Category Archives: Youth Sermons

Youth Sermons: Complete messages, outlines, or suggestions for youth talks to help you deliver high impact messages that change lives and help your youth to grow spiritually.

Superbowl Christians – Spiritual Lessons for Youth from the Game of Football

It’s going to be Superbowl Sunday this weekend and we’re sure your youth are excited to be watching the game. Why not make it an opportunity to share something about how the game relates to their spiritual lives? Even if you don’t watch football, the lesson is applicable to most sports. Have a great weekend!

An Illustration

While you might not think of your Christian life as a football game, the Bible does use sports to teach about spiritual truths. In Biblical times they might not have had American football games or superbowls but they did have athletic competitions.

In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Paul writes, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”

In Hebrews 12:1-2 we read, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

In Philippians 3:12-14 Paul says, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

“Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules.” 2 Timothy 2:5

The sports may be different, but you’ll find some things in common with American football if you read the verses carefully. You’ll find running, a prize, winning and losing, competition, training, goals, fighting or struggle, opposition, spectators, obstacles and hindrances, focus and rules. Even so, there tons of lessons we can learn from football.

Take It to the Next Level

COMPETITION is part of the Game

By nature, sports are a competition. But to compete you must be in the game. Just as a coach chooses players to be in the football game, God has chosen us. Our competitor is focused on our defeat (1 Peter 5:8). But we also compete against ourselves. And it is sad to say, but just like in real life football games, most of the people in the stadium sit in the stands. Then there are those who are on the team, but sit in the bench. Most of us would prefer rest on the bench (or pew) and observe the game – both with encouragement and more often with criticism about how others are playing on the field. But God doesn’t call us to be spectators, but participants. Our field is the world (Mat. 13:38), and our goal is to win it for Jesus Christ. Sure, some will have a special call to play a bigger role, but everyone is called onto the field to play. Even if you may not have a key role a particular play, you must still be ready at a moment’s notice to dash onto the field and play your part when the coach calls your number to be on the field. You must clearly know your position, train, and practice your plays to be best prepared for that moment when you might be called upon to make a difference in the game (1 Peter 3:15, 2 Timothy 4:1-5).

There are RULES to the Game

The football field is laid out in ten yard increments, has boundaries, and there are rules to the game. The boundaries are there to keep us in the game. The 10 yard markers are there not as the object, but as a point of reference as we move toward the goal. If they weren’t there, we wouldn’t know if we were heading in the right direction or running to the wrong goal. God’s laws and the 10 commandments function in much the same way. They keep us in the game and give us points of reference for gaining or losing of ground. Violating the rules results in penalties and may even take us out of the game for a while. There are turnovers and fumbles as well. Yet when we compete according to the rules, and are victorious in our efforts, we will receive a prize (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).

Our TIME on the field is limited

The clock is counting down. The game of football is played in four quarters with a set time limit. The wise player, especially the quarterback, will keep his eye on the clock and make the most of his time. The same is true for us as Christians, but unlike the game on the football field, we can’t see the clock. We don’t know how much time is left. This makes it even more important for us to value our time and make the most of it. The Bible commands us to redeem the time, to make the most of every opportunity (Ephesians 5:16) rather than waste it. In fact, if you think about the world today there is not much time left on the clock. In fact, it’s already the fourth quarter, down to the two minute warning, and now it’s up to us to play our part win another one for the coach. Things may seem dire. But in life, just like in football, nothing is impossible, everything can happen. You should not slack or give up until the referee blows his whistle and declares the Victor.

TRAINING is essential for Victory

In football there is an in season and an off season. During the off season the team works on the fundamentals to get ready for the big games during football season. They train for the big games ahead. “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 2 Timothy 4:8 “Be ready in season and in the off season” 2 Timothy 4:2. “There is a season and a time to EVERY purpose under heaven” Ecclesiastes 3:1-11. There are times in our Christian walk when we experience seasons of rest. They’re not for us to be idle, but to prepare ourselves spiritually, to grow, to draw closer to God.

GEAR up for the Game

In Ephesians 6:10-18, Paul gives the team the pre-game pep talk and reminds us to check our football gear. He’s talking about gearing up for battle, but football players also gear up for the game. If he’d been thinking about football he might have phrased it this way, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the uniform, so that you can take your stand against the opposing team… Therefore put on all of your gear so that when the game day comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the shoulder pads of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the shoes of readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the face mask of faith, with which you can conquer all the opponents’ plays. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, your playbook, which is the word of God. Let’s all commit the game to God as we kneel for a locker room prayer, that we might prove victorious in this game.”

We strive for the GOAL

It is not enough to simply be in the game. It is not enough to simply overcome the enemy. Out goal is to score one for the team. And another one. And another one. Touchdown after Touchdown. In life, the goal may seem at the far end of the field. It can be difficult to keep moving forward. It may seem that every time you run a play you get knocked down. Sometimes you may even get sacked. The solution is not to focus on where you have come from, but where you are going. “Press on toward the Goal.” Philippians 3:14 And while touchdowns are great, as Christians our goal is to do more than simply score, but to be the player the Head Coach has chosen us to be. We must be always moving forward, never fumbling the ball, and always gaining new ground. If we do stumble and fumble, we are to recover the ball quickly and press onward. If we step out of bounds, or get the wind knocked out of us, we must get back in the game and focus on the Coach. And even if you are tackled for a loss, When you are focused on Him, and run the plays He calls, you’ll find yourself moving toward the goal.

We don’t play alone, but play as part of a TEAM

Football is a team sport. You don’t win it alone. When the team is working in harmony under the direction of the coach things will happen. There’s are star players, but the star players cannot function without the core team. They need blockers, the need linemen to open up opportunities in the defences. There is an offensive team, a kickoff team, a team of receivers, and a defensive team and each are critical to a win for the team. There is no individual victory, only the victory of the team. Only when all players, from the starting quarterback, the receivers, the linemen and the person playing his part in even the smallest position work together, does the team run a successful play. Likewise, every believer has a unique role and a part to play in the Kingdom of God (1 Cor 12:4-6; 12-20)

The Victors receive a PRIZE.

It’s not Super Bowl rings, but the crown of eternal life Christ that we seek. (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

Make it Practical

Are you in the game?
No one in the crowd ever gains a yard on the field. No one in the crowd ever adds a single point to the scoreboard. The game is played and won by the players on the field, and not by anyone else. Are you in the game or a spectator? Just being a Christian isn’t enough. You are called to be on the playing field, not in the stands or on the sidelines. Are you on the field playing the game and gaining ground for Jesus Christ or are you merely watching the game? The clock is ticking away, and time is running out. Get in the game before you lose your chance forever!

Scripture References

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”
– 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
– Hebrews 12:1-2

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
– Philippians 3:12-14

“Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.”
– 2 Timothy 2:5

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
– 1 Peter 5:8

“The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one.”
– Matthew 13:38

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
– 1 Peter 3:15

“In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.”
– 2 Timothy 4:1-5

“Making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”
– Ephesians 5:16

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. What do workers gain from their toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”
– Ecclesiastes 3:1-11

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”
– Ephesians 6:10-18

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
– Philippians 3:14

“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.”
– 1 Corinthians 12:4-6

“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by[c] one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.”
– 1 Corinthians 12:12-20

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”
– 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Money for Preaching

After the church service, a young boy told the Youth Pastor: “When I graduate and get a job, I’m going to give you some money.” “Well, thank you,” the youth pastor replied, “but why?” “Because my dad says you’re one of the poorest preachers we’ve ever had.”

Samuel – A Youth Living the Christian Life

Focal Passage: I Samuel 2:18-21; 26 A brief sermon outline prepared by Ken Sapp Introduction

Friar Michael Hayduk, pastor of St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic church in Cleveland Ohio visited the churches preschool and day-care center one day. A new group of little ones had started at the center, and one boy, about 3 years old looked at the priest in his robe and clerical collar and asked “Why do you dress funny?” Friar Hayduk told him he was a priest and this was the uniform priests wear. Then the little boy pointed to Hayduk’s clerical collar insert and asked… “Does that hurt… do you have a Boo-boo there?” Friar Hayduk took the plastic collar insert out and showed it to the little 3 year old boy. The name of the manufacturer is embossed on the reverse side. The boy felt the letters and the priest asked him, “Do you know what those words say?” “Yes I do!” said the boy, who was not old enough to read. “It says, ‘Kills ticks and fleas up to six months!’”

Tie-in to sermon

Today we are looking at the story of Samuel. He’s one of the youth mentioned in the Bible for whom we have some extensive background. At a very young age he’s placed in the role and uniform of a devout follower of God. But even though he may have wore the uniform (a linen ephod) and had a religious environment for his home.. it was some time before the boy fit the uniform, before he took on the character of a devout follower of God. Its one thing to wear a uniform… but its another thing to embody the characteristics so that the uniform is no longer needed to show others your identity.

I. Devout family – Born to Hannah and Elkanah

A. Father: Elkanah (I Samuel 1:1-8)

  1. Levite
    • PK (Priest Kid) a member of those chosen to be priests.
    • Attended religious feasts/ presented a yearly sacrifice.
    • During the time of Elkanah in the nation of Israel there was a general neglect & corruption of religion.
    • Eli the High Priests’ sons were typical of the neglect and Corruption of the religion of the day (2:1-17)
    • The father is the priest of the home… I Peter 2:9 describes us all as a royal priesthood. In Biblical times the head of the family carried out the priestly duties in the home.
  2. Leader in the Home
    • Elkanah took Hannah and his other wife, Peninnah, with him for the sacrifice showing himself the spiritual leader.
    • Who’s the driving force in your home when it comes to Spiritual matters? Who’s the spiritual pacesetter, the spiritual Leader?
  3. Loving husband
    • Encouraged wife to focus on blessings instead of afflictions
    • Sought to share in Hannah’s troubles.
    • “loved her more than 10 sons”

B. Mother: Hannah (I Samuel 1: 9 – 20)

  1. Fervent in prayer
    • seen as the solution to her problems
  2. Faith
    • Faith that her prayers for a son would be answered
  3. Faithful to Commitment
    • Dedicating her son to God by taking care of him until the time she left him. Hannah visited him yearly at the temple (Heartbroken) She brought him a linen ephod

C. Spiritual Mentor: Eli

  1. Leader – ministered under Eli and apparently to Eli – 2:18, 3:1
  2. Lenient father – Eli wasn’t the best mentor… as a matter of fact Samuels first message from God was a rebuke against Eli for his raising of his own sons and failing to restrain them.
  3. Lesson – Eli guided Samuel to obey God’s voice – While he was a leader in authority over Samuel, and although he wasn’t a perfect leader, he did teach Samuel an essential lesson – to Listen to and obey God’s Voice.

II. Divided family.

A. Triple parent home.

  1. Peninnah, Elkanah’s other wife bore several children, but Hannah was barren until the time of Samuel. Because of this, Penninah taunted Hannah and provoked her. Even so, Hannah did not respond in like manner.
  2. Samuel was probably a victim of similar taunts by his older stepbrothers and stepsisters
  3. It wasn’t a perfect home, but God was honored there! God’s grace is sufficient to fill in the gaps

Transition

After church one Sunday morning a young boy suddenly announced to his mother, “Mom, I’ve decided I’m going to be a minister when I grow up.” That’s ok with us,” the mother said, “but what made you decide to be a minister?” “Well,” the boy said, “I’ll have to go to church on Sunday anyway, and I figure it will be more fun to stand up and yell then to sit still and listen.”

Tie In to Sermon

Samuel also made a decision to become one who speaks the “Word of God.” His parents started the process, but somewhere along the line, Samuel quit living off the faith of his parents and started living in his own faith in God.

III. Development into a man of God (I Samuel 1:21-28)

A. Dedication to God before his birth – Parents Choice

  1. He was taken to the temple at a young age
  2. After weaned from his mother’s breast (age 3)
  3. or from childish things (age 8-11)

B. Devotion to God – Samuel’s Choice

  1. Samuel worshipped God (1:28)
  2. Raised in a religious environment – the temple – parent’s choice
  3. Nazarite – Mother’s choice – did not cut hair, did not drink alcohol – avoided certain things to set themselves apart for God’s service
  4. Peer pressure from Eli’s sons to conform to their sinfulness. Even in the church there may be some negative pressure

C. Disciplined life – Samuel’s Choice

  1. Discipline of Samuel as opposed to Eli’s undisciplined sons (3:1-11)
  2. One night Samuel heard God and thought Eli was calling him. He ran to Eli, showing his ready obedience.
  3. He served God, but he did not yet know God or God’s call.
    • 1:28 Samuel worshipped God – his choice
    • 2:18 ministered in temple
    • 2:26 As he ministered to the Lord he grew before the Lord. Grew in strength, stature, understanding, and in favor with God and men. (The same was spoken of Christ in Luke 2:52)
    • 3:1 ministered
    • 3:7 “He did not know God”
    • 3:7 “Word of God was not yet revealed to him”
    • 3:19 God was with him
    • 3:21 God Revealed himself to Samuel through his Word
  4. Eli helped him recognize God’s call but it was his choice of Obedience that made him a man of God. Every youth must come to a point where he stops living off the faith of his parents and begins living in obedience as a result of his own faith in God!
  5. As a servant of God, Samuel listened and, as a result, God was able to ultimately speak through him as well.
    • God knew Samuel as an individual
    • Samuel was given the privacy to discover his identity with God… without someone telling him how to do it.
    • Eli encouraged Samuel

D. Divine Call – Samuel’s Choice (3:19-4:1) After hearing God, and coming to know God, He made a choice to obey God he became:

  1. Holy prophet – Your child proclaims God’s Word in life an action. Lifts up God before the nation
  2. High priest – Serves God – the youth are our leaders for tomorrow, but have a role even today and may hear God better than us at times.
  3. Honest judge – Person of integrity living a life of Godly values and wisdom.


