I saw this beautiful image today taken from Hubble Telescope and immediately my mind went to Psalm 19.
Can you imagine the songs David writes today? The Technology he has access to I’m sure is wonderful and supercedes the use of a shepherds flute and lyre. But more than that, ages in the presence of God. But here he writes:
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse proclaims the work of his hands. Day after day they pourout speech, night after night they communicate knowledge. There is no speech; there are no words; their voice is not heard. Their message has gone out to the whole earth, and their words to the ends of the world …
The Glory of God. Oh it is one of my favorite thoughts and concepts in scripture. In John 1:14, the aged apostle writing at the close of the first century, I see him in my mind’s eye, thinking back on his walk with the Lord. And in perhaps some of the most beautiful text ever written, he talks about the coming of Jesus. And he says the word became flesh and dwelt among us … and then can see him pause, and perhaps take a long breath of remembrance and he says and we beheld his glory, the glory of the one and only of the Father, full of grace and truth. OH My My My – the glory. The word in the NT Greek is doxa. That’s the word also used when the Old Testament was translated into Greek from Hebrew and the word here the heavens declare the glory of God. That word at its root means “heaviness” or “weighty” and describes the worth. The concept is the Weight of the Reputation of God. There are times, when I come home at night to our house away from city lights. And the clouds have been swept away, and I look into the beauty of the sky and see all those Lights Proclaiming God’s Glory, the moon and the stars, and I often just stop and stand there staring into the sky.
Paul wrote in the first chapter of Romans that God has been revealed through creation so we are without excuse if we do not embrace the revelation of the glory of God in creation.
David sings here that the Sun going from East to West is like a fully adorned Bridegroom traveling from his home. It’s like a well conditioned athlete running perfectly their course.
And then David makes a shift in his song. He transitions from praise to revelation – the instruction of the Lord is perfect, renewing one’s life; the testimony of the Lord is trustworthy… the precepts are right, making the heart glad… the fear of the Lord is pure… the ordinances of the Lord are reliable… desirable… sweeter than honey… Just as sure as the stars shine, so the words of God, tell the glory of God, the weight of God’s reputation, the truth of his being. Just as true as the sun rises and sets, so God’s teaching follow his path and accomplish his purposes.
And then in the final transition from revelation to application – oh when the sun rises we can see the world as it is. Sometimes the night hides things in the darkness, but the sun rising gives us light to see reality. And so the glory of God reveals to us not only the right path but the reality that we stray from the path. And faced with the grace and truth glory of God, David sings, cleanse me… keep your servant from willful sins; do not let them rule me… then I will be blameless and cleansed…
And from the Glory of God revealed, David, in the light of truth, surrenders to the Glory and closes: may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.
When all around me and even with in me, seems to be falling apart and unstable, God is my Rock
When the cost of sin is greater than I can bear, HE is My Redeemer, purchasing my soul from sin’s ransom.
The Heavens declare the glory of God
The Scripture reveal the glory of God
God’s Spirit with me reminds of the glory of God
And Jesus Christ, my rock and my Redeemer, brings ME, a sinner, INTO the Glory of God as I Surrender All
I’m preaching through Colossians. I don’t often post my sermon manuscript but this was from last week, thought it might encourage you today
Only Jesus #9
Colossians 2:16-23
Only One Measure
Therefore – I’ve been thinking about that word a lot this week.
Actually, I’ve had that word on my mind for the last month. That’s where we left off in Colossians. And so as we finished by talking about the Cross. And then we moved into the Mount of Transfiguration …Therefore…
And then Luke 9:23 if anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me …Therefore…
And then Jesus coming down the Mount of Olives, entering Jerusalem by the Eastern Gate, on the back of a donkey, they asked “who is this” and the answer “This is Jesus” …Therefore…
And we hear the words, “It is Finished” on the cross, paid in full, mission accomplished, and “he is not here”, leave the dead places … “He has Risen, just as he said” …Therefore…
It means, “for that reason, consequently”.
It’s just a little conjunction in the Greek, oun – but you perhaps have heard the saying, “if you see, ‘therefore’ stop and look to see what is it there fore.”
And Unknown Poet wrote these words:
THEREFORE
The tragedy of life is not death,
But what we let die inside us.
THEREFORE,
Decide to be happy,
Render others happy,
Proclaim your joy.
Love passionately your miraculous life:
Do not listen to promises;
Do not wait for a better world;
Be grateful for every moment of life.
Switch on the positive buttons in yourself;
Those marked optimum, serenity,
Confidence, positive thinking.
Love, pray, and thank God every day.
Meditate, smile, laugh, whistle, sing
And dance.
Look with fascination at everything.
Fill your lungs and heart with liberty.
Be yourself, fully and immensely.
Act like a (king or) queen unto death.
Feel God in your body, and mind,
Heart and soul, and be
Convinced of eternal life.
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Therefore…
It is such a common word, though rather small, in the Greek, but it is NOT insignificant.
There are many wonderful “therefore” verses in scripture.
One of my favorite ones is 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 which reminds that Christians don’t grieve like those without hope, because we believe that Jesus died and rose, and so we believe that those who die in the Lord will come with him one day… when the trumpet sounds and the Lord comes, we will be caught up together meeting them in the sky, and that we will ALWAYS be WITH the Lord.
“Therefore, encourage one another with these words.”
“Therefore” means we Look Back to what WAS, and Look Forward to what WILL be…
THEREFORE …
So, going back to Colossians what we have already seen?
Jesus is the image of the invisible God.
Everything was created by him – Everything
By Him all things hold together – ALL Things
He is the Head of the Church.
He is the Firstborn from the dead.
He has made peace for us with God, by the blood shed on the cross.
We were alienated from God, but IN Christ, we are reconciled.
And we will be presented Holy and Blameless to God.
Then in Chapter 2, Paul says that the cross marked us as belonging to him. The cross erased our debt, and Disarmed our Spiritual Enemies, stole their weapons, and disgraced them publicly. He has triumphed over our enemies and leads us in a victory procession …
THEREFORE
READ Colossians 2:16-23
The rest of this letter is all about the “Therefore”
– How THEREFORE shall we live?
