Tag: Faith Baptist Church

Grace and The Righteousness of God

January 11th, 2017

Romans 3:22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe

v9 says all of us are under sin. It means we have an obligation to, we answer to the authority of, sin.

v10 quotes from Psalm 14, no one righteous …

v11 – no one understands

v12 – all have turned away

v20 – says that the law cannot make us righteous, but on the contrary, reveals ours sin.

v21 – But now … praise the Lord for the but now … in scripture. now a righteousness from God has been revealed, made known.

So, how can we get in on this? I don’t just want to be a better man, I want God and I want to LIVE. So, a revolutionary idea, a righteousness was made known apart from the law, but prophesied to by the law and the prophets.

How do I get in on it?

v22 – the righteousness FROM God, comes THROUGH FAITH, TO all who BELIEVE. Salvation from sin, the imparting of His righteousness is completely an act of grace BY God, THROUGH the power of the Holy Spirit, IN the sacrificial work of Christ. It is ALL provided by our triune gracious God, but it still has to be received, appropriated, by me. But how? It is through faith to all who believe. Both words there are from the same root. One is a noun, the other a verb. The righteousness of God comes by God’s gift. But God’s gift only comes by pistis (faith) and that is convinced determination, that I have a deficit, a debt, a sentence, and that the provision of the cross can wipe out my debt. Then I must have willingness to make it my own by pisteuo, the verb action of believing, placing my faith in someone or something.

v22 – to all … there is no difference . I am not better or worse as a sinner. Nor better or worse at the decision of faith. We are all sinners, that is we are those who miss the mark of his glory v 23, but when I exercise faith through the action of believing, then i am freely justified v24 BY GRACE.

v25 – Because God presented him (Jesus) as a sacrifice of atonement … to demonstrates his justice. It is like Abraham who offered Isaac, on the same mountain by the way, where David bought the threshing floor and also offered a sacrifice. On that same hill then, God offered HIS son. Remember David said, there, “I will not offer anything that costs me nothing“. So God, so Christ also would not offer anything that cost them nothing. Like a priest offering a sacrifice, God offered Christ. All of those sacrifices before, in the law, were NOT salvation by works though. They were still Grace too because God accepted them, v25, according to his forbearance. The word is anoche – patience … he left those previous sins unpunished. The law didn’t pay the penalty, it only delayed the penalty. But God is JUST, as much as he is LOVE. So, justice must be satisfied. So, if we receive it, then God applies it to, v26, those who have faith in Jesus.

v27 – and that excludes boasting in MY actions, but ONLY in my faith. because

v30 it is GOD who justifies us all BY FAITH.

Yes Grace

Yes Faith

so we respond … “hooray, I don’t have to live a life of obedience to nor accountability to that Old Law. I don’t have to live obedience in action, forget the Old Testament Instructions and law, they are outdated and not necessary.”

WAIT!!

v31 – do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? “nullify” – katargeo – abolish; set aside, wipe out. Is that what Grace does? … Not at ALL! Rather, we uphold the law. – “uphold” is the word histemi – maintain, accept the validity of …

We do not ignore or abolish it, we are still people of faithfulness to the commands and expectations of God, not FOR our salvation, but BECAUSE of our Salvation.

And that is the word about Grace and the Righteousness of God. Don’t believe the messenger who says that Grace mean’s freedom to do whatever you want. It is not what Paul teaches in Romans.

What a wonder his grace, a wonder that he would love us, a wonder that he would receive us, a wonder that faith, enables us to enter into the wonder of Grace.
Whatever Happens – A Good Word for the New Year

January 1st, 2017

I preached this sermon a few years ago. My mind went there today so I am sharing it. Feel free to pass it alongPhilippians 1:27-30

Whatever Happens

Not a Blast of Hurry

Missionary J. O. Fraser who worked among the Lisu peoples of China, once commented about the necessity of waiting on the Lord to do His work without the frantic, panicked rushing about that characterizes much of our labor. He said:

In the biography of our Lord nothing is more noticeable than the quiet, even poise of His life. Never flustered whatever happened, never taken off His guard, however assailed by men or demons in the midst of fickle people, hostile rulers, faithless disciples—always calm, always collected. Christ the hard worker indeed—but doing no more, and no less, than God had appointed Him, and with no restlessness, no hurry, no worry. Was ever such a peaceful life lived, under conditions so perturbing?*

So, there are certain verses in scripture that are “the bar” for us to look as a standard.

Elsewhere in scripture, we are told to “love as I have loved you.” We are told to “forgive as God in Christ forgave us.”

Those are bars by which we decide if we are tall enough to ride this ride.

So, Paul remember is speaking “To All The Saints” … so he is speaking to Christians … This is not a “bar” in order to receive salvation … but because we have heard God’s voice, because we have responded in faith, because we have received his grace …. Because of all of that, there is a BAR for us … a standard

Look at it, read with me the end of the chapter, 1:27-30 – READ it

Who is he talking to? You Together … “Conduct yourselves” … Again, I said last week that WE are a WE … so for FBC, a group of saints working together, we have something that we are striving for as we go forward rejoicing together.

So … Look at somebody right now and say “Pay attention, this is FOR US” …

So Paul says “Whatever Happens” here in the NIV84

NASB and ESV says “only” – HCSB has “Just one thing”, and the NLT “Above all”

It is the word – monos = only, alone, throughout

It is an adverb describing the verb “conduct” .

As you conduct yourselves, church … Conduct yourselves singularly throughout, every time, regardless of the circumstance

Every season, every circumstance, every challenge, every triumph, tragedy, trip, in Everything, Every Time, in every way …

These are certainly conditional instructions, “if … then …” but there are certain things … And Paul seems to be laser focused in this letter on the things that do not change regardless … i.e. Rejoice always

So, here are some things then … Whatever Happens …

1. Conduct Yourselves

Remember Paul said “for to me …” life is Christ

So, he says that means that I must conduct myself in a certain manner. This is a certain manner …

This word is interesting …

Politeuomai = system of government, behave, live, lead one’s life

So, what will be the governing force for us? What will legislate our actions toward one another, toward the world, toward the image of Christ in the dark, in the light?

He says …

A. A Manner Worthy

This “conduct yourselves in a manner”, pertains to a member of a body, a person with a title has a responsibility. We hear criticism of a President saying “that is just not presidential” … I’m sure you have been told to live like the uniform you wear … “You are a Soldier”, “You are an Airman”, you “represent the United States of America.”

