Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Study Isaiah 43: 14-25

Study Isaiah 43: 14-25

 

What is prophecy? The popular stereotype of the prophetic books of the Old Testament has sometimes been misleading. While the prophetic writers do employ wild images when expressing what God revealed to them, these pictures are only a small percentage of the whole. The scholars Fee and Stuart give us these statistics: less the 2% of the O.T. prophecies speak about the Messiah; less than 5% speak about the new covenant era; and less than 1% predict events that are yet to come. These statistics show that the prophetic books are something quite different that what is commonly thought. The Prophets are really forthtelling of God truths and will rather than foretelling the future. Resource Playing With Fire by Walt Russell

 

What was a prophet? Israel’s prophets were recipients of a special call from God to undertake a special mission for Him. Amos, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel give us the record of their call and commission. The call compelled them to deliver messages that were often contrary to what their audience wanted to hear. The prophets were passionately concerned about Israel’s election, destiny, and mission to the world. The goal of their preaching was to remind the nation of its identity and relation to God. The message of the prophets was grounded in the historical and theological traditions of Israel. Prophetic books make reference to the mighty acts of God and covenant with Abraham, the Exodus, the Sinai covenant, etc.  The message of the prophets was about Israel’s relationship to God. They called the nation to show forth devotion to God through obedience, repentance, and life-transforming worship. The prophets challenged the people to respond to their moral, ethical, and social obligations to others. Resource Discovering the Old Testament, editor Alex Varughese

 

Who is Isaiah? Little is know except what he tells us himself. The name itself means – Salvation of Jehovah. His father was Amoz but nothing is known about him. Isaiah was married and had two children (Isa 7: 3; 8:3). He prophesied during four reigns of kings of Judah, from Uzziah to Hezekiah. The first date given is the year of Uzziah’s death (6:1), which occurred about 740 BC. The last historical event referred to is the death of Sennacherib (37:38), which occurred in 681 BC. Isaiah treats the Syro-Ephraimitic war in the days of Ahaz as nothing compared to what the Assyrians are going to do to Judah, beyond that he predicts the mightier foe, Babylon. Fortunately, Isaiah also gives hope predicting the downfall of the enemy period! Isaiah is preeminently the prophet of redemption. The greatness and majesty of God; His holiness and hatred of sin; the folly of idolatry; His grace, mercy and love; and the blessed rewards of obedience are constantly recurring themes in his writings. Resource NIV Bible Dictionary

 

Now let’s look at the specific text.

NIV    14 This is what the LORD says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "For your sake I will send to Babylon and bring down as fugitives all the Babylonians, in the ships in which they took pride. 15 I am the LORD, your Holy One, Israel's Creator, your King." 16 This is what the LORD says— he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, 17 who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together, and they lay there, never to rise again, extinguished, snuffed out like a wick: This section emphasizes the fact that redemption is by grace. The Lord Himself is the speaker here. The same God who overwhelmed Pharaoh and the army of Egypt in the Exodus promises deliverance from Babylon. Just as dramatic and just as final! I love this particular little section because of the many images of God we see here: LORD, Redeemer, Holy One, Creator and King. God is God of every area in the universal order, as well as our lives.

Moving on…What happens here is God takes the hearers into a nostalgic trip into the past. There’s nothing necessarily wrong in doing that, especially in times of turmoil, the familiar can bring us comfort.

18 "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. But God then let’s them (us) know that if we stay in the “good old days,” if it becomes a habit of mind, then it is can cause us to become spiritually forgetful, weak, and lethargic. Anytime memories threaten to tie people to the past, causing stagnation to present realities or slowness in responding to new opportunities, we must forget them.

 19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. 20 The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the desert and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen, 21 the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise. God is letting them know to be watchful, creative, believing in the impossible, looking all the time for what God is doing and will do. Biblical evidence from other O.T. books indicate that there were many Israelites who had been captive in Babylon who were RELUCTANT to go back to Israel. It was an uncertain place, it would mean LOTS of work, and Babylon was pretty comfortable… This was (is) a wake up call! The people then (and us now) are presented a challenge, we must be open to the possibility of change and receptive to the opportunity to begin anew.

    22 "Yet you have not called upon me, O Jacob, you have not wearied yourselves for me, O Israel. 23 You have not brought me sheep for burnt offerings, nor honored me with your sacrifices. I have not burdened you with grain offerings nor wearied you with demands for incense. 24 You have not bought any fragrant calamus for me, or lavished on me the fat of your sacrifices. But you have burdened me with your sins and wearied me with your offenses. These verses are an indictment against forms of worship that serve to disguise the true character of the worshipers. In response to the God who created all that is and to whom Israel (and us) owes everything, the response is pathetic, indifferent and complaining. They tried to fulfill worship in duty but not with their heart. Here we see a loving God looking for evidence that the worshiper feels some sense of gratitude, genuine response not more sin. Soooooooooooooooooo, when we worship where is our mind? Or do we neglect worship all together and just not go at all. Do we see house cleaning, yard work, sporting events, family events, the lake as more important than worship? No wonder God gets weary. Do we see worship as something for us, or could it be about our focusing – giving praise/honor – dialoging with God communally? This is definitely a passage for today… are we wearying God with our “half way” attention, praise, offerings, etc. Let’s look at a worship service, when the scripture is read aloud are we in awe? When the singing of praise is happening are our arms crossed in front of our, our mouths shut, and wondering “when can I sit down?” When the offering plate is passed are we eager and glad to be able to give? Just some things to think about… I don’t know about you but, personally, I really don’t want to weary or burden the God of the Universe.

25 "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.Everything about the hearers in Isaiah’s day and us today rest on the fact that God is merciful and pours out grace. Hope for freedom from sin lies in the love of God. I think maybe the main thing to see here is even though Israel had broken faith with God, He never breaks faith! The living God so forgives that He forgets. Let me say that again, the living God so forgives that He forgets. We are recipients of this grace. God desires us, you and I, to be His bride, His love, His companion, are we?

