1 Corinthians 15:14-20, “is the resurrection necessary?” [Listen]

Easter ‘08′

Is it critical that we believe Jesus rose from the dead? Isn’t it the death of Jesus that we must agree on?

The Death of Jesus

The death of Jesus is that singular event that displayed God’s glory like no other. In this one event we have the perfections of God being displayed for all humanity see and experience. The death of Jesus was a display of God’s perfect and pure love being poured out for a people that hated him and preferred self.

The death of Jesus was also a display of God’s justice. God cannot and will not ignore evil – he would not be good or just if he simply forgot about sin – that’s evil. So, Jesus took on flesh so he could face God’s judgment in our place – the perfect sacrifice for those who deserve to be abandoned. The death of Jesus makes the forgiveness of sin a reality.

Jesus’ death on the cross also guarantees that there will be a final judgment one day. The God of the universe does not die for no reason – he died to save us from a judgment that is surely coming. One day each of us will see God and be judged based on what we’ve put our hope in. If I am depending on my good works or my innate goodness, then that’s how I’ll be judged. That will not work for me – I’m not that good. I will depend on Jesus instead – he cannot fail. Please don’t depend on yourself.

The Resurrection

A great deal rests on the resurection of Jesus. The resurrection is the logical ‘next step’ after Jesus’ death. If Jesus really is who he said he is – God’s son – his breaking free of death should be expected.

Because the resurrection of Jesus is a critical and necessary reality, the authors of the Bible make a great effort to speak of the resurrection and its value. In short the truth is this; all of the benefits that might exist through the death of Jesus DO NOT EXIST if Jesus was not raised from the dead.

1 Corinthians 15:14-20 (NIV)

And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

If Jesus has not been raised from the dead:

• your faith is pointless – vs14
• Paul is a liar – vs15
• There is no reason to believe we really will live after we die – vs15
• We are still in our sins – vs17
• Those who have died before are lost in their sins – vs18
• We are stupid to do anything other than what feels good now – there’s nothing else – vs19

It was important that the resurrection of Jesus was a public event with over 500 people seeing him alive and well after his execution. Paul even encouraged his audience in Corinth to talk with those who saw Jesus after his resurrection – hundreds still alive.

1 Corinthians 15:3-6 (NIV)

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.

Paul is challenging his audience to check it out. Paul is challenging his audience to talk with the many, many people who witnessed a risen Jesus.

Four important realities from the resurrection of Jesus:

1) The resurrection of Jesus proved him to be the Son of God

Romans 1:4 (NIV)

… [Jesus] through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead:

2) While our sin is covered through the death of Jesus, our new spiritual life comes with Jesus’ resurrection and is seen as being raised from the dead.

1 Peter 1:3-4 (NIV)

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you…

Ephesians 2:4-5 (NIV)

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

John 5:25 (NIV)

I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.

3) God’s power under the resurrection of Jesus is the same power available to all of his children

Ephesians 1:18-20 (NIV)

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has calledyou, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms…

4) Jesus’ resurrection is a foretaste of our physical resurrection

1 Corinthians 6:14 (NIV)

By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also.

John 6:39 (NIV)

And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.

1 Corinthians 15:20 (NIV)

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

The resurrection is necessary if Jesus is going to actually BE the Messiah. If Jesus is to have all power, and all authority to rule over his creation in victory, he cannot be dead! If Jesus is going to move powerfully through the lives of his people he cannot be dead!

Matthew 28:16-20 (NIV)

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Final Challenge

What do you do if you cannot die? How do you live if you cannot die? What do you do if you will live forever and the next phase will be unemaginably wonderful – forever?

Please do not spend your time living for self and focused on accumulating what this world values. Don’t live as if you have no hope!

Romans 3:25-26, “justice and the death of Jesus” [Listen]

Good Friday

There are many ways to look at the death of Jesus. Scripture is full of different reasons for why Jesus died.

