Revealed: The Names, Qualities, and Character of God

An Introduction

Psalm 138:1-8 
I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise; I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word. On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased. All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O Lord, for they have heard the words of your mouth, and they shall sing of the ways of the Lord, for great is the glory of the Lord. For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me. The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.

What's in a Name?

2 "you have exalted above all things your name and your word"

1) God is self-revealing. 
It is important how someone identifies themselves so that you might know who they are and how to relate to them. 

Throughout Scripture, we have historical accounts of God revealing Himself by certain names (through which gives us a picture of His personal qualities and reputation on which He wants us to stake our hopes) and word (through which He gives us promises on which we build our lives based on His character). 

2) God's qualities give you a foundation through which you relate to Him.

It answers the questions:

What do I do? 
1-2a "I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; before the gods, I sing your praise; I bow down toward your holy temple" 

Why? - God possesses the qualities of steadfast love and faithfulness

3) God's character gives you a foundation to which you respond to Him and others in the midst of life's circumstances. 

3 "On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased."

Psalm 138:4-6
All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O Lord, for they have heard the words of your mouth, and they shall sing of the ways of the Lord, for great is the glory of the Lord. For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar.

The gospel is found in all of His words 

7 "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me. "

The right hand was known as a source of strength, deliverance, a form of rescue.  Jesus stretched out His arms on the cross to show us His strength through the weakness of dying that our sin might be atoned for and we might be forgiven through repentance and faith in His name.  

1 Corinthians 1:22-25 
For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

The Most Important Name

The most important name through which God revealed Himself is the name of Jesus (which means the Lord saves and comes with the reputation of Christ's necessary sinless life, sacrificial death on the cross for our sins and triumphant resurrection from the dead to provide eternal life). There is no knowing God without this penultimate revelation of His Son who encompasses all of His qualities and expresses all of His character. 

Matthew 1:21-23 
She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” which means, God with us.

Yeshua/Jesus - He will save his people from their sins
Immanuel - God with us 

John 14:8-9 
Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?

John 17:1-5 
When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.

John 17:6-19
“I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.

Through that same faithfulness, God fulfills His purpose for our lives. 

Psalm 138:8
The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.

Second City Church: Revealed Sermon Series 2017

Guest Speaker - Cole Parleir

The Story Of Us

(Come to Me, Come to us)

Matt 11:28-30 NIV
“Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” - Jesus

God wants us to come to Jesus for our rest.  When we come to Jesus we get Him and His family, in this order.  The last two letters of “Jesus” is “Us.” 
It’s no longer about “I,” but it is about “us.”  It’s no longer “me,” but “we.”  

Come to Me

“Come to me”
This an invitation to be with Jesus, the savior.  This is the call that all our hearts are longing for.  Just to hear the voice of Jesus is the beginning of restoration, the beginning of knowing that your maker desires you, wants to be with you, loves you, and is present.

This is a command to be with Jesus, the Lord of all, as there is no other name under heaven by which we can be saved.

When Jesus invites us to come to Him, we go to where He is, and partake in what He is doing.  It may not be what you expect, but He is God and He is good, knowing what you need more than you do.

What if I don’t hear Jesus’ invitation?  
You seeing or hearing Jesus isn’t as important as whether He sees and hears you.  So start yelling!  Help!  What if I am not sure where Jesus is? Yell some more! Send out a homing beacon, a flare, raise your voice! You can do what Peter did and ask Jesus to call you, if you think you might see or hear Him.

Matthew 14:28-33
“Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”  Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.””

Jesus’ call is also to those whom you may not think deserve it, such as little children.

Matthew 19:13-14 NIV
“Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.””

“All who are weary and burdened”
Who is the invitation for?
All people!  All places!  All times!  

Acts 17:26-28 NIV
“From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’”

All who are weary and heavy burdened! 

The context of this invitation to the weary and heavy burdened is those who are like the Pharisees and are trying to gain a right relationship with God through obeying the law.  This also applies to those of us who have done what the Bible says in Romans and have “become a law unto ourselves,” meaning we don’t believe in God but yet we have a system of morality we have constructed or adhered to.

Why “all” people?  All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.  We were made in God’s image, but we’ve blown it.  Only Jesus has perfectly been the image of God on the earth.  

“And I will give you rest (for your souls)”
Jesus is the rest giver for your soul.
Jesus addresses the greatest need that underlies and is the foundation of all other needs.  In the case of rest, He knows we need rest for our souls.  When we have rest for our souls, the foundation has been laid for your body and mind to rest.

What is rest for your soul?  It is righteousness, being back in relationship with your heavenly Father. 
Jesus is the only person, the only thing, that can give us rest for our souls.
Jesus’ way of living can give you rest for your body and mind, but without Jesus being the one you go to for “rest for your soul,” all these good things that help us rest just become a bandaid or distraction from real rest.  

2 Timothy 3:5 NIV
“having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.”

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me”
The great exchange: trading the yoke of the Law or a yoke we’ve made ourselves, for the yoke of Jesus. The context of the previous parts of Matthew 11 are rebuking people and cities that experienced many miracles of God but never repented.  They experienced partial temporary salvation for their bodies, not for their souls because they continued on in their sinful lifestyles.  All who sin are a slave to sin, or are yoked to Satan, but Jesus wants us to be free from sin, but the only way to be free from sin is to be a slave to righteousness. 

The call to discipleship is the taking on of Jesus' yoke and learning from Him.

“For I am gentle and humble in heart”
Because of God’s character we can come to Jesus, take on His yoke, all without fear of abuse, fear of rejection, or fear of failure because He is gentle and humble in heart.

The authority structures on earth that require you to make a commitment may have abused you: your boss, your spouse, your parent, the police, etc., but Jesus will never abuse you.  On the contrary, everything He does, allows, and commands is for our good.  He is humble, so we can humble ourselves and cast all our anxiety on Him because He cares for us.

1 Peter 5:6-11 NIV
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

“and you will find rest for your souls”
Rest for our souls is a promise.
Jesus has authority of all things and, unlike people, has the power to back up His words.

Matthew 11:27 NIV
““All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

“For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
It’s still a yoke, but it’s Jesus’ yoke.
Being attached to Jesus is not a pass from serving God, but the way to fulfill our destiny in God.

