Body Talk: Part 4

Our Place Within the City

There are at least three things to which God responds positively:

Love, faith, and obedience.  All of these will be required as you are making your way through the daily grind to the destiny that God has for you.  This is what the men and women of Scripture had to learn.  As we reflect today on the church's place within the city, we will be reminded of the security Christ provides for you, what creates stability within a city and Christ's sanctions for the church within it.

Your Security

LOVE

1 Corinthians 12:7
To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 

Working for the benefit of a church, company, and city in which you find yourself is a gospel imperative. 

1 Corinthians 13:1-3
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. 

You are working for the prosperity of the city to the degree that it honors the Lord.

Is it possible to have a love motivation in your work when profit is a goal or your academics when advancement is the key?

Everyone wants to advance in life. However, the question is:

Do you ultimately depend on God's favor or your own political maneuvering for promotion?

1 Timothy 5:24-25
The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden. 

Do you live this way in your church?  In the workplace?

1 Chronicles 29:10-19
Therefore David blessed the Lord in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: “Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever.Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name. “But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you. For we are strangers before you and sojourners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding. O Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a house for your holy name comes from your hand and is all your own. I know, my God, that you test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. In the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to you. O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of your people, and direct their hearts toward you. Grant to Solomon my son a whole heart that he may keep your commandments, your testimonies, and your statutes, performing all, and that he may build the palace for which I have made provision.” 

Sometimes the lack of promotion that you are experiencing is God's hand trying to give you time.  He is lovingly trying to protect you and others from putting you in a place that will cause damage to yourself, your family and others. 

1 Timothy 3:8-13
Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. 

Psalm 75:1-10
We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks, for your name is near. We recount your wondrous deeds. “At the set time that I appoint I will judge with equity. When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants, it is I who keep steady its pillars. Selah I say to the boastful, ‘Do not boast,’ and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horn; do not lift up your horn on high, or speak with haughty neck.’” For not from the east or from the west and not from the wilderness comes lifting up, but it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another. For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup with foaming wine, well mixed, and he pours out from it, and all the wicked of the earth shall drain it down to the dregs. But I will declare it forever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. All the horns of the wicked I will cut off, but the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up. 

Matthew 23:1-12
Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

"The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away."
- Attributed to Pablo Picasso

A City's Stability

FAITH

The book of Revelation speaks of Christ's final product, the new city, the Heavenly Jerusalem coming down from Heaven to be the future home of righteousness, worship and God's people, the saints. In the meantime, until Christ's restoration of all things, we are to bless the cities in which we live. 

Proverbs 11:9-12
With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered. When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness. By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown. Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent. 

God appoints men and women of His Kingdom who will see with the eye of faith to bless and build cities to His glory rather than bemoan them.   

A Nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but it's lowest ones
- Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom

The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members
- Mahatma Gandhi

 Christ's Sanction

OBEDIENCE

What we are primarily discussing and attempting to shape through the Scripture is not simply behavior or beliefs, but a worldview through which you invite God to direct your story as you interact with the world in your everyday experiences.  We know how He does this since e is the God who does not change (Malachi 3:6) and has given us examples of this through his interactions with men, women and societies of the past.  A Biblical worldview touches your values, your ambitions, your moral interpretations and your entire life trajectory.  

A sanction can mean one of two things:

1. a threatened penalty for disobeying a law or rule. 
2. official permission or approval for an action.

In the gospel narrative, we see both in operation, the fall and the curse, salvation through Christ's cross and redemption through a return to obedience. 

Jeremiah 29:1-14
These are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders of the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. This was after King Jeconiah and the queen mother, the eunuchs, the officials of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen, and the metal workers had departed from Jerusalem. The letter was sent by the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. It said: “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream, for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you in my name; I did not send them, declares the Lord. “For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.

Second City Church: Body Talk Sermon Series 2016

Body Talk: Part 3

Our Place in One Another's Lives

CHRIST CARES

John 11:1-16
Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory ofGod, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” The disciples said to him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?” Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.” The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” 

CHRIST HEALS

"How can you cope with the end a world and the beginning of another one? How can you put an earthquake into a test-tube, or the sea into a bottle? How can you live with the terrifying thought that the hurricane has become human, that the fire has become flesh, that life itself came to life and walked in our midst? Christianity either means that, or it means nothing. It is either the more devastating disclosure of the deepest reality in the world, or it’s a sham, a nonsense, a bit of deceitful play-acting. Most of us, unable to cope with saying either of those things, condemn ourselves to live in the shallow world in between…
– N.T. Wright, For All God’s Worth

Fighting through very real hurts and disappointments

"Faultfinding without suggestions for improvement is a waste of time." - Ralph C. Smedley, Founders of Toastmasters International

Matthew 7:1-5
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye."

CHRIST CREATES COMMUNITY

God's design:

No one is an independent contractor. What I do affects my family (in Christ) and what my family (in Christ) does affects me. 

John 11:38-44
Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” 

Referenced this clip in the message. Listen to the podcast. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lCdY8xS_TGE

Ephesians 5:18-21
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. 

Proverbs 18:1
Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment. 

Jesus is the one who miraculously raises dead parts of our hearts and existence to life.  He then commands that those in your church family help unwrap the grave's clothes and help you get released when you are stuck. The only way it doesn't work is if you don't submit (Ephesians5:18-21) or avail yourself (Proverbs 18:21) (picture Lazarus trying to hop away).  

Come to Christ and His cross to be transformed.  Engage His people to see the grave clothes come off.  Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Repentance and humility - choosing to do things His way will bring us into that life.

Second City Church: Body Talk Sermon Series 2016

Body Talk: Part 2

Is your identity what you do or who you belong to?  What you do can change or be taken from you, but if you live out of who you belong to, joyful obedience is your sole goal and primary reward.  

Saul's Insecurity

Where do you receive your honor, security and praise?

