- I'd like to begin this am with a little audience participation…are you up for that?...

- 3 questions…

1. How many of you have ever run out of gas?

2. Where?...what city?...

3. How far did you have to go to get it?...

- I've mentioned to you before that my dad and his friends would take me with them every summer to Canada to go fishing…and my dad's friends would come up from KY and TN—meet us in Gary—and then we'd go up to Canada from there…

- and my dad was known for two things…

- he liked to drive and he was very good at it…

- and he was the cheapest person on the planet…

- and that was especially true when it came to the price of gas…

- for some reason, he hated to pay too much for gas…in fact it's funny what you remember from being a kid…but I recall a conversation where the guys had driven up from TN that day—and they were talking in hushed tones about how they actually had to pay 40 cents for a gallon of gas…and according to them, that was practically the end of the world as we knew it…

- anyway, my dad was driving up in Canada and it was wilderness up there and we were getting really low on gas…

- and you know that feeling…you're watching the gas gauge, and wondering how many miles you can go after the needle hits empty…and looking for any sign of an upcoming town…

- finally we saw a place and we were all relieved that we weren't going to be stuck somewhere…

- but then my dad saw how much it was…and it could not bring himself to filling up the truck…

- so he bought $5 worth and announced that we would fill up when we found something more reasonably priced…

- well, you can probably finish this story, can't you?...

- we ran out – and here we are in the middle of nowhere thinking—we had as much as we wanted back in the previous town…and now we're stuck for sure…

- nothing quite like that feeling of the needle going all the way down…and then under E…and then the engine knocking a few times and then sputtering out…and then your car might coast for 50 feet or so and then you're done…you're out of gas…

- have you ever felt like that personally?...where you're just running on fumes?...just out of gas?...

- what about in a ministry responsibility the Lord gave you?...

- with a particular person, or something in your family, maybe a ministry here at church…

- you've been trying to be faithful…trying to serve the Lord…

- but maybe it's a lot harder than you thought…

- or you're not seeing the results you hoped for…maybe there's some pushback or criticism…

- but you're starting to feel really tired…like you're running out of gas…

- maybe you've lost your joy and you find yourself complaining a lot…you feel like quitting…

- there's a passage of Scripture that could possibly be very helpful to you – Luke 9 – page 53 of the back section of the Bible under the chair in front of you…

-       if you've been attending here you know our church’s theme this year…is Building Core Strength

- emphasized in verses like - Psalm 138:3 - On the day I called, You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul…that’s it—core strength…

- today we're thinking about what you do when you feel like that strength's almost gone…

- we'd like to look for opportunities to apply these verses to…

-       remember our three areas of emphasis…

1. Shoring up foundational areas in our walk with Christ and our church ministries that comprise the basis of godliness and effective community service.

2. Planning and praying for the construction of Faith West and the successful launch of a cluster of new ministries in West Lafayette.

3. Preparing for the next round of ministry dreaming as we embark on a new strategic planning process in 2013.

- so we're talking about Building Core Strength by Understanding Your Source of Power.

- read Luke 9:1-36

- so, building core strength by understanding your source of power…

- with the time we have remaining, let's think about 3 steps to always having gas in your tank.

I. Accept the Ministry Assignment God Gives You.

- one of the points that we made at the beginning of the study is that it is not the task of any of the gospel writers to give a comprehensive discussion of the life and ministry of Christ…or even a chronological treatment of the subject…

- this is a good place to point that out because Luke skips over some material found in Mark apparently because that was not important for what he was trying to communicate to the man he wrote this to – Theophiluis…

- remember we mentioned this at the beginning of this study…

John 20:30–31 - Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.

- he said at the end of the next chapter…John 21:25 - And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written.

- so it's important to understand that when we get to Luke 9 – we're at the halfway mark in Jesus' public ministry…this is about 18 months from the crucifixion…

- that's why we just read about a very important transition…last week we saw Jesus healing people…and it was a great reminder of His power…

- but now…

A. For the disciples

1. They were given power and authority

- Luke 9:1 - And He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases.

- please think about what an incredible act of grace this was…

- obviously Jesus didn't have to use people in the accomplishment of His plan…but He is…and so He sends his disciples out and entrusts them with the same kind of power He has been modeling for them…

- but that's not an end in itself…

2. They were given the mission of proclaiming the kingdom of God

- Luke 9:2 - And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to perform healing.

- one way you can always tell whether a ministry is truly from the Lord is whether there is a message and a mission involved…

- but thankfully it was clothed--as is often the case--with works of compassion for those who were hurting…

- Jesus isn't just a king – He's a good king…and the message we have to proclaim is one that brings abundant life to those who will repent and believe…

3. They were to trust God to provide.

- Luke 9:3–4 - And He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, neither a staff, nor a bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not even have two tunics apiece. “Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that city..."

- so there's this overarching theme of God providing for those who have accepted a ministry assignment…if we're running out of gas, there's some kind of disconnect going on…and thankfully…the disciples accepted the mission…

4. They had a willingness to obey.

- Luke 9:6 - Departing, they began going throughout the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.

- these weren't perfect men – but here's an example of them taking a step of obedience and doing what God asked them to do… 

- now what do we do with this little parenthetical statement about Herod?....I think there's an important point there…

B. Undoubtedly some will be confused.

- Luke 9:7–9 - Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was happening; and he was greatly perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead, and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the prophets of old had risen again.  Herod said, “I myself had John beheaded; but who is this man about whom I hear such things?” And he kept trying to see Him.

- how could you get it any more mixed up than that?...and yet if you let people who either confuse the message or your motives – either purposefully or innocently—if that makes us run out of ministerial gas…we're going to be in trouble…

- cf. Clara Barton – Isaac's Storm – accusations and criticisms against the Red Cross – "It is an unfortunate trait in the human character to assail or asperse others engaged in the performance of humanitarian acts."

C. Sometimes (often?) the ministry opportunities come at inopportune times. 

- this is yet another time where looking at the parallel passages in other gospels provides crucial data…

- Mark 6:31–32 - And He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.) They went away in the boat to a secluded place by themselves.

- the point is – after this preaching tour – they were going to take some vacation…nothing wrong with that at all…

- but you and I will run out of gas very quickly if we become irritated whenever a ministry opportunity arises that doesn't fit our schedule…

- that's part of what it means to live in the kingdom of God…understanding that the king sometimes sovereignly ordains opportunities to serve Him when we already feel like we've served Him a lot…

-and that's exactly what happens next…because the people come find them…and Mark adds crucial data…Mark 6:33–34 - The people saw them going, and many recognized them and ran there together on foot from all the cities, and got there ahead of them.     When Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things.

- well, that's a problem…why?...

- because where are all these people going to eat?...there isn't a Subway in sight…

- Luke 9:12–14 - Now the day was ending, and the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the crowd away, that they may go into the surrounding villages and countryside and find lodging and get something to eat; for here we are in a desolate place.” But He said to them, “You give them something to eat!” And they said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless perhaps we go and buy food for all these people.” (For there were about five thousand men.)…

- do you see what's happening?...

 II. Understand that the Lord May Purposely Bring You to the End of Yourself.

- isn't that exactly what's unfolding here?

A. The reasonable solution to the disciples.

- we're out of gas here…

- Luke 9:12 - Now the day was ending, and the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the crowd away, that they may go into the surrounding villages and countryside and find lodging and get something to eat; for here we are in a desolate place.”

- have you ever said that?...

- I've been kind to this neighbor long enough…

- I've been patient with this child long enough…

- I've put up with this job, or this boss, this co-worker, this in-law long enough…

B. Jesus' challenge

- Luke 9:13 - But He said to them, “You give them something to eat!”

- maybe you're not out of gas…maybe there's a source of fuel within your grasp that you've not considered yet…

C. The great lesson

- Luke 9:16–17 - Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed them, and broke them, and kept giving them to the disciples to set before the people. And they all ate and were satisfied; and the broken pieces which they had left over were picked up, twelve baskets full.

- see, I wonder how many times we've concluded that we were out of gas when we had access to resources at our very fingertips?...

- I realize you might say – but PV – God hasn't called upon us to heal diseases or cast out demons…

- no, but He's called us to significant ministry if we'll trust Him for the power and the sustenance, even when we can't see where it's coming from… 

- I'd like you to hear today from Jocelyn Wallace, our director of Vision of Hope and then Reann, one of the young ladies God has brought to us…

- and please ask yourself regarding whatever ministry opportunity God has given you right now that's challenging…as you listen to these stories…are you really out of gas?...are we really out of gas…Is God really out of gas?

- Jocelyn

In 1995, after serving God on the mission field in a 3^rd world country for 10 years and then serving God in Campus Ministry at a Big 10 university for 5 years, my family was sent to Faith Church to receive counseling.  We came to Lafayette defeated.  My parents were hanging together by a thread.

 At that time I was 18, and I had made the decision that if a broken and bitter family was God’s way of repaying us for our faithful service to him, then I wanted nothing to do with him anymore.  I didn’t spend any time or energy hating God; He was simply dead to me.  Over the months there moments I reconsidered that perhaps God was worth thinking about again, but it was really only on occasions that served me.  During that time of rebellion and loneliness, while searching for anything that would satisfy me, I decided that being married and having my own family would fill that need.  Before anyone knew what had happened I was married as a teenager.  My poor husband had no idea what he had gotten himself into when he chose to marry someone that was that sad, angry, fearful, and bitter.  He had no chance of ever being able to satisfy me, and for four years we struggled to make a marriage work that was founded on my emptiness needing to be filled. 

During our early marriage we encountered a couple that loved us in a shocking and radical Christ-like way, and we eventually both made decisions to have a relationship with God.  When we began attending Faith Church again, as an invisible, in-the-shadows kind of couple, we began to learn about the power of God available to us, even in the middle of the mess we were in.  For the next 2 years we listened, studied, learned, cautiously got involved , got our college educations, and got good jobs.   Although there was growth as  we applied God’s word, there were areas that were still troubled.

In 2002, our daughter Hailey was born 3 months early, weighing 1 lb 13 ounces.  Facing the near death experiences of both myself and my daughter, while being a wife, running a business, trying to keep up with NICU visits, and also facing some extended family problems left me out of strength.  Within six months of our daughter’s birth I was completely exhausted, barely surviving, and questioning why this God that I was now following and serving again would have saved my life in the hospital only to allow me to be in this position of depression severe enough that I was begging Him to kill me.

Contemplating death but afraid to hurt my family, I turned to the only person left that could help, the God who wouldn’t let me die.  What I found was a God who’s not freaked out by my questions or disappointed that I couldn’t make myself want to stay alive.  When I was honest and transparent with Him, I found that He was kind enough to not only answer my questions but powerful enough to fill my life with purpose and meaning.   Over the next 18 months of asking hard questions and finding real answers, I found myself connected to a source of power that energized me for life with the same supernatural strength that was used to raise Jesus from the dead.  I started living the passage from Philippians 3:10 that says “I want to know Christ – yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him…”  2 Corinthians 4:7 says that I have the treasure of knowing Christ in a weak and failing human body to show God’s all-surpassing power.  Since that time ten years ago there have been many instances where I’ve needed to grow as a wife or mother and in my other relationships, but I am growing while being connected to that supernatural source of strength.

I was an empty, miserable excuse of a human being… such a failure that I should have been disqualified from ever doing anything for God.  But like Psalm 106:8 says, I believe God saved me and is sanctifying me for his name’s sake…. to make his mighty power known.  I have failed in more ways than I would ever want anyone to know.  But like Psalm 77:14-15 says He is the God who performs miracles.  He displays His power among His people, and with his mighty arm He redeems them.

Every day I am faced with needs at home or at Vision of Hope where ministry opportunities happen at inopportune times, when I’m cranky, sick of studying, or exhausted from a full day’s work, and I have to choose whether I will rely on myself, or whether I will use God’s power, perfectly suited for that occasion.  It has been exciting to see that when there is nothing left of me but the Christ that is in me and I’m not in the way, God’s glory shines the brightest.  

 If I had never been loved and taught in my weakest moments, when it probably wasn’t very convenient for others to be involved, I wouldn’t know how to work with the girls at Vision of Hope that I have come to love so dearly.  I have answers to share with them because I have experienced Christ working powerfully in my life, and I want them to experience a relationship with Him too.  Like Colossians 1:28-29 says “He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.”

- Reann

Hi my name is Reann Weber.  I’m 19 years old and a current resident at Vision of Hope Residential Treatment Center.  I’m here today to tell you how life changing God’s Word has been for me and how amazing it has been learning to love and trust him.

I was introduced to drugs at age 13.  By 15 I was partying almost every weekend.  Drinking and smoking were the cool things to do, right?  The first time I got caught I was 16.  My family was no longer important to me and neither was school.  Now finding the party that weekend or buying my next bag, that was important.  I was put on a year probation and told to straighten up.  Did I?   No! 

I violated probation and was put on house arrest for 6 months as a 16 year old.  I continued to rebel against anyone who thought they could tell me what to do.  While on house arrest I continued getting high.  I didn’t care and thought I surely wouldn’t get caught again.  Well, I did.  And two probation violations later and another six months on house arrest I thought to myself “Why can’t I just stop getting high?”

Even after thinking that, I let myself fall deeper and deeper into the pit of destruction, and before I knew it I was a full blown alcohol and drug addict.  I was given 2, 3, even 4 chances at redeeming myself, and I threw it all away. 

At age 18, I became a convicted drug felon and was sent to Rockville Correctional Facility with a 3 year sentence.  In other words, as an 18 year old, I went to a maximum security prison. 

Almost a year before all of this my probation officer told my parents and I about Vision of Hope. When I was put in jail my mom started looking for somewhere for me to go to get help. She remembered Vision of Hope and again told me about it.  I thought about it but wondered if God really wanted to help me now and where has he been this whole time?  Was I ready to change?

I spent my 19^th birthday getting out of prison then came to Vision of Hope on early release.  I have found out that I’m not alone in this struggle and that there are reasons that my life got so bad, but more importantly that there were answers to get out of this mess.  I am learning the reasons behind my drug and alcohol addiction and how to resolve those issues on a daily basis.

Throughout the years of my juvenile delinquency and addictions I cost my community thousands of dollars in court costs, lawyer fees, failed drug testing, and the cost of housing an inmate in the prison system.  Altogether I cost my community a little over $29,000.  On top of the cost to my community is the cost to my family.  I never once thought about how this would affect them.  I was a liar and a manipulator and didn’t weigh how my actions would affect anyone.  I influenced other juveniles to break the law and get involved with drugs. 

That is why I am so excited about the help I’ve gotten and for my future.  I plan to keep growing and utilizing the resources around me to help me make better decisions.  I’m hoping to one day go back to school, complete a college degree, become a faithful employee, and begin living responsibly.  That would give me the opportunity to serve others and give back what I’ve taken through my drug and alcohol addiction.  I believe through the power of God nothing is impossible.  With the love and support I receive through Faith’s ministry I am learning how to show the hope I’ve found with others.  I’m excited to show my community that real change is possible through the power that is available to me in Christ.

- now, how is all of this related to the transfiguration?...

- Luke says that 8 days after these sayings…Jesus took Peter, James, and John up to a mountain to pray… Luke 9:29–31 - And while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming.  And behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah, who, appearing in glory, were speaking of His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 

- the point is…

III. Be Prepared to See Christ in Entirely New Ways.

- this about a situation in which you might feel out of gas…and how continuing to serve in the midst of your weariness could be the very means of learning more about Christ… 

1. Kids home from school for the summer

2. Going on vacation

3. Serving in a new ministry like VBS

4. Taking the intro class

5. Not giving up on that child who has gone astray

6. Sticking in that job situation even though it is challenging

- Do you believe that God wants to powerfully minister to your soul in times of need in your life both great and small?...

- and I'm really not asking how we would dutifully answer that question on a theology exam…but seriously – for just little old you, and little old me – do you think the God of heaven and earth really knows what we're facing at any given moment…and really wants to minister to our souls in ways that are meaningful and life-changing…

- the morning I was preparing this message we received word that Jan Neiburger thought it might be a good time for anyone who was in the area and would like to speak to Lucky (whisper something in his ear)…

- a note like that is very helpful by the way, because it helps all of us know the best way we can serve in a difficult situation…

- Lucky has served in the counseling ministry for some time...so Pastor Green and I jumped in my Jeep and headed over there…

- and in my line of work, I've been in that situation a lot…but it doesn't make it any easier as a pastor…because with someone like Lucky – you're "losing" a friend, a deacon, a faithful member of our church…

- and that pales in comparison to how this affects Jan and the children and grandchildren and many others…

- but still, if you've been a pastor in the same place for a long time…there's a lot of different thoughts and emotions running through your mind… 

- and after we talked to Lucky for a few minutes…and thanked him for the way he ministered to us in so many ways…we read a passage I often do at a time like this…because when someone's mind is going in and out, we try to use something that will be very familiar… 

Psalm 23 - The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 

- it was fascinating to watch the impact of God's Word on Lucky and on Pastor Green and me…

- it was one of those many occasions where the power and comfort of the Word just washes over the room…and washes over your soul…

- I believe God delights in ministering to His children that way, don't you?... 

- I often get a kick how the Lord does that for me individually, or for us as a church in the way the preaching schedule shakes out…

- you may not know – but we lay out the preaching schedule for the following year each December…

- and the process is that we ask our pastors and deacons to try to help us analyze where our church family is at that point – and where the Lord wants us to go…

- sometimes we seek input from others as well…but that's the way the annual theme is selected…

- that's the way the various series are laid out…along with what book or books of the Bible we're going to study…

- and then we plan for the entire year…and it's not that we can't deviate from that…but we generally stay pretty close to what we decided… 

- you know that I religiously prepare Sunday's message on Tuesdays…so my habit is to take a peek at what's coming next sometime on Monday – just to start getting my head into it…

- of course this week was Memorial Day, so I stopped over at some point and I took my routine peek…

- and I just laughed out loud…

- is it Ok to say to the Lord – sometimes you just crack me up?...

- [because I do that all the time…]… 

- and the reason I say that is especially because of all the pressure and push-back we've been getting about Faith West recently…it was great to see that the very next text in our study is all about Building Core Strength by Marveling at the Power of Christ.

- with that in mind, please open your Bible to Luke chapter 8, page 52 of the back section of the Bible under the chair in front of you…

-       if you've been attending here you know our church’s theme this year…is Building Core Strength

- emphasized in verses like - Psalm 138:3 - On the day I called, You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul…that’s it—core strength…

-       because today in many ways is the official start of summer…that gives us an opportunity to do two things…

-       to assess how far we've come as individuals and a church in the accomplishment of this theme

-       and also to think about how we can use the summer to take additional steps…

-       remember our three areas of emphasis…

1. Shoring up foundational areas in our walk with Christ and our church ministries that comprise the basis of godliness and effective community service.

2. Planning and praying for the construction of Faith West and the successful launch of a cluster of new ministries in West Lafayette.

3. Preparing for the next round of ministry dreaming as we embark on a new strategic planning process in 2013.

- so as you think about that…

-       how would you assess how far you've come as an individual and we as a church in the accomplishment of this theme?

-       and also what steps can/should you/we take this summer to keep moving forward in these three areas? 

- I think our passage today can really help us…read Luke 8:22-56…

- we're talking this morning about Building Core Strength by Marveling at the Power of Christ.

- with the time we have remaining, let's think about 3 areas in which God's power is especially on display. 

I. Jesus' Power Over Our Circumstances

- the passage begins by Luke saying…

- v. 22 – Now on one of those days…

- there's no way to know how closely if at all this is connected to what we studied last week – the matter of cultivating our hearts like good ground, so we are ready to receive the Word of God in a way that it will produce fruit 100 times as great…along with the opportunity to be a bright light to those around us because we "took care how we listened…"

- but there's no question about the fact living like that requires power—strength – the very issues we're talking about this year…

- so they all get in a boat and Jesus suggests that they go to the other side of the lake…

- and that's a very important exegetical point because…

A. The Lord orchestrated this event.

- v. 22 – …and He said unto them, "Let us go over to the other side of the lake."

- not of this caught Him by surprise at all…would we all agree to that?...

- I think we make a mistake if we don’t factor that into what's occurring…because we're so used to getting ourselves in jams because we're careless or we simply can't know what's going to happen…

- quite a few years ago our family was vacationing down at Lake Cumberland in KY…

- and we had decided that we would try to do something a little bit extra nice on our last day down there…so we rented a pontoon boat to cruise around the lake…

- and when we woke up, the weather was a little iffy…and I went back and forth on whether we should even go…

- but eventually I decided it would probably be OK…

- so we loaded the kids up and I thought, well—the boat has this aluminum canopy thing – so if it rains a little bit, we're fine… 

- we started cruising around the lake…and pretty soon the sky got really dark…and the wind started whipping around…and I decided we needed to head back…being the wise family leader I was…

- and then the sky just let loose…

- and immediately the waves picked up, and it was raining so hard…

- and I'm trying to get to the closest shore, but the wind was blowing so hard we just weren't getting anywhere…and I look at my wife and my kids huddled under a blanket thinking – this was a really bad idea…

- by that time it was so dark and windy and rainy it was hard to even see…and the rain hitting that aluminum canopy was maddening…

- but that was nothing when the hail started…and you know how hailstorms are kind-of cool when you're inside your house watching it pile up in the yard…

- they're really not that funny when you have your family in a lake as big and deep as Cumberland…

- finally we made it to a little cove and there was no place to get out of the boat but at least we were somewhat shielded from the wind…and I thought we would be OK to wait it out there until I heard this…Steve…Steve…Steve…from the other side of the boat…

- and Kris was pointing into the water and there were these little snakes bobbing all around the boat as if they were really hungry after that storm…

- and I realize when we're sitting in a comfortable auditorium, it's hard to picture this kind of a storm…but remember…several of these men were seasoned fishermen…and when they were this afraid – that must have been some storm.

- but this is a far different than a father who made an unwise decision and endangered his family…

- this is actually an event that Jesus knew in advance and led His disciples there anyway…

- and one of the take-aways is…

- v. 24 – They came to Jesus and woke Him up, saying, Master, Master, we are perishing! And He got up and rebuked the wind and the surging waves, and they stopped, and it became calm.

- see, sometimes we believe the best life is one that's free from storms – Jesus believes it's one where His sovereign hand allows storms so we can learn more about His power.

- now there's one other important piece of this story – and this is why it's so valuable to read passages like this in a Harmony of the Gospels – because Mark explains that part of what they were saying…

- Mark 4:38 – Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on a cushion, and they woke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, so you not care that we are perishing?" 

- do you see the difference?...not just – "we're perishing" – but – "you don’t even care…" 

- so Jesus gets up and…

- v. 24 - … and He got up and rebuked the wind and the surging waves, and they stopped, and it became calm.

- I like what Mark includes…Mark 4:39 – And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Hush, be still."  And the wind died down and it became perfectly still.

- don't you love that – someone powerful enough to tell the wind to hush up and it does… 

- then He looks at His disciples and…

- v. 25 – And He said to them, where is your faith?... 

- I wonder…

B. How many times has Jesus had that same question for you?  for us?

- where's your faith?... 

- now – what could they have said that would have been better than this?...

- just about anything, huh?... 

- how about – Lord, please show us your power…

- or, Lord – we believe, help us with our unbelief…

- or, Lord – help us to have ears to hear what you've taught us before?...

- help the fruitfulness of faith grow in us because we prepared our hearts well…

- help us to be bright lights, even to one another… 

- now, what happens next?...

