July 27, 2009

"As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God." Psalm 42:1

You have been there. So have I.

On a hot summer day after exercising or working in the yard, you feel like you are dying of thirst. You can't get to the 'fridge fast enough to crack open a bottle of water or a sports drink. And when you do - ahhh, the relief! The cool feel of the liquid down your parched throat and on your tongue is immediately refreshing. You thirst is slaked and your strength returns.

The Psalmist parallels that physical experience to a spiritual need. He says that he has the same desperate thirst for God as when he longs for a refreshing drink of cold water. His soul "pants" for God.

He was in the heat of a spiritual battle. He was opposed on every side. The heat from the battle was exhausting him and he was about to faint. His need was critical to the point of desperation.

When was the last time you were that desperate for God?

Jesus said, "Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled."

God promises to respond to spiritually desperate people.

And I want you to notice that the Psalmist was not just talking about a drink of water, he was talking about "streams" of water. That is significant for several reasons.

First, a stream flows from a source. It always flows down from a source that is higher than us.

Second, since a stream flows, it is constantly fresh. Unlike a pool or a pond where water collects and stands, a stream continually refreshes itself.

Third, a stream is a steady and reliable source of refreshment.

Fourth, it is an unlimited supply of fresh cool water.

Are you getting thirsty?

Science says that about 60% of our bodies are made of water. So God built us with a big need to be hydrated with water.

Spiritually, the same is true. Our spiritual life and growth are highly dependent on His living water. You can say that we need to be hydrated or "high-drated" - or "He-drated".

Are you desperate for God? Is your soul panting for Him? What are you thirsting for?

When you have the thirst, He has the stream.

July 26, 2009

These are challenging times for many of us with health problems, financial stresses, family pressures and fear and frustrations related to your jobs. It can get overwhelming. These things can test our faith and cause us to give into doubt and discouragement.

I have had enough conversations and counseling sessions with you guys to know that some of you are walking through some deep waters and other are in the heat of the battle. So I thought that some encouragement might in order this morning. Let me begin by sharing a great portion of Scripture for you who are struggling:

“But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…..” Isaiah 43:1-3

From Exodus 14 I want to show you how God can use the things that threaten to destroy you and deliver you! We will look at “A Celebration By the Sea” and draw from it some truths that I hope will strengthen and encourage you.

TRUTH ONE – GOD ORCHESTRATES THE OPPOSITION, Vv. 1-9

This is very evident in there verses, but also we see how God has proved that He is in control of other situations:

"One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. 7 The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it." Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied. "Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face." The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger. Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD." Job 1:6-12

God orchestrated the terms and conditions of Job's trial.

Paul told us in Romans that same truth:

“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” I Corinthians 10:13

Jesus assured Peter that He was in control of the testing that was to come:

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." Luke 22:31

God uses the enemy, the accuser, to accomplish His purpose in our life for His glory. These Scriptures affirm that and this story proves it.

Pharoah amassed his power and might to come against God’s people. He thought he had them right where he wanted them – BUT IN FACT, GOD HAD HIM RIGHT WHERE HE NEEDED HIM TO BE!

I want you to know today that whatever is opposing you – whatever person, whatever relationship, whatever circumstance, whatever need – God has allowed it and He has you right where He wants you and He has the enemy right where He wants him and you will prevail!

HIS PROMISES ARE TRUE AND HIS POWER IS SUFFICIENT!

TRUTH TWO – GOD TURNED THEIR VULNERABILITIES INTO HIS VICTORIES, Vv. 1-5

This was Moses’ first big move as a leader of God’s people. He led them where God told him, but from a strategic point of view, it was the worst possible place they could be, surrounded by hills and backed up against the Sea.

Not only did this put them in a bad position with Pharaoh, it also caused many of his own leaders to doubt him and criticize him.

This was not a good day for Moses!

But again, God had them right where He wanted them. Moses was in this place because God had led him there.

There is so much good truth here! Let me try to apply this for you:

1) I know that many of you are in the place of vulnerability because you are trying to follow God.

Let me assure you – and this story proves it – that you are never stronger than when you are where God leads you. His strength is made perfect in your weakness. If you are in this struggle because of following God – He will turn this weakness into a win!