 

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

II Timothy Sermon on Study

Text: II Tim. 3:14-4:5           Title: Word Up

10/21/07 preached by Pastor Steve Estep – sent and printed with permission

 

We’ve all heard the saying “you are what you eat.” Fat greasy food will turn you into a fat, greasy dude.  But that’s the kind of food we love. We’re a culture of junk-food junkies. The other day I went to the dentist to have my teeth cleaned. When I was kid there was like 1 flavor – orange.  It made you not want to eat an orange for about 6 months because it tasted terrible. Now it’s a whole new ball game. My hygienist Mary at Doctor Long’s office rattled off a list of flavors to choose from and I actually had (no lie) Mocha Latte! We can’t even get our teeth cleaned without the taste of candy! The things that taste good aren’t always the things that are good for us. Chocolate, pop, chips and ice cream taste good. The candy we’ll give away at the House of Hope is good. There’s a reason we give candy bars instead of broccoli spears. Candy good, broccoli bad! It’s not just the kids who enjoy it, I like I too J. That’s one of the reasons I run – so I can keep eating whatever I want! 

   What’s true of taste is true of sound.  What sounds good isn’t always what’s good for us either.  Sometimes what we want to hear and what we need to hear are two different things.  When writing to the young preacher, Timothy, Paul said to him (to me & every other preacher or teacher) don’t be giving people junk food.  Don’t give out ear candy, give the truth. Preach the Word.  People need to be formed and informed, shaped and molded by the Word of God. We know that. We want that. None of us came here today to get ear candy. We came to be fed by the Word. 

 

It happens every day in front of a studio audience and is broadcast to millions of viewers who watch from home. No topic is too personal, no subject too sacred, no laundry too dirty to air in front of a watching world.  Husbands and wives, parents and teenagers, siblings and sometimes former friends allow themselves to become spectacles on shows where they share some their sorry stories.  Pick up the TV guide. It’s a smorgasbord of dysfunctions, addictions, twisted actions and perverted motivations. In the end it just about always boils down to relationships and love or the lack of it.  Love – longed for, scorned, distorted, betrayed or forgotten. Love that can’t quite seem to find the right expression. Unloved or unloving people subject themselves to public humiliation in hopes of getting some help from the gurus of talk-show TV.  They put their trust in folks like Dr. Phil and Oprah, certain that their words of wisdom will make all the difference. Beliefs and behaviors are addressed. The goal is correction. Correct the false beliefs, correct the destructive behaviors. Sometimes I’m sure it helps. Good advice is offered. Insights for behavior modification are shared as viewers clap and cheer.  Yet a thousand episodes of top notch talk shows don’t have the power to change a whole lot. There will be another show tomorrow, another season next year. It’s not that their words are bad, but they aren’t God-breathed. They may even be inspirational, but they are not inspired. Sooner or later it happens that the words from the host begin to taste a lot like junk-food. There’s a reason for that. There’s a big difference between a human word of correction and a Divine Word that has the power to bring about what it says to the unloved and the unloving.  

I Corinthians 13:1-8a.  1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.  4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  8Love never fails

 

 

They were sitting at the kitchen table for a meal that was more likely to end in indigestion than satisfaction.  Not because there was any problem with the spaghetti, but because of the hostile environment they were eating it in. The kids had been at each other since they got home from school. In fact, it started even before then with an argument about whose turn it was to sit in the front seat.  It didn’t get any better when they got home. It was almost like they were looking for something to argue about, and if they didn’t find something, then they were going to make something up.  I’m sure none of your kids have ever acted like that, but in this family, at least on this particular night, that’s what was going on.  They couldn’t pass the salad dressing without a snide comment and the parents of these two kids were getting sick and tired of it. They had about all they could stand. After a couple of failed attempts at encouraging some better behavior, both parents jumped all over them.  “What’s wrong with you guys?!” “That’s not how you’re supposed to act. If I see any more of this, in fact if I hear one more word or see one more look between the two of you, you are going to be sorry!” While they may have been motivational, these words were not “inspired” words.  Under other circumstances this would have been enough to send the kids into a retreat, silencing the fighting and if not peace, at least bring some quiet to the meal.  It didn’t happen… because the night before, the last thing these kids heard before they fell asleep was, the sound of their parents arguing with each other.  Some of the same names they called and phrases they used at the dinner table weren’t learned at school. These were names, phrases, looks and attitudes that they had seen at home, exchanged between parents who were now rebuking their kids.  While the kids still knew they had better straighten up if they knew what was good for them, the words from their parents were empty. As they continued to eat their spaghetti and salad the words of rebuke these kids were asked to eat along with it started tasting like junk food. The words might have been true. But there is a big difference between a word of rebuke from an inconsistent parent and a Divine Word of rebuke that somehow has the power to bring about what it says.

Matthew 12:33-37.

33"Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. 34You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. 35The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. 37For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."

 

 

In many ways it was more than a game. Football was his life. Although his playing days were long since over everything he learned, all the games he played in, even the friends he hung around with centered on his life in football. His wife would often tease him because it seemed as though he lived life based on the motivational speeches his coach used to give him. His coach was impressive. Every word from his mouth was like Scripture to the boys on his team. “Leave it all on the field! Never give up! Push through the pain! Don’t let them see you hurt! The goal line is the only goal!” yeah those words from the coach guided him through most of life. When he went to work he “left it all on the field” when he started dating his wife he “never gave up” any time an obstacle would come he would push through the pain His life was moved by the motivational words from a mountain of a man. That is until he faced a mountain in real life. The coach guided him through a game where the rules are set and the goals are clear, but life is not like that. There are few rules and plenty of surprises. Standing at the graveside of his first and only child those previously powerful words from his coach began to taste a lot like junk food. The words that were meant to encourage now could do nothing to chase away the discouragement, the fear, and the pain. There’s a reason for that. There’s a big difference between a human word of encouragement and a Divine word that can somehow do what it says.

Psalm 23:4  Even though I walk thru the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

 

There are some things only the Word of God can do. II Timothy 3: 14- 4:5

14But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 4 1In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry

 

The correction of a talk show host can be a great thing.  But it will never have the same power as the Word of God.  This (Word) is our authority, and somehow it does more than just inform – it forms.  It brings about the correction it calls for. The rebuke of a parent can be a powerful thing, but it will never have the same power as the Word of God.  This (Word) is our authority, and somehow it does more than just inform, it forms.  It brings about the rebuke it calls for. Encouraging words from a high school coach can be powerful.  But it will never have the same power as the Word of God.  This (Word) is our authority, and somehow it does more than just inform – it forms.  It brings about the encouragement it calls for.