- we go from Jesus' power over circumstances to…

II. Jesus' Power Over the Unseen World.

- you can imagine the disciple's fascination with the man, and especially Luke as a physician…

- and his condition illustrates how…

A. Satan always comes to destroy.

- v. 27a – met by a man possessed with demons

- v. 27b - who had not put on any clothing for a long time

- v. 27c – was not living in a house, but in tombs.

- v. 29 – For it had seized him many times; and he was bound with chains and shackles and kept under guard, and yet he would break his bonds and be driven by a demon into the dessert. 

- if you want to think about the kind of situation that would be completely hopeless – this is it for sure…

- can you imagine being part of this man's family?...[please no "you haven't seen my uncle John" jokes]…

- picture how the disciples would have responded to this scene as it unfolded…

- it's one thing for Jesus to tame a storm – but a man like this?... 

- but what does Luke want us to be sure we understand – Jesus handled this…well, handily…and part of the point is… 

B. Jesus and Satan have never been on equal terms.

- do we all understand that?

- v. 28 - …What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?  I beg you, do not torment me.

- v. 31 – They were imploring Him not to command them to go away into the abyss

- v. 32 – Now there were a herd of many swine feeding there on the mountain; and the demons implored Him to permit them to enter the swine; and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned. 

- don’t you get the feeling as you read this that it's like a bully who has been picking on someone smaller and then that person's big brother shows up?...

- and all of a sudden the equation has changed and the bully realizes he's in trouble really quickly…kind of like Eddie Haskell when Mr. Cleaver came in the room – well, hello Mr. Cleaver, and how are you today?... 

- and don’t you love how this part of the passage ends?...with the reminder that…

C. Jesus is in the business of changing lives.

- v. 35 – they came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting down at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind…

- v. 36 – Those who had seen it reported to them how the man who was demon possessed had been made well. 

- Ephesians 6:12 – For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

- and the point of this section of the text is – Jesus is powerful enough to overcome any aspect of the unseen world.

- that's why John would later write – I John 4:4 – You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.

- this is one of the issues that has made some folks in our town upset with us…and now I'm speaking more broadly than demon possession…but just anything about any of us that might not be in line with Scripture…

- now, the argument builds when we get to the end of the chapter, doesn't it?...

III. Jesus' Power Over Matters of Life and Death

- one of the things I like about God's Word is that it doesn't simply provide straight propositional statements – nearly as often as that truth is explained and illustrated through real life events.

- and this story is about as touching as it gets… 

A. The sting of death is profound apart from Christ. 

- v. 41 – And there came a man named Jairus, and he was an official of the synagogue; and he fell at Jesus' feet, and began to implore Him to come to his house; for he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, and she was dying. 

- are you picturing this scene in your mind?...

- all of a sudden a discussion about the power of Christ takes on a completely different sense of urgency, doesn’t it? 

- and then, there's this interruption in the story…or is it an interruption?...

- because this woman comes with some kind of a blood disorder…and she had suffered with it as long as Jarius' daughter had been alive…

- and in her faith she reaches out and just touches Christ's garment – believing that will be enough to heal her…and she was right…

- v. 44 – came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His cloak, and immediately her hemorrhage stopped.

- and Jesus says – who touched me?....

- and you can imagine – there's this throng trying to get to Jairus' house – the urgency is intense…and Jesus asks who touched Him…it's like – who hasn't touched you?...

- Luke 8:47-48 - When the woman saw that she had not escaped notice, she came trembling and fell down before Him, and declared in the presence of all the people the reason why she had touched Him, and how she had been immediately healed. And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” 

- the point is…

B. Often faith comes in surprising packages.

- the comparison is obvious…

- Jesus had to ask these big strong disciples – where is your faith? 

- but here's a woman – just imagine the physical exhaustion that would come from fighting a blood disease for 12 years…yet what does Christ say to her?... 

v. 48 - And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” 

- does that give you hope this morning?...you might say – I'm no spiritual giant – I've never really going to learn about the power of God…

- also please keep in mind – God wants you to learn more about this…

- Ephesians 1:18-19 – I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. 

C. Don't let laughter and ridicule deter your walk of faith. 

- v. 52-53 – Now they were all weeping and lamenting for her; but He said "Stop weeping, for she has not died, but is asleep."  And they began laughing at Him, knowing that she had died. 

D. It's not over, until Jesus says it's over. 

v. 54 – He however, took her by the hand and called, saying, "Child, arise!"  And her spirit returned, and she got up immediately; and He gave orders for something to be given her to eat. 

The 2012 Lafayette Passion Play depicts the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, along with a modern vignette. In the vignette, we see a couple that is struggling to see the relevance of the Easter story to a modern "audience." Join us as we follow their tour with a museum curator who tries to help them see why Easter is relevant to everyone, and why every person has made a decision about Christ--even if they've decided not to decide. 

- well, did you enjoy the Super Bowl last Sunday?...

- I’m assuming I’m speaking to mostly Christians here this morning and therefore, you were cheering for the Giants…so you should be a fairly happy group this morning…

- of course part of the fun of the Super Bowl is not just the game, but the commercials…at least some of the commercials…

- did you have a favorite?...

- here’s mine…

- [Chevy Silverado 2012 commercial]…

There you have it - from the beginning of your work day to the end of the world – Chevy runs deep…

- now, let’s see – I’ve been speaking for less than 5 minutes and I’ve already alienated Patriots fans and Ford drivers…that might be a new PV record…

- but that commercial does illustrate a point that is important for our time together this morning…and that is – our world’s fascination with predictions, prophecies, and promises…

- and sometimes it’s just something to laugh about…but on the other hand frequently it’s something that is very, very serious…

- for example, the last time someone asked you for your credit card number, or your social security number…

- they were making a promise…a prediction…a prophecy if you will…

- you can trust us with that information…we promise we’ll keep it secure and it won’t be shared with someone else…

- that decision is anything but a laughing matter…because right then and there you have to decide who you’re going to believe…who you’re going to trust

- and I’m sure we could hear some horror stories from people right in this room who were the victims of identity theft and would say in retrospect…I believed a company’s promise and they let me down… 

- every time you get out on the interstate – there’s an implied promise by the other drivers that they will pay attention…that they know the driving laws and will keep them…that’s the roads are safe and passable…

- and we saw a little over a week ago how badly things can go when cars are driving at a high rate of speed…in the tragedy down in Florida…when officials decided it was safe to travel and it turned out not to be…

- every time you get in your car, you are putting your trust and your family’s safety into the hands of other people, humanly speaking... 

- there’s larger issues too…whose promises are you going to believe regarding the most important questions of life?...where did I come from?, why am I here, and where am I going?...

- there’s a lot of discussion right now in our community involving creation and evolution…and you can decide how much of that is even helpful…

­ - but a retired Purdue professor who I’m sure knows 100 times more about biology that I ever will said in the paper this week that you can’t use the human eye as an example of an “irreducibly complex system” as Michael Behe did in his book Darwin’s Black box because “biologists have shown that its parts, anatomical, physiological, and biochemical pre-existed the complex completed structure because they had different roles in the lives of extinct organisms.  Natural selection works to reassemble and redefine the existing parts (gene products) thereby creating new species.” 

- now again, I’m not saying I’m some kind of expert in science…but it would appear to me that believing that the various aspects of the human eye existed in other organisms that couldn’t see---but in a different role than that of providing sight --- requires an incredible amount of faith…

- and it really does come down to that – who or what are you going to believe about the issue of the origin of man?... 

- then there’s the issue of the nature of man...why are we here?...what is our purpose?...how do we live?...how do we solve problems?...where can we find meaning and fulfillment?...

- the possible answers to those questions are everywhere…

- and they are constantly changing…

- so how we’re supposed to parent our children today is a lot different than what the so-called experts said 10 years ago…

- what we’re supposed to eat is constantly changing…are eggs good or not?...is oatmeal good or is it going to clog our veins?...please tell me bacon’s good…

- and how are we supposed to view ourselves…do you have to love yourself first and most – do you find joy by sacrificing yourself and giving your life to others?...which is it?...

- and remember that the Scripture says that the world is ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth…

- coupled with the explanation that the unregenerate mind actually suppresses the truth God gives us in creation and our own consciences in order to justify rebellion and unbelief…

- and you’re left with – there’s a lot of promises out there regarding the nature of man and the way you’re going to live today…

- who are you going to believe?... 

- we could make the same argument about the future of man…all these ideas, all these promises, all these predictions, all these prophecies – who do you believe…and what’s the price of getting it wrong…

- and the key question for our time together this morning – what does all of this have to do with your core strength?...that’s a very good question… 

- with all that swirling around, let me invite you to open your Bible to Luke chapter 1…page 44 of the back section of the Bible under the chair in front of you…

- Our church’s theme this year is Building Core Strength…

- what’s it mean to make the main thing the main thing?...

- what’s involved in being sure we’re shoring up the fundamentals in our personal lives and the ministries of our church?...

- and how can we be sure we’re doing all of that at the level of the heart?... 

- last week we studied the first four verses which explain the process Luke followed in assembling this gospel…he really is the poster child for reliability…

- in the rest of the chapter, he tells how the story of Christ’s ministry on earth began…and the focus is all about the issue of promises…

- [read selected portions of Luke 1:5-80]

- we’re talking this morning about God’s Precious Promises…and with the time we have remaining, let’s think about 3 reasons to find your core strength in the promises of God.

I. God Often Delights in Making Promises to Ordinary People.

- the Bible is filled with promises…

- it would be very accurate theologically to say that our God is a promise making God…there is something about His very character that delights in telling us what is going to happen in the future…

- wow and He’s certainly not obligated to do that – He chooses to do that…He delights in it…

- and this isn’t just a minor biblical point that comes up randomly from time to time…

- frequently, in the Scripture the most important interactions between God and man involve Him making promises to His people…

- that’s what the biblical covenants are…promises…

- so when we see a rainbow in the sky…we ought to think about one of God’s promises….

- when we think about Abraham and his critical place in Scripture…we should think of Genesis 15 when Abraham was placed in a deep sleep and then He and God walked in between the separated carcasses of several animals just like people in that day did when they were making agreements…

- signifying that God’s promise to make of Abraham a great nation though he had no children at the time in his old age, and that He would give them their own promised land, and that He would bless Abraham and his descendants…

- all of that was done that way, at God’s initiative to emphasize the unconditional nature of that covenant…

- and we could give biblical illustrations like that for a long, long time this am…

- that’s why Peter said -- 2 Peter 1:4 - For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.

- see, that’s an essential aspect of the character of God, he delights in making promises…now, what kind of people received them in this passage?...

A. People who are trying to please God

- it is interesting that all three of these individuals were heading in the direction of trying to be what God wanted them to be…

1. Zacharias and Elizabeth

- Luke 1:6 - They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and require

ments of the Lord.

- Luke 1:8 - Now it happened that while he was performing his priestly service before God in the appointed order of his division,

- he was already doing what God wanted him to do…

2. Mary

- Luke 1:7 – But they has no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years.

- Luke 1:30 - The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.

- now, the Lord can make promises to whomever He wants…but frequently in Scripture they are made to a person who is at least trying to head in the right direction…

- and just to be sure that we’re clear about where all of this is going – I’m certainly not suggesting that God is going to whisper some kind of audible, specific promise in your ear…but if there is any hope for you and me finding our core strength in the promises of God’s Word and applying those written promises to specific situation and opportunities we face today – there has to be some desire and movement toward being like Zacharias, and Elizabeth, and Mary…please note this as well…

- something else that drew these three together…they were…

B. People who were hurting in some way.

1. Zacharias and Elizabeth

- Luke 1:8 - Now it happened that while he was performing his priestly service before God in the appointed order of his division,

- Luke 1:25 - This is the way the Lord has dealt with me in the days when He looked with favor upon me, to take away my disgrace among men.

- you can hear the pain and now the relief in that statement – a promise that if fulfilled, would remove “my disgrace among men”

2. Mary

- Mary and Joseph were poor…

- that’s alluded to in her song in verse 53…Luke 1:53 – He has filled the hungry with good things; and sent away the rich empty-handed.

- it comes into clearer focus when Mary and Joseph come to present the baby Jesus at the temple 8 days after His birth…

- Luke 2:24 - and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

- that’s based on a provision in the OT for people who were poor – the typical offering in this situation would have been a lamb…

- Leviticus 12:8 - But if she cannot afford a lamb, then she shall take two turtledoves or two young pigeons, the one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement for her, and she will be clean.

- the imagery was incredibly rich – God was providing the lamb…but the point here is that God chose to make promises to people who were hurting in some way… 

- isn’t that too how the Lord often works?...

- when was it that God told Paul repeatedly that His grace was sufficient and that His strength would be made perfect in weakness?...

- it was in the midst of the pain of the thorn in the flesh…

- when was it that Hannah received the promise concerning her son Samuel?...

- it was when she was pouring out her heart to God…

- the Psalmist said…

- Psalm 18:6 - In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried to my God for help; He heard my voice out of His temple, and my cry for help before Him came into His ears. 

- and I realize you might say this morning – hey, that’s me…I’m an ordinary person who’s hurting in some way…

- here’s the truth – God has promises for you…there’s no question about that…

- or you might say – I have a friend or a loved one who is hurting in some way – God has promises for that person as well – promises that are truly precious…

- now, let me ask you this this morning…

- regarding the questions you have, and regarding the ways that you hurt…

- where are you going to find your core strength?... 

- and what really are your options?...when it comes to direction about where did you come from, and why are you here, and where are you going?

- for yourself and those you love?...what are your options?...

- you could say – I’m going to trust in my job…many have found that to be an unreliable source in this economy for sure…

- or, I’m going to find my joy in my house or my material possessions…with ¼ of the mortgages in America under water, where the homeowner owes more than the home is worth…where’s the peace and security in that

- or I’m going to trust science…

- and on the one hand – we promote good science and the exploration of God’s created world…but we certainly don’t advocate scientism…that was C.S. Lewis’ point in his book The Abolition of Man…the belief that science has answers for the ultimate questions gives the pursuit  more responsibility than it can possibly fulfill…

- or I’m going to trust other people, or I’m going to trust fate…

- the lesson from Luke 1 is – you also have the option of trusting God’s precious promises… 

II. God is Powerful Enough to Keep the Promises He’s Made Long Ago

- this chapter isn’t just about what the Lord said to Zacharias, and Elizabeth, and Mary…

- what’s being emphasized is the connection of these events to what has already been promised hundreds and in some cases thousands of years before…where God promised…

A. To draw people to Himself.

- Luke 1:17 - It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

- that was a quote from the book of Malachi, given at one of the darkest periods of Israel’s history…in rough terms about 450 BC…

- and you can imagine Malachi and all those who came after him, even a priest like Zacharias saying – how is that ever going to happen?...

- he’s about to find out exactly how that promise is going to be fulfilled – of course it’s going to be a while before he’s going to able to talk about it because of his unbelief…but the way the promises all weave together is what’s on display in this passage… 

B. To provide salvation for our sins.

- that’s what everyone was waiting for…

- the sacrificial system taught them that sin demanded a sacrifice…

- the prophets told of a Messiah who would come and bear their sins…

- but how could another sinful human being possibly do that?...

- what did Isaiah mean, for example, when he said that the Messiah would be…

- Isaiah 53:5 - But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed.

- that’s a great promise – but how could a human being, conceived through the normal process of procreation and therefore possessing a sin nature himself, possibly pay for their sin when he had his own sin problem to deal with…

- it was a great promise – but an impossible one…there was no logical way that could ever happen…

- unless God was able to orchestrate not just any birth…but a virgin birth…

- and what is repeatedly emphasized in this text?...

- and remember, Luke was a doctor – he got the whole birds and bees thing…

- and he also carefully interviewed the eyewitnesses in this story…

- God fulfilled what seemed to be an impossible promise by choosing…

1. A virgin

- Luke 1:35 - The angel answered and said to her, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.

- you can imagine the lights at least beginning to come on as Mary understands how the promise of the sins of man being borne by a Messiah could possibly occur…this wasn’t just any child…no wonder the angel said – nothing will be impossible with God…

2. His name

- Luke 1:31 - And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.

- Matthew adds these words that were later spoken by the angel to Joseph…

- Matthew 1:21 - She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.

- that’s why Mary later said in her song…

- Luke 1:47 - And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.

- that’s one of the many reasons we don’t worship Mary…she knew she needed a Savior just like everyone else…and she was moved that God’s centuries old promises were coming true…that’s why Zacharias said…

- Luke 1:68 - Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people,

- Luke 1:69 - And has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of David His servant— look at the amazing way he’s kept His promise…

- referencing the Davidic covenant…made 1000 years before these events occurred…

- that’s why the focus here is on God…

C. To honor His Word.

- Luke 1:70 - As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old—

- Luke 1:72 - To show mercy toward our fathers, and to remember His holy covenant,

- Luke 1:73 - The oath which He swore to Abraham our father,

- and here’s one way to summarize what we’re seeing…

III. God Often Accompanies Old Promises with New Ones.

- you have the old ones about a forerunner coming in the spirit and power of Elijah, and a Messiah who will save his people from their sins and sit on the throne of David…ones that they have heard all their lives…coupled with new ones…about exactly how God intended to use them in the accomplishment of that plan.

- now what are the take-aways for people like you and me?...

A. Be humbled that the person who should have believed these promises the most in fact believed them the least.

- who was the priest?...who was the one who worked day in and day out around the promises that had already been given?...

- Zacharias – and the lesson is – there’s a difference between knowing Scripture and believing it/acting on it in real time…

- when’s the last time you can point to a choice of yours that made absolutely no sense unless God’s promises are true?...I hope you have a lot of examples…

B. Understand that believing God’s promises is at the core of the gospel message.

- 1 John 2:25 - This is the promise which He Himself made to us: eternal life.

- this gets to the very heard of our answer to the question of the nature of man…

- psychologists have all sorts of answers to the problems of daily living…

- our message is that all the other problems stem from the main problem – our sin has separated us from a holy God…and without faith, it is impossible to please Him…

- that’s why our counseling is Christ-centered and gospel saturated…

- it’s not just a matter of – here’s three principles to improve your parenting…but instead, could it be that your challenges with your children reveal a fundamental lack of a personal relationship with the one who gave you your children?... 

C. Realize that appreciating God’s promises is an antidote to legalism.

- it’s interesting that one of the books in the NT where the word promise is most frequently used is Galatians…in verses like…

- Galatians 3:18 - For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.

- because Paul makes it clear that we are either trusting in ourselves and our own righteousness…or we’re trusting in the promises of God… 

D. Let’s God’s promises motivate your growth.

- 2 Corinthians 7:1 - Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

- like the student who decided they were going to complete that assignment without cheating because it pleased God…

- that choice might not have made sense it the short term – it was more work or maybe resulted in a lower grade…but that person believed that there is more to life than what happened right now…they let promises motivate sanctification

E. Become confident in ministry because of God’s promises.

- 2 Corinthians 1:20 - For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.

- we can say that to every person in our community to whom we have potential ministry… 

F. Understand God’s promises in the light of His patience.

- 2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

- one of the privileges I have as a pastor is talking to men and women after they or a loved one have received a difficult medical diagnosis…

- that’s just a natural time for one of our pastors to connect with someone in the family who is hurting…

- many times those conversations include the dreaded “c” word – I just learned that I have cancer…I realize that even this morning the mention of that word evokes emotions that are real and raw for a number of people who will attend our services…

- at some point in those conversations the issue of treatment options comes up…because our brothers and sisters are not just trying to digest very hard news but they are also faced with a myriad of directions they can now go regarding treatment and they are asking for prayer during such a critical time…

- one of the phrases that I frequently hear at times like that is…I just want this out of my body…

- I don’t care what they have to cut…I don’t care what they put into my veins…I just want this gone…I don’t want this growing in my body…

- that’s a powerful concern… 

- even this weekend – Pastor Woodall and his family are out east to be with Julie’s father who has been a faithful pastor for many years and he struggled with cancer a few years ago and they just learned that it has returned…please pray for them and the many others in our church family who are facing similar challenges right now…

- you know, the Scripture uses that same powerful metaphor of the possibility of something growing inside of you to warn us to be careful about the choices we make and what we allow to occur…

- our lives are anything but static and disconnected – there are things growing inside of us for either good or ill…

- here’s a positive one… Hebrews 12:11 - All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.

- what that means is that if you’re working on spiritual discipline in your life for the glory of God – even though it’s hard – something is growing inside of you right now – do you see it – “the peaceful fruit of righteousness.”…

- but not surprisingly—there are negative possibilities as well…and here’s one from later in that exact same chapter in Hebrews…

- Hebrews 12:14-15 - Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;

- did you see it in that passage?...bitterness…described here like a root of a plant…could be growing up inside of you…

- a person doesn’t wake up one morning and say – I think I’ll pursue a lifestyle of full-blown bitterness today…no, it’s a process that occurs over time…as a result of allowing something really bad…and really dangerous to grow inside of you…

- and did you notice one other important aspect of this…unlike cancer which is an individual disease that isn’t contagious…bitterness is anything but that, is it?...

- but uncontrolled and unrestrained bitterness will spring up, cause trouble…and defile many…

- today and for the next five Sundays, we’re going to be focusing on Six Words Every Relationship Needs…

- that’s one of the primary purposes of the Scripture…to teach us how to love God and how to love others…

- and if you’re here today for the first time, I’m so glad you’ve come…but I encourage everyone to invite those the Lord has placed around you – that’s one of the reasons we do series like these – because they’re just a natural opportunity to invite your friends…because who among us doesn’t have problems with our friends?... 

- now, to understand today’s word – what is one of the strong antidotes to relating to others with bitterness?...the answer is – to choose to become a person of Grace…

- see, bitterness chooses to hold a person’s failures and injustices against them…and to replay those hurts over and over in an ever smoldering stew of resentment…and some people who will hear this message today are cultivating a heart that is like a crock-pot filled with spoiled, moldy, putrid ingredients and it stinks to high heaven every time you take the lid off…[and the lid, by the way, is frequently one’s mouth]…but it’s a heart that is overflowing with bitterness…

- others may just have a few items in that crock-pot – the meal’s just getting started…but it is inside of you…

- and if it hasn’t started defiling relationships yet…it certainly will…

- what cleans that crock-pot out and removes the plug from the wall is a healthy cleansing of grace…

- there’s a word every relationship needs….choosing to become a person of grace… 

- with that in mind, let me invite you to open your Bible this morning to Genesis chapter 39…page 30 of the front section of the Bible under the chair in front of you…

- there are many places in the Bible we could go to study this great topic because in many ways the Bible is a story of God’s great grace…which motivated Him to make a way for sinful people like you and me to be reconciled to Him through acknowledging our sin and trusting in the shed blood of His Son…that’s why the Bible even refers to the Lord as…1 Peter 5:10 – “…the God of all grace.”

- so pick a page in the Bible and you’re likely to find grace…

- but one of the greatest illustrations is the life on a man we’re going to think about today…a man named Joseph.