We can say Jesus died:

• To show his love for us (Eph 5:2)
• To purify, for himself, a people that are zealous for doing good (Titus 2:14).
• To give us an example for how husbands should love their wives (Eph 5:25)
• To create a people who would not live for themselves but live for God (2 Cor 5:15)
• So piece could reign between God and humanity (Romans 5:10)

There many other precious and wonderful things we can say about why Jesus would allow himself to be humiliated, tortured, and murdered while completely faultless.

Tonight, however, I’d like to talk about Jesus’ death and a foundational problem that has faced human reality since the beginning. That problem is the problem of justice.

Humans hold tightly to the concept of justice – making right what is wrong. Humanity believes it is morally right and necessary to pursue justice – the pursuit of ‘justice’ is a righteous thing.

Our pursuit of justice is a glaring pointer to our belief that there is such a thing as right and wrong; that there is a standard that transcends culture. And we believe those who violate what is right MUST be held accountable. We expend great effort and resource to make sure we uphold what is right and prosecute what is wrong.

This innate sense of justice that we as humans have – as wrong as we sometimes get it – is a pointer to God. Even if perfect justice doesn’t exist here, we believe there is right and wrong and there will come a day when God will look at all that is wrong and make it right. There will come a day when every sin will be dealt with rightly. Justice is not an optional product of God’s will; justice is an unchangeable principle of his very nature.

This reality also brings us to a problem. What do WE do with a just God who would not be a good God if he wasn’t just? If we had an earthly judge who simply let criminals go because he felt like it or because he could be bribed, we would call that judge corrupt and evil – we would put that judge in jail. Often, however, we want justice when we’ve been wronged and we want an evil judge who can be bribed when we’ve commit wrong. I want a God who will do what’s right in every situation except when he looks at me.

God, however, is not partial – EVERYONE will be judged rightly.

So where does that leave me? Often I worship the creation instead of the creator. My thoughts and desires betray who I am even if I hide it well. I lie and cheat and only put God first enough to appear to be righteous. What do I do when I face God?

This is why Jesus came. Jesus came and lived as we live. He was tempted as we are tempted (only without failure). Jesus came to die the death we deserve and become the object of judgment in place of those who will trust him alone to be their rightness before God.

God would not be good if he ignored sin – every sin will be dealt with. Without Jesus I have no hope because I must then bear the consequence of my own sin.

Romans 3:25-26 (ESV)

…God put [Jesus] forward as a propitiation (sin-bearer) by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness/justice, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness/justice at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

John 3:16 (ESV)

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

There is a way for you to be right before God. Jesus came to be judged, to die in your place. You do not need to be the one to bear the judgment for your sin. Confess your helplessness and embrace Jesus – he will represent you.

Matthew 7:24-29, “the coming storm” [Listen]

Jesus finishes this lengthy section (Matthew 5-7) talking about the importance of acting on his words. Failure to do so will result in catastrophe.

24“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

I’d like to start this morning by summarizing Jesus’ closing thoughts starting with Matthew 6:24:

If you are to be a person of the Kingdom you cannot have split loyalties – you cannot live for the priorities of this world AND for God (6:24). Trust God for what you need (6:25-34).

Instead of following the religious norm of the day, stop judging others; that’s not you’re role. You can best help others when you work from a devoted and righteous life – work on that! (7:1-5).

Don’t worry that many will reject my message (7:6); pursue God with all you have (7:7-12).

This path is difficult and most will not take it (7:13-14). So be aware; there are many who will gain a following with attractive teaching that, in the end, leads to hell (7:15-23). If my words are the foundation of your life you will be able to stand through the storm that is coming (24-28).
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In these final words of this section Jesus brings his instruction to a point of action. He starts with a group of people who all hear his message. Not all, however, respond the same way. Some receive his words as the revelation of God and devote themselves to them – they are building their lives on a sure foundation. When the storm comes they will be O.K. They are compelled to let go of all other choices and follow Jesus and his ways.

Others will hear but will not let go of their gods – they are building their lives on the sand of religiosity. They do not have a foundation that will hold – they will die in the storm.

