Sermon Title: Its Important to Focus
"They came to Bethsida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, 'Do you see anything?' He looked up and said, 'I see people; they look like trees walking around.' Once more Jesus put His hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. Jesus sent him home, saying, "Don't go into the village.'"
Two questions arise from the reading of this story: one, why did Jesus tell the man who was healed not to go into the village? Biblical scholars give many reasons, but the most probable reason is because Jesus was not finished with His ministry in Bethsida and was afraid that the man who was healed would cause chaos and a crisis. This had happened before in Galilee (see Mark 1:45). This is in contrast with other places where Jesus told those who were healed to "proclaim" what was done for them (see Mark 5:18-20). In those places Gentiles (non-Isrealites) were the dominate population, so they were not expecting a Messiah who would deliver them. Today, God wants us as Christ followers to tell others about the miracle-working Christ and the salvation that is provided through His death and resurrection throughout the world (Mark 16:15).
The second question that arises: why did Jesus have to touch the man's eyes twice before he was fully healed? To hear the answer to that question, you have to come to church on Sunday and hear the sermon! Hope to see you then!
Monday, July 26, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
Scripture for Sunday, July 25th: Luke 19:1-10
Sermon Title: There Is A Land of Beginning Again
"Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, 'Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.' So he came down at once and welcomed Him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, 'He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.' But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, 'Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.' Jesus said to him, 'Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."
Zacchaeus, being a tax collector, made a living by charging taxpayers more than what they owed to the Roman government. Thus, the tax collectors were despised by the people because of their greed and lack of conscious. However, Zacchaeus was so touched by the ministry of Jesus that he went beyond what was required by law in making restitution to those he owed (see Exodus 21:37; Numbers 5:5-7). His faith allowed him to experience a new relationships with Christ, one which allowed him to fellowship with Christ in his home. It was not his actions that "earned" him this privilege, but rather his faith was demonstrated in his actions (Galatians 3:10-14).
This coming Sunday I will speak about the story of Zacchaeus and how it demonstrates that there is "a land of beginning again" with God. In this "land" we can find acceptance, forgiveness and life from God. See you then!
"Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, 'Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.' So he came down at once and welcomed Him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, 'He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.' But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, 'Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.' Jesus said to him, 'Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."
Zacchaeus, being a tax collector, made a living by charging taxpayers more than what they owed to the Roman government. Thus, the tax collectors were despised by the people because of their greed and lack of conscious. However, Zacchaeus was so touched by the ministry of Jesus that he went beyond what was required by law in making restitution to those he owed (see Exodus 21:37; Numbers 5:5-7). His faith allowed him to experience a new relationships with Christ, one which allowed him to fellowship with Christ in his home. It was not his actions that "earned" him this privilege, but rather his faith was demonstrated in his actions (Galatians 3:10-14).
This coming Sunday I will speak about the story of Zacchaeus and how it demonstrates that there is "a land of beginning again" with God. In this "land" we can find acceptance, forgiveness and life from God. See you then!
Monday, July 12, 2010
Scripture for Sunday, July 18th: Ephesians 4:25-32
Sermon Title: Remember Everybody Has An Empty Sleeve
Our text reminds us that words do matter. It says that "unwholesome talk" (v. 29) grieves the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is holy, loving, true and peaceable. Unwholesome talk is unholy, harsh, lacks love and truthfulness. Because this grieves the Holy Spirit, it interferes with our relationship with God (I Thessalonians 5:19; Hebrews 10:29). Thus, the text encourages us to "be kind" (v. 32) and speak "what is good" so that we can extend "grace to the hearers" of our words (v. 29). Let us learn to put the "unwholesome" words away and practice speaking grace to others, especially to those in our own homes (see Ephesians 5:4; Colossians 3:8; and Matthew 5:6 for further study).
The sermon on Sunday will focus on Ephesians 4:31-32 and I will speak on how we should remember that everyone has a weakness and need. If we remember this, we can better understand, forgive and love others. Have a blessed week and see you on Sunday!
Our text reminds us that words do matter. It says that "unwholesome talk" (v. 29) grieves the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is holy, loving, true and peaceable. Unwholesome talk is unholy, harsh, lacks love and truthfulness. Because this grieves the Holy Spirit, it interferes with our relationship with God (I Thessalonians 5:19; Hebrews 10:29). Thus, the text encourages us to "be kind" (v. 32) and speak "what is good" so that we can extend "grace to the hearers" of our words (v. 29). Let us learn to put the "unwholesome" words away and practice speaking grace to others, especially to those in our own homes (see Ephesians 5:4; Colossians 3:8; and Matthew 5:6 for further study).
The sermon on Sunday will focus on Ephesians 4:31-32 and I will speak on how we should remember that everyone has a weakness and need. If we remember this, we can better understand, forgive and love others. Have a blessed week and see you on Sunday!
Monday, July 5, 2010
Scripture for Sunday, July 11th: John 1:9-14
Sermon Title: You Can't Understand If You Don't Know the Language
Our text tells us that life is found in the light (see verse 4). Moses saw this same light in the burning bush (Exodus 3:2). Isaiah saw it in his heavenly vision (Isaiah 6:1-5). Peter, James and John saw it on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:2). This light is Jesus Christ (v.9) and enlightens every person but the world refuses to receive this light and consequently the world does not know the source of the light where life is found (v. 10,11). Notice that those who do receive Him, He empowers to be transformed and enlightened, and they become His children (v.12). It is our responsibility as Christians to live in this light be being in fellowship with the Source, Jesus Christ, and point others to the light.
This week's sermon will focus on understanding three key terms that are basic to the Christian faith: mercy, grace and salvation (all of which are found in Sunday's Scripture text). These are three of the most common terms we use at church. They are powerful words, but if we fail to clearly define what they mean, we can't understand what God is trying to convey to us. So I hope to define these terms and apply them to our daily lives in my sermon on Sunday.
Have a blessed week and see you at church on Sunday!
Our text tells us that life is found in the light (see verse 4). Moses saw this same light in the burning bush (Exodus 3:2). Isaiah saw it in his heavenly vision (Isaiah 6:1-5). Peter, James and John saw it on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:2). This light is Jesus Christ (v.9) and enlightens every person but the world refuses to receive this light and consequently the world does not know the source of the light where life is found (v. 10,11). Notice that those who do receive Him, He empowers to be transformed and enlightened, and they become His children (v.12). It is our responsibility as Christians to live in this light be being in fellowship with the Source, Jesus Christ, and point others to the light.
This week's sermon will focus on understanding three key terms that are basic to the Christian faith: mercy, grace and salvation (all of which are found in Sunday's Scripture text). These are three of the most common terms we use at church. They are powerful words, but if we fail to clearly define what they mean, we can't understand what God is trying to convey to us. So I hope to define these terms and apply them to our daily lives in my sermon on Sunday.
Have a blessed week and see you at church on Sunday!
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