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Sermon from a Salmon

“Years ago I got a sermon from a salmon.

Here’s how it happened. While riding on a ferryboat to Galiano Island in British Columbia, I struck up a conversation with Mr. Thompson, a dignified and friendly gentleman who served as the Chief Clerk for the City of Vancouver.

I said, ‘I’ve heard that after a salmon is spawned, it will swim out into the ocean, and that after an extended time something happens inside the brain of the salmon, and it will then have the overwhelming urge to return to the place where it was spawned. The salmon will swim along the coast, find the right harbor, the right river, the right stream; and finally it will get back to the very spot where it started out. How in the world does the salmon do all that?’ I added, hoping it would taken as a joke, ‘After all, the salmon is underwater all the way, and it has no periscope.’

Mr. Thompson chuckled, thought a bit, then replied, ‘Yes, that is true, but it is even more remarkable than that. An experiment was recently carried out in which salmon eggs were removed from the stream where they had been laid and were put into another stream some distance away.’ Thompson then added with a questioning grin, ‘When the salmon grows up and swims out to the ocean and finally swims back home, which location will it swim to? Will it swim to the place where the eggs were laid–or to the place where they had been moved to?’

I paused for a moment, then I gave what I thought was the only sensible answer, ‘The salmon will swim back to the place where the eggs had been transported, of course. That’s where the salmon actually turned into a fish and got to know its environment.’

‘Wrong!’ said Mr. Thompson. ‘The salmon will swim back to the original place where the eggs were laid.’

I was dumbfounded then, and I still am, by the uncanny built- in guidance system of the salmon.

What a sermon on the guidance of God! If God provides such a marvelous guidance for a fish, there is certainly nothing fishy about believing that He can provide guidance for us. We are far more important to God than any fish. We are created in God’s own image.

God only knows how much we need His wise and loving guidance as we try to find our way through the jungle of ‘this world.’ And, thank God, He has personally promised His guidance.”

SOURCE: Donald Russell Robertson “Dear You” 1989, Word, Inc.


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Never Ending Youth Sermon

There was a youth who was visiting the youth service one Sunday. The youth sermon seemed to go on forever, and many in the youth group were nodding off to sleep.

After the service, to be social, she walked up to a very sleepy looking teen, extended her hand in greeting, and said, “Hello, I’m Gladys Dunn.”

And the teen replied, “You’re not the only one. I’m glad it’s done too!”


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4 Reasons Youth Stop Attending Worship

If you ask youth why they don’t attend worship, there are four common reasons given.

    1. The sermons are not seen as relevant to the lives of youth. 
      As preachers of God’s Word, we often take time to explain how God’s Word relates to employees in the workplace, to parents in the family, and to lost people outside the church, but we rarely explain to youth how the Bible relates to their situations. It is natural because the majority of our congregation is comprised of adults. But we need to remember that youth also need to hear stories and illustrations of youth in real-life examples and applications of God’s Word in the lives of other youth.
    2. Youth often feel stereotyped.
      When youth are mentioned by pastors or other worship leaders, too often it is with negative stereotypes of behavior that needs to be corrected rather than desired behavior that needs to be encouraged. In our sermons we need to balance correction and rebuke with praise, encouragement, and exhortation.
    3. Youth often feel that they are not understood or feel misunderstood.
      Youth are eager for church leaders who make an effort to step into their world and understand teen life, youth challenges, and the needs of youth. They want church leaders who are open and ask questions, giving youth opportunities to voice their views, share their ideas, and express their feelings.
    4. Worship doesn’t make a difference in the lives of the adults they know.
      Youth have a hard time dealing with the gap between what people say and what they actually do, especially when it comes to parents and other significant adults in their lives. They don’t expect perfection, but want to see living examples of lives being transformed by God’s Word and by adults in the congregation that do more than give lip service to living as a Christian.

If we address these four issues in our messages and in the way we live our lives as Christians, youth are sure to sit up and listen the next time we share a sermon from the pulpit.

For more Ideas on Reaching youth in worship check out Creative Sermon Ideas.


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Youth Sermons: Answering the Questions of Youth

Sometimes it is difficult to find ideas for sermon topics that will interest your youth and have them sit up in their seats and intently listen. One of our responsibilities as youth ministers (or youth pastors) and teachers of God’s Word is to help translate the timeless truths of God into the context of today’s youth. To do this, you need to know the questions your youth are asking. One way to do this is to simply ask your youth to anonymously write down some of the questions they have about God and spiritual matters. You are sure to get lots of ideas from your youth.

Sample Questions for Youth

  • What are some of the questions you have about God as a youth?
  • What are some of the struggles that youth today have in living for God?
  • What is difficult for you in your Christian walk?
  • What is one question you would like to ask God?
  • What are some the things in the Bible that you find difficult to understand?
  • What are some of your doubts about Christianity?

 

These are just a few sample questions you might ask. Make it simple. I’d recommend you don’t ask them all at once. Just ask one new question every couple of months and you’ll have lots of Ideas for your youth sermons as well as some great ideas for youth Bible Studies.

WHY NOT add some questions of your own to the comments. If you are a youth, let us know some of YOUR questions. If you work with youth, what are some other questions you might want to ask. Please add them to the comments at the end of this post. I’d love to hear your ideas. ~Ken

Here are some of the questions my church youth were asking:

  • How can I prove God exists now? That he is real? (THIS ONE WAS THE MOST COMMON in my youth)
  • What should I do when I am discouraged because prayer is not answered the way I expect?
  • What happened to 1st century Christian’s miracles? Why don’t they happen today?
  • How do I deal with temptation?
  • What does it mean if I don’t feel God?
  • What do I do about bad habits I am unable to give up?
  • I seem to get stumbled more by Christians. Why is that?
  • What do I do if media, peers, and laziness hinder my Christian life?
  • What are the sins the Bible says can’t be forgiven?
  • Will God forgive unforgivable sins?
  • Is the tribulation scary for Christians?
  • Will I really be happy in heaven?
  • How do I know that I have really accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior?
  • How do I know that I am going to heaven for sure?
  • How do we know that if we accept Christ we will get to heaven? Don’t other religions also say the same?
  • How come even though I prayed about it I cannot draw nearer to God?
  • How do I know that “God” is the god we are talking about?
  • How come the Bible Study Guide “Experiencing God” never worked for me?
  • When will I truly know that this is a work of God?
  • Why is life unfair?
  • Why isn’t God there in my worst periods of time?
  • What do I do about distractions in life?
  • Why is being a Christian so hard?
  • We do Christians seem so obedient?
  • It’s not cool to be a Christian. What if I don’t fell like being a Christian?

 

Looking over this list, you might find some ideas for your youth sermons. But it would be even better if you ask your own youth. Why not do that this week!

With YOUth on my heart,
Ken

And, if you are looking for some other ways to bring your youth sermons to live, why not check out the latest ebook from Creative Youth Ideas – Creative Sermon Ideas!


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The Art of Preaching Youth Sermons

“You do not know how paralyzing that staring of a blank canvas is. It says to the painter, you can’t do anything … Many painters are afraid of the blank canvas, but the blank canvas is afraid of the really passionate painter who is daring.” ~ Vincent van Gogh

The blank canvas represents so many possibilities. In fact, to many, it can be outright intimidating. Hands poised above the canvas. Pallettes of wonderful colors waiting to take on so many hues and vivid passionate colors. There is incredible power, but also great apprehension in the waiting. What will be created? Will I have the right perspective? Is it true to my vision? Did I see it right? – The depth, the fill, the background, the highlights. Will I get everything right? Will they understand? And more importantly, will it stir up their hearts and excite a response?

Fingers on the keyboard. Pen poised above paper. You know how it feels. That sermon slot in the program says to you, “You can’t do anything.” But God says, “You can do all things through me.” Relax, set it aside for a moment. Let’s remember why we are here. We are here to deliver His message, we are the brush in the Master’s hands. Yield to him. Like a brush on a palette of paints, your life will take on the colors and hues of the experiences of life. More importantly, you will take on the colors and hues of God’s passions as well.

All artists desire to create greatest masterpieces. But rather than dabs of paint touched to a piece of canvas, the masterpieces we yearn for are changed hearts touched by God.


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Something Great

Abraham Lincoln was riding home from church in his carriage one Sunday when his secretary asked how he liked the sermon. “Not very much,” said the president. His response surprised the secretary because the preacher was popular and most people considered him a very gifted speaker. When asked what the problem was, Lincoln replied, “He did not ask me to do anything great.”


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Faithfulness to God

BASIC SERMON OUTLINE and FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Numbers 28:1-30:16

Summary: God, through Moses, repeats the instructions for the offerings and the vow to insure faithfulness upon entering Canaan.

28:1-29:40 Faithfulness in Worship

A. vs. 1-8: daily offerings
– God’s reminder to Israelites to remain faithful through the giving of burnt offerings in the morning and in the evening along with a grain offering and drink offering which pleases God.

B. vs. 9-10: Sabbath offerings
– two lambs sacrificed along with a grain and drink offering

C. vs. 11-15: monthly offerings
– extra burnt offering (two bulls, one ram and seven lambs) along with daily offerings on the first day of the month

D. 28:16-29:40: Offerings for Feast days

1) Festival of Passover
– presentation of offerings to be offered on each of seven days of festival with assembly of people oncfirst and seventh days (prohibition against eating leavening)
2) vs. 20-31: Festival of First Fruits – assemblying of Israelites on first day of festival to celebrate the new harvest
3) 29:1 -6: Festival of Trumpets – trumpet called shofar sounded to signal the beginning of new year called Rosh Hoshana with special times of recommitment
4) vs. 7-11: Day of Atonement – assembling of people in humility with special sin offerings for the nation Israel (fasting requirement)
5) vs. 12-40 Festival of Tabernacles – a seven-day festival in commemoration of God’s provision in the wilderness with daily offerings involving 189 animals

30:1-16 – Faithfulness in our Word
– absolute faithfulness to promises made to Lord except for special cases involving young daughters. betrothed women, wives

Points to Emphasize for Youth
1. Worship is very important to God and must be conducted according to His standards.
2. Because of Jesus’ perfect sacrifice on our behalf, we are free to offer back to Him our lives, our service, our compassion for others, our prayers.
3. Our promises to God should never be entered into lightly as he considers them binding.

Practical Applications for Youth:
1. Do I take time to worship God through total attentiveness and openness?
2. Do I sense how very serious God considers sin and do I spend time in confession and restoring fellowship?
3. Like the feast days of the Jews, are Christmas and Easter times of reflection on God’s love for me?
4. Is my word dependable?

Parting Thought for Youth

Walter Knight’s Master Book of Illustrations included some resolutions for any time it our life: “I will like Paul forget those things which are behind and press forward, like David lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence comethy my help; like Enoch to walk in daily fellowship with my heavenly Father, . . like Job, be patient under all cicumstances; like Caleb and Joshua refuse to be discouraged because of superior numbers, like Andrew, strive to lead my brother into a closer walk with Christ… Realizing that I cannot hope to acheive these objectives on my own strength. I will rely upon Christ, for I can do all things through Christ which strenqtheneth Me'”


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Good Youth Sermon Titles

A good youth sermon title is a hook on which the message can hang and be easily retrieved from memory. A really good title will capture the interest of the youth before you even get up to preach the youth sermon. Here are some key components of a good youth sermon title:

  1. A good youth sermon title must relate to the message of the sermon in some way.
    Of course this always implies that the sermon must have a meaningful message to begin with. Whether the title is taken from the Bible text, a major illustration, or some other hook, youth should see the connection when the sermon is completed. In fact, some have said that the best title is ONLY fully understood at the end of the youth sermon.
  2. A good youth sermon title should not promise too much or give the whole sermon away.
    With some sermon titles, youth don’t even need to listen to the sermon because you are telling them the main message or key learning point before they even listen to the sermon
  3. A good youth sermon title should pique the youth’s interest and keep them engaged and curious.
    It should help to orient the youth before they get to the church. Your sermon title should give the youth enough to draw them in before the sermon begins, but you don’t want to give away too much so your sermon is anti-climatic.


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Famous Bible Stories: Genesis

Genesis 1: Creation of the world
Genesis 2: Creation of Adam and Eve
Genesis 3: The forbidden fruit in Eden
Genesis 4: Cain and Abel
Genesis 6-9: Noah and the Flood
Genesis 11: The Tower of Babel
Genesis 12-18: Abraham
Genesis 19: Sodom and Gomorrah
Genesis 22, 24-27: Isaac
Genesis 28-35: Jacob
Genesis 37-50: Joseph (and the coat of many colours)


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Halloween Bible Studies or Sermons

Bible Study Topics for Halloween

  • Fear – 1 John 4:16,18, 2 Timothy 1:7, Romans 8:15
  • Death – Heb. 2:14, 1 Cor. 15:26)
  • Darkness – John 8:12, Psalm 119:105, Eph. 6:12, 1 Thes 5:5
  • Dealing with Giants – David and Goliath – 1 Samuel 16-18
  • Lazarus – Out from the Tomb
  • The real Spirit – John 14:26
  • First Trick or Treat – Exodus 11:2
  • What about witchcraft? – Deuteronomy 18
  • Ghost Story – 1 Samuel 28:3-20

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The Choice

A Good Friday Message

Introduction: Rembrandtrembrandtcrucifixion_sm.jpg

  • Rembrandt, one of the Netherlands’ most famous artists, drew a representation of the crucifixion scene.
  • In his sketch the individuals are indistinct because the event is most important.
  • At his side, on two separate crosses we find the thieves who were crucified with Christ. One is in the dark while the other is in the light.
  • But the central image is the cross of Christ, and through lighting our attention is draw to Him.
  • Such pictures represent our typical image of what happened.

