in 1 Kings chap 2, v19. It reads as follows: Bathsheba went to King Solomon to talk to him on ‘brother’ Adonijah’s behalf. When she entered, the king got up to meet her and bowed down in front of her, and then he sat on his throne. It was then that He had a throne brought for his mother, and she sat at his right side. Don’t miss what Solomon did, the wisest and most powerful man on earth at the time. When his mom came into his presence, he stood up for her, bowed down to her, and then called for a throne to be set beside his. It was not until then did they discuss what was on Bathsheba’s mind. So I don’t want us to miss this: even great kings bow when their mothers enter the room. Under God’s guidance this great king left us a treasure of instruction. Proverbs chap 1, vs 8-9(GW), 8My son, listen to your father’s instruction, and don’t miss this-- and do not neglect your mother’s teachings, 9because his instruction and her teachings are like a graceful garland on your head and a golden chain around your neck. V. FAMILY IS THE CENTRAL NUCLEUS OF GOD’S DESIGN I want us to understand, that despite our cultural trends, the family is a core value in God’s design. And the wife/mother play a central role in passing on reverence for God, wonderment of God, and trust in/of God. That’s what mothering does. Just how central is a mother’s role? A wife wrote to Ann Landers the following: I'm a wife, mother, friend, confidant, personal advisor, I’m a lover, referee, peacemaker, housekeeper, laundress, I’m a chauffeur, interior decorator, gardener, I’m a painter, wall paperer, dog groomer, veterinarian, manicurist, I’m a barber, seamstress, appointment manager, financial planner, I’m a bookkeeper, money manager, personal secretary, teacher, disciplinarian, I’m an entertainer, therapist, nurse, pathologist, public relations expert, I’m a dietitian and nutritionist, baker, chef, fashion coordinator and I’m a letter writer for both sides of the family. And I’m not finished yet. I am also a travel agent, speech therapist, plumber, automobile mechanic, and I’m ‘on-call 24/7 365 days of the year . . . because I am a stay-at-home mom, according to 2019Salary.com, my yearly salary should be around $178,201. So much more could be added to mom’s responsibilities. VI. MOTHER’S HIGH CALLING This morning, I want this message to serve as a word of honor and encouragement to the women who live out their calling faithfully as a wife and mother. As well as to encourage those women who aspire to the calling of a wife and mother, but are not there as yet. This morning I want to highlight five marks of a godly mother. A. First, Mothers Have A High Calling As A Teacher Of Faith. I begin with 2 Timothy 3, vs14-15(ESV). Here Paul instructs Timothy to 14continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it (make a note of those words) 15how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Mark the phrase Knowing from whom you learned it . Those words are in reference to Timothy’s Grandmother Lois and Mother Eunice. Paul highlights for us that Timothy’s learning took place in childhood, his text book was the sacred writings, and according to chap 1, v5, his faith started with his grandmother Lois, who passed her faith to Eunice, who then together passed it on to Timothy. Further, we know from Acts 16 that Timothy’s father was not a follower of Jesus. So Timothy grew up in a home with a mother of faith and a father who was not a follower of Jesus. Paul’s admonition to Timothy follows what we are told in Proverbs chap 1, v8(GW) where Solomon instructed his son, do not neglect your mother’s teachings . So Paul instructs Timothy not to forget the valuable lessons of faith given to him by his grandmother and mother. So, let’s be clear: between King Solomon and the apostle Paul, grandmothers and mothers hold a place of great honor. They set up the atmosphere for faith to flourish. And by-the-way, not just for their children—mark this—but for the untold numbers who are touched by their children. Here’s an important principle: One of the ways to persevere through hard times is remembering one’s teacher and the textbook from which instruction was given.  B. Second, Mothers Play A Leading Role In God’s Classroom God has designed the family as the place where the fundamentals of faith are to be taught and learned, and how we are to live our lives. Understand, the family is God’s school for learning. Proverbs chap 1, vs 8-9(GW), 8My son, listen to your father’s instruction, and do not neglect your mother’s teachings. A similar parallel comes in Proverbs 23, v22: “Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. ” Evidently the teaching role of a mother reaches through all stages of life. This is probably a good place to remind us of the fifth commandment: “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land. [Exodus 20:12(ESV)]. Data tells us that women often outlive men. And according to the Institute on Aging , about two-thirds of Americans over 85 are female. Job 12:12 (NASB95) “Wisdom is with aged, and with long life is understanding. So these older women have great wisdom to pass on. That’s what Paul tells us in Titus 2, vs 3-6, (GW) 3Older women are to teach young women how to love their husbands and children, 5to use good judgment, and to be morally pure. And to teach young women ‘how’ to be homemakers, to be kind, and to place themselves under their husbands’ authority. Then no one can speak evil of God’s word. The point is, o lder women play a huge role in the redemptive story from birth into eternity. They help us to live out our faith. For example: 1. Take Sarah, Abraham’s wife She trusted God while struggling with aging and childlessness. According to 1 Peter 3 she demonstrated that imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit which, by-the-way, is precious in the sight of God, She supported Abraham’s leadership. 2. Take the widow Anna Following 7 years of marriage, she became a widow. … Then for the rest of her life she served at the temple day and night at. 3. Then there is Lois and Eunice who inspire us to pass on our faith to our children the faith in the Son of God who came to us born of a human mother, who knew no sin, but bore our sin on the cross, and who rose from the grave, making Him our risen Savior and eternal King. 4. There is Priscilla Wife of Aquila, helped to mentor Apollo more accurately the way of God. 5. Then there is Mother of King Lemuel While Lemuel was growing up, his mother gave him wise advice, warning him about the dangers of immorality, alcohol, perverted justice, lawless behavior, and told him to defend the rights of the poor and needy. The point is, women play a huge role in the redemptive story from birth into eternity C. Third, The theme of the Mothers Teaching Is The Fear of The Lord V7 of Proverbs 1, The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction sets the stage for Solomon’s plea to his son, listen to your father’s instruction, and do not neglect your mother’s teachings . The theme of the mother’s instruction is to help their children get a grip on the fear of the Lord so that it runs through their thoughts and actions. In the Bible the fear of the Lord is central to living. Proverbs 28:14 (ESV) Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity. The point is, don’t live life carelessly. So we’re told in Hebrews 12:28 (ESV) . . . let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. We are to come to God with the attitude of Nehemiah. In chap 1, v11 (ESV), he prays, O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant . . . who delights to fear Your name . There is are two types of fear—a repulsive fea r (snake and crocodiles) vs the fear that draws us into the presence of God . The fear of the Lord is the total acknowledgement of all that God is, which comes through knowing Him and His attributes. In Isaiah 11 we’re told that there is a delight, an enjoyment that comes in fearing God. So 1 John 4:18(GW) we are explicitly told that No fear exists where God’s love is. Rather, perfect love gets rid of fear, because fear involves punishment. The person who lives in fear doesn’t have perfect love. Living in trembling fear of God is a sign that such a person has a hard heart, and is not living in Christ. Now in what ways is the fear of the Lord meant to impact our thoughts and actions? Proverbs helps us understand how the fear of the Lord is design to impact our words, our thoughts, and our actions. Proverbs 8, v13(GW) To fear the Lord is to hate evil, to hate pride, to hate arrogance, to hate evil actions, and to hate perverted speech . Perhaps the first and foremost way that the Fear of the Lord impacts one’s life is in the usage of our words. Let’s define what the Bible means by perverted speech . Perverted speech is not limited to cursing. According to Proverbs it includes lying lips, filthy words, foolish words, crude jokes, speeches that drum up chaos (which the Bible refers to as scorching fire ). When the fear of the Lord runs through our thoughts and actions, it shapes our words. And sometimes this means exercising avoidance of people and places. Ephesians 4:29 (NASB95) Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. And by-the-way, our words are a very big deal. Listen to Jesus in Matthew 12:37(GW) By your words you will be declared innocent, or by your words you will be declared guilty. ” Our words reflect what’s in our hearts. The point is, Mom’s job isn’t just to teach children how to hold spoons, eat properly, tie shoes, cut grass, and do chores, put on makeup, drive a car, and look both ways before crossing the street. She is to teach her children how-to-live-in reverence and awe of God. Deuteronomy 6:4–9 (GW) 4Listen, Israel: The Lord is our God. The Lord is the only God. So 5Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6Take to heart these words that I give you today. 7Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you’re at home or away, when you lie down or get up. 8Write them down, and⸥ tie them around your wrist, and wear them as headbands as a reminder. 9Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Proverbs 1:7, The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge . So as parents, we must have God’s Word on our lips as the primary influence for our children. D. Fourth, Raising Children Is A Team Effort Proverbs chap 1, vs 8(GW), 8My son, listen to your father’s instruction, and do not neglect your mother’s teachings, These verses do not say “Father’s instruct and mothers change diapers.” Nor does it say, “Fathers work at the office and don’t have to participate with the messes at home.” Nor does it say, “Mothers work outside the home and turn the responsibility of teaching over to child-care.” Nor does it say “When school starts, parent teaching stops.” It says Father’s given instruction, and mothers teach. Raising a family is a joint effort. Mothers need the help and encouragement of their husbands. The family is a school, and the unifying curriculum theme of the family home-school is the fear of the Lord . E. Fifth, the Mother’s Instruction Are Rewarding. Did you notice the description of the mother’s instruction? They are as graceful garland on your heard and a golden chain around your neck. Because the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom , the mother seeks to implant it in her children. Solomon says that the wisdom that flows from the mother’s lips is not a burdensome load that weighs one’s life down, but a treasure that adds beauty and grace to one’s life. Proverbs 14:26–27, "In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence . . . It is a fountain of life" Proverbs 19:23 "The fear of the Lord leads to life, so that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil" Psalm 119, vs97-100 tells us that meditating on ‘the fear of the Lord’ makes one wiser than their enemies, more insightful than all their teachers, and brings more understanding than the aged because such a person observes God’s precepts. III. WHAT’S OUR TAKE AWAY? Well, what might be our take away this morning? The challenge before every Mom is developing a heart of obedience in the same direction, which opens the gate for the long run. As Hebrews 12 admonishes us, let us run the race that is set before us by laying aside such things as . . . a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that plots wicked imaginations, and feet that run rapidly towards evil desires. Because practically speaking everything that goes on in the world-- wanting one’s own way, wanting everything for oneself, wanting to appear important—has nothing to do with God the Father. It is Jesus not our culture that is meant to define our lives. It is the fear of the Lord, the reverence and awe of God that is meant to shape our lives. Let me close with five take-home principles for preparing and running life’s race. 1. First, we need to develop a reverence and awe for God for who He is 2. Second, we need a heart’s desire to serve God . If He is truly our God and we are His people, it behooves us to find a place to serve Him joyfully 3. Third, we need a mindset of worshiping God on a regular basis . As Hebrews 10:25-26(GW) states it, 24We must also consider how to encourage each other to show love and to do good things. 