Some missunderstand Matt 5-7. They see Jesus’ words of instruction here as a formula for success at the final judgement. They understand Jesus’ call to do our best to live a kind and righteous life. In the end God will see our effort and our good works and be satisfied with how we’ve lived out what’s inside everyone – basic goodness. After all what else can we do?

To see this passage that way is to condem yourselves to hell. Thinking you can live a life that warrents heaven is exatly what what the false prophits will advise. This section should lead you to the opposite conclusion. In it I find that, at a minimum, I’m a murderer (5:21) and I committ adultery (5:28).

When Jesus delivered these words he had not yet gone to the cross. He had not yet died for our sins. He had not yet been raised from the dead. He had not yet gone to be with the Father or sent the Holy Spirit to indwell and empower those he would re-birth. Everyone who heard him deliver this “sermon” was being told what it “looked” like to be a God-follower – how we should live – before the cross or after the cross. Jesus was giving the Scriptures their much needed, full interpretation (5:17).

Jesus was a rabbi of an unconventional type. He would not conform to the pressures of the system around him and he was gathering a group of followers who would eventually see him for who he really was – not simply a teacher of God’s word, but God himself. Not simply a radical who was killed in a political/religious frenzy, but the One who, through his death, would finally kill sin and blow open the door to God.

The coming storm

Most understand the storm Jesus was referring to as God’s judgment – the storm of God’s judgment is coming. At that time God will judge everyone fairly – he will judge everyone based on what they’ve put their hope in – their foundation. If you put your hope in yourself and your ability to live a ‘good’ life you will see how bad your ‘good’ life really was – it will actually be your downfall. If you’ve abandoned yourself and are trusting only in Jesus and his death for you, he will be your champion – this foundation cannot move.

There is a great storm coming for you – will you live through it?

Matthew 7:15-23, “false prophets” [Listen]

There are false prophets / teachers all around us these days. This is a very appropriate warning for us.

15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?

17-20 Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

21-23 Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”

The New Testament is full of warnings like this one (Matt 24:3-5, 24; Romans 16:17-18; 1 Timothy 4:1-2; 2 Peter 2:1; 1 John 4:1; 2 John 7; Jude 4, 10).

Acts 20:28-30 (NIV)

Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.

Vs 15 – they will appear to be people who follow the great shepherd (one of his sheep), but will, in reality, be there to consume them / take advantage of them (gr. = extort).

Jesus give two ways to be discerning in how we recognize false prophets / false teachers. He talks about these ways with word pictures that both ways have to do with fruit

The First way to recognize false prophets – Listen for what they say

Vs 16 – The first way should be easier than the second – but it isn’t always. Thornbushes and thistles do not produce fruit. Don’t expect plants that don’t produce fruit to produce fruit. We could use any fruit here – grapes, figs, apples, oranges. A false prophet, a wolf in sheeps clothing, one who would tear apart the flock or take advantage of those who follow Jesus have no real fruit. I think the call here is to listen to the teaching. If the teaching doesn’t follow Scripture, don’t worry about the impact they can make or the crowd they can create or the cheers they can produce. If they don’t align with Scripture they are false. Paul warned Timothy about this…

2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NIV)

For the time will come when men 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. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

There are many, many teachers today who cannot stand up to the test of Scripture. They will be attractive in what they offer – otherwise we wouldn’t notice them in the first place. They will often want us to believe we can embrace both Jesus and the idols of this world – they are false teachers. What they say sounds good, in a way. But often, in the end, they appeal more to my human sensuality than to the call to repent, let go of every idol, and cling to Jesus and his mission.

The second way to recognize false prophets – watch who they are / what they do

Vs 17-20 – If what they say rings true (it can stand up to Scripture), we must look at the fruit. Grapes come from a grapevine, figs from a figtree, and apples from an appletree. Only Jesus yields fruit that looks like Jesus. The fruit that comes from the Holy Spirit looks like Jesus. The fruit that comes from God the Father looks like Jesus.