Saul, who lacked depth in his identity in God, was insecure when God called him (I Samuel 10) and proud when God rejected him because he lacked depth in the Lord.  Saul was always looking for public recognition for his validation.  He was jealous of King David's success and looked to tear him down.

1 Samuel 15:24-31
Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice. Now therefore, please pardon my sin and return with me that I may bow before the Lord.” And Samuel said to Saul, “I will not return with you. For you have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel.” As Samuel turned to go away, Saul seized the skirt of his robe, and it tore. And Samuel said to him, “The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you this day and has given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you. And also the Glory of Israel will not lie or have regret, for he is not a man, that he should have regret.” Then he said, “I have sinned; yet honor me now before the elders of my people and before Israel, and return with me, that I may bow before the Lord your God.” So Samuel turned back after Saul, and Saul bowed before the Lord. 

Proverbs 27:21
The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and a man is tested by his praise. 

How are you passive aggressive with your brothers and sisters in the church? In your workplace? 

Saul tried to have the Philistines kill David. 

Romans 12:14-21
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. 

Christ's Security

Finding your identity in Christ enables you to respond securely to His call and humbly to His reproofs. 

1 Peter 2:20-25
For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. 

A secret life in the Lord allowed David to write Psalms, privately kill the lion and the bear in defense of his father's flock, publicly defeat Goliath and faithfully shepherd the people Israel, leading them in the Lord's battles. 

David was not insecure, but humble, when the Lord made His promises to David.  There is a stark difference between insecurity and humility, which the Lord commands.  One finds its rest in God.  The other finds it in the shifting sands of anything but the Lord. 

This humility allowed David to respond gracefully when the going got tough. 

"A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him."
-David Brinkley

David's Humility

How do I know if my heart is in the right place?

2 Samuel 7:18-29
Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and said, “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? And yet this was a small thing in your eyes, O Lord God. You have spoken also of your servant's house for a great while to come, and this is instruction for mankind, O Lord God! And what more can David say to you? For you know your servant, O Lord God! Because of your promise, and according to your own heart, you have brought about all this greatness, to make your servant know it. Therefore you are great, O Lord God. For there is none like you, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears. And who is like your people Israel, the one nation on earth whom God went to redeem to be his people, making himself a name and doing for them great and awesome things by driving out before your people, whom you redeemed for yourself from Egypt, a nation and its gods? And you established for yourself your people Israel to be your people forever. And you, O Lord, became their God. And now, O Lord God, confirm forever the word that you have spoken concerning your servant and concerning his house, and do as you have spoken. And your name will be magnified forever, saying, ‘The Lord of hosts is God over Israel,’ and the house of your servant David will be established before you. For you, O Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, have made this revelation to your servant, saying, ‘I will build you a house.’ Therefore your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to you. And now, O Lord God, you are God, and your words are true, and you have promised this good thing to your servant. Now therefore may it please you to bless the house of your servant, so that it may continue forever before you. For you, O Lord God, have spoken, and with your blessing shall the house of your servant be blessed forever.” 

Jesus is our perfect example of both security and humility, dying on the cross for our sins and rising again in the triumphant power of God.  He calls us to follow His lead.

Second City Church: Body Talk Sermon Series 2016

Body Talk

Christ's Goal

Matthew 4:12-22
Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.” From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

"You're not born to make a living.  You are born to make a difference." 
- Dr. Allan Santiago

Christ's Gifts

1 Corinthians 12:1-13
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit. Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. 

1 Corinthians 12:14-31
For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.  If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way. 

Christ's Good News 

Matthew 8:14-17
And when Jesus entered Peter's house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him. That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.”

Second City Church: Body Talk Sermon Series 2016

Back to Church Sunday - Back to What?

Christ

God's church is the pillar and foundation of the truth. It helps you see God and His plan for the world clearly through the preaching of His eternal word.

1 Timothy 3:14-16
I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

Matthew 16:13-20
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ. 

Community

God's church is a family. We share life together during the ups and the downs, during the trials and successes as we pursue Christ and His Kingdom.

Matthew 12:46, 48-50
While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” 

"Christian brotherhood is not an ideal which we must realize; it is rather a reality created by God in Christ in which we may participate." 
-Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together (1939) 

Comfort

God's church is a refuge. It is a place to find healing and wholeness in God in the midst of life's struggles.

Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

2 Corinthians 1:3-7
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.

Change

God's church is your vehicle for change. It's people help you and society get there.

2 Timothy 2:19
But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.” 

Renaming the city:  The church should be on the front lines of addressing issues such as:

Systemic Poverty
Racism

Matthew 16:21-28
From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

"If God gives you a few more years, remember, it is not yours.  Your time must honor God, your home must honor God, your activity must honor God, and everything you do must honor God." 
- A.W. Tozer

Second City Church: Back To Church Sunday Sermon 2016

Faith of Our Fathers: Part 4

Hebrews 11:30-40
By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies. And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. 

Lessons Learned:

Go with God's Plan (even if it seems absurd to you and others) 

Jericho

Choose the Right Team  

Rahab 

(Sensitive issues in our culture today can invite reproach when it has to do with moral absolutes and the commands of God.) 

Rahab's life was redeemed, she was grafted into the family of God and she became a physical descendant of Jesus (Matthew 1:5).

Advance the Cause of Christ  

They conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.

Reach for the Resurrection

Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 

Live for the reward of tomorrow, not today. 

The resurrection cannot be tamed or tethered by any utilitarian test. It is a vast watershed in history, or it is nothing. It cannot be tested for truth; it is the test of lesser truths. No light can be thrown on it; its own light blinds the investigator. It does not compel belief; it resists it. But once accepted as fact, it tells more about the universe, about history, and about man's state and fate than all the mountains of other facts in the human accumulation.
- Editorial in Life © 1956, Time, Inc.

See from the whole to the part. 