25And should not stop gathering together as some are doing . We need to continue to meet together to encourage each other as we see the day of the Lord coming. 4. Fourth, we need to develop a heart of obedience . Solomon points this out in Ecclesiastes 12:13–14 (GW) 13After having heard it all, this is the conclusion: Fear God, and keep his commands, because this applies to everyone. 14God will certainly judge everything that is done. This includes every secret thing, whether it is good or bad. 5. Finally, we need to live out our lives with an overpowering fear of the Lord that brings an overpowering love for God. A lawyer confronted Jesus with the question, Which is the great commandment, to test Him. Jesus responded 37“ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38This is the greatest and most important commandment. 39The second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ Proverbs 14:26–27 (NASB95) 26In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And his children will have refuge. 27The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, That one may avoid the snares of death. Psalm 34:7–9 (NASB95) 7The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them. 8. . . How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! … 9O fear the LORD, you His saints; For to those who fear Him there is no want. On this day, let it be known that the Almighty God has chosen mothers to not only to be the bearers of His image, vessels in whom His own life is resident, but also to pass on His grandeur to their children so that they should put their confidence in God, not forgetting His works, but keep His commandments. . . not to be stubborn and rebellious, but to be faithful to God. Let’s pray On this special day set aside to honor mothers we ask for a special touch from the Lord for each and every one of them. May each mother in this room be granted a special blessing, and may all of the work of her hands not be forgotten in Your sight. Let her example to her children be a guiding force in their lives, and may wisdom be passed down to the next generation of mothers. Amen i I try to thoroughly cite all sources in my written sermon notes. But due to the extemporaneous nature of oral communication, delivery may occasionally contain material not fully cited or original with me. In such situations, the church nor I assert ownership to such material. The footnotes contain most of the resources that were used to prepare this sermon. John Piper, Honoring the biblical call of motherhood, (2 Timothy 3:10-17) https://www.desiringgod.org/ messages/honoring-the-biblical-call-of-motherhood ; John Piper, Do Not Forsake Your Mother’s Teaching (Proverbs 1:7-9) https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/do-not-forsake-your-mothers-teaching ii Anita Renfroe, The Mom Song, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ce8yBOXjI7s , Performed by Betsy Burke and Tiffany Marshall on Mother's Day 2013 at Gateway Community Church iii https://www.petalrepublic.com/mothers-day-statistics/ iv Ursula M. Anderson , Who and Where is God: Why We Are the Way We Are, Infinity Publishing Co., Dec. 7, 2007.. . . puts forth the theory that mothers have a key role in the effort of taking the violence out of this world. Because mothers can impact a child affecting the way that little person is wired. v https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/05/09/facts-about-u-s-mothers/ vi https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/holidays-celebrations/g39078013/funny-mothers-day-cards/ vii Charles Swindoll, Mother’s Day: A Chance to Work on Our Presumptions, http://www.crosswalk.com/spirituallife/ 11575205/ viii Cf., 1 Corinthians 7:34–35 (NASB95) 34and his interests are divided. The woman who is unmarried, and the virgin, is concerned about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how she may please her husband. 35This I say for your own benefit; not to put a restraint upon you, but to promote what is appropriate and to secure undistracted devotion to the Lord. ix Ann Landers, May 1988, quoted in Mom, You're Incredible, by Linda Weber, Focus on the Family, 1994, pp. 23–24. From the studies done, it would cost more than $75,000 a year to replace me x https://www.investopedia.com/financial-edge/0112/how-much-is-a-homemaker-worth.aspx xi Cf., Job 12:12 (NASB95) “Wisdom is with aged men, With long life is understanding. Job 32:7 (NASB95) 7“I thought age should speak, And increased years should teach wisdom. Deuteronomy 32:7 (NASB95) 7“Remember the days of old, Consider the years of all generations. Ask your father, and he will inform you, Your elders, and they will tell you. xii Hebrews 11:11 (NASB95) By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised. 1 Peter 3:5 (NASB95) 5For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands; xiii 1 Peter 3:3–5 (NASB95) 3Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; 4but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. 5For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands; xiv 1 Peter 3:6 (NASB95) 6just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear. xv Luke 2:36–38 (NASB95) 36And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. 38At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. xvi 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NASB95) 21He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Hebrews 7:26 (NASB95) 26For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens;; 1 Peter 2:22 (NASB95) 22WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH;; 1 John 3:5 (NASB95) 5You know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin. Romans 1:2–4 (NASB95) 2which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, 4who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord, Romans 10:9–11 (NASB95) 9that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. 11For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.” xvii Acts 18:25–26 (NASB95) 25This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus, being acquainted only with the baptism of John; 26and he began to speak out boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. xviii Proverbs 31:1–9 (NASB95) 1The words of King Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him: 2What, O my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows? 3Do not give your strength to women, Or your ways to that which destroys kings. 4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Or for rulers to desire strong drink, 5For they will drink and forget what is decreed, And pervert the rights of all the afflicted. 6Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to him whose life is bitter. 7Let him drink and forget his poverty And remember his trouble no more. 8Open your mouth for the mute, For the rights of all the unfortunate. 9Open your mouth, judge righteously, And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy. xix Job 28:28 (NASB95) 28“And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; And to depart from evil is understanding.’ ” xx Psalm 34:11 (NASB95) 11Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. xxi Isaiah 66:2 (NASB95) 2“For My hand made all these things, Thus all these things came into being,” declares the LORD. “But to this one I will look, To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word. xxii Hebrews 12:25, 28 (NASB95) 25See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven. 28Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; xxiii Isaiah 41:10 (NASB95) 10‘Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ xxiv Isaiah 11:2–3 (NASB95) 2The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him, The spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and strength, The spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. 3And He will delight in the fear of the LORD, And He will not judge by what His eyes see, Nor make a decision by what His ears hear; xxv Proverbs 12:22 (NASB95) Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, But those who deal faithfully are His delight. , Proverbs 16:27 (NASB95) A worthless man digs up evil, While his words are like scorching fire. , Ephesians 5:4 (NASB95) and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. xxvi] Colossians 4:6 (NASB95) Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. xxvii In the context of Matthew 12:37, Jesus was addressing the scribes and Pharisees, who had rejected Him and His message. These religious leaders exhibited spiritual pride and hypocrisy. Let’s break down what Jesus meant: 1. Context: The Pharisees had accused Jesus’ disciples of breaking the Sabbath, implying that Jesus Himself was also violating it. They even attributed Jesus’ miracles to Satan. Their hearts were hardened against Him, and they spoke falsely against Him and His followers. 2. Tree and Fruit Analogy: Jesus used the analogy of a tree and its fruit. Just as a tree is known by its fruit, our words reveal what is in our hearts. A good tree produces good fruit, while an evil tree produces evil fruit (Matthew 12:33-35). 3. Accountability for Words: Jesus emphasized that everyone would be held accountable for their words. He said, “By your words you are justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:37). However, He wasn’t suggesting that saying the right words could make someone righteous. Instead, He was highlighting that our words reflect what’s in our hearts. 4. Pharisees’ Hearts: The Pharisees’ words showed their rejection of God’s kingdom, their lack of love, and their hatred of justice. Their evil attitudes were evident in what they said and taught. 5. Final Judgment: God will pronounce judgment based not only on actions but also on how people have used their tongues (Matthew 12:36). Our words matter—they reveal our true character. In summary, Jesus was emphasizing that our words reflect our hearts. We are either justified or condemned by what we say. It’s a reminder to guard our hearts and speak truth, love, and righteousness xxviii Proverbs 9:10 (NASB95) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. ; Proverbs 15:33 (NASB95) 33The fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom, And before honor comes humility. Job 28:28 (NASB95) 28“And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; And to depart from evil is understanding.’ ”; Psalm 111:10 (NASB95) 10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever. Ecclesiastes 12:13 (NASB95)13The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. xxix Psalm 127:3 (NASB95) Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. xxx Cf., Hebrews 11:7 (ESV) 7By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. xxxi Proverbs 6:16–19 (NASB95) 16There are six things which the LORD hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: 17Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, 18A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that run rapidly to evil, 19A false witness who utters lies, And one who spreads strife among brothers. xxxii 1 John 2:15–16 (NASB95)15Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. xxxiii Matthew 22:35–39 (GW) xxxiv Psalm 56:11 (NASB95) In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me? Job 13:15 (NASB95)“Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. Psalm 5:11 (NASB95) But let all who take refuge in You be glad, Let them ever sing for joy; And may You shelter them, That those who love Your name may exult in You. xxxv Psalm 78:6–8 (NASB95) 6That the generation to come might know, even the children yet to be born, That they may arise and tell them to their children, 7That they should put their confidence in God And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments, 8And not be like their fathers, A stubborn and rebellious generation, A generation that did not prepare its heart And whose spirit was not faithful to God .

