A Place To Belong

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15th Sunday after Pentecost (National Back To Church Sunday)

A Place To Belong

(Hebrews 10:19-25)

 

INTRODUCTION

“One of the greatest tragedies of the 21st Century in America is the realism that millions of people who claim to know Jesus Christ rarely attend a local church or participate in the worship services. ​​ In so many of American churches, a lot of people basically attend three times in their entire life. ​​ The first time is when they’re born to be [christened] dedicated. ​​ The second time is when they are married. ​​ The third time is when they are buried. ​​ In other words, when they’re hatched, matched, and dispatched!

 

Yet, in the New Testament, if one consistently and deliberately missed the assembly, the coming together as a church, it was assumed that this person was no longer following Christ. ​​ They assumed that this person had gone back into the world and was no longer a part of the local church. ​​ In this case, New Testament Christians would eventually conclude that a person was no longer a Christ-follower simply because he/she was no longer attending the local assembly. ​​ The saw the worship service not only as a privilege and a priority, but they saw worship as a solemn duty.”

 

(James O. Davis, What Difference Does Church Attendance Make?).

 

[http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/what-difference-does-church-attendance-make-james-o-davis-sermon-on-church-body-of-christ-167997.asp].

 

BODY

  • ME

    • Growing up in a Pastor’s home

        • My father was a pastor from before I was born

        • As I grew up, it was pretty much a requirement that I be at church

        • I went to college in IN and my parents lived in AL (750 miles apart)

          • They would never know if I attended church or not

          • But church was an important part of my life

          • I’m a people-person and an extravert, so I’m energized by being around people

          • So, going to church in college was something that I wanted to do for myself and not because I thought my parents wanted me to do

    • Attending church as adults

        • Judy and I got married between our Junior and Senior year of college

        • After graduation we moved to FL

          • We didn’t have any family nearby

          • We found a great Southern Baptist church

          • The members of that church became our family

          • We attended Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday evenings

          • We were part of the choir

          • I served on the Stewardship committee

          • We helped with work days (I got stung by fire ants working outside)

        • In every state that we have lived in, the church members have become our family

          • We’ve lived in OH (UB), MO (Wesleyan), and CA (Calvary Chapel)

          • We were close to Judy’s family in OH, but we didn’t have any family in MO or CA

          • Throughout our married life, Judy and I have found that the churches we’ve attended were places to belong

          • We feel the same way about Idaville Church – it is a place to belong

 

  • WE

    • Idaville Church

        • Many of you have attended Idaville Church for most if not all of your life

        • You’ve found it to be a place to belong

    • Those attending for the first time or returning again

        • If you who are returning to church after being gone for a while or if you’ve never attended church before, we hope that you’ll find Idaville Church to be a place where you can belong

        • We hope that Idaville Church will be a place where you can grow in your walk with the Lord and see your faith develop and blossom

 

The author of Hebrews is writing to Hebrew Christians and all believers in Christ. ​​ They were perhaps struggling in their faith, like we do too, and the author wanted them and us to remember that . . .

 

BIG IDEA – Faith requires closeness with God and being in community with other believers.

 

Let’s pray

 

  • GOD (Hebrews 10:19-25)

    • In this passage of Scripture, the writer of Hebrews uses the same phrase three times to exhort the Hebrew Christians he is writing to

        • The phrase is “Let us”

        • It’s found in vv. 22, 23, and 24

        • These three exhortations are for us today as we consider Idaville Church as a place to belong

    • Draw near (vv. 19-22)

        • Basis for drawing near to God (vv. 19-21)

          • There are two bases for drawing near to God and we see those identified with the word “since”

          • Basis #1

            • The “therefore” points back to what the author said previously

              • At the beginning of chapter 10 there is a reminder of the sacrificial system that had been established in Israel

              • They had to sacrifice the blood of bulls and goats in order to cover over their sins, but those continual, ongoing sacrifices never took away their sins

              • We see then that Jesus’ sacrifice was offered once for all to take away every sin

              • When we believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior, God sees us as perfected through the blood of His Son, Jesus

              • It’s through Jesus’ once-for-all, perfect sacrifice that we can have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place

            • Confidence to enter the Most Holy Place

              • The Most Holy Place is where God’s presence dwelt and every Israelite knew that

              • Prior to Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, the High Priest would go into the Most Holy Place once a year with a bowl of blood to sprinkle on the mercy seat (the covering of the ark of the covenant) in order to atone for the sins of the nation of Israel

                • The High Priest may only get this opportunity once in his lifetime

                • This was a solemn and serious duty for the High Priest and required that he be purified before entering

                • There was a ritual purification that took place prior to entering the Most Holy Place (atoning for his own sins and the sins of his family with the sacrifice of a bull)

                • If the High Priest entered without being purified, he would run the risk of dying before the Lord

              • In the OT, the tabernacle had a heavy curtain in front of the Most Holy Place that sealed it from view. ​​ This same heavy curtain was part of the Temple in Jerusalem during NT times, but Jesus’ perfect sacrifice, offered believers a new way of coming into the presence of God

            • New way of coming to God through Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection

              • The High Priest would have to lift the edge of the curtain to enter the Most Holy Place

              • But, when Jesus died on the cross, God tore the veil from top to bottom, showing that a new way of coming to Him and being in His presence was now available

                • Matthew 27:50-53, And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. ​​ At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. ​​ The earth shook and the rocks split. ​​ The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. ​​ They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus’ resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

                • The curtain that concealed what the Most Holy Place looked like was removed, by God, when Jesus’ died

              • New and living way of being in God’s presence

                • Everyone now had the opportunity to be in the presence of God, not just the high priest and not just once a year

                • “The Old Covenant high priest visited the holy of holies once a year, but we are invited to dwell in the presence of God every moment of each day.” ​​ [Wiersbe, 315]

                • It was new, because the Israelites no longer needed to use the sacrificial system with the blood of bulls and goats in order to have their sins covered over

                  • It was also new in the fact that Christ did something that no one else had ever done or will ever do again – He died for the sins of the world

                  • The idea of it being something new also carries the meaning of “previously unavailable”

                  • God established the sacrificial system for the Israelites until He sent Jesus to fulfill His plan

                  • God’s plan was set before the creation of the world

                  • 1 Peter 1:18-20, For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. ​​ He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.