You can see a larger version of the image here

The cross captures the essence of the Christian message. 

  1. The apostle Paul sums up the message of the New Testament as “the message of the cross” (1 Cor 1:18). Galatians 6:14– May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ… (NIV).
  2. But what we often forget, is that the cross was a scandal to the Jewish mind and an offense to the Roman mind. To the Jewish mind, being nailed to a cross was such a shameful way to die that they considered any who were crucified to be cursed in God’s sight. For a Jew, To even touch a cross made you unclean. The Romans reserved crucifixion on cross only the worst criminals.
  3. Had the early Christian church hired a marketing group to help them come up with a logo for the Christian faith, a cross wouldn’t even be on their list. The image of Christ on the cross doesn’t even appear in Christian art until 300 years after the event.

We often forget the ugliness of the cross

  • It wasn’t smooth gold or silver, but rough splintered wood.
  • It did not sit on a table between two candles, but on a hill between two thieves
  • It wasn’t in a place of honor, but on a garbage heap, a place of public spectacle
  • It wasn’t hymns that were heard at the cross, but the curses of thieves and onlookers
  • People did not kneel in worship, but instead soldiers gambled at the foot of the cross

But it was for such people that Christ chose the cross. For thieves, for those in the garbage heaps of life, Christ was raised on a Cross so that the lowest and the least might be raised to newness of life with God!

It is Christ on the cross we remember today. Good Friday.
With the cross, Christ made a choice. But other choices were also made on that day. When we remember the skull-shaped hill called Calvary, with its three crosses outlined against the darkened sky we might not recognize that among those three crosses, three choices were made. But Three VERY Different choices.

Choice #1: Upon the cross in the center hangs a man

A man, yet much more than a man – God, having emptied himself, taking the form of man. He who was sinless took our sin upon his shoulders. He who was eternal, took our sentence of death. He who was exalted, humbled himself. Stripped of all his dignity and Pride. Punched and kicked by people – He only wished to save. Spit upon and degraded. Mocked and despised. Angry yells of hatred tore at Him from a hundred throats as the blood thirsty crowd yearned for blood..

While God was giving His best, man was doing his worst.

But it was no accident that Jesus was on that cross.

  • It was a choice reserved before the foundation of the world
  • It was a choice revealed from a manger in Bethlehem
  • It was a choice remembered daily as Jesus ministered among sinful man
  • It was a choice reinforced as Jesus prayed in the garden

But it was not a choice that Jesus regretted. Jesus chose the cross!

  • Jesus could have saved himself in the desert by accepting Satan’s temptation to rule the world
  • Jesus could have saved himself when he prayed in the garden if there be any other way, please God let this cup pass from me.
  • Jesus could have saved himself when he stood before Pilate and Pilate demanded that he defend himself but Jesus was silent.
  • Jesus could have saved himself at any time on th cross. A simple command and he would have been removed

Christ chose accept all the violence man could unleash, so that through our acceptance we might have peace with God.

It is the central cross we are most familiar with. And on that Cross hangs the Savior of the world who CHOSE to suffer and die for the sins of the world. As Paul says, the message of the cross is the center of our faith.

The Other Choices: Jesus was not alone on a cross
To each side hung another man. In Rembrandt’s sketch, One is in the dark while the other is in the light. TRY to picture the scene in your mind…

  • Three crosses…
  • Three men nailed to a wooden death sentence
  • Three men; suffering, bruised, bleeding,
  • Three men all dying.

Now there isn’t much information in the Bible about the other two men. And truly they are of little importance compared to Christ on the cross. But they are significant in the choices they make concerning Christ on the cross:

  • Luke 23:32-33 “Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals one on his right, the other on his left.”
  • Mt 27:44 “In the same way the robbers who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.”

They are called robbers and criminals, but not just any kind of robber. The Greek word that Matthew uses (Lestes) means, “one who uses violence to rob openly.” They are violent men!

Choice #2: Rejection

While it seems both joined the crowd in insulting Christ, one is more calloused than the other “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” “If you’re the Messiah, the Son of God, like you say you are, why don’t you get out of this situation? And get us out of here too!” He mocks the claim of Jesus to be the Christ. Instead of being humble and looking for mercy, we are told this thief in Luke 23:39, “railed” on Jesus, he scoffed, was insolent and reproachful. Next to him was a chance for redemption but he instead chose rejection.

We have more in common with this criminal than we would like to admit.

  • In the eyes of God, all of us, really are criminals. All of us, have led lives of disobedience and rebellion against God.
  • “Do things this way,” God says. And we say, “No, I’ll do things my way instead.”
  • Sometimes, like the robber, it is our words that we use to mock him, sometimes it is the way we live.
  • We are all sinners and it is because of our sin that Jesus is suffering.
  • It wasn’t the Jews. It wasn’t the Romans. But it was us – our rebellion, our blasphemy, our sin – that put Christ on the cross.

Christ hangs on the cross in the middle. He chose to die for the sins of the world. A violent robber rests on the cross at his side. He chose to reject Christ and judgment awaits him.

Choice #3: Repentence.

There is a third cross. I imagine the robber on this cross did not sleep the night before. And it had nothing to do with the hardness of the prison floor or the dampness of the prison cell. I imagine He tossed and turned all night – as frightening images of the Roman soldiers coming for him, relentlessly flashed through his mind. He had seen enough crucifixions to know what was about to happen. All through the night, I can imagine him looking at his hands and his feet – touching the spots where the seven inch spikes would be driven. Morning came to soon. But the new day did not bring hope, It only brought despair and the sound of footsteps as the Roman guards came for him. Like Jesus, violence and pain awaited him. Like the other robber, he was a condemned man. And as he hung from the cross he joined the crowd in taunting Jesus.

But then there was a “change” of heart. To “repent” means to make a change.

This thief watched Jesus for hours – he saw the way he handled everything. He heard Jesus as he prayed for forgiveness for those who were taking his life so cruelly. He observed as Jesus handled pain without profanity, taunting without retaliation, being hated w/o hating. When the thief looked into the eyes & face of Jesus he didn’t see weakness and despair, he saw strength and power. Jesus’ death was SO distinctive that this dying thief realized that Jesus’ claims were true. Instead of continuing to mock Christ, he grows silent, and then rebukes his fellow criminal: “Don’t you fear God, since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

  • The thief openly acknowledged his wrongs, “We have received due reward of our deeds” (v. 41).
  • He recognized the innocence of Christ. “This man has done nothing wrong” (v. 41).
  • His final words a request: “Lord, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”

His words meant, “I choose to believe

I believe that you are a king of the life to come, the Christ. One who shows mercy. Forgive me for the life I have led. Forgive me for the way I mocked you. When you come into your kingdom, have mercy on me. Remember me.” His, is a very different choice from that of the other robber.

And Jesus responds to that choice: “Today shall be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).

The thief asked to be remembered, but Jesus promises him a relationship. The hymn writer put it so well, “the vilest offender who truly believes, that moment from Jesus a pardon receives.”

With thorns piercing His brow, with face bruised and stained, with blood flowing from the wounds of His body, with the weight of all human sin upon him Jesus opened the way to paradise for a thief.

  • He saved a thief
  • He gave a hopeless man hope
  • He gave a loveless man love
  • He gave a violent man peace
  • He gave a dying man life
  • “Today, you shall be with Me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).

Why? Because, at that very moment, Jesus was dying on the cross for that criminal’s sins against men and God Jesus was paying for all this man had done as well as all you and I have done. 

Conclusion

Three crosses at Calvary: Three Choices

  • One cross holds a man dying for sin. (Choice: Redemption)
    – In his choice, the peace with God becomes available to all who will trust him
  • One cross holds a man dying in sin (Choice: Rejection).
    – In his choice, he has rejected God and only judgment awaits him
  • One cross holds a man dying to sin (Choice: Repentance)
    – In his choice, peace with God is accepted and eternal life with God awaits.

There were many people who were present in the crucifixion of our Lord. There were the teachers who hated him, the traitor who sold him, the priests who bought him, even the disciples who deserted him. Each made choices. But you and I also have a choice to make.

Remember Rembrandt’s painting of The Three Crosses. Those who view it have their attention drawn first to the center cross on which Jesus died. Then see the two thieves on either side. One thief rests in darkness, but the other shares the light of Christ. People look at the indistinct crowd gathered around the foot of that cross, impressed by the various facial expressions and actions of the people involved in the awful crime of crucifying the Son of God. But people sometimes miss something:

At the left edge of the sketch, right in the middle, there’s another figure, almost hidden in the shadows, peeking into the scene. Art critics say this is a representation of Rembrandt himself, for he recognized that by his sins he also helped nail Jesus to the cross.

Our Choice: We each must also make a choice.

Each of us has a choice to make. We must each admit, “I was there, too”. In a very real sense we were all at Calvary, because it was my sins and your sins which Jesus took to the cross. Christ has already Chosen Redemption on our behalf. Now we also, like the sinners on either side of Jesus must make a choice. We can chose repentance or rejection of what Christ has done for us.

THE CROSS MUST BE CENTRAL TO OUR LIVES AS CHRISTIANS
Unfortunately, too many of us are like the soldiers, playing games at the foot of the cross. Focused on material possessions instead of our spiritual condition. They missed the most significant event in all history because they were too busy looking down, throwing dice, rather than looking UP – and beholding the Christ. Today we all stand before the cross. Its our sins that are on it – our sins that Christ bears. Have we called to him as our Lord or rejected him and mocked him? Some of us made a choice long ago, but like Christ, who affirmed his relationship with the Father and what he came to do at every opportunity, we must continually reaffirm that choice. Our day to day lives must be directed toward the cross.

Call to Decision
Which thief are you? What choice have you made?

  • Maybe today you need to make a choice of acceptance
  • Maybe today you need to reaffirm your choice

Instead of mocking Christ with our words and our lifestyle, we need to make him Lord!

Don’t leave today until you can also say, Lord, remember me in your kingdom!


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Mustard Seed Faith

Scripture
Numbers 13,14 and Joshua 14:6-15

Preached by Ken Sapp @KPRBC
Sept 20, 1999

Introduction

A little boy was afraid of the dark. One night his mother told him to go out to the back porch and bring her the broom. The little boy turned to his mother and said, “Mama, I don’t want to go out there. It’s dark.” The mother smiled reassuringly at her son. “You don’t have to be afraid of the dark,” she explained. “Jesus is out there. He’ll look after you and protect you.” The little boy looked at his mother real hard and asked, “Are you sure he’s out there?” “Yes, I’m sure. He is everywhere, and he is always ready to help you when you need him,” she said. The little boy thought about that for a minute and then went to the back door and cracked it a little. Peering out into the darkness, he called, “Jesus? If you’re out there, would you please hand me the broom?”

It wasn’t the dark that terrified the spies who entered the Promised Land. It was Giants – giants in walled cities. We all know that twelve spies were sent into Canaan to spy out the land. Can you name the twelve? Most people can name Joshua and Caleb, but the remaining ten are forgotten. Eventually, God raises Joshua and Caleb to become the real giants in the land. By faith they stood on the promises of God. Their faith was bigger than the giants. And God was bigger than their faith.

Someone has said it’s not the size of your faith that makes the difference, but the size of God that we put our faith in.

Jesus said if you have faith the size of a mustard seed you can move mountains. And as we look at the story of Caleb today, we will see him asking in faith “GIVE ME THE MOUNTAIN” In your life of faith you too face giants, walled fortresses, and discouragement. As we look at the life of Caleb we discover what mustard seed faith does in such circumstances. And it is my hope that you might respond like Caleb “Give me the Mountain.”

Background

We first read of Caleb in Numbers chapters 13-14. We read that the people of Israel are encamped at Kadesh Barnea, an oasis in the Negev desert south of the Promised Land. It has been only a year or so since they have come out of Egypt. The people have seen many miracles in that time:
— the Red Sea opening,
— water from the rock,
— daily manna and quail.
— A pillar of smoke by day and fire by night
— They’ve fought the Amalakite raiders and won.
— Moses has received the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai and destroyed the golden calf.
— They’ve built the Tabernacle and Ark of the Covenant.

And having their faith built through these events and many more in their journey, the time has now arrived for them to enter the Promised Land. And Caleb is one of those chosen to enter it ahead of the 2 million Israelites.

Comparison to our situation

Like the Isrealites, are on a journey; we are not at the end of our destination. God has not brought us to where we are without reason. As the Isrealites were to lay claim to the promised land, God has laid it on our heart to go and claim the land around us for him – to reach out into the community, and the world in which we live. We’ve seen the faithfulness of God. His faithfulness has proved sufficient beyond measure. The test of our faith is to enter the land we have claimed for God.

Outline
Today as we look at the life of Caleb, we’ll look at three tests of your faith:

  1. Faith focuses on the possibilities, the potential, not the problems
  2. Faith relies on God’s abilities, not our own abilities
  3. Faith is not content with the minimum, the past of least resistance, but asks for the mountain!

TEST 1: Faith focuses on Possibilities- on Potential, not the Problems

We read in Numbers 13:2 “The Lord gave Moses this directive: “Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites. From each ancestral tribe send one of its leaders” Caleb is one of those leaders – the recognized leader of the tribe of Judah, largest of the 12 tribes. He is about 40 years old. One Bible scholar suggests his name means ‘all heart.’ And he sets out on the mission with the other 11 leaders, one from each tribe.