By Dr. David Wolfe • 27 Apr, 2024

#7 - I Am The True Vine, and My Father Is the Vinedresser [i] (John 15:1-11) I. INTRODUCTION I invite you to open your Bibles to the gospel of John chap 15. We’ll be looking at vs1-11, this is Jesus’ last I Am statement. Though the statements are metaphorical, they give us greater insight as to His identity and provisions for those who choose to follow Him. As a reminder for us He is . . . the bread of life [ii] the light of the world [iii] . the door of the sheep [iv] the good shepherd [v] the resurrection and the life [vi] the way, the truth and the life [vii] Today we are looking at His last I Am statement, v1, of chap 15, I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser . [viii] In application, faith is continuously abiding in His Words which results in producing fruit to the glory of the Father. II. JOHN 15 Let’s begin our study by reading vs1-6. 1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. 3 “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 5“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. 6“If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. Let’s begin with prayer. -- Heavenly Father open our minds that we may grasp what it means to abide in Jesus, so that all that is of ourselves melts away. In Jesus’ name. Amen. III. CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS (JN 8) A. Importance of Contextual Surroundings I think there are times, in reading the life of Jesus, that we get the idea that much of what He said was was simply stated to stir things up. Take for example Jesus’ words in John 8, “I am the light of the world” . There is a contextual setting to those words, providing for us additional insight. Think about this: In chap 8 we’re told that Jesus had spent the night on the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning He hiked to the temple. Upon seeing Him, swarms of people came to Him, and so He sat down and began to teach them. The courtyard Jesus was in was known as the Court of the Women. There were three temple courts--Court of the Women, Court of the Gentiles and the Court of Israelite Men. The Court of Women was the middle court, and was designated area for women to pray and meditate. [ix] In this court was a giant candelabra, that when lit, it would cast a glow over the city at night. It was meant to call to mind the Shekina Glory Cloud that represented the presence of God during Israel’s hike through the wilderness. [x] The priests would light this candelabra every night of the week. At dawn it would be extinguished. At this point the scribes and Pharisees dragged in a woman caught in adultery and placed her front center, not only in front of Jesus, but the entire crowd, bringing shame and disgrace on her, destroying any sense of self esteem she might have had. She became a test case as to Jesus stance with Mosaic law as to adultery The law called for her to be stoned to death. [xi] In response, Jesus, without a word, stoops down and begins to write in the dust of he courtyard. So what we have is a giant candelabra that has been extinguished, a crowd eager for the contest, a woman shamed and disgraced, Jesus writing something in the dust, and the crowd watch as the accusers of arrogant haughty accusers, fade out of the limelight, beginning with the oldest. [xii] It is at that point Jesus stands up near the candelabra, and declares loudly, I Am the light of the world . As the light of God streams in, the accusers fade back out of sight. They step away because they were not really interested in pleasing God. Everyone who makes a practice of doing evil hates the God-light and won’t come near it, fearing a painful exposure. Do you get the picture? In that moment Jesus exposed the hypocritical darkness of the Scribes and Pharisees, while wiping away the shame and disgrace of this woman. As John tells us in chap 1, In Him was life, and the life was the light of men . He who walks in the light of ‘Jesus’ will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of Life. You see, knowing the contextual setting opens our eyes of our understanding. Because He is the true light, the hypocritical Scribes and Pharisees were shamed and disgraced, while the woman caught in darkness was brought into the light and given back her dignity. … If that doesn’t grip you, you are like wet wood on a cold night. IV. JOHN 15 That brings us to John 15, v1, when Jesus said, I am the true vine, My Father is the vinedresser . Those words have a contextual setting which which serve as an object lesson, as well as clarifying the application. When we come to chap 15 vs1-11, there is a contextual setting we would do well to understand. The Passover Meal is over, and Judas has slipped into the night literally controlled by Satan; v31, chap 14, Jesus tells His disciples, “ Get up. Let’s go. It’s time to leave here,” and He leads them out of Jerusalem to the Mount of Olives. Since it was Passover, there would be a full moon. As they slipped out of Jerusalem, they went into a valley and then began the assent on the Mount of Olives. As they went they passed through vineyards He tells His disciples, perhaps while holding a grapevine, I am the true vine, My Father is the vinedresser . [xiii] Now the disciples would have remembered that in the Old Testament Israel was described as a vineyard planted by God. [xiv] But something happened to the vine. Isaiah 5:4, When I/God looked for it to yield grapes, it yielded wild grapes . Understand, wild grapes tend to be smaller in size than cultivated grapes, they are seedier, and tend to have a sour taste. And because of their root system, they are often referred to as weeds. [xv] A. Verse By Verse The vineyard-metaphor is design to illustrate Jesus’ expectations of His followers following his departure. Remember, Judas was not present, Jesus was not talking to multitudes, He was talking to 11 committed men, and His focus was on their relationship to Him and fruit bearing. He was laying out for His disciples (then and now) how they and us are to live out our lives in a world that is at odds with God. [xvi] Jesus use of the grape vine (which He likens to Himself) and the gardener, which He identifies as His Father, who cares for the grapevine with the intent of helping it produce fruit. Let’s now work our way through vs1-11. V1, I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. In contrast to Israel’s wild grape vine, Jesus tells His disciples, I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser . [xvii] To help us better grasp the metaphor, lets drop down to v5. Here He repeats again, I am the vine, and then He adds, you are the branches . So what we have here is Jesus is picturing Himself as a grapevine. This grapevine started off with 12 branches, and during the past 2000 years multiple branches have sprouted. And overseeing the growth of this vine is God the Father, who is the vinedresser. So just exactly what is a vinedresser? A Vinedresser is a specialist who oversees the growth, planting, pruning and tending of grape vines. His job is to optimize the quality and abundance of grapes for market. For those of us who may be agriculturally challenged, this may be a stretch. But just know that there’s a lot of work that goes into the raisins and grapes we eat, the making of jelly’s and jams, and the wine one drinks. V2, The Work Of The Vinedresser That brings us to v2. Listen carefully to what Jesus says, 2 “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. Now drop down to v6. Remember Judas was not in the mix. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. So w hat we have here is a vine, a vinedresser, and two kinds of branches branches that bear fruit, and pruned to bear more fruit; branches that do not bearing fruit, so they are cut off, thrown to one side, then gathered up and burned. Picture what Jesus is saying to His disciples--we have here is a flourishing vine, and the vinedresser walking along the vine. As He walks the vine He prunes the healthy branches so that they produce more. If He sees a branch that is dried up, He cuts it off, and throws it in a pile where it dries up. These are then gathered, cast into the fire, and burned. V5 Jesus reiterates, “I am the vine you are the branches ; then He adds, he who abides in Me and I in him will bear much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. In the metaphor Jesus’ disciples are the branches. Remember there were 12 disciples, but now there are 11. There is a branch missing. Remember Judas? He looked like a disciple. He smelled like a disciple. He preached like a disciple. He even had the gift of healing and casting out demons at one time. [xviii] He looked the part, but when we take a closer look, it becomes clear that he walked to a different drummer. John 12, v6 speaking of Judas, he did not care about the poor, but because he was a thief, and being the treasurer, he used to help himself to what was put into it. That reminds of something Jesus said in Matthew 7:22–24 (MSG) 2 2 I can see it now—at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, ‘Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.’ 23 And do you know what I am going to say? ‘You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. And then I will declare to them, ‘ I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’ Here in John 15 Jesus highlights two different groups of followers, those that produce fruit and those that do not. Jesus is surrounded by 11 who were clearly attached to Him; but there was that one who was not, and the Father cut him off. Matthew 6:24 “ No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth . [xix] … John 10:27, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me . Though Judas walked with Jesus for 3 ½ years, for some reason he never heard the voice of Jesus. Here’s the truth—You can have the appearance of a disciple, but if there is no fruit, like Judas, at some point you’ll be cut off, taken away and burned. Judas, who walked in close proximity to Jesus, never got it, and was sent to the fire to be burned, that would be eternal hell. The branches that are cut off are false believers, false followers of Jesus. God the Father prunes, as in cuts those branches off and throws them into the fire. No fruit equals certain death. Now follow me. Jesus is saying that branches that bear fruit are true disciples; branches that do not bear fruit are cut off and burned because they are false disciples. There are possessors of life, and there are professors of life. 2 Timothy 3:5, there are people who have a form of godliness, but have no life. Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of My Father. So what we have here is true disciples and fake disciples and the Father is watching. He actively removes false branches. 1 John 2:18–19 18 Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us. Vs3-4, The key to staying in the mix How does one know whether they are a good vine or a bad vine? Jesus tells us in Vs3-4 (MSG) 3 You have been pruned by the message I have spoken. 4 “’So now’ live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can’t bear fruit unless you are joined with me. V3, You have been pruned by the message I have spoken. The 11 disciples have been purified through the cleansing power of the Word of God. Ephesians 5:25–27 (NASB95)2 5 . . . as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 . . . having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word. [xx] There are things that only the washing of the word can cleanse--things in our minds, things that deal with our conduct, things that have to do with our character and attitude, these things can only be cleansed by being immersed in the word of God overseen by the Holy Spirit. This helps us understand why studying the Word of God is so important. We need the words of God in us so that we can think according to them, and if we believe those words, they will purify and cleanse the way we think. So Jesus tells the disciples, unlike Judas, you are real disciples because you have come to abide in Me, therefore you are secure. To abide in Jesus is a picture of an intimate, close relationship; not a superficial acquaintance like Judas had. Those who “abide” in Jesus are those who are truly saved—they have a real and vital connection to Jesus. Withered branches are withered because, like Judas, they were never truly connected to Jesus; and like Judas they pretended to have an attachment to the Vine, but drew no life from Him. In the end, pretenders will be seen for what they are: hangers-on who have no authentic attachment to Jesus. [xxi] In Vs7-11 we have Branches that produce fruit 1. First, branches that produce fruit are connected. How does the Father know if a branch is withered or not? Branches that are not producing fruit. It is possible to have a form of godliness, but have no life. Anybody who produces fruit is connected to Jesus. Understand, every genuine follower of Jesus produces fruit. It might be in bunches, or it might be meniscal, but you still produce. Those who receive the planted word produce fruit—some thirty lbs, some 60 lbs, some 100 lbs. [xxii] That’s how you know that you are in a right relationship to Jesus. Matthew 7:15-20, you’ll know by your fruit. Every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them . [xxiii] So how do you know a follower of Jesus? Not by perfection. Not by performance. Not by dominates. You know a person has been transformed because of the fruit manifested in their life. The key to producing fruit is being attached to the vine. Jesus refers to this attachment with the word ‘ abide ’. Nine times in this passage He stresses abiding . To abide in Christ is to be