Our Old Testament reading today is taken from the book of Amos chapter 5 verse 6.
Seek the Lord and live, or he will sweep through the house of Joseph like a fire; it will devour, and Bethel will have no one to quench it.
Amos 5:6.
Our Gospel reading and meditation for today is taken from the book of Mark chapter 10 verses 17-27
17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.’? ?”
20 “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”
21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”
24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is?? to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
26 The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”
27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” Mark 10:17-27
Remember when you were a child and you used to pretend there were monsters under your bed? Maybe they were in your closet. Or perhaps they were waiting in the hall to “get” you when you got up from bed to sneak out there to spy on your parents or whatever other reason there may have been
My monster was under my bed. He had red glowing mean eyes. He was big, ugly, and green with sharp teeth and bad breath. He had sharp claws on his hands and feet and kind of looked like an upright lizard with no tail. His breath was so bad it could whither a live plant on contact, it could melt plastic, and if he breathed on me I WOULD DIE I was sure of it. To an adult he looks pretty unrealistic and foolish but to a child, he is very real because he has kidded himself in to believing it is real, and in his mind it IS real even though there is no chance it is.
How many of you currently have some clothes at home in your closet or at the back of the drawer in your chest of drawers that you have kept for years? You know the ones. They are a couple sizes too small or a couple inches smaller in the waist than what you are wearing now. You have kept them all these years because you are going to fit back into them one day most likely around February after you have made your New Year’s resolution and finish your last piece of Lasagna.
Chances are you most likely will never fit into those clothes again. You are kidding yourself but what a great thought! Man, I’m going to fit back into those one day and then I will look GREAT and everything will be awesome because everyone will see that I’ve lost weight, and I will feel better about myself and everyone will love me and think better of me. Right?
In our Gospel reading today, Jesus is approached by a very wealthy man. Most likely he is ruler in a synagogue or perhaps a high ranking government official. He is like the Donald Trump of his era in terms of his wealth.
He falls on his knees before Jesus and says “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus, of course, knew his heart and thoughts, but we can figure out where his heart was and what he thought and felt through that simple question.
Why did he come to Jesus and ask that question in the first place? After all, we soon find out that in his mind he had kept all the commandments Jesus mentioned, if he did that, why would he even need to ask Jesus about eternal life? Obviously, the smart, business savvy man had some doubt in his mind. Doubt that had lead him to question his salvation.
When he falls on his knees at the feet of Jesus, what does he call him? ‘Good teacher’ In the original new testament language of Greek; “Good” was originally agathos meaning one who has good moral qualities. Teacher – didaskalos simply means instructor. So this man was calling Jesus “instructor with good moral qualities.” Was this who Jesus was? Not even close. It was one of the qualities of Jesus but not who he was. Did the rich man get it? Did he understand who Jesus was? Did he understand that Jesus was his Savior? Not a clue. In his mind he was talking to the most popular instructor of scripture during his time, sort of like Billy Graham is to many people today.
If we continue in his question he asks “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” There it is: the confirmation of his unbelief that the man he was talking to was his Savior. “I” “What must I do” He is depending upon himself and his obedience to the law to earn his way to heaven, he’s kidding himself isn’t he? Sort of like the way children kid themselves to believe there are monsters under their beds, or we kid ourselves that we will fit into those clothes again.
The rich man was self righteous and was depending on his good works to get him to heaven.
Jesus then asks him, “Why do you call me ‘good’?” WHAT AN AWESOME OPPORTUNITY!! Jesus has just given the rich man his Golden chance to confess that he believes that Jesus has come to save him from his sins, and that he is the Holy Son of God. Here he is with the most awesome opportunity of his lifetime and what does he do? He says NOTHING! Not a word. The scripture doesn’t indicate it but perhaps he may have shrugged a little, maybe he might have looked around past Jesus, jaw agape, and said “Ahhhhhh…” I don’t believe there are any Greek words for that in the Bible so it wouldn’t be in there.
What would you say? Wouldn’t you at least say SOMETHING? Even if it might be wrong?
Jesus answers this question himself and indicates to the rich man his Deity. Jesus states to the man using his own words, “No one is good – except God alone.” Jesus tells this guy that only God is good, and you have called me good and I have not denied that I am good so do the math, what am I telling you?