Paul uses this word in Acts 23:1 “I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day.”

Paul was a man with a sense of duty … Paul was saying that every day, at the end of the day, I can lay my head down and know I have done my full duty. Kenneth Wurst quotes John’s pupil, Polycarp, “if we perform our duties (same word) as simple citizens, he will promote us to a share in his Sovereignty”

So … Citizens of Heaven … members of the Family of God … Often when the boys would leave the house, just as they got to the door, I would say “hey wait, come here … don’t forget you are a Goforth …”

Paul says, “you are a member of the body of Christ, you are a citizen of heaven … Live like it”

There is a pattern we should follow, there is an obligation for us to fulfill, a manner worthy …

B. Of the Gospel of Christ

Where does the ability to rejoice come from? The Gospel.

You know, I don’t understand some Christians …

– I don’t understand ANGRY Christians. You know they walk around like someone took the last lollipop. They act like they are angry that they have to be good or something.

Angry Christians … is that worthy of the Gospel?

– I also don’t understand SAD Christians either, the slightest thing doesn’t go their way, and they are sad. It’s like they were just told that they weren’t God’s favorite. It’s like they opened a box of cracker jacks and no ring. It’s like you just came down to breakfast and found their little sister got the toy from the box of Cereal. Their bottom lip is out over a 4 cent toy, while they live in the greatest house and are members of the greatest family.

Sad Christians are not living in a manner worthy of the gospel.

– I also don’t understand Frightened Christians. They live like they aren’t sure if God will work it out. They aren’t sure he is Sovereign.

Scared Christians aren’t living in a manner worthy of the Gospel.

What is the Gospel? What is the Good News of Christ?

The Gospel

While we were Still Sinners, separated from God, hopelessly lost and headed to hell, Jesus Christ was appalled and wrought salvation with his own hand. He left Heaven, born of a virgin, lived a perfect life, demonstrated his divinity with miracles, counted the cost of our sins, and paid the debt fully with his death on the cross. He forgave our sin, removed the guilt. He imputed righteousness to our account, he was resurrected on the 3rd day proving his power over death, and promising me resurrection as well. He has made us rightly related to God, his Children now by right given, receiving full inheritance, and an eternal place in his home, and right now he is at the right hand of the Father, and one day will return to take his own to where he has prepared a place for them.

That is the Gospel … Live in a manner, conduct yourselves, like that is a REALITY to You …? And so Conducting in a manner worthy, we are living

2. Confirmed In The Faith

Paul says if you live this way … if you act like you belong, He will know that you …

Stand Firm

I have to say that Angry Christians, Sad Christians, Frightened Christians, sometimes make me wonder about their Faith …

Oh yes, we all get angry, we all get sad, we all get frightened, that is our humanity showing. But the angry one, you know all the time angry, may not know the Joy of the Lord which is our strength.

The Always Sad one, may not understand that Christ leads us in Triumph, that I can taste and see that he is Good. They may not know the Satisfaction of God as my portion.

The always scared one may not know The One who says “be not afraid, I will never leave you or forsake you.”

If you know him, Stand Firm in the Faith

If following him brings suffering your way,

Stand Firm

Philippians 1:29 (NIV84) says

29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him,

Did you hear that “it has been granted to you … on behalf of Christ, not only to BELIEVE on him but also to SUFFER FOR him.

*Hey honey, we just got an invitation in the mail. The return address says “The Lord Almighty, Heaven” …

“Well, Open it”

“it says, Greetings Jim Goforth, it has been granted to you, on behalf of Christ, to Believe on him, and to SUFFER FOR him”

“Amazing … wait what?

Yes Two Gifts of Grace

– Salvation in Christ

AND

– Suffering for Christ

SO …

Stand Firm

Not stand firm UNTIL things don’t go my way … No … Whatever Happens I will Stand Firm

When things aren’t how I like, when I’m mad, I’m sad, I’m scared … stand firm …

Exodus 14:13 (NIV84)

13 Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today…”

2 Chronicles 20:17 (NIV84)

17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.’ ”

Psalm 20:7–8 (NIV84)

7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. 8 They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.

Psalm 40:2 (NIV84)

2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.

Proverbs 10:25 (NIV84)

25 When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever.

That’s the manner of living, whatever happens for the saints

That’s the vision for the saints at FBC

It is the “bar of gratitude” for the Grace, for the Gospel, willing to stand in any circumstance

Whatever Happens – Stand Firm

You can’t stand firm and proclaim if you aren’t convinced,

but I stand because I know …

You can’t stand firm unless you are Convinced

I Know …

Psalm 20:6 (NIV84)

6 Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed …

Psalm 139:14 (NIV84)

14 … your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Psalm 140:12 (NIV84)

12 I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.

Ecclesiastes 3:14 (NIV84)

14 I know that everything God does will endure forever…

Romans 7:18 (NIV84)

18 I know that nothing good lives in me…

2 Timothy 1:12 (NIV84)

12 … Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.

So, FBC Saints, Whatever happens …

Every time, throughout, Conduct yourselves like citizens of Heaven, Convinced of your faith and Every Time … We the Church in Ktown, fellowshipping in a Diverse Family of Christ Followers, Faithful to the Great Commission and the Great Commandment, we MUST …

3. Contend for the Faith

When, “whatever” happens to us … we need a rally point …

Israel was battling against Amalek in Exodus 17. God told Moses to keep his hands raised up and God would give them Victory as long as Moses hands were raised.

After Victory, Moses built an altar and named it “Jehovah Nissi”, the “Lord My Banner” the place around which we rally when we are under attack

Whatever Happens, we will rally together to contend for the Faith …

A. United Battling Together

– Around the Gospel

Oh too often the Saints have a pet project, and sometimes it is honorable, sometimes it is not, but it must be Gospel Centric. If what we fight for doesn’t have the Gospel as its message and salvation as its ultimate end is just wasted time, spiritually speaking. So when whatever happens, we rally around the Gospel … we may not agree on style, we may not agree on methods, but we can agree on the Gospel, can’t we?

“contending as one man” NIV84

“striving side by side”

This word is

– Synathleo = struggle along with.

Robertson says this is “ striving as in an athletic contest”

“struggle along with” – Rallying togetheraround the advancement of the Gospel, together … when we are not unified we stand like a one or two legged chair.