They are on a mission to explore Canaan, the promised land, the land flowing with milk and honey. A Jewish Rabbi (Meir Leibush Malbim – 1809-1879) says the Hebrew language has two words for spying. One (latour) means to seek good and has the same root as the modern Hebrew word for “Tourist” (tayyar). Tourists look for good things to enjoy wherever they go. Singaporeans love to be tourists. But the other word for spy (leragel) means to look for weaknesses.

Later in Joshua 2, the second Hebrew word for spy – “seeking out weaknesses” is used, when Joshua prepares to invade Canaan after Moses’ death. Two spies are sent out, who stay with Rahab the prostitute as they seek out weaknesses in preparation for conquest.

But that is not the task of the 12. They are not there to spy out the problems. They are to first examine the potential, the possibilities, the abundance the land has to offer. God commands Moses to appoint a team to spy out the good — to examine the resources of this land. They are to give a general report on what cities are available to be taken, what land is available and how fertile, and what people inhabit it. Since they will be dividing up the land between the 12 tribes, it is important that representatives from all the tribes be in on this initial tour of the land. God wanted these leaders to come back and ignite the hearts of the 12 tribes with delight as they reported the riches and the magnificence of the promised land. God wanted to use these leaders to encouraged the people to take possession of the promised land.

And so Caleb and eleven of his peers are sent to assess the potential of Canaan. They go north along the ridge of mountains that provide the backbone of the country, through Hebron in the south all the way to Rehob at the north end of the land. Perhaps they are posing as traders, we don’t know, but along the way they observe carefully what they see: the nature of the cities and villages, the produce of the land and its potential.

And the land does have great potential. When the spies return, they carry a huge cluster of grapes so huge it took two men to carry it– the fruit of the land — on a pole between them. In the desert they’d probably never seen grapes. In their wildest imagination they hadn’t conceived of grapes like these.

Let’s read what they said. Look at Numbers 13: verses 27-29, “They gave Moses this account: ‘We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. (and I am sure they held up the cluster of grapes for all to see) But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there. The Amalekites live in the Negev; the Hittites, Jebusites and Amorites live in the hill country; and the Canaanites live near the sea along the Jordan.”

Wait a second. They forgot their mission. Their mission was to report on the possibilities, the potential – not the problems. Their report is like one of those good news bad news jokes. The good news is the land does flow with milk and honey. The bad news is Mike Tyson already lives there. The Giants- the Anak are all over, the Amalekites own the Negev, the hill country is occupied by three separate peoples and the Canaanites control the coastal region. Its an impossible mission.

Their report started out great but then they lost their focus. When it comes to matters of faith, too often we shift our focus and lose sight of God. Remember when Peter tried walking on the water? At first, when he kept his eyes on Jesus, he was fine (showing off and smiling). But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and began to sink. When Peter shifted his focus from Jesus to the wind, then fear melted his heart– and he sank. That’s what happened to these ten spies. They shifted their focus. They took their eyes off of God and fixed their eyes on the Giants occupying the land.

Once when Martin Luther was feeling depressed, his wife asked if he’d heard God had died. Luther replied angrily that she was blaspheming. She retorted that if God had indeed not died what right had he to be without hope! But this is the same thing that happened with the Isrealites…

As the ten spies continue to report their fear increases and their faith decreases. You can almost see their faith shrinking as they speak in verse 31-33: “We can’t attack these people; they are stronger than we are.’ They said, the land we explored devours those living in it. (Now they think the land will devour them.) And then they concluded in the first part of verse 33,”We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.”

Grasshoppers! God’s chosen people see themselves as Grasshoppers.

When things looked tough it was not faith that prevailed, but fear. They became pessimists, pointing out the problems, instead of having faith and looking at the possibilities, the potential. Those with faith challenge and motivate and point to the possibilities, but those who have no faith criticize and focus on the problems. When it comes to the Christian life, Giants and grasshoppers are not determined by genes, but by faith. And this test of Giants exposed the Grasshopper hearts of the spies. When it came time to enter and conquer their neighborhood, they stopped in fear. When it came time to live their faith, they fled. Faith that cannot confront the Giants is not faith. Ten of the twelve spies became grasshoppers and thus useless in the midst of God’s people. In fact, they became worse than useless.

In the Bible grasshoppers are associated with destruction. Grasshoppers and Locusts are the same thing. Locusts or Grasshoppers destroy the crops that the farmer has worked so hard to grow. The bad report given by these ten ravaged the faith of the entire nation of Israel in the same way that locusts ravage crops. Moses worked so hard to cultivate the faith of this nation like a farmer works his field. Now, one bad report from Grasshoppers would destroy an entire generation.

TEST 1 APPLIED: Do you want to evaluate YOUR faith?

Ask yourself this question: Are you more likely to point out the possibilities or the problems? Are you more likely to get excited or discouraged? Are you more likely to motivate others or discourage? Are you more likely to challenge or criticize? Are you more likely to be hopeful or pessimistic? Possibilities or Problems?

Don’t get me wrong. There is a time to examine the problems, to determine the obstacles. As a matter of fact, as already mentioned, Joshua later sent spies to the land to spy out the weaknesses, but the first step is one of faith – one of faith in God’s Provision. Our actions are not to be determined by the problems, but by faith that God will provide. Go back and read Numbers 13:2 “Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites.” God promised the land to them. God would provide the land. He would give it to them. Your first question is not what are the problems, but what has God promised. What has God provided. You want to evaluate your faith – examine your focus! Are you a grasshopper or does your faith in God’s provision and promises make the giants in your life and this church grasshoppers?

SIDENOTE: Dealing with Problems in Faith

I am not saying that when their are problems that you don’t discuss them. When it does come time to deal with the problems, its not to determine whether we are going to do something or not, but to strategize on HOW we are going to do it. I have never been in a church that doesn’t have its problems. I have never met a person who doesn’t have his / her problems, myself included. But we need to be careful how we handle problems. We need to handle them with faith. For the Isrealites, I would say that giants in the land are a legitimate concern. But their focus became a magnification of the problem instead of searching for a solution. These ten should have pulled Moses off to the side and said look, we have to talk. But instead their unbelief and bad report was devastating.

Look at the first couple of verses of Numbers 14.
[1] That night all the people of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. [2] All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this desert! [3] Why is the LORD bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” [4] And they said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.”

The pessimism of the ten men, their lack of faith was devastating. Imagine the scene. We read in (Numbers 1:46) that a census taken at Sinai several weeks earlier that recorded that the number of men over 20 years of age able to fight was 603,550. Add the women and those under 20 years of age and you are looking at close to 2 million people. By nightfall their report has spread throughout the people, and with it the infectious fear of spies. “That night all the people of the community raised their voices and wept aloud” (Numbers 14:1). Women were sobbing that their husbands would be killed in battle and their children left fatherless. Across the camp that night you could hear the sound of weeping and anguish. By the next morning everyone was grumbling against Moses and ready to go back to slavery. They were ready to give up.

Application: If it comes to a point in your life when your lack of faith has you focusing on problems instead of the provider; if you are having that grasshopper mentality, you might best keep it to yourself and among leadership until you are willing to focus on God’s provision and God’s promises. You may do inestimable damage to the people of God because you’ve lost your faith. As a result of your grasshopper mentality, you may doom the rest of God’s people to wander in a spiritual desert for next 40 years!

TEST 2: Faith relies on God’s Abilities

Not only does faith focus on the possibilities instead of the problems, but Faith focuses on God’s abilities and not our own! Ten of the spies measured the giants against themselves: we can’t do it, they said. They are stronger than we are. We’re like grasshoppers compared to them. But in the midst of this fear and unbelief, pessimism, two men stood firm in faith and hope — Caleb and Joshua. When the 10 spies were sharing their tale of terror, the scripture reports, “Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, ‘We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it” (13:30).

Caleb measured the giants, not against themselves, but against God.

To a great God those giants were very puny. The next day, Caleb and Joshua try to sway the gathered Israelite crowds with their faith: “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them'” (14:7-9).

Notice the positive attitude – look at the hope, the faith. Caleb at this point was a man in his prime, aged forty-five. ‘Yeah, we can do it! Let’s go! The Lord is with us – that’s all that matters!’ Notice the explicit mention of the LORD in their words. The 10 spies don’t even mention the LORD, only what they have seen that terrifies them. Joshua and Caleb have seen the same giants and the same heavily fortified cities, but they are not comparing themselves to the task, but God! They see the LORD enabling them to conquer these people.

There are walls and giants we must overcome but there are milk and honey too. If we measure ourselves to the task we will always fall short. But if we measure God to the task we will never be disappointed. Faith focus on God’s Abilities, not our own.

Test #2 Applied

Ask yourself these questions: When I am asked to serve God in a task, do I compare myself to the task before accepting it or do I compare God to the task? When you are asked to serve in the church council, in Sunday School, in training, in the youth ministry, and the multitude of other needs we have as a church in reaching our goals, do you make your decision by looking at your own abilities or at Gods? Do you evaluate what you are capable or what God is capable of? The question should never be “CAN I DO IT?” but “Am I willing to let GOD DO IT through me?”

TEST #3 – Faith Asks for the Mountain
(i.e. faith doesn’t take the path of least resistance – the easy way out)

Look what God says about Caleb in Numbers 14:24, “But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it” (14:24, cf. 30). We see a similar quotation in Deuteronomy, where Moses recounts for the children of these rebels what God has said: “… except Caleb son of Jephunneh. He will see it, and I will give him and his descendants the land he set his feet on, because he followed the LORD wholeheartedly” (Deuteronomy 1:36)

Caleb followed the LORD “wholeheartedly” (NIV) or “wholly” or “fully” (KJV). What a testimony! So often we follow the Lord when it suits us, but when things get tough and we must lean on faith rather than sight we balk. Fear sets in, and we follow our fears instead of our faith. That’s what I like about Caleb: he looks at life as what Robert Schuller terms a “possibility thinker,” one who sees himself walking into the future, not alone but leaning on the strong arm of his God.

Lets jump to Joshua 14:6-15. This is scene 2 of Caleb’s life. After being forced to wonder 40 years in the desert because of a lack of faith of the others, Caleb could have been VERY discouraged. Yet here there was no hint that he was discouraged. Instead he seems ambitious for God! He could have thrown up his hands in angry despair and adopted a ‘What’s the use, with this mob?’ or ‘I told you so’ attitude. He could have sulked and let his anger and frustration at the situation simmer. He could have said, “You got yourselves into this mess, you can get yourselves out.” We see no frustration in Caleb though he had every reason to be upset. Now 45 years later at the age of 85, his faith burns as brightly as ever. When others of his age would have retired years before and been taking life easy ever since, Caleb had no such thoughts. He remained active in the service of the Lord. The Lord had remained faithful to Caleb and Caleb had remained faithful to the Lord. Caleb’s attitude was not one of despair. Nor was it one of frustration or anger. His was an attitude of ambition for God.

Each of us gets disappointed in other people from time to time: they don’t live up to our expectations. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers – but he didn’t give up. Paul, writing with a sad heart told how one of his friends had forsaken him to follow the world. However Paul didn’t cease preaching the gospel because Demas did.

The land is to be divided among the 12 tribes. But before the land west of the Jordan is distributed by lot, Caleb stakes his own claim, based on the promise made to him by Moses: Look at verse 9 – “The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly.” (14:9)

Joshua blesses Caleb and gives him Hebron as his inheritance (14:13). Apparently, the grant involved the whole hill country surrounding Hebron. Interestingly, when the lot was cast for Caleb’s tribe Judah (15:1), the tribal land assigned by lot providentially included the portion already given to Caleb. But lets look a little closer at his request!

Caleb’s faith is showing in vss. 10-12. From one perspective he might seem to be bragging, but look closer

  1. “Just as the LORD promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years … so here I am today, eighty-five years old!” (10a).
  2. “I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then” (11).
  3. “Now give me this hill country (NIV; KJV “mountain”) that the LORD promised me that day” (12a).
  4. “You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said” (12b).

Notice that in three out of the four statements in this section, he mentions the name of Yahweh. “The LORD promised… The LORD promised… the LORD helping me.” Here is a man who has learned to trust in the promises of God and stake his whole future on them. He knows what it is like to have the LORD help him, and he is trusting that the LORD will continue to do so.

“Give Me This Mountain” (14:12)

When Israel finally came into the Promised Land, Caleb – as a reward for his faith – was allowed to pick out any section of the land for himself and his family forever. Do you know what section he asked for? He asked for Hebron. Why Hebron? Of all Palestine that could have been his for the asking, why did he pick Hebron? I think he wanted Hebron because there were the Anakite giants that had so terrified his fellow scouts 40 years ago. It was the most hilly part in the area, infested by giants. Israel’s enemies were strongest here – the most difficult part of the whole Promised Land to subdue.

But Caleb at age 85 said ‘give me that.’ You say there’s a problem… let God use me to handle it! “We looked like grasshoppers in their eyes,” they whimpered. “Bring them on,” says Caleb. “They’re no match for the LORD!” Forty-five years before he had counseled, “Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us” (Numbers 14:9). The giants represent the enemies of Conquest, and Caleb is ready for them. He didn’t ask for the easy job.

This man of faith knew that with God nothing is impossible – if it is done out of faith. There’s a saying that a person of vision and faith does the most difficult thing now and leaves the impossible until later. That was Caleb. Caleb refused to be discouraged, but took up the most difficult task to be used in what God had promised to do.

Test #3 Applied

Ask yourself these questions: Am I content to do the minimum in my service to God? Am I content to sit back and watch others work? Am I looking for the easy way out in my Christian service? Or am I asking God to give me his toughest! Give me the mountain! God USE me! Here I am.. I’m ready…

Conclusion
Caleb’s faith was mustard seed faith to move mountains. When it came time to be a leader he said – Give me the mountain.