“Ahhhhhh……”
The rich man just doesn’t get it, he is so stuck on his self righteousness and good works that he cannot see his salvation standing right there in front him not more than a foot away. He could reach out and touch Him……
Are these the only problems the rich man has? No. Let’s continue. Jesus knows that this rich man is not going to figure out any time soon that he is his Savior so he approaches him from the current Jewish way of life by earning God’s favor through keeping the Law and the 10 commandments. Jesus directly asks the rich man if he has kept the commandments. Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother. Finally the guy gets a voice and pipes up: “Yes teacher! I have kept all these since I was a boy!” he’s probably thinking: “Awesome! He’s going to tell me now that I have done well in following the Law and I am going to heaven just like he’s been telling all of these other people!”
But wait a minute…..How many commandments did Jesus list here, aren’t there only seven? Where are the other three? Did Jesus forget them? Is the rich man so special that because he’s rich he only has to follow those seven commandments?
No, Jesus did not forget them, and the man is no more special than you or I, he may have been able to keep the seven commandments concerning his treatment of others and their property, but Jesus knew this man’s heart and he was about to reveal to him that he has sinned against the first three commandments that God gave concerning himself.
What are these three commandments? Let’s start with the second and third, you shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God and remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. Although there are no direct references to the rich man’s violation of the Sabbath day, one could assume it would be very easy to violate because the commandment during this time was used to prevent any work whatsoever on the Sabbath and Jesus himself had revealed throughout his ministry how all of the Jewish people had violated this commandment. This man was very rich and wouldn’t he work on the Sabbath if he could make money? Perhaps.
How about misusing the name of the Lord? Did he misuse it by not acknowledging Jesus as the Son of God? A sin of omission perhaps? Regardless, we do not know the man’s heart at the time so this is only speculation.
However. Jesus, being a teacher to this man, was using this opportunity as a “teaching moment.” He wanted the rich man to be able to be truthful in his answer so Jesus could point out this man’s sin in order to bring him to repentance.
The rich man was in violation of the first commandment – you shall have no other Gods, and it became especially obvious after his reaction to what Jesus told him next.
Jesus told the man he lacked one thing. He needed to sell everything he had and give it to the poor, then he would have treasure in heaven. Then the man was to come and follow him.
What happened next? The man’s face fell and he went away sad. Why? Because he was filthy rich and did not want to part with it. So when the rich man came to Jesus with his original question he didn’t ask the whole thing. Perhaps he should have asked the question this way: Good teacher, what must I do, other than give up my money, wealth, and power, to inherit eternal life? Or, Good teacher, how can I buy my way to eternal life? This was most likely the reason he had come to ask Jesus about eternal life in the first place.
What sin was the rich man obviously guilty of? It wasn’t wealth. Wealth in itself is not a sin. What did his sadness show of himself? He loved his wealth more than God. His wealth had become his idol, his god.
He was guilty of idolatry. Idolatry can come in many forms. When something becomes more important than God, it becomes an idol. The love of money, drug addiction, alcohol abuse, and pornography are a few of the hard ones to deal with but there are much simpler ones in our daily lives that become our idols. When work becomes more important than our relationship with God, it becomes an idol. When the care of a family member becomes more important than our relationship with God, it becomes an idol. When television becomes more important than our relationship with God, it becomes an idol. If surfing the internet becomes more important that our relationship with God, it becomes an idol.
Do you have any idols in your life? Is there something more important than God?
The wealthy man in our gospel reading today was kidding himself. He was thinking that all those good things he did would earn him a spot in heaven, after all, he had kept more commandments than he violated. He was up on the score seven to three, he was winning right? He was ahead of all those other guys in order to make the cut.
Jesus puts that idea to rest very quickly he says, “Children, how hard it is?? to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Jesus is telling us here that we cannot of our own strength, power, or decision ever hope to enter heaven. As a matter of fact he describes that it is easier to force a real camel through the eye of a real needle than it is for us to gain salvation through our own works.
Each one of us is guilty of sin from our birth and God demands that we lead a perfect, sinless life to receive eternal life in heaven. God tells us that in his Word.
