September 16, 2014

"Then he began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly. Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people came to the decision to put Jesus to death. They bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate, the governor. When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.” “What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.” So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself."  Matthew 26:74-27:5

God has a lot of big ideas. I guess that is one reason He's God. And, it is why you're not!

As Christ-followers it is our responsibility to get our minds and hearts around those life-changing concepts and let the mold our spirits.

One of those big ideas that doesn't get much air time anymore is repentance. I have been studying and meditating on it (and doing it) this week for my message on repentance. If you don't understand repentance you won't be able to get many of God's other big ideas.

While I was out walking my dog this morning the Spirit quickened my mind about the difference between repentance and regret. The classic examples are Peter and Judas. Both had regrets but only one repented while the other is still having regrets.

Let's examine this a little closer:

1) Both were disciples of Jesus

2) Both denied Him at critical times

3) Both did it to their own advantage

4) Both realized their mistakes and felt deep regret

5) But Peter humbled himself while Judas hung himself.

BIG difference!

Repentance is all about humility. Regret is often about pride.

Both were proud men, why did they have such different responses to their failures?

Let me offer an idea and you do some searching of your own.

Peter understood who Jesus really was. It was Peter who declared that Jesus was the "Son of the Living God". Jesus commended him for this insight. When you know Who Jesus is then you also know who you are - and aren't.

Judas misunderstood who Jesus really was. He wanted Jesus to set up His Kingdom on earth by overthrowing Roman oppression and restoring Jerusalem. He was basically following Jesus for selfish ambition. Once he realized Jesus wasn't Who he wanted Him to be he looked for another deal.

Because Peter understood Who Jesus was, he wanted to save faith after he had failed.

Because Judas didn't know Who Jesus was, he wanted to save face after his failure.

Repentance is the response of someone who really gets the big idea of who Jesus is! Living in remorse and surrendering to regret isn't.

I guess the question this morning is, "Will you be Peter or will you be Judas?"

September 15, 2014

"Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”  Luke 13:1-5

I want you to imagine a scenario that you may be all to familiar with and one we all dread. Having not felt well for awhile you finally go to the doctor for a physical exam. Your doctor finds some things that concern him so he sets you up with an appointment with a specialist. As you leave your Drs. office you are anxious because he seemed so concerned.

You see the specialist and he runs several tests. Upon getting the results he sits you down and explains to you that they have found a cancerous tumor and it has to be removed as soon as possible. He seems pretty confident that if you will have surgery you should have a high probability of beating the cancer. His recommendation is to have it done as soon as you can.

God forbid that should happen, but if you were faced with that decision I am sure you would want that cancer taken out - all of it. I doubt if you would tell the surgeon to take most of it but leave a little of it in there.

And yet we often take that attitude toward sin.

We are like the shoplifter who got saved and wrote to a department store, "I've become a Christian and I can't sleep at night because I feel guilty, so here is $100 I owe you."

Then he signed his name and in a little postscript at the bottom he adds, "If I still can't sleep, I'll send you the rest!"

Repentance is to sin what surgery is to cancer. And sin is like a cancer because it can kill you and like cancer you need to get it all out. When you repent you turn from sin - every known sin in your life - and turn to God. It is a spiritual and moral u-turn! It doesn't work to repent of some sins while holding on to a few. You can't flirt around with sin. You can have in for a pet. It will destroy you if you don't repent of it.

Jesus gave this choice - Repent OR Perish! If you want to perish don't bother to repent. But if you don't want to repent then you will perish.

Wabush, a town in a remote portion of Labrador, Canada,was completely isolated  years.  But recently a road was cut through the wilderness to reach it. Wabush now has one road leading into it, and thus, only one road leading out. If someone would travel the unpaved  road for six to eight hours to get into Wabush, there is only one way that person could get out of town - by turning around and going back the other way.

Everyone of us, by birth, arrives in a town called Sin. As in Wabush, there is only one way out - a road built by God himself. But in order to take that road, one must first turn around.and that complete about face is what the Bible call repentance and without it there is no way out of town - no way out of sin.

Jesus says to you as He did to these men, "Repent or perish."

September 14, 2015

"Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem?  I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”  Luke 13:1-5

Repent is an inclusive word - everyone will need to repent or they will perish.

Second, REPENT is a Decisive Word

The story is told of a shoplifter who writes to a department store and says, "I’ve just become a Christian, and I can’t sleep at night because I feel guilty. So here’s $100 that I owe you."

"Then he signs his name, and in a little postscript at the bottom he adds, "If I still can’t sleep, I’ll send you the rest."

That is NOT true repentance! Repentance must be accompanied by true godly sorrow! Repentance is not motivated by the desire to feel better, it is driven by the desire to BE better!

"Repent" is a crucial word. "Repent" is a critical word. Repent is an absolute necessity. This is borne out in the following things: you must REPENT or you will PERISH!