                • Being in God’s presence is now also living

                  • Jesus didn’t remain dead

                  • Jesus’ resurrection from the dead was God’s way of saying that He approved of Jesus’ perfect sacrifice for sins

                  • Jesus’ resurrection showed that God has power over sin and death

                  • The way for us to be saved from our sins is living in the fact that it is effective and enduring [Lea, 186]

                  • It wasn’t just offered the Israelites, Samaritans, and Gentiles in the 1st Century

                  • It’s offered to everyone in every generation until Jesus Christ returns a second time

            • PRINCIPLE – God provided a way for us to draw near to Him through Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.

              • Sin (All, Rom. 3:10-12 [#2]; Punishmnt, Rom. 6:23)

              • God’s love (Jeremiah 31:3 [#3])

              • Jesus’ sacrifice (1 Cor. 15:3b-4)

              • John 1:12-13, Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

                • God promises, every ​​ person who repents of their sins and believes in Jesus Christ for salvation, that He has a place for them in His family – a place where they can belong

                • Perhaps that’s right where you are today

                • You’ve been trying to find a place to belong, but everywhere you’ve looked has worked out – it’s left you empty and alone

                • My Next Step Today Is To: ​​ Repent of my sins, believe in Jesus’ name, and become a child of God.

            • This is the first basis or reason why we can draw near to God – a new way of being in His presence

          • Basis #2

            • The second basis for why we can draw near to God is because Jesus is now our high priest and He sits at the right hand of God interceding for us

            • Hebrews 4:14-15, Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. ​​ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin.

            • Romans 8:34, Who is he that condemns? ​​ Christ Jesus, who died – more than that, who was raise to life – is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

          • The bases for drawing near to God is clear, it comes through Jesus’ perfect sacrifice for us and His position at the right hand of God the Father

        • Exhortation (v. 22a)

          • So as followers of Jesus Christ, we can draw near to God

          • But, the writer of Hebrews tells us that there are two manners in which we should draw near to God

        • Manner in which we draw near to God (v. 22b)

          • Sincere heart

            • The Greek word for “sincere” is better translated “true” and has the idea of being “real, genuine, and loyal” [Guthrie, 343]

            • Throughout scripture the heart often refers to the part of us that thinks and feels – the seat of our emotions

            • It involves our thoughts, will, emotions, and character [Guthrie, 343]

            • Proverbs 4:23, Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

            • God knows whether or not we are coming to Him with a sincere, genuine, and loyal heart

            • Jeremiah 17:9-10, The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. ​​ Who can understand it? ​​ “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.

            • Illustration – Kyle Idleman, Not A Fan, page 145, first 3 paragraphs under heading “Living in Denial”

            • God knows if we are drawing near to Him with a sincere heart of a follower and not a fan

            • We must also draw near to Him with full assurance of our faith

          • Full assurance of our faith

            • We have to draw near to God knowing that He has provided full access to His presence through Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice

            • We have to claim the promise from God that the author of Hebrews quotes from Deuteronomy 31:6 and Psalm 118:6, 7

            • Hebrews 13:5b-6, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” ​​ So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. ​​ What can man do to me?”

          • Drawing near to God with a sincere heart and full assurance of our faith comes from two things

        • Means with which we draw near to God (v. 22c)

          • Hearts sprinkled

            • First, it’s having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience

            • We see here a reference to the ritual cleansing that the OT priests went through on a daily basis

              • They had to wash at the laver before entering the holy place (Ex. 30:18-21)

              • On the Day of Atonement, once a year, they had to go through various washings and the applying of blood also

            • Fortunately, as believers today, we don’t have to go through those ritual sprinklings, but we do have to come to the Lord with a pure heart and a clean conscience

              • PRINCIPLE – Fellowship with God demands purity.

              • We have to continually confess our sins to the Lord

              • As followers of Jesus Christ we’ll still make mistakes, we’ll give in to temptations, but God promises to forgive our sins when we confess them to Him

              • Read 1 John 1:5-2:2 (#1)

            • “The Jewish cleansing with blood related only to that which was external, and could not make the conscience perfect, but the sacrifice offered by the Saviour was designed to give peace to the troubled mind, and to make it pure and holy.” ​​ [Baker, 234]

            • We have to have a pure heart and a clean conscience, but we also have to have bodies washed with pure water

          • Bodies washed

            • Some scholars believe this is a reference to baptism and perhaps it is

            • Pure water

              • A basin of water was available at both heathen temples and religious temples so that worshipers could be cleansed before entering the temple

              • Pure water was drawn from fresh wells or fountains

              • Water form pools and ponds was not consider pure or fresh

              • Sea-water was usually regarded as the best source for pure water, because the salt was supposed to have a cleansing property

              • Igor Fredrick (Ukraine) – laying in the Pacific Ocean for its health benefits

            • Others believe that it is symbolic, just like the sprinkling of our hearts

            • “If it is symbolic, the hearts sprinkled from a guilty conscience would picture our salvation, and our bodies washed would symbolize a righteous lifestyle.” ​​ [Lea, 186]

            • 1 Peter 1:13-16, Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. ​​ As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. ​​ But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ​​ “Be holy, because I am holy.”

        • The first exhortation is to draw near to God and the author tells us the bases behind why we can do that and the manner and means with which we do it, but he shares a second exhortation to believers who may be struggling in their faith

    • Hold unswervingly (v. 23)

        • The exhortation is for us to maintain spiritual consistency

        • Hold

          • The Greek word is in the present tense, which perhaps emphasizes that we are to continue to do this on an ongoing basis – we should never stop holding on to our faith

          • The Greek word for “hold” means “to hold fast, keep secure, keep firm possession of”

          • We should be keeping a tight grip on our Christian faith

          • We should not let our faith slip through our fingers

          • The truth of the Gospel never changes – it is sure and secure – even when our emotions and feelings change

          • So we can hold on to our faith, but how should we do it?