in an intimate close relationship with Him, not a superficial acquaintance like Judas. Abiding in the vine means receiving and believing and trusting in the words of Jesus. Nothing of any spiritual, eternal significance is possible apart from this abiding in the vine. V5, “ apart from me you can do nothing”. If we are not united to the vine the life of Christ will not flow into us. His words, His love, His joy will be totally absent. To have His words, His love, His joy we must be woven into Him. In Jesus’ words, abiding in Him. The essential meaning of our active abiding is receiving and trusting all that God is for us in Christ.” [xxiv] 2. Fruit Bearing When it comes to fruit, what are we talking about? In thinking about fruit bearing, there are two kinds of fruit-- Attitude fruit and Action fruit a. Let’s first consider Action Fruit which is probably the easiest to define. Hebrews 13, v 15 (NASB95) Let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is the fruit of our lips that give thanks to His Name . [xxv] Hebrews 10:24–25 (NASB95) 2 4 stimulating one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. Colossians 1:28–29 (NASB95) 28 proclaiming, admonishing every and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. Striving to bring people to spiritual maturity. Romans 16:5, Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia. [xxvi] Leading people to a saving relationship with God. Titus 3:14 (NASB95) W e must engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful. Giving freely of your resources to the ministry [xxvii] Matthew 25:31-49, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the prisons, taking care of strangers, visiting the sick. Action fruit is living a life that has a positive effect on the people around you. [xxviii] b. In addition to Action Fruit, there is what we might refer to as Attitude Fruit. Galatians 5 is our go-to passage for Attitude Fruit. Vs22–25, 22 the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. V. WHAT’S OUR TAKE AWAY Let’s wrap up John 15 by highlighting the benefits of abiding in Jesus 1 st , V5 (GW) , Y ou will produce fruit. 5 Those who live in me while I live in them will produce a lot of fruit. But you can’t produce anything without me. 2 nd , V7 (GW) , Your prayers will be responded to. 7 If you live in me and what I say lives in you, then ask for anything you want, and it will be yours . 3 rd , V8, (GW) Fruit bearing is a distinctive mark of a follower of Jesus. 8 You give glory to my Father when you produce a lot of fruit and therefore show that you are my disciples. 4 th , V10 (GW) You will be submersed in the love of Christ. 10 If you obey my commandments, you will live in my love. I have obeyed my Father’s commandments, and in that way I live in his love. Jesus then sums it all up in 11 (GW) I have told you this so that you will be as joyful as I am, and your joy will be complete . Listen carefully. The branches that get cut off are people who are superficial pretenders of following Jesus. Jesus said, “If any man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch. ” Branches that do not abide are Judas branches. Judas branches are cast into hell for eternity, time without end. On the other hand Jesus tells us in John 6:37 , “He/she that comes to me” --those who truthfully are committed – “I will in no wise cast out. ” Our connection to Jesus is not based on the amount of fruit we bear. If you are a follower of Jesus, you will bear fruit. It might take a magnifying glass to see it, but you will bear fruit, and no way will Jesus dump you. He is not in the business of casting out true believers, only those who follow in the footsteps of Judas. The experience of abiding in Jesus grows out of our submersion in His Word. Let’s close in prayer. Heavenly Father, 1 You are our God! We can’t get enough of you! We’ve worked up such a hunger and thirst for You, traveling across dry and weary deserts. 2 So here we are in this place of worship, we open our eyes to drink in Your strength and glory. 3 With your generous love we really living! Our lips are filled with praises like fountains. 4 We bless you every time we take a breath; Our arms wave like banners of praise to you. [Psalm 63:1–4 (MSG)] 8 We long to eat our fill at the banquet table as you fill our cups with the fresh spring water of Your Word. 9 You are the fountain of cascading light, and You open our eyes to light. [Psalm 36:8–9 (MSG)] 2 You have bedded us down in lush meadows, You find quiet pools for us to drink from. 3 True to Your word, You let us catch our breath and send us in the right direction. 4 Even when the way goes through Death Valley, We are not afraid because You walk at our side. Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes us feel secure. 6 Your beauty and love chase after us every day of our lives. Hold on to us. Keep us connected to the vine. Don’t let us go. Be our life. If there is any disease in us, cure us with your all-satisfying Word, then heal us, prune us, and cause Your life to surge in us again.” Amen [i] I try to thoroughly cite all sources in my written sermon notes. But due to the extemporaneous nature of oral communication, delivery may occasionally contain material not fully cited or original with me. In such situations, the church nor I assert ownership to such material. The footnotes contain most of the resources that were used to prepare this sermon. Douglas Douma, John 15:1-11, The Fruit of the Vine, https://www.douglasdouma.com/2020/06/28/sermon-on-john-151-11-fruit-of-the-vine/ Ray Stedman, The Vine and the Fruit, https://www.raystedman.org/new-testament/john/the-vine-and-the-fruit ; John McArthur, If You Abide in Me (John 15:1-11), https://www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/1305/if-you-abide-in-me ; John Piper, Glorifying God by Bering Fruit in Union with Christ, https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/glorifying-god-by-bearing-fruit-in-union-with-christ ; Alistair Begg, Fruitfulness (Pt 1), https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/sermon/fruitfulness-part-1/ Chuck Swindoll, Behold Christ . . . The Lamb of God (John 15-21 (Fullerton, CAL: Insight for Living, 1975). [ii] John 6:35 (NASB95) Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. John 6:41 (NASB95) 41Therefore the Jews were grumbling about Him, because He said, “I am the bread that came down out of heaven.” John 6:48 (NASB95) 48“I am the bread of life. John 6:51 (NASB95) 51“I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh.” In application, faith is being so absorbed by His presence and promises, that our deepest longings are satisfied. [iii] John 8:12 (NASB95)12Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” John 9:5 (NASB95) 5“While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.” In application, faith is being so captured by His surpassing glory that we have an aversion to the darkness of the world [iv] John 10:7–9 (NASB95) 7So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8“All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9“I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. In application, faith is coming exclusively to Jesus for both eternal life and spiritual abundant life. [v] John 10:11–14 (NASB95) 11“I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. 12“He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13“He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep. 14“I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, In application, faith is a total reliance and trust in His provision. [vi] John 11:25 (NASB95) 25Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, In application, faith is believing that death has no power over the follower of Jesus [vii] John 14:6 (NASB95) 6Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. In application, faith means believing that Jesus is exclusively the means we come to God. [viii] Two I AM Declarations--I Am statements, but they are not metaphorical, but declarations of His personal identity as Jehovah God. § The first one comes in John 8:58 in a response to a criciticism as to His age, I tell you the truth, before Abraham was born, I Am!![viii] Notice His response: Abraham was, but I Am. The Jesws knew exactly what He meant, and picked up stones to kill Him. § The second one comes in John 18:4-6. Judas’ mob arrives to arrest Jesus. Jesus asked them who they were looking for. They respond, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus responded I Am!!! Something weird then happened. When He said, I Am, the mob recoiled and fell to the ground. Applying God’s covenant name to Himself, Jesus demonstrated His power over His foes and showed that His surrender to them was entirely. voluntary https://www.gotquestions.org/seven-I-AM-statements.html . See John 10:17–18 (NASB95)17“For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. 18“No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.”; John 19:11 (NASB95)11Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.” [ix] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Court_of_the_Women . The reason for calling it the Court of the Women was that, although it served both men and women equally, during the Simchat Beit Hashoeva (Water Drawing Festival) special balconies were installed for the women to stand upon. The gemara in Tractate Sukkah states that "initially, women would stand on the inside of the Court of the Women, closer to the Sanctuary to the west, and the men were on the outside in the courtyard and on the rampart. And they would come to conduct themselves with inappropriate levity in each other’s company, as the men needed to enter closer to the altar when the offerings were being sacrificed and as a result they would mingle with the women. Therefore, the Sages instituted that the women should sit on the outside and the men on the inside, and still they would come to conduct themselves with inappropriate levity. Therefore, they instituted a ruling, in the interest of complete separation, that the women would sit above and the men below" (Sukkah 51b). [x] www.bibleinfo.com/en/questions/shekinah-glory . § Showed divine protection and leadership--“And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light.” The fire and the cloud symbolized divine leadership and protection (Exodus 13: 21); § Cloud of God's direction--Numbers 9:15-23, describes how the “cloud” that represented the presence of God controlled the activities of the Israelite community and assured them on a daily basis that God was with them; § Symbolized God’s presence--This same cloud signified God’s presence when the tabernacle was constructed in the desert: “Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle” (Exodus 40:34); § Located above the Ark--Leviticus 16:2 says, “I will appear in the cloud above the Mercy Seat.” The glory of the Lord (the Shekinah) also appeared above the Ark of the Covenant in the Most Holy Place in the sanctuary, and later in Solomon’s temple. When the ark was captured by enemy forces in the time of Samuel (1 Sam. 4:21) the event was called “Ichabod” meaning “no glory”; § The Shekinah in the temple--During the time when the Jewish people were taken captive by the Babylonians, the prophet Ezekiel recorded that originally “the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of the Lord’s glory,” but, “Then the glory of the Lord departed from the threshold of the temple.” (Ezekiel 10:4, 18). [xi] Jesus and the Law of Moses: the Woman Caught in Adultery. https://news.ag.org/en/articles/news/2017/04/jesus% 20and%20the%20law%20of%20moses%20the%20woman%20caught%20in%20adultery . Part of contextualizing any passage is understanding where an event took place and how location affects what was said or done in that passage. In the story of the woman caught in adultery, the fact that the conversation between her accusers and Jesus took place in the temple should arrest our attention. We should immediately ask, “Why would someone caught in as grievous a sin as adultery be brought straight into the temple?” we note that the test case brought before Jesus is adultery (v. 4), which as the challengers note, is a capital crime according to the Law of Moses (v. 5, see Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 22:22 ). Both of these texts, however, require the death of both the woman and the man who are caught in the act of adultery. the “witnesses” are not merely subject to cross-examination. They also become subject to all laws pertaining to false witnesses, and the one most applicable at this point in the proceedings comes from the same section of the Law of Moses as the previous passages. This text states, “"And the judges shall investigate thoroughly; and if the witness is a false witness and he has accused his brother falsely, 19 then you shall do to him just as he had intended to do to his brother. Thus you shall purge the evil from among you” ( Deuteronomy 19:18-19 , emphasis added). As for the witnesses themselves, they knew that if upon cross-examination they were found to be false, they stood to incur the same penalty the accused would have suffered: death by stoning! It is clear that this same attitude toward false witnesses continued to exist within the Jewish community in Israel just before, during, and after Jesus’ ministry (11Q Temple Scroll 61:7-12; Susanna 61-62; Mishnah Sanhedrin 11:6; Tosefta Sanhedrin 14:17; Sifre Devarim 190:4-5). [xii] John 1:4–5 (NASB95) 4In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. 5The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. [xiii] Jesus often used the vine metaphor in His teaching. See Matthew 20:1-7; 21:28’; Mark 2:1-11; Luke 13:6-7 [xiv] Psalm 80:8-11 8 You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it. 9 You cleared the ground for it; it took deep root and filled the land. 10 The mountains were covered with its shade, the mighty cedars with its branches. 