When you are diagnosed with a potentially terminal disease and a radical treatment is prescribed, you know you receive what the Surgeon is calling for or you will perish. That is a decision that must be made sooner rather than later.

It is not a time for distraction or speculation it is time for decisive action. The Surgeon is not interested in discussing medical theories with you or wildly speculating on why some people get cancer and other people don’t, he wants you to commit to dealing with YOUR cancer.

In this encounter with Jesus these men were trying to avoid the issue by speculating about what was wrong with these other people. Jesus will not allow you to avoid the issue. Through His Holy Spirit He will relentlessly confront you and convict of your sin. That is the whole point of repentance.

Repentance is a definite decision made with the intention of turning AWAY from sinfulness and turning 180 degrees TOWARD God! Repentence is the "Christian U-Turn" in that it is a decision to immediately stop the sins that lead you away from God and turn around to return to Him by faith.

If you do not want to perish (be destroyed for eternity) then you will want to repent and return to God!

September 13, 2014

One of the important functions of leadership is giving direction during defining moments. When God led His people to Kadesh Barnea on the border of the Promised-Land, He told Moses to choose twelve leaders to go spy out the land. So, he did and they did!

After 40 days, the twelve spies returned to give a report of their reconnaissance. While they all saw the same things and agreed on the report, they came to two very different conclusions.

Here is their report:

"They came back to Moses and Aaron and the whole Israelite community at Kadesh in the Desert of Paran. There they reported to them and to the whole assembly and showed them the fruit of the land. They gave Moses this account: “We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there. The Amalekites live in the Negev; the Hittites, Jebusites and Amorites live in the hill country; and the Canaanites live near the sea and along the Jordan.”  Numbers 13:26-29

Their conclusions:

"But the men who had gone up with him said, “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.” And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, “The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.” Hebrews 13:31-33

That was the report of the ten spies. I refer to them as the "Grasshoppers". Not a cheery bunch are they?

Caleb, "Here is the report of the other two, Caleb and Joshua: Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.” Numbers 13:29-30

Joshua, "Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. f the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them.” Numbers 14:6-9

I call these two the "Giant-Killers" as opposed to the "Grasshoppers".

Quite a difference, eh?

Let's define this difference in the very different response to the defining moment for several million Hebrews.

The "Grasshoppers" defined themselves by fear and made a fearful forecast to God's people. 

The "Giant-Killers" defined themselves by faith in their God Who had already promised them the land and had continually provided for them and delivered them.

Are you facing a defining moment?

If not now, your time is coming.

When your moment comes you will be faced by two choices, "Will I be a grasshopper or will I be a giant-killer?"

September 12, 2014

"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead. By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.”For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.  And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hebrews 11:1-6

The events horrific events of September 11, 2001 forced a defining moment upon the world. 

While each of us was impacted differently none of us have been the same since. Nor will we ever be. As the President's announcement Wednesday night reminded us. We are re-engaging in the war against terrorism.

Life is determined by defining moments, though fortunately, most are far less traumatic than 9-11.

Here are some reasons why defining moments are so definitive:

1) They confront you with life-alerting choices.

2) They feel scary because they stretch you out of your comfort zone and into new territory.

3) They are risky, putting your comfort and security at risk.

4) They cause you to struggle with undesirable options.

5) They challenge you with God moments where trusting is a must.

Hebrews 11 declares that for people of faith, our defining moments should be defined by faith. If faith does not define your defining moments you will be seized by fear and led by your flesh.

If faith does not define your defining moments you will not please God. And really, isn't that choice you face when confronted by a life-defining moment? In those moments you must determine, "What pleases God?" and choose that.

The entire 11th chapter of Hebrews is filled with heroes of faith whose heroism was the result of choosing to let faith define their defining moments!

I urge you to read Hebrews 11 a few times and meditate on it from the perspective of their defining moments. This will inspire you! And if you are facing a defining moment it will instruct you!

September 11, 2014

You could share exactly what you were doing when you heard the news of the attacks. Am I right? Those images are burned into your brain, aren't they?

When you are haunted by the images of the twin towers burning and collapsing remember you have a strong tower and run to it!

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The man who does what is right runs into it and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10

You have a refuge – “The name of the Lord is a strong tower…..”

In Biblical times, names were given more significance than nowadays because they were descriptive of your essence. For example: Adam’s name meant “man”, Eve = “first mother”, Abram = “lofty father” which was later changed to Abraham = “father of multitudes”. Isaac, the long awaited son = “laughter”. Isaac’s son, Jacob = “deceiver” which later changed to Israel after he wrestled with God. Israel = “straightened by God”.

So, when the Proverb refers to the “name of God” as a strong tower it means all the attributes of God’s character and being!