 

The Word.  The Word written is the Scripture. The Word visible is the sacraments communion & baptism. Both the written and visible Word point to the Living Word who is Jesus Christ.  We know who He is from the Written Word. We experience His presence (among other ways) through the visible Word of the sacraments.  We are a people hungry to be formed and informed, shaped and molded by the Word. By the grace of God may we never settle for what sounds good; may we never settle for ear candy when we can be feasting on the life-giving, life-changing Word.  Amen.

 

Benediction: By the grace of God may we go forth to be formed and informed, to learn, love and live out this God-breathed Word, Amen

 

II Timothy 3: 14 - 4: 5

II Timothy 3: 14-4:5

NIV 14But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.   4  1In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

 

 

The Message   14 -17But don't let it faze you. Stick with what you learned and believed, sure of the integrity of your teachers—why, you took in the sacred Scriptures with your mother's milk! There's nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us1 -2I can't impress this on you too strongly. God is looking over your shoulder. Christ himself is the Judge, with the final say on everyone, living and dead. He is about to break into the open with his rule, so proclaim the Message with intensity; keep on your watch. Challenge, warn, and urge your people. Don't ever quit. Just keep it simple. 3 -5You're going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food—catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. They'll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages. But you—keep your eye on what you're doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God's servant.

 

Who is Timothy?

He was Paul’s spiritual child (1 Tim 1: 2; 2 Tim 1: 2), fellow-traveler and official representative. His character was a blend of amiability and faithfulness in spite of natural timidity. Just knowing something about Timothy helps us understand that God can and does work through us no matter what our personalities. Here was a young man who was definitely non-assertive and yet was a successful proclaimer of Christ. I have often heard people make statements like, “I don’t have the gift of evangelism, so I can’t do that.” Only to discover that through their other gifts they talk easily of Jesus and help people in His name. None of Paul’s companions are mentioned as often and are with him as constantly as is Timothy. Timothy was young (1 Tim 4: 12); timid (1 Cor 16: 10); frequent ailments (1 Tim 4: 12) despite this he was willing to leave home to accompany Paul on dangerous journeys, to be sent on difficult errands, and to remain to the very end Christ’s faithful servant. Once again Timothy’s personality traits did not keep him in bondage nor the circumstances – “young, frequent ailments” and he was still effective. Timothy is first mentioned in Acts 16: 1, as an inhabitant of Lystra (where Lydia was from). He was from a mixed marriage; with a Greek pagan father and a devout Jewish mother, Eunice. Our past, our upbringing, who we are doesn’t have to dictate what we become.  From his childhood he had been instructed from the scriptures. First grandmother Lois, then Eunice became followers of Christ, as a result of their cooperation with Paul, Timothy also did so. Christian Moms and Grandma’s if you have non-believing offspring keep praying, loving and teaching, look where it got Timothy! According to tradition in Ephesus he became its first bishop, and was stoned to death there when he opposed the pagan festival of Katagogian in honor of Diana. Paul wrote two letters to Timothy, one written about 65 AD from Macedonia and the second from Rome while he was in prison awaiting execution.

 

Background and purpose of 2 Timothy

Emperor Nero, blamed for Rome’s burning (AD 64), in turn blamed Christians, who suffered frightful persecution. Paul was imprisoned (second Roman imprisonment). He faced death (2 Tim 1: 16-17: 2:9); Luke alone was with him. Others had left him, either on legitimate missions or because they had become enamored of the present world. Meanwhile, soul-destroying error continued in Timothy’s Ephesus. The letter’s purpose was to urge Timothy to come to Rome as soon as possible in view of the apostle’s impending departure from this life and to bring Mark with him as well as Paul’s things. Paul also wants to encourage Timothy to cling to sound doctrine, defending against all error. The theme of 2nd Timothy is sound doctrine, chapter 3 is to abide in it, knowing that enemies will arise, and that it is based on the sacred writing. Chapter 4 is to preach it, in season, out of season. A call to Timothy to remain faithful in view of the fact that Paul is about to die. The letter is a message of farewell from a man who knows that death is very near.

 

Now to the text…

14But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Our reading this week begins with the word but, therefore, we must look back. Beginning in verse 12 we see that Paul is convinced that there is no easy road for the children of God. Jesus declared the cross would be inescapable for those who followed Him. To live in defiance of God’s will and/or to give oneself to errors in the end will bring shame and deception. Anyone who allowed himself to be seduced by error could expect deepening blindness. With Timothy it is different, he had the benefit of many Christian teachers, chiefly Paul. Timothy had a foundation of truth. This is a tribute to the faithful instruction he had received from his godly mother and grandmother. Instruction in the Scriptures (Old Testament) was regarded as a sacred responsibility in every orthodox Jewish home and should be regarded with equal seriousness in every Christian home. You can’t read this passage and not realize the importance of what is taught in the home! In Christian circles it seems very common to see that Sunday School, Bible School, worship services, Christian Education, etc. are how children learn about the grace of God through Jesus. BUT this is a lie from the pit! These are wonderful tools for families, but it is in the home where we teach godly concepts, principles and Scripture. Personal confession, J. and I didn’t do very well here and we are paying a dear price. I read my Bible and prayed but I did not CONSISTENTLY include them in that process. Some people say, “Well, I don’t want to stuff religion down their throat.” Trust me, stuff!  Please listen to my heart, whatever it takes in your life style, change or do, so that your home is the first CONSISTENT place your children learn about Christ and the Bible. Do not put all your expectations in the church, it wasn’t meant to be the primary scriptural teaching avenue, your home is. If you must throw the TV out the window, do it! If you must pull them out of a school event, do it! If you have to make them mad by choosing their friends, do it! Whatever it takes to make time to teach them about our loving, forgiving Father in heaven and His blessed Word it’s worth it.

 

16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.   

In verse 16 again Paul would be referring to O.T. in its entirety. The adjective rendered inspired by God literally means ‘breathed into by God’, it accurately expressed the view of the inspiration of the OT prevalent among Jews of the first century. Because God speaks through the scriptures we can trust them for instruction - a positive source of doctrine; for reproof - for refuting error and rebuking sin; for correction – convincing the misguided of their errors and setting them on the right path; and for training – education. When scripture is used this way it causes people to be complete and equipped for good works. With the development of the NT alongside the OT, it was easy and highly proper for this concept of inspiration to be attributed to the newer writing which developed in the context of the Christian Church.