In the upcoming months before the new year your faith also will be tested. People are going to ask you to do things that may terrify you. And you’ll either respond as a grasshopper or a Caleb. You may be asked to teach Sunday School, to help out in worship services, to help with Children’s worship, and many other tasks.

When those times come Remember the three tests of your faith?

  • Will you focus on the problems, or the possibilities?
  • Will you focus on your abilities or God’s Abilities?
  • Will you ask for the mountain or flee in fear?

There will be giants! And unfortunately, some around you will be grasshoppers. But how desperately we need more Calebs with faith to lead our church to claim the lost for God. When you are called to act – to serve – will you be a grasshopper or a Caleb? Caleb’s eulogy (Joshua 14:14): he ‘faithfully obeyed the Lord’ (GNB); he ‘wholeheartedly followed the Lord’ (NRSV); or as the Jerusalem Bible translates it he ‘scrupulously obeyed the Lord’. I wonder if they’ll say that about me, about you? Mustard seed faith means looking to the possibilities, relying on his abilities, and asking for the mountain?

Grasshopper or Caleb – The choice is Yours!

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A Fly in the Ointment

Scripture Focus: Ecclesiastes 10:1-3

“(NIV) As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left. Even as he walks along the road, the fool lacks sense and shows everyone how stupid he is.”

Introduction: Computer Bug
Mars has been a subject of fascination for centuries. Scientists are intrigued about the possibility of life and the possibility of water beneath the surface. One recent spacecraft to visit the red planet was the Mars Climate Orbiter. Its incredible to me that scientists can calculate the gravity of the moon, the effects of the sun and planets, the orbit of the planets, and plot a course that will take a comparatively small spacecraft with very limited fuel and send it on a trajectory to intercept Mars. Two years and a billion miles later the spacecraft reaches it’s target.

Unfortunately, for the Mars Climate Orbiter, something went wrong. It made the journey all the way to Mars but then in its final moments disaster struck. Initially, scientists were not sure what happened, but contact with the spacecraft was lost. Later, as scientists tried to pinpoint what went wrong, they discovered that it was not a mechanical error, but a human one that doomed the spacecraft. Among the thousands of lines of computer programming code someone made a mistake. A small mistake, but a mistake with a very big consequences — one programming team used English units (e.g., inches, feet, miles. . .) while the other used metric units. When the spacecraft fired its engines to take it into orbit, its calculations were off and its journey and a large portion of NASA’s resources were wasted.

A similar rocket failure took place on a Venus probe a few years back. In that case it was a simple hyphen in the computer program that resulted in the rocket’s failure.

A mistake in a computer program is called a “bug.”… In comparison to the whole, the “bug” may seem small — but a “fly in the ointment”. But that small “bug” can lead to disastrous consequences. Assumptions and the decisions based on those assumptions may be miscalculated. Our resources may be wasted and our destination may be forever changed – all on as a result of a fly in the ointment.

Let me read Ecclesiastes 10:1-3 again… This time from the New King James Version.

(NKJV) Ecclesiastes 10:1 Dead flies putrefy the perfumer’s ointment, And cause it to give off a foul odor; [So does] a little folly to one respected for wisdom [and] honor.

THE OINTMENT

Valuable
In Old Testament times, ointments were highly prized and extremely valuable.

  • Treasure – Hezekiah displayed them in his treasure house to the representatives of the King of Babylon. (2 Kings 20:13)
  • Tribute – They were used for payment of tribute (Hosea 12:1)
  • Jesus Feet – In the New Testament Judas complained that the ointment poured on Jesus’ feet might have been sold for a large sum of money (Matthew 26:9)
  • Anointing and consecration – Ointments and oiled were used to anoint and consecrate priests, the tabernacles and furnishings. (Exodus 30:22-33)
  • Birth of Christ – Two of the three gifts mentioned that the kings brought to baby Jesus were ointments – frankincense and myrrh. (Matthew 2:11)

Practical
Not only was ointment valuable, but it was also practical.

  • Hygene – The anointing of the hair, face, and exposed skin was an important act of hygiene and grooming in the arid regions of the Holy Land. Water for baths was scarce. Oils also provided protection against the scorching desert sun.
  • King David – In II Sam. 12:20 we can read of King David, washing, putting on his lotions, and changing his clothes.
  • Ancient Egyptian – Historical documents reveal an incident of workers going on strike because of a lack of food and “ointment” for their skin (“Ointment” – Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia).

Medicinal
Ointment was used for medicinal purposes.

  • Ointments & cremes – Even today, many of our medicines are applied in ointments & cremes.
  • The “Balm of Gilead” referred to an ointment with medicinal value – (Jeremiah 8:22)
  • Wounds – Isaiah 1:6 and Luke 10:34 indicate oil was used on wounds.
  • Burial – Ointments were also used in embalming and wrapping a body, in preparation for burial.

Ointments were valuable, practical, and medicinal.

FLIES IN THE OINTMENT

Ointment was made by an apothecary (chemist/perfumer). He usually created the ointment by skillfully mixing precious spices, scents, herbs, or medicinal extracts into an olive oil base. The fragrance from these additions to the oil naturally attracted pesky flies. These unwitting flies then became entrapped in the miry, oily substance.

Decay/ stench: 
Not only did the flies corrupt the ointment by their simple presence, but their decaying bodies caused the ointment to spoil and stink. Flies are quite commonly used as a symbol of decay, of corruption, of ruin. We’ve all seen flies drawn to dead animals and spoiled fruit.

Wherever there are flies, ruin is sure to follow. 

  • In Egypt: God used a swarms of flies as one of the 10 plagues that devastated Egypt. Of that event, Exodus 8:24 reads “And the LORD did this. Dense swarms of flies poured into Pharaoh’s palace and into the houses of his officials, and throughout Egypt the land was RUINED by the flies.”
  • In Malaysia: A couple months ago, while I was on a short vacation in Malaysia I was working on this sermon. I ordered mixed vegetables and as I began to scoup them onto my spoon a fly fluttered his wings and said “hello.” I guarantee that from that point, he may have been smaller but he now had a much bigger appetite than I did. It ruined the mixed vegetables for me. I couldn’t eat them. I didn’t even go back to that restaurant again.
  • It may be a small fly, but it has great potential
    • to ruin something very valuable,
    • to render something essential as useless
    • to corrupt something used for healing into something that is putrifying.

FLIES IN THE OINTMENT

Word Usage: This situation in which dead flies putrifed the perfume was such a common occurrence that the term “Flies in the ointment.” came to be mean anything that spoiled pleasure of the whole. Interestingly though, this verse is actually being misused today. This is true of many Biblical verses that have found their way into common usage. Either someone misinterpreted the phrase or meaning has changed over the last 3000 years. The issue being discussed is not some isolated blemish (or blemishes) that detract from the pleasure of the whole. The issue is that the dead flies have caused the ointment itself to stink. The fly is merely a precursor to a more serious problem… The ointment is now putrified. The result may be just as nauseating, but the distinction is extremely important. Dead flies can be fished out, but when the ointment has been ruined simply removing the fly does not remove decay and stench.

Yet we often say to ourselves – It’s Just one fly? – Its just a little sin.

Sin brings a noisy clatter where once was a symphony
Sin replaces the Bread of life with moldy breadcrumbs
Sin replaces springs of living water with stagnant pools of decay
Sin replaces delectable fruits of the spirit with worm riddled fruits of the flesh.

Each of these starts small, but the consequences are great.

One un-tuned trumpet in the orchestra,
One spore of mold on the bread,
One polluted water source,
One rotten apple in the fruit basket,
One fly in the ointment.

Small but not insignificant.

One hyphen in thousands of lines of computer programming
One unit in feet among hundreds in metric.
One fly in the ointment and the ointment begins to give off a foul smell.

One hyphen, one bug, in a thousand lines of computer programming is a mistake. The programmer didn’t intend to do something wrong. Yet even with something so small, that wasn’t even a moral decision, the potential for disaster was enormous. How greater is the potential danger of intentional sin – one little sin can lead to potentially disastrous consequences. And the loss of a soul is so much more painful than the loss of a spacecraft, a piece of equipment.

Biblical Examples
It was one bite of the forbidden fruit in the garden of Eden. (Genesis 3)
It was one golden calf that doomed the Israelites to a 40 year holy Land tour. (Exodus 32)
It was one man’s sin that led to Joshua’s defeat in the battle of Ai. (Joshua 7)
It was one little lamb, a woman named Bathsheba, that tempted King David into adultery. (II Samuel 11)
It was one moment of Anger that prevented Moses from Entering the promised land.
It was one kiss that betrayed our Savior. (Mark 14:44)
If only it had been but one sin that nailed our Savior to the cross. Yet for us, we could be lucky if we only had one sin since we woke up this morning… no for us, one is too small a number…
Yet it was the one Son of God died on the cross and took away ALL OF our sins.

Small but not insignificant. 
A virus is the tiniest of living things. But when we have one, we do not consider it a small thing.
One small virus and our nose becomes a stream,
our stomach begins to churn,
all our muscles begin to ache,
and our head begins to throb.
For one virus grows and infects the whole body. The trouble with little sins is that they don’t stay little.

Principle: It has been said,
sow one thought, reap an action
sow one action, reap a habit
sow one habit, reap a character
sow one character, reap a destiny

Watch Out for Those Tadpoles

I read about an incident that took place at a college campus, located in a valley between two mountains. The water tower for that college was located up on one of the mountains. One morning while the guys were taking their showers, the water went off. They thought the girls were playing a trick on them so they quickly got dressed and ran to the girls’ dorm, only to find that the same thing had happened to them.

When they realized that it wasn’t a trick, they called the maintenance crew. When the maintenance crew arrived, they were perplexed. They could find no pipes that were burst or valves that were turned off, so they began the tedious task of following the pipe all the way back up the mountain. Piece by piece they took it apart to see if there was any blockage. Finally, they came to the last piece of pipe that went into the water tower. They opened it, and found an enormous bullfrog stuck in the pipe.

They could not understand how a bullfrog could have gotten into the water tower. There was just no way. Then they realized that it hadn’t come in as a big bullfrog but as a tiny tadpole. It had worked its way in and lived off the algae in the water until one day it was swimming too close and was sucked into the pipe, cutting off the water supply to the whole campus.

So many times, something may seem to us only
a small “indiscretion.”,
a little mistake,
a minor infraction,
a short lapse of judgment,
a momentary loss of control.
But in time, if not removed, that little sin will grow, and before we know it the flow of the Living Water into our lives has been choked off. Our relationship with God becomes stale and stagnant.

Like in the movie “Gremlins”, sin starts out small and cute like the Mogwai (spelling?). But if we feed it, it becomes a demon, and we don’t control it, it controls us, and the result is destruction and ruin.

A fly in the ointment is a picture, an image of sin in the life of a believer. 
I imagine the apothecary represents God.
The ointment and spices represent our lives, our actions, how we live.
And, the sweet smelling aroma or fragrance is the testimony produced by our lives.
In 2 Corinthians 2:15 our life and testimony are similarly described as an aroma. But that aroma can be spoiled by the flies, by the sin in our lives..

New Testament Comparison: Salt Losing its Saltiness.
In The New Testament Jesus speaks of a similar metaphor when he speaks of Salt losing its saltiness.

  • In Matthew 5:13 we read, “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses it’s saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.”
  • Similarly, In Luke 14:34 we read, ” Salt is good, but if it loses it’s saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is neither fit for the soil nor for the manure pile.”
  • Furthermore, in Colossians 4:6 we are told “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

The common principle – Salt, like ointment, was used for healing. We can’t be a source of comfort and healing to a hurting world when our lives have been contaminated and our witness has been corrupted.

  • What is the fly in the ointment for you?
  • What is the sin in your life that is now destroying or has the potential to destroy your witness?
  • Maybe you are thinking.. its just a little sin.. But one little sin can have great consequences.
  • What is it that brings about putrification and stench in your life instead of a fragrant aroma of Christ?

Sin
It seems the world today doesn’t like to talk about sin.
“Sin” is one of those words that isn’t “politically correct.”

Now when discussing various questionable activities, we replace any references to “sin” with terms like “moral failure,” and “momentary lapse.”

Lilian Holcomb, a grandmother in Pueblo Colorado, tells her grandchildren a bedtime story from the Bible story every night. One night she said, “Tonight we’re going to talk about sin. Do you know what the word sin means?”
Seven-year-old Keith spoke up. “It’s when you do something bad.”
Four-year-old Aaron’s eyes widened. “I know a big sin Keith did today.”
Annoyed, Keith turned to Aaron. “You take care of your sins, and I’ll take care of mine.”
[Christian Reader, “Kids of the Kingdom.”]

Some of you may be thinking the same thing now, “You take care of your sins and I’ll take care of mine.” But we often have no intention of taking care of our sins – we are merely upset that someone else has discovered them.

Fly Collector?
Cockroaches as pets?
If you read the Singapore Straits Times (August 19, 2000), You might have noticed the story about some special pets of students in southern China. They are the latest rage and are even seen as status symbols. The wholesale price of these pets are about S$13 per 250mg. The most prized specimens are said to be from the United States and Australia. What are these treasured pets?

If you read the story you would know that they are cockroaches. Apparently there was a popular Hong Kong television series in which a couple raised a cockroach (named Xiao Qiang) as a pet. Since then pet shops have been cashing in on the demand as students buy the creatures. Personally, I have a hard time seeing a cockroach as a pet. As matter of fact, my natural tendency when I see one is a heavy foot and a satisfying crunch.

When I was a youth I did have a few insects I collected, almost as pets. I raised Monarch butterflies, and I collected beetles. I think that if I had ever brought a cockroach home as a pet mom would have sent me to the nearest psychiatrist and given me roach killer for aftershave.