Come to us

The way that Jesus gives us what we need to walk with Him, to rest in Him, is usually through His Body (the Church).  He gave Himself for our salvation, His Spirit for our sanctification, and His body (our brothers and sisters in Christ) for our edification.

His Spirit and His Body
When the people of God come together this is what it looks like:

The Holy Spirit
Acts 2:1-4 NIV
“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”

The Body of Christ
Acts 2:40-47 NIV
“With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

The Benefits of Christ’s Body

Companionship
“It is not good for man to be alone…even in the garden of Eden; paradise!”

Signs and wonders
“Where two or three are gathered together there in my name I am among them”

Healing
“Call the elders of the church to anoint them with oil if they’re sick”

Encouragement
“Build one another up in love”

Accountability
We “walk in the light” because as long as we live in these current bodies we will be buffeted by temptation. 

My favorite benefit:
We hasten the coming of Jesus and His kingdom through sharing the gospel.

Application
The next time you feel weariness or burdens come on, go to Jesus and His body (your family) for rest. Take His yoke upon you and surrender to His will. Rest will come. 

Second City Church: Guest Speaker - Cole Parleir 2017

Freedom

Dominican Republic Update

What an amazing first day! We were able to enjoy an authentic Dominican breakfast as a team before heading to Pastor Pive's.  Once we arrived, he was able to tell his story, give updates and explain the way the feeding program works. It was an amazing experience for us as a team to be able to walk the neighborhood, meet families and feed over 200 children. A couple hours later we were blessed to see children sitting in on their own children's service at Casa Belen. The children are amazing.  Tomorrow we start VBS with the kids . We are ending the night with worship as a team. We have grown so much as a family already.
 
You can follow (some of) our photos at #2ndcityDR2017 

John 8:31-38
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you. I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.”

The Importance of Abiding

Abiding in God's Word helps you remember the reality of His meta-narrative. It centers you in worship, the gospel and the purpose of God expressed through Jesus and His cross.  Without this, we drift quite naturally into worship of some other kind. 

"Man, so long as he remains free, has no more constant and agonizing anxiety than find as quickly as possible someone to worship."
- Fyodor Dostoevsky

True Freedom

The truth about relationships, pleasures, happiness and life purpose, satisfaction and peace are all in Christ through His word.  It is your very plain roadmap to achieving what stands at the heart of all mankind as most desirable.  It is because we were made that way, designed by God and for Him.  True freedom is being able to walk in your ultimate design and life calling. 

"Free will is not the liberty to do whatever one likes, but the power of doing whatever one sees ought to be done, even in the very face of otherwise overwhelming impulse. There lies freedom, indeed."
- George Macdonald

Real Slavery

"He that is kind is free, though he is a slave; he that is evil is a slave, though he be a king."
- Augustine

They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you.  - Jesus

Who's Your Daddy?

Unbeknownst to us, we can be shaped by the pattern of the world around us if we are not being shaped by Christ.  This is when someone other than God begins fathering you.

 "If a thing is free to be good it is also free to be bad. And free will is what has made evil possible. Why, then, did God give them free will? Because free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having."
- C.S. Lewis

Jesus fought the penultimate battle for us, voluntarily laying down His life for our sins at the cross.  He became sin so that He might not only take the punishment for our sin, but redeem us/buy us back from its power having paid the price of our servitude.  

"Either sin is with you, lying on your shoulders, or it is lying on Christ, the Lamb of God. Now if it is lying on your back, you are lost; but if it is resting on Christ, you are free, and you will be saved. Now choose what you want."
- Martin Luther

We are no longer slaves, but free to live as children of God in His resurrection power as we choose to love Him as He has loved us. 

"In almost everything that touches our everyday life on earth, God is pleased when we're pleased. He wills that we be as free as birds to soar and sing our maker's praise without anxiety."
- A. W. Tozer

Second City Church: Freedom Sermon 2017

Guest Speaker - Charles Kiefer

II Peter 1:1-21
1 Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: 2 Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. 10 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 12 So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. 13 I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, 14 because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15 And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things. 16 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. 19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

II Peter 3:1,2,11
1 Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. 2 I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles. 11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives.

Second City Church: Guest Speaker - Charles Kiefer 2017

Why Not Sin? Part 2 Moment of Pain, Lifetime of Pleasure

2 Samuel 13:23-29
After two full years Absalom had sheepshearers at Baal-hazor, which is near Ephraim, and Absalom invited all the king's sons. And Absalom came to the king and said, “Behold, your servant has sheepshearers. Please let the king and his servants go with your servant.” But the king said to Absalom, “No, my son, let us not all go, lest we be burdensome to you.” He pressed him, but he would not go but gave him his blessing. Then Absalom said, “If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us.” And the king said to him, “Why should he go with you?” But Absalom pressed him until he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him. Then Absalom commanded his servants, “Mark when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon,’ then kill him. Do not fear; have I not commanded you? Be courageous and be valiant.” So the servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose, and each mounted his mule and fled. 

2 Samuel 13:34-39
But Absalom fled. And the young man who kept the watch lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, many people were coming from the road behind him by the side of the mountain. And Jonadab said to the king, “Behold, the king's sons have come; as your servant said, so it has come about.” And as soon as he had finished speaking, behold, the king's sons came and lifted up their voice and wept. And the king also and all his servants wept very bitterly. But Absalom fled and went to Talmai the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son day after day. So Absalom fled and went to Geshur, and was there three years. And the spirit of the king longed to go out to Absalom, because he was comforted about Amnon, since he was dead.