2) I know that you prefer to work from your strength not your weakness.

Well, I will speak for my self, I would rather feel like I am working from strength rather than weakness. I don’t like feeling vulnerable. I don’t like being weak. I don’t like the feeling of being under attack by the enemy – AND BY SOME OF MY FRIENDS! That is where Moses was. Maybe you are there right now.

Let me help you here – this great victory happened because their vulnerability put them in a place where God’s power could be manifest!

Do a study of the miracles and you will see that every one of them happened at a point of weakness and vulnerability.

If I could point to one reason why the Church – including our church – does not see the power of God working through it today is right at this point – WE DON’T WANT TO EXPOSE OUR VULNERABILITIES – So, therefore, God can’t work.

James says, “Confess your sins one to another and pray for each other – SO YOU MAY BE HEALED!”

Here’s what we do – when our business goes bad, or when our marriage goes bad, or when we give into a habit, or our finances tank – we run from the church and hide! What we ought to do is run TO THE CHURCH!

We could change the spiritual dynamics of this church overnight if we would begin doing that!

3) I know that there are other people, including yourself at times, who are questioning your judgment for being where you are.

Moses put his leadership credibility at risk when he obeyed God in what appeared to be an illogical move.

Have you ever failed to obey God because you didn’t want to risk your reputation or look bad to your peers?

If you will dare to be vulnerable – God will turn your vulnerability into victory!

TRUTH THREE – GOD TURNED THEIR DESTRUCTION INTO THEIR DELIVERENCE, Vv. 10 – 30

There is an old saying that “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”. There is truth to that, but God can do even more than that!

When we understand that God is orchestrating the opposition in our life, and when we are willing to trust Him in our vulnerabilities, we allow Him to demonstrate His power and His glory!

I Want You To Notice Several Things:

1) God Works When We Work, Vv. 19-22

2) What He Wants From Us

- Deliverance Comes Through Bold Declarations, Vv. 13-14
- Deliverance Comes Through Bold Decisions, Vv. 15-18
- Deliverance Comes Through Bold Deeds, V. 21-28

WHAT IS IT THAT IS THREATENING TO DESTROY YOU THIS MORNING? MAYBE IT IS YOUR HEALTH THAT IS THREATENED, MAYBE IT IS YOUR MARRIAGE, MAYBE IT IS YOUR FINANCES, MAYBE YOUR CAREER, MAYBE IT IS A SIN OR A HABIT.

WHATEVER IT IS – GOD WANTS TO USE THAT TO DELIVER YOU!

RECOGNIZE THAT HE IS ORCHESTRATING THE OPPOSITION AGAINST YOU AND PRAISE HIM.

STOP HIDING YOUR VULNERABILITIES AND TRUST THEM TO GOD.

DO SOMETHING BOLD!

July 25, 2009

"Jesus answered, 'I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me.'" John 14:6

I found this story that illustrates the power of life in Christ, the power of knowing that you are in the truth and on your way to heaven.

“I have everything I need for joy!” Robert Reed said.His hands are twisted and his feet are useless. He can’t bathe himself. He can’t feed himself. He can’t brush his teeth, comb his hair, or put on his underwear. Strips of Velcro hold his shirts together. His speech drags like a worn out audiocassette. Robert has cerebral palsy.The disease keeps him from driving a car, riding a bike, and going for a walk. But it didn’t keep him from graduating from high school or attending Abilene Christian University, from which he graduate with a degree in Latin. Having cerebral palsy didn’t keep him from teaching at St. Louis Junior College or from venturing overseas on five mission trips. And Robert’s disease didn’t prevent him from becoming a missionary in Portugal.He moved to Lisbon, alone, in 1972. There he rented a hotel room and began studying Portuguese. He found a restaurant owner who would feed him after the rush hour and a tutor who would instruct him in the language. Then he stationed himself daily in a park, where he distributed brochures about Christ. Within six years he led seventy people to the Lord, one of whom became his wife, Rosa. I heard Robert speak recently. I watched other men carry him in his wheelchair onto the platform. I watched them lay a Bible in his lap. I watched his stiff fingers force open the pages. And I watched people in the audience wipe away tears of admiration from their faces. Robert could have asked for sympathy or pity, but he did just the opposite. He held his bent hand up in the air and boasted, “I have everything I need for joy.”