- now I realize that some here have been studying Scripture for a long, long time…while others are brand new…

- it’s amazing how many people say to me – I feel like I ought to go to SS with my child and learn all the Bible stories I missed growing…

- if that’s your situation…please don’t let that intimidate you…we all start somewhere…plus no one here fully understands everything there is to know about Scripture….so we’re all at some place on the learning continuum…

- if you are new, here are two books I would encourage you to read and study right away…

- God Wrote a Book by James MacDonald

- this will help you understand how we got the Bible and why we believe it really is the Word of God…

- 30 Days to Understanding the Bible by Max Anders

- this provides a very helpful overview of Scripture – it gives you the skeleton on which to hang all the other Bible information you’ll eventually accumulate… 

- now here’s the short version of Joseph’s story since we’re going to pick and choose from highlights of the tale this morning…

- Joseph was in the 4^th generation of the patriarchs of Israel highlighted in the book of Genesis…

- it started with promises made by God to Father Abraham…to make of him a great nation, and to give them a land, and to bless their seed forever…eventually we learn that the Messiah, the Son of God will be born of that nation and that in and of itself is a position of incredibly high honor…

- then there was Isaac, Jacob…and now Joseph… 

- Jacob had twelve sons…and God revealed to Joseph that even though he was one of the youngest…he would eventually have a position of leadership and authority over his brothers…

- that started to come true…he was a natural leader and a person who could be trusted with all sorts of responsibilities…

- that’s why his father gave him a coat of many colors…the issue wasn’t how colorful it was – that was a symbol of authority…it was the business suit, or the white shirt on the shop floor…he had been elevated to a position of leadership…

- and his brothers couldn’t stand it…they were jealous and bitter…and so one day they actually threw Joseph in a pit and were planning to kill him…

- instead they sold him into slavery and he ended up in Egypt…

- while there, he prospered even as a slave under a man named Potiphar…and he was placed in charge of Potiphar’s house…

- Scripture also tells us that he was also a handsome young man, and Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce him…and when he wouldn’t give in…she falsely accused him and he was throw in prison…

- so he prospered there…and was given a position of authority in prison…

- one day two of the kings servants who had also been tossed in prison had dreams which turned out to be true…

- God allowed Joseph to interpret the dreams…and his only request to the men was that they remember him and report the injustice…

- Joseph’s interpretation came true – but the cupbearer who was restored forgot Joseph and he was stuck in jail for two more years…

- then the king had a troubling dream…and finally the cupbearer remembered Joseph and told the king Joseph could interpret dreams…

- So Joseph is hauled out of prison…and he interprets the king’s dream by saying that God is warning their country that there will be 7 years of bounty followed by 7 years of famine…

- so Joseph advised that a wise man be put over the economy and save from the abundance for the first 7 years so they are in a position of abundance for the following 7…and the king agreed – and put Joseph in that position…

- the reason God wanted the Egyptians to know that apparently was that the Egyptians would be used to provide for his people the Jews when the famine affected them as well…

- which is exactly what happened…and 7 years later Joseph has led Egypt to be a position of great abundance and people from around that part of the world are coming to buy grain to feed their families so they don’t starve to death…

- and surprise, surprise…one of the groups that comes to buy grain is comprised of Joseph’s brothers…

- and Joseph treated them just like he had treated everyone else along the path of this incredible journey…with marvelous, abundance grace…

- let’s dig into some of the specifics of the story now…and look for 4 places Joseph chose to show grace.

 - and of course the question in the background for all of us is…do I show grace like that as well?... 

- let’s begin with…

I. Grace in the Office

- read Genesis 39:1-6…

- now, let’s tease out what we just read…

A. The difference between “went down to Egypt voluntarily” and “had been taken” down to Egypt as a slave is substantial.

- sometimes we fail to factor that into our understanding of this story because of how well everything else is going…

- plus there are just so many details left out about how this arrangement really worked…

- but please make no mistake about this – Joseph was there against his will…and that was always in the background of this story…even in his mind…

- now you might say – how do you know that?...it actually comes up later with the baker and cupbearer… Genesis 40:15 - For I was in fact kidnapped from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing that they should have put me into the dungeon.

- and please remember – he had to decide what he was going to do with that…

- that could have been one big hunk of bitter meat tossed in the crock-pot of his heart and it could have been the lens through which he viewed his responsibilities at work every day…

- responding to everyone around him with sullen bitterness…with a refusal to work hard or perform well because of the abuses he’d suffered…

- but that’s not what happened at all, was it…

B. His work ethic blessed his employer.

- Genesis 39:3 - Now his master saw that the Lord was with him and how the Lord caused all that he did to prosper in his hand.

- Genesis 39:5 - It came about that from the time he made him overseer in his house and over all that he owned, the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house on account of Joseph; thus the Lord’s blessing was upon all that he owned, in the house and in the field.

- there is no indication whatsoever that Joseph made Potiphar pay a price because he was in a less than ideal situation – no, it’s quite the opposite…

- Joseph worked so hard, and so well…that his bosses’ business thrived like never before…and what does that tell us?...

C. He chose to respond to an unfair situation with grace.

- and think about the way that would had affected relationships where he worked…

- he couldn’t have been known as the bitter guy, as the complainer, as the lazy one who was mad about his circumstances even though he had plenty of reason to be…

- that’s what grace does…it overlooks a fault…it refuses to make that the lens through which all other situations and choices and conservations are determined…

- have you ever noticed that with some people – it’s just always about “that”…

- that failure, that injustice, that hurt…it’s always on the front burner with some people…not with Joseph…why?...

D. Because of his firm belief in the omnipresence and sovereignty of God.

-  we read this great phrase repeatedly in this story…

- 39:2 – The LORD was with Joseph…

- Jehovah, YaHWeH – the God who had made promises to His covenant people and the God who would certainly keep them…

- even his master… Genesis 39:3 - Now his master saw that the Lord was with him and how the Lord caused all that he did to prosper in his hand.

- there is only one possible way this man could have come to this conclusion…not that Joseph was successful, but that his success was due to the blessing of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob…

- Joseph told him…

- Joseph’s testimony is the principle to which the book of Genesis is pointing…

- God is powerful enough to sovereignly keep His promises…even when the final outcome is not yet clear… 

- you could say it this way – there is a direct relationship between the depth of your belief in the omnipresence and sovereignty of God and your ability, even in the midst of disappointment and injustice, to respond to others around you with purposeful and marvelous grace… 

- and of course that leads us to an obvious question….doesn’t it?...when you wake up in the morning, do you set out on a one-person crusade to right every wrong before the end of business today – or do you speak to others with grace, and treat others with grace, and work hard to bless others because you see that as an opportunity for your God to be glorified…

- wouldn’t it be something if the people with whom you worked had to, perhaps grudgingly conclude…God is with him…God is with her…

- that’s the only explanation for that cheerfulness…

- that’s the only explanation for that energy…

- that’s the only explanation for that effectiveness…it’s from heaven…

- if it could happen to Joseph – it could happen to you, because grace is one of the words every relationship needs… 

- and I realize you might say…but PV, you have to understand…my job is like a prison…or my marriage is like a prison…my extended family is like a prison…did you say prison?...

- well, what’s happens next?...because of Potiphar’s wife’s false accusations…that’s where Joseph is thrown…so we can read about…

II. Grace in the Prison

- read 39:19-40:8

- did you hear that?...that’s the sound of grace…

- now let’s back up just to be sure we understand how powerful this is…he had been… 

A. Falsely accused.

Genesis 39:17-18 - Then she spoke to him with these words, “The Hebrew slave, whom you brought to us, came in to me to make sport of me; and as I raised my voice and screamed, he left his garment beside me and fled outside.”

- but that’s not all there was to the story…

B. God extended grace to him.

- Genesis 39:21 - But the Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer.

- and Joseph knew that because he had eyes to see and ears to hear…

- his response to these events wasn’t – I’m a great administrator…I’m really something…

- because had he done that – his bitterness might have intensified…how can a great person like me be experiencing these abuses?...

- no, he recognized that God was being gracious to Him – which is what allowed him, directed him, motivated him to be gracious to others….the bottom line is…

C. Joseph found ways to serve/glorify God even in that setting.

- Genesis 40:8 - Then they said to him, “We have had a dream and there is no one to interpret it.” Then Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell it to me, please.”

- don’t you love that?...

- the crock-pot of his heart had been scrubbed clean with the cleanser of grace…and friends…

D. Grace is that powerful.

1. Because it’s source is God Himself.

Psalm 84:11 - For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord gives grace and glory; no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.

Proverbs 3:34 - Though He scoffs at the scoffers, yet He gives grace to the afflicted.

2. Because it’s the essence of wisdom.

- Proverbs 4:8-9 - Prize her, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her. She will place on your head a garland of grace; she will present you with a crown of beauty.

3. Because our Savior is the personification of grace.

- John 1:14-16 - And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John testified about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’ ” For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace.

- this is why if you’re here this morning and you’ve never trusted Christ…we would invite you to do so…because you can’t live in the power of the grace of God until you’ve received and experienced the grace of God…

4. Because God wants His grace to reign in you.

Romans 5:20-21 - The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

5. Because grace has a missional purpose.

- a very important part of this discussion occurs in 2 Corinthians 6…if you know your Bible, you know that 2 Corinthians 5 is that marvelous passage about God’s people being ambassadors for Christ – begging people in Christ’s stead that they would be reconciled to God…and right after that explanation Paul says these words…

- 2 Cor. 6:1 - …we urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain.

- wouldn’t that be a terrible thing…if a person trusted Christ as savior and Lord…and then allowed a root of bitterness to grow up inside of them, like a cancer, like a piece of rotten meat in the crock-pot of their heart…

- and as a result allow that to poison all the relationships around them…

- and because of that…miss opportunities like the one Joseph repeatedly seized…to be a living example of the wonderful grace of God…

- “I choose to be gracious to you…even though everything isn’t going my way right now…because God has chosen to be gracious to me in the ways that really matter.” 

- you know, that’s what Faith West is all about…we hope one of the main entrances to the campus screams a message of the grace of God…

- and please remember this – at one of the pivotal times in the ministry of the Apostle Paul – he looked at the Ephesian elders in Acts 20 and he said…

- Acts 20:32 - And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 

- that’s exactly what we’re trying to do with this project…

- let’s check in on our progress, shall we…review the updated gift range chart

- one of things I like about capital campaigns is that it allows questions to come to the surface, and ideas to be clarified…

1. One question we’ve heard is – why should we invest in college ministry if these students are going to graduate and go off to other places…that’s not going to benefit us…shouldn’t we invest in ministries and facilities for people who are more likely to stay and support the church long-term?...

- that’s a fair question—I suppose…but it really lacks grace…

- we don’t do things for what we can get…we look for ministry opportunities and if we can win college students for Christ, and then train them with as much biblical truth as possible while they’re here – they will be great potential church members in other places some day…and we in turn have been a blessing to other church families…

- let’s face it – we have a lot – and the more we can share with others, the better…that’s what grace does…

2. Think also about another ministry possibility…with international students…

- one of the many ministries we plan to start at Faith West is to the wives and children of international students…

- as we see such persons trust Christ, they can in turn go back to their countries of origin as leaders and have a much more effective, and much more efficient missions ministry than we could ever have…

- and sure, this side of heaven, we may not see the direct benefit of that…but that’s not the point…

- there’s other elements of this story that time won’t allow us to fully cover…but there are several others ways this theme is played out in Joseph’s life…

III. Grace on the Boardroom

- Joseph is eventually brought to Pharaoh and asked to interpret some troubling dreams he had…

A. Joseph was perfectly positioned to seek revenge.

- let me tell you the story of how unjustly I’ve been treated…

- but he left revenge to the Lord… 

B. He chose to exercise grace and direct attention to the power and beauty of God.

- Genesis 41:16 - Joseph then answered Pharaoh, saying, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.” 

- Ephesians 4:31 - Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

- why?...because it takes attention off the Lord (did you see how mad she was)?... 

- churches have to decide what they want to be known for – cf. the neighbor who said of the Faith West project – it’s almost too good to be true…

- that’s what happens when you ask people how you might be able to serve them… 

IV. Grace in the Family.

- of course if you know the story at all, you know this part…

- at the very end, after their father had died…the brothers assumed Joseph’s grace was over… 

- Genesis 50:19-20 - But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place? “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.

- This past week I've had the privilege of speaking in chapel at Baptist Bible College and Seminary in Clark's Summit, PA…

- that's where I went to college and 5 of our other pastors have either received or are working on degrees in either the college or seminary or both…so our ties there are strong…

- I also had the added joy of having our worship team with me so we served together for 3 days in both the college and seminary chapels and they did a fabulous job…

- I was a student there from 1978-1982…and just going back on campus brought back such a flood of memories…it was a fascinating experience…

- Several weeks ago I mentioned my first Christian service assignment and this trip made me think about that some more…

- it was at a little extension Sunday School ministry on a gravel road called Island Plains…

- at the beginning of my sophomore year I had a car so I asked the leaders of the church if it was OK if I drove up on Saturdays and started doing so door to door visitation and inviting our neighbors to come…

- the older members there were fine people in many ways and they had a great impact on the college students who came to help them…but the response I sensed to my question about door to door visitation was something like -- sure, but do you really think that's going to work?...

- we talk about reaching others for Jesus Christ…

- and we pray about it…

- but the unspoken response seemed to be -- but we're not expecting to actually like…happen… 

- of course I was young back then…and what I found pretty quickly was that the neighbors who were scattered up and down that gravel road knew where the little church was -- you had to pass it to get to their houses…it was the only way to get out to the blacktop road, as they said…

- so they knew where it was -- but no one had ever invited them to come…

- and the folks from the church knew where they lived, but never took the time to invite them… 

- and it was amazing when the Lord started blessing those humble efforts and neighbors started coming on Sunday morning…

- I honestly believed many of the folks there were genuinely surprised…

- almost like….we talk about this, and we get together and pray about this…

- but we never actually do this…because we never expected anything to actually happen… 

- now, before we react too strongly to those dear folks…can we all admit this?...it's very easy to simply go through the motions…

- we pack up our Bibles and we come over to the church house but do we really expect to have a divine interaction with the God of heaven who will use His Spirit and His Word to provide the real direction we need to change and grow in practical ways in the coming week?

- or we sit down and pray as individuals or as a group, but do we really expect anything to come of those prayers?...

- or we talk about sharing the gospel but do we really expect anyone to repent and believe?....

- see, it really is possible to just go through the motions, isn't it?... 

- and when you broaden that out to our church family -- if you have a whole group of people simply going through the motions, that's a recipe for powerlessness for sure…

- but on the other hand…when people are participating in the spiritual disciplines with joyful expectation that our Living God is actually going to do something as we live for and serve Him -- that's an approach to living life together that really deserves to be called…living.

- the question is -- which one are you, and which one are we? 

- with that question in mind, please open your Bible to Acts chapter 12

- page 102 of the Bible under the chair in front of you….

- our theme this year is Living Life Together…

- right now we're focusing on what we can learn from the book of Acts about the way the early church related to one another that can help direct us have closer relationships as a church family…

- the passage we're looking at today is sort of a mixed bag…

- there were some aspects of the way they were living life together that were very good -- we should emulate that…

- on the other hand -- there were certainly other aspects of this story that should make us shake our corporate heads and say -- let's not every let that happen here… 

- we're talking about Living Life Together by Praying with Hearts of Faith.

- read Acts 12:1-25 

- so we're talking about Living Life Together by praying with Hearts of Faith…and with the time we have remaining, let's look for three principles to guide the way we pray for/with one another.

I. Understand that there will Always be Opposition to God's Plan for Us as Individuals and as a Church.

- if you have been part of this study from the very beginning, you might start concluding -- this group of people have had challenges and problems from the very beginning…

- and that's exactly right -- they have faced significant opposition from day 1…

- let's break these verses down and see if we can understand the nature of what they were facing…

A. For the early church.

1. Herod the king laid hold on some from the church to mistreat them - v.1

- the word Herod in the Bible can be confusing because we might think this is speaking of the same person every time we read it -- and you start asking, how old was this guy?...

- the answer is -- it's not the same person…

- it's a title -- more like our word "president…"

- so there are several different Herod's in the Bible….

- for example, the man who was the ruler during the time of Christ was named Herod the Great…

- he was incredibly bloodthirsty -- for example, he had all the Jewish males in and around Bethlehem murdered when he heard that Jesus the Messiah had been born there…

- remember -- the wise men told him they had seen a star in the east and come to worship Him and when he learned it had been prophesied in the OT that the Messiah would be born in the little town of Bethlehem -- that was his solution to erasing this threat to his throne -- so that was--Herod the Great…

- this man in Acts 12 is that Herod's grandson -- he's also known as Herod Agrippa I…who reigned from 37-44AD…

- now if all of that lost you -- that's OK -- the main point is that the church is now facing opposition by this secular ruler who is searching them out and mistreating them…

2. He had James the brother of John put to death with the sword - v. 2.

- this is the first recorded martyrdom of one of the apostles…we've already had the murder of the first deacon, Stephen…but now the apostles are being killed as well…

- verse 3 explains the dynamic -- Herod realized then that this kind of opposition to the early church pleased the Jews…

- and there's all sorts of politics that play into all of this -- I'm going to bypass most of that for sake of time…but the issue is, the church is facing full-blown opposition for sure…

3. Then he arrested Peter and held him until the end of the Passover - v. 3

- the plan was to make a big show in front of all the Jewish people who were in town for the feast of the Passover…

- but he knew Peter had already broken out of prison once…so he not only locked him up--but he also posted soldiers to guard Peter around the clock…

- that's the nature of the opposition they were facing…

- please don't just think about this in some ethereal way -- Peter knew what had happened to James…and from all appearances; he was next in line…

- and of course all of this was finding its source in our adversary the devil who would love to do nothing more than stamp out the testimony and the power of the church of resurrected Christ…

- He can't do anything about the fact that Jesus is alive…but He can certainly, to the degree that God allows it, torment and oppose the people and plan of God…

- and that wasn't just true way back then…it's true… 

B. For our church today.

- we can always expect opposition…you can just mark that down…

- 1 Peter 5:8 - Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

- Paul would later tell the church at Ephesus…Ephesians 6:10-12 - Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

- the fact of the matter is -- our adversary the devil would love nothing better than to destroy your life, and destroy your family, and oppose, thwart, hinder, and destroy every aspect of this church…that is the business he's in…and he's fairly good at…

- so the church has to decide how we're going to live life together in light of that fact…

- well, what did the early church do with that?

II. Face Opposition with Fervent Prayer.

- Acts 12:5 - So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God.

- please keep in mind that the church is a relatively new entity but they are definitely getting an important part of the puzzle correct -- they know that you fight a spiritual war using spiritual methods…

- just a moment ago we mentioned Ephesians 6:10-12 about the kind of opposition we face as believers in Christ…

- well, if you know your Bible, you know that's not the end of that story…because Paul went on to explain…Ephesians 6:13, 18 - Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm…With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.

- and the early church got that -- at least to a point…so here they are in Acts 12:5 -- they are praying fervently for Peter's release…that's the way they were Living Life Together…

- well, what exactly does that mean?

A. The meaning of fervently.

- Fervently - ektenos - "a medical term describing the stretching of a muscle to its limits"

- you may remember this passage recorded in Luke's gospel about Jesus' prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane (and remember, Luke is also the author of the book of Acts) -- Luke 22:44 - And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.

- it's fascinating that Luke selected that same word to describe the way the church family responded to Peter's arrest…prayer that is similar to the stretching of a muscle to its limits…

- when's the last time you or I or we prayed like that?...but that's what they were doing…

- now the rest of the text makes it quite clear that there were significant deficiencies in what they were doing...but at least they were doing something…

- apparently they agreed with what James would eventually write -- James 5:16 - The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." 

- now Luke also goes out of his way to point out:

B. The impact on Peter.

- Acts 12:6 - On the very night when Herod was about to bring him forward, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and guards in front of the door were watching over the prison.

- I mean -- you have to love this -- Herod has his plan -- he's going to bring Peter out right after the Passover for maximum effect…and he's not going to let Peter let away this time so he has Peter bound to two soldiers with chains, along with some guards at the front door…

- and what's Peter doing?...sleeping between the soldiers…

- no wonder Peter would later write -- 1 Peter 5:7 - casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

- apparently Peter really believed that, huh?

- because on the night Herod is going to bring him out…and remember, James has already been murdered by this point…Peter is sound asleep…

- and you might say -- well, but how do we know he was sound asleep?...

- because even after the angel appeared, and a brilliant light filled the cell…that didn't rouse Peter at all…

- and you can almost picture this poor angel -- if they're good at anything, it's dramatic appearances…

- so he does the startling appearance with brilliant light thing…and…nothing…

- so finally he has to strike Peter on the side and tell him to get up quickly…

- this isn’t time to be yawning and stretching and rolling over and hitting the angelic snooze button…"could I just get 5 more minutes here?"…

- the angel even has to tell him to get dressed -- I mean Peter is so out of it because he was sleeping so soundly…. 

- don't you love that?...it reminds you of the old testament story of the lions in Daniel's den…and that is the way that story ended up…where the king has Daniel thrown in this den of lions and Daniel has a delightful evening with those critters…

- you can almost picture Daniel having several of the lions bunch together so he can sleep on their soft fur…

- and the point is -- this kind of fervent prayer provides peace both for the persons praying and the person being lifted up in prayer… 

- we see that around here all the time -- when you pray about things, you don't worry about them…

1. We are constantly bringing prayer requests for you regarding our missionaries and things that are happening around the world…

- and in some cases that involves family members of people from our church who are serving Christ in foreign countries…

- but what happens next?...as we live life together it produces great peace…and we don't sit around sinfully worrying about our missionaries because we know we've done our part of praying… 

2. The same is true with this project over at Purdue…

- we've been working on that for a long time…and as I mentioned last Sunday--tonight we'll be considering the purchase of our third possible site…

- but I don't see/hear people becoming sinfully anxious about that issue…we just pray…

- which is why we have a committee of people who pray for that regularly….

- that's why we had our day of prayer and fasting…

- personally, I've prayed for that project on a practically daily basis for a couple of years now…

- and where that gets you -- in a position to sleep really well instead of being consumed by worry and anxiety and fear… 

- now, what was the result? 

C. The powerful result.

- Acts 12:10 - When they had passed the first and second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened for them by itself; and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.

- all of this is helping us see what Living Life Together looks like…the opposition was becoming more and more intense…their main leader humanly speaking appeared to be facing certain death…

- so they began fervently praying and God chose to answer their prayer by miraculously delivering their beloved servant Peter… 

- all of this should also help us greatly appreciate the privilege of prayer that was purchased by the precious blood of Christ…

- remember, He told the disciples before His crucifixion….John 16:23-24 - In that day you will not question Me about anything. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you.  Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full. 

- now, this is one of the many places in the Bible where it would be great if the story ended right here…

- but it doesn't…because Peter knocks on the gate, and this little servant girl named Rhoda comes and hears Peter's voice…and she's so excited that she leaves Peter at the gate and runs upstairs and tell everyone Peter has been released from prison and is standing outside…

- and what did they say?...

- praise the Lord that He has answered our prayers?...

- that doesn't surprise us at all because we have been asking the Lord for that?...

- what else can we pray for?... 

- Acts 12:14-16 - When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her joy she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter was standing in front of the gate. They said to her, “You are out of your mind!” But she kept insisting that it was so. They kept saying, “It is his angel.”  But Peter continued knocking; and when they had opened the door, they saw him and were amazed. 