In the immediate context of Matt 5-7 I think “fruit” is connected to the things Jesus just finished saying. It is one thing to teach Matt 5-7, it is another thing to live Matt 5-7.

As the journey of Jesus moves forward and he is tourchered and murdered; as he is raised from the dead and assends into heaven having completely killed sin and death for his children; as the Holy Spirit comes to indwell believers so they now understand the hope that is in Jesus through faith in him; fruit takes on an expanded meaning. Those who follow Jesus live to lift him high in worship and in life so that others can find him too.

John 15:5 (NIV)

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

Philippians 1:9-11 (NIV)

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

In this day and age there are false teachers around every corner – and not just those who blatantly deny Jesus and preach a different gospel. There are those who identify with Jesus but then “bend” him and his work to meet their own worldly inclinations (money, peace with the world at all costs, etc).

Vs 21-23 – Only those who have a saving relationship with Jesus are his friends. It might sound something like this, “God, I’m sorry for all the ways I put myself above you – above Jesus. When I lie I’m exalting self and not you. When I lust, I’m loyal to self and not you and I’m treating others (your creation) as objects to be used instead of people to be cared for. When I covet, I want things more than I want you. – I’m sorry. I want Jesus – he is my only hope.”

In order to recognize false teachers and false prophets by their fruit; there’s an assumption that we know what good fruit looks like and tastes like.

People don’t see falsehood in others when they embrace the same, false, proposition. If you are not living the life Jesus has called you to live you will be less likely to acknowledge false teaching. If you are refusing to yield to the Holy Spirit in how you embrace Jesus and respond to his call, you are ill equipped to acknowledge false teaching.

Colossians 2:8 (NIV)

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.

Matthew 7:12-14, “the narrow gate” [Listen]

As Jesus is closing out this lengthy exposition of who he is, what the Kingdom looks like, and what the people of God look like, he is asking for a commitment – the biggest commitment anyone can make. All of our study in Matthew 5-7 have been designed to move the hearer to this point.

Have you ever made a commitment or a decision that was, on the one hand scary, but on the other hand freeing? Sometimes, after much deliberation and anxiety students will change their major in college. It’s a tough decision. Usually a fair amount of money has already been spent and a great deal of focus has gone into the major he/she will be leaving. After the decision a great freedom often sets in.

Matthew 7:12-14 (NIV)

12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Verse 12

These are words that should turn our world upside-down for us. Words like this have existed in one form or another for centuries – certainly before Jesus. Early Jewish writings, Greek writings, Confucius, etc had words of wisdom that, in a way, sounded like these. Jesus, however, does something new here – which is exactly where the impact is.

Those before Jesus cast their advice and understanding in the negative – “don’t do to others what you wouldn’t want them to do to you.” Jesus, would say this as a positive, “Do to others what you would have them do to you”. Those who would be disciples of Jesus are proactive in the giving of themselves to others. This is different. This is what Jesus modeled for us.

So, how does the beginning of verse 12 – “do to others what you would have them do to you”, sum up the essence of what has come before (the Law and the Profits)? The whole point of God’s rescue is to bring humanity back into alignment with who we were created to be. Jesus came so that, through faith in him, we could be forgiven and God could have free reign in my life. The result of this is not loyalty to the world’s system of self exaltation and self promotion. The result is a heart that is compelled to trust God and God’s vision.

Can you imagine what this world would be like if we would exist through these words?

Leviticus 19:18 (NIV)

Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.

Galatians 5:14 (NIV)

The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Verses 13-14

Some of us enjoy Jesus giving it to the religious leadership of his day, don’t we? We tend to frown on legalism and gracelessness. Here’s the problem, however. Sometimes we tend to think that since God is a God of relationship and love and forgiveness we can design our own path – within God’s loving character anything works. That’s not true – as we look at Jesus’ teaching we see that there are two gates, two ways, two destinations, two kinds of trees, two groups at the judgment, two kinds of builders, two different foundations. Jesus is the way and the focus of God’s plan.