Our God, our Strong Tower, is all-knowing, all-mighty, all-wise, infinite, holy, and ever-present. There attributes are reflected in some of His Biblical names:

The name of God is Jehovah - The name of God is Yahweh
The name of God is Elohim - My Creator
The name of God is El Elyon - Most High God (Sovereign Over All)
The name of God is Adonai - My Lord, My Master
The name of God is El Roi - God Who Sees
The name of God is El Shaddai - God Almighty
The name of God is Jehovah Ezer - The LORD our Helper
The name of God is Jehovah Jireh - The LORD Will Provide
The name of God is Jehovah Rapha - The LORD our Healer
The name of God is Jehovah Roi - The Lord is My Shepherd
The name of God is Jehovah Sabaoth - LORD of hosts (of armies)
The name of God is Jehovah Mekeddeshem - LORD Who Sanctifies
The name of God is Jehovah Nissi -The LORD Our Banner
The name of God is Jehovah Rapha - LORD Who Heals
The name of God is Jehovah Shalom - The LORD our Peace
The name of God is Jehovah Shammah - The LORD is There

God’s name is a “verb” while other gods are nouns……..

When you take refuge in the strong tower of God’s Name you get all of this – and more – you get to dwell personally with Him!

Thousands of people went to work that morning feeling very secure in what they assumed to be strong towers. None of them would have believed that before their morning break time hundreds would be dead, thousands fleeing the burning structures, and both towers collapsing into piles of debris.

In stark contrast to those crumbling skyscrapers, the Bible tells us we have a STRONG TOWER! How strong is it? It is as strong and secure as the Name of the Lord!

WHEN YOU ARE UNDER ATTACK DO YOU WANT A GOD WHO IS A VERB OR A GOD WHO IS A NOUN?

Your reflex – “The man who does what is right runs into it….”

When you were a child and you felt frightened by something – maybe a storm or a dog or a bully or maybe a monster under your bed, where did you run? TO YOUR FATHER, right?

That was your reflex – your default response, you didn’t think about it you just did it!

You didn’t run around the house or stop somewhere on the way, you ran straight to your father because you wanted to feel safe. You dropped whatever you were doing or whatever you were holding and got there as fast as you could.

That is how you should run to God!

Notice, it says the “righteous man”. That is because a righteous man is the only one who can run immediately into God’s presence. An unrighteous person would have to put down their sin, repent, receive God’s righteousness and THEN run to Him. By then, it could be too late.

As a child of God it should be your reflex to run to Him in times of trouble, BUT you don’t have to go to Him just in trouble, you can share your joys with Him as well!

HOW?

CALL ON HIM – Prayer

CLAIM HIM – Promises

COMMUNE WITH HIM - Presence

WHAT IS YOUR REFLEX WHEN YOU ARE UNDER ATTACK? WHERE DO YOU RUN?

Your reassurance – “….and is safe.”

Psalm 18:2, “Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my HIGH TOWER.”

Psalm 61:2-3, “From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a STRONG TOWER from the enemy.”

Psalm 114:2, “My goodness, and my fortress, my HIGH TOWER, and my deliverer; my shield, and He in whom I trust…”

Think of God’s Track Record:

Moses called on the Name of the Lord and God delivered His people from Egypt.

Shadrach, Mesheck, and Abednigo called on the Name of the Lord and they were delivered from the fire.

David confronted Goliath in the Name of the Lord and the giant fell!

Elijah on Mt. Carmel called on the Name of the Lord and the fire fell!

And, if you will call on the Name of the Lord you can know the joy of salvation for the Bible promises: “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved,”

HAVE YOU FOUND A SAFE PLACE TO HIDE WHEN YOU ARE ATTACKED?

Remember your Refuge!

Run to your Refuge!

Rest in safety!

September 10, 2014

"The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe."  Proverbs 18:10

Nearly 3,000 perished in the smoke and flames and toxic fumes in the twins towers on 9-11-01. Fortunately, Many were able to run out of the buildings to safety before they collapsed into a huge pile of rubble. No one who remained in the building survived.

Who can forget the awful images of desperate people who made the dreadful decision to leap out of the upper stories of the building rather than succumb to the flames and the fumes? How terrifying that must have been.

Thousands of people were able to escape the building and make it to safety while at the same time scores of firefighters and first responders were running into the building attempting to save lives. Many of them who ran in lost their lives attempting to rescue others.

In sharp contrast to those seeking to run out of those doomed towers and make it to safety, the Bible tells us that "the righteous run" INTO the Strong Tower in order to survive! How amazing is that?!

You may be wondering, "How do I run into the Strong Tower?"

There is a condition - "the righteous"

To run to the Strong Tower you must be made righteous by the blood of Christ. You must accept the sacrifice that Christ made for your sins on the cross. Only the righteous are granted entrance into the Tower.

There is a choice - "run"

When you are eager, you run! When you are excited, you run! When you are fearful you run! You choose to run for a number of reasons. Choose to run into the arms of the Lord for safety, and for security and for comfort!

There is a confession - "call on the Name of the Lord" and climb into Him by faith. Romans 10:13 says, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."

The Name of the Lord is a Strong Tower! Run into it!