Even with my relatively benign insects, Mom was always quick to inform me when any of my live specimens escaped, usually with a loud scream that “something was loose and crawling across her foot.”

Entomologists
They have a special name for people who study insects. They are known as entomologists. Unfortunately many of us as Christians have become entomologists ourselves. Not only do we have a fly in the ointment, but we have chosen to become collectors.

But I wonder, what it is you have chosen to collect?

You don’t need to raise your hands on these:
If I were to peer into your collection, what would I find?
Is it anger, bitterness, jealousy, gossip, worry, gluttony, harmful habits or addictions, sexual lust, envy, materialism, little white lies, big black lies, a divisive spirit, an unforgiving heart, a critical spirit, selfish ambition, fear, real or imagined guilt, discontentment, pornography, depression, quarreling, impatience, complaining, deceit, arrogance, self-righteousness, unholy thoughts.

Survey
A recent survey of Discipleship Journal Christian readers ranked areas of greatest spiritual challenge to them:

  1. Materialism
  2. Pride
  3. Self-centeredness
  4. Laziness
  5. (Tie) Anger/Bitterness
  6. (Tie) Sexual lust.
  7. Envy
  8. Gluttony
  9. Lying

C.S. Lewis – Surprised by Joy (Chap. 14)
“For the first time I examined myself with a seriously practical purpose. And what I found appalled me;
a zoo of lusts,
a bedlam of ambitions,
a nursery of fears,
a harem of fondled hatreds.”

Saving some for later?
A primary 2 student went to his first confessional in his catholic church. He confessed one or two small items and the priest, knowing he was a very mischievous boy, asked, “Do you have any more to confess?”
“Sure” the youngster replied, “but I am saving some for next time.”
[Joseph Young, Saint Cloud (Minnesota) Visitor.]

Pet Sins?
I must confess, as I was preparing this sermon, I had to come to terms with the fact that I have more than one fly in my life. I guess we all do. I also must confess that there are a few I am not really keen about giving up. I have a few I want to save until later. Some of them have become pets. I wonder if you also have a few pets?

Growing Up, I lived in the Texas countryside, surrounded by ranches and farms. The nearest city was 7 miles away. My best friend lived about 14 miles away. While we didn’t live on a farm, we did have a large house on a large piece of land. We had lots of pets.

We had cats and dogs. We also raised ducks, geese, turkeys, chickens and rabbits. Mom also took great joy in feeding the birds and the squirrels. There was even an albino squirrel, one that was all white, that mom considered her pet, even though it was wild.

Because we were so far from the city we had our own well from which we received our water. Water was pumped out of the ground into a large storage tank and then it went through several filters and arrived in the house. We not only used it for the animals and watering plants, but we used it for drinking, cooking, washing clothes and taking showers. On one afternoon I remember mom, who had the most sensitive nose, commenting that the water had a unusual smell to it. In time the smell worsened. Dad was convinced to check the water system and filters and see if something was amiss. He checked the pipes and filters all the way back to the large storage tank. When he climbed the ladder to the top of the tank and removed a cover to look inside, the stench just about knocked him off the ladder. It seemed that one of mom’s pet squirrels had somehow climbed inside to get a drink and took an unexpected swim. Unfortunately, he failed his swimming lesson and drowned. Dad reached in to scoop him out and when he picked it up by its tail, it was so rotten that the fur and skin came right off. And this was water we had been drinking. Obviously we drained the tank, and added a good dose of bleach to purify it before we refilled it with water. We also put wire over the openings to prevent a similar occurrence. A few years later, however, the wire rusted through and another squirrel went for a final swim. It was just one squirrel, but the the results were quite disgusting.

While the water filters helped remove some of the smell, in a sense they only made things worse because it took longer to identify the problem. The problem wasn’t solved until the squirrel was removed and a good cleansing took place.

The same is true in our lives. We can try to clean up, what comes out of our lives, our actions, but the actions will only become clean when the source of the contamination, when the heart is cleaned up.

There is always an emptying before the new life can replace the old. A good cleansing or confession must take place.

Then a little extra protection in those weak spots would be prudent, as well, in order to prevent a return of the pesky little problem. In time, our “pets” get us into trouble.

ADVICE ON FLY CONTROL

Avoid flies
FLEE – “Flee the evil desires of youth…”
FOCUS – “pursue faith love righteousness and peace”
FELLOWSHIP “With those who call upon God from a PURE heart.” (2 Timothy 2:22).

Remove the flies– if you sin, then repent and confess it immediately.
“If you confess your sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and CLEANSE us from all unrighteousness.” (I John 1:9)

Use Insect repellent– saturate yourself with the Word,
“Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)

Remember that Survey?
Survey respondents noted temptations were more potent when they had:
* neglected their time with God (81 percent) = (LACK OF FOCUS)
* when they were physically tired (57 percent).

Resisting temptation was accomplished by
* prayer (84 percent),
* avoiding compromising situations (76 percent), (FLEE)
* Bible study (66 percent), and
* being accountable to someone (52 percent). (FELLOWSHIP)
— Discipleship Journal, 11-12/92. “To Verify,” Leadership.

If you do these things, then your life will be “a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour”- well pleasing to the Lord. (Eph. 5:2)

NASA REVISITED
Remember the Mars Climate Orbiter that was lost as a result of using feet instead of metric units. There was something I didn’t tell you about it. When NASA officials were asked about the error, they responded that the error wasn’t the biggest problem. People sometimes make mistakes… that’s common. The biggest mistake, according to NASA officials, was the failure of the system of checks and balances to detect the error and correct it.

I John 1:9 “If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse (or PURIFY) us from all unrighteousness.”

A FLY IN AMBER. (object Lesson)

I have here a piece of amber. I am an avid rock and mineral collector.

Growing up, my mother, remarking on the vast number of stones and minerals that filled my closets, my drawers, my cabinets and overflowed onto the floor of my room, once told me if I brought one more rock in the house I was going to have to move out to make room for my collection. Of course now she is quite fond of my rock collection as long as it includes rubies, opals, jade, and other stones she can wear.

This piece of amber is one of the prized stones in my rock collection. If you have seen the movie “Jurassic Park” or “The Lost World” you might remember the walking cane with the amber pommel. Amber is actually a prehistoric resin, secreted from a tree. Many of our ointments and medicinal cremes are made from such resins. In the case of amber, the resin has fossilized and hardened. Anything caught in the resin is preserved. The resin becomes a miniature time capsule displaying its contents for all to see. The most prized amber are the specimens like this one that contains a fruit fly – a very long time ago, it was merely A FLY IN THE OINTMENT, a fly that became trapped in the resin of a tree. Now it is fossilized and encased in stone.

Too often our lives are like this piece of amber. Instead of removing the fly in the ointment, we allow it to harden and become fossilized.

For some of us the fly has become a prized treasure.
Some of us have become entomologists – insect collectors.
The closets, drawers, and cabinets of our lives are overflowing not with stones but flies. Flies that over time are becoming hardened and fossilized.

What’s the fly in your life?
What is the sin that prevents you from being the fragrant aroma of Christ the Perfumer, your Creator, intended?
What is it that has entered your life and is slowly putrifying your relationship with God?
Let’s take a moment of silent meditation? Let God speak to you…

Where is the stench coming from? 

  • For some of you, this may be the first time you realized the danger of sin in your life… You’ve seen the decay first hand, you’ve experienced the stench, and you’re aware of the destruction one little sin can cause. You’ve looked at your life and you’ve become aware of more than just one fly. But the ONE SON of God came to cleanse you, to save you. I John 1:9
  • Other’s of you, have experienced the cleansing, but over time, the screen rusted out, the little pet sins have crawled back in, and you are starting to smell the stench again. Your testimony isn’t what is should be. Your relationship with God has become stagnant and corrupted. Will you let the fly become fossilized, hardened or will you remove it by confessing before God today. I John 1:9 is for you too.

Let’s confess and Let God purify us today, so that we might experience his presence, his fragrance in our lives. Don’t wait. God can restore you, so that you can be an ointment of healing to a hurting world. I know that truth personally as one small fly completely sidelined me from ministry for a time and cause a lot of pain for others. But God CAN restore! One small sin can be a cause of great destruction, but as Jesus showed us on the cross, God can use one life, clean and pure, yielded before Him, to undo that same destruction.

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Walking on Water

Walking On Water
“Spiritual Growth: Faith and Obedience”
Text: Matthew 14:22-33 (Mark 6:47-52, John 6:16-21)

Preached by Ken Sapp @KPRBC
May 23, 1999

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” He said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat worshipped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” (NIV)

Introduction

I read about an interesting Scientific experiment that was conducted a while back. A group of behavioral Scientists put some rats in a tank of water, with smooth sides so they could not escape nor rest and observed them to see how long they would survive before drowning. The average time was 17 minutes.

Then, they repeated the experiment, but this time they “rescued” the rats just before the point of drowning, dried them off and returned them to their cages…. fed them, and let them play for a few days, and repeated the drowning experiment. This time, the average survival time for these rats increased from 17 minutes to 36 hours! The scientists explained that phenomenon by pointing out that the second time around, the rats had HOPE. They believed that they could survive this, because they had received a helping hand before.

In today’s passage Peter went through a similar faith/hope building experience

Peter’s Background

Steps of Faith
Christ is walking along the shores of the Sea of Galilee and he sees two fishermen casting their nets into the sea. And upon seeing them, He replies, “Come, follow me and I will make you fisher’s of men.” And in Matthew 4:11 we read “At once they left their nets and followed him.” One of those two fishemen is Simon Peter. Imagine those steps of faith Peter first made. A man of whom he knows nothing or little, asks him to follow him and he immediately drops his nets and obeys. Blind faith? Maybe but we don’t know how much Peter has heard about Christ before this occasion. Obedience. Definitely. But this step of faith is only the beginning, he takes another step of faith in Matthew 14, not fishing in the calm seas of the sea of Galilee, but in a storm.

Eyes on Jesus
In Matthew 9 Peter sees Christ interact with two blind men. After the interaction, their first sight is that of Jesus and they tell the entire region about it. In Matthew 14 Peter also sees Jesus, but then he focuses his eyes on the waves and the storm and begins to sink.

An Outreached hand
In Matt. 8:14 Christ visits the house of Peter’s mother in law who is lying in bed with a fever. Jesus reaches out his hand and touches her, and immediately the fever leaves her and she rises up and begins to wait on Jesus. In Matthew 14 Jesus will reach out his hand to Peter and Peter also will rise up and continue to serve Him.

A Calmed Storm
In Matthew 8:23 Jesus is in a boat asleep while a furious storm heaps waves over the boat and Peter is among the disciples who fear for their lives. And Peter is amazed because Jesus rebukes the waves and the storm becomes completely calm. In Matthew 14 as soon as Jesus steps into the boat, the storm is calmed.

A Lesson Learned
As Peter continues to follow Jesus, he sees Christ cast out demons, heal various diseases and illnesses, raise a young girl from the dead, and teach a great many truths of the Kingdom of God. But in today’s passage Peter learns a truth that will take him one step closer to the greatest truth of all. “Who do you say that I am?” Christ asks. And Peter will reply “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” (Matt 16:16)

Today we look at Matthew 14.

Background of the Passage
News of Herod’s murder of John the Baptist reaches Jesus and his followers. (John is the cousin of Jesus) It is with this news that Jesus withdraws to a solitary place, but the crowds follow him. It is late and the multitude is hungry, so with five loaves and two fishes, he feeds 5,000 people. It’s Jesus’ only miracle mentioned in all four Gospels. Then after he feeds the crowd, he sends the disciples away, dismisses the crowd, and goes up into the hills to pray.

But Jesus didn’t just send the disciples away, Christ commands the disciples to cross the lake, at the exact time that a storm will blow in and we find the disciples in the boat, struggling to reach thier destination, buffeted by waves. And then Jesus “went out to them walking on the lake.” The disciples are terrified! It must be a ghost! But it is not. Jesus identifies himself. Peter, seeing Christ walk on the water wants to draw near to him. So he asks Christ for permission to come to him across the water. Jesus says “Come” and Peter steps out of the boat and begins to walk across the water. But the wind is howling and the waves are high, and for a brief moment, he takes his eyes off of Jesus and he begins to sink. “Lord, Save me” he cries out. And Jesus reaches out his hand and lifts him up.

It’s one of the most famous narratives in the scriptures, but one for which Peter gets a lot of criticism.

Charles Swindoll in his book “Three Steps Forward, Two Steps Back” tells the story of a farmer who wanted to impress his hunting buddies. To impress them, he bought the smartest, most expensive hunting dog he could find. He trained this dog to do things no other dog on earth could do—impossible feats that would surely amaze anyone. Then he invited the neighbors to go duck hunting with him. After a long patient wait in the boat a group of ducks flew over and the hunters were able to make a few hits. Several ducks fell in the water. “Go get ‘em!” shouted the proud owner to his magnificent dog. The dog leaped out of the boat, walked on the water, and picked up a bird and returned to the boat. As soon as he dropped the duck in the boat he trotted off across the water again and grabbed another duck and brought it back to the boat. The owner beamed with pride as his wonderful dog walked across the water and retrieved each of the birds one by one. Unable to resist the opportunity to brag a bit he aked his fellow hunters, “Do you notice anything unusual my dog? One of them rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Yes,” he finally said. “Come to think of it, I do! That silly dog doesn’t know how to swim does he??” (paraphrased)

Many give Peter much the same reaction. Instead of recognizing that he was the only disciple to have the faith to even step out of the boat, he is criticized for his lack of faith. He draws close to Christ while 11 other disciples sit in the boat, content in their perceived safety.

SERMON OUTLINE:
I. Step of Faith
II. Eye’s on the Savior
III. Helping Hand

I. Step of Faith

As we look at Peter’s step of faith it is important to note the circumstances in which he makes this important step.