John 3:36 (NIV)

“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.”

John 10:9 (NIV)

“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.”

John 14:6 (NIV)

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Acts 4:12 (NIV)

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

1 Timothy 2:5 (NIV)

For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

The Jesus gate is small – you do not go through this gate with anyone else – perhaps now is the time for you to finally go through this small gate and onto the narrow road.

To those of you who have friends, siblings, or maybe a spouse who isn’t trusting Jesus; I would encourage you to pray fervently for them and dedicate yourself to Jesus and their welfare. This is our mission – God is faithful to his purposes.

Luke 13:23-27 (NIV)

Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” He said to them, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ “But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you (relationship) or where you come from.’ “Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ “But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you (relationship) or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’

As I study Matthew 5-7 I am increasingly faced with a defining reality; living for Jesus will not be easy. The culture we live in says, “Live for self-exalting pleasure! You only go around once.” If I follow Jesus I will be moving against the culture and the norms of this world.

Matthew 10:37-39 (NIV)

“Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

Acts 14:22 (NIV)

…strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,”…

1 Corinthians 1:18 (NIV)

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

In case this sounds too burdensome, let me say this. While Jesus’ call to you to follow him goes against the loyalties of this world, he says his yoke is easy and his burden is light (Matt 11:30). John says that God’s commands are not burdensome (1 John 5:3). This is because the call of Jesus on your life is through understanding of the truth, and the truth sets you free – it does not enslave you.

John 8:36 (NIV)

…if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Galatians 5:1 (NIV)

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Do you need to be set free from slavery? Repent of your sin and trust in Jesus alone as your only hope.

Life is very, very short and it’s full of choices. To waste it serving self is a choice that leads to death – it’s idolitry.

Some of you here desire to follow Jesus completely – that’s good. Some of you here, hopefully many, are struggling right now with critical choices that may turn the rest of your life. Maybe it’s who to date/marry, occupation, your vision for retirement, how to retire, how to live, etc. Life for one who wants to follow hard after Christ is a life of continual submission – “All for Jesus!”

Let me leave you with two amazing passages – one from the front of the Bible and one from the end.

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (NIV) – Moses

This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Revelation 7:9-10 (NIV)

After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”

Matthew 7:7-11, “ask, seek, knock” [Listen]

Jesus is now beginning to close his discourse. In Matthew 5-7 he has boldly challenged his hearers to think about being the people of God in a way that was different from their religious programming. In fact, Jesus was very confrontational in laying the truth before his listeners. In his words we hear about the people the Holy Spirit creates as Jesus becomes their treasure. He repeatedly challenged the rightness of the religious leadership. It could very easily sound as if Jesus was attempting to overthrow the current power base – he was. To make matters worse, he just finished comparing the religious leadership of the day to pigs and dogs. He was really stretching the minds of anyone who would listen. You can easily imagine all the doubts and uncertainty that would come up after hearing this. And so now he says:

Matthew 7:7-11 (NIV)

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. “Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him.”

This passage is not about prayer the way 6:5-15 was about prayer. In this section Jesus tells his listeners pray, seek, and knock.

This passage is specifically about God’s promise to give what is good to his children.

God wants us to want what he wants.

Jesus has just told them that their God-centered culture was not as God-centered as they might think. They must break with what is wrong, leave the religiosity of the day and understand God’s heart. Their religious leaders are not the ones to lead them there.

Ask, seek and knock – God wants to give them what is good.

God wants his children to pursue the Kingdom with vigor!! Pray – yes, look intently – yes, knock down the door in your pursuit!

In Luke’s parallel passage there is an example of pursuit.

Luke 11:5-13 (NIV)

Then he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.’ “Then the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man’s boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs. “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

This is a great example of how we should pursue God. In this story it was late at night and all were in bed. That might stop most people, but not the person in this story. Bold action with purpose is the point regardless of the “little” considerations. Go pursue God until he answers.

