Family Sunday

Gtcotr/ss012917s

Mark 10 (The New Living Translation)

13 ¶  One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him.

14  When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.

15  I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”

16  Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.

1.   How wonderful it is to see parents bringing their children to Jesus.

2.   It is wrong for the servants of Jesus to try and keep anyone from coming to Jesus.

3.   We are never a bother to Jesus.

4.   Jesus can get angry …

5.   The truth is that no one will enter the Kingdom of God unless they come in like a child.

How does a child come to Jesus?

·        With childlike faith

·        Without skepticism

·        Without cynicism

·        Impressionable

·        Willing to believe

Faith

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Hebrews 11  NKJV

1 ¶  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

2  For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.

3  By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

6  But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

13  These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

·        Died in faith

·        Assured

·        Embraced faith in god

·        Confessed faith in God

The writer of Hebrews gives voice to the Holy Spirit who encourages us to adopt a Biblical World View.

1.   Faith is our substance

2.   Faith is our evidence

3.   Faith will be our testimony

4.   By Faith we understand

I challenge you this morning to have faith in God and believe the testimony of the Bible. If God says it simply believe it; embrace it, confess it, let it be your testimony and if need be die believing God for things you will not see in this life. Rest assured for only a believer can understand faith.

Forgiveness

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First things first!

Forgiveness is not about the past it is about the future … Your Future!

Forgiveness is the act of turning it all over to God by faith.

Forgiveness and restoration are two separate issues.

Forgiveness is the measure of God in the person who forgives.

Mark 11  NKJV

25  "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.

26  "But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses."

And = both copulative and cumulative

Stand = Persist; stand firm; persevere

Trespasses = to offend; deviate; fall or be at fault

(Potions below copied in part from the Strong’s Online Bible Concordance)

Forgive = Greek “aphiemi”

AV-leave 52, forgive 47, suffer 14, let 8, forsake 6, let alone 6, misc 13; 146

1) to send away

1a) to bid going away or depart

1a1) of a husband divorcing his wife

1b) to send forth, yield up, to expire

Matthew 13:36  Then Jesus sent the multitude away …

1c) to let go, let alone, let be

1c1) to disregard

1c2) to leave, not to discuss now, (a topic) 1c21) of teachers, writers and speakers

Matthew 4

19  Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."

20  They immediately left their nets and followed Him.

1c3) to omit, neglect

1d) to let go, give up a debt, forgive, to remit

Matthew 6:12  And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.

1e) to give up, keep no longer

2) to permit, allow, not to hinder, to give up a thing to a person

3) to leave, go way from one

Mark 7:8  "For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men — the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do."

3a) in order to go to another place

3b) to depart from any one

3c) to depart from one and leave him to himself so that all mutual claims are abandoned

1 Corinthians 7:12  But to the rest I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her.

3d) to desert wrongfully

3e) to go away leaving something behind

Mark 10:28  Then Peter began to say to Him, "See, we have left all and followed You."

3f) to leave one by not taking him as a companion

Mark 14:50  Then they all forsook Him and fled.

3g) to leave on dying, leave behind one

3h) to leave so that what is left may remain, leave remaining

3i) abandon, leave destitute

Forgiveness is a focused letting go of or forsaking and abandoning our claim against.

Perhaps some of you recall the scriptures we surveyed last week. Remember, we focused on faith and on putting first things first. We heard how that if we do not have faith we cannot please God. The scriptures we used last week to help us observe faith in action all came from the 11 Chapter of Mark. In fact they led us right up to the verses we are discussing tonight.

Let’s read them all in context so we can better understand the whole conversation Jesus had with His disciples that day on the side of the Mount of Olives near the withered fig tree. Contextual understanding is one of the best ways to insure we gain the correct perspective on the truth shared by one verse of group of verses.

Mark 11  NKJV

22  So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God.

23  "For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ’Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.

24  "Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

Remember we began our lesson this evening by saying that the word “And” is both copulative and cumulative. Let’s continue to read in context to best understand the cumulative intent of Jesus concerning His teaching on forgiveness.

25  "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.

26  "But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses."

Faith and standing in faith and praying in faith and confessions of faith were first aimed by Christ at uncovering the power of forgiveness by faith.

·        If you are facing a mountain of unforgiveness because of offense … speak to that mountain by faith …

·        Whatever things you ask when you pray … the first is forgiveness

Forgiveness is many times an act of our faith.

Forgiveness is a confession we make when we speak to that mountain of hurt, offense and betrayal.

On the cross Jesus prayed,

Luke 23:34  Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." And they divided His garments and cast lots.

Forgiveness does not set others free from the burden of their guilt – only God can forgive the penalty of sin. However, forgiveness is the power of God that sets the offended free from the power of sin.