        • Unswervingly

          • “. . . ‘unswervingly.’ ​​ This rich word literally means ‘that which does not bend’ or ‘that which is straight,’ which communicates the concept of stability or immutability.” ​​ [Guthrie, 344]

          • It also has the idea of an object standing absolutely straight

          • In the 1st Century the hearers of this letter were probably experiencing persecution for their faith

            • These believers were former Jews or rather Messianic Jews (followers of the Messiah, Jesus)

            • They were probably being pressured by the Jews of their day to return to Judaism and abandon Christianity

            • In the midst of that pressure, they were to continue to hold on without bending to the Gospel of Jesus Christ

            • That is what we are called to do as followers of Jesus Christ – we too are to hold on to the Gospel without bending when others around us mock us, make fun of us, and marginalize our hope

          • We need to hold on to our Christian hope, which is rooted in who Jesus is and what He came to earth to do, without allowing the ever changing circumstance of our lives to affect it

        • God is faithful

          • One of God’s attributes is His immutability – that word simply means that God is unchanging

            • That same attribute is found in Jesus Christ

            • 1 Peter 13:8, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

            • Since we serve an unchanging God, we can trust His promise of hope through Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection

          • We can become God’s child when we repent of our sins and believe in Jesus

        • The first two exhortations are best accomplished within a community of believers – we can draw near to God through worship and studying God’s Word, and we can hold unswervingly when we do it together with fellow believers

    • Spur one another on (vv. 24-25)

        • This exhortation calls us to be responsible for each other

        • PRINCIPLE – God’s plan for His people is for them to encourage one another by serving one another.

        • Consider

          • This is not just a casual thought about others, but rather taking time to concentrate and pay attention to them

          • It means to “notice, consider, pay attention to, look closely at.” ​​ [Guthrie, 345]

          • Paul helps us understand this in his letter to the Philippians

          • Philippians 2:3-4 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. ​​ Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

          • We are to look closely at how we can spur each other on in our faith

        • Spur

          • The word “spur” has also been translated as “provoke”

          • Its original meaning is “to arouse, to excite, to call into action”

            • When I hear the word spur I think of the apparatus attached to a horse riders boot

            • They use that apparatus to encourage the horse to move more quickly

            • That is the sense of the word here – how can we as fellow believers encourage each other in love and good deeds

            • “It is interesting to note that the emphasis here is not on what a believer gets from the assembly, but rather on what he can contribute to the assembly.” ​​ [Wiersbe, 315]

          • Love and good deeds

            • Love is the motivation behind the good deeds that we do

            • Hebrews 6:10, God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

            • Galatians 5:13-14, You, my brothers, were called to be free. ​​ But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. ​​ The entire law is summed up in a single command: ​​ “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

            • Application

              • Are we serving each other in the body of Christ out of love?

              • Are we encouraging/spurring each other on toward love and good deeds or are we content to sit back and wait for others to that?

              • It is encouraging to me and our commission chair people when individuals feel led by God to step up and serve without having to be asked

              • I’ve been reading the book Not A Fan and have been challenged by what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ instead of just a fan

                • One single father was transformed by the Gospel and began to serve in the church, give sacrificially to the church, and witness to his family and friends

                • He was unashamed and all in

                • No one had to ask him to serve, because He was compelled by God, through a close walk with Him

              • Your service here at Idaville Church may encourage other members and attenders to do the same thing

              • My Next Step Today Is To: ​​ Commit to serve at Idaville Church and consider how my service may encourage others to serve also.

                • You may be thinking, “I don’t know where I can serve?”

                • That’s fine, we’ll help you to find a place to serve

          • One tangible way to encourage fellow believers is meeting together regularly

        • Meet together regularly

          • Some of the readers of Hebrews were neglecting to meet together for worship

            • It’s hard to be an encouragement to others when we’re not meeting together regularly

            • It’s also hard to be encouraged by others when we’re not attending worship on a consistent basis

            • Statistics

              • 73% of Americans identify as Christian

              • 73% of Americans say religious faith is very important to them

              • When a self-identified Christian attends a religious service at least once a month and says that their faith is very important in their life, Barna considers that person a “practicing Christian.” ​​ After applying this triangulation of affiliation, self-identification, and practice the numbers drop to around on in three U.S. adults (31%) who fall into this classification

              • Barna researchers argue this represents a more accurate picture of Christian faith in America

              • In the past, a regular attender was someone who came almost every Sunday in a year – they rarely missed

              • A regular attender today is someone who comes once every 4-6 weeks

                • Coming once a month (every 4 weeks) means individuals only come 13 times in a year (25% of the time each year)

                • Coming every 6 weeks means individuals only come 9 times in a year (17% of the time each year)

            • It’s hard to be encouraged and to encourage others with those attendance numbers

              • “Encouragement cannot take place in isolation.” ​​ [Guthrie, 345]

              • My desire is that Idaville Church will be a place where you can belong

              • It will be a place of encouragement and growth

              • We need each one of you to come, so you can be encouraged and encourage others

              • My Next Step Today Is To: ​​ Make church attendance a priority in my life, so I can encourage others.

          • The need for encouraging one another and being encouraged is so important as Jesus’ return gets closer

        • Jesus return is coming soon

          • As followers of Jesus Christ, we have been commissioned by Him to accomplish the Great Commission

          • Matthew 28:19-20, Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. ​​ And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

          • We’ve been commission to Pursue, Grow, and Multiply Disciples

          • Every one of us needs encouragement while we pursue, grow, and multiply disciples

 

BIG IDEA – Faith requires closeness with God and being in community with other believers.

 

  • YOU

    • PRINCIPLE #1 – God provided a way for us to draw near to Him through Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.

        • Perhaps that’s the step you need to take today

        • Repent, believe in Jesus, become God’s child

    • PRINCIPLE #2 – Fellowship with God demands purity.

        • We’re human and will sometimes give in to sin and temptation

        • God promises to forgive us when we confess our sins to Him

    • PRINCIPLE #3 – God’s plan for His people is for them to encourage one another by serving one another.

        • We need your help to serve here at Idaville Church

        • We need you to attend church to be an encouragement to others

 

  • WE

    •  

 

CONCLUSION

“It is said that the giant redwood trees of the Western United States have a relatively shallow root system. ​​ Their enormous weight is supported, in part, by the interlocking of the tree’s roots with those of the other trees around it. ​​ As Christians we need ‘interlocking roots’ with other believers in the church to withstand the enormous weight of life. ​​ We need others spurring us ‘on toward love and good deeds’ in a world so bent on self-centeredness and self-gratification.” ​​ [Guthrie, 352]

13

 

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Restoration Through Confrontation

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14th Sunday after Pentecost

Restoration Through Confrontation

(Matthew 18:15-20)

 

INTRODUCTION

“Don Shula, coach of the Miami Dolphins, was talking to a reporter about a player's mistake in practice. He said, "We never let an error go unchallenged. Uncorrected errors multiply." Then the reporter said, "Isn't there benefit in overlooking one small flaw?" Shula said, "What is a small flaw?" I think about that all day long. What is a small flaw? I see that with my children. I've let a lot of things slide by because I was too tired. I didn't want another confrontation. But uncorrected errors do multiply. You've got to face them some day. You might as well face them on the spot. If I could do it over again with my children, I'd face the errors on the spot. It's easier on them and on you. That works in relationships with anyone. If there's something under the surface, something you sense, you might as well just bring it right out. Face it right then. Success lies in the details. Every job is a self-portrait of the person who did it. Autograph your work with excellence.”