PETER IS IN A STORM
Storms can be frightening. Like the disciples in our text we often find ourselves in the middle of storms. Maybe not storms of thunder and lightning, but the storms of trials and difficulty. Even today, you may be facing storms: an economic crisis, a marital conflict, a misunderstanding with your teenager. Others may be in the storms of physical illness, doubts about their faith, balancing a new job, or dealing with a child recently born into the family. You may have a stormy relationship with a member of the church. We all have storms in life. Anyone who tells you Christianity is smooth sailing on a calm sea doesn’t understand the truth of God’s working in our lives. While it is true that sometimes God calms the storms, more often he calms us in order for us to walk through the storms.

Notice that its the fault of Jesus that the disciples are in the storm. According to this passage and the passage in Mark, Jesus “made” or “constrained his disciples to get into the ship.” The word “constrained” means that Jesus ordered or commanded His disciples to take the ship across the Sea of Galilee. The disciples were in a storm because Jesus ordered them to go across in the boat. I believe Jesus, the master of the waves and the winds, knew the storm would come as was frequent for the sea of Galilee. And while they are making their way across “the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew.” (Mathew 14:18) And we are told that the ship was tossed or buffeted by the waves. The phrase in Matthew 14:24 is variously translated “beaten, battered, tormented, tossed by the waves.”

When the Lord sends us into a storm… there is a purpose.

Sometimes the Lord’s Purpose is Correction. Let’s look at an illustration of that. Remember Jonah. He jumped on a ship and was going in the wrong direction so God sent a storm and some interesting transportation to get him back in the right direction.

Sometimes the Lord’s Purpose is spiritual growth. The Lord will use a storm to help us grow and mature in our spiritual walk with Jesus–to help our faith and obedience grow. Remember what Paul said in Romans 5:3 and 5:4, We rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; and perseverance produces character; and character produces hope. Remember James 1:2-5, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

I believe that the whole purpose of the storm was to help the disciples grow in their faith. For the disciples, this was not a corrective storm for they were doing what the Lord had commanded them to do. They had to learn to trust Him…even when He was not physically present with them.

Buffeted by the Waves
So in Matthew and Mark we see the disciples, buffeted by the waves, straining at the oars, trying to go where Christ has commanded, but finding the going difficult. We too, when seeking to be obedient to Christ strain at the oars. We’re trying to do what the Lord has asked us to do, but there is resistance. — Perhaps that resistance is the displeasure of other people, differences of opinion, personality conflicts, swimming against the prevailing ideas or traditions. Maybe it is fatigue or circumstances which seem to be out of control. Perhaps the resistance lies within us. Maybe we are content to merely stay in the boat. For some we have chosen a destination and a goal and have forgot that the ultimate destination or goal is to draw closer to Jesus.

Peter’s Step is one of Great Faith, of Great Expectations
William Carey said, “Expect great things of God, and attempt great things for God.” Certainly Peter did! Most of us are satisfied with little things from God, but not Peter. Out of the 12, only Peter asks to join Jesus in walking on the water. A simple command, “Come” was the only thing Peter had to base his faith upon. Relying on the Lord’s promise, Peter climbed out of the boat, stepped on the water, and walked on the sea toward the Lord. From the context of the Scripture, we aren’t sure how far he had walked or how many steps he had taken before he started to sink. But we are sure that he did actually walk on water –overcoming the natural laws of the universe.

First, You see, Peter wanted to be with Jesus regardless of the risk and he knew that whatever God commands of us, He empowers us to do.

Secondly, Peter realizes that it is better to be with Jesus, without a boat, than it is to be in a boat without Jesus.

Peter understood that it was better to be out in the lake, with the waves swelling, the lightning flashing, the wind howling, the thunder rolling, the boat sinking, than to be in the boat without Jesus. F.B. Meyer writes, “Unbelief puts our circumstance between us and God, but faith puts God between us and our circumstances.”

So Peter took a step of faith
• To follow Jesus,
• To be close to Jesus,
• To walk as Jesus walked.

Faith can never be called true faith unless it is accompanied by action, by obedience

So Peter obeyed, Jesus’ command to come and stepped out in faith. James tells us, Faith without works is dead.

Peter began well – he actually got out of the boat! But then he began to sink (literally) back into his old way of thinking. His faith became a bit watered down. Why? He took his eyes off of Jesus.

II. Eyes on Jesus

Matt: 14″…But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink…”

Peter took his eyes off Jesus and as a result begin to sink… Verse 30. Peter began to look at his circumstances; the water, the wind, the waves, the storm about him. And when he did, he begin to sink in fear. Remember the quote from F.B. Meyer? “Unbelief puts our circumstance between us and God, but faith puts God between us and our circumstances.” Suddenly Peter noticed the wind and the waves and as soon as they became the focus of his attention they came between him and God.

You see, the difference between walking on water and sinking in despair is in our eyes. When we keep our eyes on Jesus, we’re able to walk on water. Our is desire is only on drawing near to him and nothing will stand in our way. But when we start looking: at our circumstances, at our situation, at the storms in life– We lose faith… And a lost faith causes us to sink.

What we focus on in life will either feed our faith or feed our fear. Which will it be for you? Ever have that sinking feeling? We all have. Peter wanted to be with Jesus, but to do so, he had to keep his eyes fixed on Him, regardless of the circumstances.

Today, attempts are made walk as Jesus walked, often in very difficult situations. When totally concentrating on the Person of the Lord and obeying in simple faith, we can walk on water. As soon as we become intimidated by our circumstances we will sink. But when we sink, are not lost.

Jesus will reach out…

III. An Uplifting Hand

Not a finger pointed in accusation, but a hand stretched out to uplift
While we may remark on Christ’s criticism of Peter’s lack of faith, the greatest element of this story is that Christ Lifts Peter up. He doesn’t merely point a finger in rebuke, he stretches out his hand in help. When Peter is sinking, Christ lifts him up. He doesn’t overlook Peter’s doubt but he does do something about it.. he helps Peter back to his feet. At the crucial moment, the One who understands human weakness completely, immediately stretches out His hand and catches Peter, preventing him from sinking further. The focal point of this narrative is what what happened when Peter sunk, more specifically, how Christ responded when Peter got that sinking feeling.

It is written that “Jesus immediately extends his hand and takes hold of him. It says “immediately.” So it is that Christ took hold of Peter and it is not that Peter grabbed hold of the extended hand.

Doubt? 
Christ called what was going on in Peter’s heart “doubt.” “Why did you doubt?” What is this “doubt” of which Christ speaks? James 1 calls he who doubts a “double minded man.” Peter’s heart had been divided in two. He trusted Christ enough to step out of the boat, but when he began to sink he feared for his life and doubted Christ would save him. As Peter began to sink into the raging waves, he feared for his life, even though Jesus was close by. Our Lord immediately reached out and caught Peter, then made the remark in question. I don’t believe Jesus was calling Peter’s wave-walking faith into question, but Peter’s lack of faith in Christ’s ability to save him after he began to sink. Jesus in effect was saying: “Peter, after bringing you out on the water, why did you doubt I wouldn’t save you, when you began to falter?” You lost sight of me, but that doesn’t mean I am not here to lift you up.

Stay in the Boat?
I really don’t believe Jesus chided Peter for his water walking faith. To buy into this misconception means you should stay safe in the boat until sure you’d never take your eyes off Jesus, which could well mean you’d stay in the boat forever. What God wants and this world desperately needs is more people willing to get out of the boat and walk on spiritual water when Jesus says, “Come.” The Lord knows we’re weak, imperfect and likely to take our eyes off Him and fearfully glance at the threatening waves. The important thing with God is that we obediently try, not that we don’t sink some from time to time. I don’t believe Jesus wants us to be like the 11 disciples cowering in the boat, safe, but not drawing any nearer to Christ–safe and afraid to follow Peter’s lead. Too often we want enough faith to save us, but not enough faith to draw near to Jesus. Jesus wants us to draw near to Him, knowing full well that we are going to sink from time to time when we don’t stay focused on Him. And when we do start to falter and sink, Jesus wants us to remember His rescuing hand is only a quick prayer away.

The Body of Christ is the Hand of Christ Today
But there is another lesson to be learned today about a helping hand. Today the body of Christ is that helping hand. When we see someone struggling in the waves, buffeted by storms, sinking in despair and doubt we need to reach out a hand and help them up. Too often we stop at the proclamation of their lack of faith and never extend a hand to help. I find it strange that so many Christians are quick to criticize but are unwilling to help someone when they are down. I’ve heard people say, “That person should know better. He isn’t a teen any more.” Some seem content to push them under or remain in the boat and point a finger. They would rather point a finger than extend a helping hand. They can be so content sitting in the boat when there are people around them sinking. After all, its the persons own fault they are sinking right? I am sure Peter is thankful Christ didn’t have the same attitude.

Our mission as the Church is not to be filled with judgment but to walk the path of Christ. We need to reach out when a follower is sinking, to be the hope where there is despair, to be the strength where there is no faith, to be the love amidst the hatred in this world. Our mission is a continuation of Christ’s – to reach out and help one another through the storms of life.

Illustration:
Two longstanding church members were in a boat fishing with a new Christian. Fishing is a great time for conversation and each was proclaiming his fervent faith and devotion to God. As they were discussing their faith, one’s hat blew into the water. So he stood up, calmly stepped onto the water, walked over to his hat, picked it up off the water, and walked backed to the boat. The new Christian was amazed how this Christian could seemingly walk on water. As the new Christian was pondering this, the other church member’s hat blew into the water. He also very calmly stepped onto the water, walked over to his hat, picked it up off the water, and walked backed to the boat. The new Christian was overwhelmed at how spiritual these men must be to have walked on the water as they did. Then the new Christian thought to himself, “Well, if these guys can do it, so can I”, and he “helped” his hat blow into the water. He very calmly stepped out of the boat and sank beneath the surface. As he fought his way to the surface, gasping for breath, the two long-standing church members turned to each other and said, “I think we should have told him about the stepping stones.”

We have many people in our church struggling with their faith. They are trying to walk like Jesus, but they are sinking. And they need some of you to be willing to step in and show them where the stepping stones are to a closer walk with Jesus. Are you willing?

Lets look at the RESULTS of Peter’s step of faith….

All of them worshiped Jesus and said: “You are certainly God’s Son!” (Matthew 14:33) And the next day Peter, in the name of all of them, said: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. And we believe and know that You are the Holy One of God.” John 6:68-69. And I believe it was this incident that took Peter a step closer to the greatest truth of all. “Who do you say that I am?” Christ asks. And Peter will reply “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” (Matt 16:16)

Conclusion:

I heard about a guy out in Texas who invited a lot of bachelors out to his ranch for a BBQ. He got them all around and once he got them all in place he stood up before them and said, “Look over this edge at my little lake on my ranch. I have filled it with crocodiles and alligators.” He said, “If there is anyone willing to walk across these alligators and crocodiles and go from this end of the lake and get out on the other side alive, I’ll give you one of three things. I’ll give you a 500 acre ranch, a million dollars in cash, or the hand of my daughter in marriage. Which ever one you want.” He had no sooner said it than somebody jumped into that lake. “Splash,” he heard it and looked over the edge and there was a guy in that lake who didn’t even take his shoes off. He still had a three piece suit on. He was running across those gaters and crocs as fast as humanly possible. Water was flying everywhere. Crocodiles snapping and alligators chasing him and this guy was going through it all. He made it all the way to the other end. He climbed out soaking wet but without a scratch on him. He was breathing deeply trying to get his breath. The rich Texan went over to him and this is what he said, “Son, I meant this as a practical joke. I didn’t really mean for anyone to swim that lake. But you did it and I’m as good as my word. Which one do you want, the five hundred acre ranch, the one million dollars in cash, or my daughter’s hand in marriage?” The young man looked at the rich Texan and said, “I don’t want neither one of them. I just want to get my hands on the man that pushed me! That’s what I want!”

[You know, I have found out that to get some church members to step out of the boat sometimes you have to nudge them a little bit.]

Application

I want to nudge you a bit as well. If you see someone sinking in their faith, don’t point your finger, extend a hand to lift them up. Maybe you need to invite some of the young adults over for a BBQ (without the alligators and crocodiles please) and reach out to them in love.

Jesus has called us all to walk in his footsteps… to step out of the boat and to follow him, draw close to him, and to walk as he walks. Are will you merely sitting in the boat? I want to give you a push. Yeah there is a storm out there… there may even be a few alligators and crocodiles but you’ve stayed in the boat too long. You are struggling with the oars trying to go places for God when Jesus wants you to draw near to him. Don’t be content with just enough faith to be safe, step out and draw near to Jesus, focus on him and not the circumstances and the storms, and if you get that sinking feeling remember he wants to reach out his hand and lift you up and expects you to do the same when you see someone else faltering.

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Blessed are the Meek

Blessed are the Meek

Matthew 5:5

Preached by Ken Sapp

January 16, 2000

Introduction: “The Sermon on the Mount Today”

Then Jesus took his disciples up the mountain and gathering them around him And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Then Simon Peter said, “Do we have to write this down?”
And Andrew said, “Are we supposed to know this?”
And Philip said, “What if we don’t know it?”
And Bartholomew said, “Do we have to turn this in?”
And John said, “The other disciples didn’t have to learn this.”
And Matthew said, “When do we get out of here?”
And Judas said,’ “What does this have to do with real life?”

And Jesus wept.

Today we are looking at a portion of Jesus’ sermon on the mount known as the beattitudes. I hope you don’t see this as an academic endeavor, but as a way to live your life.