We should pursue God through a missional life

1 John 3:21-24 (NIV)

Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him. And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.

Here is a picture of someone pursuing God – someone who is fighting sin and longing to be God’s person (obey his commands). He/she will receive what they ask for.

We should pursue God with singular focus and not waiver.

James 1:5-7 (NIV)

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord;

We should pursue God in our personal relationships

James 4:1-3 (NIV)

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

We should pursue God in our ministry – people (mission)

1 John 5:13-16 (NIV)

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead to death, he should pray and God will give him life.

We should pursue God in our mission

John 15:16 (NIV)

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

Pursuing God is a difficult thing because we know where it will end. When we pursue God as our greatest treasure he will answer by showing himself to us, implanting his purposes in us, growing his vision in us. In this we will more and more see Jesus as better than everything. We will see this world’s enticements fading in value and the purposes of God growing in value – we will be compelled to give our lives to Jesus in every way. I find this difficult. Even though I know I will gain great joy and fellowship with the One who is life itself, I still struggle when I think of walking by faith – it is difficult to trust. What is the answer here? Ask, seek, knock.

Are you pursuing God vigorously? How are you aligning your life so that God can use you?

Matthew 7:1-6, “don’t judge” [Listen]

In many ways the essence of sin can be seen in humanity’s desire to be God. We want to do things our way, we want to dominate, control, and use people for our own purposes. In October we talked about lust – wanting to use someone (in this case sexually) without an appropriate commitment to their welfare. Today we’re going to talk about another outcome of our desire to be God – the judgment of others.

Matthew 7:1-6 (NIV)

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.”

Luke 6:37-38 (NIV)

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

What is Jesus talking about here? In what sense are we not to judge?

This can be a very difficult passage. It might be best if we step back and look at the context of Matthew 5-7 for possible clues as to what Jesus was talking about when he told those around him, “Don’t judge.”

Matthew 5-7 is a unit that could have been Jesus’ first major public talk, to perhaps hundreds, about his vision for God’s people – his vision for what it means to be thinking and acting the way God desires. Most of this vision was in contrast to the way the culture of the day operated (much like today).

The religious structure of the day was the focal point for Jesus’ culture. This structure contained spiritual leaders who, rather than guide the people toward God’s heart and the acceptance of the Messiah, were often focused on an earthly mission of self-serving power and controll; bending God’s call toward their own self-serving ends. The traditions and rituals of religion had been placed above God’s heart.

Often in these chapters Jesus says, “You have heard that it was said… but I tell you…” (5:21, 27, 33, 38, 43). Jesus is contrasting the power and tendency of the religious structure. It was the eletist leadership who basically determined if you were “in” or not. Much of the spiritual reality of the day had degenerated into a “club” mentality.
The ethos of the day was not one that aligned with the vision of Jesus for his people – SALVATION, HUMILITY, SUPPORT. God’s ways are different than the ways this world sanctions.

John 3:17 (NIV)

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Matthew 23:12 (NIV)

For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Romans 14:13 (NIV)

Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.

Our place here is not to judge the destiny of anyone – that is God’s position. When we judge, or act like we’re in position to judge, we are exhalting self, not God. Our call, primarily, is to be those instuments through which God moves people into his kingdom so that when judgment comes, they will have a Champion that has already won.

What is Jesus NOT talking about here?

“Do not judge” here has NOTHING to do with not knowing the difference between right and wrong. Jesus is not saying we shouldn’t be fanatical about pursuing what is right and killing sin in our lives (Romans 6)

Christians are asked to make vital judgements all the time. We are to be discerning about the lives of our elders, false prophets, embracing those who are proud of their sin, and anyone who does not espouse the true gospel.

Matthew 7:15-16 (NIV)

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?”

John 7:24 (NIV)

“Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment.”

1 Corinthians 5:11 (NIV)

But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.

2 John 10-11 (NIV)

If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him. Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work.

So, in this passage Jesus is talking about casting the ultimate verdict.  While we must be very aware of sin the ultimate verdict, and saving work, is God’s.