Psalm 133 says How good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity.

Nehemiah 8:1 says the people gathered unified in purpose and called for the Word of the Lord.

We gather here every week to hear God’s word and leave here unified around the gospel so that we can Strive Together, contending as one man, struggleing alongside

Whatever happens, if we are the graced of God, we are going to suffer the attacks of the evil one, because we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but rulers, authorities, powers, and forces of this dark world. If there is no struggle, then we aren’t going against the flow of evil. If we aren’t experiencing the struggle then maybe we aren’t on the narrow way.

V30 “You are going through the same struggle you saw I had and now hear I still have”

So, we strap on the Armor of God: Rally to the Banner of the Gospel and we can do so …

B. Unafraid of Opponents

v28 ”without being frightened”

pytro = to be intimidated, scared, frightened, afraid ..

Come on … this is most dangerous church in the World … I know there is no one afraid here

Hebrews 10:38–39 (NIV84)

38 But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.” 39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.

1 Corinthians 15:57–58 (NIV84)

57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Whatever Happens

1 Corinthians 9:12 – “… we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel”

Whatever Happens … we are ready for whatever

We will serve through whatever

1 Corinthians 9:12 says we can put up with anything

How could Paul say he could put up with anything?

Because we have our eyes, hearts, mind, hands, knees focused on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

When we become Mad, Scared, Angry, it’s because we have shifted our gaze.

If I am supremely focused on the Cross of Christ, the promulgation of the Gospel, I can survive whatever happens, I can put up with anything …

1 Corinthians 9:19–24 (NIV84)

19 Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. 24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

I have a part in the presentation of the gospel, so do you in example, in word, in deed, we are part of portraying the Gospel and I don’t care how High Profile it is. I don’t care how clean it is, I care not about difficulty or Ease of service … I am focused on the end …

An unknown farmer plants his wheat seed. He nurtures it, waters it, and prays a lot. It sprouts, stalk grows, it flowers, it matures, it is harvested, sold, processed, purchased again. Then the flour from the seed is sifted, mixed with ingredients, made lovingly into bread, sold at the market, someone buys it and takes it home, they smile, take a bite and say “wow that is delicious”.

Somewhere, the unknown Farmer Smiles

Waiting for the Smile, Heart Set on the Smile, is how the Farmer makes it through Whatever … and that governs his life for the glory of God
A Bad Day – 9/11

December 31st, 2016

We are well past this year’s observance of 9/11 but somehow my thoughts for that day didn’t get posted, but got stuck in my “DRAFT” box. So I am sending them again.

A bad day? A tragic day? Certainly those things can be said and are true. Thousands of lives were lost that day. Lives were lost needlessly, but God never allows tragedy to pass without a victory plan for the other side.

I know a young man, like many young men and women the service of their country. He lost his legs in Afghanistan, in the war that has been a result of that fateful day in September. Yet on May 31, ever year since 2012, the anniversary of his “Alive Day”, he celebrates the “tragedy” in his own life. He thanks the perpetrator of such a great evil that forever changed his life. He gives thanks because it reshaped his life, gave him a new perspective, and opportunities he never would have had otherwise. So, he would have to trace back not just four years, but 15 years to fully express his gratitude.

Am I saying we should be thankful for that terrible day? Perhaps I am. It is a day that has reshaped our country of origin and the world forever. It has been an opportunity for the world to see what America is made of and what we are about. Yes, we are an imperfect country, Ungodly influence within our own ranks often saturates our thinking and action. However, America is still, thankfully, a country that believes in freedom, the rights that are inalienable, the equality of mankind, and that there is a divine mandate to protect those rights. We still protect the right to disagree, to verbalize that, and to believe differently. I also believe that this fateful day forced us to provide freedom, an opportunity for democracy, and freedom of thought and practice.

And wherever freedom is provided, the gospel follows. The people of God are ever ready to move into the smallest opening with the news that Jesus loves, Jesus saves, and Jesus transforms.
In the greatest tragedies in history, hope has been born. In the greatest suffering hearts are lifted, ears opened, and people are drawn to God’s provision in Christ. Oh the greatest injustice and tragedy was when a simple teacher was arrested one night with the help of a friend. He was put on trial for simply being who he was. He was beaten almost to the brink of death. He went through six trials, all breaking multiple national and spiritual laws. A sentence of death was pronounced not by the government court, but the court of public opinion in a bloodthirsty mob. He was paraded through the streets of his metropolis like a defeated tyrant, though he had never done wrong to any man or in the sight of God. He hung in the gallows on this day for six hours. He died and was buried

What a tragedy. What a travesty. But Tragedy brought Triumph. That travesty became an opportunity. Injustice provided grace. The merciless acts of some opened the door for the mercy of God. And he who knew no sin, became sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God. And so, because of the greatest act of evil, the greatest act of love came, so that if anyone be in Christ, he/she is a new creation. The old has passed, all things are made new.

Thank you God. Thank you Jesus, for the cross. Thank you that the cross isn’t the end of the story, because there is an empty tomb. Thank you that when this soul cried out, you heard my cry because of Christ. Oh, I am not comparing America to Jesus, but 9/11/01 was NOT the end of the story. I am grateful today that my country, will all of its faults, still hears the cries of the oppressed, and works to provide freedom. I am grateful for those who sacrifice themselves for others. It is not just a job, it is a calling for millions of military and first responders who do not run FROM the sound of tragedy, they run TO the battle. I am grateful for mission minded believers who leave the comforts of home to run to the lost with the gospel of peace. I am grateful for preachers who mount their pulpits today and proclaim the freedom of Christ for all who believe, all who receive.

Bad day? No Never
Short Thoughts On Preaching (for preachers/teachers)

December 29th, 2016

The privilege of Preaching or Teaching the Word of God is the greatest opportunity I have in ministry. Here are a few thoughts on making the most of that opportunity.

– Be in Touch with the Text – true to the text, context, interpretation, setting

– Be in Touch with your Audience – the same message in Romania, Germany, USA, El Salvador will be different for that audience

– Be in Touch with God – led by the Spirit – truly, don’t cop out and say “the Spirit led” if he did not
. And the Spirit will never lead you in contradiction to the rest of Scripture.