2 Samuel 14:1-17
Now Joab the son of Zeruiah knew that the king's heart went out to Absalom. And Joab sent to Tekoa and brought from there a wise woman and said to her, “Pretend to be a mourner and put on mourning garments. Do not anoint yourself with oil, but behave like a woman who has been mourning many days for the dead. Go to the king and speak thus to him.” So Joab put the words in her mouth. When the woman of Tekoa came to the king, she fell on her face to the ground and paid homage and said, “Save me, O king.” And the king said to her, “What is your trouble?” She answered, “Alas, I am a widow; my husband is dead. And your servant had two sons, and they quarreled with one another in the field. There was no one to separate them, and one struck the other and killed him. And now the whole clan has risen against your servant, and they say, ‘Give up the man who struck his brother, that we may put him to death for the life of his brother whom he killed.’ And so they would destroy the heir also. Thus they would quench my coal that is left and leave to my husband neither name nor remnant on the face of the earth.” Then the king said to the woman, “Go to your house, and I will give orders concerning you.” And the woman of Tekoa said to the king, “On me be the guilt, my lord the king, and on my father's house; let the king and his throne be guiltless.” The king said, “If anyone says anything to you, bring him to me, and he shall never touch you again.” Then she said, “Please let the king invoke the Lord your God, that the avenger of blood kill no more, and my son be not destroyed.” He said, “As the Lord lives, not one hair of your son shall fall to the ground.” Then the woman said, “Please let your servant speak a word to my lord the king.” He said, “Speak.” And the woman said, “Why then have you planned such a thing against the people of God? For in giving this decision the king convicts himself, inasmuch as the king does not bring his banished one home again. We must all die; we are like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. But God will not take away life, and he devises means so that the banished one will not remain an outcast. Now I have come to say this to my lord the king because the people have made me afraid, and your servant thought, ‘I will speak to the king; it may be that the king will perform the request of his servant. For the king will hear and deliver his servant from the hand of the man who would destroy me and my son together from the heritage of God.’ And your servant thought, ‘The word of my lord the king will set me at rest,’ for my lord the king is like the angel of God to discern good and evil. The Lord your God be with you!”

To the Fathers

David needed to deal with the sin of Amnon against Tamar appropriately.  In failing to do so, he lost Absalom as well. 

Ephesians 6:1-4
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” this is the first commandment with a promise, “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

To Those Heeding Fatherly Advice

One of the greatest gifts that a father can give his children is God's wisdom of properly handling His concept of delayed gratification. 

The delayed gratification theme - we see its necessity when dealing with things such as: 
Not getting trapped by credit cards.
A weight lifting regimen.

There are two sides of the coin when handling God's principle of delayed gratification:

1) Ammon - As sons of the king, there may not have been much they were denied in the way of material wealth, opportunities and pleasures. You can imagine delayed gratification being a challenge in such an environment.  There are parallels in our lives today. 

What is immediately at your disposal that can be a hindrance rather than a help to you?

Wait on God the avenger when you've been wronged.
Romans 13

2) Absalom used the idea of delayed gratification for his revenge. 
It was a misplaced appropriation of delayed gratification. 

Our lack of zeal for the Lord can turn into delayed obedience.  You need to do what God commands you to do when you have the opportunity to do it.  Don't put it off. 

Proverbs 3:27-28
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you.

Seek the kingdom of God first means seek it first.  It does not mean after your studies, job, family, hobbies or pleasure pursuits.  It means first.  It means first with your time, your talent and your resources.  It means first in your affections, thought life, emotional life, and strength.  This is what it means to love Jesus and serve Him as King. This is what a godly father or father figure in the faith needs to impart to his children. 

You don't put Jesus aside for years of study or work and hope to find that the burning heart of your devotion will have grown or even remained the same in that time.  You cannot serve two masters.  You can substitute the idea of money for your career amongst the millennial who often think it too plebeian or base a thing to say that their end goal is merely material wealth. 

No decision that you make in your life is benign or inconsequential. You are either gathering with Jesus or scattering. 

Christ-centered love doesn't mean catering to people's pleasures, being a vehicle or outlet solely for their frivolity.  It means helping them look to and build a life that is fruitful in Jesus. 

Matthew 12:30
Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

To lead in Christ's church, you need to live this way. 

Live for your heavenly rewards, not just your earthly ones. 

It can be done well - look at Greg, Oluchi, Lyndsey and the Fiedler's.  Look at the many in our professional ranks and follow their example as they follow Christ. 

Delayed gratification applies to:

Marriage
     Building the relationship
     Fidelity

Child-rearing

Proverbs 13:24
Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.

Business ethics and strategies

     Built to Last by Jim Collins

Discipleship and Making Disciples

     Joshua 5
     II Corinthians 7

Sacrifice and Savings to live Debt Free

     Deuteronomy 28, 29
 
Proverbs 13:22
A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, but the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous.
(part of their inheritance is teaching them to be givers that they might be blessed)

Proverbs 21:17, 20
Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich. 

Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man's dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.

God preparing you for your calling

Isaiah 49:1-7
Listen to me, O coastlands, and give attention, you peoples from afar. The Lord called me from the womb, from the body of my mother he named my name. He made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow; in his quiver he hid me away. And he said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.” But I said, “I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my right is with the Lord, and my recompense with my God.” And now the Lord says, he who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him; and that Israel might be gathered to him— for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord, and my God has become my strength— he says: “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” Thus says the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One, to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nation, the servant of rulers: “Kings shall see and arise; princes, and they shall prostrate themselves; because of the Lord, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.”

To the Heavenly Father

God continually makes ways for us to be reconciled to Him through the cross of Christ. 

II Samuel 14:14
We must all die; we are like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. But God will not take away life, and he devises means so that the banished one will not remain an outcast. 

The delayed gratification of faith in Christ ultimately leads us to the kingdom of God. 

1 Peter 1:8-9
Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Second City Church: Why Not Sin? Sermon Series 2017

Why Not Sin? Part 1 - Moment of Pleasure, Lifetime of Pain

As you travel for work and vacation this summer, don't vacation from Christ. 