Snapshots

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Have you ever had a problem? Of course you have. In fact I imagine many of you have faced or are currently facing something which you would like to see change. These might not be big problems but nonetheless you don’t want to experience a repeat. Life presents us with snapshots based on the past. The bus you rode yesterday brought you here and it has capacity to keep circling until you either get off or change buses. That can be a wonderful reality if you like where you are but a nightmare if you don’t.

In August of 1945 the United States dropped 2 atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Nagasaki and Hiroshima. These bombs created horrific pictures of those devastating moments. The snapshots they present can only be fully explained in light of the past. Although they served to threaten the future of the Japanese people and our enemies around the world, the bombs were directed at encouraging change so that the future could be brighter and better for all.

The pictures were published in hopes that there would not have to be a repeat before change took place. And indeed, the picture of the problem engendered enough motivation to affect a change. But it was their choice.

Each day life presents us with pictures of the past. Some are as simple as walking by a mirror and realizing you don’t like the clothes you’re wearing or your last haircut. Others like school report cards, bank statements, pay checks, stepping on the scales, traffic tickets or lawsuits are perhaps a little more challenging. However, from haircuts to divorce decrees, snapshots of these moments are most often pictures of a problem in the past. From there we determine if those problems are only pictures of the past or if they are prophecies for our future. Changing buses is a matter of choice.

In life things get messed up, losses occur and tragedy strikes. When we see a problem we have an opportunity to act. Our actions, our attitudes, the decisions we make and the steps we take will determine if the problems take over or if we take charge and begin building a better future.

The truth is, “No matter how bad it is right now believe me, you can make it worse.” God’s hope is that we won’t make it worse or worse yet, just allow it to get worse on its own while we sit back and bemoan the picture.

One of the better accounts of this principle is observed in the life of King David in the book of Second Samuel chapter 12. (2 Samuel 12) It’s about 1000 to 1050 years before Jesus was born. The nation of Israel was enjoying great victories and tremendous growth. David had established Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and the recognized City of God. David had built a house for himself and was the undisputed leader of the Jewish people. No one denied David anything … all loyalty was given to him.

Several factors which we will not take time to discuss today contributed to David making the greatest mistakes of his life: David fell into adultery with a married woman, got the woman pregnant and subsequently murdered one of his loyal soldiers so that he could marry the soldier’s wife. God was evidently disappointed with David and sent the prophet Nathan to confront the King.

2 Samuel 12  NKJV

15 ¶  Then Nathan departed to his house. And the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s wife bore to David, and it became ill.

16  David therefore pleaded with God for the child, and David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground.

17  So the elders of his house arose and went to him, to raise him up from the ground. But he would not, nor did he eat food with them.

18  Then on the seventh day it came to pass that the child died. And the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child was dead. For they said, "Indeed, while the child was alive, we spoke to him, and he would not heed our voice. How can we tell him that the child is dead? He may do some harm!"

19  When David saw that his servants were whispering, David perceived that the child was dead. Therefore David said to his servants, "Is the child dead?" And they said, "He is dead."

20  So David arose from the ground, washed and anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then he went to his own house; and when he requested, they set food before him, and he ate.

21  Then his servants said to him, "What is this that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive, but when the child died, you arose and ate food."

22  And he said, "While the child was alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, ’Who can tell whether the LORD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’

23  "But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me."

24  Then David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in to her and lay with her. So she bore a son, and he called his name Solomon. Now the LORD loved him,

25  and He sent word by the hand of Nathan the prophet: So he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD.

When putting first things first this year remember to repent. David wrote Psalms 51 about this moment and therein he repented before the Lord for the sins he had committed. There may be little or nothing you can do about yesterday or the problems you caused or faced. However, there is everything you can do about tomorrow. Recovery from any problem is solved by being right with God and realizing that each snapshot of our life is an opportunity to get right with God and do things right next time.

2 Corinthians 4  NKJV

17  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,

18  while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

The biggest problem you face may only be a snapshot of the problem … a culmination of the past. Take a moment to make sure you are right with God and then commit that this is not the picture of your future. Get right with God and do things right from here on. God will not leave you to live under the penalties of the past. He will create a fresh opportunity because His mercies are new every morning.

Six days after the US dropped the bomb on Hiroshima, Japan repented, got right with the world and started doing right in the world. Since that moment, we have never had to use that awful bomb ever again. Thank God those pictures were only pictures of their past. However … change, and therefore the future, was completely up to them. It’s a choice!

Let’s put first things first … repent, get right with God and keep living right!

First

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Putting God first place in our lives is nothing new. We often put God first in our difficult times of life. Both the prophet Elijah and a poor widow found themselves in a difficult moment. We can read this account in 1 Kings 17. This all took place about 860 years before Christ. There is a evil King named Ahab and his wife, Jezebel, ruling over the 10 northern tribes of Israel. Let me catch us up on the story then we will begin reading from: 

1 Kings 17 NKJV

8 ¶  Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying,

9  "Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you."