– Be a Reader – other sermons, books, secular media, other scripture both “related” and “unrelated” – English, Hebrew, Greek word definitions/tense – My Dad once said “when did you become a ‘Greek scholar’” to which I replied, “I’m not, but I can read”

– Be Imaginative – see this as a story, not a report, tell the story in a compelling way

– Be Creative – these two go together – there are many ways to say this. Involve the heart, mind, and imagination of the listener

– Be Challenging – every sermon should bring me to a crossroads – Revelation = Invitation

– Be Inspirational – I can’t motivate, but I can Inspire

– Be Focused – a series will have a “lens” by which you see the text. The lens generally comes from the purpose of the book or the thing you are trying to learn from it. Ex. – Philippians “I will rejoice” – Acts “Back to the Beginning, becoming a Twenty 1st Century Church” (i.e. what can the 21st Century church learn from the 1st Century Church?) – In a “one off” sermon, still find the lens of intent and don’t stray far from that. If the text doesn’t really say what you are trying to say, then go somewhere else.

– Be Relevant – but not tied to “relevancy”. Some preachers are so busy trying to be relevant that they don’t preach the text. The Word of God is ALWAYS Relevant. If it is NOT, then God has wasted his words and God never wastes his words. “my words will not come back void”

– Be Real – be yourself – you can get better, or emulate things you see in other communicators, but you need to be yourself. This is true in dress, words, and presentation

The Word of God is an authoritative gift from God into his heart, mind, purpose, and will. Let the Word speak. Let the Word divide. Let the Word offend. If you seek to speak, divide, offend, or teach out of your own wisdom, you might find you have wasted your time, or worse yet you are in opposition to the heart, mind, will, or purpose of God.

Thank you Lord for your Word and the privilege to proclaim it.
My Prayer For Them

December 19th, 2016
weekly staff devotion from December 12

John 17:20 My prayer is not for them alone. I pray for those who will believe in me … 21 that all may be one …”

There are so many things that could have been on Jesus’ prayer list the night before he was crucified. So many thoughts and concerns. But there he is in John 17 praying for US and praying specifically for unity.

Why?
- we were not meant to be alone
Remember Adam in Genesis 2:18 – it is not good for man to be alone. That is still true. If we are alone, we remain alone. If remain alone, the gospel isn’t spread. Paul and Barnabas had a famous falling out in Acts 15. Ultimately they disagreed on how they would progress in ministry and staffing and so they parted ways. They separated in ministry, but even then, Paul didn’t stay alone, nor did Barnabas. Barnabas took Mark, and I’m sure others. Paul took Silas, Timothy, and Luke joined them among others. They both moved forward in unity with others.
- We need unity
Jesus prayed Father, just as you are in me and I am in you, may THEY be in US …

If God, One yet Three, Three yet One, operates in that unified plurality of personhood, then how much more do we need to do the same thing. David sang “How good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity.” Psalm 133. But we can’t find unity with one another if we are out of sync with God. If we are in sync with God, then we will seek unity with each other. But what then about Paul and Barnabas? Well, a lot of commentators over the years have drawn up “sides” pro Paul or pro Barnabas. I am not a commentator, just a preacher, but I am of the opinion that in unity, they parted ways. They recognized that they had a different working style, different leadership style, and different expectations, and it was going to hinder the gospel if they remained together. You see, I believe it was THE GOSPEL that was their point of unity. Barnabas and Mark went to Cyprus. They didn’t go out on a crusade to win the argument or win the hearts of others to their style. They went on about the gospel. Paul and Silas went to Syria. They weren’t wasting time defending their separation, they were busy about the gospel. And yet Acts 15:40 says they were “commended by the brothers” . It was a unified body that sent them out though it sent them out separately. the Division of Separation doesn’t have to bring subtraction. If done correctly it can bring about addition. In the addition of members on the mission it brought about Multiplication in the Kingdom.
- Why Unity? For the Gospel
Because they themselves had believed the gospel, they desired to advance the gospel in unity, for the reason Jesus prayed so that the WORLD may believe.

Read it again so that the world may believe …

That should be our heartbeat. That should be our motivation. The question should always be, “will this cause a world to believe or disbelieve?” Lord I want to be one who encourages toward belief, not discourages belief.

John 17:23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

That the world may know

That the world may know
The Lord has led me on the Journey

November 15th, 2016

Genesis 24:27 (NIV84) Praise be to the Lord, the God of my Master Abraham, who has not abandoned his kindness and faithfulness to my master. As for me, The Lord has led me on the journey to the house of my master’s relatives

Oh many people find themselves in events, they never could have imagined and wonder if God is still there. A turn of an election, a report of a doctor, a whim of the boss, a swipe of a car, God what is going on?

The story of God is a story of kindness and faithfulness. It is a story of a God who never leaves even though sometimes WE leave. It is a story of a God who does not abandon. Yes, sometimes he leads us through dark shadows, the fear of death, the presence of enemies, and a path of correction; but even then he is the same Good Shepherd. He is the same good shepherd who leads by green pastures, quiet waters, prepares a table for us, and restores our souls.

This servant is on a journey to find a spouse for Abraham’s son Isaac. It is a big journey and an important journey. There are many reasons to fear. But he looks at the God of the Past, anticipates the God of the Future, and finds then he can trust the God of the Present.

1) Look at the God of the Past

God had called Abraham and led Abraham. When Abraham wandered, failed to act, failed to trust, God was still faithful and kind, he never abandoned. When he took him even past the place of promise, he never abandoned him. So, as his servant retraces those steps back to the homeland to find a bride for his Master’s son, he knows he can trust God to be with him.

So for me, I have a long heritage to look to. William and Joseph Murphy were known as the Murphy boys in the last half of the 1700s. They were baptists in Virginia when it was against the law to be anything but Anglicans. They were imprisoned for their stance for freedom of religion. They served their country in the Revolutionary War. Under their preaching Colonel Samuel Harris was converted and became the greatest Baptist Preacher of his generation. The Murphy boys had a nephew named William who gave birth to Daniel Richard Murphy in 1802. He was my Great Great Great Grandfather. He moved to Missouri. Under his ministry, over 30 years he is said to have baptized 3000 people and started between 25-30 churches in the early days of Baptist work, west of the Mississippi. God was faithful to him, he served as a Union Chaplain in Missouri, during the Civil War when the state was trying to be neutral.

My Great Grandfather Vance Patterson was a traveling preacher and Pastor and God took him through.