2 Samuel 13:1-22 
Now Absalom, David's son, had a beautiful sister, whose name was Tamar. And after a time Amnon, David's son, loved her. And Amnon was so tormented that he made himself ill because of his sister Tamar, for she was a virgin, and it seemed impossible to Amnon to do anything to her. But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David's brother. And Jonadab was a very crafty man. And he said to him, “O son of the king, why are you so haggard morning after morning? Will you not tell me?” Amnon said to him, “I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister.” Jonadab said to him, “Lie down on your bed and pretend to be ill. And when your father comes to see you, say to him, ‘Let my sister Tamar come and give me bread to eat, and prepare the food in my sight, that I may see it and eat it from her hand.’” So Amnon lay down and pretended to be ill. And when the king came to see him, Amnon said to the king, “Please let my sister Tamar come and make a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat from her hand.” Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, “Go to your brother Amnon's house and prepare food for him.” So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house, where he was lying down. And she took dough and kneaded it and made cakes in his sight and baked the cakes. And she took the pan and emptied it out before him, but he refused to eat. And Amnon said, “Send out everyone from me.” So everyone went out from him. Then Amnon said to Tamar, “Bring the food into the chamber, that I may eat from your hand.” And Tamar took the cakes she had made and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother. But when she brought them near him to eat, he took hold of her and said to her, “Come, lie with me, my sister.” She answered him, “No, my brother, do not violate me, for such a thing is not done in Israel; do not do this outrageous thing. As for me, where could I carry my shame? And as for you, you would be as one of the outrageous fools in Israel. Now therefore, please speak to the king, for he will not withhold me from you.” But he would not listen to her, and being stronger than she, he violated her and lay with her. Then Amnon hated her with very great hatred, so that the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her. And Amnon said to her, “Get up! Go!” But she said to him, “No, my brother, for this wrong in sending me away is greater than the other that you did to me.” But he would not listen to her. He called the young man who served him and said, “Put this woman out of my presence and bolt the door after her.” Now she was wearing a long robe with sleeves, for thus were the virgin daughters of the king dressed. So his servant put her out and bolted the door after her. And Tamar put ashes on her head and tore the long robe that she wore. And she laid her hand on her head and went away, crying aloud as she went. And her brother Absalom said to her, “Has Amnon your brother been with you? Now hold your peace, my sister. He is your brother; do not take this to heart.” So Tamar lived, a desolate woman, in her brother Absalom's house. When King David heard of all these things, he was very angry. But Absalom spoke to Amnon neither good nor bad, for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had violated his sister Tamar.

Apprehend Your Thought Life 

If you don't discipline your secret thought life, you will eventually find a way to fulfill the sin you've been imagining. 

Romans 8:5-11
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

The time will eventually come when some sort of temptation seizes you becoming tormenting to you if you don't control your thought life. 

I Peter 4

How do I apprehend my thoughts?
What you watch, listen to, etc., matters.  You are feeding your spirit man/woman with the ingredients that will lead to life or death. 

Clean eating is all the rage for healthy living today.  It's what we need to apply to our walk with God.

Avoid the Counsel of Jonabad

Be careful of your inputs.

Amnon listened to Jonabad because he was deceived.  Sin always comes from a place of deception. Eve in the garden sinned when she was deceived by Satan. 

Jonabad gave counsel that satisfied the desires of the flesh, not the Spirit of God. You need to surround yourself with people who increase your love for and devotion to Jesus. 

Who are those people in your life and how do you regularly connect to make sure that you are perpetually standing strong?

Wherever you travel for work, pleasure or life, find a good Jesus loving, Bible preaching church and make it a priority to gather with the believers for mutual worship, edification and a reminder of focus on the kingdom of God. 

Needing rejuvenation after your vacation

There was no work, travel or vacation clause from God's command to honor the Sabbath. 

People come back weaker or condemned from such things because they forget about the one who brought them to the dance, living segmented and fragmented lives - being detached from the WAYS of God through which He builds His people and kingdom. 

Stay connected to godly inputs as you travel. 

Our aim should be to be holy - set apart in all of our deeds and purposes.

1 Peter 1:14-16
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Holiness
It matters not just what you believe but how you think and how you interact with the people/world around you.  

This is how you cultivate and demonstrate your love for God. 

A Saturday afternoon community group for consultants would be a good way to serve a population that travels during the week. 

Playing scenarios out to the fullest extent, you will begin to despise the thing that tempted you. 

Sin always disappoints. 

"Sin always takes you further than you want to go, makes you stay longer than you want to stay and makes you pay a price higher than you want to pay."
- Ron Lewis

Say "I Ain't Too Proud To Beg"

Ask the King. Your Heavenly Father knows what you need before you ask Him. 

Secondly, talk to your spouse and or godly counsel to find righteous fulfillment of your desires. 

Repent and meet Jesus the King at the cross to redeem mistakes that have been made and hurt that has been experienced because of sin.  He can forgive, restore and heal as He took our sin on the cross, died for our punishment and was resurrected to write us a new story as we enter into eternal life with Him.

Second City Church: Why Not Sin? Sermon Series 2017

Chicago Fire - Jesus and a Church that Practices the Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Pentecost Sunday

God raises up multiple types of leadership within the church with gifts of the Holy Spirit to both strengthen and build it. 

Acts 15:22-33, 35-41
Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, with the following letter: “The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings. Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.” So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words. And after they had spent some time, they were sent off in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them. But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also. And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Sometimes, when you have spent a long time rejecting the gifts of the Spirit and come to believe in them, you almost feel as if you are being born again. You feel as if you have a whole new Bible. By that latter statement I mean that the Gospels and Acts come alive for you in a way that they never have before. Things that you had relegated to the first century now become a possibility for today's church.
- Jack Deere, Surprised by the Power of the Spirit: Discovering How God Speaks and Heals Today

1 Timothy 4:12-16 
Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Fathers and mothers in the faith, operating in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, are often taken for granted but provide stability.  They are the ones that drive true change. 

Some people have a warped idea of living the Christian life. Seeing talented, successful Christians, they attempt to imitate them. For them, the grass on the other side of the fence is always greener. But when they discover that their own gifts are different or their contributions are more modest (or even invisible), they collapse in discouragement and overlook genuine opportunities that are open to them. They have forgotten that they are here to serve Christ, not themselves.
- Billy Graham, Hope for Each Day: Words of Wisdom and Faith

God's glory is most majestically displayed not through you or through me, but through US. God raises up the Church, and says to all Creation in the heavens, on the Earth, and under the Earth, this is the bride and body of My Son, bought and purchased by His blood to be My people and receive My power, and enjoy My presence, and declare My praise forever and ever.
- David Platt, Follow Me: A Call to Die. A Call to Live. 