“Blessed are the meek”

Aspirations of Greatness?
James and John were two ambitious, self-assured, self-promoting disciples. If anyone had an ambition to inherit the earth, it was James and John. They asked to be seated at Jesus’ right in Heaven. They argued over who would be greatest in the kingdom. They were always fighting to be at the front of the queue. “Jesus, haven’t you noticed? We’re the best…of this group. Aren’t you making plans for us to be your #1 and #2 for eternity?” And I can almost imagine Jesus coming to this point and taking a glance over at his overambitious disciples, James and John. “Blessed are the Meek for they will inherit the earth.”

Meekness is not any more popular as an aspiration today as it was to James and John!

In today’s society, where rights our focus, meekness is not a popular idea. It’s more common to read articles or books, telling us how to get what we deserve, how to exercize our rights, how to be ambitious and sucessful in our ambitions of greatness. If you asked your friends or family or co-workers to make a list of your most admirable traits, chances are you wouldn’t appreciate seeing that word, MEEK? When you were a kid, did you ever say “I hope I can be meek when I grow up!” Parents tell their children to be honest, hard-working and to stand up for themselves, to be successful. Have you ever heard a father tell his child “I want you to learn to be more meek?”

Who wants to be meek?

Is Meek Weak?
When we think of meek, we think of a wishy-washy, spineless, someone without a backbone — someone who is afraid to stand up for himself, someone who lets others push him around.

Illustration
There is a group founded by J. Upton Dickson called DOORMATS. That stands for “Dependent Organization Of Really Meek And Timid Souls.” Their motto was: “The meek shall inherit the earth — if that’s okay with everybody.” Their symbol was the yellow traffic light, whose message is, Slow down and prepare to yield the right of way to others. That’s not what the Bible is talking about when it speaks of meekness. The biblical concept of meekness does not imply weakness. It does not mean wimpy. Whatever Biblical meekness is, it is not being a doormat. All we have to do is to think of Moses confronting Pharaoh or to think of Jesus with a scourge of cords driving the moneychangers out of the temple. Of these two men described in the Bible I as meek..these are not actions of someone who is weak.

Is it timid or passive?
I used to think of meek as being timid or passive. If you ordered fish and received liver, you said nothing, because it would be un-Christian . . . “blessed are the meek, for they shall enjoy liver.” If someone cut the queue you had been standing in for sometime, you smiled, because it is “blessed to be meek, for they shall arrive late.”

“Blessed are the meek” is against our human reasoning. Our natural tendency is to strive for honor, high positions, material posessions, and power. Yet in the beattitudes Jesus commended and blessed the meek!

Other scriptures that also encourage meekness

1. (Note: in modern translations the Greek word is often translated “gentle”) Matt 11:29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (NKJ)
2. Gal 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (NKJ)
3. Eph 4:1-2 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, (NKJ)
4. Col 3:12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; (NKJ)
5. 1 Tim 6:11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. (NKJ)
6. 2 Tim 2:24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, (NKJ)
7. Titus 3:1-2 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. (NKJ)

So if meekness is not weakness and it is an attribute we are to possess, What is meekness?

A. Definition: (Webster’s dictionary)
o has as the first definition of meek: “patient and mild; not inclined to anger or resentment.”
o Then the second definition is, “too submissive; easily imposed on; spineless; spiritless.” This is the definition that has given meekness such a bad name, and we don’t think of it as a good quality. But neither one of these definitions are what Jesus meant by meek; they are too passive.
o Webster’s third definition, one that he calls obsolete now is “gentle or kind.” That’s why in modern translations you see the word “gentle” rendered rather than “meek”. You see, meek does not mean just passively sitting there, letting everyone take advantage of you because you have no “backbone” or spirit. It means actively reaching out to others with gentleness and kindness.

B. Characteristics:
Meekness could be described as being mild, gentle, humble, tenderhearted, patient, slow to anger, controlled, moderated, not self-seeking, self-less

C. Examples of Meekness in the Bible

1. Moses
The Old Testament tells us “now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth” (Numbers 12:3). Meek, yes, but spineless and spiritless, no! Think about the job that God had for him the last forty years of his life. He confronted Pharaoh at least a dozen times, demanding he let the children of Israel go free. He led the greatest group of grumblers ever assembled in one place for forty years through the wilderness and resolved problem after problem for them. He had a tremendous relationship with God, a relationship in which God spoke to him face to face as a friend (Ex. 33:11; Numbers 12:8; Deut. 5:4; 34:10). Yet in spite of this boldness for God, Moses would not defend his own name. Moses was put down for his personality, character, and leadership; yet he never defended himself. Conversely, He would stand to defend the name of the Lord at all costs. Looking at Moses we see meekness is not standing for our own honor. It is standing for God’s honor.

2. Jesus
Jesus said that He was “meek and lowly in heart” (Matthew 11:29), but he was never seen as spineless or spiritless. Do you remember what He did when He saw the temple being desecrated by merchants buying and selling in it? Twice in His ministry He took a whip and “cleaned it out.” He took on the whole crowd and drove them from the temple area since they made his father’s house a house of theives. That’s not an action of a weak and timid man. Yet what we know of Jesus gives us an even greater example of meekness.

John 10:18 “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” (NIV)

Isa 53:7 “He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; he was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth. (NKJ)

2 Corinthians 8:9 “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich”

Philippians 2:5-8, NAS “[A]lthough He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross”.

D. Greek word PRAUS
1. In Greek literature the word is Used to describe a soothing medicine
2. Used by sailors to describe a gentle breeze
3. Used by farmers to describe a broken colt or tamed animal

All three are examples of great power under control.

* Medicine does not give up its strength or power to cure the sick, but it’s strength is controlled?
* The wind does not give up power to push the ship across the sea, but the sail are set to control its power.
* A horse does not give up its strength or power when broken to its owners command, but its strength is brough under the control of it’s rider.

Focus on three aspects of Meekness
1. Power under God’s control
2. Self is conceded to the Will of God
3. Quiet Trust in God

1. Power under control
* Controlled in a gentleness – a restraining
* The meek person is a gentle person. They do what is right before God in every situation. They do not have a domineering spirit but will often give up their own rights for the good of another. No task is too high for them, and none are too low. Controlled temper
* Meek are patient. If others grieve them, they put up with it. They do not simply forgive seven times, but seventy times seven times. In fact they often do not feel that anything has been done to need forgiveness, for they have not taken the other’s actions as an affront. Controlled between extremes

It is a “a happy medium between extremes.” Meekness is moderation.
o Meekness is a medium between uncontrolled, unjustifiable anger (angry without reason) and not becoming angry at all no matter what takes place around you. A meek person can have anger when others are treated unjustly, but not be angry when he is unjustly treated (Mark 3:1-5; John 2:13-16. It is getting angry at right time, in the right measure, and for the right reason.
o It lies between a bad temper and spineless incompetence
o It lies between between being dominating/overbearing and recklessness indifference
o It lies between being impatient and being aloof

2. Self is conceded to the Will of God
* Self is obscured by a desire to please God
* As such they seem to be humble. But it is not a putting down of self, but an exaltation and magnification of God to such an extent that any sense of self is as a drop in the Ocean. If we are ever to inherit the kingdom, we must get rid of sinful ambitions, discontent, anger, self-seeking and selfishness. Our will becomes dissolved in the will of God.
* Meekness is not self-centered; but is God-centered.
* Submissive to will of God.

If there was one thing about Jesus’ ministry that consistently stood out, it would be that He always submitted His will to the Father’s will. He denied Himself and did the Father’s will. This is a primary characteristic of a meek person. Whatever God wills, they will do. They do not quarrel with God, nor do they rebel against His dealings with them. A meek person, one who is submissive to God’s will, knows the real meaning of Romans 8:28. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Like Paul, the meek know that God’s grace is sufficient, for His power is made perfect in weakness. .

3. Quiet Trust in God

Finally, meekness involves contentment. The meek person is not ambitious for a position that they do not have. If God wants to exalt them to a high position, that’s all right. But if He wants to keep them in a low position, that’s all right, too. A meek person is satisfied with what God provides for them. They have their ups and downs, but their God is the God of the mountains and the valleys. If they can have God’s face shining on them, they are satisfied whether they are on the mountaintop or in the valley. They are content with what they have and believe that “Enough is as good as a feast.” No matter what happens to them, it is well with them, and they are content knowing that their life is in God’s hands. And since they trust in God, they are also able to put others before themselves. There is no need to strive in efforts to meet their own needs. God will meet them and he knows our needs better than we do. As he takes care of the sparrows and the lillies of the field, even more so will he take care of us. Thus efforts can be directed in ministering and serving others. We can place their needs ahead of our own because we know God will meet our needs for us.

What Is the end result for the Meek?

1. First they are “Blessed” or Happy! They have a true abiding peace in their heart that is not effected by circumstances.
2. The Second, inherit the Earth. How shall the meek inherit the earth? I don’t believe he is speaking of a parel of land, a material possession. In I Tim. 4:8. Paul says, “. . . godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”
* The present life – Overcoming It
* They don’t let the world and others control them, but are self controlled. They do not react, but act by choice. They are more like a thermostat than a thermometer. A thermometer rises and falls with its surroundings, but a thermostats sets its own spiritual temperature. The present life – Contentment
* The meek inherit the earth in another sense, namely, they enjoy what they have. If you show me a person who thoroughly enjoys life, I will tell you at once that they have a meek and quiet spirit. Enjoyment of life does not consist in the possessions of riches. There are many rich people who are utterly miserable. There are also many poor people who are equally miserable. You may have misery, or you may have happiness, according to your state of heart in any condition of life. The meek person is thankful, happy and contented, and it is this contentment that makes life enjoyable. The future life – Reign with Christ

When Christ returns to reign over the earth, we will return and reign with Him.

Application: Meekness is a choice
We tend to believe that the person who does not demand one’s rights, who does not seek one’s own best interests all the time, who does not respond to wrongs done against oneself must necessarily do so because they are weak or frightened. It never occurs to us, that that person may simply have made a choice not to do so based on principle. At the core of meekness is choice. In every situation you and I face we have choices presented to us. If a person cuts in front of me on the PIE, I can shake my fist at him, tailgate him, cut in front of him at the earliest possible moment, or I can decide that it really isn’t that important and just keep driving. The same is true of times when some may have talked about me or has been rude or is taking advantage of me. I can react in anger, seek revenge, demand my own way, or I can choose to do none of those things. It’s my choice. In meekness I choose my actions, based on principles, even when those choices run counter to society’s norms.I restrain and control my actions. I submit my will to that of God’s will. I choose to be content in whatever the circumstances. Now, looking at meekness in those terms certainly puts to lie the idea that meekness equals weakness. When you make a choice based on principle, then you have exercised the greatest strength of all.

Think about the way we approach people when you have a difficulty with them, be the person a sales clerk, a coworker, an employee or family member. Do you choose meekness, gentleness in your dealings with them? When you have something tough to say to someone, do you treat that person with humility, thinking of their feelings before you speak?”

A truly strong person, because of that strength and security, is free to treat people with meekness. “Meekness is not weakness; meekness is power submitting in love.” The selfish greedy man cannot inherit the earth — he may own it briefly, but it possesses him and he is its slave.

a. The meek person uses his power under God’s control
b. The meek person knows he is not the answer, God is, so he is willing to be used by God
c. The meek person does not need to overcome or overwhelm, for he knows that God will do all of that
d. The Meek person is content!

Conclusion

Michael Jordan’s team was once down by 20 points in a game. The super-star pumped it up into over-drive, and began to contest every shot, scrapped for every rebound, swiped at every pass. He was aggressive, nearly ruthless. But in each play he was supremely talented and powerful. He seemed like a basketball juggernaut. He mowed over the other merely-human players. He was a scoring machine, and a defensive fortress. Overpowering is the word.

The next week, however, he was meek. He had all the same power that he’d shown in the previous game. It was just that he had the ball stolen several times in the next game. He was blocked out from collecting rebounds, he couldn’t hit a basket because of the tough defensive pressure, and he turned the ball over repeatedly. The difference? He was playing in a benefit game against disabled students. He let them steal the ball from him. He let them beat him. He was meek; he had all the power of the previous game, it was just governed, under control.

The Olympic Games will soon be held in Australia. They are about winning, competing, beating your opponent, dominating the opposition. At the Special Olympics in Seattle a few years ago, nine mentally handicapped children lined up at the starting line for the 100 yard dash. At the gun they all came out sprinting as fast as they could. One little boy, in the middle of the pack, stumbled and fell down, and began to cry in shame and disappointment and embarrassment. The other eight heard his cries and slowed down and stopped and turned around and walked back to him. A little girl with Down Syndrome bent down to help him up and kissed him and said “this will make it better.” And then all nine held hands and walked to the finish line. The crowd, at first silent, cheered for a long time. People who saw it are still telling the story.

Closing Prayer

Bow your heads for a few moments and ask God to search your heart. Ask Him to give you the spirit of meekness and gentleness that you need. If He shows you anything in your heart that should not be there, confess it as sin, ask His forgiveness and ask Him to cleanse you of it. God stands ready to make us what He tells us we must be! Submit to Him and to His Word, and let Him have His way in your life today! Bring your life under his control, yield your will to his will, be content in whatever circumstances he has placed you in. Choose to be meek!


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The Sermon on the Mount Today

Then Jesus took his disciples up the mountain and gathering them around him And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Then Simon Peter said, “Do we have to write this down?”
And Andrew said, “Are we supposed to know this?”
And Philip said, “What if we don’t know it?”
And Bartholomew said, “Do we have to turn this in?”
And John said, “The other disciples didn’t have to learn this.”
And Matthew said, “When do we get out of here?”
And Judas said,’ “What does this have to do with real life?”

And Jesus wept.


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