For that reason –
There are many things we do “for a reason”. There are plenty of things we do in the church, or in our religious expression, the decisions we make, “for a reason”. The question is, is it for a GODLY Reason – does it MATTER? It is for the Right Reason.
Because of the Cross
Because of the Sacrifice
Because of the Cost
Because of the LOVE – given and returned …
1. Be Judged By Substance
Remember our title is ONLY ONE MEASURE
– in the church we are often using measures with no substance. Oh, they are traditions, or preferences, even personal convictions, but is there TRUE SUBSTANCE?
Only One Measure
Don’t let anyone judge you in regard to food and drink, by festivals, new moons, or sabbath.
These battles were going on in the church. There were Jews, now Christian, but they wanted the Gentiles to follow their Old Covenant traditions. They wanted them to follow food laws, or festivals, or worship on the Sabbath as well as the new practice of worshiping on “The Lord’s Day.”
But those things weren’t normal for the Gentiles. Nor were they commanded by Christ. The Jews were offended if the Gentiles bought meat in their markets that often had been sacrificed to idols. It created tension and troubles.
This wasn’t unique to Colossae, just like it isn’t unique today to one church or region.
Romans 14:3 (CSB)
3One who eats must not look down on one who does not eat, and one who does not eat must not judge one who does, because God has accepted him.
Romans 14:17 (CSB)
17for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
WHY are we NOT judged by these traditions?
V17 – those things were shadows –
Hebrews 10:1 (CSB)
1Since the law has only a shadow of the good things to come, and not the reality itself of those things, it can never perfect the worshipers by the same sacrifices they continually offer year after year.
Shadows … form but no substance. Action but no power
Shadows don’t have cheering sections
Shadows shouldn’t be worshiped
Tradition is wonderful, in its place; but we must keep our eyes set on the SUBSTANCE
Traditions don’t make us perfect, they just tell a story.
What did Paul say in Romans 14:3? It’s not about food and drink, “because God has Accepted You.” Do you see the underlying thing? Often times we are busy checking someone else’s boxes, what THEY call substance.
Don’t do that, because In Christ, we are already accepted.
The CROSS makes us acceptable, NOT the songs we sing, or the Bible translation we use, or the service schedule.
No, Jesus makes us acceptable.
Romans 14:17 says the Kingdom… is NOT eating and drinking but righteousness, peace, and joy…
I have news for us … When we All Get To Heaven … there won’t be hymnals, or bulletins. There won’t be video projectors either…
But there WILL be:
Righteousness – given by Christ…
Peace with God – acquired by Christ…
And Joy
– and that joy will flow into authentic worship, new songs as well as old, silence, shouting, celebration, and great gratitude. The only tears will be tears of Joy and Gratitude.
Paul is saying, “Don’t let anyone steal your Joy” by judging you without substance.
You’ve heard me say, “happiness is about what happens to you, but Joy is about what is INSIDE.” And someone recently asked me, “then what’s inside, where’s the Joy?”
RIGHT there in Romans 14:17 – Joy in the Holy Spirit
When you gave your heart to Christ, hearing the gospel, believing, you were then given the Holy Spirit. (Eph.1:13-14)
What did Jesus say The Spirit would do, John 16:13-15?
He declares what is to come…
Glorifies Jesus…
He takes from Jesus and gives to us…
He reminds us that Jesus Christ died to make us righteous, to give us peace with God, and Jesus is going to come again and will fulfill every promise…
Therefore – Be Joyful, Be Faithful to Substantive Worship v18
Let no one condemn you because they delighting in ascetic worship practices and visions etc.
You see while we have the traditionalist that wants to pull you into their tradition; we also have the experiential worshipper that feels they are more spiritual than you because they have special experiences.
Sometimes our “therefore” is that we have an image of the way it used to be, when it was best, or that special “high”, and we long for THAT experience.
Oh, it’s fine to look back, but we don’t need to try and recreate the past, or even the special, not even the great move of God …
ONLY ONE MEASURE…
Therefore, remember the past and consequently move toward the future
What is our future? A vast multitude around the throne of God from every people group, worshiping in Heaven. Revelation 5, 7, 9
Therefore, I want our worship, our service, our church today, our judgment of authentic to be People coming to know Jesus, made right with God, on the way to Glory.
Notice there in vv18-19 … when we hold to tradition or to special experience, we take our eyes off Christ, we hold on to the empty and not to the substance. We get puffed up with empty notions of what is spiritual, and so we have in essence taken the Head, Christ, Off the Body. And we end up with a Headless Church. That’s a monster, a freak, with no power and no life.
Judge by Substance and be
2. Free from Bondage
Paul shifts from talking about those who judge us, to those of us who ALLOW ourselves to stay bound to that empty judgment.
Why do you submit V20 if you died with Christ?
Romans 6 talks about what the Cross did for us.
Romans 6:4 Therefore … wait – backup…
Romans 6 paints this picture.
6:1 – should we continue bound to enlarge grace?
6:2 – absolutely not!
6:3 – we were baptized into Christ, baptized into death
6:4 – Therefore we were buried with him by baptism into death … raised to Life … so we may walk in the newness of life
6:17-18 – thank Godthat you used to be a slave to sin, but you have been SET FREE
Romans 6:22–23 (CSB)
22But now, since you have been set free from sin and have become enslaved to God, you have your fruit, which results in sanctification—and the outcome is eternal life! 23For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Free from Sin, a gift of grace … free from The Law …
Therefore, don’t live as if you belong to the world.
Don’t think that you can set rules, “don’t handle, don’t taste, don’t touch”
Why?
V22 all of these will perish
Human commands and doctrines will die WITH us
V23 self-made religions, false humility, not of any value.