Your life is part of a larger story in Christ.

And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. 

Easter means—hope prevails over despair. Jesus reigns as Lord of Lords and King of Kings. … Easter says to us that despite everything to the contrary, his will for us will prevail, love will prevail over hate, justice over injustice and oppression, peace over exploitation and bitterness.
- Desmond Tutu in Crying in the Wilderness

Second City Church: Faith of Our Fathers Sermon Series 2016

Faith of Our Fathers: Part 2

God clearly says in His word that the righteous will live by faith (Habbakuk 2:4; Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38).  Well today, we hope to study and show how, in fact, we live by faith in the person and promises of God.

Before (A Place)

Hebrews 11:8-16
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore. These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. 

God has a new city, a heavenly Jerusalem prepared for those who love Him.

John 14:1-3
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 

By His sovereignty, God calls you to both a place and a people to accomplish His will.  There, by faith, we are able to see God birth posterity, which is to be the inheritance of every believer - be a disciple and make disciples.

“The Christian says, 'Creatures are not born with desires unless satisfaction for those desires exists. A baby feels hunger: well, there is such a thing as food. A duckling wants to swim: well, there is such a thing as water. Men feel sexual desire: well, there is such a thing as sex. If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world. If none of my earthly pleasures satisfy it, that does not prove that the universe is a fraud. Probably earthly pleasures were never meant to satisfy it, but only to arouse it, to suggest the real thing. If that is so, I must take care, on the one hand, never to despise, or to be unthankful for, these earthly blessings, and on the other, never to mistake them for the something else of which they are only a kind of copy, or echo, or mirage. I must keep alive in myself the desire for my true country, which I shall not find till after death; I must never let it get snowed under or turned aside; I must make it the main object of life to press on to that country and to help others to do the same.” - C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

During (A People)

Hebrews 11:17-20
By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau. 

There will always be a series of tests in the middle of the faith walk to see what you love more than Jesus or are willing to give up for Him.

Luke 14:25-27
Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 

What do you love more than Jesus today?
Is it your comfort?  Your career?  A relationship in which you find yourself?  Is it your idea of success, maintaining your own identity or creating your own happiness?

God will require even the thing that He's promised you to be placed on the altar if it gets in the way of your unadulterated love for, worship of and service to Him.

Is there a promise that you are clinging to more than you are clinging to the person of Jesus?

God tests the object of His promises in our hearts not because He doesn't want to give you the fulfillment of the promise, but so that you won't lose the promise maker in the midst of the pursuit of the promise.  Our tendency as humans is to gravitate towards loving our stuff and our ideas of happiness more than the giver of life Himself.  We like what we can control, not what we can't.  However, we will never control God.  We are called to give Him control.

“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver; “don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”
- C.S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

After (A Purpose/Promise)

Hebrews 11:21-22
By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff. By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones. 

Your life of faith is meant to bring both blessing and structure to future generations who will also look to and honor Christ.

Repent and give Christ control at the cross today.  Because of His death, burial and resurrection, He can make you new giving you a place, a people and a purpose/promise in His Kingdom.

Second City Church: Faith of Our Father Sermon Series 2016

Faith of Our Fathers: Part 1

Hebrews 11:1-7
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

100 Meter
Cain and Abel
Give God what He already asked for

200 Meters
Enoch
Walk with God

4x100 Relay or 10,000 Meter
Noah
Build in faithfulness because the flood will surely come

Pastor Rollan shared this quote:

"Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway."

Second City Church: Faith of Our Father Sermon Series 2016

What's Love Got To Do With It?: Love Life in the Son

1 John 5:1-21 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. We accept human testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son. Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. Whoever does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because they have not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. 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 you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray about that. All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death. We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them. We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.

Know Your Limits

God's commands are not burdensome because the alternative is even more so - death.

God helps those He heals.

“when we are powerless to do a thing, it is a great joy that we can come and step inside the ability of Jesus” ― Corrie ten Boom

Know God's Expectation For You

“There is not one blade of grass, there is no color in this world that is not intended to make us rejoice.” ― John Calvin

Romans 14:17-19 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

Know Your Team

"To get the full value of joy you must have someone to divide it with.” ― Mark Twain

2 Corinthians 2:12-16 When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened for me in the Lord, my spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia. But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Second City Church- What's Love Got To Do With It? Sermon Series 2016

What's Love Got To Do With It: Love Jesus

1 John 3

Intro and Recap

1. Part 1
   1. Love the light
2. Part 2
   1. Love the will of God
3. Peter Ahlin
   1. Patience and trust in God’s plan
4. Reggie Roberson’s Prophetic Word
   1. New wave of 100 people coming into the church this fall
   2. Get prepared
   3. Don’t be intimidated by their status, both influential and the poor are coming
5. A word from the Lord to preface today’s message
   1. ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24:12-13‬ ‭NIV
      1. “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”
   2. Revelation 2:1-7
      1. “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 I know your deeds,your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. 4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.  7 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
   3. Part 3: Love Jesus
   4. PRAY

Message: Love Jesus (and everything else follows)

Read 1 John 3

Overview

The theme from chapter one and two carries on into chapter 3. I love the Gospel of John and the letters from John because he makes the Gospel, the message of Christ, so clear and cut and dry. John uses easy language of comparing two opposite things to make the right choice obvious.  When reading John’s writings it’s hard to come to a conclusion that isn’t expressly given.

John is rightly called the disciple whom Jesus loved.  The interesting thing is that John labeled himself this!  John was SO CONFIDENT not in his love for Christ, but in Jesus’s love for him that he could boldly call the himself “the disciple whom Jesus loved.’  John talked about love ALL THE TIME!  This radical sacrificial love that God had lavished on him changed him.  It became his primary message to the world and what he used as the test of a child of God.