 

(Marabel Morgan in Homemade, February 1987).

 

[http://www.sermonillustrations.com/a-z/c/confrontation.htm].

 

BODY

  • ME

    • Leadership requires confrontation

        • Our culture has marginalized some sins to the point that even Christians are able to justify certain sins

        • These sins don’t keep some Christians awake at night, because it has become culturally acceptable

        • As a pastor, I’m concerned about those sins and many times I need to confront those sins

        • I’m not always certain that I’ve taken a strong enough stand or position on certain sins

        • I question whether or not I have communicated clearly my expectations and God’s standards to those who are actively pursuing sin, because these individuals have continued to pursue that same sin

        • This has happened over the past eight years and even before I became a pastor

        • Confronting sin is not easy, but it’s necessary

 

  • WE

    • Conflict avoidance – sin

        • How many of us would agree today that we try to avoid conflict at all costs?

        • There is no way we’re going to confront someone about something, especially if it’s a sin

        • We may commit to pray for them, but talking to them about it doesn’t cross our mind, and if it does, we get this weird, uncomfortable feeling in the pit of our stomach

        • We are much more comfortable talking to someone else about the sin we’ve seen in other’s live, in hope’s that they will confront them

        • We even go to our superior at work or our pastor, expecting them to deal with the sin

    • Conflict avoidance – in general

        • We try to avoid conflict even when it doesn’t pertain to sin in a person’s life

        • If we don’t like how something is being handled at work or in our family or at the church, we attempt to find someone else to confront the problem for us instead of going directly to the individual that we have a concern with

 

What Jesus is teaching His disciples in Matthew 18:15-20 is concerning a fellow Christian who has sinned against us, but the principle He shares is universal for all kinds of conflict, whether there is active sin or not. ​​ Matthew wants his readers and us to understand that . . .

 

BIG IDEA – Confronting sin requires humility and honesty.

 

Real love encompasses both humility and honesty. ​​ Separating those two character qualities creates problems. ​​ “Love without truth is hypocrisy. ​​ But truth without love is brutality.” ​​ [Courson, 145]

 

Let’s pray

 

  • GOD (Matthew 18:15-20)

    • Repentance (vv. 15-17)

        • Jesus outlines a progression towards repentance

        • There are three key points that we need to understand from this passage of scripture so that we don’t interpret it incorrectly and take it out of context. ​​ These guidelines were meant for:

          • Christians, not unbelievers

          • Sins committed against you and not others

          • Conflict resolution in the context of the church, not the community at large

          • There are some universal principles from this passage that are applicable to resolving conflict in any situation

          • We’ll look at those in just a little bit, but first we need to focus on the context at hand – a fellow Christian, in my church/community, who has sinned against me personally

        • One-on-one

          • “Against you”

            • Most early manuscripts do not have “against you” in the text – only the later manuscripts have it

            • Most modern translations include “against you”

            • France does an excellent job of handling this in his commentary when he says, “The scenario begins with one disciple aware that another disciple has sinned . . . I understand this verse to refer to sin in general, not injury specifically to the person concerned, so that to speak of ‘grievance’ or of ‘conflict resolution’ here is inappropriate.” ​​ [France, 692]

            • Whether or not the sin was against us or we are the first to become aware of the sin in a fellow believers life, the same first step applies

          • We should go to the person privately and show them their fault

            • PRINCIPLE – Upright conduct matters; sin must be dealt with.

              • The verb, “show,” in the Greek means, “to call to account, show one his fault, demand an explanation.”

              • The verb is in the imperative form, which means that it’s not a gentle verb

              • Calling this individual to account is explicit and robust

              • This means that if we’re the person confronting the fellow believer who has sinned, we had better make sure the “sin” is not simply a matter of personal preference on our part

              • Fortunately if that happens, the following steps will help to flesh that out – with as much privacy as possible

            • Since most people are scared of confrontation they avoid this first step

            • Instead they go and talk with someone else in the church about the sin they found out about in this other person’s life

            • They may go to the pastor, elders, or board members, hoping and sometimes asking them to deal with it, instead of going directly to the individual

            • Many times the Church is guilty of skipping this first step, outlined by Jesus

            • PRINCIPLE – Discipline is to be kept as private as possible, involving as few people as possible.

            • We want to immediately involve other people, but that inevitably creates more conflict and disunity, that could have been avoided, if we had followed Jesus’ steps

            • “How often personal confrontation is the last stage rather than the first in Christian complaints! ​​ It frequently seems as if the whole world knows of someone’s grievances against us before we are personally approached. ​​ Hopefully, following Jesus’ guidelines will win over Christian brothers and sisters before anyone else ever has to know about the problem.” ​​ [Blomberg, 278]

            • Judy attended Dr. Sherilyn Emberton’s (President of Huntington University) workshop at National Conference concerning leadership

              • She shared that she is normally the last person to hear anything

              • I can relate to that here (I feel the same way)

              • When she does finally hear a complaint or concern from one of her staff or faculty, she schedules a meal together with them to discuss the complaint or concern

              • She is proactive in meeting with the individual who has the original concern

              • This is how she has developed a culture of coming to her first

              • That’s the kind of culture I want us to have here at Idaville UB Church and it may require me to have some meals together with some of you when I finally hear your concerns from others

              • That’s not easy, because I don’t like confrontation and conflict either

              • The ideal scenario is for each person to come directly to me, first

            • James 5:19-20, My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: ​​ Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

          • The goal is to restore the fellow believer who has sinned

            • Before we ever confront someone, we should make sure that we have prayed thoroughly for them and for the impending conversation we will have to have with them

            • Our attitude should be to win our brother or sister over and not to win an argument

            • Confronting sin requires humility and honesty.