And in all of this is the implied “therefore”
Judged by Substance
Free from Bondage
Therefore, we have
3. ONE MEASURE – Only Jesus
Live to Christ
Romans 6:8–11 (CSB)
8Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him, 9because we know that Christ, having been raised from the dead, will not die again. Death no longer rules over him. 10For the death he died, he died to sin once for all time; but the life he lives, he lives to God. 11So, you too consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
In Christ we didn’t die to be covered in dirt … we die to Rise to LIFE and GLORY
1 Peter 2:24 (CSB)
24He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree; so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
Oh my my my … when I typed in that verse the other day, tears welled in my eyes.
ONE MEASURE … ONE GOAL
Jesus, Beaten, Mocked, Beard Plucked, Cross carried through the streets of Jerusalem, Arms stretched wide, Thorn-crowned head, Nailed to THE CROSS – but that wasn’t the hardest. The hardest was He BORE my sin, he became sin …
SO THAT – YES – SO THAT – WE MIGHT LIVE – FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS
Galatians 2:20 (CSB)
20I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
I like the KJV – I am crucified with Christ – NEVERTHELESS
But The YLT – says, with Christ I have been crucified, and live no more do I, and Christ doth live in me; and that which I now live in the flesh – in the faith I live of the Son of God, who did love me and did give himself for me
Oh that’s Beautiful … because he DID die for me … because he did LOVE me …
I Live To Him
I LIVE IN Christ
Christ IN ME
I Live FOR Christ
That is … we live with our eyes set on the KINGDOM of God – the Kingdom that HAS Come, the Kingdom that IS Coming.
What was Jesus’ first message?
Repent for the Kingdom has come NEAR
– Stop going that way, turn around – Here It IS
Seeing what he has done for us, and what will be given TO us
Therefore We…
Live For His Glory
How did he teach us to pray?
Our Father your name is Honored and Holy
Your Kingdom come, your will be done
On earth AS it is IN Heaven
The “Therefore” in this life is living like a Citizen of Heaven, while we are foreigners, aliens, on earth.
Let go of the temporary stuff, live toward glory
Live for His Passion
– what’s his passion?
God so loved the world … that he gave his son … that WHOSOEVER
Let LOVE Govern our Lives … We are not driven by Tradition. We are not driven by Rules. We are not hunting some spiritual feeling, some great spiritual high we had or even heard about. No, Loved… We Love in Grateful Obedience. Remembering what he HAS done, Realizing what WILL be… We Love toward the glory that is to come.
Ana Draper wrote …
I Was Loved, Therefore I Am
I was loved, therefore I am
And in being loved, I am treasured
When I pealed away my layers,
And all that was left was my essence,
The bareness of me,
I am STILL loved.
I was loved, therefore I am,
And in being loved, I was able to grow.
In my mistakes, held
In my successes, celebrated,
I was always loved
I was loved, therefore I am,
And in being loved, I learned to love.
In the sun-filled day,
In the ecstasy of the night,
I was loved and loved others.
To be loved is all you need.
I was loved, and so will I always be.
– Ana Draper –
God so loved the world – he gave his only son … that whoever believes in him will have everlasting life – John 3:16
This is how we know what love is, Jesus laid down his life for us and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers … 1 John 3:16
I was loved … THEREFORE
I was loved … Therefore – LOVE is my Only Measure
You were loved
You ARE loved
You WILL BE loved
Jesus died on the cross to defeat the sin that destroys … because he loved you
He is preparing a place for all who will receive that love and live in it.
Therefore – Receive it, and Love him in Return, Live according to it, TODAY
I look Back, Yesterday, the cross gave us a reason for Hope
I Look Forward, Tomorrow, Jesus will come Just as God has promised and Provided.
Therefore, Right now … we are Living In the “THEREFORE”
I got a text from a friend today. It’s not unusual for us to text each other with a thought or a question as we study the word, or think through the issues we face. The question today was, “Joshua 6 – Jericho, shouts and the walls came down. Scripture just says they shouted. Shouted what? Shouts of praise?”
And I had one of those clarifying moments. Profound? Well you decide. The thought that went through my heart was,
“The Key is never the WHAT but the THAT!”
And I texted that then continued, “It’s about Faith and Obedience. Think about all the things in that incident alone. The marching didn’t do it. The shouting didn’t do it. The walking around the city did not do it. The walls didn’t start to erode or crumble days 1-6. They didn’t shake on revolutions 1-6 on day 7. No, it was THAT they believed and obeyed. And Joshua 6 says, ‘When they heard the rams horns and they troops gave a great shout, the walls collapsed.”
And then my thought continued, “and what was left standing when the dust settled? It was Rahab’s section of the wall, where she was in her ‘apartment’ with her family in obedience to the instruction given. Red cord hanging from her window. Was the red cord magic? No. Oh the red cord is a beautiful picture of salvation, but it was THAT she believed and obeyed.”
And then I texted one other example from that story, from the flip side. “When Achan stole a robe, a little silver, and a little gold; it wasn’t WHAT he took, it was THAT he didn’t trust God and obey. He took God’s part.”
Then the final observation, “It’s always about Faith and Obedience. It’s interesting how many times God did something UNIQUE in the circumstance. Whether Moses, Joshua, Gideon, David, Daniel, many manifestations of God’s power, but every time the action is unique. The uniqueness was that there wasn’t a ‘magic incantation’ or a ‘rain dance’, it was always about Faith and Obedience.
It’s not about the WHAT, its always about the THAT – Faith and Obedience.
There’s a word I don’t like, “Later” – Read John 13:36 –
I/We usually want what we want, NOW. That’s why we have microwaves. We’d rather have it NOW, even if it is rubbery, and less flavorful, we want it NOW, not later. But that brings up some questions
1.Who is Saying – Later?
If a parent or authority says, “Later” – If the Lord God says, “Later” – that’s the ANSWER. Or at least it SHOULD be. Jesus says to Peter, v36 “where I am going you cannot follow me NOW but LATER you will. (Emphasis mine) Remember these are the words of our Omniscient, Omnisapient, Omnibenevolent Lord. And He is saying, “Following me in THIS THING”, his death – burial – resurrection – ascension, “is NOT for NOW, but for LATER”, KJV says afterward. If the Lord says it, receive it.