Second City Church: Chicago Fire Sermon Series 2017

Chicago Fire - Jesus and a Church Provides Protection

1 Timothy 4:12-16
Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Acts 15:1-21
But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.” The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.” And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written, “‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who makes these things known from of old.’ Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”

Protection in Life

It doesn't matter how long you've been walking with God.  If you get disconnected from church community where you can sharpen one another in the faith, are building towards a common purpose in Christ's kingdom and have people with whom you are transparent and can peer into your life to see how things are truly going, deception will inevitably creep in to lead you astray and away from an ardent pursuit of Christ.

Protection in Doctrine

The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God,
      the Father almighty,
      maker of heaven and earth,
      of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ,
      the only Son of God,
      begotten from the Father before all ages,
           God from God,
           Light from Light,
           true God from true God,
      begotten, not made;
      of the same essence as the Father.
      Through him all things were made.
      For us and for our salvation
           he came down from heaven;
           he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary,
           and was made human.
           He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate;
           he suffered and was buried.
           The third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures.
           He ascended to heaven
           and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
           He will come again with glory
           to judge the living and the dead.
           His kingdom will never end.
And we believe in the Holy Spirit,
      the Lord, the giver of life.
      He proceeds from the Father and the Son,
      and with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified.
      He spoke through the prophets.
      We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.
      We affirm one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
      We look forward to the resurrection of the dead,
      and to life in the world to come. Amen.

The Apostles' Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
      creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
      who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
      and born of the virgin Mary.
      He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
      was crucified, died, and was buried;
      he descended to hell.
      The third day he rose again from the dead.
      He ascended to heaven
      and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
      From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
      the holy catholic* church,
      the communion of saints,
      the forgiveness of sins,
      the resurrection of the body,
      and the life everlasting. Amen.
*that is, the true Christian church of all times and all places

"This creed is called the Apostles' Creed not because it was produced by the apostles themselves but because it contains a brief summary of their teachings. It sets forth their doctrine "in sublime simplicity, in unsurpassable brevity, in beautiful order, and with liturgical solemnity." In its present form it is dated no later than the fourth century. More than any other Christian creed, it may justly be called an ecumenical symbol of faith."
- Christian Reformed Church

Protection in Purpose

God wants to raise up mothers and fathers in the faith in the house of the Lord. 

"If you want to go quickly, go alone.  If you want to go far, go together."
- African Proverb

Second City Church: Chicago Fire Sermon Series 2017

Chicago Fire - Jesus and a Well Built Church

There is a way that Jesus built His church to last through the living stones of real relationships.  To truly find your place in God's biblical story of kingdom advance, you will need to build your life in like fashion.

Acts 14:19-28
Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe. They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. After going through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia, and when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. And they stayed there a long time with the disciples.

They Gathered Around Paul

"There is no way to have a real relationship without becoming vulnerable to hurt."
- Timothy Keller

They Returned to Those They Knew

There are three things that you can do with the life opportunity bricks that you are given by God.

1) Scatter Them - In no way does this build a useful dwelling.

2) Throw Them - You can injure others in your bitterness.

3) Lay Them - It takes time and consistency building into people's lives to make a true impact for the kingdom of God.

They Stayed

We need to be careful of millennial tendencies living as if there is nothing bigger than me.  

Going out of town or on vacation at every opportunity is like throwing bricks/stones at random and hoping to build a house.

Your decisions matter to those to whom you are connected in Christ. You need to live that way.

There is a difference between our generation's obsession with personal calling versus knowing God's purpose in the kingdom of God and finding your place in that.

“A man came across three masons who were working at chipping chunks of granite from large blocks. The first seemed unhappy at his job, chipping away and frequently looking at his watch. When the man asked what it was that he was doing, the first mason responded, rather curtly, “I’m hammering this stupid rock, and I can’t wait ’til 5 when I can go home.”

”A second mason, seemingly more interested in his work, was hammering diligently and when asked what it was that he was doing, answered, “Well, I’m molding this block of rock so that it can be used with others to construct a wall. It’s not bad work, but I’ll sure be glad when it’s done.”

”A third mason was hammering at his block fervently, taking time to stand back and admire his work. He chipped off small pieces until he was satisfied that it was the best he could do. When he was questioned about his work he stopped, gazed skyward and proudly proclaimed, “I…am building a cathedral to the glory of God!”

“Three men, three different attitudes, all doing the same job.”

Ephesians 2:17-22
He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. 

Meet Jesus at the cross where you can die to your own ambitions and preferences that you might truly live for His.  This is the power of real resurrection life in Christ.

Second City Church: Chicago Fire Sermon Series 2017

Chicago Fire - Jesus and a Church Fully Aware of His Love

The gospel that drew men to repentance and faith in Christ was potent in the early church because it demonstrated the love of God in both word and deed.  It is to be the same today. 

Acts 14:8-18 
Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking. And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them. 

God's Love Affirms

God begins all things by affirming His love for us. 

“It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.”
- Frederick Douglass

Psalm 145:8-9
The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.

Jeremiah 9:23-24
Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” 

God's Love Comforts

Through life's afflictions, we are often torn down only to be driven into the loving arms of God for comfort. 

Isaiah 49:13-16 
Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains! For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones. But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me.” “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.

“The great thing, if one can, is to stop regarding all the unpleasant things as interruptions of one's 'own,' or 'real' life. The truth is of course that what one calls the interruptions are precisely one's real life -- the life God is sending one day by day.” 
- C.S. Lewis, The Collected Works of C.S. Lewis 

Isaiah 66:13-14 
As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.” When you see this, your heart will rejoice and you will flourish like grass; the hand of the Lord will be made known to his servants, but his fury will be shown to his foes.

People need encouragement, not just another word of what's wrong in their world or what they're doing wrong, but how Jesus came to make all things right. 

Matthew 5:43-48 
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

God's Love Heals

In Jesus and the cross, God's love is perfectly demonstrated as He is both the healer and redeemer of broken lives. 

Romans 2:4
Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

When you are wooing someone, you begin with what you like about someone, not dislike. Blessings always precede curses in the covenant. God shows us who He is and His goodness prior to the consequences of our rebellion, even when we are in it. 
 