          • Jesus was not naïve to the human condition of selfishness and sinfulness, and so He provided a second step in the progression towards repentance

        • Small group

          • If we have gone privately to our brother or sister and shown them their sin, but they refuse to listen, then we begin to involve one or two others in the process

          • Jesus quotes the second ​​ half of Deuteronomy 19:15 to describe the purpose for taking one or two others with us, when a straying fellow believer does not repent of their sin during the one-on-one meeting

            • In OT times, it was required to have two or three witnesses in order to convict a person accused of a crime

            • They were ensuring that when the matter came to the judges that it would never be a “he said, she said” ​​ type of argument

            • Having one or two other Christians involved in the process helps in several ways:

              • They can confirm the validity of the concern of the initiator

              • They can provide additional loving persuasion for the straying fellow believer in helping that individual realize the seriousness of their sin

              • They will be a help if the individual still refuses to repent of their sin and has to be brought before the church

          • Jesus knew there would be individuals who would not recognize their sin even if confronted by two or three individuals, so He provides a third step in the progression towards repentance

        • Larger group

          • Again the purpose in bringing the sin before the entire church is not retribution, but restoration

          • In the 1st Century the local churches were small house gatherings where everyone would naturally be aware of what was happening

          • Idaville Church is perhaps larger than the local church of the 1st Century, but we are also a close-knit group like they were (there are many family connections here)

          • Stuart Weber [page 293] gives some insightful guidelines concerning which church members should be included when the church must be involved in discipline:

            • Anyone who is likely to be harmed or misled by not knowing about the sin or by failing to recognize its sinfulness and seriousness (this could potentially include everyone)

            • Anyone who should be warned by the sinning brother’s negative example

            • Anyone who can be instrumental in bringing the straying brother back to righteousness

          • Sin has a way of hardening our hearts toward the things of God, so Jesus provides one final step in the progress toward repentance

        • Treat as a pagan or tax collector

          • If the individual has refused to listen to the counsel of one person, a small group, and the whole church, then the community of believers are to treat them as a pagan or tax collector

          • “Anyone who is not willing to accept such united testimony may then properly be regarded as no longer a fit member of the community.” ​​ [France, 693]

          • It basically means that we don’t allow them to participate in public, corporate fellowship with the church [Blomberg, 279]

          • When we read this final step, we interpret it as alienating the person for good, but that’s not the purpose of this discipline

          • The purpose is to bring the person to repentance so that eventually they can be restored to the fellowship of believers

          • PRINCIPLE – Church discipline is intended for the restoration of the sinner and not for his or her condemnation.

          • Applying this type of church discipline in our culture today is extremely difficult, because church members who are disciplined simply begin attending another church where the members there do ​​ not question them or know anything about them

          • “Only as we create intimate community within the local church and networks of accountability among different churches can we hope to apply these verses effectively.” ​​ [Blomberg, 280]

          • In other countries where there is only one Catholic church and one Protestant church these verse are more easily applied, because individuals either work out their differences and/or repent of their sins or they leave the church completely

        • Jesus continues to address the discipline of fellow believers who are sinning when He talks with the disciples about unity on community discipline and life

    • Unity (vv. 18-20)

        • Unity in discipline – bound and loosed

          • This phrase is nearly identical to the phrase Jesus used concerning Peter’s role in the foundation of the church

          • There is one significant difference between the two phrases

            • In Matthew 16:19 the two “you” statements are singular

            • In Matthew 18:18 the two “you” statements are plural

            • Jesus is now extending the foundational authority, He gave to Peter, to the entire disciple community

          • The NASB again has the better translation of the meaning of the original Greek

            • “Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have already been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” (NASB)

            • The phrase does not give human beings some authority over what happens in heaven

            • Rather, the decisions of human beings are to be in line with what God has already permitted or prohibited in heaven

          • “. . . the church discipline decisions the church makes – when it follows Jesus’ guidelines carefully and maintains a right attitude – are in keeping with what has already been decided by God in heaven.” ​​ [Weber, 294]

          • When the church becomes aware of a sinning brother or sister, they have the authority to shut the door to the community of faith until repentance is achieved, at which time, they also have the authority to open up the community of faith once again

          • The authority that Jesus is talking about here pertains to the discipline of a straying believer

        • Unity in praying for God’s will in the community

          • Jesus uses the word “again,” which helps us understand that He is restating what He just said in v. 18

            • Reading this verse literally in the English language makes it sound like if two Christians agree in prayer about anything that God will do it for us

            • God is not a genie in a bottle to be called upon at our desire to do for us what we want

          • In context the individuals praying should be praying for repentance and restoration of the straying fellow believer

            • The word “agree” is from sumphoneo, which is where we get our English word “symphony”

            • The literal meaning of sumphoneo is “sound out together”

            • It means to harmonize, which is what a symphony does when they are all playing together

            • “The church must agree in prayer as it seeks to discipline the erring member. ​​ It is through prayer and the Word that we ascertain the will of the Father in the matter.” ​​ [Wiersbe, 66]

            • Jesus gives an incredible promise to the disciples and to us

              • When we seek God’s guidance and wisdom, through prayer, in confronting a straying believer, He will provide that for us and will be with us

              • Whether it’s one person going privately, a small group of two or three, or the entire church

              • God’s desire is for the sinning Christian to repent and follow Him and He uses other Christians to confront the sinner

        • Confronting sin requires humility and honesty

 

  • YOU

    • Confronting sin

        • Most of us are averse to confrontation – it’s something we do not like to do

        • Yet when it comes to confronting a fellow believer, who is sinning, it is necessary and Biblical

        • Perhaps you know of a fellow believer who is currently entrapped by sin

        • It’s your responsibility as a brother or sister in Christ to humbly and honestly confront that individual about their sin

        • It won’t be easy, but it is necessary

        • Maybe you know of someone like that today

        • My Next Step Today Is To: ​​ Humbly and honestly confront a fellow believer who is entrapped by sin.