1. 1. Love Jesus by recognizing (believing in) His love for you.
      1. God the Father has lavished His love on us, and the result is we are children of God.
         1. 1 Jn. 4:19
            1. We love because he first loved us!
         2. John 1:11-13
            1. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
         3. John 3:16
            1. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son so that whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life.
         4. John 15:13
            1. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
               1. This is lavish love.
         5. We are children of God now but what will we become?
            1. 1st John 3:2
               1. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
            2. Expand:
               1. Children look like their parents, and increasingly so as they grow.  Think about a baby: small, certain color, maybe a little hair. They all have pretty much the same features and same build, so maybe they’re a little hard to distinguish from each other with the few exceptions of birthmarks or skin color.  Probably none of us would be able to walk into the baby ward with their Dad and point out which one is his without a little help (praise the Lord for for name tags!).  But the Dad and Mom could probably tell.
               2. Now fast forward to when the kid is 5, then 15, then 30.  As the child grows it begins to look, act, and think more and more like their parent even if the parent didn’t raise them.  Now imagine the child that was raised by their parent:  they wouldn’t only look like them due to DNA, but they would most likely have the same or very similar thought patterns, beliefs, character traits, and ethics.  I never thought I looked much like my Dad (Mike Parleir) or acted like him, but now that I am 33 years old I find myself looking and sounding and thinking more and more like him.
               3. As John points out, the world may not recognize who God’s children are because it does not recognize God, so in turn, they of course would not know what His children look like.
                  1. Saying: It takes one to know one.  It takes a child of God (or God)  to recognize a child of God.
               4. In this same trajectory, the child of God who remains in the vine of Jesus will be like Him when He returns.  
                  1. John 15:9-13
                     1. 9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
         6. Reiterate Point:
            1. Love Christ by recognizing (believing in) His love for you.

• Love Jesus by purifying yourself (live holy).

• 1st John 3:3

• “All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.”

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. The hope is Jesus’ return.
         2. When we have tasted God’s pure sacrificial love we can not and will not stay the same or remain in the sin we used to tolerate. This is not us saving ourselves. This is us yielding our hearts to our lover, our lord, our saviour and asking Him to have His way in us, otherwise known as sanctification.
         3. Integrity: confessing your sin before the devil does.
         4. Phillipians 2:11-13
            1. Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
         5. Example:
            1. It’s like an engagement period. We are the bride to be and Christ is the groom to be. Christ has declared His love by bearing the cross of our shame, bought the ring of the Holy Spirit and given it to His soon to be bride so the onlooking world will know by this token (deposit of the Holy Spirit) she’s about to get married.  She in turn prepares to become one with her husband by aligning her body, soul, and mind to be all that she was designed to be because she herself is the gift to her husband.  All of this is fueled by the already declared unfailing love of Christ.  She knows she won’t be rejected. Rather, she knows who she is and will be loved as she is.
      2. 1st John 3:4-5
         1. Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. 5 But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. 6 No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.  7 Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. 8 The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.
         2. Point:
            1. Don’t be deceived, or as John says, “led astray,” by thinking that your actions don’t matter.  John makes it very plain that because Jesus had to physically take on a body, be physically crucified, and raised from the dead with a physical yet spiritual resurrected body, our actions in this life, in this body, are of eternal importance.
            2. There are only two sides to choose from: child of God or child of the devil.  Those who do what are righteous are children of God, and those who do what is sinful is of the devil.
            3. They key to focus on here is “keeps on sinning.”  Remember in chapter 2 when John wrote to “children whose sins had been forgiven” as well as “young men who have overcome the evil one”? Babies poop in their pants quite often because they are being trained and growing to use a toilet.  This is fine, because God is a loving father and every time we mess up we have an advocate in Jesus who washes us clean. But when your 13-year old is still wearing diapers, then there’s a problem.  At this point they should be helping change the diapers of their younger siblings.
      3. 1st John 9-10
         1. No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. 10 This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.
            1. The Self Test:
               1. Do I do what is right consistently?
               2. Do I  love my brother and sister consistently?  

• Love Jesus by loving your brothers and sisters.

1. 1. 1. 1st John 3:16-18
         1. This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
            1. Jesus set the standard for us by giving His very life, and commands we do the same.  This takes faith and grace.
               1. Galatians 2:19-21
                  1. 19 “For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!

• Love Jesus by obeying Him with action.

1. 1. 1. 1st John 3:18-22
         1. Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 19 This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: 20 If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22 and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him.
      2. Obedient action leads to
         1. Knowing we belong to God
         2. Sets our hearts at peace when anxiety tries to rule
         3. Answered prayers

• Summary and Action Points

1. 1. 1st John 3:23-24
      1. And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. 24 The one who keeps God’s commands lives 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.
   2. Receive God the Father’s lavish love by receiving Jesus Christ as your lord and saviour, letting His blood cleanse you of your sin and guilt.  Be born again today.
   3. If you have received Jesus as Lord and Savior but have been stuck in habitual sin or your heart has been condemned, receive freedom today by confessing your sin and receiving God’s grace by praying with someone.

Further Notes on Loving Well

1. 1. Loving people well is understanding that they will do what they see you doing more than what they hear you saying.
      1. This is why we need Christian community. We need to live in a life sharing community.
   2. Husbands: God won't answer your prayers if you're not living right (1 Peter 3:7).
      1. Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers
   3. Elders and deacons (those who serve and love the church) must prove themselves by living (not just being) holy - (1 Tim 3).
   4. The prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective.
      1. James 5:16
         1. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
   5. When you pray you do not get what you ask for because of selfish reasons for asking.
   6. Some vessels are for common use and some are for special use. Living holy sets you apart for special use.
      1. 2 Timothy 2:20-21
         1. 20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. 21 Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work

“Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” ‭‭John‬ ‭13:17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

““A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”” ‭‭John‬ ‭13:34-35‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”” ‭‭John‬ ‭14:21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” ‭‭John‬ ‭15:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Love: the willingness accompanied by the action of self-sacrifice for the benefit of another.