Psalm 51 verse 5 says: “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
Who then can be saved? Jesus concludes his lesson to us in this manner he says: “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
Did you hear it? Right there. The last six words. “All things are possible with God.”
Jesus understood the rich man’s heart. He understood the rich man was not interested in what He was about to do for him on the cross, he understood the rich man as well as he understands everyone else. Jesus knows that it is impossible for us to save ourselves through the things we do or don’t do. He understands that we are sinful from birth and can do nothing.
All things are possible with God. These things above all else include our salvation and eternal life with Him in heaven.
So how are we saved? Well, we’ve learned that there is nothing we can do to by our own works to save ourselves. So we need someone to do that for us, we need a Savior. And Jesus is it.
1st Corinthians Chapter 5 verse 21 tells us:
“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
This verse tells us exactly how Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross after leading a perfect life in our place has saved all of us who believe in Him from eternal death in hell.
God sent his perfect, sinless son Jesus to be our substitute. Through his death by being crucified, he paid the price for all who believe by taking our punishment upon himself. He did this freely without complaint.
After Jesus’ death and resurrection God declared that all who believe in Jesus and His sacrifice now share in the righteousness Jesus has earned for us.
Isn’t it comforting how there are no strings attached, nothing that we have to do, and nothing that we can do to earn our salvation? Jesus shows that to us by his interaction with the rich man in our meditation for today.
Salvation is a gift. Given to us only by the grace of God. We only have to believe and have faith that Christ’s sacrifice has paid for our sins just as God has said. Heaven is ours earned for us by Jesus’ lonely death on a cross.
The Rich man could do nothing to save himself, I can do nothing to save myself and you can do nothing to save yourself. Jesus has already taken care of that for us. Salvation is a gift that we already have. We can only refuse it in our unbelief.
So, as we close for today remember the rich man, who thought he could earn or perhaps even buy his way to heaven. Remember what Jesus taught us through his Word for today, and let’s not kid ourselves into thinking that we can do something to earn our way to heaven ourselves. Jesus has already done that for us.
All we have to do is believe. No Kidding. AMEN.
And now, May the peace of God which surpasses all human understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. AMEN
Friday, November 6, 2009
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Jailhouse Sermon #1
Once a month I preach in a local county jail. The following sermon and prayer are what was presented to 14 men and women who are incarcerated for various crimes.
Although I expounded on certain areas of the sermon which is not included in this text, the main point is in tact and very obvious.
This is also officially my first sermon of my "vicar" year. I write that while pressing my tongue in my cheek....(chuckle, chuckle)
I did excerpt a good point from the People's Bible, and included it in the sermon, I just can't remember where.
I suppose I should title it, how about "Faith."
Enjoy.......
Our meditation today is based on the gospel according to Matthew Chapter 17 verses 14 through 20.
14When they came near the crowd, a man approached Jesus. He got on his knees in front of him. 15“Lord,” he said, “have mercy on my son. He shakes wildly and suffers a great deal. He often falls into the fire or into the water. 16I brought him to your disciples. But they couldn’t heal him.”
17“You unbelieving and evil people!” Jesus replied. “How long do I have to stay with you? How long do I have to put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.”
18Jesus ordered the demon to leave the boy, and it came out of him. He was healed at that very moment.
19Then the disciples came to Jesus in private. They asked, “Why couldn’t we drive out the demon?”
20/21He replied, “Because your faith is much too small. What I’m about to tell you is true. If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, it is enough.” Matthew 17:14-20
Earlier in the day Jesus and three of his disciples
· Peter
· James
· And his brother John
Had been at the Mount of Transfiguration. They were returning to the other 9 disciples when they found a demon possessed boy with his father, in the midst of a large crowd, surrounded by nine very confused disciples.
Here was a boy possessed by a demon – a fallen angel bent on bringing as much of God's creation into ruin as possible. The nine disciples who had not gone with Jesus up the Mount of Transfiguration were unable to drive it out, though earlier Jesus had given them the authority and the command to do exactly that.
The father knelt before Jesus and pleaded, “Lord, have mercy on my only son.”
Jesus’ first reaction was to denounce the “unbelieving and perverse generation.”