 

1In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge:

This reference to judgment is appropriate, for it is Christ who at his second coming will judge how far Timothy, and every other minister/teacher of the gospel, has discharged his obligations. This verse has a liturgical ring to it and may have been used as an early baptismal creed. The word “charge” here carries more emphasis that we might catch. The word here is a legal affirmation, a demand.

 

: 2Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.

By the word the apostle means the message concerning Christ as Redeemer, Savior, and Lord. This is what the NT means by the proclamation. This is to be the substance of Christian preaching. “in season and out” in the NEB is translated “press it home on all occasions, convenient or inconvenient.”  “In season and out” can have the military meaning ‘be posted, ‘stay at one’s post’, ‘be at one’s task’ brings out exactly what Paul wants to say. This phrase might be paraphrased, “Whether the moment seems opportune or not.” Paul gives the threefold approach to appeal - reason, conscience, and the will. Refute – reasoned argument, rebuke when called for – exhort/encourage – urge. Whatever approach he is using he must never lose patience with people and must always show himself a sound and resourceful teacher of Christian truth. This is a passage for all of us, not only preachers. We will probably never win anyone to the Kingdom by angrily arguing with them or not listening. We need to know our scripture inside and outside because we love God and it is breathed by him. Then present that scripture with love, timing and patience. Far too long it has been the Christian’s “objective” to “win sinners to Christ by all means necessary” this seems just a hair manipulative to me! What ever happened to loving all people because God loves all people or being friends with them not because I want something from them, but simply to be friends, really caring. Jesus came to this earth and gave His life so that we could be reconciled to God, a restored relationship, not so we could pray some little prayer asking Jesus in our heart, then hammering others to do the same but to have a vibrant, intimate friendship with God and with others.

 

3For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

People have always had a preference to hear “smooth” positive talk. In Timothy’s day and today people have ears that ‘itch” for the comfortable word and are willing to reward handsomely those who speak it. Hearers of this type have rejected the truth for “what sounds right to me” which often is just opinion or a lie. It was Jesus himself who said, “carry your cross daily” personally, that doesn’t sound too positive but it certainly sounds realistic. What is truth…the longer I live, the more I read, the more school I attend, the more people I know, I am becoming more convinced than ever that the concepts in that “God Breathed” book, the Bible (which is known as special revelation) really is truth. Yes, there is other truth in our world but I’m finding that other truth proceeds from the general revelation (creation/things pertaining to creation) of God. All truth is God’s truth, be very wary of anything else.

 

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Sermon on Luke 17: 11-19

Text: Luke 17:11-19

Title: “Cured or Healed” preached by Pastor Jimmy Skeen

Sent and copied with permission

 

            What is it that defines you? If you would have asked me that morning who I was, the answer would have been easy, a leper. Leprosy was not only what I was but who I was. I was defined by my disease. I was untouchable, unclean, an outcast, something less than human, I was simply – a leper. Sure I had a family, a job, hopes and dreams, just like you, but as soon as the leper label was applied, none of that seemed to matter anymore. In fact, it seemed as if I didn’t matter anymore.

            There was one place I was even tolerated. It was a colony, a community of other miserable outcasts who shared my plight. We lived on the border of Judah and Samaria known affectionately as “no man’s land”. It’s the kind of place where people don’t really live, they just exist.

            We came from different backgrounds, had different beliefs, and in any other circumstances we would have never been together. But we had one thing in common; we were all defined by our disease. You see in leper land it doesn’t matter if you are smart or dull, rich or poor, Jew or Gentile. Social barriers of every shape and size were broken down by a sickness that was breaking us. It is sad to say that sometimes a disease or a disaster can accomplish what good health never can – it can break down barriers that should never be there in the first place. Anyway, as soon as the leper label was applied, none of that seemed to matter anymore.  In fact none of us seemed to matter anymore.

            Life in no man’s land was the same old horrible routine day after dreary day. No new medicines arrived, no visitors came to offer hope, no friends stopping by just to check on us. Everyday felt like doomsday. That is until Jesus showed up. He walked right into the middle of no man’s land, sauntered right in! When we couldn’t go to Him, He came to us. He has a strange way of doing that you know, showing up in places where no one else would even step foot, to the people that no one else seems to care about. He love’s to visit no man’s land.

            He didn’t say a word, he didn’t lift a finger, he didn’t give a dime … all he did was show up, and you know what? It was enough. Just his presence in my no man’s land was enough to convince me of one thing, “I mattered to this guy!” Whatever the rest of the world thought about me and whatever I thought about myself, Jesus cared! It was almost as if he couldn’t read my leper label. He didn’t define me by my disease. For the first time in a long time a strange sensation that filled my soul … it was hope. I couldn’t help it I started crying out his name. By law I was to shout “Unclean! Unclean!” to warning people to stay away but I mattered to this guy so on that day I cried out to Jesus.

            Apparently I wasn’t the only one who received Jesus’ gentle smile as a giant ray of hope because the other nine began shouting with me, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” Where death once dominated, life sprang forth, men who were nothing more than walking corpses began to raise up like a spring time lily reaching for a beam of sunshine. This group of rejected and dejected lepers were as excited as children in the school yard, or a group of girls when Derek Duey walks by J (right Derek?). It was amazing! All this hope, all this life, just because Jesus showed up.

            Just a side note here, if you really want to love a leper you don’t need all the answers, a fancy education, or lots of resources. Just take Jesus with you and … show up! You might be surprised at the life that springs forth.

            Anyway, I’ll never forget how he responded to our cries. He actually heard us. He listened. He cared. And He even stopped to talk to us. That’s something I learned about Jesus that day. I learned that no matter who we are, where we are, or what label we wear, Jesus cares when people cry out to Him. Maybe you need to know that about Jesus today. Take it from me, a guy NO ONE listened to, you can cry out to Jesus and He’ll hear you. He’ll listen, and He’ll care.

            The crowd was thick that day, like the outlet mall the day after Thanksgiving. I remember how many of them appeared to be the picture of health. Man that made me jealous. It had been a long time since I had been close to anyone. I had to stand at a distance from Jesus, but they didn’t. These people had the means, the resources, and the opportunity to walk with Him, talk with Him, just to be with Jesus.

            Strangely enough though, most of the crowd stood farther away from Jesus than I did. They kept their distance. Some people do that even when they don’t have to. I am not sure if it’s because they are intimidated, afraid of what He might ask or reveal, or what but it happens. A lot of people keep their distance from Jesus even when they don’t have to.