If a parent, if our boss, if the Lord, says, “Later”, it is a command, it is loving, it is right.
On the contrary, if a child, a subordinate, a servant of the Lord, responds to the voice of instruction with, “no I want it NOW”, or “I’ll do that later”, that is disrespectful, distrustful, disobedience.
Then the next question
2. What Does it Mean – “Later”?
It means, you have OTHER things to do NOW. You will NOT do that now, you will do that later, because NOW you have something else to do, THIS.
What is it, NOW, we are to be doing? Well put this verse in its context. Go back to v31. Jesus says to the disciples,
NOW the Son is glorified and God is glorified
We don’t understand it all because we are little children v33. So, right NOW, we need to make the most of the opportunity we have NOW, v34 a new command I give you, LOVE ONE ANOTHER v35 by this (LOVE) everyone will know … if you love.
That is the command of the Lord, but Peter is distracted by Jesus saying in v33 that he is going somewhere, and so he’s not listening.
Oh we ARE such little children. And Peter says, “I want to go with you”, but Jesus says, “Not now, later”. And of course, little Peter says, “why can’t I follow you now, I’m committed” v37. But for Peter to follow in Death at THAT time, a) wasn’t his job and b) wouldn’t accomplish HIS task OR the Kingdom task.
So, not NOW but Later, there is something else for NOW
Brings up another question then,
3. When Is It?
When Jesus says it is best, when he deems appropriate, when everything is prepared.
Jesus is saying, “Peter, you aren’t as committed as you think” v38 “you are going to deny 3 times TONIGHT, so stick with the plan I am giving you. Let’s focus on the Loving and the Living, the glorifying me with your life, and death will come soon enough”
4. So –
v14.1 Let not your heart be troubled –
Oh isn’t that instruction beautiful in context?
“Peter, you want to do MY job, you want to go where I must go, you are Troubled about the wrong things.” And I hearken to Matthew 6:33 seek first the Kingdom of Heaven … everything else will fall into place.
Don’t be troubled – not by your coming failure – you will deny me 3 times tonight
Don’t be troubled – not by your coming struggles in service
Don’t be troubled – not in the frustrations of waiting for later
Believe in God, Believe in Me – Trust me little children
NOW – v14:2-3 – I’m preparing a place for you in Heaven, with me, by the cross, by my resurrection, after my ascension, I will return and take you there, LATER.
So, NOW – Love one another. NOW – Display my glory. NOW – Tell my story. NOW – LIVE for me. Oh child, you WILL follow me, later, after you do this, NOW.
When Jesus received the sour wine, he said “it is finished.” Then bowing his head, he gave up his spirit.
Can you see this moment of death for the Son of God, Son of Man?
And here he is, dying, innocent.
Is this just a tragic day? It is an ugly, unfortunate accident, injustice? Is it an awesome example of faith, devotion, and love?
Can you let me “hit rewind” from that moment in History?
His head lifts
You see Mary at the cross on Golgotha. John, the Apostle is given charge of her. The soldiers gamble, without concern, for his clothing as a souvenir.
He is placed on the cross with a sign overhead in Aramaic, Latin, and Greek saying ‘Jesus of Nazareth: King of the Jews’.
He had been handed over to this brutality because the people cried, ‘Crucify Him! Crucify Him!’
They had put a crown of thorns on his head, mocked his role and reign, after beating him 39 times with a ‘cat of nine tales’, a brutal torture device that tears flesh to the bone.
Before that, he was questioned by Pilate, rejected by Caiaphas, the High Priest, laughed at by Herod
Peter had denied him 3 times in the later night, early morning hours
In the Garden of Gethsemane he was arrested while praying in anguish, anguish over what he knew was coming, yet he desired the will of God, the completion of his plan.
He had prayed for US, “sanctify them, Father, protect them, give them unity, so that the world may believe.”
In a little while he said you will not see me, and then for a little while I’m sending a Comforter, an encourager, to strengthen and give you wisdom, The Holy Spirit.
He said, I am the vine, you are the branches, abide fruitfully in me
I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life
I AM the Resurrection and the Life
My sheep hear my voice and follow me, and I know them and I lay down my life for them, they follow me and I give them eternal life.
He called us to take up the cross and follow him
He heals blind, lame, and sick as he went
Before Abraham, I AM
I AM the Light of the World
He forgives a woman caught in adultery
I AM the Bread of Life sent from the Father, you must confusme me to have life
He who believes in me, streams of living water overflow
Going to the land of the Samaritans to offer life to everyone
You must be born again, but don’t worry, God so loved the world that he gave his only Son that whoever believes has Eternal Life.
Still moving backwards,
The Word became flesh and lived among us to show us God’s Grace and Truth.
And here is Jesus the man, God with US, one of us.
Yet He was there in the Beginning, God, and With God.
He was there when Israel was captive in Babylon
He was there when Isaiah saw him, high and lifted up
He was there when David wrote songs of his glory.
He was there with Israel in the wilderness
He gave Moses the Law
He revealed himself to Moses, the Existing One, in a Burning Bush on Mt. Sinai
He was with Abraham, leading to a new Land, promising offspring and afuture.
He was with Noah through the Flood.
He reached down and formed man and women of the dust of the earth.
He spoke the world into Existence – Let there be, his product, his plan, his purpose.
And before all of that, God is in Eternity and in his plans, the Holy Trinitarian decision was to create a people, and a place, a people to be the object of his affection. But God in omniscience knows that the object of his affection, will disobey, and sin, and they will prove unworthy of the presence of God, and in the immediacy of the knowledge of God, only one thing can be done.
Jesus, the Son of God, 2nd Person of the Trinity, says, I will have to DIE, in order to take away that sin, so that all who will believe may enter in to the goodness of our affection.”
“I Will Redeem Our Creation”
And so, he was slain from the foundation of the earth …
Why?
Because a debt must be paid.
So then, we fast forward back to the Cross
And in John 19:30 Jesus says, “IT Is Finished!” – “Paid in Full”
IT – this thing known and planned from Eternity, NOW it is a moment in the History of God’s Creation.