- do you think the Lord is trying to make a point to us as we attempt to live life together, friends?...is it something like… 

III. Don't Ever be Surprised if God Chooses to Answer Your Prayers in Powerful Ways.

- see, some of us don't even get to the "praying fervently" place…

- others pray…but somewhat like the dear folks in this text…not really expecting anything to come of it… 

- now, let me ask you to think about two very specific applications that correspond to two important votes we'll be taking tonight…

- I'm doing this to be sure you've had time to consider these matters….because regrettably both of them are on a very tight timeline…

- I also believe there are clear applications between these verses and the decisions we're making…

- however, I want to be very careful because I recognize leaders can use the Word of God to justify about anything in the world…you'll have to decide what you believe the Lord may be up to and vote accordingly…

- the first has to do with Faith Global Missions…

- you may or may not know that several years ago our church went through a legal reorganization process…

- that resulted in the creation of ten separate legal entities under the heading of Faith Ministries…

- all of this is ultimately owned and controlled by our church but there are legal firewalls in place to separate our assets from our risks…

- one of this entities is Faith Global Ministries…in its legal description, it anticipated that we could possibly serve as a missionary sending agency…or a mission board…

- all of those legal documents were made available to our members at the time, but I fully understand if you didn't read them…

- so we could take the position that we don't even need to vote on this…but I have always had the view that it would be wisest to have one vote too many as opposed to vice versa…

- here's what's happened in a nutshell…

- for many years there was a mission board in Kokomo…Evangelical Baptist Mission…

- they moved the Indianapolis several years ago…

- you may remember a few weeks ago I was in Brazil with a ministry team from our church…then I came back on Thursday, led the rehearsal for my daughter Karis wedding to Austin…then did the wedding on Saturday…then fulfilled my regular responsibilities on Sunday…

- just before leaving for Brazil…I received a call from EBM inviting me to an emergency meeting on the following Monday…

- there was no way I was going to add another meeting to my schedule….so I asked David Selvey to go and represent us…David leads FGM…

- what he learned at that meeting and eventually shared with me is really hard to believe…

- the mission board escrows money for their missionaries…their work funds, their emergency funds, other cash that really could not be safely held in places like Africa or other certain parts of South America, etc.

- several years ago, apparently the mission started running a deficit budget to pay for their regular monthly staff and expenses for their home office…so they started spending money from their missionary's accounts…

- you can decide what you think about that -- that’s beyond our purpose right now…and we weren't involved in any of that…

- but when all of this came to light…it was determined that the mission was broke and had actually spent two million dollars of their missionaries' money and it was all gone…

- their board brought in some legal advisers who told them to close the mission as soon as possible and then organize a bankruptcy type arrangement where all the creditors might receive a small amount of what was owed to them, and if the missionaries wanted to retrieve any of their money, they would have to sue the mission…

- so what that meant was -- these missionaries were about to receive notification that all their money was gone…that their mission board would be closing its doors it 10 days, their health insurance would be covered for one more month…and they would have to find a new mission…

- and understand--for many of them they couldn’t come back to the states and make an orderly transition…because all of the money they had in savings for their family to travel back and forth had been taken…

- now, we pray for missions all the time, right?...and we ask God to help us be a blessing to missions and missionaries around the world…

- well friends -- Rhoda may be running into the room…

- and I want to be very careful how I use this text…but we're not going to ignore the timing of all of this…

- and one proposal you'll hear tonight is that FGM begin providing services to some of these missionaries….with an emphasis of putting the lion's share of the responsibility back on the local churches who sent them…but handling the responsibilities that a smaller local church would not be able to handle…and doing that for free for 6 months to help them get back on their feet, and then offering a lower cost option if they want to stay with us…

- we'll answer more questions about that tonight -- but that's the nature of the vote…

- but part of the lesson is -- we better not pray about things…unless we expect God to answer our prayers in rather astounding, dramatic ways… 

- the second issue is the purchase of the Champs site…

- we started across the street from Mackey…that as deemed too small…

- then we bought Smitty's -- we thought that might allow us to not only do student ministry, and have a biblical counseling center--but maybe even student ministry housing…

- but that site has a plume of solvents under it…

- so we kept praying and kept praying…that's how we've lived life together…

- Rhoda may be running into the room…

- and what intrigues our leadership about this site is that it could allow us to do a whole lot more community based ministry there than we had originally envisioned…provide more student ministry housing…and possibly construct a facility that could someday be used as a satellite church site if that's what our congregation believed was necessary… 

- everybody here will have to decide what you believe the Lord is up to -- and we don't have to figure it all out tonight -- but we do have to decide if we are going to authorize the committee to purchase this property if they deem it advisable to do so…

It’s great to be with you this morning. 

I know a lot of you here this morning, but I also realize that some of you are sitting there searching for your bulletin to make sure you’re in the right church.

So, for those who don’t know me, I’m Trey Garner.  I’m the pastor of our Children’s Ministries here at Faith. 

I’ve been here for a little over twelve years now, and I spend most of my Sunday morning ministering to 1^st – 5^th Graders.

And since we’re getting acquainted, I thought I’d take this opportunity to introduce you to my family.

This is my wife Deb. 

She and I have been married for almost ten year.  She helps in our children’s ministries and in overseeing our church’s Passion Play.  And she is awesome.

Together, we’ve got two kids.

This is our son Noah.  He turns three on Wednesday.  He loves cars, racing, chasing, and basically anything that goes in a circle.

This is our daughter Lauren.  She just turned one.  At her recent one-year doctor appointment, they took all of her measurements, and she is on in the 10^th percentile in height, the 75^th percentile in weight, and the 95^th percentile in head-size. 

So, she’s short, fat, and she’s got a big head.  I wonder who she gets that from.  But we love her like crazy.

And since we’re whipping out the photo album…

This is my mom.  She lives down in Houston, Texas.  And when I was in high school called her Reba…for what I think are obvious reasons.

This is my dad.  One of the things I appreciate about my dad is that while we were growing up, he was always there for us. 

Baseball games, school plays, you name it, he was there.  And there was one incident when I was in the sixth grade when I was really thankful for that.

As some of you know, I’ve got a background in theatre, and when I was in the sixth grade, I was in my middle school production of The Wizard of Oz.

In case you, you can’t find me, I’m short kid in the tuxedo.  I was the Wizard.

And during our dress rehearsal our dress rehearsal, I was involved in accident on stage.

If you’re familiar with The Wizard of Oz, then you probably remember the scene at the end of the story where the Wizard and Dorothy are planning to use a hot air balloon to take Dorothy back to Kansas.

But the hot air balloon begins to go up before Dorothy gets inside and the Wizard floats off without her.

Well, we’re doing that scene.

And we’re a middle school.  We don’t have a big budget with a fancy auditorium and a rigging system.

What we’ve basically is me in cafeteria trash can that’s got butcher paper around it to make it look like a basket.

We’ve got two ropes tied to the handles of the trash can that go up into the rafter over a pulley and down again into the hands of two eighth graders and our French teacher Mr. Ghormley, who had helped to build the sets.

And the basic idea is that they would pull on the rope, and then shove the trash can onstage as I yell “Goodbye everybody.”  “I’m sorry Dorothy.”

Very sophisticated set-up.

So, we’re doing our dress rehearsal, and it’s time for the balloon scene.

I get into the basket.  They hoist me into the air.  They push me onstage. 

And as I’m yelling, the trash can overturns.  And I fall out of the trash can onto the stage floor.  Smack.  Right on my chest.

And all of the air has been forced out of my body.  And if you’ve ever gotten the wind knocked out of you, you know it’s a scary experience.

I couldn’t breathe, and I was terrified.  And from what I could see, nobody on stage knew what to do to help me. 

So, there I was lying helpless on the floor, surrounded by fairies, munchkins, two eighth graders and a French teacher, and I thought…well, this is a strange way to go.

And right at that moment, my dad jumped up on stage, put his arm around me and said, “Just breathe.  Just breathe.”

And I’m telling you, having him there with me in that moment made all the difference in the world to me.

Having him with me made me feel like everything was going to be all right.

And I tell you that story because it’s a lot like the message that God’s people in the Old Testament received when they were in trouble.

With that in mind, please open your Bible to Isaiah chapter 7…page 491 of the front section of the Bible under the chair in front of you…

Our church’s theme this year is Living Life Together…

And I would encourage you to be thinking each week about whether you are making progress at becoming more connected to your church family here…

Maybe that means you invited a person or a family to have a meal or a visit with you in some setting…

Maybe that meant going out of your way to attend a wedding, or a shower, or a memorial service or a viewing…

Maybe it meant sending a card to someone who was hurting…

Maybe it meant joining an Adult Bible Fellowship, or a Point Man Group, or a Ladies Bible Study…

Perhaps it meant participating in a service opportunity…

Maybe it meant finally making the decision to become a Christian this year, or to be baptized, or to attend our Intro to Faith class, or join our church…

This theme could be acted upon in dozens and dozens of ways.

And maybe no one else hardly noticed…but you know that that was a step for you…you were moving out of your comfort zone because you wanted to not just be a hearer of the Word…but a doer of what we’ve been learning from the Word of God this year…

For the last few weeks, we’ve been emphasizing this issue of being a Friend of God…

The ultimate foundation on which we can live life together…what unifies us and brings/binds us together is our love for Jesus Christ…

And we started several weeks ago when Pastor Viars discussed An Outrageous Possibility…how you can tell if a person is really a friend of God…

Then on Mother’s Day, Pastor Dutton focused our attention on God Reaching Out to Us…friends certainly do that…they stand at the door and knock…

Pastor Viars again shared with us about God Dwelling in Us…when His Spirit takes up residence in us…

The following week, Pastor Viars challenged us to think about God Ruling Us…coming to grips with Jesus as our benevolent king.

Then, last Sunday, Pastor Woodall shared what the Scriptures have to say about God Loving Us with an unbreakable, unstoppable, always and forever kind of love.

Now, this morning, we want to look Isaiah chapter 7 along with several related passages, to see what it means to have a friendship characterized by the phrase God With Us

Before we look at this passage, I want to provide you with some context to help you understand what we’re about to read.

This passage is set is Jerusalem during the 8^th Century B.C.

At this point in the history of God’s people, we find that the nation of Israel, which was once a strong nation comprised of 12 tribes united under the leadership of kings David and Solomon, has now become a divided kingdom that has been compromised by greed, strife, and idolatry. 

Following the reign of Solomon some 150 years earlier, the nation was divided into two separate kingdoms. 

On this map you can see the southern kingdom of Judah, named for the larger of the two tribes within its borders.

The northern kingdom, comprised of the remaining ten tribes, retained the name of Israel.  Israel was larger and by all accounts more prosperous than Judah.

Jerusalem lay near the northern border of Judah.

The man in charge of Jerusalem was a king by the name of Ahaz.  His elderly father, Jotham was still living and was king in name, but Ahaz held the reins of power and controlled the affairs of state.

As we learn in the descriptions of him in the book of 2 Chronicles 28…

2 Chronicles 28:2
[Ahaz] walked in the ways of the kings of Israel

And you say, “Oh, that’s a good thing, right?”  Actually, not a good thing.

The kings of Israel weren’t exactly known for their faithfulness to God.  They were corrupted by the idolatrous practices of the people living around them, and Ahaz of Judah engaged in the very same things.

In fact, he was Judah’s most ungodly king to date—going so far as to build a pagan altar in the Temple area and to offer his own children as human sacrifices.

At the time described in this passage, Ahaz had been in charge for a bit less than 10 years, but they had been a tempestuous 10 years.

Judah had been plagued by internal and especially external pressures.

The prophets Isaiah, Micah, and Hosea had all been sent by God to call Ahaz and Judah back to God, but there had been little evidence of repentance.

As we look at what was going on in the region, several nations were exerting pressure on Judah—Israel to the north, and Israel’s northern neighbor Aram, what is today the nation of Syria.

Israel and Aram were normally foes themselves, but they had struck an alliance because they were trying to fend of advances of Assyria. 

As you can see, Assyria was the big kid on the block at the time.  The Assyrian King was Tiglath-Pilesar—there’s a name that didn’t quite catch on.

“How did little Tiglath Pileser do in class today?”

“Well, he conquered two of his classmates, so you’ll have some extras on the ride home.  You’ve got a minivan, right?”

Tiglath-Pilesar was gobbling up the nations around him, and Israel and Aram were next on the menu. 

So, the kings of Israel and Aram tried to bring Ahaz and Judah into their anti-Assyrian coalition, but Ahaz didn’t want any part of it.

He was like, “I know who the school-yard bully is, and I’d rather not openly oppose him.”

So, what did Israel and Aram do? 

They were like, “Well, if you don’t want to be our friend, then we’re going to make you be our friend.”

They conspired to invade Judah, and tried to set up their own man on the throne. 

By the grace of God, tiny little Judah was able to hold them off, but it suffered great losses in the process.

• 120,000 of its best men were killed in a single day.
• 200,000 women and children were taken into captivity for a time.
• Not only that, but while Judah’s attention was on Israel and Aram to the north, the Edomites took advantage of the opportunity and attacked from the east and took some of its people captive.
• And the Philistines attacked from the west, capturing several of Judah’s western villages.

And there sat Judah, clowns to the left of them, jokers to the right, and there they were… stuck in the middle of all these forces who were bearing down on them. 

And it must have seemed like they didn’t have a friend in the world.

And Ahaz had a decision to make…

After the losses he had just suffered, He knew that Judah wouldn’t be able to hold out against a prolonged siege if Israel and Aram decided to attack again.

So, he had to decide…who he would turn to for help.  In the midst of this great storm, when the very existence of His nation was at stake, who would he trust to be Judah’s friend? 

That’s where we pick up.  Let’s look at Isaiah 7, beginning in verse 1.

1. Now it came about in the days of Ahaz, the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin the king of Aram and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up to Jerusalem to wage war against it, but could not conquer it. 
   
   That’s what we just talked about.  Israel and Aram tried to take Judah, but Judah was barely able to turn them back.
2. When it was reported to the house of David,
   
   That’s another way of referring to King Ahaz, the leader of the house of David
   
   saying, “The Arameans have camped in Ephraim”
   
   Ephraim was one of the ten tribes within Israel—in fact, it was the southernmost tribe, and so by saying that “The Arameans have camped in Ephraim,” that was a warning that Israel and Aram were preparing for another invasion. 
   
   When it was reported to the house of David, saying, “The Arameans have camped in Ephraim” Ahaz’s heart and the hearts of his people shook as the trees of the forest shake with the wind. 
   
   So, it’s like we said.  They’re freaking out.
3. Then the LORD said to Isaiah, “Go out now to meet Ahaz, you and your son Shear-jashub, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool, on the highway to the fuller's field
   
   Now, let’s pause for second.
   
   Why was Ahaz out at some pool?  Was he on vacation?  Was he considering going into Pastor Viars’ old line of work as an in-ground pool builder?

Sadly, no.  Some scholars believe that Ahaz was doing a survey of Jerusalem’s water supply to see how well they would hold out against a siege.

Again, he’s freaking out.  So, the Lord sends Isaiah to say to him…verse 4…

4. ‘Take care and be calm, have no fear and do not be fainthearted because of these two stubs of smoldering firebrands, on account of the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram and the son of Remaliah.
   
   The Lord’s using a bit of sarcasm here, mocking the significance Aram and Israel.
5. ‘Because Aram, with Ephraim and the son of Remaliah, has planned evil against you, saying, 
6. “Let us go up against Judah and terrorize it, and make for ourselves a breach in its walls and set up the son of Tabeel as king in the midst of it,” 
7. Thus says the Lord GOD
   
   In other words, don’t worry about these other guys are saying, don’t worry about your own thoughts and concerns.  You listen to me.
   
   “It…(their plan)…shall not stand nor shall it come to pass. 
8. “For the head of Aram is Damascus and the head of Damascus is Rezin—now within another 65 years Ephraim will be shattered, so that it is no longer a people, 
9. and the head of Ephraim is Samaria and the head of Samaria is the son of Remaliah.

God is basically saying, “These guys that you’re all worked up over…they’re a bunch of nobodies.”

God’s message to Ahaz and to his people was that he had not abandoned them.  His covenant promise of protection was still in effect.

They had nothing to fear from Aram and Israel. 

In his commentary on Isaiah, John Oswalt says,

From Ahaz’s point of view [Aram] and Ephraim constitute a major threat, but from God’s point of view they are negligible and need not occupy the king’s time (The New International Commentary on the Old Testament:  The Book of Isaiah, Chapters 1-39, p. 196.)

Then, in verse 9, God reframes the situation in an attempt to help Ahaz see what’s really at stake here.

He says…“If you will not believe, you surely shall not last.'"

There’s a little play on words taking place here in the original Hebrew, and I like how the NIV captures it.  It says…

Isaiah 7:9
If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.

Remember the decision Ahaz had to make?  He had to decide who He would turn to for help, who he was going to trust to be his friend and the friend of his people.

God’s really answering that question for Him.

In His anxiety, perhaps Ahaz should have looked to the Scriptures for counsel.  Maybe a  verse from the Psalm 46 would have helped him. 

Psalm 46:7
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

But what does Ahaz choose?  Look there in verse 10.

10     Then the LORD spoke again to Ahaz, saying

11     “Ask a sign for yourself from the LORD your God; make it deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” 

         God is basically saying…“Let me prove to you that I can be trusted.  Let me show that your faith in me will be justified.  Name the sign you want. 

You want an earthquake?  No problem.

You want it to rain Buicks?  You got it.

         The Lord is telling Ahaz—He’s not just asking him, He’s commanding Ahaz to ask for a sign.

How often do you get an offer like that?  I mean, can you imagine? 

         I would have been like, “I want the ability to stop time and go up to people who are frozen in place and move their bodies into funny positions.

         I want to be able to fly like Superman.  I want X-Ray vision.  I want to be able to shoot lasers out of my eyes.

         I mean, this was shoot for the stars time.  The Lord had told him to do this.

         And what is Ahaz’s response?  Verse 12…

12     But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, nor will I test the LORD!”

Makes me want to go back in time and smack him upside the head.

But that response sounds pretty righteous, doesn’t it?  Ahaz sounds as if he knew God to be so trustworthy that asking for a sign would be unthinkable.

But does that fit his character?  Does that sound like the man who “walked in the ways of the kings of Israel?”

Uh, uh. 

So, if that doesn’t sound like Ahaz, what was really going on here?

Ahaz didn’t want any evidence that he should trust God.  But why not?

Oswalt says,

Apparently it is because his mind is already made up.  He is going to trust his and his nation’s fate to Assyria, and he does not want…evidence that such a drastic decision is unwarranted.  Any sign provided by Isaiah could only be an embarrassment to him, so he attempts to avoid the dilemma by an appeal to piety (The New International Commentary on the Old Testament:  The Book of Isaiah, Chapters 1-39, p. 203).

Ahaz has decided to strike a deal with the devil so to speak.  He has decided to ask the school-yard bully Tiglath-Pilesar to be his friend, to ask the Assyrians for protection against Israel and Aram.

He never considered trusting God. 

And now, he’s got Isaiah telling him that God would give him a miraculous sign of deliverance.  And well, frankly, that would just mess things up.

It would disrupt the plans he had already made.  Maybe he’s already asked the Assyrians for help.

But to acknowledge that to Isaiah, and to have word of it get out to the people, would be embarrassing. 

So he hid his hypocrisy behind a pious façade by pretending to be concerned about the Lord’s command not to put God to the test.

You think God was fooled by Ahaz’s new-found religion?

Survey says, “X”

Look at Isaiah’s response…verse 13…

13     Then he said, "Listen now, O house of David!  Is it too slight a thing for you to try the patience of men, that you will try the patience of my God as well? 

         In other words, “Ahaz, zip it.”  Verse 14…

14     "Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign…“

         The Lord responds to Ahaz saying, “Hey, you don’t want a sign?  You’re getting one anyway.”

         But who does he give the sign to?  He doesn’t give it to Ahaz alone.  The “you” if verse 14 is plural instead of the singular we would expect if the sign was solely for Ahaz. 

         Isaiah announces that the God will give a sign to all of Judah.

         And look what the sign is…verse 14 continues…

14     Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel. 

         Now, is that the sign?  Too often, I think we stop there because we know that verse is cited in the New Testament in reference to the birth of Christ.

         I think we assume that it’s the virgin birth of Jesus that Isaiah announces.  But look at what the text says.  There’s more…verse 15…

15     “He will eat curds and honey at the time He knows enough to refuse evil and choose good. 

         Say, that doesn’t sound like it’s talking about Jesus, does it?  Hmmm.  Verse 16…

16     “For before the boy will know enough to refuse evil and choose good, the land whose two kings you dread (Israel and Aram) will be forsaken. 

The sign Isaiah promises includes not just the birth of the child but also his name (Immanuel), the diet he will eat, and a comment about his development that is tied to the timeframe for the destruction of Aram and Israel. 

If we were to keep reading, we would see that the sign actually includes more than that.  But for the purposes of our discussion today, I think that gives us enough to chew on.

In the immediate context, the sign predicted by Isaiah is not a reference to the birth of Jesus Christ. 

And you say, “Whoa, Pastor Trey.  I know that verse is about Jesus, and the reason I know that verse is about Jesus is because we talk about that at Christmas.”

To which I would say, “Hang on, we’re getting there.”

But remember who Isaiah was talking to—Ahaz.  The sign has to make sense to him.

It wouldn’t make sense for Isaiah to tell Ahaz, “Hey, you know that problem you’re having with the Israelites and the Arameans…well, I’ve got good news for you…in 700 years the Messiah is coming.”

That would be like you coming to me saying, “Hey, Pastor Trey, I don’t know how I’m going to pay my mortgage, and I think they’re going to foreclose.” 

And in response, I say, “Hey, you don’t need to worry about that.  Because I happen to know that you your great grandchildren are going to win the Publisher’s Clearinghouse.”

You’d be like, “That’s great, but where am I going to live next week?”

So, if this sign isn’t an immediate reference to Jesus, then who is the boy, who is this Immanuel predicted by this sign?  And who is this virgin?

Scholars have wrestled with that question for years.  And while we don’t have time to consider all of the possibilities that have been suggested, I think the answer can be found where we such things are usually found:  in the text.

Isaiah chapter 8 follows Isaiah chapter 7.

That’s not a very profound statement, but it’s important because chapter 8 is still talking about the same topic that we’ve been reading about in chapter 7.

Look ahead at chapter 8, verse 3.  This is Isaiah talking… 

3       So I approached the prophetess, and she conceived and gave birth to a son.  Then the LORD said to me, "Name him Maher-shalal-hash-baz;

         Say that three times fast.

4       For before the boy knows how to cry out 'My father ' or 'My mother,' the wealth of Damascus

         That’s the capital of Aram.

5       and the spoil of Samaria…

         That’s the capital of Israel

         …the wealth of Aram and the spoil of Israel will be carried away before the king of Assyria."

And you say, “Pastor Trey, you’re coo-coo for CoCo Puffs, I didn’t see anything in there about Immanuel.”

Stay with me.  It’s in there.  We’ve just got to dig for it.

In chapter 8, Isaiah marries a woman identified only as “the prophetess.” 

We’re not sure why she has that name.  It was probably given to her because she became the wife of the prophet.

I know it’s not a very flattering name. But don’t hold it against her—she married into it.

To this union, a son is born named Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz. 

That’s another one of those names that didn’t really catch on.

And many scholars believe that this is the boy identified as Immanuel in Isaiah 7:14

And you say, “Why would they believe that?  His name’s not Immanuel.” 

We need to remember that we see instances throughout Scripture where a single individual may be given a couple of different names that are descriptive of different aspects of his life.

That’s what’s going on here. 

Just as the name “Immanuel” has significance, the name “Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz” also has significance. 

But because you want to eat lunch at a reasonable hour, we’re going to skip past that for now.

The reason scholars believe this boy is Immanuel is because chapter 8 ties his life to the destruction of Israel and Aram just as chapter 7 tied Immanuel’s life to it.