What's purity got to do with loving well?

• We can only give what we have, so if we’re tainted, so is our love which is not as beneficial to the recipient.

The most important command of God:

1. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength.
2. Love your neighbor as yourself.
   1. Who's my neighbor? Everyone!
   2. The golden rule: Do to others as you would have them do to you.

It's all about love baby!

1st John 1

God is light (truth). Walking with God is living in truth (the light). The truth is all are sinners, so walking with God is admitting sin. This admittance leads to Jesus’s blood purifying us from all sin if we confess and believe. Truth brings fellowship.

1st John 2

Because the truth is we’re all sinners, we need Jesus as an advocate with the Father. Since not only the Jews are sinners, but the Gentiles (whole world), Jesus’s atoning (at-one-ment) sacrifice is sufficient for the whole world, anyone who believes.

Walking in the light, knowing God, is proven by our obedience to His commands. Love for God equates to obedience to God, and perfect obedience is perfect love. Jesus’s love is perfect because His life was sinless (perfect obedience). “Whoever claims to live in him must love as Jesus did.”

1st John 3

John tells us that we are children of God, so we should act like it and not just talk about it.  Children grow up.  When God’s children grow up we are not quite sure what we will be like, but we know it will happen when Jesus returns, and when we see him as he is we will then become like him.  This hope purifies us as He promised it would in 1 John 1:9 because this hope leads to the actions of confession and repentance which leads to forgiveness and purification.

Hate is darkness. Love is light.

Hate leads to stumbling. Love leads to a perfect walk.

Hate blinds people from the destination. Love enlightens people and reveals the destination.

God’s kingdom is light, truth, and love through obedience. Satan’s kingdom is darkness, falsehood, and hate through lawlessness.

Love for the world and love for the Father cannot coexist in the same heart, because you can only have one master, since love is obedience.

Love for the world looks like:

1. Lust of the flesh
2. Lust of the eyes
3. Pride of life

Love for the world is darkness because it deceives us saying “these temporal creations will give you eternal life,” when in reality they do not fulfill (the heart desires eternal life) and lead to death.

Contrary to the love for the world is love for God which results in doing God’s will which lasts forever and leads to eternal life.

Hope leads to faith that leads to love.

Perfect faith leads to perfect love. Perfect love casts out fear of punishment because perfect love is perfect obedience which does not warrant punishment. Our righteousness is in Christ because no one has done this, and we all have wrath stored up outside of faith in Christ.

“Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.” ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭1:22-23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Above all…

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Labor prompted by love. -Paul

Love is the fuel for all lasting labor.

Loving deliverance does not always bring obedience  but loving obedience to God always brings deliverance. Loving God and obeying God re-wires are heart in the moment to wear our desire for deliverance is overshadowed with our pleasure of being intimate with God.

In matters of love time becomes secondary to intimacy and this is why for those who love Jesus and eternity is what we will have as our reward. Do you remember when you were in love with another person and there was no amount of time that could pacify the desire to be with them? And this is why we get married so that we can wake up together work together eat together clean together sleep together and do it all over again for all the days of our lives because of love. This is salvation, being born again into the family and household of God not primarily as a servant the primarily as a child and family member who serves because of a love that plops labor.

Love labors.

Love leads to reward.

“Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭21:21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Love dies.

Application:

1. Social Media Conversations
2. Honor one another.

Second City Church - What's Love Got To Do With It Sermon Series 2016

What's Love Got to Do With It?: Love the Will of God

 

The Road Not Taken By Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.

Luke 13:22-30 He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem. And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’ In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out. And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

Our Advocate

1 John 2:1-11 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

Our Application

1 John 2:12-17 I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name's sake. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

This explains the cycle of our development in Christ. God's goal for His people is maturation, where they know Him intimately and become fathers and mothers in the faith to others.

Maturation in Christ means beginning to take responsibility for others beyond merely worrying about your own sin. This is the defining role of a parent. The word of God beginning to abide in a young man/woman is the bridge from being born-again/an infant/child in Christ to a parent. Children can confidently know the Lord as fathers/mothers in the faith do. The difference is time and the experience of God's faithfulness.

Our Advantage

1 John 2:18-27 Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life. I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.

Second City Church - What's Love Got to Do With It Sermon Series 2016

What's Love Got to Do With It?: Love the Light

Walking in the light

Walking in the darkness

According to the church fathers Ireneaus (AD 140-203), Clement of Alexandria (AD 150-215), Tertullian (155-222) and Origen (185-253), the book of 1 John was written by the the apostle John, son of Zebedee (Mark 1:19-20), one Jesus' original twelve disciples. He, along with the apostle Peter and his brother James, were fishermen who were part of Jesus' inner circle during his earthly ministry and John is specifically cited as the disciple whom Jesus loved (John 13:23). The epistles following the gospels and the book of Acts were letters written to various churches in the decades that followed Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, giving instruction to the new congregations about how to follow Christ in the midst of a world that did not know God. In this letter John is specifically combating the heresy that arose during his time, of Gnosticism, which purported that the spirit is completely good while matter is entirely evil. We will discuss the implications of this in the coming weeks, but today we will focus on the love of the light in which God has called us to walk. This Independence Day, we will focus on the benefits, which include fellowship with one another, fellowship with God, freedom from sin and freedom from deception.

1 John 1:1-10 We announce to you what existed from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have seen and our hands handled, about the word of life. The life was revealed, and we have seen, and we testify and announce to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us. What we have seen and heard, we also announce it to you so that you can have fellowship with us. Our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy can be complete. This is the message that we have heard from him and announce to you: “God is light and there is no darkness in him at all.” If we claim, “We have fellowship with him,” and live in the darkness, we are lying and do not act truthfully. But if we live in the light in the same way as he is in the light, we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from every sin. If we claim, “We don’t have any sin,” we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from everything we’ve done wrong. If we claim, “We have never sinned,” we make him a liar and his word is not in us.