Q. Whom do you suppose Jesus was calling an unbelieving and perverse generation?
· Did he mean that crowd?
· the boy’s father?
· the nine disciples?
· Perhaps Peter, James and John who had just witnessed an incredible miracle themselves?
A. The fact is, all of them might well have been included.
Jesus then rebuked the demon, and it had to leave the boy, but its departure was so violent that the boy, completely exhausted and spent by the ordeal, looked as though he was dead. …………Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and the boy was completely and permanently free from the power of the demon.
Q. Why on this occasion, did those nine disciples fail in casting out this particular demon?
· Were they unworthy?
· Did they not know what they were doing?
· The nine disciples had been given the power to drive out demons by Jesus himself and had become very successful in earlier attempts to cast out demons, why was this time any different?
· Well, what does Jesus say?
A. Because your faith is much too small.
Perhaps you question how those nine disciples’ faith can be too small, after all they ARE Jesus’ disciples aren’t they? They above all people should have the strongest faith of everyone during that time right? Doesn’t that make sense?
Let’s step back a little. There is a popular account of Jesus and Peter where Peter and the rest of the disciples were in a boat crossing the Sea of Galilee during a storm. They had traveled a considerable distance from land when they looked to where they had come from and saw what they thought was a “ghost” walking on the water toward them. They began screaming “IT’S A GHOST!!, IT’S COMING TO GET US” It wasn’t until this “ghost” spoke to them that they began to realize who it was. It was Jesus. He told them “Take courage, It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
Peter, not sure whether to believe what he heard, or continue in his fear and start paddling as fast… as… he… can… the other way, called out to Jesus and asked him, “Lord if it is you, tell me to come to you on the water.” So Jesus said, “Come.”
Peter with no other option than to trust the Lord Jesus, focused everything, heart, mind, body, and spirit on Jesus in the distance, got out of the boat and started walking – on top of the Sea of Galilee. It wasn’t until after a few steps, the storm and the crashing waves distracted him and his focus on Jesus and he began to sink. He cried out for the Lord to save him, Jesus reached out his and caught him. Once Jesus had a hold of him on top of the water, he gave him this rebuke,
“Your faith is so small!, why did you doubt me?”
So here we are, just like Peter had done earlier, those nine disciples -in the face of a particularly vile and strong demon who was doing things to this boy by causing him to throw himself into fire, drown himself in water, make his body convulse wildly and foam at the mouth - had most likely began to fear and become distracted by this spectacle. And just like Peter, why did they fail? Because they were distracted by the vileness of this particular demon and most likely began to doubt.
How many times have you been faced with a scary task?
Perhaps one you may see as impossible to complete. Or maybe you have thought you conquered a particular sin only to fall right back in to it again?
All of us in some way have been faced with our own ‘demons’ or our own ‘ghosts.’ These demons and ghosts are our sins, our failures, and our feeble attempts at making things right by our own means through faith in ourselves and our abilities.
We, like the disciples in these accounts, have failed in our attempts to cast out our demons, our sins. Or maybe, we have decided to do what is right and began to do the right things, only to end up sinking away to the original sin we were attempting to make right. We start the task only to lose focus, doubt, and end up disappointing ourselves and the ones we love. Why? Because we also have failed to place our trust and faith in the only true and right place worthy of it,…………………
After Jesus sent the demon away and healed the boy, the disciples asked the Lord why they had been unsuccessful. Jesus scolds the nine men because, in view of the especially violent and viscous demon, which they may have never encountered before, the disciples doubted the promise of Jesus that through faith in Him, the demon would be driven out.
In a similar way, Peter became distracted by the storm and waves and began to doubt that through faith in the power of Jesus, he would be safe and continue to walk on the water.
In both cases they failed in their effort because they doubted in God’s power to accomplish the task.
How did they fail? By depending on themselves and their own understanding and power to solve the situation. They put faith in themselves and not in the power of their Savior where they should. When their faith failed, they were disconnected from Jesus’ power, and by themselves they could do nothing!!
It’s not the quality or quantity of our faith that is important. What matters is the One on whom our faith is founded. If we only think about our faith, we have begun to rely on ourselves. But if we trust in Jesus alone, then our faith is strong because He is the basis for it, and our confidence is rightly placed on our ever faithful Savior and his completely reliable promises.