11 It sent out its branches to the sea and its shoots to the River. Isaiah 5:3–5 (NASB95) 3“And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, Judge between Me and My vineyard. 4“What more was there to do for My vineyard that I have not done in it? Why, when I expected it to produce good grapes did it produce worthless ones? 5“So now let Me tell you what I am going to do to My vineyard: I will remove its hedge and it will be consumed; I will break down its wall and it will become trampled ground. Jeremiah 2:21 ESV Yet I planted you a choice vine, wholly of pure seed. How then have you turned degenerate and become a wild vine? Hosea 10:1-2 ESV 1 Israel is a luxuriant vine that yields its fruit. The more his fruit increased, the more altars he built; as his country improved, he improved his pillars. 2 Their heart is false; now they must bear their guilt. The LORD will break down their altars and destroy their pillars. [xv] https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/grapes/what-are-wild-grapes.htm [xvi] Gary M. Burge, John , The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2000), 423. [xvii] George R. Beasley-Murray, John , vol. 36, Word Biblical Commentary (Dallas: Word, Incorporated, 1999), 271.the only one to which an additional predicate is conjoined (“and my Father is the Vinedresser”). [xviii] Mark 6:7–13 (NASB95) 7And He summoned the twelve and began to send them out in pairs, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits; 8and He instructed them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a mere staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belt— 9but to wear sandals; and He added, “Do not put on two tunics.” 10And He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave town. 11“Any place that does not receive you or listen to you, as you go out from there, shake the dust off the soles of your feet for a testimony against them.” 12They went out and preached that men should repent. 13And they were casting out many demons and were anointing with oil many sick people and healing them. [xix] 1 Timothy 6:10 (NASB95)10For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. [xx] 1 Corinthians 6:11 (NASB95) 11Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.; Titus 3:5 (NASB95)5He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, [xxi] https://www.gotquestions.org/abide-in-Christ.html [xxii] Matthew 13:18–23 (NASB95) 18“Hear then the parable of the sower. 19“When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road. 20“The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away. 22“And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 23“And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.” : Cf., Mark 4:13–20; Luke 8:11–15 [xxiii] Colossians 1:10 (ESV) walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him by bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; [xxiv] John Piper, What Does It Mean to ‘Abide In Christ’? (John 15), https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/what-does-it-mean-to-abide-in-christ [xxv] Isaiah 57:19 (NASB95) 19Creating the praise of the lips. Peace, peace to him who is far and to him who is near,” Says the LORD, “and I will heal him.” ; Hosea 14:2 (NASB95) 2Take words with you and return to the LORD. Say to Him, “Take away all iniquity And receive us graciously, That we may present the fruit of our lips. [xxvi] 1 Corinthians 16:15 (NASB95) 15Now I urge you, brethren (you know the household of Stephanas, that they were the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves for ministry to the saints), [xxvii] Titus 2:7 (NASB95) in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified.[xxvii] [xxviii] Matthew 25:31–46 (ESV) 31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ 41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

By Dr. David Wolfe • 13 Apr, 2024

‘I Am’ Sayings Of Jesus #6, I Am The Way, The Truth, And The Life [i] (John 14:1-6) I. INTRODUCTION I invite you to open your Bibles to the gospel of John chap 14. We have been looking at Jesus’ seven I AM statements. Today we will consider His sixth statement in v11 where He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one goes to the Father except through me . As we begin this morning I would like for you to take out the study guide. I want you to write down 2 of your basic fears. They might have to do with economic issues, political issues, family issues, or even an insecurity you wrestle with. I believe we’ll fine in the verses before us some principles that will help us as we wrestle with the fears around us. Let’s begin with prayer. -- Heavenly Father open our minds that we may grasp that Jesus is Your exclusive way to our arrival in heaven. In Jesus’ name. Amen. II. ALL ROADS LEAD TO GOD Well, in v6 Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. In that statement He makes it clear that He is the exclusive way to God. But Oprah Winfrey and others disagree, proclaiming that there are many ways to God, so pick your truth and follow it. [ii] That’s true in one sense, all roads indeed lead to God; but the God of heaven is not just a God of love, He is also the God of judgement. [iii] As a point of reference, in Daniel 7, vs 9-11 (GW) we read these words: 8 While I was pondering a vision from God about what is to come . . . 9 I watched ‘as’ thrones were set up and the Ancient One, who has lived for endless years, sat down. His clothes were as white as snow and the hair on his head was like pure wool. His throne was fiery flames, and its wheels were burning fire. Now I don’t what you to miss these words: 10 A river of fire flowed out before Him . . . The court convened, and the books were opened. 11 I continued to watch because of the impressive words of the false-Christ. I watched as he was destroyed and thrown into the river of fire. [iv] That river of fire feeds the lake of fire in Revelation 19 and 20, which is the end for everyone who ignores the gospel of Jesus Christ. [v] V28 of Hebrews 9, Jesus was sacrificed once to take away the sins of humanity, and after that He will appear a second time . (When He comes the second) time he will not deal with sin, … but will save those from judgment who eagerly wait for him . [vi] If you have not had a serious ‘come-to-Jesus’ moment, your destination is the lake of fire, and there is no ointment to lessen the fiery pain, only worms, tears, and grinding teeth. [vii] 2 Corinthians 6:2 (NASB95) . . . now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation. The point that I want us to wrap our minds around, is that there is only one way to experience the saving love of God, and that is through Jesus. [viii] As Acts 4:12 (ESV) states it, t here is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved .” We come to God by faith in the Savior Jesus alone. [ix] Any other path, whether it be religion, philosophy, or miscalculation as to the person of Jesus leads to an eternity in the lake of fire. [x] III. UNBENDING FAITH TO FOLLOW A. Context Let’s take a closer look at chap 14. You might be interested in knowing that the teaching Jesus gives here takes place just hours before His crucifixion, making it a Thursday night teaching moment. In a few hours Judas would bring an armed crowd to arrest Him. So these are Jesus’ final words to His disciples before His death designed to carry them through the coming chaos. The Passover super has ended. Satan now controls Judas. [xi] In V33 of chap 13, Jesus told His disciples that He is leaving. Gnawing gut wrenching fear has begun to grip them. In Vs36-37 (MSG) of chap 13 Peter picks up on Jesus’ words and asks, 3 6 “Master, just where are you going?” Jesus replies, “You can’t now follow me as to where I’m going. You will follow later.” 37 “(Peter responds), but “why can’t I follow now? I’ll lay down my life for you!” It is at this point Jesus tells Peter that he will deny Him. Then in v5 (MSG) of chap 14, Thomas picks up Peter’s question “ Master, we have no idea where you’re going. How do you expect us to know the road?” B. Be at ease The disciples are in a swirl of bewilderment and fear, dreams of their idea of kingdom ministry vanishes, Judas’ betrayal is soon, then comes a sharp rebuke to Peter in front of his buds about his betrayal, on top of it all is the mounting antagonism by Jewish leadership. It is in that context that Jesus announces that He is leaving and they can’t come. To say the least, these guys are on edge. It is in that context Jesus tells them in v1, “ Don’t let your heart be troubled, ” ie., set your hearts at ease! How’s that for a word of comfort? “Their world is crumbling, and Jesus says to them in essence, “don’t let your heart get tide up in knots!” Do you feel their dilemma? In John 20:31 John writes: I have recorded the life of Jesus, so that you may believe (that is, trust Him, be confident, treasure this truth) Jesus is the promised Messiah/Savior, the Son of the Living God, and that by believing you may have life in His name . By life, He means the very life of God, [xii] which, by the way, includes peace in the midst of chaos. [xiii] Jesus knows that shortly they will be running for their very lives. And He interjects, “don’t let chaos bury you.” Basically He was applying Hebrews 12:2–3 (MSG) , 2 Keep your eyes on Me, who will finish this race your in. Study My life. 3 When you find yourselves fading in your faith, remember how I lived, so that you don’t become tired and give up, because His life’s story will pump adrenaline into your soul! We can face any fear when our eyes are fixed on Jesus. C. Four Reasons To Stay Focused In The Midst Of Life’s Storms Well, let’s take a closer look at vs1-6. In these verses Jesus gives four key principles on how to stay the course when the pressure to run presses in on us in the midst of chaos, confusion and fear. 1. Our first principle comes in V1: Do not let your heart be troubled; you believe in God, you believe also in Me. Jesus was telling them, that in the flow of life, you are going to have to exercise a new level of trust in God and Myself. Jesus tells them, “I’m going to the Father,” and they were deeply troubled. Not because He was going to the Father, but because He was leaving them. In that setting Jesus says to His disciples, “It’s time that you come to the place where you trust my Father and Myself, even though you cannot see me with your physical eyes. Until now they had lived by sight. Jesus had been their source of instruction, source of their wisdom, source of their strength, source of their protection, and the source of their hope for their future. And now He tells them “I’m leaving”! Keep in mind, for 3 ½ yrs they had lived in the physical shade of the glory of God. [xiv] Jesus was absolutely everything to them. Until this moment they had lived by sight. From their perspective their world was about to collapse. There were real adornment issues now on the table. Remember, Judas has mysteriously disappeared, Jesus has just told Peter he is going to betray Him, and Jewish leadership were clamoring for Jesus’ death. Their minds swirling, and Jesus says, “ Listen up! Stay the course and trust God ‘my Father’, and Me also.” They did not understand that the swirling uncertainty, chaos and fear was actually producing in them eternal glory. That’s what Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 4:17–18 (GW) 1 7 Our suffering is light and temporary and is producing for us an eternal glory that is greater than anything we can imagine. 18 We don’t look for things that can be seen but for things that can’t be seen. Things that can be seen are only temporary. But things that can’t be seen last forever. Make a note of this: our transformation to eternal glory is tied directly to our struggles in this chaotic world. When our world crumbles around us, the temptation is to take our eyes off of the glory to come. But it is in the midst of uncertainty, fear and chaos that transformation is taking place. The glory of our future is interwoven into the struggles of our present. [xv] So Jesus tells them, your world may appear to be going mad, but keep trusting that God is sovereign, and keep trusting that I am the Messiah, the Savior of the world. It is kind of faith demonstrated by Abraham—“ who against all hope, in hope believed” [xvi] that prevails in a world going mad. So that is why they are exhorted to “stay the course, keep on believing in me.” [xvii] Is your world crumbling? Are you finding yourselves anxious? Is the weight of disconnect overwhelming? Trust God, trust Jesus, because the difficulties are producing in you an eternal glory that is greater than anything you can imagine. 