·        Elijah put God first because of his calling, his commitment and the condition of his life. Elijah was already being sustained by a miracle … The king wanted to kill him and his only means of food were buzzards bringing him flesh to eat twice each day.

·        But – it was about a 100 mile walk to Zarephath through famine.

·        Sidon was also the native land of Jezebel, the very woman who was attempting to kill Elijah – her father was the king of Sidon.

·        And … what well known Jewish prophet wants to be at the mercy of a poor gentile widow in a foreign land during a famine? Probably not Elijah!

·        But the word of the LORD – Jehovah Almighty – came to Elijah …

10  So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, indeed a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, "Please bring me a little water in a cup, that I may drink."

·        Elijah’s journey from Cherith to Zarephath is covered in one simple phrase … however – I promise you, like most God ordained adventures, it took more time to live it than it does to tell it.

·        We see this widow cast in a poor condition of life in that she had no servant to gather sticks for her. And she is as yet unaware that she has been chosen by God to be the miracle resource for Elijah.

·        Why would God choose a poor woman?

James 2:5  Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?

·        Thus begins her test … her opportunity … her service to God: “… bring me a little water …” said the prophet without shame.

11  And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, "Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand."

·        It sounds so familiar to life that she, in the already burdensome condition of life as a poor widow possessive of nothing with which to sustain life, was required to bear another’s burden and before she could dispatch the first need there came immediately another burden even greater than the first and one for which she had no remedy.

·        “Please bring me a morsel of bread …”

When God wants to bless someone He often finds someone who needs a blessing to bless them.

Note: Remember – we are talking about putting God first …

12  So she said, "As the LORD your God lives, I do not have bread, only a handful of flour in a bin, and a little oil in a jar; and see, I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die."

·        God loves kindness, consideration and concern. Ever so humbly the widow finds the least offensive and most understandable way in which to cage her reply …

·        “As the LORD your God lives …” Although not a Jew nor reasonably a worshipper of Jehovah at this time, the widow nonetheless noticed Elijah’s ethnicity and profession and paid humble tribute to him by declaring that even his God understood her limitations.

·        This widow was well aware of her condition but made no complaints or levied no accusations nor laid any blame to anyone, either man or God, for her woes. She simply stated the facts as she knew them to be: “… that we may eat it and die.”

13  And Elijah said to her, "Do not fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and your son.

·        Fear often stands as the barrier to fully trusting God. Fear is the opposite of faith. Fear freezes life and shuts us down.

·        What would you attempt if only you weren’t afraid?

·        In order to put God first we must first decide who or what is sitting in His seat and remove that from our lives. Fear of not having enough could have kept this widow from experiencing God’s provision.

·        Note – in order for God to be God in our lives we must put Him first.

·        The prophet spoke this challenging word to the widow: “Me first and then you and your son.”

14  "For thus says the LORD God of Israel: ’The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the LORD sends rain on the earth.’"

·        There are always promises and rewards which will accompany our displays of great faith.

·        Faith makes things possible it does not however make things easy.

·        Throughout the Bible we are given accounts of people trusting God and putting Him first only to find out that God rewards faith and works. James said it best – “Faith without works is dead.”

15  So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days.

·        What gave this poor widowed mother the courage to trust God and put Him first?

·        Something must have happened on the inside of her that can only happen by God’s design when the Holy Spirit comes on a person.

·        The word of Elijah was the Word of the Lord given to him long before. When Elijah spoke the Word of God to the widow it awakened faith in her spirit and she believed.

·        The Widow trusted God with her situation, with her son’s situation, with her future and with her present day stuff. She gave God an opportunity to do what she could not do with what she had.

·        Unless we are trusting God with what we have right now, we aren’t trusting God!

·        She put God first … by faith.

16  The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry, according to the word of the LORD which He spoke by Elijah.

We have our greatest occasions to put God first when we are:

·        Poor

·        Alone

·        Troubled

·        Cannot meet our own needs

·        Responsible for others

·        Empty

·        Afraid

·        Facing death

·        Inspired by the Word of God

However, without regard as to your current situation of life, whether you are inspired or afraid, trusting God and putting His Word first place in your life will guarantee you rewards far beyond your own abilities to supply. God’s Word still awakens trust in us.

Hear the Word of the Lord – God says, “Call upon Me and I will hear you and show you great and mighty things which you have not known before. Come unto Me all of you who labor and are heavy burdened and I will give you rest. Do not be afraid or discouraged for I am with you. I will never leave you or forsake you. Seek My Kingdom and My righteousness above all things and I will add to you everything you need. Trust Me with all your heart and do not be persuaded by your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Me and I will direct your path.  Try me now and see if I will not open My treasuries to you in abundance says the Lord.”