Romans 5:6-11
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Second City Church: Chicago Fire Sermon Series 2017

Chicago Fire - Jesus and a Church That Speaks Effectively

Learning to Speak Effectively

Acts 14:1-7
Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles. When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, and there they continued to preach the gospel.

Know Who Needs To Speak

Fear of man is a snare.  We are paralyzed by the thought of rejection or people's reactions assuming that we live in a city that is hostile to the thought of God.  However, people are suffocating and want to breathe. Always remember that the gospel is good news!

Hebrews 5:11-6:3
About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.  Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits.

“If a man were to sow a field, he could not excuse his neglect by saying that it would be useless to sow unless God caused the seed to grow. He would not be justified in neglecting tillage because the secret energy of God alone can create a harvest. No one is hindered in the ordinary pursuits of life by the fact that unless the Lord build the house they labor in vain that build it.”
- Charles H. Spurgeon, All of Grace

We believe someone else will do speak. You are uniquely designed to reach the people who surround you in your world. 

“Introverted seekers need introverted evangelists. It's not that extroverts can't communicate the gospel, either verbally or nonverbally, in ways that introverts find appealing, it's that introverted seekers need to know and see that it's possible to lead the Christian life as themselves. It's imperative for them to understand that becoming a Christian is not tantamount with becoming an extrovert.” 
- Adam S. McHugh, Introverts in the Church: Finding Our Place in an Extroverted Culture

Know What You Need To Speak

Either we do not truly understand what we say we believe or we believe that we are not qualified. We feel condemned by our sin or lack the confidence in our ability to effectively explain the message.  If you haven't truly encountered Jesus Christ, there is not much to tell.  However, when you have literally met and been transformed by the risen King, there is nothing that can hold you back from telling the world!  We lack boldness because we lack real encounters with Christ.  Yet in a moment like this, this is what he intends to rectify.  You need a story of his transforming and saving love so that you can tell his story!

“Have you no wish for others to be saved?  Then you're not saved yourself, be sure of that!” 
- Charles H. Spurgeon

This is one of the unique purposes of our Purple Book that we encourage everyone to complete.  Work through it not only to be exposed, but to learn to articulate what you have come to believe.

“Let eloquence be flung to the dogs rather than souls be lost. What we want is to win souls. They are not won by flowery speeches.”
- Charles H. Spurgeon

Know Why You Need To Speak

We always believe we'll have more time when we don't. 

Story of DL Moody and the Great Chicago Fire

Second City Church: Chicago Fire Sermon Series 2017

Chicago Fire - Jesus and a Church Driven by His Word

At the beginning of Acts 13, we see that Paul and Barnabas were sent on their first missionary journey by the spoken word of the Lord, the voice of the Holy Spirit.  Just as importantly, as they begin their journey, we see that the written word of God defines and drives their mission.  In the same way, the written word of God should be the driving force behind all church life and activity for the Christian today. 

Know the Goal of the Game

The Word of the Lord is integral to all aspects of worship and service to God. 

Acts 13:13-15
Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem, but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.” 

Jesus was the Savior in fulfillment of the Scripture. 

Acts 13:16-26
So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said: “Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen. The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. And for about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness. And after destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance. All this took about 450 years. And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’ Of this man's offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised. Before his coming, John had proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but behold, after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’ “Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation. 

Your life is part of God's larger, ongoing story of redemption whose history began to be recorded in the pages of Scripture and continues to this day.  The road to reconciliation began as God set Abraham and his family apart to form the Jewish nation, reached its climax in the birth, life, miracles, death, burial and resurrection of the prophesied Messiah Jesus, and will culminate with His triumphant return to earth to judge the living and the dead, restoring all things.  

How would you live differently if you actually embraced this reality?

David a man after God's own heart-  He knew God's heart by His Word. 

Do you aspire to be one after God's own heart? 

Don't be Caught Offsides

Acts 13:27-31
For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not recognize him nor understand the utterances of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him. And though they found in him no guilt worthy of death, they asked Pilate to have him executed. And when they had carried out all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead, and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people.

*Your life has already been described in Scripture. Make sure not to be found on the wrong side of the field. 

It is possible to sit in church every Sunday, hear the Word of God and leave without being properly aligned in your heart to follow Jesus. 

Acts 13:32-41
And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm, “‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you.’ And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, he has spoken in this way, “‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’ Therefore he says also in another psalm, “‘You will not let your Holy One see corruption.’ For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption, but he whom God raised up did not see corruption. Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. Beware, therefore, lest what is said in the Prophets should come about: “‘Look, you scoffers, be astounded and perish; for I am doing a work in your days, a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you.’”

David fulfilled God's purpose in his generation. 

The Word of God is eternal (Psalm 119:89-91).  This means it has both an application in context and a prophetic ongoing revelation, brought to life by the Holy Spirit which generation by generation directs Christ's church. The seemingly disconnected Scripture of the Old Testament prophets gave direction for what the church was to do after Christ's crucifixion and resurrection. Paul's proper application of the Old Testament Scripture determined the church's activity in his then present day. 
 

5 Steps to Interacting with God's Word

1) What does it say in context? (Proper Hermeneutics)
2) What does it say about God? (Proper Theology)

All Scripture points to and is properly understood through the person of Jesus Christ.  Everything in the OT foreshadows his reconciliatory work on the cross.  Everything in the NT looks forward to his restorative work through his resurrection from the dead whereby in his inevitable return he will both judge and rule over his creation.

"Jesus Christ is perfect theology."
-Bill Johnson

3) What does it say about me? (Proper Psychology)
4) What does it say about the world around me? (Proper Worldview)
5) What does it say regarding my present situation? (Prophetic Application)

Commit to the Right Team

The Word of God will produce either undivided love for Jesus or competition with Him where you will be forced to expel His influence from your life. 

Acts 13:42-52
As they went out, the people begged that these things might be told them the next Sabbath. And after the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, as they spoke with them, urged them to continue in the grace of God. The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’” And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region. But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Meet Jesus at the cross and give Him your undivided devotion today.

Second City Church: Chicago Fire Sermon Series 2017

Chicago Fire - Jesus and a Church That Has Only Just Begun

Acts 13:1-16
Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them. When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. But Elymas the magician for that is the meaning of his name opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand. Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord. Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem, but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.” So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said: “Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen.