What is Jesus talking about in verse 6? Is he not telling us to judge?

Jesus was on an uncompromising mission that would offend some and save many. The call of Jesus in Matthew 5-7 is to be the people we are called to be – without comprimise. In this we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. We are to be broken over our sin, humble, merciful, peacemakers. We are to long for what is right and be without lust or hate. We are to love our enemies, pray like crazy, and hold the things of this world with a very loose grip. Some will see God here and some will not. It is my prayer that God would use us to bring some into the Kingdom – some will hate us.

We must be transparent, loving, and absolutely faithful to Scripture – without compromise. We must live Jesus and speak Jesus without compromise to the message, in a language that our culture can understand. We must be faithful to the one who died for us – no compromise. In this I am praying that God would save many.

Jesus, in these three chapters, was not only sharing a vision for the way people of the Kingdom would live, he was contrasting his vision with the vision of the dominant religious leaders.  Jesus was saying that some will refuse the message – in this case the religious leaders. They will not embrace the truth and will actually see it as a threat. Jesus’ message was not for them. He came to find those who know they need healing, not those who can’t see their need (Mark 2:17). We must find those who know they need healing and focus on them.  If we spend our time and energy trying to persuade those who are hardened and obstinate we will, in the end, not see the victory God is developing.  We must love and serve them but spend the bulk of our time discipling those God is developing.

We do not reach people for God by compromising the message; we need to live an uncompromising message and depend on God to work.

John 6:37 (NIV)

All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.

John 15:16 (NIV)

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

Acts 13:48 (NIV)

When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.

I think Matthew 7:6 embraces the reality that without God working our effort is lost. So, when does God work through us?; when we are faithful to our calling.

We don’t change or compromise the message – we live Jesus faithfully and wait for God to work. How are we doing?

Matthew 6:25-35, “don’t worry – trust God, [Listen]

Life is frail. Today we can be healthy and employed, thinking about how much we have – and tomorrow we could be without work or dying of cancer – life has always been frail. How foolish we are when we spend our God-given energy to pursue the frail treasures of this world.

Two thousand years ago life was VERY frail. A simple cold could easily turn into pneumonia or bronchitis and kill you. A simple cut could become infected and end in tragedy. A broken bone could easily result in amputation or worse. A difficult labor could end the life of mother and child. An invading army would, without thinking, kill anyone who might pose a threat or scarcely think about leaving enough food in the fields for the country’s people. This was life! How do you think you would accommodate all the frailty of that reality?

In Matthew chapters 5-7 Jesus explains what it looks like to follow him. This vision is VERY, VERY clear – because God is our priority we are not abandoned to the frailties of this life. Every week I am challenged to the core. I am challenged to understand what Jesus is saying, and then to measure my life. If individually, and together corporately, we could embody Jesus’ vision for his people; God would do mind-blowing things here. We would see, before us, God’s kingdom unfold.

Last week we talked about a foundational, base-line, issue for those who would follow Jesus – split loyalties, idolatry, “You cannot serve both God and Money.” Those God has saved, through the work of the Holy Spirit, will be moved to see Jesus as their only treasure.

Before we read today’s passage, I’d like to address a question that comes up as we talk about Jesus being the focus of our lives, “What about the other obligations I have? – I need to work don’t I?” – Yes you do!

2 Thessalonians 3:10 (NIV)

For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.”

1 Timothy 5:8 (NIV)

If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Here’s the problem. Sometimes we don’t want to understand work or family as falling under the greater priority – we see work and family as an end in themselves – they are not.

1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Colossians 3:17 (NIV)

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

1 Peter 4:11 (NIV)

If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Those things we value most will be the focus of our lives – everything else will fit under this focus. We long to hang on to the thing we value most – we work to hang on to the thing we value most – we pursue that which we value most. So the question is, “What are you pursuing in life?”