            The distance for some of them only increased when they saw Jesus drawing closer to us. He came right over, looked each one of us square in the eyes, man I have never seen eyes like that. When you wear a leper label all you see are eyes filled with fear, hate, and disgust, but not Jesus. No for the first time in what felt like an eternity, I saw compassion, I saw love, and most of all I saw acceptance. Then He said, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” This might not mean that much to you but it did to us. The only way for a leper to be allowed back into the community, to get their life back, was to be declared clean by a priest. When Jesus told us to go to the priest we knew what that meant. We were going to be cured! When you where a leper label ANY compassion is extraordinary but this … there just aren’t words to describe how I felt.  

            All ten of us did the same thing. We did what we were told we headed toward the temple. We might not have been the smartest group of guys but we were no dummies. We knew right away Jesus wasn’t looking to make a deal. All he was looking for was obedience. Some people try to bargain with Him. They say things like, “I will obey you if you do this first. If you fix my marriage I’ll do what you ask. If you get me out of debt, I’ll pay my tithe. If you get my kids out of trouble then I’ll serve you.” There are a lot of times when Jesus asks for obedience and what He gets instead is a negotiation. He never shows up and says, “Let’s make a deal!” Nope, He just shows up and says “Here’s what I want you to do.” We figured it out right away, he didn’t need us to make a deal he needed us to do what He said.

            I took one final glance at this gentle Jesus and then I wheeled and took off for the priest. I am telling you, if a leper’s feet can leave skid marks in the dust mine did! I have never run so fast or furious. But I didn’t get very far. Just a few short strides away I noticed my feet didn’t ache and my arms didn’t hurt. I looked at my left hand and … it was clean. My pace slowed as I inspected my right arm and found the same results. Now was I was at a standstill as I scoured my legs and stomach. To my utter glee I was totally, completely clean! My leper label fell off like a week old band-aid and underneath was healthy vibrant skin.

            My heart was racing and the breaths came harder than they did when I was at full sprint. I just stood there taking it all in. Suddenly everything changed. The men I was running with whizzed passed me. They continued their frenzied journey toward the tow, oblivious to my pause. I watched as the people I had spent years with drifted farther into the cloud of dust rising behind them. These were the only friends I knew. The only comfort I found came in that group. But I couldn’t go with them.

            As they ran toward town, towards their families, their lives before leprosy, I turned back, and ran to Jesus. I fell down at his feet and cried, and cried, and cried. Jesus gave me a brand new identity that day. I was no longer defined by my disease. Now, I was his follower. He can do that for anyone, you know. Whether what used to define us was leprosy, or addiction, or loneliness, or anger, or any other label. Jesus gives us a new name, a new heart, a new identity.

            I found out something else that day. Besides discovering that Jesus isn’t afraid to go to people and places no one else would go; that He hears when we cry out to Him; and that He has power over any kind of disease that would seek to destroy us; I discovered that there is a very big difference between being cured and being healed. Being cured is temporary but being healed is eternal. All ten of us were cured of our leprosy but none of us were going to live forever. As great as it was in that moment the cure was only temporary.

When I went back to Jesus He said to me, “Your faith has made you well.” The word He used for “well” is the root word for salvation. Real salvation is not just deliverance from an earthy disease, nor is it deliverance from a fiery eternity. It is being made whole, being healed, in the deepest, fullest, and richest expression of the word. It means being made complete through a relationship with Jesus that starts now and carries over into eternity.      

All ten of us were cured but only I was healed. My friends got what they wanted and went on. I got what I thought I wanted only to discover what I really needed. It wasn’t just a physical cure, but the wholeness that only happens when having Jesus is more important than having anything else. I understood as I fell at His feet. He spoke to the crowd, leaned down and helped me to me to my feet. I was crying before but I was blubbering now. This was the first physical contact I had in years. I was untouchable, but now I was being held by my healer! What a moment that was. I had what I thought I needed but now I had so much more than that. I had Him. Jesus offered Himself to me and He became my friend. So I worshiped and worshiped and worshiped … how could I do anything else? I entered that hopeless leper colony unclean and unloved. But because of Jesus I left there not only cured but healed.

 

This isn’t a story about a Jesus who did miracles a long time ago. It’s about a Jesus who hears our cries today. He still shows up in no man’s land, he still listens to those that cry out, and he still cures some sicknesses, but He brings healing to every broken heart and life that is hungry to be made whole.

We as a colony, a community, a church believe in a God who can make us whole. The fourteenth article in our articles of faith says, “We believe in the Biblical doctrine of divine healing and urge our people to seek to offer the prayer of faith for the healing of the sick. We also believe God heals through the means of medical science.” Healing, wholeness, salvation – it’s much more than the temporary cure of a physical ailment. It’s being made whole and well in the deepest sense of the word through a relationship with Jesus Christ. This is why a person can be cured and not be made whole, and a person can be made whole without being physically cured.

If you are in need of a healing touch today we want to give you an opportunity to cry out to Jesus. It’s not just broken bodies that need healing, it’s broken hearts, broken emotions, broken relationships, all need a healing touch. If you entered this place feeling hopeless, unclean and unloved, you could find yourself leaving not only cured, but healed, saved, made whole. Do you need a touch from Jesus? If so I invite you to come, to cry out, and to experience the presence, healing power, and the love of Christ today.  

 

Benediction: Go forth to worship the Lord Jesus Christ who hears our cries and makes us whole. Amen.

Luke 17: 11-19

Bible Study Luke 17: 11-19

NIV    11Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy[a]met him. They stood at a distance 13and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" 14When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed. 15One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. 17Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" 19Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well."

The Message   11 -13It happened that as he made his way toward Jerusalem, he crossed over the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten men, all lepers, met him. They kept their distance but raised their voices, calling out, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" 14 -16Taking a good look at them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." They went, and while still on their way, became clean. One of them, when he realized that he was healed, turned around and came back, shouting his gratitude, glorifying God. He kneeled at Jesus' feet, so grateful. He couldn't thank him enough—and he was a Samaritan. 17 -19Jesus said, "Were not ten healed? Where are the nine? Can none be found to come back and give glory to God except this outsider?" Then he said to him, "Get up. On your way. Your faith has healed and saved you."