Compare what is said about Immanuel in the prophecy of Isaiah 7:16 to what is said about the Isaiah’s son in chapter 8 verse 4.

Isaiah 7:16
For before the boy will know enough to refuse evil and choose good, the land whose two kings you dread [Aram and Israel] will be forsaken.

Isaiah 8:4-5
For before the boy knows how to cry out 'My father ' or 'My mother,' the wealth of Damascus [Aram] and the spoil of Samaria [Israel] will be carried away before the king of Assyria.

And you say, “Okay, Pastor Trey, I’ll buy that connection.  But you still haven’t convinced me that Isaiah 7:14 isn’t speaking directly about Jesus.  What about Immanuel being born to a virgin?”

That’s a great question. 

Because of the use of the word “virgin” in Isaiah 7:14, many have believed that the passage has to be referring  to the miraculous birth of Jesus to Mary. 

After all, the New Testament clearly explains that Mary was a virgin when Jesus was conceive in her by the Holy Spirit.

This is where understanding the original Hebrew is helpful. 

Hebrew scholars will tell you, the word translated as “virgin” in this passage doesn’t have to refer to a woman who has never had a physical relationship with a man.

The word can also be translated as “young woman” or “maiden.”

Now, I should also say that it’s likely that the young woman described this prophecy was made was a virgin in the technical sense at the time the prophecy was made. 

Of course, following the marriage ceremony described at the beginning of Isaiah 8, this woman would no longer have been a virgin. 

And you say, Pastor Trey, is that the best you’ve got? 

Yep, that’s the best I’ve got.  But take heart, Pastor Viars will be back next week, and I’m sure he’ll straighten all this out.

Okay, now that we’ve sorted out the difficulties in this passage, let talk about the central issues here…

Let’s start with the Significance of the name.

Immanuel means “God with us.”  And at last, we come to the title of our message.

Remember, Judah was facing what appeared to be certain destruction.  They appeared to be trapped.  It was a day of despair and hopelessness. 

Ahaz got to choose who his friends would be.  He got to choose who he would look to for help.  He got to choose who he would trust.  He got to choose who would be with him.

And that’s the central issue in the passage. 

Who would be with him?

Would it be the Assyrians or would it be God?

We know from what we’ve read that Ahaz chose the Assyrians.  But was that the right choice?

You might say, “Yeah, look what happened.  Israel and Aram were both destroyed by the Assyrians.  It looks like it worked out all right for old Ahaz.”

To which Scripture would say, “Not really.”

If you read on in chapter 8, you find out when Assyria conquered Aram and Israel, they forgot to stop conquering.

They kept going into the land of Judah, into the land of Immanuel.

But amazingly, the people of Judah weren’t consumed by the Assyrians. 

The peoples of Israel and Aram were taken into exile, but that didn’t happen to the Judeans. 

Assyria had that in mind, but its plans were thwarted. 

Why? 

Because Immanuel!  Because God was with them. 

Isaiah had proclaimed a message of deliverance.  A son would be born named Immanuel. 

Both his birth and his name would serve to remind people that God was indeed with them and would deliver them from their peril.

In spite of the foolish choice Ahaz had made on behalf of his people, God made good his promise.  He was with them.  He delivered them.

Now, fast forward 700 years.

There’s more to this story that hasn’t been told.

The Gospel of Matthew introduces us to Jesus Christ, the Son of David.  And one of Matthew’s chief concerns is to demonstrate to his readers that Jesus is the fulfillment of the OT Messianic promises.

After recording the genealogy of the Messiah in the first seventeen verses of the Gospel, Matthew turns to an account of the circumstances of the Messiah’s birth.

In v. 18, Mary is discovered to be pregnant before the wedding. 

Now that put her fiancée Joseph in a real spot. 

Joseph had to assume that Mary had been unfaithful to him.  After all, he knew of only one way people got pregnant.

And aside from dealing with his own feelings of betrayal, Joseph had to decide how he would respond. 

He had a few options, but none of them were very good. 

Frankly, in some ways, his situation was similar to the one faced by Ahaz.  Joseph had to feel somewhat trapped by the situation.

He could proceed with the marriage and raise the child as his own. 

However, if he did that, he would been marrying a woman that he didn’t believe he could trust. 

Not only that, but people likely would have assumed that he was the one who had fathered the child. 

And in the legalistic society in which they lived, he and Mary would have had the stigma of immorality attached to them for the rest of their lives.

Another option was to publicly shame Mary.  The law even allowed him to demand her death. 

But from what we see in the Scriptures, Joseph wasn’t the kind of man to do that. 

He had been shamed, but he was less concerned for his own shame than he was for Mary’s.

So, as the Scriptures tell us,

Matthew 1:19 
Not wanting to disgrace her, [Joseph] planned to send her away secretly.

And as Joseph contemplates what he’s going to do, an angel appears with a message from God.

Matthew 1:20-23 
“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.  She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”  Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet:  “Behold, the virgin shall be with Child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.”

What’s interesting here is that Matthew quotes from Isaiah and applies that 8^th century prophecy of Immanuel to the birth of Jesus Christ.

But it is more than application.  He says that Jesus’ birth is the fulfillment, of what the Lord said through Isaiah.

Here it is revealed that we have the greater Immanuel.  We have moved from Isaiah’s son to Isaiah’s Savior.

In Isaiah 7 and 8, Immanuel is the sign to God’s people that they had not been forsaken by God—that He was with them, that he would protect them.

But in Matthew we have more than a sign of God’s presence.  We have God Himself personally, bodily present with His people. 

The same truth is clearly in view, but the fulfillment is far greater than the first Immanuel.

As in the case of Isaiah time, God saw that His people were in trouble, and He responded by coming to be with us—by coming to rescue us.

But Jesus came not to rescue us from some kind of foreign invasion.  No, our need was far greater than that.  It was a need that no human Immanuel could ever meet. 

Our need was for forgiveness—for life. 

Jesus came to rescue us from our sin.  And that’s exactly what the angel told Joseph.

In the same passage where Jesus is revealed to be the ultimate fulfillment of the Immanuel prophecy, Joseph is told…

Matthew 1:20-23 
“you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

The name “Jesus” is a form of the name Joshua or Yeshua, which means “God is salvation.”

And that’s really what we’re talking about. 

When we say that God is with us, we’re talking deliverance, we’re talking about salvation.

Now, I don’t know about you, but I need that kind of friend…a friend who is “God with us.”

So far, we’ve been speaking in concepts.  Let’s bring this down to the level of our everyday lives.

How should the fact that we have a God who is “with us” affect the way we live.

The first step is to…

1.   Make sure He is with you.

Jesus came to be with us, in part, because He saw that we, like Judah, have a dire problem for which we have no good answer.  Our problem is our sin.

Scripture teaches that…

Romans 3:23
All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

Later in Isaiah we read that…

Isaiah 59:2 
Your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.

Our sins prevent us from having any kind of relationship with a holy God, and those same sins ultimately lead to our destruction.

Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death…

Because of our sin, all of us deserve to spend an eternity separated from God. 

But remember, we have a God who wants to be “with us.”  In fact, he went to great lengths to be with us.

Jesus came to save His people from their sins.  He did that through His death, burial, and resurrection.

2 Corinthians 5:21 
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

God offers salvation to any who will acknowledge their sin and embrace Christ as their Savior. 

Like Ahaz, we get to choose who we’re going to trust.  We get to choose our rescuer.

There’s all kinds of options out there.  You can choose to trust in the god of some other faith.  You can choose to trust in your own good works.  You can choose to trust in the church you go to. 

But there’s really only one good option—and that is Immanuel, the Lord Jesus Christ.

And should you choose to do that, God has a marvelous promise for you. 

Romans 10:9
If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Now, I understand that you may have questions about that.  And if you’d like to talk to one of us, call the church office this week, or send us an e-mail.

We’ll be happy to sit down with you and show you from the Scripture how you can know with absolute certainty that you’re on your way to heaven.

But for those who have already trusted Christ, how should the fact that “God is with us” impact your life.

It should help us to…

2.   Overcome temptation and sinful habits

We all have sinful tendencies.  We all struggle with different temptations.  Yours may be different from mine, but we all have them.

God understands that, but he doesn’t intend for us to indulge those tendencies.  He wants to give us victory over these enemies.

Maybe you struggle with communicating a godly way.

• Is there a lack of kindness in the way you speak to your wife or to your children, to your parents, to your co-workers.
• Maybe you use your words to manipulate other people. 
• Maybe you struggle with honesty.
• Maybe you gossip.
• Maybe you’re one of those people who would rather do just about anything than actually sit down with another person to solve a problem…

Maybe your problem isn’t with communication.  Maybe it’s with the way you use your time.

• How much time are you spending in front of the TV…playing video games (guys)…
• How much time are you spending on the internet?
• What are you looking at?
• Does the way you spend your time show that you understand that God is with you?

And the excuse might be – I’ve been this way too long.  It’s just too hard to change.

Listen, are you telling me that the God how rescues nations, that the God who overcame the powers of death and hell, can’t help you?

Yeah, it may be hard, and yeah, you might need to get some help from a godly Christian friend, but remember “God is with us.”

Knowing this should also motivate you to…

3.   Develop your relationship with God

John 1:12 
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God

If God is with you, you are His child.  And He wants to spend time with you.

Maybe the step you need to take as a result of hearing that God is with us, is to purpose to spend more time with Him.

Maybe you need to sit down with your schedule, and block out specific times that you’re going to spend reading His Word, that you’re going to spend talking to Him in prayer.

He’s with you.  He wants you to be with Him.

- what’s your favorite meal?...if you could eat anything you wanted, what would it be?...

- now I’m not asking you that because we’re thinking about sending you to the electric chair or something, but there is a spiritual point to be made from all of this…trust me…

- so what’s your favorite meal?...

- when Kris and I first started dating, she introduced me to one of her mom’s recipes for beef and noodles…and that has been passed down to our family as well…

- the Bear and I always like it when Kris makes these thick homemade noodles and then covers them with pieces of roast beef that’s been cooked all night in its own juices…

- then if you put that next to a great salad and a vegetable…it’s out of this world…

- and if it’s followed by a piece of my mom’s banana cream pie or one of my sister’s pieces of fudge cake (I’m trying to get all the ladies in my life into this story for future payback), that even makes it better…

- but there’s also the issue of bread – I love bread – Kris would tell you that I can make a sandwich out of anything, whether it fits in with proper table etiquette or not…and she has several great recipes for homemade bread…I absolutely love it…

- now, what would you say if Kris was making a great meal like that…and as she was putting the finishing touches on it, I came in from church and started munching on a bag of potato chips…spoiling my appetite on something that’s just going to make me feel sick and unfulfilled…

- there would be something bad wrong with that picture, wouldn’t you say?...

- you would say that there was something significantly skewed about the way I was satisfying my appetite…eating potato chips when there’s beef and noodles on the table is the action of a man who’s…well, you fill in the blank…

- you know, God specifically designed his world, and designed us to be able to eat, and to enjoy it as much as we do (and sometimes too much…)

- but then he frequently uses that metaphor to teach His people important truth…

- that’s exactly what’s going to unfold today…

- with that in mind, I’d like to ask you to open your Bible to two places this morning…Exodus chapter 16 and John chapter 6…so we’re going to be in both the OT and the NT today…what we’re going to study is a beautiful picture of Christ and we have NT affirmation of that fact…

- so this isn’t spiritualizing the text or making it say something it doesn’t…

- the NT clearly confirms that what happened to the children of Israel at this point in their history was powerfully pointing to our great Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ…so please turn to page 52 of the front section of the Bible under the chair in front of you…and page 76 of the NT (page numbers reset in that edition of the Bible)…

- our theme this year is Living Life Together…

- we’re talking about what it looks like for our church to be a place where it is easy for men and women to feel/be connected…

- to be the kind of church family where relationships are being built and strengthened…

- so we’ve been studying the book of Exodus…because clearly here’s a good example of how God draws a group of people together, and develops them into the men and women He wants them to be…not just as individuals…but in their case, as a nation…

- His visible representatives on His earth…

- just so you know, we’re starting to land the plane on this study…

- we have today and then two more Sundays in this book…

- then beginning on March 13^th, we’re going to begin an outreach series entitled Friend Request…that will be a topical study on the issue of friendships…

- when we say outreach series, we mean one that is especially designed so that you can invite friend and co-workers…of course we hope you’ll do that every Sunday, but a couple of times a year we have special emphases where we design/print invitations and place focused attention on reaching out to the those the Lord has placed around us corporately…

- also, when we say topical – that’s doesn’t mean we won’t be teaching from Scripture of course---it just means that we might be in one place in the Bible for one message and a different place the next week…as opposed to going through an entire book verse by verse…we believe there’s a place for both approaches…as long as God’s Word is always our foundation and guide…

- now, here’s where we are in our study of Exodus…last week was the great deliverance…

- it was the crossing of the Red Sea…

- where God purposely led His children to a place where essentially they were surrounded…

- even the Pharaoh thought the wilderness had hemmed them in…

- the Egyptian armies were pursuing them right to the very edge of the Red Sea and things looked hopeless…

- until God parted the Red Sea, allowing the children of Israel to march through on dry ground and then for the Egyptians to be overthrown when the waters returned…

- the passage ended with Moses leading the people in a great song of deliverance which memorialized forever all that God had done for them…

- and what you would expect to read next was that the children of Israel lived happily ever after…

- they marched obediently and confidently into the promised land and they never doubted God’s ability to provide for them again…

- well, not exactly…not exactly…let’s listen in…

- read Exodus 15:22-16:36, John 6:26-35, 47-54

- we’re talking this morning about Living Life Together by Rejoicing in a Shepherd who Provides…

- with the time we have remaining, let’s look for 3 principles to help us grow together as we stand in awe of the provision of Christ.

I. Beware of the Tendency to Grumble.

- one of the lessons that comes screaming out of this text is the way people like you and me are prone to grumble and complain…

- and what’s amazing and instructive is that all of this occurred…

A. Even after their great deliverance.

- the music has barely died down, at least the way this story is recorded in God’s Word, before you read about all this incessant grumbling…

- and what does that teach us…about us?...

- do we have eyes to see and ears to hear?...

- how about this…the people of God are incredibly fickle…

- jumping around and praising one minute and grumping the next…

- which is why it is so important to develop daily habits of thanking and praising God because we recognize how easy it is for our hearts to go astray…

- and also why we should be especially impressed by men and women who have developed a long-term pattern of faithfulness and thanksgiving to God for is blessings and goodness…

- there is something about the way people like that have cultivated their hearts that is different the men and women we’re reading about in this text for sure…

- that by the way is one of the reasons we ought to value living life together…surrounding ourselves with men and women who celebrate and recall God’s blessings in the past…

- when you gather thankful people around you…it affects your soul, doesn’t it?...

- and think about the impact that has on worry... Philippians 4:6-7 - Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

- a key phrase in that text is “with thanksgiving”…

- when you develop relationships with people who “get thanksgiving”…you’re far less likely to be a grumbler…

- but when you live like an island unto yourself…depending on the strength of your own heart, or worse---surrounding yourself with a few, or a bunch of negative, grumbling gossips…that is recipe for never benefitting from the eternal provision of the bread of life…the one to whom the miracle of manna points…

- now, what else can we learn from the way this story unfolds…

B. Our grumbling frequently glorifies the past in ways that are disconnected from reality.

- Exodus 16:3a - The sons of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the Lord’s hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat, when we ate bread to the full…

- say what?...here’s the way it really was…Exodus 2:23 - And the sons of Israel sighed because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry for help because of their bondage rose up to God.

- so which one was it?...and what does that comparison say about the tendencies of the human heart?...

- and that’s not meant to minimize the legitimate pain you may be facing, or the significant season of suffering in which you may presently experiencing…

- but beware…just because we remember something in a particular way, and use that memory as a basis of judging what is occurring now…that doesn’t mean we have our analysis right…not by a long-shot…

- my grandma used to say – the good ole days, really weren’t that good…

C. Our grumbling also frequently exaggerates the future.

- Exodus 16:3b - for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”

- well…not exactly…but there it is again…making the mistake of believing that my analysis of the situation is absolutely true…there’s no other way to think about what I’m experiencing other than what’s currently going through my mind…

- and all of that’s like eating a big old bag of potato chips when God is preparing a meal that is so much more nutritional, and delicious, and satisfying…remember this too…

D. Grumbling is ultimately directed at God’s love for us and His willingness to provide.

- I’m sure you noticed as we were reading how frequently this word was used…

- here’s just some of the examples…

- 15:24 – So the people grumbled at Moses…

- 16:2 – The whole congregation of the sons of Israel grumbled at Moses and Aaron in the wilderness

- 16:7 - and in the morning you will see the glory of the Lord, for He hears your grumblings against the Lord; and what are we, that you grumble against us?”

- 16:9 - Say to all the congregation of the sons of Israel, “Come near before the Lord, for He has heard your grumblings.”

- verse after verse emphasizes this characteristic of the people of God…but verse 8 gets right to the heart of the matter…

- 16:8 - Your grumblings are not against us but against the Lord.

- please think about that from the perspective of living life together…

- it’s not that there won’t be legitimate problems that won’t have to be solved…

- like in Acts 6, right after the church was founded, they were having trouble keeping up with providing food for the widows…

- so they sat down, figured out a plan, and that’s when the office of deacon was instituted in a church…

- I’m not suggesting that we shouldn’t sit down and talk about legitimate concerns and find ways to get them solved…in fact, doing so carefully can actually lead us to enjoying our wonderful provisions in Christ together…

- but that’s not what’s happening in this text…

- and in some churches today – they’re just gossip factories…and people surround themselves with men and women whose nose is out of joint about something…rarely a doctrinal issue by the way…generally some kind of preference…

- and the provisions that everyone can enjoy in Christ are nowhere present…

- and if you tend to be a grumbler…in your home, or at your office, or with your family, or at your church…how are those potato chips tasting?...

- and did you know there were beef and noodles on the table?...

- and a big piece of warm freshly baked bread…don’t you wish you hadn’t spoiled your appetite…

- OK, enough about potato chips…because isn’t it amazing, that God blesses these men and women with manna…anyway…

- sometimes I wonder if that’s not one of the words God uses most frequently…

- I’m doing this for you anyway…in spite of yourself…

- that’s why I’m always amazed when someone says…God’s not fair…

- shhh – He might hear you – the last thing we want is a God who’s fair…with other people in our life or with us…we need mercy, and patience, and long-suffering, big time…

- which is exactly what God gave His people…leading us to…

II. Celebrate a Shepherd who Sustains Life.

- the passage tells us that…

- Exodus 16:13-15 - …in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp.When the layer of dew evaporated, behold, on the surface of the wilderness there was a fine flake-like thing, fine as the frost on the ground.When the sons of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, “It is the bread which the Lord has given you to eat.

- the name manna comes from their question – the word manna means, what is it?...

- and we don’t know for sure, other than the few details we read in the text…but we know this, God made it…

- and if God made it…it had to be ____ (really good)…

- do you have anyone in your life who is such a good cook that anything she makes is good?...

- her dishes are even described that way – not, chocolate cake…but Aunt so and so’s ____ -- it doesn’t even matter what comes later in the description – if Aunt so and so made it, it will be good…she can make a glass of water taste better…

- God made manna…and the details are very instructive…

A. By sustaining His people daily.

- God commanded them to only gather one day’s worth at a time…why?

1. as a test.

- Exodus 16:4 - Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether or not they will walk in My instruction.

-  and you understand that ultimately this isn’t about literal bread…the Lord was trying to teach them lessons about their relationship with Him…

- your spiritual eating habits are a test of what’s really occurring in your heart…

2. as an opportunity to trust.

- unfortunately we know how some of the men and women responded to God’s instruction…they disobeyed…and think about the lunacy of all of this…

- The Lord had just parted the Red Sea…He had just created manna for them…

- but for some, He still could not be trusted as a shepherd who would provide…

- Exodus 16:19-20 - Moses said to them, “Let no man leave any of it until morning.”But they did not listen to Moses, and some left part of it until morning, and it bred worms and became foul; and Moses was angry with them.

- this event is mentioned in several other places in Scripture, and Deuteronomy emphasizes the fact that the daily aspect of the sustenance was intended as…

3. as an opportunity to be humbled.

- Deuteronomy 8:3 - He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord.

- now if you know your Bible – you know where that passage comes up again…at the temptation of Christ…and even though He’s terribly famished after being in the wilderness for 40 days, He doesn’t give into Satan’s temptation to turn stones into bread, proving that depending on the Father for daily sustenance was of supreme value and importance to Him…

- now, where does John 6 fit into all of this?...

- we see clearly that the miracle of manna was….

B. By pointing to the Bread of Life.

- now this raises a very important principle of Bible study…

- we don’t believe in spiritualizing passages of Scripture…supposedly finding hidden meanings that no one else can see…

- however, sometimes the Bible gives us clear explanation of what God intended to convey by certain events…

- and there is no question that the miracle of the manna was intended by God to point His people in the direction of His Son…

- and we know that because Jesus, the Master teacher, used this very event to help us understand our relationship with Him…

- after the miracle of the feeding of the 5000…the people asked…

- John 6:28 – “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?”

- and how did Christ respond?...

- John 6:29 - Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”

1. In whom you must first repent and believe.

- but what the crowd says next is amazing…

- John 6:30-31 - So they said to Him, “What then do You do for a sign, so that we may see, and believe You? What work do You perform?“Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread out of heaven to eat.’ ”

- all of that shows us the stubbornness of unbelief…

- and yet Jesus continued to teach…

- John 6:32-33 - Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread out of heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread out of heaven.“For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world.”

- the daily manna was just a shadow of what our heavenly Father would eventually do through the death, burial, and resurrection of His precious Son…

- and of all the metaphors the Father could have used to picture how delicious that decision was…He likened His Son to…the Bread of heaven…giving life to the world…

- Can I just pause and ask you – has there been a definite time in your life where you’ve humbled yourself…and instead of grumbling and complaining about everything that’s going wrong in your life…used the pain and difficulty as an opportunity to come to God with an empty plate…

- and say, Lord…in and of myself…I don’t have any righteousness…I don’t have any means of paying for my sin or figuring out my life on my own…

- I’m hungry….could I please have a piece of heavenly bread…

- and here’s some great news…John 6:37 - All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.
- the people say to Christ – Lord, give us this bread (v. 34)…and so Jesus continues to explain that as the Bread of Life, He will…

2. Who provides daily spiritual food.

- John 6:35 - Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.”

- just like with manna, the Bread of Life will sustain us every day…but only one day at a time…

- then Christ explains that there is an eternal aspect to this…

3. Who promises eternal life.

- John 6:47-50 - Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread which comes down out of heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die.

- it not only sustains us daily, it sustains us for eternity…

- there’s another amazing way all of this is connected back to what we’re studying in Exodus…

- what was the name God revealed for Himself at the burning bush when all of this started?...Yahweh – I am that I am…

- did you notice the construction that Jesus has used several times in this passage?...

- we saw it in that previous passage, and it is sprinkled throughout this text…

- I am the Bread of life (egw eimi) – that’s one of seven different examples in the gospel of John where Jesus uses that construction…

- I am the bread of life (6:35)

- I am the light of the world (8:12)

- I am the door of the sheep (10:7, 9)

- I am the good shepherd (10:11, 14)

- I am the resurrection and the life (11:25)

- I am the way, the truth, and the life (14:6)

- I am the true vine (15:1, 5)

- each time our Lord used that phrase, it was an undeniable claim to deity…

- every Jewish person familiar with what had happened with Moses and the burning bush understood exactly who Jesus was claiming to be…

- and there is great power in that name…

- do you remember when the soldiers came to arrest Jesus in the garden?...