My Grandfather, Lester Patterson, was called to preach as a teenage boy, but was running from the call. he had served in the Army in San Francisco, far from his home in Oklahoma. He was fishing one day in the far upper part of the Northwest, it was late winter early spring and there was still ice on the river. The ice opened and my grandfather fell in and the ice closed up. It was his “Jonah moment” and he knew God was saying “are you going to preach or not.” He quickly said “yes” to God’s call on his life, the ice opened and he crawled out and began hitchhiking home. He served the Lord as a pastor the rest of his life.

My paternal grandparents, Carl and Frances Goforth had married, my grandfather a baptist but “backslidden” and my grandmother a Presbyterian faithful to the Lord. My grandfather didn’t attend church with her because he said “I’m a Baptist and not Presbyterian, and I don’t have any church clothes. So, when my father was born, my grandmother quietly prayed that night, “Lord call him to preach and I will raise him to hear you call.” My grandfather didn’t share that prayer yet, but she prayed. Well one Sunday my grandmother came home from church and announced “Carl you better get some church clothes because I joined the Baptist Church today and you are going next Sunday.” He did and got right with God and served him faithfully for 60 years. They were faithful to the Lord who was faithful and kind to them and never abandoned them.

So it has been with my family. So it has been in my life. God has never abandoned, he has always been faithful and kind. So … I can

2) Anticipate The God of the Future.

He has been good, he has been faithful, he has been true. So I can anticipate how he will continue to do what he has promised. Faith is being sure of what we have hoped for, Certain of what is not seen. God has led me this far and he didn’t lead me out here to leave me. His past performance points to future performance. I have hope. Hope is the substance we hold on to until the thing of substance shows up. Then hope is replaced with substance.

So then I can

3) Trust the God of the Present

So Abraham’s servant looked at what God had done, believed what he would do and said “as for me, he has led me on the journey” and I believe he will complete this task. And he did.

Some trust in chariots and horses but we trust the Lord.

Presidents and Potentates come and go but God is on the throne. Paul says in Romans 13 that God his hand IN it all. Oh we don’t have to get OUT of it to find God, he is IN it.

Trust doesn’t fight God, trust doesn’t stay home when God says go, trust does what God says and knows the outcome is not my responsibility.
Who To Vote For

November 5th, 2016
If you are asking who to vote for. Here is a message I prepared and preached several years ago … I thought I would put it up here if you are still deciding … or if you are worrying …

Special Election Message

Psalm 20:7

Who To Vote For

This is always an interesting season. If you are an American, we are dominated with thoughts about the coming election. If you are not an American I am sure you are interested about what can happen.

CNN Europe’s line is “It is America’s vote, but it affects us all” and I’m sure that to an extent that is true.

If the pundits are to be believed, the future of the world depends on the choice that we make in this election. But what happens if the WRONG candidate is elected?

We better get it right.

Perhaps you have already voted, did you vote for the RIGHT one?

One of the difficult things about determining for whom you will vote is that, despite what you might think, there is no party that has a monopoly on right. There is no party that’s got it all together. You may have your favorite but if you were honest there are positives and negatives.

So, Maybe I just won’t vote …

Samuel Adams said: “Let each citizen remember at the moment he is offering his vote… that he is executing one of the most solemn trusts in human society for which he is accountable to God and his country.”

Well Citizens … it may be hard to do … but we have some decisions to make

“The church must take right ground in regards to politics. . . . The time has come for Christians to vote for honest men. . . . God cannot sustain this free and blessed country, which we love and pray for, unless the Church will take right ground.”- Charles Finney

“Elections belong to the people. It is their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.”
Abraham Lincoln

So, who are you going to vote for?

Psalm 20:7 says Some trust in chariots and some trust in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God

Read … Psalm 20:1-9
1. Some Trust in Chariots
You’ve seen enough movies to picture a chariot

It was a vehicle pulled behind horses. It was framed in wood in a semi-circle. Leather and metal were used to bind it together. The floor of the chariot was made of rope woven together which would create a springy cushioned ride. The Wheels were low to the ground for a low center of gravity and stability. There were no seats generally in a chariot, because the chariot wasn’t a pleasure vehicle. Strapped to the side of the chariot in crossed fashion were quivers and a case for bows, because this was a *war vehicle*. This vehicle wasn’t generally used for peace.

And David says … “Some trust in Chariots” Say it with me, emphasis on “SOME”

Usually there were two men in a chariot, the “charioteer” or driver and the “warrior” and occasionally a third man or captain who had charge over the other two.

However, when the KING rode a chariot into battle … he rode alone into battle. He would tie the reins to his waist and keep his hands free to fire his bow or use other weapons.

David said “some trust in chariots”

>Who Will YOU Trust?

Some Trust in War Machines

Some Trust in a Vehicle

Some Trust in the larger Vehicle that will move them forward and place their hope …

How will you Vote?

Some … Trust in Chariots

But … then David says …
1. Some Trust In Horses
The Chariot isn’t moving anywhere without the horse.

A car isn’t moving anywhere without the engine. While chariots were pretty singularly used, horses served a lot of purposes. Chariot drivers might see an individual horse as dispensable, lose one, get another … but the horse IS indispensable

The Horse was a commodity. The Horse was mostly a nameless, entity. It served a purpose but it was foundational. As I said, it was the engine. Without the Chariot, the king and his warriors are outmaneuvered in battle. Without the horse the Chariot was a piece of furniture.

I’m sure many in David’s day had argued the value of the horse or the chariot

David said “Some Trust in Chariots and Some Trust in Horses …”

We could imagine if you will that one of our political parties was the Vehicle that can move our country. Perhaps One Candidate represented the war machine to save us in a day of need.

And perhaps we could imagine that one party was the engine to move that Vehicle. Perhaps one party represented the nameless faces that are indispensable to the success of the forward motion or defense of our country.

And thus we would argue for one over the Other

The Chariot People would say “we have to have bigger better chariots, we need to place our emphasis on the development of the best Vehicle to move our country, the best Vehicle to defend our country” …

because – “some still trust in Chariots”

The Horse people would weigh in on the debate to say “that’s all fine and dandy but without the horses, the best chariots will be nothing. Take care of the details, take care of the engine or you won’t go anywhere. If you don’t feed it and water it, if it’s not healthy and happy, then the Chariot is not going anywhere.”