Everything needed for joy? What is he talking about?

He is talking about life - life in Christ, Who is Life. And because of the Life that was at work in him, he pointed others to the "way, the truth, and the life".

What about you? Do you know that life? Do you know that Jesus? Are you telling others how to find "the way, the truth, and the life"?

July 24, 2009

"Jesus answered, 'I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me.'" John 14:6

Truth is still highly valued in our culture even though it is rarely practiced.

We take an oath to "tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth." We have truth in lending laws and truth in advertising laws because we understand that truth is the foundation of trust and trust is necessary if we are to have a coherent functioning society.

The quest for truth is as old as mankind. For centuries thinking people have asked, "What is truth?" Good question.

When someone asks, "What is truth", I think they are asking three things:

What Is Real?

Truth defines reality for us. Or at least it should. Jesus not only knows the truth, He IS THE TRUTH! Truth is not just a concept or a precept or a principle, it is a Person. Jesus came to earth to make God real to us. Jesus was God in the flesh so we could see Truth, and hear Truth, and touch Truth.

I don't know anything more real that Jesus, do you?

What Is Right?

I believe people still prefer to do the right thing. I think people nowadays have trouble knowing what is right and doing right does not come naturally for us. These days right and wrong are determined primarily by how a person feels about a situation. So right and wrong have become entirely subjective. That is for those who don't believe in Jesus.

Jesus showed us what it means to be right. Right means being right with God. Jesus was not only right, He was righteous and became our righteousness when He died for all the wrong we did. The reason He could die for all our wrong was because He was righteous.

What Is Reliable?

Truth is reliable. It stands. It will be the same tomorrow as it is today. Another word for reliable would be "absolute" - but we don't like that word.

Jesus is reliable. He is "the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow". Who else do you know like that?

When it comes to the truth about how to get to heaven, who is more real, more right and more reliable than Jesus?

July 23, 2009

"Jesus answered, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father but by me.' John 14:6'"

Logically, it seems that there should be several ways or even many ways to get to heaven. Afterall, there are multiple ways to get almost anywhere. You can google or mapquest a location and have the option of finding the fastest way or the most direct way. Americans love options. We are used to options because........well, because we're AMERICANS and we can have them!

With that being true, it is not hard to understand why many in our culture are offended by the notion that there is only one way to get to heaven. That doesn't resonate with post-Christian relativist Americans. When you make that claim you will get some resistance.

Maybe you have discovered that. If you haven't you may not be taking a strong enough for the faith.

So, how can you take a reasoned and confident stand on this unpopular position - the truth - that there is only one way to heaven and it is through Jesus?

It is pretty simple, actually. If you believe that Jesus IS the Son of God Who died for the sins of the world. And if you believe that He rose again from the dead. Then obviously you should know and believe what He has to say.

Our last post dealt with the fact that Jesus is "I AM". Today we focus on His second claim, "I am THE WAY....."

Do you want to know the way to heaven? Know Jesus, He is the way to heaven. That is true because He is the way to God and God is in charge of heaven.

Jesus is the way to heaven because He is the way to forgiveness from sins. Sin keeps us from God and therefore, it keeps us from heaven.

Jesus is the way to heaven because He has been there, came here and went back there. Who else can make that claim? If I want directions to a certain place, should I ask someone who has been there before or should I take directions from someone who has not?

Jesus is the way to heaven because He has paid the price of admission. Heaven, like almost every other place, has an admission cost. The price of admission is a righteous relationship with the God of heaven. But since you are morally and spiritually bankrupt you can't pay the price. That is why God sent Jesus to pay the price for your sins. When you trust in Jesus you get access to God which also gets you entrance to heaven.

Jesus is the way because He is the Son of God. Abraham needed a way to get a son. God made a way.

Noah needed a way to save his family from the impending universal destruction of the flood. God made a way.