4 Benefits of the Light:

1. Fellowship with one another

2. Fellowship with God

3. Freedom from sin

4. Freed from deception

Second City Church - What's Love Got to Do With It Sermon Series 2016

Redemption: I'm Not the Man I Used To Be

Encounter and Humility

Genesis 32:1-12 Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. And when Jacob saw them he said, “This is God's camp!” So he called the name of that place Mahanaim. And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother in the land of Seir, the country of Edom, instructing them, “Thus you shall say to my lord Esau: Thus says your servant Jacob, ‘I have sojourned with Laban and stayed until now. I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, male servants, and female servants. I have sent to tell my lord, in order that I may find favor in your sight.’” And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, “We came to your brother Esau, and he is coming to meet you, and there are four hundred men with him.” Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed. He divided the people who were with him, and the flocks and herds and camels, into two camps, thinking, “If Esau comes to the one camp and attacks it, then the camp that is left will escape.” And Jacob said, “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, O Lord who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your kindred, that I may do you good,’ I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant, for with only my staff I crossed this Jordan, and now I have become two camps. Please deliver me from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I fear him, that he may come and attack me, the mothers with the children. But you said, ‘I will surely do you good, and make your offspring as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.’”

“God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” – C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain (New York: HarperCollins, 1940/1996), 91.

Generosity

Genesis 32:13-21 So he stayed there that night, and from what he had with him he took a present for his brother Esau, two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams, thirty milking camels and their calves, forty cows and ten bulls, twenty female donkeys and ten male donkeys. These he handed over to his servants, every drove by itself, and said to his servants, “Pass on ahead of me and put a space between drove and drove.” He instructed the first, “When Esau my brother meets you and asks you, ‘To whom do you belong? Where are you going? And whose are these ahead of you?’ then you shall say, ‘They belong to your servant Jacob. They are a present sent to my lord Esau. And moreover, he is behind us.’” He likewise instructed the second and the third and all who followed the droves, “You shall say the same thing to Esau when you find him, and you shall say, ‘Moreover, your servant Jacob is behind us.’” For he thought, “I may appease him with the present that goes ahead of me, and afterward I shall see his face. Perhaps he will accept me.” So the present passed on ahead of him, and he himself stayed that night in the camp.

Proverbs 17:8 A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of the one who gives it; wherever he turns he prospers.

Proverbs 18:16 A man's gift makes room for him and brings him before the great.

Proverbs 19:6 Many seek the favor of a generous man, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.

Proverbs 21:14 A gift in secret averts anger, and a concealed bribe, strong wrath.

Transformation

Genesis 32:22-32 The same night he arose and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. He took them and sent them across the stream, and everything else that he had. And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.” The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip. Therefore to this day the people of Israel do not eat the sinew of the thigh that is on the hip socket, because he touched the socket of Jacob's hip on the sinew of the thigh.

Second City Church - Redemption Sermon Series 2016

Redemption: A Tale of Two Fathers

Genesis 31:1-16 Now Jacob heard that the sons of Laban were saying, “Jacob has taken all that was our father's, and from what was our father's he has gained all this wealth.” And Jacob saw that Laban did not regard him with favor as before. Then the Lord said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you.” So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah into the field where his flock was and said to them, “I see that your father does not regard me with favor as he did before. But the God of my father has been with me. You know that I have served your father with all my strength, yet your father has cheated me and changed my wages ten times. But God did not permit him to harm me. If he said, ‘The spotted shall be your wages,’ then all the flock bore spotted; and if he said, ‘The striped shall be your wages,’ then all the flock bore striped. Thus God has taken away the livestock of your father and given them to me. In the breeding season of the flock I lifted up my eyes and saw in a dream that the goats that mated with the flock were striped, spotted, and mottled. Then the angel of God said to me in the dream, ‘Jacob,’ and I said, ‘Here I am!’ And he said, ‘Lift up your eyes and see, all the goats that mate with the flock are striped, spotted, and mottled, for I have seen all that Laban is doing to you. I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and made a vow to me. Now arise, go out from this land and return to the land of your kindred.’” Then Rachel and Leah answered and said to him, “Is there any portion or inheritance left to us in our father's house? Are we not regarded by him as foreigners? For he has sold us, and he has indeed devoured our money. All the wealth that God has taken away from our father belongs to us and to our children. Now then, whatever God has said to you, do.”

Luke 15:11-32 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate. “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”

One father was scheming and selfish. The other was benevolent and generous.

One father was fault-finding and accusation. The other was full of grace and looked to cover his son's sin.

Because Jesus comes with grace and truth (John 1), we are able to come to repentance.

Because of the blood of Jesus spilled for us, a covenant has been made where the wrath of the Father is satisfied and we are able to draw near to the Father again.

Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we are able to live eternally with the robe, the ring and the fattened calf of God's blessing.

One father was proud and the other humbled himself when offended to reconcile with his wayward child. Because of the cross of Jesus Christ, reconciliation is made possible with our Heavenly Father.

Both come looking for idols in their child's life. One wants to destroy us if he found them - the other wants to destroy them so they won't destroy us.

In the story of the prodigal son, redemption was able to take place for the wayward child not because of who he was but who he belonged to. It is the same for us in Christ.