… Because “some trust in horses”

We could really have a great debate between those Chariot and Horse People. There is a funny thing though about Chariots and Horses; you can and should choose a chariot and horses. I pray before I buy a car. I try and buy the car that the Lord would have me to buy.

But – the chariot may turn out to be eaten up with termites. The Wheels might fall of. Thieves might steal my chariot. A bigger or better chariot might defeat my chariot. I may have been lied to by the chariot salesman. The chariot factory workers might have been daydreaming when he put it together, and I get stuck with a bad chariot where I’ve placed all my trust.

My horse may turn out to be headstrong and unbreakable. My horse may get a disease. My horse may break a leg. My horse might get shot out from under me. My horse might just get old and die. My horse might be older or sicker than it looks or the horse salesman said it was. And I end up with troubles where I have placed my trust.

But David says,

“ some trust in chariots and some trust in horses …”

interesting Some trust in ONE party, the Chariot Party. And Some Trust in Another Party, the Horse Party …

Now I’m not saying that the Chariot Represents one of our Parties and the Horse Represents another, but folks, if you are placing your HOPE in one of our Political Parties to solve your problems, put gas in your car, a roof over your head, money in your retirement program, you MAY be Disappointed …

Oh but there’s a lot of hopeful people out there.

There are also a lot of fearful people out there

There are a lot of people who have placed all of their hope with one political party or candidate

There are a lot of people who are frightened by one party or candidate

And they will make their choices based on the hope they have placed, or the fear that grips them …

… but David offers us an alternative way of thinking …

David said “some trust in Chariots, others in Horses but WE WILL TRUST …”
1. In the Name of the Lord Our God
Folks, if claim to be a child of God, you aren’t just “SOME” folks. We don’t go with the crowd …

We shouldn’t approach that voting booth like everyone else. We don’t put our hopes in that basket … NO

We Will Trust in a NAME …

A. Name …

Chariots don’t have names … Well I know there are some of you crazy guys out there that name your car, but we are talking about a Chariot here just used for a battle, I know there are names for tanks and airplanes too … But it doesn’t really have a name, it’s an inanimate object … it is NOT a person

the kinds of horses were are talking about here were also nameless, they were just property for the purpose of driving the chariot

But a Name carries with it authority and power.

Neither one of our Candidates has a name that will still matter 500 years from now. Neither of our parties will matter at the end of all things …

But WE … Trust in A name … JESUS …

Oh Gabriel came to Mary and Joseph and said that Mary was going to conceive and bear and child and his name would be JESUS because he will save his people from there sins

Peter preached in Acts 4:12 that Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

THERE is a Name

I know a name

No other name

We Trust in the Name Of the Lord … the Authority, and the Power

B. The Lord Our God

Phil 2:10-11 at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the Glory of God the Father

We don’t just believe in ANY name, we don’t just hope in ANY name, we have placed our hope our trust, our lives in the hands of the Name, Jesus. Jesus who is LORD And not just Lord, i.e. he has authority, but He is GOD … He created Heaven and Earth so he can RUN this Earth perfectly fine without us.

Jesus said in Matthew 28:18 that All Authority had been given to him in Heaven and Earth

The Sun came up just as scheduled this morning … I think he can handle our Economic Crisis.

He handled the Rebellion of Satan and 1/3 of the Angels and kicked them out with a word … I think he can handle our military challenges

As a matter of fact, he can handle it if the WRONG GUY gets it. If the WRONG PARTY has control, he can Handle it

Romans 13:1b says “there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”

So that begs an interesting question.

C. How Would Jesus Vote?

Stay with me for a minute on this one … I am NOT speaking for Jesus!

I am telling you what I believe are some things that scripture teaches us about God that we can see in the issues we face.

A While Back, I was at a conference, and one speaker suggested four things that he believes would shape Jesus’ voting
- Pro Life — Jesus Created all life, he sustains life, he is the giver of life, and is the only one who can take it away. Job 1:21 said, the Lord gives and the lord takes away blessed be the name of the Lord.
- Pro Morality — we live in a world where the distinguishing marks between right and wrong has been removed in most cases. Perversion and Greed seem to run unchecked in the name of freedom and capitalism.
The glory of God not only includes love and grace, but also judgment and wrath. He is a holy God and calls us to Holiness as well
- Pro Family – the oldest ceremony in the history of humans is the ceremony of marriage. Marriage is a sacred Marriage is also a picture of Christ and the Church. When we distort the family we distort a picture of Christ and the Church, God and his Children. Distortion like that confuses and distorts the very Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Finally, this preacher also pointed out that he believed that Jesus would vote
- Pro God – We do not know what the future It seems that we are closer every day to the end of all things. However, we don’t know that, and the only thing that we know to do is call our nation to repentance and turning toward God. Jesus came with a message “Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” Jesus would call us to the Father
But you know folks those four things are not the only things that are important to Jesus. He would also be
- Pro Poor
- Pro Prisoner
- Pro Hunger
- Pro Thirsty
Matthew 25 Jesus said “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat … thirsty and you gave me … drink … stranger … invited me in … needed clothes … you clothed me … sick and you looked after me … in prison … came to visit me … whatever you did for one of the least of these … you did for me”
- Pro Education
Proverbs 22:6 train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it

And those issues are also important issues in every election

But you know what people, we may not be able to control the life, morality, and marriage laws ourselves which is why those issues are so very important in every election.

And while we DO need politicians who are concerned about the other issues and can move our government toward solving those issues.

But you and I, in the church, shouldn’t have to VOTE on the poor, prisoner, hungry, thirsty, and uneducated. We have been told to do those things as individual Christians and the as Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. As a matter of fact, He says that many who have called him “Lord” don’t really know him and haven’t shown their knowledge of him in their actions toward those in need.

But then …

D. How Should I Vote?

We MUST be involved in the political process

“Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it.” William Penn

“The only thing needed for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.”
Edmund Burke,

Never be afraid to stand with the minority which is right, for the minority which is right will one day be the majority; always be afraid to stand with the majority which is wrong, for the majority which is wrong will one day be the minority.