Vs 11 11Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. Every time I run across this statement "on his way to Jerusalem" in the gospels, I stop, take a deep breath and am thankful. Jesus knew he was going to die; he knew he was the sacrifice for sin; what an incredible burden that must have been. There is no way to really understand the weight he carried, we can only be filled with gratitude that he did. Yet, all along the way he always has time to meet the needs of those around him. I mean salvation of the world, past, present, future OR heal a few lepers. And Jesus has time for both… what a Savior. How often does the phrase escape from my lips, "I don't have time." The other item in this verse is the route itself. It was by no means a direct route and in Matthew we see all kinds of things happening on this very same route, Matthew 19: 1- 20: 34. He even has time to bless some little children, all on the route to pain, rejection and death.

12As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!"

In the Bible there are different types of skin diseases. Those classified as tsāra 'ath (always translated leprosy in the KJV), were believed to require isolation. Leprosy begins with brownish-red spots on the face, ears, forearms, thighs, and/or buttocks that later become thickened nodules and, losing their skin covering, become ulcers with subsequent loss of tissue, followed by contraction and deformity. This was believed to be contagious, so great precaution was taken by the people. Lepers were required to stand far off, live separated lives, therefore, if they had something to say or a need it had to be yelled. When they were coming into proximity to non-lepers they were required to shout, "Unclean, unclean." So that others could avoid getting close. There was no specified distance at which they should stand, but some authorities say when a leper was windward of a healthy person, they should be 50 yards away. So, here we have ten lepers standing at a distance hollering at Jesus. I also notice, that these lepers had some knowledge of Jesus and who he was. I wonder if they had been in contact with another leper whom he had healed? Cantrell speculation there. J

14When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed. In the book of Leviticus it gives specific instructions about skin diseases. What must be done and how. One part is that the priest (the health inspector of the day) must see that the leprosy or skin disorder is clear, so that they could return to the community. Now, Jesus who is God in the flesh, I wouldn't think would need to have a priest declare them clean. Jesus could have healed them right then and there. So I'm forced to ask why? He could make their flesh like a newborn's instantly but we see that he follows the accepted traditions of the day; he follows what he's been taught; actual protocol. We must understand that to Jesus the law was seen in relational terms, NOT RULES. Jesus was radical, he was assertive, he was an instigator but he was not a heretic. There was nothing wrong with the Law, only how man had twisted it. He knew for those men to be credible with their own communities (relationships), he must send them to the priest, that way there could be no question in the future as to their healing, not for them, their associates or the health officials of the day (priests). As we see change in the church (and we need to see change in methodology) there are some things that are not negotiable. There's nothing wrong with the theology of the Church. But when any of us take the relationship out of our belief system and make it a set of what to do or not to do, we've missed it!!! O.K. that's a whole different study.  Next we see "as they went, they were cleansed." They acted in obedience BEFORE the miracle happened. It happened as they did what Jesus told them to do. I can not begin to recount the times that I've heard, "Well, I'd _____________ for God if He _________________ for me." And unfortunately, my own lips have uttered that phrase in a variety of ways. "Oh, Lord if you will just heal my boy I will serve you." "Lord, if you'll keep me from going bankrupt, I'll be sure and pay my tithe." "Oh, Lord if you'll keep me from dying, I'll be a preacher." We see a miracle of healing happen in this scripture but it follows obedience first…important lesson for us.

15One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. This one man is fully conscious of the miracle which had happened and is deeply grateful. With great emotion and with loud voice he expresses his thanks. I hope I praise in the same way! Twenty-six years ago my life was a mess, I really had no identity, I had little love, I was empty then I was restored completely by Jesus. I really was made new, transformed, changed! So different that when people who knew me saw me they commented on how different I looked physically! I was healed from a variety of hurts and down the road I was even healed from Hepatitis C. I can't even begin to re-count all the times God has done unexplainable, miraculous things in my life to this very day. So how can I be quiet! When the Chiefs win (and that's a miracle) people jump up and holler. Jesus Christ has conquered death, hell and the grave, how can I be quiet and reserved…how can we, any of us, not have great emotion and with a loud voice express thanks. Let that mull in you as you come to corporate worship next Sunday. J Next point, where are the other nine? Sometimes when people get what they pray for, get what they want, it becomes a testing moment. For nine of these lepers, for reasons unknown they took their healing and never looked back or gave thanks. So, I can only believe there is a difference between healing and wholeness. One was made whole and nine were healed of a sickness. I know people who are dying today, who have prayed for healing from whatever disease racks their body but continue to live with it, YET (and that's a big yet) they are more alive than many other people I know who are healthy. They are at peace, they are loving, they are praising God, they are without fear, they are truly whole.

16He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Now the story takes a turn, we discover that one of the ten was a Samaritan. This gives it a completely different slant. It's not just about healing, gratitude and praise. Samaritans and Jews did NOT associate, not in any shape form or fashion. Yet, here they are living together, traveling together…dying together. Could that be the key, illness or desperate need of some kind is no respecter of persons. They were brought together by their common sickness/need, everything else went to the wayside. They forgot they were Jews or Samaritans, they only knew they were in a hopeless situation. 

17Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?"

I don't know the tone that was in Jesus voice…was it frustration, hurt, anger, I wonder? Or could Jesus have been disappointed for another reason, the fact that he knew ten were healed of a sickness, but only one was made well… made whole… made complete…given abundant life? He gave opportunity to ten but only one took it, that is really one of the saddest things I've ever thought about. It makes me think about how many times God offers Himself to us and we don't take it, we continue to rely on ourselves, denying inner peace that is available.

19Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well."

Jesus, then blesses him and gives him purpose, go. I can imagine he would have loved to followed Jesus, been the thirteenth disciple. I mean he came back and fell at his feet, this is what one would do to a master as a slave, or a soldier to a Caesar, or a worshipper to a god. This man came to place himself in Jesus service but the Lord says go. Go back to your life, go back to your family or whatever but go – now can you imagine what was on this fellows lips as he went back. You can bet he was a preacher and a half. Praise for God, praise to Jesus, praise for the one who made him whole – physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Jesus is definitely willing to heal. He still offers wholeness. The question is, am I calling out, obedient, grateful, praising and willing to serve. Am I really ready for wholeness or do I just want the problem fixed? A question for all of us to ponder...

 

Resources: Beacon Bible Commentary by Charles L. Childers; The Communicator's Commentary – Luke by Lloyd J. Ogilvie; NIV Bible Dictionary; The Gospel of Luke by William Barclay; Beacon bible Expositions by Reuben Welch

 

Monday, October 8, 2007

Study Lamentations 3

Email Study

Lamentations 3: 19-26

NIV   19 I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. 20 I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. 21 Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: 22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." 25 The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; 26 it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.