- He asked them who they were seeking…they said, Jesus the Nazarene…what did Jesus say…

- John 18:5 - He said to them, “I am”

- (the translators inserted the word “He” – which is legitimate, but it’s not in the original – also an interesting tidbit…And Judas also, who was betraying Him, was standing with them.)

- what happened next?...

- John 18:6 So when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

- that’s power – I am – boom…

- then the men made one of the most foolish decisions they made all night…they got up…the fact that they just involuntarily feel to the ground when Jesus uttered those words should have motivated them to stay on their knees and worship…

- but of course that wouldn’t have fulfilled God’s plan…because Jesus wasn’t only the Bread of Life, he was also the Lamb of God…which is why all of this is promised…

4. on the basis of His finished work on the cross.

- John 6:53-54 - So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves.“He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.

- now let’s start putting all of this together…the miracle of the manna was amazing in and of itself…but the fact that Jesus used this very example to point to Himself as the bread of life ties the Scripture together in ways that…

D. This should cause all of us to examine our diet.

1. Have you trusted Jesus Christ as your bread of Life?

- wouldn’t it be terrible if someone was here who is trusting the stale potato chips of self-righteousness when a meal of the bread of life was available on the table ready to be eaten?

2. Are you finding your joy and satisfaction in Him?

- Augustine – You made us for yourself and our hearts find no rest until they find their rest in you (Confessions, 1.1).

- do you know why some people are head over heels in debt?

- it’s because they haven’t learned to find satisfaction and contentment in Christ…and that big-screen TV won’t even satisfy long enough for you to wipe the charge off your credit card…

- do you know why some people have to win the argument?...because they have no satisfaction in the Bread of Life…so every day is another helping of potato chips…

- do you know why some men and women are knee deep in activities they know displease God?...because they’ve never learned to value and enjoy and cherish a growing walk with the Bread of Life…

3. Are you trusting Him for your daily provision?

- it’s not enough to say – well, I used to…or I once did…

- while your positional walk with Christ is eternally secure if you’ve trusted Him as Savior and Lord, your daily fellowship has a shelf life…

- that’s one of the lessons that comes screaming out of the manna experience…God is honored when we trust Him daily…

- do you know why some people are so worried about the future…will I pass the next round of tests, will I graduate, will I get a job, will I get married…it’s because they need to learn what it means to enjoy the bread of life daily…and trust the bread of Life to supply what we need, when we need it, as we joyfully and confidently walk with Him…

- and then when we’re tempted…it doesn’t have the power…because we’re full…

- it’s like setting up a hot dog outside mountain jacks…no thanks, I’m full...

- tempted to worry about tomorrow – no thanks, I’m full…

- tempted to get involved in a gossip session…no thanks, I’m full…

- tempted to being angry about not getting your way…

- and where does living Life together fit into this – surround yourself with men and women who are learning what it means to gain their sustenance from a growing relationship with the Bread of Life…and you’ll have a group of joyful, contented friends who can help you head the right direction…

- now, to complete this story, we have to say something about the seventh day…

III. Worship a Shepherd Who Offers You Rest

A. Don’t forget the way Pharaoh shepherded you.

Exodus 5:4 - But the king of Egypt said to them, “Moses and Aaron, why do you draw the people away from their work? Get back to your labors!”

B. Stand in awe of the beauty of the Sabbath.

Exodus 16:23-24 - then he said to them, “This is what the Lord meant: Tomorrow is a sabbath observance, a holy sabbath to the Lord. Bake what you will bake and boil what you will boil, and all that is left over put aside to be kept until morning.”So they put it aside until morning, as Moses had ordered, and it did not become foul nor was there any worm in it.

C. Learn to find rest in our Savior.

Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.

- Do you like drama?...when I say the word “drama”…what kinds of thoughts come to your mind?...

- my guess is that for many, your initial response would be…absolutely not…I don’t need any more drama in my life…

- in fact, some of you probably even thought of a phrase that has become very popular in our culture…”drama queen…”…

- and we use that phrase to describe a person who seems to be in the middle of some sort of crisis, real or imagined, all the time…

- and it’s amazing how frequently when you get that person involved in the plan or the activity, there’s going to be some kind of major issue…

- she’s just a drama queen…and if there isn’t a real problem to solve...she’ll make one you…do you know the kind of person I’m talking about?...

- and I’m not sure why we just use the phrase “drama queen” because I know a fair number of men who seem to fit that description as well…

- there’s just always some issue or controversy swirling around them…

- in fact, you may have even had to distance yourself from certain kinds of people because it feels overwhelming at times…and you’ve said, not in a mean-spirited way but just a realistic one…I can’t add senseless drama to the equation right now…

- if it’s real and necessary and from the hand of the Lord – of course – but of the drama queen variety?...no thanks…

- so that may be our first response to the drama question…

- but then when you stop and think about it, you might say – wait a minute though – we wouldn’t want a drama-free life either, would we?...

- Kris bought me a great book for Christmas about a WWII vet who had been a great runner in high school and college and then was shot down and became a prisoner of war…I’ve really enjoyed reading it but one of the reasons is…you don’t know how it’s going to end…

- and there’s all sorts of drama…

- what was happening with his mom and dad when they were told their son had died when you the reader know that’s not true…

- and what was happening when they were lying in their life-rafts with sharks bumping up against the bottom and jumping onto the raft and trying to pull the men under…

- or then all the events when the rafts finally washed up on shore and he became a prisoner of war…

- it’s a great book…because you’re not sure how it’s going to turn out and if the man is going to find a way to survive…

- and you find yourself rooting for him and hoping for him and getting fired up on his behalf…

- and I haven’t actually finished the book yet…do you realize you could ruin it for me in a matter of seconds…how?...by telling me how it ends…

- I don’t want to know…actually I do want to know…but I want to know the way the author tells the story...

- so in that sense, we would say that drama is good…having to wait to see how the story will conclude can heighten our senses and make us more appreciative of the lessons the author is trying to convey…

- so where does that leave us with drama?...

- maybe we would say – there’s bad drama and there’s good drama…how about that?...

- now let me ask you this question…does God ever use drama?...

- is “delayed timing for the purpose of effect” ever a method he would use to draw us to Himself?...

- and what’s the value of understanding that and the penalty for getting it wrong?...

- with that question in mind, please open your Bible to Exodus chapter 14…page 51 of the front section of the Bible under the chair in front of you…

- our theme this year is Living Life Together…

- we’re thinking about what steps we can take to be sure that our church is a place that is easy for men and women to feel/be connected…

- there are responsibilities on the side of the church organizationally…

- there are responsibilities on the part of each person attending…

- connection is a two way street…

- but we’re thinking especially about what all of that looks like this year…

- so we’ve been working our way through the book of Exodus…which is the story of how God drew His people together at that point in biblical history…and we’re trying to learn all the lessons we possibly can to live “together with all the saints” as Paul said in Ephesians chapter 3…

- last week we left the children of Israel after God displayed His power in an incredibly awesome fashion…and those events take our breath away for a variety of reasons, but one of them is that the Exodus was prophesied by God over 500 years before it occurred…did you know that?...God told Abraham in the very initial days of the establishment of the nation of Israel that all of this would unfold…

- remember the call of Abraham occurred (roughly) around 2100 BC…

- the Exodus occurred (roughly) around 1450 BC…

- here’s what God told Abraham… Genesis 15:12-14 - Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, terror and great darkness fell upon him.God said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, where they will be enslaved and oppressed four hundred years.“But I will also judge the nation whom they will serve, and afterward they will come out with many possessions.

- now please just think about that for a minute…this is Genesis 15…Abraham and Sarah were old and they did not have one child at this point in the story…yet God promises to make them a mighty nation, and then he tells him about his descendants beings strangers in a land that is not theirs…and He even states the exact number of years the oppression will last…and the He says that He will judge that nation at the appointed time, and oh by the way…your descendants will leave with many possessions…

- I want to be very careful how I say this – because it could be misunderstood in a myriad of ways…but here it is – our God definitely has a flair for the dramatic…in other words, don’t miss the fact that He purposes orchestrates the timing of events in a way that is intended to scream messages to His people if we’ll simply have ears to hear and eyes to see.

- now today the people have been urged by the Egyptians to leave after the last plague just like God had told them…but the story’s not over….is it?...because now it’s time for them to be fully delivered…

- that’s what we want to talk about today…Living Life Together by Trusting Our Mighty Deliverer…

- we’re talking this morning about Living Life Together by Trusting Our Mighty Deliverer…

- with the time we have remaining, let’s look for three principles to help us respond to drama that’s been orchestrated by God Himself.

I. God Sometimes Purposely Brings Us to the End of Ourselves.

- one of the ways that Jehovah is demonstrating His uniqueness and singularity is by orchestrating these events, not simply responding to them…

- we saw that a moment ago when God prophesied these events 500 years before they occurred…that’s one of the strong reasons to believe…the fact that God knows what is going to happen in the future…

- that’s the kind of God I want, how about you?...

- He’s also in control of each of these plagues---He’s the Creator—and if he wants a swarm of flies to do certain things…that’s what’s going to happen…

- if He wants the frogs to obey Him…then they will…

- but what we have to conclude from this text is – sometimes God believes that the best leadership He can give us in certain situations is not to immediately provide everything we think we need at the time…

- clearly there are times when God allows us to come to very end of our resources….to feel like we’re backed into a corner and there is absolutely no way out…

- why?...

A. So we can see the Lord’s power in a fresh, new way.

- Exodus 14:13-14 - But Moses said to the people, “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever.“The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent.”

- when’s the last time you can remember saying – I have done everything I know to do…now my only choice is to stand by and see the salvation of the Lord…

- I have to wait until the day the Lord chooses to fight for me…

- I don’t have any more strength…

- I don’t have any more resources…

- I don’t have any more choices…

- and that is perfectly OK…

- because now I’m in a position where undoubtedly the Lord is going to teach me new lessons about His power and His ability to provide…

- and I would rather wait and do things His way and learn about His power than use my sinful means to get my way and miss the lesson…

- isn’t that what Paul did in 1 Corinthians 12?...that’s the story of Paul’s thorn in the flesh…

- how did Paul respond?...2 Corinthians 12:8 - Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me.

- was there anything wrong with that prayer?...no…God has invited us to bring our requests to Him…that’s one of the marvelous provisions we enjoy if we know Christ…

- could God have removed Paul’s thorn?...absolutely…He could have prevented the thorn in the first place…

- and now, after Paul prays…He could have removed the thorn after the first prayer, right?

- or He could have removed the thorn after the second prayer, or the third…

- but is that what God did?...

- 2 Corinthians 12:9a - And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”

- do you hear that?....sometimes God purposely brings us to the end of ourselves…

- with no other choice but to wait on Him…

- so what did Paul do?...

- have a pity party?...wait for God with a sour attitude?...

- 2 Corinthians 12:9b-10 - Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

- that’s why the psalmist said…Psalm 119:71 - It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes.

- there are many people in our church family who could give ringing testimony of the truth of this principle…

1) people who lost their jobs in this economy…

- did everything they knew to do…

- and then just…waited…

- and many men and women could say that while it was hard, it was good…

- they now learned lessons about the deliverance of God they could not have learned any other way…

2) people who are still waiting for a child who has gone astray…

- they’ve done everything they know to do…

- they’ve communicated…they’ve prayed…

- they’re read books…talked to others…

- and where are they today?...

a. in a position of trust, having learned more about the power of God to sustain them than they ever knew before…

b. looking at the top of the mountain ready to begin the celebration

- and what is the effect of men and women who understand this principle?...

- Isaiah 40:28-31 - Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power.Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly,Yet those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.

- and please remember this – it’s not just so that you can learn about God’s power in a fresh, new way…it’s also…

B. So even the hardest hearts can be softened.

Exodus 14:4 - I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord. And they did so.

Exodus 14:18 - Then the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord, when I am honored through Pharaoh, through his chariots and his horsemen.

- have you thought about this…maybe the Lord has brought you to the end of yourself, not primarily because of what He’s trying to teach you (though there will be plenty of lessons to go around)…but because of what He’s trying to teach someone else?...

- that boss that is giving you an incredibly hard time right now?...

- why doesn’t God just…(you full in the blank)…

- maybe God wants to let that boss see the unique way you’re responding to the mistreatment because He’s drawing that boss to Himself through you…

- maybe God wants you to respond properly to the taunting of that x-spouse so your children can see the marked difference between the lifestyle of someone who knows Christ and someone who doesn’t?...

- friend – is there a situation in your life where God has purposely brought you to the end of yourself?...maybe Exodus 14:14 is for you today… Exodus 14:14 - The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent.

II. The Timing of God’s Justice is Always Better than Ours.

- over 500 years before this occurred, God told Abraham that the oppressors would be judged…

- and the Lord allowed the oppressors to frighten the fire out of His people…and chase them all the way into the parted Red Sea before He acted on their behalf…

- can you imagine the scene?...

- Uh…Moses…Moses…the Egyptians are coming…I know, stand still…Uh…Moses…

- then at the very last moment…God commands Moses to stretch his hand over the sea and it parts…which is both a good news and bad news kind of thing…

- and remember, there are probably 2 million of them at this point…Scripture tells us 600,000 men…

- so how does that work?...single file!...everybody be patient…

- who knows how it worked…but the people are walking through the parted Red Sea on dry ground…

- that’s the good news…what’s the bad news?... Exodus 14:23 - Then the Egyptians took up the pursuit, and all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots and his horsemen went in after them into the midst of the sea.

- if that’s not drama, orchestrated at the sovereign hand of our mighty God, what is…

- so you’re moving through the parted Red Sea on dry ground…with mountains of water piling up on either side…little fish faces pushing their way out of the water…[Stevie – this is no time to be fishing]…

- but then you look back…Uh…Moses…Uh…Moses…

- I know God is really powerful and stuff…but do you think he had time to think this through?...

- and what message is this text shouting?...

A. The Lord is carefully orchestrating each of these events.

Exodus 13:17 - Now when Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was near; for God said, “The people might change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.”

Exodus 13:21 - The Lord was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.

Exodus 14:3 - For Pharaoh will say of the sons of Israel, ‘They are wandering aimlessly in the land; the wilderness has shut them in.’

- do you believe that God is doing that for you?...right now?...

- and are you trusting the timing of your mighty deliverer even if He hasn’t delivered you yet in this particular situation?...please always remember this…

B. God is never late but nor is He ever early.

- Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

- and remember the context here – this is an issue of judgment…

- many times, in order for our pain to be alleviated…someone else has to be judged…

- 2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

- so what are we to do?...

C. Leave the timing of God’s vengeance to Him.

- Hebrews 10:30-31 - For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge His people.”It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

III. After God Has Delivered You, Find a Way to Remind Yourself and Others Often.

- Is there a difference in the amount of time you put into selecting a can of cream corn compared to the process you would go through in buying a new car?...
- let’s say that your wife asks you to pick up some items from the store on the way home and one of the things is a can of cream corn…
- so you finally find the section of the shelves that has creamed corn…and there’s half a dozen brands from which to choose…how long will it take you to make that decision?...
- and I’m sure there will be a person here who would say that you would read the nutrition information on each label, and then compare the actual cost per ounce of each brand, and then look through this packet of coupons, and consult Consumer reports on your I-phone for their latest comparison of cream corn brands, and then of course pray about it for a while, and call your mom, and ask a few people in the aisle for their opinion…I’m really not talking to you right now…
- I’m talking to normal people – and more specifically, the guys who are here (which is another way of saying the same thing)…
- but guys, how long would it take you to make that decision?...seconds, right?...
- in fact, for most of us, if we actually made it home with creamed corn instead of regular sweet corn…we would view that as a shopping accomplishment worthy of serious rewards…
- but compare that to buying a new car…or a different car…
- we would all agree, all hoo-haa aside…that’s a different issue…
- we’d be a lot more careful about that one…we’d spend more time…
- we would get as much information as possible…
- we would comparison shop…probably spend some time on the internet—maybe even let a couple of dealers offer bids…all of that…
- but we would not pull the trigger on that decision until we were fairly sure we got that one right…

- why?...because the benefits of getting it right and the consequences of getting it wrong are far more significant…
- anyone who spent more time on their corn decision than they did on their car decision is just ______ -- you fill in the blank…

- now, let me ask you this – when it comes to the issue of selecting a God…should that process look more like the corn decision or more like the car decision?...
- because here’s the truth…for many people in our culture---they really haven’t given much thought to the identity of their god…it’s almost like…any old god will do…
- now, to make this just a bit more complicated…there’s not just the matter of your confessional god…there’s also the issue of your functional god…
- what’s the difference?...
- we all have a confessional god – in other words, the one we say we believe and trust…so if we were given some sort of a doctrinal quiz, we would say – yes, my god is ______...this is who I worship…this is who I believe in…this is who I trust…this is what I’m staking my eternity on, etc.
- but then there’s the issue of our functional god…
- for example – you had to make spending decisions this week – what you were going to do with your money and what you weren’t going to do…and the choices you made revealed the identity of your god…
- or, perhaps you were faced with a potential worry or fear – how you handled that in the heat of the moment revealed who/what you really trust…the real identity of your functional god…
- or, when you were tempted to do something wrong – that choice was offering all sorts of joy, or pleasure, or power but it also involved clear disobedience to Scripture…if it was a temptation to sin---that’s exactly what it was…and how you responded revealed who you truly worship in real time…
- your relationships with other people reveal that…
- the way you handle your anger reveals that…
- your views and choices regarding sexuality reveal that…
- the way you spend your time…how you entertain yourself…how you eat…
- on and on – every choice reveals the identity of your functional god…

- and truthfully – some people give that issue less attention than the selection of a can of creamed corn down at Pay Less…that is just a fact…
- so here’s what God does…He comes along the tendency of people to be careless on this issue – and provides all sorts of reasons the help us make the right choice…

- that’s what we’re going to talk about this morning – Living Life Together by Selecting the Right God.
- with that in mind, please open you Bible to Exodus chapter 5…page 43 of the back section of the Bible under the chair in front of you…
- our theme this year is Living Life Together…what does it mean for our church to be a place where it’s easy for men and women to feel/be connected…to be more and more of the family of God we read about in Scripture, and that we believe the Lord is building here…
- and we’ve pointed out that there’s at least three components to that…
- what do we need to do from a church perspective to facilitate that kind of connectedness…
- and what steps do you need to take to be more connected…
- and what do you need to do as a person who’s part of the church family to help us be easier for others to feel/be connected…
- so that phrase “together with all the saints” in Ephesians chapter 3 is going to be an important emphasis all through the year for us…

- let me pause for just a moment and ask you this question – what specific steps have you taken so far this year to apply what we’ve been talking about so far this year?...
- it’s amazing how quickly these weeks and months roll by…could you point to any specific way you’ve tried to act on what we’ve been studying…
- I know that there are many people who could answer that with a “yes” because of everything that I’m seeing and hearing…
- there’s a lot of talk about having people into one another’s homes, or meeting at restaurants or other activities, or being more consistent in praying for brothers and sisters in Christ, or by getting involved in an ABF or other class for the purpose of making new Christian friends…so I know that the answer for some, perhaps many, is yes – but what’s the answer for you?
- now, where are we in our study of Exodus?...last Sunday we looked at the call of Moses…and saw that God delights in revealing Himself to His people…He did that through the burning bush, and the revelation of His name Jehovah (Yahweh), and the specific instructions He gave Moses and His people…so He delights in people knowing Him, and walking with Him, and calling out to Him…
- we also saw that God is incredibly patient with His people as we learn…Moses had 5 objections to the plan God was revealing and amazingly God worked through each one of them in a way that was filled with grace and lovingkindness…
- and the take away for us as a church family is that Living Life Together as a church is built around a growing knowledge of our God…
- there’s a direct correlation between a church’s ability to accomplish God’s will for us and the seriousness with which we take this issue…
- you may recall that delightful verse in the book of Acts where we read… Acts 4:13 - Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.
- How many people would have reason to observe the way we live life together and have to come to the conclusion…they’ve been with Jesus – the foundation of their relationship is a growing knowledge of God…

- now, please reach down and buckle your seatbelt—because we’re about to survey the next 5 chapters together (not read, but survey)…sometimes that’s a good way to look at Scripture because you can see the major themes or emphases…
- and let’s see what we can learn about Selecting the Right God…

- read Exodus 5:1 – 6:13…
- now we’re not going to take the time to read the verses this morning, but I’m assuming that most of not all are familiar with what happens next…
- obviously there’s a showdown brewing here…and it may appear that the people of God are losing the battle…
- but then God orchestrates a series of ten plagues…many if not all of them directly addressing the plethora of false gods the Egyptians worshipped…
- what’s especially instructive is that during the first 5 plagues, the Pharaoh is explicitly said to harden his heart and refuse to repent…
- but then in the last five plagues, we read the amazing news that God hardened the Pharaoh’s heart…

- let’s put all of this together and look for 3 characteristics that make the God of the Bible the One you should select to worship.

I. A God Who is Singular
- we saw last week that this is the point in the history of God’s chosen people that the Lord reveals Himself as Jehovah, or Yahweh…
- that was in that critical verse in Exodus 3:14 - God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ”
- the name Yahweh is the noun form of the verb “to be”…and Bible scholars believe that God chose this particular name to emphasize His self-existence…
- human beings didn’t make Him up…He is who he is…He reveals Himself to man…
- the Jewish people were so concerned about not taking the Lord’s name in vain that they substituted the word Yahweh to what we have in our English Bibles as LORD (in all capital letters) to be sure they were showing God the reverence and honor He deserved…
- so any time you see the word LORD in all caps in your Bible – that’s what is being signified…the name Yahweh….that’s the foundation behind God’s promise to be with Moses as he seeks to lead the people out of Egypt and into the promised land…
- so always think of God’s self-existence in tandem with His promise to always be personally present with His people…
- we also often see this name for God used in contexts where a promise or a covenant is being made or referenced…
- God’s self-existence is what qualifies Him to make and keep incredible promises…and there is no other god like that…and that’s…
A. What God’s people needed to know about Him at this point in history.
- remember this – God always gives us the amount of information about Him that He believes we can handle at the time…
- you may recall that Jesus would later tell His disciples – there’s a lot more that I could teach you…but what?...you can’t handle it now…so after I’m resurrected, and your hearts are a whole lot softer than they are right now, I’ll send the Holy Spirit…and He’ll teach you the additional things you need to know, and then guide you to record those words in the book we now call the NT…
- but God gives us the amount of information about Him that He believes we can handle at the time…
- up until Exodus…people like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph had known God primarily as El Shaddai…the mighty God…that’s who gave Abraham and Sarah a son in their old age…that’s who blessed Isaac and Jacob in marvelous ways….that’s who orchestrated Joseph’s life in a way that preserved the nation through an extended famine…they viewed the Lord as the Most High God…
- that’s why we would have a passage like Genesis 14:19-20 where Abraham wins an incredible battle and is met by a priest named Melchizedek on his way back home, and here’s what Melchizedek did – Genesis 14:19-20 - He blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.”
- there’s the name I just mentioned – El Shaddai – God Most High…that’s the way God’s people understood Him at the time…
- they knew He was the most powerful God – but there’s no indication that they understood He was the only God…
- the events recorded in this section of the book of Exodus is when God chooses to make that point clear to His people and everyone else in the known world…
- He is a God who is singular…
- so God instructs Moses and Aaron to pay a courtesy call on Pharaoh… Exodus 5:1- And afterward Moses and Aaron came and said to Pharaoh, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘Let My people go that they may celebrate a feast to Me in the wilderness.’ “
- and how does Pharaoh respond?...Exodus 5:2 - But Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and besides, I will not let Israel go.”
- did you hear that?...I don’t know Jehovah…making the classic mistake of thinking that my belief determines reality…well, I don’t know Him---therefore He must not exist…
- and remember that Pharaoh was viewed as a god…the incarnate son of Ra and therefore part of their pantheon of gods…
- so if there really was a Jehovah…his power and position would be in jeopardy…unless he was willing to repent and believe…
- that’s why in the verses that we read and all through this portion of the book of Exodus…the emphasis is on how God is orchestrating these events so the people may know that Jehovah is the only true God…
- Exodus 6:6 - Say, therefore, to the sons of Israel, ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from their bondage. I will also redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments.
- Exodus 6:7 - Then I will take you for My people, and I will be your God; and you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.
- that’s a great summary of the purpose of everything we’re reading about…and the message would be so clear that even…
- Exodus 7:5 - The Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch out My hand on Egypt and bring out the sons of Israel from their midst.