Now, the Object of his Affection can find their debt forgiven, a Holy Debt paid, by a Holy Perfect Sacrifice.
Found here is a picture of the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. In Verse 30 there is our outline:
Received the sour wine, Bowed his head, Gave up his Spirit
The Doctrine of Redemption
Redemption = to buy back, release from bondage
In Eden, God told Adam, if you eat of that tree you will die. Adam and Eve ate of the tree of the “knowledge of good and evil”, and they reaped the fruit of disobedience
James 1:14-15 reminds us that they were not, and we are not ever tempted by God but each person is tempted / drawn away / enticed by his own evil desires. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death
And so it was that day, Adam and Eve, perhaps had been tempted every day by the “what if” of sin. That day they gave in, and desire conceived and gave birth to sin, and sin, fully grown gave way to death.
John 8:34 (CSB) 34Jesus responded, “Truly I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.
Romans 6:16 (CSB) 16Don’t you know that if you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of that one you obey—either of sin leading to death or of obedience leading to righteousness?
And Romans 6:23 tells us the wages of sin is death
Now today we are explaining a Grand Story
We are about to run through Scripture, so see the Redemptive work of God in Christ.
You might take notes, or you might just open your heart and receive it, then go back later work through it. I will post my manuscript on my blog.
For now, Glory in Jesus with Me – Jesus Our Redeemer
1. Receiving The Sour Wine
In John 13, Jesus was sharing Passover with his disciples.
None of them had humbled themselves and washed the feet of the others.
In v4, Jesus “got up from the supper, laid aside his outer clothing, took a towel … poured water in a basin and began to wash their feet. v12 says when Jesus had washed their feet … He …put on the outher clothing, he reclined again and said to them ‘do you know what I have done for you?”
Jesus came, lived, served, died, and returned to heaven,
Do You Know what he has done for you?
There on the cross, Jesus is receiving the most bitter, pungent, astringent of the “sour wine”, as he dies an awful death. It is a death he died in eternity past, and now in our History.
Philippians 2:5-8 says he Existed in the form of God … equal with God … bue he did not exploit his rights … he didn’t flaunt his glory …
Jesus bid the praises be silenced and he …
Emptied Himself (Philippians 2:6)
He laid aside his outer garment of Divine Glory
2 Corinthians 8:9 says, “though he was rich, for your sake, he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich”
And he
Became a Servant – 2:7
He washed us, he came as a man. Matthew 20:28 says the son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
How many? John 1:12 – all who believe … all who receive
God knows the number, but we determine the number by faith or rejection.
Peter said, Lord don’t wash me … in John 13 and Jesus said, if I don’t wash you have no part in me
And the in Philippians 2:8, Paul says
He Humbled Himself / Obedient to Death
Sure obedience is easy when it is pleasant. It’s simple when it is joyful, but this is SOUR WINE
To the point of death, even death on a cross
Death was The Point, and the Cross was the Path to Redemption
Slain from the foundation of the earth
1 Peter 1:18–20 (CSB) 18For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, 19but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb. 20He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was revealed in these last times for you.
Receiving the Sour Wine …
2. Bowing His Head
He was obedient, he submitted to death for us, greater love has no one than this …
1 John 3:16 says this is how we know what love is, Jesus laid down his life for us
If receiving the sour wine is what Jesus did in leaving heaven, coming, serving, dying, and returning … then bowing his head, is the Why.
Peter preached it at Pentecost
Acts 2:22–24 (CSB) 22“Fellow Israelites, listen to these words: This Jesus of Nazareth was a man attested to you by God with miracles, wonders, and signs that God did among you through him, just as you yourselves know. 23Though he was delivered up according to God’s determined plan and foreknowledge, you used lawless people to nail him to a cross and kill him. 24God raised him up, ending the pains of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by death.
He came to us, lived among us, that he might
Die as ONE of Us
Matthew 1:21 (CSB) 21She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
Isaiah 53:12 (CSB) 12… he willingly submitted to death, and was counted among the rebels; yet he bore the sin of many and interceded for the rebels.
Why? That he might …
Die in PLACE of us
Romans 5:6–8 (CSB) 6For while we were still helpless, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly. 7For rarely will someone die for a just person—though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. 8But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
In a powerless situation, came a powerful demonstration, to bring about a personal transformation
Galatians 3:13–14 (CSB) 13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, because it is written, Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree. 14The purpose was that the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles by Christ Jesus, so that we could receive the promised Spirit through faith.
And the blessing of Abraham was available to us. That blessing was not land, or prosperity, it was the SEED, Jesus, for us.
Death as one of us, in place of us …
To Die a Complete and Perfect Sacrifice
2 Corinthians 5:18–19, 21 (CSB) 18Everything is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. 19That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and he has committed the message of reconciliation to us.
21He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
God could not ignore or overlook our debt, but our account had to be reconciled so
Hebrews 9:12 (CSB) 12he entered the most holy place once for all time, not by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.
And 9:15 says he is the mediator of a new covenant that we … might receive the promise of an eternal redemption from the transgressions committed
So, slain from the foundation of the earth
Living in holiness and obedience
Paying our debt …
3. He Gave Up His Spirit
He didn’t die beaten
He didn’t die failing
He said IT IS FINISHED!
This is the redemptive work of Christ, the Cup of Sour Wine
In the Garden, Jesus asked if there was any way, let the cup pass, but not my will but yours be done. Then on Golgotha he drank the cup to the last drop, saying
It is Finished
– Tetelestai – had several meanings
a servant would say to his Master “tetelestai” or “I have finished the work you assigned me” John 17:4 (CSB) I have glorified you on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.