 

The Message 19-21I'll never forget the trouble, the utter lost-ness, the taste of ashes, the poison I've swallowed. I remember it all—oh, how well I remember— the feeling of hitting the bottom. But there's one other thing I remember, and remembering, I keep a grip on hope: 22-24God's loyal love couldn't have run out, his merciful love couldn't have dried up. They're created new every morning. How great your faithfulness! I'm sticking with God (I say it over and over). He's all I've got left. 25-27God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits, to the woman who diligently seeks. It's a good thing to quietly hope, quietly hope for help from God. It's a good thing when you're young to stick it out through the hard times.

 

     To study anything out of Lamentations we MUST know context and genre here, or misinterpretation can happen easily! I will be using information from Discovering the Old Testament Story and Faith, Edited by Alex Varughese (who was one of Pastor Steve’s professors at Mt. Vernon). This is a great  easy to read book and I highly recommend it for anyone who teaches, preaches or studies the Old Testament. What I would like to do is simply give an over view of the entire book then the passage itself can be properly understood.

     Lamentations is part of the Writings in the Hebrew Canon. As I researched this book it came to my attention that the title in the Hebrew is “How” – I wonder if the writer was thinking, “how did we get here?” or maybe “how did it come to this?” Many scholars regard this book as the work of a writer who was an eyewitness of the tragic fall of Jerusalem in 587 BC. Tradition holds it was Jeremiah and this is perfectly possible, for that was in his lifetime and he was part of the fall of the nation.

     We must understand this is not biblical law, story or lists, this particular book is poetry or poetic song. Each of the five poems (chapters), except the last one, is constructed as an acrostic, using the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. These are also to be read as funeral dirges. We don’t often hear dirges, or at least not on a regular basis. Even at funerals we often hear happy or hopeful songs, which is fine but the author of Lamentations is unafraid to cry out. Then through poetry/song express the deep emotional distress over death and destruction, as always we could learn from this open honesty.

     This little book reminds us of the tragic consequence of breaking covenant with God. Though suffering is a major issue in this book, we MUST place it in context, God’s wrath is poured out upon those who have been unfaithful to him. This book is very different from Job, where he suffers even though he hasn’t sinned. The Bible is really does address situations all around us, even today. There will be times when we suffer because of choices to sin. Then there will be times we suffer by no choice of our own, suffering simply because we live in a fallen, broken world. There may even be times when we suffer, not because we’ve made sinful decisions but because someone else does. God doesn’t shy away from pain and we should not either. Grief is not a personal matter. Lamentations challenges us to speak openly about our agony, pain and the chaos that surrounds our human existence. We must also take time to examine, reflect, and come to grips with our pain. We must take time pray, confess, and seek God’s forgiveness if it comes due to bad choices. In the end, what sustains us regardless of life’s circumstances is God’s faithfulness and love, which surrounds us no matter what we are going through.

     Let’s look at each poem just a little… (1: 1-22) The author laments over the desolation of Jerusalem and recognized the truth that the desecration of the Temple was the direct consequence of the sins of God’s people. God had withdrawn His presence, which left Israel with no rest or comfort. The poet invited the nation to admit that God is righteous in all that He does, and to confess their rebellion against Him. (2: 1-22) The author saw the destruction of the Temple and other symbols of God’s holiness as the sign of God’s anger against sin. God withdrew His communication through the Law and prophetic visions. However, God would have pity for them if they would come into His presence with a broken heart. (3: 1-66) Like Job, the author complained to God about his suffering. But unlike Job, the writer was convinced that he and his nation were suffering because of their sins. Nonetheless, he maintained hope in God’s great love, compassion, and faithfulness. In the midst of suffering, even suffering from the consequence of choices made by ourselves or others around us, this person proclaims God GOOD! The poet challenges the people to confess their sin and acknowledge their guilt before God so they would once again experience unbroken relationship with him. (4: 1-22) The poet reminds the people they were paying a terrible price for their sins. This situation was as bad as it gets. During this time of Babylonian siege, even mothers lost compassion for their starving children. The responsibility for this tragedy was on the prophets and priests, who failed to give proper spiritual direction. Those of us in leadership need to take notice.

(5: 1-22) The writer emphasizes in this particular tragedy it is all because of the sin of the people. The song ends with an appeal for restoration of God’s people. He understands God will not reject or be angry forever with a repentant sinner.

    Last spring this book was part of my own personal devotion time, I found it to be rich and meaningful. One reason was because it’s real, it is not at all “pie in the sky and the sweet by and by.” Jesus was real when He walked this earth, He was honest, He cried at death, He hated it when people mistreated each other, He died to defeat death and reconcile us with to Himself. Our walk with God is not based on circumstance (good or bad) it is based on our relationship with the One in who’s “great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." 25 The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; 26 it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.”

 

Monday, October 1, 2007

Sermon Luke: 15: 1-10

Sermon by Pastor Steve Estep to go with last week’s Bible Study -- Luke 15:1-10     Title: “Lost and found”

(Printed with permission)

 

I saw it in the lobby of the elementary school. It usually takes a few months for it to appear but by the end of the year it’s always full.  It was mounded up with jackets, hats, gloves, and mittens without mates, sweatshirts and even some shoes. They’d been left somewhere in the school or on the bus by an absent minded kid who had a whole lot on their mind besides keeping track of their stuff.  They weren’t old or worn out or worthless by any means. They were just forgotten, and there were a lot of kids who weren’t going to take the time to sort through everything to find what they had lost. So the clothes were piled up into a mound in a container that looked like a cage…Discarded. Forgotten. Lost but not found.  Near the end of the year last year, Mr. Erholtz asked me if we could use it and I said the Thrift Store would take it, to let me know if he needed anyone to take it down there.  As far as I know that’s where it all ended up. Lost. Thrown into a cage. Taken away.

 

The table where Jesus sat in Luke 15 must have looked like a cage of forgotten people.  They’d been discarded, left alone, and to use language that is both literal and spiritual, they were lost.  Lost souls without a home and as far as they knew, no one was looking for them.  That is, until Jesus showed up.  He was a lot different than any other religious person they’d ever been around. He was fun. He didn’t ignore them. He didn’t put on any masks or take on any new tones whether he was talking to them or talking to God. There was something refreshing about him. Something that made them want to be where He was.  He wasn’t repulsed by them and they sensed that. In fact Jesus didn’t just tolerate being around them, he made it a point to be with them, on purpose. He invited them to be where He was.