          • Pray for God’s wisdom and guidance before you go to meet with them

          • Then meet with them one-on-one

          • Based on their response determine whether or not to move to the next step

    • Praying for repentance and restoration

        • In our humanness we fail to follow the steps that Jesus has outlined for us today

        • Perhaps you’ve been made aware of a situation where a fellow believer is currently living a life of sin

        • You were made aware of this because the first step that Jesus outlined for us was not followed, but others began to share it within the church

        • Your first step is to encourage the individual who told you to privately confront the straying believer

        • Your second step is to pray fervently for repentance and restoration in the situation

        • My Next Step Today Is To: ​​ Pray for repentance and restoration of a fellow believer who is currently dealing with sin in their lives.

 

  • WE

    • In this passage of scripture, Jesus was dealing specifically with a fellow believer who is trapped in sin and our responsibility as a fellow believer to confront them and hold them accountable

    • The principles learned today are valuable for any situation where there is conflict, disunity, or disagreement

        • If we have an issue with someone else, our first step is to go to them privately, one-on-one and discuss it with them (many hard feelings, misunderstandings, gossip sessions, and factions can be avoided by following this first step)

        • If the issue is not resolved through that first step then invite one or two others to join you for a second conversation with the individual

        • If the issue is still unresolved then it may require the involvement of a larger number of people

        • These steps and principles are valuable in resolving conflict at home, in our family, with our neighbors, at work, and at church

 

CONCLUSION

John Burke – Biblical Conflict Resolution [https://www.rightnowmedia.org/Content/VideoElement/98544].

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Total Obedience

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13th Sunday after Pentecost

Total Obedience

(Matthew 16:21-28)

INTRODUCTION

“I was at the gym last summer on one of the elliptical machines that faces the window. ​​ I was looking out at the parking lot and watching the people come in for a workout before heading home for the day. ​​ After a few minutes a guy pulls up and gets out of his car. ​​ He’s a large guy and it takes some effort for him to get out of his small sedan. ​​ He’s still in his office clothes, but I watch as he reaches in to grab his gym bag. ​​ He puts it over his shoulder and then leans into the car one more time to get something else. ​​ He emerges with a cup that has a red spoon in it. ​​ You get what’s happening? ​​ This man is finishing off his Blizzard from Dairy Queen as he walks into the gym for his workout. ​​ He stands right outside the window in front of me to take his final bites. ​​ I’m pretty sure it was cookie dough. ​​ He throws the empty cup in the trash and walks in for his workout. ​​ He wanted to get in shape, but he didn’t want to make any personal sacrifices.

 

That’s how a fan will try to follow Jesus. ​​ A fan will try and accept the invitation of Christ to follow, but they don’t want to say no to themselves.”

 

[Not A Fan, Kyle Idleman, 143]

 

BODY

  • ME

    • Fan

        • I’m a fan of a lot of sports teams

          • Washington Redskins

          • Baltimore Orioles

          • St. Louis Cardinals

          • Los Angeles Angels

          • Penn State Nittany Lions

          • Ohio State Buckeyes

        • I’m also a fan of certain players

          • Cal Ripken, Jr.

          • Albert Pujols

          • TimTebow

        • While I like these teams and players, I don’t really follow football, baseball, or these players that closely (I don’t know their stats or whether or not any of the baseball teams are on track to make it to the World Series)

        • I haven’t made any sacrifices in order to go to any of the games played by these teams

    • Follower

        • We have made some significant sacrifices in order to follow God’s leading in our lives to serve in various ministries

          • We have sacrificed living around family for most of our marriage in order to serve the Lord

          • We have sacrificed purchasing certain things in this world in order to live a more simple life on mission

          • We have willingly given sacrificially to the church, through tithing, and to individual missionaries for their personal support

        • We are constantly being challenged to sacrifice more to be a disciple of Jesus Christ

          • While we’ve sacrificed some things, there is always more that we can and should sacrifice

          • That has been part of our challenge and journey recently as we’ve been trying to determine how to lower our monthly expenses

          • I was personally challenged by a statement Kyle Idleman made in his book Not A Fan – “A few years ago my wife and I sat down with a goal. ​​ We wanted to make sure that the largest check we wrote every month was to the work of God. ​​ We looked at our finances and figured out what changes we needed to make so that our offering to God was more than our house payment. ​​ We wanted to be sure that our finances reflected that nothing was more important to us than following Jesus.” ​​ [Not A Fan, Idleman, 60-61]

        • Our prayer is that others will see that we are followers/disciples of Jesus Christ

 

  • WE

    • Sacrifices for pursuing other things

        • Job

        • Sports

        • Recreational activities

        • Relationships

        • Time for yourself

          • Family

          • God

          • Friends

        • We’ll sacrifice a lot when it comes to many of these things, but do we sacrifice the same way to follow Jesus?

    • Sacrifices for following Jesus

        • What have you sacrificed in order to follow Jesus?

        • What should you be sacrificing in order to follow Jesus more closely?

 

Jesus shares with His disciples what His purpose on earth is, but they are not particularly open to that plan, because it will require Him to sacrifice His life. ​​ Jesus uses this opportunity to teach His disciples what it will cost them to follow Him. ​​ Matthew wants his readers and us to understand that . . .

 

BIG IDEA – Following Jesus requires total obedience/sacrifice.

 

Let’s pray

 

  • GOD (Matthew 16:21-28)

    • Jesus’ purpose (v. 21)

        • Peter has just correctly identified Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God

          • As we learned last week, Jesus was more than a prophet

          • He is the Son of the living God, which proves His deity

          • As the Christ/Messiah, He is the Savior of the world from sin

          • So, in v. 21 we see that Jesus begins to explain to His disciples what’s going to happen to Him in order for Him to fulfill His purpose as the Christ

          • They have grasped, correctly, who He is and now He begins to help them understand what that will cost Him

          • It is something that He repeatedly is doing with them – that was part of His training for them

        • Location and leaders

          • The fulfillment of His purpose on earth would take place in Jerusalem

          • It would involve the spiritual leaders of the Jewish population in Jerusalem (three main politico-religious authorities)

            • Elders – members of the Sanhedrin not associated with some other specific party or profession

            • Chief priests – highest spiritual leaders who oversaw the temple sacrifices and other ceremonies

            • Teachers of the law – Jewish legal experts that studied the Old Testament and all the man-made regulations and traditions of the Jews

          • What was about to happen to Jesus was going to take place in Jerusalem and would involve the ruling spiritual leaders there

        • Three things that would happen in Jerusalem through the leaders

          • Prior to this time, Jesus tried to limit the amount of exposure He had with the religious leaders from Jerusalem, because it was not yet Him time