Second City Church - Redemption Sermon Series 2015

Redemption: Behold What You Want to Become

Genesis 30:25-43 As soon as Rachel had borne Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, “Send me away, that I may go to my own home and country. Give me my wives and my children for whom I have served you, that I may go, for you know the service that I have given you.” But Laban said to him, “If I have found favor in your sight, I have learned by divination that the Lord has blessed me because of you. Name your wages, and I will give it.” Jacob said to him, “You yourself know how I have served you, and how your livestock has fared with me. For you had little before I came, and it has increased abundantly, and the Lord has blessed you wherever I turned. But now when shall I provide for my own household also?” He said, “What shall I give you?” Jacob said, “You shall not give me anything. If you will do this for me, I will again pasture your flock and keep it: let me pass through all your flock today, removing from it every speckled and spotted sheep and every black lamb, and the spotted and speckled among the goats, and they shall be my wages. So my honesty will answer for me later, when you come to look into my wages with you. Every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats and black among the lambs, if found with me, shall be counted stolen.” Laban said, “Good! Let it be as you have said.” But that day Laban removed the male goats that were striped and spotted, and all the female goats that were speckled and spotted, every one that had white on it, and every lamb that was black, and put them in the charge of his sons. And he set a distance of three days' journey between himself and Jacob, and Jacob pastured the rest of Laban's flock. Then Jacob took fresh sticks of poplar and almond and plane trees, and peeled white streaks in them, exposing the white of the sticks. He set the sticks that he had peeled in front of the flocks in the troughs, that is, the watering places, where the flocks came to drink. And since they bred when they came to drink, the flocks bred in front of the sticks and so the flocks brought forth striped, speckled, and spotted. And Jacob separated the lambs and set the faces of the flocks toward the striped and all the black in the flock of Laban. He put his own droves apart and did not put them with Laban's flock. Whenever the stronger of the flock were breeding, Jacob would lay the sticks in the troughs before the eyes of the flock, that they might breed among the sticks, but for the feebler of the flock he would not lay them there. So the feebler would be Laban's, and the stronger Jacob's. Thus the man increased greatly and had large flocks, female servants and male servants, and camels and donkeys.

Strength comes by setting your eyes and heart on the things that will draw you closer to Jesus, bring you strength as you dwell with the author of life.

Matthew 12:33-37 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

God designed you in such a way that the relationships, messages and environments that you feed upon will either bring you into the health that He created you to live in, or it will slowly tear apart your life.

What are the music, entertainment, relationships and messages that you are feeding on doing for your relationship with Jesus?

Are they drawing you closer or giving you an uphill battle towards intimacy with Him?

Second City Church - Redemption Sermon Series 2016

Redemption: Our Reach, Our Reasons and Our Rest

Part of our redemption begins when we start to find the source and foundation of our joy in God and His eternal pleasures. We are then released from the tyranny of circumstances which are ever in flux, relationships which are out of our control and even trials that begin to strengthen rather than break us.

Our Reach

Genesis 29:31-35

When the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. And Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben, for she said, “Because the Lord has looked upon my affliction; for now my husband will love me.” She conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Because the Lord has heard that I am hated, he has given me this son also.” And she called his name Simeon. Again she conceived and bore a son, and said, “Now this time my husband will be attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” Therefore his name was called Levi. And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, “This time I will praise the Lord.” Therefore she called his name Judah. Then she ceased bearing.

Whether it be a career, a marriage or romantic relationship, children or wealth, we think that once we've obtained it, we'll truly be happy, satisfied, only to be disappointed time and again.

Our Reasons

We are tempted to get shaken from our joy when hopes are deferred.

Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.

Genesis 30:1-24 When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, she envied her sister. She said to Jacob, “Give me children, or I shall die!” Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel, and he said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?” Then she said, “Here is my servant Bilhah; go in to her, so that she may give birth on my behalf, that even I may have children through her.” So she gave him her servant Bilhah as a wife, and Jacob went in to her. And Bilhah conceived and bore Jacob a son. Then Rachel said, “God has judged me, and has also heard my voice and given me a son.” Therefore she called his name Dan. Rachel's servant Bilhah conceived again and bore Jacob a second son. Then Rachel said, “With mighty wrestlings I have wrestled with my sister and have prevailed.” So she called his name Naphtali. When Leah saw that she had ceased bearing children, she took her servant Zilpah and gave her to Jacob as a wife. Then Leah's servant Zilpah bore Jacob a son. And Leah said, “Good fortune has come!” so she called his name Gad. Leah's servant Zilpah bore Jacob a second son. And Leah said, “Happy am I! For women have called me happy.” So she called his name Asher. In the days of wheat harvest Reuben went and found mandrakes in the field and brought them to his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, “Please give me some of your son's mandrakes.” But she said to her, “Is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband? Would you take away my son's mandrakes also?” Rachel said, “Then he may lie with you tonight in exchange for your son's mandrakes.” When Jacob came from the field in the evening, Leah went out to meet him and said, “You must come in to me, for I have hired you with my son's mandrakes.” So he lay with her that night. And God listened to Leah, and she conceived and bore Jacob a fifth son. Leah said, “God has given me my wages because I gave my servant to my husband.” So she called his name Issachar. And Leah conceived again, and she bore Jacob a sixth son. Then Leah said, “God has endowed me with a good endowment; now my husband will honor me, because I have borne him six sons.” So she called his name Zebulun. Afterward she bore a daughter and called her name Dinah. Then God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her and opened her womb. She conceived and bore a son and said, “God has taken away my reproach.” And she called his name Joseph, saying, “May the Lord add to me another son!”

Reuben - means "See, a son" Simeon - sounds like the Hebrew for "heard" Levi - sounds like the Hebrew for "attached" Judah - sounds like the Hebrew for "praise" Dan - sounds like the Hebrew for "judged" Naphtali - sounds like the Hebrew for "wrestling" Gad - sounds like the Hebrew for "good fortune" Asher - sounds like the Hebrew for "happy" Issachar - sounds like the Hebrew for "wages" Zebulun - sounds like the Hebrew for "honor" (Dinah) - means "justice" Joseph - means "May he add, and sounds like the Hebrew for "taken away" (Benjamin)

God's desire is for character developed in the midst of our pursuits.