Will you trust God today?

Awakening Faith

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Putting God first place is nothing new for people in difficult moments of life. The mercy of God comes to us in times of our greatest need.

When God wants to bless someone He often finds someone who needs a blessing to bless them.

So, times of need can be times of great blessing. But how can we be a blessing to others when we can’t sufficiently meet our own needs? That’s where faith comes into play. You see, faith moves mountains and faith moves the hand of God.

How do we obtain the faith we need to trust God in difficult times. I believe it is easier to trust God when we need more than when we don’t.

We have our greatest occasions to put God first when we are:

·        Poor

·        Alone

·        Troubled

·        Cannot meet our own needs

·        Responsible for others

·        Empty

·        Afraid

·        Facing death

·        Inspired by God to help others

These truths are well observed in the life of a widow as recorded in:

1 Kings 17  NKJV

8 ¶  Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying,

9  "Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you."

10  So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, indeed a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, "Please bring me a little water in a cup, that I may drink."

11  And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, "Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand."

12  So she said, "As the LORD your God lives, I do not have bread, only a handful of flour in a bin, and a little oil in a jar; and see, I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die."

13  And Elijah said to her, "Do not fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and your son.

14  "For thus says the LORD God of Israel: ’The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the LORD sends rain on the earth.’"

15  So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days.

16  The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry, according to the word of the LORD which He spoke by Elijah.

Elijah spoke the Word of the Lord to this poor widow and when she heard the Word it awakened the command of God on inside of her – she found great faith. Romans 10:17 says that faith comes by hearing the Word.

Faith makes things possible it does not however make things easy

Something powerful happens when the Word of God touches an open heart. Perhaps that’s why we see so many miracles among the poor and needy people of the world. A broken heart is often an open heart. However I don’t believe we have to wait until we are at the bottom of the barrel of life to open our hearts to God.

Today you can put your trust in God as an act of humility and begin submitting your life to His Word. Today you can cast off your own self sufficiency and begin depending on God to meet your needs. You can make a quality decision to begin putting God first place in your life and polishing yourself to be more like Christ.

Pray with me now and let’s take a step in faith. God has a plan for your life and for eternity. God needs you to make His plan most successful. Let’s give Him what He needs the most … our faith and our trust in His Word.

Becoming A Living Sacrifice

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Sacrifice is painful. Any way you cut it, when some animal, some person, some possession, some activity or some desire is sacrificed – it means pain. Sacrifice is trading something that benefits you for something that benefits others.

·        It can be painful to bunt or to hit a high fly ball to center field knowing that you are certain to get out just so you’re sacrificial out can give some other runner a chance advance one base. But you do it for the team.

·        It can be painful to forego getting what you really want to eat at the diner in favor of using your limited dollars to stretch a bit and also pay for the meal someone else wants as well. But you do it because you care.

·        It can be painful to work extra jobs and overtime on nights, weekends and holidays just so that your siblings can get through college. We may not complain but it would be wrong to imagine it’s not a sacrifice.

·        Sacrifices are made daily by so many who unselfishly give of their time, their talents and their resources to benefit others in ways they can never repay.

·        Sacrifices provide some reward but they always come with a cost and costs are normally painful.

·        Personal sacrifice means putting someone else first.

·        Sacrifice is a choice … unless it’s a choice, it’s not a sacrifice but it’s just a loss.

It can also be a sacrifice when we choose to be kind to those who deserve our wrath. It can be a sacrifice when we choose to love instead of withdraw and despise. It can be a sacrifice when we decide to put others first and bear their burden instead of retaliate and leave them to their own devices.

It can be a sacrifice to praise God in the midst of trouble or to challenge ourselves to give or forgive. Many times God counts our choice to be like Jesus as a sacrifice. He knows what it cost us to live a different life than those around us. He encourages us to be a light of hope to a world sitting in darkness and He appreciates it when we do.

When writing about this to the current day Christians living in the biggest and most important city in the whole world the Apostle Paul said: 

Romans 12  NKJV

1 ¶  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

2  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

3  For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

9  Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.

10  Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;

11  not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;

12  rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;

13  distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

14  Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

15  Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

16  Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

17  Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.

18  If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

19  Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.

20  Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head."

21  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

This year God is speaking to us and helping us to begin putting First Things First. Our first priority this year is to begin examining ourselves …

·        Who is on the throne of your life?

·        Are you becoming a living sacrifice for others?

·        It begins with a simple decision …

·        Polish yourself up and begin to shine for Christ!

Putting First Things First

1.   Offer yourself in prayer as a living sacrifice unto God.

2.   Begin to renew your mind to God’s

a.   Word

b.   Will

c.   Way

3.   Decide to not be overcome with evil but rather, overcome evil with good.