2. Our second principle comes in Vs2, My Father’s house has many rooms. If that were not true, would I have told you that I’m going to prepare a place for you? Jesus was telling them, all is not as it seems, there is a definable future for you. He was not saying, “heaven is under construction and chaotic. I have to go clean it up and get it ready for you.” In saying that He was going to prepare a place has nothing to do with building buildings, but with making the way for relational fellowship . Heaven is settled. Jesus was leaving to provide the way for them and us to live and know God the Father. [xviii] Remember, Jesus is headed to the cross, and in so doing He will break down the obstacles: Satan’s agenda, sins condemnation, and the coming fiery judgment of God. John 3:36 (GW) Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life. Instead, he will experience God’s constant anger.” In effect Jesus was saying, “I need to leave so I can remove every obstacle standing in the way of our finally being together. Sin will be atoned, the wrath of God will be satisfied, and Satan will be judged.” It’s not that Jesus is building physical mansions, it’s that He is paving the way for us to get to the Father. Hebrews 2:10 (NASB95) it was fitting for Him . . . in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings. Jesus had to become a man, He had to suffer, and He had to die in order to be the perfect provider of salvation. His suffering opened the way for His eternal glory greater than anything we could imagine. Philippians 2:9 (NASB95) For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name. [xix] Listen to these powerful words: In Jesus there is victorious triumphant. [xx] John 16:33 (NASB95) Jesus said, “ These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” Perhaps you sense your world crumbling, your children are wayward, your marriage is fragile and unaffectionate, your health is failing, your career is unfulfilling, you are struggling with abandonment issues. Here is where Jesus comes. 2 Corinthians 2:14–16 (GW) Paul writes: 1 4 I thank God, who always leads us in victory because of Christ. Wherever we go, God uses us to make clear what it means to know Christ. It’s like a fragrance that fills the air. 3. Our third principle comes in V3, If I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again. Then I will bring you into my presence so that you will be where I am. Not only is Jesus removing every obstacle standing in the way of our final destination, He will return and receive us to Himself, that where He is, there we will be also. Jesus said, I’m coming back and I will receive you to Myself . Chew on those words for a moment. Now we move from occupying a place (Father’s house) to a personal relationship with Jesus. Notice, He does not say, when I come back I’ll take you to heaven. He says, I’ll take you to myself. That is, intimate access is coming. I don’t know if you know this, but heaven is not our final destination. 2 Peter 3:13 (NASB95) according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. Revelation 21:2–3 (NASB95) John writes: 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them. Our final destination will be here on earth, living in perfect fellowship with God and each other. Is your world is crumbling? Your house underwater? Are your dreams fading? Here is real tangible hope from the King of glory. There is coming a kind of knowing that only love knows; where we will be truly known without ridicule; where God dwells tangibly with us personally. Where no one will be feeling or saying, ‘Unsafe’. 4. Our fourth principle comes in V6, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me. In V4 Jesus said to them, And you know the way where I am going! . Thomas jump in, saying, 5 “Lord, we don’t know where you’re going. So how can we know the way?” Basically he was saying, “ We have no idea where you’re going and we don’t know the way. ” Then comes v6, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me . Jesus is telling them and us that if we follow Him, there is indescribable sureness along the path to His Father a. Notice Jesus said I AM THE WAY . . . to the Father. No one gets to Him but through Me. By saying that, Jesus was telling them to keep their eyes fixed on Him. Hebrews 12:2, by faith fix your eyes on Jesus, who is the author and perfecter of faith, the one who leads the way for I’m taking you to the Father. The disciples wanted to know the next step, the next turn to the Father. They wanted surety. Jesus told them He leads the way, He provides surety, so follow Me. But, there was this foreboding sense of lostness. Michael Bond, a search and rescue leader writes: To be lost is a mental state. Your internal map becomes detached from what you can see. To be lost is also an emotional double whammy: when a mountain of fear and a loss of one’s ability to reason come together. [xxi] Jesus makes it clear that as followers, the way will not always be clear. So He calls them and us to lean into Him daily in faith, for He is leading us to the Father. He is the only one that can do that. [xxii] Only He knows the way. Jesus speaks to the disciple’s confusion. In their uncertainty. In their anxiety and in their fears. He brings stability by saying, in essence, “I AM enough for you.” I AM sufficient for you. Y ou don’t need to look elsewhere; you don’t need to supplement me with anything else . b. Not only is Jesus the WAY, notice He also said “I Am the TRUTH. That is, He is the full embodiment of God’s truth, the ultimate objectivity of reality . [xxiii] We need to be clear, truth is not defined by our own subjective standards; Truth is determined by the source of truth Himself. [xxiv] When it comes to spiritual warfare, we’re told to wrap our waist with truth . [xxv] That is, surround yourself with truth. [xxvi] To follow Jesus is to wrap our souls in the objective truth of Scripture designed to shape our subjective heart against the deceits of war.” [xxvii] For the Jesus-follower who wraps his soul in the objective truth of Scripture, the truth of Scripture shapes his/her subjective heart against the deceits of war. [xxviii] Such a person takes the divine word deep into his/her human center which in turn gives stability and confidence in our growing chaotic world. [xxix] By internalizing the truth, we embody it; when truth is embodied it flows freely from our lives. Saturated with truth, we then can face every crises with truth, and not be overpowered by the lies that flow out of a given crises. [xxx] c. Not only is Jesus the way to the Father, and not only is He the embodiment of God’s truth, He is THE LIFE . [xxxi] That is, He brings real deliverance from a life of bondage to sin and death. “ In him was life ,” means spiritual life, eternal life, life that saves from the coming judgment. In order to live forever and not “ come into judgment, ” we need the gift of life. That life is in Jesus. Knowing Jesus is enough, for He is Life. As followers of Jesus, who is our Messiah Savior, our future is secure; and our names are written in the book of life, [xxxii] because He is the creator and sustainer of all things , Colossians 1:16-17. So when Jesus refers to Himself as the way, the truth, and the life , He is giving us a better way to live our lives through him. He is showing us that by following Him daily in faith, He will lead us to a better, richer, more meaningful life than we could ever find on our own. In a crumbling world it is easy to get lost, but to be spiritually lost is the worst kind of lostness. To be spiritual lost is to be bound by sin’s grip, sin’s condemnation and sin’s damnation—an eternity of hell fire. [xxxiii] Jesus came to save the spiritually lost from sins condemnation, and from God’s fiery judgment, and bring us into His family, and to shows us the way to the Father. [xxxiv] IV. WHAT’S OUR TAKE AWAY Let’s pause here, and try to capitalize on what we have learned. John began his Gospel by saying, “ In him [that would be Jesus] was life, and the life was the light of men”. [xxxv] He ends his Gospel with these words: “ Now Jesus did many other signs . . . which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” . [xxxvi] In between he summarized his Gospel with these well-known words from John 3:16, “ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life ”. So let’s reflect for a moment on what Jesus said in light of our fears and the instability of our days: Jesus said: I go to prepare a place for you. And as I go I become the way that you get there. I am the truth that you hold onto to get there. And I am the life — the eternal life that you will enjoy when you get there. When I say, “I go to prepare a place for you,” I mean: I open the way. I make the way possible. I confirm the truth, for I am the truth. I purchase life for you. And I give that life for I am that life. [xxxvii] So Keep your eyes on Jesus, who began and finished this race we’re in. Because He never lost sight of where He was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God He could put up with anything along the way . . . Study how he did it. [xxxviii] Therefore, you who trust the Lord Jesus: Let not your heart be troubled, because God and Jesus are sovereignly in control Let not your heart be troubled, because there’s a place for you in my Father’s house no matter how unstable life may be Let not your heart be troubled, fix your eyes on Him, the author and perfecter of our faith. Let not your heart be troubled, because Jesus himself will come again and take us to Himself. Let not your heart be troubled because our faith in Jesus is the victory that overcomes the world. Anyone who believes in Jesus for salvation and trusts in Christ’s atoning work on the cross His death and resurrection [xxxix] —shares in His victory over sin, His victory over death, and His victory over the forces of evil at work in the world. [xl] Let not your heart be troubled when you are assured of the way, wrapped in truth, and when your future is secure In our disorientedness, Jesus says, I am the way, not a way In our confusion, Jesus says, I am the truth, not a truth In our fears, Jesus says I am the life, not a life Knowing me is enough. Where do you hope your eternal destination will be? If you want to dwell with the Lord God Almighty for all eternity, basking in His love, worshiping Him in joy and truth, redeemed and restored, then there is a way—only one way—and His name is Jesus. Believe in Him and live. If you would like help in making such a commitment, please feel free to talk with Pastor Ricardo, myself, Judy, or Josefina. Let’s close in prayer. Heavenly Father, we live in troubling times. Our communities are struggling. Darkness seems to be closing in, and we are losing our way. Help us to lean into Your caring hand. We worry about the future and what lies ahead, and it’s getting harder to shake off our worries. Still, we know this is all a part of Your plan for us. We know these fears are mere trials of faith, and they well pass in due time. We pray that whatever we might be feeling, let it not define the truth of Your faithfulness. Purify our perceptions with Your words and change our feelings so that they are in sync with Your truth. Though the future may seem bleak, may lean into Your grace. If there is anyone here who has lost their way spiritually, we ask that they would hear that inner voice, calling them to trust You, that they would accept the life of our Savior, and follow Him. May we be eager not only to understand and believe but to proclaim this good news to a needy, lost, broken world. For Jesus sake. All Glory to Him forever and ever. Amen. [xli] [i] I try to thoroughly cite all sources in my written sermon notes. But due to the extemporaneous nature of oral communication, delivery may occasionally contain material not fully cited or original with me. In such situations, the church nor I assert ownership to such material. The footnotes contain most of the resources that were used to prepare this sermon. John Piper, I Am The Way The Truth and The Life. https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/i-am-the-way-the-truth-and-the-life . Ray Stedman, The Cure For Heart Trouble https://www.raystedman.org/new-testament/john/the-cure-for-heart-trouble . Courtnery Doctor, What Does John 14:6 Mean? https://www.crossway.org/articles/what-does-john-146-mean/ Jason Soroski "I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life" - What Jesus Really Meant https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/i-am-the-way-the-truth-and-the-life-what-jesus-really-meant.html [ii] Cf., https://www.ligonier.org/posts/are-there-many-ways-to-god-most-evangelicals-say-yesTragically, the 2022 State of Theology survey reveals that the majority of American evangelicals seem to reject this teaching from Christ. See also https://thestateoftheology.com/ https://www.christiantoday.com/article/why-jesus-is-no-longer-the-one-way-to-heaven-for-many-american-christians/129348.htm In 2008, a Pew Research Center Study found that more than half of all American Christians believe that at least some non-Christian faiths can lead to salvation. Nearly a decade later, a new study has shown that even among the most traditional Christian groups, significant minorities are also rejecting God as described in the Bible. [iii] Hebrews 9:27 (GW) People die once, and after that they are judged. John 3:36 (GW) Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life. Instead, he will see God’s constant anger.” [iv] Hebrews 12:28–29 (NASB95) 28Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; 29for our God is a consuming fire. [v] https://www.gotquestions.org/consuming-fire.html . God is first identified as a “consuming fire” in Deuteronomy 4:24 and 9:3 . In both Deuteronomy passages in which God is called a consuming fire, Moses is speaking first to warn the Israelites against idolatry ( Deuteronomy 4:23-25 ) because God is a “jealous God” and will not share His glory with worthless idols. Idolatry provokes Him to a righteous anger which is justified when His holiness is disrespected. God's holiness is the reason for His being a consuming fire, and it burns up anything unholy. Learn how God's wrath, judgment, holiness or power are displayed by fire from heaven in the Bible and how Jesus Christ mitigates God's wrath for believers. Isaiah 64:6 (NASB95) 6For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; And all of us wither like a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. [vi] Hebrews 9:27 (NASB95) inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, [vii] Mark 9:44 (NASB95) 44where THEIR WORM DOES NOT DIE, AND THE FIRE IS NOT QUENCHED. Matthew 24:51 (NASB95) 51and will cut him in pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. [viii] Alistair Beggs, Jesus, the Only Way (John 14:1-6), https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/sermon/jesus-the-only-way/ Alistair Begg tells of the time he listened in on the ordination process of one of his friends. The ordination committee drilled heavily on Christian doctrine, then moved to what we generally call the practical applications. One of the men posed this question “Imagine an individual came to you concerning their dog who had died. Their question, will my dog be in heaven? How do you answer? Silence hovered over the ordination council for a time. … Then Alistar’s friend chimed in: … I would tell them if their dog had trusted Jesus Christ as its personal Savior, it would be in heaven. … That answer highlights the impossibility of heaven without Christ [ix] Hebrews 12:2–3 (NASB95) 2fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. [x] Leonardo Blair, Why Jesus is no longer the one way to heaven for many American Christians, https://www.christiantoday.com/article/why-jesus-is-no-longer-the-one-way-to-heaven-for-many-american-christians/129348.htm [xi] John 13:27 (NASB95) 27After the morsel, Satan then entered into him. Therefore Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” [xii] John 17:3 (NASB95)“This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. John 1:4 (NASB95)4In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. ; John 5:26 (NASB95)26“For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself; ; John 6:39–40 (NASB95) 39“This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. 