Our Rest

The joy of the Holy Spirit is unshakable, constant, replenishing and is built on the rock of God's character. This joy is founded upon the eternal truth of Christ's Word, gospel, kindness and forgiveness.

Psalm 62:1-12 For God alone my soul waits in silence;from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation,my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken. How long will all of you attack a manto batter him,like a leaning wall, a tottering fence? They only plan to thrust him down from his high position.They take pleasure in falsehood.They bless with their mouths,but inwardly they curse. Selah For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation,my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory;my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in him at all times, O people;pour out your heart before him;God is a refuge for us. Selah Those of low estate are but a breath;those of high estate are a delusion;in the balances they go up;they are together lighter than a breath. Put no trust in extortion;set no vain hopes on robbery;if riches increase, set not your heart on them. Once God has spoken;twice have I heard this:that power belongs to God, and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love.For you will render to a man according to his work.

Cultivating that joy

Psalm 16:8-11 I have set the Lord always before me;because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy;at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

1) Set a distinct time and place that you'll meet with God daily. 2) Turn each hope to an eternal one.

Second City Church - Redemption Sermon Series 2016

Chicago Fire - Jesus and a Church that Strengthens You

Acts 11:19-30 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians. Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world this took place in the days of Claudius. So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

It is the Holy Spirit's job to convict, God's job to judge and my job to love. - Billy Graham

Proverbs 12:25 Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.

Proverbs 15:22-24 Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is! The path of life leads upward for the prudent, that he may turn away from Sheol beneath.

Proverbs 16:24 Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

Second City Church: Chicago Fire: The Spirit-Led Church in the City Sermon Series 2016

Chicago Fire - Jesus and a Reconciling Church

 

Acts 11:1-18 Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.” But Peter began and explained it to them in order: “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, something like a great sheet descending, being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to me. Looking at it closely, I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air. And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ But I said, ‘By no means, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ But the voice answered a second time from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, do not call common.’ This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven. And behold, at that very moment three men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesarea. And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man's house. And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter; he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’ As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God's way?” When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

Acts 11:19-30 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians. Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world this took place in the days of Claudius. So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

"We shouldn’t refer to the Spirit as “it”; instead we should always refer to the Spirit as “He”—because the Holy Spirit is a Person. He speaks to us, He commands us, He intercedes for us, He hears us, He guides us." - Billy Graham, Billy Graham in Quotes

"John Bunyan says that he never forgot the divinity he taught, because it was burnt into him when he was on his knees. That is the way to learn the gospel. If you learn it upon your knees you will never unlearn it. That which “men” teach you, men can unteach you – if I am merely convinced by reason, a better reasoner may deceive me. If I merely hold my doctrinal opinions because they seem “to me” to be correct, I may be led to think differently another day. But if “God” has taught them to me – he who is himself pure truth – I have not learned amiss, but I have so learned that I shall never unlearn, nor shall I forget." - Charles Haddon Spurgeon

"It is the Holy Spirit's job to convict, God's job to judge and my job to love." - Billy Graham

Second City Church: Chicago Fire: The Spirit-Led Church in the City Sermon Series 2016

Chicago Fire - Jesus and a New Paradigm Church

 

Acts 10:1-8 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him, and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.

Acts 10:34-48 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ he is Lord of all, you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.

"The average man has no central core of moral assurance, no spring within his breast, no inner strength to place him above the need for repeated psychological shots to give him the courage to go on living. He has become a parasite on the world, drawing his life from his environment, unable to live a day apart from the stimulation which society affords him." - A.W. Tozer

"I remind you that there are churches so completely out of the hands of God that if the Holy Spirit withdrew from them, they wouldn't find it out for many months." - A.W. Tozer, Tozer Pulpit

"When you strip it of everything else, Pentecost stands for power and life. That's what came into the church when the Holy Spirit came down on the day of Pentecost."- David Wilkerson, The Cross and the Switchblade

Second City Church: Chicago Fire: The Spirit-Led Church in the City Sermon Series 2016

reThink Easter

HOPE

"Optimism hopes for the best without any guarantee of its arriving and is often no more than whistling in the dark. Christian hope, by contrast, is faith looking ahead to the fulfillment of the promises of God, as when the Anglican burial service inters the corpse 'in sure and certain hope of the Resurrection to eternal life, through our Lord Jesus Christ.' Optimism is a wish without warrant; Christian hope is a certainty, guaranteed by God himself. Optimism reflects ignorance as to whether good things will ever actually come. Christian hope expresses knowledge that every day of his life, and every moment beyond it, the believer can say with truth, on the basis of God's own commitment, that the best is yet to come." - J.I. Packer

Luke 24:1-12 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.

SACRIFICE

How often has Jesus been with us and we've not recognized Him? (My car accident on a bridge in Charleston, others' near death experiences, job openings, comfort during loss, questions about life's meaning and purpose).

Luke 24:13-27 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

FORGIVENESS

Luke 24:36-53 As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them. Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.

"...left to ourselves we lapse into a kind of collusion with entrophy, acquiescing in the general belief that things may be getting worse but that there's nothing much we can do about them. And we are wrong. Our task in the present...is to live as resurrection people in between Easter and the final day, with our Christian life, corporate and individual, in both worship and mission, as a sign of the first and a foretaste of the second." - N.T. Wright, Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church

Our Response - Repentance and Faith

"Dead men cannot take effective action; their power of influence on others lasts only till the grave. Deeds and actions that energise others belong only to the living. Well, then, look at the facts in this case. The Saviour is working mightily among men, every day He is invisibly persuading numbers of people all over the world, both within and beyond the Greek-speaking world, to accept His faith and be obedient to His teaching. Can anyone, in face of this, still doubt that He has risen and lives, or rather that He is Himself the Life? Does a dead man prick the consciences of men...?" - Athanasius of Alexandria, On the Incarnation

Second City Church- reThink Easter 2016