When the Priest looked at an animal for sacrifice and found it perfect / faultless, he would say, “tetelestai” – Jesus knew his sacrifice was perfect and as both priest and lamb he said, “It is Finished”
when an artist or an author finished their work, they would say, “tetelestai” and here the beautiful picture of salvation that was begun in the Garden of Eden, went to Abraham and Isaac, through The Law’s sacrificial system, shadowed what was coming; but then in Christ the details and the final strokes of his brush, stained red on the cross … Jesus said “Tetelestai” and held it up for the World to admire. The Author and Finisher of our Faith put down the final words of his Story of Salvation and said “It Is Finished”
But the greatest, is that countless accounting books contained these words stamped across the bill, “tetelestai”, meaning “Paid In Full”. For all who will believe and receive – a debt satisfied
Psalm 49:5–15 (CSB) 5Why should I fear in times of trouble? … 6… wealth and … riches. 7… cannot redeem a person or pay his ransom to God— 8since the price of redeeming him is too costly, one should foreverstop trying— 9so that he may live forever and not see the Pit. 10… the wise die; the foolish and stupid also pass away. Then they leave their wealth to others. 11Their graves are their permanent homes, their dwellings from generation to generation, though they have named estates after themselves. 12But despite his assets, mankind will not last; he is like the animals that perish. 13This is the way of those who are arrogant, and of their followers, who approve of their words. 14Like sheep they are headed for Sheol; Death will shepherd them. The upright will rule over them in the morning, and their form will waste away in Sheol, far from their lofty abode. 15But God will redeem me from the power of Sheol, for he will take me.
Like sheep heading to slaughter
BUT God
But GOD
BUT GOD will redeem me from the power of the grave
Revelation 5:9 (CSB) 9And they sang a new song: You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slaughtered, and you purchased people for God by your blood from every tribe and language and people and nation.
He paid a debt he did not owe, a debt I could not pay, and in doing that Our Redeemer Gave us things only he could give us …
Forgiveness
Colossians 1:13–14 (CSB) 13He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son he loves. 14In him we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
And
Citizenship
Titus 2:14 (CSB) 14He gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people for his own possession, eager to do good works.
And in Christ we become part of those people
But more than just people … Children of God
John 1:12 says that when we believe and receive we attain the RIGHT to be God’s children. We are all God’s creation, but only in Christ do we become his Children. But in their economy, only Adult Sons had full rights … and so in Christ Jesus we all have
Sonship
Galatians 4:4–7 (CSB)
4When the time came to completion, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!”7So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then God has made you an heir.
As adult sons we have …
An Inheritance
1 Peter 1:3–4 (CSB) 3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead 4and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.
And he gave us …
His Spirit
Oh my, 2 Corinthians 5 says we groan while in this body, in these days of difficulty and dying, we groan for relief, but God is going to swallow up this mortality with LIFE … the reason for which we were created …
2 Corinthians 5:5 (CSB) 5Now the one who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment.
Heaven IS coming, Glory awaits, and in the meantime, we have God the Holy Spirit within us, a gift of grace. And with the Holy Spirit, Our Redeemer, redeeming us, has the most critical thing for us …
Freedom
John 8:36 (CSB) 36So if the Son sets you free, you really will be free.
Galatians 5:1 (CSB) 1For freedom, Christ set us free. Stand firm, then, and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery.
We have been freed at the Cross. We are being led into a life of Freedom
And so, in obedience, as Psalm 119:44-45 I will obey and walk about in freedom
Forgiveness, Citizenship, Sonship, Inheritance, His Spirit, and Freedom – that is the Redemptive Work and Gift of God in Christ at the Cross.
And so Peter preached from Psalm 16 as he preached at Pentecost saying
Acts 2:25-28, my heart is glad … my tongue rejoices … my flesh will rest in hope … because you will not abandon me to hades or allow me to see decay … you have revealed the path of life
vv32-33 he says, God has raised this Jesus … he has been exalted to the right hand of the Father … because Peter says Jesus, you crucified is both Lord and Messiah
And they asked, What should we Do Acts 2:37
That is the right question today – What Should We Do?
And Peter answers, “Turn around” – Repent – because in the name of Jesus is Forgiveness of sins, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and that Promise is for all, even those far off
Yes … The Wages of sin is Death … But the Gift of God is Eternal Life in Jesus Christ our Lord
Because Hebrews 9:12 says, He entered the most holy place ONCE FOR ALL TIME … by His Own Blood … and Also 9:28 proclaims Christ … offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time … to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him
I’ve published this before so let me give you the Highlights
Psalm 20:7
Who To Vote For
“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.” – Samuel Adams
I Particularly like this next quote from the greatest president:
“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
Psalm 20:7(NIV84) says: Some trust in chariots and some trust in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God
Psalm 20:1–9 (CSB)
1May the Lord answer you in a day of trouble; may the name of Jacob’s God protect you. 2May he send you help from the sanctuary and sustain you from Zion. 3May he remember all your offerings and accept your burnt offering. Selah 4May he give you what your heart desires and fulfill your whole purpose. 5Let us shout for joy at your victory and lift the banner in the name of our God. May the Lord fulfill all your requests. 6Now I know that the Lord gives victory to his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with mighty victories from his right hand. 7Some take pride in chariots, and others in horses, but we take pride in the name of the Lord our God. 8They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand firm. 9Lord, give victory to the king! May he answer us on the day that we call.
1. Some Trust in Chariots
Some Trust in War Machines
Some Trust in a Vehicle
How will you Vote?
Some … Trust in Chariots
2. Some Trust In Horses
But David says,
“some trust in chariots and some trust in horses …”
Interestingly Some trust in ONE party the “Chariot Party”, and Some Trust in Another Party the “Horse Party” …
David said “some trust in Chariots, others in Horses but WE WILL TRUST …”
3. In the Name of the Lord Our God
We Will Trust in a NAME … authority and power.
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 their 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 isa Name
Philippians 2:10–11 (CSB)
10 at the name of Jesus every knee will bow— in heaven and on earth and under the earth— 11 and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Romans 13:1b says “there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God.”
So that begs an interesting question.
How Would Jesus Vote?
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. I believe he would be:
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. Oh my but that means ALL life.
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. Right is RIGHT … and Wrong on Top of Wrong doesn’t equal a right.