William Jennings Bryan

“Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.”
John Quincy Adams

THERE ARE important Issues and they SHOULD shape the way we vote …

How should I Vote?
- Prayerfully – before you are shaped by political pundits or religious leaders, I need to Seek God’s Face. Our answers must come from the throne room before we make a decision …
- Carefully – don’t just go in and vote carelessly or without purpose. I personally never vote straight ticket … I vote what I know to be true and important to me. It takes longer, but if your vote matters, you should vote carefully
- Conscientiously – that is to vote with a consciousness of the moral goodness or blameworthiness of one’s own conduct, intentions or character with a feeling of obligatio
- Faithfully – VOTE, it is your right and your DUTY
Vote, Be concerned with the results … but

E. Who Will I Trust?

“Give me a hundred men who fear nothing but sin, and desire nothing but God, and I will shake the world. I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen; and such alone will overthrow the kingdom of Satan and build up the Kingdom of God on earth.” John Wesley

Our Hope is in God Alone. If you know him personally as your own Lord and God, then you need not Fear anything. If you have never given your heart to him, I offer you Jesus, he is our ONLY Hope. He is our ONLY Answer. He is our ONLY Reason to Life

Folks we do not have to fear the growing shadow of evil because I know who the Sun is. I know where the Light is coming from So I will not fear the shadows …

Do the dark Shadows a seem bit scary?

Helen Keller said “Keep your face toward the Sun and you cannot see the shadows”

Where is our Hope?

If you counted all the verses and found the Center Verse of Scripture in the Bible it would be Psalm 118:9 – the CENTER VERSE in the Bible …

It is Better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man

Are you afraid?

Psalm 56:3 when I am afraid, I will trust in you

Now what I have tried to do today is give you principles to challenge you on HOW to vote … BUT … I DID promise you that I would tell you WHO to vote for. …

Well let me see if I can break it down to the important things, the things that we talk about and introduce you to the right candidate
- Executive Experience?
Well … as an Entrepreneur, Creator, and Inventor, he left a lucrative position to begin a new venture. He handpicked a dozen leaders whom he developed and set them loose. They have transformed a regional venture into a multi-national organization servicing and including millions of employees and ambassadors and this endeavor has continued for nearly 2000 years. Today he continues on the tri-unified Board of Directors of every facet of the Universe
- Economics?
Well it is said he owns the cattle on a thousand years. But more than that he developed, understands and implements the principles of planting, nurturing, and harvest.

He can turn a lunch into a meal for thousands so I think he can make sure you have enough to eat. He went fishing one day and came up with the tax money needed for he and his disciples.
- Social Programs?
He has taught his followers to Feed the Hungry, Visit the Prisoner, Give water to the Thirsty, Clothes to the Naked. His followers have been known to sell their goods and give to those in need. They have been known to meet the needs of strangers and friends alike
- Retirement Plan?
In his Father’s House are many Mansions and He has gone to prepare a place for me so that where He is I can be as well
- Suffering and Sacrifice?
The word is Expiation, it means atonement. He went into the teeth storm of accusation. He went through an illegal trial. He withstood a horrific beating. Then he was sentenced to die on a cross and suffered in dignity, grace, forgiveness, love, never uttering a word in his own defense. He sacrificed himself that those who would come after him would not have to die and even if they do would be resurrected to live forever
- Provision?
His Divine Power has Given us EVERYTHING we Need for Life and Godliness

Ladies and Gentlemen, let me introduce to you the ONLY Candidate you ever Need … Please Join me and

Vote for The Lord Jesus Christ!

Wonderful Counselor

Mighty God

Everlasting Father

Prince of Peace!

Place your Trust in Him

Use Your Chariot but if it’s broken, fix it or ditch it but TRUST God

Use Your Horse, if it’s sick nurse it back to health, if it’s lame shoot it, but place your TRUST in Jesus Christ

Vote Jesus

Vote with your Heart give it to him

Vote with your Head Surrender to him

Vote with your Feet live in Obedience to Him

Love Him with Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength

Jesus Is our only lasting Hope

You will never have to vote for HIM to Change because … Jesus is the same Yesterday, Today, and Forever,

YOU and I must Change and Surrender to him, Become Like Him

He IS Lord

He Is God

You might as well follow all of creation

And Vote Jesus Christ this Year and for Life
A Quick Word About Abundance

October 14th, 2016

I was chatting with someone about the idea in John 10:10 of abundance today

The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but I have come that you might have life to the full (abundantly)– John 10:10 (NIV84)

Abundance … what does that really mean? The NIV says “to the full” … the problem for us is that we have our definitions and experiential baggage for what these Biblical Words mean and it can be hard to get to what Christ is saying. It is like the Biblical idea of “hope”. Hope is not wishful thinking, it is a certainty based on the person, promises, and actions of Jesus Christ. So I have to see the word differently. So then this word perissos translated “abundant” or “to the full”. We think, prosperity or perfection, or freedom from troubles but of course that isn’t what is meant and it isn’t what we always experience. Put in context, Jesus is talking about sheep and predators. He says there are thieves and robbers, hired hands that don’t really care, and wolves who want to devour. And in all of that the thief STILL comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but he gives us zoe (life) and have it perissos (abundantly). When I look that definition up I find it to me extraordinary, exceptional, superfluous, unnecessary, special advantage. And I see that regardless of the fact that there are still thieves, robbers, wolves, unconcerned caregivers, in the midst of that we live something that is not necessary, not required, yet exceptional, extraordinary LIFE. The most extraordinary thing is that we LIVE through it, we live IN it, we live in spite of those attacks. When others are destroyed by the attacks, we LIVE and THAT is Extraordinary.

So I can be FULL of Hope, because I know that God is for me, with me, and has taken my place in the worst consequence of my sin, death. So this is why Jesus came. He came to those of us already sentenced to death, and gave us something unnecessary for him, exceptional, extraordinary, to our special advantage, LIFE, REAL Life. Why because we are sheep and he is a GOOD Shepherd.

Oh man, let me stop and shout a little …
Greatness and The Kingdom

September 19th, 2016

Luke 22:28 You are those who stood by me in my trials …

Measuring greatness seems to be a major part of the human psyche. Our standards may vary, but we all do it. We play “King of the Hil” as children. We play “Red Rover”, trying to defeat, breakthrough or be subdued. We play “Monopoly”, you name it. In sports, the conversation is often about who is the “G.O.A.T.” If you don’t know that acronym, it means the “Greatest Of All Time”. Is it Jack Nicklaus or Tiger Woods in golf? It is Michael Jordan or Lebron James, or someone else in basketball? Who was the greatest president, Washington, Lincoln, Roosevelt, or Reagan?