Israel needed some one to deliver them from captivity in Egypt. God called Moses and Moses became the way.

When Moses was leading God's people through the wilderness to the Promised Land, he ran into a barrier known as the Red Sea. Moses needed a way over or through the Red Sea because Pharoah's army had trapped them against the sea. God opened the sea and made a way!

So, when Jesus says He is the way, you can believe Him. He has always made a way where there was no way.

Until you can find someone else who is a better "I Am" and who is also "the way", you had better trust Jesus to provide the way to heaven. In the meantime, stand confidently in Jesus, the "I Am" who is the "way"!

July 22, 2009

"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" John 14:6

Let's take it head on. The thing that is most offensive about our faith in this age of relativism and diversity is the exclusive claims of Jesus Christ.

Honestly, we don't even like to think that our neighbor, Bob, who is so kind and helpful, who is a model husband and father, who volunteers in the community and coaches little league is going to die and go to hell if he does not trust Christ for salvation.

If that thought is hard for us to handle, imagine how it sits with an non-believer.

No wonder we will be challenged in our belief that Jesus is the only way to heaven. Expect it. Prepare for it. Brace your faith for the attacks.

How can I do that?

Consider Who it is that make the exclusive statement, "......no one comes to the Father except by me."

Jesus said, "I am...."

Where have I heard that before?

God said to Moses, "I am who I am . This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.' "

When Moses asked for credentials to use when he went to face a powerful skeptic, God simply said, "I AM WHO I AM". God is the Eternally Present, Eternally Powerful, and Eternally Personal God. Jesus is His Son. We either believe that or we don't. If we believe it, then we must stand on it. The only way to stand against relativism is with absolute truth.

By the way, how did that work out for Moses?

If God is Who He says He is, and if Jesus is His Son, then what He says must be obeyed. Even if it offends people. Even if it doesn't "feel right" to us.

Moses prevailed over Pharaoh because He believed God and obeyed Him, even though what God told him to do didn't always "feel right".

Here's your challenge today: Will you be right or will you "feel" right.

July 21, 2009

"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" John14:6

On Sunday mornings this Summer we have been building the case for the Biblical worldview. We have examined strong evidence that God exists and that He is the Creator of the universe. And we have made a strong argument for the veracity and accuracy of the Bible as God's Word. This Sunday we considered the overwhelming evidence that Jesus is the Son of God. Those truths are essential pillars for a foundation of Christian faith.

The point I made in each of these messages is that in addition to all the strong evidence to support our worldview, the most convincing proof is a transformed life. It is hard to argue with that evidence when a person bound in destructive behavior suddenly and drastically changes.

For the next five Sundays were are going to talk about the implications of these five foundational truths. This is where it will get sticky. This is where we will need to really believe what we say we believe.

One of the things that offends people in this modern post-Christian era is the exclusivity of the claims of Christ. In a day when diversity is a sacred value, Christians get serious pushback when they verbalize the absolute claims of Scripture. The secular humanists believe that truth is relative and each individual is the arbiter of their own truth. So whatever seems true to you may be different than what is true for me. But for me to say that my truth is true for everyone and their truth is untrue, THAT'S A PROBLEM for them. Suddenly their exalted value of tolerance disappears.

Here's the problem, when a culture ceases to believe in absolutes, foundational biblical truths such a those we have been studying become incoherent to the very people we are trying to reach. Here are some troubling statistics to illustrate:

1) Almost 80% of all people believe there is more than one way to get to heaven.

2) 91% of Catholics embrace this belief.

3) 68% of "evangelical" Protestants say that a person of a faith other than Christianity will still go to heaven.

4) 65% of "evangelical" teens say that you can't be sure which religion is right.

G. K. Chesterton states, "When people cease to believe in God, they do not believe in nothing, they believe in anything."

Into this atmosphere enter Jesus and His claim that accepting Him as the Son of God and your Savior is the ONLY way to heaven. That is obviously not a popular view. It is becoming more unpopular by the minute.

So, what will you believe? What will be your final answer? Will you stand on the exclusive claim of Christ or join the popular sentiment of the many roads that lead to heaven? Are you willing to bear the rejection for being right?