Pro Family – the oldest ceremony in the history of humans is the ceremony of marriage. Marriage is a sacred thing. 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. We can vote that value, but remember we live in an ungodly world, and we are a church. Vote your values but don’t expect everyone to agree. But we are the Church and We can Live our Beliefs
Pro God – We do not know what the future holds. 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. So, let me add that Jesus would also be:
Pro Poor
Pro Prisoner
Pro Hungry
Pro Thirsty
Matthew 25:35-36“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
How Should I Vote?
“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
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 obligation
Faithfully – VOTE, it is your right and your DUTY
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.
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 …
It is Better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man
Are you afraid? – Psalm 56:3when I am afraid, I will trust in you
These are principles for voting. But I did Promise to 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:
ExecutiveExperience?
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 in 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 sack 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.
SocialPrograms?
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 of the 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
So then,
Ladies and Gentlemen, let me introduce to you the ONLY Candidate you ever Need, worthy of your pride, worthy of your trust, his is the banner we should fly …
Please Join me and Vote for the Lord Jesus Christ!
Place your Trust in Him
VoteJesus
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
He is the Same, Yesterday, Today, and Forever. He Is God. He IS Lord
You might as well follow all the rest of Creation; Vote Jesus Christ this Year and for Life.
Remember he said,
I am the vine, you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me John 15:5
Jean Claude was a mid-17th Century Protestant preacher in Nimes, France.
Charles Simeon lists his General Rules of a Sermon. If you’re a preacher you will hopefully enjoy the reminders.
1) Should be Clearly and Purely Explaining the Text – “it is impossible to edify them unless you are clear”
2) Give the Entire sense of the Whole text – “a sermon cold and poor will do more mischief in an hour than a hundred rich sermons can do good”. Always maintain an esteem and eagerness for practical piety
3) The Preacher must be WISE, SOBER, and CHASTE – wise = don’t spend much time trying to be funny – sober = don’t spend your time on too many “what-ifs”, or “empty history”, or “meaningless investigations” – chaste = don’t be immodest in delivery or take listener’s minds to things that are not pure.
4) Be Simple and Grave – simple = good natural sense without metaphysical speculations – grave = avoid vulgar and proverbial sayings. “the pulpit is the seat of good natural sense”
5) The Understanding must be informed, but in a manner that Affects the HEART – either comfort or excite to acts of piety, repentance, or holiness
6) Avoid Excess – Ne Quid Nimis = don’t do too much
must not be “too much genius” – too much brilliant, sparkling, and striking things point to yourself too much, and the Spirit isn’t evident. If the eye is dazzled too much, the mind is offended by the glare
don’t be “overcharged” with doctrine – if the hearer’s memory can’t retain it all, in trying to retain it all they lose it all. A sermon should instruct, please, affect. So the instructive part should be done in an agreeable fashion
Never strain any particular part – don’t exhaust or penetrate too far
Figures must not be Overstrained – don’t stretch a metaphor to a allegory or carry a parallel to far. Know when to stop
Reasoning must not be Carried too far – don’t stretch one chain to another to another to another. “a medium should be preserved” – before long the listener forgets what we were talking about
As much as possible, Abstain from all sorts of observations Foreign to Theology – Like:
Grammatical observations not within basic knowledge will wear them out, keep it seldom and pertinently
Critical observations about different readings – USE them, but “spare the people”
Avoid Philosophical and Historical observations unless they Heighten the Beauty
Avoid use of quotes from Profane Authors, Rabbis, or Fathers. Use discreetly, properly, for good effect, not vain ostentation of learning
Then Charles Simeon Closes with 3 Things
Take for your subject what you believe is the Mind of God
Mark the Character of the Passage – where is the passage taking listeners (precept, promise, invitation, principle, etc)
Mark the Spirit of the Passage – (tender, compassionate, indignant, menacing) let that be the spirit of your sermon. As ambassadors, we should speak ALL God speaks and AS he speaks – “the meaning should be the warp … the words should be the woof”
He says On Conclusions – be lively and animating, full of great and beautiful figures. Conclusions delight, in inventions of a fine imagination, and not so chaste or regular as the body. “There is no danger when a preacher, in a conclusion, gives himself up to the fire of his genius”
Let me close by saying that when we enter the pulpit to Preach, we have a task that ONLY “Belongs” to us in that it is a responsibility given us by God. It is God’s Word, and all the glory is his. Our words may not be “inspired” like scripture but they better be inspiring. They may not be God-Breathed, but they should come from God’s Heart to ours, and to the congregation. God speaks to us, the Holy Spirit is our guide, but we must study, read, learn, pray, and seek to move people by God and for God. God uniquely fitted us to deliver the word to the people he places in front of us, so use all we have, deliver it with integrity and passion, and leave the results to the Lord.
So, I’m not writing this for anyone really but me.
When a Legend Dies, Martin Luther King Jr, John and Robert Kennedy, James Dean, Elvis Presley all come to mind.
When a Legend dies, it shakes the world. Their death isn’t worse than that of a “regular person” but the reach, the connections, the effect is seismic as we are all connected. Yesterday it was Kobe Bryant. Not since the death of Roberto Clemente of the Pittsburg Pirates have we been so shocked in the sports world.
I had just gotten home from church, turned on the TV to watch a little golf, rest, and prepare for the evening, when a News Alert came up, and a headshot of Kobe Bryant and at the bottom of the screen, (1978-2020) “Kobe Bryant is Dead”. I said, what all did, “Wait, What?”
And here I am 24 hours later and still find emotions rising and tears falling. Why? Fan? Actually not so much. I’m a huge sports fan, a statistics guy, a loyal fan. When it comes to basketball, my loyalties have been fluid. When I was a little boy, I became a Celtic fan briefly because John Havlicek played for them and he had played for Ohio State, where I grew up. Then Dr. J caught my eye and I liked the Sixers. Then Magic Johnson hit the scene in the late 70s and he infected me with his smile, athletic joy, and selfless involvement of his teammates, and I was a Laker fan throughout the 80s. Then we moved to Houston in 1990. I became a Rocket fan. I loved the Rockets because they worked hard, they were passionate, they each knew their role. And that produced two championships.