This discourse by Jesus follows yet another “dispute” among the disciples over which of them (v24) was considered to be the greatest. So, a dispute, that is contentious strife, arose over who had the reputation of being the greatest. They weren’t arguing over who WAS the greatest, but who was CONSIDERED the greatest.

Jesus doesn’t weigh in on the argument. He just resets the standard for consideration.

v25 – Gentile kings lord it over them … It means to dominate. Their greatness is forced through power.

v26 – But you are not to be like that … He is changing the standard, shifting their gaze. … Instead … The word means “rather, on the contrary, but, yet, certainly, by contrast.” … the greatest … the word is MEGAS – “great, large, important, full-grown, adult, deep, strong.” … among you, should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table, or the one who serves? … (then he answers with their true thoughts) …Is it not the one who is at the table? But … Oh we need to pay attention when God says “But”.

Here comes the New Standard … This is like the “Sermon on the Mount”, when Jesus says You have heard it said … but I say … So here he says v27 … But I am among you as one who serves … Jesus says “I am one who –diakoneo-” It means “serves, waits on, helps, acts as an agent, to wait at the table.”

There is the new standard for greatness … then he continues

v28 YOU are those who have STOOD BY ME in my trials … “stood by me” is –diameno- “asasociate, to continue, to endure, abide with”. If HE came as a “waiter”, then we are just “bus boys” and “dishwashers”. And we are in the worst possible places of service. We are not ser ving in the most beautiful palace with a fancy uniform and great pay. No, He and We serve in our position through TRIALS –peirasmos- “process of testing, fiery ordeal”. We are serving in often the worst of times, the worst of trials, undervalued, underappreciated, misunderstood, attacked, maligned, and mistreated.

But Fear not , fret not. Do not desire greatness or reputation, gratitude or consideration, because Jesus says, … I CONFER on you … -diatithemi- “decree, ordain, arrange, to establish a covenant”. It is Jesus saying “don’t worry about consideration here because I have a covenant with you, I have made arrangements for a kingdom.” We want a reputation, a position, and he says “I have a kingdom for you.” We always receive from him MORE than we can imagine.

v29 … Just as my Father conferred one on me …

When you stand with Christ, you get what he gets. As his “table cleaners” and “dishwashers”, when he is exalted, we are exalted. … Just As … -Kathos- “to the degree that, inasmuch as, just as, when”. When, as, to the level of, his exaltation, will be our exaltation.

v30 – … So that … your greatness will be not here but there … lift your eyes … set your affection on what is to come. …you may eat and drink at MY table, in MY Kingdom and sit on thrones … If we want greatness HERE, it will be fleeting and will ultimately be destroyed and blown as dust away. But his kingdom is FOREVER. What we eat and drink at HIS TABLE will truly satisfy us eternally. What we receive here is often hollow and empty as sugar to the body. But what he has for us is filling and nourishes our souls.

So then in context Jesus tells Peter that satan wants to sift him …

Oh the temptation to seek Greatness

But know this, as he says to Peter … Jesus

1) Has defeated our tormentor

2) Is aware of our struggles

3) is Praying for us

4) Has a ministry for us on the other side of our trials

Lord, Let me be a dishwasher behind Christ and one day I will take my seat at your table. Until then, hand me another plate. I will stand with you in any trial.
Did I Not Tell You

August 29th, 2016

John 11:30 “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”

“If you believed” certainly Jesus is talking about faith, the word Pisteuo means to believe to be true, to be convinced. But I don’t believe that it is simple faith, or even committed faith. That is not the key to getting a God to whatever you want. Faith is based on many factors, not the least of which is the plan, purpose, and character of God. You can believe all you want, but if God is not purposed to do it, if it isn’t in his nature, he isn’t going to do it. You believe all you want but it isn’t going to happen.

Then also, faith has to be combined with action. If I believe God for rain, then I better bring an umbrella. If I am a farmer and I am believing God is sending rain, then I need to get busy planting. What good is the rain if you aren’t going to plant?

So Jesus says in v15 that the purpose behind the death of Lazarus was “so that you may believe”. In this tragedy God was at work.

So then Martha is with Jesus questioning him about the death and Jesus says “your brother will rise again”v23 then that he is the Resurrection and life. And then he asks “Do you believe this?” And Martha has an interesting answer. She says “yes Lord, I believe you are the Christ …” And I sort of hear Jesus saying “that’s not what I asked you. I asked you if you thought I could change your circumstance.”

So through the mourning and the questioning, he ends up at the tomb, with Mary and Martha and he says “take away the stone” … ” But Lord … There is a bad odor … It has been four days.”

Can I ask you, what has God told you to do? Did you do it, or did you have a list for God about why you couldn’t, or shouldn’t, why it wouldn’t work? I seem to remember a God saying “who has counciled me? Who was there when I laid out the Heavens?” It is sort of like giving Steph Curry tips on shooting a basketball or a lesson on physics to Einstein. I heard that once the King told Mozart that his music “had. Too many notes.” To which Mozart replied “how many notes is the right amount?”

Jesus says “roll the stone away” and she says “but Lord” … And so then v40 “Did I not tell you …” Listen, faith is not blind trust. It is about accepting and acting on Divine Revelation. God reveals, he instructs, and that revelation is an invitation. The equation is this

Revelation = Invitation to join him

Invitation = Expectation to respond in faith

Expectation = Provision by God of what we need

Provision = Subtraction of Excuses

Jesus didn’t ask Mary or Martha to raise Lazarus, he just asked them to believe him enough to show up and watch him work. We often miss the glory of God, not because it isn’t there, or isn’t available, but because we don’t believe and show up.

v41 “So they too the stone away”. They did the one thing he asked, an act of faith in action, obedience. And then I love the next two words, “Then Jesus” …

“Then Jesus” … MAN THAT’S THE STUFF RIGHT THERE!!

If I will believe God and show up, and act in faith, then a Jesus will take care of the “Jesus stuff”. He is the miracle worker. The Holy Spirit is the power of God. Ephesians 1:19-20 says “his incomparably great power (is) for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength 20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead …”

His is the Power

His is the Glory

We simply must listen, believe, and show up acting in obedience … Jesus will take care of the God stuff

Hallelujah Thine the glory

Hallelujah Amen

Hallelujah Thine the glory

Revive us again (W.P. Mackay-1863)