40“For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.” ; Revelation 1:18 (NASB95) 18and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades. [xiii] John 14:27 (NASB95) 27“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. John 16:33 (NASB95) 33“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” Philippians 4:7 NASB95) 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Colossians 3:15 (NASB95) 15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. [xiv] John 1:14 (NASB95) 14And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 2:11 (NASB95) 11This beginning of His signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him. [xv] James 1:2–4 (NASB95) 2Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. [xvi] Romans 4:18 (NASB95) 18In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, “SO SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE.” [xvii] George R. Beasley-Murray, John , vol. 36, Word Biblical Commentary (Dallas: Word, Incorporated, 1999), 249. [xviii] John 17:3 (NASB95) “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. [xix] Hebrews 1:9 (NASB95) 9“YOU HAVE LOVED RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HATED LAWLESSNESS; THEREFORE GOD, YOUR GOD, HAS ANOINTED YOU WITH THE OIL OF GLADNESS ABOVE YOUR COMPANIONS.”, Matthew 28:18 (NASB95) 18And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. ; Acts 2:33 (NASB95) 33“Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear. ; Hebrews 2:9 (NASB95) 9But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. [xx] 1 John 3:1–3 (NASB95) 1See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. 3And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. [xxi] Michael Bond, Why Humans Totally Freak Out When They Get Lost. https://www.wired.com/story/why-humans-totally-freak-out-when-they-get-lost/ ONE DAY IN October 2015, a forest surveyor working in an area of dense woodland near Mount Redington in Maine came across a collapsed tent hidden in the undergrowth. He noticed a backpack, some clothes, a sleeping bag, and inside the sleeping bag what he assumed was a human skull. He took a photograph, then hurried out of the woods and called his boss. The news soon reached Kevin Adam, the search and rescue coordinator for the Maine Warden Service, who immediately guessed what the surveyor had found. He wrote later, "From what I could see of the location on the map and what I saw in the picture, I was almost certain it would be Gerry Largay. "Geraldine Largay, a 66-year-old retired nurse from Tennessee, had gone missing near Redington in July 2013 while attempting to walk the length of the Appalachian Trail, a national hiking route that stretches more than 2,100 miles from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in central Maine. Her disappearance triggered one of the biggest search and rescue operations in the state’s history. Over two years, it failed to uncover a single clue. Until the surveyor stumbled on her camp, no one had any idea what had become of her. [xxii] John 1:18 (GW) No one has ever seen God. God’s only Son, the one who is closest to the Father’s heart, has made him known. [xxiii] John 17:17 (NASB95) Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. [xxiv] R.C. Sproul, God Is Truth, https://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/god-truth . In the face of postmodern relativism, we must emphatically resist any suggestion that ultimate, objective truths do not exist. Though we may not accurately perceive or understand the real world at times, the same does not apply to the Almighty.Therefore, truth is that which conforms to reality as it is perceived by God. He knows all things exhaustively, and so we can trust anything He reveals in Scripture. [xxv] Isaiah 11:5 (NASB95) 5Also righteousness will be the belt about His loins, And faithfulness the belt about His waist. [xxvi] Philippians 4:8 (NASB95) 8Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. [xxvii] David Mathis, Wrap Your Soul in ‘the’ Truth (Ephesians 6:14) https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/wrap-your-soul-in-truth [xxviii] Proverbs 4:20–27 (NASB95) 20My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. 21Do not let them depart from your sight; Keep them in the midst of your heart. 22For they are life to those who find them And health to all their body. 23Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life. 24Put away from you a deceitful mouth And put devious speech far from you. 25Let your eyes look directly ahead And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. 26Watch the path of your feet And all your ways will be established. 27Do not turn to the right nor to the left; Turn your foot from evil. [xxix] David Mathis, Wrap Your Soul in ‘the’ Truth (Ephesians 6:14) https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/wrap-your-soul-in-truth [xxx] https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/275099-my-religious-beliefs-teach-me-to-feel-as-safe-in . Stonewall Jackson, “My religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time for my death. I do not concern myself about that, but to be always ready, no matter when it may overtake me. That is the way all men should live, and then all would be equally brave.” [xxxi] John 1:4 (NASB95) 4In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. [xxxii] Revelation 20:12 (NASB95) 12And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. Revelation 20:15 (NASB95) 15And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 3:5 (NASB95) 5‘He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. [xxxiii] Romans 6:23 (NASB95) 23For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. https://www.gotquestions.org/spiritually-lost.html Religion is man’s attempt to find God on his own. Religion creates a goal, which may be a deity or a higher plane of existence, and then declares certain steps necessary to reach that goal. Because of religion, lost people consider themselves not lost. Imagine a hiker who has lost his way. After hours of fruitless searching for the right path, he decides to set up camp in an unknown forest and declare that he is now home. He will no longer try to be rescued. Although he still does not know where he is, familiarity with his immediate surroundings gives him the illusion of being found. [xxxiv] Psalm 23 (NASB95) A Psalm of David. 1The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. 6Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. [xxxv] John 1:4 (NASB95) 4In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. [xxxvi] John 20:30–31 (NASB95) 30Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name. [xxxvii] John Piper, I Am The Way The Truth and The Life. https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/i-am-the-way-the-truth-and-the-life . [xxxviii] Hebrews 12:2 (MSG) [xxxix] Romans 10:9–11 (NASB95) 9that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. 11For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.” [xl] Hebrews 12:28–29 (NASB95) 28Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken . . . [xli] Hebrews 13:20–21 (NASB95) 20Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, 21equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

By Dr. David Wolfe • 30 Mar, 2024

Easter 2024 I Am Jesus Barabbas [i] (Monologue) (Luke 23:18–25: Matt 27:15–26; Mark 15:6–15; John 18:39–19:16)  My name is Jesus Barabbas. [ii] I am an insurrectionist, a murderer, a revolutionary. My friends Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John all mention me in their writings. As surely as my name is Jesus Barabbas, I despised and hated the Romans. But something happened on March 31, 30AD. It was on the hill called The Skull that my life was changed. Let me tell you my story. To begin with, you need to know that I am a devout Jew. Mary and I went to the same school together. Together we studied the law and the prophets. But at some point our paths separated, and we lost touch with each other. But I can tell you this, we both longed for the day that the Messiah would come and overthrow the Romans. There came a time I could no longer wait for the promised Messiah. I had heard of a group known as the Zealots, and began hanging out with them. They preached revolution against Rome. I became their leader, raising and training an army of Jewish resistance. One of my trainees was Simon the Zealot. As we wandered the countryside, we met up John the Baptist. On more than one occasion we sat around his camp fire eating locust dipped in honey, [iii] and listening to his take on the one known as Jesus of Nazareth. I like John the Baptist. Even though he preached repentance and something about the Kingdom of God, He boldly criticized the religious establishment, including King Herod, Pilate, and Rome. I remember one time Simon the Zealot and myself joined a huge crowd by the Jordan river. People from all over had come to hear my friend John the Baptist. Something really strange happened that day. John the Baptist was preaching to a large crowd from Jerusalem. Me and Simon enjoyed watching the religious leaders squirm under his sharp tongue. [iv] In the middle of his sermon he sees a man walking along the path and yells out, Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world .!! [v] I later learned that His name was Jesus of Nazareth. Now that’s a hillbilly town if there ever was one. I began listening to this Jesus. He was fascinating. I followed Him for a time. But became perplexed with His teachings. He sought no soldiers. He organized no army. All he did was talk, heal, feed and raise people from the dead. He talked with everybody. It didn’t matter whether they were bad Jews, good Jews, or Romans. But one thing was for sure, He didn’t talk of a revolution against Roman. Instead He talked about love and compassion, righteousness and forgiveness. From my perspective, it was nonsense, and I grew more impatient. Then one-day word came King Herod had taken John the Baptist put him in prison. He didn’t like what he was preaching. Months later at one of His wild parties he had John’s head cut off. [vi] That really ticked me off, John was my friend. Right then I had had it with the religious establishment and Rome. My Zealot movement needed money. I got six of my friends together. I knew where there was a lot of money, so I decided to rob the temple treasury. It was the time of Passover and the city was filling up with Jewish pilgrims. We’d hope that the confusion of the crowds would improve our chances of success. The treasury was located in the temple complex in a guarded vault. Our plan was to overpower the guards and force our entry into the vault. But things did not go as we had planned. We managed to sneak in and surprised the initial guards. We finished them off easily. But when we reached the treasury vault, we were surprised to see an army of Roman soldiers. We fought bravely, managing to kill four of them, but four of my men were also killed. Myself and two of my friends were overpowered, beaten and thrown into prison. I envied my four friends who had been killed. Their deaths were quick and noble. But my fate and that of my friends not so good. The sentence for killing a Roman citizen was death by crucifixion, and I had killed many. I had seen many a man hung on crosses in indescribable pain for deeds lesser than mine for days on end. I knew that the death facing me would be most humiliating and painful. I tried to think of other things, but I could only think of the pain of the spikes being driven through my hands and then my feet. I began praying to God, asking that I die quickly and not suffer for days as I had seen others do. I tried to be brave and comfort my two comrades, but I knew that their thoughts were the same as mine. We would soon be put on display and die a painful death. I could hear the grim reaper’s hellish laughter. My own sins haunted me. My rebellious