Faith is always related to a specific promise. When the Lord makes a promise and we take him at his word, that promise is certain to be fulfilled. Jesus promises, for example, that he will provide everything needed for this body and life to those who seek first his kingdom and his righteousness.
The Lord promises to make all things work together for the good of those who love him, and countless Christians across the centuries have learned from personal experience that God does exactly what he promises.
In 1 Corinthians 10:13 we have this assurance:
“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
With faith in this promise of God, many a Christian has triumphed over unbelievable hardships and suffering. Remember these promises always. Cling to them and be richly blessed!
Isn’t it a blessing and comfort to know that by simply trusting in the promises of Jesus and having just a grain of faith, we - you and me - have become an heir to eternal life?
No matter how many times we fail to “do things right” or how many times we disappoint ourselves,… our loved ones… our God…or our Savior by failing to accomplish a task, or perhaps break a promise and fall into an old or new sin, Jesus is ready to forgive us.
Salvation is free, given to you as a gift through Jesus’ atoning sacrifice on the cross.
All you need is a grain of faith….believe…..a simple grain of faith can be defined as this…..Just Believe.
Is a mustard-seed faith all you have? Rejoice! Jesus is the firm foundation of your faith. With him nothing is impossible. Every promise he gives you in his word will be fulfilled. No doubt!
AMEN
We Pray,
Increase my faith, dear Savior, for Satan seeks by night and day
To rob me of this treasure and take my hope of bliss away.
But, Lord, with you beside me I shall be undismayed;
And led by your good Spirit, I shall be unafraid.
Abide with me, O Savior, a firmer faith bestow
Then I shall bid defiance to ev’ry evil foe. Amen.
The Prayer (with an adaptation of Luther's Morning Prayer)
PRAYER
In the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen. We thank you our Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept us from all harm and danger. Keep us this day also from sin and every evil, that all our doings and life may please you. Into your hands we commend our body and soul and all things. Let your holy angel be with us, that the wicked foe may have no power over us.
Heavenly Father, you above all else are mighty and powerful, we come before you as your creation unworthy of your forgiveness, deserving only your wrath and punishment, but you, oh Lord, in you infinite grace and mercy sent your Son, Jesus, to serve as our substitute, who took all of the wrath and punishment that we deserve, and paid for our sins in full by living a perfect life for us and giving himself as a selfless sacrifice on the cross and we thank you, Dear Lord for allowing Jesus’ sacrifice to win for us eternal life in heaven.
We bring before you our petitions for your grace and mercy in these trying times, All of us in this room, in countless ways, have sinned against you and our neighbor, we humbly come before you and ask for your forgiveness. We ask that you give us and our families the courage, patience, and strength to endure this hardship. We also ask in the coming days that you give us the strength to bear whatever the results of hearings or sentencing may be, we also humbly ask you to be with us and help us through these judgments.
Father, the men/women in this room have brought personal requests to your feet: Requests for…………………………..
Heavenly Father we place these requests into your hands, understanding that it is by your grace and your providence, that you will answer them.
Father we thank you for the blessing of your word today and come before you and pray as Jesus taught us:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil
for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory
for ever and ever.
AMEN…
The Lord bless you and keep you,
The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you,
The Lord look on you with favor, and + Give you peace. AMEN
Although I expounded on certain areas of the sermon which is not included in this text, the main point is in tact and very obvious.
This is also officially my first sermon of my "vicar" year. I write that while pressing my tongue in my cheek....(chuckle, chuckle)
I did excerpt a good point from the People's Bible, and included it in the sermon, I just can't remember where.
I suppose I should title it, how about "Faith."
Enjoy.......
Our meditation today is based on the gospel according to Matthew Chapter 17 verses 14 through 20.
14When they came near the crowd, a man approached Jesus. He got on his knees in front of him. 15“Lord,” he said, “have mercy on my son. He shakes wildly and suffers a great deal. He often falls into the fire or into the water. 16I brought him to your disciples. But they couldn’t heal him.”
17“You unbelieving and evil people!” Jesus replied. “How long do I have to stay with you? How long do I have to put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.”