Then this young kid comes out of High School to play for the Lakers. He seemed brash, entitled, and he wasn’t a Rocket. So, I wasn’t a fan. I wasn’t even impressed at first. It was things off court that didn’t impress me. in 2003 negative headlines came out as youth combined with entitlement and merged into an encounter that brought charges of sexual misconduct. After time, and money, the charges went away. I wasn’t a fan.
But he stayed. He stayed in his marriage and he stayed in the gym. And I should say that Vanessa stayed too. We don’t know much about her, but it was trying, she even miscarried during this time, but she stayed.
There were tensions too on his team, that even 3 championships couldn’t fix. But it turns out the reason was his perception that others weren’t committed to work like he was. He didn’t expect perfection but he expected work.
I’m an outsider, processing pain, but, I saw a guy who continued to play, and gained more championships, was an 18 time All-Star. But in 2011 Vanessa filed for divorce siting “Irreconcilable Differences”. “Irreconcilable”, though doesn’t have to always be true. And like Kobe “the Baller”, Kobe the Husband and Father went back to work. He was not allowing that word to remain true. And by 2013 Vanessa said, “we are pleased to announce that we have RECONCILED. Our divorce action will be dismissed. We are looking forward to our future together.” And last year, 2019, they celebrated 20 years of marriage and in a post Kobe said about Vanessa, “I love you my mamacita per siempre” (mama for always).
He was an amazing basketball player, but as time takes our ability, it doesn’t have to take our passion to be a better person, better spouse, better parents, better children.
So, i’ve sort of become a fan without realizing it.
What I respect about Kobe was that he kept working. Obviously he was willing to say, “I’m sorry”, “and “I need to be better”. But also he was then willing to actually do the work to get better. Yeah, he dropped 60 points on his final day, and he left the game as a player, but he kept getting better. He became a successful investor in business, formed a media company, won an Academy Award, wrote children’s books, non-fiction, and fiction books. He was not living on the past, but moving to the future. His future was about changing the world, being there for his family and for his friends.
Many have commented on the tragedy but I took special note of what Shaquille O’Neal said, “there are no words to express the pain I’m going through now with this tragic and sad moment of losing my NEICE Gigi and my FRIEND, my BROTHER, my partner in winning championships, my dude and my homie.” (emphasis mine). Shaq’s son also posted a text exchange between he and Kobe on Sunday morning before the tragedy as Kobe was checking in on him and Shareef refers to him as “Unc” (uncle).
Why is this important? Because 15+ years ago they played together, but they fought and feuded and eventually Shaq was traded. Both had success apart, but it could have ended a partnership and a friendship. To me, it is obvious that BOTH men valued friendship over agreement. And both continued to do the work and build their friendship to the level of FAMILY, brotherhood.
Changing the world, valuing friends, and loving family that’s what mattered.
I’m a fan of that
What now? Some thoughts
Don’t wallow in failure, get to work.
Don’t let past words define your present or future reality.
Say, “I’m sorry”, “I’m wrong”, and “What can I do to make this right?”
Enjoy the past successes, but move toward a new future.
Learn to do something new and work to do it at the highest level.
People Matter
LOVE
So, I can’t speak to Kobe’s faith. I’ve read that he was Catholic and became more fervent after some of those trials. I pray that his family and those of the others lost will turn to Christ for strength and find hope through faith in Jesus Christ.
9 Lives lost yesterday. 3 Husbands/Fathers, 3 Wives/Mothers, 3 Teenage Girls, and 5 families devastated. A tragedy most powerful because it touches such a broad base of the world.
I will finish then with where my thoughts went today, living as if today might be my last. Here are words from C.T. Studd, a famous British Cricketer, who became a Missionary in China.
Two little lines I heard one day, Traveling along life’s busy way; Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart; Only one life, twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last. Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done; Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgement seat; Only one life,’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God’s holy will to cleave; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears; Each with its clays I must fulfill, living for self or in His will; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.
When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score; When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep; Faithful and true what e’er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Oh let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn; Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne; Only one life, “twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say,”Thy will be done”; And when at last I’ll hear the call, I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”; Only one life,’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last. ”
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last. And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be, If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee
Paul says in Philippians 4:16-17(CSB) “…you sent gifts for my need several times. 17 Not that I seek the gift But I seek the profit that is increasing to your account”
Seems like I remember someone saying that we should not lay up treasures on earth, but lay up treasures in our heavenly account?
Are we just saving up for a rainy day? Is this “Christian Karma” living? No it doesn’t work that way.
When we are in need, God doesn’t go into our Heavenly Account and take care of us, no, he takes care of us from the wealth of interest in his OWN Account. V19 says “my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus”. That’s because of his wealth not out of his wealth.
So I’m NOT trying to store up for a rainy day, spiritually or physically, I’m investing in Heaven, trying to increase the Kingdom, add to the population of the eternal.
And the result of our investment is We are Saints, and Others Become Saints. And the other result of the investment is that when all is said and done, what remains is GRACE.
Isaiah 55:10-11 “for just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return there without saturating the earth and making it germinate and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, 11 so my word that comes from my mouth will not return to me empty, but it will accomplish what I please and will prosper in what I send it to do.”
The grace of God, the Gospel of God, always produces the intended result.
A life, given on purpose, is an eternal investment to the glory of God and the salvation of souls.
Under Oliver Cromwell’s government, they ran out of silver for coins. They looked all over for silver. The report came back that the only silver they could find was in the statues of saints in the churches. Cromwell is reported as saying “melt down the saints and put them into circulation!”
Melt down the saints and put them intocirculation
Who’s in?
Everything of value save Christ, Melt it down
Everything that would keep us from laying down our lives, Melt it down
Pride, Self-Exaltation, Melt it Down
May we be lives given that Coins of Grace be minted in the hearts of those around us
In the furnace of persecution, melt us down and put us into circulation.
May our only currency be blood, sweat, and tears given to the glory of God
Pleasing, acceptable, sacrifices, Sweet Smelling to the Lord
And I had one of those clarifying moments. Profound? Well you decide. The thought that went through my heart was, 
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Pastor Goforth 