            • But here we see the verb form “must,” which can be translated “it is necessary”

            • It was now necessary for Jesus to go to Jerusalem and engage the religious leaders there

            • The verb “must” also encompasses His suffering, death, and resurrection

          • Suffering

            • We know much of what Jesus suffered at the hands of the religious leaders

            • He was falsely accused

            • He was struck by one of the temple guards at the court of the high priest

            • He was stripped and beaten

            • His beard was pulled out (Isaiah 50:6)

            • He was spit on, humiliated, and mocked (Isaiah 50:6)

            • A crown of thorns was jammed into His head

            • He was forced to carry His own cross to the place of His crucifixion

            • It was necessary for Him to go through this suffering to fulfill Scripture

            • Read Isaiah 53:3-12 [#1]

          • Death

            • It was also necessary for Jesus to be killed

            • This was God’s plan to take away our sin

              • Jesus went to the cross so we would not die in our sins and be separated from God for all eternity

              • Sin (Rom. 3:10, “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. ​​ All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”; 6:23)

              • God’s love (Rom. 5:8)

              • Jesus’ sacrifice (Rom. 6:10, The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.)

              • ​​ “On matters of church government, and the form of worship, men may differ from us, and yet reach heaven in safety. ​​ On the matter of Christ’s atoning death, as the way of peace, truth is only one. ​​ If we are wrong here, we are ruined forever. ​​ Error on many points is only a skin disease; error about Christ’s death is a disease of the heart. ​​ Here let us take our stand. ​​ Let nothing move us from this ground. ​​ The sum of all our hopes must be, that ‘Christ has died for us’ (1 Thess. 5:10). ​​ Give up that doctrine, and we have no solid hope at all!” ​​ [John Ryle cited by Boice, 313]

              • 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10, For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. ​​ He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.

            • My Next Step Today Is To: ​​ Receive God’s salvation by believing in Jesus and His perfect sacrifice for me on the cross.

            • It was necessary for Jesus to die, but it was also necessary for Jesus to be raise to life on the third day

          • Resurrection

            • When God allowed Jesus to rise from the dead, it proved that He had power over death

            • 1 Cor. 15:54-57, When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written ill come true: ​​ “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” ​​ “Where, O death, is your victory? ​​ Where, O death, is your sting?” ​​ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. ​​ But thanks be to God! ​​ He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

            • Jesus’ resurrection was a fulfillment of Scripture

            • David foreshadows Jesus’ resurrection in Psalm 16

            • Psalm 16:9-11, Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. ​​ You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

        • Jesus has just explained to His disciples what His purpose on earth is, but they are not exactly in agreement with it, which is why Peter, once again, becomes the spokesperson for the group

    • Rebuke battle (vv. 22-23)

        • Read vv. 22-23

        • Peter’s rebuke of Jesus (v. 22)

          • In the Greek, Peter’s statement is one of the strongest negations possible

          • It’s as though Peter is saying that he will not allow Jesus to suffer and die at the hands of the religious leaders

          • A literal translation of the Greek would be, “Merciful to you!” – which was a common phrase

          • To modernize that phrase, we would say, “May God be so merciful as to keep you from this.” ​​ [Weber, 255]

          • To help us understand the force with which Peter is rebuking Jesus, we can look to look to how Jesus used the same Greek word in two other passages in Matthew

            • Matthew 8:26, He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” ​​ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

            • Matthew 17:18, Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment.

          • Peter’s intentions may have been genuine and true, but they were based on human ideas and not God’s plan

          • This is why Jesus’ rebuke of Peter is just as strong, if not stronger

        • Jesus’ rebuke of Peter (v. 23)

          • We can look at Jesus’ rebuke of Peter and wonder how this could be happening

            • Jesus had just expressed blessing on Peter for correctly identifying His deity and purpose on earth (You are the Christ, the Son of the living God)

            • Now He’s telling Peter to get away from Him and calls him Satan

            • We have to understand that Jesus was not saying that Peter was possessed by Satan, but rather that his remarks were representative of the kind of thinking Satan uses

            • “. . . not realizing that in trying to deflect Jesus from the cross he is actually asking for his own damnation since apart from Jesus’ death neither he, nor any of us, can be saved.” ​​ [Boice, 313]

            • Application

              • We can easily give in to this same temptation with our family and friends

              • It’s the temptation to care more about their comfort than their character

              • We don’t confront sin in a person’s life, because we don’t want to cause any problems

              • Yet, our friend or family member may be waiting for someone to address the sin, so they can face it head on

              • Story of suite mate in CA wanting to have his girlfriend move in to help save money (missed the first opportunity, prayed for a second, challenged him to trust God and do what was right, thanked me for challenging him)

              • Sometimes we miss divine appointments to do the work of God, because we are more concerned about comfort instead of character

            • Jesus recognized that Peter’s concern for His comfort was a stumbling block to Him, because it wasn’t part of God’s plan

          • Only two choices – God’s way or Satan’s way

            • Jesus told Peter that he did not have in mind the things of God, but rather the things of men

            • I’ve mentioned it plenty of times in the past that the Jews were looking for a military leader who would set them free from Roman rule

              • They were not looking for a spiritual leader who would set them free from the power of sin

              • They assumed, incorrectly, that their heritage, as descendants of Abraham, guaranteed them heaven and a right standing before God

            • God’s plan was for Jesus to come from heaven to earth, grow to adulthood, die on a cross for humanity’s sin, be buried, and come alive again in three days

              • That is God’s plan of salvation, which we talked about earlier

              • Believing in who Jesus is and what He did, is the only way to spend eternity with God

              • Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life and no one can come to God the Father, except through Him

            • Many times we try to follow Jesus and/or God on our terms

              • We try to justify doing things our own way by claiming ignorance – “I didn’t know that God meant that?”

              • James 4:17, Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.

              • We are obedient only to a certain degree, yet if our obedience is anything less than immediate, unconditional, cheerful, and thorough, it really isn’t obedience at all

                • If we only obey part of the way and not thoroughly, then it’s not obedience

                • If we “obey,” but our attitude stinks, then it’s not really obedience

                • If we “obey,” but put our own conditions on it, it’s not really obedience

                • If we “obey” on our own timeframe instead of immediately, it’s not really obedience

            • BIG IDEA – Following Jesus requires complete obedience/sacrifice.