18Jesus ordered the demon to leave the boy, and it came out of him. He was healed at that very moment.
19Then the disciples came to Jesus in private. They asked, “Why couldn’t we drive out the demon?”
20/21He replied, “Because your faith is much too small. What I’m about to tell you is true. If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, it is enough.” Matthew 17:14-20
Earlier in the day Jesus and three of his disciples
· Peter
· James
· And his brother John
Had been at the Mount of Transfiguration. They were returning to the other 9 disciples when they found a demon possessed boy with his father, in the midst of a large crowd, surrounded by nine very confused disciples.
Here was a boy possessed by a demon – a fallen angel bent on bringing as much of God's creation into ruin as possible. The nine disciples who had not gone with Jesus up the Mount of Transfiguration were unable to drive it out, though earlier Jesus had given them the authority and the command to do exactly that.
The father knelt before Jesus and pleaded, “Lord, have mercy on my only son.”
Jesus’ first reaction was to denounce the “unbelieving and perverse generation.”
Q. Whom do you suppose Jesus was calling an unbelieving and perverse generation?
· Did he mean that crowd?
· the boy’s father?
· the nine disciples?
· Perhaps Peter, James and John who had just witnessed an incredible miracle themselves?
A. The fact is, all of them might well have been included.
Jesus then rebuked the demon, and it had to leave the boy, but its departure was so violent that the boy, completely exhausted and spent by the ordeal, looked as though he was dead. …………Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and the boy was completely and permanently free from the power of the demon.
Q. Why on this occasion, did those nine disciples fail in casting out this particular demon?
· Were they unworthy?
· Did they not know what they were doing?
· The nine disciples had been given the power to drive out demons by Jesus himself and had become very successful in earlier attempts to cast out demons, why was this time any different?
· Well, what does Jesus say?
A. Because your faith is much too small.
Perhaps you question how those nine disciples’ faith can be too small, after all they ARE Jesus’ disciples aren’t they? They above all people should have the strongest faith of everyone during that time right? Doesn’t that make sense?
Let’s step back a little. There is a popular account of Jesus and Peter where Peter and the rest of the disciples were in a boat crossing the Sea of Galilee during a storm. They had traveled a considerable distance from land when they looked to where they had come from and saw what they thought was a “ghost” walking on the water toward them. They began screaming “IT’S A GHOST!!, IT’S COMING TO GET US” It wasn’t until this “ghost” spoke to them that they began to realize who it was. It was Jesus. He told them “Take courage, It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
Peter, not sure whether to believe what he heard, or continue in his fear and start paddling as fast… as… he… can… the other way, called out to Jesus and asked him, “Lord if it is you, tell me to come to you on the water.” So Jesus said, “Come.”
Peter with no other option than to trust the Lord Jesus, focused everything, heart, mind, body, and spirit on Jesus in the distance, got out of the boat and started walking – on top of the Sea of Galilee. It wasn’t until after a few steps, the storm and the crashing waves distracted him and his focus on Jesus and he began to sink. He cried out for the Lord to save him, Jesus reached out his and caught him. Once Jesus had a hold of him on top of the water, he gave him this rebuke,
“Your faith is so small!, why did you doubt me?”
So here we are, just like Peter had done earlier, those nine disciples -in the face of a particularly vile and strong demon who was doing things to this boy by causing him to throw himself into fire, drown himself in water, make his body convulse wildly and foam at the mouth - had most likely began to fear and become distracted by this spectacle. And just like Peter, why did they fail? Because they were distracted by the vileness of this particular demon and most likely began to doubt.
How many times have you been faced with a scary task?
Perhaps one you may see as impossible to complete. Or maybe you have thought you conquered a particular sin only to fall right back in to it again?
All of us in some way have been faced with our own ‘demons’ or our own ‘ghosts.’ These demons and ghosts are our sins, our failures, and our feeble attempts at making things right by our own means through faith in ourselves and our abilities.