 

Around Jesus’ table sat an assortment of sinners, the equivalent of a Baskin Robbins of broken humanity that was as flavorful as it was colorful. Yet all of them were drawn to Jesus. They were interested in what He had to say.  When He spoke it was if he could read not just their minds, but their hearts. He connected with them. He cared about them. When they were with Jesus, they felt like they really mattered. Who wouldn’t be drawn to someone like that? Every person I know wants that too – to know that they really matter, that they’re worth something, that they are worth finding.

 

It was an interesting bunch sitting around Jesus’ table. Tax collectors, prostitutes, con men.  One of them was probably Levi, or Matthew.  He had been a tax collector too. I think it’s not too far fetched to imagine that he knew some of those who were at the table that day, and even more than that, that he had invited a couple of them to be there.  Matthew had a great story. His life had been a mess. He made a living cheating people. He was a traitor who sided with Roman government to make a buck.  He alienated himself from folks by taking advantage of them. While he didn’t have a lot of friends, he did have a lot of cash.  But it wasn’t enough, and it wasn’t going to be enough no matter how much He got. And He knew it. Possessions can only take a person so far, satisfy so much. In the end there’s really no substitute for really living, no matter how much money a person has.  Matthew knew the emptiness this cage of humanity that surrounded him was feeling because he had felt it too.

He knew what it was like to do life in the cage of the lost, wanting more but not knowing where to get it. Hungry for God and not knowing it.  Wanting to be found but not knowing how. It all changed for him when Jesus showed up one day right where he was. Jesus is like that. He tends to show up right where people are, right where people need Him, and right when we are ready to respond to Him. Whether it’s a tax booth, toll booth, house, office, car, restaurant, grocery store, construction site, chapel or church, He always seems to show up where people need Him.

 

Jesus had invited Matthew too. Not just to dinner, but to life, and it was an invitation Matthew had accepted. He left the old way of life behind – totally. He walked toward Jesus and when he did he walked away from sin. In one day his life totally changed directions and what was old was made new, what was dead came alive.  It really is possible for that to happen, you know. Life can change in one day, in one encounter. One invitation from Jesus to walk with Him can make all the difference in the world. It did for Matthew, and if he was going to have anything to say or do about it, some of his friends were going to experience it too. It is that way when you get found. When a person goes from being lost to being found, that’s not the kind of thing you keep to yourself.

 

Matthew might have been at the table, but the Pharisees would have been looking at the table, keeping their distance, not getting too close. They had their own ideas about what should be done with the riff-raff around Jesus’ table. They needed to be lost. Thrown into a cage. Taken away.  They were unclean and needed to be avoided. You can’t stay clean running around with filth. Purity has to be protected. Sinners are to be avoided.

 

But Jesus didn’t avoid or ignore the sinners to maintain His purity. Apparently He didn’t think their sin was a threat to His holiness and He jumped into the cage with them, which was something the Pharisees totally didn’t get.  I can see where they were coming from. Who of us hasn’t said to our kids, “Be careful who you hang around with because birds of a feather flock together.” The truth is, while we may find it easy to see the faults of the Pharisees, there’s probably a little Pharisee in all of us.  Some sizes and shapes of lost are better left in the cage. The folks who were at the party but not part of it, the religious people, they murmured. They grumbled under their breath. They complained about Jesus sitting at a table with sinners, and in response to their high-brow belittling, Jesus said, “Let me tell you a story” this is where we find Luke 15: 1-10. 

 

I think I can see Matthew nudging his lost friend about right here. “That’s what I’ve been telling you. I was a lost sheep and He came looking for me. It’s a great life, this being found. In fact it’s why He came.  He’s still looking. He doesn’t walk by the cage of lost humanity and keep going, He jumps right into it. Jesus doesn’t see any of us, not one of us as worthless. He wants us all to be found, even the Pharisees. The way He goes about it is a lot different than anything we’ve ever seen before, but it sure makes you want to be found doesn’t it?”

 

While the Pharisees are grumbling and Matthew is praying for his friend, and His friend is contemplating the biggest move of his entire life, Jesus is on to another story just to make sure that if they didn’t get it the first time they get it now. 

God is the kind of God who goes looking for lost people, because He values them – He values us. God is the Shepherd who goes after the lost sheep, the woman who tears up the house looking for her lost coin, the Father who welcomes a lost son with open arms. He’s the Creator who jumps into the cage of the lost and joins us where we are so that we might be able to join Him where He is. And He’s the kind of God who sees to it that when lost folks like us get found, there’s always a party. 

 

That’s what it’s like in the Kingdom. It’s a party. It’s a celebration every time a lost sheep, a lost coin, a lost son or daughter gets found.  The Father says “strike up the band, get the food on the table, tell the angels to start dancing because there’s going to be a party!” There was a party when Matthew who was lost, got found. There was a party  when … who was lost got found. There was a party when… who was lost got found. And maybe, just maybe today heaven itself is waiting to spread the table, start the music, and get it started again for someone right here who came in lost, but is going to go out having been found. 

 

When the story we’ve just heard starts, it starts with Jesus at a table with a bunch of sinners. One of the things that got him on the bad side of the religious people was that he ate with, fellowshipped with, entered into relationships with sinful people. According to their way of thinking, eating with these folks was the same as condoning what they did.  I can see that I guess.  But there was more going on than eating at this table. Jesus was sending everyone there a message. It wasn’t a message that said He was OK with sin, but it was a message that said He wasn’t going to wait for the sinners to get all cleaned up before He was willing to sit down and talk with them.  I guess in some ways the Table (Pastor walks to the church’s communion table) here is supposed to look like the table there. If all we have is the already found around the table, then we’ve been guilty of walking past the cage that Jesus jumped into. I think pretty much every time we get together there ought to be sinners pulling up to the table. Lost sheep invited by found sheep who are interested in what this Jesus has to say, this pure and holy Jesus who welcomes sinners and forgives sins. The Jesus in our story from Luke is the same Jesus who is here right now. I think He’s interested in having people like us in places like this pull up a chair at His table and enjoy His company. We may even find ourselves sitting right beside someone who is the cause of a party in heaven this very day.  Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found, was blind, but now I see. Amen.