        • This is what Jesus is about to teach His disciples as He turns His attention away from Peter, exclusively, and back to the group

    • Jesus’ teaching (vv. 24-28)

        • Cost of following Jesus (vv. 24-26)

          • “There is a defect, even a fatal defect, in the life of the church of Christ in the twentieth century: ​​ a lack of true discipleship. ​​ For the genuine Christian, discipleship means forsaking everything to follow Christ. ​​ But for many of today’s supposed Christians – perhaps the majority – it is the case that while there is much talk about Christ and even much furious activity that is supposed to be done in his name, there is actually very little following of Christ himself. ​​ And that means that in some circles at least there is very little genuine Christianity. ​​ Many who fervently call him “Lord, Lord” are not Christians (Matt. 7:21).” ​​ [Boice, 314]

          • Jesus defined a true follower in three ways

            • Self-denial

              • We have to be prepared to let go of anything that competes with Jesus’ kingdom

              • It should be visible through how we handle our finances

              • Others should recognize that we are a disciple of Jesus through our service to Him in the church and the world

              • Self-denial should lead to the rejection of self-centered arrogance and pride

              • Our thoughts should be centered on God’s kingdom first

              • It’s putting loyalty to Jesus Christ before self-preservation – being willing to risk our own lives for the kingdom of God

              • “To deny self does not mean to deny things. ​​ It means to give yourself wholly to Christ and share in His shame and death.” ​​ [Wiersbe, 60]

              • Read Romans 12:1-2 ​​ [#2]

              • Read Philippians 3:7-10 ​​ [#3]

              • Self-denial is saying “No” to ourselves

            • Taking up the cross

              • It’s not uncommon to hear people refer to different ailments as the cross they have to bear, but that’s not what Jesus is talking about here

              • Taking up our cross involves saying, “Yes,” to God after we say, “No,” to ourselves

              • Real crosses involve the will and not inevitable limitations – it is saying yes to something difficult for Jesus’ sake ​​ [Boice, 315]

              • Cross-bearing involves:

                • Prayer and Bible study

                  • We have to set aside time to voluntarily pursue prayer and Bible study instead of other pastimes we might prefer as humans

                  • The temptation is to neglect prayer and Bible study

                  • Just this past week, I was tempted to not spend time in prayer before I started my day, because I had a lot to get done (I found my day went better after I spent time praying)

                  • During the Mission Possible Meeting this morning we shared about the upcoming small groups that will be starting or continuing (now is a great time to say “No” to ourselves and “Yes” to Jesus)

                  • The information and sign-up sheets are in the foyer

                • The items Jesus lists in Matthew 25:31-46 concerning the least of these

                  • Feeding the hungry

                  • Giving drink to the thirsty

                  • Receiving a stranger

                  • Clothing the naked

                  • Caring for the sick

                  • Visiting those in prison

                  • We serve every month at the Upper Adams Food Pantry and the Gettysburg Soup Kitchen – we have a benevolence committee that helps individuals in need

                  • Each one of us can care for someone else who is sick, invite someone to our home for a meal, take someone to a thrift store to buy clothes, or visit someone in prison

                • Witnessing

                  • This is sharing the Gospel with those God puts in our path

                  • We have to be intentional about this, we can’t leave it up to chance

                  • We need to be praying for God to provide divine appointments each day to share the Gospel

                  • It’s part of our mission as a church to Pursue, Grow, and Multiply Disciples

              • Once we say “No” to self and “Yes” to God them we have to continue to follow Jesus

            • Following Jesus

              • “Discipleship is not simply a door to be entered but a path to be followed . . .” ​​ [Boice, 315]

              • Most individuals want discipleship to just a door they have to enter – something that’s once and done

              • Yet it must be a daily submission to Jesus Christ as Lord

              • Read Psalm 119:105-112 ​​ [#4]

          • Saving and losing our soul

            • Pursing a life here on earth instead of following Jesus will result in losing eternal life with God

            • The opposite is also true – following Jesus here on earth and sacrificing the things of this world will result in gaining eternal life with God

            • “Losing one’s life to Jesus means giving over one’s own will to follow him alone in discovering God’s will as the central, driving force for one’s life.” ​​ [Wilkins, 573]

          • The value of a kingdom soul

            • We cannot accumulate enough wealth to buy our way into heaven

            • We don’t have anything of value that we can trade with God in order to obtain eternal life

            • Millionaire Malcom Forbes’ quote is not true: ​​ “He who dies with the most toys wins.”

            • “At the end of this life we are each measured by the health of our souls, not the wealth of our estates.” ​​ [Wilkins, 573]

            • Remember Paul’s words in Philippians 3:7-10 [#3]

          • BIG IDEA – Following Jesus requires complete obedience/sacrifice

          • My Next Step Today Is To: ​​ Follow Jesus by denying myself, taking up my cross, and continually following Him.

        • Reward for following Jesus (v. 27)

          • Jesus tells His disciples that when He returns the second time there will be an accounting that takes place

          • Each person will either be rewarded for following Jesus or repaid for the wrong they have done

          • Colossians 3:23-25, Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. ​​ It is the Lord Christ you are serving. ​​ Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is not favoritism.

        • Prophetic word (v. 28)

          • Jesus then ends this section of Scripture with a prophetic pronouncement that some of the disciples will not taste death before they see Him coming in His kingdom

          • There are all kinds of interpretations concerning what Jesus was referring to with this pronouncement

          • Most scholars agree that based on the context and what follows next in the three Synoptic Gospel’s is what Jesus is referring to here – it is His Transfiguration

            • Not all of the disciples experienced the Transfiguration

            • It was only Peter, James, and John who were included in that special revelation of God’s glory through Jesus on the mountain

 

  • YOU

    • Two choices (unbelievers)

        • Embrace God’s plan of salvation through Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection

        • Follow Satan’s plan of rejecting Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection

    • Two choices (believers)

        • Follow Jesus according to His terms (deny yourself, take up your cross, and continually follow Him, which means losing your life for Jesus’ sake here on earth and gaining eternal life)

        • Follow Jesus on your own terms (save your life here on earth, but lose it eternally)

  • WE

    • We all have to decide who will ultimately sit in the place of decision making in our lives

 

CONCLUSION

VIDEO – “The Stool”.

12

 

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