We, like the disciples in these accounts, have failed in our attempts to cast out our demons, our sins. Or maybe, we have decided to do what is right and began to do the right things, only to end up sinking away to the original sin we were attempting to make right. We start the task only to lose focus, doubt, and end up disappointing ourselves and the ones we love. Why? Because we also have failed to place our trust and faith in the only true and right place worthy of it,…………………
After Jesus sent the demon away and healed the boy, the disciples asked the Lord why they had been unsuccessful. Jesus scolds the nine men because, in view of the especially violent and viscous demon, which they may have never encountered before, the disciples doubted the promise of Jesus that through faith in Him, the demon would be driven out.
In a similar way, Peter became distracted by the storm and waves and began to doubt that through faith in the power of Jesus, he would be safe and continue to walk on the water.
In both cases they failed in their effort because they doubted in God’s power to accomplish the task.
How did they fail? By depending on themselves and their own understanding and power to solve the situation. They put faith in themselves and not in the power of their Savior where they should. When their faith failed, they were disconnected from Jesus’ power, and by themselves they could do nothing!!
It’s not the quality or quantity of our faith that is important. What matters is the One on whom our faith is founded. If we only think about our faith, we have begun to rely on ourselves. But if we trust in Jesus alone, then our faith is strong because He is the basis for it, and our confidence is rightly placed on our ever faithful Savior and his completely reliable promises.
Faith is always related to a specific promise. When the Lord makes a promise and we take him at his word, that promise is certain to be fulfilled. Jesus promises, for example, that he will provide everything needed for this body and life to those who seek first his kingdom and his righteousness.
The Lord promises to make all things work together for the good of those who love him, and countless Christians across the centuries have learned from personal experience that God does exactly what he promises.
In 1 Corinthians 10:13 we have this assurance:
“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
With faith in this promise of God, many a Christian has triumphed over unbelievable hardships and suffering. Remember these promises always. Cling to them and be richly blessed!
Isn’t it a blessing and comfort to know that by simply trusting in the promises of Jesus and having just a grain of faith, we - you and me - have become an heir to eternal life?
No matter how many times we fail to “do things right” or how many times we disappoint ourselves,… our loved ones… our God…or our Savior by failing to accomplish a task, or perhaps break a promise and fall into an old or new sin, Jesus is ready to forgive us.
Salvation is free, given to you as a gift through Jesus’ atoning sacrifice on the cross.
All you need is a grain of faith….believe…..a simple grain of faith can be defined as this…..Just Believe.
Is a mustard-seed faith all you have? Rejoice! Jesus is the firm foundation of your faith. With him nothing is impossible. Every promise he gives you in his word will be fulfilled. No doubt!
AMEN
We Pray,
Increase my faith, dear Savior, for Satan seeks by night and day
To rob me of this treasure and take my hope of bliss away.
But, Lord, with you beside me I shall be undismayed;
And led by your good Spirit, I shall be unafraid.
Abide with me, O Savior, a firmer faith bestow
Then I shall bid defiance to ev’ry evil foe. Amen.
The Prayer (with an adaptation of Luther's Morning Prayer)
PRAYER
In the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen. We thank you our Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept us from all harm and danger. Keep us this day also from sin and every evil, that all our doings and life may please you. Into your hands we commend our body and soul and all things. Let your holy angel be with us, that the wicked foe may have no power over us.
Heavenly Father, you above all else are mighty and powerful, we come before you as your creation unworthy of your forgiveness, deserving only your wrath and punishment, but you, oh Lord, in you infinite grace and mercy sent your Son, Jesus, to serve as our substitute, who took all of the wrath and punishment that we deserve, and paid for our sins in full by living a perfect life for us and giving himself as a selfless sacrifice on the cross and we thank you, Dear Lord for allowing Jesus’ sacrifice to win for us eternal life in heaven.
We bring before you our petitions for your grace and mercy in these trying times, All of us in this room, in countless ways, have sinned against you and our neighbor, we humbly come before you and ask for your forgiveness. We ask that you give us and our families the courage, patience, and strength to endure this hardship. We also ask in the coming days that you give us the strength to bear whatever the results of hearings or sentencing may be, we also humbly ask you to be with us and help us through these judgments.
Father, the men/women in this room have brought personal requests to your feet: Requests for…………………………..
Heavenly Father we place these requests into your hands, understanding that it is by your grace and your providence, that you will answer them.