- and if you say, well, how would the Egyptians come to this conclusion, and how would the people of God be sure?...that was the point of the ten plagues…
- this was a classic showdown between the God of the Bible and the gods of the nations…between monotheism (one God) and polytheism (many gods)…
B. Connection to the ten plagues
- so we read the Lord continuing to emphasize this central point of His uniqueness and singularity…in other words, He’s giving men and women the information they need to make a wise choice in the selection of their god…
- so, before the first plague…
- Exodus 7:17 - Thus says the Lord, “By this you shall know that I am the Lord: behold, I will strike the water that is in the Nile with the staff that is in my hand, and it will be turned to blood.
- and before the fourth plague…
- Exodus 8:22 - But on that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, where My people are living, so that no swarms of flies will be there, in order that you may know that I, the Lord, am in the midst of the land.
- and before the last plague…
- Exodus 12:12 - …and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments—I am the Lord.
- that’s why after the children of Israel are delivered from Egypt they are taken to the mountain of God and they receive the ten…commandments (because after all, God is…holy…remove your sandals because the ground on which you are standing is holy…) – and what is the first two commandments are…
C. Connection to the ten commandments
- Exodus 20:3-6 - You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.
- and the fact that the children of Israel finally got that was evident in what they taught their children day in and day out… Deuteronomy 6:4 - Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one!

- in other words, be sure you are careful in the selection of your God – because there is only one…
D. Connection to you and me.
- after the people learn of God’s singularity…and after they are reminded of His holiness through the ten commandments…
- the obvious question becomes – how can people who sin have a relationship with a singular God who is Holy…
- and that’s why God instructs Moses to implement a system of sacrifices that point to the One whom the prophets will identify as the coming Messiah who will one day pay the price for the sins of man…and that’s why the power of the apostles preaching is centered around this message…
- Acts 4:10-12 - let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by this name this man stands here before you in good health. “He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief corner stone.“And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.
- the God whom we worship, whom we adore, whom we serve, and who draws us together as a family…is a God who is singular…

- now, here’s the challenge that you and I face…some men and women have not been nearly as careful as they should have been in the selection of their god…they’re really not given it the serious contemplation it deserves…
- and that’s true in 2 ways…
1. Regarding salvation.
- there will be all sorts of men and women who will walk into this church today, and the truth of the matter is – they are trusting their own good works to get them to heaven…
- they don’t need a Savior…and they don’t need a Lord…
- and that is why Jesus Christ is not a central part of the way they live every day…
- Paul said…
- Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
- and many people have never stopped long enough to consider that without repenting of their sin and admitting their need of a Savior, all the good things they have done are like a pile of filthy rags…they didn’t select the right God…

2. Regarding daily life.
- others know Christ as Savior and Lord…but have a long way to go before acting on His singularity each and every day in real life situations…
- here’s what Paul said about that…
- Colossians 3:5 - Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.
- there will be people here this morning whose past week was consumed with greed – why?...because in that series of situations, they selected the wrong god…
- [develop if time…the Lord has given us plenty of reason to believe in His singularity—we have to decide if we agree]
- what else can we learn from this text?...
II. A God Who is Gracious
- there is a clear contrast between the leadership of the Pharaoh, and the leadership of the Lord…
A. Pharaoh
- time after time he is presented as someone who is ruthless and harsh…
- Exodus 5:6-9 - So the same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters over the people and their foremen, saying, “You are no longer to give the people straw to make brick as previously; let them go and gather straw for themselves. “But the quota of bricks which they were making previously, you shall impose on them; you are not to reduce any of it. Because they are lazy, therefore they cry out, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’ “Let the labor be heavier on the men, and let them work at it so that they will pay no attention to false words.”
- that’s what false gods are like…
- and when they are squeezed and their true identity comes out…they prove themselves to be cruel taskmasters every time…
- Peter said this about the purveyors of false gods…
- 2 Peter 2:18-19 - For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error, promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved.
- you may be here this morning and you’re starting to receive all of those credit card bills from Christmas and you could kick yourself for spending money you didn’t have without knowing how you would pay for it…
- can I love you enough to suggest this – perhaps it’s time to view that as more than an oops…
- perhaps it’s time to get to the heart of the issue…idolatry…the selection of the false god of pleasure, or of your children’s approval, or having to look a particular way in the eyes of people…
- false gods promise a lot and deliver a little…
- and until you face it for what it really is at the level of the heart, you probably won’t change…
B. The God of the Bible
- Exodus 6:5-7 - Furthermore I have heard the groaning of the sons of Israel, because the Egyptians are holding them in bondage, and I have remembered My covenant. Say, therefore, to the sons of Israel, ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from their bondage. I will also redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. Then I will take you for My people, and I will be your God; and you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.
- Does that remind you of something that Jesus said in the NT?...
- Matthew 11:29-30 - Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
- that probably also reminds you of another of the ten commandments…the Pharaoh was all about the people being lazy (which wasn’t true) and the need to get back to work
- contrast that to one of the commandment that specifically addresses God’s desire and provision for our….rest…
- Exodus 20:8-10 - Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath of the Lord your God…
- that theme is developed in even greater detail in the NT as we learn about a kind of daily walk with God that is so sweet and so intimate that it could truly be described with the words like rest and abiding in Him…
- I wonder how many people are here today and exhausted by sin…
- your anger is exhausting you…
- your fear and worries…your financial pressure…the arguments in your family…
- friend, is it possible that you’ve selected the wrong God?...

- but what about for the person who would say – I don’t think I want to decide yet…
- that’s exactly what Pharaoh said….which is why it’s necessary for us to conclude by saying that He’s also…

III. A God Who is Just

A. Pharaoh started the hardening process.

- Ten times we read that Pharaoh chose to harden his heart to the revelation he was receiving…
- Exodus 8:15 - But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and did not listen to them, as the Lord had said.

- but eventually we start reading verses that explain that…

B. God completed it.

- Exodus 10:20 - But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not let the sons of Israel go.

- Hebrews 6:4-6 - For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.

- If I said the word “apple” this morning, what’s the first thought that would come into your mind?...

- for some of you – it would be this [pic of a literal apple]

- but for a growing number of people here, that’s not what you thought of at all…in your case, when I said apple, you thought of this [pic of an I-phone] or this [pic of an I-pad] or this man [Steve Jobs]…

- that tells you something about how powerful a name can become…where it actually highjacks the name of a fruit even though the fruit has possessed the name all the way back to the garden of Eden…

- names, and what those names represent…can be incredibly powerful…

- and in Apple’s case – it’s not just an individual product that comes to mind…but that company’s reputation for products that are cutting edge, or trendy, or well-designed---or whatever it is you think when you hear the word…

- marketing experts would tell you that what we’re talking about right now is branding…how is your name, and your logo, and your products or services perceived by other people?...

- what are you known for?...what is the strength of your brand?...the consistency of your brand?...

- that is a very important topic in this culture…

- did you know churches even have brands?...we may not like that or we may like it a lot…but it’s a fact none the less…

- a church’s name communicates something…

- as soon as you say Faith in this community…people start thinking certain things…or some other church’s name…

- everyone has a reputation…their brand has a certain strength---there’s no way around that…

- in fact, if you look at our strategic ministry plan…our congregation decided 3 years ago that this year we would actually consider changing the name of our church…

- that’s not my thing…it’s not any one particular person’s hobby horse…

- but our church family decided we needed to do some concentrated thinking about that…

- not that we intend to change anything that we believe – we’re not talking about adjusting our doctrinal statement at all…

- but the hard reality is that what the word Baptist means today and what it meant 50 years ago is dramatically different…

- and we can put our heads in the sand or we can face the facts on that one…

- if you understand Baptist history, you know that Baptists have stood for things historically that are very valuable, and very important…like biblical authority…and the autonomy of the local church…and individual soul liberty…

- all of those things and more are very important…

- but when you have local churches that are self-governing – they can become whatever they want to become over time…

- and when you believe in individual soul liberty…the notion that every person has the right/responsibility to decide what he/she believes the Bible teaches and then live by that interpretation…over time you’re going to have a significant variety of what people who use the same name believe and how they act accordingly…

- so the challenge is – the name Baptist today conjures up all sorts of things that don’t help us accomplish our mission to the people/culture we’re trying to reach…

- some people immediately think of the so-called church that pickets funerals of soldiers and even wanted to protest at the funeral of the 9 year old girl who lost her life in Arizona when she was shot while trying to meet Congresswoman Giffords…

- and of course everyone knows---that church is named Westboro Baptist Church…

- and so, our name…wrongly but definitely associates us with that in the minds of many unchurched people who assume all Baptist churches are the same…

- there are Baptist churches even in this community that are extremely liberal both theologically and culturally…I’m not trying to be mean – I’m just pointing out that cultural fact…

- that’s one of the ironies here – our conservative stand on theological and cultural issues actually is more closely aligned to many non-Baptist churches in our town than some of the Baptist ones…

- then there’s the issue of some Baptist churches in our town being very separated in their approach to community issues…so they don’t want to collaborate with other Christians and they don’t want to penetrate the culture or community---they want to separate from it…

- and I’m not here to see how many cans of worms I can open in one introduction…

- I’m simply trying to point out – names are powerful…there is such a thing as our brand whether we like that or not…

- and it shouldn’t be threatening to us…Jesus even said…

- Matthew 5:16 - Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

- every church has to decide – what light are we talking about?...what message?…what reputation?...

- and is our name helping or hurting us?

- that’s why our congregation voted to at least think that through this year – and we’re not going to make it a major issue because we have a lot larger fish to fry…but it is an issue that has to be addressed…

- now, let’s come back to the major premise…names can be powerful…your brand matters…

- which is why well-run companies pay tens of thousands of dollars to have brand analyses done…to have an outside entity critically evaluate the strength of their brand…

- and this is such a significant issue…if it’s done right…you can eventually remove the word from the logo – and people will still remember the name…

- is there any question about that?...

- show a picture of Nike’s swoosh…

- Starbucks’s new wordless logo…

- so, are we all on board – names are powerful?...no doubt about it…

- now let me ask you this – is that also true…of the name of God?...and what does He want us to remember about the name He has chosen for Himself?

- with that question in mind, please open your Bible to Exodus chapter 3…page 42 of the back section of the Bible under the chair in front of you…

- our theme this year is Living Life Together…we’re talking about it means to be a church where it is easy for men and women to feel/be connected…and what steps every person needs to take to be more a part of the family of God that he is raising up here…

- what does living “together with all the saints” as Paul said in Ephesians chapter 3 really look like?

- now, last week we launched a new series in the book of Exodus…because here’s a great book where God is doing exactly what we’re talking here…calling out and then building a group of people who can be His visible representatives on His earth…

- last Sunday we left Moses as a baby who had been divinely protected as a result of the faith of his mother, his sister, and some very godly midwives…

- this morning we’re going to pick up the story at Moses’ call to the ministry God gave him…so that tells you a little bit about this series – our goal isn’t so much to cover every historical detail…but to observe and learn all we can about the way God was building His people – what did Living Life Together look like for them?

- with that in mind, let’s pick up the story in Exodus 3:1 – read 3:1–15, 4:1-17

- we’re talking this morning about Living Life Together Through a Growing Knowledge of Our God

- from this great passage, let’s think about three lessons from the call of Moses about knowing our God.

I. Be Encouraged that God Wants You to Know Him Personally.

- that’s one of the unique aspects of the character of the God of the Bible…you can have a real relationship with Him truly makes a difference I the way you live everyday…

- it’s personal – it’s relational – it’s real…that’s what this passage of Scripture is all about…

- and you can trace that theme throughout the Bible – that men and women can know God personally…

A. Descendants of Seth.

- Genesis 4:26 - To Seth, to him also a son was born; and he called his name Enosh. Then men began to call upon the name of the Lord.

- even this early in human history, there were people whose life stories could be summarized by those words…

- wouldn’t you like that to be the one-sentence summary of the way you lived?...

- what was your dad like – well, more than anything else – he called on the name of the Lord…he knew God personally…

- what was your grandma like – what do you remember about that teacher…he/she called upon the name of the Lord.

B. Enoch

- Genesis 5:24 - Enoch walked with God…

- there’s another way of saying the same basic thing…

- wouldn’t you love it if that was your legacy…he walked with God…

C. Noah

- Genesis 6:9 - These are the records of the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time; Noah walked with God.

- there’s that same phrase – God wants people to know Him like that…

D. Abraham

- Genesis 12:8 - …there he built an altar to the Lord and called upon the name of the Lord.

- and remember, at this point is history, they would not have had near the amount of revelation about God’s character…but they had enough to motivate them to walk with God, and worship Him, and call upon Him…

- and it’s also important to see that this was the kind of personal knowledge that translated into action…

- they let their knowledge of God be the framework through which they interpreted the events of everyday life…

- if you’re reading through the Bible this year using the schedule we provided, you read the Joseph story this week..and here’s what he said to his brothers who had sold him into slavery in Egypt…

E. Joseph

- Genesis 45:7-8 - God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant in the earth, and to keep you alive by a great deliverance. Now, therefore, it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh and lord of all his household and ruler over all the land of Egypt.

- see, his knowledge of God was real – so much so that it dramatically impacted his interpretation of an incredible trial…[you meant it for evil, but God…]

- we saw the same things last week when the faith of a group of women was tested…

F. Midwives

- Exodus 1:17 - But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt had commanded them, but let the boys live.

- they risked their lives because they really knew their God…

- now, let’s forward that to the NT for a moment – there are all sorts of examples—but here’s a powerful one…

G. Paul

- Philippians 3:8 - More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,

- see, there it is again…the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord…

- and here’s the point of all of this…when God was going to take His people to the next step of their journey, He wanted to be sure that everyone involved knew Him personally…

H. Moses

- Exodus 3:5-6 - Then He said, “Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”He said also, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Then Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

- now you might say – but why did God reveal Himself to Moses first, instead of to the entire nation?...

- God often works through eyewitnesses…

- remember, there had not been any direct contact from God with His people, at least that we know of in Scripture, for at least 500 years…think about that…

- now God is going to raise up a man who will not only be used to lead His people to the very brink of the promised land…but also to write, humanly speaking, the first five books of the OT…

- you and I then have the opportunity, not only of knowing God through what we can remember about an experience we might have had…but through written revelation that we can review over and over to be sure we understand all there is to know…

- that’s why the writer of Hebrews would later say…

Hebrews 2:1-4 - For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty,how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard,God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.

- see, how does a person grow in their knowledge of God today?...after trusting Christ as Savior and Lord, the answer is…

- Romans 10:17 - So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

- well, where does Living Life Together fit into that?...the church is to be…

- 1 Timothy 3:15 - but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.

- our job is to teach the Word of God so that men and women can come to know God better…and that’s one of the big intended outcomes of everything we do around here…

- there are people here who have just started attending an ABF – that’s a new step for you…

- and hopefully over time, you are becoming more like the descendants of Seth, and more like Enoch, and Noah, and Abraham, and Joseph, and the midwives, and the apostle Paul…

- you could honestly say that you are walking with God…you’re calling out to God…you’re worshipping God…

- you’re thankful that He wants to know you personally…

- [illustration comparing the way we treat our Bibles to the way we treat our cell phones]

 - now, here’s a second lesson from this text…

II. Be Amazed that God is Patient With Us as We Learn.

- here’s another great example of how the Word of God is inspired…it’s because bad things that the people of God did [in this case, even the eventual author of the book] are not airbrushed out the story…

- God’s people are presented with all their warts and imperfections…and many times that’s when you can especially learn something new about the character of God…

- so we have a series of 5 objections on the part of Moses…reasons why the plan that God has just revealed is really not a very good idea…

A. Moses’ first objection – Who am I?

- Exodus 3:11 - But Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?”

- and on the one hand I suppose you could say…well, he’s being appropriately humble…

- probably not…when God tells you to do something (in our case of course, through His Word)…looking at our own resources apart from Him and then politely refusing to obey is not humility, it’s disobedience and unbelief…

- but how does God respond?... Exodus 3:12 - And He said, “Certainly I will be with you, and this shall be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God at this mountain.”

- God assures Moses that He will be him…and then He makes an incredible promise that would only ever occur if He was who He said He was…

- the thought that a nation of people who were enslaved in Egypt could ever be freed to worship at that mountain was outlandish…

- but that’s exactly what God does for us…

- if the Lord chose to judge us immediately and absolutely every time we disobeyed His commands…we could hold this service in a far smaller venue and we’d have to find someone else to speak…

- but what does God do?...many times He meets our doubting hearts with outrageous promises…

- so what does Moses do next?...he’s seen the sign of the burning bush…he’s received the information about what God plans to do and how He intends to use Moses in the accomplishment of that plan…and regrettably, he responds to all of that with…

B. Moses’ second objection – What if your people ask your name?

- Exodus 3:13 - …Now they may say to me, ‘What is His name?’ What shall I say to them?”

- isn’t it amazing how frequently we speak in a condescending way to God?...

- as if He hadn’t thought this one through?

- and yet again – what do you see?...incredible patience and even additional revelation…

- Exodus 3:14 - God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ”

- This is the first place in the Bible where the name YaHWeH, or Jehovah is found…

- and because it’s such a critical passage in the Bible, it’s not surprising that scholars disagree a bit on some of the nuances of all of this…

- but we know this for sure – YaHWeH is the noun form of the verb “to be”…

- at this critical point in the history of God’s people…the Lord chooses to reveal Himself through a name that emphasizes His self-existence which is the foundation of His previous promise to be with Him…

- the Egyptians worshipped a large system of man-made gods…

- all of that will be put on center display during the 10 plagues…

- but the Lord is explaining to Moses – I’m revealing myself to you, not the other way around…

- the mistake most people make is crafting their own god on their own terms…which is why so many people end up with a god who is amazingly (and disappointing)  just like them…people make God in their own image…

- not the God of the Bible…He wanted Moses to know that He is Holy, and He is self-existent – I am that I am – and He therefore has the power to keep His promise to be with Moses when he leads the people out of Egypt…

- what would you have expected Moses to say next?...isn’t it about time for a “yes sir”…not for Moses…it was time for another…

C. Moses’ third objection – What if our enemies will not believe me?

- Exodus 4:1 - Then Moses said, “What if they will not believe me or listen to what I say? For they may say, ‘The Lord has not appeared to you.’ ”

- which tells us that Moses is still looking where?...at his own resources…they won’t believe me…which tells us that Moses wasn’t believing God…who had just said He would be with Him…

- and how does the Lord respond?...

- Exodus 4:2-3 - The Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” And he said, “A staff.”Then He said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it.

- all of this is intended to add to Moses’ knowledge of God…he’s the Creator…the one who made snakes, and the wood for staffs for that matter…

- what Moses says next is incredible…

D. Moses’ fourth objection – I am not eloquent.

- Exodus 4:10 - Then Moses said to the Lord, “Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither recently nor in time past, nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.”

- that’s especially offensive in light of what God just said…He’s the creator of everything…

- Exodus 4:11-12 - The Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes him mute or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord?“Now then go, and I, even I, will be with your mouth, and teach you what you are to say.”

- surely that will be enough…

E. Moses’ fifth objection – Please send someone else.

- (ESV) Exodus 4:13 - But he said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.”

- Isn’t it amazing how deceived our hearts can become…we can directly disobey what God has said, and still have the audacity to address Him as….Lord…

Exodus 4:14-15 - Then the anger of the Lord burned against Moses, and He said, “Is there not your brother Aaron the Levite? I know that he speaks fluently. And moreover, behold, he is coming out to meet you; when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart.“You are to speak to him and put the words in his mouth; and I, even I, will be with your mouth and his mouth, and I will teach you what you are to do.

- there are lessons squirting out everywhere – but one of the big ones is – the Lord is incredibly patient with His people…

- Psalm 103:8 - The Lord is compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.

- now, we’ve talked about a lot of content…but remember, this book isn’t just about God molding Moses…but about Him molding His people….

III. Be Instructed that God Expects Us to Act on What We’ve Learned

- what are some of the take-aways from this passage?

A. Be sure that you’ve taken the first step to knowing God personally.

- why was it that God told Moses to take off his shoes?...

- because He was a holy God…

- much of Moses ministry and the subsequent revelation He’ll receive will be the development of a sacrificial system intended to teach God’s people that sin demands a sacrifice…sin demands a sacrifice…

- all of that points to the death of God’s Son Jesus Christ…the perfect Lamb of God…

- Romans 5:12 - Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned—

- Romans 5:15 - But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many.

- you cannot walk with a holy God until you’ve first been cleansed of your sin [develop]

B. Make knowing Him personally a priority this year.

- see, how was Joseph able to see God in his trial?...because He was looking for His hand…knowing his God was a high value…

C. Rejoice in God’s promised personal presence.

- Hebrews 13:5 -  Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,”

D. Be as patient with God’s people as He is.

1 Thessalonians 5:14 - We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

E. Be much quicker to obey God’s commands then Moses was.

3 John 4 - I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.

- let me begin our time this morning with a hard question – have you ever been in a situation where you were disgraced or disappointed?...

- did something wrong…or you let other people down…you failed in some way…

- or you really hoped something would happen, and it never did…

- and now you don’t want to face people in your life because of the fear of rejection or ridicule or just the constant reminder that something happened for them that didn’t happen for you?...

- have you ever been there?...In the land of the disappointed or disgraced?...I suppose we all have in one way or another…

- even if we just limited the discussion to the way we speak for a moment…James makes it clear…

- James 3:2 - For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.

- James 3:8 - But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.

- so we’ve all disgraced ourselves with our words…we’ve said things for which now we’re ashamed…

- we’ve all had dreams that were dashed…it just didn’t turn out the way had hoped…

- that can even color the way a person thinks about himself…

- in fact, please think about this for a moment…when you look in the mirror...what do you see?

­ - even if you messed up—but have asked forgiveness from God and the appropriate people---what do you see now?...

- or even if that disappointment was not even your fault to begin with…what do you see?

- do you know the way many people would answer that question?...here’s what they see--their sin…their failure…their disappointment…their guilt…

- that action, or that habit, or that event…defines their existence…

- I’m the person who ______ (you fill in the blank)…

- I’m the thief…

- I’m the person who never got the promotion…

- I’m the liar…

- I’m the one who never graduated…

- I’m the drunk…

- I’m the one who never married…

- I’m the one who lost his job...