The reason that we are here today is because God set us apart for a work to which He called us. 

What happens if/when your Mark deserts you?   It's not an end but a beginning. 

What if Paul said it's over at that point?  His first, second and third missionary journeys would not have taken place.  Acts 13-28 would not be a reality and the Western march of the gospel that has impacted the entire known world for centuries would not have been a reality. 

Meet Jesus in your Second Half Life 

Second half of the book of Acts - the gospel to the Gentiles 

Abraham until 75, childless with barren wife Sarah. At 100 has Isaac and the nation of Israel begins.

Moses - first half in Pharoah's court until age 40, age 40-80 on the backside of a desert as a shepherd. Age 80-120 leading the Israelites in their historic exodus out of Egypt with signs and wonders to the precipice of the promised land, modern day Israel. 

Joseph - rejected by brothers and imprisoned until age 30. At 30, ruled as second to Pharoah and saved the known world from starvation by God's wisdom. 

King David - rejected by family and on the run from King Saul until age 30, Age 30 - King in Hebron; 37-death, King of all Israel extending its borders. 

Elizabeth and Zechariah - barren until older age and birth of John the Baptist. 

Jesus - until age 30 being prepared in obscurity.  Age 30-crucifixion and resurrection saved the world from its rebellion against God, triumphing over sin, death and hell. 

The enemy tries to feed you the lie that the best is behind after a trial. However, it was after Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross for our sins that He experienced His life saving resurrection from the dead through which the Holy Spirit was poured out, the church was built, the world was turned upside down and we now have access to eternal life.  Meet Jesus in your second mile life today!
 

Second City Church: Chicago Fire Sermon Series 2017

Easter - 2017

Thank you for a great Easter Egg hunt and for all of those who volunteered to make it happen!

What Would You Do?  What Will You Do?

Today we are going to review the familiar narrative of the events leading to Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection.  Good Friday involved the sobriety of Christ's sacrificial, substitutionary death on the cross.  Today celebrates the glorious reality of His resurrection.  During this time we will interact with Judas, Peter, Pilate and Jesus Himself.  

What drove them to the events leading to the crucifixion?

What would you have done in their place?  

What can we learn from these things that drive us today?

What will you do in the light of the resurrection?

Isaiah 25:8-9
He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken. It will be said on that day, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”

Judas

Judas was driven by his secret sin - in his case, the love of money.

Matthew 26:6-16
Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.” But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.” Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.

John 12:4-6
But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples he who was about to betray him, said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it.

Jesus was simply a means to an end.

Peter

Peter was driven by a fear of man.

He needed the power of the Holy Spirit to change him into a different man whose ultimate end was not comfort.

Mark 14:54
And Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he was sitting with the guards and warming himself at the fire.

Matthew 26:69-75
Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.” After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

"Jesus Christ did not come into this world to make bad people good; He came into this world to make dead people live."
- Lee Strobel

Pilate

Pilate was driven by a sense of self-preservation.

This manifested itself in a desire to please people in an attempt to maintain his power.  Pilate was unwilling to allow the truth of who Jesus was to cost him anything.

Matthew 27:15-26
Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.” Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” And he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!” So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves.” And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.

"The cross is the lightning rod of grace that short-circuits God’s wrath to Christ so that only the light of His love remains for believers."
- AW Tozer

Jesus

Jesus was driven by the love of the Father.

The love of the Father pushed Christ to perfect obedience resulting in His death on the cross for the sins of humanity.  His love of the world drove Him to voluntarily lay down His life with the promise of a triumphant resurrection.  

Matthew 28:1-10
Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

Regardless of whether you've been a Judas, a Peter or a Pilate, you can follow Jesus to the cross today and experience the power of His resurrection!

"Our old history ends with the cross; our new history begins with the resurrection."
- Watchman Nee

In the light of Christ's sacrifice for you and triumphant resurrection, what will you do now?

Second City Church: Easter Sermon 2017

Lent - Part 6

Lent is Acknowledging Christ's Sovereignty

Luke 19:28-40
And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’” So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” And they said, “The Lord has need of it.” And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”

Zechariah 9:9-10 
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the war horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall speak peace to the nations; his rule shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.

Sovereignty refers to Jesus' rulership in your life:
Time - Am I serving?
Talent - Am I using my gifts for the advancement of God's kingdom? 
Relationships - Am I living in a loving, forgiving, holy manner towards others?
Resources - Am I tithing and stewarding His treasure well?

Psalm 118:25-26 
Save us, we pray, O Lord! O Lord, we pray, give us success! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! We bless you from the house of the Lord.

Acknowledging God's sovereignty also means trusting that He is benevolent and in control of the outcomes following our obedience. 

Lent is Acknowledging Christ's Salvation

Luke 19:41-44 
And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.”

Jesus is called the Prince of Peace. 

How has He been making His appeal to you?  Is there anything that you are missing?  How is God trying to bring you into the peace of His death on the cross, burial and resurrection life?

Second City Church: Lent Sermon Series 2017

Lent - Part 5

Lent for the Needs of the World

James 5:1-11
Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you. Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

Job was a man whose identity was tested. 

"God never gives us discernment in order that we may criticize, but that we may intercede."
- Oswald Chambers

Here James was not attempting to condemn the rich or pit the rich against the poor, but to give both the rich and poor instruction in their situation.  As many of the Jewish Christians were displaced refugees in the Roman world, they would have found themselves in disadvantageous positions as they lived as the Diaspora.  Thus, James was instructing the Christian of means as to how they should live generously with their brethren while exhorting those in trying circumstances to persevere and take heart.  It is the same eternal focus of which God would remind us during Lent and have us live with today. 

We have all things and abound; not because I have a good store of money in the bank, not because I have skill and wit with which to win my bread, but because the Lord is my shepherd.
-Charles Haddon Spurgeon

2 Corinthians 8:9
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

Lent for A Changing of Seasons

James 5:12-18
But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation. Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.

Elijah was a prophet whose insistence for God to show Himself strong was tested. 