Father we thank you for the blessing of your word today and come before you and pray as Jesus taught us:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil
for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory
for ever and ever.
AMEN…
The Lord bless you and keep you,
The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you,
The Lord look on you with favor, and + Give you peace. AMEN
A Little About My Purpose for This Blog
Welcome!
I'm Kris. In my normal daily life I am a mild mannered Construction Manager, but by night and through my spare time I become an even more mild mannered pastoral student. I am studying it as a second career, and I enjoy every minute.
I currently am involved in prison ministry where I prepare and deliver a sermon to the attending inmates of a local county jail, 20 souls on average. I hope to expand to a second county jail in my area soon. I am also deeply involved in other areas of evangelical outreach and inreach
This Weblog will be posted with my sermons, letters, thoughts, and various meanderings. Please feel free to comment on all of the posts.
Just a little disclaimer here. While the vast majority of my work posted here is original, I do occasionally borrow a few quotes, a paragraph or two, and NIV bible verses in my sermons. I feel they demonstrate a point well and I may choose to incorporate them. I will make my best effort to give credit when due. If the quotes are copyrighted, and I, by mistake, don't give credit to the human being who wrote it, allow me to apologize by acknowledging the source of the quote: to God be the Glory!
I also will be commenting on things said publicly by people in the news. I will be sure to give them credit.
I believe in today's society there are a scary amount people following the lies and idols of men. There are so many people that are following lies and half truths, thinking they are right. It is my goal to help these people see their wrongs and change their ways before they meet their maker and have to answer for their lives and give God a good reason why they deserve heaven.
Sounds real righteous doesn't it? If I were a young foolish boy, I'd feel pretty good about that, and go forth with the attitude that it is what I do or what I say will save you.
I am firmly convinced that God can handle that on his own and doesn't need me to save people. He's already taken care of that. I am just his messenger, and his humble servant devoted to His truth. Pointing out the lie, showing and explaining that truth to you is my mission, what you do with it is up to you.
God has already saved you. He has also given you a free will to choose to refuse this saving gift of salvation in unbelief. I encourage you to ask questions, leave comments, debate me.....whatever.
Profanities will be deleted, but not necessarily the entire post if it is conducive to a good discussion.
So please, read on, enjoy, and may God bless you.
I'm Kris. In my normal daily life I am a mild mannered Construction Manager, but by night and through my spare time I become an even more mild mannered pastoral student. I am studying it as a second career, and I enjoy every minute.
I currently am involved in prison ministry where I prepare and deliver a sermon to the attending inmates of a local county jail, 20 souls on average. I hope to expand to a second county jail in my area soon. I am also deeply involved in other areas of evangelical outreach and inreach
This Weblog will be posted with my sermons, letters, thoughts, and various meanderings. Please feel free to comment on all of the posts.
Just a little disclaimer here. While the vast majority of my work posted here is original, I do occasionally borrow a few quotes, a paragraph or two, and NIV bible verses in my sermons. I feel they demonstrate a point well and I may choose to incorporate them. I will make my best effort to give credit when due. If the quotes are copyrighted, and I, by mistake, don't give credit to the human being who wrote it, allow me to apologize by acknowledging the source of the quote: to God be the Glory!
I also will be commenting on things said publicly by people in the news. I will be sure to give them credit.
I believe in today's society there are a scary amount people following the lies and idols of men. There are so many people that are following lies and half truths, thinking they are right. It is my goal to help these people see their wrongs and change their ways before they meet their maker and have to answer for their lives and give God a good reason why they deserve heaven.
Sounds real righteous doesn't it? If I were a young foolish boy, I'd feel pretty good about that, and go forth with the attitude that it is what I do or what I say will save you.
I am firmly convinced that God can handle that on his own and doesn't need me to save people. He's already taken care of that. I am just his messenger, and his humble servant devoted to His truth. Pointing out the lie, showing and explaining that truth to you is my mission, what you do with it is up to you.
God has already saved you. He has also given you a free will to choose to refuse this saving gift of salvation in unbelief. I encourage you to ask questions, leave comments, debate me.....whatever.
Profanities will be deleted, but not necessarily the entire post if it is conducive to a good discussion.
So please, read on, enjoy, and may God bless you.
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