Matthew 6:25-35 (NIV)

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Six reasons to trust God as you give your life to Jesus

• Vs 25 – Food and Clothing are not the most important priorities in life

• Vs 26 – You are valuable to God

• Vs 27 – Worry is often wasted time, focus and energy. We ought to be good stewards of what God has given us.

• Vs 32 – To worry about the lesser priorities is to copy those without hope

• Vs 32 – God knows what you need

• Vs 33 – God rewards faith

Jesus died so that you could live an amazing life – a life that is not constrained by the frailties and pain this world delivers over and over and over. All those who would follow Jesus are called to actually follow Jesus – walk like Jesus walked.

Jesus came as the One who would bring God’s kingdom to us. We are called to do the same – to be salt & light. We do this as we follow in Jesus’ footsteps and walk by faith – believing God to be EVERYTHING we need.

How are you doing? What are you clinging too? If it is not Jesus only you may be living in idolatry. God will care for you. He owns what we need – this world does not.

Romans 8:32 (NIV)

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

Philippians 4:19 (NIV)

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

This morning we are going to remember, together, what Jesus actually did for us. Jesus is God – he came to earth so that he could walk in our shoes, without sinning, so that he could be one of us – so that he could represent us. He then gave himself to be killed on the cross and judged by God in my place. So now when God looks at me he sees that my sin has been taken care of. If left to ourselves we die with nothing other than the empty, worthless treasures of this world – treasures that lead to death, not life. Jesus will free you from your slavery if you will repent of your sin and trust in him alone as the One who is your champion.

Chris was kind enough to share a little about himself, his family, and how God has moved in his life [Listen]

Matthew 6:19-24, “living for the kingdom” [Listen]

Did you know God wants you rich beyond your wildest dreams? It’s absolutely true.

Our problem is that we settle for wealth that, at best, is of little true value. God’s desire for all of you is that you would be wealthy beyond your wildest dreams with a wealth that lasts forever.

Matthew 6:19-24 (NIV)

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good (clear/single), your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”

In this section of Matthew we see three versions of the same message. Because this issue is so important, Matthew approaches it from three different “angles”. He wants to make sure we don’t miss it.

Version 1 – Verses 19-21:

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Everyone invests time, energy and talent. The question is, “What are we investing in?” Make no mistake about it, if we devote ourselves to investing our time, energy and talent in the temporal, our hearts are aligned with the temporal. Where your treasure is, your heart is also. Youngster, college student, career person, retired person, God is not fooled. To say our hearts are dedicated to Jesus when this is not the way we’re living is a lie. Paul must have had this passage in mind when he wrote to Timothy:
1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NIV)

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Version 2 – Verses 22-23:

“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good (clear/single/focused), your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!“

There seems to be a bit of difficulty in the translation of verse 22. The word we see in the NIV as “good” is a little iffy. In and of itself this Greek word is probably better translated “single” or “clear” – maybe “focused”. Two thousand years ago the eye was understood to be a gateway into one’s sole. What the eye would focus on or look at would, in some sense, end up inside you – that’s actually fairly correct. When understanding verses 22 & 23 we must also look at the verses before it and the verses after it. So here is how I might paraphrase this, “Since the eye is the lamp of the body, if your eyes are fixed on the God’s
desires you will be filled with light. But if your eyes are bad (fixed on the values of this world) you will be full of darkness.”

Our life’s focus shows the condition of our sole. If our focus is Christ our sole will fill with light. If our focus is something other than Christ, in sole is filled with darkness.

Version 3 – Verse 24:

“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”

Giving yourself to Jesus and giving yourself to the things of this world are mutually exclusive – you cannot do both.

Romans 6:16 (NIV)

Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?

Here is the concept I wish to communicate this morning. We should think it entirely normal and expected that those God has rescued would give all they are to him and to the work of the Kingdom. There is an important role for this local gathering in this call. We must support each other in any way we can. We must pray for each other, encourage each other, care for each other, and lead each other by example.

1 John 2:15-17 (NIV)

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

Luke 14:33 (NIV)

In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.