We are creatures of habit. Don't quit doing what's right even when you don't feel it.  If you quit, it will become easier and easier to do so each subsequent time so that your life drifts out to sea with no sight of the shoreline. Conversely the same is true of right habits, which God calls faithfulness. Commit to this virtue and the joy that's entangled in the fruit of the Holy Spirit will manifest itself in you. 

Until you know that life is war, you cannot know what prayer is for.
- John Piper

Lent for the Lost

Lent is a season to find God's wandering and lost sheep. 

James 5:19-20
My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

We're all in a place where our intentions are tested.

Second City Church: Lent Sermon Series 2017

Lent - Part 4

As we continue through Lent, James instructs us how to humble ourselves like Christ, that the Father might lift us up in due time.  If we follow in Jesus' pattern of daily taking up our cross, we will avoid the pitfalls of fights and quarrels that disrupt God-ordained relationships. Instead, there will be a resurrection of the purposes of God in our lives as we remember that our final destiny is to stand before God having advanced His agenda and kingdom, not our own. 

Fights and Quarrels

James 4:1-10
What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

In the NCAA tournament, it's not about individual accolades, it's about the success of the team. 

Do you live this way in your workplace?  In your family unit?  In your city?  In your church?

Family Ties

People often don't commit to deep, stable relationships in society.  In the church, God calls us to do so because we are family. 

James 4:11-12
Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?

We should be filled with love to believe the best and speak the best about one another. Like God, we should be quick to forgive, slow to accuse or be suspicious.  When we are not slow to do these things, it is the enemy producing insecurity and disunity in the camp. We must fight for a culture of honor amongst us.  

Romans 12:9-13
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

We should be like the Amazon Echo - always listening and always searching for and responding with the voice of God over one another.

The greatest way to live with honour in this world is to be what we pretend to be.
- Socrates

The Final Bracket

James 4:13-17
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

We should be those who see from the whole to the part - meaning it's not just about me and my personal destiny.  It's about what God wants to do in his kingdom as exemplified through His gospel.  Lent reminds us to repent of sins of commission and omission - to do the good we need to do today since we will stand before God one day giving an account for it all.

Second City Church: Lent Sermon Series 2017

Lent - Part 3

During Lent, the sanctification process continues as we're shown the source of the restless evil in our lives and the right way of the wisdom of God found in Jesus.   The letter of James gives us guidelines for godly interactions with one another as we hope to share in the life of Christ together.

A Restless Evil

Through Lent, we're reminded that death was produced and directed in our relationships with God and one another by our tongues. 

James 3:1-12
Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Contain your speech

Say only what is useful for building others up according to their needs.
Ephesians 4:29

Complaints poison the well
Differentiate between your preferences and sin.  Correct sin, corral your preferences. 

Come into agreement with God
Speak the word of faith over others by saying only what God would say about them.  Be redemptive in your speech regarding your family, friends, co-workers, city, leaders, nation and world. 

No act of virtue can be great if it is not followed by advantage for others. So, no matter how much time you spend fasting, no matter how much you sleep on a hard floor and eat ashes and sigh continually, if you do no good to others, you do nothing great.
-John Chrysostom

A Righted Way

Through Lent we're reminded of the wisdom and peace of God found in Christ. 

James 3:13-18
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

Come into the light regarding shortcomings
Don't conceal (hide) them and don't keep them.

Proverbs 28:13
Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

Continue to repent that you might become a peacemaker

How do I know when I'm walking in a destructive manner/being influenced by the demonic?

It tears down rather than builds.

2 Corinthians 13:10
For this reason I write these things while I am away from you, that when I come I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down.

The fruit of our interactions produce envy, disorder and every evil practice (i.e. - gossip, slander, grumbling, disunity and mistrust).

How do I know when I'm giving/walking in the wisdom of God?

It builds up rather than tears down.

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

What are peacemakers?  
They are those who live out the redemptive qualities of and point people to the cross of Jesus Christ. Through Lent we recognize that Jesus came as the Prince of Peace, the very wisdom of God to make peace with God through His sacrificial death, burial and resurrection from the dead. Turn away from sin and put your trust afresh in His saving work today. 

Romans 10:8-13
But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” that is, the word of faith that we proclaim; because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

May this be our Lenten cry:

Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
- St. Patrick

Second City Church: Lent Sermon Series 2017

Lent - Part 2

Lent is a period where we reflect on the person, coming, sacrifice and purpose of Jesus Christ. In doing so, today we will focus on how He came to redeem both our attitudes towards one another and our actions produced by faith (or a lack thereof). 

Attitude

Your attitude towards others reveals your heart.

Lent reminds us not to show partiality in our love/treatment of others. 

James 2:1-13
My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called? If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

"God's tolerance for sin has not softened around the edges.  And while his only begotten Son has since laid down his life as the ultimate, blemish-free sacrifice for our sins, it does nothing to diminish the directive in this three-word sentence: "Stop doing evil (Isaiah 1:16)."  Don't take a break from evil.  Or fast from evil.  Or be sure to clean up after yourself when you're done.   Stop doing evil."
- Sharon Hodde Miller

Actions

Your actions reveal your faith/trust in God.

Lent reminds us not to piecemeal God's commands. 

James 2:14-26
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

In reference to Isaiah 4:2:
"Divine judgment on society begins to manifest itself in the disappearance of solid leadership, and the appearance of immature, capricious leaders."

"Redemption always has the last word.  No matter the darkness and confusion, chaos never reigns.  God reigns.  He is always in control, leading the sadness and mess toward one inevitable conclusion:

HE WINS.

Death dies.

Suffering is extinguished.

Joy comes in the morning.

Whether our present leaders are corrupt, or our personal lives are in shambles, this present darkness is not the end of the story."
- Sharon Hodde Miller

"Heard this today: You don't have to participate with church to be a Christian. You don't have to go home to be married. But in both cases you will have a very poor relationship.
- Charles Kiefer, via Facebook

Second City Church: Lent Sermon Series 2017

Lent - Part 1

Our Trials

Show us our limits

James 1:1-11
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

Our Temptations

Show us our need for Christ

James 1:12-25
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

Our Target

Shows us God's trajectory for our lives

God's commands give us practical targets in life towards which we can aim. 

James 1:26-27
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

Second City Church: Lent Sermon Series 2017