heart, the ways I dishonored my father, the money I’d stolen. I thought to myself, “Barabbas, you fool! You’re going to die and no one will weep for you. You can’t blame them.” I’m going mad with fear. I heard the crowds shouting, “ Crucify him, Crucify him” !!! . [vii] Moments later I heard the unmistakable sound of Roman boots thundering down the hall toward our cell. Soon we would be forced to take up our crosses. They opened our cell door and directed us to Pontius Pilate’s courtyard. There a Centurion was waiting. The crowds were still roaring, but instead of C rucify Him, Crucify Him , I heard, “ Not this one, but Barabbas!” “Not this one, but Barabbas!” [viii] I thought, why are they shouting my name? The Centurion pulled me aside and told the soldiers to take away my two comrades. As they disappeared out of sight, he said to me, "You may go, You are Free!!!! You will not die as deserved. Jesus of Nazareth will take your place on the cross." I was stunned. I left the courtyard in a daze. I stumbled into the street, and found myself being carried by the crowd. At the hill called The Skull . I was shocked by the scene. Three crosses, and on two of those crosses were my comrades!! Between them was this Jesus of Nazareth. Above His head was a sign, “ King of he Jews” . [ix] I suspect that was Pilate’s jab at our hatred of Rome. In fact, on several occasions we had tried to make Him our King. [x] And now, the King of our hopes was about to die. Standing at the foot of the crosses, I found myself staring into the eyes of my comrades. They yelled angry at me--they on the cross, and me standing free with no explanation. They spate at me, they cursed me, then turned their anger on Jesus of Nazareth. It was a horrible way to die. As they hung on the crosses the jeers and shouts of the crowd became almost deafening. Then the noise died down, and I heard Him, the one called Jesus of Nazareth, His voice was strong, Father, forgiven them, for they do not know what they are doing . [xi] Then I heard one of my guys rebuke the other, then turning to Jesus said, " Remember me when You come into Your Kingdom . [xii] Whoa, did I miss something? What was my comrade in crime saying? Then I looked into the eyes of Jesus. Although his face was bloodied and bruised, His eyes were clear and gentle, compassionate and full of love. His eyes locked onto mine. It was as if He could see deep into my very soul. In my mind, I kept hearing the Centurion, “ This man is innocent. He is dying in your place.” The Man, looking down at me with eyes of love, was hanging on the cross meant for me. An innocent man dying in my place. I felt as though my heart would burst. I wanted to scream, “OH GOD, IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ME! IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ME!” What about this man who died in my place? He was innocent, I was guilty. Yet he took my death so that I could live. [xiii] Can such love really die? My thoughts were interrupted. Suddenly pitch black darkness swept over the land, the most horrible earthquake I have ever felt shook the ground, and I heard the Centurion say, Truly, this man was the Son of God !!! [xiv] It was then that this Son of God cried out ‘ It is finished’ ! I thought those were strange words for a dying man to say. The crucifixion lasted until late afternoon. As the crowds broke up I left to be alone with my thoughts. I came to a quiet place by the sea of Galilee. Four days past. Still numb from what I’d seen, felt and heard, a voice pierced the cool morning air, "Jesus Barabbas"! I knew that voice. It was my friend Simon the Zealot. I stumbled to my feet. He threw his arms around me and gave me a bear hug, saying, "I knew I would find you here. Have you heard the news?" Before I could answer, laughing like a crazy man, he yelled, "He’s alive Barabbas!!!! He’s alive!!! He has risen from the dead!! [xv] I thought to myself, "Simon, you are out of your mind. No one could survive what that man went through". To top it all off, I saw the Roman thrust his spear into His side. Simon, He’s dead! Simon shook my shoulders. Looking straight into my eyes, he said it again--"Barabbas, He’s alive, He’s really alive" But how? Alive? How can this be? Then I remembered the words of the Centurion: Truly this man was the Son of God !!! Again Simon interrupted my thoughts. He remembered Jesus telling him and the others, The Son of Man must be handed over to sinful people, be crucified, and come back to life on the third day.” [xvi] Then Simon told me Jesus had met up with Mary. [xvii] And He had met up with Peter, and a couple of guys on the road to Emmaus. [xviii] And what He had said to Martha days earlier, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die . [xix] Simon’s tone changed. He now pleaded with me, “ Believe it, Barabbas ”!!! He came to save His people from their sins. [xx] I knew that I was a sinner. I wondered, what does one do with their sins? Then I heard Simon, "Confess your sins and ask Him to be your Messiah, and believe in your heart that God really raised Him from the dead. If you do that, sin will no longer be your master. He will remove the rage within you. He died to free you from sin’s guilt" [xxi] . Aaah, the Lord knows, my sins were great. I longed for the freedom Simon spoke of. And so I confessed, believed. Suddenly the burden of sin rolled off my shoulders, the rage within me began to fade. Jesus of Nazareth, the freedom fighter, by His death and resurrection set me free from the rage with in, from sins guilt. That inner freedom I so desperately wanted began to swell up within me. If it had not been for Jesus death and resurrection that day my rage within would have gone on and consumed me. Simon broke into my thoughts again. He remembered Jesus saying, I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father except through Me.( xxi i ) You know what is so strange? My name is Jesus Barabbas . Barabbas means son of the Father . I became a freedom fighter, fighting against tyranny, fighting against political oppression, I wanted freedom from irresponsible temple leadership. There I stood, deserving death, but now free?! By being a freedom fighter, I thought I would be set free from the rage within. But the man on the cross, the one they called Jesus of Nazareth, I began to realize that He was the freedom fighter of all time. But the freedom He fought and died for was freedom from powers far stronger than my agenda. Folks, I can testify, He is really alive and by His death and resurrection He gives real freedom. I want you to know that the freedom I experienced that day can be your freedom also. All you have to do is, declare that Jesus is your Lord, your Messiah Savior; and believing that God brought him back to life, you can have a life of freedom from the rage within. By believing you will receive God’s approval, and by believing in Him you will be saved from sin’s condemnation. For as it is written “ Whoever believes in him will not be ashamed. ” ( xxi ii ) I’ll never forget that Easter in 30 AD. I tell you my story so that you would believe that Jesus is the Messiah Savior, the Son of the everlasting God, and that in the act of believing you can have a life of freedom freedom from the tyranny of sin, freedom from the rage within, freedom from the fear of death, and freedom from the power of Satan. You can go on living as you are, a prisoner of your own choosing or accept the freedom He offers that lasts for time without end. If the weight of your sins are weighing you down, look deeply into the loving eyes of the living Son of God, who, by rising from the dead, broke sins death grip on your life. How about asking Jesus to make this Easter the day you became free? Let me close with a short prayer. -- Father, thank you that Jesus delivered us from our sins through his suffering on the cross. You sent him into the world for the falling or rising of every person. Help us to take hold of him by faith and be lifted up! And make this Easter season a memory that we will never forget. Amen [i] https://gracetruth.blog/2022/04/14/barabbas-good-friday/ https://www.ronsumners.org/post/barabbas-a-monologue https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=5994980730585894 , Colin Smith, Heaven, How I Got Here, https://www.kevinhalloran.net/watch-the-evangelistic-film-heaven-how-i-got-here-this-holy-week/ [ii] Biblical Studies Press, The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible (Biblical Studies Press, 2005), Mt 27:16, in custody a notorious prisoner named Jesus Barabbas. an additional name assigned to Barabbas (Mt 27:16, 17, apparatus); [iii] Matthew 3:4 (NASB95) 4Now John himself had a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. [iv] Matthew 3:7–12 (NASB95) 7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8“Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance; 9and do not suppose that you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father’; for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham. 10“The axe is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 11“As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12“His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” [v] John 1:29 (NASB95) 29The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! [vi] Mark 6:14–29 (NASB95) 14And King Herod heard of it, for His name had become well known; and people were saying, “John the Baptist has risen from the dead, and that is why these miraculous powers are at work in Him.” 15But others were saying, “He is Elijah.” And others were saying, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” 16But when Herod heard of it, he kept saying, “John, whom I beheaded, has risen!” 17For Herod himself had sent and had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Phili, because he had married her. 18For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death and could not do so; 20for Herod was afraid of John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. And when he heard him, he was very perplexed; but he used to enjoy listening to him. 21A strategic day came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his lords and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee; 2and when the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests; and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you want and I will give it to you.” 23And he swore to her, “Whatever you ask of me, I will give it to you; up to half of my kingdom.” 24And she went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.” 25Immediately she came in a hurry to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” 26And although the king was very sorry, yet because of his oaths and because of his dinner guests, he was unwilling to refuse her. 27Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded him to bring back his head. And he went and had him beheaded in the prison, 28and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. 29When his disciples heard about this, they came and took away his body and laid it in a tomb. [vii] Matthew 27:22 (NASB95) Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Crucify Him!” [viii] Luke 23:18 (NASB95) 18But they cried out all together, saying, “Away with this man, and release for us Barabbas!” John 18:39–40 (NASB95) 39“But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover; do you wish then that I release for you the King of the Jews?” 40So they cried out again, saying, “Not this Man, but Barabbas.” Now Barabbas was a robber. [ix] Luke 23:38 (NASB95) 38Now there was also an inscription above Him, “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” [x] John 6:15 (NASB95) 15So Jesus, perceiving that they were intending to come and take Him by force to make Him king, withdrew again to the mountain by Himself alone. CF., John 18:36–37 (NASB95) 36Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” 37Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” [xi] Luke 23:34 (NASB95) 34But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves. [xii] Luke 23:40–42 (NASB95) 40But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41“And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” [xiii] John 3:16 (NASB95) 16“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. [xiv] Luke 23:47 (NASB95) 47Now when the centurion saw what had happened, he began praising God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent.” [xv] Matthew 28:5–7 (NASB95) 5The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. 6“He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. 7“Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you.” [xvi] Luke 24:7 (NASB95) 7saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.” [xvii] John 20:18 (NASB95) 18Mary Magdalene came, announcing to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and that He had said these things to her. [xviii] Luke 24:15 (NASB95) 15While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them. [xix] John 11:25–26 (NASB95) 25Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, 26and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” [xx] Matthew 1:21 (NASB95) “She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Acts 5:31 (NASB95) 31“He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. [xxi] Romans 10:9–11 (NASB95) 9that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. 11For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.” (GW) [xxii) John 14:6 (NASB95) 6Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. (xxiii) Romans 10:11, For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.”

By Dr. David Wolfe • 16 Mar, 2024

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