- I’m the person who had premarital sex…

- I’m the person with a failed marriage…

- I’m the person whose house went back to the bank...

- I’m the person whose child went astray…

- it’s an existence that is defined by shame…by disappointment…by failure…by disgrace…

- now here’s my question for you – what does any of that have to do with Christmas?....

- with that in mind, please open your Bible to Luke chapter 1 (page 43 of the back section of the Bible under the chair in front of you….)

- our Christmas series this year is entitled Taking the Next Step in the Knowledge of Our Savior…

- this morning we’re going to study the delightful story of a couple named Zacharias and Elizabeth…the parents of a man named John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus the Messiah…

- and we’re going to see that a central focus of their story was the issue of disgrace and shame and disappointment…

- read Luke 1:1-25

- we’re talking this morning about how Jesus Can Remove Your Disgrace

- with the time we have remaining, let’s look for 4 principles to help you put shame and disappointment in its place.

I. Disgrace, Disappointment, and Shame are Conditions We All Experience.

- now, let’s back up for a moment and think about….

A. The purpose of Luke’s Gospel

1. Luke

- was a medical doctor, and a traveling companion with the apostle Paul…

- so he was intimately acquainted with the birth and development of the early church…

- and he had seen how the gospel had impacted all kinds of people who were ashamed, or disappointed, or disgraced…

2. The recipient

- he was writing to a man named Theophilus

- we don’t know much about this man

- some have suggested that perhaps he was a well known Roman official who had come to Christ under Paul’s ministry – part of Caesar’s household…we don’t know that for sure…

- but it is very apparent that unlike a Gospel like Matthew that was clearly written to Jewish men and women, Luke was writing to Gentiles…

- Here’s a few reasons we believe that...

1. Frequently explained Jewish localities…would not have taken the time to do that if he had been writing to Jews…

2. Traced the genealogy of Christ all the way back to Adam…because Jesus was interested in redeeming people from every nation not just Israel…

3. Used a number of words that would have been familiar to Gentile readers unlike the gospel of Matthew that used many more Jewish terms…

3. No question about the purpose

- Luke 1:3-4 - it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus;so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.

- that is a great example of how God used human beings to develop and codify the Word of God…

- later Peter would say that 2 Peter 1:21 - for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

- so Luke wanted this man and all the others who would eventually read this gospel to have the facts necessary to either come to a place of believing in Christ, or if they had already trusted Him, having their faith confirmed…or solidified…

- now, you can imagine Dr. Luke, after he has done all this research, and he has all these documents in front of him, deciding which story to use at the beginning…

- undoubtedly, there are all sorts of details and anecdotes that are being left out…

- so what we have before us is here for a reason…

- writing words that are inspired of God….he decided to begin with this fascinating story of the parents of John the Baptist…and I’d like to suggest to you that this was…

B. The ideal way to begin this book.

- it begins with…

1. Zacharias whose name means – “The Lord has remembered”

- so there’s a lesson of sorts even in that…

- he was a country priest…Bible scholars believe there were about 8000 such persons in Israel at the time…

- these men were divided according to an arrangement that went all the way back to the time of David…

- there were 24 divisions that contained about 300 priests each…and the text even tells us that Luke 1:5 - a priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah;

- we also read that he was married to…

2. Elizabeth

- she was also of priestly descent

- Luke 1:5 - he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.

- so this was just an ideal couple in many ways…

- and their lifestyle core that out…

3. Their lifestyle

- the text says that…

- Luke 1:6 - They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord.

- and of course that doesn’t mean that they were perfect---but it does mean that they were serious about keeping the OT law…in many ways they were the real thing…

- and that’s fine and good until we get to verse 7…which explains…

4. Their disgrace

- Luke 1:7 - But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years.

- now, let me just push the pause button for a moment and say that I realize we are on very tender territory when we raise the issue of infertility…

- many couples in our church have and do struggle with that... 

- that’s why we instruct people around here to be very careful about this topic because sometimes people can be incredibly insensitive and rude…and you can’t always control what Aunt Mable is going to say at the holiday table—but we can surely control what is said at the church-house…

- but we have to deal with the text…Elizabeth herself will later refer to their condition as Luke 1:26 – her disgrace among men.

- and that’s not to suggest that infertility is direct judgment from God for some sort of wrongdoing…but that doesn’t stop people from talking/judging…and it doesn’t stop the couple from wondering, and questioning, and sometimes even condemning themselves…

- now, it’s very important to see…

C. The way Zacharias and Elizabeth illustrate you and me.

- the biggest problem that Zacharias had was not their physical barrenness…it was their spiritual barrenness…

- even though they were righteous in many ways…they were certainly not perfect…

- and though they clearly wanted a baby…more importantly they needed a Savior…they needed the promised Messiah of Israel…but God had been silent on that subject for more than 400 years…

- and now He was about to speak…and Zacharias and Elizabeth had to decide if they would believe God’s Word…but so did everybody else…like Theophilus, and the original recipients of this gospel, and ultimately people like you and me…

- because here’s the bottom line… Disgrace, Disappointment, and Shame…those are universal experiences…aren’t they?...

- 1 John 1:8 - If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.

- 1 John 1:10 - If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.

- Romans 3:10 - as it is written, “There is none righteous, not even one;

- Romans 3:23 - for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

- we’re spiritually barren because we could never earn enough righteousness to satisfy God’s just demands…

- and in this sin-cursed world…we face disappointment as things don’t always work out the way we hoped or dreamed…

- the point is – if the Bible tells us anything – it’s that this side of heaven – disgrace, disappointment, and shame---those are universal experiences….

- so what does the Lord do…He meets us at that very point…with promises…

II. God’s Promises Can Turn Shame into Joy

A. You never know what a day might bring.

- the passage tells us that Zacharias was simply performing his priestly service…

- we’ll learn in a minute that he and Elizabeth had been praying for a child…but right now, he’s…

- Luke 1:8 - Now it happened that while he was performing his priestly service before God in the appointed order of his division…

- which tells us what?...even when you’re disappointed…even when you don’t see how things could possibly work out…be sure you’re doing the things today that you know you ought to be doing…

- what would have happened if Zacharias and Elizabeth had gotten discouraged and just quit serving God…

- see they didn’t confuse…it hasn’t happened with it hasn’t happened yet…

- or God hasn’t moved yet with God never will, or God never can…

- so Zacharias is faithfully serving…and the text says…Luke 1:9 - according to the custom of the priestly office, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.

- now, we know from history that this was an incredible honor…

- some priests went their entire ministry and were never allowed this privilege to go into the Holy place and offer incense to the Lord…

- once you received this honor – it was the height of your ministry career…you were not allowed to do this twice…

- so the passage is clear…Luke 1:10 - And the whole multitude of the people were in prayer outside at the hour of the incense offering.

- and Zacharias goes in and an angel appears to him…

- and just like any of us, the passage says that he was gripped with fear…

- and the angel calms him down and then gives him an astounding…

B. Promise about Elizabeth’s barrenness.

- Luke 1:13-14 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth…”

- now, if for some reason Zacharias didn’t believe this really was an angel from God based on what he was seeing…that message alone certainly should have confirmed it…

- how else would anyone have known the content of he and Elizabeth’s prayers?...

- but that was just the beginning of the news…because there was this curious detail about everyone rejoicing at the baby’s birth….why?....

C. Promise about mankind’s barrenness.

- Luke 1:17-18 - “It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

- this was the part of the message that should have especially blown Zacharias away…not simply that a son was going to be born to their family, but that the Messiah was going to be born to the world…

- now, where does all of this lead us?....

III. You Have to Decide if You Will Believe the Promises of God.

- it was time for Zacharias to choose to place his faith in what this angel was proclaiming…

- but that’s not what happened, is it?...

A. Zacharias’ lapse.

- Luke 1:18 - Zacharias said to the angel, “How will I know this for certain? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years.”

- a few minutes ago I asked you a very important question…what do you see when you look in the mirror?...

- based on what we just read…how would Zacharias have to answer that question?...I see an old man married to an old woman and that is the end of my resources…

- note to self – if God ever promises you something – be very careful about what you choose to see when you look in the mirror…

- you can either choose to see yourself and your situation through who you believe you are and what you believe is true…

- or you can see yourself and your situation through who God says you are and what He says is true…

- and here’s a second note – if you’re planning on getting that one wrong…you may want to buy a couple of legal pans and a fresh pack of pens…because you might be spending the next several months not being able to speak because God is not particularly happy when we choose to ignore the lens He’s provided for how to view ourselves and our situation…

- and that’s why there to be…

B. Gabriel’s punishment.

- Luke 1:19-20 - The angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.“And behold, you shall be silent and unable to speak until the day when these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.”

- and this response was necessary for several reasons…as a warning to everyone who heard this story…that refusing to believe what was being said about the Messiah was a serious lapse with significant consequences…

- but also this…this was a punitive miracle, but a miracle nonetheless…Zacharias didn’t have to spend a lot of time proving to people that something supernatural had just taken place…unless they were going to say that he was just faking it…something very unusual was about to occur…

- now let’s focus especially on the…

C. Challenge for you and me.

1. If you have not yet become a follower of Christ.

- Choose to believe God’s promises regarding your present condition.

a. For those who believe their condition is not that bad.

John 3:18-21 - He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.

- one of the biggest challenges in this culture is convincing men and women that they cannot get to heaven on their own…

- for some, it’s not a matter of feeling disgrace or shame…it’s a matter of being in a position of disgrace and shame but not realizing it…

- but please think about this – if you could get to heaven by your own righteousness, then why do we have Christmas?...

- why did God have to send His Son at all?...

- and what God’s Word says about your condition may be as surprising to you as this angel’s message was to Zacharias…but that does not make it any less true…

- but there’s another category of person who needs this as well, but from the opposite perspective…

b. For those who believe their condition is beyond hope.

- I’m thinking now about the kind of person who has a fresh helping of shame and guilt every morning for breakfast…

- and has pretty much concluded that they are way beyond helpless and hopeless…

- here’s what Scripture says about that…

Romans 10:13 - Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.

- that is why the gospel of Luke is filled with stories of men and women whose lives were a complete shambles, spiritually speaking…but they came to Christ and were dramatically rescued…

- what Elizabeth said about her physical trial can equally be said spiritually of any person who comes to Christ in repentance and faith…Luke 1:25 - This is the way the Lord has dealt with me in the days when He looked with favor upon me, to take away my disgrace among men.

- we refer to this theologically as the doctrine of justification…it’s a legal term…it means, to be made and declared righteous…

- 2 Corinthians 5:21 - He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

- Romans 5:1-2 - Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.

- there’s a beautiful story that illustrates this concept in the OT book of Zechariah…

- Zechariah 3:1-5 - Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him.The Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! Indeed, the Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?”Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments and standing before the angel.He spoke and said to those who were standing before him, saying, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” Again he said to him, “See, I have taken your iniquity away from you and will clothe you with festal robes.”Then I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments, while the angel of the Lord was standing by.

- [develop Stewardship Celebration this past Sunday – pictures of hundreds of men and women who have come to Christ, many just this year…and their story would be that because of their acceptance of the promises of God regarding the gospel of Jesus Christ, they have now been delivered from disgrace and shame…

- the way they view themselves is entirely different than before…

- The Savior whose birth we celebrate at Christmastime has “taken away their disgrace from among men…”

- here’s my question for you – has there been a definite time in your life when you made that decision? 

2. If you know Christ

a. But have been disappointed

- I would not be surprised if there are many people here in a situation very similar to Zacharias and Elizabeth’s…

- I’m not talking about infertility, per se…but something you really hoped would happen, hasn’t happened yet…

- now, I need to be very careful here…but just because it hasn’t happened, doesn’t mean it can’t happen…

- and why do we need to be careful?...unless it is specifically promised in Scripture…we can’t take the position that we know something is going to come to pass…but it might…

- for example – a loved one coming to the Lord…

- now, what about the person who knows Christ…

b. But have failed in some way

- friend – please hear me on this – God does not want you to continue to look in the mirror and see yourself through the lens of your shame…

- Psalm 103:12 - As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

- one of the reasons that is so important is because the lie of the devil is – since I failed in that area before, there’s no reason to try to please God today…

- all He sees when He looks at me is a failure anyway, what’s the use?

- it’s time for you to appropriate Elizabeth’s words in a spiritual fashion…

- Luke 1:25 - This is the way the Lord has dealt with me in the days when He looked with favor upon me, to take away my disgrace among men.

IV. God Delights in Fulfilling Promises that Often Seem Impossible

- John the Baptist was born…

- Luke explains that at the end of the passage…

- and it’s somewhat humorous…because all the ladies are getting together to decide on a name…

- and remember the angel told Zacharias to name their son John…

- so he had told Elizabeth that, with the tablet they were using because of his little speaking problem…

- and the ladies were saying --- no, you don’t have anyone in your family named John…

- and he asked for the tablet again and he said – “His name is John”…

- in other words – I’m not making that mistake again…

- if the angel said it – I’m believing it and following it…

- and it was at that moment that his tongue was loosed and he was able to speak again…

- God removed his disgrace as well…

Introduction:
Note:  [Teachers, there are a number of Input questions that should generate a lot of discussion –so that’s why the notes are a little shorter than normal – also, I’m trying to implement ‘variety’ in my teaching style, not so much ‘lecture’ but more interaction at times, variety.]
1.  I want to thank Scot and Dave for teaching for me the past two weeks (Florida & Worship Service)
- it’s a blessing to have men in the church like these guys who love the Lord, His Word, and love to teach – and do a good job at it!
2.  We’re continuing our series: Questions God Asks That Deserve an Answer
- so far we’ve covered two very probing questions:
 Do you love me? [review]
 Where is your faith? [review]
3.  Today, our study takes us to Job 38:1-7 [READ]

I.  The Context of the Question

- to get the context here, we have to go back to Job 1 and consider the following:
 Job’s Character – Job 1:1-5
Input: What kind of man was Job?
Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and that man was blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil.
- how would you like for those things to be said of you?
- what a testimony – but as is the case, when you try to please God, our enemy doesn’t like it
 Satan’s Accusations– Job 1:6-11
Input: What was Job accused of by Satan?
- basically, he said to God, “Job is serving you because you’re good to him – take that away and his real colors will come out!
- that is the case with many people (sometimes us included – we’re OK with God as long as He is doing what WE agree with and want Him to do!
 God’s Response (sovereignty) – Job 1:12
Input: What does v. 12 teach us about the nature of God?
- you can do whatever you want, but you can’t take his life (by the way, that’s the CREATOR talking to the creation
- Satan is the ‘prince of the power of the air’ (Eph. 2:2) – but he is on a leash held by the omnipotent hand of the Almighty God!
Note: Rev. 12:10 gives Satan the title, ‘the accuser of the brethren’ – eventually defeated and cast into the lake of fire – another illustration of God being in control!
- but for now, he is still a liar and the Father of lies (John 8:44)
 Job’s suffering – Job 1:13-19 – he lost a lot!
- he lost ALL his animals (oxen, donkeys, sheep, camels)
- he lost ALL his sons/daughters (7 sons; 3 daughters)
 Job’s response – Job 1:20-22
Q: What might have come out of your mouth at point like this?
- especially, ‘the LORD gave and the LORD has taken away’ (focused on God’s sovereignty)  and then ‘blessed be the name of the Lord’
Point: Job was a good man – but Job still needed to learn some things about God

II.  The Question – Job 38:1-4

- in chp. 38, God enters into somewhat of an interrogation or cross-examination of God
- remember, Job had repeatedly called God to court in order to confirm his blamelessness that was mentioned in chp. 1 – so now it’s God’s turn!
>  the questioning goes on from chp. 38 to the end of chp. 41
“God finally came to interrogate Job on some of the comments he had made to his own accusers. God was about to be Job’s vindicator, but He first brought Job to a right understanding of Himself.” .
- one other thing that is interesting to note:
“When now Jehovah condescends to negotiate with Job by question and answer, He does not do exactly what Job wished (13:22), but something different, of which Job never thought.  He surprises him with questions which are intended to bring him indirectly to the consciousness of the wrong and absurdity of his challenge—questions among which ‘there are many which the natural philosophy of the present day can frame more scientifically, but cannot satisfactorily solve.’” – Keil-Delitzsch, Job, p. 312.
- it’s not uncommon for any of us when we are going through a trial (mention a few of the trials various people in our church are going through) to want to ask God a lot of questions’
>  the most popular one: WHY?
Point:  God never told Job the REASON for his pain/suffering (i.e. His conversation with Satan)
Note:  There is a lesson there: us knowing the reason is not important; it’s the fact that God is in control and allowed it, and what do I need to learn from it?
- instead, God asked Job a question: Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?

III.  The Answer

Input: What is you overall response to this question? [various answers]
A.  What it reveals about man
- what does the answer to this question reveal about man?
1.  Temporal being (I haven’t always existed like You)
“Then no human being was present, for man was not yet created; the angels, however, beheld with rejoicing the founding of the place of the future human family, and the mighty acts of God in accordance with the decrees of His love.” Keil-Delitzsch, Job, p. 313
- the pride starts to go out the window at this point
- compare God’s eternality with man’s – what a joke – we came from the dust of the ground (dirt – that had life breathed into us!)
Q: Does this remind you of another passage about man’s temporalness?
• James 4:13 Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit." 14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.
- now, we are going to LIVE somewhere forever, but we have not always been here
2.  Created being (I was made in Your image and likeness – not self-existent)
- we started at a point in time – with the help of the Creator!
- we are the creatures – not the Creator (Input: Why is that so hard to get?)
Input: What are some implications to us not being the Creator?
[various answers]
> God is glorified for His creative acts/power
> we don’t get to determine the purpose of life
> we ‘owe’ God everything (it’s grace that we’re even alive)
3.  Limited being
- note esp. Job 38:3 ‘gird up you loins like a man’ – and then answer the Q
- the truth is what Jesus said in John 15:5 “without Me, you can do nothing!”
a.  limited power (I have no power apart from You)
- that’s what the rest of the questions are about from Job 38 [survey those chps and not some of the questions] – not to mention chp. 38-41!!
b.  limited knowledge (I have no knowledge compared to You)
Understanding = signifies to understand how to judge, to possess a competent understanding
* Honest Answer: 
• Job 42:1 Then Job answered the LORD and said, 2 "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. 3 'Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?' "Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know."
B.  What it reveals about God
Input: What does the answer to this question reveal about God?
[put these on the white board and/or chalk board or blank transparency]
- the question itself brought glory to God I many ways
1. God is ETERNAL ‘when I . . .” (reference to time)
- He is the self-existent one – He is eternal – no beginning and no end
2.  God is CREATOR ‘when I laid the foundation . . . and did the rest of what He says in Job 38 – PLUS everything to the end of chp. 41!
Input: What other passages come to your mind that remind you of this truth?
 Genesis 1 – In the beginning . . .
 Psalm 19 – the heavens declare the glory of God . . .
 Psalm 33
 John 1 – . . . all things were made by Him and without Him . . .
 Colossians 1:16-18 – For by Him were all things created . . .
3.  God is the JUDGE – that’s what this is all about – who gets the final word
#1: For believers – 2 Cor. 5:10 – the Judgment Seat of Christ
#2: For unbelievers -- Rev. 20:11-15 – the Great White Throne Judgment
Point:  God did one thing when He asked Job this question:  He asked Job if he was as eternal, great, powerful, wise, and perfect as God. If not, Job would have been better off to be quiet and trust Him.

ABF Study Guide
Questions (God Asks) That Deserve an Answer
Where Were You When I Laid the Foundations of the Earth? – Job 38

Introduction:

I.  The Context of the Question
 Job’s _____________ – Job 1:1-5
Input: What kind of man was Job?

 Satan’s _____________– Job 1:6-11
Input: What was Job accused of by Satan?

 God’s Response (__________) – Job 1:12
Input: What does v. 12 teach us about the nature of God?

 Job’s ___________ – Job 1:13-19

 Job’s ___________ – Job 1:20-22
II.  The Question – Job 38:1-4
“God finally came to interrogate Job on some of the comments he had made to his own accusers. God was about to be Job’s vindicator, but He first brought Job to a right understanding of Himself.” – MacArthur Study Bible.
“When now Jehovah condescends to negotiate with Job by question and answer, He does not do exactly what Job wished (13:22), but something different, of which Job never thought.  He surprises him with questions which are intended to bring him indirectly to the consciousness of the wrong and absurdity of his challenge—questions among which ‘there are many which the natural philosophy of the present day can frame more scientifically, but cannot satisfactorily solve.’” – Keil-Delitzsch, Job, p. 312.
III.  The Answer
Input: What is you overall response to this question?

A.  What it reveals about man
1.  ___________ being (I haven’t always existed like You)
“Then no human being was present, for man was not yet created; the angels, however, beheld with rejoicing the founding of the place of the future human family, and the mighty acts of God in accordance with the decrees of His love.” Keil-Delitzsch, Job, p. 313

2.  ___________ being (I was made in Your image and likeness – not self-existent)
Input: What are some implications to us not being the Creator?

3.  Limited being
a.  limited __________ (I have no power apart from You)

b.  limited _____________ (I have no knowledge compared to You)
Understanding = signifies to understand how to judge, to possess a competent understanding
* Honest Answer: 

B.  What it reveals about God
Input: What does the answer to this question reveal about God?

1. God is ___________ “when I . . .” (reference to time)

2.  God is _______________ “when I laid the foundation . . . “

Input: What other passages come to your mind that remind you of this truth?

3.  God is the __________ – that’s what this is all about – who gets the final word
#1:
#2:

Questions (God Asks) That Deserve an Answer
Where Were You When I Laid the Foundations of the Earth?

I.  The Context of the Question
 Job’s Character – Job 1:1-5
Input: What kind of man was Job?
• Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and that man was blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil.
 Satan’s Accusations– Job 1:6-11
Input: What was Job accused of by Satan?
 God’s Response (sovereignty)
– Job 1:12
Input: What does v. 12 teach us about the nature of God?
 Job’s suffering – Job 1:13-19
 Job’s response – Job 1:20-22
II.  The Question – Job 38:1-4
Quotes

III.  The Answer
Input: What is you overall response to this question?
A.  What it reveals about man
1.  Temporal being (I haven’t always existed like You)
Quote
• James 4:13 Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit." 14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.
2.  Created being (I was made in Your image and likeness – not self-existent)
Input: What are some implications to us not being the Creator?

3.  Limited being
a.  limited power (I have no power apart from You)
b.  limited knowledge (I have no knowledge compared to You)
Understanding = signifies to understand how to judge, to possess a competent understanding
* Honest Answer: 
• Job 42:1 Then Job answered the LORD and said, 2 "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. 3 'Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?' "Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know."
B.  What it reveals about God
Input: What does the answer to this question reveal about God?
1. God is ETERNAL “when I . . .” (reference to time)
2.  God is CREATOR “when I laid the foundation . . . “
Input: What other passages come to your mind that remind you of this truth?
 Genesis 1 – In the beginning . . .
 Psalm 19 – the heavens declare the glory of God . . .
 Psalm 33
 John 1 – . . . all things were made by Him and without Him . . .
 Colossians 1:16-18 – For by Him were all things created . . .
3.  God is the JUDGE – that’s what this is all about – who gets the final word
#1: For believers – 2 Cor. 5:10 – the Judgment Seat of Christ
#2: For unbelievers -- Rev. 20:11-15 – the Great White Throne Judgment